The first golden rays of sunlight crept into the tent, casting a soft glow on the sleeping figures curled up on blankets and mats. Birds chirped in the distance, and the waves hummed a soothing rhythm along the shore. The beach, once filled with laughter and games, now carried the quiet stillness of a peaceful morning.
Shuiyin blinked her eyes open, her small body still pressed against Little Life's side. Realizing what had happened the night before, she pulled back slowly, her cheeks slightly pink. But Little Life simply smiled.
"Morning," he said warmly.
"M-Morning," she replied, adjusting her hair awkwardly.
He reached into his robe and pulled out a small object wrapped in silk. Carefully unwrapping it, he revealed a round compass. It wasn't an ordinary compass—its center glowed faintly, and instead of a single needle, seven slender lines pointed in different directions. Each line shimmered in a different color.
"This," he said, placing it gently in her hands, "is a compass we found in a hidden market. My brother, Little Dark, discovered it. I refined it using a drop of my blood. Now, it's tied to all seven of us."
Shuiyin stared at it with wide eyes. "Seven directions... seven colors?"
He pointed to the lines, naming each color softly.
"Red is Little Fire. Yellow is Little Earth. Silver is Little Death. Green is Little Wind. White is me—Little Life. Purple is Little Light. And the last one..." He touched the glowing blue line. "This is Little Water."
She held the compass close to her chest. "It's beautiful... but how do I know where to go?"
"Just follow the blue line. Ignore the others. When you get close, he'll feel the compass and come find you. He'll know what to do."
Shuiyin's eyes trembled. "But... you won't be there."
"I will," he said softly, brushing her hair aside. "Through the shared sense with Little Water, I'll know how you are. I'll feel what you feel."
Tears welled in her eyes. "But it won't be the same. It's not you."
He crouched to her level, holding her shoulders. "Shuiyin, you're not being abandoned. You're being protected. He's my brother. Just like I care about you, so will he."
For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"I'll go," she whispered, voice shaky. "But promise me... when this is all over, you'll come back."
"I promise," he said without hesitation. "One day, we'll all sit together again—whole and healed."
Elder Miao stepped forward quietly. "The portal to the other continent is ready. The compass will guide her safely."
The team gathered around as Shuiyin stepped toward the glowing circle carved in the sand. She turned one last time, tears trailing down her cheeks.
"I'll wait for you, Big Brother."
Little Life nodded silently.
With that, the portal flared, and she vanished into the light.
Silence followed. The beach wind now felt colder, emptier.
After some time, Little Life stood and turned toward his team. "It's time. I'm leaving this continent to search for the remaining materials."
Liner's eyes widened. "What? You're going alone?!"
"I have to," Little Life said firmly. "It's dangerous. I can't risk any of your lives."
Liner stomped forward, fists clenched. "Then I'll risk it! You think we're weak? That we only exist to be protected?! I'm going too!"
The others nodded in unison.
"I'll go too, Brother Life!"
"We've fought beasts and lived through near death. We'll follow you even to the edge of the world!"
"You're not leaving us behind!"
Little Life's expression tightened. "You don't understand! This isn't a playground. We're dealing with ancient forces, corrupted lands, beasts that—"
"I don't care!" Liner shouted. "You saved me. You gave me purpose. If I die following you, I'll die smiling."
Little Life stepped back. Their emotions were real, their decisions firm.
Elder Miao stepped into the circle, her voice calm but strong. "Let them go."
"But—"
"Listen, boy. Their path is now tied to yours. If you leave them, you'll only gain regret."
Little Life lowered his eyes. "But what about their wings? Their beast claws?"
Elder Miao chuckled. "You think I'd let them wander around flashing their power like wild beasts?"
She pulled out a small scroll with glowing red marks. "This is the Technique of Concealment. It will hide their wings and claws, even under detection spells. Let them go with you. It's not only your journey—it's theirs too."
There was no argument left.
He took a deep breath and finally nodded. "Fine. But stay close. And never act alone."
The cheers that followed nearly echoed across the beach. Liner even wiped a tear and grinned. "Let's go then, Brother! Let's see the world together!"
The next morning, they packed their things and stood before the portal. The wind blew softly, and the sky was clear.
Little Life turned back once more to gaze toward the direction Shuiyin had left. The blue light of the compass flickered faintly on his waist, as if reminding him she was still out there.
"Let's go," he said.
And with that, the team stepped through the portal—toward the unknown, toward another continent, and toward the final chapters of their destiny.
---[To Be Continued]----