Lin's body was softer than expected.
Based on his physical examination reports, Elysia had imagined that Lin's entire body would have solid, rugged muscle lines, feeling almost metallic to the touch, and perhaps echoing if tapped.
But perhaps it was due to his current state of weakness. When touching this young man, who usually felt like a robot, the sensation under her hand was unusually soft.
Lin's current range of motion could not exceed ninety degrees. His limbs were weak and limp, and even moving his legs was strenuous. For him right now, dancing was a fantasy.
However, none of this was a problem for Elysia. She easily held Lin's left hand with one hand and supported his waist with the other, steadily bearing his full weight with just her hands. This allowed Lin's free hand to firmly hook her waist for balance, with her taking the lead in controlling their advance and retreat.
After stepping onto the dance floor, Lin, who had never learned to dance, wanted to try imitating others' steps by observing them. With his learning ability, he should have been able to pick up the style just by watching a few moments. But before his gaze could even move away from Elysia, she murmured softly, "Lin, you have to look into your partner's eyes when dancing with a girl~"
Lin stared into her eyes, which held a bay of autumn water: "...I don't know how to dance."
"It's okay." She moved a little closer.
Why?
The breathtaking pink eyes kept the question from leaving Lin's lips. There was a magic that made him instinctively believe Elysia's words.
In the shadows of the dim lights, no one noticed the two figures quietly joining the dance floor, gracefully dancing amidst the clusters of moving "petals."
"Tap—"
With a forward step, Lin moved closer to Elysia. A faint scent lingered in his nostrils.
Perfume? Probably not. He had never seen Elysia wear makeup.
He held her hand, which was just large enough to grasp. When Elysia stepped forward, he stepped back; when she stepped back, he stepped forward. Their movements were coordinated and fluid. Coupled with Elysia's standard and graceful dance posture, even the most basic slow waltz was quite a spectacle.
It was peculiar. Despite having no dance foundation and almost no strength in his lower limbs, Lin instinctively followed Elysia's steps, as if he were a natural dancer.
Lin quickly figured out why: he was simply instinctively coordinating with Elysia's movements. Her every step was precise enough to be written into a dance textbook, allowing Lin's footfalls to land in the correct spots. Elysia would also subtly adjust his posture.
His clumsy steps became skilled. Just as Lin thought, he was learning quickly.
As the crowd grew, the rhythm of the music sped up, changing from a slow waltz to a quick waltz. Lin felt the pressure on his waist increase slightly.
Reversal, swing, tilt, rise and fall—all the movements flowed seamlessly. Everything about this crystal-flower-like girl was so natural and moving.
Lin gazed into the girl's pink eyes, his lips moving as he asked in an almost inaudible voice, "Was that you speaking to me at that time?"
The voice that told him to live sounded identical to Elysia's.
But why could Lin hear her call in that empty space, and why did she say those words to him?
"When was that?" The girl smiled cunningly, her ambiguous expression making her inscrutable.
"When I fell into the abyss."
"Lin." The pink long hair drew a perfect arc as she danced. The girl's thin lips were a tempting red under the flickering lights, outlining her smiling curve. "Secrets add a little mystery to a girl, don't they?"
"..."
Everything before him felt like a fleeting dream. Lin could hear people's laughter. They were forgetting their pain, burying their tears and sorrow in this Party, and moving strongly toward a new sunrise.
Yes, all of this felt unreal and intangible to Lin, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Including the girl before him.
"However, no matter when or where, Elysia will be here. That much is not a secret."
The girl blinked, her smile glittering like the stars.
"Is that so?" Lin murmured, stopping his steps.
The dance ended. A new piece began, but the two were already gone.
...
"Splash."
The night sky above the sea was clear and vast, like the Milky Way scattering stardust, decorating the space above their heads.
Lin wiped the pistol in his hand with the moonlight. This standard-issue gun, which hadn't been fired many times, had inevitably acquired scratches after a few battles. His fingers rubbed the rough marks, his thoughts churning in his black eyes.
"Click."
The flash of a camera captured Lin's profile, freezing the frame.
Lin glanced at Elysia, who took the photo from the Polaroid. The night wind blew her hair, cascading down like a waterfall.
"A good photo. When it's used on the Moth of the Flame's promotional poster, we'll label it: 'The Thinker of the Moth of the Flame,'" Elysia flipped the photo so Lin could see his contemplative expression on it.
Lin asked softly, "Does the Moth of the Flame have promotional posters?"
"Yes. Because we have to consider all possibilities, we've anticipated that the Honkai and the Moth of the Flame will be exposed to the whole world sooner or later, so we've prepared for promotion and recruitment in advance."
If that day arrived, it would mean the Moth of the Flame could no longer conceal the disasters caused by the Honkai. By then, human society would likely crumble instantly, like a sandcastle hit by the tide.
How far away was that day? Would it be after his death or before? Or perhaps, tomorrow?
The future was full of terrifying unknowns.
"Lin, how long until the next large-scale Honkai Eruption?" Elysia looked back at the brightly lit base, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and asked Lin.
"I don't know." Lin looked up at the sky. In the curtain of shimmering stars, he had a strange premonition of being watched. "But I believe humanity can continue to win."
"'Win,' huh..." Elysia chewed on the word. She murmured, "Lin, do you believe in humanity because you believe in yourself?"
"No," Lin exhaled. "On the contrary, I believe in myself because I believe in humanity."
"I always see it."
"See what?"
Elysia laughed: "I always see that Lin, who looks rational and astute, says some emotional and impulsive things."
"This is my judgment based on reason," Lin lowered his head and looked at the pistol.
"Then what if humanity disappoints you one day?"
"Then it will only be me disappointing myself."
Lin's finger brushed over the grip's texture, then he turned the muzzle, pointing the dark, circular opening at himself.
Once humanity despairs, it will block the path to the future.
He believed humanity wouldn't be that foolish.
"But if that day truly comes..."
The finger on the trigger slowly tightened.
"That day won't come. I promise you."
A pink finger plugged the muzzle.