Starry Sky Railway: Opening Performance - Taixu Sword God

"[The Dark Hand] can only deliver judgments, not embraces."

“Yes.” Polycia smiled slightly.

"Just as death, which was originally one hand, split in two when we arrive in the world, and can never touch each other again..."

"The half-life of Cenathos, the one who [grants death] immortality... this is the curse I have imposed upon you."

Looking at the wheelchair-bound girl before her, Xia Die asked in return:

"What about you?"

“I… its dead half, I bear the fate of [refusing to die], and I was declared dead the moment I was born into the world.”

Polysia was somewhat helpless.

"From that time on, the Titans ceased to exist in the world."

"Life and death are severed from the cycle of reincarnation; the soul has no chance to meet the revered deity and can only be stranded in the ever-rising river of the dead..."

"How ridiculous... My selfish intention was to save lives, but I have written a fate heavier than death for you and this world."

As the wheels of her wheelchair turned, Polycia slowly made her way into the depths of the flower field.

"Then, I, the remaining sanity of Polycia, remained in the underworld."

"Day after day, tending to the flowers, watching them grow into a sea of ​​blossoms... savoring life and death, separation, and the long, lonely journey..."

Xia Die took a step and followed her, whispering, "...Fate is indeed absurd."

"Our lives are like reflections of each other's hands... yet even so, we still arrive at the same destination by different paths—"

"We have walked different paths, yet we taste the same flavors."

Polycia gazed at the swaying flower buds ahead and smiled faintly:

"I thought that at least you could live a good life in this lifetime..."

“My life has not been wasted.” Xia Die’s gaze was firm. “To me, you have never done anything wrong…”

"Really?" Polycia looked up at her sister whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Even if... I were to impose the power of [death] on you, a complete stranger?

Xia Die gently shook her head; at this moment, she had a different perspective on the curse upon her.

"On this long journey, too many missions have already been imposed on my shoulders."

"I have also felt lost, and even angry..."

"But only recently did I realize: without your blessing, I would not have been able to understand where those feelings came from, nor understand my own mission—"

"Not to mention coming here to reunite with my destined other half; to share our past, and the scenery before us..."

“And another thing,” Xia Die said, looking at the girl in the wheelchair with a smile, “is the meaning of our existence.”

Chapter 1386 What Happened to You in the Reincarnation

"This sea of ​​flowers grows in a dead land; you and I sowed its seeds with our parting, and watered it with our lonely tears..."

"Death can create nothing more than flowers blooming from blood and tears."

Xia Die said solemnly:

Therefore, Cenatos cannot shape all things at will, nor can the [Gray Hand] determine the fate of all living beings—

"Because the life and death of mortals should not be controlled by any will."

Upon hearing this, Polycia said with some curiosity, "This sounds like it's denying the significance of Cenatos..."

"No," Xia Die explained.

"No one can independently weigh the scales of life and death, not even a god."

"Life and death are equally heavy... We both understand this better than anyone, don't we?"

Seeing that she could say such a thing, Polycia pondered for a moment and couldn't help but sigh.

"Your life must have been very difficult..."

Why would a happy, carefree person think about so many profound truths?

"We...we really went through an incredibly absurd journey together."

“Even back then, I had a premonition: one day, we would meet again… not for a long-awaited reunion embrace, but to retaliate and exact our due…”

"Then you tell me the answer that was already written... to put an end to the long fate."

The girl patted her wheelchair and smiled slightly.

"It's been far too long."

"I stand here alone, watching the desperate souls of the dead day after day... shut out by this desolate wasteland..."

"Among their figures, I always hoped to see your silhouette, yet I was also afraid to acknowledge you."

"I don't know how to face you..."

“I’m even more afraid of seeing…that my former closest relatives have long forgotten my existence.”

“…I understand,” Xia Die comforted her.

“But you see, Polycia, anyway… I’m back here.”

“You no longer have to bear the power of [death] alone...after all, it should be lifted up by both hands.”

"Therefore, let Lord Yan Huan... bring our flame back to the mortal realm, so that mortals may reclaim their right to life and death..."

“Our duty, that of Senatos, has never been to choose lives, but only to look after them.”

"Let us together...care for this warm sea of ​​flowers that belongs to so many souls."

"Is that alright, Polycia?"

“…” Polycia fell silent.

Unexpectedly, my sister was willing to stay and guard the sea of ​​flowers.

A thousand years of solitude left her somewhat dazed.

“Of course,” Polycia replied.

"Now... only the last step remains."

"According to the oracle of this lifetime, the divine authority of Senatos is destined to be held by only one person."

"As a golden descendant of death, as its demigod, as a Titan..."

"Our destined moment has arrived once again."

Xia Die nodded slightly, already prepared, "Just like before..."

"Yes. Just like before."

Polycia smiled with relief.

"But, unlike that time... this time, both sides in the trial are well prepared."

"It's fate. As long as my sister is here, I won't be afraid..."

"Please complete the trials of this life, grant me the embrace of [death], and ignite the flame of [life]."

"Sister, if it were you, after experiencing the trials of life and death, you would surely bring the first glimmer of life to this wasteland..."

"Like a butterfly heading to the underworld, landing on a branch of death."

"...I will." Xia Die placed her hand on her chest, gazing at every flower here, having already made up her mind.

"After that, I will dwell in the underworld forever, and let the River Styx return here, turning into drizzle from the sky, sprinkling souls upon this land of the underworld."

"Life and death will turn again, and this sea of ​​flowers you planted with your own hands will forever carry countless souls, whether they are sad or happy, and will be forever full of vitality."

Upon hearing this, Polycia was deeply moved.

"Thank you. Could you... grant me a wish?"

“Of course.” Xia Die looked at her. “What is it?”

Polycia took a deep breath, then said with relief:

Please...don't forget me.

“…I promise you.” Xia Die nodded.

"Even if I cross the cycle of reincarnation again... when we meet again in the next life, I will be just like I was when I was first born..."

"I will definitely hold you tight, very tight."

“This is so nice…” Polycia leaned back in her chair and gradually relaxed.

Gazing at the waning moon on the horizon, I sighed:

"Xia Die...Xia Die..."

"Her name suits her perfectly... How beautiful she is."

……

Ohma City.

“Time really flies…” Cecis said to Shi Xia, whose face was turning purple, standing at the entrance to Dawn Cloud Cliff.

"In the blink of an eye, the fifteenth door was already in sight."

"When this farce ends, your very soul will be placed on the scales of life and death. Are you ready?"

"I feel like I'm about to die..." Xia said, clutching her swollen, purple forehead, her face pale.

"It's absurd... How could those ignorant old fools even come up with a scheme like poisoning?"

"Can't they see that these petty tricks are completely useless against that monster?"

“Son of man,” Sersis mocked.

"As the curtain falls, mediocrity will always struggle with everything it can."