Heroes Gathering!
"Ellie, is the reason you've gathered us all here because of this young individual standing before us?" Eden inquired, her voice echoing in the room. She was elegantly holding a wine glass, the liquid inside swaying gently with her movements. Her long, burgundy hair cascaded down her back, adding to her regal demeanor.
She directed her question towards her closest friend, who was standing right next to her. The air was filled with anticipation as everyone awaited her response.
Elysia, known as Ellie to her friends, responded with a nod and a soft chuckle. "Indeed, that's part of it. I also have a wager with Mobius," she confessed, her laughter light and infectious. She twirled gracefully on her tiptoes, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "He claimed that this task was something only I could accomplish. Naturally, I wanted to prove him right. You're not upset with me, are you, dear Eden?"
She paused for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "But I must say, we all seem to be getting along quite well. It's not as dramatic as he made it out to be. And what about all the other things that only I can do?" Elysia added, her tone playful yet sincere.
Eden responded with a warm smile, "Ellie, if it's an invitation from you, I would certainly accept it without hesitation. How could I possibly blame you?" She took a delicate sip from her wine glass, her eyes scanning the room before she continued, "However, I do agree that this is a task that only you, Ellie, could pull off!"
Elysia scratched her head in embarrassment, a sheepish grin on her face. "Well, when you put it that way, it does sound like a big deal. But honestly, it's just a simple task, isn't it?" Her laughter echoed in the room, lightening the atmosphere.
"... Just because of this ordinary person, you called us all here?" The man, who always seemed to be ablaze with an inner fire, questioned. Even amidst the lively party, his face remained concealed behind a mask, adding an air of mystery to his fiery persona.
"Kalpas, you can't be so rude!" Aponia, standing beside him, gently chided. Her hands were delicately folded over her stomach, and her voice was soft yet firm, carrying an air of friendly persuasion.
"Hmph! Nosy!" Kalpas retorted, his voice cold. He crossed his arms defiantly, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the day's peculiar circumstances.
The hall was filled with Heroes, but the atmosphere was far from warm and congenial. Instead of mingling as a unified group, they were split into smaller factions, each seemingly on guard against the others. Elysia and Eden were huddled together, with Aponia nearby, and Kalpas maintaining a cautious distance.
Kevin, who was usually at the forefront, was instead engaged in a relaxed conversation with Su, who sat with her eyes closed, yet still actively participating in the discussion. Griseo was tucked away in a corner, quietly immersed in his painting, while Kosma observed the scene from her side. Sakura and Hua also kept to themselves in another corner.
Vill-V was conspicuously absent, perhaps preparing to unveil some magical surprise, adding to the anticipation in the room.
Mobius, an enigmatic figure, was fixated on the seemingly ordinary man standing in the room. Her eyes, reminiscent of a snake's, were filled with a curious intensity, as if she was on the verge of leaping into action at any given moment.
Meanwhile, Kalpas was scanning the room, his gaze searching for Pardofelis. But the elusive feline was nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to give up his search, a panting Pardofelis burst into the room.
"Sister Ellie! Sister Ellie! We… we're late!" Pardofelis, out of breath from her hurried entrance, made her way towards Elysia, who was standing in the center of the crowd. She wore an apologetic smile, her demeanor resembling that of a mischievous child caught in the act.
Elysia, however, responded with a warm smile. "Oh, little Pardo, you're just in time!" she reassured, her voice filled with affection as she gently stroked the cat's head. It was clear that she held no grudge against Pardofelis for her tardiness.
"Now, let's hear what our visitor has to say," Elysia announced, turning her attention back to the crowd. But then she paused, her gaze sweeping over the room. "Wait, where's Vill-V?" she wondered aloud, noticing the absence of one of their members. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't spot Vill-V anywhere in the room.
Suddenly, a puff of smoke billowed up from the field, and out of it emerged the delightful figure of Vill-V. She shimmered into existence, her presence impossible to ignore. After all, how could she resist the opportunity to perform her magic show in front of such a large audience?
"Welcome, one and all, to the heartfelt performance of the greatest magician of our time," Vill-V announced, tipping the brim of her hat in a gesture of playful secrecy. Her voice echoed across the field, capturing the attention of everyone present.
Without missing a beat, a platform rose from the ground, signaling the beginning of her performance. The stage was set, and the anticipation was palpable. "Prepare yourselves for a live magic show! Let's hear your applause and cheers!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms wide in an exaggerated flourish.
However, the field fell silent. Some people stared at her, their expressions unreadable, while others chose to continue with their own activities. The atmosphere turned awkward as the anticipated applause and cheers failed to materialize.
Even Elysia, who was usually quick to offer her support, simply watched Vill-V with a quiet, gentle smile. Pardofelis, the cat, seemed eager to clap and cheer, but the stern faces of the crowd made her hesitate. She retreated, seeking refuge behind Ellie, her enthusiasm dampened by the lack of response.
"Well, it seems that everyone is eagerly anticipating this gentleman's performance," Vill-V observed, undeterred by the earlier silence. A gentle smile played on her lips as she gracefully leapt onto the stage with a wave of her hands.
"Then, let's hand over the stage to this gentleman!" she announced, leaving Luo Mo standing alone on the stage. He looked somewhat out of place, like a crane amidst a flock of sparrows.
Luo Mo's mouth twitched in surprise. He had been preparing to speak, but he hadn't anticipated that Vill-V would set the stage for him so abruptly. The spotlight was now on him, and all eyes were focused in his direction. It felt like he had been thrust into the limelight without warning, but he also recognized it as an opportunity to command the attention of the crowd.
Taking a deep breath, he composed himself, ready to rise to the challenge that lay ahead.
"Cough, esteemed Heroes from 50,000 years ago, I didn't come here as a trialist, but as an invitee," Luo Mo began, his voice steady and clear. He knew he had to seize this opportunity to state his purpose, as he might not get another chance. He was aware that Elysia might not be willing to gather the crowd for him again.
He could already sense that at least Elysia and Mobius were considering leaving. With that, he felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing he had achieved the minimum goal of his visit.
"Oh? Aren't you here for me to study, little mouse?" Mobius asked, grinning broadly at him. Her expression was playful, almost teasing. "I like you. Come, come, step into my lab! I promise to 'treat' you well!"
"An invitation? What's it for? I'm intrigued!?" Elysia exclaimed, pulling Eden closer. She feigned surprise, adding to the playful atmosphere.
"Hmph! Pretending to be surprised!" Kalpas retorted, unimpressed. If it weren't for the engagement of the pink-haired woman, he would have left long ago.
Aponia, standing next to him, let out a soft sigh, as if she already knew something. Meanwhile, Kevin, who was engaged in a conversation with Su, remained expressionless. He could have intervened, but for some unknown reason, he chose to stay silent and listen.
"Let's all unite and venture out to defeat Honkai!" Luo Mo declared, his smile unwavering despite the gravity of his words.
Surprisingly, his bold proposal was met with silence. No one questioned it, nor did anyone object. It was as if the audacious nature of the task had stunned them into silence, causing them to completely overlook Luo Mo's statement.
"I'd love to join this adventure too!" Elysia chimed in, her laughter light and carefree. Her words seemed to lend some support to Luo Mo's proposal, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.
It was only after Elysia's comment that the others began to respond. "Defeat Honkai?" Mobius asked, a sneer playing on her lips. Her tone was flirtatious as she added, "Why don't you share your secret with me, so I can study it? Perhaps that way, we could defeat Honkai even faster!"
"Boring! Elysia, is this charade over yet?" Kalpas interjected, crossing his arms over his chest in a display of impatience.
"Hmph, it seems the person everyone chose to perform wasn't up to the mark!" Vill-V remarked, pulling her hat down over her eyes. Her voice held a note of mockery as she added, "How about letting me take the stage again?"
"Let's all unite and venture out to defeat Honkai!" Luo Mo declared, his smile unwavering despite the gravity of his words.
Surprisingly, his bold proposal was met with silence. No one questioned it, nor did anyone object. It was as if the audacious nature of the task had stunned them into silence, causing them to completely overlook Luo Mo's statement.
"I'd love to join this adventure too!" Elysia chimed in, her laughter light and carefree. Her words seemed to lend some support to Luo Mo's proposal, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.
It was only after Elysia's comment that the others began to respond. "Defeat Honkai?" Mobius asked, a sneer playing on her lips. Her tone was flirtatious as she added, "Why don't you share your secret with me, so I can study it? Perhaps that way, we could defeat Honkai even faster!"
"Boring! Elysia, is this charade over yet?" Kalpas interjected, crossing his arms over his chest in a display of impatience.
"Hmph, it seems the person everyone chose to perform wasn't up to the mark!" Vill-V remarked, pulling her hat down over her eyes. Her voice held a note of mockery as she added, "How about letting me take the stage again?"
Luo Mo found himself deep in thought, contemplating the situation at hand. He had anticipated this response, but the question remained: how could he change the course of the game?
"What if… I told you that I've witnessed a world that has overcome Honkai?" Luo Mo proposed, offering an answer that none of the Heroes present had considered.
Elysia fell silent for a moment, seemingly taken aback by Luo Mo's revelation. She turned to one of the Heroes present, Aponia, seeking her input.
Aponia, too, appeared surprised. She was known for her ability to predict the future of the Elysian realm, but even she couldn't foresee the exact process. After a moment of contemplation, she shook her head, "He's not lying," she confirmed, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity.