There was no longer any land beneath the water—just as Owen had said. The land of this world had already been assimilated by Curse Power. The sun hung high overhead, and the remaining four Forsaken had left the Devouring Woods.
Though they said they wanted to go out and see if there was a way, in truth, perhaps they just wanted to see this world for themselves.
"Ethan, did you find anything when you entered my dreamspace last night?"
I shook my head. Rachel Lan looked a bit downcast. I knew all too well what it felt like to have your power stripped away—especially at a time like this. Even though Rachel insisted on staying, she was afraid she might become a burden.
"It's alright. I'll keep searching tonight. I'm sure I'll find something eventually."
Last night, Mona Ouyang suddenly appeared. Clearly, he knew something, but before he could finish speaking, the consciousness of this world drove him out. Meanwhile, the fragment of The Wraithlord within me was forcibly suppressed.
But worrying now was pointless. The water level kept rising, almost reaching the base of the Timber Rampart, and the green leaves below the wall had begun to wither.
This was the last inch of land left in this world. At that moment, Rachel Lan walked over.
"Ethan, go get some rest. You haven't had a proper break in a long time."
I didn't refuse Rachel's kindness. I went straight to my room and lay down. The Forsaken who left should return before sunset.
Lying in bed, I couldn't sleep at all. Outside, Rachel Lan and Sylvia Blue kept watch. For now, things seemed calm—the consciousness of this world wasn't in a hurry to destroy us. The real danger would come when those Black Suns gathered overhead.
I lay there until sunset, still unable to sleep—just quietly resting. After getting up, I went outside. Nothing had happened all day. Sylvia Blue and Rachel Lan were still waiting outside their rooms.
"They haven't come back yet?"
I asked. Sylvia Blue shook her head, while Rachel Lan gazed anxiously at the distant Sea of Curse Power.
"Do you think something happened to them?"
"Probably not."
I said, though I wasn't sure myself. I didn't know if they left on a whim or for some other reason, but honestly, it wasn't a rational decision—and I hadn't stopped them.
But bad things still happened. By nightfall, none of the four Forsaken who left had returned. Even when the moon rose, there was still no sign of them.
The Forsaken should have come back to rest at night, but they didn't. Outside of the Devouring Woods, there was nowhere left in this world for them to stand.
"Looks like we need to prepare for the worst."
Sylvia Blue muttered, quietly staring at the pale, silent sun that had appeared in the distance. Her eyes were heavy with concern.
"Let's go, Ethan. Let's continue what we started last night."
I replied, and Rachel Lan grabbed my arm, pulling me into the room. She was clearly anxious.
"Don't be so anxious, Rachel. Even though I didn't find anything last night, I feel like there's an incredible power inside you."
"Really?"
Rachel Lan had already lain down, her eyes regaining their sparkle. I knew her personality well—she just wanted to recover a bit of strength, even the tiniest amount, so she could help, not just stand by and watch.
"Just sleep for now, Rachel."
I held Rachel Lan's hand with one hand and placed the other on her forehead. Soon, she fell asleep. I lay down gently, closed my eyes, and let instinct take over.
When I opened my eyes again, I immediately saw that bright white wall. I flew toward it, easily entering Rachel Lan's dreamspace.
But in an instant, I was stunned. There were new colors in the space—a flash of fiery red. I rushed toward that red, and just like the blue stones I'd seen yesterday, there was a pile of fire-red stones radiating a newborn's aura. Even the pale blue stone piles had changed tonight.
"What exactly is going on?"
I walked up to a pile of stones. Now the stones were spread out and fit together like pieces of a puzzle. After examining them for a while, I realized the joined stones looked like the foundation of a house.
I kept searching everywhere for a long time, but just like last night, I found nothing. I couldn't see Rachel Lan anywhere. It was her own dreamspace—her consciousness should have been here.
"Rachel, are you there?"
I shouted, then kept calling several more times, but still made no progress.
The whole night passed with no results. Early the next morning, I woke up exhausted. Rachel Lan was already up, with a basin of water beside her. I drank some and began to wash up.
As soon as I went outside, the sun hadn't risen yet, but Rachel Lan was already sitting on the edge of the rampart, quietly tilting her head and gazing contentedly at the huge hole in the sky. When the sun finally rose, its light would take a while to slant through the thick black clouds.
"I've checked—they still haven't come back."
Rachel Lan muttered. I nodded and sat beside her. She leaned against me, and I put my arm around her waist.
"Still no sign of them?"
I nodded, then shook my head. I told her everything I saw in her dreamspace.
"Really? Beautiful red stones and fiery stones—I wish I could see them!"
"Maybe there will be new changes tonight."
As I spoke, I glanced at the surface of the Curse Power water outside the rampart. It had risen again, now reaching the bottom of the wall. By tomorrow, it would likely flood the wall itself. At this rate, the rampart could last another ten days at most.
The Forsaken still hadn't returned today. Then came the sound of footsteps. I turned to look—it was Nathan Stone, wearing his iron mask.
"What are you doing here?"
It was clear Rachel Lan still felt obvious hostility toward Nathan Stone. I patted her back, then stood up.
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"Maybe we'll get answers today."
Nathan Stone said. I looked at him in confusion; he seemed weary. I realized something and started to ask.
"Did 001 say something to you before leaving?"
Nathan Stone hesitated for a long while, then nodded.
"You'll know the result today."
The sun still rose. Sylvia Blue was still sleeping, and the three of us quietly watched the distance. What puzzled me was that one black sun was missing.
"What's going on?"
I stared in surprise at the space directly ahead of us—there was no black sun, while the other three sides had one.
"That little girl told me before leaving that they'd handle some things themselves, and might not come back."
"Why?"
Rachel Lan immediately asked, looking at Nathan Stone in surprise. He just gave a helpless smile and turned away.
"You've been affected, Rachel. 001 asked me to pass on a message: If she dies on the other side in the living world and still has a chance there, she wants to thank you. As for you two, figure out a way to break through this world's barrier. They've already made the best choice. Next, it's up to you—don't let their efforts go to waste. Remember this, Rachel: You're not a savior, and neither is Ethan. If you're clear-headed, think carefully about how to leave this world."
After leaving these words, Nathan Stone prepared to go.
"Wait."
Suddenly, Rachel Lan walked over and placed a hand on Nathan Stone's shoulder.
"What are you doing? I'm just telling the truth, you..."
"That's right, neither Ethan nor I are saviors, and we can't change everything. But just because of that, I won't give up. What I hate most is people telling me it's impossible. Remember this, Iron Mask: When everyone thought humans could never fly, someone did it—airplanes appeared in our world."
Nathan Stone burst out laughing, then pushed Rachel Lan's hand away. His laughter stopped abruptly, and his eyes were filled with confusion, but mostly indifference.
"I didn't expect you to be so stubborn. Honestly, I'm surprised. Looks like dying once didn't teach you anything. I'll watch closely: in this broken world, let's see what you can do to piece it back together."
"I'll show you."
Rachel Lan didn't flinch at all; her eyes were full of determination. I watched quietly from the side—those eyes, on that beautiful face, radiated a steel-like resilience. That's what drew me to Rachel Lan.
Nathan Stone left, but Rachel Lan was still visibly upset.
"Alright, Rachel, don't think too much about it. He didn't mean any harm."
"Ethan, do you remember what happened under Ghost Lantern Mountain? I did it—despite how strong the enemy was. If I'd been even a little weak or hesitant, we might all be dead now."
I nodded, then smiled.
"Let's keep trying tonight, Rachel."
The door creaked open. Sylvia Blue, with a gentle smile, came over.
"Isn't that right, Sylvia? Some people can't do something themselves, so they assume others can't either—and then act all superior, trying to lecture me. It's really annoying!"
"That's right, that's right. Hehe, you can definitely do it."
I watched the two of them, a little amused. In such a short time, they seemed like sisters—so close and familiar.
When the moon rose, I closed my eyes and once again entered Rachel Lan's dreamspace. But tonight, the world had changed again. The blue stones I'd seen yesterday had now gathered into a circle, forming what looked like a house. In the center, there was a small open space. After walking over and carefully checking, I confirmed—it really was a round house.