Local Netizen Elf’s Life In Another World

Case 306: To the end of the world.

''Hey, Hanako.''

''...Hm?''

''Why do you think humans try to go against their fate?''

As both of us gaze at the sky, Luna suddenly asks me that question. By this point, the asteroid has already collided with the divine barrier, exploding spectacularly in the atmosphere while radiating immense light.

Watching the little pieces fall all over the world amidst the debris of the broken barrier, I feel like I'm seeing a big fireworks display. No, perhaps it is more than that.

The word I'm thinking right now is 'inevitable.' Like a force of nature, those raining meteorites will crash into us, and there's no way anyone can stop them. In a sense, it is nature.

And I also think that this is what Luna means by 'fate'—it's nature.

Although I'm an elf at the moment, I can speak for them as a former human. Mankind's downfall can only be caused by either themselves or nature. I have faith that humans won't try to end themselves no matter how desperate the situation might be, so the only thing left to worry about is Mother Nature herself.

In a lot of elven philosophies, they attribute life's existence to nature.

Nature creates life and nurtures life, but it also dooms life. Take my old planet, for example. In around a billion years, the sun will become so hot that life on Earth will die out, and in five billion, it might just swallow the planet whole.

No matter what the universe or timeline, I think humans will try to survive, even if some say that their end is inevitable.

Some might call it the will to live, some might say tenacity, but I like to call it—

''Stubbornness.''

''Stubbornness?''

''Yeah.''

Against the fading background, Luna and I lock eyes. Although both she and I don't have any meaningful emotions to show, we instinctively understand the fleetingness of it all.

''Humans are inherently selfish creatures. We like to put ourselves over others. We are always prepared to fight one another to death over some land or some vain causes, and in that process, we put the very thing that gave us existence in danger.''

Putting up a smile, I continue,

''Still, beyond all of that hatred and cynicism, we will unite in a heartbeat if we were to be endangered. 'Hypocrisy' is a word only used for humans, and so is 'altruism.' Some aliens would probably look at us and say that we are inefficient in utilizing our intelligence for the greater good and that we are stupid... but I think that's what makes us humans. That's our unique identity—foolish, but it's humanity.''

''...''

Oops. I might have talked too much BS. Well, that is what being an overthinking elf girl is like, I guess.

Nonetheless, what blooms on Luna's face right now is a soft, mellowy smile.

''You still say the same thing, Hanako.'' She muses. ''I guess something just never changes.''

''Is that so?''

From that point onward, the two of us continue to walk through the memory, burning the images of the world at its end into our minds with each step.

In this strange reality, time passes by so quickly that my sight snaps from one scene to another dozens of times per second, yet the sheer weight of those scenes makes it feel as though I'm experiencing them at a normal rate.

I've seen Hanako's smile gradually fade away as she witnesses many tragedies and bleeds herself to greatness, leaving behind a stoic expression.

I've seen the two young elven nuns and their saintess slowly overwork themselves into exhaustion, helping people in need whilst sacrificing their health.

I've seen the king and the queen of this kingdom with weary faces as they deal with strenuous governing affairs days and nights, or the prime minister who never seems to leave her desk in months.

I've seen the people of this country and the light of hope that is flickering within their eyes—and the children's innocent gazes that seem to haunt me constantly.

And... I've seen Aris, who works harder than anyone to protect her home.

''At this point... I think the infectious matter has consumed a few countries whole.'' Luna speaks, her soft voice ringing between the dreadful whispers of the wind. ''It's why you're seeing mad soldiers running amok. Soon, they'll turn into demons.''

''So this is the beginning of those things...''

Luna then goes on to explain to me the energy that caused this calamity. Simply put, it is an element of chaos and destruction. If divine energy and its derivatives are relatively tame, then this one embodies disorder itself, turning things into a total mess.

Soon, the scene arrives at the point where Aris, the one and only light of the world, ultimately realizes that she will not be able to prevent the end.

With her head hanging low, Aris blankly gazes at a crater in the distance, from which the invasive energy eats into the surrounding grounds, forming deep purple cracks. Luna's expression is not that different from Aris's.

''I think... this was when I decided on it,'' Luna mutters.

''...''

Yeah. I remember the virtual game Luna had us played a while ago.

Just like how it was in the game, Aris willingly absorbs all the malice into her own body before persuading the people to perish her together with what is causing problems. Yet perhaps because she is so loved, only the higher-ups of Aris kingdom, who have conversed directly with her and have seen her sincerity, are convinced.

That's excluding the king, the queen, and the prime minister, by the way. Like it or not, they aren't monopolizing the administration's power, so the country is technically in favor of sacrificing Aris.

As for Hanako... let's just say that her answer has been the same since the very start.

Unlike me when I played the game, Hanako knows exactly what she wants. To her, Aris is everything. Without Aris, she wouldn't be living right now. Every moment, every connection she has is owed to the goddess.

To the point that she is willing to abandon the whole world for her.

Yet, looking at the stars within Aris's eyes, which seem to gleam brighter than ever, Hanako can hardly call her out. Bit by bit, she powerlessly watches on as Aris descends on the path of corruption, her rational mind chipped away piece by piece.

Until she locks herself inside her own gazebo, bearing the pain by herself, only waiting for someone to end her existence.

''...Ah, I see.''

So, this was the feeling I had toward the end of the game—a regretful love—a love that is equally as romantic as its regular counterpart yet tragically lost by fate.

The moment both Hanako and I realize that, our muddled minds suddenly get a lot clearer.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

At the edge of the world, I look onward as Hanako takes her determined steps toward her Aris. Then, just like how I did it, she hugs her tightly.

''I'm sorry, Aris.''

''Hanako... you don't... need to—''

''I'm sorry. I'll... not listen to you this time around.''

''...?''

''Forgive me, Aris. I'll always love you.''

In a heartbeat, Hanako, with her meticulously honed senses, ignites every bit of her mana, even drying out her veins to scorch the thing that has been tormenting Aris to nothingness.

But in that process, she also burns her very own life.

''A-Ah... no! Hanako!!''

As the weight on Aris's shoulder lessens and the warmth on her skin fades away, tears begin to roll out of her eyes. Despite that, Hanako's smile remains untouched... until even her presence within myself fades away.

''Hey... let's meet again... somewhere.''

''N-No!''

I feel a tug on my sleeve.

On the side, Luna is watching herself tumbling to retrieve whatever is left of Hanako's soul, bearing almost the same painful expression. Of course, I grab her hand right away.

''Don't cry. Look, we really did meet again, no?'' 

''You... hic... idiot...''

''...Let's not do this again, yeah? Both of us.''

''Um...!''

Luna finally smiles.

Slowly, the world around us meets its end, just as the image of a broken Aris hugging a piece of light into her embrace is deeply imprinted into my mind.