Having followed Gnaeus for a while, a sense of camaraderie had already formed.
At a time like this, suddenly declaring him a necessary sacrifice didn't feel good at all.
But for the honor of a warrior, Guinaifen was already rubbing his fists, ready to bestow upon it the highest honor of death!
As expected.
As his roar ended, the light from the greatsword behind him suddenly fell, piercing through Gnaeus's chest!
The overlapping shadows of past and future intertwined as Dan Heng, spear in hand, swiftly passed by Xing!
"They're back!"
Phainon's voice rang out.
The three of them had been fighting for who knows how long.
"Defeat me."
"Give me a warrior's fitting end!"
Standing before the group, after giving them his final words.
Gnaeus was pierced through by Nikador's descending spear, turning into golden blood and merging completely with the strife.
As ethereal background music began to play.
[Battle Start]
At this moment, Nikador underwent a massive change; a colossal figure wielding a holy spear appeared, the added wings behind it amplifying the sense of overwhelming pressure!
Having waited so long for the boss fight, Guinaifen was already impatient:
"Finally, the real boss fight is here, folks! Let's slay a god with our own hands!"
The live stream chat scrolled faster, as this was the first boss fight since honkai: star rail's release.
...
Meanwhile.
In Okhema, the Chrysos Heirs were also watching this boss fight.
Mydei showed a relieved smile, as if talking to himself, yet also addressing Phainon beside him:
"Gnaeus... just a couple days ago he came to spar with me. I wonder what he'd think seeing this scene."
"Haha."
Phainon also laughed, commenting thusly: "Then you can go find him again later."
"Honestly, none of us got this kind of treatment. Who would have thought that in our partner's story, he'd get his moment of glory so early?"
Watching a story about oneself through a screen felt somewhat familiar, yet not something fully experienced.
This feeling was rather peculiar?
There was also a sense of reassurance.
Watching Gnaeus sacrifice himself like a hero, Mydei also began to wonder what his own moment of glory would be like in Xu Qiong's script?
Son of Gorge?
Mydei crossed his arms, teasing: "Don't make it sound like I'm like you. I've died who knows how many times in the game, Deliverer."
"My moment of glory will definitely be much more imposing than yours!"
"Mydei, why are you starting to talk like in the game?" Phainon sighed, also getting fired up, "But dare to make a bet? In our partner's script, I'm practically the lead actor!"
"Bet it is!"
Mydei and Phainon bickered beside them, as usual.
Xu Qiong, meanwhile, was intently focused on a little girl.
"Can it work?"
Beside him, Aglaea leaned her exquisitely beautiful face close, her gaze towards Xu Qiong carrying a hint of worry and anxiety.
And a trace... of a barely perceptible plea?
Xu Qiong paused, then reached out and patted her: "Don't worry, don't worry. It'll work."
"Come on, don't be afraid. Remember the game you played with Sister Aya before? Just close your eyes and count down thirty seconds."
Xu Qiong gave her a hand signal.
Seeing this, the little girl nodded nervously, then closed her eyes.
And so, the next second, Xu Qiong attempted to spread his hands, and a pale white energy enveloped her.
In the darkness, it wasn't long.
A mere thirty seconds later.
The little girl timidly opened her eyes slowly. Aglaea, biting her lip, her stunningly beautiful face tense with nervousness, was the first thing that came into view.
For some reason.
The little girl seemed to feel some change in her body?
She tried hard to open her mouth: "Uh, ah... A, A..."
This feeling was wonderful, as if the world had become clearer, and finally:
"A, Ya, Jie, Jie."
Almost word by word.
But Aglaea's expression showed a flash of delight!
She looked at Xu Qiong, then at the little girl, her pupils holding an additional touch of gratitude.
Xu Qiong nodded, somewhat understanding: "She can speak now. It should be fine."
That's right.
This girl before them was the one Aglaea had helped before, the same girl Kenisis had used to threaten her.
She was deaf and mute, and Kenisis had even talked about blinding her.
Xu Qiong thought that if flowers and plants could have their time reversed, then people probably could too, or for now, it wasn't far off to call it data.
Anyway, he tried it, and it actually worked?!
He directly reversed her time to the period when she could hear and see clearly.
Her most original state.
"Precious Qiong~ You're a miracle worker, simply a doctor!" Hyacine, joining the excitement, also shared in the joy.
"Sir, that's amazing. How did you do it?"
"Quite interesting. If I didn't lack equipment, I'd really like to deeply dissect this mysterious power of yours from the outside world."
"Such a powerful ability, how can it not be used by this Emperor? Listen, this Emperor appoints you as... orders you to..."
Hathur was stunned: "Uh, I have no objection!"
Surrounded by a circle, being praised by the Chrysos Heirs, Xu Qiong felt his mood lift.
Stop praising, stop praising!
It's not that big a deal!
He was just experimenting.
And when he came back to his senses.
Suddenly, he saw Aglaea appear before him, holding a delicate sandalwood gift box.
The crowd still huddled together, as if understanding something, unanimously made way.
"Hmm?"
Xu Qiong stared at the sandalwood box, a look of confusion on his face.
What is this?
"Don't be surprised." Aglaea, as if sensing Xu Qiong's confusion, thoughtfully explained, "I said before, actually, I've been preparing this gift for a long time."
"Originally, I wanted to wait for you to come get it yourself. Who knew you'd help me with such a big favor again? I was afraid if I gave it to you any later, you'd even dislike it."
After saying this, Aglaea gave a helpless smile.
Her tone sounded like a joke, but in reality, it was particularly sincere.
"But, please open it and take a look."
Oh.
Xu Qiong seemed to remember now.
It was the special gift Aglaea mentioned before, the one she wanted to give him.
What could it be?
The Chrysos Heirs looked at each other, then smiled at one another. Even Phainon and Mydei came over to join the excitement.
Then.
Xu Qiong opened the gift box, and with a burst of golden light.
Inside was a neatly folded piece of clothing!
A male-style coat, same style as the Trailblazer's?
But not exactly the same. Upon closer inspection, it was a special Amphoreus version, with many different patterns.
On the back of the coat was embroidered a pattern similar to Amphoreus's '∞' symbol, surrounded by decorations related to the Chrysos Heirs.
Aglaea's golden leaves, Castorice's antiling flowers, Cipher's flipping coins, Hyacine's little Yi Ka, Phainon's yellow and purple, etc., etc...
Xu Qiong was momentarily stunned.
In contrast, Aglaea smiled gently and extended her hand: "This is the special gift I wanted to give you."
"Speaking of which, during all these cycles serving as leader, I can't remember how long it's been since I last picked up a needle and thread."
"And this gift is the first piece I wove with my own hands after everything ended. It's just for you, representing me and all the Chrysos Heirs."
"Thank you for the salvation you brought to Amphoreus!"
Her smile was sweet and gentle, at least that's what Xu Qiong thought at this moment.
Shedding the leader's splendid robes, what remained was a maiden's sincerity.
At this moment, Hyacine, Hathur, and the other Chrysos Heirs also crowded around:
"Quick, quick, Precious Qiong, put it on and let us see how it looks. I haven't even received clothes made by Lady Aglaea yet!"
"It really is. Besides us, the later Chrysos Heirs probably haven't received formal attire from the Lord Jin Zhi, right?"
Cornered, Xu Qiong was soon besieged by Castorice and the others.
"Don't you dare tear my clothes off--!"