A few days after returning to his normal life, Shen found himself sitting quietly on a bench in the garden, where gentle sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shimmering patches of light on the ground. The peaceful surroundings contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions raging within him. Shen tried to hold back his tears as he stared into the distant void, his mind a tumult of thoughts about Elena.
Elena, the girl Shen loved the most, had also sacrificed the most for him. Memories of the past flooded back, making it impossible to hold back the tears. The world he had longed for had returned, but all the painful memories remained, like scars that refused to heal. Elena's image grew clearer and clearer in Shen's mind, each detail as vivid as a scene from a slow-motion film.
"Shen, use my soul and body as your strength, please...We'll... be happy together soon."
Elena's words echoed in Shen's mind, each syllable a sharp blade cutting deep into his soul. Her face at that moment, full of trust yet tinged with sorrow, made Shen's heart ache. He remembered the moment when he held the knife in his hand, tears streaming down his face as he found no other choice. Shen had stabbed Elena, and in that instant, their tears mingled. Elena smiled, while Shen wept.
"Don't cry, we're only parting for a while."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Her final words were like a voice from hell, plunging Shen into a deep pit of despair. In each time loop, those words remained unchanged, and each time, Elena chose to sacrifice herself for Shen, always trusting and loving him unconditionally. Shen wondered.
"Why you love me so much?"
"Why you always choose to sacrifice to me?"
"Shen, what are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice brought Shen back to the present. He looked towards the sound, and there stood Elena, gazing at him with sweet, loving eyes.
"Elena... oh, it's nothing, I'm just thinking about a few things," Shen replied in a subdued tone.
Elena smiled, the warmth in her smile dispelling some of the pain in Shen's heart.
"You seem to have become more pensive. Normally, you'd be overreacting like a silly person. Could it be... you've grown up? But the odds of that are so low, I might find the Elux treasure before I see you mature," Elena teased, poking Shen's cheek repeatedly.
Shen laughed and hugged Elena, feeling a bit of the pain in his heart ease. He stood up, took a deep breath, and declared:
"I will do everything to protect our happiness!"
Elena looked at him, her eyes sparkling with trust and love. Shen knew that no matter how many difficulties and pains lay ahead, as long as Elena was by his side, he would overcome everything. Their love was the guiding light, the strength for him to continue fighting and protecting what was most important in his life.
That day, under the warm sunlight, Shen felt his heart grow stronger than ever. He knew that no matter how the world changed, no matter how time passed, his love for Elena would never fade. They would face all challenges together, rebuild their happy life together, and be together forever in the warm home of love and hope.