396 Farewell (2/2)

”Heh? Is that a challenge?” Paul crossed his arms while raising a brow, his tone was provocative.

”You damn right it is.” Mark snickered.

”Count us in!” Ellen added, ”Whoever had the lowest cultivation realm when we reunited will be punished, how about that?”

”Deal!” Anne agreed, ”But what would the punishment be?”

”We'll think one when the time comes.” Ellen suggested, she then looked at the boys and asked: ”How about it you two? Do you dare?”

”You're on, Babe!” Paul exclaimed, though there is a bit of sadness on his tone.

”Yeah, so I guess we'll see each other then?” Mark probed as he looked at the smiling Raven.

”Mhm, we'll be reunited once again. You guys take care of yourselves alright?”

Then then gave each other farewell hugs and departed one by one, well except for Raven and Luna.

As they flew on opposite directions, they waited until their traces are completely gone before returning towards the palace. As soon as they returned, Raven felt Luna's grip on his hands tightened for a bit, causing him to look at her.

His heart gently trembled as he saw her tears. He smiled and gently embraced her while stroking her back. He then whispered to her ears:

”You've said your farewells right?” He felt Luna nodding on his embrace, he then wiped her tears and said: ”Be strong, you can do this. Do well and wait for me. I'll look for you, we'll be reunited again.”

”Take care of yourself okay?” Luna sobbed, ”Don't you dare cheat on me, or else I'll slice the thing that makes you a man. You hear me?”

”Yes, my wife!” Raven smiled wryly as he heard her threats. He then saw Luna looking up to him and closed the distance between them. They shared a long and loving kiss before parting.

”I love you. Always remember that.” Luna said while sobbing.

”I love you too. Remember that as well.” Raven replied.

Luna then walked towards the transmission array on the ancestral grounds and disappeared without looking back.

Raven stared at the transmission array for a good while. His thoughts were unknown. He unknowingly gripped his fist for a while before loosing a long sigh. His eyes then turned tranquil and he departed from there.

He then reappeared on his parents' new home near the Royal Palace. He took a good look around, etching every inch of it to his memory. He then quietly went towards the room of his sisters and gave them peck on their foreheads.

Raven then slowly made way towards the backyard to look for his parents. As soon as he saw them, he knelt down in front of them and didn't speak for a while.

Luis and Eva carefully sized up their son and pulled him to their embrace. No words were needed to be said, they knew that it's going to be a while before they see him again. He's all grown up now, it's time for him to search for a grander stage and different heights.

”Take care of yourself.” That's all they said but for Raven, that's enough.

With a forceful nod, he then turned around and disappeared. Eva finally couldn't endure it and collapsed in the embrace of her husband. Luis stared at the sky and wished for the safety of his only son.

Raven then reappeared a couple thousand miles up in the air, standing on top of the clouds as he gave one final glance. Engraving its appearance on his memory. The consciousness of the plane appeared behind him long ago but he didn't dare to disturb Raven.

After a while, a long sigh escaped Raven's lips. He then turned around and patted the old man's shoulders.

”I'll leave them to you.”

”I'll do my best to fulfill your orders Your Majesty.” The old man replied. This earned a nod from Raven.

”It's time to leave.” With a wave of the old man's hand, a spatial tear appeared.

Raven stepped inside and formally began his journey towards the Divine Realm.