Chapter 392: Valley of Peace (1/2)

The golden aura of Arthur overtook the flower bed, swirling around them like a hurricane. Lord Rain didn't say anything more and simply stared at Arthur.

”Stop messing with my thoughts,” Arthur muttered as he stood up. He wanted to retract his aura, to control it, but it was a mess; he was a mess.

Like the foot of a celestial giant trying to crush him, the reality of the things he left behind burdened his soul. Once he got into the Spirits Realm, he began stalling for time to escape the things he needed to do.

”A bad habit of mine,” the lich caressed its cheekbones. ”I tend to forget my goal.”

”What is your goal, lich?”

”For you to leave the Spirits Realm. You have spent far too long here, running away from the inevitable. The things that you ignore thinking about are still waiting for you, and it might be too late once you return.”

The words of the lich cast urgency into Arthur's heart as he realized how many days he spent in the Spirits Realm and Alka. He was Romba, the man living inside a pig and who tried to run away from the real world.

”Where is Gala?”

”She is waiting for you in the Valley of Peace,” the lich stood up and walked away. ”Your trial has been concluded. You are innocent,” as he said these words, the lich disappeared back into his lonely mansion.

***

”That is all?” Lin Zhao seemed shocked when Arthur returned and told them what happened. ”I thought the Spirits Realm would be stricter than this, hah,” he sighed.

”Why do you sound disappointed?” Arthur scowled. ”But my meeting with Lord Rain made me realize that I can no longer waste my time here.”

”You are leaving to meet your friend?” Hana asked, and Arthur nodded. ”Are we coming too?”

”You'll have to wait for me here,” Arthur shook his head. ”Take care of her, monk.”

”Boring task, but I will take it,” the man shrugged. ”Go and finish what you are here to do.”

”Many thanks,” Arthur nodded and patted Hana's head. ”I'll come back, don't worry,” he could tell that she was worried about being left alone.

”I believe you,” Hana nodded, and Arthur left afterward.

***

The harbor city had many parts that housed different spirits, allowing seekers to find their fated ones easily. Lord Rain also made sure that most of the city is filled with flowers.

Arthur didn't have the time to enjoy the breathtaking city and rode the wind toward the Valley of Peace. It was the final act in this show, and he needed to fulfill his role.

Hills of flowers and flying rivers filled his path, but he didn't waste any time exploring them. The Valley of Peace was also called the graveyard of bonds because Skyey World spirits who lost their contractor appeared in this place.

When Arthur finally got to see the valley, he was standing on top of a hill, overlooking the myriad of colors that twinkled in the valley's belly.

”A place for an end,” Arthur muttered.

'Indeed,' Gala answered him from within it.

”I hate you for making me do this,”

'I'm sorry that you have to do it,'

Arthur scowled and jumped off the hill. He ran down as his chains followed after him. As soon as he entered the valley, a salamander descended from the sky to attack him.

”Aren't you one of Gala's Spirits?” Arthur looked up as he waved his hands for the chains to carry him away. ”I guess you don't want your companion to die,” he could see the sadness in the spirit's eyes. ”But this is what she wishes,” Arthur's chain impaled the ground and launched him through the skies, passing by the howling spirit.

Another spirit appeared, and it was a giant nightingale of violet lights. It flapped its wings to send countless winds toward Arthur, pushing him back.

”Your spirits are making this difficult,” Arthur muttered as he pushed the spirit away with his chains before soaring into the valley.

The countless spirits returning to the Skyey World appeared beside him. Gala's spirits attacked him one after the other as if they knew what he was here to do.

Arthur did not harm them, choosing to either evade or push them away from his path. He traveled deeper into the valley until he reached a giant hollow tree.

'You found me,' Gala's voice appeared from within the tree. 'At last,'

”Sorry for making you wait,” Arthur landed in front of the tree and walked into it. As the darkness parted, and after navigating through the maze within the giant tree, Arthur found his friend at last.

”Are you surprised by what I look like?” Gala's voice came from within the glowing flame. Her violet eyes were now streaks of light, and she looked like a humanoid flame of spiritual energy.