CHAPTER 1447: UNCOVER THE TRUTH

Lory’s breath hitched as she watched the rift open up by Zhao Li Xin. In the past she used to entered the Oblivion in an unconscious state so she didn’t have full awareness, just like someone walking in a dream. But, now, stepping into Oblivion with her physical body and fully conscious, she can’t help but feel anxiety coiled tightly in her chest.

Fortunately, Zhao Li Xin noticed the tension in her expression. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and gave her a reassuring look as he led on. That thoughtful gesture was enough to ease the uneasiness in her heart, and soon after, her anxiety loosened bit by bit.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the world around her was swallowed by a thick, oppressive darkness. Step by step, she ventured deeper into the darkness and her heart begin to tremble as she lost all sense of direction. She could no longer tell which was up or down; it was as if she were walking through the heart of the void itself.

Now that she was fully conscious, she could truly feel how heavy this place was. It was as if the shadows wanted to swallow her whole. The thought of being trapped here for thousands of years sent a shiver down her spine. No wonder Lazarus lost his mind in this place, she thought grimly.

Then, in the distance, a faint glow appeared. They moved toward it, and as they stepped into its light, Lory’s eyes widened, Girsha lay on the ground, his massive form weak and unmoving.

Without a second thought, she put the little boy down and ran forward. "Girsha! Old birdie, are you okay?" Her voice trembled as she dropped to her knees, frantically checking his condition.

"That loud voice... You’re here, Lory," Girsha rasped, his tone still carrying a hint of teasing despite his state.

Relief welled in her chest. Lory pressed herself against his enormous beak and hugged it tightly. "I missed you, old fella."

Girsha’s emerald eyes softened. "I missed you too, girl... wait, I feel more meat. Did you get fatter, Lory?"

"...Really? Is that what you’re going to say in this situation?" Lory pouted.

Girsha chuckled lightly. Even in his weakened state, he would never miss the chance to tease his little girl. Lory, though annoyed, couldn’t help but smile in relief—if he still had the strength to joke, then he was still very much himself.

"Anyway, Li Xin told me to heal you, so let’s not waste any more time!" Her voice was firm now, her fear replaced by determination. Without waiting for another word, she placed her hands on Girsha’s beak and leaned her forehead against it.

A faint purple glow exuded from her body then scattering like thousands of tiny fireflies across the suffocating darkness. The little boy’s eyes widened, the shimmering light reflected in his ember-like gaze. He reached out with small hands, trying to catch the glowing motes.

Meanwhile, the light enveloped Girsha’s massive form, sinking into him. Slowly, the dullness in his emerald eyes began to fade, replaced by strength and fierce vitality. Then, with renewed vigor, Girsha lifted his head and released a mighty screech that shook the doors around them.

At long last, Girsha felt the strength surging back into his body. Though his full power had not yet returned, it was enough to banish the lingering weakness that had weighed him down. All thanks to the strange little boy... and to Lory.

With a deep, resonant cry, Girsha rose from the floor. His massive frame straightened, shadows peeling away as if the world itself recognized his revival.

Golden light shimmered along his tail, each feather regaining its radiant hue until they blazed like molten sunlight. In that moment, the proud, majestic creature who once commanded the skies had returned, diminished no longer, but reborn in splendor.

"Welcome back, old birdie," Lory said with a radiant grin, her eyes sparkling as she watched Girsha return to his full glory.

Girsha lowered his great head, his sharp gaze settling on her. "You really have gained more weight, Lory," he teased, his voice deep and rumbling with amusement.

Lory rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "You’re welcome, Girsha," she replied, knowing full well that the old bird would rather tease her than simply admit he was glad to see her.

Zhao Li Xin stood a short distance away, watching their exchange with a faint, rare smile. Their familiar bickering stirred old memories, a distant yet precious memory.

Honestly, Zhao Li Xin was always grateful for Girsha, because he knew that in Lory’s darkest days, Girsha had been there. Without that stubborn, loyal companion, Lory might not be the woman she was now, and for that, Zhao Li Xin would be forever indebted to the great bird.

That also gives him motivation to set Girsha free from this place, not only for the old bird but also for Lory.

"So... this is the tree the Scion created to lock some of the doors," Lory murmured in awe, studying the towering trunk. Its colossal roots coiled across the ground like serpents, winding up the stairs and wrapping around the doors, sealing them in an unbreakable embrace.

She turned to the boy, her eyes filled with admiration. "You’re amazing!"

The boy grinned sheepishly, uncertain if he fully understood her words, but clearly pleased by her praise.

Lory drew in a deep breath. "So, if we can lock all the doors... Girsha can finally leave this place. But the only one who can do that is... Zalchana."

"Yeah, that’s the idea," Girsha rumbled with a heavy sigh. "But there’s a problem. We don’t know if that creature will agree. One of the conditions for becoming a guardian is willingness... and without that, nothing will work."

"Regrettably, soft persuasion is not one of my talents," Zhao Li Xin admitted with a troubled look.

"Well, that’s true," Lory agreed without hesitation.

Girsha, who knew Zhao Li Xin all too well, simply nodded in silent agreement.

For a moment, the three of them fell quiet, until the little boy suddenly chirped, "Mama!" while pointing eagerly toward a particular door.

"Where is he pointing?" Lost asked, puzzled.

"His home," Zhao Li Xin replied.

Lory narrowed her eyes, studying the boy for a long moment before turning to Zhao Li Xin. "You mentioned a ruined world..."

"Yes," Zhao Li Xin confirmed with a slow nod.

"Then Zalchana’s past must be worse than we imagined... and we already know she was used by Lazarus."

Her gaze drifted back to the boy, guilt flickering across her face. "I can’t shake the feeling that we’re exploiting their suffering. After everything she’s been through... is it really right to push her into an even more miserable state? I feel I’m no better than Lazarus..."

Her expression darkened, weighed down by the thought. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t escape the gnawing guilt of persuading Zalchana to come here, knowing full well what this bleak world could do to anyone who dared to stay in this place for too long.

"But still... I don’t want you to stay here, Girsha," she murmured, her expression conflicted.

Girsha didn’t blame her. He understood Lory better than anyone—a soft-hearted girl who tried so hard to appear strong, yet her heart was easily shaken by the suffering of others.

The little boy stared at Lory’s troubled face for a moment, then quietly walked over. His small fingers tugged at her hand.

"No... sad," he said in his childish voice.

Lory looked down at him, and despite the heaviness in her chest, a faint smile crept across her face. "You miss your mother, don’t you? Your mama?"

The boy tilted his head. "Mama... sad," he replied softly.

"She does, doesn’t she?" Lory sighed, turning her gaze toward the tree. "Maybe... maybe there’s another way. If this boy could create this tree to sustain the seal and still leave this place, only returning once in a while to recharge it, so perhaps Zalchana might be able to do the same."

"...It’s possible. But even so, we’ll need his consent first," Girsha reminded her, his deep voice carrying a quiet gravity.

"That’s true..." Lory exhaled sharply, puffing out her cheeks in resignation.

Zhao Li Xin stood silent for a moment, his gaze dark and contemplative. "Everyone has desires," he said at last, his tone edged with resolve. "If we can uncover what Zalchana truly wants... we might be able to bargain with her."

"But... what does she want?" Lory’s voice was barely above a whisper, weighed down by uncertainty.

"That," Zhao Li Xin crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing with faint frustration, "Is another problem we’ll have to solve."

Lory groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "We already have so much on our plate..."

"Then dig deeper," Girsha interjected, his emerald eyes gleaming with sharp intent. "Look into Zalchana’s past. Go to her forgotten world, see what became of her there."

Lory pinched her chin, frowning in thought. "That’s... not a bad idea. But with how vast the area must be, it won’t work with mere spells alone; we need a real one...a stronger power."

"Yes," Girsha rumbled, feathers rustling faintly. "You’ll need Lucas’ Gift to do that... that’s the only way."