Stubbornly Lingers the Setting Sun

Darkmask! Darkmask! You alright?! That was so loud and wild! I thought...

That energy burst almost toppled the Tianshi Pillar.

Heh... The Blight Miasma almost flooded the entire place. Fortunately, Lady Si arrived in time and kept us alive for this moment.

How did it end?

Really?! I knew you could do it!

IT'S DONE! WE FINALLY DID IT!

I knew it... Darkmask got what it takes. Don't expect anything less from my Stockader Fam.

Since this entire thing is finally over...

Wha? You wanna fight? Sure! Any proper celebration needs some riot and fighting!

You proved yourself useful today. I'll ignore that act of contempt for now. But remember, I am watching you.

Uncle Pan, I think I —

I understand. No rush, my boy. The Very Large Rift is gone for good. We have plenty of time.

My goodness, the Very Large Rift is gone for good? Zhuang, I'm not dreaming, right?

Hah... It's true, Pan. This time, the Rift is truly no more.

The battle has just ended. Won't you need a break?

No... I'd rather return to the place. I'll tell my fellow Yinglungs and our Instructor everything we've achieved.

Oh, then I'm going too!

Though it is better to do so after a rest ... I do understand the pressing need to tell our loved ones the good news.

Go ahead. I'll inform the Tianshi on duty. Just take the path you took to get here.

It's finally over, Endmin.

I'm with you, Endmin.

Tianshi Zhuang, we have a Sentry Base at Tanjian Hall. Need any help there?

Wuling, Qingbo Stockade, Nefarith, and the North Wuling Exclusion Zone... We did it.

I would not call it an "inevitable collateral", but in the struggle to survive this world, sacrifices and regrets are never absent.

The way I see it, as long as we have faith in a better tomorrow, those regrets will help push us forward.

Endmin, reconstruction work may start earlier than expected. I will stay here and organize the tasks...

What about you? Back to Wuling for a break? Or do you prefer resting nearby?

......

Ah, Endmin.

I ... I was thinking about that battle we fought.

The enemy from the other side of the Rift, and the words he spoke...

Both of us seem to think alike.

The enemy from the other side of the Rift ... and the words he spoke.

I might know who they are... Over a century ago, during the First Aggeloi War, they appeared...

Wuling has survived its calamity, but we now face even more questions...

Indeed. I have faith in you.

Nevertheless, we have just completed a monumental challenge.

Right ... this isn't the time for indecisiveness. I should think about our next step. I'll be done quickly...

...an army that controlled the Ankhors and Aggeloi, one that almost destroyed civilization.

But they should have been destroyed by you and the contemporary heroes of Terra.

Even if a few survived, how did they stay alive in the Ætherside? Isn't Æther the antithesis of life?

The Aurora above the Veil is moving north... This may not be a good sign. Perhaps what we've been through is just the beginning.

Endmin, I'm deeply honored to stand by your side.

Endmin? Ah... I am informing everyone in Wuling about our latest situation at the Exclusion Zone.

Next on the agenda will be a lengthy reconstruction project.

In spite of that, we have finally rid ourselves of a decade-long burden. It will be a long journey ... but I believe in the people of Wuling.

Today might be my most relaxing break since that disaster ten years ago...

I will continue to watch over the city. It is my duty ... and my dream.

Still, as of now, I can finally make some room in my dreams for you and Endfield.

Endmin, if you have the time, perhaps you can go and talk to Arcane.

And I believe they wouldn't mind having you around.

Mmhmm.

I should be able to catch more sleep tonight.

The hero of Talos-II and Endministrator of Endfield Industries. Your duties are far beyond a simple Tianshi like me.

Now those two have a wonderful friendship going on.

She went to Tanjian Hall with Chen to sort out work at the Sentry Base. They want to use this chance to pay their respects to former comrades and instructors.

Endmin, I heard all about it, how you plugged the Very Large Rift!

Oh, I really wish I were on your team... But...

The Tianshi here needed my help too. It doesn't matter what my job is. I'll always do my best.

No matter what, we finally came home!

Yeah... I saw a few stern and stiff-necked grown-ups crying. The sight made our victory feel authentic...

When that day comes, I'll have plenty to learn from you!

I'll look for Mom and Dad's belongings and preserve their memories. Then I'll move forward into a better tomorrow, just like everyone else here.

I'll find a place in the Wuling of the Future, Endmin!

Just a nudge in that direction. Right there! Oh, hi, Endmin.

Hmm? Why look at me like that? Well, yes. This old panda's eyes teared up a little. It's only natural.

The Zone might look like a mess, but come on, give it a few years and it will come back to life! I should make my move early.

Of course! I gotta get a hotpot branch started. Someone should pick up my special skills!

I should probably hire storytellers for my establishment! Oh yeah, they can spin a tale about ... The Lord of the Rift: Return of the Endmin!

Adjusted for more excitement!

Haiz. What else could I do? I left the place as a Tianshi. But Da Pan has returned ... as a CHEF!

If I'm doing this, I gotta do it well. The Wok-Hey is super important! With wok magic, the rebuilding of Wuling... NO! It's the EXPANSION of Wuling!

Just do your thing, Endmin! I got some important biz to handle!

I'm also thinking about a brewery. Gotta make my own osmanthus kohl.

Haha, yes. Wuling will be getting two city districts. This will change the entire game. There'll be tourists everywhere...

Endmin, you've returned.

Yeah, but since Alleikhreos has returned to Talos-II, they must have got this planet's coordinates pegged.

I don't know who'd be faster... Us, or the Foundation.

I suppose Ardashir mentioned it to you.

During that battle over a century ago, you banished them to the Ætherside with your special powers and ended the war.

See...! Æther energy this weak never affected your body before.

The opportunity will come, Endmin.

She left out all the details?! Why is she so careless? Who did she take after... Ugh, I think they're all alike.

Perlica has synced every last bit of detail. Great job out there for the Wuling expedition.

The Foundation is the creator of the Ankhors and Aggeloi. They command the enemies of Terra...

...but were once the wardens of the Precursors.

No. He's just their "construct", or "soldier". Foundation specifically refers to "several individuals".

Ah... I actually planned to tell you about this later on.

I thought I could let you hang around Perlica like an ordinary operator, and spend a year or two enjoying the Endfield life.

No disrespect intended, but we gotta keep you safe. The enemies of old are just way too powerful for you in your current state.

Did Si talk to you? What did she say?

Okay, you must inform Perlica if you feel unwell. The girl's totally worthy of your trust.

Alright, go hit the bunk. You just fought a huge battle, and I kept blabbering at you nonstop. Sorry about that.

No matter what we're going to face, don't feel crushed by it. You are not alone, Endmin.

Do a few operations, build a few AIC Factories for the Zeroth Directive, and go on a tour of Talos-II...

Endfield is by your side.

They believe the Terran Civilization must be enslaved to fulfill their boring goals. And we just decided to fight back.

It probably won't be long before this place gets crowded again.

Yeah! We got Xiranite and the AIC Factory. Maybe it'll happen real soon!

Oooh. Someone wants to be an Instructor? Erm... The idea kinda scared me.

Endmin! What happened to you two in the gorge? She won't tell me anything!

That's it?! Fine... Whatever. I'll just assume our Endmin's selfless positivity rubbed off on Miss Li the hardheaded meanie.

Oh yeah! The Very Large Rift has been sealed. The Yinglungs can finally conclude their garrison duties at Wuling!

Departure is inevitable, but another path has been revealed.

True... Wuling has a Tianshi Bureau Academy but no Tanjian Hall. This presents a good opportunity...

If I were in the shoes of Instructor Zhu, you'd be barred from Tanjian Hall.

Hmph. And I know you're just acting mean to cover up your kindness. You never hesitated when —

Oh, speaking of which, you never told me what happened to you and the Endmin!

After you got back, you started giving off a completely different vibe, you know.

Your senses are off.

Really?! You looked super happy back then. It was so obvious.

Nonsense. The final battle was at hand. How could anyone be happy?

Meh. You were.

I got something to ask you.

Your boss... What's the Endmin like usually?

The dead are gone, but the living must trudge on.

The future is finally looking up for us. Our predecessors would probably say we're wasting time with these rites.

That's right. And many locations under Hongshan jurisdiction remain plagued by the Blight.

They will need us.

But ... but you grew up in Wuling. You waited your entire life for this moment. Are you ... really going to leave like that?

"Instructor Miss Li Zhiyan"?!

Ahem. I'll debrief Hongshan in two days, and submit my applications at that time.

We shall meet again.

I believe the Proxy wants a private meeting... We'll continue this later, Endmin.

See you in a bit!

Next time ... I must keep our Endmin unhurt...

The Wulingers shall bring this land back to life... I am sure of it.

Perhaps the reach of the blade should go beyond...

Everyone ... we've done it.

Hmph, a miserable wretch you've made yourself... The Endministrator and Yanese Tianshi did not make it easy for you.

When did you first betray us?

Hmph.

Betray? Your plan played out so perfectly ... the word hardly applies.

The Protocol-Originium of Alleikhreos. When did you...?

You aim for the Ætherside... I see. Naturally the legacies of the Precursors draw the scavenging Landbreakers. Hardly a surprise.

Well, the Endministrator is regaining power faster than I thought...

This Universe is facing oblivion... The next war shall destroy all life forms...

Talos-II needs a sovereign...

And I suppose the survivors will bow to the victor. Either the "Endmin" who lords over Originium, or Precursor dregs known as the "Foundation".

I bow to none.

Let the Endmin play the "Savior" for you... Our violence is our own to command.

Oh, yes, tell her that Nefarith has fulfilled her bargain. We shall meet again on Talos-V.

Even as a Precursor artifact, he must rely on plundered Protocol-Originium ... just to cling to life in the Ætherside.

How ironic... Originium was the Endmin's weapon to fight the "Exiles", yet the crystal also saved them from oblivion.

But you're a pathetic mess now. Why do you still seek death?

And this means we must pick up the pace.

The suffering of Talos-II forced us to conquer and resist. I have chosen to create another end of my making.

Just as I thought... What did that so-called "Exile" do to you?

STOP LYING!

The Æther is blighting your body. Did you forget how you suffered that wound...

Ah. Of course you did! Always reckless with your personal safety! DOLT!

Hmph. You're lucky I'm around, because nobody else could save you from this mess.

What else?

Forget it. You'll understand nothing I said in your current state.

From now on, just stay in Dijiang and...

How is that possible?

Someone broke into the prison... Ardashir's dead.

Questions? Well, ask him later. That sandy miscreant doesn't really need his meat suit anyway. "Dying" once won't affect him much.

More importantly, think about what you'll do if he decides to be your enemy. Hope you've got a plan for that.

We all knew you.

Look, I wanna go after him right now ... but your health is my primary concern.

I got some prep work to do. Just wait aboard that Dijiang ship of yours.

Did you just believe what I said? Just like that?

Hm-hm! And while I prep, take care of yourself! And don't you dare fall asleep again!