34 Release

Outside the tomb, three figures witnessed the righteous general throw his own daughter into her nightmare. Was this the same man they had met two years ago? Where was his kindness, where was his warmth, where was his love, and where was his morality? His back seemed cold and arrogant but not lonely. There was no regret in his eyes as he turned to glance at them. Those eyes were filled with loathing and scorn. Who was this man? Could he have really gone crazy? Had he been fooling them all along?

Fan Ying left swiftly without giving them a second glance but they all still caught sight of that unpleasant smile. He was satisfied with his actions… but why? What had she done to deserve his hate?

No one could understand.

Mallory cried at the suffering Daiyu had to deal with. She felt sad at everything that the small, kind girl had to go through. She was always bright, kind, honest, playful, and loving. Even when she was hurt or in pain she would try her hardest to keep in her tears and smile until she couldn't hold it in anymore and broke down. That smile brought light to people. It had given her light. It had given her a new life and yet it was gone from her view so suddenly. It was covered in sadness and torture. It was blurred out of her view with the tears that kept falling.

She wasn't the only seeing this. The vision of the pained face had appeared in all their minds. Long Wei and Morris were stunned when they heard Mallory. She was crying and describing the scene in their own minds.

They could hear Daiyu's shouts and kicks against the door but no matter what they did, it was impossible to open the tomb. Her cries slowly became whispers and eventually they furthered away. Her steps resonated and echoed for them to hear. They all felt helplessness at their own uselessness.

Long Wei felt his heart churning in pain but he failed to do anything. The vision was still playing out in their minds. It was as if she was crying out for help. It was as if she was releasing her own heartbreak.

"Miss. Don't cry. It hurts seeing your smile blur and your tears fall."

The image in their heads slowly changed. Everything was the same except for the tears. They went from clear crystal like drops, to red blood jewels, and lastly to golden liquid.

Why did it happen? What did it signify?

No one knew.

But this was her release.

Clear tears for her sadness, blood tears for the torture it turned to, and golden tears for the release she made. She had released the memories. She had released her mother. She had changed within her heart.

Eventually the vision faded only to bring about a new one. It was a world. Everything visible had a memory. No matter where they turned they could see a memory. The world was breaking and crumbling apart. The scenes were turning into ashes and they could see one last scene before it all faded away. I was Daiyu as a baby. She was making her first steps towards her mother. There was a crowd behind them but her memory revolved solely on the stunned father and the beautiful mother. They seemed to shine like heavenly beings. They seemed to be her hope and purpose. She walked slowly ignoring everyone and stood in front of that woman, Nuwa Yenay. The woman looked at her and revealed the most loving smile. They stared at the brightness that Daiyu had seen in her mother. Nuwa Yenay picked Daiyu up and said a few words before kissing her many times. She had tears of love and warmth falling down her face and her entire expression radiated with motherly love. It was a touching scene but soon it became ashes too.

Those ashes flew past them and landed in a jade like hand. There was a young woman. She was ethereal and blinding her eyes were full of sadness and love as they looked down at the ashes in her hand. Her silver hair flowed down her long flowing white dress and golden tears fell down her face as she said her sad farewell, "Mother, I love you. I will fight for you. I will become powerful for you, and I will reach the heavens to show you and the world what a great daughter you have. The world will know you. The world will praise you. You are the greatest mother. I will never forget you. I love you. Goodbye."

She lifted the ashes to her face and blew on them. They all watched as the ashes turned golden and disappeared from sight. All that was left was a beautiful lonely figure raining down golden tears to the world.

She collapse and cried on the floor. Those small sobs, those eyes, and that hair were all too familiar. They stared in awe at Daiyu before everything disappeared.

-Long Wei-

[She was beautiful and mystical. She was Daiyu.

She was enchanting but she was in pain. It was painful for me too.

I feel unneeded.

I need to grow stronger.]

A flash of determination glinted in his eyes before disappearing into worry for his beloved.

-Fan Family Tomb-

Daiyu cried for some time. She held onto her mother's hand and kissed it.

"Mother I still remember your last words. I will stay strong.

I will never forget you. You showed me love. You love me and never forgot about me even when you were occupied with your pregnancy. You would send me small notes of worry when you couldn't see me. Your love was so great. I will miss you until my death. I will cry for you on your death day. I will cherish the moments you gave me. I will fre myself from them but I will never forget them.

You lived up to your name. It is you. It describes you.

Nuwa…mother goddess

Yenay…she who loves

It fits you perfectly and for that I love you. I love your love. I love your smile. I love you. No one will ever replace you within my heart. This is farewell mother. It is farewell to your body but not to your memory.

I love you."

She didn't know how many times she repeated those three words. They were incapable of defining the feelings she had but were enough to release and convey a little of the pain and love she was going through. Those words carried with them a mixture of the incomprehensible storm occurring in her heart.

She cried for a long time and laughed sometimes.

"Its funny how hard it is to love and yet here I am expressing it too late for you to hear it again."

…

"I- Its frustrating knowing you can't hear me."

"I love you. I miss you."

She whispered to the corpse the same words repeatedly as she felt her heart bleed with her last goodbye.

"I will forever miss your love."

She slowly released that cold hand before kissing her mother's colorless cheek and stepping away from the vault.

She turned and ran away.

She didn't know where she was going but it had to be anywhere within that place but faraway from the body that would make her heart bleed.

-Fan Daiyu-

It's cold but that's okay. It's dark but I'm used to it. It's lonely but haven't I always been.

However, she still couldn't help but remember the boy that always seemed to be by her side.

[Long Wei thank you for being a loyal friend. Mallory thank you for always supporting me. Uncle Morris thank you for always helping me.

I will grow powerful for my mother.

I will grow powerful to protect you guys.]