Though the Water God felt a deep sense of unwillingness in his heart, he quickly adjusted his expression into a gentle smile.
He didn't want their final moments together to be filled with sorrow.
Looking at her tenderly, he reached out and gently stroked her head.
He said softly:
"Alright. If that is your wish, I will grant it. I don't want to witness your disappearance with my own eyes."
Despite his reluctance to leave her alone, he respected her decision and chose to accept it.
Isolde nodded in response, then said:
"I don't want you to see me fade away either. I don't want my final moment to bring you sadness."
If she vanished right before his eyes, how devastated would he be? That very thought made her resolve to face the end alone.
They looked into each other's eyes, love and sorrow intertwined in their gaze.
They stepped closer, and in silence, they shared a deep, lingering kiss — their final goodbye.
Moments later, they pulled apart.
Isolde looked at him, her mind awash with thoughts.
After a brief pause, she spoke:
"Can you promise me one thing?"
The Water God was slightly surprised.
He didn't know what she would ask, so he replied:
"Oh? Tell me. Whatever it is, I'll do everything I can to make it happen."
Seeing his confidence, despite not knowing her request, she chuckled lightly and said:
"Don't worry. It's nothing too difficult. I just want you to promise me that after I'm gone… you'll live well. And if possible, forget about me entirely."
She knew he would be lonely after her departure.
She wasn't sure what foolish things he might do out of grief, so she made him promise.
The Water God stood frozen for a moment as her words sank in.
But then, without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.
He understood her heart, and he was deeply grateful.
Smiling, he replied with a warm, light-hearted tone:
"Haha, you don't need to worry about that. I've lived for billions of years already — I know how to carry on, even when it hurts."
But Isolde, ever perceptive, quickly sensed the truth — though she said nothing aloud.
Inwardly, she thought:
"So, you still couldn't bring yourself to promise me. Just what foolish thing are you planning, you idiot?"
For the past few days, she had noticed something different in him — a silent brooding, a heaviness in his gaze.
Her instincts whispered that he was contemplating something reckless.
She had hoped to stop him with a simple promise,
but it seemed his heart was already set in stone.
She chose not to confront him directly.
She didn't want their final moments to turn into an argument.
Instead, she simply smiled and said:
"Alright then. Goodbye, my love."
"Farewell." he replied gently.
"May your final moments be peaceful, my goddess."
With that, the Water God vanished, leaving her alone on the sands.
Only then did she lower her head, tears spilling down her cheeks.
And yet, through the tears, she smiled and whispered:
"You fool... thank you for loving me this much."
Her body slowly dissolved into countless motes of light,
each one rising into the sky, merging with the world.
In those final seconds, she felt both sorrow and joy —
Joy, for having been loved so deeply.
Sorrow, for knowing that love might drive him to something reckless.
She didn't know exactly what he intended to do…
but whatever it was, it certainly wasn't something ordinary.
And yet — perhaps, for him, it was the best choice of all.
...
Meanwhile, Lan Hao Tian had finally regained his freedom of movement.
Tears streamed down his face like a waterfall.
Rubbing his eyes, he murmured:
"That... that was true love."
Suddenly, the ethereal image of the Water God appeared before him,
wearing a satisfied grin.
"Hahaha! I knew it! I wasn't wrong after all! My love is so touching. And yet that bastard didn't understand a damn thing!"
Startled, Lan Hao Tian jumped back.
The face before him… it was familiar.
He stammered:
"A-Are you… the Water God?"
The figure laughed again and replied:
"Yes… and no."
Lan Hao Tian was thoroughly baffled by the vague reply. He frowned and asked:
"What do you mean by that? Can you speak plainly so I can actually understand you?"
The projection chuckled lightly.
"I'm merely a projection the Water God left behind to pass on his inheritance. You can think of me more as a… relic than a living being."
At the mention of "inheritance", Lan Hao Tian's attention sharpened.
"So when exactly do I receive this inheritance? I've been here for a while already — who knows if he decided to just kill me and be done with it?"
The projection raised an eyebrow, amused.
"You've only been here a few seconds. Time flows differently in this space compared to the real world."
That sparked a bold idea in Lan Hao Tian's mind. He immediately asked:
"Wait — does that mean I can use this space to plan out strategies during battle?"
Just imagine… slowing time to think during a fight would be an insane advantage!
But the Water God's projection poured cold water all over that fantasy:
"Keep dreaming. I'll only appear to you twice. This is the first time — the second will be the last."
Lan Hao Tian blinked, slightly disappointed — but also puzzled.
"Only twice? So I'm not getting the inheritance this time?"
The projection shook his head.
"No, you are receiving it. I'll pass it on to you shortly. The reason I appear twice is because right now, you're far too weak. When you've grown strong enough, I'll summon you back — so you can witness a battle between gods."
Lan Hao Tian's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Seriously? I get to see gods fight? That's amazing! But… when?"
"When you reach Water Master — Fourth Rank."
He nodded eagerly, already calculating how long it might take him to reach that level.
Sensing his thoughts, the projection added:
"Once you've inherited the legacy, your growth will accelerate rapidly. We'll likely meet again sooner than you think."
Lan Hao Tian's excitement surged.
To him, growing stronger was the greatest motivation of all.
He grinned and said:
"That's awesome. Alright, then—hurry up and give me the inheritance! My opponent's probably still waiting for me out there."