Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

After countless years, civilizations have risen and fallen.

I have witnessed great empires crumble and end, I have heard the impoverished tribes shout for freedom in a tragically heroic cry,

Regardless of the species, age, or civilization.

From deities to mortal beings, from slaves to astronauts, from mortals to ascenders.

From the unrealistic fantasies of utopias to the practice of grand narratives.

In every era, there exists a group of people like this, those who believe in tomorrow, believe in different things, believe that the sun will dispel darkness.

The long night is always chased away by the light, but shadows follow closely.

Yet, they find joy in this.

For the brief lifespan species, their lives are too short to see the inevitability of history. They fight against the night just to find hope.

In certain respects, they are right.

The planet where civilization is born is always spinning, and no matter how cold or how long the night is, the sun will always rise.

Struggle, corruption, struggle, corruption.

These self-proclaimed idealists have always been fighting.

They are slaves, outcasts, the despised lower class. They could live coldly and alone through their brief existence, insignificant and drowned in the long river of history, even less memorable than an unfeeling piece of technology.

But they keep fighting.

History mercilessly crushes them several times, and yet they rise from the ashes.

The spark named idealism, no matter how many times its form changes, always reignites at some point.

How strange.

Such a flame is still insufficient to illuminate this cosmos.

Yet these embers are somehow indestructible.

So brief, so angry, so mournful, so foolish, so indestructible.

'History always moves forward, seemingly repeating the old days, but it's already a new chapter.'

When I realized this, I was nurturing children on Dragon Satellite, clearing the void with substance rain.

I'm not someone skilled in combat. Among the primordial species, I'm also the youngest with the shortest experience.

But it seems that precisely because of my youth, I am closer to the mundane than any other primordial species.

When I realized that idealism was the only belief in the struggles of mortal beings, I began doing the same things as them.

Yet I also know.

Those who harbor ideals are bound to be destroyed by reality.

I, like them, am destined to collapse and be destroyed under the advance of the void.

.........

The shattered remains of the island were pushed by the tides to unknown places, as the low-hanging stars alternated with daylight. A sea breeze blew, carrying the scent of spring flowers, a pleasingly mysterious signal at this moment.

The noisy sea birds awakened Li Aozi, and he sat up from a field of flowers, casually picked up a coat nearby, draping it over his beautifully defined chest and abdominal muscles, which appeared even more pristine after the rain's nourishment.

Disturbed by the sea birds, Li Aozi's mind was rather muddled. He rubbed his head, his disheveled hair tousled by the gentle breeze from Dragon Satellite, creating an impression akin to that of a noble lady.

With Li Aozi's awakening, the grass seeds and dust on his body voluntarily retreated, unwilling to tarnish him. Li Aozi had long grown accustomed to enjoy his privilege naturally.

The so-called Dominator System is about living softly but prosperously, envious? It comes from intellect.

But think about it, ninety-nine percent of people can't achieve a leap in class relying on intelligence, so why not show a sweet smile and choose a path that suits you?

But.

Li Aozi glanced down at the grass that had regenerated after being ravaged by decay radiation and gravitational waves, still flourishing.

——Considering that it's not even easy for two beings whose combined age surpasses the Sun.

He took a deep breath, filled with an indescribable feeling after experiencing adulthood, Zhi Xiang is not the domineering brutal type, yet not exactly gentle and considerate either.

Wild? Well, somewhat.

If one must put it, more like a Maine Coon cat, possessing extraordinary fitting strength, but not enough to cause displeasure.

Li Aozi was savoring the lingering scents on his body, when suddenly a cup of coffee was handed over, followed by a gentle voice:

"Awake? How are you feeling?"

"Depends on which aspect." Li Aozi took the coffee and sipped: "So bitter, you didn't add sugar?"

"It's already good that coffee made with a weak force doesn't taste metallic."

Merid said as she sat beside Li Aozi, holding her coffee cup with both hands:

"Brief lifespan species choose this method to extend life and create cultural products to celebrate and praise this action, even treat it as a commercial transaction. It seems there is some sense to it."

"So you enjoyed it?"

"It depends on who it's with." Merid stuck out her tongue, gently licking the edge of the coffee cup, her gaze grew significantly steadier after the night: "In a journey I can't measure with 'age', I've witnessed countless vows of eternal love. Every couple initially believes they can grow old together, but for various reasons, most end up despondent, with a bleak conclusion."

"True love isn't for everyone, don't mistake a moment for eternity." Li Aozi raised his coffee: "Shall we toast?"

"Your rituals are really strong and complex, celebrating being alive requires a birthday, celebrating marriage needs a wedding, even death calls for a funeral."

Despite saying this, Merid raised her cup:

"So, what shall we toast to?"

"Don't overthink, firstly this isn't wine, secondly, you're not my mom. Brief Lifespan Species who overthink everything will get wrinkles."

"I obviously won't be your mom—but if you ever change your mind one day..."

"Don't overthink."

Clang.

Cups clinked, coffee replaced the wine, with its sobering caffeine taking the place of alcohol's intoxication.

Merid opened his arms, drawing Li Aozi's head into his embrace. Li Aozi couldn't be bothered to resist, he was already exhausted, so he casually closed his eyes, leaning quietly on the other's shoulder.

"Don't think too much about anything, little one." Merid's tone was uncharacteristically soothing: "Everyone has moments when they need to lean on someone. Even if you're Leoz, if someone had been by your side back then..."

"Then Leoz would still be Leoz, the chaotic flames burned his right to love and be loved, forging him into a blade for battling the Starry Abyss—though when this blade was shattered, the Starry Abyss cursed it for being stained with too much innocent blood."

Li Aozi lazily said:

"Of course, I inherited everything from Leoz, naturally I would also bear the sins of the past—but what the Starry Abyss owes me, I have yet to reclaim one by one."

"That's not your purpose, dear." Merid lifted his hand, gently scratching at his chin: "You're not living for revenge."

"Naturally so... Friends, career, ideals, there are many reasons in this world for me to wield my sword." Li Aozi tilted his head, enjoying it.

"Well, I hope that one day, I too can be one of those reasons."

Merid lifted his chin, gently saying:

"Li Aozi, are you willing to keep on living for me?"

"Forget it, when I die, you'll still keep walking through this universe."

"True, it's a pity I can't die, so I can't grow old with you."

Merid kissed the corner of his lips, whispering in his ear, "If you fade away with the wind, I'll chase the wind forward, the universe will continue expanding, and you will become the landmark leading me to the end of days."

"What about after the end?"

"I'll assume it will be like black hole evaporation, with all things withering; I imagine then, at the end of time, I will be reciting your name, making your information the period of this passage."

Merid softly said:

"For me, that's about enough to forget you."

"... I suddenly realize that the Primordial Species also have a kind of romance of the ages." Li Aozi said: "Being entangled with you, it feels as if I'm written into a thick history book."

"I was lying to you." Merid laughed: "Existences like you will probably be forgotten in six trillion years. How could I remember your image, your face, the scent of your hair? Just be satisfied remembering your name."

"Indeed."

Li Aozi closed his eyes:

"This is fine, we don't have to be responsible for each other, and there's reproductive isolation across species, let's treat it as a sumptuous dinner."

"Realistically, I'm destined to forget you, just like you won't remember every exquisite dish at every birthday dinner, nor everyone's blessings."

Merid kissed his forehead, saying:

"But I believe, the joy and happiness of every birthday, won't be forgotten."

..................

When the fate of the Dragon Satellite was already sealed, a meteor descended from the sky.

Even if a long life has worn down my convictions, I still realize one thing:

If miracles exist, even if there's just the smallest possibility, one day it will come true.

The ashes of that ideal, passed down through countless years, crossing civilizations and species, will one day rekindle.

Starting from the first slave who broke the chains, to the Ascender holding the Grand Narrative, steadfastly stepping towards the Starry Abyss.

Now, the miracle has echoed.

Miracle is not a real thing; it is a fictional moon.

It is a star forged from the blood and bones of practitioners, elevated skyward atop piles of corpses, reflecting sunlight not its own.

A moon in the sky, neither hot nor strong, quiet and speechless.

The moon's surface is full of cratered and rugged terrain, people can never see the darkness behind it, as a substitute for ideals, the moon is not perfect.

But before true dawn arrives, the moon will replace it, illuminating the dark earth.

I have seen countless stars aging and cooling, yet never thought to look up at the bright moon at night.

I have observed those advancing towards history to die, yet never truly found the path of practice.

Yet some existences, without moving towards a sunny tomorrow, unknowingly become the moon.

That is you.

Listen to me, you've done well, you've tried hard, maybe reality will make you discouraged and lose your fighting spirit.

But, you must keep striving forward.

The sun will rise, you do not need to be the one to greet the dawn.

Listen to me, do not be afraid, listen to me, do not give up.

You are the moon.

The moon silently dedicating, formed by mortal hands.

Compared to stars, seemingly eternally blazing.

I still prefer the moon the most.