The majestic Dream Tree, the Void Roots growing against the natural order, and the place where the Nightmare King hung upside down.
Grimm was bound and pierced by black roots, and flames surged from him, like scarlet blood, flowing into the roots and pouring into the Black Egg.
Simon carefully savored the taste of the flames; they were distinct from the Void, yet capable of igniting Soul Energy.
The Main Consciousness built a tall torch beside the Void Roots, pouring in flames and infusing Soul Energy.
"Whoosh!"
Flames shot into the sky, vivid red like a flower, illuminating half of the Dream World.
The moment the flames ignited, Simon's Dream World vibrated, as if some power was descending.
A giant whale swimming in the dream, a fragmented Dream World, a scarlet domain.
Wherever flames burned fiercely, a scarlet will would manifest.
A beating heart appeared above the torch.
Dream whispers emerged.
"The Nightmare will reward those who run for the flames!"
"Draw strength and knowledge from the scarlet!"
"Speak what you desire, and the Nightmare will fulfill it!"
A floating platform appeared beneath the heart, and a Sub-Consciousness stood on the platform, looking up and shouting, "What is the secret of Crystal Peak?"
The heart beat twice, oozing a drop of blood that fell onto the Sub-Consciousness.
Memories flooded in.
…
Stars filled the sky, three bright moons—the night sky here was clean and beautiful.
From the cracks in the earth, black mist rose, flying into the heavens and obscuring the starry sky.
Light disappeared from the earth.
But it wasn't completely gone.
Light was stored in crystals.
Flames burning produced light.
Creatures breathing glowed with bioluminescence.
Lightning had light.
Bright blood had light.
These lights were worshipped by the bugs on the ground, becoming gods.
The Radiance was born from crystals.
The Scarlet was born from flames.
Powerful bugs like the White Lady had their own light and were also revered.
The God of Thunder, the God of Rain—their figures were blurry.
Blue blood, the blood of life; the primitive was the supreme.
There was more than one light in the crystals; the brightest and clearest was The Radiance, but there was also the refracted and dimmed, the source of The Radiance—Lie Guang.
Lie Guang, when accumulated, could nurture The Radiance.
Thus, crystals are endless, and The Radiance is immortal.
Simon and the Little Knight's efforts only brought temporary peace to the bug kingdom.
…
The flames extinguished, and the Scarlet Will departed.
The Void Roots released Grimm.
This bat remained stunned for a long time, then frantically tried to escape Simon's Dream World.
The seal did not hinder him; Grimm left easily, just as mysteriously as he had entered.
In reality, a thin red mist emerged from Simon's head, gathering in one place, but what appeared was not Grimm, but Little Grimm.
His power had been too depleted to maintain his mature form.
Little Grimm chirped angrily, seemingly unwilling, but Simon went up and grabbed him by the head.
Grimm trembled twice, then dared not move.
Simon kept Grimm for a reason.
In the Dream World, the Main Consciousness extinguished the flames, fearing influence from the Scarlet Will, as his Dream World might be dragged into the Scarlet Dream.
But he also didn't want to abandon the knowledge of the Scarlet, so he had to leave a spark, a 'fire seed,' to reignite the torch when needed.
Grimm was this fire seed; as one of the Scarlet's subjects, his mind was excellent, but his power was not strong enough.
Simon, holding Little Grimm, found Brumm. "Let's go, we'll end all of this."
Brumm looked at him in surprise, then stared at Little Grimm for a while. Grimm let out an angry chirp, still like a small cat.
"You did it, hmm, let's go, before they even realize what's happening." He flattened his bug instrument, tied it to his waist, then went behind the curtain and pulled out a torch stake, making a gesture to indicate departure.
They secretly slipped out of the Troupe and came to Howling Cliffs. In that cave, flames burned fiercely.
Brumm sighed, "What we are about to reap will desecrate this dark, silent kingdom. So, in fact, we are the desecrators, and you," he looked at Simon, "are the kingdom's protector. Let us end this."
He pointed at the iron platform on the ground, "Destroy this anchor point, this pillar, and banish the Troupe!" Immediately, he thrust the end of the torch stake into the iron platform.
Bang!
Light burst forth, the iron platform shattered, and explosive flames spewed out, scattering sparks everywhere. Simon swung his sword, hacking at the flames as if cutting a wooden stake, until the invisible resistance shattered, and the scarlet pillar of fire was released, soaring into the Sky.
The bugs in the Troupe saw the pillar of fire, all grinned slyly, burrowed back into their tents, and raised smoke.
When the pillar of fire receded and the smoke dispersed, the Troupe had also vanished.
On Simon's side, accompanied by a burst of strong light, he was knocked back by the shockwave. When he managed to steady himself, the light subsided, and darkness returned. The torch stake was extinguished, and the iron platform disappeared.
Brumm was gone, replaced by a bug without a mask. His arms were thin, his face fair, and his horns short and cute. However, the red scarf indicated that this bug was still Brumm, just Brumm freed from Grimm's 束縛.
At this moment, Little Grimm was playing dead on the ground. Simon walked over, picked him up, and placed him on his cylindrical head.
Brumm swayed as he stood up. The first thing he did was touch the bug instrument at his waist. After confirming it was intact, he let out a comfortable sigh, and then he noticed Simon.
"Ah, hello! Friend, it's good to see you in this darkness. My name is Ming Zi! I'm a traveling musician."
"Oh, alright, Ming Zi, do you remember what just happened?"
"Uh, I'm not sure, I might have some amnesia. Can you take me out of here? I want to go to a populated town… I've walked too far and want to rest," his two black-bean-like eyes stared at Simon, "This isn't an embarrassing thought, is it? Or if you're too busy, I can find a town myself."
"Let's go, we'll depart now."
Simon took Ming Zi back to Dirtmouth.
After the Troupe left, the area returned to its quiet and desolate scenery, but with a more serene atmosphere.
Ming Zi was happy to see strangers and eagerly went to chat with Elderbug.
Simon sat on a bench, turning his head to look at Crystal Peak, which soared to the ceiling.
Is The Radiance not dead?
And there's another ancient god, Lie Guang.
This path is especially difficult.
But Simon understood that his whole being yearned for this adventure.
He was lost in thought.
The music of an accordion gently played in his ears.
Ming Zi walked over, pulling at his bug instrument, "What's wrong, friend? Are you unhappy? Listen to this beautiful melody… Oh, right," he stopped playing, and his left hand pulled a Charm from his large scarf, handing it to Simon.
Carefree Melody.
A token commemorating the establishment of a friendship.
Contains a guardian song that may protect the bearer from harm.
Simon carefully put it away, "Thank you…"
Just as he was about to say more, a familiar aura suddenly came from the Crossroads below.
It was Nati and Paya; their transformation was complete.
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