Shadow of the Beautiful World

Dad! Dad?

Tony was woken up by little Hope beside him. He raised his head blankly and looked left and right.

He and his youngest daughter are still in the Paradise Restaurant. Little Hope has already finished her children's meal. Her mouth is covered with oil stains. She grabbed Tony's hand and said coquettishly to her father:

I want to eat another one. The food here is delicious.

Okay, let's have another one.

Tony smiled gently, and he gestured to the waiter beside him, and the beautiful and dignified waitress also responded with a gentle smile to Tony and little Hope.

Dad, are you tired?

Tony took out a handkerchief and wiped his daughter's mouth. The sensible little girl said to Tony while drinking from a straw:

You fell asleep just now, and you were talking in your sleep.

Yeah?

Tony winked at his daughter and said:

Dad is busy with work, maybe he is really tired. After dinner, let's go home and wait for mom, okay?

OK.

Little Hope nodded, and Tony noticed that there was a strange origami crane in her daughter's hand. It was made of napkins, but there seemed to be dancing lights on the paper.

He shook his head.

He felt as if he had forgotten something important.

But thinking about it carefully, it seems that nothing has been forgotten.

In the next second, Tony looked back as if feeling something, and he saw an artistic guy in a casual suit, long black hair shawl, and a scarf, pushing the door and leaving the restaurant.

His clothes and scarf were blown by the wind outside the door, and Tony could vaguely see his side face.

that back, that face

So familiar.

But no matter how hard Tony searched, he couldn't find a similar person in his memory. He simply gave up, took out a very advanced mobile phone from his pocket, and dialed a number.

A few seconds later, the projection of Dr. Reed appeared on Tony's mobile phone. The busy man seemed to have just finished the experiment. He took off the experiment goggles and said to Tony:

Why are you calling at this time? Tony, what's the matter?

I read the piece you published a few days ago. The theory about the great unification of cosmic energy is refreshing. I find it very interesting.

Tony cut to the chase and said to Reid:

I also want to participate in this research.

you?

Dr. Reed asked in surprise:

Haven't you always been disinterested in these purely theoretical studies?

Because, I had a dream just now. I dreamed about the origin of the universe, and I dreamed about the shining stars.

While stirring the coffee with a spoon, Tony touched his heart, which was beating very violently.

He said:

Suddenly I became very interested in the truths of the stars. I felt that something very important was calling me, and I wanted to unveil those truths with my own hands.

How is it? Do you still have room in your lab?

Of course there is.

Dr. Reed was also delighted, saying:

I welcome scientists like you at any time. Speaking of which, recently, many people have suddenly become interested in the truth of the stars. Banner asked me the same thing yesterday. It is said that the Future Technology Foundation also proposed to set up a special topic.

Really? That would be great.

Tony smiled. He chatted with Dr. Reed for a few words, congratulated Reed on the birth of his little daughter, and then hung up the communication.

A few minutes later, Little Hope finished his second meal, and Tony planned to check out and leave.

but

Sir, the bill for your table has been paid.

The waiter Rand Keel said politely to the surprised Tony:

Someone paid your bill. And he said he was your friend.

Yeah?

Tony asked suspiciously:

What does that person look like?

Uh, long black hair, wearing a suit, tall and handsome.

Archangel Randekiel dragged her chin with her fingers. She described to Tony the appearance of the man who paid the bill, but she couldn't remember the specific face of the man.

Just remember, that was a very personable man.

It's the man just now!

Tony immediately remembered what he saw just now, the man who pushed the door and walked out.

That guy is really weird!

On the other side, Merlin walked along the streets of Hell's Kitchen towards his old house. When he turned the corner, he saw a tall building under construction.

That is the new industry of the rich Mr. Tucker who came out of Hell's Kitchen.

Ah, the little bastard back then is doing well now.

Merlin looked at the building under construction in front of him. He squinted his eyes and recalled the first time he met Tucker. The unlucky guy died in the crisis caused by the infinite stone.

But he, like everyone else, was brought back to this world by Tony with another snap of his fingers when the stars restarted.

very nice.

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, he quickened his pace and blended into the crowd.

A few minutes later, he returned to the mysterious house, which had been repaired to look like Merlin's old house and was still in its original location.

He pushed open the door, and saw Carol sitting on the sofa, recuperating with his stomach up and his eyes closed.

The two girls, Ruiwen and Lorna, were attentively rubbing Carol's swollen toes. After seeing his brother come back, the two girls fled the living room in desperation.

There is reason for their fear.

Raven sneaked out yesterday to meet Damian.

Lorna covered up her sister, but the matter was inadvertently revealed when Shagou and Gugu were fighting.

In this house last night, there was a lot of noise.

I'm back.

Merlin didn't bother to reprimand his misbehaving sister. He took off his coat, sat beside his wife, and stroked Carol's belly that was beginning to show.

He took out something from his pocket, the illusory fragment of the old world, he threaded it on a rope and hung it around Carol's neck.

This action woke up the mistress who was taking a nap.

She opened her eyes, glanced at Merlin, and snorted again.

she says:

You can obviously keep their memories. If you can make Riley's family remember you, then there must be a way for the world to remember you. Why do you have to do this?

because

Merlin hugged his wife. He turned on the TV and watched the football game in front of him. He reached out and took out a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. While drinking, he said:

They need no more from me, Carol, than we need from Tyrion and Sable.

They can rely on themselves to find the truth, so they don't need me to intervene. That is a humiliation to the soldiers.

There should be a new life in the new world, and everyone has the right to enjoy and choose.

For some people, memory is just a burden, but I know that I will see them again, and that day will not be too far away.

Besides, I've done all the things I should do. It's time to free up my time and spend time with you guys. I still want to grow up with my daughter.

Well, you're always full of nonsense.

Carol smiled, with the signature laziness of a pregnant woman on her face, leaning on Merlin's shoulder, she said:

Zatana and Elizabeth went on a trip, and Icarus was also trapped in Cybertron and couldn't get out. Only Xuanlan and these girls are left in this big house.

What do you want to say?

Merlin smiled and said:

What you really want to ask is Elsa, right?

Um.

Carol said worriedly:

You said it was lost. It took you a long time to come back. What about Elsa? How long will it take her to come back to us? I miss her a lot.

I miss her a lot too.

Merlin leaned back on the sofa, kissed his wife's hair, and said:

But that reckless girl will always come back, and she won't leave us, just like I won't leave.

Be patient.

The two snuggled together, enjoying a rare peace.

After a few minutes, Merlin said:

I'm going to go out tonight, go to a place, fulfill an agreement, and it may take a few days before I can come back.

Go.

Carol was drowsy, and she said:

Just don't bring back another little wife.

Will not.

Merlin turned down the sound of the TV and said:

With you, it is enough. ——

This is the end of the story.

Merlin ended up living a peaceful and happy life. It's a very old-fashioned happy ending, but it's also very classic.

Beyond the stars, in Oneiroi's endless library, the Oneiroi with gauze on his eyes gently turned over the last page of the thick tome.

He stroked the book in his hand, then handed it to Merlin who was sitting beside him, listening quietly.

He said:

This is the first carbon copy, which is very memorable. You can take it out for collection, take it out occasionally, and relive your own story.

I think that should be a good experience.

Due to your current life form, it is also very important to find something that you can persist for a long time to pass the endless time, and to avoid becoming a big slob who is always sleeping and occasionally awake like many predecessors.

Thanks.

Merlin looked at the book in his hand, and he stroked the bronzing characters on the cover of the book. Those two characters meant shadow.

This is probably the best interpretation of Merlin's story.

The first half of the story takes place in an institution hidden under the world, and in the second half of the story, Merlin has been active in the shadows.

He has gotten used to the reassuring darkness, and although he looks forward to the world under the sun, he will stay away from it.

The flow of time is different between my side and here.

Merlin put away the book, he said:

It should have been a long time here, right? Are Ganata and Qin okay?

The star-swallowing daughter was taken away by her father.

Oneiroi picked up the teacup, and while smelling the fragrance of the tea, he replied:

I don't know much about her recent situation, but according to the behavior of swallowing stars, Ganata should be sent to other universes to go through the change of eras to obtain the symbolism of herself.

As for Phoenix Girl, no one knows her whereabouts, but maybe Seber will have some news. After all, Overlord and Phoenix Phoenix in the main universe are said to have some imaginative pasts.

Him? Let's forget it.

Merlin shook his head and said:

The relationship between me and him should not be that good yet, and, compared to this main universe that makes me feel strange, I prefer to stay in my own home.

The process of Raven Universe entering the multiverse database has already begun, and your 'home' will inevitably be more and more closely connected with the multiverse system in the future.

Oneiroi advised:

It's not a question of whether you want to, Merlin.

As a symbol of the stars in the Raven universe, you must maintain a good connection with the main universe.

In the entire multiverse system, there are not only beautiful and wonderful journeys, but also dangers, those dangers that sweep through the entire multiverse system.

For example, this time, the Goddess of Destruction, Papetua, suddenly appeared. The number of single universes affected by her and her Legion of Destruction was at least more than 2,000, and there were hundreds of destroyed universes.

Oneiroi put down his teacup, and said to Merlin in a gentle tone:

The reason why Cyber ​​and Tyrion urgently need the Raven Universe is to accommodate their relatives and friends who are not good at fighting, and to leave a 'backup' in the Raven Universe for the warriors rushing to the battlefield.

Gambling games are just an incidental mode of contention, their starting point is not evil, of course...

Speaking of which, Oneiroi raised his head, looked at Merlin, and said:

I'm also very happy to see that you finally opened the curtain of stars, leaving enough living space for the refugees from the two universes.

This matter was done very aggressively, Merlin, and it was handled very skillfully.

Even if Sable and Tyrion held a grudge against your disobedience, they have nothing to say now.

That was a personal conflict.

Merlin waved his hand, and he replied calmly:

It has nothing to do with the innocent people affected by the war. I also hope to see the revival of life in the Raven universe. In the not-too-distant future, there will be a prosperous Burning Era.

Um.

Oneiroi nodded, and after a few seconds, he returned to the previous topic, saying:

In short, as I just said, the communication between the Raven universe and the main universe is maintained by you in the early days. If you love your home, then you should shoulder this responsibility.

I don't usually have a good relationship with potential friends. If I encounter a multi-level crisis, I will ask for an urgent need, but it will be too late.

This is a new story, a new journey in your life.

What I mean is, pack up your mind, Your Excellency Raven, after a short rest, let's continue our journey.

Oneiroi stood up, and he smiled and said to the thinking Merlin:

Of course it's not my style to let an old friend who has just stepped out of his own universe wander around like a headless chicken in the multiverse... If you want to help people, you will help them to the end. You guys are quite my appetite.

Come with me, I also invited several other friends, just taking this opportunity to officially introduce you to them.

Merlin didn't hesitate much.

Oneiroi is someone he trusts, and he walks with Oneiroi in this huge library.

Those books that are safely kept on the bookshelves are amazing, and those hundreds of billions of stories from the entire multiverse are also shocking.

Merlin looked at the mountains of stories.

He probably understood the true meaning of what Oneiroi said just now, to find a hobby that can be persisted for a long time to pass the boring time.

Finding stories, writing stories, and recording stories are the hobbies of Oneiroi.

The endless library in front of me is a cosmic spectacle built out of hobbies.

Snapped

In the depths of the big library, Oneiroi stretched out his hand and pushed open the ancient Greek-style marble door. He turned sideways and made a gesture of please to Merlin behind him.

Merlin stepped into it, and before his eyes, there was a large round table, and people were already seated on three sides of the table.

On the chair on the east side sat a reckless man in a suit.

To the west is an elf with an impassive face and a blindfold.

On the south side is a mass of light, in which there is a man with a gentle and resolute expression.

The chairs on the north side are empty.

That was left to him.

Yo.

Seber Hawk leaned lazily on the chair with a smoky cigar in his mouth. Amid the rising smoke, he raised his head and threw the poker in his hand on the table.

He looked at Merlin, and he said:

See you again, little fellow.