At the bottom of Mount Supuha, at the portal to another world, fifteen minutes before the alien species is transported.
Having regained his human form, Todd helped the injured Evie, limping as they walked up to the huge platform crowded with people.
Amidst the beacon tower's blinding apocalyptic red glow, a bright teleportation portal lies at the end of the platform.
Its surface resembles a shimmering lake, with a constantly indenting gap in the very center that seems to draw one's gaze deep into.
It is clearly an image of Earth, which can be vaguely seen in the portal.
Wearing only a simple robe, Todd carefully placed Evie on the side of the rock wall, then walked alone towards the alien race.
When the aliens saw him, they all made way for him.
However, the dissatisfaction and resentment in everyone's eyes were not concealed at all.
Amidst the hostile gazes of everyone, Todd found Karin and Aurora in the crowd.
Kneeling before his daughter, Todd gently embraced the tearful Aurora.
"Father, I'm scared."
Hearing Aurora's words, Todd gently kissed her forehead and whispered, "I promise everything will be alright."
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud explosion came from the underground magma, and the entire mountain shook slightly.
Todd looked at Aurora and said, "I failed. I couldn't protect this world... You must leave here and move on."
Aurora clung tightly to Todd: "I want to be with you."
Todd hugged Aurora and whispered, "You go first, I'll catch up with you later."
Aurora looked up: "You promise?"
Todd nodded and smiled as he said, "Yes, I promise."
Release Aurora, Todd softly called out Karin's name.
As Todd watched the woman slowly walk towards him, a flood of thoughts overwhelmed him. Memories of the past came rushing into his mind like a stream.
With a gasp from Karin, Todd grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.
"If I had considered many things more carefully in the past..."
Karin covered Todd's mouth with her hand, stopping him from saying anything more.
Todd looked up at the swaying sky through the top of the volcano and chuckled, "Heh, whatever."
After saying that, Todd picked up Karin's head and kissed her lips.
In that apocalyptic red light, the sky was falling, the earth was shattering, and two people who had been together since the beginning could not make it to the end.
Only in this moment were their bodies and souls incredibly close, and they no longer felt lost.
As their lips parted, Karin's tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks. Even without a word, she knew Todd's decision.
Without any persuasion or pleading, Karin simply buried her head in Todd's arms while tears streamed down her face, trying her best to etch this moment firmly into the memory of her soul.
Todd said softly, "Once you get to the other side, don't trust anyone. Stay alert at all times, and if you spot any danger, use every means possible to get as far away as possible."
Todd handed Karin a pre-prepared envelope and said, "This contains my name and address from my past life, as well as my family's contact information. After you gradually integrate into that world, you can try to contact the people listed here. If they are all deceased... then live on your own..."
Karin, who was crying uncontrollably, took the envelope and nodded with trembling hands. A thousand words were stuck in her heart, but she couldn't say a word.
Todd kissed Karin one last time and whispered, "I'm sorry, Karin, I really wish I could make it up to you in some way, but my time is running out..."
Karin shook her head vigorously, hugged Todd, lifted her head and kissed him back forcefully, then stood up and walked to Aurora's side.
Todd took one last look at his daughter, then stood up and walked toward the portal.
Before the portal, Elder Iliad was loudly emphasizing something to the aliens.
"The strong men will be divided into five groups, with each group entering every half minute!"
"Once we get to the other side, let's ensure the safety of our surroundings first!"
"The remaining people were divided according to their clans."
Seeing Todd walking towards him, Elijah reached out to stop the others from moving.
Elijah walked up to Todd, looked at him, and said, "I guess you didn't come here with us."
Todd shook his head slightly: "Yes, I will not be going with you."
Iliad remained silent, waiting for the other party to continue.
Todd: "I've come here just to give you some advice."
Iliad: "Advice?"
Todd: "That world might not be as wonderful as you imagine. War and lies have never disappeared. On the contrary, the evil side of human nature has grown stronger in that world..."
Elijah frowned. "We've seen Sutherland's vision, a world that's far better than this."
Todd turned his head to look at the beacon tower shining with an apocalyptic red light in the sea of lava, and laughed self-deprecatingly, "Maybe you're right, it is indeed better there than here."
Turning his head back, Todd asked Eliard, "Do you have paper and a pen?"
Iliad was a little confused, but he still asked the other aliens for paper and pen.
Looking at the parchment in front of him, Todd wrote down the following sentence in both Chinese and English: "We have no ill intentions; we come for peace."
Todd handed the parchment to Elijah and said, “If you really intend to contact the other side, give them this. It may not do much good, but at least it won’t cause any misunderstandings.”
Eliade glanced at Todd, put the parchment into his pocket, and said, "The sages longed for you to become the leader of the alien races, but I have never been optimistic about this. You have always protected your country, not us aliens."
Todd: "If you had been following Twilight City, you wouldn't have come to this conclusion. There is a group of people from the sea whose appearance and habits are completely different from human society. I am willing to offer them shelter, let alone you."
Todd sighed, looking at Sutherland who was controlling the beacon tower: "But I think it's too late to say anything now. Once something happens, words no longer matter."
Elijah looked at Todd for a long time, then finally shook his head and let out a sigh.
Iliad walked back to his original position and shouted, "Everyone, line up! Let's get out of here!"
Watching everyone enter the portal one by one, Todd turned around and walked towards the end of the platform—Sutherland.
Sutherland, who was standing next to the beacon tower, saw Todd's figure and slowly approached him while continuing to attach his tentacles to the surface of the beacon tower.
Todd threw off his robe, and dragon scales slowly appeared on his body. A huge dragon spine burst out of his body, and flames flickered in and out of his mouth.
"It's time to settle things between us."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com