Yun's gaze pierced through Arkon as he revealed, "Yes, I became the guardian of the earth with the help of those five treasures. But even if you had those treasures, you could not have become the earth's guardian. Do you know why?"
Arkon trembled, his voice laced with uncertainty, "Y-Yes sir. Because it took you 1000 years, and no ordinary human can live for so many years."
Yun's expression remained enigmatic, his tone hinting at secrets untold, "Your answer is incomplete. Apart from 1000 years of lifespan, there are other requirements too. Which you do not need to know. You understand."
Arkon's fear was palpable as he shivered, his voice cracking, "Y-Yes sir. I-I understand."
The air was heavy with unspoken truths, Yun's words implying that the path to becoming the earth's guardian was fraught with mysteries and challenges that Arkon could scarcely comprehend. The old man's awe and trepidation deepened, his gaze fixed upon Yun with a mix of reverence and fear.
1 Year Later
After all the preparations were complete, Yun arrived at Sweet Delights Bakery, where he found Specter busy with her work. "Specter, I've come to pick you up. Let's embark on an adventure now," he said with a smile.
Specter looked up, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "O-Oh! Why don't you call me by my real name?" she asked, her voice laced with a gentle reprimand.
Yun's expression was nonchalant. "Because I'm used to calling you Specter."
Specter's gaze softened, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "But you promised me that day that you would call me by my real name, Ariana."
Yun's denial was swift. "I never made such a promise to you."
Specter's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Remember what happened that day... "
1111 Years Ago
Yun's thoughts drifted back to that moment. He had offered her a vitality potion to extend her lifespan, but she had refused, saying she had lived enough. Though she couldn't take her revenge, she was content that Yun was by her side in her final moments...
Specter's voice broke the spell. "Looks like it's time for me to leave now. Take care of yourself, Yun. Goodbye..."
Yun's gesture was sudden, his finger on her lips. "Shh, Specter. Open your mouth."
Yun gently forced Specter's mouth open, cradling her fragile body in his lap. His eyes were filled with deep concern as he held a glass to her lips, the liquid inside glistening in the dim light. "Come on, drink this," he coaxed softly. "It will help you feel better."
At first, Specter resisted, turning her head away from the glass. But Yun persisted, guiding her head back with his hand, his fingers tracing the curves of her face. "Please, just a sip," he urged, his voice filled with quiet desperation.
Slowly, he opened her lips and poured the liquid into her mouth. She coughed, her body spasming, but Yun held her close, his arms a gentle vice around her. "Shh, it's okay," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "You're safe now. Just rest."
As the liquid took effect, Specter's body relaxed, her breathing slowing. Yun held her close, his eyes never leaving her face, his expression a mix of concern and tenderness. The dim light of the bakery enveloped them, a warm embrace that seemed to shut out the world beyond. In this moment, time stood still, and all that mattered was the fragile life in Yun's arms.
As the liquid coursed through her veins, Specter felt an unusual sense of calm wash over her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she gazed up at Yun, her vision blurry. "What did you give me to drink?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Yun smiled, his eyes filled with deep relief. "Nothing," he replied, his voice low and soothing. "Just rest now. You're going to be okay."
With that, Specter's eyes drifted shut, and she succumbed to the sweet embrace of sleep. When she finally opened her eyes again, she gazed up at Yun with renewed vitality. "What did you give me to drink?" she asked, her voice now strong and vibrant. "I feel alive again!"
Yun's smile returned, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "I told you, it was nothing," he said, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Just my special blend of tea."
Specter's eyes narrowed playfully. "Tea?" she repeated, her tone skeptical. "That was no ordinary tea, Yun."
Yun chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Perhaps not," he conceded. "But let's just say it was a special recipe, one that's been passed down through generations."
Yun's smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just kidding, it's a little something I like to call a vitality potion."
Specter's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "What kind of vitality potion?"
Yun's chuckle was low and husky. "One that will grant you an extra 2000 years of life."
Specter's expression turned fierce, her voice rising in protest. "I told you I didn't want to live a long life! I've already lived enough!"
Yun's hand on her shoulder was gentle, his touch calming. "I did this for your own good, Specter. You've never lived for yourself, only for your revenge. Think of this as a second chance. Forget your past and live the life you truly desire. Marry someone you love, have children, and be happy."
Specter's gaze searched Yun's face, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and vulnerability. "You don't understand," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You don't know what it's like to live with this curse."
Yun's expression softened, his voice filled with empathy. "Perhaps not, but I do know what it's like to lose someone you love. And I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, Specter. You deserve a chance to live a life free from revenge and pain. Take it, and make the most of it."
She crossed her arms, her expression defiant. "I don't want to marry anyone."
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Not anyone, a worthy man."
She gazed up at him with a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling. "I want to marry you."
His eyes widened in surprise, his voice incredulous. "What?!"
She nodded, her smile unwavering. "Yes, you're the only worthy man for me."
He sighed, his expression softening. "I can't marry you."
Her voice trembled, a hint of vulnerability creeping in. "Why not? Am I not beautiful enough?"
He took her hand, his touch gentle. "It's not that. I've just never thought about marriage. I don't know where I'll be in the future."
Specter's gaze searched his face, her eyes pleading. "But I want to be with you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
Yun's expression was torn, his eyes reflecting a deep conflict. "Specter, I care about you deeply, but marriage is a big step. I need time to think."
She pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion, "But can't you just marry me and be with me for the rest of my lifespan?"
He hesitated, his eyes filled with a deep longing, "I can extend your lifespan another 2000 years, but I can't promise to be with you forever."
She whispered, her voice barely audible, "Please, just be with me for as long as you can."
As their lips met, he whispered, "Okay, my love Specter. I'll be with you for as long as I can. For 2000 years, and beyond."
Their kiss deepened, the vitality potion coursing through her veins like liquid fire. She felt alive, renewed, and reborn. As they pulled away, gasping for air, he smiled and said, "Let's make the most of our time together. Let's live every moment to the fullest."
She nodded, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "Yes, my love. Forever and always."
Then, she asked him, her voice filled with a gentle urgency, "Call me by my real name."
Yun replied, his tone casual, "It's just a name. I can call you Specter or Ariana."
But she urged him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief, "No. Promise me you'll call me Ariana."
He smiled, his voice filled with warmth, "Ok, I promise. Ariana."
As he spoke her name, Ariana's heart skipped a beat. She knew in that moment, she was his, and he was hers. Forever and always.
Present Time
Yun's eyes gazed into the past, his mind recalling the memories he shared with Ariana. "Yes, I remember," he said, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia. "I had promised you this. I am sorry, it has been a long time, so I forgot."
Ariana's arms wrapped around Yun, her embrace warm and tender. "And you disappeared for so many centuries after meeting me last time in the bakery," she reminded him, her tone playful. "Saying that you had some important work to do."
Yun's arms encircled her, his hold gentle. "Ariana, I really had an important work," he explained, his eyes sparkling with a hint of adventure. "Which is now completed. I told you that I want to travel this universe. Today, I am going to fulfill my dream, so I want to take you with me. Are you ready to go with me?"
Ariana's smile illuminated her face, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, I am ready to go anywhere with you," she replied, her voice filled with conviction.
Together, they stood there, their hearts filled with anticipation, ready to embark on a new journey through the universe, side by side. The past was behind them, and the future stretched out before them like an endless canvas, waiting to be explored.