The inky black sky loomed above, shrouded in blood-red clouds.
Upon a ravaged battlefield, the fallen lay scattered, their bones strewn across the ground. In the distance, atop a shattered giant mountain, immense dragon carcasses, stretching for miles, lay helplessly sprawled on the towering summit, their blood long dried.
Countless iron-clad cavalry surged forth like a relentless tide, their sharp blades and weapons raised high, clashing fiercely with the vast horde of beasts lurking within the forest. Brilliant flashes of light erupted intermittently on the battleground, mingling with the vibrant hues of blood that flowed like rivers.
In the darkened heavens above, human warriors were scattered throughout the void, engaged in fierce combat with beasts of equal rank. The violent energy surging from the heights raged like a tempest, and whenever it descended upon the battlefield, it reaped countless lives as if wielded by the scythe of death itself.
The ferocious Moon-Eating Wolf, under the combined onslaught of two human mages, finally plummeted from the heavens, crashing heavily to the earth. Its colossal form crushed countless trees, and amidst the spattering blood, the wolf king's distant gaze was cast towards the lofty snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Those distant peaks, blanketed in pristine white snow, stood as the sole sanctuary amidst the slaughter that had engulfed the forest. A man with a cold demeanor stood impassively atop the mountain, the howling winds tousling his gray and white hair, while his tattered cloak flapped violently in the frigid air.
His icy gaze remained fixed upon the brutal battlefield below. Despite the countless beasts perishing and the bloodshed that had formed meandering streams, even as the corpses piled high in the center of the battlefield, his expression remained devoid of emotion.
Deep within his pitch-black eyes lay a chilling despair that extinguished all hope, akin to a stagnant pool, rippling not even a hint of disturbance.
Behind him, a woman with striking crimson eyes could no longer contain herself. Witnessing the death of countless beasts before her, and seeing even the ninth-tier creatures wounded in battle, she finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, please... cease this. It is enough... if this continues, the forces of the entire continent will be drawn into this war."
The man remained cold and indifferent, seemingly oblivious to the woman kneeling behind him. He stood silently atop the mountain, allowing the falling snow to settle upon his hair.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, "Is the whole world my enemy?"
Raising his head, his icy gaze momentarily met that of a certain high-ranking figure suspended in the void, "And what then... does it matter?"
…
His pitch-black eyes slowly opened.
Xiao Mu Yu stood with a frosty demeanor upon the dark platform, surrounded by those who seemed to have just regained their senses. Before him floated the Time Staff, gradually dissipating in the void.
Like a sandcastle built upon the shore, slowly eroded by the encroaching tide, the Time Staff began to disintegrate, countless ethereal blue orbs gently swirling in the air, dancing like living sprites around the gathered crowd before...
Gradually fading away.
His cold gaze swept over the faces of those around him, revealing their expressions of astonished confusion. Little Annie and Riven occasionally furrowed their brows, casting curious glances at the silent Xiao Mu Yu.
"What... is happening?" Xiao Mu Yu inquired coldly within the realm of consciousness.
(Um... what is happening? Human boy, what did you see? Or rather... what transpired just now? Why are you all suddenly in a daze?)
"Ah... never mind, it's nothing," Xiao Mu Yu replied coldly after a few moments of silence, brushing his forehead. "It's fine, you needn't concern yourselves."
(What?! I feel as though something has been obscured from you! Hey! Human boy, what exactly is going on? Why is everyone collectively dazed?)
"…" The demon's inquiry went unanswered as Xiao Mu Yu remained coldly silent, gently stroking the sleeping little fox on his shoulder.
"Um... what was that just now?" Riven, astonished, looked around at the others, raising her hands in confusion. "By the way... what did you all see? Why did I see so many grotesque green corpses? What is going on?"
Turning her attention, Riven asked, "Annie, did you see it?"
"Grotesque green corpses? No, Annie saw... um..." The little girl glanced furtively at the silent Xiao Mu Yu, lowering her head and choosing not to continue. "Annie didn't see anything."
"I'll answer that question," Jarvan, after a moment of silence, spoke up. "What we witnessed earlier was likely an event we will encounter in the future."
"An event we will encounter in the future?" Riven expressed surprise at Jarvan's statement. "So what we just saw... is our future?"
"Precisely," Jarvan nodded. "The Time Staff is an artifact of the magical deity Xerath, and according to ancient texts, it possesses the ability to briefly interfere with time. It appears that the power of the Time Staff was entirely offered up by Mr. Xiao Mu Yu, and in that final moment of destruction, the fundamental time laws within the staff momentarily manifested, thereby disrupting the flow of time and allowing us to glimpse a moment of our future."
"Future time?" Annie's eyes widened in astonishment. "Is what you're saying true, Uncle Jarvan?"
"Um... cough, cough... of course, it's true, but..." Jarvan coughed awkwardly, saying, "Please don't call me uncle; I just look a bit old. I'm actually quite young. You can call me brother, Annie."
However, the little girl seemed unfazed by Jarvan's feeble protest. Instead, she happily approached Xiao Mu Yu, gathering her courage to meet his gaze. "Big brother."
"…" In silence, Xiao Mu Yu and the little girl held each other's gaze for several seconds. The strange emotion in her eyes puzzled him, yet he ultimately coldly inquired, "What is it?"
"Big brother, I... I..." The little girl nervously clutched her plush bear, cautiously asking, "Annie wants... to give the bear a name."
"Ah... that's fine," Xiao Mu Yu replied, nodding with a frosty expression. "Though it is a gift from me, it is now yours, and you may name it as you wish."
"Then, the bear shall be called... shall be called..." Glancing timidly at Xiao Mu Yu, little Annie finally mustered her courage and declared, "Let's name it Tibbers."
Upon finishing, the girl lifted her head, her face filled with anticipation as she looked at Xiao Mu Yu.
In the realm of consciousness, the demon's laughter echoed with malicious delight.
(Oh? Tibbers? Eternal Guardian? Hehehe... Human boy, the little girl is asking if you would forever protect her, to be her knight, hehehe... Hahaha... Ho ho ho ho... Hehehe... How amusing! Truly, how amusing! This is simply too delightful! Hahahahaha!!!)
(Isn't this a veiled confession? Hahahaha... Who would have thought, human boy! Who would have thought that a scoundrel like you, wicked as you are, lecherous as you are, selfish and dull as you are... that someone like you, destined for a life of solitude, would capture the heart of a girl? Hehehe... Though she is merely a little loli, it's still a success for you, Hahahahaha...)
(So... what will you say in response, human boy? Will you refuse? Or will you accept? I am eagerly awaiting your answer, human boy, Hahahahaha...)
"..." After a few moments of silence, Xiao Mu Yu finally spoke coldly, "A lovely name."
At this, the little girl let out a sigh of relief, her face breaking into a joyful smile.
(Hahahaha!!! As expected! Indeed! You are an incorrigible loli enthusiast, human boy! Hahahaha... I knew I wasn't mistaken; you truly are a shameless loli enthusiast! You won't even spare such a little girl! You are utterly devoid of shame! Hahahaha...)
In the realm of consciousness, the demon's voice remained as boisterous as ever.
Meanwhile, the expressions of those on the platform grew increasingly peculiar.
Lux, leaning against the wall, furrowed her brow as she glanced at the cold-faced Xiao Mu Yu, then at the joyful little Annie, and it seemed she began to understand something—her junior brother... prefers this type of little girl?
Jarvan, lying on the ground, looked astonished at Xiao Mu Yu, then at the little girl who barely reached his chest, and sighed with a hint of sorrow—so the Lord of Winter has this preference? Who would have thought that such a powerful figure would be a loli enthusiast? Alas... what a pity.
Teemo wore an expression of knowing, as if he had anticipated the current situation all along. The little fellow stole a glance at the silver-haired woman beside him, only to find... Riven was still watching with great interest?
Thus, the little fellow fell silent.
Hey! Hey! Speaking of which, don't you fancy that guy? Then why are you acting like a mere bystander now? Even if it's a political marriage, shouldn't you at least act a bit more professional? Is it really acceptable to have such a detached attitude?
Standing silently, observing the reactions of those around him, Xiao Mu Yu's expression remained unchanged as he coldly lifted Jarvan, who lay on the ground, onto his back, turning towards the exit. "Let's go... we should leave this place."