Chapter 850: My Name Is...
Chapter 850: My Name Is...
In the midst of a desolate darkness, Rukia Kuchiki quietly appeared.
At this moment, only a fragment of her soul remains, reverting to her original form—a young girl of thirteen or fourteen with snow-white hair and an exquisite, ethereal beauty akin to that of an elf.
"Where's my brother...?"
She wiped her face, only to find that there were no more tears.
Looking ahead, she couldn't spot Ginjiro's figure anywhere. All she could see was an endless expanse of darkness, with a faint yet unnerving flame flickering in the distance.
But when she turned to look behind her, her gaze froze. In the darkness, she noticed a flickering light, and within it, a vaguely familiar figure appeared and disappeared.
Hesitating for a moment, little Ume eventually made her way towards it cautiously.
"Is... is that you?"
As she drew closer and the figure came into focus, a look of surprise spread across her face.
"Sit."
Feng Ye gestured casually, and a small cushion appeared before Ume, who obediently took a seat.
Even though she had reverted to her pre-ghost state, her youthful self, Ume's heart instinctively recognized the divine presence before her.
Tentatively, she stepped forward and sat down on the cushion.
Although she didn't fully understand the situation, she knew that the Feng Ye before her was undoubtedly a godlike being.
"Am... am I dead?"
She asked softly, her eyes reflecting her uncertainty as all traces of 'Rukia' faded from her demeanor.
Feng Ye nodded in response, "Yes."
Ume paused, her mouth agape, before asking again, "Then, what about my brother?"
"He's on the other side," Feng Ye replied.
At that moment, Ume felt her memory sharpen, recalling every detail of her past, both as a human and the century she spent as a ghost.
She remembered the hardships and pain she endured in her short human life, as well as the cruelty and violence that marked her existence as a ghost—the people she had killed and consumed.
"Am I going to hell?"
A tinge of fear crept into Ume's voice as she continued, "I've killed so many people, but I almost got killed myself, and I couldn't control myself after I became a ghost..."
Feng Ye waved his hand, interrupting her, "There's no need to justify your actions. I'm aware of everything you've done. The sins you've committed over the past century warrant a trip to hell. However, due to the unique connection between you and your brother, you have another option."
Ume's eyes widened as she asked, "What option?"
Feng Ye explained, "You two are inseparable. Your brother possesses the power to control you. If we attribute all your sins to his influence over you, then you can be absolved of your crimes and return to the human realm."
As he spoke, he pointed behind him, indicating the peaceful radiance in the distance.
"Really?"
Ume's face lit up with hope, but it quickly faded as she realized something. "What about my brother?"
Feng Ye remained calm as he said, "Your brother will bear the sins of both of you. He will not only fall into hell but also plunge into its deepest depths, enduring the flames of hell for thousands of years, day and night."
Ume's face paled as she exclaimed, "That's unfair! He was just trying to protect me..."
Feng Ye regarded her silently for a moment before saying, "So, make your choice. Will you accompany your brother into hell, or will you let him shoulder your mistakes and return to the human realm?"
In the darkness—
Before her lay the radiant path to the mortal realm, and behind her, the hellish flames. Ume's small, pale face was caught between these two extremes.
...
Ginjiro's expression froze as he heard those words. "That's unfair! Ume is innocent..."
Feng Ye turned his gaze upon Ginjiro, his voice calm and steady. "So, make your choice. Will you descend into hell with your sister, or will you let her bear the consequences of your actions and return to the human realm?"
"I don't want to go to the human realm alone. I want to be with my brother, even if it means... going to hell!"
The flames of hell reflected on Ume's stubborn face. Despite the flames awakening her memories of fear and reminding her of her greatest fears, her body trembled involuntarily, but her heart remained steadfast.
Seeing Ume's determination, a slight smile appeared on Feng Ye's usually expressionless face.
Silently, Gitu Taro's figure appeared beside Ume.
They both froze as they caught sight of each other.
"Ume?"
"Brother!"
The stubbornness on Ume's face instantly turned to tears as she rushed towards her brother, sobbing uncontrollably.
Gitu Taro stood there, taken aback, as he hugged his sister tightly, patting her back to comfort her. At the same time, he glanced at Feng Ye, and a realization seemed to dawn on him.
Feng Ye nodded slightly, "You both made the same choice."
Gitu Taro looked at Ume with a hint of annoyance, "Why are you still so foolish? You could have returned to the human world, but instead, you chose to come to hell with me. Hell holds no fear for me, and it doesn't matter where I go. As for you..."
Ume cried out, "Waaah, waaah, no, don't go, I want to be with my brother..."
"You're truly hopeless." Gitu Taro said, looking at Ume with a mix of exasperation and affection.
"So am I," he added, turning away.
Just then, Feng Ye spoke up. "The choice was a test, and you passed. So, I will offer you a better option."
"What is it?" Gitu Taro asked, turning to face Feng Ye.
Feng Ye scanned the surroundings and explained, "I have a guardian position here. The job is simple: judge the people who fall into this place, cast the guilty ones into the fires of hell, and send the innocent back to the human realm for reincarnation. However, this job offers no wages or holidays."
Gitu Taro was silent for a moment as he considered the offer. He then looked down at his sister, who was looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, and without hesitation, he accepted. "I'll do it."
Feng Ye nodded and raised his finger, shooting a faint light towards the siblings.
Silently, the light split into two and disappeared into their foreheads.
Then, Feng Ye turned and walked away, his figure fading into the darkness.
"Umm..." Ume, her face still streaked with tears, watched Feng Ye's retreating back and suddenly realized something. She released herself from Gitu Taro's embrace and took a few steps forward, calling out, "Who... who are you, God? What should we call you?"
Feng Ye paused, and his voice echoed, "In your world, there is only one God, and that is me. As for a name, I've told you many already; you can choose any of them. My name is... Feng Ye."
With that, Feng Ye continued on his way, his back disappearing from view.
Only Gitu Taro and Ume were left, standing in the midst of the darkness.
Gitu Taro raised his hand and waved, dispelling the darkness around them.
As he felt the power to manipulate the darkness and create landscapes as he pleased, he turned to Ume and said, "Although we were born with bad luck, it doesn't mean our entire lives will be unfortunate."
Ume, who had been staring at Feng Ye's retreating figure, finally turned back, a smile breaking through her tears as she, too, felt the new powers within her. "Yes, that's true."
"Always crying and smiling," Gitu Taro shook his head fondly.
(End of Chapter)
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