The Light Endures

Chapter 821 The Light Endures

Earth, neon lights.

The weather was fine and sunny, and the sunlight dispelled the last trace of gloom.

The streets were still sparsely populated, but the tranquility after the disaster was more precious than ever.

The giant screen on the street corner no longer broadcasts piercing evacuation sirens, but instead plays a series of encouraging good news.

"According to our report, the black fog that had enveloped the world completely dissipated at 3:15 PM yesterday —"

"Breaking news! The monster that was entrenched in the Mount Fuji region has been defeated by Ultraman Blaze and Ultraman Nexus working together!"

"Breaking news! The monster causing trouble in the South my country Sea has been completely wiped out by Earth's sacred beasts, Lord Renlong and Lord Gatanothor!"

Scenes flashed across the screen.

There's a wild man Ultraman engulfed in flames, Nexus in his elegant blue youth form streaking across the sky, a majestic and sacred eight-headed dragon, and even a giant conch shell radiating golden light, exuding an aura of majesty.

The scene shifts to a bald man carrying a samurai sword, directing a group of bizarre monsters to repair a house.

There is also a stunningly beautiful princess who controls a magic mirror, healing the wounded with her gentle light.

Many people are cautiously emerging from the shelter.

They looked up at the azure sky, at the buildings on both sides of the street that still stood despite the traces of battle, and at the familiar yet unfamiliar figures of the Guardians on the big screen. At first, they were bewildered, and then they were overwhelmed with uncontrollable joy.

"We won—we won!"

"Great! Ultraman and the Holy Beasts have protected us!"

"Waaaaah—Mommy, we're still alive!"

Cheers, cries, and joyful embraces filled every corner of the city.

Amidst the ruins, the flower of life is blooming anew.

"Speaking of which—did any of you have a really strange dream last night?"

In the crowd, a young man suddenly spoke up, a hint of confusion on his face.

"A dream? What dream?"

"It was a very real, very real dream. I dreamt that I turned into a beam of light, flew to the ends of the universe, and fought alongside a golden giant—"

Before he could finish speaking, gasps of surprise erupted from all around.

"You had this dream too?!"

"Me too! I saw him, that golden giant, his light is so warm—"

"I even talked to him! I told him, 'Come on! You have to win!'"

"Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly how it feels! It's like we're right there, all of us are cheering for him!"

People were surprised to find that this was not an isolated case.

Almost everyone in the world who survived saw the same vision at that moment and experienced a magnificent epic journey with the light.

They may not remember what the giants looked like, nor be able to describe the terror of the enemy, but the burning passion of fighting side by side, and the determination to transform themselves into the light of hope, were imprinted deep in the soul of every one of them.

Lin Yu and Camilla strolled quietly along the streets where cherry blossoms were fluttering in the air, a stark contrast to the jubilant crowds around them.

Camilla linked arms with him, her purple eyes reflecting his profile, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"A billion-strong Tiga Legion? How did you even come up with that? It's unbelievably lavish."

"Don't you like it?" Lin Yu raised an eyebrow.

"like."

Camilla answered without hesitation, gently resting her cheek on his shoulder, her voice becoming incredibly soft, "Your radiance is truly dazzling. At that moment, I even felt—that I had become a part of that sea of ​​light."

It was a warmth that illuminated the soul, a satisfaction that transcended thirty million years, finally uniting with one's beloved.

Lin Yu smiled helplessly, said nothing, but simply gripped her hand tightly in return.

Just then, a familiar voice came from not far away.

"Hey, Lin Yu!"

Lin Yu looked up and saw Da Gu directing the crowd and maintaining order on the street.

He was wearing the Victory team uniform, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were bright and determined.

"Long time no see, you rascal."

Daigo walked over with a smile, his steps carrying an unprecedented composure.

"Every time I go out, I don't know when I'll see you again, it really worries me."

As he complained, he raised his fist and gave Lin Yu a light tap on the shoulder.

Welcome back.

Lin Yu laughed and lightly bumped his fist with Lin Yu's.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"It wasn't hard work."

Daigo withdrew his fist, put his hands on his hips, and looked at the city, which had returned to order, with a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a feeling of mixed emotions, including admiration and reflection). "According to global life form fluctuation detection, Earth seems to have completely calmed down. Apart from the disturbances caused by the black fog, the last real monster attack was a week ago."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of relief, but also a touch of melancholy.

"Now, everyone is starting to explore broader fields. The captain said that our Victory Team will soon be reorganized, and everyone will be assigned to various fields to continue contributing to the future of humanity."

Daigo turned to look at Lin Yu and said seriously, "In your hometown dialect, it's probably like this—all good things must come to an end, right?"

Lin Yu listened quietly and nodded.

"But those who meet again will always meet again."

"Hey—! You two, what are you talking about?"

A loud, energetic shout interrupted their conversation.

Lin Yu and Daigo looked in the direction of the sound and saw Horii Masashi running over, panting, his round face full of surprise.

Behind him came Shinjo, Lina, Vice Captain Zongfang, and even Ye Rui, who usually sat in the command room.

Even more surprisingly, Captain Megumi Kijima was also walking at the very back of the group.

They were all dressed in combat suits and armed with portable weapons, clearly indicating that the base's systems had been paralyzed during the previous Black Mist incident, forcing them to personally engage in combat.

"Lin Yu! You're finally back!" Xin Cheng patted Lin Yu on the shoulder with a big, carefree grin, looking quite surprised.

"I knew you'd be alright!" Horii pushed up his non-existent glasses and said excitedly, "How was it? Which universe did you go to this time? Did you discover any new technologies worth researching?"

"Horie, is this the time to talk about this?"

Lina rolled her eyes at him helplessly, then turned to Lin Yu, her eyes full of concern, "It's good that you're alright."

Vice Captain Zongfang looked Lin Yu up and down, and after confirming that he was unharmed, he gave him a hearty smile: "It's good that you're back. Let's go to Lucia's Bar tonight, it's on me!" (What a scumbag commander who only said he'd treat but didn't mention that he was drinking milk at the bar).

Everyone was talking at once, creating a lively and bustling scene.

Camilla simply stood quietly beside Lin Yu, a gentle smile on her face, watching her friends quietly, her purple eyes filled with unprecedented tenderness.

This was a warmth and bond she had never experienced before, a feeling she had never known in the human world.

The group laughed and joked for a while before gradually quieting down at Megumi's prompting.

"Alright, we still have a mission."

Deputy Captain Zong Fang cleared his throat, regaining his usual authoritative demeanor. "We need to investigate all potential safety hazards within the city and restart the base's main control system as soon as possible. Everyone, stay alert!"

"yes!"

The crowd responded enthusiastically, and after bidding farewell to Lin Yu and Da Gu with smiles, they turned and left.

However, Megumi stayed.

She walked up to Lin Yu and said softly, "Lin Yu, can you walk with me for a bit?"

Lin Yu nodded.

The two walked side by side on the path strewn with cherry blossom petals, and silence spread between them.

In the end, it was the middleman, Megumi, who spoke first.

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"Lin Yu, you are actually—Ultraman, right?"

Lin Yu paused for a moment, then acquiesced.

Seeing his reaction, Megumi Kijima breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed completely, as if she had unloaded a long-standing burden.

She seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps confiding in someone.

"When I first saw Ultraman, I thought he was God, a deity. But—God can die too."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if recalling the despairing scene from the first chapter.

"I died in the land of Ultraman Tiga. At that time, I was lost. If even such powerful giants were defeated, what should we humans do?"

"Later, we went through many things. One day, I saw Daigo, and I saw Daigo transform into light, dazzling and radiant. It was only then that I understood that Ultraman is both light and humanity."

"There will be failures, confusion, and pain."

"At that time, I kept thinking, what can we do? Can we do our best to help in the battle? Can we follow in the footsteps of the Giant of Light? Do we—deserve Ultraman's unconditional trust?"

"What should we humans do to repay this trust?"

"I was in so much pain back then, do you understand?"

Lin Yu listened quietly without interrupting her.

He could sense the struggle and contemplation deep within the captain of the victorious team.

"But,"

Megumi's tone shifted, and a light shone in her eyes. "You've made me realize that Ultraman also needs humans."

She was referring to the scene where Lin Yu, in order to fight against a powerful enemy, gathered the light of all humanity on Earth and transformed into Shining Tiga.

Kijima stopped and turned around, gazing tenderly at Lin Yu.

"Humanity keeps moving forward. Perhaps in your eyes, we are weak and feeble?"

"No."

Lin Yu shook his head and spoke solemnly for the first time, "In my opinion, humans are never weak or insignificant."

"Because I am also human."

"I have seen many people, and I have seen the most dazzling light emanating from them, a light called courage."

Izayoi was slightly taken aback, then a relieved and incredibly beautiful smile bloomed on her face.

She looked intently at Lin Yu and said, word by word, "Tiga, thank you."

"Perhaps I shouldn't say thank you. But—"

"Humanity has grown up. It can now—fly freely forward!"

"We will keep moving forward. Helping others, cherishing life, until one day, we will be able to catch up with your silhouette."

That day will come eventually.

Lin Yu nodded heavily.

"I have always believed in the infinite possibilities of humankind."

"Hope is the bond that will be passed down and then shine with true brilliance once more."

The moment he finished speaking, Lin Yu's body began to emit specks of golden particles, gradually becoming transparent.

Quietly watching the golden specks of light drift away into the boundless sky, she silently said in her heart:

There will come a day like that.

We humans can also help other cosmic races, just as the Giants of Light unconditionally helped us.

This is not because humans are so kind.

Rather, it's because—we humans have been helped in such a gentle way before.

At the other end of the street, Camilla suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Incarnating in countless forms and spreading hope, this is not like you at all."

As soon as she finished speaking, golden light particles slowly gathered in the air around her, reforming into Lin Yu's figure.

"How is it?"

Lin Yu tossed his head smugly, "Didn't my performance just now give off a Noah-like charlatan vibe? I'm sure people will remember me as a legend for the rest of their lives, right?"

"Don't copy everything others do." Camilla shook her head with amusement, then tiptoed and planted a kiss on his lips.

A gentle kiss.

She gazed into his eyes and said with utmost seriousness, "You are you."

"You are unique in the entire universe."

Lin Yu was stunned for a moment, then turned around and pulled her into his arms in a domineering manner.

He glanced at the bustling street, leaned close to her ear, and whispered with a chuckle, "There are still people outside. Anyway—let's go home!"

The next second, he bent down and picked Camilla up in his arms, and in the shadows of a small alley, he casually tore open a golden portal leading to the headquarters of the "Tiga Salvation Light Cult".

Lin Yu, holding his beloved in his arms, stepped inside.

The portal slowly closed, leaving only a few faint golden particles drifting in the wind.

The particles float higher and higher, flying farther and farther.

Just like humans, step by step, stumbling yet determined, they fly towards a higher sky.

The Giant of Light is neither God nor a deity.

They simply love every life and hope that every life can rely on its own strength to forge its own path.

That's it.

It's just that simple.