Lightning Is the Only Way

It had been two years since that day out with Stella, yet today was completely different. Gravis stood in front of Stella's bed, holding her hand tightly. She was lying there, pale and weakly. Her family surrounded them, somber expressions on their faces.

Stella smiled lightly. "Please, I don't want you all to feel sad for me. I knew this would happen eventually. I just felt it. I lived every day to my fullest and am content with my life."

Gravis' heart already broke, but he still felt a sting when he heard her words. He didn't want to believe that his best friend was going to die soon. She was the same age as him. Furthermore, she had one of the highest cultivation realms possible. How could someone so young and strong possibly die due to an illness? It was impossible.

"Don't worry. Just go to sleep, and tomorrow you'll feel much better." Gravis forced a smile. He didn't know if he tried to convince her or if he tried to convince himself. The pit in his stomach grew bigger when he said those words. "We can go eat ice cream again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. Don't worry."

Her family was also heartbroken. Her father had a grim expression on his face, and her mother was already crying on her father's shoulder. Her older siblings looked everywhere but into their sister's eyes. They looked lifeless and heartbroken. A thick layer of darkness shrouded the room.

Stella also slowly got teary-eyed. "Please, I don't want you all to feel unhappy because of me. Here, look!" Stella weakly lifted her hands. A bright and hot ball was forming on her hand. "Just like the star in my hand was born," she lowered the star, and it vanished, "I, too, had a bright life. I am content with what I had. Just be happy for me. I don't want you all to grieve."

That display pushed her siblings over the edge, and they also started crying. Her father tried his best to keep himself under control, but everyone could see his trembling shoulders and clenched fists. A deep and heavy silence overcame the room.

Gravis' hands trembled. "Don't say that. Everything will be fine. Don't worry!"

being able to be together with you anymore, Gravis. I wanted to be with you, always." Her smile vanished, and the tears in her

not crying. Everything will be fine. Don't worry about me. Just

you, Gravis... and sorry." She closed

out, and his voice broke. "Please don't leave. Please." He begged her, but she

coming from his side. Gravis didn't know when or how his father appeared. Stella's family didn't look with fear at the Opposer,

her. I'll do anything! I won't ask to cultivate anymore. I'll never complain again. Please,

looked emotionlessly at his son. "I can't save

vigorously shook his head. "You did it before. I heard you

that I don't want to save her.

Stella's family's eyes, returning the

voice, a murky mixture of emotions sparkling from his eyes. Grief,

cultivate extremely quickly, not by absorbing the energy surrounding them, but by absorbing the energy from Heaven directly. But just like a shooting star, their light is blinding, but short." His father looked at Stella. "Heaven does not

would Heaven create such a cruel

shooting star. At that time, I didn't know what Heaven was planning, so I didn't mind. Only when you two met and grew increasingly closer, did I notice what Heaven

hearing. "But why? I don't even cultivate. Why