My Instant Death Doomed Firefly to a Lifetime of Regret

"An Ming."

Firefly stared at him blankly after bandaging his wounds, her eyes brimming with unspoken longing.

An Ming clasped her hand as the wind whispered between them. "I'll always be with you. No matter what."

Firefly's trembling lips betrayed her sorrow. "Why… Why is our time together so fleeting?"

She had cherished every second. Yet fate remained merciless.

If she could hold his hand forever, even hellfire would feel like paradise.

"Remember?" An Ming leaned against her, gazing at the expanding black hole. "Fireflies live just seven days."

"But their light lasts forever."

You taught me that.

Tears glistened on Firefly's lashes. "Don't go… I want to be your firefly forever."

She had endured the Mountains' torment without tears. Only with him did her walls crumble.

If weeping could rewrite destiny, she'd drown the stars in tears.

But An Ming's resolve burned brighter—a beacon for her path.

"Firefly."

"If I return… Will you be my wife?"

Her breath hitched. "Why now?! Tell me properly… after you come back."

"Firefly."

"I love you."

He turned, steel in his spine. Beyond the vortex, a primordial shadow stirred.

"Don't leave—!" She lunged, flames erupting to bar her path. A molten knight materialized in the inferno.

"I don't understand love yet!"

Firefly collapsed, fists pounding ash. "You haven't taught me!" Tears pooled at her knees, silver hair veiling her face.

The knight paused. His voice gentled: "You already know."

Her body shook. "Not without you!"

She'd breach the firewall—but not his resolve.

Gravity spiked. The black hole birthed a scythe-like carapace—a crown for the Swarm King emerging with Its corpse in tow.

Propagation's Carcass.

Even a sliver of the dead Aeon's remains warped reality. Mortals who glimpsed the bone-flecked shadow clawed at their eyes, minds unraveling.

The Azure Frontline buckled. Fleet debris orbited like funeral confetti.

Firefly stared at her trembling hand. Fear gnawed her soul—yet her feet marched onward.

I'll find him. Even if it kills me.

Love, unnamed but ferocious, overrode instinct.

"Molten Knight… One last time."

"Bring An Ming home!"

Her transformation device flared cyan.

"Synchronization Rate: 30%."

Flames engulfed her.

"62%."

Life-force blazed.

"95%."

Armor donned, twin jade blades unsheathed. A translucent cape billowed like phoenix wings.

She treasured life. But he was worth more.

The Molten Knight streaked across the crumbling frontline—a green comet carving through Swarm tides.

Corpses. Ash. A galaxy's death rattle.

She ignored it all.

An Ming. Just An Ming.

Her blades crossed—an X-shaped arc eviscerating Carapaci waves.

Fireflies burn brightest when dying.