The Horror Hotel

第23話 Echoes of Zodiac Village

The warm twilight of Zodiac Village bathed everything in hues of lavender and gold.

The lanterns hanging from wooden beams swayed gently in the soft breeze, their ethereal fire flickering as if whispering farewell.

Lin Ze stood at the edge of the cobblestone path, the *Ruyi Scroll* held firmly in his hand, its inked patterns shimmering with a soft, pulsing glow.

Beside him, Tang Momo’s expression wavered between excitement and melancholy.

“It’s time, huh?” she muttered, kicking a loose stone on the path.

Lin Ze nodded, though the weight in his chest made it difficult to speak. The village had been a refuge, a place of growth and transformation. Here, they had forged bonds stronger than steel, learned to nurture strength through patience, and understood that even ancient beings like Chen Loong carried burdens they sought to mend.

Chen Loong himself stood nearby, his emerald scales gleaming under the twilight sky. His dignified dragon form now bore fewer cracks, a testament to the healing that had begun not just in his body, but in his spirit.

“You’ve planted many seeds here,” Chen Loong rumbled, his voice deep and resonant. “And they will bear fruit long after you’re gone.”

Tang Momo wiped at her eyes, trying to play it off as dust. “Hey, don’t get all poetic on us now, old-timer. You’ll make me cry.”

Chen Loong’s maw twisted into a knowing smile. “Tears are just another kind of growth, Momo.”

Yin Tiger approached from the forge, his arms crossed over his broad chest. The blacksmith’s golden eyes gleamed with approval as he sized up Lin Ze one last time.

“You’ve come a long way, kid,” Yin Tiger grunted. “But don’t let that make you soft. The world’s still out there, waiting to tear you apart.”

Lin Ze met his gaze, a quiet determination in his eyes. “I won’t forget what you taught me.”

Yin Tiger’s lips curled into a rare, genuine smile. “Good. And if your armor ever needs fixing, you know where to find me.”

Tang Momo laughed. “As long as you don’t charge us a fortune.”

Shen Monkey, ever mischievous, swung down from a tree and landed gracefully beside them. “Aw, come on, Yin Tiger! Just let ‘em pay in stories next time. Those are worth more than gold anyway.”

Lin Ze shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Even in farewell, the villagers kept their spirited ways.

“Thank you,” Lin Ze said, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. “All of you. This place… it’s changed us.”

Chen Loong’s gaze softened. “And you have changed it. Remember, Lin Ze, redemption is not a destination. It’s a path you walk—step by step, seed by seed.”

Lin Ze tightened his grip on the *Ruyi Scroll*. Its glow intensified, the patterns shifting like restless waves.

Tang Momo sighed, her voice tinged with bittersweet longing. “Guess it’s time to say goodbye.”

“Goodbyes are just beginnings dressed in different clothes,” Shen Monkey quipped, winking at her.

The air around them shimmered as Lin Ze unfurled the scroll. Colors bled from the edges of their vision, swirling together like a painter’s wild dream. The village, with its ancient trees, warm lanterns, and cherished friends, began to blur.

Chen Loong’s voice echoed through the rippling air. “Walk your path well, Lin Ze. And when the winds carry your name back to us, we will listen.”

As the world folded in on itself, Tang Momo waved frantically, tears glistening in her eyes. “Take care, you weirdos! Don’t forget us!”

Yin Tiger’s laughter rumbled through the fading light. “Not a chance, kid!”

With one final pulse of light, the village vanished.

Silence.

When the distortion settled, Lin Ze and Tang Momo stood on a windswept mountainside, the *Ruyi Scroll* now dormant in Lin Ze’s hand.

Tang Momo exhaled shakily, wiping at her face. “That… was harder than I thought.”

Lin Ze gazed at the distant horizon, his heart full yet aching. “They’ll be with us, Momo. Every step of the way.”

She sniffled, forcing a grin. “Yeah, I guess they will. So… what’s next, fearless leader?”

Lin Ze’s eyes gleamed with quiet resolve. “We keep moving. One step at a time.”

The wind carried their laughter as they walked forward, the echoes of Zodiac Village forever etched into their hearts.