The Author's Viewpoint
Chapter 145 - The Princess in the Sky

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 - The Princess in the Sky

Tave and Panpan continued to fall as the bonding process unfolded, the vibrant green aura dancing wildly around them. Suspended midair, plummeting freely through the open sky, their forms seemed wrapped in that glowing light.

And around them, the demons that had been in relentless pursuit now swarmed closer, drawn to the light like moths flinging themselves toward an open flame.

Countless notifications flickered rapidly across Tave’s vision. But none of them registered. His mind was too fractured, too stunned by the cascade of revelations, to process anything clearly. Everything was happening too fast, too violently, too impossibly.

Panpan... was Vanya Zylven. The crowned princess of the Dissidia Kingdom. The realization hit him with the force of a landslide.

It wasn’t that the possibility had never entered his mind, especially not after witnessing the way Panpan moved, the way she held herself.

There was always something about her, something undeniably regal. She was elegant in a way that felt innate, commanding in a way that seemed effortless. She carried herself with a poise and strength that even Elincia, as radiant as she was, couldn’t quite match.

Still, this truth completely overturned everything. In the story Tave had created, Vanya Zylven was a Spell Caster. Never once had she wielded a bow. That weapon didn’t belong to her, not in his version of the world. It was simply not who she was supposed to be.

And worse, far worse, was the fact that in the original story, Vanya had never managed to awaken her Echo. She’d died before she ever reached that point. Her journey had ended abruptly, tragically, during the catastrophic attack on the Vensalor Kingdom. Her potential had been left unrealized.

But now... now, everything had changed.

Because Tave had seen it with his own eyes. Vanya had awakened her Echo. It happened precisely in the moment their bond had been sealed. And the power that followed... It was staggering.

He could feel it rushing into him even now, an overwhelming torrent of energy that surged through every fiber of his being. It was Nature Element. The very element Vanya commanded. Or Panpan? Tave didn’t know anymore. All he knew was that the discovery was tearing through everything he thought he understood.

Vanya Zylven had awakened her Echo.

And that, in itself, was monumental. It shattered the established flow of the story he had crafted. It would send ripples across the entire plotline, altering events in ways he couldn’t yet predict. Because now, the Vensalor Kingdom wasn’t guarded by just one Echo wielder, not just the King. Now there were two. The King... and Vanya.

Of course, all of that would only matter if Vanya managed to survive the Rift.

And yes, Tave would make sure of it. No matter what.

A newfound hope lit within him, not just for himself, but for both of them. Even for their allies, who were still imprisoned within the demons’ fortress.

And though, frustratingly, the bonding hadn’t been enough to elevate Tave into Gaia Master just yet, it didn’t matter anymore. Because this time, Vanya had risen. She had stepped into a power greater than anything he’d imagined for her. She would be the one to change everything.

And as they continued plummeting through the sky, still locked in that dizzying fall, the girl remained in Tave’s arms. Both of their heads pointed downward, hair streaming above them with the force of their descent. But then, those strands. Yes, Panpan’s golden hair, now cloaked in that same wild green aura.

Her hair began to shift, lengthening before his eyes, and its color changed too, returning to its original shade. A deep, flowing green.

She looked almost submerged in the surge of raw energy pouring into her, as if the force itself had swallowed her whole. Then, suddenly, she opened her eyes again. Her face had returned to its usual serenity, calm and composed, as she gazed with striking clarity into Tave’s stunned expression.

"Tave, can we fight them all?" she asked.

"No," he answered quickly. "Not at this altitude. Others will be coming soon, and up here... we’re vulnerable."

Vanya gave a slow, deliberate nod, then lightly patted Tave’s shoulder with her left hand.

Tave exhaled deeply. He understood exactly what she meant without her needing to explain.

Vanya held mastery over the Nature element. Not just a single branch, but the full, immense combination of the four basic elements intertwined. And yes, she was that powerful.

Tave reached for her left hand and gently released it, allowing their grip to loosen just as they continued falling. Even then, Vanya remained perfectly balanced, effortlessly holding her position in midair.

The battle had resumed.

The demons, who had been momentarily stunned by the overwhelming shift in energy, now surged forward again. Their hesitation had passed.

But just as they drew near, too near. The earth loomed fast beneath them. And then Tave saw it.

He saw them.

From the ground, from beneath the trees, Nature itself responded. Trees, great and ancient, seemed to awaken. Branches shot upward like spears, massive vines snapped into motion with impossible speed, lashing toward the sky.

It all happened in a flash.

The branches and vines wrapped around the incoming demons, binding them midair, halting their attacks in an instant. They were snared, trapped in place, unable to move.

Even with only her left hand touching his, Vanya seemed to fly beside him with ease, as though the air itself carried her at his side.

Dozens of magic circles spiraled into existence all around them, glowing and shifting as they traced their path through the sky. From each circle, arrows materialized, one after another, launching in rapid succession, firing relentlessly at the demons still on the move.

Tave darted downward, weaving through the air to avoid a sweeping strike from one of the larger demons. The chase was back on. They were in motion, together again, escaping the deadly pursuit.

They had managed to pull away, putting some distance between themselves and the swarm—but the demons were beginning to break free once more, resuming their pursuit with renewed fury.

Their numbers hadn’t dwindled as much as Tave had hoped, and now they showed no signs of restraint. They’d made a fatal mistake by not eliminating Tave and Vanya the moment they had the chance.

"Van, we’re going down! It’ll be easier to fight on the ground!" he shouted, turning his head just enough to make eye contact.

And yes, calling the crowned princess of the Vensalor Kingdom "Van" so casually, it felt a little surreal. Especially considering that in her homeland, she was revered like a divine being, worshipped with the kind of reverence.

But the truth was even heavier.

This girl was now holding the key to massive change in their world. And Tave... he was bound to her fate. Not just standing beside her, but entwined, linked by the bond that had formed.

Which meant this burden wasn’t hers to carry alone anymore. It was his too. Whether he liked it or not, whether he was ready or not, Vanya’s immense power, and the responsibility that came with it, had become his to share.

He’d been dragged, headfirst, into the very heart of a storm that would shake the foundations of the world.

But that could wait. There’d be time to unpack the weight of destiny later.

Right now, they had to survive the Rift.

Just as he made the call, they plunged back through the treetops. Then, impact. They hit the ground hard, landing in unison amidst the underbrush.

Now, run!