“Hong Shao floated in midair and muttered her final words. With vacant eyes, she said over and over, “Turn around… Dage… I want to say a proper goodbye…”
Turn around, please—I don’t expect to grow old with you; I don’t expect you to give me your hand again, to take me on your journeys or teach me the sword. I was just thinking that, all along, I’ve always been the one chasing you, the one looking at you from behind. When we say goodbye, could you be the one to watch me go up the tower, to finally take a good look at me?
I don’t want to die like this, Dage. I never got the chance to say goodbye.”