Douluo Dalu: Huo Yuhao, Lord of the Lands Between

After transmigrating to the Lands Between, he spends a century repairing the Elden Ring, defeating the old gods, and ascending to become lord of the stars. Over his hundred years in the Lands Between, Huo Yuhao went from Tarnished to king. Ranni accompanied him through the ruins of the Eternal City, while Melina lit the path to the Erdtree for him before the Flame of Ruin. Under the gaze of the starry sea, they exchanged vows and made a home together on the deck of a ship at the edge of the universe. Yet the moment he opened the door to his home on Douluo Dalu, he was still the same thirteen-year-old boy. His mother, Huo Yun'er, was still there, thirty-three years old, in the woodshed, with her needle and thread and a cracked bowl. For more than two years, she had felt her way around in the dark each day to wipe down her "sleeping" son and talk to him, waiting for a child who might wake at any moment, though she had no idea when. "Mom, I'm awake." Then, carrying recommendation letters from Bei Bei and Tang Ya, he walked into the admissions office at Shrek Academy. Late at night, he sat on the windowsill in the Shrek dormitory, his ring growing slightly warm. Ranni's voice came through: "The planar barrier around Douluo Star... it's thinner than we thought." "What do you mean?" "I mean I might be there soon." Huo Yuhao froze, then instinctively touched his own face: this face of a thirteen-year-old, far too young. "...Give me a little more time." From the other side of the ring, Melina's voice gently interjected: "We've all seen it. You're... very small right now." From the other side of the ring, Ranni chuckled. "Your daughter says she's taller than her dad." "Tell her to be quiet." Huo Yuhao covered his face and lay down. Before the ring's light dimmed, the sound of a child laughing came through. He listened, unable to bring himself to end the call.