Your journey will become very dangerous from now on. [Someone told you, voice kind, concerned, warm.] I don't know if this cloth will do anything to protect you, but...
[You are given a piece of fabric, like a blanket except it does little to warm you up. It can't shield you from trouble, curses or ill-will. It has no special properties on its own. And yet, when you wrap it around your shoulders it seems to be bring you comfort.]
But when you face a force enough to destroy one, or even two worlds [The person continues and when you look up everything is foggy. The face, the place. You can't seem to remember who is speaking to you. All you know is that this person has always treated you and your sister ever so gently.] When you face a boundless darkness, or an all-consuming radiance...
[And the words die down, there are no sounds around you and there's too much that you just can't seem to recall. It's like watching an old recording that decayed over the years. And yet, there is nothing but gentle warmth in this few words that you manage to catch.
You desperately wish that you could remember more.]
[You've searched for her for so long and finally, she's here. Golden eyes and golden hair, just like yours. She doesn't seem to have changed in the 500 years the two of you were apart.
And yet, something did change. She seems distant, cold. But why would that be? It's her, your sister, your only family.]
Come with me, Lumine. Let's go home!
[You call to her, eyes pleading. The matters at hand don't hold much importance now, because she was the reason why you started this journey in the first place. But she doesn't seem to think the same, almost as if seeing you again didn't matter much.]
Home... [She responds slowly.] Yes, of course. "Home" is wherever we are together.
But I cannot go with you to find a new home... at least, not yet. Until the Abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end...
[You don't understand what she means and you try to ask her to explain, but she cuts you off.]
I have already traveled through this world once. Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world.
[You watch with disbelief as she turns to leave.]
So we'll meet again. Though we need not rush, brother. I have more than enough time to wait for you.
[And you rush towards her, but she vanishes before you can ever reach her.
Her final words ring in your ears.]
We have always... had enough time.
[Reunions are supposed to be happy, especially when you see your dear sibling after a long time apart. Yet, there was no happinesses in this encounter and it leaves you with a hollow hole in the heart. You try to understand, you try to pretend that it'll be fine, like always... but deep down inside you can't shake the feeling of abandonment.]
[You're watching the Liyue Harbour from the Jade Chamber, that is floating right above. The night is brightened by many lights from the harbour itself and it's easy to notice hundreds of lanterns floating in the sky. Their light reflects in the sea, making this sight absolutely breathtaking.
And then fireworks pierce the air and light the night further. Their colours are vibrant as they paint various shapes in the sky.
You watch with a smile growing on your face. Little moments like these definitely make the journey much more meaningful.]
[In this memory you're surrounded by small, plant-like creatures that have big smiles on their faces. Their voices are soft and soothing, as they sing in union. You accompany them playing on a lyre that you received during your journey.
Although everything seems like a happy festival is taking place here, you can't help but remember that it's performed in order to save someone's life.
The forest will always remember.
Those words are stuck in your mind, but right now rather than ponder their meaning you focus on the happy moment, playing the tune as your forest friends sing.]
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1. A warm, faraway memory
[You are given a piece of fabric, like a blanket except it does little to warm you up. It can't shield you from trouble, curses or ill-will. It has no special properties on its own. And yet, when you wrap it around your shoulders it seems to be bring you comfort.]
But when you face a force enough to destroy one, or even two worlds [The person continues and when you look up everything is foggy. The face, the place. You can't seem to remember who is speaking to you. All you know is that this person has always treated you and your sister ever so gently.] When you face a boundless darkness, or an all-consuming radiance...
[And the words die down, there are no sounds around you and there's too much that you just can't seem to recall. It's like watching an old recording that decayed over the years. And yet, there is nothing but gentle warmth in this few words that you manage to catch.
You desperately wish that you could remember more.]
2. A memory of a sad reunion
And yet, something did change. She seems distant, cold. But why would that be? It's her, your sister, your only family.]
Come with me, Lumine. Let's go home!
[You call to her, eyes pleading. The matters at hand don't hold much importance now, because she was the reason why you started this journey in the first place. But she doesn't seem to think the same, almost as if seeing you again didn't matter much.]
Home... [She responds slowly.] Yes, of course. "Home" is wherever we are together.
But I cannot go with you to find a new home... at least, not yet. Until the Abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end...
[You don't understand what she means and you try to ask her to explain, but she cuts you off.]
I have already traveled through this world once. Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world.
[You watch with disbelief as she turns to leave.]
So we'll meet again. Though we need not rush, brother. I have more than enough time to wait for you.
[And you rush towards her, but she vanishes before you can ever reach her.
Her final words ring in your ears.]
We have always... had enough time.
[Reunions are supposed to be happy, especially when you see your dear sibling after a long time apart. Yet, there was no happinesses in this encounter and it leaves you with a hollow hole in the heart. You try to understand, you try to pretend that it'll be fine, like always... but deep down inside you can't shake the feeling of abandonment.]
3. The festival of lanterns
And then fireworks pierce the air and light the night further. Their colours are vibrant as they paint various shapes in the sky.
You watch with a smile growing on your face. Little moments like these definitely make the journey much more meaningful.]
4. The forest will always remember
Although everything seems like a happy festival is taking place here, you can't help but remember that it's performed in order to save someone's life.
The forest will always remember.
Those words are stuck in your mind, but right now rather than ponder their meaning you focus on the happy moment, playing the tune as your forest friends sing.]