"Existence is meaningless. Life is meaningless. We are meaningless. And thinking about this meaningless world is meaningless too—or so Aleph-1 says. But meaningless as I am, I can still hear my own heartbeat. I can still hear the laughter we shared... And now, I believe some things are real. Maybe that's how it's always been: I'm more afraid of being alone than I ever was of the void." — Thoughts of Denia The Bubbles of Nihility finding the will to live through you.
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JINZHOU — CITY HALL
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(JEFF'S POV)
Several days had already passed since the battle against the Threnodian. Jinzhou had slowly returned to normal.
The streets were lively once again. Most of the Merchants had reopened their stalls, children laughed as they chased one another through the plazas. Life, resilient as ever, continued moving forward.
Rover and I climbed the familiar marble staircase leading toward City Hall. Warm afternoon sunlight poured through the open corridors. Guards stationed along the hallways saluted as we passed, their expressions respectful but noticeably more tense than before.
Waiting for us at the entrance stood the woman dressed in black.
Sanhua.
As elegant and composed as ever. Her silver hair rested neatly over one shoulder, and despite the calmness she wore like armor, I noticed the subtle exhaustion beneath her pale eyes. She bowed gracefully the moment we approached. "Greetings, Rover. Jeff. What may I help you with today?"
I stepped forward. "We're here to see Jinhsi." A pause. "We have questions about the Sentinel."
For the first time... Sanhua hesitated to answer. She lowered her gaze. "I regret to inform you....Madam Magistrate is no longer within City Hall."
A strange feeling settled in my stomach. "She departed for Mt. Firmament several days ago...We have not heard from her since."
Rover's brows knitted together. "You don't know what she's doing there?"
Still on Mt. Firmament...Looks like everything's following the game's events.
Sanhua slowly shook her head. "Unfortunately...No."
She clasped her hands neatly before her. "I must also ask that this information remain confidential."
Her expression became serious. "The city has only recently recovered from the Threnodian crisis. The people need stability. If word spreads that the Magistrate has disappeared..." She didn't finish. She didn't need to. Panic would spread faster than any Tacet Discord.
Rover exchanged a glance with me before looking back. "What's happening?"
"When Scar was captured...He claimed the Fractsidus had imprisoned our Sentinel. It was around that same time Madam Magistrate lost all contact with Sentinel Jué."
Her usually calm eyes carried unmistakable concern. "If the Sentinel truly is in danger..." She paused. "...or if hostile forces obtain that knowledge.. The consequences could rival the Threnodian invasion itself."
Silence settled over the corridor.
"To investigate, Madam Magistrate departed alone for Mt. Firmament. The last place where Sentinel Jué's frequency was recorded."
I frowned. "Did she seriously go alone? No escorts No bodyguards? Can you contact anyone with her?" I asked rapidly wanting confirmation.
Sanhua met my eyes. "She traveled alone."
Exactly as I expected. Still... Hearing it out loud didn't make it any less reckless.
She continued. "The recent battle exhausted much of Jinzhou's military strength. We cannot afford to divert additional personnel."
"And..."
Her gaze drifted toward the window overlooking the city. "When dealing with the Sentinel.....strength alone serves little purpose."
Even for the Magistrate? I thought.
Rover answered before I could.
"We need to go." Her golden eyes were steady as if she's already made up her mind. "We need to meet the Sentinel."
I nodded. "And Jinhsi." I folded my arms. "If she's in trouble, I want to help." I smiled faintly recalling all the solid things she did for me and Rover. "Besides...We owe her. She trusted us when nobody else had any reason to. It's about time we repaid some of that."
For the first time since we'd arrived... The corners of Sanhua's lips lifted almost imperceptibly as if moved by that statement. A tiny smile emerge from her almost cold and stoic face that was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Madam Magistrate placed her trust in both of you. It is beyond my authority to question her judgment."
She stepped aside. "However...The terrain surrounding Mt. Firmament is unlike anywhere else in Huanglong."
Her voice became instructional once more. "The mountain's resonance shifts constantly without someone capable of navigating those changes...one can wander endlessly. You will require a Wayfinder."
Changli.
Looks like I'm finally meeting her properly.Didn't see her during the Threnodian battle. She must've been occupied elsewhere.
Rover tilted her head curious. "Where do we find this Wayfinder?"
"At present..." Sanhua answered. "She is likely waiting near the ferry terminal within Whining Aix's Mire. I shall notify her of your arrival. She understands Mt. Firmament far better than I do. She will explain everything you need to know."
I nodded. "Understood."
"Thank you." Sanhua bowed once more. "I shall remain in Jinzhou. There are countless matters requiring the Magistrate's attention. I will oversee them until her return."
She fell silent. Then... Her composure cracked. Barely enough for anyone unfamiliar with her to notice.
But I noticed.
"So long as I served beside Madam Magistrate...I have rarely seen her exhausted. The final message she sent...She smiled. But...she looked weaker than she wished anyone to see."
Her voice nearly became a whisper.
"I fear...her situation may already be dire."
A heavy silence followed.
Even Rover looked troubled.
Sanhua straightened once more, returning to the poised bodyguard everyone knew. "Mt. Firmament is dangerous."
"Please..." Her eyes met ours. "Take care. I have transferred the coordinates to both of your terminals."
"I thank you both, from the bottom of my heart." A brief pause after that heartfelt declaration. Then her gaze wondered toward the glowing Tacet Marks on our hands. "...The three of you. I pray you all return safely." And walked away. After bidding her farewell to the both of us, or rather the three of us.
I blinked in confusion. "The three of us?"
I looked toward Rover. "You mean Abby?"
Rover smiled at the mention. "Abby? Are you awake?"
Almost immediately— Both of our Tacet Marks pulsed with pale golden light. The resonance spread across our skin like ripples over water. Tiny motes of light floated into the air before gathering between us.
"Woooaaah!"
With an energetic pop, the familiar white creature tumbled into existence. Abby floated upside down for a moment before correcting herself midair.
"I'm here!"
She stretched dramatically, yawning loud enough for everyone in the hallway to hear.
Then she sniffed.
Her ears suddenly stood upright.
"Ooooh..."
She pointed toward the distant mountains visible beyond Jinzhou's walls. "Does anyone else smell that?"
Her nose twitched repeatedly. "That mountain smells...really nice." She frowned. "Doesn't look edible though."
Rover sighed. "Are you hungry again?"
Abby waved both paws.
"No!"
"...Well..."
"Not exactly."
She scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I just get sleepy all the time. My body processes everything I eat while I'm asleep.So if I don't sleep..." She yawned again. "...I get hungry."
I stared at her. "...I'm suddenly questioning how reliable you actually are."
Abby gasped dramatically. "What?!"
She puffed out her tiny chest. "Of course I'm reliable!" She pointed proudly at herself. "Even if I accidentally fall asleep..And maybe don't hear anything...I'm still awesome!"
I laughed. "Fine. Then get some rest."
I smiled at Rover before looking back at Abby. "I'll protect Rover for both of us."
Beside me—I felt Rover's fingers twitch. When I glanced sideways... Her cheeks had turned a soft shade of pink.
She quickly looked away.
Abby, meanwhile, grinned from ear to ear. "Exactly!" She floated in excited circles. "If I'm this amazing..You've gotta be incredible too!"
She gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "And don't worry! If anything dangerous shows up..I'll wake up immediately! Probably."
She slowed. "...Unless..." She yawned.
"...there isn't anything strong enough to make me..wake..up..."
Mid-sentence—Her eyes closed. The little Echo shrank into a sphere of soft light before disappearing back into our Tacet Marks with a quiet shimmer.
I looked at Rover.
"...She really fell asleep."
Rover couldn't help smiling.
"I suppose she did."
Without saying another word... She reached for my hand. Our fingers intertwined naturally. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Let's go."
Her golden eyes lifted toward the distant silhouette of Mt. Firmament, its peak hidden behind drifting clouds.
"Our Wayfinder should have plenty of answers."
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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Hello everyone, feel free to leave your collections, powers, reviews, and comments as you see fit. That's all; thank you for reading this fanfic, and I hope you have a good day.