"Hey, Boss, you're such a big guy—you're crying? How embarrassing!"
Yuna knew why Itto was crying, but she wasn't much for comforting people.
In the past, she usually comforted others by cooking, using her unparalleled culinary skills to show them the beauty of the world and remind them that only good food should never be taken for granted.
This trick had never failed her before!
But now... she couldn't exactly ask a Spirit on the verge of fading to cook, could she?
"Alright, alright, stop crying already. Even I, who've suffered so much, haven't... At least I can still talk to you guys, right?"
Yuna almost said she hadn't cried, but remembering her earlier state, she wisely swallowed the words.
"Yuna..."
A soft, sweet voice came from beside her. Yuna turned to see little Paimon.
"Paimon, what's wrong? Your eyes are all swollen from crying."
"Waaah, Yuna, does it hurt~?"
Paimon leaned closer, her large, tear-filled eyes fixed on Yuna.
A tiny hand brushed across Yuna's face, leaving only faint ripples of soul energy in its wake.
The sight of such a small Paimon broke Yuna's heart. She quickly began showering Paimon with comforting words.
But the more Yuna tried to console her, the more distraught Paimon became.
Realizing her efforts were only making Paimon cry harder, Yuna felt helpless. She couldn't even hug the little Paimon in her current state.
Thankfully, Lumine stepped forward and gently scooped Paimon into her arms.
"Little one," Lumine murmured, her voice soothing.
Yae Miko and Ei watched from the sidelines, both feeling a deep sense of guilt over Yuna's death.
Yae Miko could at least take solace in knowing she had done everything in her power to prevent it, even nearly sacrificing herself in the process.
Ei, however, bore the heaviest weight of regret. She had known all along that the Abyss's target was Yuna, yet she still failed to protect her.
Yuna had made so many delicious meals for her, and she was the human Ei felt most comfortable with. How could she have allowed that serpent to delay her for so long, ultimately leading to Yuna's tragic demise?
Ei truly couldn't bring herself to face Yuna now.
"Lady Guuji," Yuna called out with a smile as she approached Yae Miko, though the smile seemed somewhat forced.
It wasn't that she blamed Yae Miko or Ei. She had no right to blame them, nor would she ever. But... after everything she had endured, even the most resilient person would find it hard to smile genuinely.
"Little one, I'm so sorry. Your Lady Guuji failed to protect you."
"Lady Guuji, don't feel guilty. I possess a Pure Soul, making me a prime target the Abyss will stop at nothing to kill. I used to fear death, but now I see it's not so bad. A little pain, and then it's over."
Yuna's feigned nonchalance only deepened Yae Miko's guilt.
Just a little pain?
Yae Miko forced a bitter smile. The things this little one had endured haunted her even in thought. How could it possibly be "just a little pain"?
The piercing screams and the agonized moans after Yuna became a Spirit echoed in her ears every time she closed her eyes.
-
Live stream.
[Even in her own agony, she's still comforting others. Sniff. Those with Pure Souls are so kind. The Abyss really knows how to pick its targets!]
[I can't stand seeing this...]
[Yae Miko and Ei must be heartbroken. They tried their best but still couldn't save Yuna. I bet they're both blaming themselves.]
[She says it'll just hurt for a while, but how much agony must she be enduring...?]
[Little Paimon's crying so hard her eyes are swollen. Yuna must be so worried about her, but she can't even hug her now.]
[The way Lumine's holding Paimon is so heartwarming. Thank goodness Lumine is there to console her.]
-
Ei took the initiative, declaring, "Yuna, from this day forward, I will avenge you against the Abyss. Together with the other gods, we will... declare war on the Abyss!"
In such an emotionally charged moment, Ei, a pure warrior, found herself at a loss for words.
So she simply stated what she would undoubtedly do in the future.
"Thank you, Sister Ei."
After circling the group, exchanging a few words with everyone except Lumine, it was time for Yuna to depart for her rightful place.
Before leaving, however, she needed to clarify one crucial matter with her Second Sister:
"Second Sister... do Mom and Dad know... how I... died?"
At this mention, Kuki Shinobu nearly broke down again, but she quickly suppressed her emotions.
"No. Mom, Dad, and Big Sister don't know. I couldn't bear to tell them."
"You're still as reliable as ever, Second Sister."
Yuna's spirit was already fading. She turned her gaze toward the longsword Lumine had been holding.
"Lumine, I can now sense the two souls residing within your blade. We share a common origin. My form is rapidly dissipating. I have a favor to ask you, if you would..."
Feeling the sword's warmth, Lumine already suspected Yuna's request, but she still asked, "What is it?"
"Yuna, if it's within my power, I'll do it!"
"Hehe... I want to be like the two elders, to enter your sword and travel with you. Is that alright?"
Kuki Shinobu opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Lumine: "Of course. It would be my pleasure."
"Ei, Sister, can you help me?"
In her current state, Yuna was powerless. Only a fragment of her soul remained, and her brief moments of lucidity were sustained by Rola and Qingge's assistance.
Ei glanced at the Yae Miko, who nodded slightly.
That little one... She truly yearns for the world beyond Narukami Island. It's a pity she's never had her wish fulfilled.
If only I had known, I would have agreed to take her out to see the world and have some fun before the Test of Courage...
Since the Traveler's sword possessed this ability, and the little one so desired it, Ei decided to let her go.
I restrained her in life; I can't possibly demand her obedience even in death, can I?
With divine power, Ei gently lifted Yuna's soul and guided it into the Unrelenting Will.
A third color—blue—appeared on the once red and yellow blade.
The sword trembled violently in Lumine's hand before finally settling into stillness.
Grasping the blade, Lumine felt its power surge once more.
But this isn't what I wanted.Three colors—red, yellow, and blue—that's enough! I don't want another color appearing on this sword!
-
The familiar notification reappeared:
[Unrelenting Will: This blade contains fragments of the souls of three of your friends. By carrying them on your journey, you may find yourself less lonely.]
[Special Effect: When the Traveler uses Pyro, Hydro, or Geo Elemental Power, they gain an additional 600 Attack.]
Chen Xiyao: "Damn it! Every time I see those words 'less lonely,' I want to curse Mihoyo—no, the Genshin Impact operations team! You're all going to hell!"
[600 Attack?! Whoa, that's a huge boost!]
[Waaah! Is this six hundred Attack what I wanted? I wanted my Yuna back!]
[Sigh... Though I'm still sad, I kind of saw this ending coming, so it's... tolerable? Bullshit! How could they kill her so brutally? Will this even pass censorship?!]
[If we can play it, it means it's already been approved. Besides, there weren't any explicit scenes; it was all symbolic.]
[Symbolic? More like explicit! The way Yuna died keeps replaying in my head!]