Coppelia awoke on the warm, sunlit grass, slowly opening her eyes.
The sun in the sky had risen more than ten degrees; by her estimate, she had slept for over an hour.
She looked around. The grass beside her was empty, with no sign of the familiar white figure.
Her heart tightened. She sprang up swiftly, hands pressing against the ground as she stood, her gaze urgently scanning the surroundings. No one was there. The mountaintop clearing held only the wind rustling the grass blades.
"Columbina?" she called. No response.
Fearing the girl had met with misfortune, she immediately activated her Elemental Sight, but it detected no traces of lunar power.
Unease spread rapidly. She unslung Amos's Bow from her back, gripping it tightly, ready to rush down the mountain in search.
But after a few steps, she hesitated. What if Columbina had simply lost track of time playing, and returned to find her gone? The conflicting thoughts made her pace anxiously in place, glancing up each time in hope of spotting that distinctive white speck against the sky or mountains. Yet all she saw were empty peaks and drifting clouds.
Below in Chenyu Vale's terraced fields, more figures bustled about than at dawn. Coppelia peered intently, trying to discern among them, but still no unique silhouette.
"I should have gone with her," she regretted, gnawing at herself. "Never again!"
She decided against waiting longer and headed down the mountain in the direction Columbina had gone. Just as she moved to start, her sharp vision caught a black dot rapidly approaching from the sky.
The shadow plummeted straight toward her! Coppelia recognized it instantly as Columbina!
Relief washed over her. She tossed the longbow aside and hurried forward, arms outstretched to receive the figure.
Columbina spotted her too, slowing in perfect sync, landing lightly a few steps ahead. Momentum carried her forward into Coppelia's open embrace, arms wrapping tightly around her waist, face burying deep.
Coppelia immediately closed her arms, holding the faintly trembling girl close.
She could feel Columbina's breathing rapid and unsteady, her body quivering, arms clutching her back fiercely. This was no mere fatigue; something terrifying had happened.
Coppelia looked up warily at the blue sky. What horror could lurk among idle clouds and gentle breezes...
Suddenly, a chilling realization pierced her mind.
There really was something terrifying up there.
"Hiss..." Though her mechanical body needed no breath, a shiver of horror ran through her.
Her right arm tightened around Columbina's slender waist, left encircling her shoulders. She subtly summoned gentle Pyro, warming the air around them to dispel the chill from the heavens.
Atop the windy peak, they held each other silently.
Only after a long while, as the girl's tremors subsided and her breaths steadied, did they slowly part.
Columbina quietly moved to Coppelia's right, kneeling onto the grass.
Coppelia sat beside her.
In a low voice, the white-clad girl recounted her ordeal: attempting to reach the sky's end, the terrifying intrusion, and glimpsing the floating island at last.
"Do you feel injured anywhere?" Coppelia asked first, concern evident.
Columbina shook her head. "No. Sorry for worrying you."
"As long as you're fine." Coppelia's tone was gentle yet firm. "My fault too, letting you go alone. Next time something catches your interest, take me along."
Columbina softly hummed in agreement, silent a moment before gazing at the now-calm sky, eyes confused with faint loss. "That sky... does it have no end? If so, can I ever return to the moon..."
Coppelia followed her gaze. "The true moon isn't in that sky, nor reachable by flight alone."
"'True'..." Columbina latched onto the word, turning to her. "The moon and sky above—are they fake?"
Coppelia chose her words carefully. "The real moon can't be seen from here. But the world is finite; somewhere, it can be."
"Then, the place where the true moon is visible," hope reignited in Columbina's voice, "is our destination?"
"Yes." Coppelia nodded firmly, eyes toward the distant south. "The journey may be long, but we'll reach the end. First, though, we must find your lost power fragments to complete your soul and authority."
"I understand." Columbina whispered. "Thank you."
Coppelia stood, retrieving Amos's Bow and reslinging it.
She turned to Columbina, lightening her tone. "Flown so long—hungry yet?"
Columbina subconsciously touched her stomach. "I ate some fruit, but now..." Earlier thrill and terror had masked her fatigue; now, intense hunger and weakness spread through her limbs. "...yes, very hungry."
Coppelia smiled at the gesture. "Let's find food, then."
Her gaze swept to the dense forest below they'd flown over. "Saw boar tracks there earlier... I-I'm not the type who weakens without eating anymore."
Before she finished, Columbina rose. "Fish."
"Hm?" Coppelia glanced puzzled.
"Fish tastes better."
Coppelia turned toward the misty valley. The thinning fog revealed a jade ribbon of river winding through, reflecting the sky.
"Perfect. Let's check the riverbank."
She sought a path down.
"I'll fly us." Columbina's voice held renewed vigor. "I'm not the type who weakens without eating anymore."
Coppelia met her eyes with trusting amusement. "Then, if you please."
Columbina took her hand; invisible force buoyed them, gliding down the cliff to land silently by the clear shore.
The river was wide and flowing steadily, murmuring soothingly.
Verdant lotus leaves lined the bank, dotted with pink and white blooms dancing in the breeze.
In deeper waters, sleek shadows glided, scales glinting occasionally.
Columbina released Coppelia, floating lightly over the surface.
She positioned silently, hovering above the densest school.
With a thought, invisible waves spread, enveloping the center.
Next instant, eight plump fish burst from the water, wriggling weightlessly around her.
Pleased with the haul, Columbina turned to return.
But then—her senses flared: unfamiliar elemental energy rapidly gathering behind!
"You..."
A voice sounded abruptly from behind.
Startled from her recent sky terror, Columbina whipped around. A golden humanoid figure stood on the water behind her.
She flinched instinctively, flinging the eight floating fish at the intruder's face and body!
"Slap! Slap!"
Two struck the face crisply; others rained down.
Ignoring results, Columbina bolted back to shore, hiding behind Coppelia, peeking tensely.
The instant the figure appeared, Coppelia had unslung Amos's Bow, a pure light arrow nocked.
But recognizing the water-strider wiping her face, somewhat disheveled, Coppelia relaxed, lowering the bow.
It was Fujin, Chenyu Vale's koi immortal.
The "weapons" splashed back into water, vanishing with tail flicks.
Fujin, dazed by the "fish assault," raised hands placatingly, waving as she explained urgently—less immortal poise, more startled mortal: "Don't hit! No malice!"
Seeing no further threat, she lowered her hands, brushing nonexistent dust, smiling friendly yet wry. "I sensed unfamiliar power via ambient immortal force, came to check. Didn't expect..."
Coppelia stowed the bow fully, softly reassuring the tense Columbina behind: "It's okay. She's a local immortal, not harmful."
Hearing Coppelia, Columbina's fear ebbed, curiosity rising.
She peeked further, scrutinizing the water-stander.
A long skirt faded from bright yellow to verdant green, hem blending with the river.
Raven hair coiled elegantly, pinned with a unique gold ornament ending in pale green fish-fin, shaft brilliant gold.
Fair, refined face with emerald eyes curious and kind. A yellow diamond mark on her forehead added mystery. Matching green earrings swayed with her tilt.
Coppelia hesitated, then called: "You can come speak."
Fujin's smile brightened genuinely.
She glided forward, skirt rippling water, stopping near shore still afloat.
"I am Fujin, a minor local immortal," she introduced, eyes shifting curiously. "Which immortals are you? Never seen your grace in Jueyun Karst?"
Coppelia answered for them, giving names, then explained: "Not Liyue immortals. Just wandering travelers, seeking peculiar stones."
She paused, adding key detail: "They fell from the sky, glowing like moonlight."
Hearing "moonlight," Columbina stepped forward, arm extended to demonstrate.
But under bright sun, only daylight showed—no glow.
Realizing her silliness, she flushed, retracting quickly, retreating to Coppelia's side.
Fujin noted, finding the white girl endearing. Tilting head thoughtfully: "Sky-fallen glowing stones... intriguing. Changsheng might know—oh, an immortal friend who gathers herbs everywhere."
Eyes lighting, she invited warmly: "I'm aiding Changsheng now. If not rushed, visit her abode? Ask about stones, and I'll host a feast—make friends too."
"Feast" perked Columbina. "Food?"
Fujin nodded eagerly. "Plenty!"
Coppelia smiled, nodding thanks. "Then we accept graciously."
___
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