"W-what's happening? Sister, why did you give your Ancient Name to Kinich?!"
Seeing Kinich's reaction, Ajaw also sensed something was wrong and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Realizing there was no escape, Kinich could only look at the source of it all: his sister, Ishkab.
"Sis..."
The word caught in his throat, emerging dry and hoarse, utterly unlike his own voice.
This single word carried an unbearable weight—a bone-deep terror that this fleeting warmth, regained only to be lost again, was merely the countdown to another, even crueler separation.
He stared at Ishkab's flame-like crimson hair, his body trembling uncontrollably, as if he would shatter at the slightest touch.
Seeing her brother in such distress, Ishkab's heart ached. But she couldn't change what had to be done; this was the plan they had agreed upon long ago.
On the high platform, Mavuika, the Fatui Harbingers, the Traveler Lumine and Paimon, Xilonen... and, arriving unnoticed, Rukkhadevata Buer, the Tsaritsa, and the Electro Archon Raiden Ei above the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
Almost everyone turned to watch.
Under the weight of all those gazes, the Sacred Flame that swirled around Ishkab gradually receded, coalescing into a warm glow at her fingertips.
She gently cupped Kinich's face, her molten gold eyes seeming to reflect countless burning ages.
As her voice rang out, the flames throughout the Stadium of the Sacred Flame swayed gently, as if listening intently:
"Embers remember the past, new flames illuminate tomorrow."
"Burning is not destruction, but a transformation of form."
"The firewood's yesterday, the blazing flame's today, are both lives that never look back."
"Ashes nourish new sprouts, and scorching heat illuminates the long night."
"All deeds will be judged by fire."
"May the warmth of your farewell forge a steadfast shield of protection."
Each word Ishkab spoke was like a quenched star, leaving an indelible mark on the silent arena.
Kinich stared in terror at the uncontrollable, luminous green light emerging from his hands, the radiance coiling around him like chains.
He jerked his head up, fixing his gaze on Ishkab, his eyes filled with childlike fear and despair.
"No... I don't want it!"
He screamed hoarsely, his voice distorted by frantic resistance, his body thrashing violently backward as if trying to escape the light of destiny being forced upon him:
"Take it away! Take it away! Sister... tell me... this isn't... this isn't a farewell, is it?!"
Tears burst forth again, mingling with overwhelming grief and terror. He shook his head desperately, each shake carrying heart-wrenching force.
"I don't want this power... I just want you back... I just want you safe... Sister!"
His fierce resistance couldn't stop the green light from seeping into his body, nor could it change the gentle yet unwavering resolve in Ishkab's eyes.
Ishkab's pupils trembled slightly. She longed to weep, but her current form no longer allowed her to shed tears.
Forcing down her sorrow, she turned her gaze to Lumine.
"Traveler, I've come to add the final piece to your plan. Please... you must defeat the Abyss!"
Lumine's lips parted slightly. She reached out a hand, but Ishkab shook her head. "Traveler, remember that sword?"
Lumine's hand froze in mid-air. She finally understood: Ishkab was going to... enter her sword. But didn't that mean she was already...?
The "final piece" Ishkab spoke of... was it the eternal parting of souls?
She would become a solitary will within the sword!
A tidal wave of resistance surged through Lumine, nearly forcing her to shout, "No!"
But when Lumine met Ishkab's gaze, she saw no hesitation, only bedrock-like resolve and a trust that entrusted her with everything. All her struggles caught in her throat.
Lumine's lips moved a few times, but ultimately, her suspended hand slowly and weakly fell.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, though a watery glint still lingered in her eyes, it had transformed into a heavy, fractured acceptance.
She nodded gently, summoning the Unrelenting Will.
Ishkab glanced back at Kinich, who had collapsed to his knees, exhausted, and was emitting despairing whimpers like an injured cub.
"Sister... is there truly no other way?!"
Seeing Kinich silent, Ajaw flew over to Ishkab, urgently asking.
Ishkab's form had already begun to fade, growing translucent. She cast one last gentle look at Ajaw, then at Kinich behind him:
"I've used all my remaining energy to restart Natlan's Ode of Resurrection. I'll slowly dissipate here. Ajaw, please do one last favor for your sister. I know you're special. I hope you can comfort Kinich. Promise me, okay?"
Two distinct tear tracks streamed down Ajaw's pixel dragon face. "I-I..."
He was heartbroken too, you know!
If he had to comfort Kinich, who would comfort him?!
"I promise you!"
Ishkab smiled gently, then, under the watchful eyes of Kinich, Ajaw, Lumine, Paimon, and everyone else, she completely vanished. Her form dissolved into particles of light that slowly flowed into the Unrelenting Will held by Lumine.
-
Player World.
Just moments ago, Chen Xiyao's screen had been filled with the miraculous sight of Natlan's revival—a scene of universal jubilation. The live stream chat had exploded with "Tears," "Miracle," and "Long live Ishkab!" messages, spamming the screen in fervent celebration.
Chen Xiyao had been excitedly pounding her desk, her voice choked with emotion as she shouted, "She's alive! They're all alive! I knew Mihoyo wouldn't be so heartless! Ishkab is amazing! The Pure Soul truly is trustworthy!"
But the very next moment, the screen switched to Ishkab's conversation with the Traveler.
When Ishkab said, "Let's add the final piece to your plan," when Lumine's hand froze mid-air, and when the words "Remember that sword?" rang out clearly—
The scrolling chat in the live stream seemed to freeze instantly, then erupted into a massive, dense swarm of panicked question marks and exclamation points in every color imaginable!
[ ??????? ]
[ Wait... wait a minute, does this mean Ishkab is going to enter our sword too?! ]
[ She just came back, and now she's leaving again?! Are you kidding me?! ]
[ Damn it, I knew performing such a Divine Miracle couldn't come without a cost! ]
[ Don't go into the sword! That's a permanent farewell! ]
[ Sigh... for Ishkab, this is actually a pretty good outcome. She saved countless lives in Natlan... ]
[ That's true, but it's a bit too cruel for Kinich and the Traveler. ]
The wild joy on Chen Xiyao's face froze instantly. Her mouth remained slightly open, while her eyes widened into round saucers, as if she had been struck by a petrifying spell.
She stared at Ishkab's resolute eyes on the screen, then at Lumine's struggling, pained expression that ultimately transformed into resigned acceptance. The mouse slipped from her hand and clattered onto the desk.
After several agonizing seconds, she finally gasped for breath, as if she had just resurfaced from drowning. Her voice trembled violently, her incredulous scream piercing the air:
"No... no... this... this just after everyone was resurrected... how... how could they... can't they just let us players enjoy a little peace?"
Her earlier joy had been completely replaced by heartache. The live stream chat flooded with frantic, scrolling comments filled with confusion, anger, sorrow, and outright denial.
The festive, celebratory atmosphere that had reigned moments before had plunged into utter darkness.