Children, I'm Not Dead Yet

Ley Lines

Irminsul's vast network of roots spread beneath all of Teyvat. It was a system that circulated the energy of all seven elements while storing every memory in the world, bearing the sum of everything in existence.

Like the world's blood vessels plus a memory database, it connected every inch of the continent, ultimately converging at Irminsul.

The experiences of all living beings, the history of civilizations, everyone's memories, and the lingering obsessions of departed souls would automatically flow into the Ley Lines and be recorded in Irminsul for permanent preservation. In other words:

"The forest will remember everything."

The thoughts of all who had passed away would converge in Irminsul's immense underground root system. That persistent, unusual strand of Xingsu's memory turned into a stream of information, likewise passing through a thousand miles of earth before finally reaching Irminsul's main trunk beneath Sumeru, where it quietly nestled among the branches and leaves.

It would have been even quieter if his memory hadn't been shining as dazzlingly as a disco ball switched on at a dance party.

Lesser Lord Kusanali resonated with Irminsul as part of her daily routine, sorting through the countless thoughts pouring in through Ley Lines from across the land. Amid the chaotic torrent of memories, she keenly picked up on this strand of information.

After all, most people would have a hard time failing to notice a ball sparkling in the darkness.

After discovering this unusual piece of memory information, Nahida, who had managed Irminsul here for five hundred years, immediately realized, based on her extensive management experience:

She should go take a look.

Yes, this memory was like enjoying hot pot and singing away, only for some blond delinquent to suddenly ride up on a souped-up scooter and slap an ultrasound report onto the table in front of you. It was... well... memorable.

Still, Nahida had managed Irminsul for five hundred years, after all. A situation like this...

All right, she really had never seen anything like it.

Curiosity and a sense of responsibility still drove her to examine the glowing ball.

Inside this memory... wait, why was there nothing inside?

She must have been opening it the wrong way.

Nahida made a second attempt.

This time, Nahida used her power as the God of Wisdom, injecting a little energy into it to begin her observation.

Then...

The glowing ball trembled gently, halos spreading outward in layers as an outline gradually took shape. A boy's figure slowly appeared within the ring of light, looking exactly like Xingsu.

Nahida stared blankly at the boy.

The boy looked around just as blankly.

"...Mother?"

Nahida: "???"

Xingsu: "...?"

?: "???"

Whether it was a newborn's first word upon entering the world or an obsession from the past that his heart had never let go of, the first word the newly born Xingsu spoke upon returning to the world was "Mother."

But... wasn't this the wrong person?

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Two new, clean, plain stone markers stood on the barren slope outside the House of the Hearth.

There were no flashy decorations, no elaborate inscriptions, not even Clervie's and Xingsu's names.

The breeze after dawn was slightly chilly, brushing over the tips of the grass and over Peruere, who sat quietly before the gravestones.

She sat before the gravestones with her eyes lowered, her fingertips gently tracing the cool grain of the stone. Everything around her was so quiet that only the wind could be heard.

The Balemoon Fire had fallen completely still, and the curse markings lay quietly dormant. At this moment, she was gentle and weary.

Until the rhythmic tread of boots shattered the silence, approaching from afar.

The footsteps were orderly and cold, carrying the oppressive air of well-trained soldiers. These were certainly not children from the House of the Hearth, nor were they ordinary Fatui soldiers.

Peruere slowly raised her eyes.

At the far end of the barren slope, several elite Fatui soldiers in matching black uniforms approached in formation. The cold wind lifted their coattails, their gazes were cold and solemn, and their weapons gleamed faintly as they securely surrounded the entire slope.

There weren't many of them, but their tight formation blocked every route of escape.

The soldier at their head stepped half a pace forward and announced in a cold, utterly emotionless voice, with absolute obedience to his orders:

"Peruere."

"You are suspected of rebellion, the premeditated murder of a Fatui Harbinger, destruction of Snezhnayan state assets, and other crimes, for which you will face combined punishment. By Lord The Jester's orders, you are hereby placed under arrest. Return with us to Snezhnaya to stand trial.

"Do not attempt to resist. Any attempted attack will result in your formal inclusion on the Snezhnayan military's kill list."

This outcome did not surprise her. Or rather, she had long known that this was the most likely outcome.

She took one last, long look at the gravestones, slowly rose, and voluntarily brought her hands together before her chest as she walked toward the soldiers.

Click! It was the sound of shackles locking.

The lead Fatui soldier seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as well. He turned and silently led the way.

Xingsu, Clervie, I... am coming to find you.

The embers had scattered, and those she had known slept forever.

She set off alone on the road ahead. Her future lay hidden within the boundless wind and snow, impossible to predict.

"So you're saying you're from beyond this world..."

"Moth... ah, no, Nahida, I really don't know what happened to me, and I know even less about my origins... All I remember is that my name is Xingsu, and... I really shouldn't be someone from this land."

Nahida had already spent over ten minutes questioning him in all sorts of ways inside Irminsul, but Xingsu merely stood there quietly, his eyes clear and empty, filled with utterly ignorant bewilderment, like a college student with clear yet foolish eyes.

Nahida finally confirmed that this child's soul and memories truly were like a blank sheet of paper. He knew nothing at all.

Although she didn't know where he had come from or how he had entered Irminsul.

Still, as the kind God of Wisdom, Lesser Lord Kusanali decided that since heaven and earth retained no trace of his past, and the mortal world held no place for him to return to, she might as well give him a home herself and let him stay in Sumeru.

Nahida softened her voice, her gentle gaze resting on his thin frame:

"You are a remnant of memory drifting beyond the rules of this world, with no roots to cling to and nowhere to go."

"I cannot find your past, and you cannot remember it."

"So, stay in Sumeru."

"At the very least, there is endless knowledge here waiting for you to explore. Your story can begin to be written in Sumeru, too."

"You can be a little fish swimming through the ocean of knowledge, or a little lion keeping everyone safe. Either is fine!"

(^_^)

"Then... what can I do?" Xingsu scratched his head, seemingly not quite understanding what Nahida meant.

"I can grant you the status of a traveling scholar. You can go to the Akademiya library to study all kinds of knowledge, then choose a Darshan that interests you for further study."

Nahida held a hand to her mouth and thought for a while.

"I recommend choosing Vahumana or Amurta."

"Vahumana's subjects include history, psychology, and sociology, including the nature of memory and existence, tracing the past, and exploring how the memories of living beings are preserved. I think it would help you explore your memories."

"Amurta studies astronomy and astrological divination, believing that the stars reflect the fates of all living beings and the courses of the Ley Lines. Your name is Xingsu, and with those star-shaped pupils of yours, you're like a child from the starry sky. Studying this might help you explore your origins."

Xingsu nodded, only half understanding.

Nahida took his hand and led him out of Irminsul.