Chapter Text
~
"You sure you want to continue on this journey, Kazuha?"
Beidou tugged at the rope that was tied to Kazuha's small vessel that was only enough to hold two people, maybe three. She had no intention of holding him back or getting on board; she trusted Kazuha enough to make his own decisions. His eyes were fixed firmly ahead and his expression showed a clear determination not to be dissuaded by anything she could say next. The captain knew full well what kind of person his young charge was when it came down to it. She understood why Kazuha would choose to go with such an unyielding attitude rather than turn around like so many others might have done. It wasn't as if they hadn't been through similar situations before.
She continued on. "Wangshu has been deserted for some time now, no one is willing to take their ships there anymore. There isn't anything there but a lighthouse. Place has been looted to the ground, so if you’re looking for treasure, it ain’t your island.”
Kazuha hummed without saying anything in response, seemingly having already anticipated those words.
"...I see," Beidou said, looking over her shoulder once more at the youth standing next to her. "You're just going because you feel something calling out to your heart, aren't ya?"
To that, Kazuha nodded. "Well...yes..."
He didn't deny it outright. Instead, he simply let slip a quiet admission. That much alone made the captain smile wryly. If nothing else, she had known from the start that Kazuha wouldn't come all this way from another region just for show or empty bravado.
"An empty valley has something worth exploring just on principle. Even though the island is abandoned, it still exists. I can't help feeling drawn to places where life continues even after everything else has gone to ruin.”
He paused for a moment, then added: "...And even without humanity's touch, ruins will thrive along with nature until erosion claims back its land. The world will always keep rebuilding itself, but is always waiting to welcome us home into its embrace once more."
The captain couldn't help letting out a laugh. "In other words, you have a soft spot for old stuff. You've got quite the romantic streak going on here, kid!"
Kazuha chuckled bashfully. “That's the beauty of the world and its creations, isn't it?" he mused, sounding somewhat nostalgic.
That was indeed how Kazuha saw things. He was convinced that every single thing in existence—from rocks to trees, animals to humans—had an inherent value, even if they weren't necessarily useful or practical. They were living beings who existed purely to fulfill their purpose. And so, while they may not last forever, they never lost any of their dignity either. To him, the world was filled with countless treasures that deserved respect and appreciation.
Somewhere within the vast expanse of the sea beyond lay uncharted lands filled with mysteries yet undiscovered. As long as one had the courage to brave its dangers and persevere, the rewards were boundless. To someone like Kazuha, whose life was constantly spent under the watchful gaze of fate, those risks seemed far greater than mere danger. In truth, he couldn't imagine himself living any other way, and such thoughts held great appeal.
Despite his young appearance, Kazuha was mature, clear that he had come from a background of nobility. He seemed to possess both a strong sense of duty towards his family name and a deep-seated curiosity regarding the mysteries of life. As such, he possessed a certain amount of courage too— one that allowed him to face any challenge head-on. He had often displayed a level headedness far older than his actual age, though his youthfulness peered through in his curiosities beyond reason. His interest in nature was more childish and idealistic than practical, yet that did little to diminish how important these interests truly were to him and dull his sharp mind. His natural keen observations and gift for discerning the wind's direction, combined with a good dose of intuition, meant that he was able to accurately predict changes in weather patterns long before anyone else realized them. For someone who saw the world as a playground where everything was possible, he certainly held himself to high expectations.
Yet as capable as he was, he was still human.
While most humans preferred to live among other human beings, the world itself often kept its distance from them. No matter how hard someone tried, there were limits beyond which they couldn't push themselves.
In truth, this world did not exist solely for the sake of adventure and discovery. People needed food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and countless other necessities to survive. Just as water flowed downhill toward lower ground, everything naturally gathered together into settlements where these needs could be met. And so, while Kazuha's desire to explore the unknown remained strong, he was aware of the fact that the world rarely provided exactly what his whimsical heart desired. This realization put him somewhat at odds with the rest of humanity, but he never doubted what he felt inside was real. It never meant that he lacked resolve.
His convictions were unwavering. Here Kazuha stood, boldly choosing to venture into unknown territory. As someone who'd spent years working away on board of her ship, the captain couldn't help but admire his courage. However...
"Doubt that the island is that beautiful," Beidou continued, "Plus, the dangers within it are unknown to us as the sea is with landfolk. You don't know how far the danger may extend. Are you really prepared for that? You'll be sailing straight into the middle of nowhere. We won't be there to lend any aid to you should anything happen."
Kazuha remained resolute despite being rebuked. He turned toward the captain and smiled gently. Then—he began to speak.
"What matters is whether my desire will lead me forward. My reason for going there lies beyond mere curiosity. I believe I am ready for whatever comes my way."
After hearing that, Beidou furrowed her brows slightly. Inwardly, however, she found herself impressed by the boy's strength of conviction.
She looked up again to gaze upon the distant horizon. Though the sun shone brightly above them, it felt less bright here beneath the surface of the water. Perhaps because the light was weaker due to the depth below the surface, the scenery before her seemed ethereal somehow. The sky seemed closer than usual, almost as if it were pressing down upon her. While the ocean might look calm from afar, there was no telling what lay hidden under the waves' surface. Beidou shook off the thought that lingered in her mind, taking another glance at Kazuha beside her.
There was none of the hesitation she expected to see in him, nor was there any hint of fear.
“I’ll give you a month. If we don't see you back on these decks, we're coming to look for you. As they always say, a captain never abandons her crew." she grinned.
Kazuha returned the grin and responded with a nod. "Thank you, Captain, for always believing in me," he told her sincerely. For better or worse, she had lost count of the number of times they had gone through this exact same conversation. And each time, he had chosen to follow the path set forth before him.
Beidou replied, "Don't thank me until you return safely. Now then, get moving!" With that final warning, the captain gave a quick wave of farewell and stepped back onto her own deck.
With that, Kazuha set off toward the horizon. His tiny craft cut across the waves, leaving behind the port city of New Liyue, which sat upon the western shoreline. Beidou saluted goodbye until finally, he disappeared entirely from view. After several seconds went by, the sound of waves breaking against the hull reached her ears. Only then did she lower her arm and sigh quietly.
~
Kazuha sailed onwards. A cool breeze blew against his face, carrying with it the smell of salt water. This particular stretch of coastline lay along one side of Dihua Sea. It was once said that the countries of Liyue and Mondstadt were inner-connected by land, but now they were separated by miles of open waters. Most of the ocean's trade passed through the sea, allowing boats to travel between ports easily. However, almost all boats avoided one particular area right in the middle of the ocean: the Isle of Wangshu.
There were plenty number of islands dotted the oceans throughout the world. Some were inhabited, others weren't, and some were used purely for fishing purposes. But there existed an entire mass of land that was completely devoid of life. It was where neither fish nor fowl desired to tread, where both man and beast feared to dwell, existing solely as barren rocks floating atop vast stretches of open waters. Many believed it was one large hub area of civilization before the Osial floods overtook the majority of Liyue's lands. Legends told of a sea serpent from millennia past that had sunk half the continent beneath the waves, resulting in the current state of the world where the remaining civilization of Liyue lived closer to the land of Minlin. Bishui Ocean was said to have been created afterwards, separating the western and eastern shores. To put it another way, the two halves of the country were separated by a narrow strip of sand and ocean.
The island Kazuha sailed towards was located somewhere in the middle of Dihua Sea. Its exact coordinates were currently unknown, though not impossible to guess. It was possible to deduce its location using prevailing winds and tidal patterns, assuming that the tide cycle followed the same pattern everywhere. Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the lighthouse, anyone with a map could determine roughly where the island was located. But sailors seldom bothered to do so. There were plenty of better uses for their time than charting the course of some desolate mass in the middle of an endless expanse.
But Kazuha was interested in this island. He had come to investigate its secrets and find out why such a place was left untouched and neglected. Discover if it held anything worth investigating, anything worth salvaging besides lost treasures. To see if the legend of a once-great nation was true, why the once-inhabited island had become a graveyard. While the story of the island's creation might be lost to time, it certainly wasn't forgotten. It was a husk of a once-proud land. A monument to the end of an era, a testament to the passing of a once-glorious age.
And so, Kazuha decided to sail to the island and investigate further. He had no idea what awaited him there; he might find ruins left behind by ancient civilizations or perhaps some new discovery waiting to be unearthed. Either way, the journey would prove interesting.
As he rowed up the coastline, the sun slowly sank below the horizon. With nightfall approaching, the stars dimmed into view. Soon enough, the moon peaked in the sky, illuminating the surface of the sea with silver light. The wind died down, making the task of rowing easier. The boat glided smoothly through the water, cutting effortlessly through the waves. All in all, it felt like a pleasant evening.
However, it wasn't long before Kazuha noticed something strange in the air. The salty scent in the atmosphere grew stronger, becoming almost overwhelming. Before long, he could taste the faint tang in the air. Something in the mix of sea spray and seawater must have changed. The sensation was unlike anything he'd experienced before. He stopped rowing and tilted his head upward, trying to pinpoint the source of the change.
But all he saw was a lighthouse, a strangely constructed one. It didn't look like any traditional watchtowers. Rather, it seemed to be erected out of a colossal dead tree, grown over with vines. The building had been carved out of wood, giving it the appearance of an antique temple. There was something oddly familiar about it, but Kazuha couldn't quite place it. Time and the immense pressure of the sea hadn’t been kind to it, and eventually took their toll on the tower, causing it to break apart at the base. Bits of decayed wood fell to the ground, scattering pieces of rubble throughout the landmass.
Kazuha sighed heavily. So it came to this.
“And thus has autumn made reckoned his arrival,” he murmured to himself.
He looked down at the water around him, hoping to see something else. It appeared to be just a calm, placid sea, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Fish that were present swam lazily through the water, occasionally darting out of the shadows to snatch at small crustaceans.
Kazuha continued to row the rest of the way, arriving at the island just as the sun had fully sunken into the sea. Once more, the lighthouse stood tall in the distance, casting a dull red glow over the surrounding land.
He disembarked onto the sandy beach, then tied the rope to the mast. Next, he untied the sail, folding it neatly before placing it under the seat, removing the oars from the hull, and stowing them into the storage space underneath the bench. Finally, he pulled himself out of the water and began walking toward the lighthouse, lighting a lantern in hand.
As he walked, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore faded. The silence that ensued gave birth to the only sounds that could be heard in the distance—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects, the hum of the cicadas. At first, the noise sounded like it came from a forest, but the trees around the coast were sparse, consisting mostly of short shrubs.
The shores of the lighthouse were deserted, of course, but as he approached them, a sound arose: distant and faint, like the murmur of surf upon sand. He paused to listen; then, hearing nothing more, continued his way toward the tower. Kazuha carried his lantern as he lifted his feet over the jagged rocks that strewed the shoreline. The sea was calm, with scarcely a ripple on its surface. It stretched away into the darkness until it met an invisible horizon line—or perhaps there was no such thing as "horizon" in this place. A few small islands dotted the vastness of watery space. In the moonlight, the white pebbles sparkled as though they had been sprinkled by a careless hand. Its silvery white radiance reflected off the water lapping against the shoreline. There was something unnatural about their arrangement…
He felt sure that he knew where those stones came from. They could not be natural. Wangshu might well have once belonged to another landmass, long ago swallowed up by the ocean. But how many floods did it take? And who would build a lighthouse here at all? Were people even aware of what awaited them if they ventured too close to this lonely spot...?
Kazuha's thoughts wandered aimlessly in circles while he made his way along the beach. As he climbed the rock-strewn path leading to the top of the cliff, the wind began to pick up. It blew against his face, making the few strands of his hair stand on end, tussling his bangs away. He shivered involuntarily, noticing how cold and clammy he felt. His breath fogged faintly around his mouth, and though he tried to ignore it, the chill crept steadily upward through his body. When he reached the summit of the hillock, he found himself standing atop an outcropping of stone. Beneath him spread a view unlike any he'd ever seen on his ventures. Before him loomed a great wall of mist, rising high above him. It formed a towering dome whose base extended far beyond the limits of sight. Even so, he thought he should still be able to see the full extent of the barrier surrounding the island. If only the weather held! It would've been a lovely sight to write home about.
As he gazed down at the landscape below, he saw that the mist concealed everything beneath it. No matter which direction he looked, it seemed to go on forever. To think that the world might actually extend past the edge of the visible spectrum! What wonders lie hidden within this mysterious cloud bank? Perhaps the answer rested somewhere among its billowing folds.
His attention turned again to the fog surrounding the lighthouse. Surely, something isn't right here. The sudden change in the weather was abnormal enough, but this is different somehow. Maybe his presence disturbed whatever balance of forces holds sway here.
A sudden gust of wind buffeted him from behind. He staggered forward several steps, losing his footing for a moment, then another gust struck him from the opposite side, forcing him back onto the ground. The air grew colder yet. Was this the work of magic? Or maybe just the power of nature itself? His natural senses for the shifts in the breeze were almost non-existent here, but now he felt certain that something strange was going on. His gut told him he was being watched.
He scanned around him as the mist swirled violently, forming whirling eddies of dark gray vapor. Wherever the clouds parted slightly, he caught glimpses of light moving deep inside the swirling mass. Stormclouds rolled across the sky overhead, casting ominous shadows over the waves crashing against the rocky promontory. Here and there, lightning flashed amid the churning vapors.
He had to get into the lighthouse immediately. Whatever this phenomenon was, it wasn't safe for him to stay outside. With growing alarm, he hurried toward the building. Just then, a massive wave crashed against the shore. The impact sent a spray of salty water spattering up against his cheeks. The next instant, the entire coastline rose swiftly from the depths. Huge boulders rolled ashore, smashing themselves against one another as they went. The noise was deafening.
When the surge subsided, Kazuha stood alone on the precipice overlooking the roaring waters, clutching his lantern tightly in both hands. For a brief time, he remained motionless, staring intently at the raging tide below. Then, slowly, he raised his head and fixed his gaze upon the lighthouse looming ahead. At the next thunder strike, he bolted forward. He didn't know what he intended to do once he got inside, but he couldn't wait. That storm was coming fast.
It took him a few minutes to reach the entrance to the tower. By the time he arrived, it was already pouring rain. Lightning illuminated the interior slightly as he entered. The floorboards creaked ominously underfoot, but otherwise, the room appeared empty beside the large winding staircase. Yet, he sensed someone else present.
He made himself known by calling out to the darkness above him, his voice echoingly amplified. "Hello?"
There was no reply, but the sense of being watched carried on. "Apologies for my intrusion," he spoke a little louder. "I'm afraid I don't mean you any harm."
Lightning cracked loudly outside. An answering rumble of thunder shook the very foundations of the lighthouse. Kazuha stepped closer to the stairs. "If you're here, please show yourself!" he called out again. Still, there was no response. Instead, the silence became more oppressive than before. He wondered if he should continue pursuing the stranger, but the prospect of defending with whoever dwelled here in the darkness was daunting indeed. Better to retreat for the moment.
He placed the lantern on the base of the stairwell, then began to tidy up the area he would be resting upon, brushing the specks of dust off the wooden boards. Once he finished that task, he sat down, resting his back against the wall beside the door. After taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes.
But sleep eluded him. Something kept nagging at the corner of his mind, a vague unease lingered. Now what? Did this person intend to attack him while he was asleep? How could anyone expect him to fight back when he was unconscious?
With mounting apprehension, Kazuha opened his eyes. Nothing had changed since he first laid down. Not even a speck of dirt had fallen from the walls. He glanced nervously back up at the ceiling. There were no telltale signs of movement anywhere. As he stared up at the shadowy recesses of the roof beams, he felt as though he could hear breathing. Only now did he notice that the sound of the waves rushing below had grown fainter. Had the storm passed without touching this place? But no...it must've happened while he slept.
The feeling of dread intensified. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He felt a cold sweat break out on his brow. "Who are you? Show yourself!" he shouted.
Silence answered. But when he listened closely, he sensed a slight shift of footsteps turning away above. Fearful, he got up grabbing his lantern and scanned the darkened spaces of the chamber, pacing himself on the wooden boards of the stairs. The ascent proved arduous, especially since he hadn't brought a rope or ladder. Twice, he nearly slipped on the slick surface, but managed to catch hold of the railings.
At last, he reached the top of the stairs. The corridor stretched before him, revealing nothing save the dim glow of the oil lamp burning low in its holder. There was another door directly opposite the entrance he'd come through. But this one was open. Beyond lay a wide expanse of space. It looked like the inside of a room cabin.
For a moment, he hesitated, unsure what to do. The idea of venturing any farther into the unknown left him uneasy but excited. So, he decided to investigate the room. As he crossed the threshold, he immediately sensed the presence of something lurking—hiding. This room, too, seemed to be devoid of furniture, the carpeting covered the empty deck. The only illumination came from a small window high up on the far bulkhead. It faced the sea, stars shone brightly through its glass panes.
Kazuha walked toward the center of the room, where the faintest glimmer of light could be seen. It came from a thin slit in the far end of the wall. Peering carefully, he saw that it led to a spiral staircase descending into the murky blackness below.
He approached the opening cautiously. It felt as though the air around it was somehow charged. It smelled different from the rest of the lighthouse, almost metallic.
"Are you here? Come out, if that is your desire. But be warned: this is not a game. I won't hesitate to attack you if you try to hurt me."
Still, he felt compelled to enter.
"Very well, then. But if this is some sort of trap, I will leave at once. If it comes to that, may the gods be merciful to us both..."
He heard a soft, barely audible rasping from within the hole. It sounded almost like the whisper of a sigh. Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward, placing his face close to the slit. The air around it felt cooler, somehow. It felt...strange.
He could see nothing.
He pressed a hand against the wall. It was solid, though strangely warm. He tried to peer inside, but the light from outside the room cast a shadow across the doorway, blocking the view. Again, there came the unmistakable sound of a slow, labored intake of breath. Kazuha stood straight up, his heart pounding furiously.
"Foolish visitor."
Kazuha nearly jumped at the sound of the voice. It echoed in the air. He spun to the right, searching for the source of the words. They'd been spoken from somewhere behind him. He turned to the right, and once again, the voice spoke.
"Why are you so insistent on finding another being here?"
A figure emerged from the shadows just beyond the edge of the pool of light spilling in from the hallway. Kazuha gasped in surprise. Before he knew it, his feet had carried him several steps closer to the intruder. His hands instinctively went to the hilt of his pocket knife.
But instead, he was greeted with a sight that stunned him speechless.
It wasn't an assailant who rose to confront him, but rather a young man with a smaller frame than his. His peculiar golden-amber eyes were sharp and gleamed faintly in the lamplight, framing a stern visage. His skin had a pale complexion, yet he wore dark clothing which hid his features somewhat. His hair hung over his shoulders just barely. A pair of gloves protected his fingers. He was slender, but wiry, strong, standing about a few inches shorter than Kazuha.
He took a step closer to examine the stranger. He was rather short, but he had the build of an agile warrior. There was strength in his body, but it was tempered with grace. He was clearly no stranger to manual labor—to combat. He wondered how long ago the stranger had lived here in isolation. The clothes looked worn, but they weren't tattered. In fact, the overall impression given by the outfit was that of cleanliness, neatness, and refinement. His attire was reminiscent of those worn on the mainland, but its style differed slightly. His garments seemed more customary than what one would normally wear, but there was something refined about them as well. For some reason, they didn't make him seem out of place, nor did they give off any sense of danger or threat. If anything, they made him look like someone very much used to living alone.
He didn't look hostile, but Kazuha couldn't help but feel wary of how irked he looked.
"I don't know what you're doing here," the stranger said, "but I suggest you depart from this island."
His tone was formal, polite, but there was a clear hint of annoyance in his voice. There was a slight rasp to it, but Kazuha found himself intrigued. The stranger had an unfamiliar dialect to those from the mainland, but it was easy enough to understand.
Kazuha averted his gaze. "My apologies for coming here uninvited, but I was hoping to hide out from the storm outside. Please forgive me for disturbing you."
The stranger tilted his head slightly. "Then you should've continued sleeping. You could've left in the morning without ever knowing my existence. But you still persisted in finding out whether I truly existed or not. Why? What purpose does it serve?"
Kazuha nearly frowned at the stranger's accusatory question. "Well, I can't really sleep with someone watching me. And if you are the one responsible for keeping watch on this lighthouse, then you should've acknowledged my presence as soon as I entered the shores. It was rather rude that I had to find you out myself."
The stranger widened his eyes, then narrowed them. "You could tell I was watching you?"
Kazuha was taken aback by how blunt this man was. "Of course. How else would I have known you were here? Though you made an attempt to conceal yourself, I happen to be very sensitive to the subtle movements of the atmosphere. Your breathing alone was enough for me to sense you."
The stranger seemed to mull this statement over in his mind for a moment. Kazuha continued on. "This island has such a distinctive aura. It's a unique kind of energy, unlike anywhere else. My intuition tells me something grand is here. So naturally, I came to investigate. Though speaking of which, I hadn't seen any other person on this island besides you." Kazuha eyed the stranger carefully to note his expressions. Perhaps he could reveal that there was something strange going on the island...?
The stranger, however, remained silent. He seemed to be pondering something.
Kazuha decided to press on. "So, if you are indeed the guardian of this lighthouse, then why are you hiding in the darkness? Shouldn't you be welcoming visitors, perhaps? Or at least greeting me as a fellow traveler? Wouldn't you consider it a waste to let the opportunity to greet a new guest go unnoticed?"
There was a brief pause. The silence between the two men grew deeper. The stranger eventually replied, "I do acknowledge your arrival. But you can't stay here for long. It would be best if you departed now. The night grows old, and the sun will rise shortly. If you do not wish to experience the full brunt of its rays, then please leave before it rises."
The stranger was curt, but Kazuha was undaunted. He had the feeling that this man wasn't used to dealing with people. He was distant, but not timid.
"That makes it all the more imperative for me to stay. There's no reason to be afraid of the sunrise. The sea would be calm then, after all. If anything, the sunlight will be much better than a stormy sky. Do you not think so?"
The stranger's expression darkened. "Do not presume to know the mind of the gods. Begone, visitor. Leave this place and do not dally."
Despite the harsh words, Kazuha felt compelled to speak up. "Well, I won’t leave unless danger is present. You're quite adamant to keep me away, but I'm sure you wouldn't want me getting hurt either. If something is going on around this island, then why not just tell me? In that way, I would be out of your way and we’d both avoid being exposed to unnecessary risks. That seems like a far wiser choice than trying to scare me off."
Once again, the stranger fell quiet. This time he stared into space, deep in thought. After a while he turned back toward Kazuha. His eyes were gentle but firm.
"Visitor...you claim to be able to discern things through the wind and waves. Is that correct?"
Kazuha nodded. "Yes. My senses aren't perfect, but they are good enough to tell when there's trouble approaching. I can even detect presences from afar. I can't read minds, though, if that’s what you’re worried about. I won't pry into your secrets if you don't wish to share them."
Again, the stranger fell silent. He didn't seem surprised by Kazuha's claims, nor did he appear pleased. Instead, he appeared contemplative. His golden eyes glimmered faintly, but the light within was dim. It was almost like the reflection of the moonlight, a slight red tint to it.
To hold twice the suns in one’s gaze, knowing not they been doused.
After a short period of contemplation, he finally responded, "Nevermind. It's best that you do not know. I do not wish to burden you with the knowledge of it, nor am I confident you'll remain unaffected by it. Just return home, wherever it may be."
Kazuha furrowed his brows. The stubbornness of this man! He didn't expect a response rejecting his offer, but he certainly didn't intend to accept it either. After all, why ask about his abilities if they weren't needed? Surely Kazuha could make use of his own skills to deal with whatever threat might arise and help out. But despite his desire to argue, Kazuha held his tongue. He couldn't afford to anger the stranger or himself further. He was already frustrated about how the stranger was treating him, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the conversation came to an end.
He sighed as he tried to formulate a reply. "I see. I guess I'll just have to take your word for it. I was merely passing by, so I don't need to impose any longer. I shall be leaving in the morning. Good night—"
Kazuha realized that he still needed to get a name from the stranger. He paused, attempting to gauge a reaction. The stranger said nothing, but his face was blank. He was expressionless, simply awaiting Kazuha to finish.
"...Mr.Lightkeeper." Kazuha grinned, adding the honorific to the stranger's title. He was certain the stranger knew what he was implying.
Instead, he shrugged. "Good night, Visitor."
He gave another dismissive wave, then walked past Kazuha. Kazuha watched him go, but he never looked back.
Kazuha stood there in the hallway, completely dumbstruck. Not even the courtesy of a name, unbelievable! Though, he had the decency to give Kazuha a blessing, at the very least.
It was hard to believe he could be the same age as Kazuha. He was probably older, but his youthful appearance might be deceiving. His speech had an air of refinement and authority to it, which made him seem like someone who should know better than to act rudely toward strangers, but his vocabulary was rich. Kazuha was curious about his origins. He had to admit, the man was an oddity. He was a bit of a hermit, but that wasn't unusual among lightkeepers. They were usually recluses because they spent most of their days alone on top of tall towers, where everyone else feared to tread. If anything, such behavior would come more naturally to him given his background. Still, with no other person on the island besides the two of them, he must've been lonely. Kazuha couldn't help but wonder what kind of life he led here.
Kazuha's curiosity was quelled, however, by the sudden sound of the door slamming shut. He spun around to find the stranger gone, leaving Kazuha alone in the darkness once more. He had been so close to learning the identity of the mysterious stranger. It was maddening. It was possible the stranger had just wanted to be left alone or that he lost interest. Either way, the stranger had made it obvious that he wished to remain in his solitude, and Kazuha was disappointed. It was clear he was someone who was accustomed to being in control of his surroundings.
He went back down to the floor of the lighthouse. The lantern was still lit, but it was weak. There was something comforting about its glow, as if to remind Kazuha not to dwell too much on the encounter. After a moment of thought, Kazuha decided to leave things at that. Maybe he wouldn't mind seeing the stranger again tomorrow, though if he wasn’t allowed here, he shouldn’t continue to overstay his (un)welcome on someone else’s territory. Curious as he may be, he still respected the lightkeeper’s words. Somewhat. He’ll leave the lighthouse alone but he still fully intends to explore the rest of the island before returning back.
As Kazuha lay on the cold floor of the lighthouse, he realized that his body was numb from the chill. He eventually succumbed to his exhaustion, toughening out the cold, and drifted into slumber.
~
The next day dawned bright and sunny, exactly as promised. Kazuha felt refreshed after spending the night sleeping comfortably in the warm sunlight. He stretched, feeling the muscles in his arms pop from sleep deprivation. He rubbed at his eyes, blinking away the fatigue. His eyelids burned from lack of moisture. A yawn escaped his lips.
He rose to his feet and headed straight for the door, stepping outside into the rays of sunshine.
The distant hills breathe their coolness in the dawn, green with grass. Few streams run swift and clear; there is no dust or haze upon them—only a soft mist of dew that glistens on the small meadows as though each blade were tipped with diamonds. And through the tussling fields come wild flowers: sweet flowers and mint stalks scatter themselves throughout the land, horsetails and lotus heads grow thickly where the banks have been washed clean by the recent rain. There are tall heathers too, and ferns overgrowing like gray lace, and here and there stands a sandbearer tree among its fellows, so slender it seems to be made out of gold wire. It bends gracefully before the wind until at last all but one leaf hangs down, which waves gently from side to side like a gull seeking food beneath the waters of the stream.
The air is warm, and the leaves sprout forth in full glory once more. All along the coast the trees bow low over an unkempt path, bending close together, whispering secrets to each other as they doze during the hottest hours of noon. Kazuha breathed in the fresh sea breeze and let his eyes wander across the gentle landscape, the sun lightening everything around him. His heart swelled within his chest, filling his entire body with an excitement he could scarcely contain. A smile grew slowly across his face.
These were nature’s riches, everyday treasures often left ignored by underappreciated eyes. But for Kazuha, this sight was a rare gift indeed. An uncommon beauty he had yet to see throughout his travels in Liyue. He looked up into the sky as he walked forward, watching the clouds drift lazily overhead. The horizon seemed to stretch forever ahead of him, promising adventure just beyond those rolling mists.
He closed his eyes, letting his mind roam free and take in the view before him, finding inspiration in every detail.
Come away the veil of cloud, forth revealing the world anew.
In a short instance, he remembered the lightkeeper and his warnings last night. He opened his eyes again, turning behind him. He turned to look up at the tower, hoping to catch sight of the lightkeeper. A flicker ran across his vision. He squinted against the glare, trying to make sense of what he saw.
But he didn't see anyone. His eyes scanned the horizon, searching for signs of danger. He didn't spot anything immediately threatening, but he kept a wary eye out nonetheless. The storm seemed to have passed without incident, but he couldn't be sure anymore. The feeling of being watched still persisted. It'd be difficult to ignore the uneasy sensation from his nerves if he's constantly being monitored here…
With a sigh, Kazuha continued walking towards the shoreline, checking in on the state of his boat. The rain had dampened the ground somewhat, causing it to stick together. It was harder to walk across the muddy surface, but the water had washed away some of the debris. Kazuha's shoes sank slightly in the sandy mud. It took a great deal of effort to pull them free.
When his vessel came into sight, his stomach twisted. It was battered beyond repair.
"Oh dear..."
He found the damage had worsened overnight. The wood planks were cracked, splintered, and even torn apart. Some of the boards had snapped off altogether. He could patch the holes and salvage what he could, but there was little hope for the hull itself. It was unlikely the repairs would hold for another voyage back.
There weren't many options besides abandoning the craft and waiting for help to arrive, though that would mean a lengthy stay on this isolated island and relying on Beidou's crew to save him when he insisted on traveling here himself. His confidence before leaving Liyue was thoroughly shattered now, so much so that he wasn't certain how long he'd last under the looming threat of starvation or dehydration. But he knew one thing for certain: no matter what happened, he wouldn't give up. Not yet.
Kazuha looked around once more, taking stock of his surroundings. Eyeing the few Cuihua trees with Sunsettia fruits sparsely scattered on the island and the local vegetation for any edible berries or roots, then back to the sea where he spotted a school of fish swimming nearby, he made up his mind. This was fine, he could manage this. All he needed was time. And patience.
His mind wandered to the lightkeeper. If he survived here all this time, then surely he must've gotten used to life on this remote island. But Kazuha felt a sense of pride coming to him and didn't want to rely on his assistance unless absolutely necessary. There was something unsettlingly familiar about this man. Perhaps it was because of their abrupt encounter? Or perhaps it was just Kazuha's imagination? Either way, he wanted to avoid running into the man again.
After parting ways with the wrecked boat, Kazuha began trekking through the beach. He picked through the foliage until he reached an area with less growth, which allowed better visibility. Then he set off along the edge of the cliff, following its contours toward the top. As he walked farther inland, the terrain became steeper and rougher. After several minutes of climbing, he reached the summit. Here, he paused to get his bearings. From this vantage point, he could clearly make out the rest of the island—the coastline stretching far to the west, north, south, and east, while the ocean lay directly below him. To the northeast stood the tower with the lighthouse attached.
This journey wasn't for naught of course, Beidou’s doubts of the island having nothing of note was thankfully disproven, and the lighthouse was clearly an object of interest. Even from this distance, he could tell it was larger than most lighthouses he'd seen, far more elaborate than those located near major ports. Its construction appeared sturdy enough, too. The structure might stand against fierce storms and heavy waves, but the tree it was built within was certainly odd. Perhaps originally it was a place of worship, a settlement dedicated to the gods or spirits. It didn't look like it was reconstructed as a beacon intentionally; rather, it seems to have been built over time by disaster. Whatever its original purpose, it was now home to the only other presence on the island aside from Kazuha.
He decided to continue exploring. At least that meant avoiding contact with the lightkeeper for now.
As soon as he started descending down the hillside, Kazuha noticed he was getting warmer. His clothes were drenched in perspiration. With the sun beating down upon him, he was starting to feel a bit sluggish. The lightkeeper was right; the sun was harsh. How did someone survive here year-round without suffering heatstroke? No wonder why he hid himself in the safety and cool shelter of the lighthouse.
Eventually, Kazuha found a tiny wooden structure nested within the dirt and sand, hidden among the bushes. It reminded him of a shrine. Inside was a small altar covered in moss, wood rotting away and cracking at the edges. A plaque was sunk deep into the ground, its corner peeking out awaiting Kazuha to unearth. Now, this was something worth investigating! Kazuha knelt beside the shrine and examined the inscription carved onto the plaque. Some of the script had long faded and omitted due to neglect and time, but he managed to make out the remaining strokes:
■■■■真君, 这里是仙人■■请安息吧*
Old Liyuean. Ah...if only he had brushed up on his language reading. He didn't expect to encounter a relic from ancient times on such a remote island, but the writing style looked archaic and unfamiliar to him. He thought about bringing it back to have a historian inspect it, but discarded the idea. Would it be disrespectful to take something away from a stranger who was likely ignorant of its significance? That said, it was possible he was looking at a valuable artifact. He didn't doubt that the lightkeeper had gone through here before, but if it were that precious to him, why leave it exposed for others to find? Kazuha was hesitant to hold it. He stared at it for some time, contemplating his next move.
Kazuha tried to decipher the meaning of it to the best of his ability, but a chill suddenly ran up his spine when he traced his thumb over the final characters. He's recognized these letters before: on the tombstones of the deceased.
The hair on Kazuha's arms rose and his eyes shot back to the lighthouse.
Surely...?
A memory surfaced unbidden in his mind, but it wasn't familiar—it wasn't his. With every blink was a new image. A storm. A tide. People drowning. The sound of screams. The smell of blood and salt. Kazuha gripped the side of his head, trying desperately to shake it off. His chest tightened. The feeling of dread was unmistakable and the sensation lingered. The heat was getting to him and it felt harder to breathe. He struggled to open his eyes clutching onto the plaque. The world swam in and out of focus. Sweat dripped down his face.
Why did he feel like he was drowning?
Kazuha fell to his knees, gasping for air. The heat became unbearable, so much so that sweat poured down his body. The pressure of being submerged beneath water began to build inside his ears, making them ache. His vision blurred with tears and spots danced across his field of view. Something was wrong. He couldn't understand what. Everything around him seemed hazy and indistinct.
The realization hit him: he'd become dehydrated. He was hallucinating. The logic in his brain told him he was seeing things, but the pain felt too immense. The sudden onset of dizziness made it hard for him to think straight. His vision closed in on him. The sounds of the wind whipping across the island grew faint.
He coughed violently, a pressure of tightness gripping his throat. His lungs burned with each breath. Why didn't the lightkeeper warn him of this? Wasn't the place meant to provide protection against natural disasters? His intuition was right— there was something wrong with this island. The abnormal weather, the unsettling aura of death hanging thick all around him, the absence of lifeform, and now even the lack of sounds. All of them pointed toward an imminent disaster of the past. This whole situation was too strange, too excruciating to comprehend. Everything screamed at him like it was imperative that he get off this isle as fast as humanly possible. But how could he know that? What about the lightkeeper? He can't leave without him alone here.
"Ngh!" Kazuha gasped as another wave of memories flashed across his brain. He couldn't process any of them clearly, and his vision blurred once again. Something inside him snapped. An uncontrollable fury surged forth from his gut. He felt his throat getting drier by the second until he lost control of his body altogether.
His hands curled into fists as his legs buckled under him. Before he knew it, he found himself lying flat on his stomach. "No," he moaned softly, blinking rapidly against the blinding sunlight. The world grew dark, and the pain in his heart intensified, then disappeared entirely.
As though the very earth itself swallowed the voice of reason, rendering it powerless.
Kazuha's consciousness slipped away.
Summer ashes births the phoenix, and too with it the wind of the Golden Peng arises once more.
~