act16d5

She noticed what that thing I gave you is for, so she put all of you in some far-fetched, otherworldly dream right away. Too bad... got here a bit too late.

How do you even do this?!

No idea. It's not that hard to carve a person's consciousness out of their minds. After all, the point wasn't to give you guys a second life. Fundamentally, it's more like... a kaleidoscope for you to reflect on and question yourself.

Whether it's a large mirror, a huge lake, or a vast sky full of stars, once you enter the painting, there is no way out. This is that almighty.

I wonder why you alone are an exception, though. Oh, maybe it's cause we had all that hotpot together...?

Don't drag me into a mess like this for a reason like that. Anyway, thanks.

Nian?

...Hm? Oh, it's nothing.

Wanna hear another story? Unlike Dusk, I'm not some uptight shut-in who hates the outdoors. This one isn't going to be nearly as boring.

Given the circumstances, I think we should worry about how to get out—

Eh, you don't want to learn about how these people from the olden days fought off those Feranmuts when they were years behind with their industries, populations, and Originium Arts?

The last time you changed the conversation like that, we ended up with the Dark Devastator stuff.

Well, looks like you're interested.

I... Whatever, go ahead...

A long time ago, there existed many gods in the lands of Yan.

The Yan emperor at the time saw his territory prosper, but his people suffered disasters and misfortunes one after another. He lamented this vicious cycle, and spent a long time to come up with a solution.

He was the True Lung. Likely one of the most controversial men in Yan history, he was at the time still young in years, and his passion was unrivaled. As the emperor of Yan, he turned to his trusted retinue and told them this—

All the lands under heaven belong to the throne, and all men are my servants. Why then do the divinities above listen not to the will of the people of Great Yan and deprive our lands of their protection?

...As you probably know, when the 'gods' are brought up in certain countries' folklore or history, they aren't necessarily merely philosophical concepts. That said, they aren't exactly all that mighty and revered either.

Case in point, the Lung found one such god deep in the mountains. A prideful and disdainful god.

Yan's long history was a brief stretch of time to him... Naturally, he didn't give any thought to the Lung's opinions, and he had no reason to care about the lives of mere mortals.

Now, this is where the problem lies. The Lung was too concerned with his subjects and his country.

He issued and personally led his entire military, joined by many a formidable fighter, to take to the mountains on this wild hunt—

And... beyond anyone's expectations, being that the Lung first uncovered there decided to betray his kin and his fellow deities. It divided up its own strength, and participated in this once-in-a-lifetime wild hunt.

After this great wild hunt, Yan slayed several of these 'gods' who dared to stand up against the Lung, and all those unwilling to submit to his rule were exiled.

Much blood was shed, and many lives were lost. Yan paid a dear price, and that's how this controversy surrounding the True Lung came to be.

But he personally didn't care about this, and his campaign continued for as long as the Lung lived.

When he was finally old and frail, he found the last such being remaining in Yan's lands. The most ancient and the most sacred. The eternal being that chose to betray its kin for the Lung's cause.

The traitor had already received the justice it deserved. When its kin left the lands of Yan, they also took care to put out its flames of arrogance. Thus, its true nature was laid bare to the emperor—

Anyway, its contributions had more than earned it the Lung's mercy. Nonetheless, the Lung forced it to serve Yan. To serve heaven, the lands, and its people to keep the world at peace.

Ever since, the fortunes of Yan have always belonged to the True Lung and his subjects.

And at the same time, the so-called 'gods'—Though they had existed long before all the nations in the world came to be, they chose to hide themselves. They spread their own seeds across the land, placed the broken shards of their power and souls, and let them take root in this world in their place.

They still exist in all shapes and forms across Terra, though their numbers are nowhere as great as before.

But they all learned their lesson. Now, they're living across the world with everyone like one big family. Yep, it's a pretty good ending, don't you think?

You...

...Many nations have risen in Terra, and each one went through major changes throughout history. Yet, beyond Yan, there isn't a dynasty, a human who can tell this tale of the ennobling of the gods.

Yan is a real scary place.

Eh, anyway, let's blow this joint. I don't wanna stay here any longer.

This painting is Dusk's trump card. We've got her indecisiveness to thank though. We wouldn't have a way out otherwise.

...H-How are you going to do that...?

What... What happened to us...?

Mnn, my brain hurts... Hmm? My benefactor, Kroos?

Nothing...? Where's Lava? Where's Saga?

No idea, they... M-My benefactor, are we back in Mount Hui-ch'i?

...Leave.

Who are you...?

I'll say this only once.

Don't tell me... You are Dusk?

This was Nian's idea, wasn't it?

I don't know who you people are, and I don't want to know what you've got to do with her. I don't care.

Now leave.

Don't tell me... You are the villain behind it all...?

What if I am?

For someone who dared to disrupt my tranquility over and over, this is no punishment at all.

You don't mean, it's all because of the firecrackers...?

You've got it all wrong. We weren't trying to—

Wrong?

Nian may be able to fool you, but she can't fool me.

No matter what she says, I don't want to see her. Tell her that.

That's...

But what about Lava and Saga?

They—

Heavenly forge—

—Take the bounty to the earth.

What... Where?!

And smelt an edge to slice the sky!

W-What?! Where is this sound coming from?

Get down!

*cough* *cough*—

—What in the world did you come up with again?!

Oh, it's just a big-ass firecracker. Eight feet long and three feet wide, uses the latest and greatest technology, never before seen in Terra, for its ignition!

You know how close I was? You could've at least warned me before you set that thing off!

We didn't have the time. She would've gotten away again.

Isn't that right, my dear little sister?

—You.

How dare you burn my art!

Your art?

Oh, I see. The moment we flung that door open, we'd already stepped into the world of your paintings, huh?

Or are we in the middle of a hike? Maybe this whole mountain is just a fantasy that you've dreamt up?

Oh, no wonder I could never find you, you unsociable loner—

W-What?

That's right. I mean, you can't possibly hide all that junk in a cottage that small, can you? Are you telling me none of you figured that out?

Hm, I guess most people's cognition and senses get affected, though. Can't blame you for not noticing, then.

It's just like how you wouldn't feel anything's off no matter what kind of weird dream you have in your sleep.

Aha, you mad because I blew your little secret?

I'll beat you up and send you back to that mausoleum, 'Big Sis.'

Eh, that place was destroyed long ago.

Oh, perfect, then. It's time to build a new one, and we'll give its design a little more thought this time.

Hehe, you haven't changed at all. Always such a foulmouth when you're pissed... Did you just call me 'Big Sis' though?

...You heard that right. After all, when you have to kill someone, it costs nothing to be cordial.

Don't worry, my 'little sister.' How many times have you defeated me?

Don't be so confident, my all bark and no bite big sister.

Well, I wonder about that, my cocky little sister.

Kroos, Mr. Nothing, hide!

Heavenly forge, take the bounty of the earth and smelt an edge to slice the sky.

Starshrouded snow, hidden moon, let the crude mounts' waters sweep the streams.