[ weirdly, he doesn't seem to mind. his expression is a little scrunched up, like he's thinking of something else, but he lets it slide for the time being.
he's patient as he waits for them to explain. they're at the warehouse, at least, and he's able to open the door and let them both inside to settle down.
granted he immediately frowns so vividly at the mention of a cave. but he doesn't interrupt. he watches their hands and their face and he keeps quiet as he listens. it all sounds pretty disorienting is what it is. going through the same passages over and over. only having themselves and ghosts of the rest of the team. recycling over, and over, and over.
...that would be hard on anyone, he thinks. ]
It wasn't real. [ he says, knowing they know that but just reiterating. ] Those loops and being by yourself couldn't have been real. [ except maybe some truth was there since setsu was gone all day. but he doesn't say that. he knows he didn't die, and nothing happened to the others either. ]
[ the thing is, there was a notable reaction with alex later at the mention of a cave. but Setsu doesn't notice it now, and likely won't notice it later. they're too focused on describing the scene before them- it's not here, but it feels like it is. it's the kind of feeling that they just can't shake off easily. as much as they wish they could.
they lean against him, their shoulders slumping a little. and even though they do know- hearing it from someone else, it helps, they think. their eye closes for a moment as their own hands come together, gripping just a bit too tightly. ]
...I eventually reached the end. It ended with a cave full of.. ice. With that blue gem in the center of it. [ the light blue vision that was on them when they returned back. the one they no longer have, after giving it to Shenhe before they took their leave to the warehouse. distantly, those thoughts echo that they heard when they took hold of it. "was this worth it? was the pain and suffering, the loneliness - was it worth this sort of power? you were just a child." ]
After that, a portal appeared and I ended up somewhere in Liyue City. It's where.. Shenhe is from, also a part of the same world as Nahida and Kaveh.
[ which is essentially when they grouped up with the others. ]
An ice cave? [ he sounds perplexed again, sitting so that he can support them and trying to let his brain scrounge up some information or literally anything that might help here. ] It sounds...terrible to have to just keep going until you eventually just stopped without knowing.
[ huh. ]
She's told me a little about Liyue. How did...were you alone there, too?
[ when he sits, they try to shift so he isn't entirely uncomfortable. as much as they can't ignore that tug that wants them to stay close, they don't want to be overwhelming. though the dissociation hits now and then, they aren't completely unaware of his company, checking on him. though, they grow a bit quieter at that. ] ...I just knew that I couldn't stop and give up. Even if it meant I never found an end.
[ a feeling they can't explain right now. ]
Ah... only for a bit. Other portals opened up and, one by one they appeared. Except for.. Matsui. [ mmm, their expression scrunches up a little, glancing off to the side. ] ...I couldn't see what happened to him through his portal, but I.. heard something.
[ and by their expression, it. was not anything good. they shake their head after. ] We ended up going inside the building we were in front of after, where we came to four doors. That's where the rest of you come in.
[ the only reason it's not overwhelming is the red string that he has no idea about, so setsu is fine where they are for now. but he continues to frown as he listens. ]
...pretty sure they call that something like perseverance. [ what the fuck happened with matsui. he has questions. ] I'll have to check on him later. But it means all four of you might've experienced something similar which isn't that great either.
Just waiting inside? [ sounds weird. ] ...then what happened?
[ they're still frowning deeply. ] ...It wasn't anything good. It definitely sounded like something was... cut. [ as a, small warning and all. they didn't see for themselves, and quite frankly they don't seem like they want to ask. ] With the portals.. it does seem that way.
[ though, for that last part, they shake their head. ]
Not exactly. Each door seemed to represent one of you. I.. picked the first door, and found you encased in some glass case in the middle of a large room..? You were fast asleep though. And I remember there was a tree... [ IT WAS A DOMAIN. ] In any case, a barrier was set up so I couldn't really reach you, which is when two buttons ended up appearing. "Sacrifice or Challenge."
I told them I absolutely refused to even consider the sacrifice choice. So, we ended up going with challenge and... [ which is said a bit quickly, firm and probably references that Setsu did not take any other answer as an option. as they talk, they inspect some of the damage around their shin and feet area which i. guess thinking about it it looks like the fabric around there looks clearly burned off and there are still a few healing burns on any visible skin. lol. ] ..the floor started to fill with lava.
Cut. [ dislikey... but he goes silent again to listen. why the fuck was he in cryosleep. who did this. what is happening. the longer they continue to describe this the more confused he is. ]
...it sounds like they set you up to walk right into a trap. If each door had somebody we knew, I would've been surprised if someone chose "sacrifice." [ looking at their leggies with another frown. ]
How'd you get out of the lava? [ this HELLISH DOMAIN. ]
Do you remember that blue gem I said I found earlier? It actually... gave me some kind of power. It's similar to how Cryokinesis works here, since I was able to control ice. The others had their own as well but with different elements.
[ their hand idly touches a spot near their collar, where they remember their vision being before they gave it away. ]
We didn't go completely unscathed but, we did manage to beat the challenge and it freed you. [ a quiet sigh ] But you were still asleep. So, to be safe, we kept you in the lobby but... we were worried about leaving you alone so I stayed with you while the other two went to another door.
[ a glance to him before looking down again. ] I'm not too sure what happened there, so you'd have to ask Nahida and Kaveh. I do know that Matsui is who ended up with them when they came back-- though he was awake. Just... a bit unresponsive. I'm sure he must have gone through a lot too before that.
Yeah. [ ... ] She told me about people having elemental powers in Teyvat. They're called Visions, I think? I don't know what a person has to do to get one but... [ hm. ]
...don't let me weigh you down next time, Setsu. [ calmly. ] Separating like that sounds like it could've been bad for all of you. I understand why you stayed, but...I would've wanted you to get out of there alive no matter the cost.
I'm gonna talk to the other three a little later. [ he thinks. ] What happened after that though?
I'm sure any one of them from that world would be able to tell you how. [ Setsu can only really account of what happened to them, when they did receive the vision, but the meaning and reasoning for getting one... "was this worth it? was the pain and suffering, the loneliness - was it worth this sort of power? you were just a child."
... they shake their head. ] I know, but I... [ carefully, they take one of his hands into their own. ] If possible, I wanted to save everyone. And it was something we had all agreed upon. [ me looking at nahida and kaveh, both also just as worrying for others. ]
[ ... ]
Since Matsui was not responsive enough, we were trying to decide what to do next. There was a suggestion that I'd stay with you and Matsui, while Nahida and Kaveh tried another door but. [ a shake of their head. ] Some kind of force dragged us into the remaining two doors. Nahida and Kaveh into one, Matsui and I into the other. This time it was Shenhe who was encased in ice where we ended up, but everything around was underwater.
Matsui ended up being flung at the choosing device, which.. I think he ended up accidentally hitting "sacrifice." It... it.. [ mmm... sorry, they seem to be dissociating for a bit here, their breathing becoming a bit harsher, their other hand gripping at their own shirt. ]
I don't think it's that important right now. [ maybe he'll ask later. it doesn't matter for what setsu is telling him. ]
...I get that. I do. But you can also get why I'm saying that, can't you? [ he would really rather not have someone do something that might harm themselves or get themselves killed just for his sake. ] We should just be glad you guys all got out alive.
[ he's listening to the rest, frowning when they mention shenhe. ]
...Setsu. [ he tightens the grip on their hand with his if only to try and get them to focus. ] What happened to Shenhe, you and Matsui?
..I do. I.. get it. [ were this be back in their loops, if Jonas had been any one of those other people board the interstellar cruise.. Setsu knows they would do just as he asks. because they would do anything to win. but here... here it was different. here felt permanent. here is where they are, but what about after? ]
...There were.. ropes? [ their hand twitches, their other one loosening. ] Constricting us, binding Matsui and I in place, it was hard to.. breathe. Like we were drowning. Though, I know.. I heard a voice- "It is not working. Add more." [ closes their eye, expression frowning deeper. thinking harder. ] Then.. we felt nothing. I.. don't know, after that I just. ..I started to feel more afraid. Even now, I still feel that fear, like something is missing.
[ which to them doesn't make sense. not right now. they can't figure it out, no matter how much they want to. they shake their head a little. ]
The room flipped after that, we were pretty disorientated but Shenhe was fine and released. She was already up and moving. Then we realized Nahida, Kaveh and Shu as well were with us. Though Shu seemed clueless about what was going on just like the rest of us.
[ this has gone back to not really making a lot of sense to him. like yes, okay they were bound and things happened and feelings that might not have been their own crept in.
honestly, he relates to shu in this very moment. but there are a few details there he has questions about. ]
Did you recognize the voice at all? [ a pause. ] Shenhe and Shu have been here all day, too. They were okay.
No, I didn't recognize the voice. [ this conversation probably happens before the others so, Setsu just seems befuddled by knowing that they had been here all day. ] ..It's strange to think. Maybe if there was a bit of play on memories, since.. they died but. Their absence would have been noticeable.
[ which, they have to assume their own were noticed. maybe. Setsu does tend to walk around, meeting with others, so maybe it wasn't.. ]
...When we went back to the lobby, you ended up being awake as well. And that's when we realized something was happening outside.
[ he has a lot of things he could say to that first part, especially when it comes to memories and if any of them noticed setsu was gone. but they're already moving on, and so he settles to listen again. ]
Sounds a little weird, but it makes sense. What was going on ouside?
[ they take a moment here to think, trying to consider their words. ]
It was.. some manner of a giant creature, snake-like, as if it was made of water. It was towering from within the sea. There were other creatures made of water that appeared as well. A large bird, boar, a frog...
[ sometimes you fight against Beisht and oceanid minions. ]
We had no choice but to face it down, otherwise it was going to wipe out the city and us.
At the end, we did yes. But... as I mentioned earlier, there were some losses.
[ and they remember every single of those losses. ]
Well, we all had our elements to work with, that kind of power made it possible. Especially with the weapons we found.
[ which, Setsu did arrive with a sword technically. I forgot to mention it and link it after crane mom was kind enough to drop it off at cyoa return. but yeah just assume a very pretty purple (ayaka) sword is here too. ]
Everyone else had those visions too. Shenhe obviously, but Shu and you too. We were aided by everyone as we took them on.
[ he continues to hold their hand carefully if only to help them get through the rest of the story. ]
You did what you could. Remember that. None of those losses were real. [ he glances over at the sword though, filled with the violent urge to destroy sakura petals suddenly. ]
What'd Shu and I have? [ he's mostly curious, even if it's not relevant. ] Having a vision would make it a lot easier to fight a giant monster.
[ unfortunately, they don't readily agree or disagree with those words. perhaps later they can agree those were not real, but right now? they can't. not really, it's too fresh, it's too clear.
even now, if they glance at him, they can sometimes still see that empty gaping hole right through his chest, his body completely drenched in red-- ]
...Shu was able to control fire. You were electricity. [ thank you to our pyro and electro users. ] Mm, it was.
It's alright. ..Despite everything, it helps a bit.. to go over it again. To try and sort my thoughts out. Maybe, after a few days of clearing my head.. I'll be able to notice more that I didn't today.
[ they glance off again, quiet for a moment. ]
There isn't much left to it since we mostly fought back until the very end. [ one hand carefully touches their own shoulder, reaching just slightly for their back. ] ..Matsui was handling the boar with both of us aiding him. But, it ended up splitting into three, while I tried to lend some help to Kaveh and Nahida both who were getting cornered.
[ ... ] It's because of my distraction there that you tried protecting me. [ which is... where his death clearly comes in. ] Shortly after, I got ambushed by one boar from behind, the other in front...
[ which, when they had arrived and Fukuzawa offered to help them-- that was the most obvious injuries that can be seen as day. two large puncture holes on either side of Setsu's spine. if that hadn't been healed, they most definitely would have died. especially after all that blood loss. and the front injury.. well, their eye probably says enough. ] It started to go downhill from there. Shu got killed not long after trying to help Kaveh, Matsui and Nahida were both severely injured in that moment... Shenhe tried to take the lead and protect us but also died in the process.
[ the longer they talk about it, the closer he seems to get to as if reminding them that it's over and that he's still sitting right next to them. he nods in agreement because it makes sense to do a debrief when you can, but the frown doesn't leave his face as he listens to them. ]
...you can't blame yourself for trying to help other people. Especially people who showed up in Teyvat with you without a clue how or why. It doesn't...sound like it was an easy battle at all. But something must have happened that you were able to win. Right?
[ the closer he gets, the more they lean to him, shaking themselves from their memories before they fell too deep into them. as real as everything felt back there- it couldn't be. because what did that mean about here? what did that mean about now? ..it only complicates their thoughts some more.
they shake their head a little, focusing more on his words. ] We just kept fighting. I kept thinking that... you wouldn't want me to give up, the others wouldn't want any of us to. So we just... sorta gave it our all?
Of course, after I had thought we won, we ended up all falling deep into the sea. [ and with their injuries, everything they went through- they kinda just... sank. ] ..I think something... someone? saved us though. I woke up briefly after a while and we seemed to be somewhere else. Somewhere safe. [ ... ] It was after that that we ended up showing back here.
[ he winces a little as they describe the ending. he doesn't disagree. he would tell them to keep fighting solely to save themselves and get back to where they needed to be. giving up isn't an option in most cases. but then to still feel hopeless after you finish everything, sinking to the bottom of the oceans and thinking that may just be the end...
...it's kind of rough, he thinks. ]
Sounds pretty scary to just end like that. I think you guys were dropped off by, like, a bird? I'm not sure. We saw it overhead before we found you guys. Maybe it doesn't matter who or how. It only matters that you were brought back safe.
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he's patient as he waits for them to explain. they're at the warehouse, at least, and he's able to open the door and let them both inside to settle down.
granted he immediately frowns so vividly at the mention of a cave. but he doesn't interrupt. he watches their hands and their face and he keeps quiet as he listens. it all sounds pretty disorienting is what it is. going through the same passages over and over. only having themselves and ghosts of the rest of the team. recycling over, and over, and over.
...that would be hard on anyone, he thinks. ]
It wasn't real. [ he says, knowing they know that but just reiterating. ] Those loops and being by yourself couldn't have been real. [ except maybe some truth was there since setsu was gone all day. but he doesn't say that. he knows he didn't die, and nothing happened to the others either. ]
How did you get out...?
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they lean against him, their shoulders slumping a little. and even though they do know- hearing it from someone else, it helps, they think. their eye closes for a moment as their own hands come together, gripping just a bit too tightly. ]
...I eventually reached the end. It ended with a cave full of.. ice. With that blue gem in the center of it. [ the light blue vision that was on them when they returned back. the one they no longer have, after giving it to Shenhe before they took their leave to the warehouse. distantly, those thoughts echo that they heard when they took hold of it. "was this worth it? was the pain and suffering, the loneliness - was it worth this sort of power? you were just a child." ]
After that, a portal appeared and I ended up somewhere in Liyue City. It's where.. Shenhe is from, also a part of the same world as Nahida and Kaveh.
[ which is essentially when they grouped up with the others. ]
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[ huh. ]
She's told me a little about Liyue. How did...were you alone there, too?
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[ a feeling they can't explain right now. ]
Ah... only for a bit. Other portals opened up and, one by one they appeared. Except for.. Matsui. [ mmm, their expression scrunches up a little, glancing off to the side. ] ...I couldn't see what happened to him through his portal, but I.. heard something.
[ and by their expression, it. was not anything good. they shake their head after. ] We ended up going inside the building we were in front of after, where we came to four doors. That's where the rest of you come in.
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...pretty sure they call that something like perseverance. [ what the fuck happened with matsui. he has questions. ] I'll have to check on him later. But it means all four of you might've experienced something similar which isn't that great either.
Just waiting inside? [ sounds weird. ] ...then what happened?
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[ though, for that last part, they shake their head. ]
Not exactly. Each door seemed to represent one of you. I.. picked the first door, and found you encased in some glass case in the middle of a large room..? You were fast asleep though. And I remember there was a tree... [ IT WAS A DOMAIN. ] In any case, a barrier was set up so I couldn't really reach you, which is when two buttons ended up appearing. "Sacrifice or Challenge."
I told them I absolutely refused to even consider the sacrifice choice. So, we ended up going with challenge and... [ which is said a bit quickly, firm and probably references that Setsu did not take any other answer as an option. as they talk, they inspect some of the damage around their shin and feet area which i. guess thinking about it it looks like the fabric around there looks clearly burned off and there are still a few healing burns on any visible skin. lol. ] ..the floor started to fill with lava.
[ THIS IS YACKITY SAX SHIT!!!!! ]
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...it sounds like they set you up to walk right into a trap. If each door had somebody we knew, I would've been surprised if someone chose "sacrifice." [ looking at their leggies with another frown. ]
How'd you get out of the lava? [ this HELLISH DOMAIN. ]
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[ their hand idly touches a spot near their collar, where they remember their vision being before they gave it away. ]
We didn't go completely unscathed but, we did manage to beat the challenge and it freed you. [ a quiet sigh ] But you were still asleep. So, to be safe, we kept you in the lobby but... we were worried about leaving you alone so I stayed with you while the other two went to another door.
[ a glance to him before looking down again. ] I'm not too sure what happened there, so you'd have to ask Nahida and Kaveh. I do know that Matsui is who ended up with them when they came back-- though he was awake. Just... a bit unresponsive. I'm sure he must have gone through a lot too before that.
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...don't let me weigh you down next time, Setsu. [ calmly. ] Separating like that sounds like it could've been bad for all of you. I understand why you stayed, but...I would've wanted you to get out of there alive no matter the cost.
I'm gonna talk to the other three a little later. [ he thinks. ] What happened after that though?
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... they shake their head. ] I know, but I... [ carefully, they take one of his hands into their own. ] If possible, I wanted to save everyone. And it was something we had all agreed upon. [ me looking at nahida and kaveh, both also just as worrying for others. ]
[ ... ]
Since Matsui was not responsive enough, we were trying to decide what to do next. There was a suggestion that I'd stay with you and Matsui, while Nahida and Kaveh tried another door but. [ a shake of their head. ] Some kind of force dragged us into the remaining two doors. Nahida and Kaveh into one, Matsui and I into the other. This time it was Shenhe who was encased in ice where we ended up, but everything around was underwater.
Matsui ended up being flung at the choosing device, which.. I think he ended up accidentally hitting "sacrifice." It... it.. [ mmm... sorry, they seem to be dissociating for a bit here, their breathing becoming a bit harsher, their other hand gripping at their own shirt. ]
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...I get that. I do. But you can also get why I'm saying that, can't you? [ he would really rather not have someone do something that might harm themselves or get themselves killed just for his sake. ] We should just be glad you guys all got out alive.
[ he's listening to the rest, frowning when they mention shenhe. ]
...Setsu. [ he tightens the grip on their hand with his if only to try and get them to focus. ] What happened to Shenhe, you and Matsui?
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..I do. I.. get it. [ were this be back in their loops, if Jonas had been any one of those other people board the interstellar cruise.. Setsu knows they would do just as he asks. because they would do anything to win. but here... here it was different. here felt permanent. here is where they are, but what about after? ]
...There were.. ropes? [ their hand twitches, their other one loosening. ] Constricting us, binding Matsui and I in place, it was hard to.. breathe. Like we were drowning. Though, I know.. I heard a voice- "It is not working. Add more." [ closes their eye, expression frowning deeper. thinking harder. ] Then.. we felt nothing. I.. don't know, after that I just. ..I started to feel more afraid. Even now, I still feel that fear, like something is missing.
[ which to them doesn't make sense. not right now. they can't figure it out, no matter how much they want to. they shake their head a little. ]
The room flipped after that, we were pretty disorientated but Shenhe was fine and released. She was already up and moving. Then we realized Nahida, Kaveh and Shu as well were with us. Though Shu seemed clueless about what was going on just like the rest of us.
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honestly, he relates to shu in this very moment. but there are a few details there he has questions about. ]
Did you recognize the voice at all? [ a pause. ] Shenhe and Shu have been here all day, too. They were okay.
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No, I didn't recognize the voice. [ this conversation probably happens before the others so, Setsu just seems befuddled by knowing that they had been here all day. ] ..It's strange to think. Maybe if there was a bit of play on memories, since.. they died but. Their absence would have been noticeable.
[ which, they have to assume their own were noticed. maybe. Setsu does tend to walk around, meeting with others, so maybe it wasn't.. ]
...When we went back to the lobby, you ended up being awake as well. And that's when we realized something was happening outside.
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Sounds a little weird, but it makes sense. What was going on ouside?
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It was.. some manner of a giant creature, snake-like, as if it was made of water. It was towering from within the sea. There were other creatures made of water that appeared as well. A large bird, boar, a frog...
[ sometimes you fight against Beisht and oceanid minions. ]
We had no choice but to face it down, otherwise it was going to wipe out the city and us.
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But you stopped it in time so the city was okay...right? How do you even fight water though?
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[ and they remember every single of those losses. ]
Well, we all had our elements to work with, that kind of power made it possible. Especially with the weapons we found.
[ which, Setsu did arrive with a sword technically. I forgot to mention it and link it after crane mom was kind enough to drop it off at cyoa return. but yeah just assume a very pretty purple (ayaka) sword is here too. ]
Everyone else had those visions too. Shenhe obviously, but Shu and you too. We were aided by everyone as we took them on.
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You did what you could. Remember that. None of those losses were real. [ he glances over at the sword though, filled with the violent urge to destroy sakura petals suddenly. ]
What'd Shu and I have? [ he's mostly curious, even if it's not relevant. ] Having a vision would make it a lot easier to fight a giant monster.
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even now, if they glance at him, they can sometimes still see that empty gaping hole right through his chest, his body completely drenched in red-- ]
...Shu was able to control fire. You were electricity. [ thank you to our pyro and electro users. ] Mm, it was.
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...we don't have to finish this story right now, you know. If it's better to wait I don't mind. Don't push it.
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[ they glance off again, quiet for a moment. ]
There isn't much left to it since we mostly fought back until the very end. [ one hand carefully touches their own shoulder, reaching just slightly for their back. ] ..Matsui was handling the boar with both of us aiding him. But, it ended up splitting into three, while I tried to lend some help to Kaveh and Nahida both who were getting cornered.
[ ... ] It's because of my distraction there that you tried protecting me. [ which is... where his death clearly comes in. ] Shortly after, I got ambushed by one boar from behind, the other in front...
[ which, when they had arrived and Fukuzawa offered to help them-- that was the most obvious injuries that can be seen as day. two large puncture holes on either side of Setsu's spine. if that hadn't been healed, they most definitely would have died. especially after all that blood loss. and the front injury.. well, their eye probably says enough. ] It started to go downhill from there. Shu got killed not long after trying to help Kaveh, Matsui and Nahida were both severely injured in that moment... Shenhe tried to take the lead and protect us but also died in the process.
[ it was... a bloody mess back to back. ]
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...you can't blame yourself for trying to help other people. Especially people who showed up in Teyvat with you without a clue how or why. It doesn't...sound like it was an easy battle at all. But something must have happened that you were able to win. Right?
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they shake their head a little, focusing more on his words. ] We just kept fighting. I kept thinking that... you wouldn't want me to give up, the others wouldn't want any of us to. So we just... sorta gave it our all?
Of course, after I had thought we won, we ended up all falling deep into the sea. [ and with their injuries, everything they went through- they kinda just... sank. ] ..I think something... someone? saved us though. I woke up briefly after a while and we seemed to be somewhere else. Somewhere safe. [ ... ] It was after that that we ended up showing back here.
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...it's kind of rough, he thinks. ]
Sounds pretty scary to just end like that. I think you guys were dropped off by, like, a bird? I'm not sure. We saw it overhead before we found you guys. Maybe it doesn't matter who or how. It only matters that you were brought back safe.
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