(Flashback)
Before going to the City Hall
The puzzle box clicked shut, its glowing lines fading into the wood, leaving only the faint shimmer of the symbols we had unlocked. Rover studied it intently, her brow furrowed as the pieces connected in her mind.
The Black Tortoise of the North… north of the City Hall. The Shichen time period of Chou… Wei hours of the morning. Her lips moved silently with the thought, almost as if reciting a secret spell.
That was how we somehow ended up in the quiet, dim courtyard north of City Hall, an almost forgotten space where even the lanterns seemed reluctant to burn. Mist rolled low along the tiles, and in the hush of early dawn, a figure stepped forward.
"It's been three days." Her voice was calm, yet carried weight. "And yet, you've both made it on time."
The woman who emerged from the veil of mist made the air feel heavier somehow, but not oppressive more like reverence. She stood tall in pale, flowing robes embroidered with faint silver patterns that shimmered as she moved. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, yet softened by warmth landed on us.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself," she said, inclining her head gracefully. "I am Jinhsi. It brings me great joy to see both of you Rover, Jeff."
"Hello." The word slipped from me before I could stop myself.
Up close, she was breathtaking. Not in the dazzling, overwhelming way but in a quiet, grounding sense, like standing before a monument you'd only ever read about. Hot damn, I thought, struggling not to stare, pictures or projections didn't do her fucking justice.
Rover, ever direct, stepped forward, her voice calm but edged with suspicion. "Why wait three days to meet me in person? Did something happen?"
"I hope we're not talking to another projection," I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms.
At that, Jinhsi's lips curved into a genuine smile. "To show up as a projection again would be ill-mannered of me. Rest assured, it is a real human in the flesh you're speaking to. Despite Huanglong's advanced technology, such a realistic projection is still impossible." Her tone shifted slightly playful, as though teasing. "Or perhaps… you would like to verify it?"
She extended her hand slender, and radiating a composure that only made me hesitate longer than I should have.
I clasped it firmly. "Are you injured?" I asked before I could think, noticing the faint way she favored her left side.
For the briefest moment, her eyes widened, like my concern had caught her off guard. "…It is nothing to be concerned about," she replied softly, composure returning. "An emergency forced me to leave, and I only had the time to prepare some tokens for you. Please pardon my lack of hospitality."
Before I could press further, Rover moved between us with a sharpness to her step. "Tokens are more than enough," she cut in quickly, her tone a shade tighter than usual.
Her eyes flicked to me, then back to Jinhsi, the faintest tension in her shoulders betraying her calm exterior. Feeling of Possessiveness. A subtle flare of emotion she couldn't quite name yet.
Rover's voice cut through the mist like steel. "Does that emergency have something to do with the Fractsidus… and with your Sentinel?"
For a moment, Jinhsi's calm expression faltered, her lashes lowering as though the weight of her words pressed against her chest. "…Yes. The Sentinel of Jinzhou is currently absent."
Rover's brows furrowed. "Aren't they supposed to stay in their domains?"
"Correct." Jinhsi lifted her chin, her tone steady again. "The Sentinels guide and guard humanity as symbols of our civilization. When one abandons its domain, chaos is inevitable. As this knowledge could stir unrest, I ask that you keep it secret."
Her voice softened, but the gravity remained. "Jué, Jinzhou's Sentinel, is being held captive by the Fractsidus. I postponed our meeting to devote every moment to locating it."
I exchanged a glance with Rover, unease tightening my chest. "…I heard you can resonate with the Sentinel?" I asked.
Jinhsi nodded once, her robes whispering as she shifted. "Yes. Our thoughts are tethered. I sense its memories, feelings, surroundings—though faintly."
"Have you found it yet?" Rover pressed, worried lacing her tone.
"Not yet," Jinhsi admitted, eyes narrowing with quiet frustration. "But I know this much—Jué is in danger. And I've uncovered the culprit."
I clenched my jaw. "…Scar?"
"Precisely."
The name alone made my pulse spike.
Jinhsi continued, her voice steady but laced with iron. "The Fractsidus seeks to advance another Lament to bring disaster across the world. Overseer Scar infiltrated Jinzhou for several purposes: to track you, test your strength, sway you to their cause. To abduct Jué… and awaken a Threnodian ahead of its time."
Rover's lips thinned, her gaze darting briefly toward me. "Why us?"
"They've seen your value," Jinhsi said. "Likely through one of Jué's prophecies. If you joined them, they would gain unimaginable power. If you refused…" Her pause was deliberate. "…they would eliminate you."
Her words settled heavy in the mist.
Then she straightened, her composure unshaken despite the gravity of it all. "But I have a plan. We can capture Scar. If you lend me your strength, I will ensure your safety in return."
I didn't hesitate. "Count us in."
Beside me, Rover gave a small nod of agreement.
"Thank you," Jinhsi said with a bow of her head. "Your trust means much." Her gaze softened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of gratitude behind the Magistrate's poised exterior.
She shifted her attention to the tokens we'd collected. "It seems you've already learned much."
I spoke first. "The mangosteen revealed how people endured the wars in Jinzhou."
"The sugar pearl pointed to past epidemics and disasters," Rover added.
"The leaf to the Fractsidus," I continued.
"And the sundial pointed us here," Rover finished, almost proud.
Jinhsi's lips curved faintly. "Impressive, Rover. Jeff."
"And," Rover's tone softened, almost thoughtful, "we learned more about ourselves deciphering them."
Something unreadable flickered across Jinhsi's expression. "The threat facing Jinzhou is deeper than it seems. One of the Threnodians stirs."
"The what?" Rover asked, tilting her head.
"They are the enemies of civilization itself," Jinhsi explained, eyes distant as though recalling a memory she'd rather forget. "Born from the darkest sides of human consciousness. We fight to protect humanity from them. The Fractsidus hastens their revival."
Rover exhaled sharply. "…And this has something to do with us, doesn't it?"
"Yes." Jinhsi's gaze landed on both of us. "You defeated the Crownless and absorbed its Echo with both of you with your bare hands which is unprecedented . The Tacet Discord embodies warfare—resentment of the fallen, fear of dishonor… such emotions birthed it. And yet, both of you resonated with it."
I felt my throat tighten. Rover's fingers brushed her arm as if steadying herself.
"Both of you," Jinhsi went on, "may be linked to the heroes spoken of in Huanglong's records—the ones who turned the tide in the Threnodian War. You were written into our literature, into Jinzhou's very foundation."
Rover's voice was quieter now. "…You think those people, me and Jeff… could be related somehow?"
No. My chest burned with the thought. That's us. I can't even deny it anymore. But I can't fucking explain it either. I have no recollection of being a native here. I had a life back on earth when I was suddenly transported here. How can I have a history here spanning thousands of years?
"Yes," Jinhsi said firmly. "By my deduction and by Jué's prophecies."
"Jué…" Rover's eyes grew distant. "In the Gorges of Spirits… The unfinished statue of Jué."
"You remembered something?" Jinhsi asked gently, almost leaning in.
Rover nodded. "…When we saw it. But I don't know if it was real."
"I see." Jinhsi's gaze softened. "If you're willing to share, I may help."
So we told her. Every fragmented vision, every sensation, every detail that clung to our memory like half-forgotten dreams.
When we finished, Jinhsi was silent for a long moment, then said softly, "Your memories align with what I've seen through Jué. Yes… I believe it truly happened."
My stomach dropped. "…In other words?"
"In other words," Jinhsi's eyes held ours with a quiet certainty, "you both may be the ones in our records. The unwavering presence by our Sentinel's side… bound by unbreakable trust."
Rover's jaw tightened. "Resonators don't live that long. Not centuries."
"They do live longer than ordinary people," Jinhsi replied. "But not this long. Which makes it… unprecedented."
Unprecedented? My brain short-circuited. If that's true… I'm fucking ancient. I refuse to accept that. I'm not even in my 30s yet.
I scrubbed a hand over my face, trying not to groan. This was too much. Way too much.
Jinhsi's voice was calm, but there was a weight behind every word, like each syllable carried the burden of an entire nation. Her eyes lingered on us—no, on Rover especially before drifting to me.
"So many mysteries about you both remain unsolved," she said, folding her hands neatly before her. "And your ages… that is just one of the unknowns."
Rover shifted slightly at my side, her brows knitting. I could feel the tension in her even before she spoke. "If this is true, then who were we back then? And why… Why did I lose my memories?" Her voice wavered, but she masked it quickly with a firm gaze.
Jinhsi's expression softened, though her posture remained upright, regal. "I'm sorry, but I don't know. Jué's last message pointed to the Norfall Barrens. There, you may find the Threnodian. I pray you will find the answers you seek."
Her words landed heavy. My chest tightened. Threnodian. Resurrection. War. None of that sounded fucking good.
"A Threnodian is resurrecting," she continued, her tone darkening. "And our nation is in grave danger. It feels all too much like the Threnodian War… Perhaps this has something to do with your sudden appearance near Jinzhou?"
I glanced at Rover. She wouldn't say it, but I knew the same thought had crossed her mind countless times. Before the silence got too thick, I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "So you're saying… what? We showed up to protect Jinzhou like that old historical hero?"
Jinhsi gave the faintest smile, but shook her head. "Not quite. I do not believe in a hero descending from nowhere to save us. I only present what little leads I have. If it troubles you, I want to help. That is all."
Her sincerity almost floored me. Rover's lips parted, as if she wanted to speak, but Jinhsi pressed on.
"Thank you for considering lending us a hand. Your help is deeply appreciated, but I don't want you to feel forced just because of this information." Her eyes flickered, firm but gentle. "These are my people. Their safety is my responsibility alone. I trust in my abilities, and in the courage of Jinzhou's soldiers. You both deserve to choose your own path."
Something about the way she said it, with that quiet conviction, made her presence almost overwhelming. My throat went dry. My thoughts were supposed to be on the Threnodian, but instead I was stuck thinking: How can someone be this composed?
Rover noticed my distracted stare—of course she did—and elbowed me lightly. I coughed and forced myself to refocus.
Jinhsi's voice softened, carrying something warmer this time. "I appreciate all you've done. Perhaps longer than you realize. And when this is all settled, I will respect whatever you decide—whether you remain in Jinzhou, or leave Huanglong altogether. If you ever need me, you need only ask."
Then, her eyes gleamed with secrecy. "Let this stay between the three of us. How does that sound?"
There was a pause. The weight of the moment hung in the air. I should've responded with something profound. Something meaningful.
Instead—my fucking stomach growled.
I scratched the back of my head, grinning sheepishly. "…Before that, uh, our funds are kinda running out. Can we… maybe borrow some shell credits?"
Rover's head whipped toward me, her face screaming: Are you serious right now?
Jinhsi blinked, then—surprisingly—laughed. It was soft, melodic, completely at odds with her dignified aura. "Of course, Jeff. We can send more funds to your lodgings. And you don't need to pay it back."
My eyes practically sparkled. "Really?!"
In that instant, I swear the heavens opened. This woman could totally be my sugar mama, I thought, stars in my vision.
Before I could bask in the miracle, Rover pinched my ear sharply and yanked me back with that deadly mix of annoyance and embarrassment only she could pull off. "Come on, you idiot. Let's go."
I yelped, half-dragged by her grip, though I still managed a wave. "Thanks again, Miss Jinhsi! You're the best!"
Jinhsi just smiled knowingly, hiding her amusement behind her calm composure.
(Flashback ends.)