Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

At the same time, the sachets Elliot had given out all began to glow with a soft, soothing light.

Hu Tao and Zhongli from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor also noticed the scene.

"Mr. Zhongli, you've seen a lot in your time. Have you ever seen anything like this?" Hu Tao asked, gazing at the glowing forest.

"I haven't," Zhongli replied as he looked out at the luminous woods.

But when he turned back to Hu Tao, he paused in surprise.

"Master Hu, why are you crying?"

Hu Tao blinked, only now realizing the tears streaming down her face. She wiped them away, flustered.

"I don't know… I just feel so sad… like I've lost something really important..."

Her tears flowed uncontrollably, like a spring that wouldn't stop.

Seeing her like that, Zhongli also felt a strange unease deep down.

"Elliot… We only met for the first time this morning, but I feel this deep wear and tear..."

He couldn't make sense of it and turned his eyes back to the forest.

"It's beautiful. The last time I saw something like this was during the Lantern Rite Festival."

"Yeah, it's gorgeous. How did this happen?"

"This sachet is glowing too… Could that man who gave them to us this morning be behind this amazing sight?"

"Hey, you have one too? Look, I've got one!"

"Wait, how does everyone have one? Did he really give them out one by one?"

"Does anyone know his name?"

"No, just that he mentioned a little zombie named Qiqi. He said if you see her, don't push her away."

"He told me the same thing."

One by one, the people of Liyue pulled out their glowing sachets. Sleep forgotten, they all looked out at the luminous forest, peaceful smiles on their faces.

Xiangling sat high on a rooftop, gently cradling her sachet in both hands, eyes full of tenderness as she looked toward the forest.

Glancing back, she saw that the once-sleeping city of Liyue was now aglow with lights, the warm glimmer echoing the glow of the woods.

"Elliot… are you really leaving?"

She smiled faintly, two tears silently sliding down her cheeks.

...

In the forest, Qiqi sobbed like a child made of tears, clinging desperately to Elliot, her head buried in his chest.

"Be good, Qiqi. From now on, give yourself orders, okay?"

"And remember to do your stretches every night. Don't skip them—or Hu Tao will catch you."

"All the important things are written in the notebook. Don't lose it."

"I wish I could stay with you, Qiqi, but my time is up. From now on, the people of Liyue will walk with you in my place."

"This little house in the forest—let it be our memorial. If you miss me, come visit. Ask Xiangling to bring something tasty too."

Just then, the Qiqi who had been holding onto him tightly suddenly found herself grabbing nothing but air.

Tears streaming, she looked up—half of Elliot's body had already vanished, and the rest was fading fast.

"No… no… don't leave Qiqi…"

"Didn't you say you loved Qiqi the most…"

"We… we promised… to always be together…"

"You liar, Elliot…"

"You said you wouldn't lie to Qiqi… you swore…"

"Don't go… please… I'm begging you…"

Tears pouring down, Qiqi ran back into the wooden house, grabbed the birdcage, and stumbled outside.

"Look… this is our little fluffy bird… We said we'd stay together, didn't we...?"

"You can't just leave us behind… Elliot… Take me with you… take us both…"

"I'll go anywhere… even hell… I'll go, as long as you're there…"

"Qiqi only wants you… no one else… please…"

Only his upper body remained. Elliot gently cupped her cheek with one hand.

That same gentle smile still graced his face.

"I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me."

Before his voice fully faded, his face vanished too. Qiqi held his hand, crying so hard she could barely speak.

"Don't go… Qiqi forgives you… just come back… I'll do whatever you say… just come back…"

"Don't leave Qiqi… please don't…"

And then his last hand disappeared, turning into a single firefly.

Still crying, Qiqi clutched the birdcage and chased after it. She could feel it—that firefly was Elliot.

—I used to only want to survive...

—I never even knew what I was living for...

—But now I think I understand...

—I want to live… with you...

Tears like crystal pearls fell to the ground, flowing down a stream—those were Qiqi's tears.

She chased the firefly out of the forest.

And at that moment...

The sun began to rise over the mountains, and the firefly vanished into the light of dawn.

Qiqi reached out her little hand to catch it—but it fell to her side, limp.

She dropped to her knees, dazed, staring blankly at the rising sun.

Until a ray of sunlight touched her.

And this time...

She didn't feel the heat.

Only warmth.

...

"Your name is Qiqi. You're a zombie. I'm Elliot, and I'm here to help you."

...

"Because Qiqi is a zombie, your body gets stiff. It's not that you can't walk."

"Qiqi... wants to walk too..."

"Then let's do some flexibility exercises."

"What's... flexibility exercises...?"

"It helps Qiqi move freely."

...

"Qiqi, let's build a camp."

"A camp… is that our home?"

"Uh… yeah. Our home. A place to keep us safe from the wind and rain."

"Yay… Qiqi's going to have a home..."

...

"Qiqi, want another drink?"

"Coconut milk… yummy… yes please…"

...

"Qiqi, when something important happens, write it down here, so you won't forget."

"Write down important things… okay~ Qiqi understands."

...

"Hu Tao is a bad person… Qiqi doesn't like her…"

"It's alright, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."

...

"I'm sorry… Qiqi is so dumb…"

"You don't need to say sorry. Qiqi, you're amazing."

"Really…?"

"Really, Qiqi. Don't blame yourself. I like you the most."

"Can we… stay together forever…?"

"Mm."

"Really…?"

"Of course. We'll be together forever."

"Mm… I'll protect you…"

"I should be the one protecting you."

"Then let's make a pinky promise."

"Okay."

"Pinky promise, hang ourselves, one hundred years, no take-backs."

...

"My body… it's cold… hugging me… you'll get sick…"

"No way, Qiqi. Not at all. Your body's not cold—I love you the most."

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have stayed away from you last night."

"My body was too hot. I thought hugging you would make you uncomfortable. It wasn't because you were cold."

"I'm sorry, Qiqi. I won't do that again."

"Really…?"

"Elliot… you're not lying to Qiqi, right…?"

"Really. I'm not lying. I swear—if I lie…"

"Then… you won't get to drink coconut milk ever again…"

"Okay. If I lie to Qiqi, I'll never drink coconut milk again."

"Then… Qiqi wants to sleep with you… is that okay…?"

"Mm, of course it's okay."