Y/N, THE 14TH MEMBER OF THE FLAMECHASERS: An [Honkai Impact 3rd] Mini-Story

24. MEETING THE BODHI

She made it within his space.
His territory.
Yet, it was another relaxing place.
The same soft sensation when she first met Eden.

First, came one leaf.
Then, came another.
As time flowed, a third leaf drifted off from the bodhi tree.

A visible body could be seen laying against the same tree with the falling leaves that flew off moments ago.
But for some reason, it felt as if he already knew of her existence.

???: "Welcome visitor."
???: "Raiden Mei, I foresaw your coming."

He sounded calming.
It did relieve Mei that she didn't meet someone like Kalpas once more, not only that, what Elysia said about Su is true.

Mei: 'His eyes are closed... yet he foresaw my upbringing?'
Mei: 'Just who is he?'
Mei: "Not only that...'
Mei: "...You know my name?"

???: "In the Elysian Realm, everything was created by perception, and you're part of perception from the moment you arrived."
???: "I'm a Pioneer, the seventh Flame-Chaser, but I prefer to be called Su."

Mei: "So you're the MANTIS endowed with the Signets of Bodhi."

Su: "My title doesn't define me."
Su: "We're both seekers of the way, and you can simply call me by my name."

Mei: "I thought there was some sort of rule about that."
Mei: "Elysia seems to be very mindful of it."

Su: "She has her reasons."
Su: "The titles were necessary when the group was founded, and her foresight kept us alive in this form."
Su: "But to you, we're ghosts from the past."
Su: And everything has been said and done, so there's no need for you to be formal."

Su opened his palm and sent a new leaf drifting towards the visitor.

Su: "Visitor, if you seek to reveal the forgotten past, follow the leaf and it will show you the path of the awakened one."

Mei: "Aren't you going to give me a trial?"

Su: "A trial can be ordeal, or it can be solitude."
Su: "Your trial has begun, and it will never end."
Su: "To see, to hear, and to feel."
Su: "Every step you take and every choice you make shape you into the one you're meant to be."
Su: One day, the answers you seek will come to you."
Su: "And I'll bear witness to your enlightenment together with the rest of the realm.

...
...
...

All phenomena are unstable...
As they are spun by the wheel of karma.
Any change...
Is but a fleeting illusion.

Come, step into the immeasurable light.
This is the signet of [Bodhi].