When Sying opened his eyes the next day, the Sabzeruz Festival repeated itself. Collei looked just as confused as Sying, but Aether and Dunyarzad hadn't noticed anything. After that day, the trio heard a beep noise and the day repeated itself. It wasn't until the day repeated three times that Aether realized what was going on since he noticed that Collei was getting more tired than usual. Sying explained that he believed they were in some sort of time loop being controlled by the Akasha. While they walked around Sumeru City, they encountered a little girl with white hair. In bed next to her was Dunyarzad.
"We just saw Dunyarzad, didn't we? Why are there two?" Aether questioned. The white haired stranger turned around to face the group. Sying could feel a divine presence radiating off of her.
"You already know that this isn't your first Sabseruz Festival, don't you?" She said, showing them a golden knowledge capsule. "I'm sure you already know how to use this."
"Why should we trust you?" Sying growled. The girl looked up at him surprised.
"Dad, I think we should use it. I have a feeling we should listen to her." Collei spoke.
"Fine." Sying sighed, and the trio used the knowledge capsule. They saw days worth of memories, and all of them were of the Sabzeruz Festival.
"How long have we been here?" Collei asked nervously.
"I... I don't know." Sying muttered.
"What was even inside that knowledge capsule?" Aether wondered.
"Your memories are still scrambled? Try your best to remember. This isn't the first time we've met, and I answered that question a long time ago." The girl stated.
"It's our memories of the previous festivals." Sying replied. "Anyway, what's wrong with Dunyarzad?"
"A familiar question. I think this is the seventh time one of you three has asked. As you can see, she isn't doing well. She doesn't have much time left, and Collei has even less time." The girl answered.
"Is that true, kid?" Sying questioned. His daughter looked away.
"Yes. I just didn't want you to worry about me!" Collei exclaimed.
"I understand, but you're going to rest until we figure a way out of here." Sying decided. The girl didn't argue and sat down on a nearby bed while Sying continued. "I think we're in some kind of time loop caused by the Akasha. I believe it's called a samsara. We're trapped in a dream and the day resets every time the Akasha makes a beeping noise. To leave, we have to figure out who's dream we're inside of and have them end it." The girl with white hair looked surprised but quickly nodded.
"That's correct, it seems you remembered everything this time." She agreed.
"Yeah. You're Lesser Lord Kusanali, but you go by Nahida." Aether said. Nahida nodded her head.
"Now then, let's come up with a plan." She declared. So, the group got to work to figure out whose dream they were inside of. They tried bringing Dehya to help them, but she just forgot the next day. They also tried leaving the city, but things were the same. However, they did learn that the Dendro Gnosis powers the Akasha and that dreams are a form of knowledge. But while they learned of these things, Collei was stuck in bed, battling her Eleazar. In fact, Aether was the one that found this information because Sying was caring for his daughter. It was very clear that she wouldn't make it to the next day in the samsara. The adeptus tried everything he could think of to save her, he even tried to give her his Gnosis, but nothing worked. And since Nahida doesn't possess to the ability to heal the disease, Collei was going to die. As her pulse slowed, Sying scooped her up in his arms.
"Hey Collei, no, please no." He begged.
"You're here, Dad?" Collei asked.
"Yeah, of course I'm here." Sying managed to laugh with tears in his eyes.
"It h-hurts." She complained, holding her father's hand.
"I know, kid." He replied, brushing hair away from her forehead.
"H-hey, Sying?" Collei breathed.
"Yeah?" Sying spoke, silently begging her to stay awake, just for a little while longer.
"I–" She coughed. "Thank you..." With that, Collei closed her eyes as the beep of the Akasha Terminal sounded once more. When Sying woke up from the dream, he noticed that Collei was alive! The adeptus immediately hugged her as tears fell from his face.
"I'm so glad you're back! Don't ever leave me again!" Sying sobbed.
"Don't worry, I won't." Collei promised.
YOU ARE READING
Meraki
Fanfictionthe soul, creativity, or love you put into something; the essence of yourself that is put into your work. In which the King of Khaenri'ah plans to overthrow the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
