The streets of Liyue shimmered in gold, lanterns floating upward like fragments of wishes once whispered into the wind. You hadn’t planned to attend the festival. Too many faces. Too many memories.

But something about the lights—the way they flickered with hope—pulled you in.

You stood near the harbor, watching a small child release a lantern, his eyes full of wonder. You smiled faintly, heart heavy. Until you felt it.

That presence.

You turned.

Lumine stood just a few steps away, holding her own lantern. Her hair danced with the breeze, her eyes glowing softly in the warm light. For a second, you thought it was another illusion the lanterns had conjured… until she smiled.

—“You’re here,” she whispered.

You nodded, stunned into silence. You didn’t know what to say—didn’t know what could possibly fit in the space of years lost.

—“I was hoping,” she said, stepping closer, “that we’d find each other again. And if not… I thought maybe the lanterns could carry a message to you.”

You glanced up. A thousand lights danced across the sky.