[I can't hold it together, family, they became a family.]
[Why the sudden knife?]
[Hahaha, miHoYo's got something here! I want more, I want a bloodbath!]
[I don't know why, but I feel like I can't breathe.]
[Help! I'm literally crying to death.]
[This kid is Aventurine when he was young, right?]
[Obviously!]
[I feel my sanity plummeting!]
After trying the game, Aventurine said smugly, "How's that? Not a bad score, right?"
When he looked up, the child was already gone.
"Sigh."
He continued walking forward, searching for the little boy's traces.
In the garden, Aventurine saw a pair of shackles.
The phantom appeared abruptly behind him. "Remind you of something?"
"None of your business."
The phantom casually mentioned a horrifying matter.
Aventurine wrapped the chain around his fist, and in that labyrinth…
"Shut up."
"Even in this sweet dream, you only dare to test death on yourself. Those entourage members could've been your wild card, serving a greater purpose. The family's stains are countless; a small sacrifice would've sufficed… If it were 'Opal,' the issue would've been resolved long ago.
Pity, you're not him. If you had done it, you wouldn't have ended up like this… Why didn't you?"
[So that's it, Aventurine never intended to harm anyone!]
[Sob… He doesn't even need redemption; he's always been pure.]
[I admit, I'm starting to like Aventurine now.]
[Fate was never fair to him, yet he always upheld fairness.]
[No wonder he chose Preservation.]
[He's really… I'm crying to death!]
[Aventurine wins fair and square!]
Aventurine wanted to quickly exit the labyrinth. Another lost item appeared at his feet.
"…" Aventurine saw it was a golden amulet.
"Your expression right now is hard to describe. This amulet your mother left you is made of pure gold. Why didn't you ever consider selling it?" The phantom closely examined the lost item. "If you had, you and your sister could've lived a normal life for a while. Looking back, that would've been the better choice."
"My mother left us only two pieces of jewelry: a necklace and an amulet. There won't be a third."
"You always say that—but you regret it, don't you? Not selling them?"
"Stop making things up."
"Ha… I get it. You must remember what your sister said back then: 'You are a child blessed by the Mother Goddess, you can lead our clan to happiness. So always protect yourself, and never resent pain or poverty.'
Her words still ring in your ears, right? You're a good kid, you'd never forget. So you surely haven't forgotten how tragic her final moments were, or how the piercing laughter behind you stabbed your heart… You fled without looking back, just as she told you to.
Tsk tsk… A lifelong regret."
Aventurine glared at the phantom. "That's enough… Don't you have anything else to talk about?"
[Stop stabbing, I beg you, stop stabbing!]
[The kid's getting stabbed silly!]
[There's thunder in the background music.]
[I'm broken!]
[Damn! That's straight from the heart!]
[Can it not be this tragic?]
Aventurine kept walking forward.
From not far away came the child's voice. "Mister… is that you? I hear the sound of leather shoes."
Aventurine slowly approached the child, waving his hand.
"I don't know why, but you always give me a special feeling… makes me curious, eager to know more. It's a pity we couldn't get to know each other better. It's time to say goodbye. Did you have fun?"
Aventurine smiled. "You… are you going back?"
"Yeah, I should head home. The sky's getting dark, it's going to rain. I can't let everyone worry."
"Your home… where is it?"
"That's a weird question. Home is where Dad, Mom, and my sister are… right here in this dream."
Aventurine said nothing, standing silently in place.
"This amusement park, this sweet dream, it's so peaceful. Everyone loves it. But why don't you, mister?"
"…Because they're not here."
[I'm broken, truly broken.]
[My hands are trembling.]
[Is this miHoYo's character building?]
[I cursed him so hard before, and now I'm crying just as hard!]
[Sob… Adding myself to the Aventurine fan rooftop! Thank you!]
"Where are they, then?" The phantom walked to the child's side.
Clearly, the child could see the phantom too.
"Admit it, you're tired. We're all tired, so we plan to stay here—me… and him. Your 'past'… and 'future.'"
At this moment, the subtitle finally gave the phantom a name—"Aventurine."
"This is the greatest respect we offer to those determined to face death."
[6/10!]
[This season is Aventurine's spotlight; the contrast in his portrayal is too intense.]
Then.
The phantom "Aventurine" delivered a long, heartfelt monologue, the truest reflection of Aventurine's inner self.
"You don't care who the real culprit is, nor are you interested in the so-called legacy. You just want to be a dutiful company employee, suffering in the family's domain, shackled in scorching chains, pushed to the center of the stage… and then, becoming the 'third sacrifice' of this grand event.
It's not the first time… This is what you're best at, and what you crave most. This farce began with a 'death,' and it will end with a 'death.'
No one can make only the right decisions their whole life… though luck always seems to be on your side.
You always win, you've never lost—but why you? Why… does it have to be you?
If a lucky one's miracles are all built on the misfortune of everyone he loves, and even more people… If every rain you bring doesn't symbolize the Mother Goddess's forgiveness and grace, but instead one meaningless death after another… then how many mistakes have we made to be born into this world?"
Aventurine's expression turned desolate. "Maybe when I reach that endpoint, our questions will be answered."
"Hmph… Fine. I'll go ahead, friend. I'll wait for you up there. In these final moments, say a proper goodbye to the kid. Try to… die without regrets."
[So sweet!]
[Seriously, I need to drag my best friend to watch this episode.]
[Aventurine's so clever, gambling his life to enter Penacony. He's so tired; death would be a release, and as a company executive, his death could give the company an excuse to investigate Penacony. If he survives, he's bet right again.]
[Sigh! I'm having a heart attack!]
The little boy looked up at Aventurine. "Now… it's just us. Can you take a picture of me? Just as a keepsake."
Aventurine nodded. "Sure, come on."
After taking the photo, he handed it to Kakavasha. "Next time you take a picture, remember to look at the camera. It'll look more natural."
"Okay, I will. So… mister, are you going back too?"
"I can't leave yet. I still have… a performance here."
"Then let's go. I'll walk you to the big stage."