By the third day, they reached the edge of the Lotus Basin. Qingsai stood on the rise above the valley, seeing his village in the distance.
"We'll rest here tonight," he said. "We'll need food and supplies before we move on."
Meiyan nodded. "I understand."
Chunsi tugged on his sleeve. "Will your family be kind… to strangers?"
"My father will," Qingsai said. "He's quiet, but honorable."
They walked down the ridge.
But behind them, across the Veil, a spirit ripple passed through the land.
Somewhere, far to the east, a cloaked figure stepped into a flame-lit temple and smiled at the name whispered from the spirits.
> "Qingsai has awakened."
And now, all of Myria would stir.