Listen, Morax. Whether humans remember me or recognize me—I don't care. As long as you remember."
"Liyue is still young now. It needs a guide, and you are the best one for the job."
"As for me..." Elliot gave a bitter smile and slowly placed his hand on the mask.
"Rather than people chanting about a god who hides behind a mask, I'd rather they forget. Forgetting would be easier for me."
"We've known each other for over twenty years. Only when we first met did you ask to see the face beneath this mask. After that, you never once mentioned it again."
"You know well that masks merely conceal flaws. In these twenty years, you never once probed my wounds. That's why I trust you so deeply—you're a kind soul. With someone like you leading Liyue forward, I'd be truly happy."
"Besides, isn't it only natural for an elder brother to step aside for you?"
Hearing Elliot's words, Morax stared at him, eyes wide.
His mouth opened, as if to speak, but the words died on his lips. He hesitated, clearly conflicted.
"But..."
"They're already on the verge of forgetting your name..."
"They can forget what you look like, whether you wore a mask or not. But they must not forget your name."
"You founded Liyue with me. If they forget your name, what then? Wouldn't it seem like I built Liyue alone in their eyes?"
"Your existence will be forgotten, big brother. I don't want that. You made the greatest contributions, yet you'd be forgotten."
Morax's voice trembled slightly, his eyes reddening.
He had come to regard Elliot as his own brother—a bond as deep as any human kinship. He couldn't let himself claim Liyue alone.
"It's fine, Morax," he said softly.
"No! It matters, Brother! Please listen to me this once. People shouldn't forget you."
"Sigh..." Elliot exhaled heavily.
"Remember the terms of our wager? You owe me three favors. I'm cashing in one now."
He hadn't intended to use it this way, but circumstances left him no choice.
This lifetime spanned a thousand years. He refused to accumulate more karma or wear himself down.
Not even for an ordinary mortal.
Who could say if that ordinary mortal might become the final straw that broke the camel's back?
His wear was nearing collapse, and he had more important matters to attend to. There was little room left for ordinary people.
Elliot did not want to hear the hopes and prayers humans cast his way. He did not want to hear their voices—not a single one.
He needed to retreat, to vanish completely into the darkness. One remaining in the light was enough.
"Brother..."
"Are you truly going to do this..."
Hearing Elliot's words, Morax's heart twisted in agony.
Only fifteen years had passed! Just fifteen years!
And already, the people of Liyue were beginning to forget Elliot.
If nothing was done, in decades, in centuries, who would even remember that a god named Dark Night had ever existed!
By then, people would regard Morax as Liyue's sole deity. What would that mean?
He had done nothing, yet the world chanted his name and worshipped him, while Elliot—who had done the most—was forgotten.
Morax could not accept such a fate.
But now Elliot invoked the terms of their ancient wager to bind him, plunging Morax into anguish.
He did not wish to break the pact again, yet he could not bear to let Elliot fade from memory.
"Let's each give a little. I don't want to embarrass you either."
Seeing Morax's anguish, Elliot finally offered a compromise.
"How exactly do we each give a little?" Morax pressed urgently upon hearing Elliot's concession.
"A festival."
"A festival?"
"Yes. A festival is a special day. On that day, people do special things. Festivals happen every year. Create a festival for me. That way, every year when people celebrate, they'll remember me. Every festival will have me in it. What do you think?"
"I don't quite understand."
Elliot presented his idea, but Morax had never heard the word "festival" before and was unfamiliar with the concept.
"It's fine. I'll show you."
"I'll call this festival the Lantern Rite. People can write down their wishes, place them inside lanterns, and set them afloat. The deities of Liyue will select some of these wishes to grant. At the same time, the lanterns will illuminate Liyue people far from home, telling them that their homeland remains peaceful and prosperous, filled with happiness and well-being."