Torrential Rain

What is the root of human suffering? Countless philosophers have pondered this question.

Some say it's expecting too much from the world while understanding too little, like Anna, suffering from disillusionment and confusion.

Some say it's wanting to achieve too much, yet being capable of too little, like Jell, burdened by responsibility and unfulfilled ambitions.

Some say it's desiring too much while feeling they've received too little, like Jackal, consumed by greed and pride.

"...Or maybe it's just because the world is a torrential downpour..." Lin Wei murmured, tossing a pebble into the Pasig River. The moon's reflection shattered, ripples spreading across the water, then vanishing, like his words, into the stillness of the night.

Manila slept, lulled by the starlight, the rustling of leaves and chirping of insects the city's dreams. The river flowed calmly, undisturbed.

Lin Wei stood on a bridge, fishing rod in hand, facing the river, ignoring the distant ocean. He admired the moon's reflection. "Imagine those ancient poets, if they knew the moon wasn't a celestial palace, but a desolate wasteland of deadly energy and debris... would they still 'raise a glass to the bright moon'?"

"I don't understand such things." Yae Sakura said. "Since I was a child, disease, hunger, and wild beasts plagued our village. We lived in constant fear of death."

"So you resorted to sacrifices to appease the gods?" Lin Wei chuckled. He'd been talking about ancient people, and here was one beside him. "Even if it was just self-deception, it united you, gave you hope, and helped you face another day."

"...Why bring this up?" Although she'd made peace with her past, his sudden mention of it still stung. "Are you mocking our ignorance?"

"Of course not, Sakura. Do you think I'm that shallow?" He shook his head, pointing at the moon's reflection, then at the moon itself. "I was just thinking, this familiar sight has watched over humanity for 50,000 years, and the previous era, and countless eras before..."

"Humanity has risen and fallen, yet it remains unchanged. Sakura, did you ever imagine, 500 years ago, that you'd be admiring the same moon today?"

"No. Life is fleeting, but..." Yae Sakura materialized beside him, gazing at the moon. "My perspective has changed. I wouldn't have understood back then."

Lin Wei remained silent. "Why did you bring this up?" she asked.

"Just some thoughts..." He sighed. "500 years ago, villagers sacrificed innocent girls for rain, for survival. Today, Schicksal and World Serpent sacrifice girls to research Honkai, or to ensure humanity's future..."

He thought of Schicksal's countless labs, the hidden experiments, the sacrifices made in the name of progress. He thought of World Serpent's machinations, the countless lives lost in their pursuit of a better future.

He carefully chose his words, avoiding a sarcastic tone. "Those villagers performed sacrifices. Aren't Schicksal and World Serpent doing the same? Sacrificing a few for the many. The only difference is, the villagers sought solace and courage, while today's 'sacrifices' are coldly calculated, extracting every last drop of value from their 'offerings.'"

Yae Sakura was stunned. She'd never considered this perspective.

"If he's right..." A chill ran down her spine. She'd thought she'd escaped her nightmare, but now the world seemed like a giant Yae Village. The comforting night sky turned sinister, as if fate itself was mocking her: "Your nightmare never ended!"

"Sakura!" Lin Wei grabbed her trembling shoulders, his gaze meeting her vacant eyes. She snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, Lin Wei..." She forced a smile, trying to shrug off his grip. Failing, she lowered her head, her fox ears drooping. "I worried you."

"I should apologize." He shook his head, gently lifting her face, brushing away her hair. "My rambling triggered unpleasant memories. I'm sorry, Sakura."

He looked into her eyes. "Don't worry, it's over. We're on a new path. Remember? You've seen my memories. The future can be beautiful!"

Yae Sakura's heart fluttered. His words were comforting. No one comforted me like this 500 years ago. Then she shook her head sadly. No, there was someone... But they were both too wounded, too weak, to protect each other. A fleeting light in the darkness.

"What will the future hold?" she murmured. "It truly is a downpour..."

"Who knows? We'll see. Life is about walking through the rain." Lin Wei leaned against the railing. "Everyone gets drenched, but we keep going."

"Find joy in unhappiness, beauty in ugliness. Hold onto it, and walk with your head held high, until the sun finally shines through..." He shrugged. "With you by my side, I have faith in the future. Don't you?"

Yae Sakura opened her mouth to speak, then noticed Pandora floating in front of Lin Wei, demanding attention.

"And you, my Pandora. How could I forget you?" He laughed, picking up the black box. "Now I'm even more confident."

Pandora settled down.

Yae Sakura smiled, then sighed, shaking her head at his questioning gaze. He could worry about the future; she was just a woman, unable to comprehend such grand schemes. As his Stigmata, she would follow his lead. It was that simple.

"You used those same words to comfort Anna, didn't you?" she said suddenly. "No wonder, since you walked through the 'rain' together."

Lin Wei's smile faltered. Where did she learn to be so sarcastic?

Seeing his discomfort, she changed the subject smoothly. "Why such serious thoughts all of a sudden?" She'd been puzzled by his behavior. Scheming all morning, playing with Durandal and the cat in the afternoon, then fishing until late at night, before abandoning his rod and staring at the moon...

"Just some random thoughts..." He tossed another pebble at the moon's reflection. "I've been manipulating and exploiting Jackal, even though she hasn't done anything to me yet."

He glanced at the moon. "Perhaps from her perspective, from World Serpent's perspective, from humanity's perspective, sacrificing Lin Wei and Yuno is no big deal. So many have died, what's a couple more?"

A strange smile appeared on his face. "So, my retaliation, especially after she hasn't even acted, seems... excessive? Perhaps I'm the one in the wrong?"

"What are you saying?" Yae Sakura asked flatly. "Are you going to sacrifice yourself?" Though she doubted it, her hand instinctively moved towards her katana's hilt. One wrong word, and I'll break your legs!

"Of course not!" He scoffed. "Sacrifice myself for the greater good? Am I that noble? Besides, Jackal's research isn't even that valuable."

"Then why say all that?!"

"I'm just good at understanding people's motivations, their values, their beliefs. It helps me defeat them." He chuckled. "Playing the part, understanding them, then... defeating them with their own methods. It's quite entertaining."

"Go on." Yae Sakura remained impassive.

"But as a small apology, I'll play along with Jackal for a bit, see if she can surprise me... Sakura, what are you doing?!" He stopped mid-sentence as Sakura half-drew her katana.

Breaking his legs it is!

"Jackal can't do anything to me. With you protecting me, I have nothing to fear." Lin Wei said quickly.

Sakura sheathed her katana. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"When are we leaving, Lin Wei?" She smiled sweetly, her voice gentle, as if the previous moment hadn't happened.

"Not yet." Lin Wei, lamenting Sakura's newfound sarcasm, spoke calmly. "Let's wait for Otto to make his move."

He knew Otto stayed in character as "Yuno," avoiding communication while on missions. He'd only send Durandal the final target location for a coordinated attack.

Lin Wei would then send Durandal a false location – close to Otto's, but not identical. She would prioritize "rescuing" him, since a pincer attack required them to approach from different directions.

"If I move first, Durandal might alert Otto. He might then contact her directly..." He didn't need to finish the sentence. A direct conversation would mean Durandal receiving Otto's full orders, ruining his plan. It was a risky maneuver.

"So I'll let Jackal capture me to prevent that."

"If Otto and Durandal act together, my plan fails. Being with Jackal allows me to take her hostage and prevent Otto from gaining anything."

Even if I lose, I'll flip the board. But that meant finding another way to help Anna... It's better if everything goes smoothly.

Yae Sakura nodded, understanding his reasoning.

Lin Wei relaxed. Seriously, I need my Stigmata's approval to do anything...

His tablet beeped. He checked it and smiled.

"Otto's on the move. Let's go."

"Okay." Yae Sakura returned to her Stigmata space.

Lin Wei closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. This difficult game was nearing its end.

He exhaled, exhausted. Though the thrill of the game was exhilarating, he didn't enjoy this life of constant scheming and violence.

Who would choose this if they had a normal life?

"Once this is over... Sakura, what do you want to eat tomorrow?"