Her fingertips were cold and illusory, carrying almost no tangible physical sensation.
But the moment they touched, the bracelet on Rover's wrist and the palm of her hand faintly lit up simultaneously. An invisible, warm link was quietly established.
"Feeling her response... following her guidance..."
Rover thought to himself, "Even if she is only a lingering existence right now, from this moment on, the only rope tying her to me and the real world is already in my hands."
He gently squeezed her hand in return, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
Yuno looked down at their intertwined hands, then looked up at him. The bewilderment in her eyes faded slightly, replaced by a hint of reliance and clear purpose: "I will guide 'Blank' along with the moonlight."
She pointed her other hand toward the depths of the chaos ahead, "To find more of... me."
Rover knew that her scattered memories and fragments of existence were the keys to making her whole again.
"Alright." He nodded without hesitation. "Where are we going now?"
Yuno's phantom took a step closer to him. Her voice, though soft, carried an unquestionable insistence: "Um... you're not allowed to let go of me."
"I won't," Rover promised, tightening his grip on her hand. "I swear, I will never let go."
And so, hand in hand, the two walked in unison toward the direction Yuno pointed.
"Let's go, Blank," Yuno's phantom said softly as he pulled her forward.
Her steps were a bit erratic at first, but as they moved forward, they gradually became steady.
The two walked hand in hand amidst the bizarre and fragmented memories. The surrounding chaotic scenery constantly shifted, like flipping through an old book that had been soaked in water and then dried—the writing blurred yet faintly legible.
Suddenly, Yuno's footsteps paused slightly. Her gaze fell on a hazy silhouette not far away, hammering red-hot metal.
"That person is...?"
She seemed to feel a trace of familiarity, yet couldn't immediately recall.
Rover followed her gaze. The silhouette gradually became clear; it was a bustling blacksmith shop.
Hmm... if my memory serves me right, that blacksmith should be Yue... Yuno's father.
Author's Note: (Wait, is he really? I'm not entirely sure myself haha)
Sure enough, upon hearing footsteps, a burly, kindly-faced middle-aged blacksmith in the shop looked up. Seeing Rover, a warm and familiar smile immediately appeared on his face.
"You're here? I've been waiting for you for a long time, Yuno."
Rover's heart stirred, and he asked tentatively, "...Yuno? Can you see her?" He was referring to Yuno's phantom beside him.
The bow-forging blacksmith looked surprised: "Why so shocked? Aren't you Yuno?"
He put down his hammer, wiped his sweat with a towel, and his tone turned a bit more serious: "That bow from before, do you still want it?"
Rover didn't answer immediately. He turned his head and looked at Yuno's phantom beside him.
Her azure eyes were gazing at the blacksmith, seemingly trying hard to remember. Then she felt Rover's gaze and nodded gently; the movement was subtle but certain.
Rover understood. Turning back, he said firmly to the blacksmith, "Of course, I definitely want it."
The blacksmith didn't seem surprised, but his eyes grew deeper: "You still want this bow? Yes, why wouldn't you?"
"But after you get this bow, what then?"
He changed the subject, "You've probably heard most of Oracle Lilibet's prophecy about you. What do you think?"
As he spoke, he picked up a teapot nearby to pour water. His tone carried an elder's concern and a hint of teasing: "Knowing your temperament, if you were to become some mystical, rambling Oracle in the Quadrangle Hall... I really can't picture that."
"Besides, if you really become an Oracle, according to the precepts and customs, you wouldn't need this bow as much, and you wouldn't have much time for it, right?"
He sighed, his voice lowering slightly: "But that is a talent other Oracles could spend their whole lives seeking and never obtain. It would be a pity to waste it... Not to mention, the warriors of the Seven Hills need the Oracles, and the crucial 'Prophecy of the Seven Hills' is the same..."
Rover listened quietly. These words were like keys, corroborating every scene in his memory and unlocking Yuno's dust-covered past.
He instinctively looked at Yuno beside him, expecting a reaction, only to find her eyes had become vacant again, as if she had fallen into some sort of stagnation.
"And of course, at a time like this, there's no reaction..."
The blacksmith looked at Rover's silent demeanor, smiled, and waved his hand: "What I say doesn't count anyway. As long as you can figure it out yourself, that's fine."
"Regardless, as long as you still want this bow, I'll make it for you. As for the materials... since you want to use your favorite Moonstone Golden Bough... you'll have to gather more of it yourself."
His tone grew gentle, carrying a sense of instruction, "Actually, making a good bow is no different from making anything else. It's all about accumulating as much as possible, going through enough stages, until it truly takes shape."
"From nothing to something, and finally existing. It's always been this way..."
He concluded: "Anyway, if you're sure you still want it, go gather the materials first. Once you've gathered enough Moonstone Golden Bough, you'll have your bow."
He raised his calloused hand and pointed in a direction, "If you don't know where to look—there, see that? Just head that way!"
Following the direction he pointed, Rover saw a particularly bright, soft moon-white halo in the distance.
"Thank you," Rover thanked him solemnly, then took Yuno's hand and walked toward the light.
After walking some distance, Rover said softly to the phantom beside him, "Moonstone Golden Bough... what the blacksmith just mentioned sounds exactly like the bow you used later."
"...Yeah," she responded in a low voice, seemingly recalling some fragments.
They soon arrived at the source of the light.
A crystal-clear, bizarre blue-gold plant radiating pure moon-white light grew within the crevices of the chaos. Its form was elegant yet resilient; it was exactly the Moonstone Golden Bough.
"Here, we won't be disturbed by the chaos," she said, gently pulling Rover to sit down beside the golden bough.
"We're just sitting down like this? You really do... whatever you want."
Rover couldn't help but chuckle slightly, but obediently sat down anyway.
The light of the golden bough enveloped them, bringing a strange sense of tranquility.
"Shh, Blank~"
She gently pressed a finger to her lips in a hushing gesture. A hint of almost playful softness shone in her eyes. "It's time to rest. Hurry and join me."
She held his hand tightly, tilted her head, and rested it gently on his solid arm. Closing her eyes, her face was filled with a look of peaceful relaxation.
Rover looked at Yuno resting on his shoulder, complex emotions surging in his heart.
He pondered for a moment, then said to her in a low voice: "Although I haven't formally said it to you yet, and I'm not sure if the current you can understand... but since I've found you, I will definitely bring you back."
"Because Blank said it, I believe you."
Yuno kept her eyes closed, her long eyelashes fluttering. Her voice was very soft, yet filled with unquestionable trust.
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