A Storm Brews
Last updated 2026-04-28
A Storm Brews is the seventh episode of Season 2 - Chapter 5: On the Precipice of the Abyss in Phaethon's Story.
Parts
- Suppressing Unease
- New Identity
- Moment of Respite
- Pretending Things are as Usual
Steps
- Light and Shadow Intertwined
- Ask Xiao'Guang
- Talk to Dialyn
- Talk to (BelleBelle /
WiseWise) - Go to bed
Dialogue
Light and Shadow Intertwined
- (Talk to Ye Shunguang)
"Suppressing Unease"
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
Suppressing UneaseVideo Summary: This may only be a moment of respite in the eye of the storm...
Story Description: (WiseWise /
: How are you feeling?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Xiao'Guang! How are you feeling? Do you still hurt anywhere?
- Ye Shunguang: It feels like... I had a really, really long dream...
- Ye Shunguang: Oh, right! Where's my brother? What happened to him? Where is he? Did I... bring him back?
- : Don't worry...
- : Lemme tell you...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Don't worry, (let me explainlet me explain /
lemme tell youlemme tell you) everything that's happened. - (ProtagonistProtagonist): After you defeated that thing... the Creator, or at least its embryonic form, you passed out from exhaustion... The power wrapped in that black mist dissipated, and Senior Ye, he... he seemed to come back to his senses...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): He caught you as you fainted and whispered something I couldn‘t make out. It was clear he didn‘t want to leave… but in the end, he walked away alone. He didn't explain anything... all he said was "take care of Xiao'Guang,"
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Banyue (ShifuShifu) and Dialyn were both injured and couldn't stop him... But at that moment, from Senior Ye's expression... it was like he suddenly realized something that he had to confirm right away.
- Ye Shunguang: He left alone? No... We must find him as soon as possible. If he still has any remnant influence of the Creator in his body, if that takes hold again...!
- Ye Shunguang: And what about Shifu? Did she make it in time?
- : Not yet...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Yixuan Shifu hasn't returned to Suibian Temple yet... She's probably dealing with Senior Ye's situation... I heard that Yunkui Summit will be sending people over soon to investigate the Creator incident.
- Ye Shunguang: Yunkui Summit...
- : (Contemplate what happened before with Xiao'Guang)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Xiao'Guang, considering our past experiences and what Sarah said... do you think the Creator's target has always been you and the Qingming Sword?
- Ye Shunguang: Yeah... It's been trying to lure me into using the power of the Qingming Sword, to make me break the seal myself...
- Ye Shunguang: And I'm afraid that it controlled my brother to use him as a medium at the critical moment... To devour the power of both me and the Qingming Sword.
- : Do you still remember...
- : ...how you defetaed [sic] the Creator?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): So... do you still remember... how you defeated the Creator?
- Ye Shunguang: The situation was dire. When I finally released the Qingming Sword, I seemed to have a strange resonance with it.
- Ye Shunguang: I understood that the sword contains a power that can suppress the Creator, or even annihilate it... That's why I believed that the last strike would bring my brother back...
- : (Keep asking)
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): And... (uh,uh,) besides that... (did you... noticedid you... notice /
did you feel...did you feel...) anything else? - Ye Shunguang: What do you mean?
- : Like... your body...
- : Like... your appearance...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Like... any changes with your body... or in your appearance? Your hair (kindakinda) turned white when you drew the sword...
- Ye Shunguang: Ah... Are you worried about repercussions from using the sword?
- Ye Shunguang: Don't worry! That look... was just the influence of the Qingming Sword. You see, I remember everything very clearly. I remember how that monster was torn apart by my blade, and what my brother asked me to do.
- Ye Shunguang: What's wrong? Still worried? Then how about a little test? Want me to recite any technique spells? Or any Yunkui Summit rules? Or maybe... everything we did together after we met?
- : Thank goodness...
- : Looks like you're okay...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Phew...Phew... /
*sigh**sigh*) Thank goodness, looks like you're really okay. I'm glad...! - Ye Shunguang: Yeah, I've never been very lucky... But maybe it's about time things went my way, right?
- Ye Shunguang: It's just... I finally found my brother, and the next thing I knew, he was gone again.
- : At least now we know...
- : Senior Ye wasn't fooled...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): At least now we can be absolutely certain that from the start, Senior Ye was never swayed by Sarah and the Creator. He even tried to contact Yixuan Shifu secretly.
- Ye Shunguang: Yeah, it seems like Sarah was using the promise of separating me from the Qingming Sword to lure my brother into cooperating with her...
- Ye Shunguang: But I don't think my brother ever believed her. He only played along so he could get close enough to find a chance to destroy the Creator before it could take form.
- Ye Shunguang: He didn't realize that the Creator's focus was on me and the Qingming Sword all along and that Sarah had already drawn me into her trap long before I noticed...
- Ye Shunguang: But now that the crisis is over and he's finally out of their grip. Why... why doesn't he come back?
- Ye Shunguang: He was clearly worried about me. When I was half-conscious, I remember hearing him ask me to forgive him for leaving again... saying something like he'd definitely save me.
- Ye Shunguang: It doesn't sound like he's just worried that I'll be consumed by the sword... It's more like... he's trying to tell me something.
- Ye Shunguang: Could it be that... he's learned of something even more terrifying? Something he felt he had to deal with on his own right away. To the point where he didn't want us involved at all?
- : Rest up.
- : We'll figure it out.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Since Senior Ye asked you to trust him, then let's do just that. What's most important now is for you to rest up and get better quickly!
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Once you're fully recovered... we'll work together to find him. And this time... we'll make sure he doesn't disappear on us again!
- The concern in Xiao'Guang's eyes softens, replaced by a quiet determination. She nods firmly, pushing down her unease. And in her gaze, hope flickers to life once more...
- (Talk to Dialyn)
"Moment of Respite"
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
Moment of RespiteVideo Summary: This may only be a moment of respite in the eye of the storm...
Story Description: Everyone discusses the four resonating signals that Fairy discovered in the wake of the Creator's appearance away from Ye Shunguang. This Creator seems to be lying in wait deep in the Hollow with more secrets. Perhaps this calm is just a brief moment of respite in the eye of the storm...
- Dialyn: How's Xiao'Guang doing? She just woke up, so instead of bugging her with questions, we figured we'd give her some peace.
- : She's still concerned about Senior Ye...
- : But she's less upset now...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): She's still concerned about Senior Ye, but after hearing that the creature was repelled and that her brother made it out safely, she's calmed down for now and is resting.
- Banyue: I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to keep a closer eye on Xiao'Guang's state of mind these next few days.
- : Please don't worry, Banyue Shifu.
- : I'll keep an eye on her.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Please don't worry, Banyue Shifu. Xiao'Guang only drew her sword for Senior Ye and all of us. I'll make sure to keep an eye on her condition.
- Dialyn: She's always been tougher than we think... but that's also exactly why it's so hard not to worry about her.
- Dialyn: Back to business — what's this "resonance signal" you two mentioned earlier?
- (SiblingSibling): (Let me explain. It was sudden and chaotic, and we didn't have time to look deeper, so we couldn't tell you right away.Let me explain. It was sudden and chaotic, and we didn't have time to look deeper, so we couldn't tell you right away. /
Right, there was so much happening so quickly that we didn't have time to investigate further, which is why we couldn't tell you right away.Right, there was so much happening so quickly that we didn't have time to investigate further, which is why we couldn't tell you right away.) - (SiblingSibling): When the Creator — or rather, that power Xiao'Guang fought off, was first awakened — four areas in Lemnian Hollow simultaneously emitted extremely brief but highly similar energy resonance signals.
- Dialyn: Which four areas?
- (SiblingSibling): We can only locate three general areas at the moment. One was right where the Creator appeared at the old mining site. Another was the area where we confronted the Exaltist Overseer Mevorakh. And the third one was "the Town..."
- : What a coincidence...
- : These're all places we've been before.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Yeah... Coincidentally, these are all places (BelleBelle /
WiseWise) and I have been before. - Banyue: ...You've been to all three places?
- Dialyn: Oh? Don't tell me these are all "popular attractions"?
- (SiblingSibling): That's not the strangest part... what's really worth noting is the fourth signal. Fairy...?
- Fairy: The spatial coordinates of the fourth resonance signal are severely blurred. Existence confirmed, but precise location cannot be confirmed due to high-level energy interference.
- Fairy: Warning: Though brief, the peak value of the signal's Miasma energy exceeded all known records within Lemnian Hollow.
- : It's almost like it was some kind of response...
- : Then it hid itself again...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): It was like some kind of distant, indistinct "response"... then it quickly went silent again, as if hiding from something.
- (SiblingSibling): Three of the signals came from areas we've been to recently. No way that was a coincidence. But that last one... It's hidden so deep that even Fairy couldn't pinpoint it... Where could it be...?
- Banyue: Four resonating signals... There must be some underlying connection we haven't uncovered yet.
- Dialyn: Hmph. That disgusting Miasma creature we fought, and the Ye Shiyuan controlled by the Creator, might've just been the opening move, the Creator testing the waters.
- Dialyn: Whatever it is, it's still out there, lurking, scheming something. I'll report this to Krampus and closely monitor any changes inside the Hollow.
- Banyue: I will also investigate further.
- : Things will go much better with your help.
- : We'll keep an eye on it too.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): With Krampus and Banyue Shifu helping out, things will definitely go more smoothly from here. (While we keep Xiao'Guang company, Belle and I will keep an eye on the situation too.While we keep Xiao'Guang company, Belle and I will keep an eye on the situation too. /
Wise and I will keep an eye on the situation too, while we keep Xiao'Guang company.Wise and I will keep an eye on the situation too, while we keep Xiao'Guang company.) - Dialyn: Let's all stay sharp, everyone~ This calm might just be the eye of the storm, a brief moment of respite before everything gets thrown into chaos again...
- (Talk to Banyue, optional)
- Banyue: I have yet to properly show you my gratitude.
- Banyue: After all this, the burdens of the past haven't exactly... disappeared. But their edges, those thorns that once seemed to tear at my core day and night... they've been worn down quite a bit.
- Banyue: The weight of that constant pain and confusion... has lifted.
- : Time to accept yourself.
- : Time to welcome a new beginning.
- Banyue: Yes, like a golden sunset, endings bring a new dawn. My heart and soul are no longer immovable rock as they once were.
- : In that case, about what we call each other...
- : Could we update it now?
- Banyue: You mean...? Ah, from now on, please call me Banyue, like... old friends who know and accompany one another.
- : You should call me just by name too.
- : I know you don't say it often, but "Your Excellency" is a bit... much.
- Banyue: You... are a companion worthy of respect and cherishing. I address you as "Your Excellency" not out of a sense of distance, but to convey my deep respect and appreciation. This is my way of life, and of friendship.
- Banyue: Therefore, except for certain occasions where I must address you by name... please allow me to continue calling you — "Your Excellency."
- : Alright then, that's good with me.
- : It's an honor to have your respect.
- Banyue: Thank you... Thank you for everything.
- (Talk to Dialyn, optional)
- Dialyn: *sigh*... Good thing Xiao'Guang's alright. Don't forget, you're gonna have to pay me back for this volunteer work. How about I draw up a tab for you?
- Dialyn: From travel expenses, compensation for emotional stress, to overtime and missed meal teamilk money...
- : *cough*... Thanks for everything, Dialyn.
- : What're you gonna do after this?
- Dialyn: Writing reports till the cows come home... sorting through mountains of mission files... dealing with endless inquiries from those old geezers upstairs... and... applying for a position for a new colleague and whatnot.
- : New colleague?
- Dialyn: Yeah, my humble business is expanding, and I'm short on help. I need some muscle who can take a beating... better yet if they come with some skeletons in their closet that I can use as leverage...
- Dialyn: Overtime's just part of the deal... Business trips? Oh, they're a regular thing too~ hehe~
- Dialyn seems to recall something interesting, flashing a smile that feels somewhat... unsettling...
- (Talk to (SiblingSibling)
- (SiblingSibling): (Well, things are settled for nowWell, things are settled for now /
Well, that wraps things up for now.Well, that wraps things up for now.) Though (I've got thisI've got this / I have aI have a) feeling... there's (definitelydefinitely / stillstill) more trouble brewing ahead. There's still much about the Creator and other secrets of the Hollows we don't have any leads on yet... - (SiblingSibling): But (heyhey), at least this time, and all those times before, we pulled through, didn't we?
- : No matter what lies ahead...
- : ...at least we've got reliable companions by our side.
- (SiblingSibling): Yeah, at least we're never fighting alone. (Alrighty, even the biggest problems can wait until tomorrow~ Right now, I just wanna take a nice hot shower and sleep!Alrighty, even the biggest problems can wait until tomorrow~ Right now, I just wanna take a nice hot shower and sleep! /
Well, anything else can wait until sunrise. Right now, all I want is a nice hot shower and sleep.Well, anything else can wait until sunrise. Right now, all I want is a nice hot shower and sleep.) - (SiblingSibling): (Wise, you should get some rest too! Gotta recharge those batteries to be ready for our next adventure!Wise, you should get some rest too! Gotta recharge those batteries to be ready for our next adventure! /
Belle, you should get some rest too. You'll need your energy for our next adventure.Belle, you should get some rest too. You'll need your energy for our next adventure.)
- (Interact with Warm Bed)
- Sinking deep into the fluffy pillow, a heavy, grounding warmth spreads through your limbs.
- Those heart-pounding battles and unsolved mysteries... gradually fade into distant, blurry memories.
- Your eyelids grow heavy as your consciousness slowly sinks into a dreamless tranquility...
"New Identity"
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
New IdentityVideo Summary: This may only be a moment of respite in the eye of the storm...
Story Description: When Zhao questions Dialyn about not completing her mission, Dialyn explains that she will recommend Banyue to Krampus, which is her verdict. If Banyue joins Krampus, it amounts to obtaining the Core indirectly, thereby completing the mission. Zhao accepts this reasoning.
- Meanwhile, as Dialyn compiles her mission report, she's greeted by a familiar guest.
- Dialyn: Oh? Are you here to criticize me, Senior Zhao? I thought they'd send the cold, heartless Executioner... You know, I've never been able to get along with her...
- Zhao: The boss hasn't issued any new orders yet. Naturally, she won't do anything. Besides, it's too late for you to feel guilty now...
- Zhao: I'm just here on my own behalf to ask you for an explanation~ After all, we've provided you with important intel, but the result of the mission... was a little underwhelming.
- Zhao: The orders from the higher-ups are to retrieve Banyue's core data and erase this unstable factor...
- Zhao: But as for you... Not only did you not get the core, but you also seem to have made him more complete and dangerous? Is this negligence of duty, or... self-inflicted downfall?
- Dialyn: Huh—? Who said I didn't finish the mission?
- Dialyn: I have exercised the ultimate authority granted to me by Krampus as the Judge. The verdict is as follows: Banyue's core consciousness has tentatively proven that it is controllable and of great value; hence, I deemed there was no need to erase it.
- Dialyn: As for retrieving said core... don't worry. I will introduce Banyue to Krampus. Wouldn't you call that a different kind of recovery in a sense?
- Zhao: ...?! You want to let him join Krampus?
- Dialyn: Yeah, wouldn't that be more interesting? If he joined, then his power, along with all of the information he has, would be of service to Krampus.
- Dialyn: In the long run, that's way more valuable than a one-time "core data extraction," don't you think?
- Dialyn: Aside from the old folks from TOPS, the reason the boss is so interested in Banyue's core is because a "certain bigshot" was the one who made modifications... which gradually transformed him from a killing machine into a human.
- Zhao: Hah... You sure know how to wiggle out of a tough situation... However, your proposal does actually have some merit.
- Zhao: I hereby approve your verdict. As for how to write the report without any leaks to get those old fossils to nod in person, that will be up to you to deal with~
- Zhao: But I believe that when the boss finds out we're about to have a new member who is so controllable and so useful, with all the potential value he brings... I'm sure she will be happy.
- Zhao: After all, this is much more worthwhile than recycling a pile of scrap metal, right? Alright, I'll leave the rest of the procedures to you. I look forward to hearing good news about our new member...
- Dialyn: I'll still be relying on you to help me persuade the others~
- The conversation comes to an end with sweet but cold farewells. Dialyn remains where she's standing and exhales softly.
- Dialyn: Banyue, your path to redemption begins with Krampus, and it will be a long road. Don't let me down.
- The skies over Waifei Peninsula remain heavy and gray. But for Banyue, the path toward a new life now lies open, and one less shadow stands in his way.
"Pretending Things are as Usual"
The following is recorded in the Video Archive
Pretending Things are as UsualVideo Summary: This may only be a moment of respite in the eye of the storm...
Story Description: Late at night, Ye Shunguang recites details over and over again to her diary alone in her room, trying to hide the fact that she has begun to lose her memories due to the Qingming Sword's backlash.
- The night deepens, and all is silent.
As Suibian Temple is shrouded in hazy moonlight, a single room is lit with a dim yellow light, like a stubborn little firefly in the darkness... - Ye Shunguang: On the day I secretly snuck into Suibian Temple, I saved a chubby cat...
- Ye Shunguang: The next time I came to the temple, I tried to pass myself off as the Acting Temple Master, only to get caught red-handed by Junior (WiseWise /
BelleBelle)... - Ye Shunguang: The day we went to Yum Cha Sin... I was wearing that casual dress... Junior (WiseWise /
BelleBelle) said it really suits me. - Ye Shunguang: The storyteller at Yum Cha Sin told fascinating tales... We ate osmanthus cakes made with fresh petals preserved in honey, sticky rice powder, and kumquat peel...
- Ye Shunguang: Banyue Shifu doesn't like greasy or spicy things... When handing him hot tea, the cup handle should be to the right...
- Ye Shunguang: Dialyn really likes honey, she always doubles the amount...
- Ye Shunguang: Senior Yinhu's secret marinade... grind the dried tangerine peel into fine powder, use just a pinch when seasoning the meat...
- Ye Shunguang: When we gathered around the fire that night, we looked at the stars together and exchanged embarassing stories... I talked about... um...
- Ye Shunguang: I talked about...
- Ye Shunguang: Why... why can't I remember?! I knew it just a second ago... I wrote it all down right here!
- The words on the page are blurry, twisted, and morphed... as if they are about to break free from the shackles of the pages and disappear completely.
- A tear falls from her eye, hitting the diary with a sharp pat.
- After a few seconds, she wipes the damp marks from her face with the back of her hands, and her eyes become resolute again. She stares at the handwriting, soaked in tears, as if trying to use her gaze to burn the words back into her heart.
- Ye Shunguang: I talked about... how I didn't bring enough money when I left Yunkui Summit. I almost ended up going to that pawnshop in town.
- Ye Shunguang: I remembered thinking to myself... besides the Qingming Sword, I have nothing of value that's worth holding onto.
- Ye Shunguang: I must never forget these memories... never...
- Ye Shunguang: Shifu... my brother... (Wise, BelleWise, Belle /
Belle, WiseBelle, Wise), and everyone else... I must remember all the beautiful moments we shared together. I have to remember... - Ye Shunguang: Shifu... my brother... Wise, Belle, and everyone else... I must remember all the beautiful moments we shared together. I have to remember...
- In the light, her lips move persistently, yet in vain, over and over again... repeating the fragments of fleeting memories that she's desperate to hold onto.
- Her fingers begin to turn white and tremble slightly as she grips the diary tightly. It's as if she's engaging in a desperate struggle against an invisible foe known as "the Forgotten."
- Only the still-damp tear stains on the paper silently tell the story of a young girl, who in the darkest of nights used all her strength... to pretend the world is still as it always was.
- To pretend she's still the same Ye Shunguang, whole, unscarred, unaffected by the Qingming Sword.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | A Storm Brews |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 风雨欲来 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 風雨欲來 |
| Japanese | 風雨来たらんとす |
| Korean | 폭풍우의 접근 Pokpung'uui Jeopgeun |
| Spanish | La tormenta se avecina |
| French | L'orage gronde |
| Russian | Назревает буря Nazrevayet burya |
| Thai | พายุที่กำลังก่อตัว |
| Vietnamese | Bão Táp Sắp Đến |
| German | Ein Sturm zieht auf |
| Indonesian | Badai Telah Datang |
| Portuguese | A Tempestade se Aproxima |
Change History
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