#ref: n109 zone

[lndslorepuzzler]

Spacepedia: Relevant Information

(Some of these are transcribed word for word, and others (generally less immediately story-relevant) are summarized for ease of reading.)

Lemuria: "An ancient marine civilization recorded in legends. It's unique, advanced technologies are difficult to use. Also, Lemurians had achieved great mastery over many art-related fields, such as music, painting, literature, architecture, and carving. In 2034, the ruins of an underwater city were discovered to the southeast of Linkon City, proving the existence of Lemuria."

Tenebra/Tenebrae: Those who broke the Hunter's Code and engage in illegal activities, like protocore smuggling. They often have ties to secret organizations and carry out covert missions behind the scenes. They are actively pursued by the Hunter's Association.

Lumiere: "In the midst of the 2034 Chronorift Catastrophe, a mysterious hunter emerged, taking down numerous formidable Wanderers and rescuing countless citizens in Linkon City. This enigmatic hunter played a crucial role in resolving the crisis. Their true identity remains shrouded in mystery, and after the catastrophe, they disappeared without a trace. They appeared again in the last two years, with rumors suggesting that they have already transformed into Tenebra."

N109 Zone: "Once a bustling technology hub, it is now one of the most dangerous areas after the catastrophe occurred. Surrounded by other no-hunt zones, it has evolved into lawless land where danger and opportunity coexsist. It is rife with violence and crime. With illicit trade and dangerous research, many of its activities are related to protocores and Wanderers. Its many benefits have driven countless outlaws to risk their lives. **The Origin of the N109 Zone's Name: "The N109 Zone, also known as No-Hunt Zone No. 109, does not belong to the 108 regions resignated officially as no-hunt zones by the Hunters Association. Prolonged energy fluctuations and dangerous Wanderers are characteristics of a no-hunt Zone. The Wanderer threat in the N109 Zone has been suppressed, but its inherent dangers persist due to the complex web of factions and poor living conditions. Consequently, it has earned the reputation of being "No-Hunt Zone No. 109 because it's difficult to enter and even more dangerous than a typical no-hunt Zone."

Onychinus: "A mysterious faction stationed in the N109 Zone. Unlike other shady groups, Onychinus is omnipresent. They have connections everywhere, forming a vast web of sin to control every illegal activity."

The Nest: An information hub moonlighting as an exclusive bar. "A complex network brimming with Intel and secrets unknown to the public."

Characters:

Tara: FMC's colleague and friend. Cute, likes divination, works in the analysis department.

Jenna: Leader of UNICORNS. Manages the FMC's Alpha Team.

Yvonne: A nurse at Akso Hospital. Gets things done with a good attitude.

Caleb: Childhood friend. Fighter pilot for the Deepspace Aviation Administration. Presumed dead.

Nero: A severely socially anxious man on the data analysis team. Very interested in Wanderers, and Lumiere.

Thomas: Qi Yu's friend, and owner of Flux Arts. Takes care of the business end of being an artist.

Talia: A famous soprano. Qi Yu's aunt.

Josephine: FMC's grandmother. Presumed dead.

Greyson: Cardiac surgeon at Akso Hospital. Witty with a good sense of humor. "However, there's a rumor that no one knows his real age..."*1

Dr. Noah: An old acquaintance of Josephine, and Li Shen's teacher. Originally responsible for the treatment of FMC's heart disease and treatment.

Jeremiah: The owner of Philo, a florist. Friends with Shen Xinghui. Has a lot of overy questionable skills, like creating identities and manipulating data.

Luke: Works for Qin Che. One half of a set. Vivacious and unpredictable.

Kieran: Works for Qin Che. One half of a set. Calm and dependable.

Mephisto: Works for Qin Che. A mechanical crow.

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*1, The tin hat is ON, he's one of Shen Xinghiu's people.

[luk3nk13r4n]

Can I call you Lulu and Kiki?

L: Do we look like Sanrio characters to you? K: Little Twin Crows. L: Okay maybe you can call us that.

[leighsartworks216]

But they cradled me, yes?

Sylus x gn!Reader

Based on this post

Warnings: blood, super vague refs to Sylus's route (what we can guess at, anyway), slight angst, bittersweet

Word Count: 707 (nice)

Main Masterlist

Love and Deepspace Masterlist

AO3

Tag List Form

You think of all the things Sylus has done before you met him, sometimes. It’s unfathomable, at best, but you can’t help it.

When he texts you, asking if you’re alright when you send a distraught crow emoji, you wonder if he’s said those words to someone else before.

When he uses his Evol to snag a rare plushie from the claw machine and hands it over, telling you that you just need to say the word and he’d do anything for you, you have to wonder if you’re the only one that is true for.

When he drapes his jacket over your shoulders at a formal event - to keep you warm or hide you from prying eyes, you’re not sure - and he tucks it around your front to ensure it won’t slip off, you have to wonder if you’re the first person to wear his clothes like this.

And you’ll never know.

On some levels, that’s a wonderful thing. When you first met Sylus, when he used his Evol to hold and manipulate you into trying to Resonate with him, when he tried to alter you to reach his goals, you’re more than certain you only got a brief glimpse into who he was before then.

You still see the aftershocks of that carefully instilled terror. In the world around him, it manifests as stares and frightened whispers, devotions of followers terrified to incur his wrath. In you, it made you flinch when he tried holding your hand.

The first time he tried, it was a lovely night. He’d taken you shopping, encouraging you to get anything that caught your eye, carrying bags from different stores effortlessly while he followed along. Then, he took you to dinner. He treated you to the finest cuisine possible, tempting you into trying nearly every item on the menu. Afterwards, he led you up to the rooftop to see the stars twinkling down on the N109 Zone. You think they shine brighter in the harsh territory he calls home.

His fingers had brushed your hand, and you’d startled away, wide eyed and frightened. He’d retracted his touch immediately, apologizing with a slight smile. Once the initial fear ebbed, you’d tried apologizing for reacting that way. But he’d silenced you sharply, saying you did not have to be sorry for a hurt he caused.

He didn’t try to hold your hand again after that. When you felt safe enough, you’d slipped your hand in his, palms pressed close and fingers intertwined. He’d looked down at you with a tenderness you’d never seen before.

You wonder just how much further that hurt runs, for him to be where he is today.

But what does it matter? Where he is today is with you, watching a cheesy romance film in his home, curled together on the couch. He holds your hand, rubbing his thumb along your knuckles. When you look over, he’s not watching the screen anymore.

You tease him about missing the movie, but he says he’ll have time to watch it again. But this time, he wants to savor your reactions, while they’re their most genuine.

The characters in the background are forgotten as he lets your hand go, shifting to cup your face in both his hands. His eyes flit across your face, before settling on your eyes.

He uses his hold to tilt your head where he can reach, before leaning forward to press his lips to your forehead.

There are times with him when you feel sticky, warm liquids on your hands. The lines between hallucination and reality blur when you look down and see blood staining your palms, your fingers.

Sometimes they’re so drenched, you can’t see any exposed skin past your wrist.

You don’t know what these glimpses mean yet. What they’re trying to tell you. But you can’t shake the feeling deep in your gut that they’re real, fragments of a past life you’ve forgotten.

You reach up to hold his own face in your hands, smiling at him as you draw him down to return the favor.

There is blood on both of your hands.

What does it matter? So long as you cradle each other so softly, the blood can be washed away.

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace: Galactic Sunset, pt 1-10

01: Bonfire: FMC wakes up to herself and Qi Yu beside a bonfire. Qi Yu chastises FMC, "The line between being kind and being dumb is very thin. A small, smart fish swims away while it still can when the big fish are hunting." She points out that he was swimming directly into a whirlpool, which he has no response for. He claims that saving FMC was just his act of kindness for the day, and asks how long the "malicious creature will keep an eye on (them...)" after which comes the best exchange in the main story.*1

Then, discussing animals in general, Qi Yu says, "Animals that are fond of humans usually have a tragic end... One moment you're cute and cuddly, the next they toss you aside. You're forgotten, left behind. ...And you? Wasn't there something important you forgot about?"

He informs FMC that he's keeping the protocore from the Wanderer, but gives her an invitation to 'Hunting Day' at The Nest. FMC says he must be a regular, which Qi Yu gives a flippant response to; then he makes a point that she'd best wear a disguise to get in, pick up some local lingo and stop flashing the Hunter's Watch. He says he'll cover for her when it matters, but points out that one "(has) to pay a very high price for obscure information. Especially for stuff involving-... Mysterious protocores."*2

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02: Desecrated Soil: In a dark alley, Shen Xinghui is confronted by a stranger, while the Astronomy Channel talks about a dead planet, -P0159, recently discovered by the DAA. The stranger says he can't believe that Shen Xinghui was involved in Isaiah's death, that he would never attack their comrades. "As you can see, I'm a monster now... You don't want to end up like me, right? But sooner or later, you'll be walking down this path as well. Only she can save us. You, of all people, should know!" He says he's seen "that thing" with her.

Shen Xinghui cuts him off, saying "Until that day comes, no one should even think about getting close to her. The same goes for me." The stranger accuses Shen Xinghui of being a traitor, forgetting about his home. Shen Xinghui kills him; he "transforms into specks of light soon corroded by black particles. They dissolve into the cracks of the road." Shen Xinghui leaves, and the narration notes "Cleanup isn't necessary. No one would notice there being one less person of their kind. Besides, this city is riddled with filth."

The next scene brings Shen Xinghui to The Nest, where he tosses the bartender a blood-smeared, damaged protocore. The bartender notes that he always takes bounties but never rewards, and Shen Xinghui points out that he might be on the bounty list, too. He says he won't be coming to Hunting Day, and the bartender gives him a dark-colored envelope.

Shen Xinghui notes that "someone deliberately stirred up trouble in The Nest today. But he doesn't have the patience for it... There are three pairs (of eyes watching him.) It's likely his actions in the alley caught their attention. After all, birds of a feather flock together. If he makes his move here, he'll have another bounty on his head. He needs to be more careful in Linkon from now on." FMC walks into The Nest, and Shen Xinghui catches her by the arm and pulls her outside.*3

03: Luminous Veil: Now in Azure Square, FMC and Shen Xinghui have a chance to talk; FMC figures that Shen Xinghui's dodging of her questions means that something bigger is going on, but he turns the conversation toward her intentions to enter the N109 Zone. She thinks about how they've reached an understanding, in that neither of them asks the other any questions. Shen Xinghui points out that it's not the getting in, but the surviving/getting out that's going to be tricky, and tells FMC about the protocore auction. He explains that Onychinus is likely going to auction off a high-grade protocore to the highest bidder due to their earlier business transactions being ruined by Lumiere destroying a large number of protocores.

Before they can get any deeper into the conversation, FMC notices that a bunch of the patrol robots are hovering/watching them, and asks/tells Shen Xinghui that the people trying to capture him have decided to make a move. She notes to herself that they always find themselves in this kind of situation, and it's more likely a threat to Shen Xinghui than it is a coincidence. Shen Xinghui and FMC resonate to allow Shen Xinghui's Evol to destroy the patrol robots. They leave the scene.*4

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04: COMBAT

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05: Philo: Shen Xinghui and FMC show up at Jeremiah's flower shop, Philo, in a flash of light; he's startled enough to chastise Shen Xinghui until FMC peeks around his shoulder, at which point he freezes up. FMC doesn't know what to do with Jeremiah's surprise, while Shen Xinghui just reaches to water the laurel Jeremiah is holding, and tells FMC that "he's not young anymore, so he's a bit slow on the uptake now." Jeremiah starts to say 'long time no see'*5 but stops himself, and does something to the glass that makes them 'out of sight,' so they can talk. Jeremiah brings up the no-hunt zone, but Shen Xinghui explains that he needs an identity for FMC to get into the N109 Zone safely. Jeremiah agrees to help, and creates a false identity for FMC to take on once at the protore auction/inside the N109 Zone. Jeremiah tries to measure FMC for clothes; Shen Xinghui gives him a good shot with the spray bottle, and tells him she can do it herself.*6

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06: Unconventional Advice: While Jeremiah goes to start taking care of the details of the false identity, Shen Xinghui and FMC have a conversation about how exactly to act convincingly in front of the people she'll be trying to deceive. FMC points out that there's no way this was a spur of the moment thing, and that Jeremiah is too helpful, and wonders why Jeremiah isn't helping Shen Xinghui, instead. He reminds her that he's 'just a normal Deepspace Hunter,' and what follows is a demonstration of all the things Shen Xinghui is telling her; she's too polite, she needs to believe she's always right, and that she shouldn't "provoke people who have yet to show their hand."*7 Jeremiah comes back then immediately leaves after glancing over them, claiming he entered the wrong room.

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07: Stellar Guidance: Jeremiah gives FMC a box of supplies to aid her in her deception; she's curious about who he is, given how quickly he put all of this together, and how sincere he is about being glad to help her, despite never thinking he would be able to do so. Shen Xinghui inserts himself between the two of them, and FMC heads home, since Shen Xinghui "(has) plans today." Before he goes, he gives FMC a transmitter presumably pierced into her ear; "Even if you're somewhere in the N109 Zone with no signal, we can still track your location." He also gives her an inhibitor (which will make her "temporarily immune to 98.7% of neurotoxins") and a self-defense needle. FMC asks if he has a magic pocket or something, and Shen Xinghui gives her a bouquet of flowers ("They just happened to blossom. So, I sincerely hope you'll accept them.")

After FMC leaves Philo, Jeremiah and Shen Xinghui talk. Jeremiah wants to know if Shen Xinghui managed to stay calm when he saw her the first time, and if he really doesn't care about the Nonintervention Principle. Shen Xinghui points out that some have already stopped caring about it, or else many of the bad things happening wouldn't have happened in the first place. He also notes that the N109 Zone will be safer than Linkon in a few days.

Jeremiah says he can't remember all the faces of the Backtrackers, and agrees that the Nonintervention Principle is useless "for (those) whose presence here was always a mistake... And mistakes are bound to be corrected sooner or later. Maybe we're slowly being erased as we speak." Shen Xinghui asks about the condition of the Traceback 2, and Jeremiah wonders if there's even anyone on the other side of the Deepspace Tunnel who could respond to them. Shen Xinghui promises that Jeremiah will return, while Jeremiah points out that "having Evol doesn't make you invincible... And you're... This isn't Philos. And we, you know, aren't truly immortal. Our kind, I mean."

This passage closes out the section:

08: COMBAT (Challenge)

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09: Into Deep*8: FMC takes in the information that she's learned from Li Shen (that Onychinus may already have protocores in their possession,) advice from Shen Xinghui (that a powerful reputation will keep people from messing with you,) and Qi Yu (that her best bet for getting what she wants is to make herself the bait) and decides she's ready to go. She calls Qi Yu and tells him to "meet (her) at The Nest. Show (her) how to fish."*9

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Qi Yu does meet FMC; he walks her through the process of 'setting up a deal.' He stops her just before she completes the last step, reminding her that if the deal "doesn't go smoothly, (she) will be the payment, instead." FMC decides the risk is worth the reward and finishes the transaction. Qi Yu walks away, saying "Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. I hope you find the answer you seek."

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10: Trap: It's Hunting Day at The Nest, and FMC is the target. The red eye is back, this time as a physical object; FMC is injected with C-003 neurotoxin, and falls unconscious. Up in a side room Qi Yu speaks with an unknown man*10 about how the situation is getting more dangerous; Qi Yu points out that things are still up in the air, and asks for/is given a small black box. When asked if he's "fine with handling over a fresh catch just like that," he asks, "Do you really think they can handle the prey I caught?"

There is then an ending sequence showing the (presumed) locations of Shen Xinghui, Li Shen, and Qi Yu; at Traceback 2, in the Arctic, and in front of/disappearing from the large painting in his studio. The text reads as follows:

Traceback 2 will reach the edge of the Deepspace Tunnel's umbra within one day.

Our journey through the Deepspace Tunnel begins.

Destination is in the Orion arm of the Milky Way--

Once the home of humanity: Earth.

Activating Course Correction Engine.

The final countdown has been initiated...

When P0159's light shines through the Deepspace Tunnel, illuminating Linkon Tower's pinnacle... The closest we've been to it in last 4.6 billion years.

This galaxy's name is derived from the Greek word, "philo." It is the most exquisite gem in Deepspace.

Philos.*11

Humanity remains shackled to time.

Fortunately, there are other lives in this boundless (unreadable)

Tonight's weather, clear sky with winds around 7 miles/hour.

Everything is serene inside the Deepspace Tunnel.

Goodnight, Linkon City.

May you rest in the Milky Way's embrace, drifting in a realm of long and happy dreams.

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*1, Bar none, this is still the best thing I've ever seen. I also enjoy the implication that Qi Yu can talk to ALL animals, not just fish/oceanic creatures.

*2, Obviously, Qi Yu knows more than he lets on, as we find out later in World Underneath: Long Lost Treasures.

*3, This entire section is heavy on the Shen Xinghui lore, and seems to be painting him in the role of the classic, amoral bounty hunter. The fact that his supposed ex-companion dissipates the same way Wanderers do (in a fizzle like Metaflux) is interesting; even more interesting is that Shen Xinghui has absolutely no hesitation in killing him. Isaiah is mentioned; he has his own tag, seen below. With all of these clues, we can safely extrapolate that Shen Xinghui just killed someone who was on the same mission as he was aboard the Traceback 2, and that his physical state was deteriorating for as-of-now unknown reasons.

*4, Worth noting that at the beginning, a newscaster talks about how the Deepspace Aviation Administration found traces of organisms that once lived on P0159.

*5, Connections to life before the Traceback 2 mission, see Shen Xinghui: Myth: ()

*6, See above, with specific attention to Shen Xinghui's canon jealousy/possessiveness/abandonment issues.

*7, Refer back to *3, and the general understanding that Shen Xinghui never reveals his cards until he's absolutely sure he's on the same page as the person he's with. The FMC also mentions the feeling of danger and weight; that she is not in control of the situation despite being the one standing up.

*8, I love that this can be taken as 'into deep,' as in 'into a deep place' or 'in too deep,' as in, 'in over your head.' I feel like both interpretations work.

*9, This occurs the day after Shen Xinghui pulls her out of The Nest.

*10, He is wearing this crest, is, in fact, the EVER Group symbol.

*11, In case any of us were wondering, 'philos' is in fact the ancient Greek word for love.

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace 07: Moonlight Under Sea, pt 1-11

01: Investigation: Using the high-level access, FMC manages to find a news article from two years ago; a man shot and killed in his apartment, with no evidence about anything. After listening to the recording*1 and viewing the video, she gets an offer to take a bounty: the bounty on Qi Yu's head.

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02: Canvas Enigmas: FMC heads to Qi Yu's place, where she finds him on the floor. Luckily he's not dead, only asleep. All over the floor are sketches, each labeled with 'Lemuria.' When Qi Yu wakes up, he asked FMC to help him up; if she chooses to, Qi Yu yanks her to the floor, and they go out to eat. While at lunch with Qi Yu, FMC lets him know there's a bounty on his head in/from the N109 Zone, which he is already aware of.*2 He also notes that someone has been following them, and the two of them make plans to give the pursuer the slip.

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03: Secret Tracking: As it turns out, their follower is a reporter, looking for gossip re: Qi Yu's possible involvement in Raymond's death by drowning, as his painting vanished from Raymond's room without anyone else being in or out. There were also rumors that Raymond had cut up the skin of his arms and legs to look like fish scales. After some sufficient threatening, Qi Yu lets the reporter go with the suggestion that he make up for his reckless behavior by finding out who exactly has been spreading the rumors/trying to cover up information in the first place.

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04: Under the Waves: FMC and Qi Yu have a quiet moment in a sky garden; Qi Yu mentions that he daydreams in his studio all the time, and has difficulty remembering what the real world is actually like. He thanks FMC for "bringing (him) out of his dreams today." When FMC begins to leave, Qi Yu reminds her that they still haven't gone to find a replacement for the coral stones for his paintings. FMC is less than enthused, until Qi Yu offers his help to get her into N109. He says, "when you see the big picture, you need to use some bait... Trade intel for intel, gamble to make gambles with higher stakes. But whether or not you can play the game is up to you." He tells her that if she decides she wants to go through with it, she can meet him at Whitesand Bay the next day. She goes, of course; as it turns out, and according to Thomas, Qi Yu has rented a rowboat "for a date."

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05: Set Sail: Qi Yu and FMC head for Hat Island*3 while conversing about how Qi Yu is going to try and obtain a protocore to make paint. There's some exasperated banter, and just after making a comment about how he'd rather swim, the trip is interrupted by a very sudden incoming wave. The two of them arrive at Hat Island somewhat worse for wear. Interestingly, FMC says she's the reason they made it to shore in the first place, while Qi Yu announces that "(he'd) rather float in the sea than be on land."

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06: Spring Excursion: On the island, FMC explains field trips to Qi Yu, and he suggests that FMC resonate with the coral to see if she can pick up any Metaflux fluctuations; he stops her from accidentally breaking it, and assists her in resonating; he says, "Everything in this world has a unique, unmatchable frequency. That's why each life is isolated. But your Evol allows you to change your frequency. You can resonate with others. If you open your heart, you can establish a connection. And share your power."*4 It works, which visibly startles Qi Yu, and some Wanderers show themselves.

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07: COMBAT

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08: Weak Fiends: Qi Yu gives FMC the protocore they obtained. FMC is surprised that her resonating with the coral had any effect at all; she and Qi Yu decide to camp for the night. A cat with a metaflux injury makes itself known. Qi Yu is extremely upset about it.

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09: Withstanding the Storm: FMC drags Qi Yu to find the cat, which scratches him. Almost immediately, a 'Deluge Wyrmlord' arrives. It attacks, and Qi Yu splits the water with his Evol. He says, "Guess you like my blood a lot more, huh? Sorry to break it to you, but my fire can never be extinguished."*5

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10: COMBAT

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11: Indomitable Spirit: After defeating the Wanderer, FMC and QI Yu are dragged out into the ocean; seeing Qi Yu in the water, FMC tries to head toward him. After a brief exchange (and a flashback scene where Qi Yu says, "It's settled then. If you don't return, I'll... I'll chase you to the ends of the Earth.") FMC starts to sink, and Qi Yu is going to let her. He only hesitates because he 'hears' FMC ask him not to go. A little red fish appears over his heart. He reaches her, and says, "You forgot everything. Yet, you still insist... All right... This is your choice." His eyes flash completely blue, instead of their usual blue-pink, and we are given a glimpse of his 'real' Lemurian body as he heads towards the surface.

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*1, In hindsight, we will recognize this voice as Qin Che. It's likely that the two people with him are Luke and Kieran. *2, See World Underneath: Long Lost Treasures. *3, The MERMAN is taking his (probably) Long Lost Love out on a goddamn ROWBOAT. Just so we're all on the same page. *4, I believe this is the cleanest explanation of what exactly FMC's Evol is truly capable of, so far. *5, It can be universally agreed that it's a bit strange for the mermaid to have fire Evol, though that doesn't explain why the Wanderer appears after Qi Yu's blood, specifically. There may be some background lore happening there; also, I'm not entirely sure the English translation is 100% accurate.

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace 06: Endless Night, pt 1-11

01: Legendary Lumiere: The next day*1 FMC tries to look up information on Onychinus and the N109 Zone to no avail. Tara arrives, and the conversation turns to the current state of the place: in complete disarray, thanks to Lumiere; an urban legend, he was the first person to kill a Wanderer in the incident 14 years ago and, according to Nero, is the only person who could come-and-go from N109 whenever he pleases, and was apparently 'destroying protocores like he was setting off fireworks.' FMC is familiar with Lumiere, and believes that it might have been him that saved her during the destruction of the city. The mention of destroying protocores also reminds her of...

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02: Late Night Encounter: After failing to find any recent news on Lumiere, FMC boards a train at West Garden Station, and manages to stop Shen Xinghui's head from cracking into one of the seat handles once she does. He tells her it's been a while.*2

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03: Next Stop: FMC notes that a lot has happened since the last time she saw Shen Xinghui, and asks him to make sure they're not about to stumble into a crisis, since they always seem to encounter disasters when they meet by chance. Shen Xinghui informs her that the crisis is how he's hungry, but no store is open. Shen Xinghui teases her with an urban legend about an empty train dragging people into the depths of the abyss, claiming that he doesn't lie, and that weird things happen all the time. She realizes that the train is stopped at the same place she got on, and it's not a ghost, it's a Wanderer.

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04: Loop of Mirrors: FMC realizes the Wanderer is hiding in the window glass. She sees it attack her, but suffers no damage. Shen Xinghui informs her that Wanderers can travel between mirrors and glass, and they're trapped in a loop. Shen Xinghui's collar makes another appearance, and he proceeds to shatter all the glass in/on the train car.

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05: COMBAT :: Shen Xinghui, Tezcatilpoca.

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06: Falling Asleep Again: After defeating the wanderer, FMC points out that all the windows on the train car are broken,*3 and Shen Xinghui apologizes about the consequences of his bad plan, 'but he was exhausted.' He proceeds to literally fall asleep standing up, and his collar lights up again, just barely.

07: At Midnight: FMC learns that the only other time that particular type of Wanderer was around, it was defeated by Lumiere. FMC asks Shen Xinghui if HE is Lumiere, which he artfully dodges by pointing out that if he'd been killing Wanderers back then, he'd be in his 40s now, and that he's probably a Tenebra by now.*4 Shen Xinghui asks why FMC wants to meet Lumiere, anyway

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08: Evening Breeze: FMC and Shen Xinghui are walking, discussing Lumiere and the N109 Zone. While Shen Xinghui dismisses the rumors about Lumiere coming and going from N109 unscathed, and wiping out whole factions overnight, but still seems to know more than he wants to share: and he does notice that FMC wants to know more about N109 and Onychinus, not necessarily Lumiere. He tells her it's dangerous, that one mistake will forfeit your life, and "if (she) really wants to go... Then (she) either needs to have strength, or (she) has to blend in." He mentions how N109 a melting pot, and everyone knows where everyone else's loyalties lie. They arrive at the apartment building, and discover that they're neighbors.

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09: Your Distance: Shen Xinghui informs FMC that he moved into the building over 6 months ago, so she's the suspicious one here, but agrees to meet with her tomorrow to talk more about the N109 Zone.

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10: First Visit: FMC waits until noon to go to Shen Xinghui's apartment; she notes that he looks "almost harmless in his white sweater." FMC points out that Lumiere and Shen Xinghui are definitely connected; that he destroys protocores when other hunters wouldn't, that he's stronger than a group of hunters on his own, and he knows too much about the N109 Zone. She suggests that his search for something may align with her goals, as well as those of Onychinus. To break the stalemate, Shen Xinghui asks her if she knows why the protocore they found in the no-hunt zone has a red protocurve. She realizes he's not going to tell her anything until they're on the same page, and says it's because the protocore is an Aether Core.

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11: Highest Level Access: Shen Xinghui tells FMC that the protocores at both the no-hunt zone and the abandoned research base have energy from an Aether Core. When asked, Shen Xinghui tells FMC that the Hunters Association doesn't have the technology to analyze such things, and they won't, for a long while. FMC says that while she and Shen Xinghui aren't enemies right now, they might be in the future, and makes note of his obvious distress at the implication. He takes her Hunter's Watch and synchronizes their access privilege, giving her access to the highest level information available, the best weapons available, and the best training grounds available. Shen Xinghui asks if FMC trusts him, and tells her that the privileges only last for 24 hours.

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*1, The day after returning from Snowcrest, see Main Story: Eternal Aurora.

*2, There's no 'record' of either of them seeing one another in the six months between the Bloomshore explosion, and the meeting with Dr. Noah, though she notes she hasn't seen him 'in over a month.'

*3 This is probably what happens right before ______

*4, See relevant tag for Spacepedia.

[lndslorepuzzler]

Under Deepspace 05: Eternal Aurora, pt 1-09

01: Unspoken Secret: After opening the box left for her by Josephine, FMC puts together that she is the subject of an illegal experiment involving the fusion of a specialized protocore (Aether Core) and a human heart.*1 She calls Li Shen who, while he knows that the protocore in her heart is unusual, doesn't have any information to offer her except that Dr. Noah may be able to give her more information. He offers to get her in contact with him at the site of his current personal research project, Snowcrest. He suggests waiting for two weeks due to the weather; FMC is having none of that.*2

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02: Snow-Kissed Coffee: Sitting at the train station after being told that the train to Snowcrest is out of commission for unknown reasons, FMC meets Li Shen; he informs her that Dr. Noah asked him to come and visit a week ago, wanting assistance on his research project. Coincidentally, he's ordered two lattes. ("Did I say we met by chance?")

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03: Beyond Expectations: FMC and Li Shen discuss the Aether Core,*3 which consists mostly of Li Shen reassuring FMC and keeping her from letting her mind run amok with any silly ideas. Upon realizing that the train has been halted due to a Wanderer attack, FMC grabs Li Shen, and takes off to insert herself into the situation.

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04: COMBAT

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05: Moving Out: After assisting with the Wanderer attack, a local hunter offers a transport vehicle for FMC and Li Shen to use on their way to Snowcrest, which turns out to be a dogsled. Li Shen, who has been to the arctic regions several times, knows how to mush a sled, and therefore takes the reins of this particular leg of their journey. FMC points out that he seems more like a local than someone who just occasionally helps out; the conversation is cut off by the arrival of their 'pick-up ride:' a pure white cross between a pomeranian and an arctic fox, named Pie.

06: Enigmatic Guide: Pie is as intelligent as a 9-year-old child. He is also a gluttonous ,ungrateful little thing, but adorable; he loves FMC immediately while ignoring Li Shen, who actually brought food for him and is having none of his tomfoolery. FMC notes that Li Shen never talks about the research he does in the Arctic regions, and Pie leads them to Dr. Noah's residence, where Li Shen helps him to corral several 'escapees.' Dr. Noah and Li Shen have a brief conversation about whether the 'antagonist' is working, and that it's 'effectiveness was shortened by a week. It seems like the Metaflux around this area is increasing again.'

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07: Aether Core: After a meal, FMC and Li Shen talk with Dr. Noah about the Aether Core; he hypothesizes that the Aether Core itself may be the reason for FMC's innate strength.*4 He says that sometimes, people just want to unravel the unknown for no real reason, but that she needs to keep the Aether Core a secret as much as possible, as letting the information out could mean making her a target for 'some (who are) willing to do anything to achieve their goals.' He doesn't know anything about any of the other researchers, save that one of them joined Onychinus in the N109 Zone.*5

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08: Snowy Tranquility: After the conversation with Dr. Noah, FMC and Li Shen have a sit-down together to watch the Aurora. She points out Mt. Eternal, which had an anomalous protofield a few years ago. Li Shen mentions that a friend sacrificed himself during that incident*6 and the two of them share a few thoughts on grief. FMC is leaving the next day, but Li Shen is not ("When I do think of you, I'll just call.")

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09: Snowy Mountain: Before going to bed, Li Shen gives FMC the documents to hold on to, as 'if they're leaked, you might become Onychinus' next target.' FMC realizes that the protocurve of the modified protocore she found in the no-hunt zone, and the energy value in its ground state, is close to the value of the Aether Core in her heart; and they're both about 500eV more than the average protocore output. This leads her to believe that Onychinus already has an Aether Core in their possession. The next morning, she's ill at ease after learning that Li Shen is planning to venture to/into Mt. Eternal, considering what he said last night.

*1, It's worth noting that, while the paperwork says the subject is 7-8 years old, it doesn't specify WHEN in the experiment's duration she is 7-8, or how long the experiment actually lasted. *2, It's specified that this exchange/phone call occurred 6 months after the explosion. *3, 'It's a power made just for you,' see Main Story: Long Awaited Revelry: Ambiguous Chaos *4, The language is unclear, 'innate strength' could be interpreted as the RESULT of the Aether Core surgery, or the CAUSE of the surgery's success. *5, See Main Story: *6, See World Underneath: Longly Flame

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Under Deepspace 03: Talented Hunter, pt 01-11

01: Order Number 85: FMC is sent on a mission to investigate and resolve a fluctuation in No-Hunt Zone 7, Zone IV, but her partner hasn't arrived.

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02: No-Hunt Zone No.7: FMC decides to make her way in without her partner. From the ground, she sees Shen Xinghui confronting a Wanderer, and wonders if he's comforting it. It explodes in a blast of light, and Shen Xinghui destroys its protocore. The red collar appears around his neck. He confronts her, and she gets caught in one of his traps while trying to explain herself.

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03: Reunion Under Moon: After wrapping up her sprained ankle, Shen Xinghui suggests that she leave, as the . He notes that it isn't the Metaflux surges she has to worry about, and that many Tenebrae who go there seeking high-grade protocores to sell are never seen again, once they've obtained them; that the forest itself is alive, and consumed them. FMC tells him not to scare her, but he directs her to leave the forest while he goes off in the opposite direction.

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04: Maze: FMC considers whether or not Shen Xinghui is her partner. There is some brief comedic back-and-forth where he comes back to check on FMC, he goes out and kills a bunch of Wanderers, he comes back to check on FMC, he goes out and kills a bunch of Wanderers. He tells her he's decided he shouldn't leave an injured teammate behind, but his identity can't be verified by her Hunter's Watch. She wants him to prove who he is. He uses his Evol, and creates a 3D pattern made of several diamonds. He asks if she looks familiar; she tells him it doesn't, and the light flickers. ("Maybe Shen Xinghui was hoping to hear something else.") He tells her to keep an eye out for the pattern, as it can appear on the Flux Nexus, a device that captures Metaflux.

When FMC continues to doubt him, Shen Xinghui drops it; when FMC asks him what a Flux Nexus looks like, wanting to compare his information to Tara's, he uses her words against her and reminds her that nothing he says can be verified, so why would she believe him? But his description of the Flux Nexus matches the description of the stele at the abandoned research base.

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05: Exit: FMC wonders why she and Shen Xinghui always seem to be trapped together every time they meet. He asks her why she always happens to be around when he's in trouble. They locate the Wanderers causing the spacial irregularities; before FMC can finish her suggestion on how to deal with them, Shen Xinghui has taken care of them.

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06: Awakened Forest: FMC and Shen Xinghui banter a bit; she wants to know what his deal is, reminding him that he said he'd explain everything the next time they met. He tells her it's a long story, and asks if she really needs to keep her guard up. She says he hasn't been honest, but they can 'work together for now.' They find the Flux Nexus, in the location of a former signal station. FMC realizes that the Metaflux is converging on the Wanderer, which is absorbing it. Shen Xinghui identifies the Wanderer as an Aeonwyrm, and that the Metaflux particles are being used to reconstruct it. Shen Xinghui tries and fails to activate the Flux Nexus, and says FMC should sense its energy and use her Evol to create the same fluctuations. She does so, and the Aeonwyrm evaporates, leaving only a yellow protocore. Shen Xinghui points out that the fluctuations prove that someone wanted to resurrect the Aeonwyrm. Shen Xinghui appears to be very in tune with the forest, claiming that 'it's waking up,' before entering combat.

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07: COMBAT

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08: Where Light Vanishes: Shen Xinghui and FMC escape the Wanderers by virtue of Shen Xinghui's Big Leap Trick. Upon inspecting the protocore obtained from the Aeonwyrm, Shen Xinghui explains that it's been modified, and the modification is the work of the organization, Onychinus, which is stationed in the N109 Zone, which carries the infamous achievement of modifying protocores. Shen Xinghui tells FMC that the moon is much brighter, so she'll be safe to head home, while he walks back into the forest on his own. As the camera pans back, there is a shot of a black, quasi-mechanical crow with red lenses for eyes sitting on a branch.*2

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09: Another Predicament: There is a flashback from the FMC about the attack on Linkon; references to the rusty rain, the ruined streets, and the red moon that slowly blackens, as though it's an eye blinking at her. Coming back to the present,*1 she reminds herself to get in contact with Nero about the eye she saw. She sees Shen Xinghui, in his hunter uniform, being accosted by journalists. ("I don't really have dreams... Also, I'm the only person in my family.") There is mention of complaints that hunters have been destroying public facilities under the pretense of eliminating Wanderers, but when FMC tells Shen Xinghui to beg her to save him, he does. So she does. She notes that it's strange to see him in broad daylight without any disaster surrounding them. Jenna arrives in the office to give them a briefing.

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10: Invitation: Jenna explains that the protocore has both red and blue protocurves, proving that it's been modified. She calls it 'a gift from Onychinus,' and that they clearly know more about the protocore than they do. She says they'll need to use FMC's Evol to locate and obtain more information. She says Onychinus' goals are unknown, but given Qin Che's track record, it's not about money. She instructs FMC to take the next two days off.

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11: Selection: Shen Xinghui and FMC eat gross dry bread and discuss the plans going forward; he advises her to not join the project. FMC says she'll take Shen Xinghui as her partner, because his teleporting ability is useful. He reminds her that her Evol might not be the only option, and to keep her options open. ("You might enter a world that's beyond your wildest imagination.") He expresses his worries that she might have just said yes without thinking it over, that she might not be fully informed about any dangers that lie ahead. He was also worried she wouldn't choose him as her partner.

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*1, This event occurs the next morning. *2, In hindsight, we know this is Mephisto.