A Reunion Out of Time

I'm scared... waaah... Lord Argent up above, could Nana come keep me safe...?

If Lord Argent says yes, then I'll admit that I'm just a big scaredy-cat! I only told Mum and Dad I wasn't afraid so I'd sound brave...

Ah, y, you're right! I thought I was way braver than this... I didn't mean to hide it on purpose...

Lord Argent can keep me from getting hurt... but Nana makes me feel safe inside. And They're super, super busy, They might not have time to come all the way down just for me...

...You sound just like those nosy aunties and uncles always asking, "Who do you love more, Mum or Dad?"

Aw... If Nana were here, I wouldn't have to stay home all by myself... and Lord Argent wouldn't have to come fix all the spooky stuff either...

What happened, exactly?

You promise you won't get scared? There's been loads of strange things at my house! Like, thud! books falling right off the shelf! I was way too scared to go near them...

And then one of them started chasing me! Like it had eyes! And legs!

And, and! Mum and Dad haven't been home lately, but I keep finding Skylilies on the windowsill! I asked around, but nobody said they brought them...

There's been tons of weird things like that!

Like one time, I scraped my knee, and in the middle of the night I heard this soft "fwooo, fwooo" like the wind... Then when I woke up, someone had already put herb paste on my knee!

And another time, a bunch of Loomhoppers got into my room! I hate bugs! Who let them in, was it some kind of mean prank?

What about your parents?

Mum and Dad are Starweavers, they won't be back for a while. As for Nana... she went to Lord Argent's side. She's a star in the sky now.

As a star, Nana lights the way home for Mum and Dad... She watches me every night, no matter where I live, Haojing, Mistwharf... even if I went far, far away from Huaxu.

But... I still miss her so much. I'd rather have her here with me... not way up in the sky...

(You realise now, Lingling's Nana must have passed away.)

Waah... waaaahhh!

Thanks for staying with me. I'm not so scared now. I'll keep praying to Nana and Lord Argent until Mum and Dad come back...

I think I might have a lead. Maybe I can help you sort this out.

Huh? But you're not Nana... or Lord Argent...

Ahem... Lord Argent heard your prayers and sent me, Their very own messenger, to help you.

Wow! So you're one of the mighty ones Lord Argent picked? I've only ever heard of people like you in stories, it's my first time meeting one for real!

I followed the stars here. Maybe one of them is your Nana.

*sniff*... I knew it... Nana's always watching over me... she's never really gone...

I'm a Phoxhunter. Like you say in Huaxu..."paid to fix your troubles." If you've got something to offer, I'll take care of your problem.

Oh! Just like when Mum and Dad hire sailors before going to sea! Then... I'll give you all my pocket money!

Thank you, then! My house is that way...

I think I've figured it out. There's only one explanation, Lingling's Nana became a Wishen... and she's been trying to reach her.

It's a simple truth, really, but since most people can't see a Wishen, it's no wonder they thought it was a ghost.

The real question is... how do I help Lingling understand that this isn't a haunting, but the echo of a Wishen's will?

Guess it'll come back to me soon...

Back in Yu Abysm... it was Fushu who helped me see a Wishen.

If I can help Lingling see her Nana again, maybe she won't be scared anymore... and maybe the Wishen can finally rest.

Time to pay Fushu a visit.

Ah, Vita, we meet again.

Do you come on urgent business, or has some affliction led you here, that I might tend to it with the Art of Ephemerality?

I see... Such longing for one's kin, it is a feeling I know well. You have asked my aid, and so you shall have it.

However... there are matters I cannot set aside at present, and thus I cannot accompany the girl myself.

But I can weave the Art of Zhuyou into an object, ideally one tied to both the child and the Wishen. So long as she keeps it with her, she shall be able to see the Wishen.

If you have such an item in mind, bring it to me, and I shall begin the process. Will that suffice?

Of course. Thank you, Fushu.

That should do it. Time to give them to Fushu.

You have done well. I shall begin at once, it will not take long.

It is done. The charm will hold for half an hour, no more, but it is entirely safe. You need not worry.

Thank you so much, Fushu.

That bond between grandmother and grandchild... must be deep. Go now, let no moment be wasted.

Your house was never haunted. It's just a Wishen, bound by longing, who couldn't bear to leave you.

!

Could it be... Nana!?

I prayed every single day for Nana to stay by my side... and she really did? I just didn't know?

Nana's the best... Lord Argent is second-best!

Even if I can't see her anymore... I can still sit with her in the sun, read her the bits of the newspaper she couldn't make out... Oh! And this time, it's my turn to sing her the lullaby!

Really!? I get to see Nana again?

I'll give you all my pocket money! Is it enough, miss?

Here, take this. It'll let you see her.

...?

I don't see anything! In Huaxu, if you lie, the Bi'an comes to drag you off! Still, I don't want to watch you get smacked... maybe you should start running.

If the Wishen misses you that much, she won't be far. Want to try calling out to her?

Okay... I'll try...

Nana, I'm here! I miss you so much! Can I see you again, please?

Naaa, naaa...!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Nana? It's me, Lingling! Who's P...

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Pingping, it's afternoon... Let's take a walk. You like Loomhoppers, don't you?

Pingping, you scraped your knee? Does it hurt? Grandpa will give it some fwoo fwoo, pain, pain, go away... there, all better now.

No... this isn't right. That's not Nana... And I don't even like Loomhoppers...

Hold on, did your Nana like Loomhoppers?

Nana used to catch them to cheer me up, but I was so scared I screamed, so she never did that again... I think maybe she did like them.

Do you remember what your Nana's name was?

Oh! I remember now! Her name was Siping!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Looks like he mistook you for your Nana. He must be your Nana's grandfather, which makes him your...?

My great-great-grandfather! Nana always said I looked just like her when she was little... So it really was true!

Ah, so Nana wasn't born a Nana... She was a kid who had grown-ups who loved her, too...

Pingping, when did you come home?

I never met him... Nana said he passed away when she was still young, just after she moved to Haojing. She didn't find out in time, so she never got to say goodbye...

That's why he became a Wishen, waiting for Siping to come home, even now.

That must be it...

I'm scared... waaah... Lord Argent up above, could Nana come keep me safe...?

If Lord Argent says yes, then I'll admit that I'm just a big scaredy-cat! I only told Mum and Dad I wasn't afraid so I'd sound brave...

Ah, y, you're right! I thought I was way braver than this... I didn't mean to hide it on purpose...

Lord Argent can keep me from getting hurt... but Nana makes me feel safe inside. And They're super, super busy, They might not have time to come all the way down just for me...

...You sound just like those nosy aunties and uncles always asking, "Who do you love more, Mum or Dad?"

Aw... If Nana were here, I wouldn't have to stay home all by myself... and Lord Argent wouldn't have to come fix all the spooky stuff either...

What happened, exactly?

You promise you won't get scared? There's been loads of strange things at my house! Like, thud! books falling right off the shelf! I was way too scared to go near them...

And then one of them started chasing me! Like it had eyes! And legs!

And, and! Mum and Dad haven't been home lately, but I keep finding Skylilies on the windowsill! I asked around, but nobody said they brought them...

There's been tons of weird things like that!

Like one time, I scraped my knee, and in the middle of the night I heard this soft "fwooo, fwooo" like the wind... Then when I woke up, someone had already put herb paste on my knee!

And another time, a bunch of Loomhoppers got into my room! I hate bugs! Who let them in, was it some kind of mean prank?

What about your parents?

Mum and Dad are Starweavers, they won't be back for a while. As for Nana... she went to Lord Argent's side. She's a star in the sky now.

As a star, Nana lights the way home for Mum and Dad... She watches me every night, no matter where I live, Haojing, Mistwharf... even if I went far, far away from Huaxu.

But... I still miss her so much. I'd rather have her here with me... not way up in the sky...

(You realise now, Lingling's Nana must have passed away.)

Waah... waaaahhh!

Thanks for staying with me. I'm not so scared now. I'll keep praying to Nana and Lord Argent until Mum and Dad come back...

I think I might have a lead. Maybe I can help you sort this out.

Huh? But you're not Nana... or Lord Argent...

Ahem... Lord Argent heard your prayers and sent me, Their very own messenger, to help you.

Wow! So you're one of the mighty ones Lord Argent picked? I've only ever heard of people like you in stories, it's my first time meeting one for real!

I followed the stars here. Maybe one of them is your Nana.

*sniff*... I knew it... Nana's always watching over me... she's never really gone...

I'm a Phoxhunter. Like you say in Huaxu..."paid to fix your troubles." If you've got something to offer, I'll take care of your problem.

Oh! Just like when Mum and Dad hire sailors before going to sea! Then... I'll give you all my pocket money!

Thank you, then! My house is that way...

I think I've figured it out. There's only one explanation, Lingling's Nana became a Wishen... and she's been trying to reach her.

It's a simple truth, really, but since most people can't see a Wishen, it's no wonder they thought it was a ghost.

The real question is... how do I help Lingling understand that this isn't a haunting, but the echo of a Wishen's will?

Guess it'll come back to me soon...

Back in Yu Abysm... it was Fushu who helped me see a Wishen.

If I can help Lingling see her Nana again, maybe she won't be scared anymore... and maybe the Wishen can finally rest.

Time to pay Fushu a visit.

Ah, Vita, we meet again.

Do you come on urgent business, or has some affliction led you here, that I might tend to it with the Art of Ephemerality?

I see... Such longing for one's kin, it is a feeling I know well. You have asked my aid, and so you shall have it.

However... there are matters I cannot set aside at present, and thus I cannot accompany the girl myself.

But I can weave the Art of Zhuyou into an object, ideally one tied to both the child and the Wishen. So long as she keeps it with her, she shall be able to see the Wishen.

If you have such an item in mind, bring it to me, and I shall begin the process. Will that suffice?

Of course. Thank you, Fushu.

That should do it. Time to give them to Fushu.

You have done well. I shall begin at once, it will not take long.

It is done. The charm will hold for half an hour, no more, but it is entirely safe. You need not worry.

Thank you so much, Fushu.

That bond between grandmother and grandchild... must be deep. Go now, let no moment be wasted.

Your house was never haunted. It's just a Wishen, bound by longing, who couldn't bear to leave you.

!

Could it be... Nana!?

I prayed every single day for Nana to stay by my side... and she really did? I just didn't know?

Nana's the best... Lord Argent is second-best!

Even if I can't see her anymore... I can still sit with her in the sun, read her the bits of the newspaper she couldn't make out... Oh! And this time, it's my turn to sing her the lullaby!

Really!? I get to see Nana again?

I'll give you all my pocket money! Is it enough, miss?

Here, take this. It'll let you see her.

...?

I don't see anything! In Huaxu, if you lie, the Bi'an comes to drag you off! Still, I don't want to watch you get smacked... maybe you should start running.

If the Wishen misses you that much, she won't be far. Want to try calling out to her?

Okay... I'll try...

Nana, I'm here! I miss you so much! Can I see you again, please?

Naaa, naaa...!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Nana? It's me, Lingling! Who's P...

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Pingping, it's afternoon... Let's take a walk. You like Loomhoppers, don't you?

Pingping, you scraped your knee? Does it hurt? Grandpa will give it some fwoo fwoo, pain, pain, go away... there, all better now.

No... this isn't right. That's not Nana... And I don't even like Loomhoppers...

Hold on, did your Nana like Loomhoppers?

Nana used to catch them to cheer me up, but I was so scared I screamed, so she never did that again... I think maybe she did like them.

Do you remember what your Nana's name was?

Oh! I remember now! Her name was Siping!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Looks like he mistook you for your Nana. He must be your Nana's grandfather, which makes him your...?

My great-great-grandfather! Nana always said I looked just like her when she was little... So it really was true!

Ah, so Nana wasn't born a Nana... She was a kid who had grown-ups who loved her, too...

Pingping, when did you come home?

I never met him... Nana said he passed away when she was still young, just after she moved to Haojing. She didn't find out in time, so she never got to say goodbye...

That's why he became a Wishen, waiting for Siping to come home, even now.

That must be it...

I'm scared... waaah... Lord Argent up above, could Nana come keep me safe...?

If Lord Argent says yes, then I'll admit that I'm just a big scaredy-cat! I only told Mum and Dad I wasn't afraid so I'd sound brave...

Ah, y, you're right! I thought I was way braver than this... I didn't mean to hide it on purpose...

Lord Argent can keep me from getting hurt... but Nana makes me feel safe inside. And They're super, super busy, They might not have time to come all the way down just for me...

...You sound just like those nosy aunties and uncles always asking, "Who do you love more, Mum or Dad?"

Aw... If Nana were here, I wouldn't have to stay home all by myself... and Lord Argent wouldn't have to come fix all the spooky stuff either...

What happened, exactly?

You promise you won't get scared? There's been loads of strange things at my house! Like, thud! books falling right off the shelf! I was way too scared to go near them...

And then one of them started chasing me! Like it had eyes! And legs!

And, and! Mum and Dad haven't been home lately, but I keep finding Skylilies on the windowsill! I asked around, but nobody said they brought them...

There's been tons of weird things like that!

Like one time, I scraped my knee, and in the middle of the night I heard this soft "fwooo, fwooo" like the wind... Then when I woke up, someone had already put herb paste on my knee!

And another time, a bunch of Loomhoppers got into my room! I hate bugs! Who let them in, was it some kind of mean prank?

What about your parents?

Mum and Dad are Starweavers, they won't be back for a while. As for Nana... she went to Lord Argent's side. She's a star in the sky now.

As a star, Nana lights the way home for Mum and Dad... She watches me every night, no matter where I live, Haojing, Mistwharf... even if I went far, far away from Huaxu.

But... I still miss her so much. I'd rather have her here with me... not way up in the sky...

(You realise now, Lingling's Nana must have passed away.)

Waah... waaaahhh!

Thanks for staying with me. I'm not so scared now. I'll keep praying to Nana and Lord Argent until Mum and Dad come back...

I think I might have a lead. Maybe I can help you sort this out.

Huh? But you're not Nana... or Lord Argent...

Ahem... Lord Argent heard your prayers and sent me, Their very own messenger, to help you.

Wow! So you're one of the mighty ones Lord Argent picked? I've only ever heard of people like you in stories, it's my first time meeting one for real!

I followed the stars here. Maybe one of them is your Nana.

*sniff*... I knew it... Nana's always watching over me... she's never really gone...

I'm a Phoxhunter. Like you say in Huaxu..."paid to fix your troubles." If you've got something to offer, I'll take care of your problem.

Oh! Just like when Mum and Dad hire sailors before going to sea! Then... I'll give you all my pocket money!

Thank you, then! My house is that way...

I think I've figured it out. There's only one explanation, Lingling's Nana became a Wishen... and she's been trying to reach her.

It's a simple truth, really, but since most people can't see a Wishen, it's no wonder they thought it was a ghost.

The real question is... how do I help Lingling understand that this isn't a haunting, but the echo of a Wishen's will?

Guess it'll come back to me soon...

Back in Yu Abysm... it was Fushu who helped me see a Wishen.

If I can help Lingling see her Nana again, maybe she won't be scared anymore... and maybe the Wishen can finally rest.

Time to pay Fushu a visit.

Ah, Vita, we meet again.

Do you come on urgent business, or has some affliction led you here, that I might tend to it with the Art of Ephemerality?

I see... Such longing for one's kin, it is a feeling I know well. You have asked my aid, and so you shall have it.

However... there are matters I cannot set aside at present, and thus I cannot accompany the girl myself.

But I can weave the Art of Zhuyou into an object, ideally one tied to both the child and the Wishen. So long as she keeps it with her, she shall be able to see the Wishen.

If you have such an item in mind, bring it to me, and I shall begin the process. Will that suffice?

Of course. Thank you, Fushu.

That should do it. Time to give them to Fushu.

You have done well. I shall begin at once, it will not take long.

It is done. The charm will hold for half an hour, no more, but it is entirely safe. You need not worry.

Thank you so much, Fushu.

That bond between grandmother and grandchild... must be deep. Go now, let no moment be wasted.

Your house was never haunted. It's just a Wishen, bound by longing, who couldn't bear to leave you.

!

Could it be... Nana!?

I prayed every single day for Nana to stay by my side... and she really did? I just didn't know?

Nana's the best... Lord Argent is second-best!

Even if I can't see her anymore... I can still sit with her in the sun, read her the bits of the newspaper she couldn't make out... Oh! And this time, it's my turn to sing her the lullaby!

Really!? I get to see Nana again?

I'll give you all my pocket money! Is it enough, miss?

Here, take this. It'll let you see her.

...?

I don't see anything! In Huaxu, if you lie, the Bi'an comes to drag you off! Still, I don't want to watch you get smacked... maybe you should start running.

If the Wishen misses you that much, she won't be far. Want to try calling out to her?

Okay... I'll try...

Nana, I'm here! I miss you so much! Can I see you again, please?

Naaa, naaa...!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Nana? It's me, Lingling! Who's P...

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Pingping, it's afternoon... Let's take a walk. You like Loomhoppers, don't you?

Pingping, you scraped your knee? Does it hurt? Grandpa will give it some fwoo fwoo, pain, pain, go away... there, all better now.

No... this isn't right. That's not Nana... And I don't even like Loomhoppers...

Hold on, did your Nana like Loomhoppers?

Nana used to catch them to cheer me up, but I was so scared I screamed, so she never did that again... I think maybe she did like them.

Do you remember what your Nana's name was?

Oh! I remember now! Her name was Siping!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Looks like he mistook you for your Nana. He must be your Nana's grandfather, which makes him your...?

My great-great-grandfather! Nana always said I looked just like her when she was little... So it really was true!

Ah, so Nana wasn't born a Nana... She was a kid who had grown-ups who loved her, too...

Pingping, when did you come home?

I never met him... Nana said he passed away when she was still young, just after she moved to Haojing. She didn't find out in time, so she never got to say goodbye...

That's why he became a Wishen, waiting for Siping to come home, even now.

That must be it...

I'm scared... waaah... Lord Argent up above, could Nana come keep me safe...?

If Lord Argent says yes, then I'll admit that I'm just a big scaredy-cat! I only told Mum and Dad I wasn't afraid so I'd sound brave...

Ah, y, you're right! I thought I was way braver than this... I didn't mean to hide it on purpose...

Lord Argent can keep me from getting hurt... but Nana makes me feel safe inside. And They're super, super busy, They might not have time to come all the way down just for me...

...You sound just like those nosy aunties and uncles always asking, "Who do you love more, Mum or Dad?"

Aw... If Nana were here, I wouldn't have to stay home all by myself... and Lord Argent wouldn't have to come fix all the spooky stuff either...

What happened, exactly?

You promise you won't get scared? There's been loads of strange things at my house! Like, thud! books falling right off the shelf! I was way too scared to go near them...

And then one of them started chasing me! Like it had eyes! And legs!

And, and! Mum and Dad haven't been home lately, but I keep finding Skylilies on the windowsill! I asked around, but nobody said they brought them...

There's been tons of weird things like that!

Like one time, I scraped my knee, and in the middle of the night I heard this soft "fwooo, fwooo" like the wind... Then when I woke up, someone had already put herb paste on my knee!

And another time, a bunch of Loomhoppers got into my room! I hate bugs! Who let them in, was it some kind of mean prank?

What about your parents?

Mum and Dad are Starweavers, they won't be back for a while. As for Nana... she went to Lord Argent's side. She's a star in the sky now.

As a star, Nana lights the way home for Mum and Dad... She watches me every night, no matter where I live, Haojing, Mistwharf... even if I went far, far away from Huaxu.

But... I still miss her so much. I'd rather have her here with me... not way up in the sky...

(You realise now, Lingling's Nana must have passed away.)

Waah... waaaahhh!

Thanks for staying with me. I'm not so scared now. I'll keep praying to Nana and Lord Argent until Mum and Dad come back...

I think I might have a lead. Maybe I can help you sort this out.

Huh? But you're not Nana... or Lord Argent...

Ahem... Lord Argent heard your prayers and sent me, Their very own messenger, to help you.

Wow! So you're one of the mighty ones Lord Argent picked? I've only ever heard of people like you in stories, it's my first time meeting one for real!

I followed the stars here. Maybe one of them is your Nana.

*sniff*... I knew it... Nana's always watching over me... she's never really gone...

I'm a Phoxhunter. Like you say in Huaxu..."paid to fix your troubles." If you've got something to offer, I'll take care of your problem.

Oh! Just like when Mum and Dad hire sailors before going to sea! Then... I'll give you all my pocket money!

Thank you, then! My house is that way...

I think I've figured it out. There's only one explanation, Lingling's Nana became a Wishen... and she's been trying to reach her.

It's a simple truth, really, but since most people can't see a Wishen, it's no wonder they thought it was a ghost.

The real question is... how do I help Lingling understand that this isn't a haunting, but the echo of a Wishen's will?

Guess it'll come back to me soon...

Back in Yu Abysm... it was Fushu who helped me see a Wishen.

If I can help Lingling see her Nana again, maybe she won't be scared anymore... and maybe the Wishen can finally rest.

Time to pay Fushu a visit.

Ah, Vita, we meet again.

Do you come on urgent business, or has some affliction led you here, that I might tend to it with the Art of Ephemerality?

I see... Such longing for one's kin, it is a feeling I know well. You have asked my aid, and so you shall have it.

However... there are matters I cannot set aside at present, and thus I cannot accompany the girl myself.

But I can weave the Art of Zhuyou into an object, ideally one tied to both the child and the Wishen. So long as she keeps it with her, she shall be able to see the Wishen.

If you have such an item in mind, bring it to me, and I shall begin the process. Will that suffice?

Of course. Thank you, Fushu.

That should do it. Time to give them to Fushu.

You have done well. I shall begin at once, it will not take long.

It is done. The charm will hold for half an hour, no more, but it is entirely safe. You need not worry.

Thank you so much, Fushu.

That bond between grandmother and grandchild... must be deep. Go now, let no moment be wasted.

Your house was never haunted. It's just a Wishen, bound by longing, who couldn't bear to leave you.

!

Could it be... Nana!?

I prayed every single day for Nana to stay by my side... and she really did? I just didn't know?

Nana's the best... Lord Argent is second-best!

Even if I can't see her anymore... I can still sit with her in the sun, read her the bits of the newspaper she couldn't make out... Oh! And this time, it's my turn to sing her the lullaby!

Really!? I get to see Nana again?

I'll give you all my pocket money! Is it enough, miss?

Here, take this. It'll let you see her.

...?

I don't see anything! In Huaxu, if you lie, the Bi'an comes to drag you off! Still, I don't want to watch you get smacked... maybe you should start running.

If the Wishen misses you that much, she won't be far. Want to try calling out to her?

Okay... I'll try...

Nana, I'm here! I miss you so much! Can I see you again, please?

Naaa, naaa...!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Nana? It's me, Lingling! Who's P...

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Pingping, it's afternoon... Let's take a walk. You like Loomhoppers, don't you?

Pingping, you scraped your knee? Does it hurt? Grandpa will give it some fwoo fwoo, pain, pain, go away... there, all better now.

No... this isn't right. That's not Nana... And I don't even like Loomhoppers...

Hold on, did your Nana like Loomhoppers?

Nana used to catch them to cheer me up, but I was so scared I screamed, so she never did that again... I think maybe she did like them.

Do you remember what your Nana's name was?

Oh! I remember now! Her name was Siping!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Looks like he mistook you for your Nana. He must be your Nana's grandfather, which makes him your...?

My great-great-grandfather! Nana always said I looked just like her when she was little... So it really was true!

Ah, so Nana wasn't born a Nana... She was a kid who had grown-ups who loved her, too...

Pingping, when did you come home?

I never met him... Nana said he passed away when she was still young, just after she moved to Haojing. She didn't find out in time, so she never got to say goodbye...

That's why he became a Wishen, waiting for Siping to come home, even now.

That must be it...

I'm scared... waaah... Lord Argent up above, could Nana come keep me safe...?

If Lord Argent says yes, then I'll admit that I'm just a big scaredy-cat! I only told Mum and Dad I wasn't afraid so I'd sound brave...

Ah, y, you're right! I thought I was way braver than this... I didn't mean to hide it on purpose...

Lord Argent can keep me from getting hurt... but Nana makes me feel safe inside. And They're super, super busy, They might not have time to come all the way down just for me...

...You sound just like those nosy aunties and uncles always asking, "Who do you love more, Mum or Dad?"

Aw... If Nana were here, I wouldn't have to stay home all by myself... and Lord Argent wouldn't have to come fix all the spooky stuff either...

What happened, exactly?

You promise you won't get scared? There's been loads of strange things at my house! Like, thud! books falling right off the shelf! I was way too scared to go near them...

And then one of them started chasing me! Like it had eyes! And legs!

And, and! Mum and Dad haven't been home lately, but I keep finding Skylilies on the windowsill! I asked around, but nobody said they brought them...

There's been tons of weird things like that!

Like one time, I scraped my knee, and in the middle of the night I heard this soft "fwooo, fwooo" like the wind... Then when I woke up, someone had already put herb paste on my knee!

And another time, a bunch of Loomhoppers got into my room! I hate bugs! Who let them in, was it some kind of mean prank?

What about your parents?

Mum and Dad are Starweavers, they won't be back for a while. As for Nana... she went to Lord Argent's side. She's a star in the sky now.

As a star, Nana lights the way home for Mum and Dad... She watches me every night, no matter where I live, Haojing, Mistwharf... even if I went far, far away from Huaxu.

But... I still miss her so much. I'd rather have her here with me... not way up in the sky...

(You realise now, Lingling's Nana must have passed away.)

Waah... waaaahhh!

Thanks for staying with me. I'm not so scared now. I'll keep praying to Nana and Lord Argent until Mum and Dad come back...

I think I might have a lead. Maybe I can help you sort this out.

Huh? But you're not Nana... or Lord Argent...

Ahem... Lord Argent heard your prayers and sent me, Their very own messenger, to help you.

Wow! So you're one of the mighty ones Lord Argent picked? I've only ever heard of people like you in stories, it's my first time meeting one for real!

I followed the stars here. Maybe one of them is your Nana.

*sniff*... I knew it... Nana's always watching over me... she's never really gone...

I'm a Phoxhunter. Like you say in Huaxu..."paid to fix your troubles." If you've got something to offer, I'll take care of your problem.

Oh! Just like when Mum and Dad hire sailors before going to sea! Then... I'll give you all my pocket money!

Thank you, then! My house is that way...

I think I've figured it out. There's only one explanation, Lingling's Nana became a Wishen... and she's been trying to reach her.

It's a simple truth, really, but since most people can't see a Wishen, it's no wonder they thought it was a ghost.

The real question is... how do I help Lingling understand that this isn't a haunting, but the echo of a Wishen's will?

Guess it'll come back to me soon...

Back in Yu Abysm... it was Fushu who helped me see a Wishen.

If I can help Lingling see her Nana again, maybe she won't be scared anymore... and maybe the Wishen can finally rest.

Time to pay Fushu a visit.

Ah, Vita, we meet again.

Do you come on urgent business, or has some affliction led you here, that I might tend to it with the Art of Ephemerality?

I see... Such longing for one's kin, it is a feeling I know well. You have asked my aid, and so you shall have it.

However... there are matters I cannot set aside at present, and thus I cannot accompany the girl myself.

But I can weave the Art of Zhuyou into an object, ideally one tied to both the child and the Wishen. So long as she keeps it with her, she shall be able to see the Wishen.

If you have such an item in mind, bring it to me, and I shall begin the process. Will that suffice?

Of course. Thank you, Fushu.

That should do it. Time to give them to Fushu.

You have done well. I shall begin at once, it will not take long.

It is done. The charm will hold for half an hour, no more, but it is entirely safe. You need not worry.

Thank you so much, Fushu.

That bond between grandmother and grandchild... must be deep. Go now, let no moment be wasted.

Your house was never haunted. It's just a Wishen, bound by longing, who couldn't bear to leave you.

!

Could it be... Nana!?

I prayed every single day for Nana to stay by my side... and she really did? I just didn't know?

Nana's the best... Lord Argent is second-best!

Even if I can't see her anymore... I can still sit with her in the sun, read her the bits of the newspaper she couldn't make out... Oh! And this time, it's my turn to sing her the lullaby!

Really!? I get to see Nana again?

I'll give you all my pocket money! Is it enough, miss?

Here, take this. It'll let you see her.

...?

I don't see anything! In Huaxu, if you lie, the Bi'an comes to drag you off! Still, I don't want to watch you get smacked... maybe you should start running.

If the Wishen misses you that much, she won't be far. Want to try calling out to her?

Okay... I'll try...

Nana, I'm here! I miss you so much! Can I see you again, please?

Naaa, naaa...!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Nana? It's me, Lingling! Who's P...

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Pingping, it's afternoon... Let's take a walk. You like Loomhoppers, don't you?

Pingping, you scraped your knee? Does it hurt? Grandpa will give it some fwoo fwoo, pain, pain, go away... there, all better now.

No... this isn't right. That's not Nana... And I don't even like Loomhoppers...

Hold on, did your Nana like Loomhoppers?

Nana used to catch them to cheer me up, but I was so scared I screamed, so she never did that again... I think maybe she did like them.

Do you remember what your Nana's name was?

Oh! I remember now! Her name was Siping!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I... I've been waiting so long... Pingping, the sun's come out, let's pick some Skylilies to put in the vase.

Pingping... it's noon now. Let's read for a while.

Looks like he mistook you for your Nana. He must be your Nana's grandfather, which makes him your...?

My great-great-grandfather! Nana always said I looked just like her when she was little... So it really was true!

Ah, so Nana wasn't born a Nana... She was a kid who had grown-ups who loved her, too...

Pingping, when did you come home?

I never met him... Nana said he passed away when she was still young, just after she moved to Haojing. She didn't find out in time, so she never got to say goodbye...

That's why he became a Wishen, waiting for Siping to come home, even now.

That must be it...

...A little, I guess.

But... seeing Great-Great-Grandpa like this, I don't want Nana to end up the same... Stuck here, full of regrets...

Now I'm almost glad, Nana's wishes must've all come true before she became a star...

Maybe... she became a star so she could find her grandpa again. Maybe she wanted to chase Loomhoppers with him, like they used to... But even now, they still can't be together...

Do you want to help him let go?

Absolutely!

Look, Grandpa, I brought you Loomhoppers!

Pingping, when did you come home?

I've been back a while! We've spent so many days together, do you remember, Grandpa?

From now on, you won't have to catch Loomhoppers all by yourself! I'll pick Skylilies with you, read with you, we'll do all sorts of things together!

You don't have to be alone ever again!

Oh... Pingping's back... Pingping really came home...

I thought... I'd never see her again. But I knew she'd come back... my dear Pingping...

She must've lost her way... That's why it took her so long to come back...

That's right! I was just playing hide-and-seek with you, Grandpa! And now that you've found me, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be by your side for a long, long time...

Now you can see me every single day!

Is that so...? How wonderful... Finally...

Thank you... both of you...

I am! They've got so many legs and they prickle my fingers... But if they meant something special to Great-Great-Grandpa and Nana... then I guess they're not that scary after all.

I never said I was! Great-Great-Grandpa just thought I was! I'd never break the Nine Chapters!

Not at all! I feel all warm inside. Even if they're gone, their love for me is still here, I can feel it.

And I bet they've already found each other up there!

Here! This is all of my pocket money, take it!

"Money for service," ahem, that's what Mum and Dad always say. It's a proud Starweaver tradition!

This whole thing means more to me than anything... so I want you to have all I've got! I hope that's enough, miss!

Should I go pick some Skylilies to put in the vase?