The stillness of the night sky contrasted sharply with the surrounding darkness, the entire world seemingly enveloped by an invisible silence. This tranquility was not entirely peaceful to me; instead, it evoked a sense of unease. The chill of the night and the silence of this space seemed to suppress all emotions to the extreme, until even breathing became difficult.
I walked across the open ground that was once filled with mystery, countless questions swirling in my mind. The Time Guardian's words still echoed in my ears: "When you unravel the knots in the hearts of the yokai, you will discover that it is not just for them, but also for yourself."
I wasn't sure if I was ready to face the challenges ahead. Perhaps, as he said, my journey was far more than just unraveling the past of the yokai. All of this might also change me.
Looking up at the night sky, I vaguely remembered the moonlight of my childhood being so bright, guiding me home. Now, the moon before me seemed somewhat dim, not as clear as it used to be.
"You have come."
A low voice broke my thoughts. The voice was no longer the tone of the Time Guardian but came from a familiar presence.
I quickly turned around and saw a figure gradually emerging from the darkness, a hint of undisguised weariness on his face. It was the yokai of the lost moonlight. He stood there, his eyes filled with a pain that seemed to be swallowed by time.
"You are looking for me," his voice was low and hoarse. "I know."
I nodded, my heart filled with sympathy and doubt. This yokai, the guardian of the moonlight, had once been the center of this space, but for some reason, he had lost his place. His gaze passed over me, as if trying to find some answers in my eyes.
"I was once the guide of this starry sky," he continued, his tone revealing an unspeakable regret. "Every moonlit night, my light used to give guidance to those who were lost, allowing them to find their way. However, I was forced to give up this responsibility, to give up this light." He paused, his gaze becoming somewhat empty. "Now, I am no longer the one who can bring light. I cannot even allow myself to possess this light again."
I felt a deep sadness flowing from his words. My instinct was to approach him, to tell him that I understood his inner pain. However, no matter how hard I tried, it seemed impossible to make up for his lost light.
"Then what are you doing now?" I asked, my tone filled with concern.
He sighed deeply. "I wander in this space, waiting for an existence that can understand me. During this time, I have tried to regain my mission, but each time I cannot find my way." He looked at me, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. "This is my vicious cycle; I cannot find my past self, nor can I find the direction of the future."
A thought stirred within me. I understood that his real problem was not the lack of light but the knot in his heart. Perhaps, only by unraveling this knot could he find himself again.
"I understand," I said firmly. "You need to release the pain of the past and rediscover the power you once possessed."
He was silent for a moment, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Release the pain? Are you saying that if I do that, I can regain my light?"
I nodded. "You don't need to rely on the light of the past to find yourself. Light is not something given by the outside world, but a part of your own heart. You just need to let go of the shackles of the past, accept your past loss, and then you will discover that the true light has always been within you."
He looked at me, seeming to understand my meaning. The heavy atmosphere began to slowly change, and the moonlight no longer seemed so dim but slightly brightened, emitting a soft glow.
"Thank you," his tone held a hint of surprise, and then he lowered his head slightly, a trace of gratitude in his eyes.
I smiled faintly. "This is not just your problem, but also my process. I understand you because I myself am also searching for a lost part."
He said nothing more. The two of us stood silently in the moonlight, as if all the pain and difficulties no longer mattered. As his heart gradually calmed down, the aura of this starry sky also slowly changed, beginning to regain its harmony and tranquility.
Perhaps, this is the process that each of us needs to go through. Behind every knot in the heart lies an opportunity for growth. And we will, in this long journey, find our own light.
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