It’s funny, initially I wasn’t expecting myself to get too invested! But, I’ve ended up really enjoying the unexpected depth it has, particularly by the simple fact that Kuafu knew of Tianhuo’s origin and kept him in the dark like all the rest. Even in some alternate scenario where Yi wasn’t killed for his rebellion, that fact still remains. Throughout the whole game though, that betrayal is only skirted around, never spoken about directly, and I think there’s some really interesting internal conflict regarding each other as a result.

For Yi, it’s like: I wish you could’ve had a spine for once. I never expected you to. My world was falling apart and though I’d never say it I needed just one person to stand by my side. I know you wouldn’t and it’s best you didn’t. I’m glad you’re here now.

Then on Kuafu’s end it: I wish you weren’t so unyielding, maybe together we could’ve found another way. I wish I could have even a fraction of your resolve. I don’t think this is the right thing to do. I’ll do anything for you anyway. I’m glad you’re here now.

There’s a few moments where they get close to getting into all that: that conversation when they first reunite, the one about Yi’s mission following the Jiequan Situation, but there’s just…more important things at stake. There’s this quiet tragedy to it especially when you throw some past mutual pining into the mix, seeing this distance even as they try to imitate their past dynamic. Not exactly going through the motions, there’s still very much genuine care there, but in the end Yi’s focus is still his mission and Kuafu has too much guilt. There’s too much baggage to amount to any sort of catharsis between them.