#ruyin

Awakened Suit: Dirge of Loss

Designer's Reflection: Beads of Love

Obtained: Delayed Devotion hell event

Rarity: UR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Dirge of Loss

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Merpeople of the Sea

Chapter 2 - Boat on Fire

Chapter 3 - Eternal Coral

Chapter 4 - Wax and Wane

Chapter 5 - Melodies of the Merpeople

Story - summarized

Ruyin was born without the ability to sing, but that hasn't stopped her from trying. If she masters the mersong, then she can control the tides in the Eternal Sea.

One day, she witnesses a shipwreck. A handsome young man fights valiantly, but is quickly cornered. No other hope, the man dives into the sea. Ruyin rushes to save him from drowning, even giving him her merpearl to help him breathe underwater.

The young man is Yuyan, a prince from the Winged Kingdom. He was always told that the merpeople were savage and merciless, but as he gets to know Ruyin, he relaxes. She heals him and tells him all about the Eternal Sea. He's amazed by how wonderful it is.

Sadly, the day has come for Yuyan to return home. But he promises Ruyin that he will come back to see her. Also, he promises to never attack the Eternal Sea. Ruyin finally learns to sing as she leaves him a parting song.

She also decides to prepare a gift for Yuyan when he returns: an outfit woven from merperson silk. The silk itself is gorgeous, and it's only given to loved ones. Ruyin can't wait to see Yuyan again - when he comes back, he leads an attack on the merpeople. One of his soldiers stabs Ruyin in the chest.

But she doesn't panic or cry. She channels all her strength into her mersong, and she finally drives back the intruding army. All of them blink like they're waking up from a dream. Yuyan finds Ruyin, but as he snaps out of the spell, he realizes what he's done.

Ruyin glimpses his memories and learns that someone had tampered with his mind to drive him into a frenzy. But she also says that Yuyan has always wanted to fight. Before she dies, she leaves him one last chance: he must watch over all of the Eternal Sea, not resting once until the day he dies.

Her body then dissolves into foam and joins the Eternal Coral.

Connections

-Ruyin's song causes the Winged Clan's soldiers' ears and eyes to bleed. When we meet another mermaid, Nixie, during the Silver Tide Dreams event, she explains that mersong is fueled by emotion, and it can either harm or heal depending on the intention.

-Yuyan truly wanted to leave the Eternal Sea alone, but in his Reflection for Lustrous Halo, we learn that the Royal Mentor was the one pushing for war in the sea. He even tampered with Yuyan's memories to forget Ruyin and think he'd been cursed by the merpeople.

Fun Facts

-The lore of Ruyin and her people may be inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale "The Little Mermaid." The main mermaid falls in love with someone on the surface, merfolk don't have souls themselves so must share souls with a human if one loves them enough, and when merfolk die they turn to foam.

-While reading Chapter 5, as Ruyin talks to Yuyan while dying, her character art begins fading out, starting from the line "You'll have a long life, but nowhere to remain." When she completely turns to foam, her character artwork is gone.

-The Eternal Coral seems to be a Tree of Life for underwater worlds.

Narrated by Ruyin.

Ruyin: Aaaah Aaaah Heeee

Yuyan: No, it's Aah Aah Heeee. You got two out of the three sounds wrong.

Ruyin: Aww...

Yuyan: But you're doing much better than your last two and a half mistakes!

Ruyin: I'm supposed to teach you how to read music, okay? When did you start coaching me? Am I really that bad?

Yuyan: Ahem.

Ruyin: Stop sniggering.

Narrator: In a fit of frustration, I drop the conch and collapse onto the soft seaweed, my fish tail creating a mess of foam.

Narrator: Yuyan sits quietly next to me, and after a while, he pats the back of my hand.

Yuyan: Your mersong has improved a lot, but the rhythm is still a bit messy. If you start with a simple, powerful melody, you'll improve even faster. Maybe...

Narrator: I look at him, puzzled. Suddenly, his calm expression falters, and his cheeks turn a faint shade of red.

Yuyan: Remember when you said that the mersong would sound even better with dance?

Ruyin: That's a great idea! But... I'm not the best singer. Who would want to dance to my song?

Yuyan: I can try.

Narrator: I gaze at Yuyan with wide eyes as his face turns redder and he looks away from me.

Yuyan: Forget about it.

Ruyin: No, no. I can't just forget it. You're the prince of the Winged Kingdom, and you have to keep your promise!

Narrator: The moon shines like a pearl, casting silvery waves on the deep blue sea. A solitary rock juts out from the water, big enough for one person to stand on.

Narrator: Yuyan leaps onto the rock, water droplets falling from his shoulders as his feathery clothes flutter in the night wind. Though he stands still, he resembles a bird finally freed from its cage, poised to take flight at any moment.

Yuyan: As a member of the royal family, my entertainment knowledge outside of battle is limited to the war dance passed down through generations.

Yuyan: It's a martial art and swordplay style, created by our ancestors, based on the divine bird that soared in the sky.

Narrator: Under the moonlight, his snow-white sleeves swing like the sails of a bulging ship, and his feet are firm on slippery rocks as he dances with steadiness.

Narrator: The dance is vastly different from the merpeople's style, brimming with energy and power, akin to a stormy sea.

Narrator: Mesmerized by his performance, I try to sing, but my voice comes out hoarse and inadequate.

Yuyan: Keep singing. Don't hesitate!

Narrator: He encourages me with bright eyes that shine like a burning sun even in the dark of night.

Narrator: His short sword hums as he draws it from his belt, echoing the melody of my song.

Narrator: The blade dances in a dazzling display, revealing an unknown creature with golden wings and a sharp beak soaring through the clear blue sky.

Narrator: Zing...

Narrator: When Yuyan sheathes his sword, his forehead is covered in sweat and he is breathless.

Yuyan: You sing even better than before.

Ruyin: Thank you...

Yuyan: You saved me, and I don't know how to repay you. Consider this battle dance my thank-you gift.

Ruyin: Saving your life can't be offset by a dance. When I really master the mersong, and you come back to dance for me, then we'll call it even, okay?

Yuyan: I'm sure you'll learn it in no time.

Ruyin: By the way, are your wounds okay? Did the dance hurt you?

Yuyan: I'm fully recovered now.

Narrator: But Yuyan's gaze turns distant, and he looks toward the blur of lights in the direction of the Winged Kingdom.

Narrator: I know he's feeling homesick again. It's a familiar pattern... whenever we fall silent, his eyes always wander in that direction.

Narrator: For the first time, a strange sensation overtakes my heart: a poignant sadness, akin to the pinch of a little crab lurking in the deep, unforgiving sea.

Ruyin: You don't like the Eternal Sea?

Yuyan: It's beautiful, but I don't belong here...

Choose either "Are you going to send him home?" or "You don't want him to leave."

If "home," ...

You: Are you going to send him home?

Narrator: Though I wish he can stay... I know that Yuyan must return to his rightful place.

If "leave," ...

You: You don't want him to leave... Will you convince him to stay?

Narrator: I won't. It's not for me to keep him here, for everyone has a path to follow.

--

Ruyin: I'll send you back to the shore. The Eternal Sea is treacherous to navigate.

Yuyan: I...

Ruyin: Cut it out. You've been acting weird lately, and it's not like you to stumble over your words. You're thinking about leaving, right?

Yuyan: Thank you, Ruyin.

Ruyin: It's a merpeople's ritual to sing as a way of saying thanks. So, you owe me a song.

Narrator: As we stand in silence, Yuyan suddenly embraces me tightly, his gaze filled with a myriad of emotions.

Yuyan: ...I'm not a merperson, but this is how the Winged Kingdom people express gratitude.

Narrator: My cheeks blush, and the little crab in my heart stirs with excitement, causing my heart to race even more. Luckily, he's not looking at me.

Ruyin: Alright, the sea is tranquil tonight, perfect for escorting you to the shore!

Narrator: I push him away, diving into the icy water, attempting to calm my thudding heart.

Narrator: We make our way towards the Winged Kingdom, with no sharks or enemy ships in sight, nor gusts or perilous torrents. The sea is so peaceful that it mirrors the night sky in its tranquil embrace.

Narrator: I had previously assumed that the Winged Kingdom was distant, but the journey to return Yuyan home is so brief, so fleeting, that I can't utter more than a few words before the lights of the shore come into view.

Narrator: The lights are so brilliant, as if all the pearls of the Eternal Sea spilled on the shore, entwined by a hand and merged into a galaxy.

Narrator: Yuyan's homeland is truly a breathtaking sight.

Narrator: He's almost impatient to rush to the shore, yet he turns back and kneels down on one knee, gazing down at me.

Yuyan: I'll my people to steer clear of the Eternal Sea from now on.

Ruyin: Thank you, Yuyan.

Narrator: I try to comfort him by patting his shoulder, but he misunderstands my intention, holding onto my hand firmly, revealing his incredible strength.

Yuyan: We'll meet again soon! How about we hit up Mirage City on New Year's Day and check out the tallest tower? The view up there must be breathtaking.

Ruyin: Yes, it must be beautiful to behold.

Yuyan: Oh, and your merpearl...

Narrator: I smile, shaking my head while returning the dazzling merpearl to Yuyan.

Ruyin: Since you've promised to come back, I think it's best that you keep the pearl.

Narrator: He gazes at me, nodding solemnly.

Narrator: I take a few steps back, and the water envelops me gently, caressing my long hair like a tender embrace.

Ruyin: See you, Yuyan.

Narrator: He turns around, walking towards the radiant lights.

Narrator: I feel as if all the lights have vanished, and the stars have plunged into the sea's abyss. Only the whispers of the waves linger, resonating in my ears.

Narrator: Until that moment, I had failed to comprehend the sea's whispers, but now I finally understand. I understand the subtle pain in my heart and the glint in Yuyan's golden eyes.

Narrator: For the first time, I feel an overwhelming desire to sing.

Choose "Go ahead."

You: Go ahead. You can make it this time.

Narrator: So I begin to sing, and a luminous melody flows forth, a melody about the dimmed lights and the fallen stars.

Narrator: Yuyan, do you hear that?

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Narrated by Ruyin.

Narrator: I move through the labyrinthine cave with ease, carrying a package of Mirage City's specialty shell pastries.

Narrator: I've been hiding Yuyan's existence, fearing my friends' hatred for those from the Winged Kingdom, lest they throw him to the sharks again.

Narrator: Despite his fierce exterior and sparse words, Yuyan proves a patient listener who never minds my lack of singing talent.

Narrator: There he sits upon a coral reef, his cape's feathers displaying a unique pattern and delicate shimmer, as if poised for flight at any moment.

Ruyin: Hey, Yuyan, I came to see how you're doing. How's your wound? All better now?

Yuyan: ...Much better, thanks.

Narrator: I sit beside him, my long fish tail cascading gracefully below me. He clutches his short sword, gazing at the sea as the flickering light dances across his face.

Ruyin: So, what's with you always holding onto your weapon? You do know that with my merpearl on you, sea creatures won't be able to harm you, right?

Yuyan: This short sword has been with me since I was a kid. A true warrior from the Winged Kingdom never goes without a weapon until their dying breath.

Narrator: Observing my curiosity, Yuyan presented the sword to me.

Ruyin: It's a really beautiful sword, though, and the scabbard as a special pattern on it.

Yuyan: It's a feathered pattern that symbolizes the wings of the golden divine bird. It's said to protect the warriors and help them win battles.

Ruyin: Why is everything always about fighting and killing? Are all the people of the Winged Kingdom so obsessed with war?

Yuyan: As the youngest child of the King, it's important for me to uphold the spirit of a warrior...

Yuyan: We value martial arts above all else. Princes and Princesses are recognized for their battle skills, and only the best warriors get to meet with Father.

Ruyin: Wait, so the only way to see your father is by excelling in battle? That's rough!

Narrator: I offer a shell pastry to Yuyan. He hesitates at first, but eventually eats one.

Yuyan: This is too sweet...

Narrator: The little prince is being so fussy. I decide to ignore him and keep talking.

Ruyin: Even though I can't sing, and my clan thinks I'm mute, my mother always says I'm her sweetest child.

Ruyin: Whenever I want, I can just jump into her arms and get all her care and attention. Compared to you, I'm so much happier.

Yuyan: You're not mute... You can talk.

Narrator: We linger on the coral reef, chatting about everything while watching fish swim in the distance. Though mostly I ask the questions, and he answers them.

Ruyin: Anyway, why do humans always want to enter the Eternal Sea, even when they know they'll get lost if they get too close? It really bothers us.

Yuyan: According to our legend, the merpeople's flesh and blood can bestow immortality, and the silk you make is impervious to swords, spears, water, and fire.

Yuyan: That's why our royal family has always aspired to conquer the Eternal Sea... especially my father, who wants the immortality elixir and the invincible battle robe.

Narrator: His eyes glint with a bright, somewhat guilty gleam as he looks at me.

Ruyin: Hmm... all for those reasons?

Narrator: It's strange how you humans can make up such absurd rumors and take the risk of coming into the strange waters for some dumb reasons.

Ruyin: Now, I'll show you the real Eternal Sea.

Narrator: I pluck some dense, plush seaweed and deftly weave it into a cloak that conceals my form, leading him away from the subaquatic caves.

Narrator: Rainbow-like schools of fish glide past us, while tender anemones sway with the tide and the glimmer of pearls appears and disappears in the water's curtain.

Narrator: The warm Mirage City's lights illuminate the depths like daylight, and the merpeople dressed in veils stroll through the streets, humming softly.

Narrator: With a somewhat apprehensive Yuyan in tow, I guide us through the bustling market, concealing our figures in the coral.

Narrator: In the heart of the thicket stands a colossal coral tree, its brilliant red branches growing out in all directions, resembling flames rising from the sea.

Yuyan: That's...

Ruyin: Here is the starting point of all the merpeople, the Eternal Coral. Look...

Narrator: By the Eternal Coral, my clansmen sit in a circle, their long hair intertwined like seaweed swirling in the water, singing a mournful mersong.

Narrator: At the circle's center sits an elderly merperson who gazes lovingly at the coral, as if reminiscing about her home she can never revisit.

Narrator: The moonlight illuminates the sea, casting shimmering speckles of light on her pallid cheeks, her body weightless, lifted by the song.

Narrator: Her pale, faded tail, her fins that no longer flutter, her long hair that has lost its luster all dissolve into the moonlight, transforming into crystalline foam.

Narrator: Her corporeal form vanishes, leaving only a string of pearl-like bubbles that affectionately cling to the coral tree amidst the clan's song.

Narrator: As the bubbles vanish, the points of light dance, culminate in a grand welcoming ceremony. Fresh, bright red coral branches sprout.

Narrator: The light of the Eternal Coral shines in Yuyan's eyes, leaving him speechless and transfixed, overwhelmed by the farewell and rebirth ceremony.

Ruyin: This is the funeral of a merperson.

Yuyan: But I've heard that the merpeople live forever...

Ruyin: Death is not the end for us.

Ruyin: Our bodies transform into foam, and the most precious element of our souls remains on the Eternal Coral... not living, not dead, not awake, nor asleep...

Ruyin: For thousands of years, our ancestors have guarded this place, growing with the Eternal Coral and reincarnating with the waves of water.

Ruyin: When a merperson longs for a child, they come to pray by the Eternal Coral, and the seeds of their souls rejoin to create new life.

Yuyan: So, this is the truth about the legendary immortality of the merpeople.

Ruyin: Yes, the Eternal Coral represents the will of this Eternal Sea. And only the most complete and clear souls can follow it in its constant metamorphosis and rebirth.

Ruyin: So, an elixir made from the merpeople's blood is useless. When a merperson's soul is incomplete, it cannot be accepted by the Eternal Coral.

Yuyan: How can you tell if a soul is whole or not?

Ruyin: Only a whole soul can sing the song of the merpeople. A crippled soul is like mine, mute.

Yuyan: That means... you're not able to go through the peaceful cycle of reincarnation in the same way as your people.

Narrator: He appears to realize he may have misspoken and drops his gaze apologetically.

Ruyin: Hey, I may be young, but as a merperson, I have the gift of time on my side. I'm sure I'll find a way to make my soul whole again!

Narrator: Yuyan is silent and then nods, his golden eyes glowing in the light.

Yuyan: Okay. I trust you.

Yuyan: ...By the way, what about the legend of the merperson silk?

Ruyin: Well... it's safe to say that the part about being invulnerable to water and fire is a bit of a stretch. Hey, too many questions. Go practice singing with me!

Narrator: I gaze into Yuyan's sparkling eyes and find myself at a loss for words. The silk we make is never used for war robes, but is gifted to the ones we love.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

Narrated by Ruyin.

Narrator: The ocean gleams with a pearly radiance as moonlight spills over its surface. The tide hums a gentle tune, enveloping everything in a soothing lull.

Narrator: Do you think practicing here will bother anyone? Last time I sang, it frightened one of my clansmen who thought it was some kind of haunting...

Narrator: I look up at the moon and imitate my sisters, tilting my head and exhaling the first few notes. Suddenly, the sea lights up with a beautiful golden glow.

Narrator: Gradually, the first rays of sunlight break through the horizon, illuminating the sea with a flowing light.

Ruyin: Oh, no... a fleet of ships is approaching.

Narrator: With no time to warn the clan, I try to guide the fleet away with my singing, but all that comes out is a hoarse murmur that can hardly be called a song.

Narrator: The reefs used to be alive with singing clansmen under the moonlight, but this time, the waters are eerily silent and deserted. From this moment on, my destiny is already set in stone.

Narrator: Boom! Suddenly, a deafening boom echoes in the distance, and a ship explodes into a shower of crimson stars.

Ruyin: What a beautiful light...

Narrator: The sea erupts in a fiery spectacle as ships launch burning balls of fire at each other, as if exchanging greetings.

Choose "You better stay away."

You: You better steer clear... It's a total bloodbath. They're straight-up slaughtering each other.

Narrator: I have no idea what slaughtering means, only drawn to the alluring flames that beckon me towards its source.

Narrator: I see a grand ship of the Winged Kingdom, adorned in glistening gold and resplendent fabrics, accompanied by a magnificent divine bird with radiant feathers aglow.

Narrator: Yet the air reeks of death, and the deck runs red with rivers of blood. Amidst it all stands a young man.

Narrator: Garbed in white robes and a crown of feathers now stained a deep crimson hue, he stands resolute and steadfast, as if a falcon with broken wings, clutching a short sword against a throng of foes.

Narrator: Despite his valor, the odds are against him. His movements falter, his rhythm unsteady, and he finds himself trapped, with no escape.

Narrator: I see his eyes, gleaming with the reflections of fire and blood, piercing enough to send shivers down my spine.

Narrator: Then, as if a dazzling comet shooting through the sky, he leaps from the ship and plummets into the sea below.

Narrator: Subconsciously, I dive into the water and swim towards the spot where he fell.

Narrator: He's sinking helplessly to the bottom, while the stench of blood attracts a shark, gaping its ghastly mouth at the young man.

Ruyin: Shoo!

Narrator: Extending my arms to cradle him, I cry out to the ravenous shark, as the water around me morphs into a sharp blade aimed at its gaping maw.

Narrator: Sea creatures all tremble before the merpeople. The shark hesitates before ultimately swimming away.

Narrator: The young man in my embrace lies motionless, his eyes shut as if trapped in a painful dream.

Narrator: But my merpearl is capable of granting breathable waters to beings other than the merpeople. I hang it around his neck. His brow smooths, and his body relaxes.

Narrator: While the merpeople are peaceful beings, we admire the bravery of an unwavering warrior. He's human, but standing alone against a hundred foes is no small feat.

Narrator: I swim with him in my arms to my secret hiding place.

Narrator: It's hidden amongst the hundreds of caves that even my sisters are unaware of, ensuring that we won't be discovered.

Ruyin: Hold up. Taking a closer look, you're just like us.

Narrator: As I feed him the juice of the seaweed, his lashes flutter slightly, and his eyes slowly open.

Narrator: With a sudden movement, he knocks over the shell containing the juice.

Ruyin: Hey, I worked my tail off to squeeze that juice!

Youth: Don't you dare come near me!

Narrator: He's unable to sit up, but is holding his sword defensively, his charming golden eyes now cold and distant.

Youth: You're... a merperson!

Ruyin: Check you out, all slim and trim, but you've got a bit of a temper.

Youth: A monster...

Narrator: I grab a bubbling jellyfish and press it against his bleeding wound.

Youth: What are you doing, you monster...

Ruyin: Well, I wouldn't advise struggling. This jellyfish is highly toxic, and the more you wiggle, the faster the poison will spread through your system.

Narrator: Hearing that, his face looks even paler. Releasing the harmless creature, I pet it reassuringly.

Ruyin: Thanks, now you can go.

Youth: You twisted monster... If you want to kill me, just do it... Why resort to poison?

Ruyin: Well, I love to chow down on fresh, young men who can't even move, and tainted flesh and blood taste tangy and delish!

Youth: I would rather meet my end... than suffer the sting of shame and mockery!

Narrator: He manages to sit up!

Ruyin: Hey, easy! I was just teasing you, okay? The jellyfish toxin is actually a painkiller! Do you feel it? Your pain's gone, right?

Narrator: The poison takes hold, and he collapses upon the bed of shells. Yet, his unyielding gaze burns into me like twin golden flames.

Narrator: Undeterred by his ire, I take a piece of seaweed, squeeze out its healing liquid, and apply it to his untreated wound.

Ruyin: Finally, that nasty wound's been taken care of. Hey, why aren't you chewing me out anymore?

Youth: You got cut by some seaweed.

Ruyin: Oh, right!

Youth: If you really wanted to kill me, you wouldn't go to such trouble to fix up my injuries... You're saving my life.

Ruyin: Well, well, looks like you've finally figured that out.

Youth: I'm Yuyan, the ninth prince of the Winged Kingdom. You... are nothing like the merpeople I've known.

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

The merpeople and the Winged Kingdom have fought each other for millennia. No one knows how they went from brethren to mortal enemies, but when Ruyin meets a handsome man from the Winged clan, maybe she can find out the truth in Beads of Love.