Temporal Mandate Transfer - alternate ending
Cw: (Heavy?) Angst, Character Death, 1.1 spoilers
You watched the battle between Jinhsi, the magistrate, and Jue, the Sentinel, unfold before your very eyes. She could barely attack it, or so it seemed. Jinhsi was dodging it's attacks left, right and center, attacking whenever the Sentinel was on the ground. Her attacks barely grazed it though, only leaving her more exhausted and injured as time went by.
Suddenly, it seemed as though time had been paused on the battlefield with Jue high in the air and preparing an attack. You considered intervening, although before you could make up your mind, Jinhsi had broken free of the 'spell' and parried Jue's attack just barely in time, this leading the pair into yet another battle. Although… this one seemed far more complicated than before.
This extra layer of complexity certainly took it's toll on the young woman in battle… It was clear her resolve was breaking, however, you believed… no, you knew she wouldn't give up. She was strong, and she'd do anything to protect her city.
You had no idea what was going through Jinhsi's mind at the moment, but whatever it was, it was keeping her going, she even seemed a bit more confident in herself than before. Though, just a few minutes later, maybe around half-way through the battle, she was beginning to show signs of overclocking.
The young woman pushed through it until the very end of the battle, where she dropped to her knees and sighed in relief, looking up at the Sentinel, the creature, whom she'd just won against, whom seemed far from exhausted. The three of you could tell, though, that Jinhsi's condition was only worsening, so when she finally began overclocking, Jue paused time. You jogged over to it, watching Jinhsi for a moment.
Jue eventually spoke, breaking whatever muddled train of thoughts you had.
"Arbiter… may this one transfer the Temporal Mandate to Jinhsi?" it asked, now floating right by you.
You two had entered this Sonoro Sphere together, with a promise to each other to save the City of Jinzhou, however, when it most mattered, you hesitated… "why?" You ask yourself over and over again "Why am I hesitating…? This is what we both want… so why?" though an answer never came to you. You glanced between Jue and the Magistrate with an uncertain look, laced with a hint of worry.
When your tacet mark began to glow and Jinhsi suddenly appeared right behind you, you thought your uncertainty had been broken through and you raised you hand towards the glowing ball of light, although, you paused midway… as though some magical force was stopping you. You wanted to tell the Sentinel that, yes, it can transfer the Temporal Mandate to Jinhsi, but you just couldn't.
You glanced around before looking back at your raised hand, which you soon retracted back to your side. Taking deeper breaths to calm yourself and your racing mind, you looked back at Jinhsi.
Although, she was now clutching at her head and hunching over, clearly in pain. You tried and tried, though to no avail, you just couldn't bring yourself to let this happen. But everything was fine and the plan was clear in your mind so what's changed? Perhaps subconsciously you'd decided this was a bad idea after all?
"Arbiter, is that your final decision?"
At the sound of Jue's voice a surge of panic went through you, causing you to pause for a moment.
"Well- no, but… I don't… I don't understand… I..-" you stuttered out, though you were soon cut off by a cry of pain coming from behind you. Immediately, you turned to look and, oh, did the sight terrify you…
Jinhsi had fallen to the ground once again, though her limbs were turning white and slowly crumbling away whilst you and the Sentinel could only observe her new fate.
"Jue… I permit… Jue, transfer the Temporal Mandate to her!" You exclaimed, finally able to break free of whatever restraints held you back from making this choice. Right after you spoke, you ran over to Jinhsi and held her up, holding one of her withering hands in your own.
"Unfortunately, that is no longer possible, Arbiter. Jinhsi is far too weak. Going through with the transfer now would only cause her more unnecessary pain."
Jue finally responded to your command, it appeared unfazed, however, it was like the two of you connected in that moment. As if you could feel what it was feeling. A truly unpleasant sensation coursed throughout your body, causing goosebumps to arise on your skin. It was a feeling of grief. The kind you feel only when you lose someone important… a loved one.
You could feel Jinhsi shuddering in your arms, quite a lot of her was withered away by now.
"Rover…" She whispered with whatever strength she may have had left, you could even see tears welling up in her eyes, though not from sadness and certainly not defeat.
"Please, promise me you'll find a way to restore Jinzhou… It can't remain frozen in time forever… It… it can't… please…"
"I promise… Jinhsi, I promise to find a way, no matter what… I'm… so sorry…"
Then all went silent. But only for a moment, as the young girl spoke again.
"Thank you…" Jinhsi mumbled once more. Her final words.
You watched as the life drained from her eyes, as the remnants of what was once your friend, now mere specks of dust, floated off into the air. Even though time was still paused, she still defied Jue, even in death. Perhaps as a final act of rebellion, a way to tell you that, even though she won't be around anymore, she still hasn't given up hope on Jinzhou.
You were left feeling saddened, despite everything, still determined to honor this last promise. You slowly looked back at Jue, who was still staring at you.
"One will now honor one's promise of freezing Jinzhou to preserve it…" Jue spoke quietly before flying up into the air and supposedly paused time in Jinzhou. You wondered what that would look like, although, you were afraid. Afraid of seeing all your companions forever(?) frozen in time.
Just then, the Sentinel spoke again.
"I will answer whatever questions you have, Arbiter…"
