(he was not aware of how simple touch would comfort him. zhongli rubs pressure into his hands and voryn's soul feels momentarily settled. though spiteful, the chimer people have always been deeply affectionate, and physicality is common enough that voryn, even possessed of a lordship, desires it with whoever offers. he knows that he will be able to rest here.)

Yes, (confirms voryn. zhongli understands his mind and seeks to see from his perspective.

to do that, he must first perhaps die. there are simpler ways, however.

willing communion to open between them, voryn achieves a connection. zhongli couldn't deny him if he tried, two savants collected in a small part of the ritual chamber to speak low and intimately. he shares a dream with his friend, one the tree shared with him. in it, they are taken above everything to overlook kenos and its many disparate islands, then guided down into the roots where there is a dark sickness creeping from deep within the earth.)

The Tree of Life tried to tell me that its end was nigh. I did not understand the message... I merely believed that it was warning me that a taint existed. If the Tree has been connected inextricably to the Timestream, it is possible that this is all a future event waiting for the present to catch up to it.

(voryn smiles though it is sad. he raises their hands together to briefly touch them to his warm shard, then lowers them to ask a question.)

What do you believe, Zhongli?