Special Training is the second quest in Skirk's Story Quest, Crystallina Chapter: Act I - Whispers Betwixt Stars and Night.
Steps[]
- Begin the first round of special training
- Complete bladework training
- Bladework Training (1/5)
- Destroy 7 crystal columns within 15s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/7
- Bladework Training (2/5)
- Destroy 900 crystal columns
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/900
- Bladework Training (3/5)
- Destroy 17 crystal columns within 25s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/17
- Bladework Training (4/5)
- Destroy 13 crystal columns within 25s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/13
- Bladework Training (5/5)
- Destroy 47 crystal columns within 80s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/47
- Bladework Training (1/5)
- Go to the makeshift camp and rest
- Follow the strange creature
- Begin the second round of special training
- Complete elemental training
- Anemo Training (1/2)
- Opponents defeated: X/6
- Wave 1:
Electro Slime ×2
Pyro Slime ×2
- Wave 2:
- Wave 1:
- Opponents defeated: X/6
- Anemo Training (2/2)
- Opponents defeated: X/3
- Wave 1:
- Wave 2:
- Opponents defeated: X/3
- Hydro Training (1/4)
- Destroy 3 spikes within 15s
- Spikes destroyed: X/3
- Hydro Training (2/4)
- Destroy 9 spikes within 30s
- Spikes destroyed: X/9
- Hydro Training (3/4)
- Destroy 12 spikes within 35s
- Spikes destroyed: X/12
- Hydro Training (4/4)
- Destroy 15 spikes within 45s
- Spikes destroyed: X/15
- Anemo Training (1/2)
- Go to the makeshift camp and rest
- Follow the strange creature
- Begin the third round of special training
- Reason Training (1/3)
- Destroy the specified number of crystal columns and spikes within 20s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/6
- Spikes destroyed: X/3
- Reason Training (2/3)
- Destroy the specified number of crystal columns and spikes within 45s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/17
- Spikes destroyed: X/3
- Reason Training (3/3)
- Destroy as many crystal columns and spikes as possible within 80s
- Crystal columns destroyed: X/22
- Spikes destroyed: X/6
- Reason Training (1/3)
- Go to the makeshift camp and rest
- Take a look around
Gameplay Notes[]
- During step 1–5 and step 7–9, the party will be limited to the Traveler.
- During step 3, all menus and skills (including the ability to run) will be inaccessible.
- During step 6's Anemo training, the party will be limited to a trial Anemo Traveler.
- During step 6's Hydro training and step 9's training, the party will be limited to a trial Hydro Traveler.
- During step 6, HP recovery orbs will appear around the training grounds, which will instantly replenish by themselves if taken, as long as the Traveler is standing clear of the spawn points.
- During step 6's Anemo training part 2, the torches will instantly reignite by themselves if they are put out.
- During step 6's Hydro training, when the Traveler hits any spike, the rest of the spikes in that cluster will begin to aim and fire at the Traveler after a short amount of time.
- In challenges where the Traveler has to destroy crystal columns or spikes, the timer will only start ticking once the traveler hits at least one crystal column or spike.[does it apply to crystal columns too, or only spikes?]
- Completing step 2 will permanently increase the Traveler's Base ATK by 7.
- Completing step 6 will permanently increase the Traveler's Elemental Mastery by 15.
- Completing step 9 will permanently increase the Traveler's HP by 50.
- Permanently missable chest inside the domain, during step 9: Exquisite Chest ×1.
Trial Characters[]
The following trial characters have the same stats for all world levels.[verification needed]
| WLWL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
  Lv. 90 C6 Traveler (Anemo) Lv. 90 R1 Prototype Rancour |
|
 Max HP: 18,679 ATK: 2,004 DEF: 814 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 202.8% DMG Bonus: 34.5% |
|
|
| WLWL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
 Lv. 90 C6 Traveler (Hydro) Lv. 90 R1 Prototype Rancour |
|
Max HP: 18,679 ATK: 2,004 DEF: 814 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 57.1% Crit DMG: 91.9% Energy Recharge: 186.8% DMG Bonus: 34.5% |
|
|
Dialogue[]
Quest DescriptionSkirk agrees to help investigate the mysterious person's whereabouts. In the meantime, you should work on improving your strength.
- (Talk to Skirk)
- Skirk: Ready?
- Paimon: Hehehe, bring it on!
- Skirk: Your training will be split into three stages, testing your bladework, elemental abilities, and reasoning skills.
- Skirk: We'll start with bladework. You're no rookie in this area, so I won't bore you with the basics.
- Skirk: During your long journey, you've no doubt sparred with a lot of talented sword fighters. Consciously or not, you have picked up all kinds of techniques from them.
- Paimon: You bet! There's Kaeya, Master Jean, Keqing... Oh, and Kazuha, Ayaka... Yeah, we've met sword masters like you in every nation we've been through.
- Paimon: You sparred with a bunch of them too, right? Nice to know it's all gonna come in handy now!
- Skirk: Don't get too smug. In sword fighting, techniques alone are not enough — you need a cohesive system to bring it all together. A "style," or "school" of fighting.
- Skirk: To use the human body as an analogy, your style is your skeleton — the foundation, the framework. Techniques are the muscles and other flesh attached to the bones. This is where your strength comes from.
- Skirk: Improving your sword fighting is like growing that body. If your frame got bigger and taller but you didn't add any muscle mass, you'd be weak and flimsy. Then again, if you packed on pounds of flesh without a big enough frame to support it, you'd end up bloated and unwieldy.
- Understood.
- So what's the next step?
- Skirk: You need to do some introspection. Take a good, hard look at your past experiences, and figure out which parts of what you've learned are just techniques, and which parts can be used to form your own system of bladework.
- Skirk: Only then will you get the full utility out of all your thoughts and observations along the way. Only then will every strike you deliver make perfect sense.
- Paimon: Wait, is that it?
- Paimon: Paimon thought you were gonna teach (TravelerTraveler) some cool new moves... Like when you went "swoosh" and opened a tunnel to another place!
- Skirk: One day, you'll reach a new level of power where you realize that even that's as basic a trick as any other. But right now, our sword styles are so wildly different that teaching you mere techniques is pointless.
- Skirk: There are no shortcuts in the pursuit of power. Failure is your best teacher, and rigor is your coursework.
- Skirk: That's all I have to say. Time to make a start — train until you're satisfied with yourself.
- (As bladework training starts)
- Skirk: Now, focus. Destroy the crystal columns as swiftly as you can.
- (If the player fails to complete the tasks within the time limit)
- Skirk: Too slow. Try again.
- (After destroying 9 crystal columns in second bladework training)
- Paimon: Aw, this is making Paimon's head spin... Hang in there, (TravelerTraveler)!
- (After destroying 30 crystal columns in second bladework training)
- As training progresses, your strength improves...
- (The progress skips ahead to 891 crystal columns destroyed)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I'm in the zone. Limitless power is surging through me...)
- (Message shown)
- Affected by special Abyss effects, Charged Attack AoE has been increased
- (After finishing the third bladework training)
- Skirk: Stay calm, use your head. You have to keep it together.
- (After finishing all the bladework trainings)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Amazing... This is transforming my whole view of sword work. I'm using the same techniques as ever, but now they're having different effects.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (It's as if I've unlocked a hidden door in my mind, and there's a wellspring of strength on the other side.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (In my mind's eye, I'm seeing images of the friends I've made in Teyvat. Theirs are the sword styles and techniques I have come to know...)
- (Flashback begins)
- Kaeya: "This moment will be frozen in time."
- Keqing: "Cut to the chase!"
- (Flashback ends)
- Skirk: Consider a moment of true mastery that you've witnessed in another person, and ask yourself — what lies beneath the surface? What's their guiding philosophy, what's their state of mind as they maneuver their weapon?
- Skirk: Now take that, and practice it right away with speed, skill, and strength... Over and over, until your hand is one with your mind. This is the only path to true growth.
- (Flashback begins)
- Lynette: "Step on up!"
- Nilou: "Dance with the waves!"
- Kaedehara Kazuha: "I see eternity go by in an instant, the autumns of many years from a single leaf. Thus I shall slice this maple in a flash, and ask a question of the ages..."
- (Flashback ends)
- Skirk: If you start to tire, empty your mind but do not stop.
- Skirk: Stay in that frame of mind as you keep up the fight. Get rid of all redundant movements. Imagine your sword is an extension of your own body. Wield it just as you wield your arms, hands, and fingers.
- Xingqiu: "'Twas on a deserted moonlit night that the hero approached the vile dragon's limpid lair... Raincutter!"
- Kamisato Ayaka: "Feathers fleeting wet, the white heron treads water, a sight without flaw. Master of Inazuma Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu..."
- (TravelerTraveler): (With each slash of my blade, I feel my strength increasing... I don't know if my weapon can contain all this power...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I'm in the zone. Limitless power is surging through me...)
- (TravelerTraveler): Hyah!
- You slash and swipe till you've exhausted every ounce of your energy...
- (TravelerTraveler): ...
- Skirk: Huh... Looks like you've made some real progress. That concludes your training session.
- Paimon: Awesome! Paimon knew you could do it!
- Skirk: How do you feel?
- Exhausted...
- I'm fighting to keep my eyes open...
- Skirk: As you should be. Time flies when you're training hard. You've actually been going for several days now with no rest.
- Paimon: Yeah, meanwhile Paimon's had a whole bunch of naps! But you were so focused, she didn't wanna interrupt you.
- Skirk: Go get some sleep — I'll be doing the same very soon. Let's hope you see that foggy place in your dream, so I can get this investigation over and done with.
- (Talk to Skirk again, optional)
- Skirk: Sometimes, you have to practice a single movement a million, maybe ten million times, before the breakthrough moment comes. Nothing in the outside world can help you in this process — the most important thing is to remain patient.
- (Start resting)
-
- (The Traveler wears the Abyss Crystal and goes to sleep)
- (The Traveler finds themselves in a dreamscape)
- (TravelerTraveler): (What is this place?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Have I been pulled back into that place again? But Skirk said the dream-mirroring would kick in when I fall asleep... so why am I back here?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (...No, on closer inspection, this isn't the same dream as last time. It's dark and gloomy, but there isn't that chilling fog that made my hairs stand on end.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (...Hold on, if dream-mirroring is a two-way process... Maybe I'm seeing inside her mind while she's exploring mine?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (If this is her inner world, it's pretty bleak... I can occasionally make out the sound of a flowing stream, but other than that... it's so empty.)
- Strange Creature: ♪~
- (TravelerTraveler): (What's that?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (What a strange-looking creature — where did it come from? ...I think it wants me to follow it. Might as well see where it leads.)
- (After following the Strange Creature)
- Strict Female Voice: Skirk, why are you skipping classes again? We've talked about this!
- Skirk: Cause he's a crabby old man, and he's a boring old man! I don't like going to his classes!
- Strict Female Voice: Excuse me!? You shouldn't talk about your teacher like that, it's very disrespectful!
- Cheerful Male Voice: Alright, let's not get into a big fight about this. Skirk's learned what she needs. There's no point forcing her to sit through more classes if she doesn't want to be there.
- Cheerful Male Voice: But I'd still love to hear about what you got up to yesterday. Why don't you tell your dad all about it?
- Skirk: I went diving! And I saw this huuuge fish. I never knew they could get that big! It looked kinda dumb though, with that stupid big fat head. I tried to shake its fin, but it just spat water at me.
- Skirk: Oh, and today, I'm gonna go to that prairie up north! There's supposed to be this giant bird there that can spit fire! I bet, if I climbed on its back, it could fly me all the way to the stars!
- Cheerful Male Voice: Hahaha, then I suppose your old dad should get one as a pet too. Otherwise, how are you gonna hear me call you for dinner up there in the stars?
- Skirk: When it's time to eat, I'll come back on my own, silly... Anyway, gotta go! Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!
- Strict Female Voice: Wait... Put on a coat, at least! You'll catch a cold! I'm talking to you, young lady!
- Strict Female Voice: You spoil that child, you know. Ever since that merchant ship arrived, she practically lives outside. Always going on about "exploring the beyond one day," whatever that means.
- Cheerful Male Voice: Ah, let the kid do what makes her happy. Besides, we both know you're all bark and no bite. C'mon, our little adventurer's gonna be hungry when she gets back. Let's get started on dinner.
- (Follow the Strange Creature)
-
- (Words appear and stay afloat above the Strange Creature as it speaks)
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: I'm out!
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: The weather's wonderful today...
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
- Skirk: ("The stars shimmer high above"... But, what lies beyond the stars?)
- Skirk: (Mountains as far as the eye can see? An endless snowy plain? Or, maybe buildings taller than the sky, like the people from the merchant ship said.)
- Skirk: (I can't be the only one asking these questions — the universe is fascinating. If only I could meet some other people like me, we could set sail together and explore every corner of the world!)
- Skirk: (I'm sick of being a kid... There's so many amazing things out there, and I'm ready to see them all!)
- Skirk: (But, for now... I'm starving. Better get back.)
- (Floating words appear above the Strange Creature)
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: Huh? What's over there...
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: Something's going on?
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
-
- (Skirk finds her village on fire)
- Panicked Passerby: Help...
- Callous Soldier: Don't let a single one of them get away!
- Unnamed WomanUnnamed Woman: *Gasp* No, please! Spare the children! Stay back!
- Unnamed ManUnnamed Man: Why...?
- Panicked Passerby: They're coming!
- Unnamed ManUnnamed Man: Run!
- Unnamed WomanUnnamed Woman: Help!
- Callous Soldier: Eliminate the threat.
- Unnamed SoldierUnnamed Soldier: Take 'em down.
- Panicked Passerby: Don't be scared— Aaah!
- Unnamed ManUnnamed Man: This way!
- Unnamed WomanUnnamed Woman: We'll never make it!
- Skirk: Fire... There's fire everywhere! What happened?
- Panicked Passerby: I told you we shouldn't have trusted these "outsiders"!
- Panicked Passerby: Why are you doing this? What did we do to deserve this?
- Panicked Passerby: We welcomed you with our finest food and drink, showed you the best our home has to offer, gifted you cloth dyed by our own hands... And this is how you treat us?
- Panicked Passerby: Run! Save yourselves!
- Callous Soldier: Captain, zone three is clear and we have zone two surrounded.
- Callous Officer: Begin extermination. Remember the orders from upper command — no one is to be left alive.
- Callous Soldier: Rest assured, sir. We have enough munitions to annihilate these savages and burn their entire civilization to the ground.
- Callous Officer: Good. The only ones who put up a real fight are that man and his wife, correct? What's their status?
- Callous Soldier: We shot the man in the ankles, and the wife broke her wrist attempting to fight back. They won't be doing much more fighting. They're holed up in their home for now, but they won't last long.
- Callous Soldier: To prevent them from making some kind of last stand, we're planning to clear out the other zones first so we can send a bigger squadron to surround them.
- Callous Officer: Well, well. Turns out some of these beasts do know how to use their claws. Now, the "threat" these savages pose will be undeniable.
- Callous Officer: Let them cling to what's left of their lives for a little longer. Once the other zones are cleared, I'll cut off their heads myself.
- (Floating words appear above the Strange Creature)
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: It smells like something's burning...
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: What's going on?
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
- Skirk: Dad...? Mom...?
- Strict Female Voice: Skirk! You're alright! Thank heavens...
- Cheerful Male Voice: So happy to see you, sweet girl. But, you need to go... It isn't safe here. They'll be back any second...
- Skirk: What happened? You're bleeding a lot! Dad... Mom... *whimper*
- Callous Soldier: Hehe, this is the place. Alert all units. Prepare to surround.
- Strict Female Voice: Run, Skirk! Run as far away as you can! Don't trust anyone!
- Strict Female Voice: Your dad and I, we're not afraid to stare death in the face. But, we need you to survive.
- Strict Female Voice: My clever girl, so curious... You're already so brave. I know you're going to grow up to be such a positive light in this world.
- Cheerful Male Voice: Whenever you miss us, just play this song.
- Cheerful Male Voice: Remember... Life is a gift. Don't let darkness claim it.
- Callous Officer: Break down the door! Look what we have here. A savage that can pluck a tune! Well, the show's over!
- Callous Officer: You! Stop singing! Shut it! I said shut it, or I'll make you! Fine, have it your way...!
- (The Traveler wakes up)
- (TravelerTraveler): (What was that...)
- Skirk: ...♪
- Skirk: Ah, you're awake.
- Skirk: I found a few clues while you were asleep, but it's only a start. Now, time for the second stage of your training.
- Skirk: This time, the focus is elemental energy. Come find me when you're ready to begin.
- (Talk to Skirk)
- Paimon: Man, staying in the Abyss feels so surreal, don't you think?
- Paimon: No day, and no night — it's like time hardly exists. If we weren't careful to keep track, it feels like we'd have no idea how long we've even been here.
- Paimon: Well, except for the fact that Paimon still gets hungry like clockwork... You go do your training. Paimon's gonna grab a bite.
- I'm ready to start.
- Skirk: The way I see it, the pursuit of power is divided into three stages.
- Skirk: The first is mastering the use of standard weapons. Next is learning how to harness natural energy. And, after that, you're free to challenge even higher dimensions.
- Skirk: The "natural energy" of Teyvat is, of course, elemental energy. But that's not my area of expertise — I draw from a different source of power.
- A different source of power?
- That must mean...
- Skirk: Abyssal power, yes. Also known as the power of the Void Realm.
- Skirk: My master, Surtalogi, is a true expert in that area. After all, he was one of the group of five that infamously stole the all-encompassing power of the Abyss, an act for which the people of Khaenri'ah gave them the epithet "The Five Sinners."
- Skirk: The elemental energy of Teyvat, on the other hand, is derived from the power of the Light Realm. These two forms of energy exist in direct opposition to each other. Suffice to say, there's not much I can teach you this time.
- But, there's something familiar about the power you use.
- It almost seems related to Cryo in some way.
- Skirk: A keen observation, (TravelerTraveler).
- Skirk: Call it... respecting local norms. The Abyss stands in direct conflict with the will of this world. So, to make my life easier, I disguise my power to make it appear Cryo-like in nature.
- Skirk: It's a technique I learned from some Khaenri'ahn ruins, known as "the Seven-Shifting Serpent." If you ever change your mind about delving into Abyssal power, I can teach it to you.
- Abyssal power doesn't suit me...
- I have the ability to purify Abyssal power.
- Skirk: So I've heard. You seem to have a knack for removing Abyssal power.
- Skirk: But... Is "purification" really what's going on there? Like I said — power does not simply disappear.
- What are you trying to say?
- Skirk: ...Just thinking out loud. Let's focus on your elemental training. That's what's gonna help us if the situation gets tricky.
- Skirk: True growth comes from adversity. But only if you make the choice to pick yourself up again every time you fall.
- Skirk: So, it's time to push yourself to the limit — and then keep pushing. This is the only way to advance at pace.
- (As elemental training starts)
- Skirk: Use the power of Anemo to clear the field as fast as you can.
- (Message shown)
- Affected by special Abyss effects, Elemental Skill CD has been reduced
- (After finishing the first Anemo training)
- Skirk: Observe your surroundings. Look for things you can use to tilt the scales of success in your favor.
- (After finishing the second Anemo training)
- You train the elemental powers one by one, ending with Hydro...
- Skirk: Use the power of Hydro to destroy the spikes.
- (After finishing the first Hydro training)
- Skirk: Faster... Don't give them a chance to strike you.
- Skirk: You need to be quicker than you were in your dream. You can't afford another injury like that.
- (Message shown during the second Hydro training)
-
- 4s after any spike is hit, the entire spike cluster will begin to aim and fire
- (Message shown during the third and fourth Hydro training)
-
- 3s after any spike is hit, the entire spike cluster will begin to aim and fire
- (After finishing the fourth Hydro training)
-
- (A cutscene is shown where the Traveler switches elements while using Starfell Sword and Razorgrass Blade back-to-back)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Along my journey, I've gained different elemental abilities in different lands.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (But... I've never trained them all at once like this.)
- Skirk: You need to understand what makes you special.
- Skirk: The ability to wield elemental energy without a Vision and switch between the elements at will...
- Skirk: It means your aspirations need no approval from the gods. Your power is not bound by the rules of this world.
- Skirk: So, be bold. Do not be afraid to chart your own path.
- (A cutscene is shown where the Traveler imagines using Palm Vortex, Starfell Sword, Lightning Blade, and Razorgrass Blade)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Graceful as the wind. Tough as stone. Nimble as lightning. Flourishing like foliage...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I can feel the power of the elements flowing through me. Sometimes, as peaceful as a flowing stream. Other times, surging like a raging river.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (If I close my eyes, I can almost hear their voices. But, it's not like some wild beast battling me for dominion. It's more like... saying hello to an old friend.)
- (TravelerTraveler): ...!
- (A cutscene is shown where the Traveler uses Aquacrest Saber to destroy multiple spikes and crystal columns)
- Skirk: Very good. It seems you've reached a deeper level of connection with the elements.
- How long has it been this time?
- I'm exhausted...
- Skirk: Long enough for you to lose yourself in your training — which is a good sign. Relentless practice with the elements has drained all your strength, but it's also what allowed you to make progress.
- Skirk: Get some rest. When you wake up, we'll proceed to the final stage of your training.
- (Talk to Skirk again, optional)
- Skirk: If you wish to master the elements at a fundamental level, you must see the entire natural world — nature in all its places and forms. That is part of what it means to be a traveler.
- (Start resting)
-
- (The Traveler wears the Abyss Crystal and goes to sleep)
- (The Traveler finds themselves in Skirk's dreamscape again)
- (TravelerTraveler): (This place again...)
- Strange Creature: ♪~
- Did you bring me here?
- Who are you?
- Strange Creature: ♪~
- (TravelerTraveler): (No response. The strange creature just floated away.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (What is that thing? What is it doing in Skirk's inner world? And... where is it taking me this time?)
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
- Surtalogi: What is the secret to power?
- Surtalogi: Longing? Hatred? Self-preservation? No... It is fear.
- Surtalogi: The fear of losing those you love. The fear of watching your home burn. Fear of loneliness, fear of death...
- Surtalogi: Fear is the source of evolution — it forces humanity to adapt to their environment and overcome hardship. It is in the process of prevailing over our fears that we surpassed first ourselves and then the rest of the world.
- Surtalogi: That fear is now part of you. It calls on you to evolve, and it is time to answer.
- (Floating words appear above the Strange Creature)
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: Oww... It hurts...
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: Daddy... Mommy...
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
- Surtalogi: Any minute spent missing home is a minute wasted — practice your sword work instead. Do not make me tell you twice.
- Skirk: But, Master... I can barely lift the sword anymore. If I keep going, I feel like my wrist is going to break...
- Surtalogi: So, it has not broken yet?
- Skirk: Um...
- Surtalogi: Then, pick up your sword and keep practicing until it breaks — I want to hear the cracking and splintering of bone.
- Surtalogi: After all, bones can always be reset.
- Skirk: Ugh... Aaargh...
- (Floating words appear above the Strange Creature)
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: I can't breathe...
- Young SkirkYoung Skirk: Everything's gone black... I...
- (Approach the Strange Creature)
- Surtalogi: Good, Skirk. Once again, you survived. How do you feel?
- Skirk: Cold... In pain...
- Surtalogi: These are signs that you are adapting to the Abyss.
- Surtalogi: Each time the flesh is torn and the spirit crushed, each time you claw back from the brink of death, you become stronger.
- Surtalogi: I now understand why these people sought to destroy your homeland. Your potential goes beyond even what I could have anticipated.
- Skirk: *coughing*...
- Surtalogi: But, you still have much to learn in your pursuit of strength. Your mind is rife with distractions. From now on, I shall show no mercy in your training.
- Surtalogi: You must learn to shut out all the pointless emotion, crush the self that makes you weak, and become master over your physical form.
- Surtalogi: Get up, Skirk. Wipe the blood off your face, cut away the rotten parts of your flesh, and mend what is broken. Then, take up your sword.
- Skirk: *coughing*... Yes, Master.
- (The Traveler wakes up)
- (TravelerTraveler): (The dream is over, but I can't get that suffocating, oppressive feeling out of my head.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I have so many questions about Skirk's past... Where does she come from? What has she been through?)
- Paimon: You're up! Hopefully, you got some good rest.
- Paimon: Skirk said to tell you that she's ready to start the final stage of your training whenever you are.
- Paimon: So, wanna head over now? Or, did you wanna wait a little?
- (TravelerTraveler): (I really want answers, but right now it's vital that I complete my training...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Once that's done, I'll find a chance to talk to her.)
- (Talk to Skirk)
- Skirk: From your training so far, you have gained a better command of the sword and more control over your elemental abilities.
- Thank you.
- It's all thanks to your guidance.
- Skirk: That's only part of it. Experience is the real teacher. Your journey, the friends you have made, the dangers you have faced — these have taught you more than I ever could.
- Skirk: Now, it's time to focus on how you react under pressure. You must be able to think rationally, even in unpredictable combat situations. To simulate this, I'm going to attack, and you're going to block.
- Skirk: Ready?
- Yes.
- Give me your worst.
- Skirk: Hm, not bad. That defensive stance looks near unbreakable.
- Skirk: Just like your (sistersister/
brotherbrother). Ah, that reminds me. You still don't know what happened to (herher/ himhim), do you... - (TravelerTraveler): !!!
- (TravelerTraveler): Oh...
- Paimon: Hey, no fair! That's cheating!
- Skirk: You think every opponent has the same moral code as you? You can denounce their deplorable methods all you want... But, only if you live to tell the tale. The dead don't get to complain.
- Skirk: Strong emotions will always arise in combat — anxiety, anger, fear — but a true warrior is never at their whim. Only when you are free from the influence of emotion can you make the right choice no matter the situation.
- Are you describing yourself?
- Skirk: How amusing. Almost sounds like you think you know me.
- Skirk: ...But, you don't. You can choose your own path — we are not the same.
- Skirk: Let's begin. Try to use reason over emotion. Make the most rational and advantageous decision in any given moment.
- Skirk: This is your final training session. Look alive.
- (As reason training starts)
- Skirk: Same drill as before, but this time I'm going to interfere. Hold your focus.
- (After finishing all the reason trainings)
- Skirk: Not bad. Better than I expected.
- (Cutscenes show the traveler destroying more crystal columns in between dialogue)
- (TravelerTraveler): (It's not easy to control my emotions.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (The battle is overwhelming, but... if I can just focus all of my attention on what my opponent is doing and how I should respond, it's almost like my emotions take a back seat.)
- Skirk: You're getting the hang of it.
- Skirk: The first step to controlling your emotions is controlling your mind. You want a unified train of thought. It all comes down to focus.
- (TravelerTraveler): (Focus... Focus on the battle...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I think it's working... I can choose to tune out anything that isn't relevant to the battle. But, I think I'm still pretty far from having full control over my emotions.)
- (A shadow of Surtalogi appears behind Skirk in the Traveler's imagination)
- Surtalogi: Your mind is rife with distractions. From now on, I shall show no mercy in your training.
- Surtalogi: You must learn to shut out all the pointless emotion, crush the self that makes you weak, and become master over your physical form.
- (TravelerTraveler): (Skirk went through this kind of training too, didn't she... How merciless does the training have to be to make someone substitute all emotion for pure reason?)
- Skirk: Stop. Let's pause here. One look, and I can tell your mind has wandered.
- Skirk: That's to be expected. There's a limit to how long a human being can concentrate on one thing. Staying calm and focused sounds simple in theory, but in practice, it's more demanding than sword work or elemental abilities.
- (TravelerTraveler): (Skirk is right. Now that I've stopped, all the emotions I was suppressing are rushing back to the surface.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Pain, exhaustion, frustration, doubt... But, exhaustion is the main one. I feel like I could fall asleep on the spot...)
- Skirk: Get some rest — no point training further if you're already dead on your feet. Like I said at the beginning, the only goal of this training is for you to reach a point that you're satisfied with.
- Skirk: You managed to push past your limits, which is a good start. You can be proud of that and sleep well knowing that you've earned it.
- (Talk to Skirk again, optional)
- Skirk: Warriors will train day and night to perfect their skills, but when the battle comes, their fate may be decided in a matter of minutes.
- Skirk: One mistake, one moment of hesitation, and just like that, all their blood, sweat, and tears were for nothing. You need to push yourself to perfection, or you might not even live to regret it.
- (Start resting)
-
- (The Traveler wears the Abyss Crystal and goes to sleep)
- (The Traveler finds themselves in Skirk's dreamscape again)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Looks like I'm back in Skirk's inner world.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I don't see that strange creature this time. But, I think I can navigate this space on my own now, even without it here to guide me.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (I don't know how to leave, so I'm stuck here until I wake up. Can't hurt to take a look around while I wait...)
- (Approach the marked location)
- Steadfast Disciple: Skirk is amazing! She faced down that terrifying giant and cut its head clean off!
- Bright Disciple: She got hurt though, didn't she? I heard it was pretty bad...
- Steadfast Disciple: Yeah, well that's a given. But the moment she was on the mend, she got right back to practicing her sword work.
- Steadfast Disciple: I heard Master suffered a grave injury once too. Lost an arm and a leg, and still came back stronger than ever... Skirk's becoming more like him by the day.
- Bright Disciple: Incredible... I wonder if I'll ever reach their level. They're always so resolute, so unshakable...
- (Approach the marked location)
- Skirk: *panting*
- Bewitching VoiceBewitching Voice: Pathetic... You're not even trying. You're so much weaker than you think.
- Skirk's Mother's VoiceSkirk's Mother's Voice: Skirk, have you become a positive light in this world?
- Skirk: *panting*...
- Bewitching VoiceBewitching Voice: Do you even remember how many of us perished in that fire? How many bodies were left to rot on the scorched earth? Yet, you alone live on.
- Bewitching VoiceBewitching Voice: Keep your gaze fixed on your blade. You don't deserve to rest.
- Skirk's VoiceSkirk's Voice: I have so many questions! I just wanna jump in a spaceship, explore the whole universe, and get answers from the stars! I just need to wait till I'm grown up... Then, I can do anything...
- Bewitching VoiceBewitching Voice: Now, you must bid farewell to who you were in the past, and become someone stronger.
- Skirk's Father's VoiceSkirk's Father's Voice: Run, Skirk... Run! Only death awaits us here. Keep running, and don't ever look back...
- Skirk: *panting*... *coughing*...
- (Approach the tea table)
- Alice: Hmm... Let's see here. First things first, you need a new identity.
- Alice: Going around telling people you're from somewhere beyond the stars won't do, now will it? How about saying you hail from "beneath the earth" instead?
- Alice: As the Khaenri'ahn saying goes: "Venturing out into the universe and down into the abyss are the same in that both are braving the dark unknown."
- Skirk: Well, I'm a visitor on this planet, so I'll follow the rules.
- Alice: Ah, splendid! That saves me quite a bit of trouble. Let me offer you a piece of advice in return — although it might not be what you want to hear.
- Alice: I know the pursuit of strength is important to you. But, taking a moment for yourself every once in a while is never a bad idea.
- Skirk: ...
- Alice: Ignore "her" existence for too long, and there will come a day when you can no longer hear "her" voice.
- (The Traveler wakes up)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Huh...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (The dream is over. I can hear the crackling of a fire in the distance, and there's a fragrant aroma in the air... Mmm, grilled meat...)
- Paimon: You're awake!
- Paimon: You must be starving, right? Ta-da! A barbecue feast just for you!
- I am a little hungry.
- Yeah, I'm starving.
- Paimon: Hehehe, of course you are! That's why Skirk and Paimon got this all ready for you. Dig in, before it gets cold!
- You two...
- So you're best friends now?
- Paimon: Eh, well, if you're around someone long enough, it's bound to happen. Plus, Skirk can cook! So, Paimon decided she can forgive the whole "ice queen" thing. Paimon's not one to hold a grudge...
- Skirk: Here's an idea. Let's save the chit-chat until after the meal.
- You all dig in and make quick work of the food.
- Paimon: Oof... So full...
- Paimon: Okay, it's Paimon's turn to sleep now. Wake her up when it's time to go!
- Skirk: I have good news.
- Skirk: First, your training is complete — you have what it takes to wield immense power, now it's just a matter of putting it into practice. Continue to learn from your journey and hone your skills against formidable opponents.
- Skirk: Second, I've located the culprit we've been searching for. Next, we just need to retrieve the missing part of your soul, and our business will be concluded.
- Thank you...
- That was a lot faster than I expected.
- Skirk: When Ajax trained with me, he once told me he was "bursting with questions." So, I allowed him to ask me three of them before he left.
- Skirk: You and I may never meet again, (TravelerTraveler). So if there's anything you want to ask me, now's your opportunity. Just like Ajax, I'll answer three of your questions.
- (TravelerTraveler): (After spending time in Skirk's inner world and witnessing her memories, there are so many questions I could ask. But, the most important one is...)
- (TravelerTraveler): Are you... really from Teyvat?
- Skirk: ...Okay, not the angle I was expecting. What makes you ask that?
- (TravelerTraveler): I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but... while we were dream-mirroring, I think I saw your memories.
- Skirk: ...?
- (TravelerTraveler): (This is the first time I've seen Skirk break her composure. I guess this really took her by surprise.)
- Skirk: I knew that was a possible side-effect... Closed off my mind to you for that exact reason.
- Skirk: Even with the dream-mirroring, you should have seen nothing but endless darkness.
- (TravelerTraveler): (So, Skirk didn't share those memories with me on purpose. And in fact, she tried her best to keep them from me.)
- (TravelerTraveler): (Wait, speaking of endless darkness... On my first time there, that was all I saw — until that strange creature appeared...)
- Skirk: Eh, whatever. Must have been a flaw in my execution... I shouldn't be too surprised. Due to some recent circumstances, my self-control has been lacking as of late.
- Skirk: Since you've seen what you've seen, there's no reason to hide the truth. All I ask is that you keep it a secret.
- Skirk: No, I'm not from Teyvat. I'm from a different planet, and there was a time when I journeyed through the stars — a lot like you, in some ways.
- (TravelerTraveler): Like me? Do you mean... you're also a Descender?
- Skirk: No, we're different in that respect. You're influencing the fate of this world, but me? I'm just passing through.
- Skirk: Several hundred years ago, my master, Surtalogi, opened the border between worlds and sent me here.
- Skirk: But, this is not my home, and one day, I'll return to the vast unknown of space... So, there you have it. Onto your second question.
- (TravelerTraveler): What is your goal in coming here?
- Skirk: To become stronger.
- Skirk: For certain reasons, I need to bridge the power gap between me and my master as quickly as possible. But, first, I need to understand the source of his strength.
- Skirk: To do that, I need to follow in his footsteps, walk the path he once walked. And somewhere along the way, I'll find out how to defeat him. That is my sole focus and purpose.
- Skirk: ...Okay, you have one question remaining.
- (TravelerTraveler): (Skirk's goal is to defeat "The Foul"? I can hear how serious this is for her. I wonder what those "certain reasons" could be...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (But, given how quickly she blazed through that answer, I doubt she wants to talk about it. I have one question left. What should I ask?)
- Childe: You make it sound so easy. Ever since the incident I experienced there, I've never stopped searching for Master Skirk and that unknown abyss.
- Childe: But it's been years now and I've still found nothing...
- (TravelerTraveler): (Huh... Maybe I should take this opportunity to get Childe some answers.)
- Skirk: Well? Your last question?
- (TravelerTraveler): You know Childe is looking for you, right? Are you going to let him see you?
- Skirk: Ajax...
- Skirk: His situation is different than yours. Before you ever crossed paths with me, you'd already encountered many formidable people, studied their techniques, and developed your own skillset.
- Skirk: So, during your training, all I had to do was build upon that foundation. But, Ajax was so young when he came to me — a complete blank canvas.
- Skirk: Children can't help but imitate their role models. In the long run, that would only hinder his growth.
- Skirk: Once Ajax has enough strength in his own right, I will allow us to meet again. Until then, let that motivate him to reach his full potential.
- (TravelerTraveler): (That was a calm and calculated answer. It's like she was talking about something entirely mundane... I don't know why, but I'm not buying it...)
- (TravelerTraveler): (She makes it sound like the decision has everything to do with Childe and nothing to do with her. But, what does she actually feel about it?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (The Abyss is completely silent. This domain must get lonely after a while. Not to mention, she said it's been hundreds of years since she arrived in Teyvat — and even longer than that if you account for how slowly time passes in here.)
- (Flashback begins)
- Skirk: Unlike you, I have no desire to establish a connection with the world. The weak and the lowly have no right to remember me. They're lucky they only have a few missing memories to show for it.
- (Flashback ends)
- (TravelerTraveler): (In all that time, she never established a connection with this world. Was it really just because she looks down on the weak?)
- (TravelerTraveler): (...I doubt she'd give me a straight answer if I asked. Besides, I already used up my three questions. She was happy to give me cold, hard facts. But, I still feel like I haven't heard her true "voice.")
- Skirk: Wake up your companion. It's time to go.
- Skirk: Oh, and everything I just told you... Best keep it a secret from her as well.
- (Quest ends)
Soundtracks[]
Trivia[]
- This quest is the second time the Traveler's stats receive a permanent increase (Base ATK, Elemental Mastery, and HP is increased by 7, 15 and 50 respectively).
- The first time was during Ever So Close, where the Traveler's Base ATK was permanently increased by 3 after using Activated・Canned Knowledge.
- This quest marks the first time the Traveler is shown wielding 5 elements in a single quest.
- It is also one of the few times the Traveler is shown wielding 2 or more elements back-to-back.
- Despite entering the domain in this quest from an Abyssal rift in Liyue, the Exquisite Chest inside the domain grants Hydro Sigils, among other things.
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Special Training | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 特训 | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 特訓 | |
| Japanese | 修行 | |
| Korean | 특훈 Teukhun | |
| Spanish | Un entrenamiento especial | A Special Training |
| French | Entraînement spécial | Special Training |
| Russian | Особая подготовка Osobaya podgotovka | Special Training |
| Thai | การฝึกพิเศษ | |
| Vietnamese | Đặc Huấn | |
| German | Spezialtraining | Special Training |
| Indonesian | Latihan Khusus | Special Training |
| Portuguese | Treinamento Especial | |
| Turkish | Özel Eğitim | |
| Italian | Un addestramento speciale |
Change History[]
Released in Version 5.7