The frost-kissed whispers of Skirk's arrival once danced in my dreams, a promise of glacial elegance and untold power. As a Traveler who has braved the Abyss countless times, I felt my heart quicken at the thought of wielding her cryo blade, a beacon in the endless night. But now, leaks have seeped through like cracks in ice, chilling my anticipation. The news that Skirk won't carry her Serpent's Subtlety stacks between chambers—a unique system replacing energy particles—sent shivers down my spine, a cruel twist that dims the light of her constellation buffs. Oh, how the community's cries echo my own frustration! We've waited so long for this star to rise, only to see her brilliance clouded by uncertainty. ❄️😔

In the tapestry of Teyvat, Skirk emerges not alone; Dahlia, that cherished four-star companion, joins her in this grand tapestry. Both have graced our journey in the storyline, weaving threads of lore that made their release feel like fate's gentle hand. Yet, as HoYoverse refines characters in the beta's secret forge, Skirk stands apart—her mechanics, a serpentine dance of subtlety points instead of energy, now shackled by this leak's revelation.

I recall the murmurs on the forums: Why must Skirk lose her stacks when Mavuika strides freely with hers? It feels like a jagged edge in an otherwise flawless gem, perhaps a balance to her constellation's recent buffs. But oh, the sting of it! Like many, I've tasted the bitterness of past disappointments—Dehya's fall to the Standard Banner still haunts me, a specter of unfulfilled potential. Now, with Skirk, it's not just the Abyss's challenge that looms; her reliance on Escoffier, that icy sentinel, chains our creativity. Without him, her damage falters, forcing rigid team comps that stifle the art of battle.

Let me pour my soul into this sorrow:

• The Community's Grief: 😢 Players lament the loss of flexibility; Skirk's kit, once a canvas for innovation, now demands Escoffier's presence.

• My Own Reflection: In the quiet hours, I wonder if HoYoverse hears our pleas. Will they mend her before June 17, when she's slated to grace the first banner of Version 5.7? That date, etched in my mind, brings both hope and dread—a duality that mirrors life itself.

Yet, amidst the storm, a flicker of optimism remains. Adjustments could still come in these final weeks, smoothing the rough ice. As I tread these paths, I see the Abyss not just as a trial, but as a testament to our resilience.

What future awaits our beloved heroes if innovation is sacrificed for balance?