Dainsleif's contradictory words left Lumine and Paimon deeply confused.
So they voiced their doubts.
"…A lesson from the past."
"I will tell you one final truth."
"Khaenri'ah was a nation destroyed by the gods."
"And that… is precisely why the Abyss Order seeks to destroy the nations of the Seven."
Dainsleif explained calmly.
[The Abyss wants to destroy the Seven Nations??]
[So the gods destroyed Khaenri'ah, and now Khaenri'ah seeks revenge?]
[Wait… Aether is called 'Prince,' does he have ties to Khaenri'ah?]
[He definitely does]
After obtaining the Eye—
Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif returned to the ruins.
They found the Defiled Statue.
After restraining the Abyss Herald—
Aether suddenly appeared.
Stopping them from destroying the statue.
The moment he saw Dainsleif—
His tone carried anger.
While Dainsleif seemed hesitant, as if holding something back.
But when Aether looked at Lumine—
His expression softened.
"Do not follow Dainsleif."
"Do not stand in my way."
"Do not oppose the Abyss."
Then—
He revealed Dainsleif's true identity.
The Twilight Sword—
The last royal guard of Khaenri'ah.
Five hundred years ago—
He failed to stop Khaenri'ah's destruction.
Cursed with immortality—
He wandered endlessly.
Forced to watch—
As the people he swore to protect—
Turned into monsters of the Abyss.
Aether continued:
"I cannot go with you yet…"
"To another world."
"At least—not now."
"Before the Abyss engulfs the divine throne…"
"I still have a war to finish—with the Heavenly Principles."
"I have already completed my journey."
"So you must walk yours."
"Reach the end."
"And witness the truth of this world."
"Then…"
"You will understand."
"We will meet again."
"No need to rush, Lumine."
"I have time."
"Our time… has always been enough."
With those words—
Aether left.
Taking the Abyss Herald with him through a portal.
Dainsleif immediately followed.
Jumping into the portal.
Lumine tried to follow—
But failed.
The path to finding her brother—
Now had a new lead:
Dainsleif.
With Paimon's gentle encouragement—
Lumine slowly calmed down.
After a moment—
They began piecing together everything.
"First—"
"That Abyss Herald called your brother 'Prince.'"
"So he must be leading the Abyss Order."
"And his status is higher than even the Heralds…"
"Though we don't know if he's the absolute leader."
"Also…"
"Your brother said his goal is to engulf the divine throne and fight the Heavenly Principles…"
"That sounds like…"
"Destroying the Seven and their nations…"
"And…"
"The Abyss creatures…"
"Were once the people of Khaenri'ah…"
"That's… terrifying."
"Dainsleif is also from Khaenri'ah."
"He lived through that destruction."
"But he didn't turn into a monster…"
"And now, he opposes the Abyss Order."
"So just like your brother said…"
"They're enemies."
"But if the Abyss creatures…"
"Were once the people he tried to protect…"
"Then why is Dainsleif fighting them?"
"And why…"
"The brother we've been searching for…"
"Is now standing with those monsters?"
Paimon spoke slowly.
Trying to make sense of everything.
"I don't know…"
"There isn't enough information…"
"Thinking more won't help…"
Lumine shook her head.
Her thoughts were a mess.
"Then cheer up, Traveler!"
"Our journey isn't over yet!"
"Let's move forward!"
"Let's leave this awful place…"
"And return to the sunlight!"
"If your brother wants you to reach the end—"
"Then show him you can!"
"Let's go, Traveler!"
Paimon reached out her hand.
And on Xuehua's screen—
The message appeared:
"We Will Be Reunited — Act IV Complete."
"Paimon really is an angel…"
Xuehua smiled warmly—
Then sighed.
"But wow… the amount of information in this quest…"
"My brain hurts…"
[Same, I'm completely lost]
[Why did the gods destroy Khaenri'ah??]
[Wait, there was another force besides the gods]
[Yeah—the Abyss turned people into monsters]
[So there were three forces: humans, gods, Abyss]
[Then why is Aether fighting the gods instead of the Abyss??]
[And why didn't others turn into monsters??]
[Good question]
[Too many mysteries]
[Just wait for theory videos lol]
After finishing the quest—
Xuehua lingered for a while.
Then went back to farming artifacts.
Time passed.
It was now afternoon.
Meanwhile—
Qiu Nian was no longer in Liyue.
He stood at the edge of a cliff—
In the land of Natlan.
Before him—
A vast terrain of jagged canyons stretched endlessly.
A gentle breeze passed—
Swaying his robes and long hair.
Time drifted by.
The sun began to set.
At some point—
Four small Tepetlisaurus hatchlings had appeared beside him.
As if accompanying him to watch the sunset.
After the last light faded—
Qiu Nian suddenly turned—
And began walking forward.
The little creatures tilted their heads in confusion.
Not understanding why he had suddenly moved.
Yet—
Curiosity got the better of them.
They followed him.
After a long while—
Qiu Nian stopped.
A faint aura—
White tinged with red—
Emerged around him.
Before the watchful eyes of the hatchlings—
He slowly crouched down.
Closed his eyes.
And placed his hand upon the ground.
A soft hum—
Spread across all of Natlan.
Then—
He stood.
The aura faded.
And he continued forward.
As if nothing had happened.
But behind a nearby rock—
Hidden from sight—
A young man stood pressed against the cliffside.
He had dark blue hair.
A cloak and hood.
And a pair of bat-like ears.
A Vision of Electro rested upon him.
Watching Qiu Nian silently.
And when he witnessed—
That strange aura—
And felt that faint hum—
He froze.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?