"For Natlan!" Below, within the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, countless weapons were instantly raised, their cold glint and fiery glow intertwining to illuminate the arena. A thunderous roar, forged from unwavering resolve, surged skyward, shaking the very air.
Lumine and Paimon stood amidst this seething crimson sea, their bodies jolted by the surging battle spirit that coursed through them like electricity. They involuntarily joined the deafening cry.
Simultaneously, the abyssal stormclouds had completely devoured the sunlight, spreading like spilled ink with suffocating weight, rolling relentlessly toward the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
Beneath the ominous clouds stretched an endless, writhing Monster Tide, its creatures hissing and wriggling across the land. Wherever they passed, the earth blackened and rotted, the stench of death permeating the air!
BOOM—!
The massive gates surrounding the Stadium of the Sacred Flame slammed open!
Natlan's elite warriors, like molten lava erupting from the depths, surged forth in a fierce torrent!
Enveloped in flames, they formed a living wall of flesh and steel, fearlessly charging into the tide of destruction.
Lumine transformed into a golden meteor, streaking ahead of the charging tide. Alone, she shot toward the all-consuming darkness that blanketed the sky.
Behind her roared the crimson flood of burning warriors; ahead lay the pitch-black abyss of despair.
Light and Darkness, stripped of all restraint, clashed in this moment like two raging beasts baring their sharpest claws. In their raw, primal fury, they charged headlong into each other, each vowing to devour the other whole!
-
Liyue, The Chasm.
Yelan watched from afar as a blood-red Pillar of Light surged toward the sky from Natlan. Even at this distance, she felt a profound unease.
"The Abyss..."
Liyue had once suffered a massive Abyss invasion, and Yelan had never forgotten that sinister aura.
That direction... it must be Natlan. The Traveler is in Natlan right now... What on earth is happening over there?
Yelan swiftly turned back, heading to find Ningguang. This Abyss incursion seemed exceptionally large-scale. They must consult the Geo Archon!
-
Snezhnaya.
Before the ice-glazed windows of Zapolyarny Palace, the Tsaritsa stood as still as ancient frost. Her deep glacial-blue eyes pierced through miles of blizzard, settling on the crimson Pillar of Light tearing through the southern horizon.
Her fingertips unconsciously traced the armrest of her throne, condensing a layer of fine frost.
"The Abyss..."
Her voice was as cold as a glacial wind sweeping across the tundra, utterly devoid of emotion. Only the sudden drop in temperature around her betrayed the chilling resolve in her heart.
"Issue the order: All Harbingers currently in Snezhnaya are to assemble immediately."
-
Inazuma, Tenshukaku.
Raiden Ei's eyes snapped open, her deep purple irises erupting with a fierce Electro glow. The serene aura around her shattered instantly, torn apart by raging Thunderbolts.
She strode forward, appearing on the high platform outside the pavilion in a single step. Her gaze, sharp as cold lightning, pierced westward, toward the blood-red Pillar of Light that pierced the heavens and earth.
The extreme filth and destructive energy contained within the pillar warped the space around her, causing arcs of electricity to crackle and hiss.
"Blasphemous filth... daring to desecrate eternity with such audacity," she murmured, her voice low and heavy with unquestionable authority and icy murderous intent. "They shall pay dearly."
Without hesitation, she raised her hand and gripped empty air, summoning the Musou Isshin Katana. Boundless Electro Elemental Energy gathered and compressed within her palm.
"I'll leave this place to you, Miko."
Before her words had fully faded, her figure transformed into a streak of thunderous lightning tearing through the sky. Moving at speeds beyond human perception and with overwhelming force, she pierced the heavens toward Natlan, leaving a trail of shattered space in her wake.
At Grand Narukami Shrine, Lady Guuji Yae nodded gravely.
"Be careful, Ei."
The aura emanating from that pillar felt overwhelmingly powerful—unlike anything the Miko had ever encountered.
In the Inazuma wilderness, Arataki Itto sheathed his greatsword and headed for Ritou...
-
Sumeru.
Because Sumeru was one of the closest nations to Natlan, Nahida could see the events unfolding there with greater clarity.
Mom, Morax, and Barbatos had already left and hadn't returned yet, making Nahida the current ruler of Sumeru.
Nahida was supposed to remain in Sumeru to protect it, but the unusual activity in Natlan was causing her immense psychological pressure. She knew that given the Abyss Energy radiating from the Pillar of Light, if Natlan fell, the other nations wouldn't fare much better.
After informing Alhaitham, Nahida set off alone for Natlan...
-
Fontaine.
Inside Palais Mermonia, Neuvillette stood before a massive stained-glass window, the official documents in his hand sliding silently to the floor. His deep gaze pierced through the city and across national borders, locking firmly on the distorted Pillar of Light, his brow furrowed deeply.
The moisture-laden air trembled slightly in response to the fluctuations in his emotions.
"A primordial corruption..." His deep voice echoed through the spacious hall, carrying an unmistakable resolve. "This is no longer a matter for a single nation or clan."
Neuvillette strode out of Palais Mermonia.
Outside Furina's residence, Fidelle emerged onto the street, joining the other armored residents as they gazed at the colossal Pillar of Light looming over Natlan. For reasons she couldn't explain, Fidelle's heart suddenly began to pound violently.
A powerful instinct compelled her to go to the source of that light!
If she didn't go, a disaster far greater than this would surely follow!
She had to go!
"Fidelle, where are you going?"
Hearing the commotion outside, Furina and Focalors rushed out. Seeing Fidelle about to leave, Furina stepped forward and gripped her wrist firmly.
Fidelle pointed to her heart and said, "Lady Furina, I'm so sorry. This tells me I must go. If I don't, Natlan will be plunged into chaos and devastation!"
Furina's fingers tightened fiercely, almost digging into Fidelle's wrist bone.
Her blue eyes now brimmed with genuine panic and incomprehension, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "No... no, you can't! Fidelle, you saw that thing! It's beyond your capabilities! I won't let you go!"
She shook her head violently, as if trying to deny the unwavering resolve in Fidelle's words. "What 'must go'? Who told you that? Your heart? That could be a whisper from the Abyss, a trap! I forbid it!"
Fidelle didn't struggle to break free. Instead, she pointed to her heart with her other hand, her gaze clear yet heartbreakingly resolute:
"It's not a whisper, Lady Furina. It's a... far more ancient and profound summons. If I don't go, that land will bleed its last drop, and its cries will never cease. This isn't a prophecy—it's... the future unfolding before us."
"But..." Tears finally welled up in Furina's eyes, streaming down her cheeks. "It's too dangerous there! You'll die! I... I can't lose you again..."
Just then, a gentle yet firm hand pressed down on Furina's violently trembling shoulder.
It was Focalors.
She gazed at the unwavering resolve in Fidelle's eyes, then at Furina, nearly drowning in fear and longing. With a soft sigh, Focalors turned to address Fidelle.