Ishkab knew about the plan to create an Ancient Name for the Traveler and had kept it in mind ever since.
With an Ancient Name, Lumine's safety would be greatly enhanced!
While working with Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night, to restart Natlan's Ode of Resurrection, Ishkab had informed her of the plan and obtained her permission.
Now that all the prerequisites were met, they simply needed to wait for Xilonen to complete the creation.
Lumine dazedly reached out and accepted the small flag.
Her heroic figure continuously materialized on its surface. She realized these must be recordings of her battles against the Abyss—she never imagined they had been documented.
Xilonen took the flag from the Traveler's hand, examined it briefly, and said to Yohualtecuhtin:
"Thank you, Lord of the Night!"
Yohualtecuhtin replied, "I, too, have been nourished by the soul energy of that child. I am no longer as weakened as I once was. If the Abyss attacks again, I will help you..."
-
Mondstadt.
Venti returned to Mondstadt in his Divine Regalia form, a sight that immediately strengthened the city's unity.
Barbatos sought out Jean directly. Abandoning his usual flippant demeanor, he issued the Anemo Archon's first solemn Divine Decree in nearly a century.
Before departing, he ordered all Mondstadt residents living outside the city walls to return immediately and for the city's defenses to be reinforced.
Given Mondstadt's abundant resources, the city could easily withstand a lockdown lasting several months.
The crisis in Natlan was unlikely to drag on for long. Either the Abyss would be vanquished, or Teyvat would fall. In either case, the conflict wouldn't stretch out indefinitely.
Jean fully obeyed Barbatos's instructions, but one question still burned in her mind:
"Lord Barbatos, please tell me... just how severe is the disaster in Natlan?"
Barbatos: "To what extent...? If things go wrong, the entire world of Teyvat could be destroyed. But don't worry too much; we have ways to deal with it. If all else fails... the Seven Archons of Teyvat will die right before your eyes, ha ha..."
Jean: "Lord Barbatos, please don't speak such words!"
Barbatos smiled helplessly. He genuinely believed what he said. He, the Old Man, and Sister Rukkhadevata had once visited Celestia and witnessed the Abyss's immense power firsthand. Now, their only trump card might be the Traveler...
"Jean, do as I say. I'll take my leave now."
With those words, Barbatos vanished from Jean's sight in a flash.
Jean's expression was complex, her heart heavy with worry. Lord Barbatos was usually so optimistic; his current demeanor deeply troubled her...
Regaining her composure, Jean left her office to carry out the arrangements Lord Barbatos had instructed.
-
Liyue.
Morax appeared atop the Jade Chamber in his Divine Regalia.
Upon learning of his arrival, Ningguang hastily came out to greet him.
Morax made arrangements similar to those of Barbatos, instructing them to defend Liyue Harbor for an initial period of two months.
The Adepti and Xiao also received the news and gathered to join them. Morax left Xiao in Liyue and led the remaining Adepti to Natlan.
Though reluctant, Xiao understood his condition. The Karmic Debt weighing upon him had intensified following Mu Qingge's death, leaving his mental state unstable and vulnerable to the Abyss.
Having witnessed Chu Xi's fate firsthand, Morax refused to let Xiao accompany them.
Moreover, safeguarding the myriad lights of Liyue's homes remained paramount.
-
When Barbatos arrived in Liyue, he encountered Diluc, who was already on his way to Natlan. After some hesitation, Barbatos decided to bring Diluc along with him.
-
Sumeru.
After returning to Sumeru, Nahida first sought out Alhaitham, then went to Irminsul, and finally journeyed to the desert with a green ring in hand to find Apep, the Dendro Dragon Sovereign.
Apep, arguably the largest creature in Teyvat, concealed her massive body beneath the yellow sands, radiating an overwhelming sense of dread.
Nahida recounted everything that had transpired in Natlan and warned Apep of the Abyss's looming threat. Using the ring, she healed Apep's wounds, quickly persuading her to act.
The Abyss's threat was the primary reason. Though Apep clashed with the Seven Archons, she couldn't abandon Teyvat to its fate.
Thus, Apep transformed into a human form—a mature woman with green, tight-fitting attire, her body brimming with Dendro energy. She bore a striking resemblance to that woman, but with a Dendro elemental aura.
"Move!"
With that single word, Apep surged ahead toward Natlan.
-
Natlan.
The Gods had finally returned to their respective nations, and in the vast wilderness of Natlan, Morax and Rukkhadevata joined forces to hastily construct a temporary base.
The assembled Gods and Dragon Sovereigns convened a meeting.
They decided to move the battlefield to the Seven Archons' Territory, preferably a desolate, uninhabited region. The plan was simple: gather seven Pure Souls in that location.
Such immense soul power would undoubtedly attract the Abyss!
At that moment, the Traveler would step forward to claim the Goddess's power and briefly hold back the Abyss.
Of course, they couldn't rely solely on the Traveler. If they did, their chances of withstanding the Abyss would be slim.
Morax and the others had already contacted the Ruler of Death and the Hexenzirkel. They anticipated that the remaining Archons—the Ruler of Time, the Ruler of Life, and the Ruler of the Void—would also come to assist.
With such formidable combined strength, containing the Abyss and buying the Traveler enough time should prove manageable.
As for why even this combined power wouldn't guarantee victory against the Abyss...
The Ruler of Death had assessed the situation: if the Master of the Inazuman eyeball were to appear, she would stand no chance. The same held true for the Rulers of Life, Death, and Time.
The Abyss was colossal in scale and its power surpassed even that of the Heavenly Principles!
Though the Hexenzirkel transcended mortal realms, their individual strength still paled in comparison to the Abyss's might.
Therefore, the final victory against the Abyss rested entirely on the Traveler!
Whether the power left behind by the Goddess could truly defeat the Abyss... they had no choice but to gamble.
-
A meeting was underway inside the base, while outside...
Angie and Fidelle huddled together, discussing the strange visions that had been appearing in their minds lately.
A mysterious intuition had guided them to this rendezvous.
Diluc, still clad in his crimson attire, exuded an even more formidable presence, his strength surpassing what it had been in the past.
-
Three days later...
Lumine's Ancient Name was forged: Tumaini, meaning... hope!
The moment she received her Ancient Name, Lumine knew the true battle against the Abyss was about to begin!
On the same day, an unexpected visitor arrived in Natlan—Arataki Itto.
Having set out from Inazuma on foot, Itto had journeyed by ship to Sumeru, traversed the desert, and finally reached Natlan!
Having already inquired with Diluc, Lumine and Paimon understood why Itto had come. They said nothing, simply treating the Lavender Melon-weary Itto to a hearty feast of Natlan grilled meats!
"Itto, your timing couldn't be better! Tomorrow, we'll face the Abyss in a decisive battle. With your help, we're sure to achieve a resounding victory!"
"I won't let you down!" Itto declared.