After a dizzying shift, they reappeared atop a mountain.
It was midday, and the sun cast its light over Mt. Aozang, stretching across the reeds of Dihua Marsh.
Dainsleif stared at Qiu Bai in shock, while Lumine and Paimon remained unfazed, having long grown accustomed to such things.
"To wield such a terrifying ability…"
"And without a Vision, yet capable of this level of power."
Dainsleif frowned as he looked at Qiu Bai.
"Haha, now's not the time for that discussion," Qiu Bai said with a smile.
"Look down there—those Abyss Mages seem to be rummaging through the remains of the Ruin Guards, searching for something."
"Is that so…? But Travelers do that all the time too,"
"Things like Chaos Devices and Chaos Circuits."
Paimon waved a hand dismissively as she spoke to Qiu Bai and Dainsleif.
"Exactly! Those are really important materials!" Lumine added with a grin.
Qiu Bai chuckled, covering his mouth as he laughed.
Lumine immediately turned to glare at him, hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks in mock indignation.
"…But the Abyss Mages wouldn't be looking for those, right?"
Paimon tilted her head. After all, such materials were too common—there was no way Abyss Mages would struggle to find them.
"I've been investigating outside because Abyss Mages frequently leave the ruins to explore."
"It seems like they're trying to retrieve something specific from the remains of the Ruin Guards—something precious to them."
Dainsleif looked at the three before him and gestured downward.
"But judging from their disappointment, they haven't found it yet."
He turned his gaze to the Abyss Mages below. Once again, they had come up empty-handed.
"Then why don't we just capture a few Abyss Mages and interrogate them?"
"Even Master Diluc has used that method before—just apply a little pressure, and they'll talk."
Lumine looked at Dainsleif with confusion. Why not just take one prisoner and force answers out of it?
"I never intended to be merciful to them…"
"But I have a feeling this matter holds immense significance for the entire Abyss Order."
"The truth behind it won't be something we can simply extract through torture."
Dainsleif slowly explained as he observed Lumine and Paimon's puzzled expressions.
"Alright, let's not waste too much time here."
"We continue the pursuit."
Without another word, Dainsleif broke into a run.
"Uh… we literally have Qiu Bai here, so why is he running?"
Paimon waved her hands in exasperation.
"No idea, let's just follow him and see."
"Come on, Qiu Bai."
Lumine glanced at Paimon, then at Qiu Bai, before taking off after Dainsleif.
Paimon sighed, stomped her foot, and flew after them.
Qiu Bai simply nodded and followed suit.
…
After running for a while, they spotted a group of Abyss Mages alongside Ruin Guards ahead.
Dainsleif and Lumine immediately charged forward, swiftly eliminating the enemies.
"Phew… Besides the Abyss Order, the Ruin Guards are really active here too."
"It seems like wherever the Abyss Order lurks, Ruin Guards are often roaming as well.
Could that be a coincidence?"
Paimon looked between Lumine and Qiu Bai, scratching her head.
"There are no coincidences in this world. Everything is a seed planted long ago."
"Just like how you appeared at the tavern that day… Time is merely waiting for it to sprout."
Dainsleif's cryptic words left Lumine blinking in confusion.
"…I don't really get it."
"I only heard about you by chance."
She looked at Dainsleif, still not quite understanding.
"It's nothing. Just unnecessary sentiment."
Dainsleif waved a hand dismissively.
"The connection between the Abyss Order and the Ruin Guards is no coincidence."
"They are branches extending from the same root."
"…Same root?"
"What do you mean?"
Paimon folded her arms, tilting her head in confusion.
"They both originate from the ancient kingdom that was destroyed five hundred years ago."
"Khaenri'ah."
Dainsleif's voice was heavy as he spoke.
"…Huh? Khaenri'ah?"
"So that's it… The Abyss Order and the Ruin Guards—
Are they remnants of Khaenri'ah after its downfall?"
Paimon crossed her arms, eyes widening in surprise.
"Khaenri'ah… That name really takes me back."
"Oh, right! As the guide, I should probably explain it to the Traveler."
Paimon turned toward Lumine, about to begin her explanation—
"I know the name Khaenri'ah."
Lumine interrupted her, her voice calm.
"…Huh?"
Paimon stared at her in shock.
"Because I have memories of Khaenri'ah."
Lumine placed a hand over her chest.
"You have memories…?"
"But Khaenri'ah was destroyed 500 years ago."
Paimon looked at her in disbelief.
"…Everyone has their secrets. You've never questioned me about time, have you?"
"So I won't question you either. But if you're willing to tell me, I'll listen."
"So, what did Khaenri'ah look like… through your eyes?"
Dainsleif furrowed his brows, watching Lumine closely.
Qiu Bai, intrigued, folded his arms and listened quietly.
After a moment of hesitation, Lumine began to speak.
She described the inferno that consumed Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago, the strange golden-black cubes floating within the flames, and the god she had encountered.
She spoke of her later journey to Mondstadt… and her reunion with her brother.
But her brother never spoke to her.
He simply turned and stepped into a dark purple portal, disappearing from sight.
"…Wait."
"…A reunion in Mondstadt?"
Qiu Bai's expression tensed slightly.
As I thought… My presence has already changed things.
According to the original course of events, Lumine was supposed to meet her brother much later.
That encounter in Mondstadt—
Why did it happen earlier than expected?
What changed?
Three hundred years ago, it was the battle between Azhdaha and Morax…
"…No."
"The location of their battle…"
"…Was nowhere near where Lumine awakened. That doesn't line up."
Qiu Bai rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
No matter how he pieced it together, he couldn't figure out exactly what had been altered.
"…Hah. This just keeps getting more interesting."
"I didn't expect my presence to change so much. A chain reaction, huh?"
Qiu Bai chuckled to himself, a faint smile on his lips as he turned his gaze back to Lumine, who was still recounting her story.
"So that's how it all unfolded."
"I thought you encountered that unknown god right from the start."
Paimon murmured, processing everything.
"After you descended into this world… Your first awakening…"
"It was your brother who woke you from the meteor."
Dainsleif explained, glancing at Lumine.
"So that means… your brother woke up before you."
"I just wonder how much earlier than you he awakened."
Paimon mused, waving a hand as she spoke.