Abyss Era, Year One.
A full year had passed since the Abyss erupted and brought the world to the brink of destruction. The initial fear and panic had gradually settled. Humanity's resilience surpassed even the Seven Archons' expectations.
What they thought would be a long and difficult process of calming the people ended far sooner than expected. In just a year, most had already pushed aside the doomsday memory of the Abyss's great eruption.
It had also been a year since Elliot left Teyvat. During all that time, he had never once returned.
And throughout that entire year, Shenhe had not taken a single step off Celestia—even though she now lived there alone. Her days were spent doing only two things: watching the people on the continent below with a gentle smile, and staring blankly at the endless sky.
During this period, Morax, Cloud Retainer, and the others visited her many times, urging her to leave Celestia. But Shenhe always declined their good intentions.
"I want to wait here for him to come back."
"That way, when he returns, I'll notice him the moment he appears and welcome him right away."
That was all she said.
After leaving Teyvat, Elliot discovered the Sea of Quanta and the Imaginary Tree. He also came to understand why the Abyss seemed to be rising. It was never the Abyss rising—it was Teyvat falling.
With the truth laid bare, Elliot set off toward the Imaginary Tree. But the distance was far beyond anything he had imagined. He had flown for a full year, yet still showed no sign of reaching it.
...
Abyss Era, Year Five.
Elliot finally stopped, hovering in the vast emptiness. Below him stretched the devouring Sea of Quanta. Ahead stood the Imaginary Tree. Behind him lay the continent of Teyvat.
He had flown for five years straight, yet felt no closer to the Imaginary Tree at all. He began to doubt whether it was even possible to reach. If he turned back now, it would be another five years of flight—ten years wasted in total.
But if he continued forward and still failed to reach it, then what? Even if he returned now… what could he do?
If he could reach the Imaginary Tree, then maybe—just maybe—there was still a sliver of hope. Though Teyvat had been abandoned by the Imaginary Tree, he couldn't know for certain that there was no way back unless he tried.
He no longer had any other options.
Yet after five years, the Imaginary Tree had never shifted even slightly. Elliot remained suspended in place, thoughts tangled in a chaotic storm.
Behind him was not only Teyvat, but also his beloved Shenhe. He carried not one world, but two. One belonged to all people. The other belonged to him alone.
After thinking for a very long time, he finally made his choice.
To continue forward.
Even if the chance was only one in ten thousand.
...
Abyss Era, Year Ten.
"Has he still not come back?" Jean asked instinctively as she pushed open the door.
"Not yet."
"I see… It's alright. He'll definitely return. I brought you some tasty treats—come try them."
Jean pulled Shenhe over with warm enthusiasm and unwrapped her bundle. Inside were four food boxes, fragrant even before they were opened.
"What a wonderful scent." Shenhe's curiosity lit up as she eagerly lifted a lid.
Jean opened another beside her. Soon, all four dishes were laid out before them.
"I've had this before… and this. But this one—I've never seen it. What is it?"
Shenhe pointed to a strangely shaped delicacy she didn't recognize.
"Hehe, of course you wouldn't know! I learned this one in Sumeru. It's not perfect, but it's close enough."
Jean said proudly, handing Shenhe a pair of chopsticks.
Ever since the start of the Abyss Era, Mondstadt had truly become a "City of Freedom." This new continent held no monsters, no dangerous beasts—not even Hilichurls or Slimes existed anymore.
And the apocalypse before the Abyss Era had erased over sixty percent of Teyvat's population. Only the central districts of each nation survived. Liyue, for instance, retained only Liyue Harbor under the protection of a barrier. Everything outside had been wiped out.
Even many Treasure Hoarders had perished.
In short, the new land Elliot created was almost entirely free of threats. With nothing dangerous left to deal with, the Knights no longer needed to perform missions. Jean—always so busy—finally had time to rest.
Relaxed at last, she began to travel. Her first destination was Liyue, then Inazuma, and later Snezhnaya. Just recently, she had returned from Sumeru.
Every time she came back, she brought Shenhe all sorts of interesting gifts—local foods, souvenirs, small trinkets.
Of course, Shenhe had already been to nearly all of those places. After all, Elliot had taken her across the entire continent long before the Abyss Era began.
"So next, you're heading to the Land of Fire?" Shenhe asked while tasting the unfamiliar dish.
"Yep. Anything fun there?"
Jean had come today not only to share Sumeru's treats, but also to ask Shenhe for travel advice.
"Mmm~ So good!" Shenhe exclaimed softly before answering. "The main city has a few good spots, but the real fun is scattered around the region. I doubt much of it is still there."
"Yeah… Who could've predicted the calamity would strike so suddenly? It started with monsters carrying the infection, but then everything spiraled out of control," Jean sighed.
"Come to think of it, you two really have traveled the entire world." Jean looked at the wall, covered edge to edge with photographs.
"Yes." Shenhe glanced around as well. Whenever she saw those photos, she felt as if Elliot were still right beside her.
They were her source of strength.
The house in Celestia was lined with thousands of photos—pictures of her and Elliot wandering across Teyvat. Each nation had its own customs, its own stories. Shenhe cherished every memory.
She looked at those photos every day, praying quietly for Elliot's return.
"How happy you two looked," Jean murmured, unable to help herself.
"You'll find happiness too," Shenhe replied with a soft smile.
"I hope so."
"Time really flies…"
"Thinking back on it now, it still feels unreal. That he was the supreme ruler of the entire world…"
Jean said this every time she visited, still astonished by the strangeness of it all. Who would have imagined that the world's most powerful ruler—holding absolute strength and authority—would choose to live as an ordinary mortal, and even fall deeply in love with one?
"No matter what his identity is, he remains himself."
Shenhe had never changed—not even after learning the truth about Elliot.