The golden path beneath Hine's feet seemed to pulse with its own rhythm, as if sensing her resolve. Each step brought her deeper into the ethereal expanse of Teyvat, where the air shimmered with energy, and the stars above flickered like watchful eyes. The Silent Soul remained at her side, silent as always, but Hine felt the steady weight of their presence as reassurance. The realm was vast, infinite even, yet she sensed a destination ahead, a point where her journey would intersect with the powers that governed life itself.
The path widened suddenly, revealing a circular platform floating above a sea of liquid light. It was massive, yet delicately balanced, like a fragment of heaven torn from the threads of creation and set into motion. The air was warm here, fragrant with a scent that reminded Hine of sunlight and spring rain. She felt a tug in her chest, a sense of vitality coursing through her that she could not explain. This was different from the trials, the visions, and the illusions she had faced in the Gate of Eternities. This was alive in a way that reached into her very bones.
A figure stood at the center of the platform. Tall and graceful, with flowing garments that seemed woven from sunlight itself, she radiated calm authority. Her eyes were deep pools of green and gold, shifting with a light that spoke of understanding, of endless patience. Hine felt her own heartbeat quicken. This had to be one of the Rulers. One whose power defined life itself. Naberius.
The Silent Soul halted beside her and spoke quietly. "This is Naberius, the Ruler of Life. Approach with respect, but do not falter. They see more than actions. They see intentions."
Hine swallowed, her throat tight with awe. "I… I am Hine," she said, her voice firm despite the tremor she felt inside. "I seek the Rulers of Teyvat to reunite with my sister. I wish to understand, to prove myself worthy. Please… grant me audience."
Naberius's gaze swept over her, calm yet probing, as if weighing every heartbeat and thought. Hine could feel the intensity of their presence, the quiet power that defined a being who governed life itself. And yet, there was no malice, no judgment in the figure's eyes—only curiosity and depth. It was as if they were listening not just with sight or hearing, but with understanding that reached beyond time.
"You are far from your world," Naberius said, their voice a soft melody that seemed to resonate with the air itself. "Few mortals come this far, and even fewer with your determination. Tell me, Hine, why do you persist? What drives a mortal child to walk into the domain of the eternal?"
Hine's hands tightened around the shard at her side. Its warmth spread into her palms, giving her courage. "Because my sister… Mavuika… she is lost to me. I have promised her I would find her, and I will not give up. I have faced cliffs, avalanches, Night Beasts, and visions of death, and yet I have come this far. I will endure anything to reach her. That is why I persist."
Naberius regarded her silently, their expression unreadable. The light around them shifted, softening and growing warmer. Hine felt an almost tangible pulse of energy, as if the being was examining her soul for hidden truths. Every doubt she had felt, every fear that had nagged at the edges of her resolve, seemed to vanish in the presence of their gaze. The weight of the realm's gravity felt lighter, the air itself less oppressive.
"You carry a spark of determination uncommon in mortals," Naberius finally said. "It is rare to find a heart that does not bend beneath despair. Yet determination alone does not guarantee passage. Life, as you understand it, is fragile. Yet you, Hine, have already glimpsed its threads, seen its fragility, and still you press forward. That is why I am intrigued."
Hine's breath caught. The Ruler of Life was not merely acknowledging her courage... they were measuring it, feeling its essence. The shard at her side pulsed stronger, as if recognizing a kinship with this immense force. "I do not understand," she admitted. "Intrigued… why?"
Naberius's eyes softened, and the platform seemed to shimmer in response. "Because you act without expectation of reward. You seek not power, not wealth, not comfort. You seek only reunion, only to honor a bond you have already proven sacred. That is why your presence here matters."
Hine's chest tightened, and tears threatened her eyes. "I will not fail," she whispered, more to herself than to Naberius. "I will face whatever trials come, no matter what stands in my way."
The Ruler of Life extended a hand, palm up, and Hine felt a warmth ripple outward from it. The energy was gentle but undeniable, reaching into her very being. She felt her strength renewed, her mind clearer, as if every step, every wound, every doubt she had carried was now lighter. "This is the gift of life," Naberius said. "Not mere survival, but the clarity to see what matters. Use it wisely. The trials ahead will demand more than courage... they will demand understanding, sacrifice, and the willingness to endure beyond reason."
Hine nodded, absorbing the energy as it coursed through her. Her pyro flames flickered faintly at her side, responding to the vitality that Naberius's presence seemed to amplify. The shard glowed warmer, as if recognizing that the being before her was aligned with her purpose, yet also a reminder that the journey ahead was far from complete.
The Silent Soul stepped forward, their voice quiet. "Naberius, they have endured much to reach this point. Their heart is steadfast, yet untested by the Rulers. Do you find them worthy of guidance?"
Naberius turned to the Silent Soul, their gaze measuring but not unkind. "They are worthy in spirit, but not in understanding. Courage without comprehension can lead to destruction. This child, however, carries a rare spark—the spark of persistence, of loyalty, of unyielding love. That is why I will observe, and if they endure what is yet to come, they may earn what they seek."
Hine listened, her resolve tightening. She did not need flattery or praise; she needed clarity, and Naberius had given her more than she expected. They had acknowledged the journey she had undertaken, the dangers she had faced, and the love that propelled her forward. More than that, they had given her a sense that she could endure the challenges ahead, if only she trusted in her own strength.
"Remember this, Hine," Naberius said, their voice softening as they extended a hand toward her again. "Life is fragile. Time is fleeting. Yet courage, love, and perseverance can bend even the rules of the eternal. Carry this knowledge with you, for the path ahead is darker than it seems."
Hine bowed slightly, her eyes meeting the Ruler's gaze. "I understand. I will not forget."
The Ruler of Life inclined their head, and the light around them shifted, forming a gentle current that seemed to guide Hine forward. The platform began to rotate, revealing a distant archway framed by starlight and flowing energy. Beyond it, she could sense the presence of another Ruler. The Silent Soul gestured toward it, their hand indicating the next stage of her journey.
"Hine," the Silent Soul said quietly, "your resolve has been tested here. Naberius has recognized your spirit, but the trials will only grow more demanding. Are you ready to continue?"
Hine tightened her grip on the shard, feeling the warmth and strength from Naberius linger in her chest. "I am ready," she said firmly. "No matter what waits, I will endure."
The Silent Soul inclined their head. "Then we move forward."
As they approached the archway, Hine took one last look at the platform where Naberius had stood. The figure radiated calm authority, a presence that seemed to resonate with the very essence of life. Hine could feel the energy lingering around her, a gentle hum in her veins that reminded her of the fragility and power of existence. She knew that every step from here on would test her limits further, yet the encounter had strengthened her in ways she could not yet fully comprehend.
The archway shimmered before them, a portal of cascading light and shifting colors. Beyond it lay the unknown, the next Ruler waiting, and the continuation of her journey toward Mavuika. Hine stepped forward, the shard glowing steadily at her side, a beacon in the endless expanse of the ethereal realm. The Silent Soul followed, their presence unwavering as ever.
Together, they passed through the archway, leaving the domain of the Ruler of Life behind, carrying with them the knowledge that courage and love could bend even the most enduring forces of existence. The trials ahead would demand more than physical strength. They would demand spirit, heart, and the unyielding determination to persevere. And Hine was ready.