The air beyond the golden archway was cooler, carrying a faint scent of minerals and ozone. Hine stepped lightly, careful not to disturb the faint hum of energy that resonated through the ground beneath her feet. The light from Naberius's realm lingered in her vision, not fading but settling as a gentle glow in her chest. It reminded her of the warmth of life, of the vitality she carried within, and of the promise she had made to her sister.
The Silent Soul walked beside her, expressionless as ever, yet Hine could feel their watchful presence. She had faced cliffs, avalanches, Night Beasts, and trials that tested her body and spirit. Yet this felt different. This was quieter, subtler, yet heavier. It was as if the next step in her journey carried the weight of an invisible judgment, a measurement beyond strength or courage.
Before her, the path narrowed, winding between colossal pillars of crystalline energy that glimmered like stars caught in ice. The colors shifted with each step, from deep sapphire to pale silver, as if the very light here was alive. Hine held the shard tightly, feeling its warmth pulse in rhythm with her own heartbeat. She could feel Naberius's gift lingering, a gentle current of life that reminded her that she had been recognized, that her determination mattered.
The Silent Soul's voice broke the quiet, low and careful. "Naberius has given you a gift, Hine. The warmth you feel is not merely encouragement. It is a reminder of what lies ahead. Not all who govern Teyvat will be as patient, as understanding. Some will test you in ways that may leave scars deeper than you can see. Remember this as you continue."
Hine nodded, swallowing the knot of unease rising in her throat. "I understand. But I cannot turn back. I will face whatever comes."
The Silent Soul's gaze lingered on her for a long moment, unflinching. "Determination is admirable. Yet heed Naberius's words carefully. Ronova will not see your heart, your intentions, or your courage. She is the Ruler of Death. She sees only the truth of mortality, the inevitability of endings. To her, all efforts, all lives, are fragile and fleeting. You must be prepared for her gaze, for it will pierce beyond survival, beyond persistence."
Hine's hand tightened on the shard, the memory of the Night Beasts and the treacherous passes still vivid in her mind. "I have faced fear before," she said softly. "And I have endured. If Ronova tests me, I will not falter."
The Silent Soul's voice was quieter now, almost a whisper, yet each word carried weight. "Endurance is not the same as understanding. Courage may see you through some trials, but wisdom and resolve are needed for others. You must learn to hold your heart steady, even when your body wishes to give way. You must understand the inevitability of endings before you can face the one who governs them."
Hine swallowed again, her eyes narrowing. She had endured so much already, yet the warning carried a chill that she could not shake. The thought of Ronova, the Ruler of Death, seeing her for what she truly was, stripping away every illusion of power or determination, made the warmth in her chest flicker uncertainly. She did not like fear, but she had learned it was a companion in this journey. It kept her sharp, it reminded her of what was at stake.
As they walked, the landscape shifted gradually. The crystalline pillars gave way to a vast plateau bathed in silvery light. Shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting and folding as if alive. Hine could see faint ripples in the air, like waves on water, distorting the view of the distant horizon. The energy here was heavier, more oppressive, yet not hostile. It felt like a waiting breath, held in anticipation of something inevitable.
Naberius's presence seemed to linger faintly at her side, a soft echo in her consciousness. The Ruler of Life had given her a gift, yes, but also a reminder. Hine felt the weight of that reminder now, more acutely than she had in the glow of the golden platform. Life was precious, fragile, fleeting. And the next Ruler she would encounter would not bend to sentiment or courage.
The Silent Soul spoke again, their voice low and even. "Each Ruler carries a domain, a truth that defines their will. Naberius governs life, yet even life has boundaries. Ronova governs death, and her truth is unyielding. Istaroth governs time, and with her comes patience, inevitability, and judgment. Asmoday governs space, and with that comes distance, separation, and perspective. You must approach each with clarity, knowing that your intentions, your courage, and even your gifts may be insufficient without understanding."
Hine clenched her fists at her sides. She had come this far because she refused to falter, because she refused to leave her sister behind. Each warning, each lesson, only fueled her resolve. "I understand," she said firmly. "I will learn. I will endure. I will meet them all, and I will not fail."
The Silent Soul's gaze remained fixed on her, silent for a moment. Then they inclined their head slightly. "Your resolve is admirable, Hine. Yet the Rulers of Teyvat do not measure worth the same way you do. Remember, life and death, time and space, these are not just forces. They are principles. They exist beyond human comprehension. To stand before them is to confront the truth of existence itself."
Hine shivered at the words, yet she felt a fire ignite in her chest. She had faced death, she had faced despair, and she had faced trials that would have broken lesser hearts. She had endured. And she would continue to endure, for Mavuika, for herself, for the promise she had made.
A soft hum filled the plateau as they continued walking, the light shifting again to hues of violet and deep blue. The air carried a strange weight, the kind that pressed upon the chest yet invigorated the mind. Hine could sense something ahead, though the form it would take remained unclear. She took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Naberius's gift and the steady presence of the Silent Soul.
"Do you… do you think they will help me?" Hine asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer.
The Silent Soul did not look at her directly, their gaze focused ahead on the shifting horizon. "Some will help if you prove yourself. Some will oppose if they deem it necessary. Ronova will test you, and she will do so without mercy. Understand this before you meet her. Your strength will be challenged, and your heart will be weighed. You must be ready to endure, to resist despair, and to continue, even when the world seems to end around you."
Hine nodded, absorbing the gravity of the warning. "I will be ready," she said. "I will not falter."
The Silent Soul inclined their head slightly. "Then we continue. Each step brings you closer, but the path will grow more perilous. Prepare yourself, Hine. The Rulers of Teyvat are not easily swayed. They are not moved by courage alone, nor by plea. They see truth, and truth is often harsh."
Hine adjusted the shard at her side, feeling its pulse steady against her palm. It was a reminder of all she had endured, of all she had survived. She had come from Natlan, from cliffs, avalanches, Night Beasts, and trials that had nearly broken her. She had faced fear, pain, and exhaustion, and yet she had persisted. This warning, heavy as it was, did not weaken her. It strengthened her resolve.
"I will face them," Hine said, her voice firm and unwavering. "If they judge me, I will endure their judgment. If they test me, I will prove my worth. Nothing will stop me from finding my sister."
The Silent Soul remained silent for a moment, their expression unreadable. Then they spoke, their tone quieter, almost contemplative. "Courage and resolve will take you far, Hine. But remember, the Rulers measure more than bravery. They measure essence. They measure truth. To endure their judgment, you must not only be strong but also pure in intent. Hold fast to that truth, and you may yet succeed."
The plateau stretched ahead, seemingly endless, but a distant glow hinted at the next threshold. Hine felt her chest tighten with anticipation and determination. She had been warned, and she had listened. She had been reminded of the dangers, of the principles that governed life, death, time, and space. She had been prepared, in mind if not yet in body, for what lay ahead.
Together, Hine and the Silent Soul walked toward the distant light, each step measured, each breath steady. The warnings of Naberius lingered in Hine's mind, heavy and clear: the Rulers of Teyvat would not be swayed by sentiment alone. Courage, determination, and purity of intent were necessary. The path ahead would be harsher, the trials greater, and the consequences more severe.
Yet Hine felt no fear now. Only resolve. She had endured so much already, and she would endure whatever awaited. For Mavuika, for herself, and for the promise she had made, she would continue.
The plateau stretched on, the light ahead growing brighter, the air thick with the hum of eternity. Hine took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Naberius's gift and the steadfast presence of the Silent Soul. She was ready to face what came next, knowing that the path would challenge not only her body but her heart and soul. The warnings of the Ruler of Life had not deterred her. They had prepared her.
And Hine would not falter.