"The wear and tear imposed on all life in Teyvat will be revoked first. After all, if we want the world to ascend to a stronger state, then the stronger the life within it, the greater the benefits will be."
Mathew spoke with a solemn tone, his words echoing across Sky Island.
"Remove wear and tear!"
The declaration stunned Morax, Venti, and the Raiden Shogun.
For them—the ancient demon gods—wear and tear had always been their greatest enemy. It was the invisible law that eroded their bodies and spirits, slowly wearing down their divinity until only fragments remained. Over centuries, they had watched comrades weaken, memories blur, and power decline under its cruel decree.
"Wear and tear was originally a rule set by Phanes, the primordial one," Mathew explained. "It existed to maintain balance in Teyvat. The world itself is finite. It cannot endlessly sustain the resources needed for gods to continue growing. The longer divine beings exist, the greater the consumption. Thus, Phanes enforced wear and tear."
He looked over the gathering of Archons, his tone unwavering.
"But now that I stand as the new Heavenly Principle, I say this: the law of erosion is harmful, not helpful. It must be abolished."
The Archons exchanged glances. For millennia, erosion had been an unavoidable fate. To hear someone declare its end was beyond belief.
Mathew raised his hand. Behind him, the halo of authority—the symbol of his ascension—flared brilliantly. The air itself seemed to tremble as ancient runes disintegrated. The law of wear and tear was erased from Teyvat.
The reaction was immediate.
"Very good!" Venti shouted with uncharacteristic intensity. His voice trembled, half laughter, half sob. He had always joked and sung, but erosion had gnawed at him for centuries, threatening to shatter his very soul. Now, for the first time in an age, he felt whole. "I could sing for a thousand years to celebrate this!"
Morax, the stoic stone of Liyue, exhaled slowly. His golden eyes softened. "At last… the weight is lifted." He had borne the erosion far longer than any of them. The yakshas he once commanded had succumbed to madness or despair because of it. Without erosion, they could recover. Without erosion, the immortals might once again know peace.
The Raiden Shogun clenched her fist. Her expression was calm, but her heart raced. She too had felt the subtle decay. To live immortal was not bliss—it was slow disintegration. Now, that nightmare was gone.
Mathew nodded, satisfied. "The first step is complete. Now, let's discuss the next. You are all aware of the three other worlds bordering Teyvat. You even know the plan: annexation."
He leaned back, fingers laced under his chin, looking every bit the commanding figure. He could have issued orders, forcing obedience, but where was the fun in that? He wanted cooperation, not puppets.
After all, he was younger than all of them—younger even than Focalors, the most junior Archon present. Knowledge from his old world, Blue Star, made him clever, but not experienced. That was why he needed the Seven Archons to execute his vision. He would guide, and they would act.
Venti smirked and glanced at Morax. "Old man, what do you think? I'd rather not be the first one to stumble through this grand plan."
Morax frowned at him, unimpressed. "Hmph. We should annex the worlds from weakest to strongest. Teyvat is already weakened; annexing too powerful a realm first could backfire. But if we consume a weaker world quickly, we will gain the time we lack."
The others nodded. Time was indeed their most precious resource.
"The world of Demon Slayer is much weaker than Teyvat," Morax continued. "If annexed, it will extend Teyvat's existence by centuries. That window is enough to prepare for annexing the stronger realms."
"That makes sense," Venti said quickly, eager to agree now that the old man had spoken. His emerald eyes flicked toward the Shogun. "And as for the executor… Inazuma is the most suitable choice."
The Raiden Shogun raised a brow. "Why Inazuma?"
Focalors tilted her head, puzzled by the question. "Because Inazuma's culture resonates more closely with that world. Their mythology and faith could easily replace its gods. Inazuma will slip into the role more naturally than Mondstadt or Liyue."
The Shogun hesitated, then gave a slow nod. "Very well. I shall take responsibility for annexing the Demon Slayer world."
Though outwardly calm, doubt tugged at her heart. She was a warrior and a ruler, not an actor who could pretend to be a god from another pantheon. If only her sister were here—she would have known what to do. Still, Yae Miko was cunning; perhaps she could shoulder part of this task.
"If you need help, ask," Morax said, his deep voice steady. "This is not just your burden, but the burden of all Teyvat."
"Yes," Venti added, unusually serious. "This is a step that determines the survival of our world. None of us can afford carelessness."
Mathew smiled. "Then it is decided. The first annexation begins with Demon Slayer's world. Once it succeeds, we will move on to the stronger realms. Meeting adjourned."
"Meeting dismissed."
As they left Sky Island, Venti stretched, then shot a glance at Morax. "Old man, is this real? It feels like I'm dreaming."
Morax smirked faintly. "Do you want me to slap you awake, Barbatos?"
"No, no, no!" Venti flailed dramatically. "My little body wouldn't survive your stone fists."
Morax ignored his antics, gazing back at the floating island above. His heart was heavy. He had once intended to relinquish his role as Geo Archon, to pass authority to Liyue's people. But with Mathew's ascension, that dream was gone. His duty was greater now.
Venti fluttered his eyes. "Well then, old man, I'll return to Mondstadt. My people still believe in me, even though I've done little for them in two thousand years. If they are to stand in this plan, I must do more." With a swirl of green wind, he vanished.
Morax, meanwhile, returned to Liyue, descending upon Aozang Mountain. At the stone table before the cave of Cloud Retainer, his presence was quickly felt.
"Emperor, you are here," Cloud Retainer greeted, stepping from her dwelling with curious eyes.
Morax clasped his hands behind his back, expression grave. "Summon the yakshas, the adepti, and the leaders of the Seven Stars. I have matters of utmost importance to declare."
Cloud Retainer blinked, taken aback by the weight of his words.
Meanwhile in Inazuma, atop the Castle Tower of Narukami Island, the Raiden Shogun sat with unease. She had just returned from Sky Island and begun summoning her advisors when a familiar presence stepped inside.
"Lord Tianli…" she murmured nervously as Mathew entered.
He smiled at her anxiousness. "No need to be so tense. I may be the Heavenly Principle now, but I've only just arrived in Teyvat. I wish to wander your lands, to see your customs with my own eyes. Is that so strange?"
The Shogun's lips pressed into a thin line. But inwardly, she sighed with relief. For all his overwhelming authority, Mathew still carried a strange lightheartedness.
The world had changed forever. The law of erosion was gone. The first steps toward consuming other worlds had begun. And the carnival of gods and demons was only just starting.