"Our objective is to sweep the perimeter. Do not overextend into the depths of Enkanomiya. All units follow the orders of the Divine Fox. Rushing in recklessly will only lead to corruption by the Abyssal miasma. For your own safety, you must adhere to the plan!"
"Yes, My Lord!!!"
The Youkai troops felt a surge of warmth in their hearts. Though this was their first major deployment under the Sovereign's banner, they weren't being treated as disposable fodder. Instead, they were being protected as his own subjects. Before the battle even began, they had been issued various healing elixirs and tactical guides on how to handle severe injuries. This style of leadership gave them a profound sense of belonging.
"I heard we can earn merit in this battle!"
"Hehe, exactly! I want to buy my mother a new kimono... If I get enough military merit, I can become an official officer!"
"Let's go! Don't bring shame to the Western Lands!"
The Youkai units surged into Yashiori Island, clashing fiercely with the Abyssal monsters. As Su Han carried Kikyo deeper into the territory, she looked at him with a curious expression.
"In your sword-light earlier... I felt a familiar resonance. Is that the power of Purifying Light?"
"Indeed," Su Han replied. "It shares the same source as your own spiritual power."
"I see..." Kikyo nodded, a slight sense of relief washing over her. She had wondered if some strange fate was pulling them together; it turned out they simply wielded the same divine authority.
They arrived at the Sangonomiya Shrine. Looking at the now-empty, desolate palace, Su Han's expression darkened. The enemy had retreated into Enkanomiya. This was going to be a messy operation.
"Soon, I'll have my team escort you to a specific point. Once you break the seals, the black mist will dissipate. The monsters inside fear your purifying power more than anything. Don't worry about being hurt; my companions are exceptionally strong."
"Understood," Kikyo agreed.
[The Gates of the Abyss]
Moments later, the heavy hitters arrived: Eula, Lisa, Ganyu, and Keqing. With a flash of lightning, the Raiden Shogun also touched down. However, Su Han stopped her at the entrance.
"You cannot enter Enkanomiya, Ei."
"Why?" the Shogun frowned. "My presence would ensure everyone's safety. Whatever phantoms hide below would vanish under a single strike."
Rosalyne (La Signora) chimed in, pointing toward the sky. "You're forgetting the Great Serpent... and the 'One' above. If you enter, it leaves too many traces for the Heavenly Principles to track. We can't risk the Sovereign's hidden hand being revealed yet."
Ei tightened her grip on her polearm but ultimately nodded. She knew she wasn't ready to face the sky yet, and she understood Su Han was protecting her.
Su Han spread out a map of Enkanomiya. "The Abyssal corruption stems from the three sealing towers. We will split into three teams to secure them. Once the order of Enkanomiya is restored, the darkness will break. I will head for the center—the Dainichi Mikoshi. That is where the light and dark are toggled, and undoubtedly where the enemy is waiting for me."
[The Unexpected Aid]
"I'll help too!"
"We're here!"
Everyone looked up to see Lumine and Paimon descending. Lumine's expression was heavy with guilt. The fact that her kin led the Abyss made every one of their attacks feel like her own burden.
"Lumine... you don't need to feel responsible," Lisa said gently. "This isn't your fault."
"But the one leading them is my blood relative," Lumine insisted, looking at Su Han. "I have to help. Please, Brother Su Han... let me go with you."
Su Han nodded. "Fine. But stay focused. Do not let your anger dictate your blade."
The teams were formed:
Team 1: Lisa, Noelle, Diluc, Eula, Barbara.Team 2: Keqing, Ganyu, Hu Tao, Yelan, Xiangling.Team 3: Kuki Shinobu, Shenhe, Kikyo, Mona, Beidou.Sovereign Unit: Su Han, Yoimiya, Lumine, and Rosalyne.
[The Breach]
They entered the Serpent's Bowels. Mechanical sentinels and enslaved Vishaps lunged at them from the shadows.
"Watch your output! Don't collapse the tunnels!" Su Han warned.
Ganyu didn't even slow down. She loosed a single arrow that bloomed into a frostflower, instantly shattering a Ruin Serpent-like machine. The viewers watching the TBN broadcast gasped—the legendary power of the Adepti was on full display.
As they reached the great gate separating the worlds, two Abyss Lectors manifested.
"The Sovereign's rivals... how expected," the Lector hissed. "But you're too late. The 'Jellyfish' priestess has already been moved. Want a deal? Abandon Watatsumi to us, and we might return your captives."
A projection appeared in the air, showing Sangonomiya Kokomi imprisoned deep within the Dainichi Mikoshi, her life-force visibly fading.
"You have one hour before the Dainichi Mikoshi incinerates her," the Lector sneered. "Will you kill us and watch her die?"
SHING—
Before the Lector could finish his laugh, a terrifying wave of sword-light cleaved through the air. Su Han hadn't even looked like he moved, but the gate—and the Lector—were split in half.
"Su Han! You'll put Kokomi in danger!" Paimon shrieked.
"You actually believe the words of an Abyss Lector?" Su Han replied coldly. He threw several spirit jades into the ground, forming an isolation array to stop the miasma from rising. "They are stalling. If we wait, this entire region becomes a trap we can't escape."
He looked at his watch. "We have fifty-five minutes. I will reach the Dainichi Mikoshi in thirty. You must light those three towers by then. This is a direct order. Do not disappoint me."
The teams saluted, the atmosphere turning razor-sharp as the true battle for Enkanomiya began.
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