Inazuma
Dark clouds suddenly gathered over Narukami Island, and lightning crackled in the air. Inside the Castle Tower, General Raiden, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, was jolted by a surge of divine power. Her purple eyes snapped open in disbelief.
"An order from Sky Island..."
Though she and her sister were born before the Archon War, Raiden Ei had never directly contacted Sky Island. It was her sister, Makoto, who had. After Makoto's death in the Khaenri'ah Cataclysm five hundred years ago, Ei had taken her place. She had received a simple divine order to succeed the Electro Archon and nothing else.
She held a deep resentment towards Sky Island, questioning why they had sent her gentle sister to a place where she died. Yet, she also held a profound reverence for the supreme authority of the Heavenly Principles. This awe was the reason she believed only eternity could bring one close to Heaven.
With a look towards the sky, Raiden Ei transformed into a bolt of lightning and flew towards Sky Island. Her sister had only ever been there once, when she ascended the throne. Ei did not know what awaited her, but she knew she had no choice. To defy the Heavenly Principles would bring their punishment upon her and all of Inazuma, and she would not allow anything to happen to the nation her sister had entrusted to her.
At the peak of Narukami Island, at the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko stared in a daze as the figure of the Shogun transformed into lightning and shot into the sky.
Did she just fly to Sky Island?
What is happening?
Had her mind finally been worn down after five hundred years of isolation? Was the erosion of the Abyss finally driving her insane?
"This is bad!" Yae Miko thought, her heart sinking.
She had never personally witnessed the Heavenly Principles' punishment, but the frozen wastelands of Mondstadt's Dragonspine and the desolation of Sumeru's deserts were a testament to the consequences of defying Heaven. The thought alone was enough to fill her with despair.
The four Archons who had received the summons raced towards Sky Island. Barbatos and Morax, as Archons of neighboring nations, met first.
"Hey, it's been five hundred years, and you're still looking strong, old man!" Barbatos greeted him warmly.
"It has been a while, Barbatos, and you haven't weakened either," Morax replied with a hint of nostalgia. As the oldest of the Seven, he cherished the few remaining old friends he had.
"How can I compare to you?" Barbatos said, leaning close and whispering. "Tell me, old man, why did they summon the seven of us? You're the oldest; can't you give me a hint? It would make me feel so much safer."
Morax sighed, but he was not surprised by his old friend's "free" spirit. "I don't know either. I've met that person a few times, but their will is absolute. When they make a personal appearance, it means something major is happening."
"A major event... that doesn't make me feel any better," Barbatos said with a bitter look. He knew a personal summons from Heavenly Law was no small matter. "The last time we were called together, five hundred years ago, all our colleagues were gone. I'm afraid I might be next."
"Calm yourself. You're not that weak," Morax said. He knew Barbatos' strength was still considerable, though it had waned with time, just like his own. The wear and tear of time was their greatest enemy, not their peers. In five hundred years, he might end up like Azhdaha, his memories and sanity gone.
"There's Baal, and Focalors of Fontaine!" Barbatos waved to the two new arrivals.
"Barbatos," Raiden Ei acknowledged him with a terse nod, in no mood for idle chatter.
"Hello, Morax, Barbatos, and Baal," Focalors said, her voice laced with anxiety. It was her first time meeting the other Archons.
"A pleasure, Focalors," Morax said with a nod. He was not familiar with this new Hydro Archon.
"Can I ask you three seniors, is there a reason why Heavenly Law has summoned us?" Focalors asked, her anxiety palpable. The three of them knew far more than she did.
Raiden Ei looked at Morax and Barbatos, curious herself.
"We have no idea," Barbatos said, spreading his hands. "We won't know until we get to Sky Island."
"Alright," Focalors sighed, her heart sinking. She hoped her treachery had not been discovered. The last thing she wanted was a cold Skyfrost Nail falling on Fontaine.
The four Archons arrived at Sky Island at the same time. The exterior was the same, but the central part of the island had been transformed. It was now a magnificent palace, a hundred times larger than the Opera Epiclese, radiating a glorious and holy presence.
Barbatos and Morax, who had been there before, exchanged a look. This transformation could only mean that the Heavenly Principles had been restored.
Focalors and Raiden Ei, seeing the palace for the first time, simply assumed this was what Sky Island had always looked like.
The four of them walked up the steps to the temple, where Asmoday stood waiting.
"Heavenly Law is waiting for you," she said indifferently.
"Wait, shouldn't we wait for the other three?" Barbatos asked, his voice weak. He could feel that Asmoday's aura was now as powerful as it was in its prime, devoid of any influence from the Abyss. Heavenly Law was indeed restored.
"It's just the four of you. Do not waste time," Asmoday replied, turning to walk into the temple.
"Just the four of us?" Barbatos' back went cold as a terrifying thought crossed his mind. He knew of the affairs in Sumeru, Snezhnaya, and Natlan. He knew that the Archon of Sumeru was imprisoned, that the Tsaritsa was preparing to defy Heaven, and that the Archon of Natlan was embroiled in endless conflict.
Could it be that they were already judged by Heaven?
Swallowing hard, Barbatos walked bravely into the temple.
"Does that person already have the ability to deal with the power of the Abyss? This seems to be a good thing." Morax said after seeing the state of the Heavenly Principles' Maintainer. Although Focalors hadn't seen the Maintainer before, she knew that in addition to Heavenly Law, there were four shades on Sky Island, and this had to be one of them.
After the four Archons entered the temple, they were struck by its size and beauty, recognizing it as the Council of Gods. At the top of a grand, circular formation of thrones, a young man sat, resting his cheek on his hand. He looked at them with a lazy smile.
As Morax and Barbatos stood in puzzled silence at the unfamiliar figure, the young man spoke.
"First meeting, Morax, Barbatos, Baal, Focalors. The old Heavenly Law, Phanes, is dead. I am the new Heavenly Law, Lucifer."
Lucifer watched the four Archons enter the Pantheon. The Original Dharma Ring, a supreme, shimmering halo of colors, appeared behind him. This ring, a manifestation of the highest authority, controlled all the laws and powers of Teyvat. Even the Demon Gods were born from its fragments. No Demon God could ever hope to challenge this power.
"New Heavenly Law! Phanes is dead!" The hearts of the four Archons were instantly thrown into chaos.
"Yes, Phanes died protecting Teyvat after the Khaenri'ah disaster five hundred years ago," Lucifer continued, his voice calm. "I am the fifth descendant. I inherited the Throne of Heaven and all of Phanes' power when I first arrived in this world."
The four Archons looked on in utter shock.
"So, do you need our power to summon us here?" Morax asked, his mind already racing. His long history had given him a powerful ability to accept the unbelievable.
So that's it. It all made sense now. Phanes was dead, and the arrival of a new Heavenly Law would either bring new vitality or new disaster. But the Abyssal corruption on the Maintainer was gone. This new Heavenly Law must have the power to contain the Abyss. It was a logical choice for Phanes to pass on the throne.
Barbatos let out a sigh of relief. Since it was a new Heavenly Law, there was no way he'd be punished for old-fashioned dereliction of duty.
"We won't get through everything at once. Please, take your seats. We have a lot to discuss. This is a matter of the highest priority for all of Teyvat." Lucifer snapped his fingers. A massive round table appeared, with five gorgeous thrones around it. Each throne's backrest featured a corresponding elemental symbol.
Asmoday sat down next to him, her expression indifferent.
"This is Teyvat's top priority, so you can count on me, Lord Lucifer!" Barbatos said, sitting on his throne and patting his chest confidently. This new Heavenly Law didn't seem as cold and ruthless as Phanes. A little flattery wouldn't hurt.
"By the way, Lord Heavenly Law, why didn't the other three come?" Barbatos asked, feigning ignorance.
"The situations in their countries disqualify them from participating in this meeting," Lucifer said, his gaze playful as he watched Barbatos's innocent facade. "So, they were not invited."
Barbatos felt a pang of guilt. His little scheme had been seen through. "Oh, I see."
"So, what's the big event that requires us? Lord Heavenly Law, can you elaborate?" Morax asked calmly.
Raiden Ei remained silent, like a general waiting for orders. Focalors looked around nervously. She was much weaker than the other three and felt a little out of place. This "big event" sounded terrifying, and she feared she might face the same fate as the first Hydro Archon, Egeria.
"Asmoday, pass the information to them." Lucifer tapped his fingers on the table.
He had given Asmoday an upgraded administrator-level authority within the Human Realm Power System, which he viewed as a tool with huge potential. He had already begun to turn the core of Sky Island into a Pantheon, which he hoped one day would hold more gods than all of Greek mythology.
Asmoday sent the information. The four Archons, who had been calm, carefree, and anxious, all had their eyes widen in shock. Then, their expressions slowly changed to excitement, and finally, to utter fanaticism.
"Annexing other worlds to complete Teyvat! This kind of power is truly incredible!" Barbatos exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
Even Phanes, who had created time itself, paled in comparison to this. This new Heavenly Law possessed a truly terrifying power.
"Yes, this power is a great adventure for the world of Teyvat," Morax said, his awe for the new Heavenly Law now a deep, heartfelt respect. He finally understood the new Heavenly Law's will, which was exactly what the people of Teyvat had always hoped for: to break free from their false world and explore the unknown.
"If you need my power, please use it," Raiden Ei said, her eyes filled with newfound purpose. She saw a true chance to bring her sister back. The world of Teyvat couldn't do it, but what about other worlds? There had to be one that could.
"Me too," Focalors said, following their lead. As Fontaine's Archon, she had to contribute. Perhaps after she proved her service, she could beg the new Heavenly Law to make the people of Fontaine real. With an alternative way to save her people, she wouldn't have to die, and the prophecy would be nullified.
"Excellent. It seems everyone understands the importance of this matter," Lucifer smiled. He knew no one could refuse a chance to expand Teyvat, not with such visible benefits.
"Of course, for this plan to go smoothly and for you to devote yourselves to this great cause without worry, I will first adjust the laws of Teyvat and give you all some help."
"First..."