Three days later, at Liyue Harbor, the Crux Fleet prepares to depart.
Sailors rush across the deck, hauling up the heavy anchors. Orders are shouted back and forth. The navigator works on charting the sea route. The first mate and helmsman chat while finishing their tasks.
Then Beidou's commanding voice thunders across the ship:
"Didn't you eat? Move faster!"
The sailors stiffen instantly. Their captain stands at the center of the deck, radiating authority. Behind her are Luo Li, Lumine, and Paimon.
Paimon gasps at the sheer size of the Alcor. The long wooden hull, reinforced with high-quality timber, looks powerful and resilient. Though made of wood, it's strong enough to withstand violent storms.
Beidou laughs proudly. This ship is her pride and joy. Years at sea mean constant repairs and maintenance. Without upkeep, even the strongest vessel could fall apart mid-voyage.
Luo Li and Lumine follow Beidou below deck.
There, they encounter Kaedehara Kazuha.
Beidou cheerfully announces that she's brought him the champion of the martial arts tournament. The winner should try awakening his friend's Vision.
Kazuha jumps lightly down from the mast. He greets Luo Li politely, then turns to Lumine and Paimon.
He already knew Lumine would win.
Paimon grumbles that if he knew, why make them go through all that trouble? Lumine had easily defeated every opponent without even using elemental powers, but it still cost them time.
Kazuha explains gently: the decision wasn't his alone. Only someone truly exceptional could attempt to awaken his friend's Vision.
He removes the empty Vision from his robe — once belonging to his fallen friend. It has lost its elemental power and now sits dormant.
Today's tournament had been organized by Beidou under her own name. The victor would receive a Vision — if recognized. Lumine didn't care about gaining one herself, but Kazuha and Beidou hoped something miraculous might happen.
Kazuha hands Lumine the blank Vision.
Everyone watches.
Lumine channels her power into it.
Nothing happens.
The Vision remains cold and silent.
After a moment, she returns it with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. I guess I can't."
Kazuha forces a small smile. "It's fine. I expected too much."
His disappointment is quiet but heavy.
Luo Li watches silently. He knows how difficult it is to awaken a Vision. Aside from Ningguang and Mona using unusual circumstances, it's nearly impossible to activate someone else's Vision.
But deeper than that lies guilt.
Kazuha's friend died because of the Vision Hunt Decree issued by Raiden Ei. Without that decree, perhaps none of this tragedy would have happened.
Luo Li reflects inwardly — if he had remained in Inazuma, maybe Ei would not have taken such a path.
He also thinks about Kazuha's background. Once part of the prestigious Raiden Gokaden through the Isshin lineage, his family declined beginning with his great-grandfather Kaedehara Yoshinori. The Fatui Harbinger Scaramouche, another creation tied to Ei, also contributed to their downfall.
Everything connects back to Inazuma.
Beidou suggests Luo Li try activating the Vision.
He refuses calmly.
"This concerns Celestia. I do not understand it fully."
Then he offers insight:
"Visions are born from intense human wishes. If one day someone with an overwhelming desire appears… perhaps it may ignite again."
Those words give Kazuha something far more important than success — hope.
He thanks Luo Li sincerely.
Luo Li only says, "Consider it making up for some past matters."
Kazuha doesn't understand what he means.
Soon after, anchors are fully raised. The Crux Fleet coordinates with the harbor authorities. Three independent ports open, and ship after ship sails out to sea.
From Yujing Terrace, Raiden Makoto watches the fleet gradually disappear into the horizon.
Her voice is soft:
"I'll leave Ei to you."
Beside her stand Ganyu and Shenhe.
Ganyu watches quietly.
Shenhe, meanwhile, feels a subtle sense of relief. With their strict teacher leaving for now, perhaps she can return to her more carefree adeptal lifestyle. She's been forbidden from surviving on medicinal herbs and petals alone — unlike Ganyu, who seems to get away with it.
The fleet sails farther into the open sea.
The journey to Inazuma begins.
And with it, the approach of inevitable storms.