"Kaiulani, a little drink is a pleasure, but too much becomes a disaster."
Caelus spoke casually, clearly teasing her.
"Stop making fun of me." Now that she knew she could be saved, Kaiulani's mood improved considerably. "Weren't you going to tell me about the Pyro Archon's plan from five hundred years ago?"
Dying because she drank too much was truly humiliating. Outsiders might see it as a heroic sacrifice, but for Kaiulani herself, it was nothing short of disgraceful. She was desperate to change the topic.
"Alright, I'll begin."
Seeing that she did not want to dwell on it, Caelus stopped teasing her and explained the current state of Natlan, along with the plan Mauvika and the other heroes had formulated five hundred years ago.
"Mauvika… she's also a Pyro Archon?"
Kaiulani's eyes widened in shock. "No wonder she's absurdly strong!"
In all of Natlan, aside from Caelus, no one could withstand more than a few exchanges against Mauvika.
Most warriors were utterly outmatched. Some were even so thoroughly defeated that they began questioning their own abilities.
Although Kaiulani had not fallen into despair, she had witnessed Mauvika's battles up close. That overwhelming strength, capable of crushing everything in its path, had shaken even her confidence.
Now that she understood Mauvika's true identity, she finally felt relieved.
Losing to a Pyro Archon was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Still, I didn't expect Natlan's situation to be this dire. Less than a year before destruction…" The weight of reality quickly replaced her relief.
"As long as we overcome the Abyssal crisis, things will gradually improve," Caelus reassured her.
"You want me to remain here in the Night Kingdom to help awaken Natlan's six heroes, don't you?" Kaiulani quickly grasped his intention.
Caelus nodded slightly. "I do not place all my hopes on Mauvika's plan alone. But if we can gather the six heroes, we can initiate the Night Warden War."
"When that time comes, all of Natlan's people can be restored through the Ode of Resurrection, minimizing casualties."
"So you plan to use this opportunity to awaken one of the heroes?" Kaiulani pressed. "Which hero is next?"
"You will know soon enough." Caelus simply smiled.
He had no intention of revealing that information. If this drunkard let something slip, the awakening might fail entirely. It had to remain confidential.
"It is almost time for me to leave."
Caelus calculated that Mauvika and the others should have gathered enough people at the Sacred Flame Arena and were preparing to perform the Ode of Resurrection.
Before departing, he extended his hand toward Kaiulani. Crimson flames surged from his palm, spiraling around her body before gradually merging into her.
"I have shared a portion of my divine authority with you," Caelus said. "With it, you will be capable of defeating any Abyssal monsters."
"This powerful?" Kaiulani stared at her glowing form in disbelief, feeling an unprecedented surge of strength coursing through her veins.
With this power, she felt confident she could even contend with Caelus from before he ascended to godhood.
"If possible, I hope you can also deal with the Abyssal monsters near the Great Spirit," Caelus added. "While it will not eliminate the Abyss's erosion of the Night Kingdom, it will at least suppress it."
"Leave it to me!" Kaiulani thumped her chest confidently.
Then she stepped closer, a slightly ingratiating smile appearing on her face. "Lord Pyro Archon… may I ask for a small favor?"
"What is it?" Caelus found it somewhat strange hearing her address him so formally.
"It's just…" She scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Could you avoid telling anyone that I got drunk and lost to the Abyssal monsters?"
If that became public knowledge, her reputation as a hero would collapse instantly.
"Rest assured. My lips are the tightest sealed in Teyvat." Caelus laughed softly. "Since you want your secret kept, you should also conceal the fact that I came here. Agreed?"
"Of course. When others arrive, I will say the Lord Pyro Archon never appeared," Kaiulani replied tactfully.
Caelus nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
But just before departing, he paused and added, "I can guarantee I will remain silent. However, if your teammates happen to talk, you cannot hold me responsible."
"Oh no. Them too." Kaiulani's expression changed dramatically as she remembered her companions were still alive.
If they accidentally let it slip, her lifelong reputation would be ruined.
"They would not spread something that embarrassing… right?" she muttered nervously.
---
Sacred Flame Arena
"Kaiulani, I failed you!"
Two warriors were sobbing, faces filled with remorse.
"If I had known the Abyssal monsters would attack, I would have convinced you to drink less."
"Even if I failed to persuade you, I should have restrained myself. If I had been sober, my shot would not have missed when I pulled the trigger. The Abyssal monsters would not have injured you…"
As the saying goes, alcohol loosens the tongue. Although they believed the Ode of Resurrection would soon restore their fallen companion, guilt overwhelmed them. In their grief, they unintentionally revealed every embarrassing detail from before the battle.
"So Kaiulani and the others were defeated because they were drunk and reacted too slowly…" Paimon's expression turned awkward.
"She always wanted to win the Holy Night of the Return of Fire again. She finally achieved it, only to learn there would be no Night Warden War. She must have been devastated." Mualani sighed softly. "Drinking was probably her way of coping."
"I understand how she feels," Kachina said quietly.
She had also devoted tremendous effort to winning the Holy Night of the Return of Fire.
If she were told her victory would not lead to anything, she would be heartbroken as well.
"The Lord Pyro Archon has appeared."
Kinich, who had remained silent, looked toward the Sacred Flame, where a red-haired youth now stood beside the fire.
"The Lord Pyro Archon!"
"The Lord Pyro Archon is here!"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
When the people gathered in the Sacred Flame Arena saw Caelus, they knew it was time to perform the Ode of Resurrection.
Mauvika, who had been maintaining order, also noticed his arrival. After meeting his gaze and receiving confirmation, she signaled everyone to begin.
"The story continues,"
"Glory passes through generations,"
"Courage illuminates heaven and earth."
"Return, our brother,"
"Return, our hero,"
"Burn once more…"
Under Mauvika's guidance, the people of Natlan closed their eyes and sang the familiar hymn, calling upon the fallen to awaken.
Caelus stepped into the Sacred Flame, appearing as though he were entering the Night Kingdom to retrieve Kaiulani.
However, when the Ode of Resurrection concluded, Caelus emerged from the Sacred Flame alone.
Kaiulani was nowhere beside him.
"Lord Pyro Archon, what happened?"
A warrior in the arena asked in confusion.
Caelus's expression was solemn. His voice carried weight.
"I did not find Kaiulani within the Night Kingdom."
[Emotion Points from the people of Natlan +5]
[Emotion Points from the people of Natlan +5]
"It seems she can no longer be restored through the Ode of Resurrection."
[Emotion Points from the people of Natlan +10]
[Emotion Points from the people of Natlan +10]
The moment those words fell, a wave of shock and grief swept through the Sacred Flame Arena.
In an instant, an enormous surge of emotional energy flooded toward Caelus.
...
This fanfiction is completed on p@treon
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Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.