Sumeru had entered the final frenzy of the Sabzeruz Festival.
Puspa Café removed their coffee machines for the night. In their place, endless supplies of wine.
The entire nation drowned in celebration.
Someone, already drunk, raised a cup and shouted:
"Happy birthday to Lady Nahida! May Sumeru stand united! May our future be glorious!"
The cry ignited the crowd.
"Lady Nahida, happy birthday!"
"The Nation of Wisdom has reclaimed its true Archon!"
"We are the happiest people in Teyvat!"
"Great Lesser Lord Kusanali, the desert pledges its loyalty!"
Cheers rolled like thunder.
Even inside the Akademiya, where Alhaitham and the others were still working, the sound of revelry reached their ears.
They exchanged glances.
Alhaitham calmly produced several bottles of wine from his storage space.
"Though duty remains," he said with a faint smile, "today is still a day of celebration."
Glasses were raised.
Work continued, accompanied by quiet toasts.
"The Skyroot Tree planted personally by Lady Nahida shall henceforth be recognized as one of Sumeru's sacred trees," Alhaitham remarked between sips. "Each Sabzeruz Festival, citizens will offer tribute there. It symbolizes Sumeru's rebirth."
Everyone agreed.
Then a guard hurried in and whispered to Cyno.
Cyno frowned.
"The soldiers guarding the city gate… and Azar… are drunk."
Silence.
Alhaitham sighed lightly.
"It is a joyous day. Do not reprimand them. With five Archons present and numerous adepti within the city, nothing will happen."
Cyno dismissed the messenger.
Work resumed.
At the City Gate
Members of the Corps of Thirty and the Eremites sang arm in arm, swaying like brothers.
One soldier slurred, clutching an Eremite's shoulder.
"We were wrong… isolating you… We were fools…"
"Lady Nahida is right, we're family…"
The Eremite replied just as drunkenly.
"You were misled by that dog Azar…"
"Curse Azar!"
"Where is he?!"
They staggered toward the bruised and battered former Grand Sage.
"Today is Lady Nahida's birthday," a soldier demanded. "Are you happy?"
Azar remained silent.
A bottle smashed against his head.
"Answer!"
Liquor was forced down his throat.
"Smile! Say 'Happy birthday, Lady Nahida!'"
Azar coughed violently.
One soldier, slightly more sober, muttered, "Don't kill him. We'll get blamed. Heal him first."
Reluctantly, an Eremite opened a crate and pulled out a Life Recovery Potion.
"Such treasure wasted on trash…"
He poured it down Azar's throat.
At that moment, a gust of wind stirred.
The soldier shivered.
"Strange wind…"
"Probably Lord Barbatos," another shrugged.
They resumed their abuse.
None noticed,
In the nearby forest, a deep violet portal quietly closed.
Beneath the Abyss
In the depths below, the Abyss Prince sat upon his throne.
A portal opened.
An Abyss Lector knelt.
"Your Highness, I have secured sixty-four alchemical potions."
Aether's eyes flashed.
He summoned the vials to his hand.
"So… condensed fragments of life law."
"These are the Life Recovery Potions?"
"Yes. Tier One, according to the Alliance."
"Tier One… the most basic?"
He traced the vial thoughtfully.
"They used this to treat the Grand Sage? Such a treasure?"
The Lector hesitated.
"It may not be rare. Many Liyue merchants carry them. Some possess stronger potions granting ordinary humans Vision-level strength."
Silence fell.
"Can we obtain more?"
The Lector bowed his head.
"Not currently. Five Archons are present in Sumeru. Adepti and even Azhdaha. The defenses are impenetrable."
Aether exhaled slowly.
"Very well. Test it."
He glanced at a nearby Abyss Mage.
Without hesitation, the Mage stabbed himself deeply, twisting the blade.
His aura faltered, near death.
Aether tossed him a vial.
The Mage drank.
Instantly, vitality surged back.
Gasps filled the chamber.
"Your Highness, it works!"
But Aether narrowed his eyes.
"What do you feel?"
The Mage clenched his fists.
"For the first time in five hundred years… I feel… light."
"The curse, it seems diminished."
The Abyss fell silent.
"Remove your mask," Aether commanded.
The Mage obeyed.
Underneath,
The grotesque, furred visage had partially receded.
Human features were emerging.
Shock rippled through the assembly.
Aether stepped forward swiftly and handed him three more vials.
"Drink."
The Mage obeyed.
With the final potion, radiant white light erupted around him.
His hunched frame straightened.
Monstrous traits vanished.
A human stood there.
"I… I am human again!" the former Mage cried, trembling. "The curse is gone!"
The Abyss trembled.
Even Aether was momentarily speechless.
"Test your connection to the ley lines."
After a pause, the transformed mage nodded.
"Stronger than before."
Aether tightened his grip around the remaining potions.
"No side effects. Restores life. Heals all wounds, even those inflicted by the Heavenly Principles."
"A divine relic… and this is merely Tier One."
The Abyss Lector who retrieved the potions received four vials.
"Your reward. Reclaim your humanity."
Tears of fanatic gratitude filled his eyes.
Aether's gaze burned brighter than ever.
"Plans change."
"All current operations are suspended."
"We have found a better path to restore our nation."
"Endis, report every detail of the Five Nations' changes."
He rose from his throne.
"I must see Lumine…"
"…and Ryen."