Had now descended on Jarilo…
-------------------------------
The Aeon of Abundance always seems so compassionate.
They regards all people equally and bestows Their blessings upon them.
Even if countless troubles follow afterward, one must admit that the Aeon of Abundance truly treats all without discrimination.
Even if the resulting problems are immense, how could that be blamed on Them?
The faithful pray to Them, and They responds.
It is not Their fault if one cannot endure the overwhelming power of abundance.
Thus, across the cosmos, many civilizations hold the Aeon of Abundance in the highest esteem.
Those who pray to the Aeon of Abundance are either ambitious and greedy, or cornered and desperate, or, like the Xianzhou Alliance, seeking immortality.
And even the famed Xianzhou Alliance, which hunts down the Denizens of Abundance, only hunts those walking the wrong path.
Their ultimate goal is to undo the blessing of abundance.
As for why the Hunt's Lan chases the Aeon of Abundance across the universe... over thousands of years, accidents are bound to happen.
But regardless, at the mention of the Aeon of Abundance's name, many picture the havoc wreaked by the Denizens of Abundance.
"Ah~~" Godzilla let out a low roar, greeting the Aeon of Abundance.
He could feel there was no hostility from the Aeon of Abundance.
To the shock and astonishment of countless onlookers, the Aeon of Abundance gently waved Their wheat stalk, responding to Godzilla's goodwill.
As the most selfless Aeon, that is the nature of Abundance. They never attack anyone.
In truth, none of the Aeons act so.
The Nihility loafs around endlessly;
The Remembrance Fuli is nowhere to be seen;
Qlipoth builds walls to ward off some unknown enemies;
Nous seeks to comprehend the cosmos and unravel the mysteries of all things;
Elation scampers across the universe seeking pleasure;
Hunt pursues Abundance and Abundance answers the faithful.
Even Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, His destruction is but the enactment of His Path. To annihilate all, that is His Path, and His existence.
All Aeons act according to their Path.
...
"Breaking news, breaking news!!
The Aeon of Abundance Yaoshi has descended upon Jarilo-VI and greeted Godzilla!
This is unprecedented breaking news! Please forgive me, it's my first time facing an Aeon directly, I'm a little too excited."
The mechanical host with a camera was so excited its oil nearly boiled.
Wiping his heated forehead, Cameri was ecstatic.
"Do you see that, viewers? That is the Aeon of Abundance, the most selfless Aeon in the entire universe! From what I know, anyone who receives the blessing of abundance never meets a good end, cough, slip of the tongue."
After the cameraman gestured, Cameri quickly adjusted and continued.
"I am now in Belobog, the main city of Jarilo-VI. As we all know, this city has always been the jewel of Jarilo. It endured endless snowstorms and allowed the people of Jarilo to live to see today's beauty. And all of this is thanks to the being before us. Surely everyone knows his name, he is the mighty Godzilla!"
"As everyone knows, Godzilla has already faced three Aeons: the Amber King, Nanook of Destruction, and Aha of Elation. Now, Godzilla has expanded his Aeon record again, Yaoshi of Abundance!!"
Cameri was trembling with excitement. She had worked hard for years without even becoming permanent staff.
She never thought her luck was poor, only that it was all building up for today's explosion of fortune!
The descent of an Aeon is always a grand event. And rarely is there a IPC reporter like her present at the scene!
Any world where an Aeon chooses to appear becomes the focus of the cosmos, a matter vital to all Paths.
Jarilo had already attracted many Pathstriders because of Godzilla, especially from Elation and Preservation... though not Destruction.
Traces of Elation and Preservation could be found all across this planet. Cameri never imagined that, as a Intellitron, she could feel such bliss.
...
Back to Godzilla.
Bronya was tense, worried about the reason for the Aeon of Abundance's arrival. The Xianzhou members, on the other hand, were strained to their limits.
"Why would the Plagues Author suddenly appear here, unless...!"
The third eye on her forehead flickered rapidly as the power of Erudition surged in Fu Xuan's mind.
She quickly pieced things together and glanced at the equally shocked Xueyi.
At first Xueyi didn't understand why Fu Xuan looked at her like that, but then she froze.
She understood. "I've actually become the reason for The Plagues Authors' arrival."
The body Xueyi had just recovered suddenly felt sensations she hadn't experienced in centuries.
Numb.
"The problem isn't too big, that muddled Aeon of Abundance..."
Serval narrowed her eyes, resting her left hand on her brow, and suddenly spoke.
As the one who had been with Godzilla the longest, she knew him best.
She was certain, Godzilla bore no hostility now.
Otherwise, his blazing power would have scorched the land, leaving no place for them to stand.
A sudden thought flashed through her mind.
"Could it be..." Under the nervous, expectant, and confused gazes of all forces, Abundance once again gently waved Their wheat stalk.
The next moment, boundless power of abundance surged like a galaxy, flowing into Godzilla.
Godzilla accepted without hesitation.
Absorb! Whether Path energy or other forces, he absorbed it all completely with overwhelming might!
Godzilla drank it all in without restraint, while the Aeon of Abundance gazed at him with eternal gentleness.
A strange atmosphere formed between the two.
"As expected." Serval let out a long breath, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
Just as she thought. Don't underestimate this rock musician!
In her spare time, she had pored over every recorded detail about the Aeons in the universe.
Her impression of the Aeon of Abundance: gentle, selfless, never refusing.
She had never once heard of Them harming anyone.
Did people really think Aeons other than Nanook, the youngest Aeon, were easy to bully?
...
Luofu, Divination Commission.
Jing Yuan and Yukong stared in astonishment at the vision transmitted back by Fu Xuan, a strange feeling stuck in their chests.
"General, this..." Yukong parted her lips, but stopped herself. The crushing sense of tension from before had completely disappeared.
Really, how strange.
"Don't look at me, I can't figure it out either." Jing Yuan gave a helpless smile, shaking his head.
Who could predict the deeds of an Aeon? All they could do was judge whether Their actions aligned with Their Path.
Wait! A flash of realization struck Jing Yuan. His pupils contracted as he recalled the message Fu Xuan had sent two days ago.
A soul perfectly wielding a mortal body, empowered by an Aeon's blessing. Could that be the reason for the Aeon of Abundance's descent!?
...
Xianzhou Yaoqing.
Feixiao, still busy with work, paused mid-thought.
After a while, she laughed heartily.
"Of course it's Godzilla, that's just his way!" Her bright laughter filled the entire general's office.
Feixiao decided to dump her paperwork on Jiaoqiu immediately!
...
Xianzhou Zhuming.
Huaiyan, his hair and beard white, smiled as he glanced at the massive energy lifeform within the furnace.
"Well? Still feel like acting up?"
Flint Emperor remained silent.
After sensing that the presence which had been tormenting it left Luofu, it had started acting up again.
Huaiyan didn't mind. For something of its stature, having a bit of temper was expected.
So he came and chatted with Flint Emperor for a while.
Though it had little effect, today's live broadcast suddenly quieted it.
Watching the Flint Emperor, Huaiyan couldn't stop smiling.
...
All things have a beginning, and even the most harmonious atmosphere has an end.
Slowly ceasing the outpour of Path power, the Aeon of Abundance gave Godzilla one last gentle look, then quietly departed.
"Phew, it's finally over." Wiping sweat from her brow, Fu Xuan finally let go of the anxiety weighing on her heart.
Although they knew that the Aeon of Abundance would not make a move against them, just facing this target of the Alliance's pursuit made Fu Xuan feel overwhelming pressure.
"Sister." Hanya and Xueyi held hands, comforting each other.
"I am fine." Xueyi shook her head and spoke softly.
Then she looked in confusion toward the direction the healer had left.
"Why did the Plagues Author depart so hastily?"
Before anyone could start thinking, a force equal yet different from before descended on Jarilo-VI.
That oppressive might pressed directly upon them!
A massive centaur illuminated the night sky.
A dazzling violet light replaced the glow of life and shone across the heavens, like an existence stepping out from myth.
Bow drawn, arrow notched.
A great being in the form of a centaur, the Aeon of Hunt, Lan.
Always chasing after the Aeon of Abundance, the Hunt unendingly roamed between worlds, eradicating the undying abominations that once poisoned its homeland.
"The Hunt…" countless people lost their words in that moment, their eyes filled only with endless violet light.
No one imagined that in a single day, within merely two minutes, they would behold two Aeons in succession.
Lan's gaze fell upon the towering figure wagging its tail, Godzilla.
By Godzilla's standards, the Aeon of Abundance ranked first on his "good person list."
If not for some reason, the Aeon of Abundance could have continued forward. As for why the Aeon of Abundance had stopped… Slowly turning, Godzilla locked eyes with Lan.
It was known to all: where the Aeon of Abundance appeared, Lan would inevitably follow.
Even if not immediately, soon after. Not only Godzilla , Lan's gaze shifted toward Xueyi, whose expression tightened.
"Reignbow Arbiter…" Xueyi understood well why the Aeon had appeared and why his eyes had fallen on her.
Fortunately, that gaze soon moved away. Clearly, it did not matter to him.
To Aeons, apart from their own Path, all else was meaningless.
And yet, Lan was different. He did not hesitate to share his strength, aiding the Xianzhou through hardships.
Even if it was merely regaining her body from a soul state.
Lan's goal had always been Abundance, the undying abominations that spread chaos through the cosmos.
Pure longevity was life's wish, but that pursuit could bring corruption.
At all times, the goals of the Xianzhou Alliance and Lan were aligned: to purge the undying abominations that plagued the universe.
Eternal and unchanging.
Lan and Godzilla exchanged stares, Godzilla's immense energy was enough to make even an Aeon take notice.
Unimaginable, that pure life could give birth to such an existence.
Lan gazed at Godzilla, as if to etch the moment into memory.
Godzilla looked back. The two locked eyes.
A moment later,
"You're blocking my sunlight…" Its tail flicked lightly toward Lan.
Lan didn't mind. With resplendent divine light, he leapt into the sky, becoming a shining arrow chasing after Abundance.
Everyone watched the Aeon of Hunt depart in pursuit of the Aeon of Abundance.
In unison, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Many even collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, wiping away the cold sweat that had unknowingly formed.
To face two Aeons directly in such a short span was pressure unimaginable for most mortals.
There were few who walked the Paths, and fewer still who had glimpsed an Aeon.
For many, knowledge of Aeons came only from the rare, recorded instances of their appearance.
To actually stand before one… unthinkable.
And yet, "I actually saw an Aeon? Two of them! Hahaha! Father, I told you venturing out was right , the outside world is my stage!"
"Aeon of Abundance, Aeon of Abundance! Wait for me, I want immortality too!"
Once they processed what had happened, many shouted in regret.
The chance for longevity had been right before their eyes!
The Aeon of Abundance was notorious for never refusing. Couldn't they have gained eternal life if they'd only spoken up?
This mouth! Why didn't you just move it!
"Reignbow Arbiter."
Hands clasped, every Xianzhou native on Jarilo-VI bowed in reverence.
Meanwhile, the Swarm's agitation ceased. Ruan Mei, her eyes clear as autumn water, gazed toward where the two Aeons vanished, lips parting without words.
Everything was expressed in her gaze.
…
Xianzhou Luofu.
Such commotion inevitably drew the Alliance's attention.
Whether it was Lan of the Hunt or the Aeon of Abundance, both were presences the Alliance watched with utmost concern.
Lan would never easily stop his pursuit. If a star region was wholly invaded by Denizens of Abundance with no hope of salvation, Lan would draw his bow across worlds and shatter the star system without a second thought for the mortals or the life in that region.
Most of the time, Lan was chasing after the Aeon of Abundance.
The Aeon of Abundance rarely halted Their march, and with Their deeds spreading far and wide, it was impossible for the Xianzhou Alliance not to be wary.
"General, what of the Alliance's internal situation?" Fu Xuan appeared as a holographic projection within the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Because of the urgent meeting, and because she was not physically present on the Xianzhou, she did not attend in person.
"Naturally, no clear conclusion was reached." Jing Yuan shook his head slightly, smiling faintly.
"At first, some within the Alliance proposed a carpet search of Jarilo-VI, to ensure no Denizens of Abundance were hiding there."
Fu Xuan fell silent. Clearly, such a ridiculous proposal could not pass.
"Many opposed it. After all, Jarilo-VI is not like other worlds. Just news of Denizens of Abundance is not enough to make the Alliance act rashly."
Most importantly, that was Godzilla's territory.
Both of them knew this well. Godzilla was lazy, often sleeping.
But only often. When faced with hostility, Godzilla would unleash unimaginable might to crush the enemy head-on.
This had already been proven several times, even Emanators of great power had witnessed it.
Not to mention, Godzilla had helped the Xianzhou repel enemies before. In battles where Godzilla joined, even the Cloud Knights suffered little loss.
As long as the Alliance's power was not seized by fools, there would be no chance of provoking Jarilo-VI.
"Still, this cannot be hidden forever. We must prepare for discovery."
"You needn't tell me, I already know." Fu Xuan nodded slightly, expression solemn.
It could not be concealed forever.
Even within the foreseeable future, many from the Alliance would march toward Jarilo, seeking the trace of an Aeon.
Just like with Luofu's Vidyadhara, even within the Alliance, many coveted the Abundance's miracles.
They knew well what the Abundance offered, and what they themselves desired.
Their aim was not longevity, but power, authority, all those things that drive people to corruption.
…
The winds of the future cannot change the past.
St. Freya.
"If you really have the skill, then fight me one on one! Ganging up isn't anything to be proud of!" Such words had become common lately at St. Freya.
Theresa rubbed her forehead helplessly, turning to ask: "Wendy still refuses to give up?"
Himeko sighed softly.
"The Honkai's influence over Wendy is stronger than we thought. Combined with the hatred in her heart… persuading her with words may take decades."
Hearing this, Theresa sighed again. Wendy's case was different from Mei's or Yuna's.
Mei had been artificially accelerated, Yuna was forcibly powered-up later…
But both differed from Wendy, who was born a complete Herrscher from the start, her program whole.
The greatest difference was, Wendy had never been frightened.
Though it felt impolite to think it, Theresa knew the reason why the Herrscher of Thunder and Yuna had so easily broken free from the Honkai's control and returned to humanity was Godzilla's existence.
That demonic being had left them with a deep impression. Directly causing the Herrscher of Thunder and Yuna to act good…
-------------------------
T/N:
If we see it like that; The Abundance Yaoshi who gives without asking anything in return is the good one; The Hunt Lan chasing after them seems the bad one always chasing after them~
I'm purely talking about the Aeons, not the forces under them.