Inside the grand hall, the atmosphere was heavy and eerie. A statue of the Anemo Archon was cruelly bound by thick chains, suspended upside down in midair, like a giant imprisoned.
The statue, twisted and contorted by its inverted position and the oppressive surroundings, exuded an unnatural distortion.
Between its outstretched hands, a swirling vortex of black and purple energy converged wildly, emitting a sinister glow that added a sense of dread to the otherwise silent space.
Dainsleif's eyes roamed over the inverted statue, his brows tightly furrowed as he muttered under his breath, 'This scene… it's beyond strange. The air is thick with decay and despair.'
Shao Yun's voice cut through Dainsleif's contemplation.
"Plenty of time for sentiment later. For now, let's smash this thing."
Just as Shao Yun was quickly mapping out how to execute the plan, Dainsleif suddenly raised a hand to stop him, his expression alert.
"Hold on. I sense an Abyss Herald nearby."
No sooner had he spoken than the space behind them tore open with a thunderous crack, revealing a blinding portal. From within, the figure of the Abyss Herald "Wicked Torrents" emerged like a phantom.
Shao Yun, upon seeing the Herald, couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, well, if it isn't an old friend."
Upon hearing Shao Yun's voice, Riptide nearly bolted back through the portal.
It had never imagined this mission would be so difficult—facing both Shao Yun and Dainsleif at once sent waves of pressure and dread washing over it.
At that moment, it cried out internally, 'The heavens are really out to get me today!'
Still, the Abyss Herald Wicked Torrents struck a defiant battle pose and growled, "Your power may be formidable, but in the name of the Abyss Order—come at me!"
Shao Yun locked eyes with Wicked Torrents, assessing the situation. Then he deftly returned the lamp in his hand to his backpack, deciding there was no need for delay.
He looked past Wicked Torrents and shouted loudly, "No more hiding! Haven't you always wanted to take my life? Well, here I am!"
Lumine, who had been poised for battle, paused at those words and turned to Shao Yun, confused.
"Shao Yun, what are you—"
But Shao Yun ignored her question and kept his gaze fixed behind Wicked Torrents, his voice sharp and unwavering.
"Show yourself. Pointless delay only wastes both our time."
At that moment, the silence of the hall was broken by the sound of calm, steady footsteps approaching from a distance.
Lumine's eyes followed the sound until a familiar figure stepped into view.
It was her kin, the brother she had longed for day and night—Aether.
Aether's gaze drifted between Lumine and Dainsleif before finally settling on Shao Yun.
"So," he said calmly, "this is our second time meeting, isn't it?"
Shao Yun, attempting to ease the tension and throw Aether off-guard, deliberately joked in a relaxed tone.
"First time's awkward, second time's familiar—mind if I call you brother-in-law?"
The sudden provocation made Aether clench his fists, but upon glancing at his sister, Lumine, the anger quickly dissipated.
He took a deep breath, reigning in his turbulent emotions, and said to Shao Yun, "Before I appeared, I had a whole list of curses I wanted to hurl at you. But the moment I saw Lumine, I decided to let them stay buried in my heart—for now."
Then he turned to Lumine, his eyes filled with deep warmth.
"Sister… it's been so long. You've changed so much. I still prefer your old outfit, but this new one makes you look even braver—it suits you well."
His deep and resonant voice carried genuine affection with every word.
Lumine blushed faintly, lowering her head shyly as her eyes fell on the denim outfit she wore.
This outfit wasn't just clothing—it was a symbol of Shao Yun's care for her.
"Shao Yun bought it for me. Brother, I never thought I'd see you here. I have so much I want to tell you."
As the siblings basked in the warmth of their reunion, Shao Yun's firm voice cut through the moment, grounding them back in reality.
"You two will have all the time in the world to catch up later. Now's not the time for small talk."
With a swift motion, Shao Yun drew his cowboy revolver from his waist. The gun glinted coldly in the dim light, a weapon that seemed forged to devour darkness itself.
As his eyes sharpened, the skull emblem on his Vision began to bleed with an eerie red glow, heralding the terrifying power about to be unleashed.
"Dain, ready!" Shao Yun barked.
Then, without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. A bullet engulfed in searing flames—like something out of hell—howled through the air and struck Wicked Torrents dead-on.
In that instant, time seemed to freeze. All sound ceased.
Wicked Torrents's body was torn open by a gaping wound where the bullet hit. The infernal round hadn't just ripped through flesh—it had scorched the soul.
The Herald crumpled to the floor, its body beginning to disintegrate.
Aether's eyes widened in shock at the sudden turn of events. Before he could recover, Dainsleif moved.
A stream of dark blue energy wrapped around Aether like shackles, instantly stripping him of control over his powers.
The unexpected restraint sent Aether toppling to the ground. His eyes blazed with confusion and fury as he struggled and shouted, "You! What are you doing?!"
Lumine's face turned pale with fear. She looked to Shao Yun, her voice trembling.
"Shao Yun, you—"
Shao Yun didn't break stride. He walked straight toward the fallen Aether, his expression firm and resolute.
He spoke gravely, "I've chosen a second path beyond travel. A road full of uncertainty and danger—but one I must walk. From now on, I need you to trust me—completely."
He then bent down, hoisted Aether over his shoulder, and whispered close to his ear.
"Right now, you're not a prince of the Abyss. You're Lumine's brother. I'm taking you away from this place of death."
Then Shao Yun turned to Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif, his voice brimming with unshakable determination.
"We're leaving. Now!"
Dainsleif pointed at the inverted statue and shouted to Shao Yun, "The statue—it's not destroyed yet! We can't leave until it's gone!"
Shao Yun's gaze hardened. He swiftly pulled his signature cowboy revolver once again.
Drawing a deep breath, he gathered his inner Pyro energy and infused it into the bullet.
With a crisp click, the enchanted round tore through the air like a shooting star, striking the inverted statue squarely.
In seconds, flames engulfed the statue's surface, rising like a towering inferno and casting their defiant expressions in sharp relief.
In the fire, one could almost hear an ancient, malevolent wail—but it was quickly drowned out by the raging blaze.
Within mere breaths, the symbol of twisted faith cracked and shattered, reduced to ashes.
Shao Yun holstered his gun, turned to the others, and declared with unwavering conviction,
"The inverted statue is no more. It's time to go!"
Just then, a weak, desperate voice rose from the ground.
Wicked Torrents, clinging to the last moments of life, used its fading strength to send a vital message to the Abyss Order—the Prince had been captured.
Then, in full view of the others, its body dissolved into black smoke and vanished.
Aether, still slung over Shao Yun's shoulder, had witnessed it all. His expression was a storm of mixed emotions.
Staring at the place where Wicked Torrents disappeared, he couldn't help but cry out its name.
"Wicked Torrents!" His voice was full of mourning for a fallen comrade. He regretted making it work injured… How could he be such a jerk?
Shao Yun, sensing Aether's emotional shift, reminded him in a low, firm tone, "Aether, you're no longer the prince of the Abyss. You're Lumine's brother now. Remember who you are."
As Shao Yun spoke, a red warning popped up on the system.
[WARNING: Teyvat is now a "Red Zone." The Abyss Order will stop at nothing to reclaim the "Prince."]
"He's Aether now, not some prince!"
…
Outside the secret domain of the inverted statue, Lumine and Paimon sat securely atop Buell, while Dainsleif mounted Carrot.
Shao Yun, with agile grace, secured Aether onto the strong back of Boadicea. Everything was ready.
In the distance, the ghostly figures of Abyss Mages appeared, flanked by Hilichurl hordes. They surged in from every direction, as if guided by a tracker.
Shao Yun stepped into the stirrup lightly, melding with Boudica as one.
A golden pump-action shotgun gleamed in his hand. He raised his voice and shouted, "Everyone, follow me!"
Boadicea, feeling her rider's resolve, let out a thunderous neigh. Her hooves struck the earth, becoming a streak of red lightning as she bolted westward.
Dainsleif and Lumine didn't hesitate—they spurred their mounts and followed close behind.
The thundering of hooves, neighs, and Hilichurl roars blended into a rousing battle hymn.
Even while galloping, Dainsleif stole a glance back. The eerie figures of the Abyss Mages and their Hilichurl army were hot on their heels.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Shao Yun… this guy's a real maniac. First time I've seen the Abyss Order so riled up, all because of him—they're chasing us like lunatics."
But even so, there wasn't a hint of fear in his eyes.
If we pull this off, the Abyss Order's finished.
At the front, Shao Yun blazed the trail. Lumine and Paimon rode in the middle, and Dainsleif guarded the rear. Together, they charged toward the edge of the Abyss Army's encirclement.