[One hour has ended.]
[Guiding…]
[This is the seventh life. You have only one hour.]
The familiar system voice sounded as Elliot slowly opened his eyes.
"A broken mirror reflects the bright moon, a lone boat drifts across the sea of clouds."
A youthful voice came from beside him.
Kazuha was sitting on the edge of the Alcor, admiring the moon while composing verse on the spot. He carried a gentle, carefree elegance.
"Writing poems again, I see."
"Look what I brought you."
Beidou walked over from the deck carrying a bottle of liquor.
Kazuha's eyes instantly lit up at the sight of it, his spirits rising.
"This guy still loves his liquor," Elliot thought with a faint smile.
Soon, he watched Kazuha refuse the cup Beidou offered and instead take out the teacup Elliot had once given him.
"I brought my own," he said.
"Looks like that teacup is going to stay with you for life."
Elliot slowly brought out a tea set. It existed in a hazy, illusory state—something only he could see or touch. There should have been six teacups, but only five remained. The one in Kazuha's hand was something Elliot could never reclaim.
"That… isn't a wine cup, is it?" Beidou asked, surprised.
"It's a teacup," Kazuha answered.
"You're drinking wine with a teacup?"
"Yes. Just this one."
Seeing he was firm about it, Beidou didn't press further and simply poured him the wine.
But what Elliot didn't expect was that Kazuha stopped after only five cups.
"Seriously, Kazuha? Only five?" Beidou stared.
"No more," Kazuha said firmly.
"But you love good wine! How can you only drink that much?"
"Fine wine is wonderful… but it should be savored in moderation. If you drink too much…"
"What happens if you drink too much?" Beidou asked instinctively.
"It leads to mistakes."
Hearing this, Elliot smiled softly. His death had clearly taught Kazuha a deep lesson. Even his beloved wine—he now restrained himself. But that wasn't a bad thing. Drinking too much did lead to trouble. Moderation kept the mind clear while still letting one enjoy the taste.
After refusing more wine, Kazuha carefully washed the teacup, dried it with full attention, and put it away.
Seeing how serious he was, Beidou couldn't help asking:
"That cup… it's important to you, isn't it?"
"Yes," Kazuha replied without hesitation. "It was given to me by an old friend."
"I remember… your other empty Vision…"
"Yes. It was his."
Beidou paused for a moment before understanding why the teacup mattered so much.
After that, Kazuha asked whether the Crux Clash would be held. After hearing the answer, he decided to use Elliot's Vision as the prize, wanting to see whether someone else could awaken it.
Soon after, they arrived in Liyue and met the Traveler. Since the Traveler wanted to reach Inazuma, they joined the Crux Clash. During the tournament, the Traveler and Kazuha became friends.
Elliot accelerated time, watching the conflict in Inazuma erupt. On Yashiori Island, the Shogunate forces and the rebels clashed fiercely. Beidou and Kazuha joined the rebels as mercenaries, helping drive back the Shogunate troops.
Later, with Yoimiya's massive fireworks as cover, the Traveler secured the Tenryou Commission's official letter and their correspondence with the Fatui. Under Yae Miko's guidance, the Traveler handed the letters to Kujou Sara.
Eventually, the Shogun killed La Signora and gave the Traveler the chance to walk out of Tenshukaku.
Meanwhile, the rebels attacked Narukami Island, with Kazuha and Gorou leading the charge toward the castle. Just as Kazuha reached the entrance, the Traveler emerged.
A pitch-black fissure suddenly ripped through the air. Terrifying purple lightning tore open a massive hole in the sky. The Shogun raised her blade and struck down toward the Traveler.
Elliot stood in front of the Traveler, facing Kazuha with that familiar faint smile.
Kazuha stared at him, eyes widening.
"There are always beings on the ground who dare to face the thunder's might!"
BOOM!!!
In an instant, Kazuha turned into lightning, bursting forward with incredible speed to block the Shogun's strike. Elliot smiled with relief. The dim, empty shell of a Vision lit up again with thunder.
Elliot's wish was always to protect—to protect everything he treasured. Now, Kazuha inherited that wish. He wanted to protect the Traveler. He refused to make the same mistake again.
Everyone at the scene widened their eyes, stunned by what they saw.
Kazuha strained against the Shogun's attack, muscles tight, teeth clenched. The two Visions at his waist erupted with dazzling light.
"Kazuha, human will conquers fate."
Elliot stood beside him, calm and steady. He knew Kazuha wouldn't lose.
And indeed, a moment later, Kazuha unleashed immense strength and cleaved the Shogun's attack apart. Wild lightning erupted, mixed with gentle maple leaves.
The Shogun, forced back, stared wide-eyed. She could clearly sense Elliot's power in that single blow. Since the Vision Hunt Decree began, only Elliot had left such a deep impression on her. She never imagined a human could reach such strength.
But Kazuha's strike only stunned her briefly before she attacked again.
Kazuha blocked but was blasted backward. Elliot's Vision was knocked loose, bouncing twice on the ground before its glow faded.
This sight sent the rebels' morale soaring. They shouted battle cries and charged toward Tenshukaku.
The Visions embedded in the Statue of the Omnipresent God lit up one after another. Remembering Yae Miko's words, the Traveler drew their weapon and struck at the Shogun. Midair, they were pulled into the Plane of Euthymia.
Kazuha hurriedly picked up the fallen Vision. He stared at it, trying to feel that familiar power again—but nothing returned.
"I felt you, Elliot."
"You really… were so strong."
Kazuha murmured, dazed.
Elliot simply patted his shoulder.
"This time, I didn't help you."
"That was your own power."