The catastrophe at Watatsumi Island struck in the dead of night. Because the island's defenders were isolated and the Abyss had severed communications, the rest of Teyvat remained oblivious—until the ley lines themselves screamed.
In the sacred springs at the foot of Mt. Yougou, Su Han was pulled from a deep, wine-induced slumber. The barrier around the spring remained intact, but the ground suddenly fractured. A sprout of Thunder Sakura erupted from the earth, manifesting a radiant, ethereal phantom of a woman with long, flowing hair.
It was Raiden Makoto.
The phantom sighed softly, and a bolt of searing lightning struck the water beside Su Han.
"Gah! What the—!" Su Han bolted upright, the shock instantly clearing the alcohol from his system. As the phantom began to fade, her voice echoed in his mind, gentle yet urgent.
"A great disaster has befallen Watatsumi. Go... quickly."
Su Han realized this was an echo of Makoto's will, a dream-like transmission from the Sakura tree itself. Beside him, Ayaka remained in a deep sleep, but another figure emerged from the shadows of the spring—Kikyo.
"Who was that woman?" Kikyo asked, her expression serious.
"The former Electro Archon," Su Han replied, his face darkening as he stood up. "If she's waking up to warn me, Watatsumi is as good as gone. Kikyo, can you ensure Ayaka is returned safely to the estate? I have to move."
"I'm coming with you," Kikyo countered. "I know of the serpent god Orobashi and the history of that island. If the Abyss is involved, my arrows will be needed."
[The Sovereign's Command]
Su Han didn't waste time. He summoned Tessaiga and pulled Kikyo onto the blade as they soared toward the coast. En route, he barked a series of commands through his Phone Bug.
"Get the TBN news crews to Watatsumi immediately! This needs to be live!"
"Mobilize the Araumi units and the Seirai Youkai troops. Tell Beidou to move the Liyue fleet into intercept positions!"
"Why did Yashiori Island fail to report? Where was the garrison?!"
The reply from Kuki Shinobu was grim. "My Lord, Yashiori was infiltrated. Shape-shifters or Abyss magic bypassed the sentries, cutting the lines before we knew they were there. We've lost contact with the entire western front."
Su Han's jaw tightened. "Human perception has reached its limit. From now on, Youkai will lead every border patrol. Their senses don't lie."
[The World Watches]
Across Teyvat, the TBN screens suddenly flickered to life, interrupting the early morning broadcasts. Yoimiya, acting as an emergency anchor, appeared on screen with a frantic look.
"This is an emergency announcement! Watatsumi Island has been breached by the Abyss Order! The island is currently shrouded in a black mist of unknown origin. Lord Su Han is currently on-site, and the combined forces of Inazuma and Liyue are mobilizing!"
The world watched in horror as the camera feeds from the front lines showed the once-beautiful coral island swallowed by a swirling, hellish vortex of void energy. The fear was palpable—the Abyss was the ancient enemy of all life, and now it was at their doorstep.
[The Battle of the Void]
As Su Han arrived at the outskirts of Watatsumi, the sight was devastating. The black mist was a physical wall of corruption.
Below him, the Shogunate vanguard had arrived. Inuyasha looked up, his eyes widening as he saw Kikyo standing beside Su Han. "Kikyo?! But she... how is she here?!"
But there was no time for reunions. Kazuha and Hanachirusato (Kazari) were already organizing the Youkai commanders.
"Don't just stand there, dog-boy!" Kazuha shouted. "Follow the Sovereign! If you retreat, the military police will have your head!"
Su Han didn't wait for the troops. He drew Tessaiga, his aura erupting with such force that it tore the clouds asunder. He wasn't just a warrior; he was a Sovereign reclaiming his territory.
"Dragon-Scale Strike!"
A colossal wave of energy, shaped like a demonic dragon, slammed into the black mist of Watatsumi. The void-shield shattered with the sound of breaking glass, revealing the nightmare within.
The island was a graveyard. Buildings were corroded, the beautiful sky-rail was twisted like scrap metal, and Abyss monsters were literally feasting on fallen soldiers.
"Clear the island!" Su Han roared, his voice carrying across the entire battlefield. "Rescue the survivors! Leave not a single Abyss wretch alive!"
As Su Han dived into the heart of the darkness, his heart burned with cold fury. The Prince of the Abyss had crossed the line—and the Sovereign was here to collect the debt.
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