"There! That's are landing spot! It's the one we marked on the map!"

After a good half an hour of comfortable flight on their glider, the duo and Paimon had finally arrived on the coastline on the Northwest side of Narukami Island. Ritou having been where Aether and Paimon had first started their adventure in Inazuma. After convincing Paimon to finally stop taking photos of the two of them, their flight across the island was mostly uneventful. Outside of swerving to avoid a flock of birds, the duo mostly made small talk in the air as Paimon flew next to them.

Spotting a nice clearing on the beach, Aether pointed and directed Ayaka as she made the final descent down from the sky and onto the sandy beach. With a light gust of wind helping them down, the two landed on the beach with no problems, coming in at a walking pace onto the beach.

"Very nice you two! A 9 out of 10 landing from Paimon! Next time you two should coordinate your steps as you guys land. It would make it a lot more elegant."

"Thanks, Paimon. We'll keep your feedback in mind for next time."

As Aether and Ayaka detached themselves from their harnesses, Aether responded to Paimon's feedback with a happy grin on his face, and Ayaka could only smile as he did so. The two were rightly in a good mood, having both enjoyed the flight and the chance to be so close to each other. Ayaka wished that it had lasted a little longer and that they didn't have something important to do so soon right after.

Once Ayaka had finished putting away her glider, she looked around to see that Aether had approached the shoreline proper and was looking into the distance, towards Ritou Island. It was now late in the afternoon, and you could tell that Inazuma's main port of entry was still as busy as ever. The Island itself looked busy, and you could just make the ships in the far distance, bringing goods and people to and from Inazuma.

Ayaka approached and stood next to Aether. He only nodded in response, acknowledging her presence. A moment of comfortable silence settled between the two of them as they simply stared off into the distance, admiring the overall view.

Aether was the first to break the silence. "This is where it all began, wasn't it? Ritou Island and Inazuma. The next chapter in my adventure and goal." It seemed that Aether was reminiscing. Ayaka wasn't too sure how to respond. She knew that the main driving goal and wish of Aether, the very thing that brought him to Inazuma, hadn't been met. Despite everything he had done during his time in the Land of Eternity, his sister was nowhere to be found.

But the Almighty Shogun told me herself that his first desire will be met soon. That means his sister, right?

As Ayaka recalled the words that the Goddess of Eternity told her, she glanced over at Aether, who was still staring off into the distance.

"...His story will end when he manages to complete his first desire. Will you be there for him when he looks for his second desire?"

Aether also still had something that he needed to talk to her apparently. Something that he told Kujo Sara, but not her yet.

"The Almighty Shogun speaks the truth, and you best follow it, Kamisato Ayaka."

The Shogun's words and something that's on Aether's mind. Are they connected?

…..

Something here isn't right….

"...Hey! Ayaka! Are you there?"

Startled from her thinking, Ayaka noticed that her initial glance had turned into full-on staring at Aether, who had now noticed her and was waving his hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention. Noticing the look of embarrassment on her face, Aether simply shot her a warm smile.

"...Lost in thought? I said that you had set up quite an interesting questline for me when I first arrived. All that build-up you did for me to finally meet you for the first time was quite something."

Clearing her throat and nodding, Ayaka responded with an embarrassed smile. "Ahh, well, you know the situation that we were under, and I've told you that meeting you in person without that being ….discreet was not an option. However, I will admit I did give you a bit of a run around where you first arrived."

"Ayaka, I think it's safe to say that I know you quite well at this point, there is no need to switch into your work demeanor," Aether replied with a laugh.

Ayaka simply smiled. "...It's a force of habit, I apologize."

At her work-like apology, the two shared a small laugh on the beach, recalling Aether's first few days in Inazuma. Despite the Vision Hunt Decree being in full swing, and Ayaka's hands being tied at the time, the two found themselves recalling the good memories that they had made during it. It was something that the two of them would never forget.

At least, that's what Ayaka thought.

"Ayaka! Aether! Paimon thinks we might have a problem!"

Taken out of their little moment, the two looked over to see Paimon flying over to them. She had left them alone on the beachhead as she did Paimon things. But this time, the Paimon thing that she did was quite useful.

"On the pathway off the beach and towards Konda Village, there's a whole lot of Hilichurls! They've set up barricades and everything! What are we going to do!?"

"Hilichurls and barricades? On the pathway between Konda Village and Ritou Island? That's strange. I don't think that's ever happened before?" Aether struck a thinking pose.

"Hmmm, yes indeed. The Tenryou Commission's patrols should have prevented the Hilichurls from straying so close to the main pathways. This is most strange indeed." Ayaka agreed with Aether's assessment, there was something amiss with the Hilichurls.

"The Tenryou Commission isn't that busy at the moment, plus Kujo Sara said that she had increased patrols in response to my request. Hmmmm."

…Increased patrols in response to Aether's request. What? Something is definitely not right….

Discarding her sudden thought and clearing her throat, Ayaka got Aether's and Paimon's attention. "In any case, we still need to get to Konda Village for the Dango Milk Decree. Perhaps we can put some of our sparring practice to good use, Aether?" At her suggestion, Aether looked up and smiled. "I like how you think, Ms. Kamisato."

"Take Flight!"

"Wind Blade!"

Coming in from behind, Ayaka made use of her Cryo Vision to quickly dash behind the Hilichurls as Aether distracted them from the front. Maneuvering around the wooden barricade and temporary towers that the Hilichurls had set up, she was able to ambush and take out the Hilichurls with ease. Using her Cryo powers, she was able to freeze the Hydro Samachurls that were providing healing to the others. As she made quick work of the Archers and Samachurls, Aether took care of the others. Just as Ayaka had finished with the last archer, she looked up to see that Aether had done the same.

"Not bad, just as fast as me. Must be from all that practice you've done with me and your brother."

Before Ayaka could reply to Aether's comment, a panicked Paimon flew between the two of them. "Oh no no no no no no. There's more coming you guys! Quit flirting and get back into a fighting stance!"

Not bothering to say anything to Paimon, both Ayaka and Aether raised their swords to see that more Hilichurls and a few Lawachurls were indeed approaching them, from both in front and behind them. It was clear that they were being surrounded, and that there was strong coordination between all of the Hilichurls. Stepping closer to each other and going back to back, the two readied their swords and Elemental Energy Skills.

"Something is definitely not right about this, a group of Hilichurls this large would definitely have been spotted by the Tenryou Commission. They would have deployed a Quick-Reaction Force if they-Aether?"

As Ayaka relayed her thoughts, she noticed that the boy standing back to back with her had gone stiff, as if something had just surprised him and shook him to his core. Looking over her shoulder and at Aether, she could see his face, which had a look of grave concern and worry on it.

A few deep breaths later, a look of determination appeared on his face. Aether tightened his grip on his sword. Ayaka did the same.

"Trust me on this, by that group of trees there on my right side, there is a portal and an Abyss Herald. And an Abyss Lector too. Have you ever seen one before?"

Ayaka thought to herself for a moment before responding. Her back still touching Aether's, she looked forward to see the mass of Hilichurls still slowly approaching them.

"...I've read up on encounters with Abyss Heralds and Lectors, but there's limited information on them. That, and I know what you've told me and we've seen together….."

During one of their many outings and downtime, Aether had told Ayaka about his past adventures in Mondstadt and in Liyue. During his time in Inazuma, Aether had also become an expert on all of the threats in the Land of Eternity. Ayaka herself had even been with him during some of his experiences with Ekonomiya and on Watatsumi Island. Together, they had faced many problems and enemies, fighting and sparring alongside each other. But their combined experience simply paled in comparison to Aether's vast wealth of previous information that he had shared with her.

Ayaka now hoped that what she knew from Aether was going to help her.

Aether took in another deep breath. "We need to go and take out that Abyss Herald and Lector. The portal they have open is probably bringing in more and more Hilichurls. Plus, it's probably what's coordinating them all. We need to close it. Your Cryo Vision and abilities should be able to freeze the Abyss Herald with ease but watch out for the Abyss Lector. If you are hit by its Electro attacks, it will drain your energy and stamina, and I don't want you to faint on the battlefield, got it?"

Ayaka nodded. "Got it. Freeze the Abyss Herald and avoid the Abyss Lector's attacks." Aether and Ayaka watched as the groups of Hilichurls continued to approach them. It would be a matter of seconds before they would be forced to fight them. "Should we use our Cryo Swirl build and tactics?" Aether smiled. "You know me so well. I'll also switch and use Electro, too. It will hopefully give us the upper hand."

A moment of silence came over the two of them, both breathing in deeply anticipating the fight ahead of them.

"On Paimon's mark"

….

…

..

.

"Paimon's mark?"

"Wahhh! Watch where you point that thing Mr. Hilichurl! Heyyyyy! Aether and Ayaka! HELP PAIMON OUT OVER HERE! Any time now would be much appreciated!"

At Paimon's cries out for help, the two couldn't help but let out a chuckle as they set their plan into motion. Despite not discussing any specifics, the duo moved with grace in the same direction, dashing towards the small group of trees and where the Portal was. As they did so, Hilichurl Archers began firing arrows at them, having finally arrived within range of the two of them.

Dodging the barrage of fire arrows with ease, Aether and Ayaka quickly closed the gap and ran past the small group of trees that Aether had pointed out. Just as he had said, behind the trees was an open Portal, along with an Abyss Herald and Abyss Lector. Noticing the two approaching them, the Abyss Herald and Lector turned to face them.

"Hmmmm, Perhapppps things will go to plannnn!"

"Bow Before the Abyss!"

With its battle cry, the Abyss Herald quickly dashed forward to meet the fast-approaching duo. Meeting Aether first, it quickly engaged Aether with its Hydro Blades, locking blades together. Ayaka, not missing a beat, responded with a Cryo attack, forcing the Abyss Herald to dodge and step back. But just as fast it had done so, its duo Hydro Blades were back on Aether. Stepping forwards, Aether and Ayaka traded blows with the Abyss Herald, taking turns dualing the tall creature with their blades and talents. Like clockwork, the two of them slowly began making hits on the Abyss Herald, in many thanks to Ayaka's Cryo talents and arts.

"Ayaka watch out, from the left side!"

Hearing Paimon's voice call out to her, she quickly changed her dodging direction of an Aqua Slash from the Abyss Herald to the right side, narrowly avoiding it and an Electro Lighting Wave. Looking over, she could see that the Abyss Lector had its Grimoire book in hand.

"The Gift of Grace!"

The Abyss Lector began shooting a series of Electro Lighting Waves toward Ayaka, forcing her to take evasive action to avoid getting hit. Taking Aether's words to heart, she knew that the last thing that she wanted was to get hit by one of its attacks. Her talents and skills relied heavily on her energy and stamina, a weakness that was well known to her.

As Ayaka continued to dodge the multiple waves of Electro Lighting coming at her, she noticed that she was being purposely separated from Aether. The Abyss Lector had correctly determined that their strategy relied on the two of them being close together, using their elemental resonance to their benefit. Now, it was doing everything it could to keep Ayaka occupied as the Abyss Herald continued to dual Aether.

This is not good…..I need to get closer and circle back to Aether!

Using her dash, Ayaka quickly began maneuvering and closing the gap as she tried to get close to the Abyss Lector. Dashing close enough, she was able to land a single blow on the Abyss Lector, forcing it to blink and relocate a small distance away from her. Now with some breathing room, she turned back to see that Aether and the Abyss Herald were still locked in close combat. Looking at the tall creature, she could see that Aether had made significant progress in wearing it down.

Running back towards Aether and reading her blade, Ayaka closed her eyes as she concentrated on her vision. Stopping just a few steps behind Aether, she could feel the elemental energy flow through her and her vision. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself to release her signature Elemental Burst.

"Kamisato Art: Soumet- !"

"Shoot! Ayaka! Watch out!"

Ayaka could feel the elemental energy build up in her, coursing from her vision and through her veins, but just as she was about to finish her hand movements and cast her Elemental Burst, out of the corner of her eye she suddenly spotted an Electro Lighting Strike forming next to her. She was unable to move out of the way in time. Ayaka could only look on in horror as the Lighting Strike hit next to her, suddenly feeling all of her energy drain out of her body. At the same time, the Lighting Strike produced a strong shock wave, knocking Ayaka back and forcing her to the ground.

"Ayaka! Are you okay? Quickly eat something and take some deep breaths, and watch out for-Ahh!"

Ayaka had landed quite a distance away from where she just was, with her blade bouncing and landing next to her on the ground. Pushing back the Abyss Herald with an Anemo Blast, Aether attempted to run over to where Ayaka had landed, only to be quickly intercepted again by the same Abyss Herald. Blinking multiple times, it began to let out a series of fast-moving attacks, keeping Aether fully in place and engaged.

As Aether turned his attention back on the Abyss Herald, he kept an eye on Ayaka. She was lying on the ground, unresponsive and unmoving. Having been in the same position before, he knew that she would have some energy and stamina back soon. He just needed to buy enough time for her to do so. Breaking contact sword contact with the Abyss Herald, he took a few steps back as he caught his breath. Instead of continuing to engage him, the Abyss Herald simply stopped and stood in place, watching on.

Aether saw an opening and decided to take it. He was tired from all of the fighting and was dangerously low on stamina. Ayaka also still hadn't woken up yet, and he needed to buy time. Glancing over at her, she was still motionless on the ground. He wasn't sure if it was going to pay off, but it was worth a try. His previous encounters with the Abyss had been quite talkative, perhaps this could be the same? Anything to buy more time.

A sinister silence took over the battlefield before Aether spoke. "What are you doing here? What business does the Abyss Order have left here in Inazuma?"

Now standing next to each other, the Abyss Herald and Lector looked at each other, before the Lector answered. "Businessss? Perhaps she speaks the truth, you do indeed fail to understand what we and you are here for…"

"She? Who are you talking about? What do you mean I don't understand? What is there to understand?!"

As Aether stared down and responded to the Abyss Lector, out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Ayaka had woken up and managed to regain some of her stamina, and was now sitting upright on the ground watching their showdown of words. With how the fighting had ended up, Abyss Herald and Lector were now facing away from her and had their full attention on Aether, assuming that she had fully fainted from exhaustion. Still taking in deep breaths, he could see that she was reaching for her sword and regaining her elemental energy. A bit more time and she could be back in the fight.

The Abyss Lector continued. "What you fail to understannnddd, is that we don't do this out of purenessss, we are here only to ensure that things continue like they are suppose tooooo…..."

"...and your journey must continue, no matter what, dear brother."

The Abyss Lector was suddenly interrupted by a female voice, a voice that Aether immediately recognized. Upon hearing it, Aether suddenly froze. While he had not heard it in quite some time, there was no mistaking whose voice it was. It was his dear sister, Lumine.

The voice drew the attention of everyone to the open portal. Gripping his sword tighter in his hand, Aether looked over and indeed saw that his sister had just appeared, standing next to the dark spinning portal. Arms crossed, the only thing she did was stare her brother down.

Outlander clothing….Blonde hair…..and that accent….is that Aether's sister?

Ayaka, still on the ground and her sword next to her, could only watch on as the two siblings gazed upon each other. From just a glance, it was pretty obvious that the two of them were related, and based on what she knew, Ayaka determined that this was Aether's beloved sister, the one he was searching for.

The Shogun does speak the truth..…this encounter was foretold….but his sister is really a part of The Abyss?!

Aether, still breathing heavily from all of the fighting, had his eyes filled with worry and concern while Lumine's simply had a look of annoyance and slight indifference. It was as if she wasn't interested in seeing her brother.

As the showdown between the two siblings continued, Aether was the first to speak. "My journey has been going quite well, thank you. And that's in no part thanks to you. As far as I know, it's still continuing!"

"..."

Not responding to her brother's comment, Lumine looked around the battlefield. Looking across the scorched battlefield filled with craters, her eyes finally landed on the young girl who was still on the ground.

"...If that harlot has her way, it will be ending quite soon."

Harlot? Is she talking about me? If I had my way? What on Teyvat is she talking about?

At her own comment, Lumine slowly began walking over to Ayaka. With her blade in hand, it was clear to everyone what Lumine's next move would be. Noticing this, Aether suddenly dashed toward her sister in hopes of stopping her. Just as quickly, he was suddenly encased in a Hydro bubble that appeared out of thin air. Stopped in his tracks, Aether mashed and pounded in vain as he tried to pop the bubble he was in. Looking over, he could see that the Abyss Lector was the one who had casted the Hydro Bubble using its grimoire. As if fully planned to keep him trapped in place and unable to help Ayaka.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

As the now panicked Aether yelled and continued to try and free himself, Ayaka could only watch on as the blonde girl in question approached her. Not wanting to go down without a fight, Ayaka tried her best to stand herself up and raise her sword. Just as she was on her two feet and looked up at the girl, she suddenly felt all of her energy and stamina drain from her again, and fell face first, back down to the ground. Moaning in pain at the sudden loss of energy, it was clear to her that something was draining her stamina and elemental energy from her. On the ground again, Ayaka could only watch on in horror as the blonde girl continued to close the gap between them.

Stopping right in front of Ayaka, Lumine simply looked down at her. A look of pure panic filled Ayaka's face while Lumine had a look of indifference. Watching her eyes dart back and forward, Lumine studied Ayaka, and Ayaka only looked back in horror, wondering what was about to happen next. She was on the ground and out of energy, while Aether was trapped and subdued by a Hydro bubble. Both combatants downed and disabled. A textbook example of losing a fight.

…..is this really how it will end for me?

"...Perhaps you will do after all."

Reaching into her side pocket, Ayaka braced herself, expecting Lumine to pull out another weapon to finish her off. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to see that what she had pulled out was a small sample bottle of Dango Milk. All too familiar with it, it was one of the many small sample bottles that the Yashiro Commission had prepared to be handed out for the Dango Milk Decree.

The bottle now in hand, Lumine simply glanced at it before twisting and opening the cap on the bottle.

….

…

..

.

"...Not bad. You do indeed know my brother's tastes."

Watching her finish the sample bottle of Dango Milk, Ayaka was confused and unsure of what to make of it. But suddenly, Lumine raised her other hand and snapped her fingers.

The bottle of Dango Milk still in Lumine's hands, Ayaka felt that her remaining energy was slowly being drained from her yet again. Unconsciously, she felt her eyes begin to close and her head spin. As she fell to the ground yet again, she could heard a voice say something to her.

"We will talk later….."

….

…

..

.

"Your Highnessss, we have a situationnnn."

….

…

..

.

"Soldiers! Battle Formation Delta! Do not let that Abyss Lector get to the portal! Aether, are you alright? Who is that standing in front of Ayaka? Is she a friend or foe?"