"Wake up."

How unpleasant. Feeling that legal disputes wouldn't warrant a speedy resolution, I quickly got up and summoned… wait, I can't seem to summon any attacks or weapons, not even my steelyard balance.

"Good evening, Ace Attorney. How does it feel being so defenseless?" I chuckled at that moniker. I looked around—complete darkness. But of course, whoever's doing this has got quite the guts for casting a dream enchantment of sorts at me. "Oh, if you're wondering I've not attacked you while you were sleeping, nor have I cursed or enchanted you. As for this, think of it as a… realm between life and death."

Heh, life and death? This guy's really asking to be sued once I wake up. "Enough of this nonsense. I, Yanfei, Liyue's top legal expert, demand you quickly identify yourself, or face serious repercussions for violating the Civil Code of Liyue, Chapter—"

"Don't run your mouth just yet."

My lips feel like they're being glued shut. Drat, and I still gotta collect some info before I find a way outta here. I should've waited some more before running my mouth.

"I've seen and heard enough. Time to show you why I'm really here." Suddenly four figures appeared before me, shining. They appeared to be taking a human-like form. Wait a minute, why are they suddenly taking up familiar forms? H-hang on, upon closer inspection, they seem to be—

"Familiar now, aren't they?" the distorted voice said once the bright figures suddenly revealed themselves to me.

Hu Tao.
Eula.
Aether.
Keqing.

W-why are they here before me? Of all the people… Wait, now's not the time. They appear to be sleeping while standing, but try as I run to them, I'm back to where I stood.

"Mmph! Mmph!" Dammit, still glued shut! K-keep your cool, now. Getting too heated would spell disaster.

"Here." All too quickly, my lips were released from binding. "You're free to ask me three questions. Remember, three questions only." Tsk, I know that they'll twist their demands when they see fit, but I'll just have to play along. It feels like they're gonna be one tough customer to deal with once I wake up.

First off, identity. "Who are you? Also, depending on your subsequent claims, prove it. The last one doesn't count as a question."

"Playing that card, are we? Well, I'm a god, goddess, deity, entity, whatever. I'm powerful, more powerful than The Seven, and I'm really bored." I laughed at that. Get a load of this, a being more powerful than The Seven? "Of course, you won't believe me right away. Here's your 'admissible evidence' you ever-so-want."

A wind suddenly blew past me, and it felt like it's passing through me, too.

"What are you—ah!"

Images. Events. People. Faces. Everything! Even those that I haven't seen before! They all fleetingly flashed in my head. No, what's this… uncomfortable sensation? Ouch, it's getting increasingly painful every second, as if it was doubling in power. Argh, it really is getting sharper. Oh no, i-it won't stop. Now it's even getting intolerable! Ouch, AGH!

Snap.

"ARGH! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!" This pain! The burning pain! I-it's too painful! A-and m-my body… feels like they're disintegrating! S-shit no, everything's turning white! "AARGH! NO MORE PLEASE!"

"Now, do you believe me, Ace Attorney?"

"YES! YES! MAKE IT STOP!"

And… it stopped.

I was breathing heavily, sweat trickling down every part of my body. My energy felt like it was suddenly drained down to zero. I clutched every part of my body. Everything's still intact. This is more than relieving. I swear, that was no pain that I've ever felt before. It felt like I'd been punished by the gods seven times over in just a few seconds. T-this entity, just who are they really?

I slowly looked back up to my… friends, only to be greeted with daggers pointed to their necks and chests.

"H-hey! W-what do you think you're doing?!" Dammit, I'm still running in place!

"Threatening you and holding them hostage to my demands. One last ques—"

"S-stop it! You'll be in big trouble once I wake up, hear me? BIG TROUBLE! I'll ensure that you'll be—n-no, don't!" The dagger drew precious blood from Hu Tao's dear neck. Her face's grimacing in pain, and I could hear her groans, too. "Hu Tao, h-hang in there!"

"They can't hear you. Also, know your place, Ace Attorney, or do you want them to go down one by one, starting with Ms. Undertaker? I'll have you know the damage I deal to them will manifest once you all wake up."

Just what are they thinking?! I gripped my fist. I don't wanna believe it, but I'm facing a literal omnipotent being, far greater than The Seven as per claim. "F-fine, but please spare them, and stop addressing her with that moniker."

"You have one last question before I present my demands."

"Why?" Above all, reason. I need a reason for this insanity. "Why are you doing this?"

The voice was… chuckling? "I told you already; I'm bored. Plus, I'm an all-powerful deity. I enjoy toying with what some people call 'the chosen ones' when I wish to kill the time, and your name came up in my head. Consider it an honor, Ace Attorney."

I watched my friends in horror while hearing this entity's insane ramblings. Blood started to stain Hu Tao's collar even redder. I'm so sorry, Hu Tao.

For the first time in forever, it felt like the law wasn't with me. It's… such a different feeling.

"Now, are you ready to hear my demands, Ace Attorney?"

"What are they?"

"You sound so devoid of life. Let me fix that; do you want me to slit Ice-cold Vengeance's neck?" E-Eula…! I quickly looked to her side, and the dagger started to draw blood, staining her sky-blue

"N-no! I-I beg you, please, I'll listen. Name your demands, and let's be through with this. Just spare them, please!"

The voice chuckled. The entity now proceeded to explain their purpose for sending me here. As ludicrous as it may sound, it's to send me to another world, and it's not just any regular realm. In fact, it's one that's governed completely by humans, with their own laws, and where Elements, Visions, and other creatures are non-existent. I'll then be tested with a series of cases that will require my aptitude of the law and my mental acuity before I'm sent back to Teyvat. While they explained, I gradually regained my cool and collected state with a series of deep breaths.

A world without such aspects of life. Personally, I wouldn't mind having to live in such a simple world. As long as it's governed by laws that can be imposed on the general public and the governors themselves, I would be satisfied. I tried raising a question regarding what this entity's motives were, but I was shut off immediately, much to my anger.

"I will, however, let you in on this, Ace Attorney," the voice added. "I plan on triggering certain events around Teyvat, some of which wherein you being involved should be handy when it comes to their resolution. However, I need to put your prowess to the test with certain handicaps before that. Prove to me what you're capable of, not with the fancy-schamncy gimmicks of Teyvat. Should you demonstrate incompetence, finding these four dead on the floor and a massacre of the innocent are the least terrible things that'll happen." I gripped my fist even harder at that last line. I dare not let my mouth run wild again, since this entity seemed to be dead serious about that threat.

"By handicaps, you mean if I were to be stripped of my Vision and certain other conveniences, correct?"

"Zero questions left." Say what you want, but that's where my logic has brought me. It just has to be. "Also, you seem to have regained your calm nature rather quickly, and might I add that you seem unfazed at the fact that you're about to be sent to such a world." I took a deep breath. I should also watch my words, lest Aether and Keqing be victimized by their show of strength.

"Laws of different sovereign nations, and by extension, worlds or universes, are still laws, and I know my capacities when dealing with them, even if I have to start from scratch. Furthermore," I bit my lip and gulped before I said the next line, "if I'm against someone who truly is beyond the reach of the law, then I'll make sure they'll still receive the retribution they need, however the means and method."

"Big words coming from someone who pales against me." I tried to maintain my poker face as much as possible, stealing glances at the four hostages in front of me. "Well, I don't care. You're not the first one anyway." This intimidating air feels more and more heavy. However, I won't falter.

"You will release my friends, and you will hold the end of your bargain," I declared. If only I could write up… no, I'm facing an entity stronger than The Seven. What am I thinking?

"As long as you prove to me your prowess as you spend your time in that world, then yes. I'll be taking you back to Teyvat when the time is right. I repeat, your incompetence will result in extremely terrible consequences. Am I clear?"

"Yes."

If they're really keeping their word, then I needn't worry too much. I will see these challenges overcome. Not just for the sake of my friends, but for the peace and order of Liyue—and by extension, Teyvat's.

Suddenly, the four in front of me and the daggers pointed to them disappeared, leaving me alone with a bright light enveloping me from the bottom up. I felt more than relieved knowing they're safe, but sad knowing I can't see them after what seems to be a long while. I also felt regretful that I let my emotions run loose there. I could've asked more important questions, especially what these 'series of cases' are, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.

"Final warning, or at least, reminder." What is it now? "Feel free to do whatever the hell you want in your stay. Eat, drink, indulge, whatever. But, if you happen to fail at showing your competence as an attorney, then do well to remember the grave consequences I've stipulated. Am I clear?"

I smirked. "That won't be a problem."

"Then, step forward." Suddenly, a blinding light seared through the darkness. Uncovering my arms, a door was revealed to me. It flung open with a loud creak. "You will regain consciousness soon, and when you do, have fun. I'm sure you'll be delighted with my preparations for you, Ace Attorney." The voice laughed at that last word before everything went dead silent.

"Preparations…" I muttered. Just what's in store for me?

What lay before me now was a passage to my test. By now, turning back isn't even an option. My heart's racing, but each second of me dilly-dallying would spell doom not just for me. I took a few steps to the passageway, enveloping myself in more light.

All too quickly, I was flung forward, phasing through various spectra of light and shapes, descriptions similar to what those substance abusers have testified to me in the past. Faster and faster, I was getting, and I could see a black dot growing bigger. Once after some time, the dot towered over me, and this epileptic ride was then slowly being transformed back into darkness.

Since they bestowed me with a moniker, I took it upon myself to do the same for this deranged entity: "Feng"—seemingly omnipotent and powerful up there, as if they were the winds at the summit of the highest mountain, but at the same time exemplifying their lack of compassion and humanity for the lives of others.

I'll show you, Feng.

I'll show you what I, Yanfei, Liyue's top legal expert, am capable of!