Primal Threat

-So, even Tsarista failed to stand in his way huh?

-Yeah. I know our pasts don't mix well. Yet we are facing something stronger... I would even dare to say, a monster.

Capitano said with a worried voice. It was obvious he wasn't here to cause trouble for Natlan but Mavuika couldn't trust him blindly.

-I am aware of the enemy. And I can't say that I am not in awe to see the man who brought the gods to heel. But if you still want to stand as an ally through this war I can't decline you either.

Mavuika was still trying to keep her composure against Capitano, yet it was obvious she was still in pain because of Archon of Hate's direct hit on her stomach. She had to rest for sure, but Capitano knew they needed a better plan to stop him too.

-I have never taken advantage of an enemy's time of weakness. And I don't intend to start now. I won't ask you to trust me blindly but there is no reason for me to attack you. Go get some rest, leave these to me.

As much as Mavuika wanted to protest, she was tired. So she just listened to Capitano and led her way to rest. Aether was listening to this talk from the side so he wanted to spill his ideas to Capitano.

-That guy... do you know him?

-Not in face-to-face, only legends.

-Legends? What kind?

-Hm, I guess I have some time. It's a long story though.

-I can listen.

As Aether took a seat in front of Capitano, he took a serious face. Capitano seems to know a thing or two about this but it's obvious he wasn't sure about everything too.

-Centuries ago, the world was in chaos without archons. No place to keep a life, Nor to carry any vital activity. But that was until two archons were born from chaos, the firstborns of archons. They had many names; Life and death, virtue and sin, good and evil. And the one he mentioned, Archon of Hate and Archon of Love. Yet, all these names were a symbol of them. Chaos had to end in a way, so all positive and negative presence split. And created two divine creatures.

-Two divine creatures...

Aether mumbled, he had many questions after that story of course.

-Throughout all of my travels I never heard of something like this though.

-It's more like a folk tale... Well, It was.

-Can't he be someone to act or joke?

-I don't think so. The power I used against him in that single attack, was enough to clear any mortal life. If he had survived that unharmed, he would have had powers. The question is how... How can something like a folk tale be real?

-Is there any more about his life from those legends?

-It's all complicated, everyone has their own stories about it. Yet something is common that the Archon of Hate losing someone. In every story, it's for sure that he loses someone dear to him. But as I said that story changes every time.

-Someone who was dear to him... I see, thanks for the knowledge. What will you do now?

-Probably gonna report things to Tsarista and the rest of the Fatui. If things are gonna get serious we need to plan some things.

-Got it, I will take care of here then. Thank you for your support again.

After Capitano's departure, Mualani and Kinich came back with tired faces. They were trying to calm people down. After the shock of seeing all those fights rumors about Pyro Archon's reputation were already spread.

-Hey, you two okay?

-Yeah, just tired of calming people down and trying to suppress the rumors.

Mualani answered, even though she was tired which was surprising to Aether. But things were only starting to get serious.

-Ah I see, is the rumors that bad?

-Thanks to Paimon it's not, she was such a hard nut to crack while fighting against rumors. heh

-Yeah I can imagine...

-Now what though..?

Kinich interrupted their talk with that question. They were safe from danger for now. But if Archon of Hate is trying to collect every gnosis, other archons won't last long too...

-He just landed a straight punch to Pyro Archon and survived an attack from the strongest harbinger unharmed. He is definitely above us in power level.

-I don't think we can outsmart him too. If he is older than anyone like the legends said, he should have countless experiences.

Trio tried to come up with any idea, yet they couldn't find anything other than informing other archons. Mavuika seemed too busy for it. Since everyone saw that her power wasn't enough to take out Abyss Gate alone and now this single punch of him...

-It has to be some kind of conspiracy...

-Hm? What do you have in your mind Aether?

-Mavuika was one of his biggest enemies, right? One of the biggest threats against his plan is to collect every gnosis.

-Yeah..?

-I see, that power was enough to take down the abyss gate. It was obvious, yet something happened and we needed his help. He organized everything towards us, somehow making Abyss beat Mavuika, and now this punch of his. People are starting to question Mavuika, and now her power will fall more...

-You are saying this was only a part of a bigger plan?

-If that's what it is... We have to act fast.

But for now, all it left for them was to let Mavuika collect herself. Everything was happening too fast for Aether. He had to be looking for his sister right now but the situation he was in was starting to overwhelm him…

The next morning Mavuika was already feeling better. Still a bit weak yet can think clearly at least. Aether had gone to check on her in the morning, he still had so many questions.

-Morning…

-Ah morning Aether. I guess I still owe you to answer some questions, don't I?

Mavuika sighed with a tired face. She still seems to blame herself. She probably heard all the rumors about her even now.

-It wasn't your fault you know. If he is divine as much as the legends said, you couldn't do anything against him.

-It wasn't about being divine Aether… I have memories, of him. Yet, it's all blurry.

-Blurry huh? But I heard you mumbling something about him coming back…

-all I remember we met centuries ago. And… blood. Something terrible happened those days, I am certain of it. Yet my memory fails me there…

-I see… Yeah, I had some questions about my sister. But that seems like a bad moment to ask.

-I know you are worried about her. But I can't say her certain place too, or what happened to her exactly. But if someone does, it's him.

Aether sighed with a confused mind. It wasn't the first time that he failed to find something about his sister but this time he had a little hint. Yet that hint kept leading him into a dead end…

-We couldn't even catch a glimpse of knowledge from him. I don't think he would answer any of my questions now.

-We have to find something about him, and his purpose…

-Mavuika, even if he stole the gnosis, I don't think he keeps a genocidal purpose. He would have ended us all in that moment if he acted.

-Do you have any idea?

-No…

While they were talking; Paimon, Kinich, and Mualani was still trying to calm the people down. But people were worried about their own lives.

-What type of an archon is she! I thought she could have protected us!

-Yeah! That's why she was blessed to rule this country, wasn't it!?

-If she can't even hold a gnosis how can she protect us?!

Then a shouting and piercing sound came up…

-WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HER?!

This voice was somehow louder than everyone, and finally, people started to listen.

-What do you even know about her? How can you take every responsibility for her?! She is fighting with both abyss and an unbeatable archon at the same time! Yet while you should have supported her most, here you are questioning her!

Paimon's voice was both sad and furious. She was annoyed by the Natlan people's unthankfulness. She had seen other archons who acted much worse to their people or even abandoned their people. Yet those people never backed down to revolt.

-You don't know how kind she is trying to act towards you among all sevens, yet here you revolting against her. You all are acting unthankful!

Everyone was listening to Paimon's fierce voice. Mualani and Kinich were surprised to see how loud she can be when she wants to but also relieved to see that she can make people listen.

But news about Natlan was already spread along the whole Tevyat and every region saw the threat. At least they were aware of the situation right now and could take their guard on.

-Aether, you have already met with the other sevens, right?

-Yeah most of them, why did you ask?

-I am worried about Dendro Archon… I know that she is not so good as a fighter and her region is one of the closest to Natlan.

-That's not all, I think you already heard about the death of Focalors too… Fontaine is in an archonless situation right now. But I guess Hydro Dragon can hold the situation there. We have to think about where will be his next target.

-Hydro Archon... right... But I don't think he will target Fontaine yet. That would cause trouble for him. A dragon's powers are higher than an archon's powers. I am certain that he will able to take Hydro Dragon in a fight but Fontaine has a good armory that can help them in a war too. That would give us time to help them too. Yet he will foresee it. He is taking out the biggest threats one by one by using tactics. If this abyss attack was a part of his plan too it's obvious that he is gonna use a tactic for Liyue and Inazuma too.

-So you are saying his next target will be one of Liyue or Inazuma?

-That is a high possibility. Even if he is powerful and intelligent he is making a big mistake with underestimating Archon of Dendro and Anemo. They won't sit and wait for their turn for sure.

Suddenly Kinich knocked on the door and got in. He seemed to be in a hurry and he was holding a letter...

-Mavuika, there is a letter that came from Geo Archon.

-Geo Archon..? I see, I guess the news is gone there already. I heard they have one of the best armies that can even take out a god and network throughout all of Teyvat. If they are willing to help thats a big relief... Thanks for bringing it to me, let me have a look.

Kinich extended the letter in his hands. The letter wasn't that fancy like a normal invitation from an archon. Seems like Geo Archon was aware of the situation too. Mavuika opened the letter softly and started to read.

-To Pyro Archon Mavuika

I am sending this letter through Ninguang, a friend of mine who already heard about the situation going on there. I would like to extend a hand to help yet this seems to be a bigger threat than I thought. I assume traveler Aether is there, if he is willing to help too he should come to Sumeru fastly. His experiences and friendship with archons can help when mixed with the wisdom of Archon of Dendro. I will be there shortly too. We have to settle on a plan. I don't think any arguments can left between archons. We have to get help as much as we can find, even Fatui can be considered as an ally against this type of danger. I will send this message to other archons too. I would be glad if you assist soon.

This threat is bigger than anything we have seen so far, I hope you will stay safe...