Facing the Sinner

-Eh? Aether, what's going on?

-No time to explain Paimon. Fast, we have to go to Sumeru.

-Sumeru..? O-okay…

Aether collected his things quickly to leave Natlan, but he saw Mualani and Kinich on the way.

-Ah, leaving already eh?

-Yeah… its important. I am sorry, I wish I could spend more time with you.

-It's okay, I hope you will succeed then. Take care of yourself, friend. Pyro Archon may bless you.

Aether and Paimon finally rushed outside of the Natlan. But they have already started to miss Natlan. There were so many things to do there, so many friends to meet, so many places to visit. Yet now there is a bigger threat and it was growing so fast…

Soon they were in Sumeru's deserts. But they still have a long way to go to reach Dendro Archon. But someone who was wearing a wolf-shaped hood interrupted their way. He had a polearm in his hands and his clothes were exposed because of the hot sun of the desert.

-Long time no see Aether. You seem to be in a hurry.

-Cyno! Your timing is perfect! We have to meet the Nahida as soon as possible!

-Nahida? It seems like a serious situation if you need to meet with Dendro Archon in this hurry. Alright, follow me. I will show the fastest way…

While Paimon and Aether were following him, Cyno started to get more curious.

-Why are you in so much hurry buddy? Something is wrong?

-There are things that are wrong much more than one. Someone is trying to steal every gnosis.

-Gnosis? Yet I thought no one could beat archons and steal gnosis from them.

-That's… an archon too.

-An Archon?! Which one?

-I am not sure if you ever heard. But it's the Archon of Hate…

-Archon of Hate… no, I have never heard of it sorry. But Nahida should know a thing or two, we already came. Follow me.

Finally desert ended and they came to a place where it was all green. And there was a beautiful city and even an academy in their way. A small childlike girl stopped them. She had white hair and a white dress. Her big green eyes were curious and a bit worried.

-Aether, Cyno. I saw that you were coming. Geo Archon sent me a message. The things in Natlan… Is it..?

-Yeah Nahida. Shamely it's all true. Two gnosis is already stolen. And he will come for the rest.

-I see… Come, let's go near Irminsul, maybe I can find some things there. Geo Archon is waiting for us there too.

Cyno interrupted with a smile, he seemed to have some things in his mind too.

-Seems like it's time for me to leave buddy.

-Huh? You can come with us too Cyno.

-I have things to do too… Take care friend.

Cyno took his polearm back and started to walk away from them. Aether was still wondering about the reason for his sudden hurry but he had to go on with plan.

-Okay. Do you need any knowledge about him?

-What was he like? Or what powers does he have? Anything can be useful to find him in Irminsul.

-He always had a cold face with a composed tone of voice. His hair wasn't too long but wasn't too short. His eyes were black if I remember right but I couldn't see any more of his face cause of his cover. He was able to use black flames as magic. Dealing huge blows enough to defeat an abyss gate himself…

-An abyss gate itself you say… That's much more powerful than I thought. Ah, we are here. I guess you and Geo Archon already knew each other.

A mature seemingly man was standing in front of them. He had brown eyes and brown concepted clothes which pointed to his powers in Geo element. He started to talk calmly but his voice was carrying a hint of relief to see an old friend of him.

-Aether… you are here.

-Yeah we took your letter. Is there any specific reason you wished us to come here?

-Yeah, the first reason was Irminsul. Your descriptions of him would help. Nahida, can you give a check about that person they described in Irminsul?

-Mhm. Irminsul is a place where endless knowledge of Tevyat stands after all. If he is here, there should be something about him or his past. Maybe I can find a reason or even erase his reason for this madness…

-Okay, we will give you some time…

Finally, Paimon interrupted. She was silent for too long which was a bit unusual but now her usual talkativeness seemed to return.

-Wait wait Paimon didn't understand! So we will try to erase him or his memories?

-Yeah Paimon. If I can find anything about it I will try.

-That would be an instant win! Hehe Paimon always knew Zhongli was far more clever than that silly Archon!

Zhongli turned to Paimon, even in his geo archon status he would never underestimate his opponent, let alone an archon.

-We haven't won anything yet Paimon. I don't think it will be this easy…

Nahida was still trying to focus on this tree called "Irminsul". But suddenly she opened her eyes. She seemed to be in shock.

-Thats… That's so strange…

-What's wrong Nahida?

-I found something but… It's all empty!

-Empty?

-Like- Like a black hole or pure space. There is nothing left in the place where it would contain his knowledge. As if… someone already erased him…

-Have you already erased him..? But wouldn't that make everyone forget about him in Tevyat? I thought there were still legends about him. They wouldn't exist if he was erased from Irminsul right?

-That's the point, I have never seen something like this. It's not like a normal erasing. More like someone tried to rip this part off. Some hints are still here like the ones in legends, but the rest are gone.

Nahida turns back to them, seemingly sad to fail them…

-I… I am sorry…

-Paimon shouldn't have celebrated it so early… It's okay Nahida! Paimon knows it's not your fault!

While Paimon was trying to cheer Nahida up. Aether turned to Zhongli.

-Do you have any idea what this is Zhongli?

-Hm… you said Pyro Archon and that Fatui harbinger remembered some things barely right? Then there are two options. He gets rid of his memories or someone tried to erase him from everyone's memory.

-So we can't do anything to him through Irminsul too…

Nahida turned her head to them, she seemingly had an idea now.

-"Forbidden knowledge"…

-Hm? Do you have an idea, Nahida?

-He is behind that forbidden knowledge! There is a forbidden knowledge in King Deshret's grave!

-Eh? How did you learn?

-If I know right there is a very precious knowledge about Heavenly Principles! If he finds something that can even bring Celestia to heel, we won't stand any chance.

-So that's what he was targeting… Nahida, does that grave contain something important?

-I don't think there is anything important other than that knowledge, only a few gold and chests but I don't think they have value in this situation.

Zhongli suddenly seemed more serious. Like he already set up a plan. But it was obvious he was hesitating too.

-I will destroy it…

-Destroy..? W-What if you meet up with him there Zhongli! Paimon is worried about you!

-Then I will fight him if he gets Celestia to its heels, then we won't stand a chance anyway…

-But he is too strong!

-That's why I have to act fast… Nahida, Aether. Tell the situation to other archons and all adeptuses, and they will find a way to help.

Aether was nervous, he saw the Archon of Hate's power firsthand and already knew that even Zhongli cant last long against him.

-Just… never fight him directly okay? We can't let him get another gnosis too.

-Don't worry, I have my own experiences too. Talk about the next steps with the Archons, they should be on their way. I will come back as soon as possible…

And now Zhongli left too. Only Paimon, Aether, and Nahida were in the room.

-Do you think he will succeed?

-He wouldn't fail, that's what I know. He is strongest among sevens after all.

-All we can do now is talk with other archons huh… Wait… Nahida, I have an idea to help Zhongli without getting into a fight!

-Huh..?

-Those huge machine ruins left from Khaenri'ah, remember? One of them was still able to launch a laser. They were made to fight with archons after all right?

-Yeah… that can work, I heard that one laser of it can take out a God itself. Yet if the things you said were right, he will survive.

-Even so, that would give Zhongli an advantage, wouldn't it?

-Probably… but please make sure to be safe. We are talking about two Gods' war.

-I will… I have to find someone quickly…

After Aether left too, Paimon finally got furious.

-Why does no one explain to Paimon what's going on! Paimon wants to help too!

Aether found Cyno with a friend of his. Tighnari, with his long fox-like ears, vivid green eyes, and forest-toned attire was in front of him. They seem to be talking about something serious.

-Cyno! Tighnari!

-Hm? What's wrong friend? You seem to be in a hurry again.

-I will explain shortly, Geo Archon left to fight that mad Archon, yet I don't think his power will be enough. We have to help him. Tighnari, do you think those ruins of huge machines can still be usable? Even for once?

-Thats… possible. But if there is a serious situation I will come too.

-You don't have t-

Cyno interrupted with an unserious tone

-I am coming too- after all, it's a grave situation. You wouldn't want to "dig into it" alone.

After a bit of silence cause of Cyno's joke…

-Ugh never mind let's go let's go!

Zhongli was walking among the sand slowly. His white and brown robe was getting a bit dusty because of the harsh sand storms. But Geo symbols on his arms and skin show his power to the outside. Limited people who saw him in this war outfit stayed alive after all.

His eyes were glowing under his hood, searching for that grave of King of Deshret. Finally, he found a huge structure. But there was someone at its entrance…

-Welcome…

He was here… seemingly already done with the grave. Zhongli's face got serious and he extended his lift to get his polearm.

-You don't have to be so worried, there is nothing in that grave. Peh, I thought I would find something important.

-Then why are you still here?

-Why? I had two reasons to come here after all. First to find that idiot knowledge, yet seemingly it was nothing more than a useless legend. The second reason is becoming more interesting now though…

Neroth's eyes narrowed with a hint of malice…

-I knew you archons would have come to try to stop me, yet I didn't think you would be stupid enough to come alone.

-So you were waiting for an Archon to try to stop you… so you could have gotten their gnosis too…

Neroth walked towards him. A black and sharp scythe appeared in his hands. Slowly shaping from that black material again. But this time this black thing wasn't a flame but more like a liquid that corrupts things around it.

-And seems like that unlucky archon is you…

-Don't underestimate me… Archon of Hate…

Zhongli grasped his spear, he knew he wouldn't last long. But he wasn't the type to back down without a fight. He should win time for other archons to think of something.

A harsh sandstorm circled them as if settling an arena for them. But here was the situation…

The strongest archon of today against the strongest archon in history….