"There seems to be no other way," Lumina said. "If we continue like this, we'll only lose."
Abyssal Lumina kept dying and resurrecting endlessly. As long as the Abyss remained, she would never truly perish. This ability was so absurdly broken that even Lumina felt helpless against it.
Abyssal Lumina could resurrect countless times, each time restoring her energy, making her essentially an infinite, eternal energy source.
In contrast, Lumina and her allies lacked such an eternal energy source. They would inevitably exhaust their strength, and continuing this stalemate with Abyssal Lumina offered no advantage.
Lumina shook her head and addressed her companions: "Let's seize an opportunity to escape. With her current strength, she can't possibly hold us back."
"We haven't come away empty-handed either. The avatar she painstakingly created has been destroyed. For the foreseeable future, she lacks the means to invade Sumeru or the Irminsul Tree."
A hint of resignation and regret tinged Lumina's words. This was, after all, the perfect moment to drive back the Abyss. Missing this opportunity meant waiting an unknown length of time for the next chance to arise.
"Ugh... Let's hurry up and leave then. This enemy is truly terrifying..." March 7th chimed in, nodding her head vigorously in agreement with her "Sister Lumina."
Had their attacks inflicted even the slightest damage—even a drop in the ocean—March 7th would never have uttered such words.
It was precisely this cost-free, infinite resurrection ability that was so utterly repulsive. Facing an opponent with such power left them utterly bewildered and despairing.
No wonder the people of the Xianzhou loathed Abundance Abominations so fiercely. Having witnessed this infinite resurrection firsthand, March 7th finally understood their hatred.
At the same time, she mentally relegated this so-called Abyss and those Abundance Abominations to the lowest possible tier.
Hearing these words, Abyssal Lumina's lips curved into a faint smile, as if she too approved of Lumina's suggestion.
Ceasing her attacks, she merely watched them in silence, making no attempt to stop them. Instead, she even made a "go ahead" gesture, as if eager for Lumina and her companions to leave at once.
"Alright, we..."
"Wait, I have a solution."
Lumina naturally noticed Abyssal Lumina's expression and understood her thoughts perfectly, yet felt helpless to change the situation.
She cast a brief, indifferent glance at Abyssal Lumina, then prepared to lead the group away.
But before Lumina could finish speaking, Nahida interrupted her.
"Nahida, do you have a way to deal with this disgusting immortality?"
Nahida's words instantly drew the attention of everyone present. March 7th and the others halted their retreat.
Abyssal Lumina and Lumina both stared at Nahida with thoughtful expressions, as if she knew something they didn't.
Under the intense gazes, Nahida showed no signs of unease. Her expression remained calm as she stated plainly, "It's simple. Its resurrection ability stems from the Abyss. We just need to suppress it with a power stronger than the Abyss and then kill it."
"..."
Hearing this, the group exchanged blank stares, utterly speechless.
After a moment's hesitation, March 7th spoke up, "Nahida, do you actually have access to a power stronger than the Abyss?"
"Me? Of course I can't," Nahida replied, shrugging her shoulders and giving March 7th a look that suggested she was looking at a fool. If I were that powerful, why would I be here wasting my breath? her expression seemed to say.
March 7th: ...
Though March 7th desperately wanted to punch Nahida and teach the little brat a lesson, she knew that even a thousand of her combined couldn't match Nahida's strength. Suppressing her anger, she resolved to bury the matter in some forgotten corner of the future, letting it wither from a major issue into a minor annoyance, and finally, into nothing at all.
No, this isn't cowardice, March 7th told herself. It's just that Nahida looks almost exactly like my dear Sister Lumina... I could never bring myself to hurt her.
Nahida stared intently at March 7th, as if reading her thoughts. Sensing her discomfort, she slowly continued, "I can't wield power stronger than the Abyss, but Lumina can."
"No, I can't," Lumina quickly protested, shaking her head.
"Yes, you can," Nahida countered firmly, correcting Lumina's posture.
"..."
Neither Lumina nor Nahida spoke, their gazes locked in a silent exchange.
"Alright, I understand. Let's begin."
Moments later, as March 7th and the others looked on in confusion and bewilderment, Lumina seemed to grasp something, nodding and revealing a faint smile.
"?"
A question mark slowly materialized above their heads. They couldn't quite fathom how Nahida and their own Sister Lumina had communicated and reached an agreement.
With perfect synchronicity, Lumina and Nahida extended their hands, their fingers intertwining.
In the next instant, both were enveloped in waves of verdant light, beginning to gradually merge.
"!"
"Stop! Make it stop!"
Seeing this unfold, the Abyssal Lumina, who had been quietly observing like a bystander, suddenly panicked, a hint of fear flickering in her eyes.
It was unclear whether she feared her own demise or, even worse, that Nahida would willingly fuse with Lumina...
The Abyssal Lumina frantically channeled Abyssal Power, attempting to disrupt the fusion.
But when the Abyssal Power touched the verdant light, instead of disrupting the fusion, it was purified and dissipated into the air.
"No... no, don't!" As Lumina and Nahida completed their fusion, the Abyssal Lumina's voice trembled, as if the heavens were collapsing. She stumbled backward several steps, her eyes wide with disbelief.
As the fusion of green light concluded, both the youthful Lumina and Nahida vanished, replaced by the Lumina most familiar to March 7th, Stelle, and Little Swarm: her familiar face, height, figure, and long, flowing white-green hair.
Yet this Lumina was different. Her usual white-green dress had been replaced by a pristine white gown that bared her shoulders and flawless back. A crown adorned her head, radiating regal splendor.
"Whoa-oh-oh!" March 7th, Stelle, and Little Swarm gasped in unison, their eyes gleaming with fascination and dazed admiration as they gazed at Sister Lumina. A crystalline light flickered at the corners of their lips, and one couldn't help but wonder if they were fantasizing about forbidden fantasies—perhaps scenes of insubordination, disrespect, or even...
"Phew... March 7th, Stelle, Little Swarm," Lumina exhaled, feeling the boundless power surging through her. "I'll sever its connection to the Abyss. You handle the rest."
Sensing the boundless power surging within her, Lumina opened her eyes, revealing jade-green orbs that seemed to contain the entire world within their depths.
With a gentle wave of her hand, Lumina infused March 7th, Stelle, and Little Swarm each with a sphere of emerald light. Then, she soared into the heavens, towering above everyone and gazing down upon the Abyss-corrupted world below.
Another wave brought a magnificent Great Book into her grasp:
[World Book]
[The Avatar of Irminsul, a weapon forged from the fusion of the Forest Book and the World Scepter.]
Lumina gently brushed her fingers across the World Book, causing its pages to turn. Behind her, a spectral projection of Irminsul materialized, framing her like a deity.
Perhaps Abyssal Lumina's mind was still replaying the moment of fusion between Nahida and Lumina, or perhaps she simply believed that any attempt to interfere would be futile. Whatever the reason, Abyssal Lumina paid no heed to Lumina's actions.
An overwhelming aura emanated from Lumina, while the phantom Irminsul behind her pulsed with radiant light, relentlessly driving back and suppressing the Abyssal Power. From the heart of the Withering, countless beautiful, vibrant, seven-colored flowers burst into bloom, gradually replacing the suffocating atmosphere with the vitality of life.
As Lumina performed her divine act, a figure the size of an entire planet materialized outside Apricot Grove in the Sumeru Star System.
A white hood concealed its head, from which two antler-like branches slowly unfurled. Golden hair cascaded down like a golden waterfall, radiating the luminous aura of a god.
Its androgynous face, both benevolent and majestic, framed emerald eyes that pulsed with the vitality of life itself. One glance into those eyes seemed to promise eternal life and enlightenment.
A faint smile graced its lips, as if offering the world tenderness and warmth. The emerald radiance outshone all else, piercing the dawn like the morning sun, illuminating all creation and spreading abundance and hope.
The deity stood motionless in the starry sky, its gaze penetrating the entire planet to fall upon Lumina in Irminsul Space. After a silent, gentle, and compassionate observation, it departed without a word.
Though its stay was brief, its presence sent ripples of shock and awe throughout the cosmos.
An Aeon had personally descended to observe a mortal for only the second time in the universe (excluding the Aeon of The Elation).
The first time was the descent of the Aeon of Remembrance. The second time, it was the descent of the Aeon of Abundance. The first time was for Remembrance; so now, why has the Aeon of Abundance descended?
Lumina admitted she had no idea, feeling completely baffled herself.
Dude, why did you even come here?
Sensing the Aeon of Abundance's aura appearing beyond Apricot Grove, Lumina's lips twitched involuntarily.
At first, when she sensed the Aeon's aura, Lumina had assumed it was the Aeon of The Elation. After all, given their penchant for finding amusement in chaos, their appearance here wouldn't have been entirely unexpected.
But to her utter astonishment, the Aeon who descended was Abundance... something Lumina had never even considered.
Why would you manifest your true form here for this staged performance I orchestrated?
Lumina was utterly perplexed. If these events were real, then fine, your descent might at least have a reason... But they're all fabricated! Lumina couldn't believe her charade had actually fooled an Aeon.
Therefore, why the Aeon of Abundance had appeared here remained a complete mystery to her.
Of course, Lumina had no intention of trying to understand the Aeon's motives. Let her think whatever she wanted; Lumina would play however she pleased.
"Add the scene of the Abundance Aeon's descent to the cutscene CG," she commanded.
Though she couldn't fathom the Aeon's motives, it was undeniably an unexpected stroke of luck. Including it in the CG would undoubtedly generate massive hype.
After addressing the long-dormant and barely-there System with a single command, Lumina dismissed the matter from her mind.
Her focus returned to the present situation. Verdant vitality pierced the darkness, dispelling the Abyssal Aura's oppressive influence.
"March, Stelle, Little Swarm—it's up to you now. Take care of it," Lumina declared, hovering high above as she continued to suppress the Abyssal influence.
Once the green light and the Abyss had reached a stalemate, Lumina nodded to the trio below.
"Why... why... why? We were all abandoned by her! She's the one who cast us aside! We're all things she discarded!"
"We should be the ones relying on each other... Why are you helping her?"
Nahida's disappearance seemed to drive Abyssal Lumina mad. Her entire body radiated a dense Abyssal Aura, her eyes hollow, and she muttered incoherently, bordering on delirium.
"Hahaha... Hahaha, Lumina, give me back Nahida!!!"
Abyssal Lumina was clearly unwell, her crimson eyes fixed on the white moon high above. She desperately wanted to drag it down and...
"Ahem, just as I expected, justice will always triumph over evil!"
March 7th and her companions felt their inner power surge, filling them with confidence. The trio stood before Abyssal Lumina, ready to crush her.
"Justice?" Abyssal Lumina retorted, her voice regaining some composure. Her gaze turned icy as she regarded them. "You think you're just? But why shouldn't I see myself as just too?"
I'm merely a bit more powerful, a bit more aggressive, a bit more terrifying in appearance. By what right do you call me the villain?
"Hmph, whoever wins gets to define justice!"
With a cold snort, Abyssal Lumina shattered the screen, and the battle erupted.
Though Abyssal Lumina spoke with feigned ease, stripped of her Abyssal Domain and the amplification of Abyssal Power, she crumbled in less than a quarter of an Hour System Time against the group blessed with the full power of Lumina.
"Hahaha..." Abyssal Lumina collapsed to the ground, gazing up at the radiant, holy Lumina in the sky with a bitter smile.
"Nahida... Lumina..."
She seemed about to say more, but before she could finish, her entire form dissolved completely.
Observing this, a flicker of emotion flashed in Lumina's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, ensuring no one but the Players noticed.
With the influence of her Abyssal Main Body gone, Lumina merely activated the World Book. The green light swiftly enveloped the entire Abyss, dispelling the Abyssal Aura and transforming the land from a desolate, withered place into a realm brimming with life.
-
Author note-
Dual-Perspective Plot:
Lumina's Sumeru Perspective: Everything in Sumeru—except Sumeru City, its inhabitants, and Irminsul—is a fabrication, a world she created and directs herself.
Player's Sumeru Perspective:
* Nahida: A special emotion split from Lumina to suppress the Abyss. She represents Lumina's childhood self (before age 16).
* Great Terror Lumina: The original Lumina after Nahida's separation, possessing no memories or power.
* Abyssal Lumina: Lumina's negative emotions, which gradually coalesced into the Abyss. Bitterly hostile towards Lumina herself, she predates Nahida's birth and thus calls her "sister."
Nahida is also deeply hostile towards Lumina. However, having spent time with the original Lumina, her hostility has softened into mere disdain.