Sal Vindagnir and Khaenri'ah were both destroyed by the Heavenly Principles, and they had one thing in common.
They were too prosperous, too powerful.
If Teyvat is like a water bottle, then overly powerful nations are like a constant stream of water being poured into it. Left unchecked, the bottle will eventually burst. The Heavenly Principles exist to keep that from happening.
If a country grows too powerful, it must be destroyed—otherwise, the entire Teyvat would be dragged down with it.
In other words, either one dies, or everyone dies.
The Heavenly Principles clearly chose the former.
The "eternity" pursued by the Electro Archon was her refusal to let her nation grow any further. That's why she issued the Vision Hunt Decree—to seize those powerful desires, close off the nation, and bring everything to a halt.
Only then would they avoid destruction by the Heavenly Principles.
That was Electro Archon Ei's "eternity."
In truth, Elliot believed that if he could get pulled into her inner space and face the Electro Archon herself, he could talk his way out with his silver tongue.
One reason he trained so hard was so he could stand up to Raiden Shogun and be brought before the true Electro Archon.
But he had a feeling it wouldn't be that simple...
"Let's hope nothing goes wrong."
A vague unease stirred in Elliot's heart.
He had visited several key locations, only to realize he was still too early. The Vision Hunt Decree had just begun, and the resistance wasn't even formed yet.
He was mostly lingering around Tenshukaku, and from time to time, he saw people being brought in. He even saw Visions embedded in the statues with his own eyes.
Though he didn't think Kazuha would get caught, the unease kept gnawing at him.
"Heh heh..."
"Let go of me… I'm not even drunk yet..."
Just as Elliot was trying to reassure himself, a familiar voice came from behind.
He turned to see Kazuha being carried toward Tenshukaku by several men. His face was flushed, his eyes unfocused.
Elliot: "???"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
He almost jumped out to give Kazuha a good smack on the head.
He'd always thought Kazuha was calm and capable, someone who could easily escape even under the Vision Hunt Decree. But no—he had to go and get drunk!
He must have gone too long without alcohol. One drink, and it went straight to his head.
Elliot had planned to take things slow—build up the resistance first, then move on Tenshukaku.
Now everything was screwed.
Kazuha got caught!
Even Elliot hadn't imagined this scenario.
As Kazuha was brought before Raiden Shogun, the nearby onlookers watched with growing interest.
The Vision Hunt Decree targeted only mortals with Visions. It didn't affect most people. Some, even jealous of others' Visions, applauded it.
To most mortals, the decree was entertaining. They stayed out of it. Only a few joined the resistance.
But now, all that was nonsense.
Raiden Shogun extended her right hand with a cold expression. Purple lightning surged forth, and Kazuha's Vision was immediately pulled away.
"My Vision!"
Kazuha suddenly sobered up.
He reached out to grab the fleeing Vision, but he was held down tight, unable to move.
In an instant—
A flash of purple lightning streaked through the air and snatched the Vision mid-flight.
Boom!!
The two men holding Kazuha were blasted away on the spot.
"Yo, long time no see." Elliot grinned, handing the Vision back.
Kazuha stared blankly at him, confusion in his eyes. Clearly, he had no idea what had just happened.
Seeing the alert expressions around them and realizing he almost lost his Vision, he knew things had gone south.
He slowly stood, reattached his Vision, then drew a blade from his waist. With a serious expression, he asked, "What's going on?"
"Raiden Shogun issued the Vision Hunt Decree. She's collecting Visions," Elliot explained as simply as he could.
"Vision Hunt Decree? Collecting Visions?"
Kazuha narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on Raiden Shogun.
She didn't respond—instead, purple lightning surged from her chest, and a blade slowly emerged.
She grasped the hilt with her right hand and drew it, crackling thunder exploding around her.
Seeing her like this, Kazuha knew Elliot hadn't lied.
Raiden Shogun was serious.
The thunderous pressure made Kazuha's hand tremble involuntarily.
The divine pressure was no joke.
"No one has the right to take another's wishes."
"Not even a god."
With wind swirling around him, Kazuha slashed at Raiden Shogun. But she didn't hold back either—coldly, she struck down at him.
Their powers collided with a violent clash, shockwaves blasting in all directions.
Kazuha didn't even last three seconds before he was knocked down.
Boom!
He crashed hard onto the ground and coughed up blood.
Raiden Shogun walked over. Kazuha propped himself up, eyes burning with unyielding resolve.
He raised his blade.
Swung it.
BOOM!!!!!
A thunderclap rang out. Winds howled, lightning roared.
Elliot stood with a lightning-clad blade, blocking the strike.
Kazuha's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Elliot's back.
With a surge of power, Elliot pushed Raiden Shogun back.
"Kazuha."
"Hm?"
"Today, I'll show you—your daydream will become reality!"
Hearing that, Kazuha froze for a moment, suddenly recalling what Elliot once told him: "That sword strike—it's not necessarily out of reach."
"No! You'll die!" Kazuha shouted in alarm.
"Maybe not." Elliot looked back with a confident smile.