"I am here. I have always been here."
That ancient, time-worn voice echoed across the entire continent of Teyvat.
In the blink of an eye, a familiar figure appeared before Morax. Though his vision was blurred by tears, Morax knew—without the slightest doubt—that the person before him was Brother Elliot. Only he carried that comforting presence. With him here, it felt as though everything would be alright.
"Brother Elliot... is it really you...? Have you come back?"
Morax was certain it was him, yet still, he couldn't bring himself to believe it. He was afraid—afraid that this was a vision before death, a sign that the Abyss was about to consume him.
"It's me. I've returned."
Elliot walked closer and gently patted his shoulder. Those six simple words, that soft and familiar touch, shattered Morax's composure.
"Brother... it's you—it's really you... you've come back..."
"I broke my promise, Brother... I failed to protect Liyue... Liyue has fallen... The Liyue we built together is gone..."
"The Adepti, Ganyu, the Yaksha, the Millelith... all of them are dead... every last one... Only Guizhong and I remain..."
"Brother... what should I do... what am I supposed to do..."
"I couldn't protect them..."
Guizhong stared wide-eyed at her husband. The man who had lived for thousands of years, who faced every trial with calm and composure, now cried like a child before that man.
To mortals, he was an absolute god—the unshakable Geo Emperor who could overcome anything. To the other gods, he was the mightiest warrior of the Archon War, Morax—the strongest among the Seven Archons. To Guizhong, he was a dependable husband—steady, thoughtful, fond of tea, flowers, birds, and fine art. To his followers, he was a kind leader who never forced their will. They followed Morax willingly, offering even their lives to protect Liyue. To the world, he was forever known as invincible, all-knowing, calm, and resolute.
Yet in front of Elliot, he became a child again. Only with Elliot could he finally lay down his burdens, shed every mask, and simply be himself. Because Morax believed that Elliot was the true supreme god—one who could control everything. With him there, no danger was truly danger at all.
"It's alright, Morax. You've done more than enough," Elliot said with a gentle smile.
"Rest now. When you wake, everything will be fine."
Morax's consciousness began to fade. He tried to speak, reaching out a trembling hand, but his thoughts scattered before he could say a word. Moments later, he fell into a deep sleep.
...
After a long while, Morax suddenly sat up in bed. Blinding sunlight poured through the window. He rose at once and looked outside—his pupils shrinking in disbelief as he froze on the spot.
Outside, the streets were neat and bustling with life. Children ran and played; adults busied themselves with daily work. The sun shone bright, the world lively and peaceful. The scene was so perfect it felt unreal—like a dream.
Creak...
The door opened softly. Guizhong stepped inside.
"My husband, you're awake," she said with a gentle smile.
"What... what's going on?" Morax asked, stunned.
"I don't know," she replied, shaking her head. "But I'm certain—what happened before wasn't a dream."
Guizhong came to stand beside him, looking out at the same tranquil scene, her heart still unsettled.
Morax froze. His thoughts went blank. He had watched Liyue burn—flames consuming the city, buildings collapsing, the streets running red with blood. Yet now, everything stood as before.
If what happened before wasn't a dream... then this must be one.
"Brother Elliot!"
"It has to be him! Where is he!?"
Guizhong shook her head. "I don't know. My last memory was of you fainting—and then I lost consciousness too."
Morax immediately rushed out. But just as he stepped outside, he was met by the Adepti and the Yaksha.
"You..." Morax froze.
"Lord Geo Emperor! We've all come back to life! The monsters are gone, the plague vanished, and all those revived gods—gone!"
Excited beyond control, Bosacius waved all four hands wildly.
"Hey, watch where you're swinging those," Indarias grumbled.
"Lord Geo Emperor, how did you bring us back? And how did you defeat so many gods?" Cloud Retainer asked curiously.
"It... wasn't me," Morax said, pushing past them and running outside.
He knew—Brother Elliot had become the supreme ruler of Celestia. He had to find him and understand what had happened, and how.
Once outside, Morax looked up—Celestia, which should have floated above, was gone. His eyes widened as he scanned the empty sky.
"Gone!? Impossible!"
Morax shot into the air, searching every corner of the heavens—but Celestia was nowhere to be found.
"Where is Celestia?! Where is Brother Elliot?!"
He opened spatial portals again and again, searching desperately—until he noticed two things missing from his own storage. One was his Gnosis. The other was the square box that reminded him of Elliot's existence.
Instantly, Morax turned into a golden streak of light, flying straight toward Mondstadt.
"Barbatos! Can you see Celestia?" he demanded the moment he arrived.
Caught off guard, Barbatos blinked, then instinctively looked up. After scanning the sky, his expression turned grave—Celestia was gone.
Seeing that look, Morax already knew the answer. "Check if your Gnosis is still there," he said urgently.
Barbatos immediately searched for himself. A moment later, his face stiffened as he looked back at Morax in confusion.
"It's gone..."
Morax staggered back in shock.
"How... how could this be..."
Without hesitation, he turned toward Inazuma. But everywhere he went, the answer was the same.
All six of the other Archons had lost their Gnoses, and Celestia had vanished. Each remembered their nations destroyed—each of them, except Morax, had died. Yet now, all of Teyvat had been restored, as if none of it had ever happened.
"Effective immediately, all restrictions are lifted. Technology may be freely developed."
At that moment, a voice echoed suddenly in the minds of the Seven Archons.