Step by step, step by step... Dainsleif silently counted his footsteps, moving forward with the regularity of a pendulum clock.
After passing through numerous mechanisms, he finally stopped in an unfamiliar hall.
The sound of footsteps echoed against the dust-covered walls surrounding him. A beam of sunlight pierced through a crack overhead, like a ray of salvation in the darkness, dispersing the shadows and carving out a clearing.
"The stage of fate has been set. Shouldn't the actors make their appearance now?"
A familiar Abyssal rift opened behind Dainsleif, and an Abyss Herald along with countless Abyss Mages quickly surrounded him.
"So you knew all along."
Dainsleif curled his lips into a faint smile as he surveyed his surroundings. It seemed the majority of the Abyss Order's forces had already gathered here.
"Of course I knew. The Loom of Fate is still missing its most crucial component, isn't it?"
Neither side explicitly stated it, but both knew exactly what that crucial component was.
This thing would determine the future direction of the Abyss Order. Tension crept into the hearts of every Abyss Order member participating in this battle.
The floating Abyss Lector slowly gazed at Dainsleif, its tone carrying an air of indisputable authority.
"Since you foresaw that we would have this battle at the crossroads of fate, you should know that the march of the Abyss cannot be stopped."
The icy glares around him seemed ready to pierce through Dainsleif, yet he couldn't help but laugh.
"Indeed. That's why I specifically chose this place for you all. Here... will be your burial ground."
The light above twisted, casting its glow upon everyone present.
With those words, both sides knew there was no more room for discussion—only the inevitable choice that none could avoid.
Dainsleif had long been prepared for battle. Or rather, he had anticipated this outcome from the very beginning. A faint, ghostly blue energy flickered in his palm.
The moment the performance began, Dainsleif turned his gaze toward Aether's direction.
"Then... I leave the rest to you, Aether."
...
"This is too cruel, Father..."
Caribert shoved Eide aside as purple light erupted from his body.
"No, it's all my fault, Caribert... It's all my fault... Had I known sooner..."
Eide clutched his chest in agony. Aether raised his hand to shield himself from the sudden, violent gust of wind. Amidst the swirling Abyssal particles, he sensed a palpitation-inducing aura emanating from before him.
Caribert slowly reached for his mask. At that moment, the full force of the Abyss erupted, blasting both of them away.
Gritting his teeth, Aether tried to push himself up with his elbows, but it felt as though an invisible weight pressed down on him, making it impossible to stand. Even his head was forced down by an unknown oppressive force.
After what felt like an eternity, the turmoil ahead finally subsided. Aether dragged his heavy body up slowly.
Eide was already standing silently by the bed, lost in thought.
"So that's how it is... So that's how it is..."
Eide laughed—a mad, frenzied laugh, as if delighted by his son's final outcome.
Noticing movement behind him, Eide turned around. The anxious, worried father was gone. In his place stood a man whose wrinkled face revealed his true nature.
His calm yet sharp gaze scrutinized Aether.
"Now, there's no need to keep up this act with you. I recognized your identity long ago."
Aether drew his Dull Blade.
"Your real name isn't Eide, is it? I've never heard Dainsleif mention that name before."
Eide spread his arms and walked confidently toward the window.
"Of course. How could someone as noble as you, or the Twilight Sword, captain of the Royal Guard, possibly know every aristocrat?
"My true name is Chlothar Alberich."
A bolt of lightning split the darkened sky. The thunderclap jolted Aether awake, his eyes widening in disbelief at the man before him.
"From what just happened, I am absolutely certain—the power that erupted from Caribert was the Abyss.
Only sinners... can save sinners!
Born from overwhelming sorrow, Caribert... He will become..."
....
"The Loom of Fate."
Caribert smiled bitterly as he confessed to Rover, who stood listening before him.
"My father was the founder of the Abyss Order. He used me to construct the 'Loom of Fate.' What you see before you is merely a fleeting consciousness."
Rover nodded. Based on Caribert's words, he could roughly guess what was about to unfold.
"You don't seem concerned..."
Caribert looked puzzled. Rover smiled and set his blade down on the floor beside him.
"I told you—I trust Aether and Dainsleif. That's why I'm willing to talk with you here.
You have your mission, and I have my faith. The two aren't mutually exclusive."
Indeed, Caribert's task was to stall Rover. Though he had succeeded, why... did he feel no joy?
Seeing Rover so unshaken was like punching cotton—utterly futile.
"May I ask one last question?"
Rover took out an apple he carried with him and offered it, but then remembered that Caribert was merely a consciousness inserted into his mind. Embarrassed, he withdrew it.
"Go ahead."
Caribert noticed that Rover harbored no hostility toward him, treating him instead like a friend.
"Why did you choose this particular story?"
After a long silence, Caribert finally met Rover's gaze solemnly.
"Because... for the Loom of Fate, this was where it all began."
....
Time rewound to one day earlier.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Aether? There's a letter here addressed specifically to you."
After handing the letter to Aether, Masloor hurried off to another destination.
Under the scorching sun, Aether licked his parched lips and unfolded the letter.
[The Abyss will make its move again. This time, their target is the "eye"—the core of the Field Tiller we obtained in Mondstadt.
I have already prepared a trap, but as a precaution, I have entrusted this "eye" to you. I believe we can use this core to lure Lumine out. Let's discuss the details at the Deya's Tavern.
Sender: Dainsleif]
Clearly, this was another opportunity to speak with his sister, Lumine. Aether didn't want to miss it, but he knew all too well that if Rover and Lumine were to meet again, their relationship might worsen further.
And so... I'm sorry, Brother Rover...
Aether buried his thoughts deep within and spread the letter open.
"Brother Rover, do you want to read it?"
Aether didn't understand why his heart was pounding so violently. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead from the heat.
Only when Rover shook his head did he quietly let out a sigh of relief.
....
"You didn't actually want Rover to see that letter, did you?"
Paimon asked innocently along the way. Aether's heart nearly stopped, his face stiffening for a moment before he forced a bitter smile.
If even Paimon could tell... then did Brother Rover already know as well...?
A reflexively crumpled the letter, disintegrating it with Electro before steadying his emotions and responding to Paimon.
"Whether it's my sister or Brother Rover, there's already an irreconcilable conflict between them. I can't let them meet again. If I want to mediate, it has to be done step by step."
Paimon nodded in understanding.
"So... this letter is about the Abyss again?"
This time, Aether hesitated. He didn't want Paimon getting too involved. Some words could only be spoken to Lumine alone.
I'm sorry, Paimon. This is the first time I've lied to you.
"I don't know. I only know that the letter was signed by Dainsleif, asking me to meet him at Deya's Tavern."
...
"Trying to handle it alone?"
Dainsleif took a sip of wine, emphasizing the word "alone" like the tolling of a bell that reverberated through the narrow confines of Aether's heart.
But... Aether understood. After everything that had happened between him and Lumine, there were already too many misunderstandings. He needed to settle things with her himself.
This was a knot only he could untie.
Aether's eyes gradually filled with determination. Dainsleif took another sip, the fiery liquor burning down his throat along with the original plans he had prepared.
"I understand your choice. Then let's set off. I'll explain everything to you both along the way."
....