Chapter 5

Inazuma

Dark clouds suddenly rolled over Narukami Island, and thunder flashed.

Raiden Ei, who was sitting quietly in the Tenshukaku with her eyes closed, was startled. Her purple eyes opened in disbelief.

"An order from Sky Island..."

Although she and her sister were born before the Archon War two thousand years ago, Raiden Ei herself had never come into direct contact with Sky Island. It was her sister, Raiden Makoto, who had communicated with Sky Island in the past.

She only took over her sister's position after her sister died in the Khaenri'ah disaster five hundred years ago. Even then, she only received the order to succeed as the Electro Archon. Beyond that, there had been no further commands.

She felt resentment toward Sky Island, resenting why it was her sister, who was not adept at combat, who had to go to Khaenri'ah. But she also held awe for Sky Island and its supreme authority, hence her pursuit of eternity, believing it to be the closest thing to heaven.

Raiden Ei looked up at the sky and transformed into lightning, making her way to Sky Island. Even her sister had only been to Sky Island when ascending to the divine throne after the Archon War. She didn't know what awaited her this time, but she knew she had to go. Violating heavenly principles would bring punishment upon both her and Inazuma.

Narukami Island was her sister's Inazuma, and she would protect it no matter what.

---

At the highest peak of Narukami Island, near the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko stared in confusion at the figure that transformed into lightning and rushed toward Sky Island.

"She's heading to Sky Island? What is happening? Has she lost her mind after being secluded for five hundred years? Or has erosion weakened her mental state to the point of instability?"

"This is bad!"

Yae Miko panicked, thinking of all the possible reasons. She had never witnessed heavenly punishment firsthand, but just looking at the snowy peaks of Mondstadt and the desolation in Sumeru gave her a sense of despair about defying Sky Island.

---

The four Archons rushed to Sky Island, with Barbatos and Morax meeting each other first.

"Hey, I haven't seen you in five hundred years, but you're still as strong as ever," Barbatos greeted Morax in a friendly manner.

"It has been a while, Barbatos. You haven't weakened either," Morax nodded, nostalgia in his voice. As the oldest among the Archons, he had seen too many friends leave. Having one or two old friends left meant a lot to him.

"Hey, how can I compare to you, old man? By the way, do you have any idea why we've been summoned? You're the oldest, can you shed some light on this to ease my nerves?" Barbatos leaned in close, his expression one of worry.

Morax shook his head slightly. His old friend still had the same "free" spirit as before.

"I do not know either. Though I have seen him a few times, his will is always absolute. Whenever he speaks, something significant is about to happen."

"Something significant... Master, now I'm even more nervous," Barbatos said, his face contorting in discomfort. He understood that being summoned by the Heavenly Principles could only mean something major. Even the oldest among them didn't seem to know much.

"The last time we were called together was five hundred years ago. Back then, apart from you and me, all our colleagues were gone. This time, maybe it's my turn," Barbatos said bitterly.

"Relax, you're not that fragile," Morax replied calmly. He knew Barbatos's strength well—although slightly weaker than his own, the gap wasn't that significant. However, wear and tear had reduced Morax's power to less than half of what it was in his prime. His old friend must be in a similar condition.

Wear and tear was their biggest enemy. Though their strength was still formidable, their memories and sanity were being worn away. In five hundred years, Morax feared he might end up like Azhdaha.

"Ah, it's Raiden Ei and Furina of Fontaine," Barbatos said, waving as he saw the two Archons approaching.

"Barbatos," Raiden Ei acknowledged briefly. She wasn't in the mood for small talk with the familiar Anemo Archon.

"Hello, Morax, Barbatos, Raiden Ei," Furina greeted somewhat formally. This was her first time meeting the Archons of the other nations.

"A pleasure to meet you, Furina," Morax nodded. He wasn't particularly familiar with the new Hydro Archon.

"May I ask you three seniors if there is a significant reason for this summons from the Heavenly Principles?" Furina asked anxiously. As a second-generation Archon, she lacked the knowledge that the others possessed.

Raiden Ei looked at Morax and Barbatos; she also wanted to know the answer.

Morax and Barbatos exchanged helpless glances.

"We don't know either. We will only understand when we reach Sky Island," Barbatos said, shrugging. If he knew, he wouldn't be asking.

"Alright," Furina sighed inwardly, hoping that her actions hadn't been discovered. Otherwise, Fontaine might find itself facing divine punishment.

The four Archons arrived at Sky Island simultaneously. The exterior of Sky Island looked as it had before, but the central structure had changed. Now there stood a magnificent palace, a hundred times larger than the Grand Opera House, resplendent and filled with majesty and holiness.

Barbatos and Morax, having visited Sky Island before, exchanged a look—they understood. Sky Island had changed because the Law of Heaven had returned.

For Furina and Raiden Ei, this was their first visit, so they assumed Sky Island had always been like this.

The four Archons ascended the grand staircase of the temple, where the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles stood at the end, speaking indifferently.

"The Law of Heaven is waiting for you."

"Shouldn't we wait for the other three Archons?" Barbatos asked weakly, raising his hand slightly.

The dark, corrupt aura from the Abyss had completely disappeared from her presence. Her aura was not much different from when she was at her peak.

"It will just be the four of you. Don't waste time," Asmodeus replied, turning and walking into the temple.

"Just the four of us?" Barbatos was confused, a chill running down his spine as he thought of something. As the God of Wind, he had heard news from other nations through the wind's whispers. The people of Sumeru had imprisoned their Archon, Snezhnaya was preparing to defy the power of heaven, and Natlan was embroiled in internal conflict.

Could it be... that those three Archons were condemned by heavenly law?

"Gulp," Barbatos swallowed, steeling himself as he walked into the temple.