Chapter 5: Heavenly Reason

Inazuma

The sky over Narukami Island suddenly darkened as storm clouds rolled in, and lightning flashed across the horizon.

Inside the Tenshukaku of the Inazuma Shogunate, the Raiden Shogun, with eyes closed in meditation, was taken over by Ei. Her violet eyes snapped open in disbelief.

"An order from Celestia..."

Although she and her sister were born before the Archon War two thousand years ago, she had never interacted with Celestia. It was always her sister who had such contact.

She only took over her sister's divine seat after her sister died in the Khaenri'ah disaster five hundred years ago. Even then, the only command she received was to assume the Raiden Shogun's position.

Since then, there had been no further orders.

She felt a mix of resentment and reverence towards Celestia. She resented them for sending her non-combative sister to Khaenri'ah, and she revered their supreme authority, believing that eternity was the closest path to the Heavenly Principles.

Looking up at the sky, Ei transformed into lightning and ascended towards Celestia.

Even her sister had only visited Celestia after the Archon War ended and she ascended to godhood.

What would happen this time, she did not know.

But she knew she had to go, for defying the Heavenly Principles would bring punishment upon both her and Inazuma.

Inazuma belonged to her sister, and she would protect it at all costs.

### Mount Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine

Miss Fox gazed blankly at the figure of lightning shooting towards Celestia.

"Ei has gone to Celestia?"

What was happening?

Had she lost her mind after isolating herself for five hundred years?

Or had she succumbed to erosion to the point of madness?

"This is bad!"

Yae Miko thought of all the possible reasons and panicked.

"I need to take measures quickly."

She had never witnessed a punishment from the Heavenly Principles herself, but looking at the massive snow-capped mountain in Mondstadt and the barren lands of Sumeru, the thought of incurring Celestia's wrath filled her with despair.

...

The four Archons hurried to Celestia, and as neighbors, Barbatos and Morax were the first to meet.

"Hey, old man, it's been five hundred years! You're still as strong as ever."

Barbatos greeted Morax familiarly.

"It's been a while, Barbatos. You haven't weakened either," Morax nodded nostalgically. As the oldest among the Seven, he had seen many friends depart and cherished the few who remained.

"Ah, I can't compare to you. By the way, do you have any idea why we're being summoned? As the oldest, you might know something that could ease my mind."

Barbatos whispered, looking small and anxious.

Morax shook his head, amused by his friend's eternal "free" spirit. "I don't know either. Though I've met with Celestia a few times, their will is absolute. Whenever they speak, something significant is happening."

"Something significant... That makes me even more nervous," Barbatos grimaced. He knew Celestia wouldn't summon them without a serious reason, but even the oldest Archon didn't seem to know much.

Sigh, I'll just have to take it one step at a time.

"The last time we were all summoned was five hundred years ago. Only you and I are left from that time. I fear I might not make it this time," Barbatos wore a bitter expression.

"Don't worry. You're stronger than you think," Morax said steadily.

He knew his friend's strength well. Although not quite on par with his own, the difference wasn't vast. However, erosion had reduced his power to less than half of its peak, and he assumed Barbatos was in a similar state.

Erosion was their greatest enemy, affecting not just their power, but also their memories and sanity.

In another five hundred years, he might end up like Azhdaha.

"Ah, Beelzebul, and Fontaine's Focalors," Barbatos waved to the approaching Archons.

"Barbatos," Ei acknowledged him briefly. She wasn't fond of chatting with the overly friendly Anemo Archon.

"Hello, Morax, Barbatos, Beelzebul," Focalors greeted them timidly. It was her first time meeting the other Archons.

"Nice to meet you, Focalors," Morax nodded. He wasn't familiar with the Hydro Archon.

"Can you tell me why Celestia has summoned us? You three are senior Archons and must know more than I do," Focalors asked nervously.

Ei looked at Morax and Barbatos. She also wanted to know.

Morax and Barbatos exchanged helpless glances.

"Sigh, we don't know. We'll only understand once we reach Celestia," Barbatos shrugged. If he knew, he wouldn't have asked the old man.

"Alright," Focalors sighed inwardly, hoping her actions hadn't been discovered. Otherwise, a Nail from Celestia would surely strike Fontaine.

The four Archons arrived at Celestia together.

The outer part of Celestia looked unchanged, but the central architecture had transformed.

It was now a magnificent palace, a hundred times grander than the Obikla Theater, resplendent with gold and exuding majesty and sanctity.

Barbatos and Morax, having been to Celestia before, exchanged knowing looks. Celestia had changed because the Heavenly Principles had recovered.

For Focalors and Ei, this was their first visit, and they assumed Celestia had always looked this way.

The four Archons climbed the grand steps of the palace. At the top, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles spoke coldly.

"The Heavenly Principles are waiting for you."

"Shouldn't we wait for the other three?" Barbatos weakly raised his hand.

The aura of Abyssal corruption had completely vanished from the Sustainer, and her presence was almost as strong as it had been at her peak.

It seemed the Heavenly Principles were fully restored.

"Only you four. Don't waste time," Asmoday said coldly before turning and entering the palace.

"Just us four?" Barbatos was confused, then felt a chill down his spine.

As the Archon of Anemo, he was aware of the happenings in other nations through the winds.

Sumeru had imprisoned their god, Snezhnaya was preparing to rebel against Celestia, and Natlan was divided by various factions.

Could it be that the other three Archons had been sentenced to death by Celestia?

"Gulp," Barbatos swallowed hard and reluctantly entered the palace.

......................................................................................

Stones pls?