Summoning the Seven Archons to an Audience

"Looks like Director Hu is giving Zhongli a hard time again, probably making him go recruit business," someone commented.

"True, Director Hu always comes up with such strange ideas," another replied.

On his way back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli's expression was heavy.

The fact that the one from Celestia had contacted him was a highly abnormal occurrence.

In over six millennia, though he had occasionally caught a distant glimpse of that being, they had never once personally contacted any of the Seven Archons.

What's more, the connection between the one above and his own Geo Archon Divine Seat was now tighter than it had ever been, even when she was in her prime.

Had she fully recovered and grown even stronger?

What did this mean for Liyue—good fortune or impending disaster?

After all, whenever she acted, it was never during times of peace.

From the war against the Second Throne that shattered Teyvat's lands, to the Archon War that engulfed the land in fire and blood, to the Khaenri'ah Cataclysm five centuries ago—none of it boded well.

"Well, well! Zhongli, what's with the long face? Did the bird you had your eye on get snatched by someone else?"

The moment Zhongli stepped across the threshold of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a lively and mischievous voice greeted him.

"Director Hu, I have personal matters to attend to and would like to request a few days off."

"Days off? Zhongli, isn't every day basically a holiday for you? Drinking tea, birdwatching, enjoying the opera—you don't even do much real work!"

Hu Tao huffed indignantly as she slammed a thick pile of bills onto the table in front of him.

"Besides, Mingxing Jewelry just sent me a whole stack of invoices this morning. What did you buy this time? And why is it so expensive?"

"Director Hu," Zhongli replied calmly, choosing not to argue and waiting patiently for her response.

"Ah... Fine, fine. I can never win against you. You can have five days off, but I have a condition."

Hu Tao placed her hands on her hips, a look of reluctant resignation on her face.

Although her consultant spent money like water and even paid extra instead of bargaining, his knowledge was unparalleled. His ability to generate revenue justified his extravagant habits.

"Please, name it."

"When you're back, I want you to hand out flyers and recruit clients. I've got a brilliant idea!" Hu Tao exclaimed as she unfurled a massive half-meter-long piece of paper.

"With my creativity and your way with words, we'll have Wangsheng's business booming in no time!"

"Hey? Zhongli? Where'd you go?"

Hu Tao's smug tone quickly turned to confusion as she realized the towering figure of Zhongli had disappeared.

"I didn't even finish explaining my idea!"

"Zhongli! When you're back, I'm docking your pay!"

While the Wind and Geo Archons seemed relatively composed regarding the Heavenly Principle's summons, the Hydro Archon Focalors was far more on edge.

The moment she received the message, she fled her seat in the Oratrice, pale with worry.

This was her first time receiving a notification from Celestia.

Moreover, her Divine Seat and godhood had been forcibly passed to her by the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria.

She had never seen the Heavenly Principle or even the Four Shades of The Heavenly Principles.

"Could it be that my plans have already been discovered by the Heavenly Principle?"

Focalors raised her head and looked toward the sky, a sense of powerlessness and fear washing over her.

What she was planning was a direct affront to Celestia.

If exposed, the consequences would be catastrophic. She and Fontaine would likely face utter destruction at the hands of the Divine Nails descending from above.

"What should I do…"

She clenched her slender hands tightly before slowly releasing them with a defeated sigh.

If she went, she might be punished, but Fontaine could remain safe. If she didn't go, both she and Fontaine would certainly be doomed.

To oppose the Heavenly Principles is to court annihilation.

Inazuma

Dark clouds suddenly rolled across the skies above Narukami Island, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing ominously.

Inside Tenshukaku, the Raiden Shogun, seated in meditative stillness, was abruptly replaced by Raiden Ei. Her violet eyes snapped open in shock.

"A command from Celestia…"

Although she and her sister were born together two thousand years ago, before the Archon War, it had always been her sister who dealt with Celestia.

After her sister's death during the Khaenri'ah Cataclysm five hundred years ago, Ei had inherited the Electro Archon's seat. Even then, the only communication from Celestia had been the directive to assume her sister's mantle.

Beyond that, Celestia had been silent.

She harbored resentment toward Celestia—for sending her gentle, conflict-averse sister to Khaenri'ah. Yet she also held fear and reverence for Celestia's supreme authority, striving for eternity as it seemed closest to the Sustainer's ideals.

Now, glancing at the sky, Ei transformed into a bolt of lightning and ascended toward Celestia.

Even her sister had only visited Celestia once, after the Archon War, to ascend to her seat.

What awaited her this time, Ei could not predict.

But she knew she had no choice. Disobeying the Heavenly Principles would mean certain doom for both herself and Inazuma.

And Inazuma was her sister's legacy. No matter what, she would protect it.

At the summit of the highest peak of Narukami Island, Mt. Yougou, near the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko watched in bewilderment as Ei ascended toward Celestia in a flash of lightning.

"Ei? She's headed to Celestia? What's going on?"

Could it be that after locking herself away for five centuries, Ei had lost her mind?

Or had the mental erosion of eternity finally driven her to madness?

"This is bad!"

Various possibilities raced through Yae Miko's mind, filling her with panic.

"I need to act quickly."

While she had never witnessed Celestia's judgment firsthand, the results were plain to see: the snowy peaks of Mondstadt and the desolate lands of Sumeru.

The consequences of offending Celestia were despair itself.

Meanwhile, two of the Archons had already crossed paths en route to Celestia. As neighboring gods, Barbatos and Morax were the first to meet.

"Hey, old man! It's been five hundred years, and you're still as formidable as ever," Barbatos greeted warmly, his easygoing nature as evident as ever.

"It has indeed been a long time, Barbatos. Your strength remains impressive as well," Morax replied with a small, nostalgic nod. Among the Seven Archons, he was the oldest, and he had bid farewell to countless friends. The few who remained were precious to him.

"Oh, come on, old man, I'm nothing compared to you. So, what do you think this summons is about? You're the oldest of us—you must have some idea, right? Give me a hint, would you? I'm dying of anxiety here."

Barbatos sidled closer to Morax, lowering his voice like a nervous child seeking reassurance.

Morax shook his head at the sight of his friend's enduring carefree nature and replied, "I do not know. Though I have met her a few times, her will is absolute. Each time she speaks, it signifies the onset of a great event."

"A great event, huh? Old man, that just makes me even more scared." Barbatos grimaced. He already knew that a summons from the Sustainer meant something monumental.

Judging by Morax's lack of answers, even the oldest of the Seven Archons wasn't privy to much information.

"Ah well, we'll take it one step at a time."

"The last time she summoned us was five hundred years ago. Back then, it was just you and me—the others were gone. This time, I'm worried it'll be my turn to go."

Barbatos' face darkened with worry.

"You underestimate yourself. Your strength is far from inadequate," Morax said firmly.

He was well-acquainted with Barbatos' power. Although slightly weaker than his own, the gap wasn't significant.

That said, Erosion had taken its toll. Morax himself had lost more than half his peak strength due to erosion, and he suspected Barbatos was in a similar state.

Erosion was their greatest foe.

Losing strength was manageable, but the erosion of memory and sanity loomed as an even graver threat.

In another five hundred years, Morax feared he might succumb to the same fate as Azhdaha.

Further along the way, they encountered two more Archons: Baal—Ei's true name—and Focalors, the Hydro Archon.

"Hey! Ei! Focalors!" Barbatos waved enthusiastically.

"Barbatos," Ei responded curtly. She didn't feel like chatting with the overly familiar Anemo Archon.

"Greetings, Morax, Barbatos, Baal," Focalors said hesitantly. This was her first time meeting the Archons of other nations.

"Greetings, Focalors," Morax replied with a nod. He wasn't particularly familiar with the Hydro Archon.

"Pardon me, esteemed elders, but do you know why the Heavenly Principle have summoned us?" Focalors asked nervously.

She hoped these three senior Archons might know more than she did.

Ei turned her gaze toward Morax and Barbatos. She was equally eager for answers.

Morax and Barbatos exchanged helpless glances.

"Ah, we don't know either. We'll have to wait until we reach Celestia to find out," Barbatos said, spreading his hands.

If I knew, would I have asked the old man earlier?

"Very well," Focalors sighed internally, hoping that her secret plans hadn't been discovered. If they had, Fontaine would surely suffer Celestia's wrath in the form of an icy Divine Nail.

When the four Archons arrived at Celestia, the outskirts of the island remained as they had always been.

But the central structures had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Towering above them was a grand palace, a hundred times the size of the Opera Epiclese, resplendent with gold and exuding an aura of majesty and divinity.

Barbatos and Morax, who had visited Celestia before, exchanged glances.

The changes made one thing clear: the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had fully recovered.

For Focalors and Ei, who were seeing Celestia for the first time, the palace seemed natural—they had no point of reference.

As the four gods ascended the grand staircase leading into the palace, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles' sustainer greeted them coldly.

"The Heavenly Principle are waiting for you."

"Um, aren't we waiting for the other three?" Barbatos asked weakly, raising a hand.

The sustainer's Abyssal corruption had completely disappeared, and her aura now matched her prime strength. It was clear that the Sustainer had indeed recovered fully.

"The four of you are sufficient. Don't waste time."

Asmoday's voice was icy as she turned and entered the palace.

"Just us four?" Barbatos muttered in confusion, a chill running down his spine as a troubling thought crossed his mind.

As the Anemo Archon, he had access to whispers carried by the winds of other nations. He was aware of the troubling news: Sumeru's Archon had been imprisoned by her own people, Snezhnaya was actively preparing to rebel against Celestia, and Natlan was embroiled in chaos from infighting.

Could it be... the other three have already been sentenced to death by the Heavenly Principles?

"Gulp." Barbatos swallowed hard and followed the others into the palace with heavy steps.