Goodbye, Snezhnaya

*Pa!* "What's the meaning of this?" Allen charged into the throne room with Ellen at her back.

"Allen, you are in front of her highness. Show some respect" Pantalone who was next to the Tsaritsa glared respectively at Allen.

"It matters not" The Tsaritsa stated as she quickly ignored Allen and Pantalone, her eyes going over Ellen "I can see that you have completed my task. Well done."

"What was all of that?" Allen interrupted "What's the meaning of Ellen obtaining a Cryo Vision for the task? What was all of that?" Allen requested strongly. He could accept being played around to a certain point, but he couldn't bear the thought of his sister being put in harm's way, even if it was just a slight risk.

"You requested help for your sister to control her condition, and that's the best solution for her powers," the Tsaritsa explained calmly. "Ellen's condition wasn't an illness at all; it was an aftereffect of her unique talent. Her soul possesses exceptional strength, and her body has an extraordinary capacity to attract elemental power, even involuntarily and beyond her control. She unwittingly absorbed elemental energy from her surroundings, but for normal humans, elemental power acts like a poison, slowly corroding their bodies."

"So unlike me who is not compatible at all, Ellen is too compatible. And what would be a blessing for a Vision user, is an illness for a normal human" Allen looked over Ellen who was clenching the Vision "So now that Ellen is a Vision user her problem should be gone. But if it's like this..."

"You have lied" Allen turned over the Tsaritsa "She was being frozen alive because she was here at Snezhanaya City, near you where the Cryo element is at its strongest. She did not need to stay here at your care, it would have been enough to take her away from the city."

"I spoke no lies," the Tsaritsa replied evenly. "You asked for a cure for her condition, not just an improvement. While it is true that her condition would have improved elsewhere, it would have only been a temporary relief, as she would still absorb elemental energy wherever she went, even if it were less potent than here."

"That is the reason here in my domain is the most secure place as I am able to control the elemental energy within it, controlling the intake of Ellen similar as I control it to my guests, avoiding them being frozen over." The Tsaritsa explained, "Unless you found a place devoid of elemental energy, her condition would have appeared again."

"And we did not find a good idea to throw her to the Abyss" Pantalone stated.

'In the end, I've been played around. I could have found my own solution if I knew it, but I do not regret my decision. In the end, this was the safest route for Ellen, even if I hate to admit it.'

"But what was the meaning of this task to the old capital? How come Leonard's body disappeared being replaced by Ellen's Vision?"

"You know very little of Visions, Allen" The Tsaritsa said "There are certain rules and limitations to obtaining one, making it quite difficult and tedious. However, there are ways to bypass them and find cracks in the system, but that is not something you need to know."

"So what it meant Leonard? Why was he there and what happened at the old capital?" Allen asked.

"For Leonard, I suppose that you are referring to Naberius, the God of Peaks" The Tsaritsa explained "And for the reasons behind him, you will learn them at its time" The Tsaritsa pointed at Ellen. "She holds the key for them. Take it, use it and grow stronger, then you will discover a new truth."

"Tch!" Allen clicked his tongue 'Always the same, never saying anything.'

"You should be happy, Allen" Pantalone interjected "You accomplished your objective. You have "healed" your sister. You are free to leave Snezhnaya with her. Nevertheless, never forget that you are a Harbinger and that's something that you are marked for the rest of your life."

"Is that so..." Allen glared at him "So I'm free to leave now? There are no more missions?"

Pantalone turned towards the Tsaritsa whose pale eyes scanned over Allen before nodding "You are free to go. It is too early for the next step. I will inform you when the time comes."

Allen nodded, quickly turning around and taking Ellen with him.

"Allen" Just as he was about to leave, Pantalone called him, Allen turning around "The next Purge is in two years. Accept your Delusion and grow stronger if you desire to survive."

"I'll take it into account" Allen turned around again 'They are too aware of my condition. This sucks' Allen and Ellen left the room, returning to their house.

"Your Highness, do you truly think that he would be able to accomplish it?" Pantalone asked.

"If it does, it will make everything faster, but it is not something totally necessary. We will keep the original plan and see what comes from Vepar's decision." The Tsaritsa turned over the chess board next to her, looking at two black-bluish pawns "Let's see what they grow into."

...

Returning to the mansion, Allen and Ellen quickly prepared to leave the place. Allen did not need much preparation as he hadn't spent much time there, but with Ellen living for two years, she needed some preparations before moving.

Thankfully, thanks to Dania's skills, she prepared everything in a time record, even preparing their transport to Mondstadt.

Allen was quite surprised at how capable she was, her talents as a maid far overshadowing the errors and bad manners of her little brother.

For the next day, they had everything prepared and put over a carriage over the gates of the mansion.

"Bye, Dania, Viktor. Take care of house" Ellen said goodbye to Dania "And take care of you and your brother, do not push yourself too much."

"I will wait for your return, mistress" Dania bowed "I'll pray for your good trip."

Allen looked over the mansion before turning to Dania "Better not wait for her ever" 'I might be forced to return as a Harbinger, but I'll keep Ellen away from this place. She will never need to step to Snezhnaya again and maybe someday, even forget our bad memories and suffering from it.'

"Brother?" Ellen tugged Allen's wrist. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes" Allen turned over Ellen with a bright smile "Let's go to Mondstadt. To our new home."

"Yes" Ellen nodded and both entered the carriage, starting their trip.

...

In a remote and secluded mountain, far from the watchful eyes of any city, an enigmatic black orb materialized into existence, emanating a soft blue glow from within. Within its depths, countless radiant elements sparkled like distant stars.

*CR* The air itself seemed to quiver and tremble as cracking sounds echoed through the surroundings. More orbs emerged, growing larger and eventually coalescing into a single massive sphere, measuring over 5 meters in diameter.

*Pa!* Suddenly, a young woman emerged from the amalgamated orb. With pale skin and chin-length blonde hair, she possessed an ethereal beauty. Two locks of shoulder-length hair framed her delicate face. Her attire comprised a white dress adorned with two light-blue flowers adorning the right side of her head.

However, the instant she appeared, the woman collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious. Her breath being the only sign of life amidst the profound silence of the mountain.