["We both know the Fatui sent a large number of troops into The Chasm."]
["There are Fatui camps everywhere down here."]
["If it weren't for this map, there's no way we could have escaped so smoothly."]
["The Chasm may have many exits, but this place is far too treacherous. We can't take Chenxi and gamble with her life."]
[Yelan shakes her head. Her hand grips Aqua Simulacra so tightly that her knuckles turn pale.]
["No… That's not true. We can definitely find another exit. I'll protect you and Chenxi with my life… I…"]
["Stop lying to yourself."]
[You cut her off calmly.]
["You know this is the best option. It's also the only option."]
["I'll clear out the Fatui guarding this exit. Once the danger's gone, you can bring Chenxi up."]
[Yelan bites down hard on her lower lip.]
[Of course she knows your plan is the best one.]
[But even if there were only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, she still wouldn't want you to take it.]
[She just underestimated your stubbornness.]
[Then again, someone like you was never going to change your mind so easily.]
[I was careless…]
[Yelan's eyes redden as she curses under her breath.]
["Kael… you heartless bastard."]
[She knows exactly how deep her feelings for you run, yet you still chose deception, forcing her to watch you walk away.]
[She clenches her teeth, powerless to stop you.]
[Hearing the exhaustion and helpless anger in her voice, you know she's given in.]
[You turn around and walk away.]
["Brother!"]
[Chenxi's voice reaches you from behind, trembling with tears.]
["You have to be careful. Yelan and I will wait for you to come back!"]
[Your steps falter for a brief moment, but you don't stop.]
[With unwavering resolve, you continue forward.]
[You quickly reach the exit and climb up to the surface.]
[Just as you expected, the Fatui have already stationed heavy forces here.]
[You don't bother hiding yourself, appearing openly in front of them.]
["There he is!"]
[The first Fatui soldier to spot you shouts, and everyone rushes forward, surrounding you from all sides.]
["You damn traitor! You actually dare show your face again?"]
[You glance around, then smile with satisfaction.]
[From their equipment and weapons, you can tell these are the Fatui's sharpest elite troops.]
[It seems the work you did after leaving the Fatui wasn't wasted after all.]
[You must have caused them quite a bit of trouble.]
[That's why they're treating you with such caution.]
[Ice gathers in your palm as a long, crystalline sword slowly takes shape.]
[You're different from intelligence operatives like Yelan who favor direct combat.]
[You're more accustomed to lurking in the shadows, plotting and pulling strings.]
[Your combat skills may not match hers, but that doesn't mean you're weak.]
[Your elemental talent far surpasses that of others. Even as a child, the density of your Elemental Power exceeded that of many adults.]
[The ice you condense is harder than steel itself.]
[Perhaps that's why shaping weapons from ice has always been your greatest Talent.]
[The moment the blade fully forms, you raise your hand and slash toward the nearest Fatui without hesitation.]
[Blood sprays from his throat, splattering across the clear, icy sword.]
["Traitor?"]
[You continue activating your Elemental Skill as jagged ice spikes erupt from the ground, pinning your enemies' feet in place.]
[A Fatui soldier raises a flamethrower and fires at you. An ice wall instantly rises in front of you, blocking the attack.]
[When the ice wall melts under the fire, you burst through the rising steam and drive your sword straight through the enemy's chest.]
[It doesn't take long before the Fatui's so-called finest soldiers are all lying on the ground.]
[The moment blood touches the ice blade, it freezes solid.]
[Your sword is now completely stained red.]
[A pure, vivid red.]
[So rich it makes the blade look as though it were carved from the finest ruby.]
[Yelan hides with Chenxi not far from the exit.]
[Chenxi listens intently to the faint sounds drifting up from above.]
["Yelan, it sounds quiet now. Did Brother defeat all the enemies?"]
[The moment the noise stops, Chenxi turns to Yelan and asks.]
[Yelan leans against the rock, eyes closed.]
[After finding a safe hiding place, she hasn't moved at all, like a statue.]
[Hearing Chenxi's voice, she slowly opens her eyes.]
[The instant Chenxi meets her gaze, she freezes.]
[She sees fear filling Yelan's eyes.]
[Chenxi's heart jolts.]
["Yelan… does that mean Brother was…"]
[Yelan's expression makes her thoughts spiral toward the worst possibility.]
["Brother, he…"]
[Before she can finish, tears spill from her eyes, one after another.]
["No. Kael will be fine."]
[Yelan speaks softly, gently wiping away Chenxi's tears.]
[As if reassuring herself, she repeats it once more.]
["He'll definitely be fine."]
["Let's wait a little longer."]