By the year of the Kalpa Flame, the key points of the [Before Sun and Moon] were all but analyzed. What remained was everything that came after—what could simply be called…
"The [After Sun and Moon]. Quite the fitting name, don't you think?"
Pleased with his own naming sense, Victor Wang flipped open, in his mind, this nonexistent tome—the [After Sun and Moon].
On the continent of Teyvat, there were only two wars that could truly be called "world-shattering." The first was the Primordial One's subjugation of the Seven Dragons, and the second, the war between the Primordial One and the Second Throne.
At least, that was how it appeared from the records sensed within Enkanomiya's history. After all, if the heavens collapsed and the earth crumbled, even those dwelling below the ground should have felt it. Thus, it was reasonable enough to assume there had only been these two cataclysmic wars.
With that premise established, everything beyond naturally fell into the realm of conjecture.
The war of the Kalpa Flame left traces not only among the Seelie but also among the dragons.
The first Dendro Dragon, Apep, once said that the Dragon Sovereign, Nibelung, had drawn forth a pitch-black power from beyond the world itself, waging an unparalleled battle against the Heavenly Principles—a war that nearly destroyed all creation. This occurred after "some dragons had grown close to mortal life, forgetting their ancient hatred over the loss of the world"—that is, after the Seven Dragons had already yielded to the Primordial One.
The Hydro Dragon, Neuvillette, also mentioned that during the war of vengeance, he was gravely wounded; the usurper's functions were damaged, and he could no longer suppress the world's original order by his divine authority.
If we regard that vengeance as the dragons' revenge, the world's original order as the dragons' order, the usurper as the Heavenly Principles, and equate the Heavenly Principles and the Primordial One as either the same power or even the same being, then the accounts of the Kalpa Flame, the Dendro Dragon, and the Hydro Dragon—three battles in all—align in motive, timing, and participants.
And thus, through this transition, the [After Sun and Moon] truly begins.
Although the Primordial One triumphed over the Second Throne, he too was grievously wounded, no longer able to subdue the dragonkind by his own strength. Thereafter, together with another Descender, he forged the Gnosis using the remains of the third Descender.
How long the Primordial One endured from injury to exhaustion is unknown—too few clues, so that part must be skipped.
How much time passed between the birth of the Gnosis and the outbreak of the Archon War is likewise omitted.
As for who that other Descender was—that, too, is left unsaid… though it is worth noting: a Descender is not necessarily a Throne. The Second Descender is not necessarily the Second Throne, and the Third Descender may not have truly died at all. After all, if even a simple girl like little Ming could defy death through willpower, if the memories of Kitsune Saiguu and the lingering spirit of Orobashi could persist—then the stronger one's power, the easier it becomes to survive without a body.
In any case, skipping ahead through all that time, we arrive at the Archon War.
The Archons, wielding their own power and fragments of the Primordial One's essence, either voluntarily or involuntarily joined the war for supremacy—fighting to claim the Gnosis that granted access to the ancient authorities. In the end, the Seven emerged victorious, establishing their divine dominion over the world.
Afterward, when human desires reached the heavens, even if the Seven did not know who among mortals bore such fervent wishes, they would still bestow upon them fragments of the ancient dragon's authority—the right to command the elements. These became known as Visions.
Those granted Visions were called the Chosen, or the Original Ones.
Neuvillette once said that when a Vision bearer fulfilled their "mission," the Archon who granted it would receive a generous "recompense."
What this mission truly is remains unknown. Yet, when a Vision bearer fulfills it, perhaps they are summoned to Celestia.
As for what the recompense might be—it is not entirely a mystery…
A theory—logical, consistent, yet utterly unproven—surfaced in Victor Wang's mind.
"If we're going to chase conjecture," he murmured, "then let's see it through to the end."
To understand this theory, one must first realize that the granting of a Vision is not something only the Seven can do, nor does it require possession of a Gnosis. Any being that wields the authority of the ancient dragons can bestow one—namely: the Seven who hold the Gnoses, the dragons who reclaimed their ancient power… and the Primordial One, or rather, the Heavenly Principles themselves.
The Primordial One subdued the Seven Dragons and, before the creation of the Gnoses, kept them suppressed by sheer force. When he could suppress them no longer—or perhaps even earlier—he seized their authorities and sealed them within seven divine thrones, entrusting the key to communicate with those thrones to the Gnoses.
Before the thrones collapsed, the Seven Archons merely borrowed the right of use of the ancient powers through the Gnoses—just as Vision bearers borrow the right of use of elemental forces through their Visions. The ownership of that power, however, remained in the hands of the Heavenly Principles.
Thus, though it appears that only the Seven bestow fragments of the dragon's authority upon humans, perhaps the Heavenly Principles should also be counted among the givers. And though only the Seven seem to receive the recompense, perhaps the Heavenly Principles receive it as well.
Dragons are Teyvat's native species. Humans are the invaders created by the Primordial One. Regardless of whether humans revere the Primordial or resent the dragons, in essence, humanity and dragonkind are not of the same side.
With this in mind, consider again the mission of Vision bearers.
The Seven, following the Heavenly Principles' command, grant fragments of the ancient dragon's power to humans. As humanity uses these fragments, they likely offer up their intense desires in return.
After all, those fervent desires are sealed within the Visions themselves. Deprived of their Visions long enough, bearers lose memories and even parts of their minds.
Moreover, Azar once listed "the leylines of the human realm" alongside "the elemental currents of the realm of light" and "the undercurrents of the void realm." Humanity's true power has never been the diluted elemental force of the realm of light—but the leylines.
And what are leylines? They govern the cycle of all living things in Teyvat. But can that cycle carry memories or emotions?
Of course not. If everyone kept their memories through reincarnation, the world would descend into chaos!
When a person comes into this world naked and leaves it the same, what becomes of the memories, emotions, and desires they accumulate over a lifetime—all the things unnecessary for the cycle?
They are processed by the leylines.
Desires, faith, intense emotions—even the sages of Sumeru can harvest people's dreams and turn them into energy. The leylines, vast and mighty, need not harvest—they simply collect. When each life ends, it must surrender all such energies: its willpower.
Since arriving in Teyvat, Victor Wang had occasionally heard Lumine describe her understanding of Visions: that an overwhelming desire could draw forth a Vision, and when the bearer dies, the chosen one ascends to Celestia.
Viewed more darkly:
Perhaps the willpower of Vision bearers is like high-quality wheat. Those who need it give them fertilizer (Visions) to make them yield more—creating stronger desires, sharper memories. When their lives reach their end, the ones behind it all might say, "Come to Celestia—let me devour you." (To sever your chance at reincarnation, consuming your very soul, or using it to eternally supply power.)
Viewed more kindly:
Perhaps Vision bearers are like precious fruit trees. Those who need their fruit nurture them with fertilizer, and when they flourish, the ones behind it all say, "You've given so much this lifetime—thank you. Now, do well again in the next."
And in the most radiant, optimistic view of all:
The beings above still love humanity. They only wish for mankind, made of the Primordial One's design, to learn the dragons' elemental aptitude. They bestow Visions upon those with unwavering resolve, hoping Vision bearers will attune their descendants to elemental power—leading humanity to evolve into beings capable of surviving even within the realm of light.
Each of these interpretations describes a mission that needs no instruction; one fulfilled simply through living and using the Vision in accordance with one's will.
Moreover, Vision bearers assist both the Seven and the Heavenly Principles in dispersing the ancient dragon's authority—even as fragments, every sliver of power counts.
Having speculated about the mission, Victor Wang turned to the recompense.
If fragments of ancient dragon power were humanity's gift, what could mortals offer in return that would be greater than that?
Fragments of the dragon's authority return to their source upon the bearer's death—only a rare few dormant Visions can ever be reawakened. So, when those fragments are returned, perhaps something extra is offered alongside—something richer than the gift itself.
Vision bearers indeed offer up willpower, but that goes to the leylines. Their faith? That depends on the nation—many don't even worship the Archon corresponding to their element. Thus, willpower is not the recompense the Seven receive.
Most likely, the recompense of Vision bearers is, once again, the ancient dragon's authority itself.
Humans were created by the Primordial One—opposed, by nature, to dragons. The Archons, born of the Primordial's fragments, are closer in essence to humanity.
Humans belong to the human realm, Archons too were born there, while the dragons' dominion belongs to the realm of light.
Perhaps the dragons' authority was never meant for mortals or Archons to wield. Through their lifetimes, humans use these fragments, returning them at death—thus helping the Seven and the Heavenly Principles analyze or even assimilate the dragons' ancient power.
After all, Vision bearers possess only a mortal body, a soul, emotions, and memories. What else can they truly offer beyond those—and the Vision that defines them? There are not many other options.
"Of course," Victor murmured, "all of this remains conjecture… and conjecture, by definition, means no proof—only reasoning drawn from scattered clues."
He spoke softly to remind himself—to remain clear-minded until the truth finally revealed itself.