Magic god? The Arbiter of Fate… What is she doing?
Standing on the rooftop and staring at the scene on the distant sea, Venti's mind simply could not keep up.
He didn't understand why a Demon God would appear in Liyue, nor why the Arbiter of Fate was there — neither question made sense to him.
What mattered now was something else: had Morax truly died?
At first he had wondered why the Arbiter of Fate had come for him at all — they had been fighting and then she vanished, leaving a draconic beast tangled with him. It was strange. After a bout of combat the dragon had disappeared, and Venti couldn't fathom the purpose, so he planned to go to Liyue to seek out Morax and ask him in person. But first he needed to attend to Tevalin's wounds.
What he did not expect was that when he arrived in Liyue, Captain Ning and the others had already returned with the news of Morax's death — and a detailed description of the killer. The thunderbolt of that revelation jolted Venti into motion. He couldn't sit still. He had to verify the truth himself; Tevalin could wait. He ran to Liyue at top speed.
"Barbatos, you came because of the Arbiter of Fate too?"
As Barbatos turned, a familiar voice answered him.
"Morax? You're not dead?"
Barbatos turned at once, stunned and moved. Though many years had passed since they last met, they were old comrades — the last two of the Seven Gods in those aging years. What else could he feel but emotion?
"I didn't expect the news to spread to the Wind Nation so quickly. Times truly have changed."
Looking at the figure who had been absent for so long, Morax spoke with some melancholy. Of the Seven who once were, only a few remained after the centuries.
"So… what about those earlier reports? What is the Arbiter doing? And how did that Demon God appear here?"
Once Barbatos confirmed Morax was alive, his questions piled up. He had to know. Morax used to be the pillar of Liyue; to hear of his death — and then find him alive — was dizzying.
"The fake death was part of a contract between me and the Arbiter of Fate. Her presence here now is also related to that contract. As for the Demon God — that was another part of the plan, but it seems that has been disrupted."
Seeing Barbatos bewildered, Morax explained patiently.
"A contract? What do you mean? Another plan?"
Barbatos felt each answer only bred more questions. He understood one thing only to find three more mysteries opening before him: why had the Arbiter come to Mondstadt, why did she leave a dragon behind, was it merely a test, what contract had Morax made with her, how did the abyssal Demon God appear in Liyue, why did the Arbiter attack it, and what was this other plan? The threads tangled more tightly with every explanation — nothing was simple.
"…hm."
BOOM—
Before Zhongli could finish, a thunderous crash came from the sea, drawing both of their attentions.
Waves leapt high from the surface — towering walls of water rushed toward Liyue Harbor.
"This place is not where you should be."
Seeing such huge waves bearing down, Barbatos called forth the wind to blow them back.
"All right — game time's over. The two insects hiding in the shadows, let's get to the real topic."
Having calmed the swell, the Arbiter's voice echoed from the sky. "Let's go."
"What?"
"To meet the Arbiter."
"Two insects hiding in the shadows?"
Hearing the white-haired girl's sudden words, those aboard the Jade Chamber looked at one another, perplexed. Each tried to guess: if she meant those hiding in darkness, it couldn't be any one of them — they were all on the Jade Chamber openly. The only plausible explanation was that she was referring to visitors from other nations watching the scene from afar; only outsiders would be "hidden" like that.
"Have you seen the choice of Liyue's people? Is our contract at an end?"
While the group speculated, a voice suddenly echoed and stunned them all.
"Morax…"
Ganyu cried out. She hadn't expected to hear Morax's voice. For a single moment she wondered if it were a dream, but the cold rain drifting down from the sky proved otherwise.
Morax was alive.
"Morax… Morax is alive?"
"That is the Morax's voice — I sense his presence."
"Where is the Morax?!"
The celestial beings searched around, hoping to find him and prove this to be true. None could immediately locate him, and anxiety rose. What did the contract mean? What had the Morax arranged? What had he feigned death for? The gods' dealings were far beyond human understanding; matters among gods were not for mortals to fully grasp.
"Morax!!"
Then two white-hooded figures appeared before the group. Their backs faced the onlookers; hoods obscured their features. Still, some recognized one figure unmistakably: the Morax himself.
"It's really Morax…"
Now the assembled adepts and Celestials knew for certain: the Morax had not perished. Liyue found hope.
"I'm sorry to have deceived you, but it was necessary. Leave the rest to me; return and rest."
Appearing alongside Barbatos atop the Jade Chamber, Morax spoke without turning.
"Morax, let us fight with you this time, though our strength—"
"No. Leave here immediately."
Morax's uncharacteristic sternness cut them off. He did not want others to be entangled with the Arbiter of Fate. He knew that anything concerning the Arbiter was best left unknown to the many. For their safety, ignorance was safer.
"Interesting, Morax. These are your loyal followers? Very well — I shall satisfy their expectations."
The Arbiter, hands folded, watched the Jade Chamber's crowd with interest. Then she opened numerous teleportation portals behind her; Void Spears readied.
"If you wish to fight, then fight I shall."
"Prepare for battle," Barbatos said behind, but Morax suddenly shouted:
"Stop! Everyone, depart now — do not tarry!!"
His voice was rare and loud, and it silenced them all. No one dared question him. The shock of seeing him so furious rooted them in place. Morax's orders were not to be trifled with; regarding the Arbiter, it was safer for them to know nothing.
"Morax," Barbatos said, glancing at him with an understanding look — this was a side of Morax Barbatos had not seen before.
"Have you seen the choice of Liyue's people? Is the contract concluded?" Morax asked the Arbiter.
"Are you asking if I'm satisfied? I find it… amusing."
The Arbiter smiled faintly. She was not judging Liyue's citizens by satisfaction; she merely found the entire affair entertaining.
"So, what next?"
Morax pressed. The answer would matter.
"What I do is not important. Do what you must."
With that the Arbiter turned and slipped into the portals behind her, disappearing without a trace. Two left-behind figures stared after her in bewilderment.
"She… eh, what is that? Your gnosis? Your God-Heart?"
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