Location: The Northland Bank, Liyue Harbor
Current Form: Human
Status: Fully rested, incredibly full, slightly smug
Raiden woke up in a bed made of silk that probably cost more than a house in Mondstadt. He stretched, feeling his spine crack with the sound of shifting tectonic plates.
"System Report."
"Notice. Digestion of [Osial's Hydro Essence] complete. Digestion of [Jade Chamber Explosion] complete. Mana reserves at 200% capacity. Evolution to [Element Dragon] stabilized. New Attribute [Hydro Sovereign Aura] acquired."
"I feel like I could drink the ocean," Raiden muttered, sitting up. "But first, I need to crash a meeting."
He sensed the energy signatures gathered at the Northland Bank. Zhongli, Childe, Signora, and the Traveler.
"Time for the grand finale."
Raiden kicked the doors of the Northland Bank open. He didn't knock.
Inside, the tension was palpable.
Childe was pacing, looking furious and bandaged.
Signora stood with her back to the door, looking smug.
Zhongli was sipping tea calmly.
Aether and Paimon looked confused.
"You!" Childe pointed at Raiden. "You slept for two days! Do you have any idea how much paperwork I had to do?!"
"Relax, Tartaglia," Raiden walked in, grabbing a handful of mints from the counter. "I saved the city. You just paid for the damages. We're a team."
"We are not a team!"
Signora turned around. Her cold gaze landed on Raiden, but this time, there was a flicker of caution. She had seen the giant black dragon eat a god. She wasn't stupid.
"The Anomaly arrives," Signora said, her voice icy. "I suppose you are here to interfere with the contract?"
"Contract?" Paimon tilted her head.
Zhongli placed his tea cup down. "Indeed. The contract is complete."
He looked at Aether. "Traveler, you have witnessed the resilience of Liyue. Humanity has proven they no longer need the guidance of the Adepti, nor the protection of a God."
Zhongli held out his hand. A chess piece glowing with geometric Geo light hovered above his palm.
The Geo Gnosis.
"Rex Lapis is dead," Zhongli stated. "I am merely Zhongli now."
"WHAT?!" Paimon screamed. "Zhongli is the Geo Archon?!"
Childe looked like his brain had short-circuited. "Wait... so you... and Signora... and him..." He pointed at Raiden. "Everyone knew but me?!"
"Pretty much," Raiden crunched on a mint. "You were the designated distraction, Childe. A very expensive, loud distraction."
Childe collapsed into a chair, putting his head in his hands. "I feel used."
Signora stepped forward to take the Gnosis. "A wise decision, Morax. The Tsaritsa will be pleased."
As she reached for it, a hand intercepted hers.
Raiden caught Signora's wrist. His grip was gentle but firm, like a steel trap wrapped in velvet.
"Not so fast, Rosalyne," Raiden whispered.
Signora stiffened. Frost began to creep up her arm, reacting to her distress. "Unhand me, dragon. Do you wish to declare war on Snezhnaya?"
"I wish to give you some advice," Raiden said, leaning close. His silver eyes glowed, seeing past her mask, past her Cryo Delusion, straight to the Crimson Witch of Flames burning her soul away.
"You're burning out," Raiden observed. "That delusion is a band-aid on a bullet wound. You're dying."
Signora yanked her hand back, clutching her wrist. "That is none of your concern!"
Raiden looked at Zhongli. "You're giving this to the Tsaritsa for her little collection. To burn the Old World, right?"
"It is the contract to end all contracts," Zhongli confirmed.
"Fine," Raiden stepped back. "Take it. But warn your Queen: I'm coming to Snezhnaya eventually. And if she tries to control me like she controls her Harbingers... I'll eat her chair."
Signora snatched the Gnosis from Zhongli. She glared at Raiden one last time—a mix of hatred and fear—before turning to Childe.
"Come, Tartaglia. We are leaving. Stop sulking."
Childe stood up, sighing. He looked at Aether. "Hey, Traveler. Raiden. Next time we meet... I expect a rematch. No eating my attacks this time."
"No promises," Raiden winked.
The Harbingers left.
The room was quiet.
"So," Aether looked at Zhongli. "You really gave it up? You're just... a guy now?"
"I am a consultant," Zhongli corrected. "And thanks to Raiden's... voracious appetite, the transition was smoother than anticipated. Osial is not just sealed; he is diminished."
Zhongli turned to Raiden. "You possess a power that defies the Heavenly Principles. Erosion does not touch you. You consume Karma. You rewrite matter."
"I'm built different," Raiden shrugged.
"Indeed," Zhongli smiled. "Liyue is safe. However, I believe the Qixing wishes to thank you personally."
Raiden met Ningguang and Keqing at Yujing Terrace.
"Mr. Ragnvaldr," Ningguang said, handing him a heavy scroll. "For your pivotal role in the defense of Liyue, and for saving the Jade Chamber from total destruction, the Qixing has unanimously voted to grant you the title of Honorary Adeptus."
"Does it come with a salary?" Raiden asked.
"It comes with land," Keqing interjected. "We have deeded a private estate in Qingce Village to your name. And..."
Keqing blushed slightly, looking away. "And... unrestricted access to the Golden Shrimp Balls at Liuli Pavilion. On the house."
Raiden's eyes lit up. "Sold."
Ningguang continued. "Additionally, we have a request. The Abyss Order has been strangely quiet since your arrival. We suspect they fear you. We ask that you continue to... consult for us, should threats arise."
"As long as the food keeps coming, I'm your dragon," Raiden agreed.
Later that evening, Raiden stood by the harbor, watching the ships.
Zhongli joined him.
"Where will you go next?" the former Archon asked.
"Inazuma," Raiden said, looking south across the sea. "I hear it's locked down. Thunderstorms. An Archon who thinks locking herself in her room is a valid political strategy."
Zhongli nodded. "Baal... Ei. She seeks Eternity. She fears loss above all else. Your presence... a being of constant change and evolution... will be anathema to her."
"She'll try to cut me," Raiden predicted.
"She will," Zhongli agreed. "Her Musou no Hitotachi is the pinnacle of martial skill. Can you eat lightning?"
Raiden grinned. A spark of purple electricity - [Black Lightning] - danced on his fingertip.
"I've had a steady diet of rocks, wind, and water," Raiden said. "I think it's time for something with a little more... shock value."
"System Notice."
"Quest Generated: The Land of Eternity."
"Objective: Breach the Sakoku Decree."
"Sub-Objective: Don't get turned into a statue."
"Well," Raiden stretched. "Time to go break a country."
He turned to Aether, who was approaching with Paimon.
"Pack your bags, Traveler," Raiden called out. "We're going to crash a wedding. Or a funeral. Or whatever Beidou is doing."
[End of the Liyue Arc]
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Interlude: The Abyss Prince
Location: The Unknown Dark Realm
Aether's twin, Lumine, watched a viewing pool. The image showed Raiden eating Osial's energy bomb.
Beside her, an Abyss Lector bowed.
"Princess... the Gluttonous One grows stronger. He has consumed the corruption of Dvalin and the malice of Osial. He is turning our weapons into... lunch."
Lumine narrowed her golden eyes.
"He is not of this world," Lumine whispered. "He is like us, but different. He doesn't descend; he devours."
"Shall we engage, Princess?"
"No," Lumine turned away. "Let him go to Inazuma. Let him face the Eternity of the Shogun. If he survives that... then we will talk."
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Chapter 16 Preview: The Crux Fleet and the Stowaway
Location: The Alcor (Beidou's Ship)
Current Form: Human
Status: Seasick? No. Hungry? Always.
"So," Captain Beidou laughed, slapping Raiden on the back hard enough to knock over a normal man. "You're the Dragon of Liyue? You look scrawny!"
"I'm compact," Raiden grumbled, holding a tankard of beer. "And your ship is slow, Captain."
"Hah! This is the Alcor! Fastest ship in the fleet!" Beidou grinned. "Kazuha! Play us a tune while our guest complains!"
Kaedehara Kazuha sat by the mast, polishing his sword. He looked up at Raiden.
"You smell of storms," Kazuha said softly. "Not the storms of the sea. But the storms of a god."
Raiden looked at the white-haired samurai.
"Analysis. Subject: Kazuha. Anemo Vision. Sensitive to nature. Potential interaction: High."
"I am the storm, samurai," Raiden replied. "Hope you brought an umbrella."