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Chapter 20

The storm outside seemed almost sentient, a constant reminder of the looming threat. Within the inn, the group gathered around a table covered in maps and ancient texts. The discovery of the Abyss Heralds and their plan to disrupt the seals of the Seven Nations had shifted their priorities.

As they strategized, Furina glanced at Yoshika, who had been unusually quiet. "Yoshika," she said, breaking the silence. "You're holding something back, aren't you?"

Yoshika's eyes flickered, but she remained composed. "It's nothing relevant to the mission."

Furina crossed her arms, her bratty demeanor surfacing. "Oh, come on! Don't keep secrets from your teammates-especially me."

Arlecchino's sharp gaze landed on Yoshika. "If there's something we need to know, now's the time."

Yoshika sighed, her fingers brushing the floral engravings on her spear. "Fine. I'm originally from Celestia."

The room fell silent. Even Neuvillette looked surprised.

"You're from Celestia?" Furina repeated, her voice tinged with awe and curiosity. "Why didn't you say so before?"

"It doesn't matter," Yoshika said firmly. "I left that life behind when I came to Teyvat. The Tsaritsa took me in, and Snezhnaya became my home."

Lyney tilted his head. "But if you're from Celestia, you might have knowledge that could help us. Something about the seals or the Heralds?"

Yoshika hesitated, then spoke. "The Abyss Heralds are a threat even in Celestia's eyes. Their goal isn't just to weaken the Archons-it's to sever Teyvat's connection to Celestia entirely. If they succeed, the balance of our world will collapse."

Lynette's quiet voice cut through the tension. "Then you're more important to this mission than any of us realized."

Furina's usual dramatic flair softened as she placed a hand on Yoshika's shoulder. "Whatever your past, you're here now. And we'll protect Teyvat together."

Yoshika met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Together."

---

The group decided to move toward the storm's epicenter, a place marked on the map as the "Eternal Rift," where the cloaked figure was likely preparing their next move.

Before they set out, Yoshika pulled Arlecchino aside. "I didn't tell them everything."

"I figured," Arlecchino said, her tone neutral. "But you'll tell me when it matters."

Yoshika nodded. "When the time comes."

---

The journey to the Eternal Rift was fraught with peril. The storm's intensity increased with every step, and strange creatures emerged from the shadows to test their resolve.

Furina's sword clashed with dark tendrils, her water-infused strikes cutting through them like silk. "They just don't give up, do they?"

"Keep moving!" Neuvillette commanded, his Hydro powers creating a protective barrier around the group.

Yoshika moved with deadly precision, her spear glowing with golden-pink light. She fought as if each strike carried the weight of her past, her Celestial heritage fueling her resolve.

At last, they reached the rift-a swirling vortex of dark energy that seemed to tear the sky apart. And standing at its center was the cloaked figure, their staff raised high.

"You're too late," they said, their voice echoing with malevolence. "The seals will break, and Teyvat will fall into eternal chaos!"

Furina stepped forward, her sword gleaming in the storm's light. "Not while we're here."

---
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝗒𝖺𝗒 𝗂𝖽𝗄 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾. 𝖶𝖮𝖭𝖣𝖤𝖱𝖧𝖮𝖸 ☆