-

The following day, the group returned to their temporary base in Ritou. While Neuvillette studied the tome in silence, the others gathered around a small table, discussing their next steps.

Arlecchino leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "We need to stay ahead of the Abyss. If they're moving this fast, they have a clear plan-and we don't."

Lyney twirled a playing card between his fingers, his usual cheer dimmed. "We've stopped them twice now, but they're not acting recklessly. They're waiting for something."

"Or someone," Lynette added quietly, her eyes glancing at Yoshika.

Furina, sprawled on a chair, perked up at the remark. "Yoshika, you haven't told us everything, have you? About Celestia, about why you were cast out."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Yoshika. She remained still, her expression unreadable.

After a moment, she spoke, her voice low and steady. "Celestia isn't what people think it is. It's not a paradise. It's a place where only the strongest-those deemed 'worthy'-are allowed to remain. I wasn't cast out because I was weak, infact i was strong. but because I refused to follow their rules. They warned me many times, they didn't wanted to kick me since i was strong but they had to."

Neuvillette looked up from the tome, his gaze sharp. "And now they want to open a gate to Teyvat. Why?"

Yoshika's grip on her spear tightened. "Power. Control. They see Teyvat as an unstable world, one that needs their 'guidance.' But their guidance comes at a cost-freedom."

Furina sat up, her playful demeanor fading. "So, they're trying to take over."

"Yes," Yoshika replied. "And they'll use the Abyss to weaken the nations first. Divide us, make us desperate. Then they'll step in as saviors."

Arlecchino's voice was cold. "Then we need to make sure they never get the chance."

Neuvillette closed the tome, his expression grave. "The next step is clear. We need to find the other ritual sites and destroy them before they're completed."

Furina stood, her sword gleaming in the dim light. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's show them what Teyvat is made of."

---

Later that night, Yoshika stood alone on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. She gazed up at the stars, her thoughts heavy.

Furina approached quietly, her usual boisterousness subdued. "You're thinking about Celestia, aren't you?"

Yoshika nodded, her voice soft. "It's hard not to. No matter how far I run, it's always there, like a shadow."

Furina leaned on the railing beside her. "You don't have to face it alone, you know. We're in this together."

Yoshika turned to her, her dark pink eyes meeting Furina's blue ones. "Thank you," she said, her tone sincere.

Furina grinned, her confidence returning. "Don't mention it. Besides, I need someone to keep me grounded, and you're perfect for the job."

Yoshika allowed herself a small smile, the weight on her heart easing, if only for a moment.

---
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗂 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗒𝖾𝖺 𝗂'𝗅𝗅 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾🔥