(Liyue)

Fu Hua and her two ELFs were going to see Katheryne. Aether and Paimon were doing going to do that too. They arrive at the same time at the Adventurers' Guild.

Katheryne: Ah, Traveler. Fu Hua. Right on cue, hehe.

Fu Hua: Hello Katheryne.

Paimon: Hey Katheryne! Got any new commissions for us today? Also... how come you look so happy to see us? What have you done!?

Katheryne: I went to the shrine to draw a fortune slip earlier. The shrine maiden told me that "it is the season for an unexpected reunion."

Paimon: Katheryne? Drawing fortune slips at the shrine? ...Is it just Paimon, or is that the most unusual thing ever!? Wait, no, that's not the unusual part — we're in Liyue! You went to Inazuma and back in a single day!?

Katheryne: Hehe, even I have a private life, you know.

Fu Hua: I hope you met Sakura and Mei at the Shrine. And your sister too.

Katheryne: I sure did.

Paimon: Okay, so when you say "unexpected reunion," you mean running into us, right?

Katheryne: Who can say? But the anticipation of knowing that an unexpected reunion is due is making me happy to see everyone I cross paths with today.

Paimon: Fair enough, even though we see each other pretty much every day... Whatever makes you happy.

Aether: An unexpected reunion...

Fu Hua: Perhaps...

Paimon: Wait, are you saying... Ohh, Paimon gets it, guys. Well, let's just hope the shrine maiden was right... Fingers crossed we find her.

Katheryne: I'm sorry... did I say something I shouldn't have? You both seem a little down.

Paimon: Oh, it's nothing. Anyway, back to business. Do you have a new commission you want to give to us?

Book of Fuxi: We're up up for new commissions.

Jingwai's Wings: What can we do today?

Katheryne: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. This one is from a miner. It seems to be related to investigating The Chasm.

Fu Hua, Book of Fuxi, and Jingwai's Wings: The Chasm?

Paimon: Really? Does this mean The Chasm's not sealed off anymore?

Fu Hua: I believe that I've heard that it was opened again.

Katheryne: I will leave the requester to fill you in on all the relevant details. His name is Yuehui, and he should be at The Chasm right now.

Paimon: Alright then, thanks Katheryne! We'll head there right away.

Katheryne: Very well. Ad astra... abyssosque. Hmm, this time you are truly bound for the abyss. Good luck to you both.

Fu Hua and Aether walk away.

Book of Fuxi: Now we'll finally be able to get to go to The Chasm.

Fu Hua: I've snuck in a few times to see it and I've gotten good views of it. I should go get the others. I'm sure that they will want to see it too. Head over to the entrance and my ELFs and I will come back.

Aether: Ok.

Paimon: We'll be waiting for you!

(The Chasm)

Aether and Paimon waited for Fu Hua to return when finally she came back with the party. However. Only a few showed up. Patrick, Kiana, Mei, Bronya, Seele, Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert. Joining them surprisingly was Tesla-ZERO.

Fu Hua: Sorry that there are less of us. A lot of them are unavailable to join us.

Mei: Sakura has to help Miko with tasks at the Grand Narukami Shrine. Thankfully Ei was able to let me come here.

Blanc: And Barbara needed two sisters to help her with a task and asked Bronya and I but then Theresa and Kallen decided to cover Barbara for us letting us go.

Kiana: Rita is still teaching Noelle.

Patrick: Everyone else is busy.

Seele: Sadly they won't be able to join us.

Neptune: And our little sisters won't be able to join us until they're done with something in one of the dungeons.

Tesla-ZERO: Drs. Tesla and Einstein have allowed me to come with you since we're going through mining areas in The Chasm.

Bronya: And in case of any caves ins or if we get trapped...

Project Bunny in Herrscher of Reason version appeared then blue drills materialized.

Bronya: The Bronya can drill and dig us out.

Kiana: At least we're finally gonna go to a new location. Enkanomiya may have been recent but I still feel the excitement of going and it's felt like it's been a really long time.

Vert: Same here. I'm excited too.

Sparkles and hearts appeared around Vert.

Vert: Awe I cannot wait! The element of discovery is what I've been looking forward to when it comes to new locations. The Chasm is completely new to us and I just can't wait!~

Vert runs to the gate.

Blanc: Wait up, Thunder Tits!

Blanc rushes after the blonde girl then Bronya does the same thing with Project Bunny following.

Neptune: Try to keep up, Loner!

Neptune rushes after them.

Noire: NEPTUNE! I AM NOT A LONER!

Noire chases after Neptune.

Kiana: Wait for us!

Everyone else follows after.

After entering through the gate they get a view of The Chasm and get completely amazed.

Paimon: Wow... The Chasm is impressive...

Stars were in Vert's eyes.

Vert: It's beautiful! A huge crater! Like a meteor strike struck!

Stars were also in Neptune's eyes.

Neptune: And there's mines too! We're be able to get unlimited crafting materials!

And Bronya too.

Bronya: So much... resources...

Kiana: Let's go find the guy who posted the commision.

So they walk further and find the guy who posted the commision.

Paimon: Hi there! You must be "Yuehui," right? We've been sent by the Adventurers' Guild.

Yuehui: Ah, great, good to meet you. Yes, I was the one who posted that commission. Wait a second... You look kind of familiar. Are you famous adventurers, or something?

Fu Hua: It's complicated.

Aether: Never mind that. Let's focus on the task at hand.

Yuehui: Oh, uh, alright then. I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Yuehui, a miner, and I received a Mining Permit for The Chasm just recently. I have a handful of other guys in my crew.

Paimon: Seriously? They actually give permits out for The Chasm?

Yuehui: Yes, the folks over at Yujing Terrace finally came to their senses and are now allowing a limited amount of ore mining near the surface. We were among the first to gain approval.

Vert: Well that's good for you.

Yuehui: But some things have happened recently that put all the miners on edge.

Paimon: Really? What happened? We haven't heard anything.

Yuehui: So... it's hard to say exactly how big an issue it is. Could be something, could be nothing. The main thing is that it's just very... strange. While one of the miners was on a break, he suddenly noticed a few hilichurls walking his way. They seemed like they were in a daze or something. They walked right by him without giving him a single glance. They just made a beeline for the depths of The Chasm.

Neptune: Mind control?

Kiana: Maybe.

Yuehui: After that, the miner started observing his surroundings more closely, and noticed the same thing happening time and time again.

Paimon: Hmm... are the hilichurls just curious? Maybe they just wanna take a peek inside...

Yuehui: Not likely. The strange part is that in all the time this miner has been watching the hilichurls... ...he's never seen any of them come back out.

Everyone gasped.

Yuehui: It seems to be a one-way trip. Once the hilichurls go in, they never emerge again. And it seems to be happening more and more frequently as of late. "What are these hilichurls up to?" "What happens to them after they go inside?" "Is there a disaster brewing?" These are the kinds of thoughts going through the guys' heads now. Everyone's driving themselves crazy worrying about it.

Paimon: Uhhh! Paimon's not surprised... Paimon feels spooked just hearing about it.

Aether: I don't dare imagine what's going on inside The Chasm...

Patrick: "Strange" is definitely the right word...

Yuehui: Exactly. The deepest fear is the fear of the unknown, you know? So we have to get to the bottom of it before everyone can put their minds at rest.

Paimon: Do we... do we really wanna take this commission? Um, thanks Mr. Miner, Sir, we need to consider it first—

Neptune: No way! We're definitely doing this!

Aether: We'll take it.

Paimon: Hey! You could at least pretend to consider Paimon's opinion first!

Neptune: No way! We want to go down and that's that!

Aether: When strange things like this happen... I'm inclined to think the Abyss Order is involved.

Kiana: And we can't ignore something like this.

Patrick: If the Abyss Order really is involved we can't ignore that.

Paimon: Oh, so that's where you're coming from. Hmm, well okay then, maybe we will find some clues about your twin. You'll really regret it if you don't go, huh?

Mei: Exactly.

Fu Hua: We're going to investigate The Chasm underground.

Yuehui: So, what's your verdict? Will you take the commission? No pressure, but I gotta say... I'm not loving the prospect of my Mining Permit going to waste.

Neptune: We're going down to the Chasm!

The girls and Patrick put their fists up.

Girls and Patrick: YEAH!

Paimon: Yup, we'll take it. We're kinda curious ourselves now, too.

Yuehui: Great. You're doing me an enormous service here. Now, let me give you the rough location that the hilichurls keep heading to...

The party walks away.

Patrick: We've accepted the commission. We just have to go into The Chasm underground in the mines.

Noire: We can't exactly get into The Chasm because it's sealed off.

Bronya: We just have to complete the quest, "Surreptitious Seven-Star Seal Sundering" and find a way to enter The Chasm: Underground Mines.

Vert: In that case, let's get to work on opening up the way to the underground mines and explore The Chasm while we're at it.

Neptune: Let's unlock the entrance!

Everyone: Yeah!

https://youtu.be/e3YRit59ypw

In order to enter the chasm they had to unlock it with bedrock keys. They talked to an adventurer named Zhiqiong and she explained what to do. There were five bedrock keys that needed to be be used to unlock the entrance to The Chasm itself. The first key was close by.

First they had to find some Geograna and put them into two floating rocks then they hit them and they fire Crystal projectiles at the floating crystal rocks which caused the bedrock key to go down and penetrate the ground then one of the yellow lines going into The Chasm's Maw disappeared. After that, Zhiqiong gave them a diagram which showed them the locations of three of the Bedrock keys.

They made a plan to split up to get the job done faster. Patrick and the Valkyires and ELFs go to the bedrock key underneath Fuao Vale and The Surface, the CPUs go to the bedrock key between Cinnabar Cliff and Tiangong Gorge, and Aether and Paimon go to the bedrock key by Gaze Peak.

At the same time they use the bedrock keys and they penetrate the ground. They report back to Zhiqiong however, the ground was shaking. Now they had to go to the last bedrock key with Zhiqiong underneath the Statue of The Seven. They enter into one of the mines where they fought against monsters then made the last bedrock key penetrate the ground then finally outside, The Chasm's Maw was opened.

They go back to Muning who the party had talked to before going to Zhiqiong. After some talking, the quest was complete and then they go to The Chasm's Maw at the entrance with Shiqiong. Then the montage music ends.

Neptune: Wow. Look at this hole entrance. Must be a very long drop down. ECHO!

Neptune shouted an echo into The Chasms Maw and it repeated her voice.

Neptune: Nice.

Kiana: We're about to go down real mines.

Patrick: I once went into a mine during a hiking trip. It wasn't used for mining anymore, just for showing.

Kiana: And we were in this underwater cavern where we searched for that Divine Key sword and stigmata.

Neptune: There was this one cave in Gamindustri where it's really hard and after losing in it, it's game over.

Tesla-ZERO: Bronya and I will be able to dig us out if we get trapped.

Bronya: And in case of cave ins.

Neptune: Well what are we waiting for?! Let's goooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Neptune jumps in first.

Kiana: YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Then Kiana.

Mei: Wait!

Then Mei.

Patrick: I guess I should be going too.

Then Patrick.

Vert: Can't leave an elegant lady behind~

Then Vert.

Noire: I'm not getting left behind!

Then Noire.

Bronya and Blanc: Us too.

Bronya summons Project Bunny then both Kuuderes jump down.

Seele: Wait for me!

Then Seele.

Fu Hua: Our turn now.

Then Fu Hua and the ELFs.

Zhiqiong: Don't forget me too!

Then Zhiqiong.

Aether: Ha!

Paimon: Ha!

Finally Aether and Paimon jump down last.

(The Chasm: Underground Mines)

With their wind gliders they glide over to a teleport waypoint and activate it. Then they meet Jinwu.

Neptune, Vert, Kiana, and Bronya had stars in their eyes again.

Neptune: We're deep down in the Underground Mines!

Vert: I just can't wait to explore!

Kiana: Mining!

Bronya: Exploration.

Zhiqiong: Phew, this air sure is familiar! It's been a long time since I came down into these mines.

Jinwu: Don't get careless, Qiong. I for one smell something unfamiliar.

Zhiqiong: I mean, we couldn't jump straight down. Maybe we were just distracted by the swaying of the crane.

Jinwu You... You've spent too much time above ground.

Paimon: Paimon didn't smell anything at all... Do all of you miners have such keen noses?

Zhiqiong: Haha! A lack of a good nose could forfeit you your life down here! That said, we should still be fine. The finches are still quite lively.

Jinwu points at a blue floating crystal.

Jinwu: Look, the Lumenspar has grown all the way down here too. That wasn't the case the last time we came down here.

Zhiqiong: Wow, that really happen! Let's go have a look!

Paimon: Y'know... it feels like someone just stole Paimon's thunder.

Neptune and Vert: Same here.

Having entered The Chasm's lower layers, they can see the great infrastructural works within and comprehend how lively this place must once have been, despite its current desolation... Regardless, it is an adventurer's duty to explore the area.

Since they are adventurers, it was their duty to explore too.

When they get to the Lumenspar, Aether collects it.

Jinwu: To think that Lumenspar would appear so close to the surface. I was always of the opinion that these thing could not appear in more structurally vulnerable locations.

Zhiqiong: They are fragments of that "thing" underground, traveling up the veins of the rock before finally arriving here.

Vert: Thing? What thing?

Jinwu: Hey! Stop spouting nonsense. They were originally rocks from the local area, which is why they became like this. They just underwent some kind of transformation process and formed crystal, that's all.

Vert: Doesn't look like it.

Jinwu: it did! The analyses that the Qixing commissioned us to conduct reveal that they are by and large made of ore from the local area. They've just been affected by some outside force, thus creating these strange crystals.

Paimon: Huh, look over there! That crystal looks just like the Adjuvant you have with you, Aether! Why don't you take the Lumenstone Adjuvant and have a look, Aether?

Aether takes out the Lumenstkne Adjuvant.

Jinwu: That's right. The Adjuvant is made of the same materials as these crystals. These formations will thus naturally react to one another on account of that similarity.

Aether: How very strange...

Vert: That's pretty amazing...

Paimon: Hey, is that all you have to say?

Jinwu: Um, don't fight, you two...

Aether: We're not fighting...

Paimon: Yeah, we're not...

Vert: It's still very impressive.

Jinwu: What I mean to say is that it doesn't matter whether you're fighting or not. Zhiqiong and I need to set up a temporary camp up ahead, so don't run off while we're doing that.

Neptune: Yeah... if you say so...

Jinwu: The crystal we discovered will be very useful for our subsequent exploration. If you find anything after this, please make sure to contact me.

Noire: We'll do that.

Jinwu: My skills haven't rusted away just yet, so I can help you process some of the raw ore. I believe that it'll prove quite useful to you in your adventures. And, um, also... don't fight, alright?

Paimon: Got it, got it!

Aether: Understood.

Jinwu: That's a good pair of kiddos.

Fu Hua: We'll make sure that they behave.

Noire: Yes. We'll make sure that everyone of us is behaving.

Jinwu: I'll get you some candy later. Anyway, if you find anything strange nearby, please report it in a timely fashion.

Zhiqiong: Actually, do you remember what Jinwu said the last time about Uncle He...

Jinwu: I haven't forgotten. And since you're here, guys, could you help me out once again?

Kiana: I guess we could.

Blanc and Bronya: Yes.

Jinwu: Uncle He is our senior here in the mines. Several years ago, he was one of those who went missing when we Chasm miners were dispersed. He's hard of hearing, and may not have heard the alerts. The pensions from Huishan Hall and Shenglu Hall are quite generous, and his family has already long arranged for his funeral... But although I'm not much of a believer in the supernatural, I can't help but feel that he's still alive down here somewhere.

Kiana: Couldn't he have already died from lack of food, water, and oxygen? No one can survive after a few years being in mines.

Jinwu: No! He has to still be alive!

Kiana: Sorry! Sorry!

Jinwu: He really was an old hand. Whether it be avoiding disasters in the mine, how to escape, how to wait for the rescue... He knew it all. Thought me a lot of it, too.

Kiana: Then how could he still be alive after so many years down in the mines?

Jinwu: That's why I believe that he must be alive in here somewhere, even now... I won't give up searching for him.

Vert: Well someone still has spirit and determination.

Jinwu: I'll point you to a few places where he was sighted before we dispersed... Who knows? You might still be able to find some clues there.

Zhiqiong: As for me, I'll be exploring the deeper parts of the mining caverns.

Jinwu: Oh yes, don't forget your candy, now!

Aether: You're not coming with us?

Jinwu: She still needs to help us draw some maps. The pathways of The Chasm's underground mines are intricate and complex, and we won't get very far at all without those maps.

Patrick: Alright then. Stay safe out there.

Zhiqiong: I will.

Jinwu: I believe that Zhiqiong should more or less be done with the map by the time you return. However, I still need to wait for the transport team above the ground to shift our tools down here, so you're free to explore for the time being.

Jinwu hands them candy then Neptune and Vert instantly run away with wanting to explore the mines.

Neptune and Vert: ADVENTURE!

Noire and Blanc: Neptune! Vert! Come back!

Noire and Blanc chase after them then everyone else goes after them.

Paimon: Paimon would love to explore further in, but we should probably finish Jinwu's commission first.

The scene transitions into a new scene where it shows the party walking over a bridge with Fu Hua leading.

Fu Hua: The underground mines is the only place I did not go to because it was sealed off and I could not get in because the entrances to the Underground Mines was under a seal.

Book of Fuxi: And now we're in here.

Patrick: Glad that I did not bring Ishtar because she's crazy over gems. She could search this place endlessly for gems.

Neptune: Let's just get this over with so we can go further into the caves.

Vert: I can't wait either.

Fu Hua: Just don't talk or complain or else I'll take your candy from you.

Neptune and Vert: Yes ma'am.

Fu Hua: Good.

They got off the bridge then Fu Hua stopped them then got behind a rock and then pointed at a Vishap with a dark-purple aura in an ominous dark mud. That's where the first Diary Fragment was.

Paimon: Whoa! A monster! It looks... so strange!

Fu Hua: That monster has a dark aura around it. I think it's coming from that dark mud. I also see a dark rock in the dark mud which must be sustaining the Vishap.

Paimon: Ergh, what a horrible smell. Do you smell it too? Whatever it is, let's not get near that dark, muddy stuff!

Fu Hua: Ok, stay here. I'll take care of this.

Neptune and Vert: No way!

Neptune and Vert rush in then Neptune summon's her great sword and Vert summons her rapier.

Fu Hua: Hey! Get back here!

Neptune: No way! We're fighting!

Vert: Yes! This is new to us and first come first serve!

The Vishap noticed them and jumped up and was about to pounce on Neptune and Vert but the 2 Goddesses slashed with their swords and blew it back. Neptune covered her sword in Electro and Vert covered her rapier with Anemo. Neptune slashed at the Vishap dealing Electro damage then Vert did Jean's Gale Blade pushing the Vishap back and causing an elemental reaction between Electro and Anemo. Then they both used their awakening skills and killed the Vishap.

Fu Hua: *sighs* Fine...

Neptune and Vert find the Diary Fragment and bring it back to the others.

Diary Fragment: "The light is fading... My crystal lamp should last for another 4 hours... ...There's not much food left. I should be able to find the water filter from memory, but we must find a new source of light... Huh, those lights are floating... or are they walking? Am I starting to see things due to a lack of oxygen?"

Vert: Could Jinwu's Uncle have written this?

Fu Hua: Maybe.

Mei: There are Treasure Hoarders down below.

Kiana: No problem, Mei-senpai, we'll just get rid of them.

Neptune: Yeah and we won't have anymore problems looking for the last two pages!

Fu Hua: Right...

They go down by crane then they summon their weapons and fight against the treasure hoarders. Even if their numbers were lowered, the party still won and defeated all the treasure hoarders. They find the next Diary Fragment in the lower level camp.

Diary Fragment: "Some strange black magma is oozing out of the depths of the earth. I'm not sure if calling it 'magma' is precise... But it looks very ominous. Best not to get near it... ...I went deeper still and retrieved some strange mushrooms. I'm not certain if they are edible or not... ...The 'magma' seems to have attracted some elemental lifeforms. Now, if they can eat it, perhaps I could too... ...No, something's wrong. Something's gone wrong with those little things. I'd better leave. This is surely not to be taken for sustenance... ...once you get used to it, mushrooms actually don't taste too bad. It might be best to relocate to a spot where mushrooms might be found and to make camp there..."

Neptune is that dark stuff mud, magma, or lava?

Vert: We didn't get burnt, so its not lava. They call it mud and magma.

Seele: We found the third one.

Seele and Bronya called everyone over to where they found the third Diary Fragment on a shelf in the lower level.

Diary Fragment: "...When I get too near to the black magma, my thoughts grow jumbled and my senses become agitated. But when I stand close to these crystals, these deleterious effects retreat greatly... ...I once heard Little Jinwu say that some... 'Adjuvant' thing can be used to store energy from these crystals. I should ask her about that when I get back to the surface... ...My ears itch. I can hear someone calling out to me, telling me that there is water in the depths. Mushrooms... ...Oh dear. I fear that I must be going quite insane..."

Patrick: That's all three Diary Fragments found.

Paimon: Well, these should be the places that Jinwu mentioned. Let's head back and go look for her!

They go back up and report back to Jinwu.

Jinwu: Oh, you're back.

Aether: Uncle He left this behind.

Jinwu: Huh? He did, did he? Go on then, tell me!

They tell Jinwu about what they found earlier.

Jinwu: Umm... Black Magma... Lumestone... and mushrooms? Huh. That's weird, and a familiar sort of weird, too. Let's head back to the encampment. It would be best not to linger here.

They go back down then enter into one of the mine tunnels which leads to a cliff and a larger cavern which was dark. They jump down and use their wind gliders.

Paimon: It's so dark in here. Paimon can hear strange noises... is this what they call "babbling rocks"?

They make it to the other side and continued walking and enter into a larger cavern where there there was mining equipment and structures miners used and built. It was the encampment.

Jinwu: Here we are. Strange... where'd Zhiqiong run off to... Hey Zhiqiong! Zhiqiong!

Bronya: She's not here.

Jinwu: *sigh* I'll wager she's gone running off to some other corner of this place to draw her maps again...

Aether: Is Zhiqiong in danger?

Blanc: Could something have happened to her?

Jinwu: Not yet, no. But if she keeps running off without informing me, she will be quite soon! She drew this just after you left. She's probably gone deeper in to explore. Please tell her for me that she should quit leaving everyone else behind to go running off by herself. If anything bad happens, we're all gonna get dragged down with her. Jinwu's fist will know no mercy, I tell you.

Paimon: That sounds... scary...

Aether: Pretty scary indeed.

Jinwu: Alright, then. Less idle talk, more action. You can either help me set up here, or you can go scout ahead.

Neptune: I vote to scout ahead.

Vert: Me two.

Kiana; Me three!

Jinwu: Sorry if I'm not the most courteous character. I just want the things I do to be of use to everyone. Ah yes, by the way, if you see some raw Lumenstone ore along the way, bring some to me. I will find some way to turn them into more effective Adjuvants. As far as my experience can tell me, these things will be very useful down in the mines.

The party decides to split up into three groups. One with the Valkyries and ELFs, one with the CPUs, and one with Aether, Paimon, and Patrick.

Fu Hua: If one of us finds her, light up this whole chamber signaling that you found her.

Everyone: Right.

Fu Hua: Now let's move.

They went around different areas going down looking for Zhiqiong. They used the elements as light sources. The Valkyries and ELFs searched down with their light sources. The CPUs searched around their selected area. Of course, Neptune teased Noire with being a loner as always purposely making her angry and go Tsundere. Patrick and Aether glided down to the last floor and thats when they saw Zhiqiong.

Paimon: Guys, Zhiqiong's here!

They land down.

Patrick: Better signal the others.

Patrick shoots a massive fire up lighting up the chamber signaling everyone then they all glide down to the boys and Paimon then they walk to Zhiqiong.

Zhiqiong: Ah, it's you, guys! You're here!

Aether: Jinwu has some words for you...

Zhiqiong: It's that whole spiel about safety again, isn't it? I'm sick of hearing it already.

Noire: She just doesn't want you going far on your own.

Zhiqiong: I grew up in the mines too. What wouldn't I know about the hazards down here, huh?

Kiana: She doesn't know you very well.

Zhiqiong: As for any unknown dangers... Eh, our seniors always used to use their experience to judge whether things were dangerous or not. And in the end, they'd use the result to rationalize their experiences instead. I've had it up to here with their arrogance. I'm sure you feel similarly as a senior adventurer, don't you?

Patrick: Kind of.

Zhiqiong: If Iris was able to scare you off climbing Dragonspine just by giving you the standard safety talk, you would've missed out on so much adventure!

Neptune: We know another girl by the name of Iris and she is really sadistic and scary and likes punishing people and making people do what they say.

Zhiqiong: Alright, stop trying to persuade me. I don't want to argue with you over something this dumb. Can we just, you know, change the topic?

Fu Hua: Fine.

Zhiqiong: I mean, look over here. I'm currently studying the terrain over here, all the better to draw our maps...

Patrick: (Just like Memempu from "Sakugan" who wanted to be a marker and map out the caves.)

Zhiqiong: It's just that... I found that the way ahead is blocked by some... strange stuff.

Neptune: What kind of strange stuff?

Zhiqiong: If you could take some samples or pictures of it, I'm sure that both the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Adventurers' Guild would be quite pleased. I would have done it, but... I dropped my Kamera while descending into the mines, so I can only rely on you now, hehe!

Tick marks appeared on some of them.

Noire: Yeah... we'll do it for you.

Zhiqiong: Also, there are a few other spots... Yup. Here, and here. I found the tracks of Treasure Hoarders in these areas...

Paimon: Sorry, which place is where now? Paimon didn't understand you at all!

Aether: You just drew a bunch of Xs and lines...

Patrick: So you don't get lost, you mark your way so you can turn back and leave without getting lost. You also leave some rope behind.

Zhiqiong: Hahaha, sorry... Just a force of habit. I always forget that not everyone is born with a natural instinct for cartography. But it's alright, I will follow you and show the way ahead. We can approach any of these few locations first, so pick whichever you like.

Aether: In that case, let's go.

Fu Hua: Be careful while we're on the move.

Zhiqiong: Thanks for your concern! I'll keep that in mind.

Now they had to do two more quests. First they do First Miasmic Contact.

They teleport back up with the teleport waypoint then go through a mining tunnel. On the other side was the site of the first anomaly. There was more dark mud.

Zhiqiong: This is the place, take a few pictures, if you would.

Aether goes then takes a few pictures with the Camera.

Paimon: This looks like that dark-thingamajig that we saw earlier...

Neptune: It sure does.

Vert: Just like when we fought against that Vishap covered in that dark aura from the dark mud.

Zhiqiong: Eh? Have you seen this before?

Fu Hua: Yes we have.

Paimon: That's right, and Jinwu told us to warn you to be careful, too! And did you listen? Nooo...

All of a sudden, a Pyro Abyss Mage and a Hydro Abyss Mage influenced by the dark mud appeared.

Paimon: Oh no! Monsters incoming!

Fu Hua: Stand clear and let us handle those monsters.

Blanc uses several different ice attacks from her Catalyst weapon, Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds and brings down the shield while Seele uses water attacks from her scythe and also destroys the Pyro Abyss Mage's shield then Fu Hua finishes them both off.

Zhiqiong: *cough* *cough* Something's amiss. There weren't monsters here before. Does this strange black substance attract nearby creatures?

Bronya: Maybe.

Blanc: It's a possibility. It's made them stronger so it could also attract them too.

Fu Hua: Let's continue moving.

They continue walking to the site of the second anomaly.

Zhiqiong: This should be the second place... Eh? Where did it go? Well, fine. Since anomaly here is gone, keep following me through the tunnels.

The group catches glimpses a suspicious figure leaving the area.

Neptune: HEY! WAIT!

Paimon: Eek! Who was that? Did you see that?

Zhiqiong: Ack! *cough* *cough* No, I didn't! Anyway, stop shouting, you scared me half to death!

Paimon: Paimon wasn't being very noisy...

Fu Hua: I could see that person was blue.

Kiana: Could that have been someone you know?

Fu Hua: I think it was. I think that was Yelan. A Hydro Vision wielder who uses a bow.

Paimon: Should we go after her?

Fu Hua: No. We have more important things to do than chase one person.

Paimon: Ok...

The first quest was done now they had to do the second quest, Meeting New People... and Foiling Some Bandits.

They return back to the spot where they found Zhiqiong then the jump and glide down further into The Main Mining Area. They stopped at a higher point where they looked down and saw the campsite that has been occupied by Treasure Hoarders.

Fu Hua: Treasure Hoarders.

Zhiqiong: Those Treasure Hoarders have imprisoned someone. Is this human trafficking?

Paimon: Paimon thinks you're overestimating their courage...

Fu Hua: Now let's discuss what to do. Patrick, Kiana, Blanc, and Bronya will stay here while giving us cover fire while the rest of us go with the direct approach. Zhiqiong stays here since she can't fight.

Neptune: Alright!

Neptune summons her sword.

Kiana: Ok...

Kiana summons her crossbow.

Patrick: You got it.

Patrick summons his Dragon Bow.

Bronya and Blanc: Yes.

Both Kuudere's summoned their Catalysts. Bronya summoned her Star of Eden and Blanc summoned her Favonius Codex.

Fu Hua: Now let's go.

The fighters going to the frontlines jump down and unleash their attacks on the Treasure Hoarders catching them by surprise.

Erge: What, you're only here now? ...Wait, brothers! The hard-hats are here!

Paimon: What hats!?

Erge: Darn it! Come on, we're getting out of here!

Neptune cuts down a Treasure Hoarder.

Neptune: Don't let a single one get away.

Noire: HA!

Noire stabs a Treasure Hoarder with her spear then cuts another one. The ones up above rain fire with Pyro and Cryo attacks on the Treasure Hoarders. Once they were all defeated, Patrick, Kiana, Bronya, and Blanc jump down to the others.

???: Help! Help me! I'm here!

Neptune: Someone is trapped inside! Let's set him free!

Neptune opens the cage and lets the trapped person out.

Clitopho: Phew! Thank you for saving my life...

Zhiqiong: Wait a moment... I remember you! You're that Toclipho guy from back at the mine!

Clitopho: Uh, what? No! That wasn't... I—I don't sell any fake medicines! I'm Clitopho, yes, but not the one that's into pharmaceuticals. No sir!

Aether: Huh. So the medicines you sold were fake?

Clitopho: What? No! Impossible! The medicines I sell are one-hundred-percent the real deal! I mean, you saw the miners! They drank it, and they felt great!

Zhiqiong: And didn't you say you were the non-pharmaceutical Clitopho?

Clitopho: Ah, uh... Right, that was after my life selling medicines ended. And it all ended when that... when that Toclipho sold fakes under a false identity! He sold fake medicines under a false name and ruined my reputation! That's right. That's why I swore off selling medicines forever! And just as I was changing tacks, I was captured by that band of Treasure Hoarders...

Zhiqiong: But yes, that charlatan is truly despicable...

Paimon: Yup, he's a real piece of work, to want to trick those in the same business as him like that!

Aether: And so, what was the false name of this "Toclipho" again?

Clitopho: Clitopho! Uh. No, wait. Clitopho isn't a fake name. It's a real one...

Paimon: Doesn't that make "Toclipho" a fake name?

Clitopho: No... Wait, yes. Yes. He took my name falsely, so "Clitopho" is now a false name. We're clear now, right?

Paimon: Ooh... So "Toclipho" became a real name.

Aether: What a shame...

Clitopho: What's a shame?

Zhiqiong: You nearly confessed without us having to try too hard. Let's take him back up. The Millelith have a lot of questions for him, most likely.

Aether: Or we could deal with him right here and now.

Zhiqiong: What?

Clitopho: Hey! This isn't the time for such jokes.

Paimon: Hehe, hehehe. Paimon thinks it's pretty funny.

Clitopho: B—But you're not laughing. And no, this isn't funny at all!

Aether: You make a good point.

Clitopho: Hey, hey, hey! Take me along, would you? I'll be very useful to you! I mean, as you can see... I've been kicked out of the Treasure Hoarders...

Neptune: So you did something wrong and it caused you to get kicked out and have a change of heart.

Clitopho: So now I'm an upstanding citizen again, y'know?

Paimon: Oh, so that's what counts for "upstanding citizen" to you, huh...

Zhiqiong: And what are your skills, again?

Clitopho: I can... make explosives?

Paimon: Not fake medicine?

Aether: No, no, he said "explosives."

Zhiqiong: And your explosives aren't fake, either?

Clitopho: No, they're for real this time!

Zhiqiong: ... ...I'm not at liberty to include you on the team. As for how we should deal with you, Jinwu would be a better judge of that. But I guess she'll just hand you over to the Millelith. But we'll keep an eye on you. All Treasure Hoarders are not to be trusted, let alone someone who sells fake medicine...

Clitopho: Oh come on, I don't do that anymore!

Paimon: Oh, we know, we know! Let's go, shall we?

Fu Hua: Let's go. But make sure that he doesn't try anything.

Noire: you got it.

The party now with Clitopho walked further down the Main Mining Area.

Zhiqiong: Ever since the Array was broken, many secret-smuggler's tunnels were also unsealed... That's probably how they got in. These guys are most likely involved in ore smuggling rings back in Liyue. It'd be a service to get rid of them.

(Read the letter at the first camp — optional)

Vert had taken the letter from the first camp and was reading it.

Treasure Hoarder Letter: "...This Clitopho fellow is not to be trusted! He left the group that went up to steal food to rot, and he let all the Weasel Thieves go free... ...We've locked him up, awaiting Erge's judgment... ...By the way, there was an earthquake previously, and some people came down here afterward. Everyone should be on high alert..."

They reach the second camp where there were more Treasure Hoarders. There was also one of the Treasure Hoarders that got away from them, Erge.

Neptune: Another direct approach?

Fu Hua: Yes.

The Valkyries, CPUs, and two boys summoned their weapons then they screamed and charged in leaving Zhiqiong and Clitopho behind with the ELFs. They attack first.

Erge: Ugh, why is it you again!? And you let Clitopho out, too?

Paimon: That's Paimon's line!

Erge: Let's get out of here... This deal is off!

After defeating the Treasure Hoarders, the people on the sidelines came over to them.

Paimon: Eh? There's a huge cannon here. Let's go have a look at it, shall we?

Zhiqiong: That's the Mountainator that we miners used... Well, and that's just what the miners called it.

They examine the giant cannon in the depths of the tunnels.

Clitopho: The locking mechanism hasn't rusted away yet. In fact, it looks like it's been lubricated. Looks like someone maintained it even after the mine was sealed.

Neptune: Now nice of the person who maintained it keeping it from rusting. Nepgear probably would've done the same thing.

Clitopho: The breech also looks whole... It's just that the safety is currently locked down.

Paimon: What is he talking about?

Zhiqiong: The tunnels ahead were sealed using large rocks when the miners were dispersed... Looks like that's where we're going to need to use this cannon again.

Clitopho: But without any shot, cannons, no matter how large, are useless. As such, we need to find ourselves some.

Zhiqiong: Hmph, don't say it like I didn't know that, Mr. Know-It-All. There's a store room nearby that should contain the cannon-shot. With any luck, not all of it was moved away when the miners were dismissed...

Aether: Let's head that way, then.

Clitopho: Let's go.

Before leaving, Vert reads the letter at the second camp.

Treasure Hoarder Letter: "...We made the acquaintance of a few new companions down there, and they're requesting a few boxes of things to eat and drink. Now, we can't leave any new companions to starve just like that (especially when they've got the Mora to fork up in exchange), so could someone get them what they need quickly?... ...Also, this should give that new guy called Clitopho — you know, the fake medicine man — something to do. I'm pretty sure the mine warehouses store some food and drink. ...We've already sent one batch of people. What's with the lack of reply, huh?"

(Storehouse)

Zhiqiong: This is the place. *cough* Ugh, the gate's locked.

Clitopho: Looks like we'll need to use two keys at once to open the door... Oh come on, why are you Liyue people so conscientious about the silliest things?

Zhiqiong: Oh, cut the useless chatter... See that notice pasted next to the gate? If nothing else, that tells us that our cannonballs can be found within.

Clitopho: Well, that's one thing, but how do we know if the fuses have been well-preserved or not? I wouldn't get our hopes up just yet.

Zhiqiong: Oh, great — we have an optimist over here. Cut it with the quitter talk, would you? ...Seriously, what am I doing, listening to a Treasure Hoarder doubt us left and right?

Aether: Clitopho does have a point here, actually...

Patrick: Either way, we need to get this gate open first.

Neptune: He's not a Treasure Hoarder anymore. Remember? He doesn't do bad things anymore.

Paimon: Exactly! Don't you two fight, alright?

Zhiqiong: Hmph, alright. Let's continue. Maybe Jinwu knows how to open this gate. We'll be pretty busy after it opens, too. We'll have to activate a signaling device to get the breech open. Jinwu said that there should be an observation point for the demolitions team that overlooks the cannon and that we'll be able to adjust the signal from there, which will let us unlock the cannon from a safe distance.

So They start going back to the exploration team's camp.

Zhiqiong: Guess we've done our jobs. Let's head back to the camp to look for Jinwu. She might know what happened here...

(Exploration Team's Camp)

Zhiqiong: This is all thanks to you. Please, take this.

Zhiqiong hands them a crystal.

Aether: Thanks.

Zhiqiong: Ah, come on, there's no need to be so polite. I mean, Khedive's the one forking out the Mora! Oh, wait, shh... Best we be quiet, lest that stingy scholar from Sumeru hears us.

Neptune: Oh no! People always need to be polite and give their thanks to people.

Zhiqiong: *cough* Ahem. Shall we go and look for Jinwu? We can probably probe her experienced mind concerning some of the questions we had on the way.

Vert: Yes.

Zhiqiong: You know something? Jinwu doesn't like talking about this, but just like how you're famous for your exploits on Dragonspine, she was also quite the famous figure down at the mines... *cough* I heard that she helped to guide the Millelith search parties, and that they saved a lot of people together. Still, those things are in the past now. I shan't mention them too much, lest she gets mad again. Alright, I won't keep you any longer.

Zhiqiong leaves.

The screen pauses then Neptune comes on screen.

Neptune: These world quests are taking too long! Let's just time skip to the next part of the Archon Quest!

Patrick comes on screen.

Patrick: Fine. Ok. If you say so.

Another montage started. They got the keys, then they got the cannon balls, and created oil substance. Then they stopped Zhiqong and Clitopho from arguing. Zhigong had mapped out The Serpent's Cave and Underwater Waterway for them. They go read the Signaling Guide then they change the frequencies on 3 devices, then they load the cannon and fire it destroying the rocks blocking the way. Neptune and Vert rush straight in while the others had to catch up to them so they don't go further in by themselves.

The tunnel leads them to a cavern called Stony Halls where there were floating rocks and a blue sphere at the center of two rocks up and down. They activated three mechanisms which causes blu energy and smaller rocks to circle around it but then an Abyss Herald appeared and attacked them but they beat it. The blue crystal glowed brighter then slams down to the ground. It had opened a passage way further down called Nameless Ruins.

They made Zhiqiong stay behind by reasoning with her. Then they jump down with their wind gliders. They see something shockingly when they touched down then the montage stopped.

Paimon: What the... It's a city?

Kiana: It sure looks like a city.

Paimon: A whole city that's... floating in the air... upside down!?

Aether: I'm at a loss for words.

Neptune: This is not what I was expecting...

Paimon: Just look at this place, guys... Doesn't it remind you of something?

Fu Hua: Yes it does.

Paimon: Wait, what was it again...

Aether": The Defiled Statue."

Patrick: The one we found in Liyue with dark abyssal energy.

Paimon: Yes, that's it! It's just like that. Just as strange, just as upside-down, and just as spooky.

Bronya: Back when Liliya and Rozaliya found us.

Seele: And when we first encountered an Abyss Herald.

Mei: And where we first met Lumine.

Kiana: And escaped from us.

Fu Hua: And where he had answers to major questions.

Paimon: In which case... Maybe whatever's going on in The Chasm really is connected to the Abyss Order.

Seele: Looks like it.

Neptune: Maybe we'll get more questions answered.

Noire: The 4 of us were never there but we were told all about what happened.

Blanc: It was a major plot twist.

Vert: With what the other twin was doing while the other was still in slumber and that she was leading the Abyss Order.

Paimon: Oh, we gotta get to the bottom of this...

All of a sudden a portal opened causing everyone to summon their weapons on guard.

Paimon: ...Oh...

Dainsleif suddenly emerges from a portal beside them...

Dainsleif: ...

Everyone: Dainsleif!?

Dainsleif: The feeling is mutual. I certainly hadn't expected to meet you here, either.

They made their weapons disappear.

Valkyries and Patrick: Dainsleif.

Paimon: Long time no see, Dain... Wait, but how did you suddenly end up here in The Chasm?

Dainsleif: The Chasm? So, we're in the depths of The Chasm, are we. Interesting... This is one place where I have never set foot before.

Aether: We have a lot of questions for you.

Dainsleif: I understand how you must feel. Last time, we met suddenly and parted hastily.

Kiana: We tried to catch Lumine and the Abyss Herald but failed.

Dainsleif: Now our paths cross again... fate, it seems, owes you an explanation.

Aether: First, tell me what you're doing here.

Patrick: What was going on with that portal just now?

Dainsleif: That much should be self-explanatory. I came upon the trail of another Abyss Herald recently, and began pursuing it.

Mei: Another Abyss Herald?

Dainsleif: Unfortunately, I got as far as cornering him before he resorted to the same trick that they all do... I was hot on his heels when I followed him through the portal, but as usual, it was to no avail. It took me to the wrong place.

Patrick: So you had the same issue with the portal last time?

Aether: So you didn't actually catch up with my sister last time?

Dainsleif: Correct. Based on my recent experiences, I can only conclude that the Abyss's portals are not simply pathways from point A to point B, but gateways to an entire network. Where they emerge on the other side is their choice. It can be anywhere within the network.

Paimon: Sounds kinda similar to how Teleport Waypoints work...

Kiana: And just like my Void Portals and Sirin's Void Portals.

Dainsleif: In short, though I was right behind your twin last time when I entered that portal, the next moment that I realized where I was... ...I was all alone, back in the ruins known as Stormterror's Lair.

Paimon: Oh yeah, about that — whatever happened to the eye of the first Field Tiller?

Patrick: We've been wondering of what happened to you and to the eye.

Kiana: We were thinking that you could've been captured and they took the eye from you.

Mei: Or maybe that they took it from you and you failed to catch them and take it back.

Bronya: And many other theories.

Dainsleif: It's in a safe place. You can be sure that I will learn the truth of the "Loom of Fate" operation sooner than it could ever fall into the Abyss Order's hands.

Aether: Why don't you tell me who you really are?

Patrick: Who is the "Twilight Sword"?

Seele: Why are you called the "Twilight Sword"?

Mei: What was the final dynasty of Khaenri'ah?

Bronya: How were you cursed with immortality?

Kiana: How did you avoid getting turned into an Abyss Order monster?

Fu Hua: And how did you escape from the Destruction of Khaenri'ah?

Dainsleif: Hah. So that title stuck in your memory. I by no means went out of my way to conceal it from you. It once stood for the glory of Khaenri'ah, but now... ...It is but a cruel joke. My curse to bear. Twilight Sword was my title as captain of the Royal Guards when I witnessed the destruction of my entire homeland firsthand. I believe my reluctance to raise it in conversation is quite justified.

Paimon: Sounds like your sister was right...

Aether: What is the history between you and my sister?

Kiana: What happened between you?

Dainsleif: We were travel partners. We both partook in a painful journey of searching for our fate, but regrettably... we did not make it to the journey's end together.

Aether: The journey's end...

Dainsleif: Before you continue questioning me, I ought to warn you... If my suspicions regarding the portal network are correct, then the fact that there is a portal leading here tells us that the Abyss Order has their eyes on this location.

Paimon: You mean the Abyss Order is plotting something here? Actually, Paimon and the Traveler suspected that, too.

Mei: We all did.

Dainsleif: I mean that it's highly likely that even as we speak, the Abyss Order is watching our every move.

Paimon: Uhh, don't say that! You're giving Paimon goosebumps!

Aether: Let's go and investigate.

Fu Hua: We'll trust you. For now.

Dainsleif: Huh, a wise choice. There appears to be light from a fire coming from near that rocky wall. Let's take a look.

They began walking with Dainsleif.

Patrick: During our travels after seeing you the last time, we've met others from other worlds. Introduce yourselves.

Neptune: Hello! My name's Neptune!

Noire: I'm Noire. It's nice to meet you.

Blanc: My name is Blanc.

Vert: Hello, my name is Vert.

Dainsleif: Nice to meet you 4.

They arrived at the spot of the light.

Paimon: There are signs of hilichurl activity here. Could these be the hilichurls the requester was talking about?

Vert: Maybe they are.

Dainsleif: Requester? ...In fact, hold on. You still haven't told me what you're doing here. I doubt that most travelers would have any reason to venture down this way.

Paimon: We took a commission from the Adventurers' Guild to investigate The Chasm. Apparently, a whole load of hilichurls have been gathering here, and the requester wants to know why.

Kiana: Exactly. Hilichurls are going into the Chasm like they're being mind controlled just going down here.

Paimon: And now, it looks like we've finally found our first clue...

Dainsleif: Do you want the answer?

Paimon: Huh? You mean, you know something about this?

Dainsleif: As it happens, I do.

Kiana and Neptune: Tell us!

Aether: Does this have anything to do with the upside-down city?

Dainsleif: It's understandable that you did not perceive anything unusual. What makes this place so strange is that... ...the environment here weakens the effect of the curse.

Paimon: The curse? Oh! Paimon remembers, last time you guys were saying that Khaenri'ah's people were cursed to immortality or something...

Seele: And turned into monsters of the Abyss.

Mei: We thought that all of Khaenri'ah's people were turned into monsters but it sounds like some of them including you managed to avoid getting turned into monsters and instead were cursed with immortality.

Dainsleif: For centuries, I have suffered daily from the curse that was laid upon me. But here... I suddenly feel a small amount of relief from this suffering. And right here, right now, I can feel my body sending a strong message to me... It is telling me, "stay."

Everyone: Stay?

Paimon: So this place weakens the curse? That's pretty incredible, but how?

Dainsleif: That I shall need to investigate. But to the best of my knowledge, the Abyss Order does not have the technology to achieve this.

Patrick: So you're saying...

Aether: The hilichurls that come here are also from...

Dainsleif: Indeed. Do you know why hilichurls wear masks?

Patrick: Not really.

Aether: I'm not sure...

Dainsleif: It's to hide their appearance, lest they catch sight of their reflection in a body of water...

Bronya: So hilichurls don't want their true faces to be seen or to see their true faces in their reflections in water.

Dainsleif: Compared to how they remember themselves, it is a terrible sight to behold, one that causes them great despair.

Aether: So these hilichurls really are from...

Dainsleif: The curse of "immortality" denies death to those afflicted with it... and yet, it does not truly mean that they will never die.

Paimon: So you mean, there's a way to undo it?

Dainsleif: No. I mean that the body and soul will continue to be eroded until they are virtually nonexistent, even if "death" is not the form that this erosion takes. When the hilichurls realize that the end is nigh for them, it seems their instinct is to seek out a calm and dark corner of the world in which to finally say goodbye to the centuries of suffering they have endured.

Seele: Poor hilichurls.

Dainsleif: And of all the places they could lay down to rest, one that can ease the effects of their curse would surely be their first choice.

Paimon: Wow... that's so...

Dainsleif: Conversation's over, brace yourselves!

Paimon: Wh—What is it!?

Dainsleif: We're under attack.

Black Serpent Knights appeared.

Everyone summoned their weapons.

Kiana: These guys again? This is the second time we've seen them since going to Enkanomiya the second time.

Mei: HA!

Mei charges in first and her engages one of them. The others engage the other Black Serpent Knights.

After dealing the final blows, the Black Serpent Knights were dead.

Paimon: What were those? And why did they attack us all of a sudden?

Dainsleif: Black Serpent Knights. They once belonged to the Royal Guard of Khaenri'ah.

Paimon: Wait a second! Royal Guard? So... they used to be your troops!?

Dainsleif: Yes, they were. But now, the curse engulfs them, and they fight with none of the honor they once had...

Paimon: Because they've become pawns of the Abyss now?

Dainsleif: ...Let's continue on.

Paimon: Wait, Dain...

Dainsleif: Hmm?

A Black Serpent Knight is looking intently at Dainsleif.

???: ...

Dainsleif: Seems we missed one...

???: ...

Neptune holds her sword.

Neptune: Come down here and fight us mister!

And Kiana pointed her crossbow in her right hand.

Kiana: Yeah come down here and!...

Dainsleif: Wait, stand down. There's something different about this one...

Neptune and Kiana: Huh?!

They look at it but then it disappeared.

Dainsleif: ...It's disappeared.

Paimon: What the heck? What was going on with that one? Was it trying to say something?

Dainsleif: (How is this possible... How could he have retained self-awareness for 500 years without... it? But more importantly, why did he seem so familiar...)

Noire: It just stood there, doing nothing but watching the fight.

Fu Hua: Just why didn't it attack us like the others did.

Aether: Maybe he recognized you.

Dainsleif: That would be a miraculous outcome indeed for a cataclysm that brought total doom and destruction... Or perhaps it was just a coincidence. We should press onward, to the city.

They continued onward.

Mei: (Dainsleif really doesn't want to talk about his past. I should probably tell him.)

Mei gets next to Dainsleif.

Mei; Dain... you probably didn't notice but... I look exactly like the Raiden Shogun. Even she was shocked that I looked identical to her...

Dainsleif: I noticed that.

Mei: Eh?!

Dainsleif: You have her voice and face. I've seen what she looks like before.

Mei: Since she and I have the same blood, I'm able to use her moves and her weapons. I'll show you more later. And we've actually seen the Black Serpent Knights before while we were down in this underground place called Enkanomiya where we encountered two Abyss Lectors. One with Electro and one with Pyro. The one with Pyro was called Enjou. He gave us more questions and theories.

Neptune: We discussed everything what we've learned so far in a meeting. We understand that you knew that it was already too late to save the people of Khaenri'ah from turning into the Abyss Order and chose not to try to save them because it was already too late to save them.

Dainsleif: ......

Bronya: Maybe we should save the discussions for later.

Mei and Neptune: Ok.

They arrive at the entrance to the ruins.

Paimon: Looks like there's a strange energy surrounding the city. We can't go any further. Guess there should be a mechanism or something around here, right? Traveler, guys, looks like it's time to get into ruin-exploring mode!

Aether: I'll take a look around and see what I can find.

Dainsleif: Don't waste your time.

Kiana: What are you talking about?

Dainsleif uses his power and clears the way.

Paimon: Huh...!?

Dainsleif: Khaenri'ah's technology, Abyssal power... Two things I couldn't be more familiar with. They're just cheap tricks to me.

Patrick: Like how Kiana's void portals are cheap tricks to easily get anywhere.

Kiana: HEY! You said before that we're not allowed to go anywhere instantly because my void portals are cheats!

Patrick: I just wanted to see your reaction.

Paimon: Okay! So the Abyss Order really is trying to hide something here, right?

Dainsleif says nothing.

Paimon: Hmm... Dain seems like he really understands what's going on here. No wonder the Abyss Order doesn't want him around.

Seele: They really want him dead.

Aether: Was this upside-down city built by Khaenri'ah?

Kiana: Was this upside-down city built by the Abyss Order?

Dainsleif: Not necessarily. The closer we draw, the more I am inclined to conclude that these ruins belong to a more ancient civilization still. The Abyss Order simply got to them before anyone else.

Paimon: Even older than Khaenri'ah? Whoa, Paimon can't even imagine back that far...

Mei: (Could this have existed before the time of gods?)

Dainsleif: That said, the architecture here does somewhat resemble that of Khaenri'ah... At least, it would if it were the other way up. Let's head toward the light over there. Mind your footing on the way ahead. It's a long way down.

They walk along the pathway to the light leading to a lit room in the ruins. Inside were more Black Serpent Knights.

Paimon: Aah, Black Serpent Knights!

The party summons their weapons.

Paimon: Is this where they're based? Or wait, are they guarding something here?

Mei: Maybe. We're going to find out.

Dainsleif: We are likely drawing near to whatever the Abyss Order is trying to hide. Let's take them out first.

They fight against the Black Serpent Knights.

Patrick: Sorry to do this to you. Former troops of Dainsleif.

Patrick slashes down the Black Serpent Knight he was fighting against. Neptune was amazed with how Dainslief fights. Noire stabs a Black Serpent Knight with her spear. Vert did some of Jean's moves. They finish off the Black Serpent Knights.

Kiana: How did you learn how to fight like Jean?

Vert: Oh I did some commissions with her and observed how she fights. Plus I have an Anemo Vision now and can use air attacks.

Paimon: Hey look, vines. You should be able to climb up, right?

Kiana: Alright. Ladies first!

Kiana goes up then the rest of the girls climb up the vines. The boys go last.

They continue investigating the ruins.

Paimon: Oh no, more Black Serpent Knights!

They draw their weapons again.

Black Serpent Knight of Old: !!!

Paimon: Huh, they're not coming after us. Are they just trying to scare us off?

Bronya: Doesn't look like it.

Paimon: These knights seem like they're hiding something behind them...

Black Serpent Knight of Old: !!!

Dainsleif: Hold on, I think they...

Black Serpent Knight of Old: !!!

The Black Serpent Knights charge at them

Paimon: Aah, they're coming! Quick, get them!

Vert: Alright. HA!

Vert uses Jean's attacks and knock them back.

Seele: Ha!

Seele sends water slashes at them.

Blanc: Freeze!

Blanc freezes them in the ice. Neptune and Noire use their Electro and Pyro slashes and deal a lot of damage on the Black Serpent Knights. Dainseif and Aether finish them off with their attacks.

Paimon: Whew, that was the last of them! Now, let's see what it was they were trying to hide.

They examine what the Black Serpent Knights were protecting.

Paimon: Huh!? What's this?

Kiana: Just a bunch of hilichurls with dark energy around them.

Dainsleif: ...So the Black Serpent Knights have nothing to do with the Abyss Order's secret. Huh, I should have guessed.

Paimon: So what exactly is going on with these hilichurls?

Dainsleif: As I said, for these hilichurls, the end is nigh.

Aether: The hilichurls are preparing to meet their end...

Dainsleif: They have grown old and fearful of the light, even become one with the darkness. And yet the curse continues to corrode them.

Paimon: But why would the Black Serpent Knights wanna stay here and guard them?

Fu Hua: Maybe they want to help them break the curse to put them out of their misery?

Dainsleif: Maybe.

All of a sudden more Black Serpent Knights appeared behind them.

Black Serpent Knight of Old: !!!

Paimon: Aah! More of them are closing in!

Black Serpent Knight of Old: !!!

Aether: Let's try to avoid fighting them.

Girls and Patrick: WHAT?!

Aether: Fighting them is meaningless.

Girls and Patrick: BUT!

???: !

The same Black Serpent Knight they met earlier appeared above.

Paimon: ...It's him! The guy that came out of nowhere and disappeared again!

The Black Serpent Knight does a signal then the other Black Serpent Knights back away.

Paimon: And now they're retreating... Did he just order them to do that?

Dainsleif: ...Halfdan?

Party: Halfdan?

???: ...

Paimon: Whoa, whoa, what? You recognize him?

Dainsleif: ...Could it be... If it's as I suspect, then this is a truly tragic state of affairs.

The Black Serpent Knight leaves.

Paimon: Dain?

Dainsleif: You want to know why they were gathered here guarding the hilichurls, don't you?

Kiana: That's exactly what we needed to know. Yes.

Dainsleif: It's because as far as the Black Serpent Knights are concerned, they are simply doing their duty. The one who ordered them to retreat just now... I suddenly recognized him. I knew him as a young man, an elite in the Royal Guard of old... His name is "Halfdan."

Paimon: So he's from 500 years ago, too...

Dainsleif: To this day, I still remember the final orders I, the Twilight Sword, gave to Halfdan on the day of disaster in Khaenri'ah, before I made haste back to the palace... "Inform all Black Serpent Knights to protect the people of Khaenri'ah at all costs." Because we, of course, were royal guards. But this would mean nothing in the events that followed... Royals, gentry, common folk, these identities made no difference.

Neptune: So you really did try to save everyone in Khaenri'ah.

Dainsleif: Against the might of the gods, the only identity that mattered was being from Khaenri'ah.

Aether: ...

Dainsleif: These Black Serpent Knights have lost their intellect. But perhaps, in whatever remains of their minds, they are still protecting the people of Khaenri'ah. If you see these ruins as Khaenri'ah in the throes of disaster, and these hilichurls as the people crying for help... ...then suddenly, I can make sense of what I'm hearing. Their growls are less of a threat and more of a warning.

Paimon: Then... what are they saying?

Kiana: Are you able to speak the hilicurls' language?

Dainsleif: Though it is barely discernible, I can just about make it out. They keep repeating a word from the old language of Khaenri'ah... "run."

Aether: So they're telling the hilichurls behind them to escape...

Dainsleif: Even I have to admit, the fact their will is strong enough to survive 500 years of erosion... it is nothing short of a miracle born from hopelessness.

Paimon: Oh... so Paimon had them all wrong...

Seele: We all did.

Dainsleif: It doesn't matter. Even I took them for enemies for a moment. Let's keep heading toward the light at the top. I believe the Black Serpent Knights will no longer try to stop us.

Paimon: So there's no Abyss Order secrets to be found here... Just a bunch of hilichurls nearing the end of their existence.

Noire: Poor hilichurls.

Paimon: We probably shouldn't disturb them.

They leave and follow a Seelie to the chamber at the center of the ruins' summit where there was an upside-down teleport waypoint.

Paimon: Sure enough, we aren't seeing any more Black Serpent Knights. Guess that Halfdan guy really did recognize Captain Dain, huh?

Patrick: He sure did.

Kiana: Somewhere in Halfdan he still has his memories and his intellect might still be intact.

They find more Hilichurls in dark mud in the room with the upside-down teleport waypoint.

Paimon: More hilichurls. And they look really well-protected.

They continue towards the chamber at the center of the ruins' summit.

Kiana: Losing Halfdan must have really hurt Dain from inside.

Neptune: Probably. He lost a lot of friends he knew in Khaenri'ah.

Noire: Now he's a loner. Not like me. Because I am not a loner.

Neptune: Yes you are.

Noire: I am not!

They arrive in the next chamber.

Paimon: Dain... why so quiet?

Dainsleif: I'm just thinking, nothing more. If you're trying to console me, I can assure you there is no need.

Paimon: Hmph! Fine...

There were more hilichurls.

Paimon: All these hilichurls want is to quietly fade away in peace...

Blanc: Only they can't because of their curse.

Paimon: Paimon hopes they can get their final wish.

They make it to the top at the center of the ruins' summit.

Paimon: Hey look, there's no door sealing this room off. Looks like we can finally head to the room in the center. C'mon, let's go!

There were more Hilichurls at the other end of the room.

Paimon: Paimon's never seen such well-behaved hilichurls before.

Kiana: They don't even notice us.

Paimon: Paimon wonders if it has anything to do with being an old soul.

They finally arrive at the chamber at the center of the ruins' summit.

Paimon: Look, up there! A water pool!

Paimon: Even the water pool is upside-down. Wow! This is a pretty amazing place.

Seele: The water is not even coming down here.

Neptune: Maybe the gravity must be different here.

Paimon: Dain, do you have any idea at all how it works?

Dainsleif: The pool must be part of the entire city structure, a relic of this ancient civilization. And more importantly... it is the very thing that is weakening the curse. Here, my whole body feels more at peace than it has in a long time. The effect is stronger here than it was before, and I think it's because that water pool has something akin to a cleansing effect.

Paimon: Cleansing? So that means... the water in that pool can wash away the curse for good?

Neptune: Like a fountain of youth.

Dainsleif: No. That would be impossible.

Paimon: How are you so sure?

Dainsleif walks to the center.

Dainsleif: I have lived with this curse for 500 years, and I have been fully conscious the entire time... Suffice to say, no one understands the curse like I do. It is a way of branding us at the level of the fate of the world itself. When a god applies a curse, it takes effect at a higher level of reality than the person themselves. Even now, I can feel the curse slowly permeating my entire being, becoming part of me, slowly but surely replacing me. Perhaps it may be possible to suppress the corrosive effect of the curse for a time, but cleansing it entirely... Consider it tantamount to burning away an integral part of your body. It is not a process that one could ever hope to survive.

Paimon: Huh!? Cleansing the curse costs you your life? Whoa... an irreversible curse, Paimon can't even imagine...

Kiana: Suicide.

Dainsleif: In any case, I can feel that the water's cleansing effect is not nearly potent enough. At most, it might suppress the curse but a little.

Paimon: Hmm? So what's that contraption there? It looks kinda out of place...

Fu Hua: An Abyss Order device?

Aether: Perhaps it's the Abyss Order's secret.

Everyone comes to the center.

Dainsleif: Frankly, I have never seen a device of this design before either. It is not unreasonable to suspect that it could belong to the Abyss Order. But what could they be planning to do here...

???: (*clunk* *clunk*...)

All the stone doors open.

Paimon: Yikes! That gave Paimon a fright... So all the doors are open now?

Halfdan appears.

Halfdan: ...

Paimon: Wah, Halfdan's back again...

Dainsleif: Halfdan. Do you have something to say to me?

Halfdan: ...

Halfdan just turns around and leaves.

Kiana: Guess he didn't.

Paimon: He ran off... but he didn't disappear like last time!

Dainsleif: He's indicating that we should follow him. Are you coming?

Aether: This could be a useful lead.

Vert: He doesn't seem to hold any malice toward us.

Paimon: True... so, uh... we going, then?

They follow Halfdan out the door.

Paimon: Halfdan jumped down over there. Let's follow him.

They jump down then use their wind gliders to glide down.

Paimon: Looks like Halfdan disappeared at the far end of this path...

Dainsleif: Perhaps whatever lies ahead is what he wants us to see. Let's keep going.

They follow the path and continue exploring.

Paimon: There are more signs of hilichurl activity here.

Neptune: There's bound to be more questions to be answered.

They pass another clue of hilichurl activity.

Paimon: Is that the way into the hilichurl camp? Let's go see.

They run faster till they get to the hilichurl camp.

Paimon: It's a humble hilichurl camp...

Paimon: Oh, these hilichurls look like they're in pretty bad shape, too. Some of them look like they've already... taken their final breath...

Patrick: They look dead.

Fu Hua: They are dead.

Paimon: Is this what Halfdan wanted to show us?

Mei: Maybe.

Dainsleif: Whether it is or not, everything here is worth investigating in detail. Inspect the area. Leave no stone unturned.

They split up to look for clues.

Noire and Kiana examine the bonfire.

Paimon: There's even a bonfire here, like what hilichurls build in the wild.

Noire: Yes.

Paimon: Wait, but wasn't Dain saying that hilichurls get scared of the light when they reach the very end of their lives...?

Kiana: Maybe they're only afraid of sunlight and artificial light.

Paimon: Hmm, maybe in the very, very end, they still want to feel some light and warmth? Uh... just thinking aloud here, could also be another reason!

Blanc and Bronya were at the crates.

Paimon: Hilichurls usually store food in crates like these, right? But... these seem pretty much empty. Is it because they're so near to the end that they don't need to eat anymore?

Blanc: Maybe they wanted to enjoy their last meals.

Paimon: Hmm... even if they don't need to eat anymore, Paimon bets they still miss food for the flavor.

Vert and Mei were with the dead hilichurls.

Paimon: Seems like... these hilichurls have no life left in them at all. Before long, they'll become one with the darkness.

Vert: Whatever afterlife they go to, they'll Rest In Peace.

Paimon: The hilichurls we meet in the wild are always so rowdy... Paimon never would have imagined that this is how they spend their final days. We may not have a whole lot of happy memories dealing with hilichurls, but still, Paimon hopes they're at peace in their last moments.

The others were at the flower with more dead hilichurls.

Paimon: How did that flower get this far underground? Did someone bring it in memory of the deceased hilichurls?

Neptune: Impossible. Who would want to bring flowers to hilichurls seeing them as monsters?

Aether: I know this flower...

Girls: Huh?

Aether: I've seen this kind of flower before...

Paimon: Hey, now that you mention it, Paimon thinks it looks kinda familiar, too...

Patrick: Now where have we seen it before?

Dainsleif: It is the national flower of Khaenri'ah: the "Inteyvat." It once bloomed all over the nation. It would only last two weeks before wilting. But if you were to pluck one and take it out of Khaenri'ah, the petals would stop growing and turn hard. Only when it finally returned to its home soil would the petals grow soft once more, and finally turn to dust... So the Inteyvat is a symbol for a wanderer far from home, signifying the tenderness of the homeland.

Patrick: (Wait a minute. This flower was in that animated picture of both Travelers standing with flowers. This must be the flower from that animated picture.)

Aether: That's the flower my sister was wearing in her hair.

Paimon: *gasp* So for this flower to get here, it must have been brought from...

Party except Aether and Dainsleif: From Lumine!

Aether reaches out and touches the flower, and as he did, things that happened before flash before in his eyes once again... Patrick and the Valkyries touched each other, then they touched Aether and saw the same thing he was seeing.

It showed the Abyss Herald they encountered with the upside down statue with Lumine.

Abyss Herald: Your Highness... so the proposal finally has your blessing?

Lumine: In focusing single-mindedly on confronting the Heavenly Principles, we neglected our original mission: the revival of the homeland. I should not have been so indecisive.

Abyss Herald: The device is almost ready. We await your command.

Lumine: What are the chances of succeeding?

Abyss Herald: Theoretically speaking... approximately—

Lumine: Forget it. Even a one-percent chance is enough... For too long have we dwelt in the Abyss. Surely, they would rather return to the natural cycle of life and death as soon as possible than continue to exist as they are, without a shred of dignity. They cannot be made to continue paying the price... for those so-called sins.

Abyss Herald: The Order is most fortunate to be graced with your decision.

Then the Abyss Herald disappeared and in its place was them.

Kiana: Device? What device?

Mei: Maybe they're building a device to free them from the curse.

Lumine was walking away going past them

Aether: Lumine...

The vision ends.

Dainsleif: You saw something, didn't you? Can you tell me what it was?

Paimon: Yeah, you zoned out for quite a while there.

Seele: We saw Lumine and the Abyss Herald we encountered before.

They relate the scene they just saw to Dainsleif and the CPUs...

Dainsleif: Huh. Well, people do say that twins have a special connection... It sounds as if they are attempting to make use of certain equipment to cleanse the curse. It could well be the device we saw earlier. And... you say she mentioned the "revival of the homeland," correct?

Valkyries and Patrick: Yes.

Aether: She said it was her mission.

Mei: It sounds like they're trying to revive Khaenri'ah. (Or was it to revive her home world where she and Aether came from?)

Dainsleif: No surprise there. Stubborn as ever. It appears as if the Abyss Order plans to use this location to cleanse the hilichurls of their curse and restore them to the way they once were... then, they will serve as the foundation for reviving the nation of Khaenri'ah.

Neptune: So in other words. To change the hilichurls back into humans.

Dainsleif: After all, there can be no nation without a people.

Aether: Do they have a chance?

Dainsleif: Hmph, it is the height of foolishness. They have no chance of success. Not even a one-percent chance. I told you already that no one knows this curse better than I, having lived with it for 500 years... There is no redemption. There is no undoing the curse. Trying to remove it by force will achieve nothing but to inflict further suffering. So make sure you are clear in your mind. You have to tell yourself: They are no longer human.

Fu Hua: Just mindless monsters with no intellect or mind.

Kiana: With no hope of getting changed back.

Dainsleif: If you cling to false hope and allow yourself to become too emotionally invested, the only way is down... You will end up just like them, mired in hypocrisy. Save your strength for something worth saving.

Aether: Why should I believe you?

Dainsleif: Oh?

Everyone except Aether: Huh?

Dainsleif: Haha... But of course. I am merely someone you hired for a task, while she is your sister. It is only natural for you to side with her. But whatever decision you make cannot deter me from mine. My chosen path is to stop the Abyss.

Patrick: My chosen path was to kill an evil man that did wrong to my friends here. After I killed him, my revenge finally came to pass.

Kiana: My chosen path was to fight for all that is beautiful. That's what Auntie Hineko said.

Mei: My chosen path was to save Kiana... after I made a deal with another man.

Seele: We all choose our chosen paths. Wether their right or wrong.

Dainsleif: If we have reached an impasse, then perhaps this is where we should say—

Aether: I choose to believe you. But that doesn't mean I completely trust you. It just means that I don't approve of my sister's methods.

Dainsleif: I see.

Aether: A 1% chance of redemption... ...versus a 99% chance of suffering and death. Nobody has the right... ...to make that choice on another living being's behalf. Especially not when these hilichurls... ...have already chosen the end that they desire.

Dainsleif: It seems that the three questions I put to you on our first meeting were worthwhile. You have developed your own individual views on this world. Very well. Since you have volunteered your true thoughts on this matter, I shall not hide mine from you. Right now, I have a more immediate agenda than stopping the Abyss...

Blanc and Bronya: What is it?

Dainsleif: That is to say, the Abyss's actions here directly dishonor the final wishes of Halfdan and my other compatriots. I cannot allow this to proceed.

Aether: Then let's stick together for this one.

Dainsleif: The Abyss may appear at any moment. Be on your guard at all times as we proceed.

Patrick: Right.

Kiana: We'll be on guard.

They leave the hilichurl camp and end up back where the upside-down city is.

Paimon: We can see the upside-down city from here, too.

Dainsleif: Wait... Watch out!

There was a super bright flash of light. The sudden bright light pierces their eyes.

Girls: Aaaah!

Paimon: Wh—What's going on!? Is that light coming from the room in the center? Ow, it's too bright!

Dainsleif: The mutation is continuing... Has the Abyss made its move already?

Abyss Herald: Dainsleif...

Everyone instantly turned around and summoned their weapons seeing the same Abyss Herald.

Abyss Herald: I see your incessant meddling continues, and that you have once again joined forces with Our Highness's kin and his friends...

Abyss Herald: Regrettably, I was not in time to control your exit from the network... and it sent you here, of all places. This was a catastrophic error.

Dainsleif: Hmph! I am surprised that you dare to face me. You ran like a coward last time.

Valkyries and CPUs: YEAH!

Kiana and Neptune: A coward!

Abyss Herald: Our Highness's will must be done. All interferences must be removed... whatever the price to pay. This time... the curse that torments our people must be undone, once and for all.

Dainsleif: You are the only ones who torment them. There is nothing else left of those hilichurls. Nothing besides the curse itself.

Abyss Herald: Say what you wish. I am going nowhere, Dainsleif.

Dainsleif: Then you will give your life just to delay the inevitable? How absurd. But since you wish to persist, then so be it!

Kiana: You should just give up. Because... Now!

Patrick and the Valkyries float up and get engulfed by the elements then they transform into their Herrscher forms. The CPUs also transform into their HDD forms this time in the outfits and with the angel wings from "CyberDimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online".

Abyss Herald: HUH?!

Kiana: You see, we're kind of deities too. But not exactly. I look exactly like that goddess who calls herself the sustainer of heavenly principles.

Mei: And I may look like the Raiden Shogun but I'm not her. However, I can still use her moves and weapons!

Bronya: We were saving these forms as a secret but now we decided o reveal them now.

Fu Hua: And we've got you outnumbered and outmatched.

Seele: I may not be a Herrscher, but I still have this form and Veliona's power and the Herrscher of Death's powers.

Patrick: I am merely an apprentice of a guardian but I'm just as strong.

Purple Heart: The 4 of us are Goddesses not from this world.

Black Heart: We came to this world to help our friends.

White Heart: I may be small but I pack a bigger punch when I'm angry!

Green Heart: I am irresistible and more voluptuous. I enjoy fighting.

Then The Valkyries, CPUs, and Patrick pose together.

Valkyries, CPUs, and Patrick: HA!

Abyss Herald: Abyss Mages!

Abyss Mages appeared.

Kiana: Let's get him!

Everyone: Yeah!

Dainsleif and Aether go for the Abyss Herald while the others go for the Abyss Mages.

Dainsleif: You really think you can use that device beneath the pool to cleanse this curse?

Abyss Herald: Do not underestimate the ways of the Abyss. That device can amplify the cleansing effects of the water not tenfold, but a hundredfold...

Dainsleif: Then I overestimated you. This plan is even cruder than I thought.

Patrick: Trace on!

Patrick materialized swords then stabbed several Abyss Mages after the Valkyries took down their shields, killing them. More appeared. Aether used his Wind Blade then Patrick added fire to it created an elemental reaction that blew the Abyss Herald back. It summoned water on its arm blades and did the spinning attack on the duo.

Abyss Herald: Abyssal Roar!

They swapped out and taking their place were White Heart and Green Heart.

White Heart and Green Heart: HA!

White Heart and Green Heart slashed the Abyss Herald with their weapons. The Abyss Herald sent an x water slash at them. Blanc froze it with an ice attack. Vert stabs it with her spear pushing it into a wall. When it's health was down enough, it put up its energy field around its body. Both CPUs swap out and taking their place were Bronya and Mei. Bronya materialized Keys of Reason above the Abyss Herald then they open fire but the Abyss Herald dodges the blast only to be met with an Electro slash from Mei.

Mei: Torn to Oblivion!

Mei does one of Ei's slashes then Bronya fire a Cryo blast freezing the Abyss Herald then the Abyss Herald was met with Mei using Ei's burst. With a final my slash, the Abyss Herald was blown back again. The team lined up prepared for finish the Abyss Herald up.

Patrick: You're finished Abyss Herald! Now it's time to pay the price from our combined finishing moves!

All at once they charged up their finishing moves then unleashed them all at once.

Kiana: Void Unleashed!

Mei: Amaterasu's Ride!

Bronya: Cyberangel.cfg!

Fu Hua: A Worldful of Woes!

Seele: Chthonic Fury!

Purple Heart: Cross Combination!

Black Heart: Lacey Dance

White Heart: Tangerine Trombe!

Green Heart: Rainy Ratnapura!

Patrick: Final Strike!

Everyone unleashes their attacks all at once engulfing the Abyss Herald.

Abyss Herald: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

And then the Abyss Herald turned into particles before the combined attacks exploded. They stood down and felt relieved that the Abyss Herald was finally destroyed.

Paimon: Whew! You've been hunting this Abyss Herald for aaages — now you finally got him!

Kiana: We got him!

Dainsleif: There's no time to celebrate. The Abyss Order's device is activating, but there's still time to destroy it.

Paimon: Alright! Let's go!

Kiana: Right!

Kiana changes into Herrscher of Flamscion holding her sword then they fly up to the chamber. When they got in they saw an Abyss Lector with the device.

Dainsleif: Look, the amplification device!

The device activates, causing Dainsleif, the hilichurls, and almost everyone on the scene great pain. All except the party.

Paimon: Dain!

Dainsleif: Am I too late... They're in agony... This is no way for them to meet their end. Find a way... To stop that thing!

Kiana: GUYS! What are we waiting for?! Let's get in there and destroy that thing!

Everyone summons their weapons but stop. In Dainsleif's eyesight was his old friend.

Everyone: HALFDAN?!

Halfdan drops his sword then he screams and Anemo energy comes off of him then he runs to the center.

Dainsleif: Halfdan! Don't do it...

In this key moment, Halfdan strides forth and uses his body to block the powerful light. The device shuts down and Halfdan collapsed.

Dainsleif: I thought he would've been turned to ashes in an instant... Halfdan's soul is extraordinarily resilient.

Fu Hua: He sacrificed himself to save you.

Abyss Lector: Meddling fool! Encumber us no more...

Dainsleif: Don't you have a greater encumbrance to worry about? Come on, this is your grand opportunity to get rid of me.

Abyss Lector: ...Dainsleif!!!

Party: AND US TOO!

Dainsleif: Take him out, and deactivate the device!

Patrick: With pleasure.

Party: HAAAA!!!!!!!

Abyss Lector: HAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

When they made contact, the Abyss Lector was pushed back to a wall.

Abyss Lector: Abyss Mages!

Abyss Mages showed up in large numbers.

They spread out and start hacking, slashing, and blasting at the Abyss Mages. A Void Portal opens but it was not from Kiana.

From the Void Portal came Sirin and Drago in their Herrscher forms, Bella in her human form, the ELFs Blood Embrace, Selune's Elgy, and Water's Edge, and lastly came the CPU Candidates in their HDD forms in white clothing and with angel wings.

Purple Sister: We're here! We finished what we needed to do and now we're here to join the fight!

Sirin: Now witness us!

Drago: YEAH!

Drago and Sirin fired swords and lances.

Purple Sister: Multiple Beam Launcher!

Purple Heart: Cross Combination.

Both sisters severely damage the Abyss Lector.

When it's health was down enough, it put up its energy field around its body. So now they had to use their finishers all at once. They charge up their attacks then all say the same thing.

Everyone: Final strike!

They unleashed their attacks all at once engulfing the Abyss Lector.

Abyss Herald: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

And then the Abyss Herald turned into particles before the combined attacks exploded.

Paimon: What do we do now? The Abyss Lector's gone, but the device won't stop...

Fu Hua: We have to find a way to stop it.

Paimon: And Halfdan...

Aether: Let me take his place. The cleansing won't have any effect on me.

Dainsleif: No! As long as the device is active, the cursed are rendered powerless. Only you can take on the Abyss. If you value his sacrifice, then do not waste any more time here. See all these rays of light and portals? They must have installed several of these energy devices in various locations. Find them! Quickly!

Fu Hua: Ok! Let's split up!

Drago: Sirin, Bella, the ELFS, and I will stay here and watch Halfdan!

Paimon: So we have to... go through these Abyss portals? ...Hey, wait for Paimon!

They split up into 4 groups. One group was the Valkyries, the second group was the CPUs, the third group was the CPU Candidates, and the fourth group was Patrick, Aether, Paimon, and Dainsleif

The Valkyries go to the first charging device.

Kiana there it is!

Seele: Let's destroy it!

But a Pyro Abyss Mage and a Cryo Abyss Mage appear.

Kiana: But first let's get rid of these two guys first. Ha!

Kiana, Fu Hua, and Mei fight against the Cryo Abyss Mage while Seele and Bronya fight against the Pyro Abyss Mage. After defeating the Abyss Mages they destroy the charging device.

Kiana: The hilichurls are really suffering... Wait! This must be unbearable for Dainsleif too, right?

Fu Hua: Never mind that. Halfdan and the others are enduring far greater suffering than him. There's no time to lose!

They go back through the portal.

The CPUs were at the second charging device but were met with a Pyro Abyss Mage and an Electro Abyss Mage. They were able to kill them.

Purple Heart: Quick, destroy the devices and put an end to the hilichurls' suffering!

The 4 CPUs destroy the second charging device.

Black Heart: Move out!

The CPU Candidates were at the third charging device. They were fighting against a Cryo Abyss Mage and an Electro Abyss Mage. They were able to defeat them then destroyed the third charging device.

Purple Sister: Let's get back.

Black Sister: Right!

Patrick, Aether, Paimon, and Dainsleif were at the fourth charging device and defeated a Hydro Abyss Mage and a Pyro Abyss Mage. Then they destroy the fourth charging device.

Finally the device at the center stopped.

Paimon: Okay, it's gone dark all around now. Shall we head back to the room in the center?

Everyone returns back and reach Halfdan.

Paimon: So that's it, right? The device is fully shut down now?

Kiana: Is it really shut down?

Dainsleif: The burning sensation has indeed stopped...

Paimon: So we managed to stop the Abyss Order's plan?

Purple Heart: But... Halfdan...

Aether: He seems to have breathed his last.

Dainsleif: ... Let me check.

Paimon: Dain must be really upset...

Kiana: He must be. He just lost his friend again.

Paimon: Of all the ways to be reunited with one of his former comrades after so long... This is rough...

Black Heart: And now he's dead.

Fu Hua: At least his suffering ended. He no longer has the curse and can finally Rest In Peace.

Dainsleif: ... ...Let's go.

Just as They thought it was all over, a light once again shines from behind them.

Dainsleif: Light?

It was the final radiance of Halfdan's soul.

White Heart: Is that Halfdan's soul?

Green Heart: It looks like it.

Halfdan: Apologies, Captain Dainsleif, Twilight Sword. Back then... I failed you, and failed to protect our people.

Dainsleif: No, for five hundred years, you have faithfully done your duty. To this day, I am proud of you all.

Halfdan: Khaenri'ah... didn't fall, did it? Since you're still here...

Dainsleif: Correct.

Having received Dain's acknowledgment, the valiant knight can finally rest in peace. The soul and body desolved into blue particles.

Dainsleif: So... no need to revive the homeland.

Dainsleif murmurs softly.

Paimon: That was Halfdan's soul...

Fu Hua: He can finally Rest In Peace.

Dainsleif: More than one kind of strange power exists here. Souls are no strange sight under the circumstances. Still, if you intend to venture deeper in and continue your investigation, you ought to be careful. *cough*...

Paimon: You bet, we'll be super careful.

Kiana: You know us.

Patrick: We're always careful.

Paimon: Oh, but... Dain, does this mean you're not coming with us?

Dainsleif: That device took a severe toll on me. It will take me some time to recover.

Purple Heart: But won't you need a doctor?

Dainsleif: I have no need. I'll recover.

Paimon: Oh, right... Well, actually, Paimon already knew that. You've clearly been pushing through the pain this whole time! You've earned a good rest, Dain... Ooh, you should take a vacation!

Dainsleif: "Vacation"? Huh, the very notion. This word has no business being in my vocabulary.

Mei: Huh? Why not?

Dainsleif: There are more important things that demand my attention. The "Loom of Fate" operation is still underway. And I suspect that these amplification devices are connected to that plan.

Patrick: We will be on the lookout.

Aether: We will talk more next time. After you've recovered.

Dainsleif: Thank you for understanding. I only hope that next time we meet, you know whose side you're on.

Dainsleif starts walking away but then he stopped and turned around.

Dainsleif: Your other forms are quite impressive. Very useful for combat. Herrschers and Goddesses from other worlds. You have my respect. Until we meet again.

Then Dainsleif turns around again and leaves.

The party changes back into their normal forms.

Paimon: Sheesh! He sure knows how to hold a grudge, saving that snide remark right till the end...

Patrick: We know what it feels like to have a grudge against something and someone.

Paimon: Well, shame that we didn't get to see your sister again, but at least we learned some useful info, huh?

Neptune: We did! That's more lore unlocked!

Nepgear: And another villainous plan foiled thanks to us.

Kiana: And we got to meet old friends of Dainsleif.

Patrick: And one managed to break free from his curse and can finally Rest In Peace.

Paimon: As long as you keep pressing on with your journey, you guys will definitely meet again, and everything will be back to normal, right?

Party: Right.

Kiana: You think anyone from the Abyss was secretly watching us now that they've seen our other forms?

Patrick: I don't think so. We killed them all so none of them will be able to tell their leaders about our other forms.

Seele: Thats a relief.

Paimon: Oh, Paimon almost forgot — the real reason we came here was to investigate what was going on with the hilichurls, wasn't it?

Bronya: Yes it was. But now it's resolved.

Paimon: We've probably seen enough to report back to the miner now. But, uh... how are we going to explain it to him? This is all way too complicated for regular people to understand!

Mei: We don't know.

Paimon: Meh, we'll figure it out — just don't forget about the commission when we're done here.

Kiana: We still have to do Zhiqiong's commission.

Neptune: That's right we still have to examine the dark fog down below.

Paimon: Oh yeah! Let's go!

Everyone: YEAH!

They go back down and examine the dark fog but find out they can't get through. So they look for clues. They cleared out more dark mud with the Limestone Adjuvant and in one of the dark muds they clear out was a journal. It belonged to the Fatui. It said to look for two bells on both sides of the ruins. So they split up. One group contained the CPUs and CPU Candidates, the other group contained everyone else. At the same time after clearing the obstacles, they ring the two bells at the same time then return back. When they got back, the fog dissipated but what emerged from the fog were two Abyss Lectors named Agnarr and Egill. The Abyss Lector: Fathomless Flames was Egill and the Abyss Lector: Violet Lightning was Agnarr.

Thankfully they did not notice the party.

Fu Hua: Ok, one more battle with our transformations.

Neptune: Ok.

So they transform into their other forms and fight against the Abyss Lectors. After defeating them they found something called a curious cube. Then they hear a voice recognizing it to be Zhiqiong's voice. They change back to their normal forms and follow where the voice was coming from. They find Zhiqiong. She had gotten in front of them by going through a hidden mine on the western side then she questions how the CPU Candidates and ELFS got in and they just say that they used a teleport waypoint. Then they follow Zhiqiong to the campsite that was moved.

Zhiqiong was coughing and it caused them to get worried of her. They gave her the map of the two bells. The Fatui were in the mines. They showed her the cube then she says she saw a gate with the same symbols then Khedive enters the conversation. After getting ticked off, Zhiqiong leaves. The party had to go find her. The cube's name was changed to key.

They blow rocks out of the way that lead to a long drop down. So they jump off and use their wind gliders. When they landed down they fought against a Serpent Knight and kills it. Then they enter into a cavern where there was against mushroom then they keep going till they find Zhiqiong at the gate she was talking about. After talking with her, she listens to them and goes back to camp. They use the cube key and open the gate. They faced the trials ahead and defeated a Black Serpent Knight: Wildcatter which was what Dainslief's old friend used to be before being free from the curse and going to the afterlife.

They go down a long tunnel till they got to a large cavern where there was a floating rock. The montage stopped.

Paimon: This doesn't look like a natural cave. It looks like something huge cut right through this place instead... Huh. Actually, "rammed right through" might be more accurate.

Neptune: Hahahahaha! Nice pun! That's actually more accurate and more specific.

Paimon: Y'know, guys... Don't you think this floating thingy looks rather familiar?

Kiana: It does look familiar.

Paimon: This resembles what we saw on top of Dragonspine back then.

Bronya goes into inventory and takes out a picture of the pillar at the very top of Dragonspine.

Bronya: They do look similar.

Seele: They both look like they came from Celestia.

Paimon: Their... "smell"... or "aura"...? Is pretty similar...

Patrick: They are similar.

Paimon: Whatever it is, it's really spooky...

Aether: What have you discovered, Paimon?

Paimon: Uh, whatever it is, this is pretty creepy...

Rom and Ram: Yes Paimon.

Paimon: Y'know, doesn't that stone tablet look kinda new to you? It doesn't look like it fits in with the ruins around it at all!

Vert: Let's get a closer look at it.

Although the inscription cannot be understood per se, a little observation reveals that the engraving is a map of the surrounding area, and that the other pictures have something to do with the floating crystal...

Paimon: Hmm, so the big crystal has five weird devices around it, and these lines are connected to the crystal... Gah, Paimon can't read this! Why is this diagram so messy!?

Aether: Looks like we need to activate those five devices...

Vert: Then it looks like it's puzzle time!

Paimon: Then, uh, someone needs to hit the crystal or something... and then the black spots will disappear...

Aether: So the application of external force can speed up the purification...

Mei: I guess they just forgot to draw those splotches.

Paimon: After that... Wait a minute, why did they draw this big worm?Hmm... Seems like this stone tablet is telling us to beware of the super big worm.

Fu Hua: Perhaps it's warning us to beware of stepping on worms...

Aether: So hitting the crystal will awaken some kind of giant creature?

Paimon: Huh... That sounds a lot easier to get... But still, we've got to try before we know for sure.

Fu Hua: (Could be the Ruin Serpent in the chamber where Yulan went into then disappeared.)

Paimon: Also, guys, look at that purple-blackish stuff. It's all over that big crystal! Looks pretty similar to that dark mud we encountered before, too.

Aether: Well, let's start from activating those devices.

Paimon: Mm, yeah, you're right...

Aether: Oh ho? Very fearless of you, Paimon.

Paimon: Well, we're already here, so we might as well do something.

Everyone: Yeah!

So they split up into five groups. One with the Valkyries, one with the CPUs, one with the CPU Candidates, one with Drago Sirin, Bella, and the ELFs, and one with Aether, Paimon, and Patrick. When they activated the crystal monsters appeared to try to stop them but the party stopped the monsters and the large crystal were purified.

Then all at once they strike the crystal then come now to the ground but then all of a sudden, a Ruin Serpent appears. Called Haftvad The Worm.

Paimon: Whoa, what is that!? Something's coming out from the ground!

Fu Hua: A Ruin Serpent.

Paimon: So this is the guy who dug out this crazy place...!

Nepgear: Guess now we have to...

Neptune: Transform again!

Everyone transforms into their other forms and engages the giant Ruin Serpent.

After unleashing their attacks, the Ruin Serpent burrows into the ground before resurfacing, creating 4 sources of Oozing Concretions at the corners of the arena. So they use the Blooming Light released by the Lumenstone Adjuvant to get rid of them.

White Heart and Bronya both rush and hit the Ruin Serpent with their ice attacks.

The Ruin Serpent crashes down to the ground then it spins its body then rolls its body on the ground in an arc in which they had to dodge again.

Next the Ruin Serpent prepares to use its charge and drill attack. It chooses Seele and charges towards Seele then she dodged then it burrows underground. It then resurfaces and was about to plant its drill into the ground where Seele was.

Seele: HELP!

The Ruin Serpent was about to stab Seele with its tail drill but then... Bronya stops it with a blue energy drill.

Seele: Bronya Onee-chan!

Bronya pushes the drill tail back then pushes the Ruin Serpent back. It's followed up by swords and lances from Drago and Sirin. Then followed by blasts from Purple Sister and Black Sister. Then ice attacks from both White Sisters.

The Ruin Serpent used all its other attacks. It was really tough and the party was struggling to beat it.

Paimon: Arh, this thing is so tough! We can't hurt it at all! This is bad... This guy's a tough customer!

Kiana: It keeps drilling back underground!

Fu Hua: My turn.

Fu Hua rises up high to unleash another attack.

???: Wait! I've got this!

Fu Hua heard a familiar voice. She turned to see Yulan charging up a Hydro arrow. She fires the arrow at the crystal which causes the crystal to stop floating up then fall down and crush the Ruin Serpent. It turned into red particles.

Fu Hua smiles and so did Yulan.

Fu Hua: Yulan... always showing off.

Yulan: See you soon, friend. Don't tell them I was here.

And then Yulan leaves. Fu Hua floats back down with the others then the ground glowed blue then the crystal floated back up.

As the unexpected collapse occurs, they manage to escape to safety in time. Then they changed back into their original forms.

Paimon: Huh... Is... Is it over? It all kinda feels like a dream...i

Fu Hua: It's over, Paimon.

Paimon: Looks like that thing up there has gone back to normal. The air feels less heavy, too.

Neptune: What ever caused the crystal to collapse down unexpectedly saved us from the Ruin Serpent.

Paimon: Hmm, even though we've reached the bottom of The Chasm and even defeated the creature down there somehow... But it doesn't feel like we've answered any questions!

Kiana: Well... some questions were answered. With Dainsleif.

Paimon: In fact, we've got more questions now than we did before! Like for example... What was that thing above us? Why did a giant serpent come roaring out? Where did that dark mud and the strange monsters come from?

Fu Hua: Good questions.

Paimon: The monsters that followed the dark mud here seemed to be eating at the big crystal, and Zhiqiong mentioned that a Yaksha was here once... Agh, this is way too many questions for Paimon!

Aether: Looks like The Chasm still has many secrets that are yet to be discovered...

Paimon: Yeah, no wonder adventurers like Zhiqiong are so committed to exploring this place... But things should quiet down a bit in here now that we've cleared this big thing up, right?

Valkyries: Yes.

Aether: Still looks like a long way off before the mines can reopen...

Paimon: But our exploration mission seems complete. We'll worry about that other stuff in the future!

Vert: Another quest completed.

Paimon: Oh yeah, one more thing...

Seele: What is it?

Paimon: It feels like... someone helped us out during that fight with the big snake. Did you hear this "shoom" sound during the fight?

Aether: ...Sort of.

Fu Hua: I heard it. It was a Hydro attack from someone. I did not see who it was though.

Paimon: Um... Well, never mind. When we head back, we can ask Zhiqiong if she saw any strangers!

They get back to camp and tell Zhiqiong everything. After talking to her they go back up to the surface where they reported back to Muning. They talked to him and gave him the three Archaic Stones and got some things in exchange. After talking to him, the quest was over. Th last thing they did was talk to Yuehui.

Paimon: Mr. Miner, we're back and ready to report!

Yuehui: Ah! Am I glad to see you again! I was getting nervous... At first, I figured I'm paying a fair price, and these are professionals. But then I thought... Goodness, I'd hate to send someone off on a strange commission and then for something bad to happen to them... I'd never be able to forgive myself if you came to any harm!

Paimon: Don't you worry, mister, it was nothing we couldn't handle! Anyway, we're back, aren't we? And the good news is, we got to the bottom of what's been going on!

Tesla-ZERO: Yes we did!

Kiana: And it's resolved!

Yuehui: Excellent, excellent! So then, what's the situation down there?

Paimon: Uh... Heh, well... Ummm...

Kiana: It's like a hilichurl hospice.

Yuehui: Huh? ...Hospice?

Aether: Hilichurl utopia. Hili-topia, if you will.

Yuehui: Sorry, hili-topia...?

Mei: It's hard to explain.

Fu Hua: It's complicated.

Paimon: ...Uh, basically, the hilichurls down there don't wanna fight anymore. Leave them in peace, and they won't cause you any trouble.

Aether: What Paimon said. You have nothing to worry about.

Yuehui: Well, we certainly wouldn't be going out of our way to provoke them, you can count on that. The last thing any of us miners are looking for is to stir up trouble... All we're looking for is, well, all that glitters.

Paimon: Now there's a philosophy that Paimon can get behind.

Yuehui: ...I gotta be honest, I didn't really understand the situation you were describing, but having your assurance that everything's okay is the main thing. It means we can get back to work straight away. I'm very grateful to you all! You came a long way for this. Please take these as compensation.

Yuehui gave them materials and then the party walks out of The Chasm.

Patrick: What a location it was. The Chasm.

Kiana: Going down a mine.

Neptune brought out a lot of Crystal Chunks from her inventory.

Neptune: And we found a ton of resources too!

Vert: We'll be able to craft a lot of things with the crystals, ores, metals, and gems we found!

Patrick brought out a lot of gems from his inventory. I'll be sure to give all these to Ishtar so she can do her mage craft like Rin Tohsaka does.

Fu Hua: We hold our meeting tonight.

Vert: Alright.

(Serenetea Pot)

https://youtu.be/WzFPpCLwRy0

Everyone was back in the teapot.

Fu Hua: We will now commence this meeting on what we've discovered while in The Chasm and what we learned from Dainsleif.

Kiana: His title, the Twilight Sword was his title as Captain of the Royal Guards in Khaenri'ah.

Mei: And both partook in a painful journey of searching for their fate, but regrettably... they did not make it to the journey's end together. So now it's the other twin who must make it to the journey's end.

Bronya: Somehow... One Abyss Order knight still retained his memories of when he used to be human and redeemed himself by saving us and Dainsleif then his soul ascended and could now Rest In Peace from the curse.

Seele: We also discovered another pillar from Celestia.

The Valkyires and CPUs explained everything.

Patrick: And that's it. Some questions answered but more questions spawned still unanswered.

Neptune: Now we have to wait a long time for those questions to be answered.

Sakura: You should be going back to Inazuma. The Hues of the Violet Garden event is going to start.

Neptune: Oh yeah! We'll go back to Inazuma.

Ishtar: If we're done here I'm going to be doing my mage craft now!

Ishtar flies away to her guest room and shuts the door and giggling was heard.

Neptune and Kiana: And there she goes.

Everyone leaves to go to bed.