But the mere fact that Aventurine's role as a key character had been forcibly changed was enough to send the audience into a frenzy.
After all, he was an ally of the express crew.
And now, with the express crew still in the dark— would this lead to unexpected consequences? No one could tell!
At this moment, the second episode had reached its midpoint, yet the situation had already started boiling like a pot of water.
The tangled power struggles of Penacony had completely become a shattered mirror full of chaos.
-----------------------------
: My goodness, the budget is burning—this is way too cool.
: MiHoYo must have spent an unknown amount of money on this scene. Damn, what level of special effects is this?
: This is the first time I've used "luxurious" to describe a character's effects.
: This must be the true golden moment!
: Barrier, unfold!
....
The golden sky canopy was like an overturned bowl.
Under the stunned gazes of the audience, it gradually covered the entire theme park and everything around it.
One by one, golden chips slowly emerged from the sky.
Faced with such a breathtaking sight, the drumbeats in the background music felt like they resonated with the heartbeat of the viewers themselves!
It was as if they were also part of this spectacle, shocked to the core, mouths agape, their whole bodies trembling.
And beneath this sky of golden starlight, Aventurine smiled joyfully, suddenly spreading his arms wide.
Countless golden chips streaked across the sky like meteors, leaving golden trails before crashing down with immense force!
A "meteor shower" rained down.
Everywhere in sight—whether buildings or the ground—wailed under the impact of these chips.
Buildings collapsed, the ground cracked apart.
At this moment, all of Penacony trembled!
This terrifying scene was nothing short of apocalyptic!
....
: This is ridiculous… How do we even fight this?
: It was already tough dealing with the chips and scattered coins, and now Aventurine comes in and immediately unleashes his ultimate move!
: The Express crew… They won't be in trouble, right?!
: The power of Preservation is terrifying—this is just a cornerstone, and I can't even imagine how strong a true Preservation Emanator would be.
: Whether it's Trailblazing or Nihility, I don't care! Someone needs to pop off—I'm starting to panic!
....
With the presence of Acheron and Himeko, the audience wasn't too worried.
But Aventurine's combat strength had far exceeded their expectations.
Now, everyone watched the screen with bated breath, afraid the plot would spiral out of control again.
On the screen, the camera shifted to each member of the Express crew.
Under this immense pressure, Himeko and Welt both wore solemn expressions, deep in thought.
March 7th and Stelle had their eyes wide open, clearly astonished.
And behind them, only Acheron remained, gazing at the sky with a dazed expression—
the same look she had when Black Swan invited her to dance.
Her eyes… seemed lost in thought?
....
: What's with Acheron's expression? Damn, is she zoning out?!
: No way, even an Aeon's emanator shouldn't find this level of attack easy to handle…
: Is she just that strong, or is she just that careless?
: Back when Black Swan had plans for her, she had the same expression, and we all know how that ended…
: No way, right? Even if Acheron is insanely strong, Aventurine's Cornerstone power looks insanely strong too.
: Even Aeons need to follow some basic rules… Right?
....
The audience was dumbfounded. For a moment, they didn't know whether to call Acheron ridiculously strong or just reckless.
Just then, the camera zoomed in on Acheron's eyes, showing her pupils in detail.
But reflected in those pitch-black, rippleless eyes was not the endless golden light—
but a vast, unbroken downpour.
The sound of heavy rain gradually drowned out the deafening destruction caused by Aventurine.
The camera slowly pulled back, revealing her full form.
But at this moment, Acheron was no longer under Aventurine's golden canopy.
Instead, she stood amidst a curtain of rain.
She held a red umbrella, but it tilted behind her, failing to shield her from the torrential downpour.
Rain poured onto her body, yet she seemed utterly unaffected.
"You… are about to set out?" An aged voice came from behind Acheron.
"Mm." Acheron responded softly, "Perhaps, I'll pass through the place you spoke of."
"What do you seek in your dreams?" The aged figure asked again.
"They are not in my dreams." Acheron shook her head.
"I fear The Family will not open its doors to you, for the path you walk does not align with 'Harmony.'" The voice reminded her with a hint of regret.
"Even if… this is not my wish?" Acheron asked in return.
"It is different from other Aeons. It never casts its gaze upon anyone, nor does it need to.
It leaves behind the threads of its path, allowing people to walk them, weaving together a vast shadow— a shadow that silently envelops them all."
"Ultimately, most of them became part of that shadow."
At first, the audience was puzzled by this sudden recollection.
But now, they understood.
This was Acheron's past, and... certain secrets of that Aeon.
Nihility... That enigmatic Aeon.
At last, it revealed a glimpse of its true nature.
...
: That's a lot of information. The Aeon of Nihility doesn't glance at anyone, nor does it need to. This aligns perfectly with how we imagined IX.
: So here's the question—if the Aeon of Nihility doesn't concern itself with other beings, where does the power of the Acheron as an Emanator come from?
: That old man's last words are a bit chilling... "Ultimately, they will become part of that shadow"?
: Does that mean those who walk this path will eventually succumb to Nihility?
: This is completely different from other Paths... It's like being weighed down by an unseen force...
...
The audience held their breath.
At this point, they understood.
The one who intervened against Aventurine was likely Acheron; otherwise, such a memory wouldn't be inserted here.
Seeing through the deeper meaning hidden in the scene, the realization dawned upon them.
A battle between Nihility and Preservation.
An Emanator, and Aventurine—who wielded a fragment of an Emanator's power.
What kind of battle would unfold between them?
"In your eyes, am I the same as well?" At that moment, Acheron asked the final, weighty question.
"You still have a trace of color... But not much." The old man answered truthfully.
The rain intensified.
Droplets splattered against the mirrored ground.
Until the entire scene was obscured by the downpour.
Acheron's figure was gradually washed away, fading into obscurity.
Darkness enveloped once more.
Only Acheron's voice remained.
"This is enough."
"Before they completely dissipate..."
"I will reach the end of Nihility (The IX)."
Her voice disappeared along with the rain, dissolving into nothingness.
A short scene—filled with cryptic imagery and mysterious words— left many viewers, who had yet to grasp its full meaning, overwhelmed.
They sensed the awakening of something terrifying.
And it would be the final prelude to the power of Nihility.
Within the blackened void— Acheron's eyes appeared once again before the audience.
Reflected in her pupils was the figure of Aventurine, the golden sky behind him, and the countless 'meteors' raining down.
Ahead— Himeko and Welt stepped forward, raising their weapons.
Behind them, March 7th and Stelle stood anxiously.
The next second—
The camera captured only Acheron's advancing boots.
The crisp sound of heels striking the ground echoed.
A clear spring surged beneath her feet.
Everything around seemed to freeze with her steps.
A synthesized melody played, distorted and layered.
It was hard to tell whether it was a howl, a keystroke, or the resonance of three planes.
Yet, its melody was hauntingly simple—melancholic and wistful.
As the music played, black water spread from beneath Acheron's feet.
At some point, raindrops had appeared around her, suspended mid-air as if frozen in time.
Under the audience's gaze— Acheron slowly raised her right hand.
From her fingertips, a red spider lily, symbolizing death, began to bloom.
In the blink of an eye, it enveloped her entire body.
A single drumbeat resounded, accompanied by a sigh from Acheron.
"May I mourn the departed, weep like the rain, and fill the river of crossing."
At that moment, an electric guitar suddenly roared, shattering the somber strings from before.
Acheron raised both blades, her right hand already gripping the hilt.
In the camera's frame— her long hair was pure white, her eyes blood-red, and crimson tears trailed from her left eye.
Within those blood tears— a vision flickered.
A girl, dressed in white, with twin horns upon her head, carrying a massive great sword on her back.
In the dark gray rain— she stood amidst the battlefield.
In an instant— Thunder roared!
A crimson bolt of lightning tore through the sky, ripping apart all memories.
Rapid drumbeats merged with the rolling thunder.
Beneath it all— The blade in Acheron's hands finally unsheathed.
The black night of Nihility followed its edge, devouring everything.
Amid the scattering crimson lightning— it engulfed the golden sky of Aventurine, reducing everything to black and white.