Phanes: "Friends... yes, we are friends now. And to Elysia's question, I was corrupted and damaged by the Will of the Abyss. The potion really helped. Since we come from different worlds, let me explain what the Abyss is. The Abyss is a source of dark energy that comes from outside the Quantum Sea. It is a corrupting force that twists everything it touches. It manifests as an otherworldly power that opposes the natural order. The Abyss' energy can corrupt both minds and bodies, causing physical mutations and mental instability, among other things."
As Phanes' message appeared in the chat, Welt Yang, Bronya, and Elysia were taken aback by his words.
Elysia: "Hiss… Welt, isn't that how the Honkai are?!"
Welt Yang: "The Will of the Abyss... the Will of Honkai, mutation, corruption... Alice, it's possible that Phanes' world is similar to ours."
Welt Yang fell into deep thought after reading Phanes' message. The similarities between the Abyss and the Honkai were undeniable. Phanes described the Abyss in a way that reminded him of the Honkai from his old world—before he traveled to the world of Honkai: Star Rail. What intrigued him even more were the strange cases he had encountered in the Honkai Star Rail world, where people who had died in the Honkai Impact world seemed to have counterparts here. They were not the same people, but their appearances and personalities shared eerie similarities. Welt couldn't help but consider the possibility that Phanes' world might be similar to both his old world and the current one. If two such worlds could exist, why couldn't there be a third, or even more, worlds that shared such similarities?
Bronya: "If we assume that the Will of the Abyss and the Will of the Honkai are similar, then doesn't that mean Phanes fought the God of the Abyss and survived? That's... incredibly impressive! It means Phanes is extremely strong, right?"
Phanes read through the chat but remained silent for a moment, his thoughts heavy. There was something unsettling about what Bronya said. Though normally, someone might dismiss such concerns, Phanes couldn't shake the feeling that what was happening here was different. Teyvat, his world, used a fake sky to protect itself—a system he and the shades maintained. Forces from beyond could break through if they were strong enough or clever enough. He wasn't sure if this was something he should be concerned about.
Phanes: "To Bronya's question, it's not quite right to call the Will of the Abyss a 'God's Will.' The Abyss is an outer being that doesn't belong in any world. Yes, I am strong enough to fight it because I am the creator of my world. But now, the most important thing is the Honkai you mentioned... Does it still exist?"
Bronya: "Well, it's no longer a threat, so don't worry."
Elysia: "Wait, wait! Did you say you're the creator of your world?!"
All the members of the chat were stunned by this revelation.
Phanes: "Did I forget to mention that? But yes, I am indeed the creator... and the heavenly principles of my world."
The group was left in shocked silence, the weight of Phanes' words hanging heavily in the virtual space. They had been talking to someone who wasn't just another powerful being—he was the very force that shaped his reality. It was a truth that left them wondering just how deep Phanes' power truly went.
Seeing everyone is silent phanes wrote
Phanes: "is something wrong?"
March 7th: "No, no! It's just... I didn't expect you to be that powerful! You're the creator of your world... That's pretty mind-blowing, you know?"
Elysia: "Yeah, it's just a bit... unexpected! I mean, I knew you were strong, but creator-level strong? That's a whole new level!"
Welt Yang: "It's... just surprising."
Bronya: "It's just a lot to take in. But it doesn't change anything. We're still all here to help each other."
Phanes : "if you need help tell me I will help as I can and i need to go until later"
Closing the chat, Phanes sighed, leaning back. "What a nuisance," he muttered. Casual conversations like these drained him—not because of the interactions themselves but because he had to carefully analyze the group's past dynamics to respond in kind. Yet, despite his frustration, he couldn't deny that the chat might prove useful later.
Just as he began to relax, his mind was assaulted by a sudden surge.
System: "Information Integration Initiated."
He froze, helpless against the flood of memories, images, and revelations pouring into his consciousness. Each thread unraveled a new truth, a deeper understanding of what had been happening in Teyvat during his absence. Among the revelations was the conspiracy of the Seven Archons—gods he had trusted—to undermine him. The Fatui's manipulations, the Abyss Order's scheming, and the festering remnants of Khaenri'ah only worsened his growing anger.
What enraged him most, however, was the almost destruction of Teyvat—averted not by him, but by a Chosen One his sister had selected. This individual was meant to succeed him, a contingency prepared for the day of his death. And now, it seemed, that day loomed closer than he had anticipated.
In his mind's eye, Phanes saw his death. His sister's prophecy was coming true.
The influx of data wasn't all dire. Interspersed among the chaos were solutions—paths to restore balance, repair his world, and eliminate threats. They were strategies he hadn't considered before, insights he hadn't possessed. Yet, as he pieced them together, an unsettling realization dawned upon him.
The root of all these problems... was himself.
The decisions he'd made, the systems he'd built—they had all led to this moment. The cracks in Teyvat's foundation weren't anomalies; they were the inevitable consequences of his actions. This revelation struck him deeply, breaking a piece of his resolve.
For the first time in centuries, Phanes felt... fallible.
He sat silently, staring into the void, the weight of his choices pressing down on him. "I created this world," he whispered, his voice trembling. "And I... I broke it."
But even as despair threatened to consume him, a flicker of determination remained. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "If I am the root of this chaos, then I will also be its solution. I will fix what I have broken—no matter the cost."
[Continue in the text chapter]