The wind and snow on Dragonspine have finally ceased, with the setting sun casting its last rays of light.
A radiant glow from the ground illuminates the statue of the Seven. Hiroshi raises his head and looks ahead.
A faint sense of familiarity wells up within him as he gazes at the ruins scattered amidst the evening glow, silently narrating stories of the past.
"Brother Hiroshi, is this the statue of Lord Barbatos?"
"Yes."
Nodding slightly, Hiroshi glances back at the Anemo Archon's statue beside him and murmurs thoughtfully, "So, the time they came here must have been when Venti became the Anemo Archon but before he carved the mountains and scattered the snow."
"Hiroshi, what did you just see?"
Grabbing Hiroshi's hand, Kuroneko's face shows a trace of worry.
"It's nothing."
Clasping Kuroneko's hand tightly, Hiroshi smiles. "I just caught a glimpse of some history of this ancient nation."
"There are some things about it that intrigue me."
Turning his gaze to the snow-covered path ahead, Hiroshi speaks softly, "Let me confirm it now."
Holding Kuroneko's hand, Hiroshi leads a curious Klee and a calm Qiqi into the ruins.
By the broken walls, Hiroshi looks down into a deep pit and leaps to the ground below.
Looking up at the broken stone door within a cave ahead, Hiroshi murmurs, "Is that the place?"
Stopping Klee, who is about to charge forward, Hiroshi hands her over to Qiqi to hold.
Ignoring Klee's puffed-up cheeks, Hiroshi and Kuroneko proceed ahead.
Climbing the stairs, Hiroshi's gaze falls on a clearly sealed chamber higher up, a trace of joy flashing across his face.
"This is it."
Observing the surroundings, Kuroneko asks softly, "Hiroshi, what exactly is this place?"
Stepping toward the circular stone door, Hiroshi begins explaining in a quiet tone.
"I'm not entirely sure about the details, but roughly 2,000 years ago, some exiles from Mondstadt settled here."
Golden energy glimmers at Hiroshi's fingertips as he waves his hand toward the stone door, which opens to reveal a chamber that has been sealed for countless years.
Gazing at the murals and inscriptions on the walls, Hiroshi begins narrating.
"At that time, Mondstadt was shrouded in endless ice and snow. Barbatos had not yet carved the mountains or scattered the snow."
"Mondstadt, covered in cold, was unsuitable for human survival. The exiles discovered a massive hollow inside Dragonspine with a livable environment and decided to settle there."
Pointing at the first mural, Hiroshi reads the adjacent text aloud, "Angels from the sky helped humanity."
Tracing his finger to another mural, Hiroshi continues, "Under the guidance of the Pale Tree and a deity, the ancient nation prospered, turning the exterior of Dragonspine green."
Looking at the final mural, Hiroshi states calmly, "Then, the Nail of Celestial Heavens fell."
"The Pale Tree was destroyed in the impact, and the ancient nation met its demise."
"The everlasting frost engulfed the mountain, turning it into an eternal snow-covered peak."
"Hiroshi, brother,"
Qiqi tugs Hiroshi's hand and looks up with a hint of confusion. "Why did the gods... destroy the nation they guided?"
"I'm curious about that too."
Ruffling Qiqi's head with a smile, Hiroshi stares at the mural in thought.
"Heave-ho."
Clang!
A sudden sword hum echoes through the dim chamber, followed by a ghostly blue glow.
Turning his head, Hiroshi sees Klee holding a large sword emitting a bluish glow. He shakes his head and asks, "Klee, why are you holding that?"
"Hehe."
Swinging the sword twice, Klee grins. "This sword looks really pretty, so I picked it up."
Holding the sword high, Klee approaches the mural, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Brother Hiroshi, why are there two connected stars here?"
"Stars?"
Looking up at where Klee is pointing, Hiroshi sees two intertwined golden comets.
"Two stars connected? It seems to be from when Sal Vindagnyr was first established."
"And they resemble twin stars!"
Rubbing his chin, Hiroshi recalls a promotional video he once saw while playing Genshin Impact. The stars resemble the scene of Lumine and her brother Aether arriving in this world.
Quickly opening the chat group, Hiroshi sends a screenshot to Lumine.
Hiroshi: @Lumine, look at this. I found this mural in the ancient ruins of Dragonspine, dating back over 2,000 years.
Hiroshi: Doesn't it seem familiar? To me, it resembles the scene where you and your brother descended into this world.
Lumine: Over 2,000 years ago!!!
Lumine: It really does look like the moment my brother and I arrived.
Lumine: Does this mean we came to this world over 2,000 years ago?
Lumine: If that's the case, then when I woke up, I must have been asleep for over 2,000 years after that battle!
Hiroshi: I don't think that's the case. Don't you remember your brother woke up before you?
Hiroshi: Is it possible that your brother awoke first, didn't wake you, and instead ventured out to learn about this world?
Hiroshi: Lumine, is there a particular purpose behind your interworld travels?
Lumine: ....
Lumine: Our original homeland was destroyed.
Lumine: So, we're searching for a new home.
Hiroshi: Was your previous world a human one?
Lumine: Yes. Why do you ask, Hiroshi? Do you have any clues?!
Hiroshi: In Dragonspine, I found another phrase.
Hiroshi: While I don't know when Sal Vindagnyr was destroyed by Celestia's gods, it must have been a long time ago.
Hiroshi: Before their demise, they left this statement:
Hiroshi: "In a distant, unknown land, a nation of humans rises—a nation without gods."
Hiroshi: Doesn't it feel odd that, over 2,000 years ago, when countless gods and demons were fighting for humanity's future, a godless nation emerged?
Lumine: Brother!!!
Lumine: Could it be my brother?!
Lumine: Did he establish a godless nation here, angering the gods?!
Lumine: Is that why he took me and fled this world after I awoke?!
Lumine: Is that why an unfamiliar god stopped us?!
Hiroshi: Look at this. Nail of Celestial Heavens.jpg
Hiroshi: This was used by Celestia's gods to destroy ancient nations.
Hiroshi: Does it look familiar to you?
Lumine: It's the same as the pillars from my battle with the Unknown God!
Hiroshi: Based on what I've discovered, we can deduce the following:
Hiroshi: First, the approximate time you and your brother arrived in this world.
Hiroshi: Second, your brother likely created a new nation here, possibly as a new home for you two.
Hiroshi: Third, your brother failed, likely due to the gods, and the Unknown God targeted him specifically.
Hiroshi: Fourth, since the Unknown God could defeat you two and seal your power, it's clear she could've easily killed you. The fact that she didn't suggests she needs you for something. This implies your brother might still be alive.
Hiroshi: Although, Lumine, you should be able to sense if your brother is alive.
Hiroshi: All in all, your next goal shouldn't just be exploring nations but also finding that godless nation.
Lumine: Got it. Thank you, Hiroshi.
Hiroshi: Haha, it's nothing. We're friends, after all.
Hiroshi: And it's just a small effort on my part.
Lumine: By the way, Hiroshi, what's your purpose in investigating these things?
Hiroshi: Nothing much, just preventing potential threats.
Hiroshi: With your current position in Liyue, I think you can uncover part of this history.
Lumine: Yes, I'll work on it. I'm fired up now! Time to finish my tasks and begin investigating!
Closing the chat group, Hiroshi looks at the twin stars on the mural, a smile forming on his face.
"This trip was quite fruitful."