Four Winds Temple.
"We're here!"
While Luo Li was guiding Noelle in sword training back in Mondstadt, Lumine, Venti, and Fischl had already arrived at the Abyss Order's hidden base under Fischl's lead.
Once a grand shrine dedicated to the Four Winds, the temple now lay in ruins—collapsed walls, broken pillars, moss crawling up ancient stone.
Chunks of rubble blocked pathways here and there.
"Follow the Prinzessin. This path leads inward."
Using Oz's aerial vision, Fischl traced a safe route through the fractured architecture.
The group slipped through a gap in the wall and fought their way past hilichurls and elemental monsters guarding the depths.
Not long after, their target came into view—
An Abyss Mage.
Because Fischl and Oz had not focused on hiding earlier, their movements had already been spotted by the Fatui agents tailing them from afar.
To avoid being detected by the raven, they stayed further back.
One Fatui Debt Collector whispered:
"Notify Her Ladyship. Those people—and the Anemo Archon—have entered the temple.
Once they clash with the Abyss Order, we'll swoop in and seize the Gnosis while both sides are weakened."
His subordinate nodded and sprinted away, ready to fetch the Fatui's executioner.
Back in Mondstadt—Fatui Secret Base
In an empty chamber, La Signora sat alone, chin propped upon her hand.
Though her expression looked calm, her heart was impatient.
Two days ago, after seeing that mysterious silhouette resembling Luo Li, she had ordered a full-scale search.
But since then—nothing.
Whether it was truly him or not, she had to know.
Her finger tapped rhythmically on the armrest as she kept her eyes shut, waiting—
Footsteps approached.
"Ma'am! We have news!"
La Signora instantly stood up, a tremor of hope she didn't even notice flickering in her voice.
"Speak. Where?"
"The Ruins of the Four Winds Temple!"
"…Four Winds Temple?"
Before she could process the meaning, the subordinate continued:
"Yes, my lady. The Anemo Archon and those adventurers are already fighting the Abyss Order.
It's the perfect time to steal the Gnosis!"
A brief flash of disappointment crossed her face.
Not him, after all.
Merely the Gnosis.
Still—first complete the mission, then she could resume the search.
Her decision made, she turned cold once more:
"Then we depart. Retrieve the Gnosis—now."
Moments Later — Inside the Temple
Standing before the ruined temple, La Signora swept the boulders blocking her path aside with disdain.
She signaled her troops to spread out—
But before she finished, the sky above them suddenly twisted.
Anemo surged violently.
Dark storm clouds gathered.
A dragon's silhouette clashed against a human figure.
"So the battle has begun," she murmured, unfazed.
She entered the temple alone, ignoring her subordinates' attempts to follow.
She had the Cryo Archon's authority—there was nothing she feared.
Meanwhile inside the storm—Venti, Lumine, Fischl
They were struggling.
Twice-poisoned by dragon toxin, corrupted by the Abyss, and tormented by ancient sorrow, Dvalin had lost all reason.
Raging winds hammered Lumine relentlessly.
Venti shielded her where he could, but the strain showed on his face.
"Fischl! Destroy the Abyss restraint on his neck!" Venti shouted while playing the Skyward Harp.
"Leave it to the Prinzessin! Oz—you flank from the right!"
The two coordinated flawlessly.
Oz dive-bombed the control device, while Lumine kept Dvalin distracted.
Fortunately, they had already eliminated the Abyss Mage who controlled him—
Otherwise, the fight would have been much worse.
Little by little, cracks spread across the restraint.
The black energy fueling it dimmed.
Just a little more—
Then she arrived.
La Signora silently stepped onto the battlefield.
Fischl and Lumine were too focused to notice.
Even Venti's full attention was fixed on Dvalin.
And that was when—
A sharp wind behind him.
A killing intent so cold it froze the blood.
Venti turned only in time to see a figure in a crown-like mask—
And then a gloved hand pierced cleanly through his back.
His eyes widened.
"You—!"
La Signora looked down at him with pure contempt.
"For letting Mondstadt fall into ruin centuries ago… consider today's result merciful."
In a single motion, she ripped the Anemo Gnosis out of his body.
Venti collapsed instantly.
La Signora didn't spare him—or the stunned Paimon—a single glance.
Mission accomplished.
She ascended with icy wind and disappeared into the storm.
Venti lay on the ground in disbelief.
"Attacking me—me—a respected three-thousand-year-old elder…
At least let me finish playing the song first…"
He wanted to shout "I advise you to behave yourself!"
But she was long gone.
Only a speechless Paimon and the fallen Anemo Archon remained.