Kaedehara Kazuha never imagined it.
His friend's Vision could actually reignite—and the one who reignited it was himself!
When watching the past-life video, seeing that neither Gu Chen nor Lumine could light that Vision, Kaedehara Kazuha had already lost much hope.
But life is always so wondrous.
The turning point came right at the gates of Tenshukaku!
When his past-life will merged with his friend's, it lit up that long-dulled Vision!
With the aid of both Visions, he even blocked a strike from the Raiden Shogun for his past-life friend Lumine!
Kaedehara Kazuha didn't really care about "blocking the Raiden Shogun's strike in the present." What mattered more was that he had reignited his friend's Vision and used that once-friend's Vision to help a new friend he'd just met!
That was the true meaning of that Vision.
"Kid, not bad at all. I knew I didn't pick the wrong guy!"
As Kaedehara Kazuha pondered, Beidou quietly approached and clapped him heavily on the shoulder. Her gaze fell on the dim Vision behind the young man, full of astonishment. "I knew you were no ordinary guy!"
Kaedehara Kazuha snapped back to reality and glanced at Beidou before humbly replying, "Captain, you're too kind. Even I didn't expect..."
"Haha, always so modest. Everyone saw your will loud and clear." Beidou grinned.
Kaedehara Kazuha turned around to see the entire crew of the Alcor smiling at him.
"Kazuha, I knew you had it in you! Never thought you'd make a name for yourself like this!"
"Haha, an Inazuma wanted man blocking the Raiden Shogun's strike—I wouldn't believe it from anyone else, but seeing it with my own eyes? You're the real deal, Kazuha!"
"Hey, shame your alcohol tolerance is kinda weak. Otherwise, we'd crack open a couple jars and party hard tonight!"
Beidou, seeing the mood, boomed with enthusiasm, "What're you yapping about? We're celebrating tonight—make it lively!"
"Oh yeah! Captain forever!"
[Keqing]: Taking a divine strike head-on with a mortal body—even if just one strike—is dazzling enough. It's a straight-up miracle!
[Zhongli]: From a rational standpoint, Friend Kazuha's will is worthy of respect.
[Venti]: Looking at his entire past life, Kazuha's that melancholic type with stories in his eyes! And such a great personality too—honored to have a friend like him. Not bad for one of our Anemo folks! (Smug)
[Furina]: What does this have to do with Anemo? (Pouts)
[Zhongli]: Lol.
[Gu Chen]: Quit slapping gold stars on your own face!
[Venti]: (Goofy grin)
[Yae Miko]: Some people sneak-attack others with a slash, only to get blocked by a mortal. So, any thoughts now? (Yae Miko · Sly grin)
[Kaeya]: You know how to twist the knife!
[Venti]: What a great question! (Goofy grin)
[Raiden Ei]: What does the Raiden Shogun's actions have to do with me, Baal? (Shakes head)
[Gu Chen]: You're a pro at passing the buck! (Goofy grin)
[Paimon]: Kazuha blocking that strike is exciting, but these Resistance fighters clearly aren't a match for the Raiden Shogun!! (Anxious)
[Lumine]: Calm down. Forgot Miko's plan? Re-entering the Plane of Euthymia at the Statue of the Omnipresent God—didn't you notice all the Visions on the statue lighting up?
[Yae Miko]: Shadow's about to get beaten~
[Raiden Ei]: Gloating over your own god getting defeated? Thanks for being such a loyal follower. (Raiden Ei · Depressed)
[Yae Miko]: (Hu Tao · Cute pose)
In the video.
"What do we do? They're no match for the Raiden Shogun!"
Paimon anxiously watched the charging crowd.
Kaedehara Kazuha could block a strike because he had his own Vision—plus an extra one.
But these Resistance fighters? Their Visions had been confiscated, and most had never even gotten one. How could they possibly stand against the Raiden Shogun?!
Worse, the Raiden Shogun had already reacted. Charging in would only invite her full wrath!
Lumine immediately recalled Yae Miko's plan. She spun around, Edgeless Sword materializing in her hand crackling with Electro as she slashed toward the Raiden Shogun.
Unfortunately.
It didn't go as Lumine hoped.
After repelling Kaedehara Kazuha, the Raiden Shogun's expression turned utterly calm.
Dense Electro gathered on her tachi, crackling fiercely in the air, filling hearts with oppression and dread.
The sky darkened further because of the Raiden Shogun, as if all of Inazuma had fallen into the tense stillness before a storm.
"Foolish."
Two syllables spat out.
The Raiden Shogun swung without hesitation.
In an instant, thunder roared and lightning flashed. Countless Resistance fighters charging along the path collapsed on the spot.
Even Gorou and Kaedehara Kazuha weren't spared.
Their weapons were blasted away by the intense lightning, and they suffered serious injuries.
The Raiden Shogun didn't kill them outright but left them all gravely wounded on the ground.
Only then did her gaze shift to Lumine charging at her.
"The variable of eternity shall be erased here and now!"
The cold, emotionless Raiden Shogun swung again.
Boom!
Her tachi clashed against Lumine's Edgeless Sword.
The terrifying force numbed Lumine's arms. The Raiden Shogun pressed harder, sending Lumine flying back, tumbling several times down the steps.
"Lumine!!"
Paimon flew up in panic to grab Lumine, then frantically checked her injuries. "What do we do, what do we do?!"
Clear footsteps of heels echoed from above.
Just like when she slew Signora, the Wheel of a Hundred Eyes of Wishes emerged behind the Raiden Shogun as she advanced step by step, tachi in hand.
"Gulp..."
Paimon swallowed hard, still shoving Lumine. "Get up quick!"
"Cough cough..."
Lumine coughed twice, her face pale as she slowly stood.
The Raiden Shogun's power far exceeded Lumine's expectations.
She was just too strong!
"What now..." Lumine was at a loss too.
"How about calling Gu Chen quick!" Paimon blurted in desperation.
"Gu Chen..."
"He probably can't beat the Shogun either... No." Lumine hesitated, then shook her head.
"Huh?"
Paimon froze.
The Raiden Shogun drew closer to Lumine.
At the same time, on the stone bridge before Tenshukaku's gates, a white figure appeared.
Amid the oppressive tension, white robes fluttered in the wind, the silver-white spear's tip gleaming with icy sharpness.
The Raiden Shogun halted, standing firm as she looked into the distance.
Gu Chen's gaze met the Raiden Shogun's in midair.
"You've come, as expected, destroyer of eternity." The Raiden Shogun spoke coldly.
"I don't know what Signora did, but I knew you'd be waiting for me here." Gu Chen met her gaze fearlessly.
He walked to Lumine's side, checked her injuries, then waved her behind him. "Call me when you're in trouble. I'll always be the first to appear by your side."
"Now, you all go."
"But..."
Lumine started to protest.
She knew her strength wouldn't help Gu Chen.
After a moment's thought, to avoid being a burden, she decisively grabbed Paimon and called to Gorou, Kazuha, and the others, "Hurry and go!"
"Got it!"
No time for words—they knew staying would only drag things down. They quickly gathered and retreated.
Gu Chen and the Raiden Shogun were less than ten meters apart.
They stared each other down, unmoving.
But the thick, oppressive air seemed almost tangible.
"Relying on that?"
The Raiden Shogun suddenly turned, her gaze falling on the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
Gu Chen said nothing.
The Raiden Shogun raised her tachi, a slash of blade light shattering the statue. She said flatly, "I don't know your plan, but that fox inside... will stop at nothing to block eternity. Thinking it over... only the Visions on the statue would bar my path to eternity... Now, without that crutch, will you threaten me with Inazuma's people again?"
Gu Chen grinned. "I'm no saint."
"I know. As you see, Inazuma City's people have already evacuated." The Raiden Shogun replied calmly.
"Of course."
Gu Chen nodded. "I watched them leave myself. After all, in the eyes of the eternally devoted Shogun, lives can be leveraged once—but never twice. The second time, Musou no Hitotachi turns this place into the Plane of Euthymia too, right?"
"Mm." The Raiden Shogun nodded indifferently.
"Truly ruthless. Unfortunately, your path to eternity is undeniably wrong." Gu Chen sighed.
"Resolve, courage, love, hatred—all warp and twist in the river of time."
"I am the unchanging past within. I am the eternal law. I am the guardian of eternity."
"This form symbolizes supreme authority, granted the right to rule a nation, embodying all that is the Raiden Shogun."
"If you would shatter the law, then this form becomes the asura!"
"Will you oppose me?"
Facing the ever-intensifying Raiden Shogun, feeling the sharp Electro in the air, Gu Chen said, "No need for more words. The moment you tried to kill Lumine, we became enemies!"
In a flash, both figures lunged, colliding. Terrifying power erupted, the ground cracking inch by inch...