"You no longer have to carry any fate on your shoulders. From now on, you can live here in peace."
Lora came before the Pari and spoke to them.
The Pari looked at one another. One of the younger Pari asked, "Can we go somewhere else now?"
Lora nodded. "Of course."
"Can we go somewhere even farther than Tunigi Hollow? To the sea?"
"Yes."
"I want to see the north! I heard that's the homeland of our deity, and that the water there is incredibly pure!"
"The water there is not suitable right now, but it will be in the future."
"I want to go to the rainforest and see the Queen of Plants!"
"You can. I'm sure she'll be very happy to welcome you."
The Pari began talking about the futures they wanted now that they no longer had to bear their fate, and Lora nodded along to each of them.
Zurvan looked at Lora, then suddenly asked, "Great Deity, what about you? We no longer have to bear our fate, but yours still weighs on you. I can see it..."
At Zurvan's words, the other Pari stopped imagining their futures. They gathered around Lora, crowding close and chattering all at once.
"Great Deity... what is your fate?"
"Great Deity, I can help you. I'm very strong..."
Looking at the Pari, Lora gently rubbed their heads and said, "All right. I am a deity. What danger could I possibly be in? Pari, go and find your own lives."
The young Pari left one after another. Perhaps Zurvan had realized something, because it remained where it was, watching Lora. Only after Lora began urging it to go did it reluctantly leave.
...
Aether arrived at Vourukasha Oasis, though perhaps it could no longer be called that.
Looking at Lora, who still stood there without moving, Aether said slowly, "I saw it just now. The power of a deity truly is extraordinary, especially for deities like you, who are far more than mere gods."
"It's time to fulfill our agreement, Aether." Lora turned around and looked at him.
She slowly raised her hand, and countless streams of water gathered in her palm.
In the end, the most important authority of the Hydro Dragon Sovereign was control over the Primordial Sea. It was a power that directly affected the source of life in Teyvat. And that was all Aether needed.
Having reclaimed her divine body, Lora had enough power to separate a portion of it and give it to Aether.
She had no right to make decisions for Neuvillette, but she did have the right to decide what to do with her own power.
After handing that power over to Aether, Lora said, "Now, return Rhodeia to me."
"I'm sorry, but I didn't bring her to Sumeru."
Aether said to Lora, "We placed her in Fontaine. I can give you the address, and then you can have the Chief Justice bring her back. Don't worry. I won't lie to you."
"I don't trust you, but I trust Lumine." Lora looked at Aether and dismissed him. "Give me the address, then get lost."
Aether gave Lora an address, then left Vourukasha Oasis.
Lora looked out over the oasis before her and let out a long sigh. Then she turned her head toward a corner and said softly, "If you're still hiding there, I'm leaving."
"Ah, no, no, no! Please wait!"
As soon as Lora spoke, a voice hurriedly cried out from the corner. A moment later, a blue-haired Oceanid ran out.
The Oceanid stared at Lora in excitement and said, "Lady Egeria, I'm Idyia. Do you still remember me?"
"Of course I remember you, Idyia." Lora looked at the blue-haired girl in front of her and sighed. "It's been a long time."
Idyia gazed at Lora, her eyes filling with tears as she said excitedly, "Lady Egeria, do you know? When I felt your power just now, I thought I was imagining things! I rushed here right away, and when I saw you really standing in front of me, I couldn't even describe how it felt! I..."
Seeing that Idyia was beginning to stumble over her words, Lora sighed. "Idyia, calm down. I'm right here."
"Yes... calm down. I'm calm..." Idyia waved her hands again and again, trying to steady herself.
After taking some time to compose herself, Idyia finally managed to settle her emotions a little. She looked at Lora, then performed an ancient rite of respect between Oceanids and the Hydro Archon.
"Welcome back, Lady Egeria."
"Have you been well in Sumeru all these years?" Lora asked, looking at Idyia.
Idyia nodded. "I've been all right... but not as well as when I was by your side! Lady Egeria, you may not know this, but after you left, most of our brothers and sisters left Fontaine. Focalors, she..."
Lora shook her head and said to Idyia, "I know everything about Fontaine's situation. I also understand what happened with Focalors. It wasn't her fault, and it wasn't yours. The root cause of all this was my mistake."
"No! Lady Egeria, you did nothing wrong! You fulfilled the dreams of so many brothers and sisters. You gave us a home, sheltered us, and protected our lives. You are the greatest deity!" Idyia said, shaking her head.
Perhaps some would say that the people of Fontaine had to face future destruction because Egeria created them. But Egeria had only answered the wish of her followers. A god loves the people of the world. How could Egeria refuse the wish of her own followers?
Not a single Oceanid would blame Egeria. They all missed her dearly.
Lora looked at Idyia and said, "You haven't been back to Fontaine in a long time, have you?"
Idyia nodded. "Yes... Ever since that great upheaval five hundred years ago, many of our brothers and sisters left Fontaine. We haven't gone home in a very, very long time. But the Fontaine of today... is not home."
"But I need you to return to Fontaine and deliver a message for me," Lora continued. "You heard my conversation with that person just now, didn't you? They hid Rhodeia in Fontaine. I need you to inform the current Chief Justice, Neuvillette."
"Why not inform Focalors?" Idyia asked with a frown.
At that question, Lora's expression grew even more serious.
"No matter what happens in Fontaine, do not disturb Focalors. Even if she does things you cannot understand. Do you understand?"