Chapter 187: Call Before Dawn
Unlike the continent of Teyvat, or any world within Zhongli's long memory, the information "recorded" by the very stones of Amphoreus was pitifully scarce. What little he could glean appeared in a perplexing state, nothing more than fragmented words and phrases, identical to the cryptic data provided by the "Chrysos Heirs."
Worse still, vast swathes of the earth's memory seemed to have been completely scoured by some violent, unknown force. The geological narrative was chaotic and fractured, with no coherent historical veins or the deep, layered traces of accumulated time he expected to find. This was deeply unnatural. The earth was meant to be a silent and faithful historian; even a single mountain, a lone rock, should remember the long march of geological change and the significant events that transpired upon its surface.
A great secret was clearly hidden here, but Zhongli did not make his discovery public. Instead, using the billowing steam of the hot spring as a veil, he subtly shifted his gaze to Dan Heng, who sat in quiet contemplation beside him.
A condensed and steady divine thought, silent as stone, bypassed the air and echoed only within Dan Heng's sea of consciousness.
'The memory of the land here in Amphoreus is fragmented. There may be a fundamental problem with its history. Dan Heng, when you investigate in the future, pay closer attention to any inconsistencies you find in this world.'The hand Dan Heng used to hold his cup paused, a hesitation so slight it was almost imperceptible, before returning to its placid state. He did not turn his head, merely lowered his eyelashes as if still listening to the idle chatter of the others. An equally subtle and cautious thought returned in response.'Understood. I will be vigilant.'
After the brief exchange, their expressions remained unchanged, as if nothing had transpired between them.
In the hot spring pool, the discussion about the "Soul Splitter" legend gradually subsided, the topic drifting to Okhema's local cuisine and the temple district that was rumored to open the next day. The air was once again filled with a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.
Just as everyone was unwinding, a familiar notification chimed from the group chat.
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Good evening, everyone! (/≧▽≦)/ What are you all up to? How was your exploring today? Did you miss Paimon and Lumine?"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "We've finished our work for the day. Is everyone doing well?"
It was Lumine and Paimon.
[Honkai: Star Rail · Stelle]: "Paimon! Lumine! You're finally online! We're in a hot spring! And our harvest today was massive! We fought so many battles and opened so many treasure chests!"
[Honkai: Star Rail · March 7th]: "Yeah, yeah! Hurry up and come to the bathhouse and soak with us! It's way easier to chat in here than typing in the group!"
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Welcome back."
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "It sounds like things went smoothly on your end."
Lumine and Paimon didn't decline the invitation. A moment later, a faint shimmer of light flashed at the entrance of the bathhouse, and their figures materialized. A hint of fatigue still clung to their faces, clear evidence of a long day's work, but it was instantly washed away by bright smiles upon seeing their friends.
Soon, they too had changed into simple bathrobes and slipped into the warm, soothing water.
"Woooow—so comfy!" The moment Paimon hit the water, she let out a sigh of pure bliss, floating on her back like a contented little otter. "You guys really know how to live!"
Everyone eagerly began sharing the details of their day's harvest—the points they'd earned, the items they'd found, their combat experiences, and the strange, coded words they had overheard from the elite monsters. Lumine and Paimon listened, happy for their companions' progress and gains.
Then, they brought even better news. "We don't have anything scheduled for tomorrow during the day," Lumine announced, "so we can explore Amphoreus with everyone again!"
"That's great!" Stelle and March 7th cheered in unison.
"But," Lumine added, "we might have to head back a little earlier in the evening. We have an appointment with the Fatui's 'Captain' to get some deeper intelligence about the Abyss and Natlan from him."
Everyone nodded in understanding. "The 'Captain' is no simple man," Zhongli cautioned, his voice low and serious. "Be careful. If you need assistance, you can call on us at any time."
"Got it! Thanks, everyone!" Paimon flew up and puffed out her chest. "We'll play it by ear!"
After soaking until they were all thoroughly comfortable, a pleasant weariness began to settle in. One by one, they bid each other good night and used the group chat's function to return to their respective worlds, ready to rest and recuperate for the next day's exploration.
The next day, in the deep quiet of the early morning.
Okhema's eternal light remained unchanged, but by the body's internal clock, it was roughly four or five in the morning—an hour when most people were still sound asleep.
The private bathhouse was utterly silent. Suddenly, a series of urgent but restrained knocks on the door shattered the stillness.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Dan Heng, always a light sleeper and perpetually vigilant, opened his eyes almost instantly. He rose from his bed without a sound and padded silently to the door. In the next room, Stelle and March 7th merely mumbled a few sleepy complaints, burying their heads deeper into their blankets to block out the noise and cling to their dreams.
Dan Heng opened the door. Outside stood Phainon, his expression anxious, though he was clearly trying his best to remain calm.
"Phainon? What's so urgent this early?" Dan Heng asked in a low voice, careful not to wake the two still sleeping inside.
"My apologies for disturbing your rest, Dan Heng," Phainon spoke quickly, his words laced with suppressed excitement. "It's Teacher Trianne! After tracking those deserters for several days, she finally sent back definitive news—she successfully found Nikador's exact hiding place! It's a place called Hanging Edge City!"
He took a deep, steadying breath. "I rushed here the moment I received the message. Dan Heng, you know that Nikador is one of Okhema's greatest threats, the source of countless tragedies."
"The opportunity is fleeting. Hanging Edge City is a moving fortress; there's no telling if he'll move his nest again. So... as rude as this is, I had to inform you immediately!"
Hearing this, Dan Heng's expression grew solemn. He understood Phainon's urgency perfectly; this was a critical matter concerning the safety of all of Okhema. Since they had already agreed to help, they would not refuse now.
"I understand, Phainon. We'll get ready. We'll be there soon. Where do we meet?"
"The Chrysos Heirs' Bathhouse in Cloudstone Palace! Aglaea and the others are already waiting there!" Phainon answered quickly.
"Okay. We'll be there shortly."
After seeing Phainon off, Dan Heng returned to the room. He knew how much Stelle and March disliked being disturbed while sleeping, but the situation was far too critical to delay.
He first knocked on Stelle's door. A muffled, groaning complaint came from within. "Ugh... who is it... it's not even morning yet..."
"Stelle, March, it's an emergency," Dan Heng said concisely. "Phainon was just here. Nikador's nest has been found. We need to gather and depart immediately."
"Nikador?" A few seconds of silence hung in the air, followed by the distinct sound of Stelle abruptly sitting bolt upright in bed. "They found Hanging Edge City?!"
"For real?!" March 7th's voice, suddenly much clearer, echoed from inside.
Though a bit of morning grumpiness still clung to her, the moment Stelle heard it was about dealing with the culprit who had crashed their train car, she felt a jolt like a shot of pure adrenaline. All at once, she was buzzing with energy.
"Coming, coming! We'll be ready in a second!" Stelle responded loudly, the rustling of clothes confirming she was already changing. The person who had been so reluctant to leave her bed just moments ago was gone.
She even tried to justify her sudden enthusiasm. "Ahem, it's not that I'm petty or hold a grudge! It's mainly because I promised Phainon I'd help, so I have to do my best! It's definitely not because that guy made us crash that I'm this eager to go beat him up!"
A likely story.
Beside her, March 7th was also shaking off the last vestiges of sleep, her mind rapidly shifting into combat mode.
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