Cold sweat broke out on Aether's forehead, his head feeling heavy and slightly dizzy.
Who is he? How is he here? Why can he be here? What happened?
This is where Fanes sealed the "Second Throne." If the "Second Throne" hadn't torn Fanes' seal from the inside, he wouldn't have been able to enter.
A terrifying thought suddenly arose in Aether's mind.
Is it possible that Nibelungen is not dead? Was it only sealed by Fanes?
But Nibelungen is the first generation of elemental dragon kings, not humanoid.
Yet, he could sense a faint 'Light Realm Force' emanating from this mysterious figure.
The three Abyss Apostles behind Aether looked at the figure on the throne, confusion etched on their faces.
As beings of the abyss, they could clearly sense the powerful aura emanating from the 'Creator.' The very sight of him filled them with the urge to worship.
The three Abyss Apostles exchanged nervous glances.
They were the oldest 'Apostles of the Abyss,' having lived in the Abyss Moon Sky for thousands of years, and they knew well that the 'First Generation Creator' had disappeared entirely.
Who was this 'Creator' who had suddenly appeared?
Or was this a trick of the Heavenly Principles they hadn't foreseen?
Aether tried to compose himself and asked, his voice trembling and sweat dripping, "Who are you?"
Regardless of who this person was, Aether knew for certain that the 'Second Throne' was already in their possession.
He had arrived too late.
Takumi looked at the nervous Prince of the Abyss, Aether, who seemed on the verge of losing his composure, and laughed. "It's our first meeting, twin who came to this world. No need to be so nervous, relax. You could be considered my senior."
Though Takumi's words seemed casual, a purple-black light wheel appeared behind him, slowly rotating.
The deep, mysterious, and overwhelming aura of the Second Throne exuded from him.
Aether's eyes widened in disbelief. "You know me! Senior? You... are you the one who came to this world after me and my sister?"
"Wait!"
As if realizing something, Aether's expression changed instantly, like a chameleon.
He thought of the series of incredible changes that had occurred in Teyvat over the past few months.
Even the world of Teyvat had been enveloped by the 'Infinite Snake,' becoming a closed-off plane.
His heart raced.
Damn it! All of this is man-made?
And the culprit is standing right in front of me.
Large beads of sweat continued dripping from his face.
To shape the world of Teyvat into a plane world—how terrifying must their power be?
Even in the vast universe, they would be among the most powerful beings, standing at the pinnacle of existence.
Not even ten thousand of them tied together would be enough to defeat this person.
Takumi watched Aether's expressions change and spoke with amusement. "You asked who I am. Let me introduce myself, senior."
"My name is Takumi, the fifth descendant, the First Throne of Tianli, the Second Throne of the Abyss, and the ruler of Teyvat."
After saying this, Takumi stood from the throne and began to descend the stone steps.
"I don't wish to fight you, senior. If I put my finger down, I'm afraid I'd have to beg you not to die. You are lumine brother, after all. If you were to die, I wouldn't be able to face her. So, let's eat, drink, and be friends instead."
Takumi's smile seemed sincere, but the aura of 'supremacy' exuding from him only grew more intense.
Aether looked at the man who spoke 'friendly' words while using his power to suppress him, seemingly intent on becoming friends. A barrage of earthly curses suddenly came to his mind.
Shameless. Threatening me? Isn't this just to make me kneel and obey?
The three Abyss Apostles behind Aether immediately knelt under the overwhelming pressure of the 'Creator,' their heads pressed against the floor.
They had no idea what was happening, but they felt instinctively compelled to submit.
This fifth descendant, infinitely more powerful than the fourth, had come to this world, dethroned the tyrant, and claimed the 'Throne of Heavenly Principles.' Now, he had come to seize the throne of the abyss.
To abyssal beings, the 'Throne of the Abyss' represented the supreme 'Creator.' Not kneeling was simply not an option.
Physically and mentally, they were compelled to worship—there was no room for dissent, lest they cease to exist at the whim of the 'Creator.'
Aether's face twitched as he watched Takumi approach with a 'domineering' attitude.
I can't move... The space is locked. Don't panic. Don't panic. Don't panic!
The other could crush him with just a finger.
Takumi stopped in front of Aether and patted his shoulder with a smile. "You must be willing to give me this face, right, Senior Aether?"
Aether swallowed hard. What do you think? I'm imprisoned here and can't move. If I don't give you face, are you going to tear my head off?
Since the power gap between them was enormous and his life was at stake, Aether, being a traveler who had experienced countless worlds, knew when to bend.
"Look at what you're saying. I have no quarrel with you. How could I not give you face? No need to call me senior; I'm not worthy. Just call me aether."
Aether's smile brightened, sunny and amiable, as if he hadn't been sweating just moments ago.
Takumi nodded with a smile. "How embarrassing. After all, we are both descendants. Calling you Aether might be seen as rude."
Takumi then looked at the three Abyss Apostles behind Aether, who instantly understood.
Yuan Shang immediately shouted flatteringly, "Lord Master, we are your dogs. Woof, woof, woof."
"Yes, Lord Master. You are the master of the abyss. Aether is merely the prince. You can call him your son."
Aether's face contorted with mixed feelings.
Not long ago, these idiots were flattering him non-stop, and now they were stabbing him in the back.
Suddenly, he realized that his sister Lumine might have been right to avoid contact with the abyss.
The abyss—it's all nonsense.
Aether looked at the smiling Fifth Descendant, who seemed to remind him of his sister. This sense of familiarity was unmistakable.
Wait, hadn't Takumi mentioned his sister just now?
Aether wiped the sweat from his brow. "Lord Takumi, did you mention my sister lumine just now?"
Takumi said playfully, "Perhaps. Or maybe I misspoke."
Aether couldn't help but curse under his breath, "Damn it!"
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!