When Kafka revealed that "Aeons can be killed," the barrage erupted once again.
["Aeons can be killed? But they're called 'gods,' aren't they?"]
["Aeons are currently the highest-tier combatants in Honkai: Star Rail, but they're also utterly absurd beings."]
["So now we're expanding the lore? Things are getting interesting."]
——
Suddenly, Nanook's figure appeared behind Kafka, startling the audience.
For a moment, they thought she had truly betrayed them—but it was just a narrative device.
Kafka continued,
"I've said it before: Elio didn't share the crucial details with me. The possibilities of the future are endless. Learning the right thing at the wrong time could undo all our efforts.
About the future, I can only tell you one thing: In the best and worst of futures, you will eventually face Nanook of the 'Destruction.' When that time comes, you'll need every bit of help you can get, because it will be a battle on the level of Aeons—a brutal struggle beyond you, me, or even the Astral Express.
In most futures, fate ends there. But if we follow Elio's 'script,' there will be a sliver of hope."
——
Abruptly, the screen cut to black, displaying the words "Meanwhile…"
The trio of Dan Heng, Luocha, and Sushang appeared on screen. Whether by coincidence or design, Luocha and Sushang were discussing Aeons.
"Hey, Luocha, you only told half the story about 'Propagation.' Go on—it's fascinating! So Aeons can die? I thought they were invincible?"
Luocha tried to explain in simpler terms, but Sushang's understanding remained superficial. Still, the conversation revealed key lore about Aeons, including the bloody feud between Lan and Yaoshi.
Ever the free spirit, Sushang suddenly shifted topics to the Vidyadhara.
After a long silence, Dan Heng finally spoke. "It's true."
Sushang's eyes widened. "Wow, the 'Silent guy' actually spoke!"
Dan Heng then explained the legend of Long, the "Permanence."
Sushang only half-understood. She pointed to the coffin behind Luocha.
"Uh, mind if I ask… do you know the person in there?"
"I do."
"A friend?"
"No."
"Then… a lover?"
"Haha, where'd you get that idea? The one in the coffin is neither kin nor acquaintance—just someone I met once. I made a promise, so here I am."
They'd assumed the starskiff was headed for the Primordial Sea, but they'd underestimated Sushang's navigational skills.
After drifting aimlessly, they arrived at a secluded grotto. While searching for an exit, they spotted a girl on the verge of succumbing to Mara—a critical state.
Sushang drew her Xuanwu sword. "'Silent guy,' Luocha, let's team up and save her!"
Luocha unsheathed his rapier but teased, "Weren't you the one who said you could handle everything alone?"
"I—I can't fight four hands with two fists! C'mon, I'll give you both a 'Heroic Deed' award after!"
Dan Heng was already charging ahead with his Cloud-Piercer. "No time to waste. Move!"
After the battle, they rescued the girl—only to learn she wasn't human but a mechanized human named Xueyi, a Marionette Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission.
Noticing Sushang's Cloud Knight badge, Xueyi demanded an escort back for repairs.
As Sushang hesitated, Luocha wrapped a golden pendant around his hand.
"Don't worry, Miss Sushang—leave it to me."
In moments, Xueyi was fully repaired.
Sushang gasped. "How did you—that wasn't medicine!"
Before Luocha could answer, Dan Heng cut in. "'Abundance.'"
Xueyi interrupted.
"By Ten-Lords' decree, I avoid external ties. But since you aided me, I'll warn you: leave now.
I came to purge corruption—to apprehend a criminal: a Stellaron Hunter. A master of the blade, wielding a divine weapon. Extremely dangerous."
Dan Heng's pupils contracted. He knew exactly who she meant—and why he was here.
"Had it not been for an… anomaly, my 'lifespan' might've ended here."
"An… anomaly?"
"Follow me."
The trio followed Xueyi to witness the anomaly—a massive branch, growing before their eyes!
——
The scene returned to the Matrix of Prescience Ultima, now from Caelus's perspective.
Kafka, with her breathtaking beauty, repeated those earth-shattering words:
"Did you know? Even 'Aeons' can be killed."
"Kill an Aeon? Humans can't do that."
Kafka didn't argue. Instead, she patiently explained:
"True, humans can't. But I never said 'Aeons' are killed by humans, did I?
Long the 'Permanence,' Idrila the 'Beauty,' Tayzzyronth the 'Propagation,' Ena the 'Order'… and Akivili the 'Trailblaze.'
These were names that once echoed across the cosmos. Now, they're gone—only their Paths remain.
There are three known ways for an Aeon to fall:
1. Paths with overlapping concepts collide. The broader Path consumes the narrower—like how Xipe the 'Harmony' assimilated Ena the 'Order.'
2. War between Aeons. The stronger annihilates the weaker—this is how Ena fell. It's also what the Xianzhou Alliance, led by Lan the 'Hunt,' seeks to achieve by eradicating Yaoshi's abominations…"
"What's the third method?"
The camera shifted to an aerial shot, framing Caelus and Kafka together.
"…Wait. It's almost time."
The ground trembled violently.
Kafka sighed. "Oh, it's begun."
Caelus turned to see a colossal tree erupt from the earth—the Ambrosial Arbor at the Xianzhou's heart had revived!
With a effortless shake, Kafka broke free and walked to the matrix's edge.
"Huh?!" Caelus chased after her, but Blade blocked the path.
"Let's go, Blade. Two more places to visit."
With that, Kafka leapt down, Blade following.
——
Soon after, Welt Yang regrouped with the others.
March 7th panicked. "Kafka escaped? Damn it, how do we explain this to the Master Diviner?!"
Caelus remained calm. "She was gone long ago. If she didn't lie, we won't need to explain."
March 7th twitched. "Hey, did she brainwash you?!"
"The Master Diviner already knows the truth. She won't blame us—but we should still inform her."
As they searched for Fu Xuan, March 7th frowned at the Arbor.
"Isn't that the dead tree Qingque showed us? Why's it growing?!"
Tingyun, however, looked enthralled. "Magnificent! How lucky—most long-life species never witness such a sight!"
Caelus glanced at her. "The Arbor was infused with power… Stellaron power."
——
Meanwhile, elsewhere:
Fu Xuan contacted Jing Yuan.
"Unless Kafka deceived the Matrix of Prescience Ultima…"
Jing Yuan reassured her, deducing that the Stellaron's presence must be the work of the Denizens of Abundance.
Fu Xuan was stunned.
"You… General, when did you realize this?"