[The answer to the question posed in the last chapter is this
Ronova, as the Shadow of Phanes the one created and loves humanity above all else she inherited that boundless love.But along with it, as the Shade of Death, she inherited a tragic truth
She cannot touch life without taking it.
For someone who cherishes life so deeply, who longs not only to witness it flourish but to feel it—to hold it, even for a moment—the act of ending a life, any life, brings her deep sorrow.Even if it's necessary.Even if it's commanded.
She was made to love what she must never hold.
It's a theme we've seen before similar to Castronira in Honkai Star Rail. Of course, this is just my personal speculation and interpretation. In many storiesgames, anime, or otherwise characters who embody or wield the power of death often share this problem they cannot touch life without risking its end.
That said, I imagine Ronova may have a large degree of control over it. Perhaps she can touch life, without harm or under the right circumstances. So if this isn't canon or part of the official setting, consider this just a personal worldbuilding layer I've added to her character.]
In the endless void of Celestia, Phanes sat alone. A book rested in his hand, and as he gazed at it, he thought to himself, "So wonderful."
The book was made of memories.
During the meeting of the Shades, something or rather, someone had tried to take control of him. A soul from beyond the universe, a being from a completely different reality. Unfortunately for that soul, it encountered Phanes one of the strongest being, and this awoken him from the sleep.
As Phanes recalled that moment, he continued reading the memories recorded in the book. The soul's experiences were vast and varied, stretching across countless lives. It had once been a dragon, once a god, once a pionar bearing many names over many lifetimes. And it continued, world after world, year after year.
All because
Phanes closed the book and glanced at the panel in front of him.
That was the reason the soul kept traveling across worlds. If it died, it would reincarnate in another. But if its physical body was strong enough, it could carry it along, however the soul hated that, its wanted to stop, however no matter how he begged its didnt stop.
According to the soul's memories, this panel was called a System. No one knew what it truly was or where it came from but Phanes, with just a glance, understood its nature.
It was made of laws.
And yet even Phanes couldn't determine its origin.
After meeting him, the soul had attempted to self destruct perhaps from fear, perhaps despair. But Phanes intervened, halting the process before it could be completely destroyed.
Still, most of the life within the soul had been erased. Most of the System's functions were gone, except for the ones Phanes restored: the travel mechanism, and the ability to locate new worlds.
He turned away from the panel and looked again at the book.
That book had changed him.
The life of that soul its journey, its battles, its losses, the bonds it forged had moved Phanes more than anything in eons. It reminded him of something long buried. It reawakened the being of reason and order he once was.
And it helped him heal.
Because Phanes had been injured not by enemies alone, but by doubt. Doubt in himself. In the order he had established. In the purpose of his laws. And most of all, in the race he had created and loved the most: humanity.
That doubt had weakened him.
Then came the attack of the Abyss and the events of five hundred years ago.
The blow he took then was the greatest he had ever suffered—not even his war with the Dragon King Nibelung had compared. Because in that moment, his foundation wavered.
Despite all his divine strength, Phanes was a being bound to his own principles. Power without reason and order was meaningless.
And for a time… that meaning had crumbled.
Now, though he was not fully restored, he was strong enough. Strong enough to deal with anything that came from beyond Teyvat.
Phanes shook his head as he studied his reflection in the void worn, yet composed. With a thought, the book dissolved into light.
He turned again to the System.
Only one world was accessible.
Lord of the Mysteries.
A world that is very chaotic, . A world where order was fragile. maybe traveling there might help him understand humans and how the order worked there and how humans were diffrent from the humans he created. and all that may help him recover faster.
He narrowed his gaze, murmuring to himself
"However the matters in Teyvat must be resolved and quickly."
"It seems you've finished the list, Ronova," Phanes said as he turned, he spoke softly through the void.
Ronova, who had just arrived, gave a small nod. "Yes, Heavenly Principles."
With a flicker of darkness, a black scroll materialized beside her. She grasped it delicately and stepped forward, offering it to Phanes with both hands. He took it without hesitation.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Those two words simple and rare made her tremble ever so slightly. But she quickly regained her composure, standing tall once more.
Phanes unrolled the scroll and examined the writing. Across its surface, in a strangely cute yet ornate script, were the words
Enemies of the Heavenly Principles
At the top of the list:
The Cryo Archon
The Sinners
The Archons
The Abyss Order
Hexenzirkel
…and five more unnamed groups beneath.
Phanes narrowed his eyes."Let's start with the Cryo Archon."
He closed his eyes, falling silent for a moment as his thoughts turned inward. Then, slowly, he opened them again and looked to Ronova.
"Although what happened that day was partly due to our negligence," he began, voice calm but heavy with finality, "she took things far beyond reason. Even if she wields the Concept of Love…"
His gaze hardened.
"She didn't technically break any laws. Rebelling against me was never forbidden. Even attempting to merge the remains of that person and planning to use him against me—dangerous, yes, but not a violation of the divine rules."
He lifted the scroll slightly, fingers tightening.
"But she did break the law by gathering the piece which were given to the winners of the demon god war(archon war in simple terms for those who don't know) explicitly forbidden. And she harbors fugitives from Khaenri'ah, including that girl who was exiled. Her group, the Fatui, has committed atrocities, brought chaos to Teyvat more than once, and even welcomed Abyssal agents into its ranks."
Phanes considered the situation carefully the contradictions in the rules, the gray lines between rebellion and treason, between freedom and chaos. The laws he had forged were meant to uphold reason and order, not to shackle growth.
Phanes's voice became cold and resolute.
"For that.. the punishment is clear the Fatui shall be destroyed, every one of its members eradicated."
Ronova remained silent, listening.
"As for the Cryo Archon herself she will be imprisoned within her own nation, forever forbidden from leaving it. This… is mercy, for what happened that day. The people of Snezhnaya are mostly innocent. And we do not have the time, nor the luxury, to let an another Demon God being born.
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For some reason, i made the soul of that guy past to be quite sad
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Chapter Question: what rules did the cryo archon really broke, if you think
The answer awaits in the next chapter.