Istaroth: I Don't Know What He Is, but He Cannot Possibly Be Human

High above Teyvat, within a pitch-black space detached from reality.

It seemed not to have been formally used for a very long time.

Everything had stopped. An impenetrable silence and darkness filled this place.

Sealed away for far too long, there was neither sound nor light to perceive. Even the concepts of time and space had begun to blur.

"."

"Clink—"

The hands collided, and the crisp metallic sound shattered the silence. Like the pleasant chime of wind bells, it slowly spread and echoed through the center of the empty space.

Her lashes trembled, and golden eyes slowly opened.

As though eternal emptiness and dimness had been torn apart by that gentle golden glow, everything began to flow. Faint points of light gradually lit up throughout the surrounding space.

"You're awake, Istaroth."

"It is already time for the meeting."

"This is not the first time you have been 'late.'"

Emotionless words came from the shadows, where scarlet eye-shaped patterns lit up.

Within the darkness, tangible "death" outlined a blood-red pupil.

Merely meeting its gaze gave one the sense of danger belonging to something inhuman.

Yet unlike the impression that aura gave.

When the figure clad primarily in black and crimson slowly emerged into the light.

Though she was a majestic deity who governed death, the face beneath her white hair resembled that of an innocent young girl, carrying a profoundly contradictory charm akin to a poisonous apple.

"."

"Clink—"

An ethereal metallic chime sounded. Sensing the gaze upon her, the figure seated on the glowing stairs with her knees hugged to her chest tilted her head slightly.

The light in the space finally spread completely, illuminating another girl.

As though she had not fully awakened yet, she paused for several seconds.

The pointer floating over the golden dial swayed faintly,