Early the next morning, when Lin En woke up, Ronava was already awake, sitting by the window and gazing outside.
"You're awake. Get up."
She spoke without looking back.
"We're going to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Lin En rubbed his eyes and climbed off his bedding on the floor. As he washed up and got ready, he stole a couple of glances at Ronava. Was she interested in the world outside?
The two left the inn and followed the harbor north through the city.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor stood on a platform in the western part of Liyue Harbor. Its storefront was modest.
Before they reached the door, they heard Hu Tao's voice from inside.
"Zhongli! Just how many tea leaves did you put in that pot yesterday? I couldn't sleep for half the night."
Lin En instinctively looked at Ronava. She didn't slow down, walking straight up the steps, and he hurried after her.
The door was half open. Ronava reached out and knocked.
"Come in!"
The two walked inside.
The parlor was dim, and the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood and old paper.
Zhongli stood before a long table, several yellowed documents spread across it and a brush in his hand. Hu Tao was slumped over the counter beside him, looking half asleep.
When she saw them, Hu Tao shot upright, her eyes lighting up.
"Oh! It's our two guests from yesterday!"
She sprang out from behind the counter, her smile even warmer than it had been the night before.
"So, have you thought it over? Come, come, let me tell you about our..."
"Director Hu, we're here to see Mr. Zhong."
Lin En turned down Hu Tao's sales pitch on Ronava's behalf.
Zhongli put down his brush and spoke evenly.
"What do you need me for?"
"Huh? You're here to see Zhongli? That's fine. You talk; I'll go make a pot of tea."
As she left, Hu Tao glanced back and winked at Zhongli, letting him know she was counting on him to make the sale.
Once the parlor fell quiet, Zhongli finally raised his eyes to Ronava. He put down the brush in his hand and gestured for them to sit in the chairs nearby.
"Have you made up your minds?"
Ronava and Lin En sat down.
"I came to tell you that I have no designs on Liyue. I came here only to recover from my injuries, but now I need to go to the Chasm and reclaim the power that belongs to me. My goal has been the same from beginning to end."
She paused.
"Phanes!"
Zhongli took a sip of tea and looked up at her, his expression devoid of emotion. He seemed to have known what Ronava would choose. He was silent for a few breaths, then nodded.
"I understand."
Sitting beside her, Lin En was a little surprised. Was that all it took to reach an agreement?
"You believe me just like that?"
Ronava seemed a little surprised too.
"No, but those who break their word shall suffer the wrath of the rock."
Zhongli said.
"You have no reason to lie now. If you truly intended to harm Liyue, you wouldn't have come to me of your own accord."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze settling on Lin En.
"I find the person at your side agreeable enough. Consider it a favor to him."
"Me? You mean me?"
Lin En pointed at himself, his back tensing. He couldn't shake the feeling that Zhongli meant something more by that.
"The power beneath the Chasm was yours to begin with. Taking it back is merely reclaiming what belongs to you. Why would I stop you?"
Seeing that Zhongli had no intention of refusing, Ronava spoke.
"Since the Geo Archon has no intention of stopping me, I can rest easy."
Zhongli turned, took the talisman he had just written from the table, and handed it to Lin En.
Lin En was a little surprised to see the talisman Zhongli had given him.
"This is for me?"
"Consider it my Moonchase Festival gift to you."
Lin En thanked him and accepted the talisman. It felt warm in his hand, and a faint Geo sheen flowed across its surface.
Having established where they stood, the two left Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As soon as they stepped outside, they ran into Zibai, who was arriving for "work."
Seeing Ronava and Lin En walking out of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor side by side, Zibai's pupils narrowed slightly. Zibai wanted to say something, but thought better of it. A question for Zhongli would reveal the answer.
When Hu Tao came out from the back carrying a tea tray, she stared blankly at the empty hall, then turned and glared at Zhongli.
"Where are they? I just finished making the tea!"
"They left."
"Left? Did you reach an agreement?"
"No."
Zhongli took the teapot and filled the cup with tea.
After leaving Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Lin En returned to the inn with Ronava and tucked the talisman into an inner pocket.
She tilted her head and glanced at him.
"You're worth more in his eyes than you think."
"Why?"
"The Geo Archon's judgment isn't something an ordinary person can understand. That talisman isn't just a gift; it's a contract."
Lin En touched the talisman in his pocket, thoughtful.
All he knew now was that Ronava was going to reclaim part of her power. Perhaps once she had retrieved it, the two of them would part ways. Even so, he smiled and said to her,
"Okay, let's get our things together and head to the Chasm."
The two returned to the inn to collect their belongings and set out at once.
From Liyue Harbor, the Chasm was normally about a day's journey northwest along the main road.
They walked most of the first day and spent the night at an abandoned roadside waystation.
Ronava leaned against a wall with her eyes closed, resting, while Lin En stood in the doorway and took out his Vision to practice controlling Geo. For now, he could only sense some of the Geo around him and couldn't yet control it fully.
At noon the next day, the outline of the Chasm appeared on the horizon.
It was a massive fissure stretching across the land, as though some force had torn the earth apart.
The rocks along its edge were an unnatural dark gray, without a trace of vegetation. The air was thick with the mingled smells of damp and minerals, growing stronger the closer they got.
Lin En stood at the edge, gazing into the bottomless Chasm, his heart beating faster despite himself.
"It's even more spectacular than in the game, and bigger too!"
Ronava stood at the cliff's edge, the cold wind rising from the abyss blowing her silver hair back. She looked down into the darkness, her expression calm.
"Scared?"
"A little, actually."
Lin En admitted honestly.
"You can still leave. I'll go in alone."
"How could I let you go in alone? I have a Vision now. I can protect you."
Ronava glanced at him and sneered.
"You can barely protect yourself. Stay close to me."
The two reached the bottom of the upper level and looked at the entrance leading below. For an instant, Lin En actually thought of leaving, but only for an instant. He shook his head and cast the thought aside.
I can't abandon her!
Lin En thought firmly. Suddenly, he felt someone take his hand.
It was Ronava!
"I'll stay with you."
With that, she pulled Lin En along and jumped.
"Wait! Give me a moment to prepare myself!"
The world spun around him, and Lin En passed out. Just before he lost consciousness, he felt someone holding him. So warm...
After an unknown length of time, Lin En climbed to his feet, holding his head. The first thing he wanted to do was find Ronava.
"Ow... That hurts. Wait! Ronava!"
Seeing Lin En look for her the moment he woke up, she froze for an instant. No one had ever paid her such attention before. She quickly came to herself and asked,
"What is it?"
Lin En looked at Ronava, who was right beside him, and scratched his head.
"Nothing. I was just afraid I wouldn't be able to find you."
"I told you, I'd stay with you."