Wraith's Nocturne
Last updated 2026-09-09
Wraith's Nocturne is the second act in the Chapter VII chapter of the Archon Quests.
Quests
- The White Curtain Falls
- Lelek's Confession
- Winter's Mysterious Silence
- Wraith's Nocturne
- Mistilteinn
Summary
- The White Curtain Falls
The Traveler arrives at the Korolevskiy Theater, where Kulish notes the chilly weather before asking to see the Traveler's ticket. Upon verifying its validity, Kulish keeps the ticket and allows them to enter. Inside, the Traveler decides to postpone asking about Lelek until after the performance. Recalling Childe's words, the Traveler scans the crowd for Tonia and spots familiar faces like Chugunov, Mitya, and Valeriy, Before they can find Tonia, the show begins, prompting the Traveler to take a seat and watch the rehearsal of the classic Snezhnayan ballet, "Spirit Seeker." During the performance, the lights flicker briefly before returning to normal. After the show, a staff member, Dymov, invites everyone onstage for a group photo, and soon after, the Traveler locates Tonia.
As others attempt to leave, they find that a snowstorm prevents their departure. Dymov ventures outside to get some blankets but never returns. Alyosha and the Traveler have a brief conversation after bumping into each other. The Traveler offers to accompany Alyosha outside, but Alyosha opts to go alone, considering the weather is too dangerous. Upon Alyosha's return, he warns that the storm is too severe and advises everyone to stay indoors for the night. Vodyanitsa and Odette emerge from backstage, surprised to find everyone still present. Informed of the circumstances, Vodyanitsa assures them there are supplies available and suggests people can rest wherever they find space. The Traveler decides to sleep for the night, but is awakened by Mitya on a spiral staircase as a mysterious black mist pursues them, along with Soboleva and Torgov. Just as they near the top, Soboleva and Torgov stop, and the mist engulfs them soon after, then ceases its pursuit after feeling satisfied. Mitya and the Traveler reach the top, but then the Traveler faints, which Mitya casually attributes to being "sleepy."
- Lelek's Confession
The Traveler awakens to the sound of Chugunov's scream. Concerned, they investigate and discover two people lying motionless on the floor, Soboleva and Torgov. Valeriy confirms that they are dead, and although lacks the struggle or visible wounds, he suspects they were murdered. Shortly after, Chugunov insists it was Lelek's doing, meant to intimidate him despite he opposed Project Stuzha. He's outraged that Lelek, allegedly a threat, killed two other wealthy merchants. Although the Traveler suspects Odette is Lelek, they choose not to reveal this to avoid endangering her. Vodyanitsa, like them, also believes that this is not Lelek's modus operandi. During a private conversation with Vodyanitsa and Alyosha, the Traveler shares their thoughts about Odette being Lelek, to which they quickly agree on its plausibility. Once their discussion ends, they confront Odette directly about her identity. Initially silent, Odette responds after Vodyanitsa defends her innocence, admitting she is Lelek and, to the three's surprise, intends to reveal her identity publicly. Onstage, amid everyone's shock, she confesses, though Chugunov remains suspicious of her motives and is annoyed by the group's response. Nonetheless, they decide to set the "Lelek" issue aside and concentrate on finding the true murderer.
By nightfall, a relentless snowstorm continues for the second day. Tonia and Vodyanitsa chat briefly, with Tonia declaring admiration for Vodyanitsa. Rampana comments on Vodyanitsa's tendency to get carried away, prompting a playful retort before she starts singing — a melody of nervousness unnoticed by most but immediately recognized by Shram, a mercenary. Baffled that Shram understands her, given he's human and she's a Water Imp, Vodyanitsa learns he's familiar with Water Imp's primary mode of expression through a friend. As night progresses, the group prepares to sleep. Due to Chugunov's unease about Lelek, Valeriy suggests a night watch involving himself, Odette, and the Traveler. Valeriy and the Traveler take the first shift quietly before waking Odette; Valeriy then goes to rest. During their watch, Odette shares with the Traveler her history of training under Signora and her reasons for joining the Fatui. Valeriy suddenly awakened, and the Traveler departs for sleep as Odette and Valeriy continue their vigil. They later awaken in another spiral staircase, now alongside Kulish and Rampana. A familiar scene unfolds as the two companions succumb to a black mist while the Traveler ascends alone. At the top, Odette appears, claiming this is merely the beginning before the Traveler faints once more.
- Winter's Mysterious Silence
Once more, the Traveler wakes to discover two people dead under the same mysterious circumstances, this time Kulish and Rampana, just as their dream had foretold. Throughout the night, no one noticed anything unusual. Chugunov immediately suspects Odette again, much to everyone's irritation. Valeriy steps in to resolve the matter but is stopped by Tonia, who defends Chugunov. Mitya suggests that, due to the lack of evidence, the whole situation might be of supernatural origin. Everyone decides to split up and search for clues again. Tonia discovers Vodyanitsa's diary, and together with the Traveler, they start reading, unaware at first of its nature. Once they realize it’s a diary, they stop. Vodyanitsa catches them in the act but reassures them it’s fine and takes over the investigation in that area. After they leave, Vodyanitsa bursts into a tirade about her embarrassment. The Traveler later encounters Odette, who reveals that the on-duty logbook notes an extra person among them who never had a ticket. Alyosha and Mitya find something odd — a report suggesting the theater might be haunted. Suddenly, a piece of paper falls out with the ominous message "Death is near."
Everyone regroups on stage to share their findings. Valeriy speculates that the extra person mentioned in the logbook is the murderer, and dismisses the death note as a scare tactic by the killer. Through a process of elimination, they conclude that Shram is present without a ticket. Vodyanitsa presses him for more explanations, expressing confusion over how most Water Imps had left Snezhnaya long ago, asking him to describe her. Blushing, he admits she’s his girlfriend and refrains from revealing her name due to potential backlash from human and fae "factions" during this fragile period. This explanation puzzles everyone, while Shram clarifies that the humans and fae are hostile to each other. Valeriy points out that their last conflict was over 400 years ago, shocking Shram. This revelation leads to the conclusion that Shram is a ghost from the past, explaining his lack of a ticket. However, there's no evidence linking him to the murders. Mitya proposes that perhaps the Ley Lines consumed them due to a void gap. Shram struggles with his memories, eventually recalling his death and apologizing for inadvertently causing others' deaths before leaving into the snowstorm.
The Traveler returns to their room to rest but soon after, Odette knocks on the open door. She expresses gratitude for not exposing her as Lelek earlier and reveals she thought she saw Mitya dead in the Armory Palace a week before all this unfolded. In disbelief, the Traveler recounts that a few days ago they witnessed him alive conversing with Vodyanitsa at a restaurant and eluding Valeriy. Given the increasingly bizarre circumstances, they surmise that Mitya may have returned from the dead. Before they can confront him, Mitya abruptly announces that Vodyanitsa is distributing free food. Eventually, night descends again, and everyone gathers on stage to discuss Shram's sacrifice and wishes him well on his journey. Chugunov expresses thanks to Tonia for her assistance when Valeriy was trying another resolution approach. With the matter seemingly settled and no one left behind, Valeriy suggests there’s no further need for shifts but decides to keep watch overnight just in case. The Traveler retires for the night, and once more, they find themselves on a spiral staircase in a dream, accompanied by Valeriy and Chugunov. They battle monsters and reach the summit, but before leaving, Valeriy decides his duty ends here, and the dream concludes with the Traveler fainting at the top alongside Chugunov.
- Wraith's Nocturne
The Traveler awakens to the same grim reality: Valeriy, who had been on night duty, is found dead in his chair. Vodyanitsa is frustrated, questioning why nothing has changed despite the deaths. Mitya points out that a change did occur — this time only one person died. He proposes that the nightly death toll matches the number of deceased in the theater. Odette reveals that Mitya is actually dead, much to his disbelief, as he has no memory of dying, unlike Shram. Vodyanitsa doubts this, remembering Mitya seemed alive just days ago. Mitya shifts suspicion to Tonia, but Chugunov defends her. Mitya asks Odette to recount his death again, but he still can't remember it. He recalls discussing researchers suffering from memory loss at a restaurant, leading him to conclude he's forgotten his death. Mitya decides to leave during a snowstorm, despite attempts to stop him. Later, Tonia regrets not bidding farewell to Mitya. Then, Tonia and Vodyanitsa notice the Traveler's melancholy, missing their companion Paimon. They console the Traveler, who feels better afterward. Vodyanitsa sings a Requiem as everyone retires early. The next day, the Traveler awakens in a new place with Vodyanitsa, who's chanting something. Before reacting, a spirit resembling Tonia attacks, killing the Traveler. Vodyanitsa revives them, dubbing herself their "Guardian Angel," and helps them escape through the strange realm with a menacing black mist in pursuit. Once they reach safety, Vodyanitsa remains behind, claiming her role is fulfilled.
The morning finds Vodyanitsa dead, and Tonia's cries stir the Traveler awake to investigate. Odette and Alyosha suspect Chugunov of previous deceit. The Traveler seeks clarity by asking Tonia about Teucer; her confusion confirms their suspicion. Confronting Chugunov reveals the truth about Tonia; she recalls being ill with Frostblight and her brother taking her to the theater where she fell asleep during a show. Odette realizes Tonia is dead and Chugunov knew, projecting his daughter, Iskra, onto her. Tonia bids farewell, revealing her real name as "Ptashka," and leaves despite Alyosha's plea.
Night falls as the relentless snowstorm rages on. Odette suggests leaving as staying seems pointless against the storm's potential devastation of Snezhnaya and beyond, but Alyosha suggests they savor the evening at least once more. A sudden knock interrupts them — Mitya returns, noticing Vodyanitsa and "Tonia's" absence. He unraveled his way back through Vodyanitsa's Requiem despite nearly succumbing to the snowstorm. Mitya then shares a disturbing conclusion: they are all dead, dwelling in an afterlife theater. Seeing Shram and Ptashka indistinguishable from living humans supports this theory., but the Traveler struggles to accept this fate. However, before losing consciousness, Mitya vaguely recalls seeing something, but can't pinpoint what it was. Odette observes blood on the tip of his finger, and on his left hand, there's a symbol of a red eye, which he believes he drew with the blood. The Traveler recognizes this as the mark of Ronova, the Ruler of Death. They speculate that perhaps the Ruler of Death has been with them all along, disguised as someone else. Quickly, they suspect Alyosha is the "Grim Reaper." Though Alyosha's appearance remains, his demeanor quickly changes after being exposed without any refutation. The voice emanating from him shifts from male to female, revealing Ronova herself, commending them for detecting the two deceased and acknowledging her presence. Demonstrating her authority, she effortlessly kills Odette and Chugunov with a snap of her fingers.
Ronova reveals that everyone is under the "Curse of Death," while also wanting to watch a play about death since it took place in a theater. Mitya finds her answers lacking, prompting Ronova to explain the soul ferrying process, the angels' renovation of the theater's Ley Lines hinders her work, and the limitation of only two deaths per day, to which Traveler reviews the sequence of each death. Ronova further notes that a Descender's soul cannot be brought into the Ley Lines, and she herself has no intentions to involve with Descenders. The Traveler and Mitya assault her manifestation of Alyosha, successfully striking her as she vanishes. Mitya and the Traveler exit the theater to a sky filled with her watching eyes. Eventually, everyone wakes up in the theater, realizing it was all just a "dream."
- Mistilteinn
The Traveler rushes to Odette, who is lying on the stage. As she gradually regains consciousness, she finds herself with no memory of recent events. They then proceed to Mitya, who not only forgets the theater incident but also fails to recognize them. However, upon spotting the red eye on his arm he "sketched on his soul", Mitya's memory returns, and realizes he must return to the Armory Palace. Once Mitya is gone, Valeriy approaches the Traveler, curious about their connection to Mitya. The Traveler requests Valeriy gather everyone on stage so they can explain collectively. After leaving the Theater, the Traveler and Odette wish to check on Paimon and head back to Podvorye Restaurant, but soon sense something amiss. It turns out that Pierro had visited the restaurant and taken Paimon away. Odette and the Traveler deduce that Pierro most likely brought Paimon to the Armory Palace and swiftly make their way there. The Traveler initially wishes to proceed alone due to Odette's identity as a Fatuus, but she clarifies her intention is to help by force if necessary, regardless of her official position. As they journey on, the Curse of Death triggers once more. Odette's Cor Ignis helps the Traveler escape the afterlife, but she dies in their place. Although the Traveler wishes to protect Odette, they prioritize reaching Paimon. Inside the palace, they find everyone dead due to the curse but remain focused on rescuing Paimon.
They discover the switch to her room but soon face Ronova, now in her true human form without disguise. Ronova warns them against meddling in Snezhnaya's matters before raising a finger to use her power, attempting to take Paimon, to which Pierro intervenes, blocking her attack. Ronova questions their obsession with Paimon, noting that despite originating from Celestia, she lacks any of its power or authority. She threatens to take her another time, prompting the Traveler to launch a direct assault. Despite their efforts, Ronova effortlessly block all of the Traveler's attacks, with only a scratch inflicted using Anemo before she departs. The Traveler reunites with Paimon, surprising her as almost no time had passed in her perception. Pierro approaches them both and explains that he took her away to cure her. This leaves Paimon puzzled about why such an influential figure would care for her. He discloses that Paimon was "pulled" from Celestia down to Khaenri'ah, and was presented as a gift to Irmin, yet the Vinster King showed no interest in her. This reveals Paimon's age of at least 500 years, despite her lacking memories of it. Initially indifferent before the Cataclysm, Pierro now sees her as one of Khaenri'ah's last remaining vestiges of sanity. Mitya proposes to pause Project Mistilteinn until Ronova is eliminated, and Pierro agrees. They explain that whenever there's a technological breakthrough that can threaten Celestia, the Curse of Death would trigger, temporarily killing everyone in the vicinity and lose all memory of it upon resurrection. The theater incident stemmed from Mitya pondering an innovation during the performance. A major revelation follows — the Tsaritsa and Fatui's goal is to challenge the Heavenly Principles. Pierro later unveils the secret weapon to the Traveler and Paimon, meant to support the Tsaritsa’s plans when the time is right.
As peace finally descends, Chugunov instructs a staff member to shut down operations of the Iskra Manufacturing Plant permanently, telling Iskra that it's time to rest. Odette is seen visiting Signora's tomb. Images of both Signora and Odette appear as she draws near, unraveling a tale about the Cor Ignis, Signora, Arlecchino, and the interplay of memories and forgetting. Ultimately, Odette chooses to move forward with her life as both a ballerina and a Fatuus. The Traveler and Paimon wander around Snezhnograd, finding Tartaglia, who apologizes for Pierro’s misunderstanding and introduces them to his sister Tonia. Amid their conversations, a stir among gathering people erupts into applause when the Tsaritsa returns triumphantly from battling a monster. Without uttering a word, she heads towards the castle, accompanied by the Druzhna, their commander Vesna, and head housemaid Danica, where Pierro and the others humbly bow before her upon her entry.
Characters
25 Characters appear in this Act:
- Alyosha
- Arlecchino
- Blyushko
- Chugunov
- Danica
- Dymov
- Kulish
- Mitya
- Odette
- Paimon
- Pierro
- Ptashka
- Rampana
- Ronova
- Shram
- Signora
- Soboleva
- Tartaglia
- Tonia
- Torgov
- Traveler
- Tsaritsa
- Valeriy
- Vesna
- Vodyanitsa
Achievements
No Achievements are obtainable from Wraith's Nocturne.
Soundtracks
No Soundtracks match the category selection.
Gallery
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Wraith's Nocturne | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 死魂灵的夜曲 Sǐ-húnlíng de Yèqǔ | Dead Spirit's Nocturne |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 死魂靈的夜曲 Sǐ-húnlíng de Yèqǔ | |
| Japanese | 死魂の夜想曲 Shikon no Yasoukyoku[!] | Dead Spirit's Nocturne |
| Korean | 영혼의 야상곡 Yeonghon-ui Yasanggok | Nocturne of Spirits |
| Spanish | Nocturno de las almas difuntas | Nocturne for the deceased souls |
| French | Nocturne de spectre | Specter's Nocturne |
| Russian | Ноктюрн мёртвых душ Noktyurn myortvykh dush | Dead Souls' Nocturne |
| Thai | เพลงรัตติกาลแห่งวิญญาณ phleng ráttikan haèng winyan | Night Song of Souls |
| Vietnamese | Dạ Khúc Của Những Linh Hồn Đã Chết | The Lullaby of the Dead Souls |
| German | Nachtmusik der toten Seelen | Dead Souls' Nocturne |
| Indonesian | Nyanyian Malam Sang Arwah | The Spirit's Nocturne |
| Portuguese | Noturno dos Espíritos | Nocturne of the Spirits |
| Turkish | Hayaletin Noktürnü | The Ghost's Nocturne |
| Italian | Notturno dello spettro | Nocturne of the Specter |
Change History
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