Light Slips the Gate, Shadow Greets the Throne

The homecoming is exiled, and the departing embark on their journey. The world is thus: One generation rises, another wilts.

It's been a long while since Phainon had entered the Vortex of Genesis to challenge the Strife trial. With a sudden incident in the trial, you intervened, saving Phainon from his inner demon. With Phainon's Coreflame trial ending in failure, the responsibility of bearing Nikador's divinity now falls to Chrysos Heir Mydei, the lone crown prince of the Kremnos. Yet even as the true heir to "Strife," Mydei seems to exhibit an odd trepidation and resistance, as if the glory of Kremnos had become his inner demon.

Mydei found the Kremnoan veteran, Krateros, to discuss the future of Castrum Kremnos. However, Krateros remained resolute, openly expressing his desire for Mydei to take up divine authority, claim kingship, and return home.

Aglaea expressed her gratitude with generous gifts and invited you to form an alliance with Okhema. During the discussion, you met Hyacine of the Twilight Courtyard and, at Aglaea's suggestion, decided to accompany her back to the Grove. Before departing, Hyacine stayed temporarily in Okhema due to the sudden arrival of an unidentified injured individual, while you proceeded to the Grove of Epiphany, only to find it overrun by creations of the black tide. The Grove had fallen. Anaxa, the Chrysos Heir, left clues using alchemy, guiding you to investigate the safety of Cerces' Coreflame. Along the way, you encountered a mysterious figure claiming to be Calypso, who was revealed to be CercesReason Titan. The Titan entrusted you to assist them in locating Anaxa to apprehend the culprit behind the Grove's downfall — the black-robed swordsman without a name.

After a fierce battle, you safely returned to Okhema with Anaxa and Cerces' Coreflame, ready to report back to Aglaea. Prior to seeing Aglaea, Anaxa asked to visit the families of those lost to the black tide.

Tribbie sensed that Trianne had used divine power again due to being in danger. To ease her worries, she went to the baths with Aglaea for relaxation. Strangely, multiple visitors suddenly passed out in the baths. Hyacine's examination showed an unexpected reason: Overheated water. The culprit behind it turned out to be a ridiculous competition between Phainon and Mydei.

A Kremnoan named Krateros abducted Trinnon in an attempt to undergo the Strife trial, but ultimately failed and was apprehended on the spot by Aglaea. Tribbie and Trinnon, understanding Krateros' impatience, decided to use Oronyx's power to restore Krateros' memories from ages past. Perhaps affected by Krateros' unease, Tribbie experienced a nightmare, recalling her own past once more. Upon waking, the three resolved to venture into the Abyss of Fate to seek Oronyx, only to encounter the Flame Reaver there. At the cost of exhausting her divine power, Trianne sent Tribbie and Trinnon away from the battlefield.

The city's heroes convened and decided to split up. Dan Heng and Hyacine set out to search for Trianne, while Aglaea and Castorice stayed in the city to address the political crisis. The rest devised tactics and headed to Castrum Kremnos to hunt down the Flame Reaver. Amidst the stalemate, the now-ascended Mydei arrived and delivered a decisive blow, defeating the Flame Reaver with a single lance throw.

The group returned triumphantly, and Trianne's whereabouts were finally revealed. It turned out that Krateros had retrieved Trianne from the Flame Reaver's hands, though he had been gravely injured in the process. Mydei found Krateros and shared his decision: he declared the end of the Kremnoan Dynasty, stating that he would return home alone to fight the black tide, while also granting the Kremnoans new glory and faith. After a brief farewell, the Kremnoan heir and new God of Strife set off alone on his journey back.

At Trianne's funeral, Phainon made a request to Tribbie, hoping to witness the first vision of her Flame-Chase Journey. With the power of time, you journeyed to the past of the Abyss of Fate — to the sacred place of the prophecy, Janusopolis. You witnessed how Tribios takes the Coreflame of Passage, receiving Janus's divinity, and how she fled this Sanctum of Tripartite Prophecy that has held her captive for decades and pursue her destiny.