The Traveler's Story of Denial [Genshin Impact Lore and Character Study]

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[@one-eyedspider5965]

The dream Abyss Heralds speech to the Traveler tells you more about their fears for their sibling than ANYTHING. The fear that has been dwelling in the back of their mind since 1.4. The fear that their sibling DOESN'T want to be with them anymore, that fear of losing them. And with the info they learned in the end of the 3.2 Archon Quest, the Travelers feelings of denial might be stronger than ever.

[@mystrknwital9146]

Maybe people in teyvat can't leave their own world. So, the fact the lumine became part of teyvat meant she will never be able to return home with him.

[@one-eyedspider5965]

@@mystrknwital9146 We have seen that it is possible to remove someone from the Irminsul. While this completely erases all traces of that persons existence from Teyvat, we don’t know what happens when a Descender (in this case, someone who is SUPPOSED to be considered one) is added into the Irminsul, then removed. Will they still be remembered by the people of Teyvat, or will they still be forgotten and all traces of their existence be erased?

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

@@one-eyedspider5965 If they can't, I think the Traveler will remain, I don't think the Traveler will leave their sibling behind for any reason than death.

[@one-eyedspider5965]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks Given that there is an epilogue chapter for Genshin, it’s safe to say that’s a given that The Traveler will stay in Teyvat.

[@bakamitai1419]

@@one-eyedspider5965 Who knows, we might get something afterwards since this is only the Teyvat Chapter, implying there could possibly be more

[@ece-po7us]

Lumine obviously cares for Aether as we saw in the we will be reuinited trailer. Aether completely ruined her plan and she wasnt even mad. She only watched him from afar in longing. I don't think Lumine is evil or corrupted. On the contrary I think there is a very good reason to why she does what she does. Nothing is as simple as it seems in genshin.

[@ChillwithAster]

YEE i agree. Im so excited to tackle to opposite view

[@mehlol2]

I think Lumine just saw everything differently than Aether. We don't actually know what happened in her journey, what happened to make her feel that way towards the archons (gods in general ?). I don't think she is exactly wrong but rather, she uses *her* way to solve the problem and the thing is : it can be quite painful and will probably do more harm than good (see the chasm quest) At this point, I'm pretty sure we're all curious about Lumine's side of the story

[@idminister]

'lumine' is indeed corrupted, because the 'lumine' we meet, isn't lumine; but rather a modified segment. Segments were really introduced with the lead up to sumeru, around doctorre...and suddenly they are all gone and have no relevance after being made into such a big thing, no. A segment of the twins made in teyvat would be of teyvat. Really, what happed to the original 'lumine' is she imprisoned or dead.... And if the later, does that mean all that remains is a segment, a segment that cannot leave teyvat. [the 'elysian' realm attached to the ark]

[@2nd_of_the_Fatui_Harbingers]

@@mehlol2 When you talk about her hatred towards the archons, does it include Zhongli & Venti? If so, it could explain their lack of help when it comes to helping Aether about Lumine’s whereabouts. Perhaps they don’t wish to see them both reunited for reasons of the past.

[@normalpotato2653]

You do make a interesting point there

[@sadiaferdous5968]

What I realized about the Traveller is that, he/she is indeed someone of a warm and kind personality but maybe personally the Traveller doesnt feel that way towards them. Because no character treats the Traveller normally. All they keep saying is that he/she is "special", "gives a different aura" or "he/she is like a star". Which basically mean they are treated as "different" and not "their kind". It's like treating someone as an alien but the alien isnt hated. How is that gonna make the Traveller not feel lonely? I honestly think Paimon is the only one who treats Traveller normally.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Nah. I lot of characters do treat the Traveller normally. Paimon is our only constant companion in our travels.

[@Gnowimaster]

I don't know if this is a culturething but what always worries me: they are always called Traveller and/or the "Travelername" we gave them. It just feels like getting called out by your rank or titel. Also it feels like the Traveller may be good with many people but never that close to keep someone in their mind/head to talk about problems. They are always the goodhearted traveler that will help and protect the folk but who is their for them? It's kinda tricky because we always just see our actions and what the game is showing us, not happens between the time. Of course we could see everything wrong because we don't see how they meet with the other characters and have fun and talk about their problems or so on...

[@syanna560]

@@Gnowimaster If you pay attention to the subs during conversations, our chosen names are actually used quite often. They are skipped only in the voice acted parts. For obvious reasons. Or else we'd have that awkward robo voice reading out our names in between voiced characters' lines. 😅I can already imagine that voice reading "Ballzdeep69" for some people.

[@Gnowimaster]

@@syanna560 that's what I said 🙂 They say "Traveller" or your chosen name. Aether/Lumine never tell them their true name, if you know what I mean. Kinda feels like we trust noone nearly enough to let them know our real name...

[@0ki108]

@@Gnowimaster yep. its as if the traveler is using an alias. not "Aether" or "Lumine". But abyss twin calls you by those, not the player name.

[@chosoistryinghisbest]

the fact that the traveler, no matter how much they have friends in teyvat, they were willing to leave it all behind as long as they got to be with their twin again. because their twin is quite literally the only person they have left of where they came from. they are proof to each other that they came from somewhere else and they will not forget where they came from. they only have each other left, because if they're not together, who else is going to be by them when they hop worlds?

[@goodisgood153]

family > people they meet in their journey which is not an unusual prioritization to anybody who has a close family relations. It's pretty normal

[@Gnidel]

They also don't age. Everyone from Teyvat, including gods, will die one day, while the twins will always have enough time.

[@chosoistryinghisbest]

@@Gnidel this still kinda mind fcks me because even the gods in teyvat aren't truly immortal the way the twins are. they too will erode away and be replaced. the twins however, will always have enough time to do literally anything they want

[@Ikcatcher]

That scene happened early in their journey, when they hadn’t made that many friends in Teyvat. I’m sure the Traveller now is attached to Teyvat even if they don’t admit it.

[@ace_guard3386]

One thing that I will never forgot during We Will Be Reunited was, when Aether found Lumine, he was willing to drop everything. Forget the fact that he's currently powerless, forget the fact that the Fatui might overthrow Celestia, forget that Paimon's literally behind him. He found his sister, he's ready to get out of Teyvat and leave. It's just like you said. Aether's main priority is finding Lumine and leaving to the next world. I wonder if the reason the Traveler is shrouded in mystery is that, once we understand who they are, we'll understand Genshin or what's going to happen. This was a fascinating character analysis as always, Aster!

[@KinOrKie]

What if The traveler is ‘Genshin’ and their story on teyvat is the ‘impact’

[@sb18wlc]

@@KinOrKie But genshin is literally translated as Primordial/Original God

[@KinOrKie]

@@sb18wlc yeah I realized that later on sorry!

[@deletedflame8424]

@@sb18wlc It is technically the title for people with visions too. It was translated as Allogenes but was actually a title namedrop

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Well the Travelers ultimate goal is to reunite with their sibling and continue their journey. When we enter the game and Asmoday intercepts us, we were trying to leave Teyvat so whatever business we had there was surely concluded. Well, supposedly.

[@fintzwaltstein5484]

Traveler: *helps this nation from destruction just to have a missing person poster* That same nation: *puts missing person poster on very unnoticeable places*

[@ziephel-6780]

sus

[@FurryBunny536]

So TRUE!

[@kotarouinugami1745]

Well, two nations in, we come to realize our problems can't be solved with missing person posters. And the Sibling should have "wanted dead or alive" posters instead.

[@vonrich2614]

I just realized, maybe because they were stars they aren't like siblings like "born from the same parent" kind but instead they are the same person with different fates...but that's a stretch

[@evanshy9924]

dang, it feels embarrassing to read my headcannon as a comment. I've thought a long time ago that at first, they came from the same constellation but once they started developing their own personalities, they code named their constellation to viator and viatrix, 2 names for the same thing. Yes it's a stretch but it's nice to think of

[@RejectedInch]

makes sense. We see 2 shooting stars when we start the game, but (spoiler ahead) Nahida ( connected with the Irminsul tree) sees only ONE in her quest.

[@mystrknwital9146]

When 2.0 started, I remember how done Aether was with everything. Like seriously, he didn't want to get dragged by the war and didn't even want to help not one bit. I' honestly hate the Inazuma archon quest. He was still grieving but people in Inazuma wanted him to be a hero, the same way he saved the mondstat and Liyue. He was just a traveler, but people already expected him to solve other people's problem, like he himself didn't have any problems.

[@Nokyyyyy]

That's true. I will never forget the cringed face they make when the third commission daughter asks him for something

[@marineduard6901]

Yeah and yet by sumeru and 3.0 or 3.2 you can clearly see he's more attached to teyvat and is clearly more co-operative with people and the pleas of help. So yeah I trust believe that by the time endgame arrives, he won't want want leave and his attachment to teyvat would be too strong simply too strong. Like he's becoming more and more fused with teyvat culture and its people and his new friends with each passing arc

[@effortlessfury]

While the Traveler's stance during 2.0 makes a lot of sense coming off of "We Will Be Reunited," also consider that to everyone else in dire straits with the world's Powers That Be, the Traveler is the only person not bound by those Powers, and who seems to be able to take them on and create change that even Vision-holders struggle to make. If you were such a person, yes you would have your own selfish desires, but it is important to at least acknowledge the inherent power you carry in the world, and realize that no matter what your choices are, due to your inherent power you are affecting a great many people, whether you act or do not act.

[@keksakubee9960]

Tell me about it🙄😭😭😭

[@deletedflame8424]

@ei I mean. Not really. Traveller wanted something from Ayaka and she asked for something in return. When he said that wasn't in the cards. She narrowed the scope and still promised to help him meet the Shogun. Yes, it was manipulative to an extent but it did show that traveller does care for the suffering of the peopke. In the end traveller decided to stick around and help. He didn't even technically have to go make himself a fugitive. It was his choice to jump in and save Thoma when no actual physical harm would have come to him (they could have continued to act and retrieve his vision later without making their biggest asset Inazuma's most wanted)

[@cyanmoon]

I think Aether is also afraid of losing that bond with his sister on his end as well. I mean... If he really did only care about finding Lumine, he could see that each god he discovers isn't The Sustainer and just move on (obviously this is an update schedule thing, but I mean in universe.) We know he's kindhearted, but we've also seen him not give a flying crap before (ie, the Inazuma Quest) and he only helped because that was the only way to get to Ei. However, he met Venti, had suspicions about Zhongli, and met Nahida very early on. He could easily dip to the next nation, but I think he's slowly forming stronger and stronger bonds. Just look at how he acted with Teppei, and saving Nahida and the people of Sumeru. Aether is in denial about a lot of things, including things within himself.

[@user-co7ld3we9g]

About denial. In the quest of the chasm (about xiao), Aether said that he would always remember that the abyss deprived him of his family. And when they went into that special room, he said that he saw the darkness of the abyss that took his sister. Which means that he refuses to believe that his sister voluntarily went into the abyss. Now we only know this: Fear. He is afraid of the abyss (chasm). Experience. He is tormented that his sister no longer loves him and she does not need him. Nightmares. Conversations with Paimon (which I find very sweet, I like their relationship). From the beta version of the opening cutscene, it says that he dreamed of his wounded sister in chains (I don't remember very well). It's a pity that we didn't learn more about their dreams from the event with Xinyan, Kazuha, etc. (although it makes sense if the theory is true that the traveler did not have his own island because he does not have the vision like Fischl and others, nor the delusion like Fatui who nearly went crazy) Sorry if there are mistakes, I don't play with English subtitles, I translated the subtitles of the game, which may be incorrect (for example, how Jean was translated as a piano)

[@Nokyyyyy]

Acting grand master Piano

[@KAlberich]

While Master Jean's Chinese name quite literally means instrument（琴）, it doesn't technically mean that she symbolizes as one. The Pinyin for the character 琴 is Qin, which is kinda like Ching, and it sounds like her English name, Jean. Basically, it's like how all Mondstadt names are written in Chinese, Outrider Amber is 安柏（An bo）Captain Kaeya is 凯亚（Kai ya）Librarian Lisa is 丽莎（Li sha）and so on. They could've written it as 金（Gold）which is pronounced as Jin, but it sounds strange to Chinese naming, or not "pretty" enough. So, Master Jean is not quite literally an instrument, it's just the sound and pronunciations.

[@kineretgilboa2391]

And this is why the twins will always be my favorite characters, and it pains me that ppl just chalk them up as self inserts with no personality. I don't know what to think about the new information from 3.2 but one think i will stand by is that lumine DOES care about aether. In the to be reunited trailer especially we see how much she cares, she simply know that he doesn't understand the 'truth' yet, whatever that may be. Like she said, she's willing to wait for him. Another think ppl are going crazy with the theories of them not actually being twins, or just being siblings born in different times, something i think is absolutely ridiculously far fetched and really has no basis. You need to look at it from a storytelling view, taking away the travelers main motivation, destroying what people have been hoping for since the beggining (the siblimgs being reunited) just doesn't make sense. I assume that at the end of her journey, when nahida said everything went fuzzy, something happened to make irminsul BELIEVE that she's part of teyvat. After all we have proof that irminsul can be wrong.

[@Nokyyyyy]

The Irminsul is like any other source of knowledge in Teyvat. It kniws only what it knows

[@bunny-senpai251]

I do agree with u on the not being sisters and brothers part but I think the people deserve to think what they wanna think ,probably they looked at it and make more sense though its fun hearing they're side of the story as well I find it most interesting ,its not really fun when everyone comes up with the same conclusion 🤔

[@xeacarons]

Yeh i have been seeing theories where ppl are saying abyss twin being "clones" and "doppleganger", after fatui intel about descenders and their only arguement is albedo, ei and dottore has clones so that means our twin is dead and current twin is a clone as if that makes any sense, its such a conspiracy theory with nothing to back it up.

[@Hanahaki_Lily]

Honestly traveler is one of my favorite characters, and everytime something hard happend i imagine him walking alone or just sitting on a tree and crying or just feeling down and confused (reason why i always go pick up flowers with him cause he is too precious to me lmao)

[@dalmoin]

I literally had the exact same thought after the abyss sibling, aether for me, went through the abyss portal with the Herald. Lumine said she was fine, but then I just imagined her going to be under the tree just north of that dungeon and crying under it.

[@Hanahaki_Lily]

@@dalmoin dudeeee when they said they where fine, i was so sad, like no bb you are not ok cry if you need to aujhnfkq

[@darkroyal2276]

The traveller's journey is a journey of hope as much as it involves their denial of their sibling's stance. This keeps us wondering what will happen next up till we visit all seven nations. This is why we play. Genshin Impact.

[@witchcandy3671]

Solid point Aster. I always assumed Aether would never understand Lumine's choices until he completed his journey and that was the message Lumine tried to convey to Aether when they met. That her fate is deeply tied in to the world of Tehvat and until he understands why it's not something that can be explained with words alone. In a way their time apart is similar to how an older sibling behaves towards a younger more nieve sibling. Take the story of Childe and his younger brother. Childe serves as one of the Harbingers and wields abyssal powers because it allows him to do what he must to protect his family and give them a happy life but he can never allow them to see what he has had to do for that dream. We still don't know why Lumine chose the path she did but it can be horrifying what one would do for those they love. As for the taunts of an abyssal herald there is something to be said about not being able to see hope when you live in darkness. The same is true in reverse as well however, Aether filled with hope for his sister can not hope to understand what she is up to. Do you think the Traveler will eventually snap? To be honest I don't believe Paimon truly sees or comprehends Aethers pain or it's depths. For that matter I don't believe Aether feels close to anyone or has ever really opened up to anyone. Paimon often serves as the Travelers moral compass and has taken on the role of being the Travelers voice so often we've gotten so used to it that it's a shock to hear them speak. The dialogue has gotten jaded and bitter and as soon as someone gets close the Traveler is on their way again. Yae Miko might be one of the few characters who might have seen through the Travelers camouflage it mirrors her own. Although I view Yae as something of a master manipulator myself I personally think she involves the Traveler in her plans as a means of teaching the Traveler to not lose heart less they become a tool for another. Ei, Scaramouche, Hanniyah all being examples of others who had something or someone taken from them and the darkness that brought warped their actions each oddly to serve the Fatui. Which takes us full circle. 1) Why didn't Aether wake up when Lumine did? 2) Why was Aether imprisoned in darkness or sleep for so long? 3) Was meeting Paimon an act of intervention by Istaroth? It just seems so odd to me that the Traveler basically doesn't exist until they do and then the timing seems well very appropriate to solve so many problems. 1) Dvalin 2) Osial 3) Azhdaha 4) Osial's partner 5) Stopped a war in Inazuma or rather changed the mind of a God 6) Liberated Nahida and prevented Scaramouche's Ascension (These were all timed events not a matter of overthrowing some dictatorship or braving the evil underground dungeon sprawl.) I mean the timing of these events just seems as if someone inserted the Traveler on purpose. Out of all of them it's only with Dvalin do we interfere with the abyss sibling directly. That inverted statue of Venti is still in the hands of the Abyss. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Big Picture I think Abyss sibling is just 1 piece of the puzzle and the Traveler can't even answer for themselves or their predicament. Perhaps the Traveler only survived because of the actions of the Abyss Sibling, the older more experienced twin who doesn't just black out for half a millennia and doesn't ever ask why. It's an observable fact that when and where one begins colors their beliefs. This is often clear when studying history in general whether we are talking about religion or politics. So if Aether and Lumine were placed and or sealed into Tehvat by the guidance of another then just being what they are they have already succumbed to another's tactful manipulation. The question is who and perhaps who else if more then one God is playing this manipulation across time.

[@edenrav]

A big part of why I love Traveler is how much he really doesn't care. Despite the game trying to portray him as a typical self insert goodie two shoes harem MC it still drops little hints that show us the bigger picture: Traveler doesn't care. He doesn't really care for Teyvat, he doesn't really care for the people in it, he is willing to drop everything and everyone the minute his quest is over. And can you blame him? Everyone he encounters see's him as the "great hero" here to solve all their problems. If the behavior of Mondstat, Liyue and Inazuma has shown us anything is how much of a facade they put for Traveler, He did so much for them and they gave him nothing. Imagen if you saved an entire nation from a dragon/sea monster/tyrannial dictatorship and the best they can do with your actual ambition/quest is freaking wanted posters. The manipulative behavior of Ayaka during the inazuma quest also puts into question her whole motivation, its hard to see "playful" encounters like the hotpot game with her and thoma as anything other than a manipulation tactic. The way I see it after the encounter with the Sibling and their request to really *see* the world the Traveler has actually began trying to care for Teyvat, and it shows. I feel like the Sumeru archon quest is the only time when the Traveler did something of his own volition. He had nothing to gain, nothing to lose, yet he helped them anyway because he wanted too. Heck from what we see Sumeru actually treated Traveler best out of all nations, in the grand scheme of things Traveler didn't even do that much in the climax of the story, it was all a coordinated effort of all the parties involved. The people really saw him as their equal and didn't have expectations of him to fix all of their problems.

[@Maethendias]

the entire inazuma ressistence plot acutally pissed me off by how hard you got roped into it and how they didnt even try to hide the obivous manipulations, especially considering the ressistences overall UTTER incompetence in basically everything. And how hard they cucked us from just having a chat with the shogun

[@ziephel-6780]

@@Maethendias Makes Scaramouche more sympathetic/justified in this regard. Even though his actions weren't any better either. He was a byproduct of how fucked up Inazuma is. Yeah Dottore and the rest of the Fatui contributed to this. But the nation had been going downhill since the Cataclysm.

[@juliuskingsley2174]

One thought I had when watching, especially after the conversation with Nahida at the end of the archon quest, is what dainsleif knows about us. Whatever theory that has now become a possibility turns out to be true, Dainsleif has spent a lot of time with the abyss sibling in the past. He also does not question our being after meeting us. Sure he is perhaps surprised, but nothing more. Whether we are a piece of the abyss sibling, his other half, an copy, an outlander who has not yet become bound to this worlds rules or anything else - I would very much like to know how much of our existence was known before we awoke to the people around the abyss sibling. A relatively minor question sure. But it just makes me curious if sneaky dainsleif might know something more about us :P

[@CakeoftheMews]

The abyss herald at the beginning of the Sumeru archon quest really shook me. I'm fascinated by how the Traveler will continue to grow as the story goes. Personally, I would like to see them open up to other characters about how they feel.

[@akido4361]

this makes even sadder the position of Paimon, because i think is clearly that she is very of a child and even something of a new sister for Aether based in their interactions So in this, Paimon would end being a child in the third position, seeing her sibling being in denial and wanting to get back with a sibling that doesn't care about them

[@Nokyyyyy]

Lumine does care about him. But she has a duty to accomplish and could be on a timer too

[@adiaphoros6842]

@@Nokyyyyy But they always had enough time.

[@Nokyyyyy]

@@adiaphoros6842 indeed

[@ignemuton5500]

Girl IM in denial, im not ready for this emotional rollercoaster of a story!

[@valivan5083]

I wonder if this means the Traveler is alluding to the fact that Celestia and the Abyss are one in the same in some way. Like obviously there's the whole "light and dark" theme, but considering what we've learned about forbidden knowledge in Sumeru's archon quest...would it be possible that Celestia itself didnt come from another planet, but rose from the abyss itself? I dont know if your familiar with the Teyvat is upside down theory but if thats true would it be possible to think that to the average person Celestia rising from the Abyss could be considered 'descending'? Making the first descender, The Heavenly Principles, actually a being from the Abyss. That could explain why Celestia actually has an ability to stop or at least delay the erosion of the overworld with the Skyfrost Nails. Maybe Celestia is actually a group of beings who've escaped the darkness of the Abyss and is Teyvats last line of defense. This could also make the Archon War so much more important because that could have been Celestia's way of finding the strongest God's among Gods to help with defending the land from further corruption, hence the Archon's involvement in the Khaenri'ah War. And that could be why the Archons won't, or *can't* say anything about that war because of fearing that corruption breaking out again. Why would anyone want to risk the safety of their land by spilling the knowledge they fought so hard to get rid of? I know thats a bit of a tangent, but I think it can also fit into why the Abyss sibling is so keen on staying in Teyvat and reviving Khaenri'ah. To them, that godless nation did nothing wrong, and instead of saving the nation, Celestia "abandoned" it, let it fall to ruin, and had its people cursed by the corruption of the Abyss. With the possibility of Celestia being from the Abyss that could make them seem like a traitor to it's original homeland. And seeing all this destruction the Abyss twin was reminded of their own homeland, so they formed a bond with the world of Teyvat and grew to care for it. Now they see it as their home too; which makes sense since the twins set out to travel between worlds in search for a new home. The Abyss twin found their new home, but the Traveler has not made that connection. They probably see this as no different from the other thousands of worlds they explored and don't understand their twin's connection to this one. Now about the nightmare's the Traveler mentioned. I don't think those are his memories at all. I think the twins had such a close bond, combined with their power, they had a almost telekinetic connection between them. Which is probably why familial blood bonds are so important to Traveler; it's a part of their being, their power, their connection with their sibling, something they lost after waking up. I think those nightmares were the Abyss twin's real experiences, and the Traveler just experienced them while they were in that 500 year sleep. This is most likely why they feel the Abyss took their twin, because the last full connection they had with them was them falling into endless darkness alone, afraid. Now 500 years later, powerless and awake, that's all the Traveler has to go off of. They already saw what the corruption can do to someone, and they know their sibling is siding with that corruption. Despite all the friends and bonds they have made, the thing that shook the Traveler to their core was literally losing a part of themselves to the darkness. Personally, I don't blame the Traveler for wanting to take their sibling and get the hell outta that world. I would too if that was one of my very first experiences in a new world. Except, I also dont think the Abyss twin was expecting the Traveler to ever wake up again. It's hard to give up a bond like that, but after a few decades, or centuries the Abyss twin may have given up on the Travelers revival, severed that connection, and made themselves a new home on Teyvat. It's like an equivalent of having a close relative die, then moving on, just to have them show up on your doorstep years later like nothing happened. Oh boy I wrote a novel again. I am sorry XD Genshin lore just really gets me going lmao To anyone who reads this, I hope I took you on a thoughtful journey~

[@faithfullilac]

I somehow read the entire thing

[@valivan5083]

@@faithfullilac I commend you for enduring my ramblings XD

[@dior1226]

I ain't reading all that💪😂💯💯💯

[@chrisgarbutt1893]

Remember it's the journey, not the destination that matters. I believe Aether's journey will end with him accepting Teyvat as his new home just like Lumine has. However unlike Lumine's quest to destroy Teyvat out of grief for Kahneria, Aether will do everything to protect the seven nations against her and the Abyss. Aether may be grieving on the inside, but the friends and memories he makes along the way may overtime heal those wounds. Whatever the harsh "Truth" the Abyss and Fatui knows about I believe Aether will eventually choose to stand with the people of Teyvat.

[@huzai7083]

and thats a good setup narratively to a final clash between the siblings, if both of them refuse to stand down/compromise aether may be forced to strike down his own sibling in order to protect teyvat. having being forced into a position of choosing his sister or teyvat

[@jamescastro498]

@@huzai7083 that will be a hard decision if that really happened you choose lumine you will fighting all of your friends from all of nations and if you choose to protect teyvat you will going to kill your own kin... Dont make it anymore painful ☠️☠️

[@cardescomedioses3674]

with how old they are, i would have expected the traveler to complain to her sister "yo wtf are you doing?! you know pretty well to not get too invested with mortals" considering how timeless they are, it kinda feels weird how invested lumine is with her task, and how disrispectful the abyss are with aether, considering he is lumine's sister and he already killed hundreds of them

[@bijibijian9740]

this sounds like a bedtime story. i love this one so much

[@-.SpaceNoah.-]

Something that surprised me was the Inazuma story, the traveler just saw his sister leaving him behind even tough he was willing to forget everything she did just for the sake of staying together and go to the next world, he didn't give 3 f about Teyvat in that moment, so when he is in Inazuma all he receives is admiration for being the hero of Mondstand and Liyue or displeasure for being someone from overseas. So he is really sad bc of his sister and he has to see people actually not caring at all about him, just the things he can give, and you know, he has the right to not help Inazuma they didn't give him any reason (apart from tragic stories) to help, and I would even understand if he didn't, the only reason for him to do it at the end was the Shogun. I don't deny that he is a kindhearted person, he is and it's demonstrated in every relaxed conversation he has with other characters, mostly Paimon, but he is also human, it's going to reach a point where he's tired of everything and everyone, it happened in a small amount with Inazuma, why wouldn't happen in the future? this time worse.

[@olyabutorina6869]

I'm waiting for Traveler's angst so badly XD I hope we will get something in Fontaine...

[@bluejay3101]

This is an odd question, but: how have genshin lore study affected you? Have it been positive or negative? What new subjects have you discovered/ did you get back into any old past time because of genshin? (You might get this a lot) what tips do you have for someone interested in starting a genshin lore/theory channel. I have been toying with the idea, especially since it’s almost New Years- but I’m not too confident about it. Congratulations on your success🎉I wouldn’t have gotten in to genshin without channels like yours

[@mythogenesis4788]

The traveler is Orpheus searching for his lost (familial in this case) love.

[@agnijabistrovaite1082]

can we just talk about how the whole theme behind Genshin is partings and goodbyes, which is just foreshadowing the most important message of Genshin - the fact that we will never be reunited with our twin

[@TheShiningStars15]

Please don't say that. 😥 I started this game solely because of the we will be reunited trailer 2 years ago, wanting the see the siblings reunite... Ugh it will hurt so much if what you're saying would be what happens... Please no..

[@Nokyyyyy]

I don't like it :(

[@emiliereal1520]

I agree. How many goodbyes and separations have we seen since 1.4? Too many. And with what happens with Xiao in 2.8 mirroring the traveler’s mission…. It’s just… Btw if you don’t understand what I mean, Chasm - Abyss Xiao - Traveler Bosacius - Abyss Twin

[@AURI3N]

Plot twist: he’s still in a dream, teyvat IS the dream. Imagine at the end you wake up back at the beach, forced to do everything again.. but it feels… different..?

[@DAVID4GAMER]

Lumine: I care for this world but im a villain, you actually couldn't care less for what happens to this world, act silent and indiferent and they all love you. Does that seem fair?

[@witchcandy3671]

Seriously so true!

[@gem6566]

Can't read the tone of this comment idk if it's light hearted or serious but If the traveler doesn't care about tevyat they could just watch the event unfold around them and not do anything but they didn't, esp how they calls out to nahida during 3.2 AQ

[@thesecret5706]

I want to see how much hax can the traveller get in the future.

[@Jesses001]

I do not think he is in denial at all. With a few Paimon conversations, he states that he does not agree with his sister's methods...though it is not completely clear what methods he is talking about. As for the Abyss Herald, that reflects the traveler's greatest fears. In reality, his sister has her subordinates check up on her brother all the time. She gets action reports of his travels. She also fully expects to reunite with him someday, though to what end I do not know. It is clear she still cares about her brothers, though the last 500 years has seem to tarnish her emotions a bit.

[@gala5277]

Am I the only one who noticed that in traveler's dialogue about nightmares the second nightmare they describe is literally the last scene from we will be reunited (without their sibling saying that they are too late)?

[@elchardian]

You are one of a few genshin lore content creator that I follow. Seriously I've been binged watching your videos and could keep doing it in the future. So keep up the good works 💪😁

[@ChillwithAster]

Thank you !!!

[@aruakabane2077]

Question for the QnA: What does the Shuumatsuban do in Inazuma? like at first it seems like its just Ayato's personal ninja organization but in other quests that the Fatui directly treat them as a threat, and that they even have members operating in Watatsumi which isn't under the Shogun's rule.

[@superrexa]

Everyone's asking "who's the traveler" ,but nobody asks "how's traveler". :(

[@Ikcatcher]

I really want to see the Traveller’s reluctance to leave Teyvat be explored more and by the time we’ve reached the end. The Traveller would’ve made up their mind and say that Teyvat is now their new home.

[@elknolasshrineofraja3966]

🌸😹It would be a tale by which the noggin would be exercised and the mind yielded its paces😹🌸

[@miyal5141]

I love this video! The traveler is so interesting to me, I wish we had way more insight in his feelings and thoughts! (and that they would get more speaking time) I wonder how much it must also scare him, now that she seems to belong to teyvat, meaning he might have to leave her behind or be left behind.

[@sinsational6846]

And I feel on the flip side with Lumine, she clearly feels him wanting to reunite with her but due to her own reasonings she clearly can’t and refuses to until the journey is finished. I also feel like she wants him to make bonds with other people and create relationships probably knowing that Aether is most likely doing all of this is vain and doesn’t want her beloved brother to feel lonely if she can’t be there for him 😢😢😢😢

[@KromeLazarus]

People skim over the fact what you do in the game barely reflect, at times, what the Traveler does. You have companions along the way, you want to hang out and know more about of them. But not the Traveler, not that they hate or annoyed by them, they simply can't be with them in the long run. The Abyss sibling is the only family they have and live for their entire lives until the end of time. Yet it hurts to see them get so attached to the people they met.

[@ziephel-6780]

Yeah, little wonder they leave quickly, the sooner the better. Otherwise, how are they supposed to leave with their sibling?

[@mayamoon9207]

This is why I love Genshin so much. The player character isn't just a self insert. They have their own personality and convictions and I think it's so interesting how we play as them while not knowing everything about them and learning more as we go

[@kiikii4641]

Paimon is always there trying to wake us up, so cute.

[@lonelywolf6180]

The dream Abyss Herald was Aether's subconscious in the dream. Why would the Aranara know anything about it when making him in sleepwalk

[@DaWorldGuardian001]

They don't. It's exactly the traveler's subconscious mind that's creating the things he/she sees in the dream, similarly to how we dream irl. In other words, the subconscious mind knows everything about the traveler in question (or you if we're making references to irl), and based on one's beliefs and whatnot, will create imagery and meaning that only the dreamers can see when they dream. The Aranara dream powers were simply catalysts to enter a dream state.

[@mystrknwital9146]

Its not that Aranara knows about it, but their abilities are making a person dream deep within their subconsciousness. So those kinds of thoughts were what the traveler keep thinking but keep on denying. And for the reason why Abyss Herald showed up within his consciousness, is because that same abyss herald was the one his sibling chose instead of him in 1.4 story quest.

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

The Aranara didn't know. Their power was used as self-defense to protect themselves from Aether, and his thoughts are one who gave it shape to an nightmare. That Abyss Herald was a representation of Aether's fears and denials regarding about their sibling's alliance with the Abyss.

[@thunderspark1536]

I've always wondered if teyvat was their original home, and they were sent out to scout for other worlds for the primordial one. Their lack of reaction to learning of Enkanomiya's truth in before Sun and Moon always struck me as very odd. Their utter lack of care for the balladeer's proclamation that the stars are fake can be easily explained as "they traveled to the world so they saw the fake stars from above", but history possibly tens of thousands of years old that is hidden on purpose would necessitate they went to teyvat before at some point. You don't get that kind of historical knowledge and lack of surprise from just hearing about it, you'd need to have seen it and accepted what happened. I think their character bio hints at their ascension being what helps them fix their home, the creator being phanus who retreated after the war, and the keeper who is a shell of their former self after the devastating war and years of decay.

[@elizabethk007]

So Nahida is a reincarnation of the previous Dendro Archon, described as a small branch of a larger tree. Would that mean Venti, who is a thread of the Thousand Winds, be a reincarnation of Istaroth?

[@rouqlctesti9874]

Istaroth still exists and lives

[@thatuser4206]

I love your outlook and theories on genshin keep up the great work you do

[@nickussy.]

What's it like lorehunting? do you read through ingame books, quest items, weapon descriptions etc and stuff?

[@Jerith420]

Yay daily dose of genshin theories !!! Love it

[@neillaallien4989]

finally someone that gets it, the traveler never wanted to save the world but was kinda forced to yk. his main priority was always his sister, and thats what i always will think

[@kehan6252]

Something concerning me the most is why Aether and Lumine appeared in different timelines. Something must've happened to both of them since they also captured by the Unknown God but they weren't hung up in a cell or anything. So either they escaped the Unknown God somehow, or the Unknown God intentionally dropped them in teyvat (lumine first and then aether 500 years later) or some other entity intervened and took the siblings and dropped them in different points in time. There's only 1 being we know of who can control Time. But that's just my theory.

[@smileandnodd]

One thing that I've learned from my experience in life is that not all love is equal. In today's world, most people define love as a two way street. They find no meaning in loving someone if that person doesn't love them back. But what's the point of having a family if you're just going to leave them when things get tough? What's the point of loving someone when you'll stop loving them the moment things don't go your way? To love someone unconditionally, that is the ultimate bond. A love that can't be achieved by people who are incapable of loving beyond themselves. If Aether gives up on Lumine then his bond with her will become exactly just that. A fragile bond that can be easily broken by the pettiness of life. But the love that Aether has for Lumine is more than that. It's more than just denial. To have someone who will care for you, someone that will never give up on you even if you become the devil himself, there is no greater treasure in this world. It is something that we all desire but for someone reason, refused to give it ourselves.

[@RejectedInch]

Potential spoiler ahead (in case one hasn't played Nahida's story quest yet)............ At the end of Nahida's quest we enter in this dream, the traveller sees his/her sibling at the start. At the end Nahida sees one shooting star. ONE, not 2. One sibling has been "seen" by the Irminsul tree. not 2. Make me wonder indeed if we have a sibling at all.

[@Anticaat]

Ah aster, how far you've come! I still can't believe that you grew so much. I remember when you had around 2.1k subscribers and I loved watching the traveler videos, since it was hardly discussed in the past. I'm really proud of how well you're doing! Cheers

[@SourPunchStraws]

Congrats on 80k!!🤩🥳 you totally deserve it!!! I’ve been subbed since 70k, and that was literally a month ago 😭 I love your videos so much! Please keep up the theories, I actually live for them 🤩🤩🙏🏽💓

[@mphenomenal]

loving this channel.

[@tuntalia]

I like to believe that the events of 1.4 had a lasting impression, to the point of their fears manifesting in that dream in 3.0. One catalyst for an intrusive thought to become their worst nightmare

[@Silber_Ag]

Lumine was confronted with the truth of the world and whatever conclusions she drew, she knowa Aether won't just go along with. Also the whole thing with her becoming part of Teyvat.

[@one-eyedspider5965]

I've had this theory in my head for awhile now. Since 1.4 actually. The Abyss Sibling wants The Traveler to go on their own journey through Teyvat, so The Traveler could find the 'Truth' of the world, just like they did. But The Travelers journey and The Abyss Siblings journey will be inherently different. The Travelers journey is happening 500 YEARS after The Abyss Siblings journey. The people they meet, the events that unfold, the information they uncover, The Traveler is experiencing things their sibling wouldn't have been able to 500 years ago. This could very well cause The Traveler to come to a different conclusion to what must be done after finding out that 'Truth.' A conclusion that could very well put them at odds against each other.

[@nightkelm9552]

I thought the same thing, different things happened during the abyss twins quest, I doubt they met venti or Nahida, they must have saw different things

[@one-eyedspider5965]

@@nightkelm9552 Considering Nahida was found by the Akademiya almost immediately after she was born, I don’t think The Abyss Sibling would have even known about her during their journey. Probably only learned of her existence after joining the Abyss Order. Plus, The Abyss Sibling might gone through the seven nations in a different order than The Traveler.

[@nightkelm9552]

@@one-eyedspider5965 it depends since the abyss twin also traveled with Dain, who was native to Teyvat, though I doubt Dain knew much at the time. Anyway there’s a chance that at the time since Nahida would have been imprisoned almost immediately, that there were speculations on the dendro archon, though I agree with you, and I highly doubt that the abyss twin met ALL the archons, there’s a chance they met Rex lapis, but I doubt they met Venti, Nahida, or even Ei.

[@boruto536]

YE IM GETTING THE 5 STAGES OF GRIEF BECAUSE OF SASSLY LOST CHILD OF A SISTER GODAMN

[@itzshadow8]

Aster have you read the sword of descension description it’s heavily lore filled and the upgraded version of the sword turns black

[@notraidenshogun8324]

imagine... it was us who seperated Lumine and Aether at the start TT though there was no choice but to choose one... maybe we were destined to leave alone...

[@nightkelm9552]

That’s dark 😢

[@plushycatt]

Hey Aster, I've two big questions that I think matter a lot in the context of the Traveler's story long term - 1) What was the Traveler doing before they met Paimon, and what were they up to during those two months before they headed off to Mondstadt? 2) Is "Loom of Fate" by the Abyss Order related to the "Threads of Fate" we will be handed over after defeating Dainsleif at the end of the Teyvat Chapter according to the Travail Trailer? Is this what altered Lumine's fate as well?

[@gaydragonsq4101]

Have you ever met the voice actor for Aether before in a meet and greet? I highly recommend it whenever you get the chance. Aethers VA, Zach Aguilar, really gives off the same warmth as portrayed in the game

[@cartluares]

leak says we will have another archon quest with dainsleif coming before fontaine

[@zephobear]

Well, he barely asked about her with Nahida anymore so there's also that. Kind of a development in grief? Interesting stuff

[@audrey8103]

question for the q&a: will you be doing more character or narrative studies like this one? as much as i love your theories i also want to hear your perspective on the events of the past!

[@mittenvonscrufflears7233]

It feels like not too long ago that you had 6k subscribers, I can't believe it's 80k already! You're the only KZbinr I know that covers Genshin lore really extensively which I feel like a sin because of how big the playerbase is and how good the lore is. Good job Aster, you deserve it 👍

[@KaitouKiara422]

What if and what if that the current traveler is just chasing their abyss sibling's soul? Hence the record of Irminsul only collected the abyss twin's journey because maybe(in some way) she actually died but wanders in the Teyvat world to fulfill a mission??

[@shina7418]

lmao imagine if they're actually just test subjects from honkai and the siblings whiich of course, has similar powers were stripped off of their abilities and thrown into different journeys. As lumine is about to leave, the admin tweaked her settings and made her unable to leave, therefore the Divine could just be people who made teyvat and are manipulating them in the process. In order for them to regain their own autonomy, they must let the abyss and the forbidden knowledge engulf the "thrones" for them to stop being subjected to the "Divine's" control and get out of teyvat, although ruining everything in then process.

[@WIzzardark]

Thank You! =)

[@knightjj2891]

Awesome, new theory video about travelers drop, time to grab popcorn and enjoy it :)

[@jeffali5157]

I wonder how even more in denial is he gonna be in the next chasm quest

[@lodeddiperfan635]

u always spit facts bro

[@sm0l_potat0]

Congratulations on 81K subs! You're doing great, keep it up :> I suppose a question (if this ever gets picked), what's one thing from the world of Teyvat that fascinates you the most? It could be anything from characters, places, or tiny random details of the world itself.

[@Orion_TheyThem]

All of this is well and good but in the We Will Be Reunited quest, the Abyss Mage tells Lumine that her "brother" is interfering. Aether isn't there to overhear it. So why include that?

[@Zarozian]

Remember the livestream with Lumine and Enjou writing a report?

[@lolosh99]

"the inner machinations of the traveller's min din an enigma" is the traveller Patrick Star?

[@carooaoa]

this made me cry

[@Zombina638]

I feel so bad for lumine. Doing all these commissions and work and still zero progress and zero genosis

[@carlamariecadizon9101]

Question: if you will have the chance to change the flow of a story quest, what would it be and why?

[@mystrknwital9146]

I think it would have been better if he didn't save any nation. He should be treated like a normal traveler and not a hero.

[@Nokyyyyy]

Make inazuma archon quest longer and more developped

[@RobbieStarburster]

I wish we would get Lumine's side of the story soon. There's just too much information missing and it's bugging me.

[@lucid_here]

EARLY?! noice i lik ehow u make me realize that the characters lore go DEEP AS HECK-

[@legendaryswordsman653]

I wonder if we will see lumine and the abyss pop up soon

[@notthefbi7015]

I think the overall story is going to be Aether/Lumine being forced to accept the fact their sibling is different and that he will need to choose between Teyvat and his Sibling.

[@SEK0HC]

Saw the scene where dains rushed into the portal after the twin, im so confused about dains part in stopping the sibling. Is it out of guilt? responsibility? especially his line in the teyvat trailer, why do we need to go through him to show that we are worthy enough the "save" the sibling

[@aristiamarta7146]

I really want to know about, What do you think about "Parable of the Tree" in before sun and moon, Ei story quest and Nahida is based around parable of the tree, and story of sal vindagnyr also based on parable of the tree, maybe we will get more of similar story in the future that based on it too. Do you think Lumine, Aether and Dains story and all of teyvat main story is a Parable of the tree, a story about an old tree, a branch that took 500 years for becoming a new tree, and the gardener/bough keeper, in the kings garden

[@newdleslive3003]

oh my gosh was that a reference to patrick in the beginning i love rhat

[@vans2548]

With the new DP I'm now imagining Aster as an Asteranara

[@brennanwn]

5:37 SO SCARY

[@CLANEL]

Another W video by Aster

[@simpleascanbet.p.h.744]

I can’t wait to hear what the pyro archon is gonna tell us it has to be a plot twist or something.😭

[@EsraaAMadoh]

Nooooo😭😭😭Traveler my guy my dude my human - - - if this theory is true then it will be very heartbreaking when they get the realization

[@seni_oo]

This is such a great topic I feel is glossed over. Traveller is interesting and stubborn

[@Nate-ec8ig]

0:35 Damn pulling a line straight from Patrick lol, Traveler probably just thinking about spilled milk.

[@solaris3278]

Congratulations ! You finally ascendend to Aranara !

[@Vipullllllllllllllll]

Ok is it me or Your voice is really satisfying..

[@krishshah8865]

Question for QnA : Have you ever thought about starting a genshine talking on the lore and quest of genshine with other content creator

[@Leo_Chan]

Hello Chill with Aster, I worry that referring to Archon Quests by the Version they were released in may cause viewers to not fully understand the context or require a moment of thought to remember. This is especially true for those who started the game after the Version it was released in. I propose stating the chapter and act name so that viewers can be given more context. For example, instead of “Version 1.4 Archon Quest”, it would be “Chapter I: Act IV - We Will be Reunited in Version 1.4”. I hope you consider adjusting the wording to improve video accessible for more viewers.

[@lovewins1863]

Aster:*talking about Aethers biggest fear* My phone: it’s saving on your home and auto bundle with progressive ;)

[@evan-c2577]

What are you studying in University and how do you balance and schedule your life