Abyss Order

Lore & Background

The story of the Abyss Order is inextricably linked to the Traveler's lost sibling, who awakened first, 500 years before the Traveler, and chose to join this faction to oppose the Heavenly Principles. The conflict escalates as the Traveler travels across Teyvat with Paimon, first witnessing the corruption of Dvalin in Mondstadt by the Order. Later, during the 'We Will Be Reunited' quest in the Chasm, the sibling's role is revealed: they are a high-ranking figure in the Abyss Order, often called the 'Prince' or 'Princess,' but not necessarily the sole leader. This revelation forces the protagonist into a confrontation not just with soldiers, but with their own bloodline. The narrative deepens when the Traveler investigates the Order alongside Dainsleif, a mysterious traveler and former knight of Khaenri'ah, leading to another encounter where the sibling explains their motivations. The emotional core of this lore is captured in the 'We Will Be Reunited' quest, which features a highly dramatic reunion scene between the twins, highlighting that despite their opposing sides, the sibling's care and tenderness for the Traveler have never truly changed.

In Their Own Story

The conflict begins when the two siblings attempt to leave Teyvat but are stopped by the Unknown God. The sibling awakens first, joining the Abyss Order to fight the Heavenly Principles, while the other sleeps for five hundred years. Upon waking and befriending Paimon, the Traveler sets out to find them. In Mondstadt, they assist in repelling Stormterror Dvalin after being corrupted by the Order. The plot thickens in Liyue when the Geo Archon seemingly dies; under the guidance of Tartaglia, the Traveler helps Zhongli prepare for the Rite of Parting and defeats the summoned god Osial. It is during these events that the Traveler learns their sibling leads the antagonists. Investigating further with Dainsleif, they encounter the sibling again, who urges them to travel across Teyvat. This journey is visually echoed in the animated short 'The Road Not Taken,' released on May 24, 2024, which features both siblings and Paimon, culminating in a narrator asking if the Traveler would betray themselves for their sibling.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Abyss Order, players must track the movements of the Traveler's sibling, who acts as the faction's leader. The group is first encountered corrupting Dvalin in Mondstadt and later revealed as the mastermind behind the chaos in Liyue. Key moments for engagement include the investigation with Dainsleif, which provides crucial context on the sibling's motivations, and the 'Bedtime Story' quest, which offers a rare glimpse into the emotional dynamic between the leaders of opposing forces. Voice actors have noted that the sibling does not view themselves as evil; rather, they feel misunderstood in their attempt to protect their brother or sister from the Heavenly Principles. Players should pay attention to the animated short released with version 4.7, which depicts the twins lying together in a field, symbolizing the complex bond that defines the Order's leader and their adversary. While the sibling leads the charge against the gods, their personal connection to the Traveler remains the central turning point of the narrative.

Did You Know?

• The sibling who holds a high rank in the Abyss Order awakened five hundred years before the Traveler.
• Voice actor Shun Horie stated that he did not consider the Traveler's sibling to be a bad person, but rather someone whose feelings are misunderstood.
• In the animated short 'The Road Not Taken,' released on May 24, 2024, Aether and Lumine are depicted lying together in a field of flowers.
• The Traveler investigates the Abyss Order alongside Dainsleif, a mysterious traveler and former knight of Khaenri'ah, before encountering their sibling again.
• Despite being classified as five-star characters, the siblings' conflict is driven by an emotional storyline rather than combat mechanics.

Origins and Narrative Role

The Abyss Order originates from the separation of the two interstellar travelers by the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. One sibling joins the faction immediately upon awakening, while the other sleeps for five hundred years. The Order's primary antagonist is the Traveler's own sibling, who leads the group to oppose the Heavenly Principles. This dynamic drives the main plot as the Traveler journeys through Mondstadt and Liyue, encountering the Order's corruption of Dvalin and eventually learning their sibling is the leader. The conflict is personal, defined by the 'Bedtime Story' quest where the siblings reunite, revealing that their feelings for each other remain unchanged despite standing on opposite sides.

Design Philosophy and Player Agency

The Abyss Order functions as a direct counterpoint to player agency, as the antagonist is the sibling of the character chosen by the player. Whether the player selects Aether or Lumine, the other becomes the leader of this faction, ensuring that the conflict remains personal regardless of the choice made. The narrative does not offer a 'good' or 'evil' binary for the sibling; voice actor Shun Horie noted that the sibling is not bad, but rather misunderstood in their care for the Traveler. This design forces the player to confront the complexity of family bonds against ideological warfare, with the Order serving as the vehicle for this emotional tension.

Voice Acting and Character Depth

The depth of the Abyss Order's leadership is conveyed through voice acting that emphasizes nuance over villainy. Shun Horie, voicing Aether (when he is the Traveler), portrays the sibling's perspective with a focus on their 'weakness' and suppression, arguing that facing enemies they cannot defeat makes them human. Aoi Yūki, who voices Lumine, highlights the duality of her character: while she often appears as a 'gorilla,' she shows vulnerability toward her brother. The actors agree that the sibling's actions stem from a sense of justice learned through their travels together. The dramatic reunion in 'Bedtime Story' is cited by Horie as a peak moment where the siblings drop their guards, revealing the true self beneath the factional conflict.

Reception and Cultural Impact

The Abyss Order has been regarded as one of the most deeply developed narrative forces in the game due to its personal connection to the protagonist. Critics and fans alike discuss the emotional weight of fighting a sibling who leads an army against the world's gods. The animated short 'The Road Not Taken,' released on May 24, 2024, further cemented this impact by visualizing the tragic bond between the Traveler and their sibling leader. Despite the faction being an antagonistic force, the focus remains on the relationship rather than just combat statistics, making the story of the Abyss Order a central pillar of Genshin Impact's cultural resonance.