The latest update for Genshin Impact was revealed in 2.5’s Special Program livestream, which premiered on February 4, 2022. This livestream revealed 5-Star Electro Catalyst-user Yae Miko as the first Character Banner and the Electro Archon, Raiden Ei, and the Divine Priestess, Kokomi, in the concurrent Banners following soon after. In Version 2.5, players will be able to continue the Inazuma storyline.
[Warning: Spoilers for Genshin Impact’s main story below.]
Launched in Genshin Impact’s Version 2.0 update, the Inazuma map began with the islands: Narukami Island, Kannazuka, and Yashiori Island. In Version 2.1, Watatsumi Island and Seirai Island were released. Tsurumi Island was added in Version 2.2, while the latest region of Enkanomiya - which lies below Inazuma - was added in Version 2.4. With the addition of each island, players are able to discover the different layers of Genshin Impact’s story.
When it comes to Genshin Impact’s important lore, these newly added islands were monumental in understanding Inazuma’s past and how it may tie to the main storyline involving the Traveler and their sibling. For example, Yashiori Island holds the bones of the ancient serpent god, Orobashi, who was slain by Raiden Ei. However, with new information learned in Enkanomiya, it seems that the reason for Orobashi’s death may have been influenced by the mysterious Celestia.
Genshin Impact: The State of Inazuma as of Version 2.4
From Version 2.0 to Version 2.4, Genshin Impact has revealed an impressive amount of lore through Character, World, and Archon Quests. The Traveler’s first interactions in Inazuma revolve around Pyro-user Thoma and Cryo-user Ayaka in Genshin Impact. The Traveler is then faced with the Raiden Shogun at the Statue of the Omnipresent God, where the Shogun attempts to seize Thoma’s Pyro Vision. It is in the Plane of Euthymia - a Domain that houses Raiden Ei’s consciousness - that the Traveler loses his first battle with the Electro Archon.
After the discovery of the Fatui’s Delusion scheme and the death of the Eighth Harbinger, La Signora, the Traveler faces Raiden Ei once more. With the help of the surrounding ambitions, the traveler manages to defeat Raiden Ei in time for the head shrine maiden, Yae Miko, to fully bend the Archon’s will and stance regarding Inazuma’s supposed “eternity.” At the end of the Vision Hunt Decree, life in Inazuma changes as Visions were returned to Vision-holders, and those who had committed treason against Inazuma were held accountable.
Soon after, the Traveler is needed in Watatsumi Island - home to Hydro-user Kokomi in Genshin Impact - by a shrine maiden by the name of Tsuyuko who requires help in obtaining Key Sigils as the underground region of Enkanomiya reawakens. In Enkanomiya, the Traveler is guided by someone named Enjou, who is later revealed to be a Pyro Abyss Lector intent on finding a lost book that may help his theory pertaining to Celestia’s origin. After losing a fight against the Traveler, Enjou takes his leave after implying that Paimon may one day betray the Traveler.
Where Genshin Impact’s Story Will Go In Version 2.5
As teased in Genshin Impact’s Version 2.5 Special Program, it looks as though the Traveler’s work in Enkanomiya is far from done. A mysterious darkness has surrounded Enkanomiya and engulfed the Dainichi Mikoshi, one of Enkanomiya’s tricky mechanisms that allows the region to switch between Whitenight and Evernight. In addition to the strange darkness, new monsters have been roaming about. They bear no similarities to the monsters the Traveler has faced before. The Pyro Abyss Lector, Enjou, makes a reappearance as he seems conflicted with the Traveler’s decision to join an undisclosed third party.
In Inazuma, the head shrine maiden, Yae Miko, seems to be preoccupied with a nationwide ceremony. The Electro Archon, Raiden Ei, expresses concerns about the Raiden Shogun - the puppet who once acted as the Electro Gnosis’s vessel - straying from Inazuma’s new direction in an attempt to save her own idea of eternity. As Raiden Ei leaves to duel the Raiden Shogun in the new realm, she places Inazuma in Yae Miko’s hands. However, Yae Miko tasks the Traveler with investigating the realm to aid Raiden Ei and bring her back safely.
Since Genshin Impact’s Raiden Ei had disabled most of the Shogun’s lethal functions at the end of the Vision Hunt Decree, it seems that the Shogun has created a new form to properly siphon her power. This new form resembles Raiden Ei, though her left side is guarded by a large hand that seems to be able to perform the deadly sword art, Musou no Hitotachi, while her right side is protected by three extra arms with various functions. As Genshin Impact’s new weekly boss, the Raiden Shogun is going to be a difficult opponent for the Traveler to defeat.
How The End of 2.5’s Story Can Lead Into The Chasm
The Chasm in Genshin Impact has been on players’ radars for quite some time since the name is visible on Teyvat’s map, right next to Qingxu Pool and Lingju Pass in the Liyue region. As the 2.5 update seems to focus on the completion of the Inazuma arc, it is very likely that the Chasm will be the next region to be unlocked. It is also important to note that, similar to Enkanomiya, the Chasm is expected to primarily consist of underground areas. The Chasm was the main source of Liyue’s ore supply, although a series of mysterious accidents interfered with the operations.
Many characters are due to reappear in the main story, such as Tartaglia, who has appeared in Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma. As his goal as a Fatui Harbinger is to obtain the Gnoses of all the nations’ Archons, it is very likely that the Traveler will meet the Snezhnayan native yet again. Tartaglia often acts unpredictably as he once set Liyue up for destruction, but recently aligned with the Traveler in unraveling the mystery of a powerful Domain.
Additionally, characters with incomplete goals such as Genshin Impact’s Sixth Harbinger, Scaramouche - who had recently disappeared after receiving the Electro Gnosis - may end up appearing in the Chasm as Sumeru is projected to be the following Elemental region. With the release of Genshin Impact’s Version 2.5 update on February 16, 2022, players will be able to uncover the mystery surrounding Enkanomiya’s darkness, lend aid to the Electro Archon, and potentially discover new information that may help the traveler finally reunite with their sibling.