𝐂𝐗𝐈. Multiple layers of complexity behind Khaenri'ah's downfall.

I'm in the process of writing a headcanon that encompasses Dain's escape from Khaenri'ah to the purification of Sumeru and an interesting thought came to mind. Considering Chlothar's fascination for that Cryo Abyss Herald, I can't help but think that there could've been other people —who didn't turn into what we know as abyssal creatures yet— sharing that fascination and actually opposing (violently) those who even dared to rise a finger against them. It's interesting to remember the fishiness behind Knight Marshal Anfortas' actions and his way to clean his own mess up related to these creatures and that he took King Irmin's place until an Alberich stepped in to become the regent (whether Anfortas was an Alberich or not I can't say nor it's relevant for this). We're talking about people who potentially saw success in defying the orders of the world and finding a way to oppose the Heavenly Principles, transcending the boundaries between mortality and monstrosity immortality. So there might've been chances that the fight that must've waged in Khaenri'ah had multiple layers is very strong:

✦ The gods. ✧ Rhinedottir's creations. ✦ Untransformed people who favored the transformed ones (not into Hilichurls, but into mages, heralds, etc) + automatons if they were able to control them. ✧ Transcendent ones (mages, heralds, etc).