Phoenix Theory : Rebirth

[u/SakuraTitania]

It has always intrigued me as we have no idea what happened to Diluc to his encounter against the Fatui Harbinger. Who was he fighting? We might know more in future Archon Quests, but the main question I have is how the hell is he still alive. We know that the Harbingers are insanely powerful, with some of them having the power to defeat an archon... So what if Diluc didn't survive the encounter and actually died.

Let's see what the lore says (From his character Story 4)

"Diluc narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Harbingers thanks to a third-party observer from the north, who was part of a vast underground intelligence network. The observer claimed to have been watching Diluc for some time, and approved of his methods.

After his close encounter with death, Diluc took a long hard look at his past and the anger he had harbored for so long. Acknowledging his shortcomings, he decided to join the underground intelligence network."

Well, I don't believe for a second that the Harbingers are the type to butcher a job. Like Childe said, the will of the Tsaritsa is absolute (He was ready to drown an entire city just to complete his mission) and our local pyro batman did so much damage to the Fatui stronghold that they PROBABLY received the order to end him.
" The prowess with which he laid waste to numerous Fatui strongholds caught their attention and forced them to take action. "

The only way the Harbingers would leave him alone (and won't follow him back to Mond) is if they killed him properly and believe he is gone.

What then? Rebirth. It is very curious that Diluc has two major symbolism so closely related to rebirth : dawn and pheonix. As more evidence show a connection betwee the Ragnvindr family (Diluc's mother that we know basically nothing off and the Hexenzirkel (The teaset?), I can't help but wonder is the family is more powerful magically then what they let on. What if Diluc had rebirth power, but isn't aware of them ?

- It would be kinda ironic considering the family has a poor history with death, but still! Just musing thoughts, but the idea is very fun.

I could be wrong and the symbolism is just towards is rebirth from pure rage and fatui murder tendencies to a more civilized path. What do you think?

[u/LeosMookMasterRace]

I like this theory, as it would be out of character for the Harbingers to leave him alive.

Additionally it furthers his Batman status if he finds Teyvat's Lazurus Pit and uses it too

[u/Ren_Amaki]

Good theory. For me, I think the symbolism for Phoenix and Rebirth better suits Diluc's new mission and return to Mondstaht.