taurus-caeli

[taurus-caeli]

-ˋˏ REQUIESCAT IN PACE ˎˊ

SYNOPSIS. the dead deserve their happy endings.

CHARACTERS. dainsleif, tartaglia, zhongli

CONTENT. gn!reader. afterlife au. angst. 1.8k wc. rewrite of requiescat in pace at my old main blog @/verxsyon. everyone dies and ascends to a higher plane of existence. fan interpretation of snezhnaya and celestia arc. allusions to war, so expect blood and death. tartaglia and reader adopted children together in the afterlife. dainsleif killed reader from the curse. reader is killed by their spouse (zhongli). petnames (my dear, darling - zhongli).

VERA. it’s been three years since this fic was posted. crazy how time flies. i remember crying when i wrote this. hopefully i’ll make you all suffer as well hahaha.

𝄞༉‧₊˚. DAINSLEIF

five hundred years ago is when dainsleif committed the gravest mistake of his life. he was the twilight sword, a royal guard sworn to protect the people and the royalties of khaenri’ah. his people placed their trust in him to stop the destruction of the nation, only to watch them turn into monsters from the curse laid upon them.

the castle he enters with the traveler and paimon holds many memories he wishes to forget. it was occupied by the eclipse dynasty, the ruler of khaenri’ah before its destruction. he was well acquainted with the heir at the time: you, and soon fell in love. he passes by your room, where he killed you to stop your transformation. realizing what he had done, he left for them to suffer.

���dainsleif,” the abyss herald sneers. dainsleif is so used to that tone of voice. him and the rest of the abyss, especially its leader, have the right to resent him. the traveler and paimon are not here to back him up as they are looking for the twin, so he must atone his own sins himself.

“do whatever you need to do,” dainsleif says, starry voids emitting from his palms. “i don’t intend to hold back.”

the curse of immortality. how sickening. for five hundred years, he has wandered aimlessly for information about his nation. regardless of the amount he has gathered, he wants to end his journey here. he trusts the traveling duo to answer the rest for him.

is death supposed to be this painful? well-deserved for a coward like him. he can sense the satisfaction from the herald destroying him inside his body with hydro. the abyss now has one less problem to deal with. dainsleif can feel himself slipping away, departing the world still a sinner. 

“sir dainsleif. their highness requests your presence.” he is at the castle, decorated with life instead of the dust and cracks when he first arrived. the guard with him possesses no signs of abyssal features. everyone here doesn’t.

behind the double doors is you admiring the plants on the balcony. he gapes at your appearance: the heir of the eclipse dynasty, beautiful and regal as ever. you thank the guard for bringing him over, and they take their leave. this can’t be real.

“my dear dainsleif.” he loses his composure, rushing over to you to pull you into his embrace. your eyes soften upon feeling his sobs on your neck. “my love? are you alright?”

he sniffs, tightening his grip. your touch, your voice, your love for him, he misses them all. “forgive me, your highness. let’s stay like this for a while.”

“i told you to drop the formalities when we’re alone. we’re lovers, aren’t we?” you chuckle, your fingers finding purchase in his blonde locks. oh, how he misses that feeling. “and what are you saying sorry for? we’re all human here. if that makes you feel better, we can stay like this as long as you like.”

dainsleif lifts his head to kiss your knuckles and then presses his lips on yours. he does not know what brought him here, but he is truly grateful. whatever this realm is called, as long as you’re by his side, he will always be forgiven.

𝄞༉‧₊˚. TARTAGLIA

tartaglia is naive about the future. the desire to protect it influences his decision to serve the tsaritsa. with the mora he earned as a harbinger, he hopes to buy his family a house and send teucer to school. when the war is over, he plans to settle with you and live in a cabin where the two of you ice fish with your children.

if only it was that easy. his family is suffering from financial hardships, and the mora he sends is their savior. as for you, you severed ties with him a long time ago because of moral differences. in fact, you lead the faction that opposes the cryo archon and the fatui as your act of revenge for your family.

the palace is in shambles. the traveler and paimon escort the tsaritsa out of the throne room to allow you and tartaglia to compromise. your mind is not easily swayed as expected, given that you spent most of your life waiting to kill. your fate has been decided, when bloodlust overtook him and made him pierce his weapon through your stomach.

“no!” he cradles your body into his arms. his grief causes his delusion to spiral out of control, bringing the palace to destruction. the traveler and paimon rush back inside the room, yelling at the harbinger to get out of there. but he chooses to stay.

“traveler, can you please do me a favor?” they look at him in shock when he places the tip of their on his chest. “put me out of my misery before i lose control. i want to see my friend again. and when you see my family, tell them i’m sorry for everything.”

swift and painless, exactly how he wants death to feel like. the boulders come crashing down upon you and him, and he blacks out. he wonders if the tsaritsa and the traveler will succeed in preventing the second cataclysm. he wonders how his family will handle the news. teucer will be affected the most, feeling betrayed by his big brother lying that he’ll come home soon.

he wonders about you. if you two ever come to a mutual understanding, will the future be any different?

“papa!” a voice of a child calls, waking him up to a scenery full of snow. he spots a cabin in the distance, where a little girl is waving at him with a proud grin. she runs up to him with a bucket in tow, tripping on lumps of ice along the way.

“papa, look! i caught some fish!” she exclaims, showing him the content of her bucket. a cacophony of high-pitched screams echo. more children spook him by hugging his legs.

“good job, baby. you found papa.” he gasps at the sight of you kissing the girl’s forehead. he can’t believe it. “okay, kids. since papa is here, let’s go home. we’re going to eat fish for dinner.”

“yay!” the kids who seem to be his children happily zoom to the cabin, making you chuckle. tartaglia doesn’t waste any time hugging you tight. he can’t lose you again.

“ajax?” it’s been a while since you called him by his birth name. you cup his cheeks with worry when you see tears streaming down his face. “are you okay?”

he nods, kissing you as if his life depends on it. “i’m okay. shall we go home? we don’t want to keep our kids waiting, do we?”

hand in hand, the two of you follow your children to the cabin. in a future where a war between all creatures of teyvat is over, ajax is finally home.

𝄞༉‧₊˚. ZHONGLI

the past six thousand years have been prolific of brutality. old friends and acquaintances were subjected to erosion, being forced to neutralize them. one is unfortunate enough to perish from the archon war, leading to the creation of liyue harbor.

if there is one thing to take away from her advice, it’s about the concept of change. he is the type of person to slowly adapt into it. her death and the death of the land they both created is not easy to accept. change isn’t a bad thing, she had said. he did not take her words into heart until he met you.

you’re a mortal who lived in a village, you spent more time exploring the outskirts without letting everyone know. you couldn’t care less, having a dream to live in a lively city like liyue. a certain archon would’ve loved you, for you valued freedom. 

he finds you to be quite humorous. once you joked about eloping with the former archon somewhere teeming with fireflies and crystalflies. when he asked you to define the term, you brushed it off and changed the subject. if he knew you weren’t kidding, you wouldn’t have fallen victim to your marriage.

shame, at such a young age too. he regrets not being able to keep you safe, reminding him of his failure with his old friends and the people who are fighting in the second cataclysm by his side. at the climax of the war, he comes face to face with the gods who stirred the calamities around the world for centuries. as much as he wants to stray from violence, he can’t let them win.

“i will no longer stay silent,” he growls, summoning his pillars around incoming enemies. contracts are sacred, no matter who he established them with. breaking any of those would result in facing the wrath of the rock. breaking the one he signed with celestia would mean he would suffer under his own wrath.

gold liquid spills onto the floor, and his ears are blocked by white noise. no, he can’t die like this. not right this instant. his allies haven’t reached an advantage yet. how is it possible for the strongest deity to already fall like this?

six thousand years of changes and sacrifices. the geo element is strong and unmoving, yet it can also crumble. zhongli has to keep on fighting for the sake of his allies and those who have perished, and yours. all he needs to do is take that extra step to victory.

“zhongli?” that voice is familiar. too familiar. he gazes at his swarms of fireflies and crystalflies circling around your figure. your fingers lingers across his cheek with a somber smile. “my dear, you looked troubled in your sleep. do you want to talk about it?”

he leans on your shoulder, inhaling your scent. he’s so tired, enduring six thousand years worth of cycles of life and death among his nation. “hm, i will eventually. but please let me rest first, darling…”

“okay,” you hum, linking your hand with his. “rest well, zhongli. if you need a shoulder to cry on, i will be here. i won’t ever leave your side.”

you tilt his head to kiss him, tasting the salt of his tears on your lips. his allies may be gone and treasured in his memories, you choose to remain by his side and give him relief that he won’t be alone. not anymore.

zhongli is not the same person he was before, and believes he will never be. cradling the finger adorned with the ring crafted from the abundant rocks in liyue, it gives him hope. you are his pillar. when at his lowest, you and your army of lights will guide him back to the surface.

[taurus-caeli]

Light Lurkers (Art)

Moths and lepidopterist reader stuff, random arts.

A/N: These characters has no coorelation to one another, i just draw JY then just decided to draw random cgaracters as moth

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Art that started this:

[taurus-caeli]

the 'evil imposter' just wants to be a baker!

Prologue: The Food turned Imposter?!

Part 8: Buttery Mamon

[ part 7 ] || [ masterlist ] || [ part 9 ]

I keep forgetting to add trigger warnings uhhh: one scene has you panicing and nearly falling into an anxious mess, ptsd of course and the general sagau obsession with the creator.

divider is made by @/saradika-graphics

While Kaeya was finishing the last of the skewers you were busy near the stove, using the stocked ingredients in the panty when Kaeya reassured you it was fine, that he'd handle it and just hoped you'd make it worth his while.

Rolling your eyes at his teasing, you knew he meant it when he said that he'll take the brunt if Adelinde or Diluc came to scold them or rather her, for using the ingredients in the kitchen.

A simple snack was what you preferred, something light that would contrast to the meaty skewers that Kaeya had provided for the both of you. You were craving something sweet and soft, so you decided on a pastry. Though you initially thought of something cold, like ice cream or sorbet or maybe pudding, you don't think they have any ice here unless you wished to go to Mondstadt, Kaeya had a cryo vision but it would be rude to ask him to make you some ice during your first meeting.

So some fluffy mamoms would have to do, and you could probably top it with some cheese or a bit more powdered sugar. And he could share it with the other workers as a light treat.

Kaeya watched as you quickly gathered the ingredients, and skillfully start. It was apparent that you were very experienced in cooking from the way you easily cracked the eggs without worry, and how you beat them with a whisk.

To think that you were the supposed imposter, instead of brewing chaos or using the fact that you look like the creator to your advantage, you were here, hiding your identity, talking about food with him.

It wasn't hard to notice, despite you well crafted lie of a background, he could see through it. He noticed the bandages on one of your arm, and peeking out of it was something purple, no doubt Scars from Lisa's electro fueled attacks. Then there was your mask, though you didn't take it off while you ate, you didn't noticed how the mask would flap around due to the wind, luckily letting him take a glimpse of your face.

It was uncanny how you mirrored the old statues of their Divine Creator. Had he been obsessed with pleasing the great God like Jean and Lisa were, he'd have easily killed you on the spot, labelling you as an imposter. But he wasn't like them. Although he respected the Great Creator, the origin of all, he wasn't blinded by such faith.

Perhaps there was a chance you were just a regular person caught up in a bad time in the wrong place.

Because as rarely as it happens, it does happen.

Hopefully he could convince the others about that, maybe with the Travelers help.

"How long will that take?" he asked as you popped whatever you were making in the oven. "Usually half an our, but since I'm using a less advanced oven I'm not sure. I'll have to watch it so it doesn't burn." You explained, wiping your hands with a rag.

He nodded in understanding, the smell of eggs and something buttery was filing the room, no doubt it was appetizing and enticing when even Adelinde curiously checked in on them.

"Oh Master Kaeya, you're still here. I would have thought you'd have scurry off somewhere like usual." She said with a smile, Adelinde was always smiling though, huh?"

"Ah I just had to stay for [Name]'s dish, what was it again?"

You shrugged, "It's simply some mamon, it's like a chiffon cake. And there should be enough for everybody." You added, facing Adelinde who chuckled, embarrassed of having been caught eying the baking pastry.

"That is very sweet of you, Thank you [name]." The blonde haired maid said and turned to Kaeya once again. The duo left the kitchen, holding a conversation that was no doubt confidential that someone like her, an outsider, shouldn't hear.

The smile on your face slowly disappeared, replaced with a calculating frown. "Kaeya probably knows I'm the person the other knights are looking for." You said to yourself, eyes casting down towards the mamon which were slowly rising up.

"I don't think he'll attack me unless I give him a reason." you interacting with him was like a gamble, you were easing your way in, waiting for a chance to ask, what did he think about this great creator?

There was a part of you expecting him to give a passive response or an answer that danced around your question. Because you knew of his lineage, you wondered how do the people of khaenri'ah view the creator, for they are the nation without a God.

Of course just when you were about to ask him the question you had carefully thought about, he was whisked away by Adelinde. Perhaps it was a sign for her to leave, that she shouldn't ask less she gave herself away.

You were preparing the glaze for the mamon, which was simply melted butter as well as the jar of honey and powdered sugar in case they wanted to top the chiffon bread with something a bit more sweeter.

Suddenly the door had burst open as Kaeya quickly grabbed her shoulders, the charismatic mask he had worn had slipped off for a moment, now replaced with something urgent. Your eyes widened in fear, as you felt your hands shake, was he going to kill you?

"You need to be extra careful, not only are the knights looking for you but the fatui delegates are as well." He told you which shocked you, was the reach of this so called great creator truly so magnificent to even make its way to Shezhnaya, a region you thought who was only devoted to the Tsaritsa?

He knew as well, Kaeya knew who you were- you pushed him away, backing until you hit the counter. "Don't" you practically pleaded "Don't hurt me!"

"I won't" he said, "I'm sorry I suddenly grabbed you" he quickly added realizing his mistake "but you need to listen to me. Jean wants you dead, as well as Amber, and Lisa and the other knights. They are convinced you are the imposter. And Jean is desperate enough to accept the Fatui's help."

"You understand what that means right?"

It just got more difficult, you felt yourself fall to the floor, your chest felt painfully suffocating. He cursed under his breath, mentally berating himself for losing his tact, his cool level-headedness as he crouched down.

"[Name]" he called out softly, stretching out his hand "I need you to calm down okay? can you do that? You need to breathe."

His voice fell on deaf ears, you covered your face with your hands, murmuring pleads of mercy, even if the pain was gone, even if the samachurl helped heal you, you still felt it, that electrocuting pain that traveled your body, it made you freeze, and cry, feeling so helpless as instead of being in the kitchen, it felt like you were in Jean's office.

The cold metal that touched your neck,

their uncaring eyes, and deaf ears that turned away from your cries and fears. .

the electro, the lightning that-

"You know, how about when all of this is just over, I treat you to some food."

". . . . ."

Your mutterings had stopped, as you tried so hard, straining your ears to just focus on Kaeya's voice. Ignoring Jean's and Lisa's who spat such poisonous words at you.

"Have you tried the moon pies here?" he asked, noticing your attention was slowly coming back as you broke free from the cage that was that night. Your small voice could be heard "I. . I don't really like meat pies."

Kaeya fought a grin "and here I thought you were a foodie." You pouted, rubbing your face, "meat pies are weird for me, I like apple pies more." you commented with a deep breath, your heart was still racing, and despite not being able to truly break away from that night, Kaeya's eye that stared into your soul told you that you'd be just fine.

"It'll be okay." he said quietly.

"Hopefully." you pitifully said and he corrected you,

"Definitely."

You and Kaeya heard the door open and close, and a rush of footsteps followed by Adelinde's loud greeting. "Master Diluc, you're home early!"

"Shit." Was the only thing you and Kaeya said, staring at the door and then at each other. You would be screwed if Diluc of all people had found you after all!

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Diluc raised a brow at Adelinde, she was usually on the less. . vocal side in her greetings. From the way she fidget and avoided making eye contact it meant that the maid was hiding something from him, which wasn't out of common.

Usually Adelinde, bless her heart, tried to help fix the relationship between him and Kaeya. Often that meant orchestrating surprises or uncanny coincidences where in the two would bump into each other and have to deal with something suspiciously or well, clearly crafted by the maid.

The red headed male sighed "Where's Kaeya?"

Adelinde sweated profusely, perhaps it was better to hide from Diluc to and claim later that she had been busy, curse her for being a bad liar. Usually she was better than this but because of the current situation, there was a whole lot of pressure.

"He-"

"Diluc!" Kaeya had strolled out of the kitchens, wine glass in hand as he nodded at Adelinde who sighed in relief. Perhaps by now the look-alike was gone, 'poor girl, to think she's being hunted down by her face' she couldn't help but sigh at the situation, eying the two brothers. They didn't usually agree with each other, but maybe, maybe they'll agree on this.

"Kaeya, what are you doing here? as far as I know Jean had ordered all Knights to focus on the search for the Imposter." Diluc crossed his arms, giving the other male a look. "Oh please Diluc, do you really support their decision about this whole. ." he trailed off, acting as if he was trying to find the right words "witch hunt?"

The red hair was silent at his question, and Kaeya couldn't help but let a grin fall on his mouth, of course Diluc would object to this. He was just as righteous at their dad. . no Mr. Crepus was. "Does it matter? as much as a witch hunt is. . overkill. I understand Jean's sentiments that an imposter running around in Monstadt is a grave sign."

"Are you willing to risk the chance of harming or even killing an innocent person, or worse, the real creator then?" Kaeya asked, swirling the contents of his wine glass, watching the blood colored liquid to move like a whirlpool. Silence was the only answer he got.

"Why are you vouching for this imposter?" Diluc asked, eyes narrowing "Have you met them?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not."

Knowing he wouldn't get a clear answer from him, not with his skill of dancing around with his words and controlling his body languages, Diluc resorted to turning to Adelinde who flinched.

"Adelinde."

"Yes, Master Diluc?"

Adelinde tried her best to smile at Diluc as if she was unaware of what he was talking about. If the situation wasn't dire, Kaeya would have laughed at her failed attempt to appear innocent.

"Did the imposter came here?"

"My Master Diluc, I don't know about any Imposter." She said. Diluc sighed, and decided to investigate, he headed straight towards the kitchen, the same place Kaeya had left in a hurry. From his peripheral Vision he could see the cavalry captain hold the wine glass tighter.

He swung the door open, ignoring Adelinde's calls. The kitchen door and window was left open, it was warm inside, suggesting the oven had been used. The smell of butter filled his nose and he turned his gaze to the table finding something akin to small cakes shaped like tarts.

Hurried footsteps followed after, a sigh of relief left Kaeya's mouth. "What did you do?" Diluc immediately responded with frustration, turning to the cryo wielder with a heated gaze, hand gripping Kaeya's shirt.

"I merely let an innocent victim go. Don't you know the saying? innocent until proven guilty." Kaeya easily responded turning to Adelinde who clearly looked worried that the two might fight. "Adelinde, thank your for your assistance, I'm sorry you had to lie. Why don't you leave me and Diluc to talk things out."

"but. ."

"Please Adelinde." Diluc added, despite his frustrations, his face softened as he turned to the maid who nodded, lips trembling due to the conflicting emotions.

". . ."

"If you wish to risk your life for someone, then so be it." Diluc sighed letting go of his collar. A hand combing through his flaming red locks. "So what have you gathered about this person?"

"They're certainly have the face of the creator, that I will confess however" Kaeya approached the table, setting down the wine glass as his eyes glanced at the chiffon cake, "mamon" her voice lingered in his mind. "she's no imposter, she didn't intentionally deceive anyone. Besides, is it a person's fault for the face they are born with?"

"That would be like blaming a person for the crimes of their parents. . or blaming a person for their heritage. ."

". . ."

Diluc looked tired, his usual mask of indifference had disappeared as he took a seat. "I take it the meeting with Jean was. . less than favorable?"

"I suppose that would be the correct word to describe it." he admitted, Jean had been acting weird, it wasn't just her. Lisa, the usual lazy or too relaxed librarian was rather energetic in her plans to find, catch and kill the imposter. Amber as well was leading the knights to searching the region. "I think she's trying to compensate for not being favored by the Creator." Kaeya offhandedly mentioned, quickly raising his hands however at his brother's penetrative glare.

Kaeya gulped but continued on, "Listen, there's no use letting our personal relationships cloud our judgement. You know how Jean has been when the creator has manifested in her but never truly favored her."

It was hard to deduce when it started, their memories had begun to feel clouded, controlled, and rewritten. Numerous vision users in Mondstadt had felt an awaken, briefly being covered with a golden light, their bodies controlled by someone powerful, a being they would come to realized as the Divine Creator who had awoken from their long slumber, ready to guide the people.

Their favor came in many forms, often or really, it was only the vision holders did the Creator cast their gaze on. The first to be awakened was Amber, followed by Lisa and Kaeya and from then it branched on from Bennett, to Noelle, to Razor and more. Diluc himself had been one of the few to not experience this awakening, but he wasn't bothered by it or at least if he was, he was good at hiding it to the point that Kaeya wasn't entirely sure of how he felt with not being experiencing the Creator's control.

Jean had also been awakened, however unlike the others who felt the Creator's favor and guidance in forms of weapons and artifacts, she didn't experience or receive anything. It was like the Creator casted her gaze on the acting grandmaster only for a moment, and decided that she was not worth any effort.

Nobody outright commented on it, the civilians of course were not aware. The only reason why Diluc knew despite not being in the knights of Favonius was because the blonde haired knight drunkenly confessed her feelings of doubts. Seemed that the pressure of being the acting grand master, the Stormterror problem and the neglect from the Divine Creator had made the woman he once respected spiral down in a pit of self-destruction.

"Here, have some." Noticing how sad or at least worried Diluc was becoming, Kaeya took one of the mamoms and force-fed Diluc. "Omph-" The man glared at the cavalry captain who shrugged, slapping his hand away Diluc bit into the chiffon break cake and instantly melted at the buttery goodness.

It was very soft and warm, a hint of sweetness and definitely butter. "This is. . good. Who made this?"

"The so called imposter." To his credit, Diluc didn't spit it out. It was too late anyways. So he begrudgingly continued to eat it, despite assuming there might be something bad in it.

"I hate you."

Kaeya rolled his eyes at his brother's reactions, "Diluc it's not poisoned. I was watching her the entire time she made them!"

I always wondered how Khaenri'ah played with the sagau elements considering they are canonically the nation without a God. So for now, they would no doubt respect the great Creator who is seen as the origin of everything, but since they managed well without a God, perhaps they aren't as obsessed as the other acolytes. That's why its interesting for me to write Kaeya's pov about the creator. But since he grew up with the Ragnvindr, a family who no doubt respected and paid tribute to the Creator, he'd probably have more respect to the Creator than most Khaenri'ans.

Current compiled suggestions to name the pyro slime <3

Fuji_Sen has suggested! Lava Cake or "Java" based on the food / coffee" Fuji_Sen has suggested! Monsieur Creme Brulee or "Creme" based on the food. @Fantasyhopperhea has suggested! Soleil or "Sol" @Cactus4226 has suggested! Ruru (Py-ro, ro -> ru -> ruru) @bunniotomia has suggested! Helios or "Hel" @airyravenmaid has suggested! Cinnamon or "Cinna" @kindofscenic has suggested! Pyrex from the glass or "Pyruru" @shyentsmissingink has suggested! Pyri or "Pyrico"

kinda wished there was more food based names, since of the whole foodie theme, but I kinda think Sol or Hel is cute too and Cinna.

also I have an idea like for a self aware or at least reader insert hsr

taglist:

@fantasyhopperhea @rhoswen-drake @cchiiwinkle @aman3kkun @coffee-or-hot-cocoa @bunniotomia @esthelily

@earth-to-name @fandomfan-102 @kh1ffy @jiyeons-closet @dragontammerz / @mercy-not-merci @aryuunachigiri @randomnatics @alexx197197 @keirennyx @vianitry @game-savvy @laviniadraws

[taurus-caeli]

Haha maybe I can C2 Ei instead of getting Xilonen

Maybe

…I should wish.

(aaaaaaa XILOMEN HURRY UP)

[taurus-caeli]

the 'evil imposter' just wants to be a baker!

Prologue: The Food turned Imposter?!

Part 6: Ginisang Ampalaya

[ part 5 ] || [ masterlist ] || [ part 7 ]

divider is made by @/saradika-graphics

"Wait!" Paimon yelped as the Pyro slime that accompanied you lunged at them, going into their ignited state. The floating fairy dodged with ease as Aether was about to bring out his sword out of its sheath.

"Don't hurt them!" You pleaded, and he hesitated, which caused the Pyro Slime to hit him in the face. "Wait Don't hurt Aether either!"

"Yeah!" Paimon nodded in agreement, but yelped in fear once again when the pyro slime turned its attention to her and glared. Who knew something as cute and small could have such a fiery gaze.

Ignoring the two smaller companions, you worriedly approached Aether who was on the ground, he was rubbing his face and wincing at his own touch. "Oh I'm so sorry Aether, he didn't mean it okay? he was just protecting me." You apologized, hands reaching to his face to find the skin dry and warm, but luckily he did not end up with any degree burns, perhaps it was the plot armor protecting the main character's face.

Luckily the blond seemed to be nice about it as he let the incident go, "'s alright, I kinda did freaked you two out." he waved his hand to dismiss your apologies.

Your eyes continued to glance at his face, soaking in his appearance and the finer details the game did not have, it did not also do justice to the other worldly beauty that is Aether "Still your face is a bit red, is it because of pyro here?"

Aether rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed "I'm fine really. it's just . ." he glanced away from you and you flushed realized how you were invading his personal face.

Reeling back you awkwardly chuckled "so what brings you two here?" "Oh. ." Aether stood up, holding his hand out for you silently as he thought about what to say. Should he not tell you just yet so he could easily observe you while your guard wasn't up? or should he tell you now and risk you putting on a mask?

"Well. ." Paimon looked away, slowly floating closer to the duowhile eyeing the pyro slime warily who also approached it's master, you. "We just wanted to get materials and do a few quests in the area." Aether easily offered with a well practiced smile.

Bobbing your head, you didn't think too much about his lie. You had a sneaking feeling after all on why he was here. A part of you wanted to run, run from anybody that wasn't an 'enemy' or 'mob' by the games standards. But Aether was an outlander, maybe he didn't have this crazed devotion to the Creator like Jean and Lisa did.

You took his hand without complaint or any fear, were you this quick to trust people? he wondered. "Thanks!" you smiled at him and stood up with ease- but quickly faltered as something electrocuted you both. It was a tingly sensation at first, until light and golden lightning sprouted from where your two hands made contact, then it travelled, to your wrists then up your arms-

"Ack!" you yelled, shivering in fear as you stepped back, slapping his hand away. "I'm so sorry! What happened?!"

Your eyes widened as you stared something right in front of you. There, right in front of you, emitting a golden light. . was a holographic tabs you'd seen in sci-fi movies.

"What the. ."

[Color] eyes met golden ones, both wide due to shock. You two could both see it. It displayed both of your inventories-

There you could see the uniform Katheryne had given you, the only item in the Cosmetics Section, which was an entirely new section!

୭ 🧷 ✧ ˚. ᵎᵎ 🎀

You two had left the shores of the lake, far away from prying eyes as you two entered stormterror's lair. Since the hilichurls may not take kindly to Aether and Paimon you stayed at the east entrance you had used to get to the lake.

The entire walk had been silent, you and Aether having a calculating look in your faces as you tried to understand what this means for the both of you.

Deciding to just fuck it and hope he doesn't kill you, you decided to speak first, taking charge of the conversation. "Aether. . by chance, did you always have the abilities to have your own inventory space and pull out a virtual map?"

You two had also separately inspected the glowing virtual screen that displayed in front of you. "Yeah, it's something me and my sister picked up from traveling different worlds." He told you, eyes finally moving to glance at you.

That would explain it other than saying the game developers just gave it. "I see. Then, why do I have one. I may come from another world, but being here is purely accidental." You told him and watched as their jaw drops.

"You're also from another world?!"

You nodded at Paimon's question, then put a finger to your mouth to make them quiet down. "Yes." You weighed the options of whether to tell Aether about the whole world being created by a game, it would definitely destroy the residents of the world's mind, but Aether wasn't affected the laws of the world, maybe he'd be safe with this knowledge. . or does uttering it cause an event similar to what happened in the deserts due to the forbidden knowledge?

Still since Paimon was here you decided to hold off on it.

Aether frowned, did that mean you were no imposter nor the creator. That would make you a normal person stuck in a very bad situation. Still. . your voice was familiar to him, as if it was a forgotten song he was slowly remembering.

You felt familiar yet different,

new and old,

friend and stranger. .

"You are finding your sibling right." you suddenly asked, no, it was more of a statement with your tone. The way you spoke and held yourself in front of him, you knew something.

Then your face contorted into one of sadness and pain, as you told him "The journey ahead of you will be very tough Aether, you're sister was fine, but for reasons I'm not yet entirely certain about, she does not want to be found, nor does she want to leave Teyvat at the moment."

"What?!" he grabbed your shoulders, tight enough to make you wince as he desperately waited for an answer.

"She. . She is planning something with an organization, I know things but I cannot make a certain conclusion with it." She winced, the lore and story of teyvat was heavy yet she wasn't an expert, nor was she one to theorized the future and even then she had a hard time wrapping her head around the story. She didn't want to misinform Aether because she, you acknowledged that you aren't entirely sure of things anymore.

The game didn't have a creator, so what knowledge is real or false, what information has been neglected in the game that may be important here?

"At. . at least she's alive." He sighed, nearly falling to the ground from the revelation. Knowing his sister was alive was nice enough, that she was well and kicking and planning like usual. "Could you, could you let go of my shoulders now? it's starting to hurt. ."

He quickly let go "I'm sorry!"

Waving him off, you rubbed your shoulders, the pain slowly disappearing. "It's alright." you assured him, you understood why he reacted after all. This was just the cherry on the icing anyway, the future. . despite being surrounded by many people, you couldn't help but think that Aether was lonely, for he missed his sister who was always within out of reach.

"You, you know my name though, and about my sister. If you come from another world. . how do you know?"

You eyed Paimon and your pyro slime, "could you two leave us for a bit? how about you eat some fruits and pinecones." you suggested to the two with a smile. The two small companions stared at each other, and despite pouting and huffing, they obliged.

"I cannot say for now. I don't know how you'll react to it." You honestly confessed once the two were out of earshot. Would saying that he was in a world that was created to be a game destroy him? because he would realize that his and his sister's journey, separation and the loneliness was caused to be the premise of a game where he was to be controlled for entertainment. .

"However, all I can tell you, without bringing the world to destruction (with forbidden knowledge) is that I'm always on your side Aether, I have been with you since the beginning of your journey."

"beginning. . but" he clutched his head at a flurry of memories, he knew Paimon was the one there with him, ever since he fished her up. But then those memories slowed down, connecting with one another to be coherent.

"Alright, so now I have to fight the shogun to end the archon quest in Inazuma. ." there's a faint voice in the back of his head as he stood in the middle of Ei's throne room. The ashes of Signora laid on the tatami mats as the Shogun silently stood, waiting, or were they paused.

And just like usual, his body was covered in a faint golden glow, it was like he was stuck in a warm embrace as his body was being controlled. He pulled out his map, as his finger clicked on a waypoint to a domain.

"Since I got Ganyu, I should build her for the boss fight. Then I'll cook some recovery Items." A voice said, he couldn't quite tell where it came from. Because it felt like the voice was from everywhere and no where in particular, it was in his head, it was from above, then to his sides.

Suddenly he watched, while standing inside the Momiji-Dyed Court as the visages of Diluc, Xiangling and Diona appear beside him, all covered in that same glow. They two had been summoned by the voice. "Hello Traveler, it seems her divine excellency needs our assistance. Do you know who this is for?" Diluc asked, though his body could not move, he was able to speak.

"It's for Ganyu this time." Aether said as the man nodded in understanding.

"Aether!" he was pulled out of memories, finding himself on the ground with the others staring down at him worriedly. "I. . I remember."

"Remember what Aether?"

"This. . This has all happened before. But you where there, you were everywhere. Your voice, your guidance, you control us, control me as I travel to Liyue, then to Inazuma, then to Sumeru and Fontaine. But you also controlled other vision users!" he said, his voice had started off as slow and in awe but as he continued he spoke faster and quicker.

His face turned to one of awe and respect for her, because he remembered, not everything but enough to know, to know that the voice he had heard before was the same you now held. That your warmth was still there, though now withdrawn from the pains the others had caused you.

"You helped me."

"Ah. ."

Yet your face turned to a stark contrast from his own, instead of awe or happiness, you stared at him terrified.

. . .

Aether knew, he was beginning to become self-aware. You assumed he was talking about the times you controlled him to push forward the plot, to finish archon quests after archon quests. . You hoped he wouldn't utter those words, you were afraid of causing another incident similar to that of Sumeru's.

Seeing you look, he took a few deep breaths, placing his hands on top of your own as he sat up, once again your eyes met and he said softly, and with all the sincerity he had.

"Thank you."

Even though the world and time itself rewound, even if he lost all progress and has to go through all the nations again, still he can't forget about her help. Vaguely he could recall your commentary from different events, how you were silent when he died, and how you had been respectfully silent to mourn for his death. How you shouted and complained when his sister left him once more, when none of the first three archons could give him any concrete information. How you laughed when you chose to call Paimon an emergency food every now and then. How you shared his sentiments, wishing you didn't have to help everyone only for missing flyers to be your reward.

"hic. ."

You found yourself crying again, you knew the world was just a game, and you knew you only played it because of the food, and the visuals and for comfort at the beginning, but for you to get attached to the characters and the world, for you to painstakingly go through those annoying missions and dialogue, to build characters and pull for them. . .

to have Aether of all people to genuinely thank you, when he had gone through a lot of things (and he remembers) made you feel a sense of accomplishment, what you did wasn't useless. It wasn't for nothing.

Because if it were nothing, he wouldn't be thanking you, and shedding tears with you.

⟡𓌉◯𓇋₊˚⊹♡

"You guys are weird!" Paimon complained as she rubbed her swollen eyes, having shed a few tears to "Who shares a few words and suddenly bursts into tears anyways!"

You and Aether chuckled, walking once more as you offered to show him where and who you have been staying since nearly being killed by Lisa. "Make sure to not attack or scare them okay? The hilichurls are nice as long as you are too. Right?" You turned to the pyro slime who made a motion similar to that of a nod.

"I. . I see. I'll make sure to be on my best behavior." Aether said though seemingly he had begun to regret the idea when you were heading for a very huge hilichurl camp.

"Unu!" You hear someone shout, and they repeated as if spreading the word that you had returned. "Hi guys-" you said before gasping as a few hilichurls began to attack Paimon and Aether.

"What hey-!" you yelled stopping them, "Odomu, they are Odomu!" you quickly said pointing to them. "Odomu?" they hesitated, clearly suspicious of the two new comers who accompanied their God.

You nodded in confirmation, "This is Paimon, and that is Aether, whose hair you are still pulling." Huffing you approach, chiding the hilichurl who was pulling the blond's hair.

Pinching the bridge of your nose you repeated, first pointing at Paimon "Odomu Paimon. Odomu!"

"Odomu. ."

"Aether, Aether Odumu."

"Odomu. . ."

Then you smiled as they finally lowered there weapons, your hand stretched out, patting their heads like you would do for a child "Good. . Good job guys. Thank you for trying to protect me."

Despite the language barrier, seeing your soft expression, hearing your gentle voice and feeling the warmth form your touch alone. . they simpered.

"She makes Hilichurls look like docile puppies. ." Paimon couldn't help but comment as Aether silently nodded, his hand petting his frayed hair.

The hilichurls calmed down when they realized she had returned from a trip, pulling out the contents from her rucksack they slightly deflated from the lack of meat. Rolling your eyes playfully at their reactions you asked Aether for some help getting some Meat and Eggs which luckily he had in his inventory.

So as you managed to convince the Hilichurls to let you cook, you found yourself in the cooking area with Paimon, Aether and your Slime. The pyro slime returning to the dug out hole with ashes and wood.

"Oh I'll get some sticks and branches!" Paimon offered as she looked around the camp for materials to stoke the growing fire. "Anything you need help with?" Aether turned to you, realizing he was left with no tasks as Paimon and your slime were finally getting along swimmingly.

"Well can you fill the pails with water for me?"

He nodded "sure, that's easy." With the help of his map he was able to find the few ponds or rather water sources near the camp. After a couple of trips, he was now helping you wash the ingredients clean.

"So while Paimon and the Slime are busy, can you tell me what you know of this. ." you trailed off before bitterly spitting out ". . imposter and creator situation I got myself in?"

Aether begun slowly explaining while you both began preparing, he was tearing the cabbages as you were cutting the bitter gourds. "So first, there's this Divine Creator. In simpler ways to explain, they are higher than the archons, possibly Celestia. And they're considered the mother of all due to her caring and warm nature."

You nodded along, scooping out the inner contents of the bitter gourd or 'ampalaya' after having slicing the ampalayas into two. It was luckily you found wild ampalaya growing. "They think I am her or some cheap imposter then?"

"Yes, apparently imitating the Divine Creator is grounds for quick execution without trial." Aether said with a frown, one that mirrored your own. That was. . unfair. "Do they not understand a person is not born with the choice of how they look like?"

He didn't have an answer to that, whether the residents of Mondstadt were fanatic believers that didn't take the time to think about things logically or whether they were just. . dumb, well he wasn't sure. It was beyond him really, their thinking process that is.

"Anyways, Kaeya sent me here, he was a bit skeptical of how they handled the situation and quickly labelled you as an imposter. He told me how there is a prophecy, that well prophesized how an imposter, a demon or sign of catastrophe would come to Teyvat and cause disasters while wearing the face of the great Mother to smear their name and spite them."

"So me going to Teyvat when Dvalin was terrorizing the city as Mondstadt. . was just some bad timing for me. ." your frown had deepened. You were slowly becoming even more bitter as you held the knife tightly and begun to cut the ampalaya pieces into thinner slices.

"uhh" Aether wanted to get the knife away from you as you dangerously begun to cut the ampalaya in a quick and heavy pace due to your foul mood.

"so," your smile was icy "anything else I need to know about?"

"Jean, Lisa, Amber and the other knights are hunting you down since they haven't found your body in the lake. . ."

thump!

"c-can you give me the knife-?"

OMAKE

the hilichurls sadly stared at the food you had prepared for them, not much meat in sight. they even noticed you had prepared something with bitter gourds, which they knew would be very bitter.

Paimon and Aether were silently waiting as well for someone to eat first. The atmosphere was thick and they wondered if it would be rude for them to start eating now.

Meanwhile, Pyro was eating some sticks and pinecones, which burned into nothing inside their fiery stomachs. You sat near them, a smile on your face as you patiently waited for them to eat your cooking. Having noticed their eating tendencies, you realized that they ate more meat than vegetables. "Come on it tastes good, It's not going to be bitter I promise."

Ginisang Ampalaya was the dish you cooked, it was something you learned from one of your Filipino classmates. It had a mixed of ampalaya slices, eggs, tomatoes, some pork, and onions too. It would be nice to have some rice but even Aether hadn't been able to buy any.

"You need to eat your vegetables too." you told them. The samachurl who had also been silent, decided to take a bowl of the ampalaya, "Mosi gusha!" (eat vegetables!) it told the others who repeated in a more sad "mosi gusha. ." and thus they begun eating. But. .

"!" they stared at the meal, finding it to not be bitter as they had anticipated. They tasted the meat and the eggs more than the bitter gourds. and so they ate at a more happy pace.

Paimon and Aether followed, with Aether smiling "This is good, I didn't know you could cook something like this without a recipe!" You chuckled, cheeks flushed with the praise "It's no big deal, I learned that in school."

"Oh like a home economics class?" he briefly remembered a world like that, perhaps it was yours? "Kinda but more professional, its a cooking school so you can become a chef."

"A chef?! that settles it! come with us in our journey to find aether's sister!" Paimon said through a mouthful.

You all smiled and laughed as you talked, and suddenly you didn't feel so bitter anymore.

To help the readers in their long journey, I decided to give you a few functions! Nothing tooo op, but something very useful especially for travelers and chefs! You have your own inventory system (which is the same as the ingame one)! Of course shared with the traveler as you two are connected as the player and the vessel!

NAMING THE PYRO SLIME EVENT: ONE ACCOUNT IS ONLY ALLOWED TO SUGGEST AT MOST 2 NAMES (this applies to me)!

Current compiled suggestions: Fuji_Sen has suggested! Lava Cake or "Java" based on the food / coffee" Fuji_Sen has suggested! Monsieur Creme Brulee or "Creme" based on the food. @Fantasyhopperhea has suggested! Soleil or "Sol" @Cactus4226 has suggested! Ruru (Py-ro, ro -> ru -> ruru) @bunniotomia has suggested! Helios or "Hel"

taglist: @fantasyhopperhea @rhoswen-drake @cchiiwinkle @aman3kkun @coffee-or-hot-cocoa @bunniotomia @esthelily @earth-to-name @fandomfan-102

hopefully the tag works now, I've been having trouble with a few accounts since the tag wouldn't work on them. If you are not tagged successfully that means tumblr thinks you are a bot (because you don't have posts, or much interaction), you have been shadowbanned, or your visibility is set to prevent you from being tagged.

check here for more info.

[taurus-caeli]

So cute!

(Why must they put them in the Spiral Abyss..＿|￣|○)

🍂🍁🦖🍁🦖🍂🦖🍁🍂

[taurus-caeli]

Genshin Impact imposter AU

chapter 9

(chapter 8 here) I apologize about how the previous chapters were written, I will start re-writing them soon.

A/n

After a while, I am back and will potentially continue writing. I read how the series is going to far and I dislike the way I portrayed the story and the characters. After this chapter, I will start re-writing the previous parts.

For the time I haven't posted here, I have written some other stories I will not post, so I hope my writing has improved and.

....

The angel loomed over the corner, watching Mia and Marriane. It didn't have any eyes.

No eyes, no mouth, no nose, no ears. Just a humanoid figure with distorted limbs.

Mia looked at Marianna, giving her a confused look with a hint of panic in her eyes. She didn't know why but she felt fear. Mia didn't know what it was doing here.

Mia didn't know. She felt terrified of the unknown.

The fear of the unknown is a fear all humans have. But you don't need to be human to feel afraid of what you don't know.

Marianna was confused. She looked over at the creature again, having noticed Mia's expression. Mia's fear.

The girl almost shuddered when she saw the creature move. It took a slow step forward. A slow but calculated step. It knew what it waa doing.

Mia's hands started involuntary trembling.

Why? Why was she so afraid? It was an angel. Why was she afraid of a species she created? Why...why...why...

Marianna's reaction wasn't this extreme so why...? Why...?

Marianna couldn't process the creature's movement due to a sudden grip on her arm.

Mia clenched onto her sister'd art, turned around and ran. She would run all the way to another universe if she could. But she couldn't.

She hadn't awoken her powers fully.

Mia was in a trance. She didn't know what she was doing or what was happening. Her legs were moving on their own.

She couldn't process Marianna's words. She couldn't process her movements.

The only thing she felt was the trembling of her arms and the feeling of dread slowly getting closer and closer. It didn't matter how much she ran.

It didn't matter. Nothing matters.

Not when a being such as her exists.

Creator of everything who knows everything? Why would such a being exist? Why?

It has to be eliminated.

Mia's legs moved and moved...she felt her eyelids become heavier. The trembling stopped.

Marianna noticed the trembling stop and her pase slow down. Mia had been dragging her for ten kilometers, trembling, breathing heavily, of course she became tired. Who wouldn't?

But it was odd...Mia was supposed to be the creator of everything...not human...without any human limits...why was she tired-

Marianna's train of thoughts was interrupted by Mia's grip loosening until she has completely let go and her falling on her knees.

"...Mia?" Marianna spoke up after a pause. She was out of breath but not nearly as much as Mia.

That was what Mia recalled before she felt darkness overcome her vision, the dread consuming her entirely.

.....

....

...

..

.

No.

...

..

.

She wasn't unconscious.

...

..

.

Her eyes were open.

...

..

.

Her body was gone.

...

..

.

What was her name again? May...? Mya...?

...

..

.

Or was May the month?

...

..

.

Month...?

...

..

.

Human.

...

..

.

Humans.

...

..

.

Her eyes opened but her mind felt empty.

....

She was on a beach somewhere...

....

Why did this feel so familiar...?

....

The first words that left the girl's mouth were.

"Who was I...?"

But no answer came. It was just her, the noice of the waves, the sky and the sand sticking to her body.

This felt wrong.

[taurus-caeli]

𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐕𝐈𝐈 — 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔: Spot Concept art

╰►This is a sub-chapter for 𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐕𝐈𝐈 — 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. Click here 𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐕𝐈𝐈 for the original chapter.

Authors note: How's everyone's day going? Mine is a bit much. With college and what not. I will try doing more for him later on.

— I know, he looks like Dain, BUT it's just a concept art. I'll improve it once I get around to writing for him.

— It's not obvious here, but he has a black spot on his left (just like I mention on his character intro).

— FYI all concept art was done before my current art style, so it may look a bit different.

— This is how he usually dresses.

— Another reason why he's so mysterious.

— The one on the right I don't really like. It looks wonky.

— I can't draw for the life of me.

—This looks a bit like Aether's clothing, and that's because I draw Aether a lot. Especially for the Story Chapters, so it reflected when I drew this.

— And yes, he is on top of a rope. More specifically a rope for hanging clothes.

— In this little doodle, he's chasing after some guys. Maybe they have something to do with his occupation...?

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli. Re-blog or Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Arc. Back to The Divine City: Arc Master-List. Go to Story, a related series.

Back to Master-List

[taurus-caeli]

Be a Gladiolus in a Field of Belladonnas pt14

Cloak and Dagger of the Archons

(Summary): Finally getting tired of their helpless position the archons decide to take action into their own hands

Part 1 Last Part Next Part

✧ Masterlist ✧

(Characters): Yae Miko, Ei, Nahida, Zhongli, Venti, Furina, Mavuika,

(Tags/Warnings): Mavuika archon name might be wrong (will change it if is), Mavuika might be ooc, not proof read

(Word Count): 1.4k

A soft hum reverberates throughout the halls. The humming comes from a sly fox familiar, finally making her way to a room she slides open the shoji to reveal an empty room

“Okay Ei, it’s time to come out.” Yae announces. “Ei? You know I’m impatient, It’s been so boring without you lately.” The Miko whined

Met with silence the pink haired woman focused on sensing the familiar consciousness of her master, only to find nothing

Confused she didn’t notice a soldier walking past only to stop once he spotted her. “Ohh, Lady Yae. If you’re looking for the Shogun, she’s not here.”

“What do you mean ‘she’s not here?’ Where else would she be?”

“I don’t know, but a man from Liyue came and she left with him.” The soldier explained

“Hmm, where could she have gone?”

“Achooo!” Sneezed the purple haired archon

“Bless you.” The littlest archon said

“Thank you, Buer.”

“Hehe, the almighty Shogun sneezing, I thought I never see the day.” Venti giggled

“I don’t see it to be a laughing matter, it could be due to someone talking about me, I just wonder who.” Ei pondered

“What is the deal with this domain, Morax?” Mavuika asked the taller gentleman

“This domain is what I assume to have belonged to their Grace when they still were with us.”

“How can you be so sure of that?” Ei asked

“And why weren’t we made aware of its existence?!” Furina asked

“I apologize but I didn’t want the existence of this domain be known by that imposter.”

The archons all looked at each other with concern expressions at the mention of your doppelganger, Nahida turns to look at Zhongli

“How did you come across this domain, Morax?”

“It was right after their Grace’s death.” Zhongli began

He remembers that day as if it had happened yesterday. The skies pouring rain down onto the geo archon, as if Teyvat was itself is mourning the loss of its creator

As he kept on walking through the field, the clouds part to reveal the field has sprouted many flowers. Flowers that glitter in the sun in the same manner your blood did when spilled

The flowers tell a story of a battle that fought here, a battle that you had to fight on your own. Rage and sorrow fills the god, he falls to his knees and frantically began to rip the flowers out of the ground as tears ran down his face. He could have been there to help you, to at least protect you, but you felt like you needed to fight this battle alone

why?

Why?

WHY?!

WHY WHY WHY?!?!

Why did things have to end like this? Why wasn’t he there to stop this from happening?!

Morax wailed and wailed until his throat started hurting. When he stopped he saw a petal with a light blue aura floating above the ground

Reaching out towards the petal he was instantly transported somewhere

A domain of sorts, its walls were lined with gold and lapis lazuli embedded into them. It was massive and empty, like it had been subject to neglect, it was luxurious none the less.

A place that reminded the dragon of you and it dawned on him that this domain belonged to you, whatever the reason you abandoned it, it will be a monument to you and your greatness

Zhongli finished telling the other archons and they all had mournful looks on their faces

“I’m so sorry you had to experience that, Morax.” Mavuika consoled

“It was a very difficult time, but I rather have this domain be in my hands than anyone else’s, Aym.”

“You should be proud of the work you amassed theoughout the centuries.” Ei said as she looked at the bookshelves that reach the ceiling

“Only the best for their Grace, and might I ask do you know what’s behind that door?” Furina asked gesturing towards the door

“Unfortunately I do not. I was hoping for their Grace to know when they descended.” Zhongli explained

Venti leans in towards the door to examine the keyhole, instead of it being the standard keyhole it was circular with 4 other smaller circles extended from the larger one

“It’s a pretty odd keyhole. I’m surprised you didn’t try to bust it down through brute force.” Venti giggled. The archons looked at the elder archon who is looking down a bit shamefully. “Well I wonder what’s behind this door.”

“It might be due to them wanting to hide something.” All the archons whipped their heads towards Ei. “I remember one time when their Grace visited Inazuma they called themselves a ‘monster’ especially after ‘what they done.’ When I tried to press further they refused to elaborate.” Ei explained

“It didn’t help that their Grace was very secretive about their past. I’m pretty sure that the knowledge we have on them is already common.”

As the gods talked amongst themselves the littlest of them pondered and pondered until it dawned on her

“Maybe there’s something in the Akademiya’s secret archives.” Nahida spoke out

“Why do you did there’s something useful to us is in some place so dusty.” Venti asked as he continued on with the other archons

The gods followed as the littlest one lead them through the secret basement

“This is where the supposed belongings of their Grace.” Nahida explained as she kept walking until she stopped in front of a large door

Nahida placed her hand on the door and it lit up with a green aura before the doors open. “It should be in here.” She continued to walk

“Why do you seem uncertain about the ‘key’ being here?” Furina asked

“Oh well, I didn’t know of this place when I was imprisoned.”

“What?!” Ei, Furina, and Mavuika said in unison

After several minutes of explaining Nahida’s imprisonment by her people

“How awful, I will teach you how to use a sword to strike down those traitors!” Ei said as Mavuika nodded her head in agreement

“N-no thank you!” Nahida shot the offer down

“How about taking those snakes to trial! If they think they can imprison a god then they should have the courage to face one in court!” Furina exclaimed

“They were already taken care of.” Nahida said trying to calm the three archons down. “With the help of the traveler and their Grace they freed me from my prison. Though, I don’t have any memories of their Grace when they walked Teyvat, they try to make it up to me.”

“You’re my daughter now, I don’t care what anyone says.” Your voice rings throughout her ears causing her heart to fill with joy, visiting various places across Teyvat was already enough for her. “I want you to see the world as it is, so let’s go exploring, Nahida!” You encouraged making Nahida smile

Bringing herself back, Nahida looks up at the archons who are smiling at her

“Did that imposter know of your imprisonment?” Venti asked

The bright smile quickly fell off of Nahida’s face and the other archons already knew the answer

“How vile! Them standing by while an archon was imprisoned by her own people!” Ei clenched her fists

“We should stop stalling before we get even more sidetracked.” Zhongli said seeming stoic as ever but the others could tell his anger was steeping through by the slight tremor that could be felt on the ground

The archons decided it was best to continue and began looking through the artifacts. Many of which were obviously fake and thus toss to the side, this continued for a good few hours until one of them felt a faint presence

Ei holds up what looks to be a brooch up for the archons to get a proper look. Upon closer examination they all could see that the brooch had 4 empty slots for something circular to be slotted into them

“Is that what I think it is?” Venti asked amazed

“That is no doubt that the brooch belonged to their Grace by the faint aura it is emitting.” Zhongli confirmed

Quickly taking the petal out of his breast pocket and transporting him and the others to the domain. Ei hands the brooch to Zhongli and walks towards the door to bring it to the keyhole

It fits perfectly

Taglist:

@chuuya-brainrot @creation-magician @tartarsaucechi1de @vvyeislazzy @aludicpoet @undecidingfate @annoying-mary @randomnatics @bore2808 @esthelily @yurivision @angelamelamela @chocolatekuns @ghost-mint @mmmhyperfixation @legendaryexperthideout @lapinaenmicoche @sinsdumbdrabble @rebeccawinters @imyme20 @nymphsdomain @sun7lowxr @blackcoffex @itz-luna @flowerpesky @land-of-eternity @deathcvltcivilofficial @d4y-dr3am3r @yuriclouds @artwitch @mercy-not-merci @xyaxyn @starxvs @dreamoffireflies06 @desirabletravel

[taurus-caeli]

𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗎𝖾, 𝙰𝚌𝚝 𝙸𝙸: Honorary Knights

Last Chapter | Next Chapter(𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)

𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗅𝗒. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝:2430

Authors note: Sup, how's everyone's day? Amazing as usual I presume? Anywho- I've been trying out this new style of drawing as mine solidifies. Also, I've realized that if I make less drawings with colors these chapters go a lot faster because I can't continue writing if I have an idea for a scene. I NEED to finish the drawing then go back to writing (It's rare if I continue writing after an idea).

A week has passed since I discovered I was in a game.

Sirius helped clear the final temple, returning Mondstadt's elemental flow back to normal after a week straight of work. Paimon and he were on their way to Acting Grand Master Jean to report the good news.

Unfortunately for me, I happen to be walking in the same direction to renew the book I borrowed from librarian Lisa, lest she comes looking for me if I don’t inform her I need more time with it.

Talk about bad luck.

“So, [Name], what’s new? Do you have something interesting to tell us?” Paimon questioned me.

“Nope. Got nothing new,” I did not look at her when I said that.

She stumps her little foot in the air. “What? What about that book you’ve been reading?! Have you not learned anything new after a week of reading it!?” 

“Well, it’s nothing new for you. But it’s new for me. Lost memories, remember?”

“...What is the book about anyway?” She asked instead of responding to me.

“Teyvat’s history. I finished reading it, and I’m getting another one. This one was a very old edition.”

“Is Teyvat’s history that interesting to you?”

“Yes, very,” I nod. “What about you two? Anything else besides reporting back to Master Jean?”

“I wanted to ask them about the teardrop we found in the forest,” Aether responded. “It was left behind by Stormterror, so maybe they know what it is.”

“Good thinking! It could also help us deal with stormterror easier.”

Reaching the Knight's Headquarters, we saw Master Jean who appeared to be talking with someone.

“Look, it’s Jean!” Paimon pointed at her. “Who is she talking to?”

She seems to be talking to a woman. She had a black outfit with purple here and there; her hair a burned-blonde, bangs that rested right above her eyebrows; her face hidden behind a gray mask. 

She spelled trouble through-and-through.

“Don’t know. But I have a gut feeling that she’s no good,” I said, eyeing her with distrust.

“Let’s wait for her to finish,” Sirius said. “We can wait on the side over here. I don’t want to be in the middle of the street.”

As we waited, we saw the frustration from both ends of the party. Jean looked adamant about her position, while the masked woman seemed to be irritated; she looked like she was trying hard to convince Jean to whatever she wanted from her.

I remember this part of the story. Jean gets pressured by a Fatui agent –a Snezhnayan diplomat– Anastasia, to kill Dvalin. Amalia warned me about them: 

“Never. Ever. Trust the Fatui.”

The scary part about that was how she looked dead serious. Before then, I had never seen that side of her. The fact she changed so quickly too… I got nightmares for a month straight; Amalia would come in and tell me how I was a bad friend.

Ahg, I get shivers just thinking about it…  I looked back at two political figures. I’ll trust Amalia and my gut feeling about the Fatui. Note to self: “Don’t talk to the Fatui.”

“Looks like she’s done talking to that person!” Paimon announced. “Let’s go talk to her.”

Jean’s gaze followed the masked woman, face laced with worry. Her eyes then darted towards us as we got in her peripheral view.

“Oh, Traveler, you're back,” she noticed I was with him, “and company… Is she the one you and Amber were talking about?”

“Yup!” Paimon confirmed. “This is [Name], our traveler buddy and official cook!” Her eyes sparkled at the mention of cooking.

I sighed, turning my attention to Jean. I smiled, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Master Jean.”

“Likewise,” she reciprocated the smile.

“Now that everyone is acquainted, Paimon has to ask. Who was that just now?”

“First, I would like to thank you,” she looked at Sirius, “Lisa informed me that the elemental flow is finally stable because of your help, and skill. For that, you have Mondstadt’s gratitude.”

Sirius scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed for getting compliments.

“Is someone getting shy now?~” Paimon teased.

“Leave him alone Paimon. He actually did something, unlike someone.”

“I told you, Paimon is moral support, moral support!”

“Anyway–” Jean intervened before she had to break up a fight, “the aftermath of Stormterror’s last attack is finally settled for the moment. But not the pressure from the delegation, in fact, it has become too big to ignore.”

“Delegation? From Liyue, or Inazuma City?” Paimon asked.

“Snezhnaya,” she paused and then continued, “they choose to follow the god of Cryo. Their envoys go by a particular name: The Fatiu. Heard of them?”

“Are you kidding? They are famous! Wait, infamous is more of the word.”

“Let me guess, the Fatui wants to take Stormterror down, right?” I said fully knowing the answer to the question.

“Correct. I don’t think killing Stormterro will do anyone any good, nor do I think it’s the right action to take. The Cryo god’s Fatui have always coveted the Anemo god’s power.” She had the same worried face I saw when the Fatui woman left, “I don’t believe they have Mondstatd’s best interest at heart.” I nod in agreement.

“Speaking of power…” Sirius began.

“What is it?”

“I have something I need to show the Knights,” he finished.

“Oh? Then let us go inside the Headquarter. We shouldn't discuss important matters…” she looked around, “out in the open.”

Jean led us inside. Before I stepped foot inside her office I stopped. Jean noticed and turned to see if everything was fine.

“Sorry guys, I need to return this book to Lisa,” I said from just outside the office.

“I see,” she understood and said nothing else about it, she knew how Lisa could be when a book was missing. “Before you go, could you do me a favor?”

“Yes. What is the favor?”

“Once you’re done, tell Lisa to come to my office please. We might need her.”

“Okay, I’ll tell her,” Jean closed the door dismissing me. I skipped a few steps to reach the other side of the building faster.

I opened the door to the library and went in. I looked at the front desk only to find it empty.

Lisa’s not there… Maybe she’s over here. I walked through the first floor, but no Lisa in sight.

Not here either… Going downstairs, I ran through the whole floor as there wasn’t anyone in the room, yet she wasn’t there either.

Where is she!? I yelled internally. So, she can miss a day, but we can’t? Talk about unfairness.

“Hi, darling.”

“AHHHHH!” I turned around but managed to slip due to a paper on the floor. “Ouf–! Awo! That hurt…!” rubbing my butt, the voice reached out their hand to help me up. I looked up and saw, the one-and-only, Lisa!

“Oh, dear, are you alright?” I took her hand and responded.

“Yeah, I’m fine…” I lied. My butt still hurts.

“You keep on getting scared whenever I greet you. I’m not that scary to you, am I?” She sounded hurt asking that.

I rolled my eyes. You look harmless, but you’re a rose with pesky thorns… That’s what Amalia has said anyway.

“Of course not, miss Lisa,” I dismissed her. I faked an innocent smile and said, “You look average to me.” 

It looked like an arrow had hit her bullseye in the heart. She was mumbling how cruel youngsters are nowadays, and how, begin quote, ‘her beauty is fading because of her age,’ end quote.

I didn’t mean my comment obviously. I only said that to get back at her for the two times she’s given me a heart attack. She looks young for her age, that’s for sure.

“What are you back here for, returning the book I presume?” She asked me, leaving behind the commentary I made like I never said it in the first place.

“Yes, you see, the one I have is outdated–a century outdated to be precise–of the history of Teyvat,” I explained.

She hummed, “yes, I remember. I found it quite odd that you wanted to read such an old book. Now I know why.” She turned and waved her hand in a follow-me motion, “Come, I know exactly where the newer version is.”

We moved to the section that Amber showed me when I came here last time. Looking at it now, the history section was much bigger than I remembered.

“Here it is!” Lisa handed me a book. “This is the newest version, it came out a year ago.”

“Thank you again, miss Lisa,” I thanked her as I eyed the book.

I wonder what they added.

“Please, this is nothing compared to the work I had to do the past week,” she rubbed her shoulders. “Taking care of the Temples of the Four Winds was more of a hassle than I had imagined.”

We walked up the stairs and stood by the front desk.

“You’re being too modest. Thanks to you and the others, Mondsatdt has one less thing to worry about.”

“Thank you again, sweet-pie,” she smiled. “I checked out the book already, so you’re as free as a bird.”

“Thank you,” I lightly vowed and walked toward the door.

!

I almost forgot!

“Oh! Miss Lisa?”

“Yes?”

“Master Jean asked for you, she is in her office.”

“Ah, thank you for informing me. Now shoo, off you go,” she pushed me out of the library as she herself went out, locking it with a key after she made sure there was no one else inside.

“[Name], if you ever find yourself unable to find a quiet place to read, go to windrise. It was nice weather, and if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the soft strumming of a lyre.”

“Thank you for the advice,” I thanked her for the third time today. I walked out of the Headquarters and made my way to find a place to sit and read.

I can go to Windrise like Lisa suggested, I looked up to the blue, and the sky is clear. Oh! There is a Statue of the Seven there! I can try and obtain powers similar to how the MC did in the game— well, better said how Sirius did. Plus, there is a big space to test out the System.

The air near the sea is the best… I breached in the air.

I basked in the atmosphere underneath the massive oak tree, the symbol of Mondstadt’s hero – Vannessa.

The trail from Mondstadt City to Windrise was perfect. Not a single monster interfered, with a few slimes that minded their own business when I passed by. It was a bit strange, since I remembered they attacked on sight. But, this is the world of Genshin, some things are bound to change.

“All right, time to get to work. System!”

“I’m sorry, I can’t make a proper analysis at the moment,” Lisa said.

“Huh? But Paimon thought you were able to see some impurities.”

“Correct. But it’s not enough for me to come to a conclusion,” she turned to Jean and Sirius, “give me some time. I’ll take a look through the library's restricted section.”

Jean nods. “I’ll leave all the research to you then, Lisa,” she looks at the outlanders.

“I’ll notify you all if I make any progress,” she went closer to the crystal, “thought I wouldn’t go getting your hopes up. They are incredibly ancient texts, not to mention—Ouch!” Lisa retracted her hand from the object as the force of the impurities hurt her. “Gosh, that hurt!”

“Are you okay?” Jean worriedly asked, checking her friend from any injuries. The other two were just as concerned.

“Now, now, you three are looking at me like I’m half-dead. I’m fine. The impurities in the crystal…” she looked at it before continuing, “it hurts when I get close…” She hummed in thought. “It appears to react to Visions, repealing it even.”

“What? How can that happen?” Paimon asked.

“I’m not going over the details, if not we'll be here for days-on-end. All you need to know is that the impurities and the elemental energy we embody repel each other.”

“Really?” She looked at Sirius, “then why is he able to hold it?”

“That is a good question, and a question I don’t have the answer to, unfortunately.”

“...” Sirius stayed silent through the whole interaction. What could be in his mind?

“Anyway, the crystal would be better left in the hands of my cutie,” Sirius places the crystal back in his bag. “It will be a pain if left with – both literally and metaphorically.”

“Okay. I will keep it.”

“Fascinating… Do you know anything about what makes you special?” Jean asks Sirius in wonder. He nods in solidarity.

“Well, that's the end of that,” Paimon said.

“Traveler…” Jean called, “the knights of Favonius have another favor to ask of you. Please accept the title of honorary Knight and the gratitude of the Acting grand Master.”

“Honorary Knight…of Favonius?!” Paimon gave Sirius a smirk, “look at you go. You just arrived in Mondstadt and already have a super cool title! Paimon is impressed.” Sirius puffed his chest with pride.

“We gotta tell [Name] once we see her. Oouu, she’s going to make that angry face again, Paimon can just tell!” she says excitedly with a small fire in her eyes when she thinks of your face.

“Then this is a meeting concluded,” Jean dismissed then. “We’ll meet back here if you find anything.”

“Okey-Dokey! Let’s go!” Paimon and Sirius walk out of the office leaving Lisa and Master Jean alone.

“What peculiar little creatures they all are…”

“What are you mumbling about?” Jean inquired after hearing Lisa mumble.

“Oh, nothing. Just complaining about how I haven’t had a proper nap since the incident with stormterror started,” she lied.

“Don’t worry. Soon, we can all rest properly,” Jean reassured.

A little far from the Knight’s Headquarter…

“Okay, we’re far from the knights to hear us,” Paimon stands–floats–in front of Sirius, making him stop. “There’s something you didn't tell them. The boy. The one that communicated with the dragon, kinda hard to miss.”

“I know, Paimon. But I’d like to investigate on my own first,” Sirius explained to her. “And I don’t think he’s a bad guy.”

“So you do remember him,” a boy in green caught her eyes, “he looked just like the guy down there!” Sirius looked at the guy Paimon pointed at.

“The exact same shade of green, what a coincidence. Seems like green is a popular color.”

“See? See? Wait… Hold on a minute… that… that's the same guy!”

“Hmm… looks like him,” he said nonchalantly.

“Stop joking around and let’s go after him!”

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli, @humongousoperatorhairdoopera, @aesir1, @creationmage, @savedpostsnotmain, @melanistium, @dontlookatmepreetyplease. Re-blog or Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Story. Back to The Divine City: Story Master-List.

Go to Arcs, a related series.

ᘻɑ𝘚Ե୧Ⲅ⧿ℓἱ𝘚Ե

[taurus-caeli]

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Live stream

Genshin SAGAU/Cult au, gender neutral reader

A Genshin SAGAU where you being thrown into the Teyvat made the entire game unaccessible. Everyone is left wondering how long it'll take for the issue to get fixed, unaware that the reason the game failed opening is because of a single person, you. Clueless little you, stuck in a game you loved playing, left all alone to fight for your own survival.

But somewhere, somewhere out there on the internet..is a stream with the game Genshin Impact playing, except.. it's different from the usual livestreams of the game; it features Teyvat and a person constantly avoiding death left and right, with the beloved characters chasing them to the ends of Teyvat.

[taurus-caeli]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐈𝐕 — 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚: Timeless Treasure Concept Art

Sub-Serie:

City Outskirts Art | Timeless Treasure Concept Art (you are here)

╰►This is a sub-chapter for 𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐈𝐕 — 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚. Click here 𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐈𝐕 for the original chapter.

Authors note: This is the second thing I posted today. I know right? Two times in one day?! impossible... But jokes aside, do people like this more than my the story?

— I did this on whim after I read part two of my mutual's — @udretlnea — series: 'The Divine City's Slice of Life.'

╰►Click here to check it out!

— These are just a few ways I envision the shop, but I think it's much smaller than this.

— Once I find a design I enjoy, I'll make a finished painting of it!

— Going to work with the character designs for Henry and Cecilia next! Gotta say, I did think of Henry like the little drawing that my mutual did.

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli. Re-blog or Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Arc. Back to The Divine City: Arc Master-List. Go to Story, a related series.

Back to Master-List

[taurus-caeli]

Aeon of Creation as one of those events in Simulated Universe !!!

You feel a familiar presence near you; radiating light and consuming shadows, creating perfection and resignation to all who are graced with their radiance. But you can't put your finger on it. Who is this? Why do THEY feel so familiar to you? Who are THEY?

"Don't fight the pull now, Trailblazer!" Though you can't see her, Herta seems quite excited about your current situation. As if she'd ever admit it. But why does she seem so excited? Is she excited because of THEM? Who are THEY?

"Affirmation: Please keep your focus steady. Even though you have been blessed by the Creation countless times, THEIR presence in the Simulated Universe is scarce," Screwllum notes beside the puppet. Countless parts of the cosmos and nebulae that have been created by THEM, the first breath of life and death were all made possible by a single flutter of THEIR fingertips. But why did THEY do this? Who are THEY?

Oh, that's right.

You remember now.

> Do you really?

The everlasting expanse of the universe is laid before your eyes, undefined and unmeasured by the untrained eye. Those who are able to truly comprehend this world lies with the celestial beings THEY THEMSELVES held and caressed so gently, even to those who held unbridled hate and wrath for this oh so cursed Aeon.

You feel it all wash over you— this familiar feeling. The way THEY first cradled you with such care and love, with unconditional warmth and tenderness THEY held you with the moment you ascended.

It was one of the first moments in your life when you truly felt adoration for who you were, in the lonely life you lived for so long.

The stars before you pave the way and lead you to THEIR benevolence, each one more welcoming than the last. They dance and sway at your arrival— a familiar face! Another visitor after so long!

> Yes, do you remember now?

> How can you forget?

> Who are THEY?

Indeed, this is the Aeon of Creation; the One Above All, the Principium Omnium, the maker of this world— a sight to behold. You can't help but hold your breath. THEIR hand is reached out to you, beckoning you to come closer like a siren's call. You feel entranced by THEIR radiance, as you've done so countless times before.

This was the feeling you felt when you first awoke, guiding you through the Antimatter Legion invasion in the Herta Space Station, the Stellaron crisis in Jarilo-VI, Phantylia in the Xianzhou Loufu, and through the trials you faced in Penacony. Why didn't you remember THEM before? Why had you been so foolish as to not realize you were observing THEIR besottedness?

"Stay focused, Trailblazer. You're drifting from their path," Ruan Mei scribbles something in her notes beside the Intellitron. You notice a hint of worry in her tone. Is she worried for your mental state, with how you're so closely tied with THEM, or is it because she's worried about the outcome of this encounter?

Ah, but alas, all things come from a culmination of one's thoughts: destruction, preservation, remembrance, abundance, and many more are but simple branches of THEIR grace. The Creation had yet to be truly grasped by a mortal without drifting off course from THEIR path.

> You know better than to taint the divine visage and reputation THEY had; an unspoken rule to all things organic or inorganic.

> But do you truly know THEM?

Your vision darkens as you slowly succumb to unconsciousness. Yet as you fall back into reality, that oh so familiar presence doesn't dissipate like the previous times you've encountered in the Simulated Universe.

Are THEY happy with your performance, acting as Akivili the Trailblaze infront of THEIR simulated counterpart? Were THEY satisfied that you still let THEM control the way you interacted with this carefully constructed decoy?

Well, you may still have time to ask THEM of THEIR in the future. Besides, THEY seem content with sticking with you for the time being. Who knows, maybe THEY will never do so even after the Stellaron in you returns to its maker, perchance.

— A/N : HEY Y'ALL IM BACKKK 🥰 pretty sure none of y'all missed me /hj

I was supposed to post this after mass last Sunday but school bit my ass again 😇

I'll try to post some fics like this on the weekends if i can bc im running outta sahsrau fics to read, gotta ruin the once a month posting sched anyways 🙏

[taurus-caeli]

Thanks to my mutual Hunnie, I now have thoughts of Mouse Reader plaguing my mind 😵‍💫

Specifically Mouse Reader with the big cat women like Xilonen, Dehya, Jean, etc. but more so with Xilonen because I’m imagining her batting you around like a toy and smirking when you squeak in fear. It’ll be like Tom and Jerry where she toys with you and watches you scramble around like Jerry, completely fearful that she’s gonna eat you.

She’s not. Well, at least not in the way that you’re thinking 😨

[taurus-caeli]

The Witch of the Purple Rose

Last Chapter | Next Chapter (Coming soon!)

𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗅𝗒. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 2212

Authors note: Long chapter. Do you guys want to know where Amalia went? I could give you a hint... Also, from all the times I've called Venti Barbie-toes, I can't even write Barbatos correctly. I go 'Barbetoes'. yrtfuagwda. PS. if you ever wonder how I do the background, I go in-game and take a screenshot in the location I want for the plot. So, you can visualize the story better (like how I do inside my head!).

The howls of a dragon in pain echo through the streets of Mondstadt.

Stormterror – the dragon that has been terrorizing the citizens it used to protect – was defeated by the blond traveler who sores above in the sky after the fight with the dragon. The dragon flees high into the sky, leaving the city with damaged buildings to be repaired; and just in time for me to finish my meal.

“Ah…” I placed the cup down and relaxed against the hard seat, “that was delicious!”

Looking around, the area was left with debris from the tornados and dragons wrath. I guide my head upwards to see Sirius gliding down to the City Square, where the Statue of Barbatos is.

…I need to make sure they're okay. Getting up and leaving the mora for the meal with an extra tip, I headed toward the Cathedral.

I ran past the folks leaving their homes to assess the damages to their residencies; some are in shambles. Skipping the flight of stairs to reach the top faster almost made me fall, but I luckily managed to catch myself. Reaching my destination, I see Amber’s worried face as she sees Sirius’s descent.

“Amber–!” I managed to say her full name before the damned ringing in my ears rendered me unable to speak anymore.

This is getting repetitive…

Sirius lands on the ground as Amber, and Paimon’s appearance from her pocket dimension, surround him asking if he wasn't injured. He reassured them he was fine with that smile of his.

Loud clapping came behind him making them turn.

“Well, look at that. You’ve actually got the power to go up against the dragon…” a tall and fine man with dark complexions said, impressed.

“Are you a new ally… or a new storm?” his eyes—eye—pierced through the soul of the young boy.

Hmm, he looks familiar. Where have I seen that eyepatch?

Having my body back to myself, I made my way to the group.

“Sirius, Paimon, Amber! Are you guys alright?” I asked once I was close enough.

“[Name]! Where have you been?!” Paimon checked her up and down.

“I was eating,” I stated.

“Eat!? At a time like this!? Not even Paimon can stomach food during a disaster!”

“Stormterror…is attacking Mondstadt itself!” Amber was worried. If the dragon were to come back, they don’t know if they can defeat him again. “Kaeya, you came at the right time. We must…”

“Ah-ah, ap. Slow down there, Outrider. Are you perhaps forgetting to introduce us?”

“Oh… Sorry. I got frantic,” she turned to me, “as I explained to Paimon and the Traveler, this is Kaeya, our Cavalry Captain.”

The…Traveler? Did Amber forget Sirius’s name?

“This is [Name], she is the Traveler’s and Paimon’s other travel partner.”

“I see. Are you also looking for someone, or are you simply traveling with them?” I felt like an interrogation was going to begin. Are all the Knights like this? Is it in their manual?

“Paimon can tell you! You see, [Name] here lost all her memories, and she’s traveling with us to recover them.”

“I see… I welcome you to Mondstadt too. Even if it’s strange for someone to lose all their memories…”

Is he calling me a liar? I glared at him.

“Haha, relax! I won’t press you for more,” he put up a nice face.

“First and foremost, on behalf of the Knight of Favonius, I would like to extend our thanks to you for your help just now,” he thanked Sirius.

“You’re welcome! So…uh… Where’s the reward?”

Seriously? How shameless can you be?

“Y–you can’t just ask to be rewarded for something you willingly did!” Paimon scolded him.

“Ahh… How about a traditional delicacy, is Sticky Honey Roast okay with you?” Kaeya suggested the reward.

“Ouuu, Paimon likes the sound of that!”

“You know that reward isn’t for you, right?” I said to her, and her eyes widened.

“UH? But I did do something!”

“Like what? Float?” I smirked once I saw her stammering.

“Well I, you know…I…I did something…! Like…Oh! I was emotional support!” She gave me the answer with a puffed chest.

I rolled my eyes. And she was the one criticizing me for eating in a storm.

“Now you two, let’s stop fighting. There’ll be enough food for an entire pack of hungry wolves by the end of this. But now is not the right time. The Acting Grand Master of the Knights if Favonius is also very interested in meeting you, and formally invites you both to our headquarters.”

“So, we’re going to meet a big-shot already? Paimon is excited!”

“When did she say she wanted to meet them, Kaeya?” Amber asked.

“As soon as possible,” he responded.

“Then let’s go. We can’t possibly keep her waiting.”

Meeting with the Acting Grand Master? I can skip that, right? I don’t think she would want to meet a girl who’s lost her memories. I thought as I was dragged by Amber, saying the handbook of the Knight of Favonius has strict rules on not being tardy.

“Is this the Knights of Favonius Headquarters? It’s so big! Paimon never thought she’d get the chance to enter it.”

“Yup!” Amber answered her. “It’s not often that we invite non-knights in.!”

“Then it is a privilege to be welcomed by two astounding knights,” I said with a smile.

“Please, no need for modesty. We are just doing our duty as knights,” Kaeya spoke and gave us a big smile.

"Hmm..."

If I had to describe him, it would be as a peacock. Such flattery, and a pretty face? I can already see women falling head-over-heels for prince charming over here.

Walking up the main entrance, two guards stand on either side of the doors, keeping guard. The knights, seeing one of their captains, open the door for us.

They are accommodating, even after they’ve just been attacked. +10 points for hospitality.

My good impressions didn’t last long. For what I saw when we crossed those doors was horrific: Knights running around frantically, some citizens complaining, with peppers flying around.

-50 points.

This whole building was a mess. Have they considered hiring a maid? They could really use one.

“We apologies for this unruly sight,” Kaeya sighed just looking at the scene, “This has become the regular ever since Stormterror was spotted a few weeks ago…”

“This is awful… Paimon can’t even imagine how you can all sleep!” She said out of pity.

I think some don’t sleep, Paimon… I thought after I saw a few knights on post bobbing their heads, trying to stay awake. They look like zombies!

“Ah!” Simultaneously, we turned our heads to the noise. A knight had fallen with all the peppers he was holding scattered on the floor.

“Are you okay?! Sorry guys, this is where I leave you,” Amber ran over to help without waiting for a response.

“Yeah…Paimon can tell now why you need our help now.”

“Haha, didn't Amber tell you it was bad?”

“Amber did… Just, not how bad it was,” Sirius commented.

This is a sorry sight to see… I should help them.

“Hey guys, you three should go,” I said to them.

“Are you sure you don’t want in?” Sirius asked.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“If you say so. Well then, Traveler, Paimon. Let’s head to the Acting Grad Master’s office.” They left to adhere to the invitation.

They keep calling him Traveler. Is his name really that difficult to remember?

I placed my attention back to Amber, who had just finished placing the last piece of loose paper in the knight's hand. She turned to me, as she caught me staring.

“[Name]? Why are you still here? Weren’t you supposed to meet with Master Jean?

“I felt like I'll be more useful out here than in there. Besides, I can’t fight, nor do I know anything about this place, so I'll be a total nuisance. Don’t have memories, remember?”

“Ahh, Sorry, if I offended you! I know it must have been very hard, losing all your memories.”

“Haha…no worries. You get used to it.”

Especially if you never lost them to begin with.

“So, what can I do to help?” I asked, ready for whatever chore to be thrown at me.

“Nothing.”

“Excuse me?” I let out, dumbfounded. “What do you mean, ‘nothing’? I’m sure there is something I can help with.”

“Sorry. What I meant to say, there is nothing you can help with because you are a guess of the knights. It would be highly improper of us to give you something to do! And according to the Knight’s Handbook: ‘When welcoming a guest, one should do everything in their power to not make the guest not do anything.’”

So, I’m basically being called useless in fancy fonts.

“Right…” she panicked a little at my response and thought of something I could do.

“Do, uhh… Do you like reading? We have a library that you could use,” she said pointing at a door I presume to be the entrance to the library. “The librarian isn’t there right now, so you won’t be able to check out a book. B-but! You can certainly read to your heart's content while in there!”

“Hmm, you’re lucky I do enjoy reading,” I said to her, making her wipe a visible sweat from her forehead.

“Great! Let me guide you in.”

We managed to open the library’s door after Dodging multiple knights. She asked if I had something in mind I wanted to read. I asked her if there were any history books in their arsenal. I need to learn the history of this world to pretend I got some memories back. It would be believable if I just didn’t recover them, no questions asked. But, just to be safe.

 Amber reassured me there were plenty of books on history. 

Why wouldn’t there be? This is basically their government. Can we pretend I never said that?

She left me in the section for history downstairs, and told me to knock myself out. There were many things that the knights needed her help with.

I was instructed to leave the books I finished reading at the front desk on the floor above.

Now, I was completely alone in the library.

I wonder how many people would come here when there wasn’t a threat of a dragon. I thought while looking at the columns of books. I need to find one about ancient powers.

“Let’s see… ‘Mondstadt’s Religious History’, no. ‘The Three Clans of Mondstadt’, ‘Old Mondstadt’…‘History of Teyvat’, bingo,” I quickly took it out. I looked around and found a table I could sit on to read.

I skimmed through the first few pages, finding it uninteresting. Until I read a chapter titled: ‘The Archon War’.

The chapter fascinated me. Apparently, there was an era of wars waged between gods, back thousands of years ago for unknown reasons. Talk about power struggles.

Scholars believe it began over the right for seven divine seats. Although the beginning of the war hasn’t been discovered yet, it’s known to have ended five-hundred years ago, when the cataclysm happened.

There were 7 gods remaining after the whole thing ended; the god of freedom, Barbatos; the god of contracts, Morax, or Rex Lapis; the god of eternity, the Shogun of Inazuma, Baal; the current god of knowledge, Lesser Lord Kusanali, or Buer; the god of justice, Furina; the god of war, Murata; and lastly, the god of love, the Tsaritsa; all coinciding with seven nations, which they have dominion over.

They all have demon names… Are they perhaps… I shake the thought of. Don’t need to play detective. I don’t need to know more than necessary. Remember [Name], you are a girl who lost her memories. Play the part!

“Dear me. You look like you don’t like what you’ve read,” a voice said from beside me.

“Ah! No, that’s not it. I just haven't read this part befor—” my throat closed.

(Trying out new brushes. Still haven't found my art style yet).

That face… I have seen this face..! It can’t be… But how..?! No… no, it can’t be…

In a place not far from the city…

“Paimon wonders how [Name] is doing… Do you think she ate something weird and has a stomach ache, and doesn’t want to tell us?!”

“I don’t think she’s the type of person to eat weird foods…” Sirius commented and looked to the sky.

But…I do have the feeling she is keeping something from us… I’m sure she’ll tell us eventually.

“You two! Hurry up! We have a few more rooms to check out before I mark this Temple as completed!” Amber yelled from across the room.

They went to Amber. They had been in the temple since morning dew, yet haven’t finished exploring the whole place.

“Just how big is this temple!? It’s been hours! And Paimon is hungry!” She stopped the air. Paimon has been doing nothing but complaining, and her monologues were getting a bit frustrating.

“Don’t worry, Paimon. We need to check three more rooms before we head back,” Amber said as she took out the map of the temple.

“B-but, Paimon has not eaten since breakfast!” She sulked as her stomach growled.

“How about this, I’ll take you to Good Hunters to get a Sweet Madam if you can power through these rooms!”

“Really?!” Paimon’s eyes sparkled.

Amber nodded.

“Then what are we waiting for?” she flew into the next room, “the faster we finish, the faster Paimon will get food!”

Sirius and Amber looked at each other and giggled, running after Paimon.

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli, @humongousoperatorhairdoopera, @aesir1, @creationmage, @savedpostsnotmain, @melanistium, @dontlookatmepreetyplease. Re-blog or Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Story. Back to The Divine City: Story Master-List.

Go to Arcs, a related series.

ᘻɑ𝘚Ե୧Ⲅ⧿ℓἱ𝘚Ե

[taurus-caeli]

The Red Wind-Riding Knight

Last Chapter | Next Chapter (𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)

𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗅𝗒. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 1980

Authors note: Sup...I don't know what to put here lol

The girl turned to us and quickly observed us.

How did she not take any damage when coming down from up there..? I questioned internally, assessing the height of the hill and her perfectly-fine body.

"May the Anemo God protect you, strangers!" The girl saluted, "I am Amber, Outrider for the knights of Favonius."

"I apologize for suddenly stopping you, but given the situation it can't be helped," she apologized sincerely. "You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt. Explain yourselves!" She demanded an answer.

Paimon and I backed away a little, scared we were going to be arrested.

"We're not looking for trouble," I say from behind Sirius, trying to deescalate the situation.

"That's what all troublemakers say," Amber gave me a look, not taking what I said seriously.

She's got a point...

"Hello, I'm Sirius," he managed to crack a smile.

"...Doesn't sound like a local name to me," she looked at me and Paimon, "what is your name? And this... mascot, what's the deal with it?"

"Hi. I'm [Name], and this is..." I tried to introduce Paimon but was cut off by Sirius.

"Emergency food," he smirked while looking at Paimon.

"Pff–"

"Hey! That's even worse than being a mascot!" She yelled.

"So, you three are traveling patterns, right?" Amber questioned.

"Yes," I answered. She nodded in recognition.

"Well look, there's been a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. The best thing you three could do is head inside the city as soon as possible. Lest the dragon comes back."

"It's not far from here, I can escort you there," she gestured for us to follow her.

"Aren't you here for another reason?" Paimon asked.

"We can go on our own. We were already going there to begin with, know?" I was not trusting some lady that jumped from a hill.

"I am," she answered one question, "and not to worry, I can multitask. Beside... I don't trust you three just yet!" She declared.

"Rude."

"Rude much," me and Paimon let out.

"Why so suspicious?" Sirius asked.

“Oh, ah… I shouldn't be saying that as a knight. I give you my apologies, uh… strange yet… respectable travelers.”

That was lame.

“That sounded so fake!” Paimon accused her.

“Do you have something against the type of language usage prescribed by the Knights of Favonius Handbook!?”

Yes. It offended me in every-way imaginable.

After Amber calmed down, she guided us through the path we were following before making a detour. I was able to see the city from here. It was as pretty as when I saw it in the valley. It was also close to where we were. It would have been easier for us to just go without the lady-in-red.

Amber made small conversation with us. She asked what our purpose for visiting Mondstadt was. Paimon and I explained the situation, how Sirius got separated from his sister during a long journey, and how I was looking to recover my ‘lost’ memories.

Hearing our story made her take pity, right before putting on a big smile. She declared that after she finished with all her assignments she would help us find what we were missing; putting up posters for Sirius; introducing me to a person she says could help me.

Taking a step back from all the things she’s said, she is a really kind-hearted person. I misjudged her character. At the end of the day, Amber’s job is to be a knight. It is within her right to stop us for looking like aliens.

“Hey, Amber?” I went beside her.

“yes?”

“What exactly is it you need to finish doing?”

“It’s simple. You’ll see in a bit.”

It was simple. Just not for me.

Paimon yelled in my ear, spotting a hilichurl not far from us. Safe to say, Amber and Sirius took care of it really fast. But, that is not the end of it. They had been getting too close to the city, and Amber's mission was to exterminate the camp these creatures had formed. So, she and Sirius invaded the camp and cleared it out within a few minutes.

I dared not go, they looked way too similar to humans, making it uncanny for me to watch them get killed. And here I thought Amber wasn’t capable of hurting a soul. Seems living in a world full of magical creatures makes you immune to certain reasonings.

Besides the inability of being able to fight, of course. I really need to learn how to wield a weapon soon. What would happen if I got in trouble?

“Whoow, that was easy. Thanks for the backup,” I heard Amber say.

“Welcome back, guys. Everything was taken care of given how you two are intact.”

“Oh, [Name], you should have seen them!” she flew to me at lighting speed, “Amber shot an arrow that made a hilichurl immobile, then Sirius came whopping in with his sword, and then hilichurl…!”

“Okay, I'll stop you right there Paimon… I don’t need to hear how some poor creature got killed,” I covered her mouth before I started getting nauseous.

I still don’t understand why you went Paimon. Moral support I guess…

“I’ve gotta say, Sirius, you impressed me a little with those moves there… How’d it feel?”

“Barely broke a sweat,” he flexed his arm to show he still had energy.

I stared at him. This guy…

“Amber, Paimon is curious. How is it that the hilichurls ended up here? They don’t seem like the type of creature to like civilization.”

“Exactly. It’s more normal to see them further out in the wilderness. Like the area of Galesong Hill, where you can find three hilichurl tribes.”

“Then what are they doing here?” I asked. If these hilichurls had a place to live, why would they move? Better yet, what made them come here?

“It’s because of the dragon – Stormterror – has been causing havoc recently. Local markets and our orchards have all been affected, not mentioning when the storm hits. We usually end up with a few injuries, so the Knights of Favonius have their hands tied up doing our best to defend the area.”

“So these creatures have been getting closer to the city,” I said.

“Yes. At the least, clearing this camp helped make the area a little safer,” she gave a big smile and saluted, “Let’s leave now. As a responsible knight, I must make sure to see you to the city safely!”

We left in tow. She was fast and started to ramble about things in the city. I couldn’t make out what she was talking about. Paimon and Sirius presented to hear her by nodding their heads, so I did the same.

We made a quick stop on the side of the road seeing a lady in a somewhat green-alpine-German-dress. She was super sweet, telling us how she was an adventurer and a survival expert, taught us how to use and make a campfire, and gave us a recipe we could try out when camping. Amber waited on the side, happily adding on to what the adventurer was teaching us here-and-there.

We said our goodbyes and continued.

“We’re almost there!” Amber exclaimed.

We walked atop a bridge that connected to the city. From the outside, the city seemed huge; the city walls' height was the same as a giants the closer we got; a flag swung with the flow of the strong wind that passed by it; the knights in guard watched the road, composed and ready to defend the city from any threats – whatever that might be.

Passing by the knights who saluted at Amber in recognition, we entered the city. The sound that I already grew accustomed to ringed in my ears, only this time it was clear of the madness of the symphony; it had finally decided to harmonize.

I saw the city from an eagle view, passing through the streets and the small cracks in between the houses. I saw a large statue of what I assume to be the god of this land. Behind it was a cathedral, its style screamed gothic German architecture. This whole city screamed North European.

My vision returned to me as I heard Amber’s voice.

“Let me officially introduce the city of wind, dandelions, and freedom — travelers under the protection of the knights of Favonius — welcome to Mondstadt!”

“ᵂᵒʷ…”

Do you wish to obtain a Wind Glider?

[Accept] [Decline]

!!

The heck?

The moment was totally ruined by some…screen that popped in front of me. I tried to make it go away like a mosquito, but found my hand slipping right through it. So it was projected. Huh.

I noticed that the world looked like it had a brownish tone to it; like if I was in an old film.

“...Hey, Sirius? Something weird is going on…” I said, but no response was given.

I tried to call on him a few more times to check if he heard me or not, and yet again, no response. Was he ignoring me? Looking around, my eyes landed on a few birds stuck in mid air. The world was frozen.

Welp, that answered my question.

The next best thing I did was walk back to the entrance. Yeah, that would do it.

Wrong.

The moment my feet touched the ground outside the city I was teleported in front of the screen where I was a few seconds prior.

Now, my only two options were to either accept, or decline.

Guess I have to choose…

You may be wondering, ‘[Name] what did you choose?’, ‘did you accept?’, ‘are we going to get a Wind Glider!?’. And to answer those questions… I obviously selected decline.

What? I’m not stupid.

After I clicked my option, the world went back as if nothing ever happened. Surprisingly enough, Amber led us to a high area up in the city square in front of the statue I had seen in the vision. She then presented us with a gift. Paimon didn’t get any because she would find it useless, and me? She looked at me, and I only shook my head. She was disappointed, but bounced right back up after seeing the sparkles of Sirius’s eyes.

So there goes me flying around; I'm scared of heights anyway.

I left the group to their own devices, not before telling them the area I'll be in. I took a bag of gold coins we gathered when I was with Sirius. Paimon said they’re called mora – the currency of this world.

In total, I had 148 mora. Given my stomach was growling, I went in search of a restaurant to dine in.

“Hello, welcome to Good Hunter! Would you like to be seated?”

“Yes. Is there any chance I can sit on the balcony?”

“Yes! Please follow me.”

The lady brought me to the second floor, seating me on a table facing the fountain. I made my order. Waiting for the food I observed the surrounding area. It was pretty, but desolated.

That dragon sure has the citizens scared to not go out. Don’t blame them though. If I saw a dragon terrorizing my home, I would move continents.

The food soon came. It looked glorious. The chicken with the crisp of the skin, with the vegetables on the side, and that sweet, sweet sauce like nectar. My mouth was watering. I raised the utensils ready to dig in, but the sky suddenly became dark, and the wind started to pick up.

Dammit! Out of all times to show up, why now!?!

Tornadoes formed, destroying a few rooftops and walls, lifting objects up into the sky and dropping them off somewhere else. I think I even saw Sirius and Paimon fly by.

Then the most important thing wanted to fly away too: my food.

NO.

Amber could be screaming for all I care. I was having this food even if the world was ending.

I supported the plate, as the wind calmed down enough for it to be windy. I grabbed my fork, stripped a piece of the chicken, and put it in my mouth.

Oh, wow… This is…this is delicious!

I drank the juice, which was also heavenly. The taste made me forget that there was a disaster occurring behind me.

([Name] casually ignoring the chaos)

“Ahhh… This is life!”

𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚜: @udretlnea, @taurus-caeli, @humongousoperatorhairdoopera, @aesir1, @creationmage, @savedpostsnotmain, @melanistium, @dontlookatmepreetyplease. Re-blog or Comment if you want to get added into the Tag section for The Divine City: Story. Back to The Divine City: Story Master-List.

Go to Arcs, a related series.

ᘻɑ𝘚Ե୧Ⲅ⧿ℓἱ𝘚Ե

[taurus-caeli]

The Red Wind-Riding Knight

Last Chapter | Next Chapter (𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)

𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗅𝗒. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 1980

Authors note: Sup...I don't know what to put here lol

The girl turned to us and quickly observed us.

How did she not take any damage when coming down from up there..? I questioned internally, assessing the height of the hill and her perfectly-fine body.

"May the Anemo God protect you, strangers!" The girl saluted, "I am Amber, Outrider for the knights of Favonius."

"I apologize for suddenly stopping you, but given the situation it can't be helped," she apologized sincerely. "You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt. Explain yourselves!" She demanded an answer.

Paimon and I backed away a little, scared we were going to be arrested.

"We're not looking for trouble," I say from behind Sirius, trying to deescalate the situation.

"That's what all troublemakers say," Amber gave me a look, not taking what I said seriously.

She's got a point...

"Hello, I'm Sirius," he managed to crack a smile.

"...Doesn't sound like a local name to me," she looked at me and Paimon, "what is your name? And this... mascot, what's the deal with it?"

"Hi. I'm [Name], and this is..." I tried to introduce Paimon but was cut off by Sirius.

"Emergency food," he smirked while looking at Paimon.

"Pff–"

"Hey! That's even worse than being a mascot!" She yelled.

"So, you three are traveling patterns, right?" Amber questioned.

"Yes," I answered. She nodded in recognition.

"Well look, there's been a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. The best thing you three could do is head inside the city as soon as possible. Lest the dragon comes back."

"It's not far from here, I can escort you there," she gestured for us to follow her.

"Aren't you here for another reason?" Paimon asked.

"We can go on our own. We were already going there to begin with, know?" I was not trusting some lady that jumped from a hill.

"I am," she answered one question, "and not to worry, I can multitask. Beside... I don't trust you three just yet!" She declared.

"Rude."

"Rude much," me and Paimon let out.

"Why so suspicious?" Sirius asked.

“Oh, ah… I shouldn't be saying that as a knight. I give you my apologies, uh… strange yet… respectable travelers.”

That was lame.

“That sounded so fake!” Paimon accused her.

“Do you have something against the type of language usage prescribed by the Knights of Favonius Handbook!?”

Yes. It offended me in every-way imaginable.

After Amber calmed down, she guided us through the path we were following before making a detour. I was able to see the city from here. It was as pretty as when I saw it in the valley. It was also close to where we were. It would have been easier for us to just go without the lady-in-red.

Amber made small conversation with us. She asked what our purpose for visiting Mondstadt was. Paimon and I explained the situation, how Sirius got separated from his sister during a long journey, and how I was looking to recover my ‘lost’ memories.

Hearing our story made her take pity, right before putting on a big smile. She declared that after she finished with all her assignments she would help us find what we were missing; putting up posters for Sirius; introducing me to a person she says could help me.

Taking a step back from all the things she’s said, she is a really kind-hearted person. I misjudged her character. At the end of the day, Amber’s job is to be a knight. It is within her right to stop us for looking like aliens.

“Hey, Amber?” I went beside her.

“yes?”

“What exactly is it you need to finish doing?”

“It’s simple. You’ll see in a bit.”

It was simple. Just not for me.

Paimon yelled in my ear, spotting a hilichurl not far from us. Safe to say, Amber and Sirius took care of it really fast. But, that is not the end of it. They had been getting too close to the city, and Amber's mission was to exterminate the camp these creatures had formed. So, she and Sirius invaded the camp and cleared it out within a few minutes.

I dared not go, they looked way too similar to humans, making it uncanny for me to watch them get killed. And here I thought Amber wasn’t capable of hurting a soul. Seems living in a world full of magical creatures makes you immune to certain reasonings.

Besides the inability of being able to fight, of course. I really need to learn how to wield a weapon soon. What would happen if I got in trouble?

“Whoow, that was easy. Thanks for the backup,” I heard Amber say.

“Welcome back, guys. Everything was taken care of given how you two are intact.”

“Oh, [Name], you should have seen them!” she flew to me at lighting speed, “Amber shot an arrow that made a hilichurl immobile, then Sirius came whopping in with his sword, and then hilichurl…!”

“Okay, I'll stop you right there Paimon… I don’t need to hear how some poor creature got killed,” I covered her mouth before I started getting nauseous.

I still don’t understand why you went Paimon. Moral support I guess…

“I’ve gotta say, Sirius, you impressed me a little with those moves there… How’d it feel?”

“Barely broke a sweat,” he flexed his arm to show he still had energy.

I stared at him. This guy…

“Amber, Paimon is curious. How is it that the hilichurls ended up here? They don’t seem like the type of creature to like civilization.”

“Exactly. It’s more normal to see them further out in the wilderness. Like the area of Galesong Hill, where you can find three hilichurl tribes.”

“Then what are they doing here?” I asked. If these hilichurls had a place to live, why would they move? Better yet, what made them come here?

“It’s because of the dragon – Stormterror – has been causing havoc recently. Local markets and our orchards have all been affected, not mentioning when the storm hits. We usually end up with a few injuries, so the Knights of Favonius have their hands tied up doing our best to defend the area.”

“So these creatures have been getting closer to the city,” I said.

“Yes. At the least, clearing this camp helped make the area a little safer,” she gave a big smile and saluted, “Let’s leave now. As a responsible knight, I must make sure to see you to the city safely!”

We left in tow. She was fast and started to ramble about things in the city. I couldn’t make out what she was talking about. Paimon and Sirius presented to hear her by nodding their heads, so I did the same.

We made a quick stop on the side of the road seeing a lady in a somewhat green-alpine-German-dress. She was super sweet, telling us how she was an adventurer and a survival expert, taught us how to use and make a campfire, and gave us a recipe we could try out when camping. Amber waited on the side, happily adding on to what the adventurer was teaching us here-and-there.

We said our goodbyes and continued.

“We’re almost there!” Amber exclaimed.

We walked atop a bridge that connected to the city. From the outside, the city seemed huge; the city walls' height was the same as a giants the closer we got; a flag swung with the flow of the strong wind that passed by it; the knights in guard watched the road, composed and ready to defend the city from any threats – whatever that might be.

Passing by the knights who saluted at Amber in recognition, we entered the city. The sound that I already grew accustomed to ringed in my ears, only this time it was clear of the madness of the symphony; it had finally decided to harmonize.

I saw the city from an eagle view, passing through the streets and the small cracks in between the houses. I saw a large statue of what I assume to be the god of this land. Behind it was a cathedral, its style screamed gothic German architecture. This whole city screamed North European.

My vision returned to me as I heard Amber’s voice.

“Let me officially introduce the city of wind, dandelions, and freedom — travelers under the protection of the knights of Favonius — welcome to Mondstadt!”

“ᵂᵒʷ…”

Do you wish to obtain a Wind Glider?

[Accept] [Decline]

!!

The heck?

The moment was totally ruined by some…screen that popped in front of me. I tried to make it go away like a mosquito, but found my hand slipping right through it. So it was projected. Huh.

I noticed that the world looked like it had a brownish tone to it; like if I was in an old film.

“...Hey, Sirius? Something weird is going on…” I said, but no response was given.

I tried to call on him a few more times to check if he heard me or not, and yet again, no response. Was he ignoring me? Looking around, my eyes landed on a few birds stuck in mid air. The world was frozen.

Welp, that answered my question.

The next best thing I did was walk back to the entrance. Yeah, that would do it.

Wrong.

The moment my feet touched the ground outside the city I was teleported in front of the screen where I was a few seconds prior.

Now, my only two options were to either accept, or decline.

Guess I have to choose…

You may be wondering, ‘[Name] what did you choose?’, ‘did you accept?’, ‘are we going to get a Wind Glider!?’. And to answer those questions… I obviously selected decline.

What? I’m not stupid.

After I clicked my option, the world went back as if nothing ever happened. Surprisingly enough, Amber led us to a high area up in the city square in front of the statue I had seen in the vision. She then presented us with a gift. Paimon didn’t get any because she would find it useless, and me? She looked at me, and I only shook my head. She was disappointed, but bounced right back up after seeing the sparkles of Sirius’s eyes.

So there goes me flying around; I'm scared of heights anyway.

I left the group to their own devices, not before telling them the area I'll be in. I took a bag of gold coins we gathered when I was with Sirius. Paimon said they’re called mora – the currency of this world.

In total, I had 148 mora. Given my stomach was growling, I went in search of a restaurant to dine in.

“Hello, welcome to Good Hunter! Would you like to be seated?”

“Yes. Is there any chance I can sit on the balcony?”

“Yes! Please follow me.”

The lady brought me to the second floor, seating me on a table facing the fountain. I made my order. Waiting for the food I observed the surrounding area. It was pretty, but desolated.

That dragon sure has the citizens scared to not go out. Don’t blame them though. If I saw a dragon terrorizing my home, I would move continents.

The food soon came. It looked glorious. The chicken with the crisp of the skin, with the vegetables on the side, and that sweet, sweet sauce like nectar. My mouth was watering. I raised the utensils ready to dig in, but the sky suddenly became dark, and the wind started to pick up.

Dammit! Out of all times to show up, why now!?!

Tornadoes formed, destroying a few rooftops and walls, lifting objects up into the sky and dropping them off somewhere else. I think I even saw Sirius and Paimon fly by.

Then the most important thing wanted to fly away too: my food.

NO.

Amber could be screaming for all I care. I was having this food even if the world was ending.

I supported the plate, as the wind calmed down enough for it to be windy. I grabbed my fork, stripped a piece of the chicken, and put it in my mouth.

Oh, wow… This is…this is delicious!

I drank the juice, which was also heavenly. The taste made me forget that there was a disaster occurring behind me.

([Name] casually ignoring the chaos)

“Ahhh… This is life!”

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