The knights' expedition into Mondstadt's wilds wound down, leaving the air thick with triumph and tension.
Ye Ruo had been the intended maestro of this floral hunt, his wind mastery poised to orchestrate a seamless capture of deception flowers.
Yet Eula, the ice-veined Spray Knight of unwavering poise, emerged as the unexpected target of a brewing storm, her authority challenged by an unintended rival.
Her bond with Ye Ruo—forged in battles and banter, a closeness bordering on sacred—teetered under the weight of a subordinate's fleeting adoration.
The meadow sprawled beneath a sky streaked with dusk, its grasses swaying in a breeze that carried the faint chill of Snow Road.
Knights clustered near Ye Ruo, their breaths misting in the cooling air as they watched Mara, their newly minted flower tamer.
She stood tall, her leather armor scuffed from years of guerrilla grit, her dark hair tied back in a practical knot.
Her boldness shone in combat, but now her voice softened, eyes wide with awe.
"Thank you, Wind Knight—truly," she murmured, clutching the contract token.
Her tone dipped—shy, almost reverent, a girl smitten in spring's blush.
Her squadmates blinked—bold Mara, tamed by hero worship?
Eula's gaze sharpened, frost creeping into her stare.
Her arms crossed tighter, cape fluttering like a warning flag.
Mara froze mid-step—cold sweat beaded her brow.
That look—it wasn't just displeasure; it was a blade's edge.
"Dare to flirt under my nose?" Eula's eyes seemed to hiss.
Mara's bravado crumbled—she shrank, heart pounding.
She'd forgotten—Eula and Ye Ruo were a matched set.
Stealing his attention? A death wish, plain and simple.
Her mind raced—visions of Eula's greatsword loomed.
"Captain, mercy—I misspoke!" she wanted to wail.
Instead, she bit her lip—silence her shield.
Ye Ruo caught the shift—amusement danced in his eyes.
"Contract's yours—go on," he urged, voice smooth.
Mara pressed the token to the frost flower—light flared blue.
The bloom stilled—its trembling petals calmed under her touch.
A strange mark bloomed on her hand—connection snapped into place.
She felt it—fear, quivering, a whisper of dread.
Ye Ruo nodded—"Summon it with a thought," he instructed.
"It's your link—your partner now," he added.
"Use it to guard Mondstadt, not harm it," he warned.
His words carried weight—eyes swept the group.
"Betray that, and I'll reclaim it," he finished.
Knights straightened—hands clapped to chests.
"We'll protect Mond—sworn duty!" they chorused.
"Captain Jean's trust stands firm," Tobin added.
Ye Ruo released the flower—wind bonds dissolved.
It didn't bolt—instead, it sidled to Mara's side.
Its ice-blue leaves quaked—Ye Ruo's shadow loomed large.
It hid behind her—petals shivered like a scolded pup.
Mara's face lit up—delight chased off her nerves.
"So cute—my fierce little ally!" she cooed.
She hugged it—ice prickled her gloves, but she beamed.
"Xiaolan, let's test you," she said, spotting a foe.
A hilichurl trudged afar—torch flickering in dusk.
"Charged attack—blast it!" she ordered.
Xiaolan bristled—ice surged, a Gatling spray.
Frost bolts shredded the hilichurl—limbs froze, then burst.
Distance meant nothing—death came swift.
Mara whooped—"Camp-clearing's a breeze now!" she crowed.
Her squadmates envied—power dangled close.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's mind, panel glowing anew.
He tilted his head—readers' spoils sparked his grin.
[Customer Lisa completed Old Mond: Witch's Gambit—Reward: Voltspire Grasp.]
[Voltspire Grasp: Summons coiling Electro tendrils from the user's hands, striking or binding foes with shocking force; channels lightning to stun or sear, adaptable to range; tendrils pulse with energy, forming spears or nets at will.]
Lisa with thunder vines—laziness turned lethal.
Ye Ruo pointed—"More flowers—hunt's on," he declared.
"Northeast stone, 700 meters—ice type," he noted.
"Southwest forest, 500 down—fire type," he added.
"Corner ahead, upper right—ice again," he finished.
"Show me your mettle—go," he challenged.
Knights split—teams surged with eager fire.
Ye Ruo vanished—wind carried him high.
He perched atop an oak—vista sprawled below.
His Anemo Vision hummed—speed bent to his will.
Windrise blurred—then he stood, watching all.
Knights trekked—blades gleamed, voices rose.
"Master Ye Ruo's unreal—caught it barehanded," Rhea marveled.
"Capture beats killing—skill's insane," Lyle agreed.
"Strongest captain—legend's no lie," Tobin boasted.
"Falga's heir—Northwind's next," a vet mused.
"How'd he sense 'em so far?" a rookie asked.
Old Kellan grinned—wisdom lined his face.
"Wind carries elemental trails—he reads 'em," he explained.
"Deception flowers can't hide—mastery's absolute," he bragged.
Eula trailed her squad—frost flower at her heel.
Her cape hung ragged—earlier blooms left scars.
"Stealing my spotlight—grudge noted," she muttered.
Her pet mimicked—petals drooped in jest.
Nimue led hers—Geo boots crunched earth.
"Fire type's mine—let's move," she urged.
A subplot simmered—northeast team hit trouble.
Tobin's crew neared the stone—grass quaked.
Two frost flowers sprang—Ice Spikes stabbed up.
He rolled—spikes grazed his greaves, frost bit.
"Flank—Rhea, now!" he barked, spear poised.
Rhea swung—sword met Jet, ice clashed steel.
Her flower fired—Spikes pinned one bloom.
Tobin's token flared—first flower tamed.
The second bolted—Earth Dodge sank it deep.
Wind howled—Ye Ruo's gust yanked it free.
"Finish it," he called—Rhea's token sealed it.
Southwest flared—fire flower roared alive.
Nimue's shield cracked—Pyro blasts scorched earth.
"Geo wall—hold it!" she shouted, sweat beading.
Her team rallied—blades danced, flower fell.
Eula's corner squad struck—ice met ice.
Her Frostwave froze one—token claimed it fast.
A twist loomed—Abyss glyphs glowed near.
"Ambush—mages, three!" Lyle yelled, heart racing.
Electro, Pyro, Cryo—shields shimmered dark.
Ye Ruo dropped—wind blades carved the air.
Eula spun—frost clashed Cryo, steam burst.
Nimue punched—Geo shattered Pyro's guard.
Mara's Xiaolan sprayed—Jet iced Electro's feet.
Knights swarmed—flowers synced, chaos reigned.
Ye Ruo's gale finished—mages crumpled, gone.
Panting, Mara stared—Eula's glare returned.
"Dare flirt again—I'll bury you," she hissed.
Mara gulped—"Captain, I'm loyal!" she squeaked.
Laughter broke—tension eased, bonds grew.
Ye Ruo smirked—"Grudges fuel her—cute," he mused.
The system pulsed, Ye Ruo's fame a rising tempest.
His knights bloomed—Mondstadt's edge sharpened.
***
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