The sky was clear above the verdant plains that stretched as far as the eye could see between Inazuma and Mondstadt.
Long white clouds drifted slowly, stretched by a brisk wind that swept across the hills.
The dirt path wound its way through the tall grass, still damp with morning dew, and bore the tracks of many travelers.
Aether walked with steady steps, his cloak billowing behind him in the gusts.
The fabric snapped softly, a whoosh, as the wind whipped through his clothes, making the ornaments on his armor shimmer.
Beside him, Paimon floated in the air, sometimes spinning as if to fight the gusts.
Paimon: "Brrr… this wind!"
"Mondstadt really does welcome us, doesn't it?"
Aether smiled slightly.
He took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs.
It had been a long time since he'd felt this kind of freedom.
Inazuma was behind them now, with its conflicts, its tensions, and its still-raw memories.
Aether: "Finally… peace."
"I hope it lasts."
Paimon chuckled, a soft, clear laugh that faded into the wind.
Paimon: "Hey, Aether!"
"Do you realize we're going to see everyone again?"
"Jean, Amber, Lisa… and even Eula!"
The name echoed briefly in Aether's mind.
An image flashed through her mind:
A pale-haired figure, a hard gaze concealing complex emotions, and that peculiar way of talking about revenge without ever truly wanting it.
Aether: "Yes… We missed Mondstadt."
The ground creaked softly beneath his boots, crunch crunch, as he continued onward.
Sunlight filtered through a few isolated trees, casting shifting shadows on the path.
Birds took flight as they passed, flap flap, their cries mingling with the breeze. Wind.
Paimon: "Do you think they'll ask us to sort out their problems again as soon as we arrive?"
Aether chuckled softly.
Aether: "Most likely."
They continued talking, sharing memories of their past adventures, recalling both the absurd moments and the difficult battles.
The weight of their steps seemed lighter as they approached the City of Liberty.
Suddenly
BOOM
A muffled explosion ripped through the air.
The ground vibrated slightly beneath their feet, vrrrm, and a cloud of birds suddenly flew off into the distance. Paimon stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide.
Paimon: "Huh?!"
"What was THAT?!"
Aether froze for a fraction of a second, his gaze immediately turning toward the direction of the noise.
Aether: "....."
A column of smoke rose in the distance, near a lake bordered by low cliffs and tall trees.
Aether: "An explosion... so close to Mondstadt?"
Without wasting a moment, he leaned slightly forward and began to run.
Tap tap tap tap ta tap tap tap tap tap
His footsteps pounded the ground hard, thud thud thud, while his cloak flapped violently behind him.
Paimon: "A-Aether!"
"Wait, Paimon!"
She darted after him, flying against the wind as best she could.
The scenery flashed by rapidly around them:
- Mossy rocks
- Grass bent by the gusts
- Tree trunks weathered by time.
Aether: "If someone is in danger, we can't ignore that."
His heart pounded faster.
Each explosion brought back too many recent memories.
Too many battles always started this way.
As they approached the lake, a familiar scent of gunpowder and smoke filled the air. The crystal-clear blue water rippled gently… until another explosion disturbed its surface.
BOOM!
PLASH!
A huge jet of water erupted from the lake, falling back down in a shimmering rain.
Paimon: "Huh?!"
Aether slowed abruptly, startled by the scene before him.
At the edge of the lake stood a small, familiar figure, wearing a red beret.
She hopped from one foot to the other, a wide smile on her face, holding… a bomb.
Paimon: "Klee"
Klee: An explosives expert and a regular at the Knights of Favonius's confinement room. Also known as Fleeing Sunlight.
Klee: "Hehehe! That one was perfectly placed!"
Aether blinked.
Aether: "…Klee."
Before he even had time to speak—
BOOM!
Klee: "Haha."
Another bomb exploded in the water.
SPLASH
It brought several dazed fish to the surface, floating listlessly.
Klee clapped, delighted.
Klee: "Fish caught!"
Paimon was speechless.
Paimon: "K-Klee?!"
"You scared us! Paimon thought a monster was attacking!"
Klee whirled around, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Aether.
Klee: "Honorary Knight!"
"Paimon!"
"You're back!"
She rushed towards them, bouncing her bag full of explosives, clink clack.
Aether finally relaxed, letting out a sigh.
Aether: "Klee... you know blowing up a lake isn't exactly discreet."
"And besides, Jean might punish you."
Klee tilted her head, feigning innocence.
Klee: "But Jean said that as long as Klee fishes far from the city, it's fine!"
Paimon folded her arms, floating in front of her.
Paimon: "Fishing... with bombs?!"
Klee: "Yes! It's faster!"
Aether surveyed the lake.
The surface was still rippled, ripples slowly spreading where the explosions had occurred.
The once peaceful landscape now bore the obvious marks of destruction:
- Cracked rocks
- Scorched grass
- Floating fish.
Aether: "Mondstadt really hasn't changed..."
He crouched down to pick up a still-wriggling fish.
Or rather, several fish.
Aether: "You're really going to eat all of this?"
Klee nodded vigorously.
Klee: "Of course!"
"Or we can make a big platter!"
Paimon: "Paimon refuses to eat fish that exploded!"
Klee burst out laughing.
Klee: "It's even better this way!"
Paimon: "Huh?"
FFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffff
The wind blew harder again, whoosh, making the surface of the lake ripple and the three companions' clothes flap.
Aether: "..."
Despite the brief respite, Aether felt a strange sensation in his chest. Like a shiver that wasn't from the cold.
He looked into the distance, towards the cliffs and the motionless trees.
Aether: "That explosion... Klee will really become powerful when she grows up."
Crack
A soft cracking sound echoed through the woods.
Paimon instinctively turned towards the forest.
Paimon: "Huh?"
"Did you hear that?"
Klee tilted her head.
Klee: "Huh?"
"Klee heard nothing…"
The footsteps began to echo louder and louder.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
They pounded the ground with a rapid, heavy, almost aggressive rhythm.
Each impact resonated against the rocks around the lake, amplified by the natural echo of the cliffs.
The birds perched in the trees took flight abruptly.
Aether: "Something approach."
Aether stiffened instantly.
His gaze fixed on the edge of the forest, where the tall grass bent violently under an unseen force.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
The figure approached at great speed, shattering the silence that had returned after the explosions.
Aether: "Too fast… this isn't an ordinary monster."
Tap
He took a step forward, instinctively positioning himself in front of Klee and Paimon.
His body shifted slightly to one side, legs bent, ready to pounce. One hand settled firmly on the hilt of his sword while the other rose slowly.
Paimon, sensing the change in atmosphere, took refuge behind his shoulder.
Paimon: "A-Aether…?"
Klee, meanwhile, tilted her head curiously, clutching her bag, not quite understanding the sudden tension.
BBBBBBbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzz
From his raised arm, thin sparks of purple lightning erupted, snaking along his skin before vanishing into thin air.
The Electro energy pulsed weakly, but enough to make the ground vibrate beneath his feet.
Aether took a deep breath.
Aether thought, "If this is an attack… I won't let anyone through."
The figure finally burst from the trees.
A tall man with unruly blue hair was running forward, one hand raised as if to signal them to stop.
His white coat billowed behind him, and a familiar smile was already forming on his face.
Aether froze.
The lightning faded into a soft silence.
Aether: "…Kaeya?"
Kaeya: An accomplished swordsman and a strategic thinker in the Knights of Favonius, rumored to have hailed from beyond Mondstadt.
Kaeya: "Oh."
Kaeya slowed abruptly, stopping just a few feet away.
He placed his hands on his hips, catching his breath with an almost exaggerated nonchalance.
Kaeya: "Heh heh… always so quick on the uptake, Honorary Knight."
Paimon immediately emerged from his hiding place, visibly relieved.
Paimon: "Kaeya!"
"But you could have warned us before barging in like that!"
Klee threw up her arms, excited.
Klee: "Kaeya!"
"Kaeya!"
Kaeya turned her gaze toward her, her smile widening instantly.
But behind the lighthearted expression, a hint of seriousness shone in her good eye.
Kaeya: "Klee… what are you doing here?"
He glanced quickly at the still-rippled lake, the fish floating on the surface, the cracked rocks.
Kaeya: "Klee…"
"Don't tell me those explosions came from you."
Klee stood up proudly.
Klee: "Klee was fishing!"
A silence fell.
…
Kaeya sighed deeply, running a hand over her face.
Kaeya: "Of course you were fishing."
He approached her and crouched down to her level.
Kaeya: "You know Jean will be here any minute, right?"
"She heard the explosions from the city."
Klee paled slightly.
Klee: "Oh."
Kaeya: "Then hurry up."
"Let's go home."
Aether watched the scene without intervening.
The contrast between the tension he had felt just seconds before and this almost absurd situation left him slightly unsettled.
Aether: "Mondstadt… really."
Kaeya stood up and turned his attention to Aether and Paimon, his smile warming once more.
Kaeya: "Oh, but look at this."
"The honorary knight and his faithful companion."
He inclined his head slightly.
Kaeya: "You're here too. How are you?"
Paimon crossed his arms, proud.
Paimon: "Paimon is doing very well!"
"And Aether too!"
Aether nodded.
Aether: "We just got back from Inazuma."
Kaeya let out a small whistle of admiration.
Kaeya: "Inazuma, huh… We heard some rumors."
"Just imagining what you went through."
He looked at Aether more intently, as if trying to read something beneath her apparent calm.
Kaeya: "But apart from that…"
He gave a wry smile.
Kaeya: "You haven't changed."
Aether smiled back.
Aether: "Neither have you."
Paimon laughed.
Paimon: "That's right!"
"Kaeya is still as shady as ever!"
Kaeya feigned indignation, placing a hand on his heart.
Kaeya: "How cruel, Paimon."
FFFFFFffffffffffffffffff
The wind blew gently between them, carrying with it the scent of grass and lake water.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
A simple, familiar moment between four friends
Kaeya then turned to Klee.
Kaeya: "Come on, little explosive tornado."
He lifted her effortlessly and hugged her. Klee laughed immediately, clinging to his neck.
Klee: "HAHA."
"Kaeya is strong!"
Kaeya: "I'm doing my best."
He took a few steps back, ready to leave.
Kaeya: "Well then, have a good day."
Aether: "Have a good day, Kaeya."
Paimon: "See you later!"
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
Kaeya started running towards Mondstadt, her footsteps quickly receding as Klee waved enthusiastically.
Klee: "See you later, honorary knight!"
"See you later, Paimon!"
Then, as he was already walking away, Kaeya turned his head slightly and called out loudly, his voice carried by the wind:
Kaeya: "BY THE WAY, HONORARY KNIGHT!"
Aether looked up.
Kaeya: "REMEMBER TO GO SEE LISA!"
"SHE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!"
His voice echoed for a long time before fading into the hills.
Aether: "....".
…
Paimon: "...".
Silence fell again.
Aether remained motionless, his eyes slightly wide.
Paimon blinked, then slowly turned towards him.
Paimon: "Oh?"
Aether felt a strange warmth rise in his cheeks.
Aether thought: "Lisa…"
An image flashed into her mind:
- A silent library
- A soft, teasing voice
- A lazy smile concealing a sharp mind.
.....
- And a seductive aura
Paimon smiled broadly.
Paimon: "So, you missed someone?"
Aether looked away slightly.
Aether: "That's not what I said."
Paimon burst out laughing.
Paimon: "Paimon heard you perfectly well!"
10 minutes later:
Aether and Paimon resumed their journey towards Mondstadt.
The dirt path gradually gave way to the familiar cobblestones leading to the large stone bridge.
Tap tap tap tap tap
Beneath their feet, the surface echoed softly, while the wind made the banners hanging from the ramparts ripple, flap flap.
The lake shimmered in the sunlight, and in the distance, the statue of the Archon Anemo seemed to silently watch them.
Aether: "I have truly returned…"
As they approached the main gate, two armored figures straightened.
The Mondstadt guards, upright and alert, immediately recognized the blond traveler.
Guard #1: "Honorary Knight."
Guard #2: "Honorary Knight."
CLANG
Their voices rang out in unison, accompanied by a sharp salute, their spears lightly striking the ground.
Aether inclined his head in response.
Aether: "Good morning."
Paimon waved enthusiastically.
Paimon: "Good morning to you too!"
They stepped through the gate.
The moment they entered the city, a familiar feeling enveloped Aether.
The streets were clean, bathed in the warm light of late morning.
Citizens strolled peacefully, chatting amongst themselves, while a few merchants set up their stalls.
Nothing had changed.
Aether: "Mondstadt… still as peaceful as ever."
He still remembered the day he arrived in this city and fought a dragon.
But that led him to meet the beautiful librarian with brown hair.
Not far from the gate, at the Adventurers' Guild, stood a familiar figure.
Upright and motionless, her hands clasped before her, Katheryne spoke calmly to a young boy with white hair.
Despite her constant smile, her gaze seemed attentive.
Paimon: "Hey, look, Aether!"
"It's Katheryne!"
Aether nodded, and they approached quietly, slowing their pace so as not to interrupt their conversation.
Katheryne: "So, if I understand correctly…"
The boy nodded briskly.
Katheryne: "Your satchel ripped, some animals chased you…"
The boy raised his arms to illustrate the scene.
Bennett: "Yes!"
Bennett: A good-natured adventurer from Mondstadt who's unfortunately extremely unlucky.
Bennett: "And after that, a tree caught fire not far from me, for no reason!"
A silence followed.
Katheryne blinked.
Katheryne: "…For no reason."
Aether: "Always the same."
Paimon stifled a laugh.
Paimon: "It really is Bennett."
Katheryne turned her head slightly and finally saw Aether and Paimon.
Her smile immediately lit up.
Katheryne: "Oh."
"Aether, Paimon."
Aether stepped forward.
Aether: "Hello, Katheryne."
Paimon: "Long time no see!"
Bennett turned around abruptly.
Bennett: "Huh?!"
His eyes widened.
Bennett: "Aether!"
"You're back!"
He rushed towards them excitedly, nearly tripping on a cobblestone.
Aether smiled.
Aether: "You look alright."
Bennett laughed nervously.
Bennett: "Well... as well as I can be!"
The four of them began to talk.
Bennett recounted his misadventures energetically, gesturing wildly, while Katheryne nodded with unwavering calm.
Paimon commented on every detail, sometimes adding unnecessary exaggerations.
Paimon: "Paimon is sure the fire appeared just to annoy Bennett!"
Bennett: "Hey!"
"It's possible!"
Aether watched the scene with a certain fondness.
Aether: "These simple moments... I had almost forgotten them."
Suddenly, a dramatic voice rose from behind them.
???: "The stars always decide to bring us together, and destiny applauds us when our paths cross, and it is then that I, the eternal princess, declare myself on good terms with the fairies for having led me to your path."
Paimon froze.
Paimon: "...Huh?"
A second voice, deeper and more composed, followed immediately.
???: "What she means is that she's delighted to see you again."
Chapter 1: Back to Mondstadt
The End