Paimon: "Adepts always have complicated problems."
Aether looked at the letter one last time, her gaze determined.
Aether: "In any case, we can't ignore this."
Paimon nodded.
Paimon: "Yes. But before that, we have to get back to the inn."
"We need our things."
Aether nodded.
Aether: "Exactly."
The group parted ways after a few words of farewell.
Aether and Paimon headed back to the in, their footsteps echoing softly on the cobblestones.
Tap tap tap tap
Paimon looked at Aether, floating beside her.
Paimon: "Liyue, Shenhe... and now this letter."
Aether: "It seems like the journey is never truly over."
One hour later:
The heavy gates of Mondstadt stood behind them, bathed in the golden light of late morning.
FFFFFFFFffffffffffff
The wind gently fluttered the blue and white banners, while the leaves of the nearby trees rustled with a soothing sound.
Aether stood facing Barbara, Klee, and Diona, Paimon floating calmly beside her.
The atmosphere was light, yet tinged with a touch of solemnity:
The kind of temporary goodbye.
Barbara: "Don't worry, I understand."
"Go ahead."
She offered a gentle, reassuring smile, though a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
She knew that when the Honorary Knight departed, it almost always meant that something important awaited them elsewhere.
Klee, for her part, seemed much less concerned by the gravity of the situation.
She skipped lightly in place, her bag bouncing against her back.
Klee: "Are you coming to visit us for the Mondstadt Festival?"
Aether turned her head slightly toward her, then gently placed her hand on the little girl's cap and patted it affectionately.
Tap
Aether: "Yes, don't worry, we'll be there."
Klee raised her arms in the air.
Klee: "Promise?"
Aether smiled.
Aether: "Promise."
Diona, leaning against the stone barrier near the bridge, crossed her arms.
Diona: "Hmph... be careful."
"Liyue is half a day's walk away."
Paimon stood up proudly.
Paimon: "Hey!"
"With Paimon, everything will be fine!"
Barbara chuckled before becoming serious again.
Barbara: "If anyone ever needs you..."
Aether nodded and replied calmly.
Aether: "We'll be in Liyue."
"If anything happens, send a letter to the Adventurers' Guild, Liyue branch."
"Katherine will be able to pass the message on."
Paimon nodded vigorously.
Paimon: "Yes!"
"Even a super urgent letter with lots of exclamation points!"
Barbara clasped her hands.
Barbara: "We will... although I doubt we'll need you that soon."
Her tone was sincere, almost reassuring, as if she wanted to tell them that here, Mondstadt would continue to stand.
A brief silence fell, punctuated by the lapping of water beneath the stone bridge.
Aether took a deep breath, then stepped back.
Aether: "Take care."
Paimon turned to the three girls.
Paimon: "See you soon!"
"And no funny business!"
Klee puffed out her cheeks.
Klee: "I promise... well... almost."
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
FOUSH
Aether began to run, her boots striking the stone bridge in a steady rhythm. Paimon followed, floating beside her, the wind billowing her cloak.
Tap tap tap
They crossed the stone bridge that led out of the city, their figures gradually receding into the distance, becoming smaller beneath the clear sky.
On the other side, Barbara, Klee, and Diona stood motionless, watching them leave.
Klee waved.
Klee: "Goodbye!"
Diona looked away slightly.
Diona: "Come back alive."
Barbara, meanwhile, kept her eyes fixed on the road leading to Liyue, a slight smile on her lips.
Barbara: "Have a good trip..."
A few seconds passed.
Then, when Aether and Paimon were nothing more than distant silhouettes, Klee suddenly tugged at Barbara's sleeve.
Klee: "Hey, Barbara..."
Barbara looked down at her.
Barbara: "Yes?"
Klee looked up, her eyes shining with excitement.
Klee: "Can I go fishing?"
Barbara answered immediately, without the slightest hesitation.
Barbara: "No."
Klee stopped dead in her tracks.
Klee: "Huh?!"
Diona let out a quiet laugh.
Diona: "Nice try."
Klee crossed her arms, feigning offense.
Klee: "But Klee just wanted a tiny bit..."
Barbara gently placed a hand on Klee's head.
Barbara: "Not today."
Meanwhile, back with Aether and Paimon:
FFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffff
The wind whipped across Aether's face as he ran without slowing down, his boots pounding the ground with a steady, hurried rhythm.
Fush
Paimon floated beside him, almost fighting the gusts of wind caused by their speed.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
The path stretched out before them, familiar yet different today.
This was no stroll, nor a leisurely exploration.
Each step brought them closer to Liyue.
They quickly crossed the verdant outskirts of Springvale.
The scent of damp earth and wood mingled with that of smoked meat.
Further on, several hunters adjusted their bows and checked their traps, preparing for a long day.
Paimon, ever so expressive, raised her arms as she soared higher.
Paimon: "GOOD LUCK!"
One of the hunters turned his head in surprise, then smiled.
Hunter: "Thank you!"
Aether didn't slow down, but her gaze swept the scene for a fraction of a second before refocusing on the road.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
Her mind, however, continued to race.
Aether: Shenhe... what's wrong with you?
Ganyu's words still echoed in her head.
- Strange.
- Distracted.
- Different.
Aether frowned slightly as she ran, her thoughts piling up one on top of the other.
Aether: Several possibilities…
He began to consider them, almost mechanically, as if analyzing a combat situation.
Aether: "First possibility:"
"She's bored. Her training is repetitive, solitary… maybe it's finally taking its toll."
The landscape slowly changed around them, the hills giving way to wilder areas.
Aether: "Second possibility:"
"She's not eating enough, she's training too much, pushing her body too hard."
His gaze hardened slightly.
Aether: "Third possibility…:"
"She's sick."
"Even if the Adepts are stronger, Shenhe is human."
The path soon led them to the wolf forest. The atmosphere changed instantly:
- Darker
- Quieter.
The trees were denser, their shadows stretching across the ground.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
A familiar figure stood near a tree, accompanied by a few wolves who watched calmly.
The young Razor:
Razor: A boy who lives among the wolves in Wolvendom of Mondstadt, far from human civilization.
As agile as lightning.
Razor: "Hello."
Aether turned his head slightly without stopping.
Aether: "Hi Razor."
Paimon waved as he passed.
Paimon: "Goodbye Razor!"
Razor simply nodded, watching them walk away.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TP TAP TAP TAP
Aether's running pace didn't slow down.
The hard-packed earth of the path splashed lightly under his feet, small stones rolling to the sides.
Aether: "What if... it wasn't physical?"
His mind drifted back to a crucial detail.
Aether: "The red cords… the ones that block her emotions."
He remembered Shenhe's gaze, often calm, sometimes too calm. As if something was always being held back, locked away.
Aether: "What if that's where the problem lies?"
They passed so quickly in front of a huge boulder that they didn't notice the figure hidden behind it.
A huddled Abyss Mage watched their backs disappear at breakneck speed.
Pyro Abyss Mage: "Phew… I thought I was going to die."
"Hehe."
A nervous laugh escaped from beneath his mask as he remained hidden.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
Meanwhile, Aether and Paimon reached the long bridge leading to the Wangshu Inn.
The hanging lanterns swayed gently, and the smell of cooking wafted through the air.
They crossed the bridge without slowing down.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
They didn't notice the figure perched on the inn's roof, watching them intently.
Golden eyes followed their every move.
Xiao: "I guess they're in a hurry."
Xiao: A yaksha adeptus who defends Liyue.
Also heralded as the "Conqueror of Demons" and "Vigilant Yaksha."
The Yaksha crossed his arms, silent, sensing an unusual agitation in the Traveler.
On the other side of the bridge, Aether continued running, his breathing steady but powerful.
Aether thought: Shenhe isn't the type to ask for help without reason.
He clenched his teeth slightly.
Aether: If she wants to see me… it means something's beyond her comprehension.
The landscape began to open up further.
The mountains of Liyue were already taking shape in the distance, majestic.
Suddenly, a small blue and purple figure appeared in front of them, running in the opposite direction, arms slightly outstretched for balance.
Qiqi: "Hello."
Qiqi: An apprentice and herb gatherer at Bubu Pharmacy.
An undead with a bone-white complexion, she seldom has much in the way of words or emotion.
Aether: Huh, Qiqi?"
Aether stopped dead in his tracks for a second, startling Paimon, who almost bumped into him.
Aether bent down slightly and gently patted Qiqi's hat.
Tap
Aether: "Hello, Qiqi."
He straightened up immediately and ran off again, without wasting any more time.
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
Paimon turned around briefly.
Paimon: "See you later, Qiqi!"
Qiqi stood still for a few seconds, blinking slowly.
Qiqi: "..."
She tilted her head slightly.
Qiqi: "Why was I running again...?"
A voice rang out in the distance, breaking the silence.
???: "QIQI!"
"WHERE ARE YOU?"
Qiqi jumped slightly.
Qiqi: "Ah... yes."
"That's right."
She turned toward the voice.
Qiqi: "The director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... (Hu Tao)."
Hu Tao: The 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She took over the business at a rather young age.
Without hurrying, Qiqi headed back the other way.
Meanwhile, Aether and Paimon continued their run.
The ground gradually changed, shifting from dirt to the familiar cobblestones of the Liyue area.
The port finally appeared, bathed in light, alive with the voices of merchants and the sound of waves.
Aether slowed slightly, taking a deep breath.
Aether: "We're almost there."
Paimon gazed at the port with determination.
Paimon: "Liyue... Shenhe is waiting for us."
Aether: "Finally."
In Jean's office:
The office was bathed in soft light filtering through the large windows overlooking Mondstadt.
The white curtains rippled gently in the breeze, and the soothing scent of hot tea mingled with the aroma of the polished wood furniture.
It had been a long day, but for once, everything was in order.
Jean and Eula sat facing each other, each holding a steaming cup of tea.
Jean sat upright, her coat neatly draped over the back of her chair, her shoulders finally relaxed.
Eula, on the other hand, had loosened her usual rigid posture, crossing one leg over the other, gazing at the amber surface of her tea as if searching for answers.
Jean: "It's rare that we both finish so early."
Eula nodded slowly.
Eula: "Yes… Reports were surprisingly easy today."
She raised the cup to her lips and took a sip, savoring the quiet.
The silence wasn't oppressive; on the contrary, it was almost comforting.
Click
The door suddenly opened without knocking.
Lisa entered the room with her ever-present mischievous smile, her light footsteps echoing softly on the floor.
Lisa: "Oh, what a peaceful atmosphere~"
Jean sighed softly, without even looking up.
Jean: "Let me guess… you had that dream with the children again."
Lisa smiled even more broadly, placing a hand on her cheek.
Lisa: "Yes."
Jean paused briefly, then looked up at Lisa, a faint, weary smile on his lips.
Jean: "…Me too."
Eula immediately frowned in surprise.
Eula: "Which child?"
Lisa settled comfortably onto the sofa near the desk, elegantly crossing her legs.
Lisa: "Oh, nothing important."
"Just dreams a little too sweet to ignore."
Jean looked away slightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
Jean: "We were talking about Inazuma."
Eula nodded, her tone becoming more serious.
Eula: "Yes."
"Without Aether, the situation could have escalated much more seriously."
Lisa nodded, absently playing with a strand of hair.
Lisa: "From what he told me, the Electro Archon wasn't as cruel as the rumors made it out to be."
Jean placed his cup on the desk with a soft click.
Clink
Jean: "It seems Aether has this... special ability to understand others." "
Jean remembered the day Aether came to his office and ordered him to take a break.
Lisa smiled gently.
Lisa: "And to attract attention."
Eula looked up.
Eula: "What do you mean?"
Lisa tilted her head, feigning innocence.
Lisa: "Let's just say that since leaving Mondstadt, he's been quite the ladies' man."
"Especially in Liyue."
Eula: "LIYUE."
Time seemed to stand still.
Eula immediately spat out her tea.
Pshhhh
Eula: "What?!"
She began to cough, bringing a hand to her mouth as Jean jumped to his feet.
Jean: "Eula!"
"Are you alright?"
Eula gasped for breath, her face bright red.
Eula: " Eula: "I... yes."
"Nothing at all."
Lisa watched her with amusement.
Lisa: "Oh, we have a little jealous one."
Eula sat up straight immediately, crossing her arms.
Eula: "I'm not jealous!"
"Well... I mean..."
Eula sat up straight immediately, crossing her arms.
Eula: "I'm not jealous!"
"Well... I mean..."
"Vengeance will be mine."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Jean and Lisa exchanged a glance.
Jean blinked.
Jean: "Wait... Eula."
"You too?"
Eula looked away, her cheeks burning.
Eula: "Why did I say that…"
"It's not what you think."
Lisa slowly rose and approached.
Lisa: "Oh yes it is."
"It's exactly what we think."
Jean sat back down, placing his clasped hands on the desk.
Jean: "So… there are three of us."
Eula froze.
Eula: "Three?"
Jean took a deep breath.
Jean: "Lisa, me, and you."
"And there must be other women in other nations."
Eula opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to reply immediately.
Lisa chuckled softly.
Lisa: "Poor Aether… if he only knew."
Jean lowered his head slightly.
Jean: "Actually... do you think he knows?"
Eula shook her head.
Eula: "Impossible."
"He's much too... natural."
Lisa shrugged.
Lisa: "I agree."
She paused, then added with surprising calm.
Lisa: "I've already spent a few nights with him."
Jean froze.
Eula turned sharply towards her.
Eula: "...What?"
Lisa kept smiling, but her expression became more serious.
Lisa: "Nothing complicated."
"Nothing promised."
She crossed her arms.
Lisa: "But I think that, for the moment, he hasn't given serious thought to romantic relationships."
Jean gently closed her eyes.
Jean: "That sounds like her."
Eula clasped her hands in her lap.
Eula: "So... I'm not the only one..."
A new silence fell, quite different from the previous one.
Heavier, but strangely honest.
Lisa finally broke the stillness.
Lisa: "Anyway... Aether is far away for the moment."
Jean nodded.
Jean: "Yes."
"And we all have responsibilities here."
Eula took a deep breath.
Eula: "Revenge... can wait."
Lisa smiled.
Lisa: "This promises to be an interesting reunion."
Chapter 6: The journey to Liyue
The End