Klee woke to the smell of medicinal herbs and the sound of someone humming.
Her eyes opened slowly, focusing on an unfamiliar ceiling—carved wood painted in traditional Liyue colors, paper lanterns casting warm light. Everything ached. Her muscles felt like they'd been wrung out and left to dry. Her head pounded with each heartbeat.
But she was alive.
"Ah, you're awake. Excellent timing."
A man appeared in her field of vision—tall, green-haired, wearing glasses and traditional Liyue robes. A white snake was draped around his shoulders, its tongue flicking out to taste the air.
"I'm Dr. Baizhu," he said pleasantly. "You're currently at Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue Harbor. You've been unconscious for approximately eighteen hours. How do you feel?"
Klee tried to sit up. Her body protested violently. "Ow."
"Yes, that's to be expected. You experienced severe electro-magical trauma. Your nervous system is still recovering from the shock." Baizhu helped her sit up against pillows, his movements gentle and professional. "Can you tell me your name?"
"Klee. I'm Klee." Her throat was dry, her voice raspy. "Where... how did I get here?"
"You were brought in by Legal Advisor Yanfei and her associate Miss Kuki. They found you in Guili Plains after what they described as a 'supernatural incident involving red lightning and treasure hoarders.'" Baizhu's expression remained neutral, but something in his eyes suggested he knew there was more to the story. "The snake around my neck—Changsheng—has been monitoring your vitals. The curse mark around your heart is... concerning."
"Curse mark?" Klee's hand went to her chest. The necklace was still there, warm against her skin, pulsing its steady rhythm.
"A sympathetic binding," Changsheng hissed, her voice distinctly feminine despite being a snake. "Connected to another individual. When triggered, it causes simultaneous pain across distance. Very nasty magic. Very dangerous. Also very illegal in most nations."
"Can you remove it?" Klee asked hopefully.
"No," Baizhu said simply. "Removing it would likely kill you. The curse has integrated with your life force. It's part of you now, at least until it's properly dispelled. Which requires..." He adjusted his glasses. "Well, significantly more expertise than I possess. Or significant emotional resolution between the bound parties. Sympathy curses are notoriously difficult to break."
The door to the room opened. Two young women entered—one with pink hair and small antlers, wearing elaborate legal robes; the other with purple hair and a face mask, dressed in dark practical clothing.
"You're awake!" The pink-haired woman—Yanfei, Klee remembered—smiled warmly. "That's great! We were worried. You were out for a while. How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Klee admitted. "But okay. Thank you for helping me."
"Of course! Though I have to say, finding an unconscious child in the middle of Guili Plains surrounded by incapacitated treasure hoarders and red lightning scorch marks was... not what I expected when I went out for a legal consultation." Yanfei pulled up a chair, sitting backward on it casually. "I'm Yanfei, legal advisor. This is Kuki Shinobu, deputy of the Arataki Gang and my sometime colleague."
Shinobu nodded quietly. "You're very lucky we were nearby. And very unlucky that those treasure hoarders decided to rob you."
"They wanted my necklace," Klee said, touching the crystal. "I told them not to touch it. But they didn't listen."
"And one of them died because of it," Yanfei said carefully. "Which creates a legally complicated situation. Self-defense via cursed artifact. There's precedent, but it's murky. The Millelith will want to question you eventually, but I've advised them to wait until you're fully recovered."
"I didn't mean to hurt anyone." Klee's voice was small. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"We know," Shinobu said gently. "The survivors confirmed you warned them multiple times. They chose to ignore you. The death is on them, not you."
But Klee could still feel it—that moment when the treasure hoarder's heart stopped. When life became death. It sat heavy in her chest, a weight that had nothing to do with the necklace.
"So," Yanfei said, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "Want to tell us what an eight-year-old from Mondstadt is doing traveling alone across Liyue? Because the Knights of Favonius uniform is a pretty big clue that you're not supposed to be here."
Klee hesitated. How much should she tell them? They'd helped her, saved her, but telling them about the curse meant explaining about Yoimiya, and explaining about Yoimiya meant—
"I need to get to Inazuma," she said finally. "It's really important. A mission. A very important mission."
"Inazuma." Yanfei exchanged glances with Shinobu. "That's... quite a journey. Does this mission have something to do with the cursed necklace?"
"Maybe. Kind of. Yes." Klee pulled her knees up to her chest, making herself smaller. "But I can't tell you more than that. It's complicated. And private. And if I explain it, you might try to stop me."
"Try to stop a determined child with bombs from doing something dangerous?" Yanfei's tone was wry. "Why would we do that?"
Despite everything, Klee smiled slightly.
"Look," Yanfei continued, "I'm not going to force you to explain. Legal ethics—client confidentiality and all that. But I am going to strongly advise that you contact your family in Mondstadt. They're probably worried sick."
"They are," Shinobu confirmed. "We received word from the Millelith this morning. The Knights of Favonius have issued an all-units alert. They're searching for you. Your Acting Grand Master is reportedly... displeased."
Klee winced. "Master Jean is probably really mad."
"That's one word for it," Shinobu said dryly. "The diplomatic communique used terms like 'extremely concerned' and 'demands immediate information,' but between the lines, it read more like 'absolutely furious.'"
"I left her a letter," Klee offered weakly. "Explaining why I had to go."
"I'm sure that made everything better," Yanfei said with gentle sarcasm. Then her expression softened. "Klee, I don't know what's going on with you and this curse. But whatever it is, you don't have to handle it alone. There are people who want to help. Including us, if you'll let us."
"Thank you," Klee said sincerely. "But I do have to handle it alone. The curse—it triggers when other people touch the necklace. If I travel with someone, if they try to help, they could accidentally set it off again. And next time might be worse. Might kill me. Or..." She stopped, not wanting to mention Yoimiya.
"Or the person you're connected to," Yanfei finished quietly. "The curse is paired, isn't it? There's someone else wearing a matching necklace. And when one of you suffers, so does the other."
Klee said nothing, which was answer enough.
"Well," Yanfei stood, stretching. "That's officially above my pay grade. But here's what I can do: I can make sure the Millelith don't arrest you for the treasure hoarder incident. I can not report your location to Mondstadt for approximately twenty-four hours, which gives you time to recover and figure out your next move. And I can provide information about ships to Inazuma, should you need it."
"Really?" Klee's eyes widened. "You'd help me?"
"I'm helping you stay safe and make informed decisions," Yanfei corrected. "What you do with that information is your choice. But Klee? Whatever mission you're on, be careful. Liyue is dangerous enough. Inazuma, with its political complications and the recent end of the Sakoku Decree... it's not a place for children to wander alone."
"I know," Klee said quietly. "But I have to try."
"Then try smart, not just brave." Yanfei moved toward the door. "Rest today. Eat. Recover. Baizhu says you should be well enough to move around by this evening. We'll check on you later."
She and Shinobu left, leaving Klee alone with Baizhu and Changsheng.
"You should eat something," Baizhu said. "Your blood sugar is extremely low. I'll have Qiqi bring you congee—easy on the stomach after trauma."
"Thank you, Doctor Baizhu." Klee paused. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"The curse. The sympathy binding. Is there any way to break it? Any way at all?"
Baizhu was quiet for a long moment, considering. "Sympathy curses are broken in one of two ways," he said finally. "Either the caster dispels them willingly—unlikely if the curse was placed maliciously. Or the bound individuals fulfill the curse's purpose."
"Purpose?"
"Sympathy curses are typically used to force connection. To bind people together until they acknowledge that bond fully. The curse transforms from torment to blessing once both parties..." He paused, choosing words carefully. "Once both parties accept the connection completely. Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually. The exact mechanism varies depending on the curse's nature."
"So I have to... accept it? Accept being connected?"
"You and your counterpart both have to accept it. Simultaneously. With complete honesty and vulnerability." Changsheng's tongue flicked. "Which is why these curses are so effective. Humans are terrible at being honest about their feelings."
Klee touched the necklace, feeling its warmth. "If I go to Inazuma. If I find the person I'm connected to. If we both accept it together..."
"Then the curse might break. Might transform. Might become something protective rather than destructive." Baizhu adjusted his glasses. "But that's theory. I've never actually seen a sympathy curse resolved. They usually end in death or permanent separation."
"Oh."
"Don't let that discourage you. You're clearly determined. And determination counts for a lot in matters of magic and the heart." He stood. "I'll send Qiqi with food. Rest. Heal. And think carefully about your next steps."
He left, Changsheng still draped around his shoulders.
Klee lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling, her mind churning.
Yoimiya, she thought toward Inazuma. I'm still coming. I promise. I just need to rest for a little bit first.
The necklace pulsed warm against her chest.
And somewhere far away, another crystal pulsed in response.
By evening, Klee felt significantly better.
The congee had helped. So had the medicinal tea Baizhu insisted she drink (it tasted terrible, but her body felt stronger afterward). Qiqi—a small, quiet girl who worked at the pharmacy and seemed to have trouble remembering things—had brought her fresh clothes to replace her dusty, torn travel outfit.
Yanfei and Shinobu returned as promised, finding Klee sitting up in bed, looking restless.
"Feeling better?" Yanfei asked.
"Much better! Can I leave now? I need to get to the harbor. Find a ship."
"You can leave," Yanfei confirmed. "But first, you should eat real food. Come on—we're taking you to dinner. Our treat."
"I can pay!" Klee protested.
"With what, the three Mora you have left after paying for your inn room?" Shinobu's masked face somehow conveyed amusement. "Save your money. You'll need it for ship passage."
---
They led Klee through Liyue Harbor's winding streets as the sun set. The city was overwhelming—so much bigger than Mondstadt, built vertically into the mountainside with layers upon layers of shops, homes, bridges, and plazas. Lanterns were being lit for the evening, casting everything in warm golden light.
People were everywhere—merchants calling out prices, children playing tag between stalls, old men playing chess on street corners, the smell of cooking food from a dozen different restaurants.
"It's so big," Klee breathed.
"Biggest port city in Teyvat," Yanfei said proudly. "Been standing for thousands of years. Built by the Geo Archon himself, or so the stories say. Can you feel it? The weight of history?"
Klee could feel something—a solidity, a permanence, like the city was part of the mountain itself.
They descended through several levels via staircases and wooden platforms, finally arriving at a small restaurant tucked into a corner of the lower district. A sign read "Wanmin Restaurant" in cheerful characters.
"Best food in Liyue," Shinobu declared. "Chef Mao's daughter Xiangling is a genius."
Inside, the restaurant was cozy and busy. A middle-aged man worked the front counter while delicious smells poured from the kitchen. And then—
A girl emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming dish. She was maybe sixteen, with dark hair in buns, wearing a chef's outfit, and accompanied by a small panda-like creature breathing fire.
"Yanfei! Shinobu!" She set down the dish at a nearby table with a flourish. "Haven't seen you in weeks! And who's this?"
"This is Klee," Yanfei introduced. "She's visiting from Mondstadt. Klee, this is Xiangling—chef extraordinaire and Pyro vision holder like yourself."
"Mondstadt!" Xiangling's eyes lit up. "Oh, I've always wanted to visit! The cuisine there is supposed to be so different from Liyue! Do you really eat Sweet Madames for every meal? Is it true that—" She stopped, taking in Klee's exhausted appearance and the fading bruises on her arms. "Are you okay? You look like you've been through something rough."
"Just a little adventure," Klee said with forced brightness. "Nothing too bad!"
"Well, adventure makes you hungry! Come, sit! I'll make you something special!" Xiangling ushered them to a table. "What do you like? Do you eat spicy food? What about—oh! I should make you my special Mixed Yakisoba! It's got a Mondstadt twist! I learned it from a traveling chef who—"
"Xiangling," her father called from the counter. "Breathe. Let the girl sit down first."
"Right! Sorry! I get excited!" Xiangling grinned. "Sit! I'll be right back with food!"
She disappeared into the kitchen, the panda creature—Guoba, Yanfei explained—waddling after her.
"She's really energetic," Klee observed.
"That's one word for it," Shinobu said. "She once climbed to the top of Mt. Tianheng looking for rare ingredients. Came back with a hilichurl's mask and three new recipes."
"I like her," Klee decided.
Food arrived in abundance—more than Klee could possibly eat. Mixed Yakisoba with jueyun chilis, Sweet Madame with a Liyue glaze, Jade Parcels, and something Xiangling called "Adeptus'
Temptation" that apparently contained extremely rare ingredients.
"This is so good!" Klee said around a mouthful of noodles. "This is the best food I've ever had!"
"Right?" Xiangling beamed. "Food is like alchemy—you combine ingredients in the right way and create something greater than the sum of its parts! Oh, you're from Mondstadt! Do you know Captain Albedo? He came here once for research! I asked him about alchemical cooking applications and he—"
She stopped at Klee's expression.
"Sorry," Klee said quietly. "I... I know Brother Albedo. But I can't really talk about him right now."
"Oh. Okay." Xiangling's cheerfulness dimmed slightly, replaced by concern. "Did something happen?"
"It's complicated," Yanfei interjected smoothly. "Family stuff. You know how it is."
"I don't, actually. My family is pretty simple. But I understand!" Xiangling rallied. "Well, if you need food for your journey—wherever you're going—come back and I'll pack you supplies! Travel rations don't have to be boring!"
"Thank you," Klee said sincerely. "That's really nice of you."
They were finishing their meal when the restaurant door opened and a figure entered—blue hair, elegant robes, an aura of quiet competence that made everyone in the restaurant sit up slightly straighter.
"Ganyu!" Xiangling called out. "Your usual order?"
"Actually, I'm here on official business." Ganyu approached their table, her gaze settling on Klee. "You're Klee of the Knights of Favonius, correct?"
Klee's stomach sank. "Yes?"
"Lady Ningguang requests your presence at the Jade Chamber. Immediately." Ganyu's expression was kind but firm. "It's not a request you can decline. The Tianquan takes personal interest in all matters involving cursed artifacts and international incidents within Liyue territory."
"The Jade Chamber?" Klee looked at Yanfei helplessly.
"Ningguang's floating palace," Yanfei explained. "She's one of the Qixing—the seven leaders who govern Liyue. Very powerful. Very rich. Also very shrewd. If she wants to see you, it's because she has questions. Or plans. Or both."
"Will I be arrested?" Klee asked nervously.
"No," Ganyu said gently. "But Lady Ningguang does need to understand the situation. The incident in Guili Plains, the cursed necklace, your presence in Liyue traveling alone... these are matters that affect regional stability. She simply wants to talk."
"Can Yanfei and Shinobu come with me?"
"They may accompany you to the Jade Chamber, but the audience with Lady Ningguang will be private." Ganyu offered her hand. "Come. I'll show you the city as we walk. It's a beautiful evening, and you should see Liyue Harbor properly before you leave."
Klee looked at Yanfei, who nodded encouragingly. "It'll be okay. Ningguang is tough but fair. Just be honest with her. Well, mostly honest. Keep the curse details vague if you can."
"Okay." Klee stood, legs still slightly shaky. "Thank you for dinner, Xiangling."
"Anytime! Come back before you leave! I'll pack you the best travel food ever!"
---
Outside, the evening had fully arrived. The harbor was illuminated by countless lanterns, reflecting off the water. Ships bobbed in their moorings, flags fluttering in the breeze. The smell of salt and spices filled the air.
Ganyu led them up through the city levels, pointing out landmarks as they climbed.
"That's Chihu Rock," she indicated a bustling plaza. "Main merchant district. If you need supplies, that's where to find them. And there—" She pointed to a elegant building. "—that's Yujing Terrace. Government offices. The Qixing meet there for official business."
They passed through crowded streets, past street food vendors and tea houses, past a theater where someone was performing traditional Liyue opera. The city was alive with activity, energy, purpose.
"It's so different from Mondstadt," Klee observed. "Everything feels more... organized? Like everyone knows their place and their job."
"Liyue is built on contracts and commerce," Ganyu explained. "The God of Contracts shaped this city. Even after his passing, his principles remain. Order. Agreement. Fair exchange." She smiled slightly. "Though there's still plenty of chaos underneath the structure. Humans are unpredictable, no matter how many rules you create."
They climbed higher, past residential districts and into more refined areas. The buildings here were larger, more ornate. Fewer people, more wealth.
Finally, they reached Yujing Terrace—a massive plaza at the city's highest accessible point. And there, in the center, glowing with golden light:
A teleporter.
"The Jade Chamber floats above the harbor," Ganyu explained. "This teleporter provides direct access. Lady Ningguang had it installed after the Chamber was rebuilt. Much more convenient than the previous elevator system."
"Rebuilt?" Klee asked.
"The original Jade Chamber was destroyed in battle against the sea god Osial," Yanfei said. "Ningguang dropped it on the god's head to save Liyue. Very dramatic. Very expensive. She's been rebuilding it for months."
"And she's nearly finished," Ganyu added. "Though she's quite protective of it now. Understandably."
They stepped onto the teleporter. Ganyu activated it with a touch, and the world dissolved into golden light.
When Klee's vision cleared, she was standing on a platform that floated in the sky.
The Jade Chamber rose before her—a magnificent three-story palace of white stone and golden accents, floating impossibly above Liyue Harbor. The view was breathtaking. The entire harbor spread below, ships like toys, buildings like dollhouses, the ocean stretching to the horizon.
"Whoa," Klee breathed.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Ganyu smiled. "Lady Ningguang has always had a flair for the dramatic. Come—she's waiting in the main hall."
They crossed the platform toward the palace's entrance. Guards stood at attention—not Millelith, but private security, immaculately uniformed. They nodded to Ganyu and stepped aside.
The main hall was opulent. Jade tiles. Gold inlay. Expensive art on the walls. Everything designed to impress, to intimidate, to remind visitors exactly how wealthy and powerful the Tianquan of Liyue was.
And at the far end of the hall, standing before massive windows that overlooked her domain:
Ningguang.
The name alone carried weight.
She was beautiful—but not in the careless, effortless way of youth. Her beauty had been constructed, polished and refined with the same meticulous attention she applied to trade routes and political contracts.
Not a single strand of her pale hair had escaped its arrangement. It cascaded down her back in smooth, deliberate layers, pinned and shaped so precisely it seemed almost architectural. Even in stillness it looked intentional, every lock falling exactly where it was meant to.
Her makeup was flawless.
A dusting of powder softened her porcelain skin without dulling it, catching the light like polished jade. Crimson brushed her lips in a shade rich enough to command attention but restrained enough to remain dignified. The faint sweep of shadow at the corners of her eyes sharpened her gaze, drawing the eye to irises the color of molten amber.
Eyes that missed nothing.
They moved constantly—quiet, analytical—measuring the room, the people in it, the subtle shifts in posture and breath that betrayed more than words ever could. When Ningguang looked at someone, it never felt casual. It felt like being appraised.
Her posture only heightened the impression.
Her spine was perfectly straight, shoulders relaxed yet impossibly poised, as if an invisible thread held her upright. Every gesture carried a calm certainty: the lift of her hand, the tilt of her chin, the quiet crossing of her arms. Nothing about her movements was wasted.
Even standing still, she gave the impression of control.
Her robes flowed around her in layers of white silk threaded with gold embroidery so fine it caught the light with every shift of fabric. The designs resembled curling clouds and geometric patterns reminiscent of Liyue's stone architecture—symbols of prosperity, wealth, and permanence. The cloth moved with a soft whisper when she walked, expensive enough that the sound alone seemed deliberate.
The garments were immaculate.
Not a wrinkle. Not a loose thread.
The kind of clothing that silently announced its cost.
A common dock worker in Liyue Harbor could labor an entire year and still not afford the embroidery that decorated a single sleeve.
At her hip hung her Geo Vision.
The golden gem rested within an ornate frame, its surface catching the lanternlight in warm glints of amber and honey. When she moved, it swayed gently against the silk of her robes, a quiet reminder that beneath the elegance and wealth stood someone capable of wielding the unyielding power of stone itself.
But it was her expression that defined her most.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Her gaze had the still patience of a merchant studying a contract, or a strategist watching pieces move across a board only she fully understood. There was intelligence there—cold, precise, endlessly observant.
Nothing escaped Ningguang's notice.
And very little ever happened in Liyue without her already knowing about it.
She turned as they approached, and those calculating eyes settled on Klee.
"So," Ningguang said, her voice smooth as silk. "You're the child who carries curses across my nation. How... interesting."
Klee swallowed hard.
This, she suspected, was going to be a very difficult conversation.