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Chapter Text

The cavern yawns and stretches out in front of them as their heels click on the stone floor at a rapid pace, three figures tear down the tunnel, stumbling over pebbles and ledges due to the lack of visibility. Almost on cue, a voice swears behind her.

“ Fuck! I can’t see a damn thing here!”  They shout, more to themself, despite making it known to the entire party.

Behind them, a gurgling snarl sounds at their heels as claws scrape across the stone. The one behind her speaks up again, this time in a more direct tone as they catch up to her.

“ Y’shtola? Can you tell how much farther the entrance is?” They ask, feeling a bit desperate.

The white haired woman snaps, losing her cool in her panic. “If we were, my dear friend, you would have seen the light by now!”

The person behind her gives a heavy breath, which must have been intended to be a sigh if it were not for the heavy chase.

“I just hope Zero is doing ok! But! Why are we running?? I have fought worse!!”

Y’shtola snorts. “ Zero needs to lead it into the open. She says she hasn’t seen a voidsent like this before, and she feels it would be wise to fight it in the open rather than closed quarters.”

The miqo'te behind her gives a grunt, but says nothing. As they finish their quips, the creature behind them gives a bellowing roar. Its sickly starry scales glow an eerie red light in the dark, their only visual indication of how close it is. The blonde turns back around and pulls her tail close to her, fearing the creature might snap at it. But soon, her ears perk up ahead, while it is the usual dim light of the 13th, the cave looks to be nearing an end. 

“Ah! Finally! Now lets see-” The blonde miqo'te exclaims before throwing her gaze over her shoulder, attempting to catch a glimpse of their pursuer.

Her eyes widened in intrigue. It is unlike anything she has seen, but she supposes that of course the void would still have many more surprises in store for her. The creature appeared almost lizard-like in nature, with a great spectral horn atop its head, and its claws seem to be made from the same material and drip with some sort of starry ichor not unlike the creature of dread and sorrow she faced in the final days. Actually, that similarity has the hair on her neck and tail stand on end. She isn’t prepared for more entities of that sort. Not this soon at least. 

Nevertheless, her glance is brief, and she regrets not catching more details before the two miqo'te burst into the dim lightless sky of the void and outside of that dingy cave. And, almost on cue, a spiral of angry teal and black smoke comes crashing down, cutting through the creature’s head like butter. 

The creature topples onto the ground, kicking up dust as it slides to a stop where it lays. And then after a moment, it bursts into starry red and sickly black ash. The stone faced reaper stands behind the pile, using the scythe to sweep away the ash before it dissipates into nothing.

Y’shtola frowns. “Curious… Why is the aether swirling like that?”

The blonde glances at her friend and her supposedly blank gaze. “Swirling?” 

The ash disappears, and beneath is what looks to be a large pond full of spectral water, reflecting the non existent stars in the black sky. The reaper clad in black steps forward. 

“It was here before. I wouldn’t touch it if I were you. The aether is unstable here, and causes many rifts.” They say with a cool tone.

Y’shtola’s ears pin back. “And you did not think to tell us that? We could have very nearly fell in!”

The monochrome features do not even twist into a frown, but the gray eyes do flit to the white haired black mage.

“You did not ask.” They answer, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. 

Y’shtola hisses and turns away. Deciding this was not an argument she felt like having. As she does so, sharp pain runs up her spine as something suddenly grips her tail with a vengeance. She screeches as she is pulled off balance in her surprise.

‘Damn it all! Why are you so goddamn distracted??’ Y’shtola scolds herself mentally and twists around to face her attacker, raising her staff for a quick spell. However, that movement seems to be her next mistake, because in doing so, the rift tears further, and she plummets through a starry expanse.

Chapter Text

Part I: Y'shtola's POV

Y'shtola plummets until whatever had grabbed her flings her up to grasp her in their other hand, making her insides churn painfully as she is tossed upward and grabbed by the neck. 

She snarls as she looks her attacker up and down with a sharp gaze. Whatever it is, it wasn't a voidsent. Or it was at least a very strange one. This one was almost like an insect with the way its aether was a shell on the outside and hollow beneath the blue armor, the life energy like an exoskeleton that was empathized by bulbous joints and blisters for knuckles. 

'Not so different from the reptile from earlier…' She muses to herself. 

The voidsent was rigid, and stood at about eight fulms tall. It's shoulders were broad and had ridiculous points on them that made it appear like some sort of villain from a story in her youth. She would have laughed had it not pulled her closer and she smelled the rot on its breath and nearly lost her lunch right then and there. 

She also wished that her aether vision did not distort colors the way it did, because she did not enjoy its inky black teeth with matching starry ickor that attached each tooth in a sticky strand, only breaking when it breathed another hot breath into her face. From the film over its face, she suspects that her aetheric vision is allowing her to see details past whatever veil it wears, allowing her to spy unpleasant details like the way red veins full of starry aether pulse above its brow and on its neck. 

The way she can see the aether in each breath it makes and yet despite it all she sees nothing but an empty shell in front of her. It's empty yet alive unlike all the other shells she has seen before and it feels so incredibly wrong that she finds it intriguing. She observes more of the creature. Her eyes trail up its skeleton arm stripped with muscle and tendons and up to its plated shoulders, and to the grand greasy robes that hang from its limbs. 

A starry essence pulses beneath its skin. Y'shtola coughs, both from the stink on her poor sensitive nose, but from the way that the talons for fingertips apply pressure to her windpipe. Sometimes, she wishes she did not have the mind of a scholar, because her curiosity and tendency to observe seems to have caused her to delay far too long.

'It's a shame, truly. Such a waste.'

She clicks her tongue and tightens her grip on her staff, just as someone comes tearing through the rift above them. The warrior of light, her friend, lands on her feet and palms before turning their piercing gaze upon the entity. Said creature whips its head around with an awful crack, slapping Y'shtola's face with the greasy cloth that covers the back of its head.

She takes the opportunity to raise her staff, twist it, and aim it for where she assumes the creature's ribs are. The voidsent roars and she is thrown onto the stonework, sliding across the slick floor until she slows to a stop, and the ground disappears beneath her feet. Her eyes widen as she slides off the edge of wherever she was and she digs her nails into the stone with a gasp. 

However, as she attempts to pull herself up, tendril-like appendages wrap themself around her ankles and begin to pull. She looks behind herself, and much to her dismay, it seems she has found herself in yet another starry rift, and it is determined to finish It's task of transportation as the aether wraps itself around her and crawls up her legs like spiders made of mist. She bites her lip and attempts to heave herself out, but to no avail, and so in her desperation, she calls out.

"Rakavi!!"

Her friend ducks out of the way of the creature and rushes over with fearful eyes. But before they can get within a fulm of her, Y'shtola's nails scrape painfully against the stone as the aether gives a final tug, and she finds herself plummeting once more, the warrior of light's screech cut off before the first letter reaches her ears. 

Y'shtola falls through starry smoke until it feels like she tears through fabric, and she tumbles to face the sky that expands before her. Her surroundings change to grassy plains and steep cliffs. The wind buffets her and makes her eyes sting, and then, she crashes down with painful cracks and snaps, twigs scrap and cut into her as branches break her fall. 

Instinct kicks in and she grabs what she can, attempting to spare herself the rest of the fall. The branches snap beneath her and she lands with a heavy thud against the roots before tumbling downward onto what feels like stone pavement, and the world finally stops spinning after her back smacks against metal, making her groan as pain spikes up her back. 

She lays still for a moment, grumbling, assessing the damage done. She remains tense, waiting for the sounds of the voidsent to follow her, but instead, the wind in the bows of a tree is brought to her senses. 

Slowly, she opens her eyes. They shoot open at the sight before her, a massive tree, probably more than twenty fulms tall stretches its mighty branches above her to shield her from the gentle sunlight. Its branches sway softly in the ever present breeze that kisses her face. Y'shtola blinks, and looks around, wincing in pain. 

To left, the valley seems to melt into a small cove, sandy shores, and sea water foaming over smoothed stones. To her right, she has to look over her shoulder to see how the valley stretches onward and opens into a few different pathways. The roads are worn and traveled. A good sign for her she supposes. Lastly, she looks behind her, to see what stopped her painful descent. It's a statue of a more androgynous figure with angelic wings framing its hooded figure. 

What intrigues her is the aether crystals impeded in the statue, and from the way the aether is flowing from it, it appears to be a functional aetheryte. If she were to drag herself around, she could probably get a better look. But instead, she collapses back down with a hiss, and rolls onto her back to stare at the swaying branches above her. 

Her shoulder was dislocated, some of her bones might be bruises. Her hip bone certainly is. But she is lucky that's all the damage she sustained from a fall like that from branches that far up. In fact, a part of her wonders why she hadn't broken anything with how far she had fallen. Almost as if to answer her question, the sight of the tree branches is blocked by a soft face entering her vision, and speaking in a rather jolly tune.

"Whew! That was a close one miss! If the wind hadn't blown as hard as it did, you would've been just a sack of bones!" They giggle, and smile softly.

Y'shtola raises a brow. "The wind saved me?"

"Eyup~ seems the good ol anemo archon was watchin out for ya, huh?" 

'Anemo… archon?' She muses. Immediately, she assumes the word archon must mean something different here, considering the way this person speaks of them. 

She frowns and asks. "Where am I?"

The green glad person tips their head as they speak, making the braids on their face tickle her nose. 

"Windrise! How'd you end up here anyway? All of a sudden I hear someone come crashing down through the tree!" They answers with that continuous sing-song tone.

Y'shtola huffs and sits up, wincing in pain. That answer does not help her, so she supposes she will have to investigate on her own. Gripping her shoulder, she stands, making the androgynous person's teal eyes widen in panic.

"Woah! Listen I- you may have been spared a lot but you are still injured! I don't think you should be standing up so soon!" 

They leap in front of her, throwing his hands up to stop her. They are taller than her, but that is not so strange. Many folks tower over her. She gets a closer look. Their aether is a teal color in nature, pooling together at the center and clenching around what appears to be some sort of gap. Her ears go back. That can't be healthy. Finally, she meets their gaze, and they shift a bit upon her finally doing so.

"Well, I have no choice but to find a healer, isn't that right? Please, I apologize, seeing as how we have only just met. It feels rude of me to ask, but could you take me to someone who can help?" Y'shtola asks, giving a small smile.

The green clad individual shrugs and moves to help her stand. "Sure, I can do that."

Y'shtola nods, pleased that this is already working out so well. She digs her feet in, ignoring the sound of confusion from her new companion as she holds her hand out to the statue. 

"Just a moment."

She focuses on the statue, attuning to its aether. The aether is strange and unfamiliar, but not too different that she can't adjust. After attuning to the statue she allows the individual to support her as she stands, even allowing them to carry her staff.

 As they walk around the statue, she glances up to gaze upon it. Its features are soft and angelic, androgynous in nature. Two braids frame their face as they reach out their hands to cup something invisible in front of them. She frowns, and glances back to the one supporting her, the resemblance was uncanny. 

"Sooo what's your name? If I'm gonna be carrying you all the way to Mondstat, I should know that at least."

The question catches her off guard, having been so caught up in her thoughts. Slowly she answers.

"Y'shtola… and you, may I ask?"

The individual grins. 

"Venti the bard~! Just call me Venti, hehe~!" 

"Venti… I see." She chews her lip. "Who is the statue supposed to be?"

Venti hums and glances over his shoulder at the statue. 

"Oh that? That would be Barbatos, the anemo archon! Have you really never heard of him?"

Y'shtola's eyes narrow, glancing between the identical faces before finally answering.

"No… I have not."

.

.

.

…Somehow, she had the feeling that this was going to be a very very long walk…

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Part II: Rakavi's POV

Rakavi dives into the rift after Y'shtola. It pulls at her uncomfortably, and it feels like she is falling through a thick fog until she breaches the other side. She lands on fancy yet old stonework on top of some sort of structure that she can't tell what it is from standing atop it. She looks up, and she notices two things. 

First, her surroundings. Whatever she fell into was vastly different than the void. The void was devoid of all color, cloudy darkness threatened to sap all life and color out of all that enter. Whatever this place was, it felt similar, but instead of being devoid of saturation, she sees a black void above her, and a starry sky below her. 

The inverted sight makes her feel queasy and triggers her vertigo, but she recovers. The second thing she notices is the many rifts and tears with the same pool of stars that seem to surround the platform she is occupying alongside her prey. The tears seemed to even be on the floor, meaning she would have to watch her step. Y'shtola grunts, and Rakavi snaps back to attention, and leaps forward at the creature. 

She hurtled into its back, digging her elbow into its spine as Y'shtola stabbed her staff into its ribs. The creature roars and flings Y'shtola, making the white haired woman screech. The creature lunges for the blonde, and she barely manages to block the attack. As she attempts to overpower it with calculated strikes of her fists, she takes a moment to observe its appearance. 

It must be about eight fulms tall, with broad pointy shoulder pads that connect to a flat headed helmet that obscures any possible defining feature. The helmet is shaped similar to Zero's hat, only longer and more ostentatious. At the center of the chest is a pulsing blue crystal, which she is sure to aim for, assuming it serves as some sort of power source. 

The flesh beneath glows an eerie blue with lighter blue markings, it wears gauntlets with the same flesh color as blades on the gauntlets that it uses to fight. Its torso is heavily armored and accented with long draping strips of fabric all in shades of blue. It curses at her in a language that is not known to her, but sounds just as foul as its appearance. 

"Rakavi!!" Y'shtola's voice rings out above the chaos.

Rakavi freezes for a moment, and scrambles to find the voice. Her stomach drops when she turns to find Y'shtola holding on for dear life on the ground while the lower half of her body is submerged in one of the rifts. Her nails break as they dig into the stone, her teeth grit as her ears pin back. 

"Y'shtola!!" She shouts in horror.

Rakavi bolts forward, but not in time. Y'shtola loses her grip and falls into the rift, which, much to Rakavi's irritation, seals up the moment it swallows the miqo'te whole. Rakavi's wrists bend painfully as her palms collide with the stone brick, and she hisses in pain, barely managing to stop her face from crashing into the ground as well. Her tail flicks in irritation as she stands back up, whirling around to face the strange voidsent, who gives a cocky laugh and lowers its head slightly.

"Oh… now that's too bad, isn't it?" The creature growls.

Rakavi hesitates for a moment in her shock, not expecting it to speak her language. But instinct and muscle memory makes her lunge forward for another attack as she speaks. 

"You can talk? Good . I have a few words I'd like to share with you." Rakavi snarls through gritted teeth. 

The creature, instead of responding, only blocks her attack. She clicks her tongue.

"Well? You better tell me where that portal leads, or I'll make sure you feel it when I peel the skin from your bones and suck your aether dry! " She questions, spitting out her words.

The creature is silent still before connecting its gauntlet blade with her own wrist gauntlet. It leans in and snarls.

"Would you like to join her?"

Rakavi spits in its face. She has lost her patience for interrogation and lunged forward, tackling the creature to the ground, and into one of the tears on the ground. She feels that same pulling sensation before her surroundings change abruptly. 

Around her she sees sparkling sea, and deep purple storm clouds raging above as rain beats down on her back as she falls. Below she can see blue green grass and sandy beaches, so she makes sure to angle the voidsent so that he hits the sharpest pebbles at least. 

They crash into the sand and tumble apart, and Rakavi is the first on her feet, spitting sand out of her mouth and hurtling at the monster before her. It grunts as her full weight crashes into it, and she rolls with it as it tumbles away. She rolls atop it, locking her legs around it and brings out her brass gauntlets to her fists before she grips its neck to hold it down, and begins to bring hell with her other hand. 

She channels Chakra and whatever energy she has into her fist and allows herself to be fueled by rage as she pummels the creature into the stone. It roars in pain and attempts to shake her off as she smashes the helmet to pieces, breaking through to the horrid face beneath. 

She manages to break its nose when it finally is able to shake her off and stumbles away. It snarls through black teeth, making starry ickor splatter onto the ground, and the smell that emits is absolutely putrid. Rakavi falls into her battle stance, bouncing on her heels, ready to flash forward at any sign of movement. 

Then, pain erupts in her sides, and she screams out. She hadn't even seen the damned thing move. Rakavi falls to the ground, clutching her side as she struggles to breathe. She glances up to see starry water, forming blades that hover inches away from her. She scoffs. Of course it has magic. Everything always has to have damned magic that they hide up their sleeve until the last moment. She bites her lip and stands once more. One blow to the ribs and gut isn't enough to stop her. 

Clearly, this is not the reaction the creature was expecting, because it tenses and backs up. But then, it does something she was not expecting. Its jaw falls slack as a beam of light erupts from its forehead and topples to the ground. The light fades, revealing an arrow sticking out of the ground, having shot clean through the monster's head. 

Rakavi glances up, shakily putting away her gauntlets as she looks to try and find her savior. A few yalms away from where she stands is a man with chestnut brown hair that is streaked with white. Atop his head are fluffy canine ears and a matching tail curls out behind him. He wears teal clothing with black leather to protect himself, as well as arm and shoulder guards. He puts the bow away and rushes forward. She wishes she could hear what he was saying, but it was rather muffled. 

Actually, come to think of it, she wishes she could make out his face, but her vision swims, distorting his form. She stumbles, and brings her hand up to her face from where it had been on her side. Scarlet drips down her fingers. As the man reaches her side and black spots begin to crowd her vision.

'Ah… just a scratch.' She muses to herself.

She moves to take a step forward, and promptly collapses onto the ground. 

Everything fades to black.

Chapter Text

Y'shtola's POV

Y'shtola truly wished that hyurs took a hint when gazing upon those with more beast-like appendages. While lalafells were loud, it's often because of their short stature, which causes them to be more wary of whomever they spoke to, and so they were considerate of their volume when they spoke to folks like her. Elezen were always soft spoken. And while roegdens always had naturally booming voices, it was always hyurs who never seemed to take a hint. 

They were nearly as bad as roegdens in volume, and it always left her with a pounding headache. And then they had the gall to comment on her poor attitude. 

They had been walking for an hour now before they stumbled on a cart driver heading to the city, and he was gracious enough to give them a ride. However, it was during this time that the bard had taken it upon himself to bombard her with questions .

"Where ya from?"

"Far from here." She responds.

"That's not very descriptive.. uhhh what's that staff for?"

She sighs, "It's for magic."

Finally. Silence… perhaps now she-

"Where's far from here?" 

Y'shtola's teeth grit together and she sends a steely look at the bard. 

"While I understand your curiosity , now is not the time for you to compete with the birds in chattering. " She snaps. 

Venti's mouth snaps shut and he sits back. He crosses his arms with a pout, muttering about how rude some people could be. Y'shtola opts to ignore that comment, now massaging her temple. It was time to give her eyes a rest. 

The strain on her aether in combination with being in a strange new world must be adding to the throbbing behind her eyes. She sits back against the cart and slides her eyes shut, letting her vision slip away from her before she opens them once more. Instead of the clear sight of aether, she sees blurred colors. Blobs and undefined shapes, so mushed together that she would never be able to decipher them. 

She hated this. She hated that she had to give up her vision and succumb to blindness. But it was a risk she willingly took all those years ago, and she would not complain about dealing with the consequences of her actions.

And yet… There are days she longs for the ability to gaze upon the sky. To appreciate the colors spread across a field of flora. She longs to see the colors splashed across fabric and canvas, to see the way rain paints each surface with deeper colors, to see the way a fire ignites in the night. Instead, she can only see the color of the aether. She is grateful that she can see in such incredible detail with this ability, even if it shaves off years of her life…

But when Rakavi returned the night sky for the first… she had never felt more remorse for her lost vision. Three long years spent in eternal light, and finally the dark had been returned, and Y'shtola could not even appreciate its beauty. Even now it brings a sour grief to her soul whenever she recalls that memory.

She is snapped from her thoughts when she hears the sound of strings on an instrument being plucked. Her ears flit towards the sound. The bard was playing music with an instrument she had not seen on his person. Yet, she can't help but feel lulled into a sense of peace. Despite the throbbing pain in her body and mind, she feels her eyes slide shut once more and allow the gentle sound to soothe her. 

Her eyes open slightly as she speaks. "I think you would consider me a mad woman should I tell you where I am from, or how I came here."

The plucking stops, briefly. "Oh?"

"I shall answer your questions. But only if you ask in a whisper. My hearing is quite sensitive." 

Venti hums in thought for a moment before answering. "You did something to the statue. What was that?"

"I was attuning to the Aetheryte. Is that strange?" She answers.

"Attuning huh?" He goes quiet for a moment, and Y'shtola wishes she could see his face. "What do you mean by attuning?"

Y'shtola pauses. How did he not know? Although, she supposes it was in slight disrepair…

"It's an Aetheryte teleport. The crystals in it are at least. From what I could see it is a functional Aetheryte crystal. So I attuned to it so that I may use it?" Y'shtola explains slowly.

Even on the first, they still had an Aetheryte system. And it was clearly present here. How could he not know? His aether indicated that he was perfectly capable of using aether, despite the alarming hole at the center of his chest she observed earlier.

"I'm not sure what an ee-thur-right is-"

"It's pronounced Aetheryte."

"-Yeah that. I'm not sure what that is but the statue isn't for teleporting… I've only seen one person use it. Or activate it for that matter. There's these little eethurright things all over the place but nobody really knows what they were for, that is until my friend has gone around activating them." Venti explains.

Y'shtola decides to ignore the mispronunciation in favor of frowning in confusion and thought. That made no sense to her. How did they exist but no one knows what they are used for? But at the same time still be functional enough to be reactivated? 

Y'shtola is broken from her thoughts when the bard exclaims loudly,

 "Aha! Look there! Behold the beauty of the lake, the city of freedom and love, Mondstadt!" 

Y'shtola sits up, wincing a bit in pain and activates her aether vision, allowing the familiar strain to take place behind her eyes in order to take in the shapes around her. Before them was a long bridge across the lake the bard mentioned, and her eyes widened. Tall walls stretch out in front of her, and from what she could see past the gate were charming buildings with red roofs and exteriors that reminded her of a mix of Ishgard and Lakeland architecture. It was a steady incline of stairs and busy streets. They cross the bridge, making pigeons take flight, adding to the lovely atmosphere. 

The ever present breeze makes dandelion seeds swirl past their cart as the cart driver stops at the gate to speak to the plate armored guards. Y'shtola frowns as she gazes upon the townsfolk and the guards at the gate. 

She had noticed it before with the cart driver, but had decided it was a strange coincidence, but now upon seeing the common folk she is certain of it. Everyone here, much like the garleans, are stunted as far as aether goes. Which makes her even more confused as to how the Aetheryte system here is still functional enough to be reactivated if no one here can use them. 

Once again, she is snapped from her thoughts when the guard speaks to her.

"You there! What's your business in Mondstadt?"

Y'shtola answers with ease. "I am a traveling self proclaimed scholar. But I sustained an injury and needed medical attention. Thus the bard here was taking me to see a doctor."

Venti had opened his mouth to answer, and looked pleasantly surprised by her calm answer. The guard frowns and nods. 

"Go to the far end of the city to the statue of the anemo archon. You'll find the church there. Enter the cathedral and one of the nuns will be able to provide medical attention." The guard directs with a general gesture of his hand in the direction of the ascending stairs.

Y'shtola follows his gaze and squints. Why they put the medical center at the top of all those stairs was beyond her. They should have accessible pockets throughout the city if she had anything to say about it. Nevertheless, she and Venti hop off the cart, and he offers to support her weight, to which she declines. She instead uses her staff to support herself. 

"You know, if you're hurt, you should accept help." Venti comments.

Y'shtola sighs out a response. "I am aware, however, I would prefer not to draw any more attention than I already have."

Venti hums, seeming to respect that answer, but he lingers by her side. Y'shtola takes a moment to gaze around at her surroundings. The city was bustling with people. Around the wall was a busy and crowded market, where people sold various goods. A lovely little girl sells flowers, and tries to grab Y'shtola's attention. Something the woman has to regretfully decline. 

The wind is ever present. Always rustling her clothes or her hair, and it brings many fresh scents to her nose. She hums as she climbs the first set of stairs, passing by shops that line the street and enters a plaza. She looks up to gaze upon the city that stretches out before her. Far above, she can see a grand statue reach out its hands above the city. The Anemo Archon, she recalls.

She blinks slowly, taking in the sights around her before closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath. She smells many things. The mouthwatering scent of many bakeries and restaurants. She smells the scent of alcohol on many of the passersby. She opens her eyes, and gazes upon the citizens with a frown. 

Many of them are incredibly stunted as far as aether goes. That is until she spots a young woman dash across her vision. She too, has a soul that is a light teal color. She is rather meek looking and she crosses the plaza with her nose in a notebook. She has a cute hat that barely covers the long ears on her head. The woman speaks a stuttered apology to the man at the booth she entered. But what draws Y'shtola's attention is the swirling aether concentrated at the orb on her chest. 

Y'shtola's eyes narrow. It is as if the orb is acting as a source of power, but with the way it has latched onto her aether… she shutters to think of what would happen should one forcibly sever the tie and remove that orb. The effects would be severe. Slowly, she asks.

"Venti… What is that? That crystal sphere she wears?" 

"Huh? Have you never seen a vision before?" He hums before speaking again. "Its… its kinda a tool gifted by the gods to those with great ambitions. It allows them to use elemental energy and such."

Y'shtola doesn't answer. She can only stare at it. Whatever they may be, a 'gift' is not how she would describe it. She manages to tear her eyes away and continues to cut through the plaza and make her way to the next staircase. As she does so, something catches her gaze. She glances up, and spots two figures clad in dark robes and masks. They whisper to each other beside a small glittering Aetheryte. Y'shtola makes a mental note of the Aetheryte's location before continuing on. 

The rest of the trek is relatively uneventful, but long. There are many sights to see in the vast city. She reminds herself that she mustn't stay for long since there must be worried allies to reunite with. Although she can feel a small voice inside her plea otherwise. At last they reach the top of the steps. It's late afternoon now, the sun is beginning to dip into the horizon, but not yet enough to send color blazing through the sky. At the top of the city is a plaza, rings of pillars decorate the exterior, and at its center is perhaps one of the grandest statues she has ever set her eyes upon. She has to crane her neck to even take in the hands. She has seen larger, but it never took away from the awe whenever she came across a statue as large as this. 

Y'shtola blinks and snaps from her thoughts when Venti tugs her with a bit of urgency. Gesturing to the chapel at the end of the plaza. Y'shtola takes it in. It feels similar to the chapel in Ishgard. How interesting. She lets Venti support her weight as her aching feet refuse to take another step, and he helps her through the doors of the church.

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To say the nuns liked the bard would be a lie. They looked ready to chase him off the moment he stepped foot into the chapel, saying something about a holy lyre. But all was forgotten once they had spotted her. They all dotted on her as they put her shoulder back into place. Soon, a young nun stepped into the room. She too, had a vision, and Y'shtola was shocked to watch the healing capabilities these visions seemed to hold as the sweet girl healed her aching bones. She sang an angelic tune before bowing politely and taking her leave.

Now Y'shtola lay in bed, eyes closed and resting. The moon was high in the sky, sunset had come and gone hours ago, and she suspected it was close to midnight. Ordinarily, she would not struggle to sleep. But her mind swirled with the new information, as well as questions. But there was one question that silenced the rest. How would she make it back? 

A sense of deja vu washes over her as she rolls onto her side. She had a similar experience when she first arrived on the first. Everything was so intriguing, as annoyed as she was about her sudden arrival. But she could not help but worry about how she could return. The Exarch had made it clear, with much embarrassment, that it was not his intention to summon her, nor her allies. And he had no way to return her at that moment. 

But this was different. This world was connected to the void somehow, and there were voidsent who could open multiple rifts by themself without outside help. Voidsent that were not even that powerful. She bites her lip and her brow furrows. Perhaps the veil in this world was thinner than their own? She supposes it was possible, but wouldn't that mean the world would have long since been overcome by voidsent? What in the hells makes this one different? 

'Unless…' Her brows furrow. 'Unless if that voidsent is special somehow…'

Her ears flit to the sound of heels on the ground outside her door. Someone slowly trails past the door before disappearing down the hall. After a moment, it's quiet once more. A few minutes pass, and finally the white haired miqo'te sighs in defeat. She sits herself up and rubs her temple. She pulls the familiar aetheric veil over her eyes and welcomes the strain in return for sight, and looks to the window. It was still dark. And as she suspected, it was just a little past midnight.

Perhaps, some fresh air would do her some good. She swings her legs over the side of the bed, and winces a bit at the pain in her shoulder. After hissing in pain she returns to her task at hand. She quietly pulls on her clothes, and slips on her shoes before going to grab her staff and other belongings. Then, she begins to quietly make her way to the door.

For a moment, Y'shtola regrets opening the door, for it gives a horrible creak as it opens. But she closes it behind her and walks down the hall. The hallway is far darker than the room she was in, since the windows were providing quite a bit of moonlight. But the hall was so full of doors that there was little room for windows to light the hall. Lucky for her, not only could miqo'te see rather well in the dark, but her aetheric vision proved to be an effective form of night vision.

Y'shtola glances around before stepping as quietly as she could into the hall. She recalls that if she took a right here, she would- 

"And where do you think you're going?" 

Y'shtola has to stumble back to avoid colliding with the tall woman around the corner, who was giving a cold deadpan. It takes a moment after recovering for her to realize she had been asked a question. 

"Do you make a habit of suddenly appearing and nearly giving others a heart attack?" Y'shtola quips back.

The woman pushes herself off of the wall, and Y'shtola gets a better look at her. 

She was tall, with an athletic hourglass build. Lean muscle ripples beneath her skin, almost unnoticeable, and would make her inconspicuous if it were not for her rather noticeable attire. She wore a tattered variation of the uniforms the nuns wore, with asymmetrical tights and a black corset. 

All of it accompanied with the occasional fishnet. Silver accents her at every point and curve, including on her fingertips where she wears sharp fingertip jewelry. Atop an unkempt nest of choppy hair is the cap that signified her occupation. 

The woman raises a thin brow, continuing to stare at her with that icy gaze as she holds her arms across her front and grabs each arm. Y'shtola's eyes narrow as she glances at the vision this woman wears. It gives her aether a distinct bluish white color, or even a light blue. Y'shtola's gaze snaps back to her as the woman speaks again.

"I'm not in the mood for banter. Just answer the question." The woman snaps.

Y'shtola snorts, "A walk. I need fresh air."

Y'shtola steps around the woman and continues on her way. The sound of heels click down the hall as the woman follows her.

"It's rather late for a walk, don't you think?" 

Y'shtola huffs and her ears face her sudden company. "Am I not allowed fresh air on a sleepless night?" 

Thankfully, the woman has no response to this. However she does attempt to walk quieter. It would be nearly silent if Y'shtola were a hyur. But, she is not. And she immediately is aware that the woman is now trying to make her think she has left her alone so she can tail her from the shadows. She sighs and stops in her tracks and turns to face the shadow that the woman had blended into.

"I'm sure that you are fantastic at this normally, but you forget how sensitive my hearing is. If you are that curious, then just lead me to a tavern, and we can talk." 

The woman freezes, having slipped down a dark hall. Her eyes narrow, but she nods. She follows Y'shtola rather than leading the way, but Y'shtola doesn't mind. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a tavern, but she worries about finding one that is open at this hour. 

Idly, Y'shtola asks, "Might I have your name?"

Silence.

"Would you rather I call you whatever I desire?" Y'shtola asks with a mischievous smile. 

"Rosaria."

"Rosaria…" Y'shtola repeats.

"What?"

"Nothing my friend, I was merely thinking.” She smiles before adding, “‘Tis a lovely name"

There's a pause. An awkward silence before Rosaria speaks. 

"What about you?"

"I am Y'shtola."

A beat, and then- 

"Strange name for a strange traveler." 

Y'shtola snorts and rolls her eyes. What a delightful person this was. All sunshine and rainbows. Although, she can't say that she herself is much better. She decides to not respond. After all, she said questions would be answered at the tavern, not before. 

It wasn't until after they had gone down the flight of stairs and out of the cathedral that Rosaria took the lead. She walks silently through the night with a brisk pace. One that Y'shtola is surprised to find she struggles to keep up with. 

Y'shtola looks up at the sky as they walk, and much like always, it was only a deep empty space. She could only see the moon via the aether that outlined it. And even then, it was faint. Like as if someone took more than just a few veils and obscured her vision. 

She… has yet to tell the others, except for Urianger, how little she can actually see. Most of the time she only guesses the color of something, based on whatever monochrome scale she is given. But the sky is the biggest give away. She can't see the clouds or the stars. She can only see the moon if she concentrates hard enough. And deep down… she mourns the loss…

Y'shtola turns her gaze away as they begin to venture down yet another god forsaken flight of stairs after having gone down at least three. Her feet were screaming at her as Rosaria led her down into the large square filled with crates and a back entrance to the city, and then up another flight of stairs that makes Y'shtola miss the Aetheryte system in large cities. 

However, her ears perk at the sight before her. In front of her is a charming tavern that is a few stories tall. It matches the general aesthetic of the city, but stands alone in the street, and it is surrounded by tables and their respective chairs. The only thing it lacks is the lively atmosphere, which she supposes makes sense given the hour. 

Hells, Y'shtola just couldn't believe that there was even a tavern open right now, but far be it from her to complain. Not when her feet ached from the long day of walking up stairs and void expeditions.

Rosaria opens the door for her, and she gladly steps inside.

Immediately, she is met with the familiar smells of a tavern. The scent of wine is heavy in the air, as well as a few deep rich scents. The scratchy dryness of her throat reminds her just how thirsty she was. She purses her lips and chooses to ignore this for the time being. Instead, she focuses on the bartender who glances up upon hearing the door open.

"We are closing soon. Don't bother ordering." He informs with a rough tone.

Rosaria shrugs, only going up to order. "The usual. And for her…" 

She glances at Y'shtola, who answers happily. "Chamomile tea, if you have any."

The bartender grunts and Rosaria gives her an exasperated stare, almost as if she couldn't believe her. "You are ordering tea? At the Angel's Share?" 

Y'shtola frowns. "Yes. Is that so strange?"

"I guess. Kinda. This city is famous for its wine so…" 

Rosaria sits at the bar, and she settles down on the stool next to her. Now that she is finally seated, she takes this chance to glance around at her surroundings. 

The first thing she notices is the bartender. He stands tall and proud, and a stern expression. His brows are pinched and his nose scrunches when he concentrates. He wears a short sleeve black shirt with a white vest over it, tied together with a ruffle at the neck pinned in place with a shiny jewel. He has a mane of thick long hair that she could easily mistake for being a viera’s hair with how voluminous it was.

 It looks like a messy broom with how it nearly explodes out of the low ponytail he keeps it in, and chunks of it fall out in messy strands, making it so that bangs frame his face. If she looks closely, she can see that he shaves daily, yet stubble is already beginning to set in. Meaning his hair is not only thick and wild, but it grows obscenely fast as well. The hair on his muscular arms confirms this, and she is certain that if he did not regularly maintain his appearance, the hair on his body would stop looking like hair and more like fur.

She supposes this is an odd thing to notice, but it is common occurrence for miqo'te men, and she is not used to seeing a hyur with such density in his hair. That aside, it is obvious this man prioritizes a clean appearance, yet seems to be keeping up with it poorly if the nicks from a razor and the bags under his eyes were anything to go off of. But one could applaud him for putting in more effort than most people she supposes. If anything, it only shows her that he is clearly a busy man. Her eyes trail down to the vision he wears at his waist. It tints his soul a vibrant fiery red.

Y’shtola glances around the tavern. Its relatively empty, most of the drunkards that are still here have passed out at their respective tables. Including the bard she met earlier today. He is nursing an empty glass, snoring loudly and drooling. She scoffs before her attention is drawn to movement above her. She tries not to make it obvious when she glances up, and spots a man settling at one of the tables on the second floor and is keeping a careful eye on her and Rosaria.

This man is tall and slender, with long spindly legs and fingers. He wears tight pants accompanied with swashbuckling boots and a tight fitted corset. On top of it all he wears a loud flamboyant cape decorated with fur along the shoulders. His entire outfit screams loud and annoying, but he only sits there quietly, gazing at her with the one visible eye he has. The other eye is covered by an eyepatch. His long thin hair is like water running down a hill, and it pools onto the table in front of him as he leans down to rest his chin on his palm. 

He too, has a vision, and like Rosaria it tints his soul a light blue color. Yet there is something off about him. The way his vision connects to his soul is somehow… Lacking. And almost as if to verbally speak this, the metallic frame around the orb is missing a few details compared to all the others she has seen. The hair on her neck stands up when she glances up to his eyes. The whites of his eyes are black, and they ooze with dark aether. The aether pools and streams down his face. She blinks, and the sight subsides, instead the dark aether is only a small crack in his chest. Y’shtola shakes off what she had just seen, and instead turns her attention back to Rosaria, who is giving her a hard glare. 

Those eyes pierce through Y’shtola and pull out her insides, making her feel even more uneasy. Her tail flicks as she meets her gaze. “You make quite a habit out of staring, don’t you?” 

Rosaria rolls her eyes and glances back to the bartender as he sets a glass of wine down and some tea. She pulls the glass to her and takes a long gulp out of the glass, almost trying to throw it back like a shot glass before she lowers her head and holds the glass and swirls the liquid inside.

“I suggest you answer honestly. If you want to live, that is.” The woman growls, and Y’shtola raises a brow, taking a sip of her tea. Rosaria turns her head to glare at her from under her lashes. “ Who are you? And why are you in Mondstadt?” 

Y’shtola takes her time to carelessly finish her sip of tea. She is in no rush. So she takes the time to watch the liquid as she swirls it around in her cup. “I am Y’shtola, and I am a scholar. I came to Mondstadt to be healed by the church via the recommendation of that bard over there.”

She gestures to Venti, still out cold at his table. Rosaria’s eyes flick over before her eyes narrow at Y’shtola.

“Why would a scholar be here for no reason? What did you do to get hurt?”

Y'shtola answers calmly, “You could say I stumbled here by accident. I was hurt from falling out of a large tree.”

She can feel Rosaria growing frustrated, and takes a satisfied sip of her warm beverage. “Let me get this straight. You just so happened to stumble into Mondstadt? How pray tell, do you do that? And where are you traveling from?”

Y’shtola nods. “Yes. That is correct. But… If I were to tell you anymore, I fear you would not believe me.” 

Rosaria scoffs. “Oh please. I doubt anything you say could shock me.”

Y’shtola rolls her eyes. “Fine. But don’t complain when you don’t understand or believe me. I assure you I am telling the truth, and I assure you I have not gone mad either.”

Rosaria snorts but waits for her answer. The white haired Miqo'te elegantly sets down her cup, and looks Rosaria in the eye.

“I am not from this world. I am studying methods on how one would accomplish traversing different worlds, and I have recently created a hypothesis. So, the time came to not only test my hypothesis, but to also assist a few friends. We had ventured out on an expedition, and something went awry, and I ended up here.”

Silence.

“Does my answer not please you?”

The bartender stares at her, as does Rosaria. But not with nearly as much disbelief as she expected.

Finally, Rosaria huffs and chugs the rest of her glass and tosses a coin pouch to the bartender. She stands, and takes her leave without so much of a word. Leaving a baffled and confused Y’shtola. She turns to the bartender when he suddenly speaks.

“You are not the first person to have traveled here from another world. In fact, you may be the third person I have met to do so.”

A pause.
.
.

.

The information settles in. 

Y’shtola’s eyes widen and she stands up abruptly. “You mean to tell me that other people have accomplished world travel??”

She sets her hand on the bar and leans in.  “Where might I find these people? Did you catch their names??”

The bartender answers nonchalantly. 

“One was named Alice, and the other, was named Lumine. I do not know where they might be, however, I do know that Lumine has been looking for her brother.”

While Y’shtola deflates a little, she nods. “Thank you my friend, this is valuable information. Might I have your name?”

“Diluc, of Mondstadt.”

She gives a rare smile, and bows her head to him. “Thank you Diluc. I wish I could repay you for this, it is more helpful than you realize, but I fear I may not have this world’s currency.”

She looks back up. “So instead, should you need a favor, I would be happy to help.”

Diluc looks a bit uncomfortable, and shifts from where he stands before waving his hand. “There’s no need for that, although I appreciate your enthusiasm. But I suppose since you are offering…”

He points to Venti and his face darkens. “Get him out. And see yourself out. I want to close up now.”

Y’shtola blinks and turns to the bard. “Truly? Nothing else?”

“Some of us want to go home. You do realize how late it is, right?”

She sighs. “That is understandable, I suppose. I will not keep you any longer. Pray forgive my rudeness.”

Diluc shakes his head, and Y’shtola walks over to the bard. She swats him aside as her own thoughts churn in her head before a bit of dread settles over her as she realizes something… 

.

.

.

How in the thirteen shards was she supposed to sleep now? 

Chapter Text

Rakavi's POV

The bows of a grand tree shift above, its branches shutter in the wind. On the ground, a white haired lass with equally white cat appendages shifts and groans on the dirt by the statue that towers over her. The dull sandy colors of the world reflected by the sound of static. The world bobs as whoever is witnessing the woman is currently rushing over to her as she stares up at the tree in confusion. They touch her shoulder, and force a joyful tune to their voice.

However, it is drowned out by the static, soon all sound turns to nothing but muffled ambience. Soon the monotone colors fade into white.

…

Rakavi's eyes fly open, and she reaches up to clutch her pounding head with a groan. It's been a while since the echo decided to show her something. In fact, she thought it had completely disappeared over time. It's something she always struggled to comprehend, especially its timing.

 It always seemed to have the worst timing in all of the reflections. Such as right before a large beast was about to strike her. But, it seems, for once it decided to show her something at a relatively good time, seeing as how she was sleeping. In her opinion, some visions are better had in dreams than in moments that any wrong move could lead to certain death. But, she supposes she was in no position to complain.

Instead of voicing a colorful string of words that would make Thancred proud, she rests her arm back down and takes in her surroundings with droopy eyes. A wooden ceiling and floor that was dark in color and relatively unremarkable to look at. 

She was laying on a straw mat with scratchy coarse fabric acting as her pillow and blanket. The room was sparse, nothing but a small makeshift pot for a surprisingly vibrate flower, a rug, and a few boxes nestled beside a cabinet along with a few rolled up straw beds. At her bedside there looked to be medical supplies along with bandages, an empty bucket, and a few other miscellaneous things. 

It would be spacious if not for the two other occupants, resting in fitful sleep on stay mats of their own. They wear bandages, neither in particularly poor shape, but clearly enough to be monitored for the night. 

There are two men, both of them wearing white robes, medical gowns she assumes, and look rather meek. One of them is clearly tanned from the sun with tattered hands, the other looks a little more clean. Younger perhaps, but his hands are calloused from continuous use. Judging from their facial features, she would have assumed she was in the far east had she not tumbled into such an unfamiliar land and known it was not her own world.

Rakavi frowns. Actually she has no idea if she fell back into her own world. She only assumes since she hasn't recognized her surroundings, but she forgets that she has yet to travel the entirety of her world. 

She supposes it's best not to assume either until she is able to confirm it. For now, she has more important things to think about. Rakavi closes her eyes as she replays the vision in her head. It was definitely Y'shtola. It has to be where she ended up. But all she had to go off of was that massive tree and the statue. 

Rakavi shifts in worry. Y'shtola was hurt. How long ago was that vision? Y'shtola could be long gone by now for all she knew… However, there was no time to ponder that. She would never know until she went to investigate, so Rakavi sits up… and immediately regrets it. 

Sharp pain digs into her sides, and she clutches them with a wince, and glances down. She is also wearing white robes, so she has to open them up to look at herself. Her waist was wrapped tightly in bandages. It feels relatively healed so far since the bandages are most definitely clean, but she probably shouldn't be moving just yet. 

And so the blonde miqo'te falls back onto the pillow with a huff as she already is beginning to feel the first waves of cabin fever. So, instead, she mulls over what happened to her. The first thing she hadn't processed at the time was how difficult it was to defeat the voidsent. 

Even though she had managed to break its armor, it had taken a while, and she was not pulling her punches. Which meant there was a sort of invisible shield being used that fit snugly over their bodies. Actually, now that she thinks about it, she did see the faint shimmer of something shattering when she finally started to get to the armor. Which means the voidsent had not only silent offensive capabilities but nearly invisible defensive abilities as well. This did not bode well. 

Rakavi shakes her head. She couldn't come up with a reason as to why she hadn't sensed the blade from what in comparison was a relatively easy foe. It makes her stomach drop and her chest tighten with anxiety. Perhaps, her luck was finally running out? No. She has more reflex than luck at this point. Which makes this situation all the more unsettling to her. And frustrating…

She reaches up and drags her palms down her face, pulling the skin with it to show the bottoms of her eye sockets before letting go and letting the skin snap back.

If she doesn't have something to distract herself soon, she will end up beating herself up about it. And there was no point in dwelling on it, at least not while she had no answer. She could only be glad her carelessness did not get her killed in the end and do better next time. However her mind was her greatest enemy in moments like this, seeking only to drag her through the metaphorical mud. 

Her eyes trail along the wood panels, drumming her fingers slowly as she tries to find something to occupy her thoughts and sate her boredom. She lets her mind wander, trying to contemplate anything other than what had happened to her in the past few days.

Thankfully, her thoughts are not left to wander too far, for the curtain serving as a door is pulled aside, the sound making Rakavi's ears perk and her gaze drift over. A petite woman of short stature, wearing blue and white shrine attire enters the room. 

Her hair is black and frames her face sweetly, and she carries a bowl of water in one arm as the other pulls the curtain back into place. Rakavi watches as she carefully steps over the sleeping men to reach her, pulling out a cloth that was floating atop the water, and lifts it above her face. Only to freeze in shock upon finally registering that Rakavi was staring at her with wide eyes. She jumps back and nearly spills the bowel of water.

"Y-you're awake!!" She squeaks.

Rakavi watches her in intrigue, her gaze falls and takes in the sight of the new individual, forgetting that a normal person would have spoken by now. The woman scrambles to take the bowel and stand, turning to rush out of the room, bright daylight blinding Rakavi as she watches the lass leave. She squeezes her eyes shut and her eyes water as she turns her head away as her ears perk up, registering that the woman was calling for someone outside, eventually fading into the distance… she probably should have said something. 

The miqo'te hums and as her gaze falls down to her side. Her clothes are folded neatly alongside her weapons, pouches, bags, and- Rakavi sighs in relief and reaches for her glasses. Carefully, she slides them onto her face. Once more, she thanks whatever God is looking out for her glasses specifically, and for the glass being spared yet another fight. Still, she has no idea how they don't even have a thousand scratches on them. The only thing she could think of to explain it is that the divine have taken a liking to her spectacles. 

Carefully, she sits herself up, and into a seated position, resting her back against the wooden wall behind her. The pain in her gut made her face scrunch up in discomfort for a moment, but she reached over to her pouches, rifling around for something. Muscle memory directs her to the correct pouch, and she pops open the clasp and flips the flap up. She pulls out a drawstring bag and sets it on her lap. Before opening it, she takes a moment to examine the protective sigils sewn onto the side before nodding and undoing the knot. She reaches inside and her fingers brush against polished wood and she smiles, sighing in relief. 

‘Ahh… good… the sigils still work.’

Rakavi runs her hands along even more protective sigils that are carved into the wood. All along the sides and along the front and back. Some would say this level of protection for something you carry on your person might be a bit extreme, but this was precious to her. She opens up the clasps that clamp it shut, ears flicking at the familiar click they make.

Inside are two tiny sketchbooks. Built into one side of the wood is a small paint palette, and the other side holds a small leather pouch for her drawing utensils. She takes one of the leatherbound books, the one that has a crystal imprinted on the front, and begins to search for the next blank page, eyeing the drawings on previous pages to make sure they remained in good condition. Every one of them was her best attempt to draw what she has seen in visions, the most recent having taken place in the void. When she finally finds a blank page, she carefully lifts her right hand to the leather pouch, and pulls out one of the old pencils that barely has a tip left to draw with. 

Slowly, she begins to sketch what she saw. She knows there was a large tree… And a strange androgynous stature. Y’shtola lay dazed at its base. The sky was clear, but there was a slight breeze… And someone else was there. However she could not see who, since the echo decided she viewed it from the other person’s perspective rather than witnessing it in 3rd person. Rakavi bites her lip, tasting the red tint she often applied on it as her brows furrowed. 

It was so vague and yet… oddly informative in the contradicting way the echo tended to be... Just like all the visions, she supposes she will understand in time. But for now, there was no use in dwelling on it. She can only continue to recall what she had seen while the memory was still fresh in her mind. Soon, the sketch is done, and she moves to grab her ink to finalize the drawing, using small meticulous strokes to crosshatch and shade where she found it necessary with the bold ink. 

She hears footsteps in the distance before the room is flooded with light. She blinks to adjust her eyes before returning to her work.

“-Yes she’s- eh? Why are you up?? No. How are you up?? Oh dear- I didn’t-” 

The woman from earlier is here, and is abruptly silenced by a softer voice. Rakavi would have listened, but she has started to drown them out in favor of assuring she does not make a mess of ink across the page. It takes…. A good long while before she finishes the piece with a sigh. She moves to set it to the side when she realizes her lap has been darkened with someone’s shadow, and she can feel someone’s presence next to her. She glances up, and startles at the unexpected presence of a- no, two people sitting at her side and staring at her. The woman from earlier is staring with fierce intensity, while the other is watching with interest. 

Or…. at least Rakavi thinks it’s interest. Whoever was sitting closest to her was staring at her with glassy eyes, alarming Rakavi and almost prompting her to ask if she was alright, but upon further inspection she realizes that was simply how her eyes normally appeared. Shinny and clear, yet at the same time fathomless and deep. Overall, everytime Rakavi tries to read her expression she instead drowns in the depths of color and has to bring her head above the metaphorical waves only to repeat the process once more…

She blinks. What a fantastic line for a book… 

Instead Rakavi takes in her appearance. She generally wears soft pastels that are brought together with a bright yet deep violet bow on her chest. She wears tiny shorts (that Rakavi has never understood how Alisaie or Lyse ever kept on in a fight), alongside a sleeveless top. To bring it all together she wears a soft silk robe with fantastical ocean themed patterns on them, decorated with frills and strips of cloth that remind Rakavi of the koi that she would spot in the ponds decorating the Doman Enclave. 

She has long soft hair that is tied in a matching bow on the back of her head, and Rakavi finds herself missing her once long locks… but hers would never be as long and silky as this. 

The strange woman's hand lifts up, and the soft fabric of her gloves brush against her forehead as the woman moves Rakavi's bangs out of her eyes. Mortification swells inside her at the realization that she had been staring for a good long while, and is only added upon when she can feel her face heat up in embarrassment and absolutely not from the sight she is granted when the woman leans over.

Thank the gods of chastity that this woman was wearing such a large bow at her chest. Otherwise Rakavi wasn't sure she would have survived without her own blush burning her to nothing more than an ashy heap. 

Rakavi was so deep in her need to dig a hole and hide that she almost didn't catch the words the woman said. 

"Hmm… She is in good health, as you said. I suspect this is not the first time her body has sustained such injuries, if the scars were anything to go off of."

The woman from earlier looks to the pretty lass. "Seriously? She had a hole going through her waist, it's a miracle that it didn't hit any vital organs and you are saying this isn't the first time this has happened? Thats…" She shutters. "That's not just lucky… that's inhuman."

The fish lady looks to the other and tips her head. "Very lucky. If General Gorou hadn't been as quick as he was, and her body as adept at keeping itself alive, she would have been dead long ago."

Rakavi's ears twitch, and she swallows the dryness in her throat before speaking. "I had no idea it was that bad… how long was I out for?"

The pretty lady with dead fish eyes looks back to her and answers. 

"A week. Although you had been in and out of consciousness a few times." 

Rakavi grimaces. A whole week? Would Y'shtola even still be there? She looks down at her sketchbook. It had been a whole week since Y'shtola had fallen into that rift. Was she alright? Judging from the vision, someone had obviously rushed to her aid…

Rakavi turns the sketchbook for the two ladies to see. "Do either of you know where this is?"

The woman farther away from her frowns and shakes her head, but the shorter woman furrows her brow, concentrating for a moment.

"I don't believe I do. But if I were to guess, I'd say Mondstadt."

Mondstadt? Rakavi hasn't heard of any place like that. She glances back to the drawing and hums to herself in thought.

After a moment, the woman speaks. "Might I ask what your name is? As well as how you ended up in this predicament?"

The blonde miqo'te glances up over the rim of her glasses. "Rakavi Alkenvalch. I'm an adventurer and to be honest your guess is as good as mine as to how I got here."

That last bit perhaps wasn't entirely true. However, Rakavi was in no mood in dealing with explaining the concept of the void and other worlds to what could possibly be a similar situation that she had on the First. Better to answer vaguely until she can fully grasp the situation.

The woman nods slowly, and Rakavi asks, "What about you? Who are you? What happened after I blacked out?"

"I am Sangonomiya Kokomi. I am the Divine Priestess of the Sangonomiya shrine. As for what happened…" She blinks slowly and looks to Rakavi. 

"I was walking with my general. He heard the commotion and rushed to your aid. After you passed out I managed to reach you and administer my healing abilities. Afterward, we ushered you to the nearest settlement."

She tips her head and adds, "'A hole going through your gut' is an exaggeration by the way. Had the wound been that severe, not even my healing would have been enough to save you. As for any permanent damage… I was able to heal you fast enough to prevent any permanent damage beyond a scar."

So… she had healing powers of high enough caliber to bring her back with minimal damage? Impressive. Rakavi bows her head for a moment. 

"Thank you. I would be happy to repay the favor, however, I have to seek out wherever this Mondstadt is as soon as possible. Do you have an idea of how I might reach it?"

The woman from earlier shifts a bit in discomfort, and Kokomi frowns. "I'm afraid that won't be easy. Do you not know where you are?"

Rakavi blinks. "No?"

"You are on Watatsumi Island, in the nation called Inazuma. Inazuma is currently not allowing anyone to enter, nor leave its waters."

This complicates things… Rakavi gives a long sigh, setting her sketchbook to the side so that it may dry, and Kokomi's eyes follow the movement. As Rakavi shifts to lay down once more, her hands shoot forward with alarming speed to assist her in laying back down, making Rakavi tense but accept the help nevertheless.

The priestess looks back to the sketchbook, and her eyes narrow slightly in thought before looking back to her.

 "You have no idea how you came here. No idea where you are. No idea what Mondstadt is yet you draw it with perfect clarity as if you were once there… How curious…" 

Rakavi can almost feel the color drain from her face. Shit. Despite her muscles tensing involuntarily, she forces a relaxed smile.

"Oh? It is curious isn't it?" She yawns and removes her glasses.

'Take the hint lady. I don't wanna talk about it.' She pleads inwardly as she puts her head back and closes her eyes. She can almost feel Kokomi's gaze digging into her, and Rakavi feels unease crawl up her spine. But for whatever reason, Kokomi does not pry any further. Instead she hears the two women murmur to each other before standing up and turning to leave. Kokomi seems to be telling the other woman the new care routine now that Rakavi was awake, and soon their voices fade into the distance.

.

.

.

She hoped Y'shtola was alright…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi wakes to rain on the rooftop, creating a loud ambience that echoes in the world around her. At some point during the night, the two men occupying the cabin had migrated towards each other, and if she looked closely she could spot them shiver every now and then… she supposes that this was rather cold. She closes her eyes, breathing in a deep breath, taking in the ocean air the wind has brought in as the house rattles. 

It's oddly comforting to her.

A flash of light engulfs the room, and a sharp bang follows immediately, making the ground shake and the cabin creak. Rakavi startled so hard that she jostled her aching joints, causing her to groan in annoyance.

She takes it back. This was by no means comforting… 

Rakavi lets out a shaky breath and leans over to grab her tail. She takes a minute to flatten the fur as the two beside her stir and raise their heads. 

"Another lighting storm…? They've been more frequent lately…" the older man observes.

The younger man lifts his head. "Father… I thought the storms didn't get this far out… I thought Watatsumi Island was safe from the storms?" 

The older man, the father, frowns. Now that Rakavi has a better look at his face, (or as good a look she can get in the dark) she spots his face is cracked with age, and the younger man has that naive glint in his eye. He couldn't be older than Rakavi was.

The father frowns. "Its at least better than the storms in Ritou…" 

The son begrudgingly mumbles out an agreement before stiffening. He turns to where Rakavi was, pupils blown wide from the dark. 

"Hey… you… are you awake over there? We know you are out of that coma so…" 

Rakavi nods, despite knowing they won't be able to see her do so. "I am."

They both look a little uneasy at the unfamiliarity of her voice, but quickly relax. 

The son speaks up again, "So… what happened to you? Are you a refugee too?"

Rakavi frowns. Refugee? "No… are you?"

"Kinda… we had family over here. We didn't want the war to separate us for good so we got someone to smuggle us over here." 

"War?" Rakavi asks tentatively.

"I mean… yeah? The civil war?" 

'The civil war!?' 

Rakavi groans internally. This was much worse than she thought.

"It was getting harder and harder to visit family. And with the Sakoku decree in place, we were struggling to get foreign supplies in. So it was better to just leave." 

" The what now?"  

"... The Sakoku decree…? Yknow. The one issued like ten years ago that closed the borders?" The son furrows his brow in confusion and his father's gaze narrows.

…Rakavi hadn't realized she said that bit out loud, but that explains why she couldn't leave the country. But it was far far worse than just a civil war it seems. 

"Yeah… that. Sorry, I misheard you. I thought that something new had been issued." Rakavi lies.

The father and son relax a little upon hearing that, and Rakavi reminds herself of the danger of asking too many questions. She can't have herself standing out too much but at the same time there was only so much that could be ascertained via eavesdropping. 

As Rakavi lays there pondering this another flash of lighting strikes, a bit further away this time but still enough to make the ground rumble. The two men flinch and Rakavi squeezes her eyes shut until they adjust to the dark once more. When she opens her eyes, her ear flicks, catching a sound other than the thundering drum of the rain.

It's as if claws scrape against the wood, and she knows she is not the only one who hears it since the father and son freeze simultaneously. They glance around in fear when the scuttle doesn't continue, but a voice takes its place. Someone, or rather, something , lets out a shrill laugh. It squeaks in a strange foreign language before it goes quiet. 

Claws scrape momentarily in a different location, closer to the edge of the roof. It's then that Rakavi notes almost a twinkling sound followed by the distinct sound of water freezing. Cold seeps under the curtain that has been pinned in place for the night, and Rakavi sees ice begin to creep across the floor.

The twinkling sound is gone with a puff, and then suddenly, it is alarmingly close. She sees a faint shimmer of ice, a circular surface, and two tiny doll-like feet that float gently on the other side of the curtain. The distorted voice speaks once more, and is as foreign as the last time it spoke. Rakavi, as quietly as she can, reaches for her gauntlets. Her eyes never leave the presence on the other side of the curtain. 

She watches in tense silence as ever so slowly, a hand curls around the fabric. Ice stretches across the fabric as tiny needle fingers dig into the curtain. They drip with black ickor and radiate abyssal hatred from even the tiny shards for fingernails that she can see. 

Rakavi doesn't waste another moment and leaps forward.

She bursts through the curtain, causing the pins keeping it in place to pop and let the furious wind into the room. She rams her shoulder into whatever was there, her arm meets a cold surface before it is sent bouncing away, the creature inside screeching in confusion.

Rakavi takes a quick moment to observe it as the freezing rain batters her skin and seeps into her clothes. 

It was short and levitating within a light blue shield. It wore a large wool poncho with snowflake patterns decorating it. It wears a greasy fur hood that connects to an eerie mask. It screeches at her, and Rakavi finds herself a bit disappointed. It was kinda cute for something that gave off such an ominous presence.

Rakavi huffs, and bolts forward, not giving it another moment to think as she brings her knee to her front to give a shattering blow against its shield… only for it to do little more than rattle the damned thing. 

Rakavi can only manage a small noise of surprise before the thing casts something, and a few shards of ice shoot out. Rakavi brings earth chakra to her arms and blocks the blow, causing the ice to shatter upon impact. She puts her fists out, and begins to bounce on the balls of her feet as her focus zeros in. Her eyes narrow as the rain beats down on her back… the mask. The one thing that seemed most out of place was that mask. If she could just get past that shield…

She leaps forward once more, raising her leg and striking downward, making the monster screech out in terror. Her heel collides with the shield, and rather than shattering it bends under the force and jostles the creature inside. It slams against the stone, causing the ground to break under the force of her blow. 

She's caused quite a commotion, since guards come running out, using glass lanterns that are protected from the rain. The son and father have stumbled out of the hut and gasp upon seeing the fight taking place. The creature below her speaks in a shaky voice.

" H-haha! Y-you'll never get past my sh-"

She doesn't let the creature finish, because she grabs the shield and her lip curls into a snarl in her frustration. 

"Why won't it fucking break!!?" She shouts.

She continues to squeeze, pouring fire chakra into her arms for that extra boost they gave her, only to notice that when she does so, steam rises from where the fiery aether was touching the shield, and the creature tenses in fear.

"...oh? Oh is that how? Ohohoho…. You sneaky little pest ." She lets out a humorless laugh, making the creature flinch. 

Immediately, she pours the fire chakra into her arms and squeezes the shield with all her strength, snarling at the creature with a manic smile, baring her fangs to its mask. Cracks form along the shield before it abruptly gives way. Her arms collide with the creature when the shield dissolves with a loud hiss. The pest seems to have enough in it to suddenly disappear from view.

She startles in shock, not expecting it to quite literally disappear into thin air, the only indication of what happened was the small blip of frost. Rakavi barely has time to avoid the shards of ice that shoot out at her from behind, narrowly avoiding taking one to the gut. 

She spins around, and her eyes narrow into a searing glare, making the creature squeak. But she doesn't give it any more time to react, because once more she dashes forward, grabbing its face and slamming it into the ground.

The creature barely has enough time to screech in pain before its cut off. Cracks slither out underneath it as whatever kind of skull it has crunches beneath the force of her attack. She closes her fist, feeling the shards of bones scrap against her palm. She holds it there… nothing could survive a blow like that. But as much as it sounded like a cheesy action novel, she knew death wasn't enough to keep some enemies down. 

She waits until the creature dissolves into that same red and black ash that the two monsters from before had done. Her eyes narrow at that revelation. 

'So… this is another type of voidsent?'

Rakavi lifts her hand and stands up straight, brushing the ash off her hands as best she can in the rain. She is rather nonchalant, until she realizes the audience surrounding her. Slowly she glances around her, spotting shocked expressions among the guards that had gathered. She rubs her neck and laughs sheepishly. 

'So much for keeping a low profile…'

Someone pushes past the crowd, and she recognizes the canine ears atop his head. The man steps forward, shock evident on his expression. But as luck would have it, her gut chooses this convenient moment to remind her of her past injury, making her stumble in her pain as she wraps her arms around her abdomen. 

" Fuck!" She hisses in pain, almost kneeling over. But the canine man rushes forward to catch her. 

"Go back to your duties! I have it handled!" He barks in an authoritative tone.

Relief washes over her as the guards nod and disperse. The man helps her back into the cabin, and helps her to lay down onto the wooden floor. He walks over to the curtain and grabs it before pinning it back in place with a small mallet that was off to the side. 

The father had lit a candle for them, trying desperately to protect it from being blown out from the wind. The man turns to them, and his expression softens. 

"Are you both alright?" He asks.

They both nod their heads, and he then directs his attention to Rakavi. He frowns. "That was reckless. You should have called for a guard." 

Shame washes over Rakavi, although she isn't entirely sure why. Perhaps there was something about the way this man spoke… mayhaps it was because the tone he used reminds her a little of when Alphinaud chides her. 

Her musings are interrupted as he reaches for her robe, but pauses to look her in the eye. "I need to inspect your wound, and find dry clothes for you. May I?"

Slowly, she nods, unsure of how to feel about this. It had been a while since anyone other than Alphinaud had taken so much care to monitor her condition. But then again, she rarely went to healers other than Alphinaud in recent years. 

"Can I ask your name?" She asks before adding, "I'm Rakavi by the way."

He answers quickly. "Gorou. General Gorou." 

'General Gorou huh? I suppose I should have figured that out from what Kokomi had said…' 

Gorou doesn't waste any more time, carefully opening up her white robes. He helps her to slide it off her shoulders before standing up to go and open a box. He pulls out a set of fresh robes for her and walks back over to her. He sets the clean robes down before carefully unwrapping the bandage around her waist. 

Rakavi bites her lip as it is exposed to the sharply cold air, and Gorou runs calloused fingers along the closed wound. 

He sighs in relief. "Good… it seems you have not reopened it. My lady's work seems to have paid off." 

Rakavi's brow furrows. That was some strong healing magic if her wound hadn't reopened but… 

"How… How bad is it…?"

Gorou pauses mid movement, thinking for a moment before answering. "I'm no doctor, but I think you're fine. You know what happens if you are healed too fast or too frequently?"

"You can get phantom pains, right? That's why healers have you rest even if you are fully healed."

Gorou nods. "Yes. I suspect that's what happened. But we should still be careful, since it could be internal."

She nods and Gorou rebandages her. He moves to grab the robes and assists her in putting them on before helping her to scoot over to the makeshift straw bed. But she can't help but frown. 

"Aren't you going to ask about what happened just now?" Rakavi asks.

Gorou pauses, seeming to collect his thoughts before answering. "I think… that'll have to wait until morning."

Rakavi hums in response as she settles under the blanket with a sigh. The general's tail sways a little as he moves to check in with the other two in the room before the candle is blown out and he steps out of the hut. Silence descends upon them, and the father and son settle back under their covers. Rakavi sets her glasses and gauntlets to the side and stares at the ceiling once more, listening to the sound of the constant drum of the rain outside. 

Chapter Text

Y’shtola’s POV

It's been a day since she first arrived. And it had been spent in agonizing boredom. However, she needed to familiarize herself with the city before she began her research, as well as rest her body from what was an exhausting day. As expected, the citizens of Mondstadt gave her strange looks. Even her attire made children flock around her like a moth to flame.

But today, she walked to where the library was. The Knights of Favonius headquarters. She had managed to squeeze some information about how the city worked, and who were the ones in charge. She thinks the system is somewhat similar to what Ishgard has become, in some ways at least.

She had also asked about the state of other countries, finding out there were in fact seven nations, and seven archons. Or six, as of now. The geo archon had passed away in a rather tragic event. 

Y'shtola glances up as she arrives at her destination. It's much larger than the knights headquarters in Ishgard. But alas, it would not be fair to continue to compare Ishgard to this place. She only does so to understand. 

She gathers her robes up with one hand and leans on her staff as she goes up the steps, and a guard steps in to block her from entering. 

"Excuse me miss, may I ask what your business with the knights are?"

"Research in the library." 

They nod, and turn to open the door for her. She suspects that because she is a new face, they are wary of her. Walking through the door, she is met with marble floors and a clean interior. In front of her someone sits at a reception desk, with two hallways on either side of her. She glances up and bows her head.

"Hello~!" The receptionist waves and stands a little. A knight made to be a receptionist from the looks of it. 

"I am looking for the library." 

The woman nods and points her to the double doors on her right. Y'shtola gives a quick thanks and walks to the double doors and past the two guards stationed there. Immediately she is met with a similar sight to the one in Sharlyan, minus the mammets manning the shelves and the scholars with their noses in a book at every corner. 

But the marble floor and dark brown shelves reminded her of it. The only difference is the heavy amount of natural light and the fact that instead of the separate floors in the form of catwalks beneath her, there are two staircases that lead to a second floor. She feels relaxed at the coziness of it all. 

She glances around the place before making her way to the nearest shelf. She pulls it out and… much to her disappointment, it is, as expected, written in an unfamiliar script. Y'shtola huffs and snaps the book closed and slots it back into place, her tail flicks to display her irritation.

From the second floor she can hear someone's heels clack across the floor, followed by a long sigh. So she follows the sound, quickly crossing the room and climbs the stairs. It doesn't take long for her to see the woman. 

She wore a slim fitting purple dress accented by silvery jewelry and stockings and loud heels. She wears a wide brimmed witch hat with a rather intriguing rose caged inside a lantern. The woman wears similar roses throughout her attire, including one that tied her hair. She stares with tired eyes at the shelf as she slots a few books into place. 

Y'shtola waits until she finishes before knocking on the bookcase so as to not startle the librarian. To which the Librarian gives her a rather laid back glance. 

She smiles, "Oh~ hello sweetheart, how can I help you?" 

Y'shtola pauses for a moment, not expecting the sudden term of endearment. She swallows and answers calmly.

"I fear I do not speak this land's written language. Do you know if there are any beginners guides for the script?" 

The woman's eyes widened in intrigue, "Oh? Where are you from? I might be able to find something in your language" 

Y'shtola shakes her head. "Very far from here I'm afraid. I doubt you'd have any written language similar to mine." 

The woman's lips purse in her thought. "Hmm… Are you the lass that was at the Angel's Share late the other night? You were with Rosaria, no?"

Y'shtola tenses, and her ears go back. She answers slowly. "Yes… why?"

The librarian chuckles and waves her hand. "Oh don't look so tense! One of our captains was there. He overheard your conversation." 

Y'shtola frowns. Trying to wrap her head around this information. She tries to recall all who she saw in the bar. "...The one with the eyepatch?"

She nods, "Yes, the Cavalry Captain. He figured you would be of interest."

She holds out her hand, "I'm Lisa, the librarian here." 

Y'shtola cautiously takes her hand. "Y'shtola…" 

"Y'shtola? Y'shtola…. That's a lovely name." Lisa smiles sweetly. 

Y'shtola smiles back, "As is Lisa." 

The two chat for a while longer, and before long Lisa and Y'shtola are sitting at one of the tables with a piece of paper out as Lisa begins to go over the beginnings of the written language with Y'shtola. Much to Y'shtola's relief, it seems that the written language isn't grammatically different from her own. 

It put an infuriating wrench into her plans though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola snaps her notebook closed as she nears the staircase leading up to the Angel's Share. Lisa had been kind enough to sit down with her and help translate the alphabet, and this was not her first time working with a foreign script. But it didn't make it any less infuriating to her. She had little patience for this sort of thing, and if patience was not required she would have thrown herself into her research already. But alas, she knows better. She can't have herself missing what could possibly be very important details.

As she steps up she slots her notebook under her arm with the books she checked out from the library. She gathers her robes and hurries up the steps, ears facing back to detect any possible threat behind her as the sun dips behind the horizon. When she makes it to the top of the steps she glances up and is met with a more rowdy sight that is more what one would assume from a bar compared to the one she was first introduced to. 

Ordinarily she would have picked a more quiet place to study. But she decided that if she could not read straight away, then she could at least listen in to the locals. And there was no better place than what seemed to be one of the most popular taverns in a city known for its taverns and drunkards.

So, she dodges the lightweights and day drinkers that are already stumbling out of the tavern and heads inside the warmly lit building. 

Immediately she is bombarded with noise and her ears flatten against her head. She glances up to the bar and is disappointed to find that there were no familiar faces manning the counter today. The only familiar face was Venti, who was already singing in a jolly manner with other various drunkards. 

Venti waves her over. Y'shtola gives a scrutinizing glance before screwing her gaze upward to the bartender, deciding she desires a little revenge for having to drag him across town. 

She has to raise her voice to be heard. "I'd like ginger tea, please!" She glances at Venti and adds,  "And add it to Venti's tab. He said he owes me a drink and I intend to cash in that favor."

Venti's gaze slowly goes to her, a little confused. "Huh?"

"Payment. You said you owed me a drink for taking you home? Well I'm redeeming that offer." She explains.

It was true. He had sobered up a bit by the end of the walk, and thanked her quite a bit. Claiming that next time she came to the bar he would treat her to a drink.

"Awee I was hoping I would get to introduce you to some of my favorite wines though!" He complains and she raises a brow.

Nevertheless, the bartender shrugs and complies. Soon enough, she has a cup of hot tea that she retrieves and hurries off with. She heads up to the second floor, intending on snagging that spot by the railing, where you could hear everyone throughout the whole tavern that way. If you were a Miqo'te like her at least. 

Thankfully, the seat has not yet been claimed. So she pulls the seat out and begins to spread the books out across the table and carefully sets the teacup down where no drunkard could possibly bump it. 

However, as she opens her notebook, the chair in front of her groans as it is pulled back before someone sits down and scoots up. They set their own wine glass down and lean forward to rest their chin on their palm. 

Y’shtola raises a brow and glances up. And she freezes. 

Whoever sat in front of her had gnashing teeth that stretched down their form, and it gushed black ickor onto the table, and a gold light from their eyes like stars against abyssal sky. Her eyes are drawn to the veiny black cracks in their form that slither out like a sickness across their body and-

“My eyes are up here you know.”

Y’shtola snaps out of her trance, suddenly, the image is gone. Replaced by the seemingly normal man with normal teeth and normal eyes. Well… only the one eye. The black cracks were gone, as was the black ickor. Now he was just… A normal man. One that she recognizes in fact. And he was staring at her, expectantly, as he raises a brow. Y’shtola finally processes his words.

“I fear there is not much to look at. Even if I was interested.” She scoffs, trying to brush off the cold sweat from earlier. 

The man chuckles at her answer. “Fair enough, but you wound me! I thought I was quite the sight to behold.”

Y’shtola rolls her eyes. “To little old grandparents still wishing a swashbuckling youth would whisk them away perhaps.”

The man hums, “Well, I can’t say you are wrong… Ah, what was your name?”

“Y’shtola. But you already know that, Cavalry Captain. It seems you know my name, but I do not know yours?”

He tips his head. “Kaeya. Don’t bother with the formalities. I only came here to be friends.” He then nods to his cup and adds, “I would buy you a drink, but it doesn’t seem you care much for wine.”

“I actually do. In fact I prefer wine to any alcoholic beverage. However, I prefer to not drink whilst studying. Nor do I enjoy drinking in…” She pauses, searching for the right term. “...Uncontrolled environments.”

“Fair enough.”

She closes her notebook and glances back up at him. “I suppose you spy and report all of your friends to the knights, do you not?”

He blinks before responding with a smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Y’shtola scoffs, rolling her eyes. He was as infuriating as she predicted he would be. Her eyes trail down to his chest once more. She wonders why she kept… seeing things. The first time she saw it, she chalked it up to a hallucination due to lack of rest, or something along those lines. However, she suspects that this was out of the ordinary. She only wonders why it appears for only a mere moment. Typically these sorts of things wouldn’t just disappear like a hallucination. They were usually the appearance of a soul and that wasn’t something one could easily hide.

“Again, while I am flattered, my eyes are up here.”

Y’shtola huffs and glares at him. “I’m not looking at your cleavage, I’m looking at your aether.”

Kaeya’s brow furrows a little. “My… what?”

Y’shtola huffs in frustration. “Yes, your aether . There must be an equivalent term here… Magic? The energy that makes up all living things?” 

“I’m sorry, the only term that comes to mind is elemental energy.”

“Hmph. Not descriptive enough. There is aether within the elements. It is what governs both magic and life. Everything has aether in it, even the elements.” She looks at him and muses. “I use aether to see. And I can see that there is something… wrong. With your aether I mean. Or at least your soul. It's almost like you were cursed or something of that variety.”

The blue haired man tenses and shifts in his seat before giving a forced laugh. “Oh? Is that so? Well, you have quite the imagination!”

Her eyes narrow. She was not imagining things… but she can, however, take a hint. She takes a sip of her ginger tea. “Well. Moving on from this topic, since you are here, I was hoping you could tell me a few things, since you seem so knowledgeable.”

Kaeya relaxes at that, and he nods. “Of course, only if you promise to answer a few of my own.”

Y'shtola hums. She takes her time in thinking about her questions. She looks down to her teacup, watching the liquid slosh in the cup as she swirls it around ever so slowly. She takes another sip as she slides her notebook a little closer to herself. She takes out something to write with, pressing the tip to the page before she glances back at Kaeya. 

"Elemental Energy. Let's start with that, shall we?" She hums. 

Kaeya watches her before shaking his head. "I think you would be better off asking Lisa for an explanation on those sorts of things."

"What about visions?"

"Again, better off asking Lisa."

Y'shtola chews her tongue in contemplation. Lisa seemed to be the person who she should ask most things about. But she knows this person was a valuable source of information… Perhaps she was not asking the right questions. She glances around, she sees folks of all walks of life. He spent a lot of time here from the looks of it. So perhaps…

"Those lacey uniforms. The ones by the bar drinking with Venti. What are those about?" She asks.

"Ah, now that is something I can answer~" Kaeya flashes a quick smile before turning his head to look at the folks in those rather ridiculous uniforms. 

He takes a sip of his wine and vaguely gestures with his index finger. "Those are the uniforms they use for the adventurers guild. Although, not everyone has to wear it."

His gaze returns to her. "People all over the world typically send in requests to the closest branch of the guild- commissions- and the guild takes care of it. Things from as small as lost cats all the way up to out of control monster populations. But the adventurers guild is there for folks seeking out… well, you know. Adventure."

She nods. Could be a valuable information network, much like the adventurers guild in her own world. However the adventurers were more focused on adventure rather than just freelance work. Then again, it would be better to judge it when she sees it. She glances around, her eyes landing on a figure clad in thick furs and a mask to obscure their face.

"What about those people clad in masks?" 

Kaeya's visible eye narrows a little, but the smile does not leave his face. Soon he shrugs. "That would be the Fatui."

"The Fatui?"

"Yeah. A militaristic organization based in Snezhnaya. They do whatever shady business you could possibly think of. But they are also responsible for a large chunk of the world's economy. They even have their own bank off in Liyue and they send their men out all over the world for debt collection." 

Y'shtola glances back at the man with the mask. "I see. Tell me more about this organization." 

Kaeya hums, eye lulling over to clock the same man. "I could… but I think I'm done here." He stands up. Taking his wine with him.

Y'shtola's eyes narrow in suspicion. "Truly? You have yet to ask me anything. Was that but a jest?" 

"Oh, I think you answered all of them just fine." Kaeya only gives her a sly smile before leaving her utterly confused and alone at the table. 

She watches his back as he disappears down the stairs, trying to wrap her mind around what exactly his cryptic answer could possibly mean. Every possible question he had was answered just by answering her own inquiries? Preposterous. It gave her a chilling reminder of the mind games often played in politics…

While she was no stranger to mental gymnastics and was more equipped to handle it than most of the members of the Scions, that did not mean she enjoyed it. It was part of why she enjoyed her time in Limsa Lominsa. While that city was shady as all hell and everyone lied through their teeth all the pirates were at the very least blunt. It was easy to sense their intentions when they would rather angrily swear colorful profanities at any passersby next to their newly collected goods.

But she can't help but feel like slime is being poured down her back when she has to listen to the slick words of politicians. 

.

.

.

She has no idea how Alphinaud handles it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola reviews her notes for one last time before she snaps the book closed and returns to the chapel. The nuns have been gracious enough to let her stay there for the next few days until she can figure out how to obtain some of this world's currency to afford an inn room. 

The nun who had visited her rather frequently to sing to her- Barbara- had been horrified when Y'shtola had informed her that she had originally intended to just camp outside the city. So she had insisted the church allow her a few days of respite. But in exchange, she would begin to pay for her stay via community service starting three days from now if she could not leave by then.

It was a fair price. In fact it almost felt far too kind. But, Y'shtola was not one to turn down such a kind offer. 

She would have to work hard if she was to understand this world’s written language in a short time. But she had gone through worse, had to crunch for harsher deadlines. Not only that, but she had Lisa to assist her should she need it.

The thought of the librarian with the purple tinted soul brought a smile to her lips. She already knows she will get along swimmingly with the woman. Not only that but she speaks in such a soft tone, rather than the loud boisterous shout of every other hyur in the city. It made her migraines more bearable.

Y’shtola bounds up the stairs, gathering her robes in her hand as she does so before she finally reaches the top of the steps. She glances up at the grand statue of the Anemo Archon, nodding to it for no particular reason before she begins to hurry across the plaza to the front doors of the chapel.

She steps into the giant hall, lined with benches, and takes a moment to appreciate the silence in the building as night has long since taken hold over the city. She looks up, admiring the stained glass that allows light to filter in… she wonders if this is what Ishgard was like before the calamity that sealed that country away in eternal winter. She thinks she would have visited had she known how beautiful it would have been in summer. 

A frown tugs at her lips. Of course, her first time seeing it had been under less than ideal circumstances. She remembers coming too in that medical bay. The first time she felt the strain on her eyes and her mind when she used her aetheric vision. But there was one thing she remembered more vividly than the change in her sight.

And it was the look on Rakavi's face. 

She still had long hair back then. It fell into her face as she had stood at the door, too scared to move. For Y'shtola, time blurred together in the rift. It felt like she was there for barely even a moment. So it felt like she fell asleep for one moment, and woke up to her friend being… it was like waking up to a stranger. 

She didn't know what had happened to Rakavi, aside from the incident in Ul'dah. So Y'shtola suspected it had something to do with Rakavi being banished from her own home. That in on itself was understandably heartbreaking.

But… the look on her face was burned into Y'shtola's mind. Every emotion was painfully visible on her face. Y'shtola could see just from looking at her the fragility of her mind in that moment. Like as if Rakavi looked away, she was positive that Y'shtola would fade away in the blink of an eye.

The monk had stood frozen at the door, staring at her in disbelief and

… relief.

Y'shtola had felt something gnaw in her chest at the time. Guilt. Guilt from knowing just from that look that Rakavi had been through hell. Guilt that she had been absent through it all. Guilt that her friend broke into tears at the sight of her. Silent sobs rattled her body at the sight of the white haired miqo'te… guilt… that she did not know why her friend had looked at her so. 

She had felt shame that she did not know how to react when Rakavi pulled her into a squeezing embrace… she thinks she could feel the guilt leaving Rakavi that day.

Y'shtola had not known what Rakavi had been through. Nor the things she lost.

But she does not wish to let that happen again. She refuses to be absent from her friend's side once again.

And so in the cold light of the moon in the chapel that stands proudly at the edge of Mondstadt, Y'shtola makes her choice.

She does not care how much she learns of this world. Her first priority should be to reunite with her ally. Her friend. Her family.

Rakavi Alkenvalch.

Soon, she would cross the world for her.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Extra: Kaeya’s POV

He watches the woman leave the tavern with swift purpose in her step, nose in her notes as she walks. Someone slides into the seat next to him. A familiar face, pale with sunken eyes and ruddy hair. She snags the cup from his hand and downs the last of it.

Rosaria gingerly places the mug back down before looking at him. “So? Your deduction? Oh mighty knight?” She drawls, her voice dripping with sarcasm. To which Kaeya answers with a practiced smile.

“I don’t think she’s a threat to Mondstadt. She really does seem to just be a foreign scholar.”

Rosaria raises her brow, hearing the unspoken words and voices them. “But still strange enough that we can’t trust her?”

“Yes. She may not be a danger to our beloved city… But whatever brought her just might be…”

She snorts and glances to where Y’shtola had just left the tavern. But she says nothing.

Kaeya does not even have to guess the thoughts running through her head. “I’m sure you will continue your own investigation? Just be mindful of her hearing, won't you? It won’t do if we have yet another person press charges for your investigation style.”

Rosaria rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Whatever you say. Just stay out of my way this time.”

Kaeya looks at his empty mug in a mournful manner at the lack of wine. “Of course. But you owe me a drink now for stealing my cup.”

She doesn’t answer, and Kaeya falls silent. He waves down the bartender for another drink, and while he waits, he drums his fingers on the wood. He glances down to watch his nails clack on the surface of the bar.

‘It seems things are finally getting interesting… Let’s see where you take us, O’ Scholar from another world…’

A fresh glass of wine sides his way, and he happily takes a sip.
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A small amused smile spreads across his lips. “How exciting…”

Chapter Text

Rakavi’s POV

The wind rustles her hair as she sits out above the small down, legs dangling on the ledge as she looks out at Watatsumi Island, gazing upon the Sangonomiya Shrine. Rakavi waits for the wind to die down once more as her gaze returns to her sketchbook. 

This one was different from the one she uses to document her visions. This one she merely used to paint the places she has visited on her adventures, and she has just finished the rough sketch of the scene laid out before her.

As she dips her brush into the colored inks and paints before a rustle grabs her attention, making her ears swivel around to identify the sound. 

Soon, general Gorou makes his presence known via clearing his throat and sitting down next to her. His tail coils around him best it can and into his lap and he takes out a small notebook with only strings as its binding. It has a strange script etched onto the front, and she can only guess what it might say. He takes out his own brush and begins to carefully write in the same way she has often seen the far eastern script written. 

It's getting repetitive to compare this place to Doma so much. But the similarities are just… uncanny. Everything from the culture to the civil war she helped the citizens fight. But at the same time, it had its differences. There was no place in Doma that looked this vibrant. That was for certain. 

A bubble (she still has yet to figure out where they come from) floats by her nose, and she has to pull her chin in to let it pass, giving herself a double chin, wide eyes, and nearly flattened ears as she watches it pass. Her reaction makes a cough sound next to her that sounds suspiciously like he was attempting to hide a snort of laughter. 

Rakavi squints. Gorou looks away guiltily. 

"What?" She asks, a little embarrassed.

Gorou waves his hands, "Nothing! I was just coughing! …You know the bubbles aren't gonna hurt you, right?"

Rakavi huffs and mumbles. "I know that I'm not scared of them. I just didn't want to pop it…" 

He shrugs and they fall into silence once more. Rakavi turns back to her painting, now taking time to begin the process of laying down the paint to create a general silhouette of a landscape.

Gorou sits silently next to her, and she finds that she starts to smile to herself. Peace and quiet like this was hard to come by, and she feels herself relax gradually in Gorou's presence. There was something soothing about him and the aura around him. Although she can't place her finger on it. But there was one thing she could say for certain. 

This was a nice change of pace for her. 

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"General Gorou!"

Ah. There it goes… her peace and quiet.

Gorou glances up as a few soldiers climb the hill to stand before him. They salute and report to him.

"The last of the supplies are ready to be transferred to the boat sir!" 

Oh? Was it that time already? Rakavi glances up from her painting, and almost on cue Gorou looks to her. They make eye contact and nearly speak on top of each other. But Rakavi beats him to it. 

"I'll be there later. I want to finish this real quick."

As she says this, the guards glance at each other in confusion. One of them hesitantly speaks. "Sir? Is she assisting us?"

Gorou's ear flicks and he glances to them. "Yes. She'll be coming with us. We are helping to smuggle her to Inazuma City." 

The two guards murmur to each other, and Rakavi hums as she remembers her exchange with the divine priestess the other day.

***

Rakavi had been assisting in hunting down more of the pests in the area after she was able to walk again. Explained it was thanks for the healing. However, much to her own misfortune, it caught the attention she had been hoping to avoid. 

Kokomi sits before her, a determined look in her eye.

"I'd like to recruit you to one of our squadrons."

She spoke bluntly. And Rakavi silently thanks her for it. She was tired of politicians and has been ever since she first stepped foot into the pearl of the desert, Uldah. Which was a long time ago.

But that wasn't enough to convince Rakavi of what she had been avoiding. Instead, she decides to speak bluntly as well.

"No."

Kokomi frowns. "No?"

"Yeah. No. I'm sorry but… I'd love to help but… no offense but I'd prefer to see the situation with my own eyes before making any kind of decision like that… I'm tired of being everyone's war machine just because they say I should." 

Kokomi's eyes widen. But she doesn't speak.

Rakavi looks her in the eye. "I've decided to be honest, so I'd prefer it if you respect my decision, ok? I'm not from here. That much is the honest truth. But I'm from a lot farther out than you could imagine, and I've seen a lot of shit. I am only here by accident. Some monster teleported me here. And before you think I'm crazy let me remind you that your general saw the monster with his own eyes." She adjusts her seated position to better look at Kokomi. "I'll help you. But only in the form of information. Until I get a better grasp of the situation I'm only doing this so that I can find my friend and repay you for your kindness. But until then I won't fight your battles for you."

Kokomi is silent for a long moment. Contemplation flashes across her gaze, but only for a moment. It is soon replaced by intrigue. "Your friend?"

"Yeah. I got separated on the way here. I have reason to believe that the place in the drawing I made is where she ended up."

Kokomi nods and sits back, looking at her lap. She bites her lip and eventually sighs. "I have an ally I can send you to in Inazuma city. They can show you the full situation. And most likely, they can help you get information on your friend's whereabouts."

Rakavi perks up at this. 

"I'll tell General Gorou to take you with him when he and the troops return to the front lines. While that happens I'll find someone to smuggle you into the city. It may take a few days though."

Rakavi sighs in relief. "Thank you…"

***

And that was that. She regrets being so harsh about the subject, since she is certain they could probably use all the help they could get… but. She wasn't ready to stake her life on another war, especially when she doesn't know the full story yet.

She takes a deep breath and takes in the smell of the world around her. It's calming, except for the smell of the ocean. Perhaps she was far too landlocked as a child but to her oceans smelled terrible. They smelled too much like… like fish. 

But aside from that the sound of the waves and the wind in the trees brings a gentle comfort to her as she paints the pinks and purples of the landscape before her. Her tail coils and uncoils itself in her peace of mind as she paints and tunes out the conversation from the general and his soldiers. 

As she does so, her mind begins to dangerously wander. It wanders to Y'shtola. Rakavi frowns and her strokes slow at the thought of her. Slowly she stops and looks up. She misses her already. In fact she dearly misses all of the Scions. 

Seeing the purple and pink world here, it reminds her of Lakeland, which inevitably makes her wish she could have brought G'raha with her here. He would have enjoyed the view…

Slowly she blinks.

Rakavi looks back down to the painting. 

She assures herself that she would be able to show it to them. But, first, she had to reunite with them.

"-avi?"

Rakavi drags her mind back to reality and her ears perk. 

"Hey, you alright?"

Gorou was trying to get her attention. She should probably acknowledge him. So she does. She turns her head to face him, blinking slowly. 

Finally she processes his words and she responds. "Yes. I am alright. Why do you ask?" 

A thin frown creases his lips, his ears droop slightly. "Nothing. You just seemed out of it for a moment."

They sit in silence for a while longer, before eventually Gorou gives a proper goodbye, stands up, and leaves with a swish of his tail. He was a nice man. But most likely had things to do and did not wish to bother her right now as she appeared to be in deep concentration with the way her brows are furrowed and her lips pursed.

It takes a while before she finishes the piece. She had gotten rather good at drawing the visions she had, but these paintings were different. They had to be picture perfect. So the hours slowly tick by before she huffs and compares her piece to the scene in front of her. 

Rakavi should give herself more credit. It didn't take nearly as long as it used to when making these paintings. But she still found flaws in every corner of the drawing. But a lesson she has had to teach herself was one many philosophers had pondered, a lesson she, G'raha, and Alisaie have all had to learn together.

And that was to snap the book closed and say 'It's good enough.' 

Once the colors were dry that is. Which takes a while. But eventually she is able to snap the sketchbook closed and call it quits.

She stands and straightens out the borrowed robes she wears, and jumps down to make her way to the small village she had been staying in these past few days. She passes by the farmers, and the merchants, who all give her a smile and a nod as she passes. The guards regard her with unease, but she honestly couldn't blame them. 

A strange woman of a species you have never seen before, suddenly shows up injured, and proceeds to take out a magically adept monster in the dead of night, not just at night, but in the middle of a storm that blocks out any light given by the moon? Immediately after waking up? And then proceeds to inform them that she is nothing but a simple traveler who is not worth her salt and this was all just a silly coincidence? Then goes out of her way to take out other similar pests of the flying plant variety that had gotten fair too close to the village?

Yeah. She would be suspicious too.

Rakavi lifts the curtain at the doorway and steps inside her temporary quarters. The father son duo had long since been given the clear to leave the medical bay. So she should have the privacy to get dressed. Or so she hopes. 

She kneels beside her clothes that had been folded neatly over the past few days and returns her sketchbook to its box and pouch on her belt before she begins to undress. She tries her best to fold the clothes as neatly as possible, only to have it turn out as a crumpled heap, making her wave her hand so that she can focus on the task she has given herself. 

She kneels beside the small bowl and mirror they had provided her, and begins to unravel her clothes and set them out, ready to be put on. As she does so, her hand brushes against something metallic within the folds of her shirt, and she pauses.

Rakavi's face falls, as her brows furrow. Delicately she pulls it out by the chain, adjusting it in her hand until the pendant rests in her palm… Well, technically it wasn't a pendant. It was more accurate to call it a couple of metal knick knacks strung onto a chain. 

She runs her thumb along the metal, turns it in her palm as her thumb glides along to the back, running along the marks the jeweler had made to remove the needle in the back, feeling the way they had connected the pieces to form a closed loop connected by stray rusted links of chain mail. 

Rakavi closes her eyes and lets the memory take hold once more. 

She remembers being given the go ahead to take the ear clasps before the funeral. She was also given permission to take small parts of his chain mail shirt, which she gladly did, carefully removing some of the links that had been damaged when the aetheric spear had pierced his abdomen. 

But she couldn't forget standing by him after removing the small "would be for sentimental purposes" bits of metal. It didn't feel real to her. This was not her first time seeing death.

But he had loved her. And in that moment, she did not feel worthy to say she loved him back. 

He looked serene. Peaceful. Like as if he was only sleeping and would suddenly sit up and tell her how this was all just one sick joke. But when she touches his hand, it made reality come crashing back down. His skin, his flesh, it all felt like cold wax. The elezen man had the warmest hands… She remembers how warm his hands were, and it had felt like a sick joke to have them be as cold as they were.

But nevertheless, she takes the clasps of his ears, along with the small bits of chain mail, and she went to the finest jeweler in town to have it made into a pendant of sorts.

It was the only thing she could take that didn't make her feel as though she was robbing him of something. As silly as that sounds. Maybe it was because she still felt like an outcast in that house. After his death she suddenly felt like a stranger in the very place that had taken her in.

She didn't… feel worthy enough to take anything different. Despite everyone saying otherwise. But looking back, she probably was more welcome there than Haurchefant ever was. He was a bastard son after all. 

How cruel that he seemed to only be accepted once more after his death.

But she supposes that was just how the world worked. Better he was accepted at some point rather than never. Even if it was after death…

Rakavi lets out a small breath and dips her head, pulling the chain over her ears and around her neck, letting the cold metal bang against her chest when she lets go. 

It was time to get dressed. 

She goes through the motions of pulling her clothes over her head, tying the knot at her waist, pulling her shorts up and tightening the straps over her thighs. 

She pulls the partly armored sleeves over her arms, and goes through the motion of hooking the loops, tying the straps, and using her teeth to pull the strings taught. She grasps her wrists to assure it was put on correctly before moving on to slide on the thigh high leather boots, taking time to loosen the straps and then tighten them once more, assuring the buckles were secure and the strings were pulled taut. 

Lastly were the accessories. She clips the leather strap in place around her neck, adjusts the pouches on her belt, and finally begins to slide on the knife she kept on her boots, pulling everything taut. 

After all that is finished she leans forward to drag the bowl of water a little closer, and she takes the towel and wets it. Gazing in the mirror she rubs off the faded and smeared war paint and lip tint. And after her face was bare, she reached into her pouch and pulled out two shells, fashioned together to become small containers. Slowly, she goes through the motion of dipping her finger into the two different paints and begins to carefully get to work on redoing the red paint around her eyes, and on her lips. 

It is as her finger traces her lips does she realize she has gained a small audience at the door ever since she began to apply the paints to herself. Her ear flicks, and she pauses in her ministrations to glance at the doorway.

Gorou stands there, hand poised to knock on the doorframe. He looks a little surprised, but she is unsure of why. She hums in acknowledgement and swiftly finishes up, whipping her hands and putting away the shells. Her tail flicks behind her, surely gathering any dust that must have gathered on the floor. 

She stands with an agile hop and turns to face him, a smile on her face and hands on her hips. 

"Alright! I'm ready to be put to work!" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi hoists the wooden crate onto her shoulder, as she swings herself around her tail lashes back and forth to maintain her balance. It wasn't entirely because it was too heavy, and more so the awkward size of it. 

She bites her cheek as she walks forward, perking her ears and debating the path she would take. It wouldn't be a difficult task under normal circumstances, however she was currently having to pick her steps carefully as three children crowd and run around her. She has to take extra care not to trip over them.

As her knee nearly collides with one of the kid's stomach she gasps. "Hey! Watch it!- no- don't give me that look, I need you out of the way so you don't get hurt. I almost punted you!" 

They don't listen. But they do stop running around her in circles to instead crowd her uncomfortably close to jump up and down and grab at her with gleeful exclamations. Two of them are at her front, the other is behind her.

"You lifted that box like it was nothing!!"  " Where ya from? Where ya from?? You look so WEIRD!! "  "Can I try? Can I pretty please try lifting the box? I wanna help the doggy general!! I can do it!"  "You smell weird."  "Ew what's this brown stain??-"  "Obviously that's blood. Don't you have eyes??"  "Wooahh!!" 

They all ask the questions faster than she has time to answer any of them, she is helplessly turning and trying to keep them in her line of sight. Suddenly a tiny hand clamps down on her tail, uncomfortably ruffling the fur and pulling on the appendage. That makes her lose her cool as she hisses and her ears go flat. 

She whips around to grab her tail with her free hand and then has to painfully bite down on her tongue to keep herself from snapping, 'Have your parents taught you no manners??? I'm not some random street cat, I'm a person !!' 

She is glad she doesn't scare children today. She does not need to receive the ire of parents. Besides, from the considerable lack of folks with appendages like her or Gorou, she suspects the children truly have never seen anything like her. But if the titles "The Doggy General" or "The Pointy Eared General'' (and the rumor about petting his ears for good luck) meant anything, she has a sinking feeling that most folks will probably only see her for her racial traits. 

It was easier to avoid this sort of thing. Referring to anyone as the Doggy General would be like only ever seeing G'raha as the kitty scholar.

Because of this, those titles rub her the wrong way. She is positive he has the utmost respect, but the focus on the animal appendages and the sudden lack of common manners when it comes to her personal space is… concerning. Concerning because this is not the first time this has happened to her. She experienced something similar when she first arrived in Ishgard. The elezen children had never seen a Miqo'te before, and some were bold enough to try and grab at her tail. She hadn't been as kind back then.

In her defense, she had been through a lot. Banishment from her home, believing almost all her friends were dead, and being welcomed into a place where she felt so heavily ostracized and stuck out like a sore thumb would make anyone a little overwhelmed and arguably snippy if they had their tail pulled the moment they stepped into the city and within grabbing range of a child.

Seriously, anyone would snap if they had a tail and that happened to them. They forget that the tail is connected to their spine . And when they pull it tugs their entire. Spine.  

She knows Y'shtola is far less merciful when it comes to this. She makes sure that even if the offender does not have common manners, that they certainly will once she is done with them. 

Rakavi flattens the fur on her tail, trying her best not to glare, for the children already look a little taken aback. She huffs and eyes them, using her tail to point at them. " Don't. Respect a person's personal space alright? Plus. That was dangerous. I could have dropped this on you, and it is not. Light. "

The children flinch for a moment and their gazes fall as they step back a little, clearly feeling ashamed as they were being scolded by an adult. Rakavi stares for a moment before she sighs and flicks her tail out of her grip.

"You wanna touch it?"

All three of the children perk up simultaneously and the grins return to their faces. They crowd around her and push each other to try and feel it first. Rakavi flicks it out of reach before they can grab it again, "Ah ah! Be gentle . It hurts when you squeeze and grab it- and please don't pet it the opposite direction of the fur. It feels… bad." 

The kids all nod and this time, they are definitely more gentle. They all coo and pet her tail. One of them looks up and eyes her ears, making Rakavi sigh and gently set the box down, going down onto one knee to lower herself enough for them to touch her ears. They squeal and put their hands in her hair with alarming force and Rakavi has to resist the urge to smack the hand away from the momentary discomfort. 

"A lesson for next time. Remember that people like me are not anything like the animal we look like. Ok?" Some of them idly nod. Only one of them seems to be actually taking in her words. "We are people, ok? It's not nice to go around grabbing people." 

That gets their attention. They look down at their feet, a little ashamed. They all collectively give small little apologies. It makes guilt spike in her heart, but she has to assure herself that sometimes there is no other way in order to teach them.

She sighs. "It's ok. You know better now and that's what matters, alright?"

They all nod and one of them finally finishes up in feeling up her tail before moving on to touch her ears. 

In the end, she can't help but smile warmly at their curiosity. "Next time if you want to touch, just ask, ok?" 

They all collectively mumble their acknowledgement, and Rakavi finds herself wishing that most adults were this easy to talk to. The only thing was that she had places to be, and the moment she looked into those big watery eyes she suddenly didn't have the heart to get them to stop. She was stuck. The great Warrior of Light and Dark and hero of the shards has finally met her match. Her equal. One that would inevitably bring her to her doom… 

Children. 

Just as she is considering how she would write her will footsteps sound a small distance from where she is awkwardly crouching with one child holding onto her tail, two with their hands stuffed into her hair. Of said children, two of them are bouncing and bumping into her, nearly knocking her over. She has to fight the urge to scrunch up her nose at the scent of children. They always had a specific smell and it was… indescribable and it stank horribly. How old were these kids if they still had that smell?- 

Someone comes to her rescue finally, shooing the kids off and they dash off in a fit of satisfied giggles. Rakavi gasps and sighs in relief, falling back onto her backside and rubs her ears and straightens out her hair. 

"Ah! Thank you, I thought I was gonna be stuck there-" She begins, but cuts herself off upon seeing the unfamiliar face. (She honestly had thought it was Gorou.) 

It appears to be one of the soldiers, a fairly average looking man with broad shoulders and a mop of black hair. He leans down and grins a sunny smile as he offers his hand for her to take. 

"Nice to meetchya! I'm Teppei!"

She blinks for a moment, almost blinded by his smile. Unsure of how a soldier could be so cheery. He must be a new recruit. Nevertheless she takes his hand gratefully and he pulls her up. She gives a polite smile back and responds. “I’m Rakavi. It's nice to meet you too.”

He blinks a few times, and only when she hoists the wooden crate back onto her shoulder does he think to respond with a gasp. “Oh! You’re that girl the general told us about!”

He thinks for a moment as he walks beside her as she carries the last of the boxes. “Yknow, it’s a shame you're not joining us on the front lines. You clearly have it in you.”

She hums. “I’ve been in enough wars. But thank you for the compliment.” Was it a compliment? She wasn’t actually sure. But she doesn’t have time to ponder it as Teppei speaks up again.

“Really?? I wouldn’t have guessed! But I guess it makes sense, you kinda have this vibe about you.” 

Rakavi chuckles as they trek up the hill and to the shoreline. Up ahead, she can already see the sails of the ship. As they step onto the sand and pass by the soldiers that are loading the cargo onto the ship, Rakavi thinks to ask. “So when are we leaving?”

“Soon as we get these boxes loaded up. Which shouldn't be too long from now. Looks like we are getting the last load on now.”

He stops where he is to let her carry the box to the stack by the boat. She now switches to helping carry the boxes onto the ship, confirming with Gorou that it was indeed the last of it. Gorou nods and jumps off the edge of the ship and onto the sand, rushing down the path. She suspects it is to do one last check up, and to inform the Divine Priestess that they were nearly ready to finish preparations for departure.

Teppei passes her, carrying a box of his own onto the ship. He gives her a nod, and she can hear him give a wheezing breath. Rakavi nods to him, and continues to help out the best she can in the meantime.

It takes them a few hours for them to finalize the preparations, but eventually the villagers have gathered round to send them all on their way. Family and friends all embrace their loved ones, or even soldiers they didn’t even know, all wishing them luck or to bring letters to the ones who had stayed behind at their destination, Fort Fujitou. Soon they all clamor back onto the ship and the wooden creation of hell that always made her sick lowered its sails.

As the ship sets sail, slowly drifting away from the dock, Rakavi glances up. Clouds have set in already, and she holds out her hand as small droplets of rain plop into her palm. She grimaces, especially as the sprinkle catches the edge of her ear.

Her eyes narrow as she turns to gaze at the horizon. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting a deep red glow over the waves. Her brows furrow. She had a bad feeling about this.

A hand rests on her shoulder, and she glances over. Teppei stands next to her, with a small reassuring smile. “Relax. We won’t hit the worst of the storm until we get there. It's always storming over at the camp so you get used to it. It’s the Raiden Shogun’s doing.”

Rakavi looks at him in uncertainty, but responds nonetheless. “You sound like you know what you’re doing. What do you mean about the Raiden Shogun?”

Teppei gives her a frown, but responds back. “A lot of the storms in Inazuma aren't natural ones. The Raiden Shogun is the one creating them, being the Electro Archon and all. They just don’t always blow out as far as Watatsumi Island is all. But trust me, everywhere else is covered in them.”

‘The Electro… Archon?’

…. She thinks a quick crash course on the systems of this world was direly needed. Maybe Gorou could teach her… He seems to be more aware of her situation after she spoke to Kokomi. ‘But…’

She looks back to the horizon. Ears facing back as she purses her lips.

‘Somehow… I don’t think it's the storm I’m worried about…’

It was a gut feeling. But she has long since learned to trust her gut. Something was going to go very wrong…She has long since learned to never trust calm moments like this. It was always calm before the storm after all. And she has the feeling that the storm was exactly where she was headed.  
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…Plus she always got seasick on these god forsaken heaps of wooden torment.


May the gods give her and her stomach strength.

She sure as hell was gunna need it…
   

Chapter Text

Y'shtola's POV 

Y'shtola frowns as she glances over the most recent page of her notes. She is only recently making sense of this world, and it was thanks to Lisa's teachings. The librarian had been kind enough to tutor her on everything she needed to know of this world, from the politics of the world, to things such as elemental reactions and alchemy. 

Needless to say it has been a rather intense study session on top of finally beginning to understand the script of this world.

In return, she has been helping out around the library. This involves the usual tasks of a librarian, on top of retrieving overdue books. Then, she checks out many books herself, most of them having to do with the basics of the world, and studies even more. This continues late into the night until Lisa sends her home for the evening. This has been her routine for the past three days. She thinks she has received a basic understanding of the world now. All except one thing.

The events from five-hundred years ago. The monsters spilling from the chasm. The elimination of an entire country. The curse. The abyss. 

Khaenri'ah. 

Of course the one thing she thinks she needs to understand in order to get out of this world was the one most shrouded in mystery. But she thinks she knows where to start looking. And it begins with a certain bard… 

Tink. Clink.

Y'shtola glances up, watching as Lisa sets down a steaming teacup in front of her before sliding into the seat across from her with her own cup.

"So, how go your studies?" The woman asks.

Y'shtola frowns, taking a sip. "Fruitful. I've learned much of this world and I would say I have a basic understanding of it. However, I would be remiss not to admit that this library is, much to my dismay, lacking…" 

Lisa hums and purses her lip. "So what is your plan then?"

"I plan to go to Sumeru. I have studied what I can in Mondstadt, and I ascertained the nation of wisdom will yield more fruits to my labor. However…" She trails off in her thought.

Lisa nods, urging her to continue.

Y'shtola chews her lip before continuing to speak. "There are a few things here that I wish to investigate. So I fear my departure will not be for a while." 

Lisa is quiet for a moment after she finishes speaking, taking a long sip of her tea before changing the topic slightly. "You seem desperate to get to Sumeru. You wanted to learn all you could about this world, but is that all?" 

Y'shtola shakes her head. "I would stay longer, but I have people I need to return to…"

She raises her teacup to her lips, but she pauses. She watches the tea swirl in the glass as she thinks. She remembers Rakavi's face before she fell into the depths of the portal. She wore that look again. That look, somehow, was inevitably the last thing Y'shtola would always see before something swallowed her vision whole.

"Only your friends? It would seem there is someone weighing much heavier on your mind."

Y'shtola is snapped from her thoughts, glancing up in surprise. "Pardon?" 

Lisa smiles and sets her cup down. "Not to say you don't want to return to your friends with all your heart but… that look in your eye is very telling. You have someone specific on your mind. Don't you?" 

The miqo'te's shoulders fall a little. But before she can answer, Lisa hums a little, tapping her chin. "Let's see… is it… that girl you were separated from? Rakavi?" 

Y'shtola clears her throat. "Yes. She has been on my mind as of late… because I was separated from her. I hate to worry her so." 

Lisa only clicks her tongue and stirs her tea, the sound loud in her ears. "No… I don't mean it like that…" She glances up at her, a knowing smile on her lips. "You love her, don't you?"

Y'shtola nearly spits out her tea, and her ears go back as she exclaims, "Was I that blatantly obvious about it?"

"Oh Barbatos no~! I just know that look when I see it. It's hard to miss once you know what to look for!" Lisa laughs as she speaks, the sound like a bell chiming in the quiet library. 

Y'shtola calms a bit before speaking once more, looking back down at her tea. "This is not the first time we have been separated… I never wanted us to be separated. But more often than not the situation often called for it…"

Lisa pauses before asking, "If you don't mind my asking, have you confessed to her?"

Y'shtola frowns. "No… when it started I was… too young to realize… then it never felt like the right time… after that… after that we got separated. I came back to find that she had a lover in my time away. A lover that had passed away… it felt wrong to confess to her after that… it still feels wrong." 

Slowly, Lisa rests her hand over Y'shtola's. She glances up to see a sympathetic gaze and a frown.

"I'm sorry to hear that… I pray that someday you will get the chance to confess. After all, no cutie like you should have to wait forever to confess their love~" 

Y'shtola feels her ears heat up and she opens and closes her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Lisa laughs again, and the sound rings a merry tune in her ears.

She was sure she would die of embarrassment or being flustered before she ever reunited with Rakavi at the rate this was going.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola walks through the streets of Mondstadt, the sun is high in the sky, assuring her that she has plenty of time. She has already checked at a fair number of taverns and bars for the bard. But for once, he was nowhere to be found. Leaving her with just one left for her to check. If her sources were correct, then it should be called The Cat's Tail. 

The bar is, fortunately, close to the plaza. Y'shtola is able to find it swiftly with nary a glance. She gathers her robes and is careful not to step on the resident cats that lounge outside the tavern. After taking a moment to inhale the ever present breeze, she steps inside.

She is met with a warm and friendly interior. The bar is immediately in front of her, with a girl at the counter. To her right is the tavern itself, with cozy armchairs, round tables, and various cat decor. It is more reminiscent of a cat cafe than a bar, but she thinks she likes the coziness of this place. It seemed like the perfect place to study with a refreshing beverage. 

Someone clears their throat, and Y'shtola's attention is brought back to the bar. Her brow raises a little. The young girl is a young miqo'te from the looks of it. She has never seen one with spotted ears or a spotted tail. Not like this at least. She wonders what colors they are. The girl puts her hands on her hips.

"Aren't you going to order anything?"

Y'shtola frowns. "Forgive me, but are you the bartender?"

"Yes! I am!" The girl huffs. 

Y'shtola steps forward, and the girl's eyes take in her figure. Y'shtoka speaks calmly. "I fear I am not staying here for very long. I am looking for someone. But it does not seem that he is here.

The girl frowns before leaning over the counter. Cautiously, she gives the air a sniff. Her ears go back a little, but her eyes widen just a bit. 

"I don't think I've seen you before… at first I thought that you were just another drunkard from Springvale but… but I know everyone from Springvale so…" 

"No, I fear I hail from a place far far from here." Y'shtola hums with a smile. 

The girl's eyes spark with wonder, but she seems to quickly stifle it. "I-I didn't think that there would be other people like me from so far away! Our clan is great indeed!" 

The girl's eyes peek open before closing shut again. Y'shtola isn't entirely certain what to make of her at first, but now it's clear that this girl is trying to appear like an adult. But it seems that Y'shtola is far too new for her to resist that childlike wonder. It makes Y'shtola chuckle.

"Might I have your name?" 

"Diona." 

She nods. "Diona… it's an honor to meet you. I am Y'shtola." 

Diona's ears flick and she glances back to her. "Who were you looking for?"

"A bard. He has twin braids in his hair."

Her nose scrunches up when she mentions it. "No, I haven't seen him. Not up close anyway. But if you are looking for him in taverns then I can only guess why."

Y'shtola raises a brow. "And why do you think that is?"

"To get him to pay his tab! Obviously!" 

Y'shtola laughs softly and shakes his head. "No, nothing like that. I only need to ask him a few questions. But I appreciate your help, Diona."

After sharing a few more words and a stuttering reply from Diona, Y’shtola leaves the Tavern.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola lifts her fingers to let Aero drenched Aether drift through her fingers. It swirls around her digits like a thick mist. When she had first started to use Aether to see, it required no small amount of fine tuning. Just the raw aether vision resulted in something akin to a horrid drug trip via fae magicks. You could not see if you saw everything at once, so she had to adjust it so that she saw things a little less than others. So instead of a dense fog, the air had more of a normal transparency with a slight oil film over it. 

However, on occasions like this, it was useful to dial her aether vision up in order to see which direction the wind based aether was flowing. Elemental traces, Lisa had called it. Everything left behind a trail that you could more or less follow. It isn't much different from what Y'shtola had learned to do, which begs the question of how they learned to have aetheric vision without any of the consequences. 

The aetheric vision techniques of this world, or as Lisa called it, Elemental Sight, seemed to be a watered down version of what she did in order to see. And it seemed to be only something vision users were able to wield. Rather than seeing every kind of aether in saturated clarity, Elemental Sight focuses only on the recent traces of Elemental Energy. Perhaps it is watered down enough, and in combination with the gift of a vision, that they are able to sidestep the consequences?

She shakes her head. That wasn't true. Her ability is granting her sight when she should have none. Like forcing yourself to see with your eyes shut. Elemental Sight was more akin to highlighting the elemental energy around you, and it could not be used for more than a minute at a time. 

Y'shtola can't help but feel a pang of envy and awe however. It seemed to be a useful ability. In order to see aether- forbidden magicks aside- one would have to use the correct tool. But then again, mayhaps because it is a simplified ability, it is more poss-

"-um hellooo?" 

Y'shtola snaps out of her deep contemplation to see someone waving their hand in front of her face. She looks to who the hand belongs to, a bit taken aback at the invasion of her personal space. 

Before her stands a woman, only a little taller than she is, with a bright red glow to her aether. She wears shorts and a cropped coat, the entire outfit is brought together with a red bow atop her head. She places her hands on her hips. 

"Finally! I've been trying to get your attention for at least a full minute now!" 

Y'shtola's frown deepens. Had she truly been so distracted that she did not register another's presence? That was concerning. Mayhap she needed more rest.

"Might I ask your name?" Y'shtola says, a little distant.

"Outrider Amber! Pleasure to meet ya! You're Y'shtola right? Oh, don't give me that look! I am a part of the knights, so of course I was informed to keep an eye out for you!"

Y'shtola's lip purses. It seems the entirety of the knights knows about her.

"Hmph. Outrider you say?" 

"Yep! I'm actually the only Outrider, hehe~!"

'Yes. That makes sense.'

Her lessons on the Knights of Favonious were brief, but she is aware of the Outriders. She gives Amber an appraising glance. She supposes the goggles would be the only indicator of the woman's status. But she seemed to be athletic enough.

Though if Y'shtola was being entirely honest, she did not care much for titles or formalities. So she only hums and returns to walking on the worn path to Windrise. The brunette seems keen on following her. 

Her step is light and practiced, barely audible on the soil. At first without the context of who she is, this would be a rather jarring fact. With a personality like Amber's, you would expect her to have a bounce in her step and for the metallic heels to be audible across the valley.

However, that is only to the untrained eye. Even without the context of her profession, it is clear from just a glance at how she holds herself that she is a natural at traversing the outdoors. Skilled, poised, and confident in every move she makes.

Amber hops over a stone and enters Y'shtola's vision as she suddenly rushes forward. Amber sets a foot on a log and leans forward, shading her eyes with her hand as she surveys the land. Her lips purse.

"Another one? So soon? I'll have to tell Jean about this…" Amber mutters.

Y'shtola frowns and asks, "Another what?"

Amber lowers her hand a little as she turns to glance back at Y'shtola. "Hilichurls. Don't worry, I'll make quick work of them."

She follows her gaze as she steps up to stand beside Amber, and something rises in her throat.

Gnashing teeth, the sound enough to drive one mad. The way the faces twist on their head without requiring any movement from their neck. The way black gunk gushes from the empty sockets or the tendrils that reach and grab to pull its hair into its sockets. The way the black tongue lashes out only to burst in crimson liquid. 

The sky- no. The whole world around her is turning red. The trees and plant life swiftly become nothing but hollow black silhouettes against ruby sky, the smoky black clouds move in reverse and the shadows stretch across the ground. The shadows drip like ooze and pool around at her feet. They reach for Y'shtola. 

"Seven hells…" Y'shtola breaths, stumbling back, her eyes wide as her ears flatten against her head.

She glances up to see starry ickor bleed from the creature's pores, and it slowly turns its head, in much the same manner an owl would. It turns to face its eyeless sockets to stare at her. Then, tiny hands reach from the sockets, and grab the edges of the sockets, and it opens it's mouth. The shrill wail of an infant pierces her skull. Around the creature, smaller versions of it begin to rapidly crawl on the ground towards Y'shtola. A massive hulking version tips its head, and dislocated its jaw to let out a bellowing cry. 

Y'shtola presses her palms against her ears, crying out. But she can't look away. She can't look away.

Familiar faces start to creep into her peripherals. A paw like hand, grasps her robes. She dares to look down. Into the sunflower gaze of Runar. As black ickor rolls down his face, he opens his mouth to speak. But the voice is not just his. It's… it is every one Y'shtola has ever cared for. 

"Why…? Why did you leave me?" 

Y'shtola is trembling now. She stumbles back. "No… no I… this isn't real. You are not real…" 

The face twists into pure malice and lunges, making Y'shtola shout in surprise and stumble back once again. She hits the ground painfully.

.

.

.

The blow she was expecting never comes.

"Y'shtola?! Y'shtola are you alright??"

A gentle hand touches her shoulder before shaking her. Slowly, Y'shtola cautiously opens her eyes.

The sky was normal again. As normal as her aetheric vision could be. Amber is standing over her, eyes glittering with concern. As Y'shtola comes back to reality, Amber immediately begins to check her vitals once more. She checks Y'shtola's temperature as she stares off into space, trembling in the outrider's embrace. 

Y'shtola focuses on taking deep breaths, and risks looking over at the hilichurls once more.

The humanoid creatures idly away in their camp. The sight she saw before is no longer present. They all seem to be wearing masks. If not for the horror she just witnessed, she would have considered them cute. Harmless even. 

The red starts to return once more, and Y'shtola shuts her eyes and looks away. She takes a moment to calm her breathing and her heart. 

"Y'shtola…?" 

She turns her head away and talks one more gulp of air, swallowing hard before she answers. "You need not worry, my friend."

Slowly, she begins to stand, using her staff to support herself. As she does so, her mind is reeling. 

She had seen this before. Albeit a far milder case. In Kaeya Alberich. And in the voidsent. 

As Amber continues to fuss, she feels irritation bubble up inside her.

Y'shtola brings her gaze to the sight of Windrise in the distance. She now has more than just a few questions for that blasted Anemo Archon. And she would search all of Mondstadt to make him answer her. 

Starting with the curse. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It takes an enormous amount of convincing to make Amber leave her alone after that. She can't bear to fault her for it, the woman had a heart of gold. But it made Y'shtola waste more time looking for the bard than she would have preferred. 

Eventually, she finds him sitting on one of the small hills among the roots of the tree. He glances up in surprise. "Oh! Ahoy there Y'shtola! Come to sing a few songs with little old me~?" 

He bats his lashes after saying that, but Y'shtola isn't in a mood where she can find the action endearing.

"I fear I am not here for song and dance. I have questions, and I would have you answer them."

Venti noticeably winces at her tone. "Yeesh, who put bugs in your coffee this morning…" 

Y'shtola snorts, choosing to ignore his comment. "I'll start with the obvious. Care to explain why there is a gaping hole in your aether? Not to mention the fake vision. And the uncanny resemblance to the Anemo Archon?" 

The bard's expression sours. "Well gee at least buy me a drink first before you bombard me with questions you clearly have decided you already know the answer to." He huffs and turns to begin strumming his lyre. 

Y'shtola's ears flick. "So you are the anemo archon? What made that hole?" 

A few more strums and Venti eventually speaks. "I don't particularly feel like answering someone who has such a rude tone. But yes. I am. And it was because my gnosis was taken."

'A gnosis?' 

"Forgive me… I had a bit of a fright on my way here." 

Venti raises a brow and glances at her. Y'shtola sighs and explains. "The hilichurls… the curse placed upon them seems to… affect those who wish to perceive their nature."

She isn't sure what about that statement seems to make Venti's expression soften. Perhaps it is the way Y'shtola shivers when she recalls it, or mayhap it is the expression on her face. Or perhaps, it is because Venti understands what the curse entails.

"If you've come to ask about the curse, I fear I can't tell you much."

Y'shtola raises a brow. "Care to explain?"

"It's complicated. But you could say that me and the other Archons that were present are kinda bound by contract to remain silent." Venti sighs.

"By the Geo archon? God of contracts?"

Venti gives a dark chuckle. "No. Someone higher than that. But his love of contracts certainly made him more compliant." 

Y'shtola was not expecting such bitterness from him. It was so human… so human that she has to ask. "If I may be so bold as to say… but you weren't always an archon, were you?"

Venti gives a gentle smile. "None of us were. We all started off as something else. But then Celestia chose us to become Archons. Before I was an archon, I wasn't anything more than a humble wind spirit drifting along the wind~" 

Y'shtola hums and finds herself sitting next to the bard. "Is it Celestia that forbid you from speaking?"

Silence. She must be correct then. The sour look in his eyes says all. She can imagine that if he doesn't want to risk the wrath of the God makers, but he isn't too happy about it either. Especially concidering…

"I imagine it is difficult. Being the God of freedom… having even freed the people from a tyrant…"

Venti sighs and pulls his knees to his chest. "...you have educated yourself on our history quite a lot since you got here." 

Y'shtola can't help the cocky smile on her lips. "Hmm… I do have a knack for it. I once found out more of a villages history than they knew themself~" 

Yes, mayhap she should not speak so boldly, but she thinks she can allow herself this one boast. 

"Oho~? Is that so~?" Venti's brow is raised and he gazes at her in amusement, making Y'shtola roll her eyes.

"I will admit it would not have been possible had I not already had a concept and other history to go off of. I fear that in this world I can do no such thing."

Venti giggles. "If ya say so Ms. Scholar!"

Y'shtola finds herself chuckling alongside him. Despite being rather difficult to get along with, Y'shtola has found she has grown fond of the bard. It makes her heart sink a little when she admits, 

"I'll be leaving for Sumeru in three days. I wish to learn more of this world, and how to return to mine own. It brings me pain to say that I cannot do that here."

Venti's smile droops, but he nods in understanding. He hums and glances at the bubbling creek that runs near the roots of the tree. "I figured it would happen. But I would rather you leave. The wind must travel to be free, isn't that right?" 

Y'shtola smiles warmly. "That is true. I will never forget you, I assure you." After speaking, she glances at the sky. "I fear I must away. I have far more distance to travel than time on my hands." 

She stands and swats her clothes to wipe away any dust. She gathers her staff and turns to leave. But before she does, she asks. "Ah, one more thing. What is a gnosis?"

Venti blinks and shrugs. "Ah well that's a little hard to answer. It's kinda what makes you an archon I guess? It kinda gives you a little power? I think?" 

Y'shtola's frown deepens. "How may I ask, did you end up without one?"

Venti frowns as well. "It was the Fatui. They took my gnosis. I heard they did something in Liyue as well. Probably took the gnosis out of Morax's corpse. Don't ask me why though. I don't know what they could possibly be planning to do with them."

She is certain the look on her face is nothing short of grim. "I see." 

She turns to leave. 

"Ah, Y'shtola?"

"Yes?"

Venti smiles and places a hand over his heart. "May the wind guide and protect you on your journey." 

Y'shtola smiles warmly. "May the light of the mother crystal be with you my friend."

.

.

.

A beat. And then, "Aheh, the what now?"

Chapter Text

Rakavi's POV

The wind buffets her and the soldiers as they trudge up the muddy hill, already soaked to the bone despite the ponchos and other various things they wear to deter the rain. Although she supposes the most that is doing is keeping the chill from reaching their bones. 

She glances up and her ears flick with each rain droplet that hits them. Rakavi examines the surrounding area, and there isn't much to look at. A grassy hill leading up to a classic military fort, complete with wooden stakes, flags, the gloomy atmosphere, and everything else. It was only missing the ambience of magicks and gunfire in the distance. No, instead that was replaced by- 

KA-KARROOOOOMM!! 

The ground rumbles and the obviously less experienced soldiers startle a little. To be fair, so does Rakavi. She jerks to attention and flinches as it still sends a horrible ringing off in her head. The blinding purple light fades as her tail fluff begins to flatten quickly and she gives herself a few quick calming breaths.

A small white ball is gently held out in her peripheral, making her glance up. It looks to be a wad of some kind of sponge material if she had to guess. Her gaze follows up from the hand holding it to the face the arm belonged to. General Gorou stands, waiting expectantly. His tail waves a little, less in excitement and more akin to the flick of a slender tail like hers. Gorou speaks first. 

"For your ears. You have sensitive hearing like me, right?" 

Rakavi graciously takes the white things from him and glances up to his own ears. He seems to have his own set that is carefully set in place, allowing him to only slightly wince with each lightning strike.

She turns them in her palm, considering them, before holding them back out to him. 

"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't think I need them. I'd prefer to be alert."

Gorou frowns, "I see but, it does not make your hearing any worse than a human, and prolonged exposure to the thunder will damage the hearing of people like us." 

Rakavi smiles a little and gives an awkward chuckle. "No no, sorry, I mean that my hearing is already pretty bad for my kind. I can hear a little better than uh… a human, but that's it."

Gorou's eyes widen in understanding. "Oh! I see!" He shoves the object back into her hands. "Well you should still put them in. Thunder like this will damage anyone's hearing after a while." 

Rakavi sighs in defeat and accepts the sponge things. Gorou helps her put them in, and soon the sound is blissfully muffled, making her hum in relief. The relief is only temporary as the wind gives a rather strong push, one that would have any normal person into a stumble. She holds her hand above her eyes in a feeble attempt to prevent more droplets from gathering on her glasses. Her ears flatten and her tail flicks in irritation.

Gorou smiles and gestures for her to follow him, and they resume their careful trek up the slick hill. He leads her to one of the small shacks off to the side of the central building, and she vaguely registers him saying it was for supplies. 

Sure enough, she spots the soldiers bringing the last of the supplies from Watatsumi into said shack. She is glad to be out of the rain, wringing out her tail and her clothes, shaking the droplets out of her hair, all before entering. Gorou weaves past various people, leading her to the back of the room where there a few opened crates.

He digs around in one before pulling out a straw hat. Examining it quickly whist brushing off any dust he then turns and hands it to her. "This should keep the rain out of your eyes."

She barely manages a thanks before he turns away and reaches into another crate, pulling out a small purple… a charm she thinks. She thinks she has seen these in the far east before, and they do not look too different from the warding charms her friends use to traverse the void.

 Gorou sets it in her palm and explains, "This is infused with elemental energy. More powerful than our other ones. While it can't protect you from getting hit by lightning, it will protect you from any shock waves. So you only need to worry about not getting hit directly."

Rakavi's brows raise as she turns it in her palm, feeling rather impressed. It can't have been easy to make something like this. Although she suspects it applies to a shield of some kind? No that's not it… it had to be a spell of some kind… either way she decides to trust his words and tucks it into one of her pouches. 

There isn't much shared after that. Gorou is gracious enough to offer his bunk to her, which she declines. Instead she makes do with what they have on hand. She won't be staying here for very long anyway.

Besides, if the choice was between privacy and a comfortable bed, unlike most she preferred privacy. She almost always regrets it physically, but mentally it is typically just what she needs.

But in this case, privacy was not an option. And she didn't want to rob the hardworking general out of a comfortable bed. So instead she has made due with the leftover bedding, and made a makeshift bed for herself. 

Rakavi lays there, bundled from the waist down in stained sheets. She stares up at the dark rotting wood they used to make the ceiling, idly running her thumb along the edge of the pendant around her neck.

The ground rumbles again as the room lights with a purple flash. It seems there was only 10 minutes at maximum between lightning strikes ever since they got here. It seems that no one had exaggerated even a little at how bad the storms were. She understands why so many people fled to Watatsumi Island. Even compared to a delightful countryside, that place seemed absolutely ethereal. Arriving there from knowing nothing but lightning your whole life would be absolutely surreal. Like living a dream.

Her attention flits to movement beside her. Eventually she watches as Gorou, (ever the man of the hour) finally is able to sit in his bunk. Which so happens to be right next to where she is splayed out on the floor like some kind of youthful teen. 

He gives one final glance around to make sure everyone is asleep as he simultaneously roots around in his bag to pull out a large comb. Once his blue gaze lands on her, he pauses in his movements. His ears flick before he seems to finally decide to start moving again. As if he was debating on something in that head of his.

Now he has brought his tail onto his lap and begun carefully combing the fur. She watches as he winces with each knot he has to tug out, before rifling through his bag once more to pull out a kind of oil that he drips onto the comb before continuing his ministrations with noticeably more ease. Now this has caught her interest. 

"What's that?" She sits up to get a better look at the oil.

Gorou startles a little, not expecting her sudden intrigue. To which Rakavi then sheepishly explains, "S-sorry it's just… tail care is so hard . Especially when you travel so much and like… whatever you are using is just… it works. Just like that?? "

Gorou's eyes widen in understanding before smiling a little. "Yes! It works rather well to get out even the worst tangles but…" His ears droop a little as he frowns, and mournfully runs a hand along the fur. "The trade off is that it doesn't do much actual care for the fur. It gets the tangles out sure, but it leaves a nasty residue that you have to rinse off afterward… so it's kinda pointless sometimes if you are trying to get the tangles out from falling in a river or the sea." 

He glances back to her. "If it weren't for the war, I'd trade an arm and a leg to get my hands on some decent product. I miss how soft my tail used to be."

It's at this point Rakavi has stood up and moved to sit beside him as he carefully combs out the long fur. 

"Well at least you seem to have enough thought to brush it. I've met people who never comb even the hair on their head even in the most luxurious of settings."

Gorou chuckles and glances at her own tail that flicks into her lap. She uses her own comb to brush the fur down. She doesn't like how combs specifically feel when they scrape against her skin, but they were more portable than a full brush. She gives a side glance and a smile at Gorou. 

"It's nice having someone to talk about it at least." Gorou muses.

Rakavi can only hum in agreement as they fall into comfortable silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been two days since they arrived at the fort. Aside from a few border skirmishes, it's been surprisingly quiet. Metaphorically speaking. While the rain stops every now and then, the wind and roar of thunder was ever present along with distant lightning strikes. 

During the past few days Gorou has taken it upon himself to train the new recruits, as well as taking them on patrols along the border and allowing them to familiarize themself with the terrain that makes up the front lines. Rakavi was lucky enough to be present in one of the patrols, trying to get a lay of the land.

The patrol took most of the day, the front lines being a good two hour long walk from the fort. The hike stretches on even more due to the fact that they take the long way there via boat. Something about trying to avoid the Balethunder. 

It's the next day that Gorou shows them exactly the reason why. 

They stand where the sea meets the gorge, a good distance away so as to not be affected by the violet mist but close enough to see Gorou's demonstration. He sets down the sack he had been carrying and pulls out the fresh rabbit body he had hunted earlier for this demonstration.

"As I've already told you, the Balethunder is the left over residue from when the Raiden Shougun split the land in her battle against Orobashi."

He lifts the dead rabbit up, above his shoulder. 

"Instead of just explaining what happens when you enter without protection, I'll be showing you. This way you can see the signs in other people." 

He chucks the rabbit. It lands pitifully on the sand, the shadow of the gorge turning its fur a much deeper color. Gorou wastes no time in launching into his lecture.

"The first stage is purple spots appearing in your vision accompanied with lines that have a similar appearance to lightning bolts."

Gorou returns to his stance before having chucked it, now watching the rabbit where it lay.

"In the second stage, you will feel a pins and needle sensation throughout your body, and your skin will grow paler, some parts almost immediately turning purple."

Almost immediately, a bright purple begins to form around the edges, most evident around where the skin is visible on the ears.

"In the third stage you will start to feel a squirming sensation over your entire body. It'll feel like it's wrapping around your bones and your vital organs. A crackling sensation is common as well. During this stage your skin will start to become covered with lightning bolt markings."

A few minutes later, glowing white lines begin to form, similar looking to lightning bolts, even visible from under the fur as the purple spreads across the body.

"In the fourth stage, you will find difficulty breathing. By now the Balethunder has drained any strength left in your limbs and you will lose any and all mobility. The biggest visual indicator is that the internal body will begin to glow."

Just as he finishes, a bright purple light is visible within the body of the rabbit, shining through the spots where the skin is thinner than others, like the ears or inside the mouth.

"And lastly- the fifth and final stage. The stored Electro in your body will rear its head-" The rabbit's body shutters, despite having no life to do so "And attack every organ inside your body. Ending your life painfully."

…the soldiers stand in silence, staring as the rabbit's body slumps to the ground, sparking with electricity before becoming limp once more, watching with horrified gazes. Gorou had been watching the rabbit with a grim expression before turning to them all, sympathy spreads across his features as he speaks again, startling some of them out of a trance.

"Im sorry. But it was necessary. I know this wasn't easy to watch, but you needed to know exactly what you are all getting yourselves into, and how you can keep yourself safe. As much as it pains me to say… sometimes a visual demonstration is required in order to assure that it is not taken lightly."

He steps forward and gently rubs some of the soldier's arms, patting the backs of others. "That's enough for today. It's time we headed back and had ourselves some of the best food the camp has to offer. I'd say you all deserve it." 

As they all begin to murmur and head back with Gorou, Rakavi stands there a moment longer, staring at the rabbit carcass and the gorge, ears pinned against her head. She gulps and forces herself to turn and catch up to the group, watching her feet as she walks.

'What the hell have I gotten myself into…'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi sits on the crate, struggling with the chopsticks given to her with her dominant hand while precariously balancing the bowl containing her dinner in the other hand. On multiple attempts to take a bite, the meat only slips from the chopsticks and splashing back into the broth and rice. She glares as she tries again. Every meal has been like this so far, and she only feels a little remorse for wishing she could just eat with the utensils she was familiar with.

As she swears under her breath for the umpteenth time a now familiar presence joins her on the boxes with a sigh. Gorou holds his meal up, his tail wagging as he gleefully begins to shove the hot rice into his mouth. And with great restraint, he savors the flavor. Rakavi is certain that if he were alone he is absolutely the type of person to moan while he eats. 

As he drags his tongue over his lips he glances at Rakavi. Now that the effect of having taken the first few bites of his meal is gone and flushing in embarrassment over his own eagerness his gaze is soon troubled once more and it trails away from her eyes. It takes a moment before Gorou turns his gaze to the new recruits who have found their respective clicks to all eat and drink.

"I hate doing that demonstration… I hate having to be the one to crush someone's innocence like that…"

Rakavi glances over to him in surprise. He had seemed so unbothered by it… "It's better you do it like that than sending them off to war first. War changes you… and there is only so much you can do to prepare them for it… plus…" 

She looks to the new recruits herself. "Sometimes just telling someone the danger of something isn't enough. You were right when you said that the balethunder needed a visual demonization to ensure they take it seriously."

Gorou is quiet for a moment before answering. "I know… I guess more so what I'm trying to say is well… I wish they didn't have to. I… I remember when I had my first reality check."

Rakavi pauses for a moment as well. "...don't we all…" 

Slowly, she looks back to him. "You remind me of one of my friends. He was eager, smart, and loved food about as much as you do." Gorou nearly chokes on his food and whipped around to protest, but she doesn't let him. "He was a good leader too, and beloved by everyone around him."

Gorou blushes at the compliment, sputtering out random phrases of denial before finally calming down to ask. "Wh-what makes you think I'm like that? A good leader?"

"You have the same look in your eyes when speaking to your men as he does when he leads. That and how your men treat you." 

He nods slowly. "What was his name? What did he look like?"

"G'raha Tia." Rakavi continues to describe the man she knows. "He is one of my kind. Shorter than me. He used to wield a bow like you as well. Short red hair and these bright red eyes."  

Gorou nods as he takes in the information she was telling him. Then, he gives a soft smile. "I'm flattered that I remind you of him." 

She couldn't tell him it was also because he whimpered in his sleep. Whimpers that sound identical to how G'raha sounds when he sleeps. He didn't wake with a gasp in the middle of the night like he did though. He didn't immediately become assaulted with tears, eyes haunted by three centuries worth of memories that she dared not to ask about.

But then again, what did she know of Gorou? Perhaps he they were nightmares in the end. Perhaps he simply couldn't wake from them.

But it was not her place to ask. 

She finally manages to get a bite of the meat, and she nearly groans at the deliciousness of it. 

…Ok, so maybe she wasn't much better than Gorou or G'raha when it came to food.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day she is left to wander the camp. The skies have somehow darkened considerably, making it near impossible to tell if it was day or night. The lightning was becoming more frequent, striking closer to the camp. The smell of ozone in the air hit her around midday. 

Her ears pin back as she glances around camp. The weather had changed suddenly. Not even an hour ago. It was unnatural and frightening. Gorou's patrol team had been away for at least three hours now and she hopes they will be able to beat the storm. 

It seems the storm has other plans.

Two hours pass, and the rain is pelting down on the camp, the only source of light is the covered lanterns and the strikes of lightning that are terrifyingly close to the camp. So close that the world around her shakes with each strike, and the earplugs are often not enough to muffle the sound they make. She can often briefly smell smoke where the lightning ignites trees, only for the fire to be immediately dampened by the rain.

Rakavi paces around the center of the camp, biting her lip and smelling the air. There was still no sign of the general. No sign of him until-

"HELP!! SOMEONE HELP!" 

Rakavi whips around and immediately races to the source alongside a few of the experienced soldiers on watch. Her stomach drops at the sight of Teppei, hands in his knees as he gasps for breath, desperation in his gaze. He had been one of the members of Gorou's patrol. 

One of the soldiers gathered manages to calm him down enough to get him to talk. 

He takes a deep breath and his words come out in gasps, "Th-the General! The general was shot! Arrow was poisoned! We took shelter in the old shipwreck and he seemed to recognize the poison, so he sent me to get the antidote!"

Rakavi freezes. Cold dread creeps up her spine and her tail prickles. That ship wreck was a two hour trek from here… Teppei was already out of breath. The storm had gotten worse since he departed. Even if he had the strength to run all the way back he wouldn't be able to make it there safely with the amount of lightning on the shoreline. The other soldiers seem to realize this as well. As one of them opens their mouth to deny the request, Rakavi takes a step forward, speaking with determination. 

"I'll go. I've dealt with storms like this before." 

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth. It was a half truth, but a necessary one. She couldn't let them have any doubt in her if she wanted this to work. They all stare at her in shock, and she offers a quick explanation.

"He can't make it back right? I'll be fine so long as I have the Electro ward. Believe it or not I know what I'm doing. Now go. Get the antidote." She orders.

Teppei quickly informs them of which antidote was needed, and they wasted no time in retrieving it. While she anxiously waits for them to bring it to her, she helps Teppei over to a few crates to sit down. The poor man doesn't have enough energy to even question her on this. He only gives her a determined nod, a vouch of confidence despite the odds. A way of wishing her luck.

Hell. She was going to need it.

They return with the on site doctor. As they help her into the straps of a backpack, the doctor gives her a quick rundown of instructions. Not only how to tend to the arrow wound but also how to administer the antidote. She nods, listening to the doctor as she rushes to the gate. 

Finally, as they finish speaking, she gives them one last nod, and turns to face the storm and the path ahead. Rakavi calms herself with a shaky breath, and takes a step. And then, she immediately breaks into a dash down the path. 

She bolts forward, mud attempting to suck in her feet, trying to root her in place. Rakavi glances up at the fork in her path, and in an instant, decides to make up her own short cut along the way. It was dangerous, but she would follow the shoreline. 

The safest way to reach the shipwreck was via boat, meaning, much to her disappointment, she would have to make a dangerous path over the broken bridge they saw the day before. She would have to pass through that dreaded purple mist, and due to the lack of light, she may not be able to see it. 

She bolts down the hill to the shore, and lightning strikes the sand. She skids down before leaping off the ledge, airborn for a fleeting moment before she is tumbling onto the sand. She is quick to get back to her feet as she tears down the shoreline. The strikes of lightning blind her, the force of the quakes almost always knock her off balance. Rakavi is sure her hair is standing on end. She doesn't care.

She bolts past abandoned tents, camps, and campfires. The cliff on her right, and the raging waves on her left. She can hear the waves rolling and preparing to crash into the shore. She would only have so much time before the tides around here would hit, or when lightning stuck. But she assures herself that she could make it. 

Rakavi pants as the bridge comes into sight, and she pushes herself to reach it. She skids on the mud before leaping once more. She makes it, only barely. The bridge slams against her stomach, making her heave, almost losing her lunch from the impact of it. Nevertheless she heaves herself onto the wood with a grunt.

She stands and gives herself a head start. But as she glances up, she can see purple beginning to frame her vision. 

Rakavi gulps, and backs up. She concentrates. She can already feel the Balethunder, she locates it, and it isn't hard to regulate her aether in a way that pushes it out. Geo pulses in her veins, forming a thin shield over her skin, and her eyes shoot open. 

She runs and leaps, only barely making it by a hare's length, crashing against the wood and shaking as she pulls herself up to run once more. She leaps across the wooden deck and down the stairs, barely believing that her trick seemed to work!! 

When she leaves the Balethunder's range, she can feel her strength return to her. She glances up, and she can see the shipwreck in the distance, with over a malm's worth of lightning in-between. 

She breaths in a calming breath once more, and switches gears. She forms the stance she needs, before she feels energy course through her, her legs are faster, her dexterity heightened. 

And so, with her wind chakra activated, she opens her eyes, and runs straight into the worst of the lightning yet. 

It strikes right next to her. Nearly sending her tumbling into the water, and she barely has enough time to move before lightning strikes where she once was. 

It barrages her, and she gasps. 

Then, it is as if time slows, the droplets of rain nothing more than glimmering marbles in the sky as she speaks to herself. 

You can do this. 

She can smell the fur on her tail burn as she narrowly avoids another strike of lightning. 

Count the seconds between each strike.

She gulps a mouthful of air, and she glares up at her destination.

You can do this. Just remember to count the seconds between each strike.

She bites her lip. And feels determination well up inside her chest.

After all, nothing can compare to Rahmuh's Levin strikes. And if she survived that, she sure as hell would survive this.

She takes another breath as she runs. 

Count the seconds.

The sky rumbles after the most recent flash of lightning, and time seems to slowly catch up to her. 

Three.

She smells ozone in the air. She closes her eyes in concentration as her leg strikes out to take the next step.

Two.

Her hair stands on end. She can feel the electric pulse on her exposed skin.

One.

Her eyes fly open and she immediately flings herself to the side, lightning striking the very place she once stood. The light blinds her and makes her ears ring, but regardless she rolls over and leaps to her feet. Her straw hat now a burning crisp on the sand as she bolts forward, nearly reaching her destination as lightning rains hell around her.

She would not be struck down.

Strike wherever you want. You won't hit me.

Adrenaline pumps into her and roars louder than the lightning in her ears. A manic open mouthed grin spreads across her lips as she pants, making her taste the salt of her sweat. She would not allow herself to be hit by even a God of electricity. 

After all…

I have long since learned how to run with lightning nipping at my heels!

As she dodges more lightning, the rain pelting down and fogging her glasses, she reaches the shipwreck. She doesn't have enough time to skid to a stop as she rams against it. 

Rakavi crashes into the wood, making it groan from the impact. Funny. She should be the one groaning. That hurt.

Her eyes fly open. The shipwreck!  

She glances back. The worst of the lightning has been left behind her, and her palm is flat against the wood. 

The smile spreads across her face again as she gives a breathy laugh of disbelief. She actually did it!

The sheer adrenaline rush it gives her is short lived as reality comes crashing into her at the sound of voices. She turns back to the shipwreck, breathing heavily as she steps into the wreck. 

She turns to find the patrol, huddled up for warmth, obviously having taken shelter here for the rain, and then been unable to move to a place better suited for weather like this.

Right. 

She's only just gotten started.

They had a long night ahead of them. But she'll be damned if they don't survive it.

She would make sure of it. 

The patrol members gaze upon her with shock evident in their expressions as Rakavi steps forward, chest heaving, swinging the backpack over her shoulder. She steps past them, over to the downed General. His ears are flat against his head, and the arrow is still in his back. One of the soldiers is cradling him in their lap. One of the new recruits. Tears have streaked down his face. And their eyes widen upon seeing her, and more tears brim to the surface. Their jaw drops.

It seems they had lost hope that help would come. Could you really blame them? Only someone like Rakavi would be insane enough to run head first into a storm like this. 

With practiced ease, Rakavi wills a calming smile to spread across her lips as she kneels before the general, addressing the new recruit that was clutching the general's body like a lifeline. Her soft voice seems to somehow cut through the sound of thunder.

"Hey… it'll all be ok now. I'm here to help."

She looks down at the backpack. She opens it up, and pulls out the antidote. She presses her lips together, reciting the doctor's instructions in her head. 

Slowly, gently, she takes Gorou into her arms. She wills her hands not to shake as she glances at the arrow.

Fuck.

She wills herself to stay calm. To appear calm in front of the patrol members. But gods does she wish Alphinaud was here right now. He would know what to do…

What would he do in this situation? 

Rakavi closes her eyes, and wills herself to remember all the times she has watched him treat someone on the field. She didn't have healing magicks except-

Her eyes fly open. She did. It wasn't much, but it helped whenever she was in a pinch. The ability was called Mantra. The idea was to send her aether out in one healing pulse. It didn't do much healing, but rather assisted others in speeding the healing process. Like making someone's aether more compliant when healing them. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Rakavi takes a deep breath, and as she holds Gorou, she begins to follow the detailed yet brief instructions the doctor gave her. Starting with removing the arrowhead and cleaning the wound. She instructs the patrol as best she can. And when the time came to inject the antidote, she holds Gorou close. Resting his head on her chest. It's then that she takes a deep breath, and sends her aether out in a pulsing wave. 

She knows the others can sense it, because, she can see them all visibly relax. It makes sense. She often used this skill in an attempt to calm others, hence why she forgets its nature at times. It's nothing compared to the abilities of her friends, but it was better than nothing. Carefully, she raises the syringe and finds the spot the doctor told her to find on his neck. Slowly, concentrating on sending her aether out in waves as she injects the antidote. 

She lets out a shaky breath, but she doesn't have the willpower to let him go just yet.

She isn't sure if he'll be ok.

Chapter Text

Y'shtola's POV

Y'shtola was incredibly frustrated by the lack of answers she had. The woman had barely any answers for the questions that she so desperately needed to answer. It was driving her mad. It has been two days since she made her decision to leave, and since then she has been able to tie up loose ends and prepare for her journey. 

She signed up for the adventurers guild to earn this world's currency. She informed the church of her leave. She bid a farewell to everyone who might notice her presence. One would say that everything was as it should be.

She had everything taken care of, except the one question she needed answers to. 

Khaenri'ah.

Y'shtola refused to leave this city until she wrung out every possible lead she had. She was positive that Khaenri'ah and the Abyss was her key to returning to her world. To her friends.  

But of course the world seemed to spite her, and information was scarce. But that didn't phase her. If anything, it gave her the drive to try harder. She found a way to traverse other worlds via the void, didn't she? She found a way despite it seeming virtually impossible, didn't she? So she would do it again.

This lead however, seemed eager to avoid her. She had intended to chase this lead not long after speaking with Venti, but he had the gall to avoid her. She didn't care that he probably knew she was looking for him. She would not pass up this opportunity.

After all, who better to ask about Khaenri'ah than the Khaenrian himself… at least she suspected he was. She still has yet to prove this theory. Which was another reason as to why she was determined to find him.

She had tried various different methods, such as searching the taverns, asking around, and even checking with Lisa. But it seems word travels fast, and he began to actively avoid her. 

So, on the day she must depart, she woke before the sun could rise, she made the trek to the Knight's headquarters. She avoided being seen and has been waiting in the Library for his arrival. And now, she stands outside the Cavalry Captain's office. There was no possible way he could have received information that she was here, what with the careful steps she took to avoid being seen. And considering she can hear the click of his boots from within his office, he was definitely here.

She sends one last glare to the guard that was trembling by the door. He was a good guard, but he was not a resident of her world, and was unprepared for the spells she would pull from under her sleeve. Her gaze softens, and gives a silent apology to the man who was quite frankly, only doing his job. One last spell ought to do the trick.

Bubbles erupt from her staff and swirl around his head, making his eyes roll back and topple to the floor. Y'shtola nods, pleased with the result. The sleep spell should not only allow her to pass, but it will give them the privacy that Kaeya desires. And as an added bonus, the poor guard looked like he needed a few more hours of sleep.

Within the room, she hears a chair screech against marble floor. The sound of armor toppling over must have alerted the Captain. 

Y'shtola snorts. She knows what the offices tend to look like. Unless he wishes to jump from the second floor out the window, she has made sure she blocks his only exist. She would not let him escape. 

And so, she gingerly steps over the guard and gives three gentle knocks on the richly colored door. Oh but he does not answer, so Y'shtola will have to forgo her manners. She can't have him even consider trying to run. 

She clears her throat and places her hand on the door knob. "Pardon my intrusion, Ser Knight." 

Y'shtola opens the door and swiftly enters. She makes sure to lock the door behind her. She turns to find his desk, and, much to her delight it is front and center in the office. Kaeya is standing, sword at the ready. It looked like he was about to burst out the door and hold the tip to her throat. 

Y'shtola spots the way his muscles twitch and she reacts. She holds her staff up and casts a shield upon herself, watching as his sword bounces off the surface harmlessly. 

Kaeya grimaces. "What do you want."

It wasn't a question. More of a demand. Y'shtola snorts. "I want you to answer my questions. But I think you knew that already considering you seemed so determined to avoid me." 

There is a beat of silence and Kaeya reluctantly puts away his sword. He gives her an exasperated sigh. "I thought you wanted to… nevermind. What did you do to my guard?"

Y'shtola scoffs. "Of course, I wouldn't harm someone just for doing their job. I merely cast a sleep spell on him… besides he looked like he was already on the verge of passing out. He probably needs it."

The white haired Miqo'te eyes the Cavalry Captain. While he has put his sword away, he is still noticeably tense. 

"May I ask why you have been actively avoiding my presence?" She asks with a raised brow.

Kaeya stares at her for a moment. "Because… because you know… about my ancestry??" 

"I fail to see why that would make you avoid me."

Kaeya gives another sigh and pinches his nose. " Nevermind. Just… what did you want to ask?" 

"Khaenri'ah. You are a Khaenrian are you not?"

Kaeya blinks for a moment, and Y'shtola can see him weighing his options. Finally, after a long silence he answers. "...Yes?"

Y'shtola nods, pleased that her assumption was correct. "Good. I would have you tell me all you know of Khaenri'ah." 

Kaeya is once again, silent. He stares at her like she has grown a second head. Then, he seems to remember something. "Right… you do not know of Khaenri'ah in the same way the people of this world do… what do you already know?"

"I know what is written in books. I know it was a godless nation that the gods whipped out and sent a curse upon it."

Kaeya nearly chokes on his spit. "You already know? Why are you…"

He trails off, and Y'shtola finds herself feeling a little confused. "Why do you seem so surprised?"

"Well excuse me, for having emotional whiplash ." He drawls out, and then immediately pulls himself together. With a sigh he says, "... what do you want to know?"

"Everything you can possibly think of."

Kaeya turns back to his desk. "I fear I don't know much. I was planted here when I was rather young. I don't know much of anything about Khaenri'ah."

Y'shtola blinks. Surely this was a jest.

" What??" 

Kaeya immediately reaches for his sword, about to summon it, but then pauses when she does not move to attack. He gazes at her in confusion. 

"You mean to tell me you are a Khaenrian, and you truly know nothing?? You were planted, as what I assume was a spy, and you know nothing??" 

Kaeya's gaze narrows. "OK, I have ask now. Why are you being so civil about this? Why do you care so much about it? Doesn't my past bother you?" 

Y'shtola snorts. "Of course not. I am only frustrated at being faced with yet another dead end…" she pauses before asking, "Is that why you are so tense? Did you think I was here because I found out you were a spy?" 

Kaeya blinks and then says with a deadpan. "...yes? Is that not the normal thing for either party to do?"

"Are you a spy?"

"No… I don't consider myself one. I left that part of me behind… I honestly would hardly consider myself a Khaenrian. I honestly could care less about Khaenri'ah or my heritage…" He trails off and then adds, "Except when someone uses it as a reason to try and kill me… but I think that is a fair reaction for anyone." 

Y'shtola nods slowly. "I see. I find no reason to judge you for this. I have met far worse people, and seen them attone for worse actions. I would not persecute you for such a thing when you have clearly left it behind." 

Kaeya is silent for a long moment, gazing at her carefully before speaking once more. "I'm sorry I couldn't answer your questions." 

Y'shtola feels her earlier annoyance beginning to ebb away. "Fret not my friend. I shall look elsewhere. Have you any leads I may follow?" 

The Cavalry Captain glances around the room, trying to think. "...I can't think of any." 

Y'shtola huffs. She refuses to give up now. Not when she has a feeling that there is just something she has yet to see, yet to ask. 

"...what do you know of the abyss order?" 

Kaeya glances up. He frowns for a moment before answering. "Not much. The Abyss was formed from the Abyss order, I think. The Abyss order is this other worldly group of monsters and fiends. They are a pest all over Teyvat. We don't entirely know why, but they seem to have some control over the Hilichurls. They are connected to Khaenri'ah, but we are not entirely sure how or why. All we know is that it appeared not long after the destruction of Khaenri'ah."

'And the curse.' Y'shtola adds mentally. 

This was rather frustrating. He was telling her a lot of things she already knew. She heaves a heavy sigh and glances out the window. She had a lot of time left before she had to leave for Sumeru. She is reminded that Kaeya is still talking when something he says catches her attention. 

"...Albedo was looking into it when I last checked in with him, he said that the curse wasn't alchemical in nature. So there is that at least."

Her ears perk. "Albedo? The head alchemist?" 

Kaeya nods. Albeit a little confused. "Yes…?"

Y'shtola smiles. "Well, since he has some knowledge on the abyss, I would speak with him."

"You'd have to wait a few more weeks. He's in Dragonspine right now."

Y'shtola scoffs. "Then I suppose I'll just have to find him."

" How? You don't know where his lab is."

That was true… However…

"When did you last speak with him?"

"A few days ago?"

Her lips curl into a grin. "When did he leave for dragonspine?"

"...two weeks ago."

Her grin becomes devilish and Kaeya realizes far too late what she was about to say. 

"So you know where his lab is, no? I request that you take me to him." 

Kaeya falls silent. His visible eye darts to the side and lands on a small parcel. There was a hefty clover sticking out of it. "...I suppose I could take you on my next trip… I have a delivery for him." 

Y'shtola brightens up, feeling herself glow with pride. "Excellent! When do we leave?" 

Kaeya glances back at her, "Tomorrow. Bright and early." 

The white haired miqo'te nods, utterly pleased with herself. "Alright. In the meantime, I suppose I could buy you a drink for all the trouble I've put you through?"

Now that seems to make Kaeya lighten up. His shoulders slump and he says, sounding at least ten years older, "Of course… I'll take you up on that offer…" 

Y'shtola smiles and turns to leave. She supposes that interaction could have gone far worse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It did not go well. The conversation had been about as messy as Alisaie's living quarters. She could have done so much better. For now the entire city knows how she knocked a guard out cold in her pursuit for knowledge, and now most citizens give her a wide berth. She wouldn't mind this, if the other half of the citizens didn't take it upon themselves to do the opposite and approach her. Most of them wanted to tease her about it, but there were a select few who were bold enough to scold her. 

But this was the strangest experience out of them all. As Y'shtola waits by the front gate for her escort, she was approached by a rather… interesting sight.

"Hark, Sorcerer, clad in black! Pursuer of knowledge! Rejoice! For I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, descend upon this land to bless ye mortals with thy presence!" 

Y'shtola never thought she would see the day that she stumbles across someone that is somehow even worse than Urianger. Before her, currently striking a dramatic pose, is a young lady clad in what she can only describe as lingerie esk clothing, her aether made up of a crackling purple energy.

However she would be lying if she said the thing beside her did not intrigue her. It looks to be a large bird of prey, made up of her own aether, and is connected to her via a tether. However it seems to be completely independent.

"I beseech thee to state thy name, mortal!" 

Y'shtola glances up. She can already feel the headache coming on. Was Urianger like this when he was younger? "Y'shtola. Why?" 

The woman turns and lets out a victorious laugh before turning to her with a glint in her exposed eye. 

"Marvelous! I shall remember thy name, for I, the Prinzess-"

"Now now, your majesty, she is in no need of your wrath."

The screech Fischl lets out is inhuman as the Cavalry Captain had all but apperated behind her. The man only chuckles and leans back to watch her in amusement as she sputters things Y'shtola honestly cannot understand. She doesn't know if that is because of the language or the poor pronunciation. 

It takes a good long while before the woman is calmed and sent on her way. Kaeya waves goodbye to her as she returns to the side of a boy around her age. Short and scuffed. He is currently trying to scrap whatever he stepped on off his shoe. Y'shtola doesn't have much time to get a good look at him before Kaeya is stepping into her field of vision to usher her out the gates.

He walks at a brisk pace as they cross the bridge. But it is nothing Y'shtola isn't used to. Kaeya glances at her. 

"You'll have to forgive her. She has a good heart and a even better sense of justice, but she can get carried away." 

Y'shtola shakes her head. "Her attitude is off putting at first, but a breath of fresh air. She reminds me of one of my friends, back on my own world."

Kaeya raised a brow. "Oh? Do tell."

"His name was Urianger. He was arguably harder to understand and spoke in order phrases. He only started because he truly believed it made him look more…" She trails off. Struggling to find the words. 

"He thinks it makes himself sound cool?"

She chuckles and responds with a glance at the man beside her. "Yes, that is one way to put it." 

The two fall into silence once more as they continue on their journey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The journey takes up a good portion of the day, having to pass windrise and into a snaking gorge that cuts through the cliffs. Originally when Y’shtola had glanced at the map, she had hoped to take a short cut rather than follow the path that winds around and filters into the checkpoint at the base of the mountain. However, as she gazes upon the cliff faces, she doubts her ability to scale the rock.The tripe through the gorge tests her patience, specifically in the way that hilichurls line the inside of the passage, having set up thorn barriers and make shift encampments. But with Kaeya at her side they make swift work of the creatures. Albeit with a bit of difficulty on her part, having to avoid gazing upon them for long enough to trigger the curse’s side effects.

Along the way they encounter what looks to be orbs made up of Elemental Energy, Kaeya refers to them as slimes. As Y'shtola watches Kaeya's sword make a clean slice through one of them, Y'shtola can't help but notice how similar they are to the elementals from where she hails from. 

But it was clear to her that the elements had a different reality here. In her own world, the elements were indeed powerful, and governed the law of nature. However, in this world, she senses that the elements are not bound by logic, and it writes reality itself. 

For example, it would make logical sense that if you were to strike something with enough Levin energy that is ordinarily resistant to it, it would eventually break or melt due to the heat of the Levin. However in this world, it was strict. It was like the rules of a game, where if something did not obey the rule, it would be ineffective. If you struck something with Levin, or Electro as it is called in Teyvat, and lets say it was geo, it would simply be ineffective, no matter the force nor power of the magic.

To summarize, you couldn't brute force your way through the elements. You have to play by its rules if you wish to survive. 

Lucky for Y'shtola, they stumbled across the perfect test subject. Before them, floating in a small little tippy toe dance, was what Kaeya has referred to as an Abyss mage. Y'shtola's eyes narrow as she recognizes its aether to be similar to the voidsent that had dragged her into the first portal, but she ultimately decides not to mention it. 

She instead focuses on the important details to begin her own tests. Red aether blooms around it in a thick shell. A Pyro abyss mage from the looks of it. And so, out of curiosity, she raises her staff and allows Aero aether to swirl within the orb on the end of the staff.

White magic was not her Forte, but she did begin her studies in magic in the conjuring arts. So she was not entirely useless. And she is able to conjure enough force that, if elemental reaction was not real, and the world fell into the same laws of her own, would create sharp wind blades that would shatter the shield, or at the very least blow the abyss mage away. 

She focuses the energy, and then, the force of the magic being released throws her arm back. Blades made of pure Aero slice through the tall grass, and she perks her ears. She watches as the blades shatter harmlessly on the surface of the shield, and instead causes flame to spit out onto the surrounding grass. Every now and then, the flames would almost breath with the remaining Aero, and spit more flames onto the surrounding grass. After a while, the flames pitter to a stop and leave only scorched ash behind. But the Abyss mage and its shield remains unharmed, but perhaps a little shaken as it turns its head wildly around. 

"Interesting…" She mutters.

She ignores the captain beside her who is attempting to tell her that he could take care of it. She hums and raises her staff once more. She glances to the orb with an appraising stare. She watches as hyrdo energy forms in the gem. With barely more than a flick of her wrist, she sends it hurtling at the abyss mage. 

Her ears perk again when the shield bursts into steam and shatters like thin glass. Y'shtola blinks. "Hmph. Very interesting. This world truly forces you to abide by the rules."

With nary a thought she flicks her wrist once more, calling down a Levin strike to put the creature out of its misery, and she whips around to continue walking down the path. Kaeya watches her go, his face a little paler, but he keeps his mouth shut after shooting a glance at the reddish ash that gets swept up in the wind. 

While Y'shtola is a little peeved at the extra effort, she also finds the challenge a little refreshing. It seems it was true that you simply could not brute force your way through enemy lines like on her own world. The thought makes her chuckle when she thinks of Rakavi.

She was positive that if the woman were to come here, this system would make her absolutely seethe. Y'shtola can already picture the keeper of the moon, pulling at her hair and screaming in frustration. She couldn't use all the elements like Y'shtola could, which would make coming here a rather difficult challenge for her. In fact, she prays to whatever God is listening thar Rakavi did not somehow end up in Teyvat as well. Rakavi was far too used to being able to brute force things, that not only was Y'shtola worried about her safety when she finally meets her match, but she also found herself slightly worried for her ego. She did not wish to have to go through the process of bringing her back up mentally like a one would to a child that is throwing a fit over a losing a game.

That is not to say Rakavi behaves like a child, but her stubborn streak caused her to be… well… Perhaps it is best not to finish that thought. It was that stubborn streak that has gotten the Scions out of more than just a few dire circumstances. 

However when she loses a bet to someone equally as stubborn as Alisaie… let's just say that she pouts. And if Y'shtola happens to be the one left in the room, then she has to be the one to provide comfort. Not that she truly minds of course. But she feels the right to poke fun. After all, she is certain it is the least people would expect of the warrior of light. 

A big powerful hero, supposed to be brighter than the stars and stronger than the earth. She thinks that impression would be shattered if you saw the way she curls up on herself to pout while cards fly everywhere and the winner exclaims in joy. And the way she turns to face Y'shtola with big watery eyes and puffing out her lip in a pout while uttering Y'shtola's name in the most pathetic voice known to humanity. 

Y'shtola snorts and bursts into a fit of giggles at the memory, causing Kaeya to raise a brow.  

"Should I be worried that you take so much joy in brutal murder?" Kaeya comments, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Y'shtola stops her laughter immediately to look to him. "Oh, no, while I took satisfaction in that deed, that is not why I laugh." She glances back at the road, a bit wistful as she adds, "I was remembering another friend is all…" 

Kaeya hums and falls into silence. In fact the majority of the walk is rather silent, only consisting of occasional small talk every thirty minutes or so and perhaps more of the wildlife chittering around them. 

And yet Y'shtola can't help but notice how uneasy Kaeya has become around her…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The unease does not disperse as she had hoped. Instead it persists through the day and into the night as they enter the checkpoint at the foot of the mountain. The mix of people seemed glad to allow them a night's rest here, so long as they provided their own means of doing so. Evidently they only had so much room and so many tents to go around. Not that Y'shtola minded. It was nothing she was unfamiliar with. While she preferred a warm bed, she was not one to complain when given no other option. However, there was one thing that bothered her. She gazed upon the mountain, Dragonspine. Even at the food of the mountain she felt no cold. But she could see the icy aether across the river as it swirls and shifts. 

"You would think the cold would be unbearable and the river frozen… why does it stop at the bank like that?"

Kaeya glances up, red aether reflecting off of his own as he jabs at the campfire mindlessly with a poker. He blinks at her for a moment before glancing over to said mountain and answering, his breathy voice barely above a whisper. 

"It's unclear. The most we have to go off of are legends and tales. If you were looking for a scientific reason, I fear that is something Albedo might be more equipped to answer." 

Y'shtola hums and glances back to the mountain. "In worlds like this, tales and legends have more truth than meets the eye. I would have you tell me of them." 

'That, and the concept of an eternal winter in a confined space is not unheard of after the calamity. Ishgard is proof of that… but even then one can feel the cold from the surrounding area.' She muses to herself, bringing her gaze up to the peak of the mountain. 

Kaeya hums and takes a moment to collect his thoughts, setting the poker to the side as he crosses one leg over the other. 

"The most I know is the reason behind it being contained to Dragonspine it is because long ago the Anemo Archon banished the storms from the land before he became a god. All in a rebellious act to free the lands from tyranny. But that doesn't explain why it doesn't travel to Liyue." 

He pauses and crosses his arms,  leaning back a little. "But from what I've heard… Many suspect it is because it is the grave of Durin."

As he speaks, her eyes travel downward to the heart of the mountain. Her lips purse upon spotting a small flicker of blood red aether, a faint trickle, visible from this far away thanks to her own abilities. She doesn't like how it drips in malice, not unlike that of the abyssal creatures and the curse. Her eyes narrow.

"I can see why…"

When she glances back to him, his shoulders slump, before shrugging. There had been a mischievous glint in his eye, but it was gone now. Y'shtola raises a brow. "Was that an attempt to frighten me?" 

Kaeya throws his head back with a smile, tossing his hands up in a dramatic display as if to show that he had been caught committing some sort of crime. "You got me there~ but I wasn't joking. There are many rumors surrounding Dragonspine, but the fact that it is treacherous and cursed is nothing but factual." 

Y'shtola rolls her eyes, muttering to herself, "You are truly a poor source of information."

Kaeya frowns at that, his tone is light and playful. "Now now. I wouldn't go that far. I happen to be very knowledgeable. What you want to know just happens to be outside my area of expertise. "

Y'shtola snorts, glancing back to the mountain. She was completely aware of this. Truly she should have known better. While she was certain his information was vast, he was by no means a scholar, and the answers she needed apparently could not be answered by anything other than that. 

Kaeya chuckles. "Anyway, I think these questions have been a bit one sided." He rests his chin on his palm, tapping his chin with his index finger. "You've been interrogating me since yesterday. So it's only fair if you return the favor, no?" 

Y'shtola raises a brow. "I suppose that is only fair."

The blueish white of his aether jerks around with each moment, creating after images as he lifts his head to rub his chin and ponder. 

"Let's see… where to start?" He glanced back at her. "You can wield multiple elements at once? Tell me about that."

"That was nothing but a bit of magic. I am well versed in it." Her lips quirk up in a smile as she examines her half eaten fish. "While I am no red mage, not many can claim to have mastered both white and black magicks."

Kaeya's eye narrows. "The power of an outlander is truly something else…"

Y'shtola frowns, she opens her mouth to speak but he interrupts her. "Ah, ah! You have asked enough questions. It's my turn to get answers. Now, that doesn't answer my question. Why only you? It's not like people of our world haven't been studying magic. And I suspect you know the answer with your… strange all seeing eyes." 

Y'shtola snorts. Rolling her eyes. "Well, I was about to explain it. And my eyes do not see all. " Much to her disdain. "It has to do with your aether. You have only gleamed the surface that is the elements. Aether is what makes up even the elements. Some people are more capable of wielding it than others. Where I am from, there is a nation of people who are stunted as far as aetherical use. And from what I observed, everyone is the same here… except…" She glances up, and eyes the Vision at Kaeya's waist. "...somehow… It seems an exception is made when one is granted a Vision. A bypass if you will." 

As she falls silent, so does Kaeya. And if the expression on his face is anything to go off of, he is struggling to process her words. With a hint of smugness, Y'shtola adds, "Was there anything else you wished to know?" She takes a bite of her fish. 

"Yes. I was wondering when you would finally stop brooding over your lost lover-" Y'shtola chokes on the fish. "-And tell me about her."

Her gaze shoots up to find Kaeya looking about as smug as she had been just a moment ago. "I should have known gossip about one's love life would travel swiftly in the city of love and romance…"

The checkpoint at the foot of the mountain is suddenly filled with Kaeya's breathy laughter as Y'shtola's cheeks bloom with embarrassment. She glares down at her fish and takes another bite.

'Well played…' 

As she chews, her irritation fades. If she remembers correctly, the last time she had fish like this was with Rakavi. She remembers the face she made upon spotting the fish. The subtle way her nose screwed up in disdain. How she still forced it down anyway because she did not wish to upset her friends who had caught it. Y'shtola smiles at the memory.

"...Well for starters, she hates fish. She almost chokes on it every time she has to eat it because of how her gag reflex acts up every time."

Kaeya raises a brow. "She sounds… lovely?"

"She is reckless, self sacrificing, and stubborn."

'Like you?'

She chooses to ignore the way she had imagined Rakavi's response in her head in favor of speaking more. "She is smarter than she gives herself credit for. She is passionate in every sense of the word. She is strong, not just as a person, but physically. So much so that she struggles to control it…" She trails off as she gazes at the fire. 

After a moment, Kaeya speaks. "She sounds like quite the handful."

Y'shtola chuckles and glances up to the black space that is the sky, trying to find this world's moon. 

"Yes she is…" 

She was a handful. But so too was the sun. Far too much light and warmth, only a fool with wings made of wax could hope to grasp it in their palms. Y'shtola closes her eyes. No… she would not make wings of wax. Rather instead she would be the moon itself, to meet her when dawn kisses the horizon, and bid her a safe journey when they part at dusk.

Y'shtola smiles softly.

Her sun… she rather likes the sound of it.

Chapter Text

Rakavi's POV

Rakavi sits beside Gorou's resting form in the encampment. His breathing now something more stable and soft, clearly just sleeping it off. 

"How long before he wakes up?" She asks the doctor at her side.

"Soon. Perhaps later today."

That makes her frown. After the storm had cleared, help arrived and ushered him to safety. By then it had been early in the morning as of yesterday. He had been resting for a full day and night and most likely needed more. Which, is a shame. Not the healing part, but more so the fact that she most likely would not have a chance to say goodbye. The boat meant to usher her to the mainland, it was due to arrive today. It was a speedy response, but at the cost of a proper farewell…

Well. She can't be too picky. He was alive and well after all. 

Rakavi sighs and stands up, barely uttering a few words to the doctor about her departure and a message for Gorou and exits out the door. Her head was full of the other night as she walks.

***

She didn't like how blue his lips were getting. She grimaces as she continues to do her best in applying pressure to the wound as the shipwreck creaks around the stranded crew. Rain was still battering down on the wood, and it was flowing off the broken deck in the same manner the water in a fountain would. It was loud in her ears, somehow louder than the thunder that rumbled in the distance.

"The lighting has stopped. It shouldn't be long now before help arrives." Rakavi assures the others. 

She doesn't spare them much of a glance when one of them returns to sit beside Gorou once more. They grasp his hand and touch his face, recoiling at how cold he was. 

They gasp. "He's so cold! Miss Rakavi?? Shouldn't we…?" 

She bites her lip. She can't let it show, but she is panicking. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what to do! Should she keep him laying down, or risk jostling the wound in order to warm him? She wasn't a healer for hell's sake!! Rakavi swallows and forces her expression to remain neutral.

"Try and… see if you can lay next to him. I'm busy putting pressure on the wound…" Rakavi hates how she pauses.

Her treacherous ears go back as she spots the blood soaking through the cloth she is pressing to the general. She swallows in a deep breath. She couldn't panic. Not now. She wouldn't panic. Everything would be alright, because Rakavi would make sure he made it out alive. 

She had to. She wouldn't be able to take another death. She hadn't known him for long, but she had foolishly gotten attached. That and the life of a general as important as him was a stressful thing to be placed in your hands when you have very little experience as a healer. 

Rakavi's ears snap to attention when she hears the distant sound of footsteps, sloshing through the sand. She tries not to perk up too much in fear of bumping Gorou.

"They're here!! Help is here!!" She gasps.

… For a moment, Rakavi doesn't care how obvious the relief in her voice is. 

***

She shakes the memory out of her head as she continues to load supplies into her aetherpouch. Anything they were willing to give and would fit through the opening. Which sadly wasn't much. Not because they were unwilling but more so because she only had a small opening for a small pouch. She stuffs some more rations in before sighing and standing up from where she had been kneeling. The boat had arrived while she had been sitting deep in thought. So she had to rush out the door to assure she did not keep them waiting. But before she leaves the gate, one of the higher up soldiers stops her.

"Before you go, take this. Gorou had been meaning to give it to you himself but… either way, it will help you to keep in contact with Lady Kokomi. Make sure no one is peeping or listening in, because this one will carry her voice."

Oh. How nice. They took into account her inability to read inazuman script. 

Cautiously, she takes the small and flat wooden box. She stares at it, curious, before bowing her head and begins descending the hill to the docks. She doesn't get too far before someone shouts.

"Hey!! Wait!!"

She whirls around to see Gorou leaning against one of the wooden stakes, a very upset doctor running up to him. She doesn't have to hear it to know the doctor is scolding him relentlessly for having jumped out of bed. The soldier she had just spoken to stands to the side absolutely flabbergasted. Gorou takes a moment to drink in a few breaths, unable to beat Rakavi to the point.

She turns and smiles, before giving a deep bow she had learned from the Domans themselves. "General Gorou…"

 Gorou squawks at the sudden formal display of respect and his cheeks flush. "You-! You don't have to-"

Rakavi bursts out laughing, saying between giggles, "Good luck out there Gorou! Stay safe!"

Gorou blinks for a moment, he looks happy for a moment before he forces a stern expression, and addresses her as if she were one of his soldiers. "Safe travels! Farewell!" 

She beams even more, uttering one last farewell and waves. She turns and continues down to the docks where the man who would usher her away stands impatiently tapping his foot.

Rakavi was going to miss the general, but she was glad he was alright. He better stay that way. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The man ushering her away has her hide in one of the few crates he has on the boat, and to say it was the most uncomfortable boat ride in her life would be an understatement. She can't exactly tell the passage of time from here, her only indication being how bright the light is when it seeps through the cracks in the box. She knows hours have passed at some point when the light has faded from the outside. Good, her bones felt like they might shatter if she sat here any longer. The man only briefly checks in on her after that before they have to set off again. He says they had left at noon, and she can see how the sun sets on the horizon. She must have been curled up for six to seven hours before he had checked in on her. Now it was time for an undefined amount of time full of splinters in her tail and stiff… stiff everything. 

On the bright side the stiffness was easy to ignore. The downside was the reason why. She felt sick from the way the waves tossed them along, and it was made worse that she couldn't see anything. The only thing keeping her distracted was how she had to remain concentrated on keeping herself from getting sick. And it had only gotten worse as time went on. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At some point, she had lost consciousness. She was jostled awake by the man and he holds a waterskin out to her before swiftly closing the crate once more. She thinks he says something about having arrived, but she can't bring herself to care when the delectable nourishment that is clean water hits her tongue. She gulps down most of the waterskin before she is able to focus again. Her ears flit forward when the man addresses her. 

"Don't come out until you are told to do so. These boxes will be carried into the estate." He hisses somewhere near the edge of the lid. 

Rakavi reflexively gives a nod, before blushing when remembering he couldn't see her do so, so instead she only taps on the box to hopefully convey her confirmation. The boat comes to a stop, and she can hear voices again. She can hear the scrape of the wood as the other crates are lifted off the small boat and into the arms of whoever was here. She quiets her breath when her own box is lifted with a grunt. The box sways, and she covers her mouth in a desperate attempt to not get sick. She had managed to avoid losing her lunch up until now, and she would keep it that way.

Thankfully the trek is not nearly as long as the boat ride here, and she can hear voices around her, the clank of armor, and the sound of wood scraping and slamming. She can feel the way her current courier shifts to swiftly take off their shoes as their feet thump against wooden floors. She hears the way they shut the doors and feels the way they use their hips to do so. 

"Ah, here, let me help you. I know where that one goes."

Her ears perk at the sound of a new voice. It's rather cheery, and has that awkwardness only a masculine voice could possibly have. The box is handed off, and she tries her best to muffle the way her breath suddenly leaves her in a gasp when the box drops suddenly. There is a panicked sound as the previous courier ducks forward to hold the box. She hears the new voice again, this time very clearly strained. 

"You… could've… warned me!" The voice wheezes. 

Rakavi rolls her eyes. She isn't that heavy… but she supposes if you are unprepared then… it makes sense. The two work together to carry her further into whatever building they had entered, and a door is opened and she is set down in a much more gentle manner than she had been handled all day. The other man says something in a grunt before she hears the door slide shut. She holds her breath when it falls silent… and then, she hears the new voice sigh in relief. Wood scraps on the crate as the lid is finally slid off the box and light floods her vision. 

"You can come out, but you have to hide until the delivery folks are gone." The voice whispers from above. 

Rakavi gladly sits up and stretches. In a quick motion she stands and steps outside the box. Groaning she uses one arm to lean against the wall and places her opposite hand on her lower back. She arches her back and hears how her spine cracks all the way down. 

"Rough ride?"

"Yeah… I'm stiff everywhere, and honestly still a litt-" She freezes and her eyes fly open.

She spins her head around to stare in mortification upon remembering she was in fact not alone in the room. She had in fact hobbled around like an old man, groaning like one too. What a fantastic first impression for a hero like her. 

Rakavi takes in the sight of him before her. Honestly nothing like any of the Inazumans she had met thus far, that much was clear from the mixed heritage in his facial features and the texture of his hair. He had ruddy skin as well, which was an uncommon trait she had noticed, as far as Inazumans go. 

He was a tall bean pole of a man. Clearly well built beneath his clothes, but scrawny enough that it was the only weight added to him. Or perhaps she was looking at it wrong. He was scrawny yes, but obviously athletic. He probably burns more energy than his body can keep up with and it shows. However, his arms and legs are fat better off, built sturdier and thicker. His hands were wide with what she is certain would be heavily calloused palms were they visible.

As for what he was wearing, he wore a black metal headband, with horns sticking out at the forehead, and a red rope to tie his hair back. He wore a worn black shirt that hugged his frame, dog tags that bang against his chest, all of which was covered by a thick red crop top jacket with various patches sewn into the fabric and the rolled up sleeves. He wore thickly armored fingerless gloves with stylish stitching on it to keep it all together.

Below the waist he wore puffy blue pants, and a red… honestly she wasn't certain what it was, so she would assume it was another jacket, or a part of a set. It was decorated with more of the armor patterns, not too different to what she has grown used to seeing soldiers wear in this land. It too is decorated with decorative threads. He isn't wearing shoes, obviously as per usual in both Inazuman and many far eastern cultures. 

That reminds her to slip off her own shoes. She unlaces the sides of her boots before sliding them down her thighs. The man startled for a moment before registering what she was doing. He clears his throat before placing one hand on his hip, and raising the other for her to shake. Rakavi takes an embarrassingly long moment to register what the gesture meant before blushing and taking his hand and shaking it with a firm grip. 

"Sorry. Got used to other greeting methods." She mumbled.

He chuckles and shakes her hand. "Woah! Quite the grip you got there!" He pauses for a moment before smiling at her, and she glances up to spot apple green eyes glinting in genuine enthusiasm. "I'm Thoma by the way! Ah, no need to introduce yourself, I have already been told your name in the briefing."

"Nice to meet you…? Briefing?" She blinks. 

"Yep! Most of the staff has been informed, briefed, and prepared for your arrival!" Thoma chirps. 

Now that Rakavi thinks about it, she has no idea what kind of friend had accepted her under their roof. Her ears flit back as she looks around what looks to be a… kitchen? 

"Won't it be suspicious that you brought one of the shipment boxes in here?" Rakavi asks slowly.

Thoma shrugs. "Typically I order things for the kitchen, and have them brought straight here. Today I had ordered an assortment of things that weighed around the same as you." He winks when he says that rounds another box and moves the lid off. 

Inside is, as he said, an assortment of many different ingredients. Fruit, rice, vegetables, and spices. He pats the edge. "I'll admit it was difficult to procure this box outside of shipment, without anyone noticing. But this way no one will be suspicious as to why we haven't been using any of what I supposedly ordered." 

Rakavi nods, and then frowns. "OK, but why do you have it taken here rather than the store room?" 

"Oh, no practical reason… other than I get my ingredients delivered here and I don't have to walk all the way to the store house. But also…" Thoma leans in and lowers his voice. "It's so that no one questions it if I have to smuggle things like you." 

Rakavi nods slowly as Thoma backs away, putting the crates away. Thoma walks over to one of the cabinets in the kitchen. "Well, you said you were aching, do you mind if I brew you some healing tea?" 

She grunts and nods. The ache in her limbs returning to her with a vengeance. With the distraction now gone, she is reminded of the fatigue her seasickness brought to her limbs, and she shakily sits on the ground, putting her back against the wall. The blonde watches the man work for a moment before speaking.

"I feel like I haven't been given enough context as to what all this place is, or who you are." 

Thoma pauses and glances over his shoulder at her. He blinks before seeming to realize what her comment meant. He nods and returns to preparing the tea. 

"Yes. Ah… do you know of the Yashiro commission?"

"I know nothing about Inazuma. I only know a little about the politics of Watatsumi, and that there is a Electro Archon. But that's it."

She sees the way Thoma pauses before he continues. "Huh… well… where do I start…" He trails off for a moment before speaking. "Inazuma is run by the Shogunate, in other words, the Raiden Shogun herself. Under her, there are three commissions, all of which are made up of the different clans in Inazuma. The Tenryou Commission, which oversees military affairs and national security… there's the Kanjou Commission. Which oversees trade and foreign affairs… and then there's the Yashiro Commission. The Yashiro commission oversees cultural and social events such as festivals and weddings."

Rakavi nods, and watches steam rise from the teapot. Thoma glances back to her and speaks with a smile. "Right now, you are in the Kamisato estate. Lord Kamisato is the head of the Yashiro Commission."

Rakavi's eyes widen. She had been taken in by someone with so much political influence? No, not just that. Someone that high up the chain was playing a part in the rebellion? Thoma chuckles at her shock. "As for who I am, I am just the housekeeper… and the Lord's right hand man." 

Rakavi blinks at him for a moment and studies him. It made sense. It also made sense why they were able to smuggle her in the first place. She is pulled from her thoughts when Thoma places a steaming cup wrapped in cloth into her hands. It smells strongly. Thoma beams. "Careful, it's hot." 

His smile warms her heart more than the tea warms her hands through the cloth. Her eyes widen and she nods. She looks down at the tea and watches the liquid inside. Thoma pats her shoulder before standing and walking to the door. "I have to go report to My Lord, stay here."  

The door opens and shuts, and she is left alone here. Slowly, Rakavi's ears swivel around to listen to her surroundings. She takes a sip once the tea is cool enough, and she nearly spits it back out. Bitter. Of course, it was a medicinal tea. But she much preferred a sugary sweet drink.

Still, she forces it down nonetheless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi does not have to wait long before she is given a room to stay in for the night. They would begin the next step in the operation, in which tomorrow she would meet the Lord and Lady before heading off to Inazuma city where she would remain undercover. Dinner is still settling in her stomach when Thoma moves about her room to snuff the candles. And, she waits. She waits until the whole estate seems to fall quiet before she slips to her window. 

She glances around. Overall it was a tranquil night, even though it would rain soon. She backs up from the window, and in the quietest shout she can manage, (which ends up being more like a stage whisper) she utters the name of her companion on the first. 

"Feo Ul!! Oh loveliest fairy queen, I apologize for my delay!! Please heed my call for I so dearly wish to speak with you!!" Rakavi whisper shouts.

…. As expected no response. The real sign if she had heard her would be when she sleeps tonight. Ever since leaving the first, she discovered that if she shouts Feo Ul's name, the fairy will appear in her dreams to speak with her. She typically did this to check in on the first without actually going there. And even sometimes, in more recent months, to check in on the twins. 

However, no matter how many times she has shouted her name or said sweet nothings into the air, Feo has yet to appear in her dreams since she arrived in Inazuma. Rakavi sighs, and goes back to bed, curling up to rest in a ball. Eventually falling sleep with her knees to her chest. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi leaps over the fallen carcass of the mutated soldier. Long blonde hair sticks to her face. Her skin is covered in blood, mud, and sweat. Another gunshot fires in the distance, and it is followed by an earsplitting bang. Rakavi ducks instinctually. She has to wind around the corner before she spots something. Her eyes widen. 

Long golden hair flows from heafty garlean armor. As the tall, beast of a man, stands a short distance before her, Rakavi feels what is almost like someone pouring spiders down her back. Dread lurches in her stomach, and her breath hitches. 

"No…no no no. NO! Stay dead godsdamnit!! Please!! Please just leave me alone!"

Her voice sounds, almost like it wasn't coming from her own mouth. She blinks in confusion, and looks down. Her body was not her own. It was the body of a garlean soldier. She looks up again, and freezes. There, standing in front of her, was herself. This time she has short hair, her outfit has changed. But now blood is pooling around her. From underneath… 

Oh gods… Rakavi can't stop herself from looking to the source of the blood… white hair is now dyed red from the blood. They lay there, motionless on the snow. A red headed miqo'te lays motionless on top of the two, obviously having attempted to protect them in his final moments. 

Rakavi tries to speak, but nothing comes out. She tries to move, but her limbs won't move. A few feet away, Y'shtola stands there, horrified. The white haired woman backs away, slowly. Rakavi attempts to shout, but nothing happens. 

She watches as her own body raises the katana up. Then, Zenos's drawl leaves her own lips. "She is precious to you… is she not? Surely, you will engage in combat with me once more if I were to take her life, no?" 

No…

The blade begins to descend upon the woman, as if killing her friends and what were essentially her children to her was not already enough. 

"NO!!"

The blade freezes mid strike. Everything goes still. It stays like that for a moment before an unfamiliar voice echoes in the dream. 

"What an awful dream… please give me one moment while I take us somewhere a bit better."

The dream shifts and dissolves right before her eyes, and Rakavi suddenly lands on something. She looks over at herself, and she is wearing casual clothing, at the corner of the bar area in the rising stones. All the Scions celebrate around her, enjoying booze and the sort. She sits alone at a table at the back. Or she thought she was.

In front of her, someone slides into the seat. She was a young girl, with long pointy ears, chubby cheeks and a round face. Rakavi finds it a bit difficult to focus on the details, but she does know that the girl had long white hair, and a green and white dress that almost looked like a petal dress. Her eyes were big and green with little white flower shapes for pupils. 

"I apologize, but I figured it would be best if I conjured something from your memories."

Rakavi blinks, and glances around. Yes. This was the celebration they held, after returning from Ultima Thule. After healing and resting up of course. Rakavi glances back to the girl in front of her. "What… who are you? What… why are you here?" 

The girl blinks slowly. "I sense an entity from outside this world, trying to establish a connection. So I went to investigate. I take it, you are its intended recipient?" 

Rakavi ignores how she just didn't answer the first question to instead exclaim excitedly, "Feo Ul?!"

The girl looks a bit surprised at the outburst before smiling. "Alright, I will assist them in making contact."

The girl hops off her seat, and suddenly, the room is gone, so is the girl. The flower fields of the fairy kind suddenly spread fourth beneath her feet, becoming rolling hills in the distance. She waits for a moment longer before, a small glimmer of amber light blinks into existence, and Feo Ul appears before her. 

"OH!! There you are! We were looking everywhere for you!! We were all worried sick!! " The fairy clicks her tongue and shakes her head. She crosses her arms and pouts.

Rakavi chuckles and gently uses her finger to pat her tiny orange head. "I'm sorry, I tried calling for you a lot while I've been here."

Eventually, the fairy sighs and nods, the pout leaving her face. 

Rakavi speaks again, just to coax her into speaking. "Can you tell me what happened? Why you didn't come? It seems you heard me…"

The tiny creature nods and explains. "Aye. I heard my [adorable sapling] calling out for me, and I tried my damned hardest to reach you, but you were too far away! Then this nice lovely lass helped in connecting me to your dream and well, here I am!"

Rakavi nods. It must have been the girl she had seen… either way, she begins to fill Feo Ul in on what has happened so far. She then informs her to relay the information to Estinien and Varshan, and to assure them that she was safe, and will seek out Y'shtola as soon as she was able. She instructs Feo Ul to relay their responses to her tomorrow evening. To which Feo Ul makes a grumble about being a messenger and quickly disappears with a puff of amber.

Rakavi sits alone in the flower field. Waiting for when she finally wakes up.

…

Rakavi's eyes open, and she groans, rubbing her eyes. It was still dark, and so she rolls over, and goes back to sleep. This was something she could worry about later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Overnight it rains and thunders, as is the usual here, and in the morning, Thoma slips into her room to provide her with a warm meal. The breakfast was light and delicious, but it was overshadowed by Thoma’s blindly bright and sunny smile. No one should be that cheery while they open the window for light to disturb her slumber. But now, fully rested and fed, she is led by Thoma to the Yashiro Commissioner’s office. Inside the office, Rakavi nearly chokes.

Sitting behind the low table is a rather regal looking man. He wears completely white clothing that seems to mimic what she assumes is traditional Inazuman clothing as well as the formal clothes of a businessman. On one shoulder he wears a metallic guard and on his hands he wears rather short black gloves to cover his sturdy palms and long fingers, with a few writer’s calluses on multiple fingers of both his hands. He has a V shaped torso and an otherwise average build. He has soft pale skin that is peppered with moles and other beauty marks, the only visible one being on his chin just below his lip. He has slanted downturned amethyst eyes, yet from the lack of smile lines it is difficult to tell if the shape is from anything genuine. His pale icy blue hair is well kept and swept to the side, kept short and manageable. When the two enter, the man smiles. But even when his lips quirk upward, his expression remains neutral and unreadable.

He was, undeniably, absolutely, fucking gorgeous. Rakavi stops where she stands and whips around to stare at Thoma, who only glances at her in confusion. She has to bite her tongue to prevent herself from saying something stupid. Specifically asking why Thoma hadn’t warned her about how hot the Lord was. Someone clears their throat, grabbing Rakavi’s attention. She looks over to the man behind the table as Thoma bows and moves to sit down. Rakavi bows as well, and does the same.

“I am Kamisato Ayato. You are Rakavi, I take it?” The man’s voice is soft and authoritative. A strange combination she thinks. Ayato doesn’t give her much time to respond before pulling a few things out from a stack of papers. “Before you leave, take this.”

He hands Rakavi what look to be a few… registration documents, a couple of identification cards, and more. She raises a brow at the fake travel pass. She doesn't get time to ask before he smiles and tips his head. "To raise less suspicion when you act as our little spy. Ordinarily I would have my shimatsuban take care of it- as they are more than suitable for the job- Kokomi has been so kind to us, so I had to give you some place where you could be of use to us."

Her eye twitches at how he makes it sound like he was doing Kokomi a favor... and how he clearly implied he didn't actually think she was suitable for the job... 

She takes it back. He was ugly. Hideous. Horrible. A sleazy sleuthy man. She couldn't believe she thought he was handsome even for a second.

"You don't sound terribly pleased to have me here."

His tone remains even, but his lips drop into a frown. Come to think of it, she thinks she can see bags under his eyes. "My apologies, but it’s the best we can do considering our resources are stretched thin right now. Not only are our supplies limited, but we have to keep up the guise of... Ah, how should I put it? Not making deals with the enemy? This adds a layer of difficulty to any shipment as well, including the food I would need to keep you fed while under my roof, or any establishment you would be staying in." 

She doesn't know what she hates more. His tone or the fact that he had a point. This was war, and she was just another mouth to feed. She was a burden until she proved useful. And she certainly wasn't doing that by standing here making faces. 

"Fine. Thank you for your help. I'll be sure to do my best." She sighs eventually, bowing low to the ground where she sits.

Now it's Ayato's turn to sigh. "Don't… bother with those formalities. And I apologize for my… attitude."

Her ear flicks and she sits back up. Ayato rubs his forehead and dismisses them. She leaves to go back to her room to change into something more fitting for a civilian. Lady Kamisato of all people, helps her get dressed, and teaches her how to put on the clothes. 

Lady Kamisato looks almost identical to her brother, a few beauty marks of her own, but she was shorter than Rakavi and kept her gaze on the ground quite a lot. So she didn't see her eyes that often. She wore a cute dress alongside the armor she has seen everywhere in Inazuma. She was also, sadly, just as pretty as her brother. 

Rakavi blushes when her hands brush against her waist for a moment to gather the… gods, Rakavi has already forgotten what its called. It's hard to pay attention when all her bones ache from her box adventures yesterday. Distantly she wonders why there were so many pretty people here. And why she wasn't reacting more viscerally to all of them. A while ago she would have been more of a stuttering mess, knees wobbling and everything… What changed?  

She mentally shrugs. It was probably the trauma and pressure of heroism. Must have upped her ability to stay calm…

Rakavi shakes her head. She puts these thoughts back onto the shelf at the very very deep corner of her mind where other issues collect dust. Never to be truly addressed. Ayaka eventually finishes explaining the clothing to her, and she is led to the courtyard where the cart waits outside the gate. 

She carries her normal clothes in a sack with her as she is loaded into the cart alongside Thoma, and they depart from the estate. 

The wind rustles her hair and she breathes in the fresh air left from the rain last night. Along the way, she takes the time to ask Thoma about how the world works. Specifically on the topic of visions. It's difficult to phrase the questions in ways that do not imply she is not from this world. But her questions are cut short when she turns and spots the purple blossom trees dotting the countryside along with small settlements with straw covering the roof of each building. It's rather quaint compared to the city that enters her vision. 

She glanced over, and before her stretched out a magnificent city. Vast, similar in architecture to Kugane, minus the canals. It was built atop the cliff as it lords over the nation as one opposing force. It starts off in small farmlands in the countryside, then it becomes black wooden residential houses that crowd the base. A few traditional spaces of worship are scattered throughout the city, and at the heart of it is what she can already tell is a bustling marketplace. People bustle in the streets and she can smell the food and culture as they pass underneath the bows of a large purple Sakura tree. Stray cats and dogs scurry out of the way of the cart as it slows to a stop. Rakavi can't help but stare at the city that stacks at an upward incline. 

Almost immediately upon entering the city, Rakavi is met with curious and hostile glances alike, and she tips her hat a little lower on her face. The citizens here are dressed nicer than most. Obviously having the luxury to bathe. People stand outside establishments like the publishing house to call out various deals, she can hear the strike of a hammer against iron, and she can smell the food stalls even from at the base of the petal covered staircase. 

As Thoma leads her through the winding street, something enters her vision. There, at the peak, it lords over the city. It looms over it all with horns on either side as if it were a devil hunched over its prey. If the palace exterior and the Electro symbol on the front were not obvious enough, she could tell just from the atmosphere that it was the home of the Raiden Shogun. Her eyes narrow as she gazes upon it. 

So this was it. Here she was, in the belly of the beast.

Inazuma City.

Chapter Text

Y'shtola's POV

The change in the climate the moment she stepped onto Dragonspine's shore was uncanny. Immediately she is hit with freezing temperatures, and she finds herself thanking Kaeya for the warm clothes he provided her. It was undeniably strange how the cold was contained to this one area, however she suspects that Durin's grave must have something to do with it. That would have to wait until a later date, because Kaeya is speeding ahead with long, confident strides. 

His long spindly legs allow him to maneuver across the snowy path with ease, and Y'shtola is certain his vision allows him some resistance against the cold. He occasionally will look back to her with a teasing smirk. 

'Mayhap that smile would be wiped clean should he discover the unforgiving snow of Garlemald…' 

This gives her a bit of comfort, as she reminds herself that Dragonspine was more on par with Cortheas. Its perpetually frozen state was not so different after all. The trek to the Alchemist's lab was thankfully no more than a few hours, and they arrived around noon without facing much more than a cryo slime or two. Although the leap across the decayed bridge was more than just irritating to her. She does not understand why someone would allow such a dangerous path to somewhere a child frequents. Although, she supposes it makes sense. Most of the residents in Mondstadt have a Windglider permit. 

The lab itself is surprisingly cozy, built inside a cave on the mountain side. The walls are lined with tables covered in papers, books, and various alchemical equipment. There are various cooking pots, some more dubious than others, and various cooking materials left out to freeze in the cold. At the far left corner is an easel and a box of art supplies. Canvas after canvas litter the ground surrounding it, but there are a few that are set neatly and carefully in an open box. The sight is tied together with a neatly made cot in the upper left corner of the cave. 

However, there is no sign of the Alchemist. Kaeya whistles and pivots on his heels. "Well! It seems the Alchemist isn't here! I suppose you'll just have to be on your wa-"

He is cut off by a rather soft voice. "Don't be ridiculous Captain. I have just returned."

Y'shtola turns her gaze to the cave entrance as a shorter man waltzes into the lab. His gait is calm and confident, and his dress is hardly suited for the cold. He wears a long lab coat that is decorated with all kinds of trinkets, and a pair of shorts with thigh high boots. His thick hair is pulled back via a braid and short tail. His ears and cheeks had a permanent flush to them, and there is a beauty mark here and there if she looked closely. His eyelids have a slight droop to them, yet despite this it does not dull the curiosity in his eyes. He has a thin frame, with slender hands and long legs despite his short stature. 

But what intrigues Y'shtola is not even the sunshine glow that makes up his Aether, or the geo vision he wears. Rather instead she finds her attention drawn to the golden star on his neck. His aether flows from that point, as if that is where his entire being begins. The aether has crystallized into a tangible mark much like a scar would on a body.

'No, twould be more accurate to compare this to a severed umbilical cord…' She muses, touching her chin as she thinks.

The man raises a brow, and glances to Kaeya. "Does your new friend make a habit of staring?"

Kaeya chuckles, and Y'shtola pays his comment no mind, instead she glances up to meet his gaze properly. "Forgive me, I am Y'shtola. Might I have your name?"

The man takes a moment to study her before he answers. "I am Albedo, chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonious. May I ask about the nature of your visit?" 

Before she can respond, Kaeya steps forward. "Ah! Klee wanted me to deliver this on her behalf. She is in solitary confinement for the next few weeks." 

Albedo winces but takes the parcel that Kaeya holds out to him. It's the one with the clover. "I see… I'm not sure I want to know what she did this time… now, what is your reason? Surely you did not venture up the mountain just to see the parcel delivered?"

Y'shtola huffs after having given Kaeya a stern glare. "Yes. I came to ask what you know about Khaenri'ah."

Albedo simply stares. Then, she watches as his gaze lulls over to Kaeya. Said man only gives a sigh followed by a nod and Albedo returns his gaze to meet Y'shtola. "I fear I don't know anything. My master was from Khaenri'ah, but I fear she did not speak much of it. The only thing she ever taught me was alchemy. I know as much about Khaenri'ah as the next scholar does."

Y'shtola sighs, and pinches her brow. "Fine. What do you know about the Aybss order?" 

"The Aybss Order? I know it was born from Khaenri'ah. However I have not yet had enough test subjects to thoroughly research it. I have however been able to ascertained that the curse, does not seem to be alchemical in nature, which is rather strange considering that the alchemical art unique to Khaenri'ah is the alchemy regarding life."

Her brows raise. "Alchemy unique to Khaenri'ah? Did it have a name?" 

Albedo hesitates. Again, his gaze drifts to Kaeya, who nods and crosses his arms. "...it is referred to as the Art of Khemia. My master passed it on to me. It has, otherwise, been lost to time." 

" Interesting… " Y'shtola's eyes narrow as her gaze flits back to his throat. She touches her chin in thought. "Pardon the intrusive question, but you aren't human, are you?"

Abledo's eyes widen, but then soften, brimming with curiosity. "...what makes you say that?"

"Your aether. It's abnormal. It doesn't flow like a normal human would. It's almost like it was poured into you and never quite learned to flow like a human's aether. In addition to this, you talk about the art of Khemia and how it's a Khaenrian art, and how it deals with the alchemy regarding life." 

Albedo stares at her for a long moment. He looks to Kaeya, who is quick to answer. "She sees this thing called aether. Seems to be like a more in depth version of Elemental sight."

Y'shtola whips her head around. "Aether is more than that! It is what powers life and magic itself! It is the energy that flows through the world and into the rift!"

Kaeya's hands fly up defensively, but Y'shtola's attention is quickly stolen when Albedo steps forward, his eyes sparking with interest. "Aether you say? Where did you say you were from?"

Kaeya speaks for her again. "She is an outlander, like the travel-ugh!"

Y'shtola turns to him, cutting his words off with a glare. "Speak for me again, and I will make sure you have no tongue to do so ever again." 

Albedo chuckles, grabbing her attention. "Well, to answer your earlier question, no. I am not human. I am a homunculus created by my master. Your observation is not too far off from how she created me." He gestures to a place to sit. "Please. I insist you tell me more about what aether is, and in return I will make a copy of my notes on the abyss order for you. How does that sound?" 

Y'shtola nods and smiles. "That would be wonderful. You have my thanks."

Albedo looks surprised to be thanked, "No no, thank you for sharing your research with me." 

As she sits on the chair next to Albedo, who kicks out his leg and proceeds to cross it over his knee, Kaeya stands aimlessly by the table covered in lab materials. He pokes an empty beaker and digs a heel into the snow. Y'shtola stares, her brows furrow, utterly perplexed by his behavior. 

"...Kaeya? You have delivered the parcel. Surely you can go?"

Kaeya freezes where he stands. "Can I not check in with my friend?"

She raises a brow. From what little he has said, she had suspected they were no more than co-workers. Albedo clears his throat. "Ah, if you are planning to stay, can I put you to work then? I need cryo slime condensate. The usual amount."

Kaeya neither relaxes nor reacts. Instead, he only nods and begrudgingly leaves the cave. He takes his dear sweet time with each step. Once his steps fade from the cave Y'shtola asks. "Might I ask for the cause of his behavior? While I have not known him for ere long, I have never seen him as one to linger." 

Albedo looks just as perplexed as she is. "I don't know. If I were to guess, I would say he was sulking just now. I've never really seen him sulk over something that isn't related to wine or Master Diluc." 

Y'shtola pauses for a long moment. Suddenly, she lights up in realization, and then brings a hand up to her face to rub her temple and sigh. 'Oh gods… I think I know what the problem might be.' 

"Y'shtola? Is everything alright?" Albedo studies her and Y'shtola shakes her head.

"I'm fine. Has he really never lingered that way before?"

Albedo thinks for a moment. "No. He does that rather frequently. In fact I'd say he always seems to linger until I give him something to do. I imagine the trip home must be strenuous for him. But I can't complain. In fact I rather enjoy his company." 

Y'shtola raises a brow. Albedo has that glint in his eyes. A sort of soft fondness that warms the edges of his gaze. His aether reacts as well. Much in the same way a heartbeat does, for it swirls just a little faster inside him. 

"I see…" Y'shtola glances away with a sigh. 'Tis best if I remain silent on the matter. One cannot rush matters regarding the heart…' 

Albedo shrugs. "I'll ask him about it later, but for now, please. Share all you can with me regarding this thing you call aether ."  

She hums, "Indeed I shall…"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola tries her very best to explain to the alchemist on how aether works, but it only seemed to spawn more questions. Questions lead to hypotheses, and hypotheses lead to tests and experiments. Thankfully Kaeya had returned by the time he was asking for blood samples.

While Y'shtola was not opposed to someone seeking knowledge, and she knows what a fantastic resource she must be for him, but right now, she felt anxious to move. It felt like time was ticking. Unlike her time on the first she had no Crystal Exarch to tell her how much time was passing by at home. She had no allies from home to share her experiences. And unlike the first, she had a lead. And that lead was somewhere in Sumeru, she was certain of it. 

Albedo was a fantastic source of information, but none of it was what she needed. Deep down, she wanted nothing more than to learn all she could from him. But for now, the copy of his notes would have to do. Her attention is brought back to the present when Albedo lifts her wrist up to the light. Syringe in his left hand, his right moves to the crook of her arm to find her veins. His touch is delicate, and gentle. Lisa had a dainty and gentle touch, but it was poised and practiced in the same manner one would be with a teacup. Albedo behaved as if everything he touched might shatter at any given moment. 

When he leans in, her eyes water, and she regrets how sensitive her nose is with how she is bombarded with a vast array of scents. There was the overpowering smell of chemicals and rubbing alcohol. The smell of paint and charcoal. Dirt and miscellaneous minerals. He smelled like so many different plants, primarily Cecilia lilies. However, despite all this, beneath it all, is the scent of dust. 

"You have quite the sensitive nose. Very interesting…" 

Y'shtola blinks. Had she spoken out loud? 

Albedo hums as he rubs the wet cotton boll onto her skin. "Don't look so surprised. My assistant, Sucrose, does it as well. Her sense of smell has dulled over time, but her nose still twitches the same way yours does."

Y'shtola can feel her cheeks and ears burn. "I… I assure you my nose does not twitch. "

"No, you are correct. Neither of you twitch your noses. You both nod your head in the same way a feline does when it sniffs the air." 

She snorts and glances away, embarrassed. Albedo readies the needle. "Tell me a story about that friend you mentioned." He asks, nonchalantly.

Y'shtola smiles. "While I appreciate the gesture, I am not afraid of a blood draw. I need no distraction." Albedo shrugs, but he raises an expectant brow, which makes Y'shtola search for a story. "But I suppose if you insist… Rakavi has always hated shots. She has gotten better over the years, but her muscles always tense involuntarily and end up breaking the needle. She needs to hold someone's hand but isn't allowed to, less she wishes to break their bones should she squeeze too hard…"

Y'shtola watches the needle break the skin, and Albedo hums. "Breaking bones? Is that normal for your kind?"

She chuckles, "Oh, no, not even a little bit. Rakavi… Rakavi has an abnormal amount of strength that surpasses what any human could possibly have. According to her, it is something she has dealt with her entire life. A part of why she trained in martial arts was to learn how to restrain her strength." 

The Alchemist hums as he carefully begins to withdraw some of her blood. But it isn't him who answers, rather the one who answers is Kaeya, who had been lurking around the art supplies. He speaks up in a rather nonchalant manner.

 "My my. Sounds like our Noelle. Poor girl goes through enough claymores to ensure the resident blacksmith never goes out of business even generations after her time." He placed his hands on his hips and bends at the waist to look at a particular line of charcoal on Albedo's canvas.

"How do you give your friend shots then, if she keeps breaking the needles?" Albedo asks.

Y'shtola can't help but chuckle. "Our friend, Alphinaud, is a talented medic. For a while all he could do was induce sleep, and administer the shots then. It took him a while but he managed to modify a few spells to create one that can act as a numbing agent. In other words, the only solution we could come up with was to numb her entire arm until she can't move it! And with a numbing spell that powerful it takes about a day to wear off! With how much aether it cost him, and how it put Rakavi out of commission for a full day, he decided it was just easier to continue making her sleep and waking her up soon after." 

Kaeya snorts in amusement. "All that effort because she is afraid of needles, huh?" 

They all get a good laugh after that. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Albedo conducts test after test. Night is soon to follow, and it is far too cold to descend the mountain. So she rests on the spare cot, watching the mountainside outside the cave fall into darkness as the world makes the slow descent into sleep. Everything, except for her. She lays awake, her mind full of all she had learned. 

Y'shtola breaths a warm breath onto her palms and curls up further in her cot, flattening her ears. 

"Y'shtola…"

Her eyes fly open and she springs up in her cot. Her gaze darts around the room, only to be met with nothing. She was certain she had heard Rakavi's voice just then. Her lips purse and she reaches for her staff. Slowly she dresses for the cold that bites at her face and steps forward to the cave entrance.

"Shtola?" 

A shiver goes up her spine when the voice whispers into her ear. She sees a glint of red in front of her for a moment before it blinks out of sight. She shakes her head and furrows her brow. Rakavi wasn't here. She wasn't that easily fooled. However, she was intrigued as to what was trying to lure her out into the cold. Y'shtola lifts her coat up to her nose to shield her face from the frost that bites at her skin. She can feel the hum of energy alongside the faint red glow. Whatever was calling her, was more alive at night. 

This may very be the most foolish thing she has done since coming to this world. She writes a note to explain her location and the situation on a spare parchment on Albedo's desk, and then turns to step out of the cave and follow the direction of the red light in the distance. She can hear the breeze attempt to sweep the note away from under the paperweight.

As stupid of a decision as this was, Y'shtola wasn't stupid. She very well knew the risks. But as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat.

But satisfaction is what brought it back.

She leaps from rock to slippery stone, descending as best she could as she follows the pleased purr in her ear as it beckons her to follow it to its source. She snorts at the poor replication of her friends it makes in her head. She is confident the warding scale would keep her safe, but if there was a primal at the base of the mountain, she needed to take care of it swiftly. 

Y'shtola pushes through snow up to her knees as she walks. The red light is nearly blinding as she walks beneath the long since decayed rib bones of what she can assume was some sort of massive animal. Before her, the hill descends into a cave in the ground. She could have returned now, but instead she follows the hum in her ears, almost in a trance. 

Malice in the form of thick aether swirls around her in a crimson pool, making her dizzy. She rubs her temple and looks up. Before her is a massive red gem that is more akin to a clot in the land. Its flesh like tendrils pulse around her in a steady heartbeat, and the aether inside gushes through like blood. But most importantly is the presence that curls around her. Jaws gnash and reveal yellow teeth that had to have been at least half her height. Eyes burn into her and her gaze narrows. 

Durin.

The white haired woman brings her staff up to the gem in front of her, and taps the purple orb against the surface of it. She braces herself in time for the pulse of pure hatred that lashes out at her upon touching it. Y'shtola snorts, scrunching up her nose at the smell that passes over her, and she brings her sleeve up to cover her nose. 

Suddenly, jaws lash forward, and snap around her, making her gasp. They pass through her and the world fades to black. She stumbles and blinks wildly to regain her lost sight. When that does nothing she stumbles and curses, her ears flatten against her head as she glances wildly around for something, anything.  

"Y'shtola…"

Her back goes rigid as that cursed voice whispers into her ear, closer than before. She whirls around to face it, only to be met with nothing. Y'shtola tries to calm her quickened breaths and glances down. She can see herself at least, meaning her vision had not been taken away completely. Which begs the question, what was she seeing? She suspects her answer will come soon enough when the sound of giggling enters her space. 

Childlike laughter rings in her ears as she feels tiny hands pull at her garments. The bubbly laughter turn to cries as they tug harder, making her stumble and forcing her vision down to her feet. There, wriggling at the ground, must have been thousands of tiny infantile hands, reaching and grabbing for her. Together they make a chanting chorus of her name, and they screech for her aid. 

Y'shtola closes her eyes and tears herself from their grip. She feels the skin from her legs torn away as she does so. She raises her head up to scream into the night. "Durin!! Show thyself!" 

Lifting her staff, she channels aether into it, and she dares to open her eyes to aim. Only to freeze at the face she is met with. Pale, broken and bloodied, Rakavi's face nearly collides with her staff. Her eyes are lifeless, yet they spin around in their socket to meet her gaze. The jaw twitched unnaturally before opening to suck in air. The ribcage does not move, but the body convulses and moves forward as blood drips from her eyes and mouth, smearing the red makeup Rakavi often wore. The teeth were black, and maggots crawled on its tongue. It leans against Y'shtola with a smile and whispers into her ear.

"Y'shtola… stay with me…"  

Y'shtola gulps, frozen with terror as she is assaulted with the scent of rot. Slowly, she pushes against the fake Rakavi with trembling hands. Her fingers instead push through, and into her flesh. She is met with the sensation of her nails brushing against a pulsing heart. The fake Rakavi's flesh seizes around her wrists and keeps her there. Then, with a squelch it begins to pull her in with a pleased hum. 

"Shtola… stay with me. Become one with me…"

Y'shtola struggled against it, opening her mouth to screech, only for the fake Rakavi to bite at her now open mouth, filling her throat with wriggling maggots. Her voice dies in her chest and her eyes water. She tries to pull back. But everything is fading. Her senses, her strength, her mind . She can't allow it, she simply couldn't. 

"Y'shtola… please…"

It was pleading with her. Asking her to surrender… 

Y'shtola's eyes fly open, and she snarls. She grabs the creature's heart, making it pull back with a screech. She bares her teeth and takes a step forward, pushing it back.

" You… "

She turns her wrist, twisting the organ in her palm. 

"You are not her…"

The creature's eyes swirl down to meet her, wide with alarm in the wide sockets.

"You disgrace her image…" 

Black tears fall down It's face as it shakes its head in confusion. "Y'sht-"

"Don't you dare use her voice again!!" Y'shtola brings it closer to her face to growl in a low tone. " Get out of my head. "

Aether bleeds into her palms, making the creature’s skin bubble. It writhes and lets out a screech. She feels its flesh loosen around her and she throws it onto the ground before her. She lifts her staff and brings it down onto its stomach. The purple orb pulses with energy as she snarls an incantation. The blackened world around her turns a bright shade of orange and yellow as her robes flow around her. The creature's gaze widens as the sight of the black mage's meteor reflects in its eyes. 

Her own eyes narrow as she speaks in an eerily calm tone. "...I'll say this one more time… Get. Out. Of! My!! Head !!" 

She lifts her staff, ready to bring hell upon this blasphemy of her love's image, it screeches, and suddenly the world blurs around her. The black fades, and her surroundings return to her. Y'shtola stands there, breathing heavily before she cancels the spell. Her staff slams into the snow and she leans against it heavily for support as she catches her breath. Slowly, she glances up at the gem.

"...you are a foul pest ." She snarls. 

There is no reaction. Not that she was expecting one. Whatever this was, it has long since lost its sentience. It was no more than a flytrap seeking for another insect to prey upon. She would have to be careful when gathering a sample.

Slowly, she leans down, and takes a vial out of her coat pocket. With gloved hands she carefully pries one of the veins from the ground, and she eases it into the vial. Popping the cork on, she closes her eyes and begins to softly whisper a sealing spell into the glass. So long as she traveled with this small dose, and she never removed the warding scale from her person, she would be safe from its influence. And the sealing spell would keep others safe from its influence as well. 

Y'shtola glances up at the red aether that swirls once more. She had better make her leave. She slips the small sample into her pocket and gathers her robes. Her tail was beginning to numb. She turns, and pauses at the entrance. 

There, standing before her, huffing and puffing, was Albedo. His brow is furrowed and his lips purse into a sour frown. "What have you done?? "

She blinks slowly, and she removes the vial from her coat. "Gathering samples." She twirls the vial between her digits. 

Albedo's eyes follow the movement and his grip tenses on the hilt of his sword. Which makes Y'shtola realize he had his sword at the ready. Y'shtola sighs. "Relax, my friend. I was only momentarily influenced. I was able to shake it off relatively quickly, and nor do I have ill intent for this vial, please rest assured." 

Slowly, Albedo relaxes. He flicks his wrist and makes his sword disappear in a flash of sparks. His eyes return to neutral curiosity. "I can see that. I don't sense his presence on you, not outside the vial. And even then you have done a fine job containing him."

The wind blows past them, making Y'shtola shiver. Albedo sighs and turns to leave. "Let's go back. I suspect you have questions."

She nods. She had many questions indeed…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the trek back to his lab, she learns many intriguing things. To start, she learns that Durin had been a creation made by his master, and how he was not the first of her creations. Y'shtola was not entirely certain what to make of this news. But now she is glad she had taken samples, for even if she is traveling to Sumeru city, she might be able to further research her options here. In addition to this, Albedo has agreed to share correspondence, meaning any of his findings here will be shared with her. Although it had taken much convincing to get him to agree to share his research on Durin. 

In the meantime however, in addition to having a few questions answered, she answers a few of Albedo's.

Said Alchemist is blinking in surprise. "What a complex illusion… and you say this is not the first time you have experienced things like this?"

"No, it is not. However I do not think it is the same as the Khaenrian curse. That illusion only affects my mind when I choose to perceive the cursed one. In other words, it's intend is to keep me out, while the illusion at Durin's heart was clearly designed to pull me in."

Albedo frowns and gently touches his chin. "Why only you? Other people have succumbed to its corruption but none of them have had illusions as vivid as you…" 

"If I may, I believe it is because no one has my ability to see it on such a deeper level.After all, no one else seems to be affected by the Khaenrian curse when they behold a hilichurl."

The blonde alchemist frowns, but nods softly. Beside him, Kaeya pokes the fire and gives an exhausted sigh. Evidently, Albedo leaving in a hurry had roused him, but he had been instructed to stay behind. Now, after being filled in, he continues to observe the flames. After a moment, he finally speaks. "I had no idea you… well I knew you could see something in me that I couldn't… but I would have never guessed you saw something like… that . Whether it was me or the Hilichurls…"

The three of them fall into silence once more, and Y'shtola becomes aware of the dull throb behind her eyes. She reaches up to rub her eyes and her temple. It seemed she has exhausted her aether for the day. Slowly, she lets her vision slip away, and her ears perk forward to listen to the world around her. It's quite for a moment longer until she hears someone slap their knees and stand up abruptly. From the sound of the jingles and the way the tight fabric rustles, it must have been Kaeya. That and it came from where he sat. 

"Well! This has been a rather exciting endeavor, but I do believe it's time for bed!" She can almost hear the way his limbs creak, and she is certain he has turned to face her. "Shall I tuck you into bed so that you sleep more soundly this time?" 

Y'shtola snorts and ignores his teasing. She carefully stands and gathers her robes before picking her way over to her cot. Someone steps beside her and she feels the leather of Albedo's gloves on her forearm, guiding her. She resists the urge to snap at him. To insist she could get around just fine, but reminds herself that he was only trying to help. In fact, she should applaud his observation skills to be able to recognize the difference between when she is able to see via aether and when she succumbs to blindness.

Actually, it unnerved her that he could tell, especially so quickly. Nevertheless, she makes her way to the cot and settles in for the night. She closes her eyes, hoping to relieve some of the ache in her senses. She can still feel the warmth of Albedo, standing above her. He lingers for a moment before stepping away, heels clicking on the stone. She hears how he stops abruptly, and then suddenly followed by the rustling of fabric and furs. It sounds like someone waving their arms around, the motion causing trinkets to jingle and clink. Kaeya must be wildly gesturing at Albedo. 

Albedo seems to respond much more gently, since despite having far more trinkets on his person, she only hears a faint clink or two before he seems to step around the captain. She can hear how Kaeya's boots pivot on the ground to follow the alchemist's movement and then- 

" Albedo!" Kaeya hisses under his breath. 

He receives no response as one of the cots creak and covers are shifted to around as Albedo seems to be preparing to lay down. She hears Kaeya give a deep sigh in defeat, and listens to his alarmingly quiet steps as he makes his way over to his own cot, which creaks under his weight. Y'shtola finds herself struggling to keep silent and not snort in amusement at the silent argument they appear to be having. But she does allow herself a smug smile to spread across her lips as she settles further into the cot. 

Slowly, and finally, sleep begins to take hold of her mind.

Chapter Text

Rakavi's POV

The following days feel like hell. The boring kind. The kind that drag on while she is itching to move. Which is actually new to her. Ordinarily when she gets a moment of peace she finds herself grateful for the calm, and even yearning for more. But this time around it was different. She was being forced to sit around whilst knowing Y'shtola was out there, somewhere and all she could do was idle around in the belly of the beast. Idle away while she waits for the storm to start another war she had been dragged into. 

Upon arriving at her temporary abode in the teahouse's basement, she decided to investigate the communication device provided to her. And much to her bewilderment, a fish pops out of the light blue void and waits expectantly. Awkwardly, she whispers all that had happened thus far, and the fish nods before pulling its head back into… wherever it was going. Surprisingly, her bewilderment doesn't last for long. She has seen some very weird things in her life, so this might as well be added to the list. What surprises her even more is the speed of the reply. She hears a soft tap on the wood of the box, and the fish pokes through once more. And this time, it leans in to whisper into her ear, holding a fin up to hide its mouth as it speaks. 

"Your orders are as follows. Remain at your station. Wait for the arrival of the Traveler. Please await further orders until then." 

And so that brings her to the next day. Dressed in Inazuman civilian attire, she wanders the city aimlessly. Her ears twitch and swivel beneath her straw hat, and she is trying her best to pick up what she can from the conversations around her. Eventually she finds herself outside of a specific establishment, one that reminds her of her aching joints. She isn't sure if it was the best idea, but hell she needed this right now… besides, hot springs were one of those places that were perfect for eavesdropping on gossip.

Her tail flicks from under the garb she wears as she lifts the fabric and ducks inside the establishment. It seems she arrived at a fairly busy time. She grits her teeth. She had been hoping to avoid revealing her ears and tail… but it seemed that just wouldn't be possible. Slowly but surely, she finds a less populated bath, and finds a spot to change. Putting her things away in the cabinet, she makes her way outside. 

Rakavi hasn't had the chance to visit the hot springs as much. Kugane was notorious for its natural hot spring resort, and she had the pleasure of enjoying the springs herself. But Kugane was quite the distance from the Rising Stones. And she often needed to be ready at a moment's notice. This, and the Rising Stone was her home. She lived there, and sadly, Mor Dona was not close enough to the eastern nations to justify frequent visits. But, that made moments like this all the more precious. She intended to use this chance while she still had it, and bathe in the hot springs to her heart's content. 

Slipping a toe into the foggy waters, Rakavi can't help but let out a pleased sigh. Slowly, she lowers herself into the water, unable to prevent the groan that leaves her mouth when she fully relaxes against the stone behind her. 

Truly… it has been far too long since she has relaxed like this. 

It's a shame she has to use it for work, straining her ears to listen past the bamboo screen for any useful tidbits. Although its proving to be difficult. She finds her eyes fluttering as the heat soothes the ache of her muscles. She lifts a calloused palm to massage whatever knots she can reach, and it makes her want to melt into the water from the sheer bliss of it. 

The goddess of fertility could show herself to Rakavi right now and she wouldn't notice. Nothing could beat the way a hot bathe felt after a long strenuous… day? Week? Dear gods, how long had it even been since she last got the chance to have a proper relaxing bath? Sure she practiced basic hygiene, but it could never compare to being able to scrub away the sin and blood from your skin amist essential oils and soothing hot water. 

The water is disturbed a couple paces from her as someone enters the bath, catching her attention. A tall woman strides forward, a forearm pressed against her chest to preserve her modesty, but the hefty bust spills out from where she holds it. Gentle pink hair flows like a waterfall from her head, complimenting her soft pink skin. Her joints, face, chest, and thighs are all flushed a lovely shade of pale pink that is barely visible against her skin tone, but is strangely freckled with lighter pink cherry blossom shape, indicating the flush on her skin was not from any emotion but rather like some kind of odd patterning. Granted Rakavi had only noticed it because the sunlight had hit it just right and made it shimmer in a rather alluring manner. The woman is littered with beauty marks, but there is not a single scar to be seen. Despite her flush curves, there is a suspicious lack of stretch marks… actually, now that she thinks of it, even the beauty marks seem purposeful, making Rakavi almost wonder if she was even human. That is until she spots the long fox ears on either side of her head. 

'Definitely not human.' She thinks. 

The woman raises a brow at her before smiling. "Well now, don't you know how rude it is to stare? " 

Now that she has tilted her head in Rakavi's direction more, she spots the purple electro vision on her ear, making her eyes narrow. How is she able to blatantly waltz around the city with her vision on full display? Rakavi glances away, too troubled by this to even give herself a chance to be flustered by the woman's comment. She ponders the vision as she runs her fingers through her hair. 

The water sloshes again as the woman moves closer to her. So close that when Rakavi looks up she is startled to find herself nearly nose to nose with the lady… the very pretty lady who was very much not dressed and… oh blessed twelve, give her strength, she could see everything.  

"Oh? You aren't a Yokai, and i havent seen your kind around for a long time… oh but even then, you aren't anything like the ones I've seen. Your ears are a different shape…" She reaches up to touch one of Rakavi's ears, and instinct kicks in. 

Rakavi catches the woman's wrist, standing up and forcing her back by the arm. The woman's eyes widened in surprise, but then, they narrowed dangerously as her gaze traces over Rakavi's body. 

"Hmm… as I expected… you truly are more than meets the eye?" She giggles, and Rakavi releases her. "This just got so much more interesting…"

The pinkette leans down, nose to nose with Rakavi again. "What? Not going to say anything? That hurt you know!" 

Rakavi didn't trust her. All attraction had flown out the window now and was replaced with distrust. Rakavi's eyes narrow as she sits down once more and avert her gaze. "My apologies. But I think you should know better than to touch a stranger without permission… on that note, who the hell are you? "

The woman backs up to sit a small distance away from her, relaxing into the water. "Yae Miko~" 

Yae… Miko? As in… Yae Publishing house?

…oh.

Oh no.

Rakavi's eyes widen as her stomach drops. So much for not blowing her cover… first day on the job and the cats out of the bag. Or at least she thinks it is. 

She coughs into her fist. "I see. Well Miss Yae, I apologize for my brutish response from earlier. I hope you can find it in you to forgive me…"

Yae Miko's smile curls upward deviously. "Oh… don't you worry. But if you truly wish to make it up to me, I can think up a few tasks for you?"

Shit.

"I would love to… I fear I may not have the time, so I will look into my schedule." She lies, swallowing to relieve the dryness in her throat. She does manage to meet her gaze. 

Yae's gaze was practically searing a hole into her when she glanced over. The fox woman's eyes trail up and down her form carefully, making Rakavi want to squirm under the sudden spotlight. The hot spring water now suddenly felt uncomfortably hot, and the stone behind her was far too hard against her battle hardened skin. But she doesn't break eye contact. It was an unspoken war between them, whoever caved first obviously was the lesser of the two, and the winner would forever hold this power over their head. Lucky for Rakavi, she was a stubborn woman, and she is not easily frightened…

…much. 

Her eyes narrow, but Yae seems unaffected. No, instead the woman keeps examining her, making her feel exposed and uncomfortable. Which she was. But also in a metaphorical sense. Uncomfortable in the way a cornered animal would be.

She musters up the courage to speak, and only from years of experience does her voice not waver. " Now who's the one staring? " She drawls.

Yae Miko's gaze snaps back up to her and narrows. She counters, "Hmm… oh there's not much to look at I'm afraid. You should really consider a better skin care routine. Not only that but those scars are just awful!" 

Rakavi bites her tongue softly for a moment, feeling the way her keeper fangs press into the muscle. 'Don't. Don't fall for her bait. She is trying to rile you up. Don't let her get to you. Just think, and respond accordingly.'

Still. She isn't certain how to respond to that. She thinks even the most stoic and smartest of her friends would be sputtering right now. All of them for various reasons… she can't think of anything to say, so, instead she slowly looks Yae Miko up and down. She takes her dear sweet time in pinning Yae with a stare. She takes even longer to do so than Miko had before finally meeting her gaze, and raising a brow. She holds her gaze, waiting for her to speak again. And, much to her delight, Yae's brow twitches as she does this. 

To some, this would seem like defeat. But Rakavi knows better. People tended to get uncomfortable if you stayed quiet long enough and behaved like you expected them to elaborate. And if she was being honest, there was no response Rakavi could possibly come up with that could stump Yae. So her silence would have to do. But, she has a feeling that no matter what she does, in Yae's eyes she has already lost.  

Which very well might be true. Rakavi was never good with a battle of wits. Finally, Yae reacts. She doesn't say anything at first, but she suddenly bursts into a laugh. "Oh? Are you already at a loss for words?"

Rakavi thinks for a moment, and an idea comes to mind. She smiles and leans back, glancing at Yae again. "What? Am I not allowed to admire your beauty?" 

The smile instantly fades.

Her grin spreads across her face. 'What? Never had someone with the balls to flirt back?'

Though, she seemed to be the type of woman where if anyone she deemed insignificant tried to flirt with her, she would quite literally kill them on the spot, so Rakavi was risking her life in this battle of wits.

Yae looks to her, and an equally mischievous grin spreads across her face. 

Fuck.

Rakavi was in big trouble, wasn't she?

Miko drifts closer to her, lowering her head to gaze up at her with pure seduction. "My my … how bold you are… it's cute."

Shit. Fuck. Shit, fuck, shit, she was fucked. Rakavi takes a deep breath and clears her throat. "How could I not? I only wish you wouldn't insult my skin routine. Not everyone has the luxury to sit back and pamper themself every day." Her smile fades and she leans forward. 

She takes a risk and lifts her hand to brush her knuckles lightly against Miko's cheek as she leans forward. "Some of us are out being useful or chasing our dreams. So forgive me for not always coming home to master to drink my cream, kitty." 

The fox woman's eyes narrow, and something dangerous glints in her eyes. Rakavi sees her chance, and gently pushes Yae away. She lets out a dramatic sigh and stands up. "Well, it was fun. But I have to go now."

She stretches her arms and back a little before moving to step out of the hotspring. But before she can go, she feels a sharp tug on her tail. She hissed and whirls around to glare at the source. The culprit only sits there with a smug smile on her lips. She raises a brow and Rakavi huffs and turns to leave. She storms out of the hot spring to get dressed.

She had almost won, and she would have, had she not reacted to such a dirty and underhanded tactic like tail pulling…

So much for having a relaxing bath…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Rakavi is sitting outside the teahouse while a fresh breeze rustles her hair. There is a soft clink every now and then, but more often a loud clatter as she tries to flip a coin between her hands. She had seen people do all kinds of tricks with coins, and all she has wanted ever since she was a kid was to be cool like that. Alas, she still does not have whatever it is she needs to do such things, whether it's the nuisances of practice makes perfect, or if she simply did not have the dexterity for it.

Neither of which would be a surprise to her. It is not a skill she has actively practiced, and despite being a monk, dancer, weaver, and lastly an artist , her hands were actually quite shaky and she herself was quite clumsy… or at the very least she felt like a bumbling fool whenever she did… anything. But perhaps she wasn't giving herself enough credit. Stage fright tends to have that effect after all, and it was in front of others she seemed to feel that way the most.

The coin slips from her fingers and she huffs, moving to retrieve it from the table. As she picks up the coin, the mora catches the light, giving it a rather gold like shimmer… actually, now that she thought about it, was it made of gold? Gil had a darker color, and it was awfully light, making it clear it was mere metal, the most it could have was gold flakes inside. But mora was hefty and had the right color to it. Curiosity consumes her as she decides there was one way to check.

She sticks out her tongue, ready to place the coin in her mouth, just to see , when Alphinaud's voice rings in her mind. 

Do not put strange things in your mouth! Especially if you don't know where it has been!

(It's uncanny to her how he manages to not only have the exact phrasing, but the exact tone as when her mother told her the same thing in her youth.) 

She sighs and puts the coin back into the mora pouch provided to her. Bracing herself against the table she stands up, feeling her bones creak. She needed to stretch, exercise. The only problem is she had to do so without the attention of the guards or citizens. Because her ID was fake, she was to remain within the city for as long as possible to avoid the chances of anyone realizing they were false. This meant she had few opportunities to get her body back into shape after that horrible crate experience from a few days ago. 

As she stands, a sudden breeze ruffles her hair, making her turn to the direction of the sea. Her eyes narrow against the wind and she holds her hand up to block it. The wind dies down, and her eyes widen. Dandelion seeds descend around her, one landing on the tip of her nose as she gazes in awe. 

'Dandelions? Here?'

She remembers asking Thoma a few things about Mondstadt. He had told her about the wine, the windmills, but most importantly, the dandelions. It was the only place in Teyvat they grew. To see them in Inazuma would be impossible, since they rarely survived the journey outside of Mondstadt. Not without the blessing of the anemo God at least. And yet… here they were. The seeds were at least. 

The seeds settle on her hair, and her gaze softens. Y'shtola was in Mondstadt, was she not? The seeds she catches in her palms smell familiar when she brings her palm up to her nose. She closes her hand to avoid breathing in the seeds, and inhales softly. The smell… logically speaking, the seeds should not smell like anything other than a dandelion, but when she brings them close, she is overcome with a sense of nostalgia. 

The smell of black tea, lavender, and books. She can almost hear the turn of pages, and a hum in her ear as porcelain clinks upon being set down. All of it is gone in an instant when her eyes shoot open. 

Y'shtola.

The wind picks up, scattering the dandelion seeds up and out of her reach, making her whirl around to catch them. Only for them to drift far beyond her reach and out of sight. Rakavi stands alone, her eyes still wide, suddenly struck by the ache in her chest. She gulps in a breath, holding for a moment, before it comes out in a stuttering gasp. Slowly she raises a hand to her heart, squeezing her eyes shut and her ears and tail quiver. She turns back to face the ocean, and slowly opens her eyes once more.

Rakavi sucks in another calming breath, and she scans the horizon. The older Inazumans said you could once glimpse the tallest peaks of the mainland from Inazuma city. But now the horizon was shrouded in purple clouds, foreboding and flashing with light. She clenched her fist. She missed her. She missed her friends of course, but at this moment she wanted nothing more than to glimpse the stark white of Y'shtola's hair in the distance. 

Her fist unclenches again as she sighs and her gaze falls… She needed to eat. Moping wasn't going to get her anywhere right now, and even if she couldn't be as active as she would like, it was better than standing here idle. 

She takes the winding path to the shops along the busiest street in the city, listening to gossip as she weaves among the crowd. It was the same old thing people always gossiped about. Children, spouses, that strange neighbor. The usual. She stops when a small stall catches her eye. They sold a few kitsune masks that were just big enough for Alisaie. 

She carefully picks out a red one with gold accents, purchases it and slips it into her bag to cram into her aether pouch later. Since she was here, she might as well collect souvenirs for the others. She has to make a bit of a detour to find a decent shop for gifts, and like most of the shops here it was open air. She finds a few things here. A delicate windchime for Y'shtola, it had frosted glass with a lovely cherry blossom design. A few small textile samples for Tataru to draw inspiration from. She finds a folding fan with designs resembling a sakura tree that has coiled into the shape of a fox, and decides she could keep it for herself or give it to Y'shtola. 

She leaves the shop, pleased with herself, but is immediately reminded of why she was here in the first place when she is enticed by the smell of salty broth and warm noodles, making her stomach rumble. She follows her nose to a small booth tucked between a large shop and a big restaurant. Judging from the smell, and the sign propped up, it was a ramen shop. Rakavi smiles to herself and steps forward, ducking under the hanging purple fabric that grants a small amount of privacy to the customers. 

She is given a rather simple welcome as she sits at the end of the stall. Sighing, she slumps into her seat and glazes over before deciding what her meal would contain, aside from the obvious. Like ramen noodles. She is about to order when a shadow descends over the ramen stall. And she could admit, she had gotten used to the lack of taller humanoids, that she had almost startled when a mountain of a man ducks under the hanging fabric, one hand bracing himself on the doorframe as he carefully lowers the long red horns that jut out from his skull. 

"Heya boss! Can i get uhhhh… 2- no- 3 of the usual yeah?" He booms, with a massive grin on his face.

He is followed by a couple of others that swiftly take up all the seats and begin to hastily say their orders, but Rakavi cant bring herself to pay attention as she takes in the appearance of the man who just walked in. He was massive. He had to have been seven fulms tall at the very least , and even then she thinks he was hunched over enough to speak with the cook that she could be wrong. He wasn't just big height wise, he could probably take up at least half of another seat with how wide his shoulders was. In summary, he had the height and build of a Roegadyn, only a little less wide. The only difference was that much like Gosetsu, his face was obviously very human. Pretty young looking too. 

His other notable features, aside from the long horns, was the absolute mane of stark white hair that almost seemed to explode from his head. She was certain that if she hadn't seen him take out a comb just now to carefully adjust his bangs, she would have been convinced the hair was more akin to spikes in certain points. Aside from that, his face was surprisingly lax, with tusks protruding from his mouth, which would give his lower lip a permanent pout if he wasn't so intent on smiling so much, revealing the smaller fangs he had. His skin was decorated in simple red lines- tattoos- that mark each of his limbs. (She is certain she sees them disappear beneath his belt and tries not to dwell on that fact.)

She tries to take in his appearance some more, but her eyes (and her mind, if she was being honest) come to a skidding halt when her eyes travel down past his neck. His jacket is completely open in the front to reveal nothing but straps holding up the absolutely… giant… she gulps and forces herself not to take in anymore of his appearance. It felt sinful to look. She was not a woman who was pure of body and mind, but from the way the straps hold on for dear life, risking a nip slip at any point of the day as they fight to contain the flesh that spilled from them… she prays for his seamstress.

Rakavi clears her throat, and her thoughts, as someone slides into the seat next to her. She takes this chance to give the chef her order as well, to which he only shrugs. After doing so, she settles back into the stool and glances next to her at who decided to join her. Next to the giant man, she was almost hilariously small, probably shorter than Rakavi. But it was clear just from the aura she exudes that he was clearly not the threatening one. 

She had light green hair, pulled back into a ponytail that was thick enough that it curled upward when pulled up like this. She dressed as sparsely as the giant did, with similar shades of purple and black. But the mask on her face reminded Rakavi of Yugiri, and those trained in similar arts. She wore a crop top and a crop top jacket, paired with short shorts and thigh high boots. It had the intricate thread work she has seen on most of the folks here. She had fingerless gloves, and her hair was tied back with a deep purple rope. Overall it isn't too far from an outfit Rakavi might wear, just with a little more stomach showing. 

The woman speaks in an exasperated tone. "Sorry about them. They are excited that I offered to pay, so they are a little rowdy." The chef waits expectantly and she turns to speak up and swiftly give her order. It's something called Tonkotsu if Rakavi was hearing right.

The green haired woman sighs and looks back at her. Even though half her face was covered, Rakavi can see how her eyes crinkle into an easy smile. "I hope we aren't crowding you too much?"

Rakavi shakes her head, resting her cheek on her palm. "No, you aren't. So long as you all aren't shoving me then it should be fine. It's not like I'm pressed against the wall, right?"

The woman nods, but before she can really respond, the tall man seems to have finally noticed Rakavi's presence and beams a big toothy grin at her. "Hey, hey! Who's your new friend Shinobu?" 

The woman- Shinobu- glances up at him. "I haven't even gotten her name yet." She glanced back to Rakavi. "What's your name?" 

"Rakavi. And the rest of you are…?"

The big man points to himself with his thumb. "Arataki the one and Oni Itto!! The best oni around!! I go by many names like, Arataki Itto the-" 

He is interrupted as the others pipe up to say their own names. Itto pouts and turns to express how upset he was in the loudest manner possible. Shinobu rests her chin on her palm. "So where ya from?"

Rakavi winces. "Is it that obvious?"

Itto is too busy debating with his members to hear the conversation. Shinobu shrugs. "Only because I decided to pay attention, and you took your hat off. You don't look inazuman at all, and it's pretty obvious you aren't familiar with the place. I won't rat you out to anyone, if that's what you're worried about."

Rakavi sighs. "Thanks, I appreciate it… I'm not from Inazuma. Washed ashore you could say. Now I'm stuck here. Been trying to gather information on how to get to this place called Mondstadt."

A bowl of steaming broth, beef, and ramen noodles is set in front of Rakavi, and it takes everything in her not to salivate from the smell alone. She sighs and takes the chopsticks, carefully splitting them.

"What's in Mondstadt, if you don't mind my asking…?" Shinobu inquires, tipping her head.

Rakavi positions the chopsticks in her hand before answering. "A friend. I got separated from her. I have reason to believe she washed up there." 

"Oh? What reason is-" Shinobu's head is practically shoved down as Itto had apparently been listening, and leans forward so quickly that Shinobu is shoved forward, her head ducking to avoid contact with his jaw.

"A friend?? What's she like?? Ah man you gotta tell us!" Itto exclaims, his eyes like that of a very excitable big puppy. 

Shinobu grits her teeth and shoves him off, turning to scold him. Rakavi chuckles before bringing a few noodles to her mouth. She drowns the sound of them out as she slurps up the noodle as she thinks. When her mouth isn't full, she responds, making them all freeze, straining to hear what she says. 

"She's… studious. Strict, smart, and stubborn. She's reckless just like me and it scares me…" Rakavi smiles, "She gets embarrassed about her childhood, and also when you tease her just right. But she's beautiful and strong and so so smart , and I couldn't be more happy to have her by my side…"

The others remain quiet, so she continues talking. "She's shorter than me, short white hair… oh but just swear it turns just the most beautiful silver in the dark. She keeps her tail so soft compared to mine-" 

"Tail-?" Itto is immediately shushed by his friends.

"-her hands are so soft too… oh but her eyes … Sometimes they reflect the light in a way that makes them look like opals…" Rakavi trails off, and suddenly remembers where she is. The sight of the ramen stall comes crashing back, as do all the sights and smells.

Rakavi clears her throat. "Anyway. I need to find her." 

She glances back to the others, and they have all huddled a little closer to listen. Itto is grinning, showing his fangs and tusks. "Woah! Sounds like you know your buddy pretty well huh??"

Shinobu, barely resisting being crushed by the oni leaning over her, only stares at Rakavi before raising a brow. "Oh really? Just a friend?"

Rakavi blinks. "Yes? What else did you th-" Rakavi stops mid sentence asp the dots connect. Rakavi can feel her face heat up. "N-no!! Its not like that!! She really is just a friend!!" 

Even with half her face covered, Shinobu manages to give the most exasperated expression through her eyes alone. " Forgive me but I don't think anyone talks about their friend like that specifically and think of them as only their friend."

Itto, bless his soul, chimes in with, "I dunno. I think that way about my homies all the time." 

Shinobu whirls around. "Who specifically?" 

Itto spaces for a moment. "Uhhh… well there's this one guy-"

The conversation fades into the background as Rakavi focuses on her noodles, her face still feels like it's burning. There was no way she thought of Y'shtola that way. It was normal to compliment your friends like that… 

Shinobu speaks to her again. "And you are certain you have never even once considered her as anything more than a friend? Not even once?"

"Nope. Never." Rakavi answers through a mouth full of ramen noodles.

At least… there were no instances Rakavi could think of immediatly. There were many times Rakavi was a blushing stuttering mess in front of Y'shtola but other than that, she couldn't think of any… except for one.

Back on the first, where time moved faster than her home world, Rakavi had reunited with her. For Rakavi it had not been very long, but for Y'shtola it had been years. She remembers seeing the lattice work of black ribbon, and the way the fur around her was just heavy enough to expose the expanse of tan skin. And then there was the way she held herself. Her posture, staff in hand, her voice raised as high as her chin as she addressed the situation… but then her gaze had landed on Rakavi. At first they softened. But then they filled with something else.

Concern.

Rakavi hadn't known about the parasitic light inside of her at the time. But the way Y'shtola had beheld her… she was so used to being called the hero. She was so used to everyone gazing upon her with such reverence. But Y'shtola saw her for Rakavi that day, and was concerned…  

Rakavi halts the memory and shakes her head, and shoves the thought back into the dusty untouched shelves in her mind where she keeps such memories. There was no use in dwelling on it. She saw Y'shtola as a friend, and that was what mattered. What more could she ask for? She slurps up the rest of the noodles and then begins to ravenously finish off the other contents in her bowl. 

Shinobu is quick to move on to other topics, many of which, Rakavi is happy to chime in to. She doesn’t realize how much time has passed until Shinobu is leaving the bill behind and turning to her.

“This was nice… Do you think we could hang out some time?” She asks, with a bit of hesitation.

Rakavi smiles and nods, paying off her own bill. “Sure. How about tomorrow? I’ll meet you outside the dango stand?”

Shinobu nods, her eyes lift when she smiles. She had put her mask back on after eating. Rakavi smiles and parts ways with the group. Now, Rakavi turns, and continues on her trek through the city. She frowns as she passes a rather odd stone statue. It had rather large red crystals at the center and seemed to hover there. Rakavi can sense aether pouring from it, but after being unable to figure out what it was, she eventually decides it was some sort of strange art piece and continues descending the stairs. She follows the clang of metal, and is quick to follow it to it’s source, only to pause. She glances to her right, and before her, is the Yae Publishing House. 

Her ears twitch from under her straw hat as she considers it. Y’shtola would have definitely found a way to learn most of the languages by now, wouldn’t she? She had a knack for learning, as did most the scions. Rakavi slowly approaches the counter and ponders for a moment. The front desk has a few books on display, some of them placed high and out of reach. The man at the counter bows politely and beckons her closer.

“Hello! Welcome! How can we help you today?”

Rakavi lifts her hat slightly to glance at the titles. She can’t read them, but the illustrations look intriguing. Slowly, she glances back to the man, who’s eyes widen in… recognition? Rakavi brushes this off and speaks up. “Do you have anything like say… a textbook on Inazuman history?”

The man pauses, and speaks. “Well… we do publish those… but we are far more well known for our newsletters and works of fiction. I’ll take a look in the back.” Before she can respond, he rushes off to the backdoor, and in his rush, he leaves it slightly ajar. 

Rakavi strains her ears to listen. He is speaking to someone, and when the other responds, Rakavi feels her stomach drop. She can hear Yae Miko. But before she can debate whether or not to flee, the man reappears with a hefty textbook in hand. He sets it on the counter, and says with a smile, “Will that be all for today?”

Rakavi feels her heart swell with relief. It seems Yae was professional enough to not spite her on this day, or perhaps she was unaware of her presence just yet. Carefully, she takes the textbook. “Thanks. That’ll be all.”

The man leans forward. “Are you certain? We have a few exp- ah, adult light novels on display today. Or you could purchase one of the classics?”

Rakavi ponders it for a moment. Adult rated? He must be referring to gore. Because otherwise they would never display such things in public. “Which do you recommend?”

The man turns and pulls the three different novels on display. “Well, I can’t say I have read these ones just yet, but this one is about a traveling Samurai, reincarnated in a futuristic world.” He slides the three of them to her. “Would you like to hear about the other ones?”

Rakavi nods. “Sure, why not?”

He points to a beautiful cover of a purple haired woman. “This one is about a mage on a quest to find her lover in a distant land, guided by a red string.” He then moves to point at a less detailed cover, only a blue cover with constellations drawn over it. “This one is about two rival astrologists that have to work together to change fate.”

Rakavi considers it for a long moment. Carefully she lifts the one about the samurai up and glances inside-

An absurdly obscene image portrays a large man cadging a woman, his ‘sword’ was-

Rakavi slams the book closed so fast she can hear the sound echo down the street, making people turn to stare at her. Rakavi can feel her ears burn almost as hot as her cheeks right now. After a long moment of silence Rakavi slides the light novel back to the man who only blinks oh so innocently at her.

She clears her throat, and in a very small voice she asks, “Are… A-are all three of them… l-like this?”

The man nods. “Yes. Are you interested?”

Rakavi shakes her head. “Ill just purchase the textbook thank you…”

The man almost deflates but nods anyway. Rakavi purchases the text book and turns to speed walk away from the front desk and to the blacksmith.

.

.

.

… With much shame Rakavi almost immediately slinks back to the publishing house.

Unable to meet his gaze, she slowly- with even more shame- slides a pouch of mora to the man for the three books. 

The art was pretty. No one has to know.

A familiar giggle sounds from somewhere nearby, making her stiffen in alarm. Rakavi does not even have to look to know it was a familiar pinkette that was watching. She bolts away from the publishing house, praying to any god that was listening that Yae had not witnessed the full exchange.

With her tail retreating between her legs in her shame, she moves to head to the blacksmith, hoping to order a commission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following day, Rakavi is quick to prepare for the day. She has to meet Shinobu by the dango stand. So she first makes a report to Kokomi that she had missed the night before, having overheard a few things regarding the tri commission that may be of use while she made her way to the teahouse the previous night. After doing so, she makes quick work of her clothes. 

She slides her knife onto her thigh beneath her clothes before slipping on the casual inazuman attire. She takes the provided straps to tie back her sleeves, giving her a little more range of movement to her arms. She pats herself down to make sure her tail and knife did not make any visible distortions to the fabric and remain hidden before she carefully applies the provided makeup to cover up her miqo'te stripes. Rakavi lifts her straw hat in one hand while using her other to gently run her palm along her ears to flatten them as she puts on the straw hat. Finally, after reaching the door of the teahouse and putting on her shoes, she heads out for the day. 

She passes by the usual folks, dodging the rather small elderly or the children, following the winding stone path until she spots the familiar green hair. Shinobu looks up and flicks her hand out in greeting. 

"Yo!"

Rakavi smiles and offers a wave of her own. "Mornin'." 

They exchange a few more words before ordering a plate of dango to share and sit at some of the provided stools.

Shinobu leans over and whispers. "So, why do you hide your ears? Plenty of folks have ears like yours."

Rakavi pauses to not just swallow her bite, but also to think how she would answer in a way that wasn't suspicious. It was to remain under the radar, yes. But that was so that she wouldn't be suspected of working for the rebellion. However… 

"They draw too much attention. It's already pretty obvious I'm not from around her and a lot of people don't really seem to like folks who are uh… different." It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the actual reason why. But Shinobu's eyes soften.

"Yeah… I get it… it's… it's kinda why the boss formed the Arataki Gang… anyone can join." 

Rakavi hums. "So then… Why did you join?"

Shinobu shrugs. "I joined because I preferred how the boss did things. My folks wanted me to be a shrine maiden like everyone else in the family, but I just wanted to be myself, unapologetically. I get to live the life I want, however I want."

Rakavi nods. "Did… you said that Itto formed the gang because of being different. May I ask about that?" 

Shinobu thinks for a moment before speaking. "I'm not sure. Pretty sure the gang formed around the time when he first got thrown in jail and I had to bail him. Cause then there was official records. But he never really said why, only that the gang was a thing when he first thought of it. But… the underdogs flock to him, and he has a soft spot for people like that." She pauses, gathering her thoughts before looking at Rakavi. 

"He's an Oni. Oni aren't really seen as a good thing in Inazuma so… he's had rather…" Her brows furrow as she trails off, and it isn't hard for Rakavi to fill in the blanks.

Rakavi's gaze softens and she returns to finishing up her dango. "Well, I have to pick up a commission from the blacksmith. You wanna come?"

Shinobu nods, and they hop off the stools and make their way down the path. As they walk, the sun no longer shines through the purple pink blossoms, and slowly a soft breeze begins to lift the fallen petals from the ground. Rakavi looks up to the sky with a frown as they cross the red bridge. Dark clouds have blotted out the sky.

Rakavi grimaces. "I thought Inazuma city was special, since it storms everywhere else… where is your gang anyway?" 

Shinobu shrugs. "They had other things to do, so we split for the day. As for the clouds, it has to rain sometimes otherwise all the plants would dry up. It just isn't always thunder and lightning."

Rakavi only hums in response. The two make idle conversation as they descend the various staircases. Rakavi retrieves her commission from the blacksmith- a skinning knife for Thancred- and the clash of metal on metal sounds in the distance. Both Rakavi and Shinobu tense at the sound, and glance at each other. Shinobu nods and they both rush towards the commotion. 

They run to the outskirts of the city and Rakavi immediately ducks for cover being the foliage of a bush. 

Before her stands a few members of the Tenryou Commission, alongside-

"Sara??" Shinobu gasps. 

The woman was tall, sturdy, and had a cold gaze. She wore the typical style of fabric most inazumans had, however this was clearly tailored for more ease of movement. Her sleeves were detached, not reaching past her elbow, and there was a long slit up her skirt, assuring that her leg movement is not restricted. Traditional while being functional, Rakavi would say. 

(As functional as one with as little armor as possible and scantily clad could be. Perhaps it was a fashion choice.)

It reminds her of Lyse's attire, of the red dress she now adorns. Minus the deep v-neck cut for the chest… (Which in hindsight, not very practical, especially for the amount of movement a monk does. She doesn't know how Lyse's breasts do not slip out during combat. Tape perhaps? Is there such a thing as glue for boobs that Rakavi was unaware of?)

Sara had a black jaw length bob, and a bright red mask resting atop her head. But somehow, Rakavi's eyes are drawn to the electro vision at her waist, proudly decorated with a bright yellow bow. It makes her eyes narrow. Why would the one in charge of acting on the vision hunt decree be allowed to have a vision herself? 

But none of that was important right now. What was important was the way she ducks out of the way of the large club, spiked with golden geo. Itto withdraws his weapon, readying another attack. But something wasn't right… he was barely touched, perhaps a bruise here and there, but he was breathing heavily, and his movements were slow. There is movement beside Rakavi rather suddenly, and Rakavi feels her heart drop. She reacts quickly, grabbing Shinobu and cupping her hand over her mouth as she snarls. 

Rakavi hisses into her ear. "No! Not yet! Something isn't right!"

Almost on cue, Rakavi's attention snaps back upon hearing the mountain of a man groan in pain. Rakavi watches as his eyes roll back, and he topples to the ground. Sara watches him coldly, before stepping forward, and grasping his vision in her hands. With one tug, she removes his vision. She doesn't even spare him another glance as she turns and walks away, his vision in hand. Rakavi feels Shinobu struggle against her, and she Rakavi is struggling to keep her there without hurting her. 

Finally, when the Tenryou Commission leaves, she lets Shinobu go. The woman tears from her grasp and bolts to Itto's side. Rakavi stands slowly, and as she begins to walk forward, she feels the first few ice cold droplets of rain begin to fall. Shinobu glares at her.

"Why would you do that? Why did you hold me back?! I could have stopped them!!" She spat. 

Guilt lances through Rakavi's heart. She swallows, and continues towards Itto. Carefully, she turns the man over.

"Shinobu… I don't doubt that. But something isn't right. While I don't doubt Sara's strength, Itto wouldn't just go down that easy. And with so little damage too… something isn't right here." Rakavi says in a soft voice.

Shinobu freezes as she processes Rakavi's words, and Rakavi leaves her to it, now standing up to survey their surroundings. It takes a moment, but she finds what she was looking for. A scratch on Itto's shoulder. Clearly from the graze of an arrow. Rakavi grimaces and stands up. She glances around, eyeing the other fallen gang members who appear far more beaten up than him. Her eyes narrow as she spots it. Carefully stepping over Itto, she walks up, and pries an arrow from the ground. She examines it, and then walks back to Shinobu. She kneels before her and holds it out to her.

Shinobu takes the arrow, and she removes her mask to sniff at the arrowhead. Instantly, her eyes widen, and her free hand claps over her mouth. Then, slowly she says, "This… this is coated with a tranquilizer… a sedative this powerful could take out a bull mid charge, or possibly kill a small animal if it misfires…the fact that he was still standing is…"

Rakavi's gaze softens as Shinobu takes in this information. Shinobu's breathing quickens for a moment in anger, but as the rain pours down, soaking into their hair and weighing down their clothes, Shinobu calms, and thinks. 

Slowly, Shinobu speaks. "They… they came prepared. They were prepared to take his, and probably mine too. If an arrow had so much as grazed me I would have been out…"

Rakavi nods, but lets her continue. Shinobu looks at her, eyes flashing in determination. "If had my vision taken, I wouldn't be able to bail them out. The boss isn't going to be happy about his vision taken, and right now, they need me to be level headed more than ever."

Rakavi nods again, and squeezes her shoulder. Slowly, she glances back at Itto… he was a troublemaker, sure, but what did he do to deserve this? Rakavi can feel anger boil in her stomach. 

"...they'll be looking for you. You need to lay low for a while. I have a contact on Watatsumi Island. They are taking refugees. Can you get there safely?" 

Shinobu nods. "Of course. But…" She pauses. "Rakavi… we have to do something… we have to get it back or he'll…"

Turn into a husk… Rakavi had seen the effects it had on someone when their vision was taken… it makes something churn in her stomach as flashes of the once boisterous man becoming an empty husk. Wandering aimlessly, their memories lost, in pain. She had seen them in the streets, their sunken faces and dull gaze. 

Rakavi had not been intending on staying to see this rebellion reach completion. 

Her voice is barely a whisper as she stands up, the rain pooling off her hat in a stream, almost deafening against her ears. It nearly drowns out her voice as she speaks with conviction.

"Because. I'm going to get it back. We are going to bring an end to the vision hunt decree, and we will get his vision back. " 

Shinobu looks up as Rakavi helps her lift Itto up. Shinobu purses her lips and looks to off to the countryside. 

It was just like Rakavi… she couldn't resist making promises like this after all.

Rakavi squeezes her eyes shut and raises her head up to the sky. As the rain falls, she is glad it washes away even the makeup she wears, because at this moment she isn't certain what face she is making, so if Shinobu were to ask, she could blame rain for the droplet that streaks down her cheek.

Gritting her teeth, she opens her eyes to watch the rain fall, deep down, a voice lets out a small plea, somehow hoping it reaches Y'shtola's ears.

'Y'shtola… I'm sorry… please… wait for me…'

Nothing.

Only the patter of rain answers her…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakavi sits, her knees tucked in to her chest as she tries to rest that evening, until she hears the familiar tap.

She scrambles for the box, and opens it. The small pink fish pops their head out, and leans forward to whisper into her ear. 

"We have received word that the Traveler is arriving in Ritou! Your orders are as follows. Tomorrow you will meet with the Traveler, Lumine, and her companion, Paimon! You are to escort her, and when the time comes, guide her to Watatsumi Island! As you do, you will report her movements to me, Sangonomiya Kokomi!" 

…Rakavi takes in this information. The fish leaves, and she snaps the box closed. She glances up into empty space as determination inflates her heart.

The Traveler huh? Tomorrow she would meet with this Lumine person. And she would make sure that they end this god forsaken civil war.

She hasn't even been here a full month and she was already sick and tired of this place. And if ending the war was the only way out, then so be it.

One way or another, she would find her way back to Y'shtola. 

No matter how long it takes.    

Chapter Text

Y'shtola's POV

Descending the mountain and trekking the path to Liyue is more complicated and would take far more time than she cared for. Upon voicing her concerns, Albedo is quick to suggest she borrow his windglider, claiming he wouldn't need it for the next few days. Y'shtola isn't very certain she wishes to borrow it. Albedo is quick to reassure her that this was how most Mondstadters traversed the land. It was much easier to use the glider to descend high spaces to save time. Y'shtola decides to shelf the thought that these people toss themselves off cliffs on a regular basis. 

After Albedo finalizes a means of contact, Kaeya guides her down the mountain. He has to coax her to jump once the windglider is affixed to her back, and suddenly her broken and bloody nails pulses. She remembers waking up this morning to the pain I'm her hands, finding them bandaged and bloodied… she had underestimated the pull of Durin's voice. She had not even felt the pain, nor even registered how Albedo had bandaged her hands from her reckless climb last night. 

Now as she looks down, she feels queasy from even just the thought of how stupid she had been when she scaled this. But, nevertheless, she gulps, and wills herself to jump.

Her stomach lurches as the glider yanks her up when her feet leave the ground. Her eyes fly open and her mouth opens to scream, had the wind not drowned it out, it would have echoed off the cliff face. She hears laughter over the wind, and she tears her gaze from the drop below her to see Kaeya gliding next to her. 

"Put your arms out!" He yells over the wind, and Y'shtola is quick to do as he says.

Having her arms out does steady it quite a bit, even her tail provides a little more balance. Shakily, she glances up, and her eyes widen. Even if it was only aether she could see, the sight is mesmerizing. From here, she could see the entirety of the mountain side, and even Mondstadt in the distance. Her ears flatten against the roaring wind, and she feels a strain in her body from keeping her arms outstretched. She bites her lip when Kaeya can't seem to stop himself from laughing at the sight of her, but eventually it dies down. 

They land not terribly far from the entrance to Durin's heart, and she feels the hair on her neck prickle. She shutters and immediately begins to walk. Only for her legs to almost immediately give out. Kaeya is quick to steady her, and she hears him snorts, trying to contain yet another fit of laughter. She shoots a glare at him. 

"Yes. I am certain my inexperience is hilarious to you. Do you wish to also witness my experience in other fields to make you wish you had been blessed with the kiss of death? Because if that is so, I-" 

His hands fly up in defense, "Ahah.. no need, no need, it's just…" He glances at her fluffed tail and tossed hair. "Dawn winery is this way~!" He says this in a sing-song tone as he leads the way. 

Y'shtola sends a small jolt of electricity up his spine and revels in the way he yelps and bolts forward. Snorting in satisfaction, she follows him down the mountain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After crossing a river via Kaeya forming a slick bridge across rushing waters, and another dreadful descent via windglider, they land on the shore of the river next to the winery. Kaeya takes the thick coat, boots, and windglider. He walks with her up the path until he finds a crate to scribble a quick note on. He hands it to her, along with a small mora pouch, directing her to hand it off to the resident master. The man is quick to make himself scarce. 

Y'shtola sighs, and treks up the path into the vineyards. It is a rather peaceful place, workers in the fields, picking the grapes in what looks to be a successful harvest. She glances up to see a caravan ready to depart before long. Standing at the entrance of the manor is someone she recognizes. A mane of fire, arms crossed, standing tall and proud, is Diluc. 

Y'shtola walks over on shaky legs, somehow managing to catch Diluc's gaze. His brows raise up and he abandons overseeing the caravan to rush over and steady her. Or rather, he attempts to, if not for the sharp glare on her features as she holds out the paper and mora pouch. She was not a fool. She has spent enough time in Mondstadt to piece together that Diluc was the lord of the manor. 

"Pray, forgive my expression. I recently had an unpleasant experience… I was informed to give this to you?" She says curtly.

Diluc blinks and frowns as he carefully looks over the note. The glare only deepens and the note catches fire, falling into a pile of ash at his boots. He stuffs the mora into his pocket and shakes his head. He clears his throat and calls over the one leading the caravan and whispers into his ear. After a moment he turns to Y'shtola.

Diluc clears his throat and eyes her. "The caravan will take you to Liyue, but you are to provide your own food and lodgings. In return for the ride, you will provide protection. Am I clear?" 

Y'shtola nods. "When shall we leave?"

Diluc crosses his arms and glances at the sky. It was past noon. "We are behind schedule, so preferably soon. So you might want to go now. I wish you safe travels to Liyue Harbor." 

She blinks. "Liyue Harbor?" 

"The chasm is closed, so your best bet is to get to Sumeru via boat in Liyue Harbor. And lucky for you, that's exactly where my caravan is headed." He explains. 

Y'shtola doesn't think much else to say, so she only bids a quick farewell and boards one of the carts. Sure enough, they depart fairly quickly. Kaeya must have known their schedule. Otherwise he wouldn't have told her to hitch a ride. Although, judging from Diluc's expression, she can't help but notice they do not seem to be on speaking terms… wind blows past her, and someone comes running up to the cart. 

Y'shtola watches in bewilderment as Venti pushes past some of the workers loading the carts, coming to a stop by the cart. He glances around for a moment before holding out a flat box to her, held together with a ribbon. It radiates anemo energy, and as she lifts it, she can feel it seep into her fingertips. She raises a brow. 

Venti smiles. "A parting gift, from yours truly! I've written it all down on the note. But…" He looks thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "I hope you find what you are looking for. May the wind guide you, traveler." 

Y'shtola smiles softly. "And you as well, my friend." 

Venti returns her smile and backs up. He waves goodbye as the carts begin to lurch forward, signaling the beginning of their journey. As she watches the two, she watches as venti bounces up the steps to prance around Diluc, who only stands there, somehow looking even more rigid than before. She chuckles to herself and turns to the note that Venti had slipped under the ribbon.

'Yehshtolia,-

Y'shtola nearly chokes on her spit at the horrid misspelling of her name, but she reads the rest of the note regardless. 

Inside this box is a dandelion. There are many beliefs in Mondstadt of what happens when you blow away the seeds. Some think that a wish will come true, but most others believe that it will carry your wishes to those you care for. 

So, don't open it until you find yourself missing your friends, and when you do, scatter the seeds on the wind. 

Normally people do this from atop the statue of the Anemo God, but I think that so long as there is wind, it'll do just fine.

-Venti.

P.s. Normally Dandelions can't survive the trip outside of Mondstadt, but I gave it a little blessing to make sure it lasts. So make sure your wish counts, hehe!'

Y'shtola shakes her head with a smile. That would explain the energy she felt radiating from it. Deep down she feels touched. Carefully, she places the small box into her aetherpouch for safe keeping. It was a nice thought, but even if it was possible, anyone occupying her thoughts wasn't present in this world…

Y'shtola sits back, sighing as her journey begins.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The caravan doesn't get very far in their journey. Having left past noon. They light lanterns and travel deep into the night before they finally settle to make camp. They carefully veer the carts off the side of the road with practiced ease, and Y'shtola breathes deeply as they sit and make merry around the fire. She stands, and walks to the outskirts of the makeshift camp. Slowly, she takes in the land before them. 

It makes little difference to her whether it was day or night when the aether shines all the same in either light. Before her the land was different than the land of Anemo. The very ground is rich in golden aether, and it pulses through the ground like veins on the human body. But she can see the rolling fields, the mountains in the distance, and their checkpoint on the horizon. The Wangshu Inn. The magnificent tree could be seen in the distance, even from this far away. She thinks it was because there were no rolling hills to block her view, only plains and marshes. 

All things considered, it was rather beautiful. But she pulls her gaze away to her more immediate surroundings. Y'shtola had not just come here to stretch her legs, but she had a job to do. She was acting as their guard after all. And she took any task given to her seriously. Slowly, she prowls on the outskirts of the camp, scanning their surroundings carefully. She glances up the road, and down the path, and then makes her way into the tall grass. 

She gathers her robes, and lets instinct guide her steps, allowing her to move as quietly as she could through the tall shrubs. It was difficult. She had never honed her hunter instinct, she was never raised in miqo'te culture. Even if she had, she wasn't a Keeper of the Moon, who's origins lay in the forest. Her origins lay in hotter climates among sand and stone. A seeker's eyes were built to adjust to extreme brightness quickly, while a keeper's eyes are made to see in perfect clarity in dark spaces, such as under the canopy of a forest. Seekers could blend in when out in the open, withstand high temperature, move silently over stone and never disturb the sand beneath their boot. But Keepers could maneuver over the forest floor and through tall undergrowth without making a single sound. 

That is what she had been told. But both her, a Seeker, and Rakavi, a Keeper, had been raised by hyurs. They carried traits from their ancestors, but not everything carried over. Y'shtola struggled to hide out in the open, and Rakavi, while silent in movement, was by far the most clumsy monk she had ever met. 

Y'shtola is snapped from her thoughts when one of the caravan members bursts into boisterous laughter. They all seemed be enjoying a bottle of wine and make merry around the fire. Y'shtola smiles and turns her gaze back to the fields. Slowly, the smile fades. She had been getting lost in thought more often as of late. Slowly, she looks to the sky. 

…she misses being able to share stories by the fire with her friends. Urianger would tell her which stars were visible in the sky that night, the twins would argue over whose story could be told first. Thancred would scare them all into silence with the first ghost story he can think of. And Rakavi… Y'shtola closes her eyes to remember her. She emoted quite a lot with each story she told, her voice would bounce up and down with so much energy and excitement as she used a plethora of various voices to tell her stories or mimic people or even change the atmosphere of her story. Other times she stares into the fire with a solemn look on her face to tell the more painful memories. Y'shtola remembers how colorful her aether was, and how it would swell and react to her emotions, her pain, even her hunger. She felt guilt at first. For someone who seemed to bear her heart on her sleeve, upon witnessing her aether, Y'shtola realized how much she kept hidden. It felt invasive to see it. So she never mentioned it. 

Y'shtola breaths in, taking in the scent of the world around her. She smells the campfire, the beasts of burden, and the grass. Slowly, she opens her eyes. 

It was a peaceful night… albeit, a bit lonely without the familiar faces surrounding her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They resumed their trek early in the morning. They gather the carts and beasts of burden, and soon make their way down the road. The sound of the carts was almost deafening, but Y'shtola tries her best to keep her ears perked while simultaneously drowning out the sound of the carts. Her ears swivel around, they perk, before settling down once more to begin the process again. With her eyes she searches the landscape. 

She hears them before she sees them. Humanoids push through the tall grass, dried plants crunch under their boots. They were clumsy. Heavy, not nearly as light on their feet as someone like Kaeya or Amber. A shout sounds as someone charges the carts. People surround the caravan, pointing knives, swords, and even farmers tools . A rather large man steps in front of the lead cart as the caravan halts in its movement, the beasts of burden groaning from the sudden commands, some even toss their head from side to side in fear. The merchants huddle together, eyes wide in fear. The other body guard they were traveling with only grimaces. 

"Treasure hoarders." The guard scoffs. 

Y'shtola will admit this was her first time seeing the treasure hoarders in action, and she was not impressed. Even just looking at them she could tell they might be a menace to any poor soul without a means to defend themself, and if caught alone and outnumbered, they could be a problem. But for Y'shtola? She has to stop herself from laughing. She clears her throat and hops off the cart. 

She eyes the taller man in front of the caravan as he makes demands. What was he saying? She couldn't have even been bothered to listen. 

"-take what we need, and we just might let you- huh?" The large man blinks in surprise as Y'shtola approaches him. "Hey! I said stay where you are!" 

Y'shtola stops, and stares at him, unimpressed. Then, she whips around, her robes lifting slightly as she casts her spell. An Aeroga should do the trick. She sends a gust of wind on either side of the caravan, blowing the treasure hoarders off their feet. The guard is quick to react, and rushes to the back of the caravan to deal with the others at the end. Y'shtola swiftly turns back to the leader, who brings out a shovel. 

She scoffs, and conjures a bolt of lighting to crash down upon his head. He crumbles to the ground, and she turns once more to take care of the rest. She makes quick work of them with the efforts of the bodyguard. She and him tug the bodies off to the side of the road, and use a bit of rope to tie them up. They were alive. Barely. But the caravan leader says that the local guards would take care of them once they reported it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola's eyes widen as she takes in the sight before her. The Wangshu Inn was spectacular, something Y'shtola would have expected to find in a storybook. The inn is built into a giant tree, with a water wheel and an open air restaurant at its roots. But what draws in her eyes is the aether that flows through it. It was a beautiful gold color, and she isn't entirely certain why the geo was flowing through something that logically should hold more Dendro than Earth. But it's strangely only at the core, like veins running through the center of the tree. Y'shtola is not given much time to ponder this when she is called over. 

The older woman overseeing the transfer of goods waves her over. It seemed this was a two part trip. The caravan from the Dawn Winery was to drop off the cargo at the inn, where a Liyuean caravan would retrieve it. Y'shtola isn't entirely certain of the details, but evidently something about the death of Rex Lapis, and the battle with Osial, made oversea trade come to a temporary halt.

But now, it seems things were returning to normal, as this was the last on land shipment. Shipments via the ocean would resume after this, meaning Y'shtola truly had been lucky in her timing. 

Y'shtola ducks past a burly laborer and stands beside the woman. The woman had to have been in her sixties, shorter than Y'shtola, and spoke with a kind tone. The woman places a hand on the curve of Y'shtola's back and smiles at the man in front of them, as if introducing her first grandchild. 

"Ah, this is the one I told you about, Y'shtola. Like I said, she will ensure your caravan's safety. You need only provide her with lodging." 

The introduction doesn't last long, and she is quickly passed off into the hands of this next caravan. She gives a quick wave to the others as they disappear to their own lodging for the day, eager to rest. The Liyuean Caravan leader gives her a scrutinizing look, disbelief in his eyes before he merely shrugs. 

"Well. Spose' ur better than nothin." 

This makes Y'shtola's eye twitch. But she is feeling rather merciful today, and does not react. She huffs a few words out before gathering the key he provides and finding her room. She pivots on her heels and begins the trek into the inn. It is as grandiose as the outside, and she struggles to find her way before a few of the workers kindly direct her to the correct room. Climbing a staircase, she passes by a large balcony, and for a moment, she thinks she catches a glimpse of someone. For a moment, it is as if darkness snuffs out the sun, sending a shiver up her spine. But just as soon as it is there, it is gone with the blink of an eye. She stands and stares at where it was once perched, blinking.

…Perhaps it was time for her to rest, if she was hallucinating such things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y’shtola struggles to sleep that night. She finds herself tossing and turning as the sun sets and the moon climbs the sky. Eventually, she sits up. With a grimace, she stands up from the bed and rubs her temples. She dresses herself and collects a few things before walking out into the night. 

It takes a long while before she leaves the Inn's grounds and feels the tall grass brush against her tail. She glances around and closes her eyes, taking in the silence and allowing her blindness to take her. She feels around for a rock, and sits down. Slowly, she breaths in. She breaths in the smell of dirt, grass, and the distant smell of spice, before she finally exhales. Her shoulders slumps as she lets out her breath, and in doing so she becomes aware of the ache in her muscles, her bones, and most importantly, the insistent throb in her skull. 

She sighs and rubs her head. She was pushing herself too much. The pain has spread from behind her eyes to her forehead now. If she wasn't careful her whole skull would start pounding. Pain so hot it would feel like a poker had been stabbed through each eye. Those kinds of headaches often rendered her unable to function.

She dares to think all was well when the pain finally decides to ebb away, until a rustle in the grass sounds a short distance from where she sat. It seems that relief would not yet find her, as she is forced to use the forbidden magicks once more. Slowly she glances around. 

Her surroundings are empty as far as living creatures go, save from the figure standing across the bamboo bridge.

The hair on Y'shtola's neck rises.

She sees the outline of a very large dog standing rigid against the light of the moon. If she looks close, she can see it's ribs protruding against its skin. There couldn't have been any organs present from how it's skin clings to its bones. It had a square shaped face, pointy ears faced forward and alert. It's eyes were what unnerved her. It's eyes took up a larger portion than what the eye socket would normally, and the eyes themself were a dreaded white in color.

But that was it. They were only white, no pupil, no color. But they glowed in the dark. The hound's back was to the moon, but it's eyes gave off an unearthly glow. 

It holds incredibly still, only staring at Y'shtola in the night. She was almost certain it wasn't breathing . Her ears slowly flatten against her head. The dog doesn't move for a long time, but upon spotting her ears move, it jerks its head to watch the movement. It opens its jaw to reveal not teeth, but instead nails jutting from it's gums. There was two- no, three rows on both top and bottom before a final fourth row of actual teeth, charcoal colored and dripping with syrupy black ichor. And then, it utters a sound that feels more like she hears it in her head rather than her ears.

A growl. Low, unnatural. More akin to hearing the groan of trees against the wind than anything a living creature would make. But it crawls up her spine and makes Y'shtola react. 

But the dog reacts quicker. 

The dog bolts forward with sudden alarming speed, with its body close to the ground, it's legs moving in unnatural angles to propel itself forward at her. It's jaws open, ready to snap shut- 

A flash of cold teal and black, and its head is slammed into the pavement of the road before it's boney paw touches the other side of the bridge. A spear appears in a collection of particles and a flash of glowing green-blue energy. The tip comes down and through the skull of the hound, first piercing the top of its head between its ears, and then through its jaw. It remains lodged there as the hound thrashes beneath its attacker, who only twists the spear, the action causing a wet crunching sound in the night, the sound not too different to a cracked egg, only deeper in pitch. 

Even after all Y'shtola has seen, she has to close her eyes before she can take in whatever gore had just been caused. Instead, she opens her eyes to watch the limbs of the creature go limp. Slowly, whoever saved her, stands up straight. Slowly the black and teal fades around them. It dies down to something that flickers, making it difficult for Y'shtola to discern its true shape. 

Y'shtola feels discomfort crawl up her spine, and her eyes widen in recognition. Not just from the fact that she had seen this earlier in the day, but from the way the dog's aether swirls and funnels into the person before her in a way that was hauntingly identical to the parasitic light on the First. She can't stop herself from gasping-

But before she can speak, the cloud of teal and black smoke vanishes from sight before her eyes. She blinks, stunned. She was alone. Somehow, they had vanished into thin air, leaving her alone with the now disintegrating corpse. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day Y'shtola is quick to wake and clean herself up. The caravan would be leaving at noon and she would not allow herself to be late. This, and she had a few things to look into. Primarily the mystery of last night. Upon speaking with the lady at the desk, she informs Y'shtola that what she may have seen was the Guardian Yaksha. Confused, Y'shtola had her explain what exactly that was, and in turn, what exactly an adepti was. Evidently, they were a kind of immortal being that served under Rex Lapis, the Guardian Yaksha being the primary force used in the archon war and in the cataclysm in the chasm some time ago. Upon insisting to speak with him, the woman only smiled and directed her to chef Yanxiao. 

So here she sits, waiting as the tall man prepares a dish called Almond Tofu. Evidently, it was the Yaksha's favorite dish. He was a picky eater, and refused human food, with this one dish being the exception. Upon seeing the dessert finished, Y'shtola collects the plate with a quick word of thanks, and heads off to the far less crowded deck. She slows to a stop, holding the dish in her hand. She looks around, and sees no sign of the blackened aether she had spotted last night. 

She clears her throat and calls out. "Guardian Yaksha? Might I have a word?"

Silence. 

She snorts. The instruction was to call out his name and leave the dish behind, however, she had questions that she needed answered. 

"Adeptus Xiao? I bring you Almond Tofu."

Not a sign of him. 

Y'shtola raises a brow. "Very well, I suppose you are not hungry. I shall dispose of this dish."

She holds the plate out and begins to tip it.

"What do you want, mortal." 

Y'shtola glances up to the swirling energy that appears at her side, lounging on the railing with one foot propped up and one dangling off the rail. She can see him clearer now. The aether consuming him has calmed down, and she can make out his shape. He has a rather youthful appearance, short in stature but lean and athletic. He has gray circles under his eyes and his face is sunken and pale. He has short hair not too different from her own with long bangs and a short puff in the back. He had pointed ears and sharp features. 

He wears traditional Liyuean clothing with a slight modern twist to them with how the clothes hug his body to allow ease of movement, decorated with what she assumes are jade accents. He wears one sleeve while his other shoulder is exposed to reveal an intricate tattoo that pulses with energy. He wears puffy pants and light metal accents that clink as he moves. His eyes were cold as he pinned her with a harsh stare. 

Y'shtola holds the almond tofu closer to her as he reaches for it. "I will have my answers first, then you may have your treat." 

Xiao glares at her, but he complies. 

"What was that creature from last night? Why did it look like you were absorbing it?"

The adepti is silent for a moment before answering. "That was a demon. As a price I pay for killing demons, I absorb their demonic energy. I call it Karmic Debt. It is why I stay away from people."

Y'shtola nods. "I see… I had a friend who was in a similar situation. She had managed to rid herself of it by expelling it, however that was due to special circumstances. I do not know if I am able to summon a porxie here to be able to assist you. But may I suggest finding an opponent of the opposite energy to assist you in expelling it? Ah no that would not work, lest you risk leaving behind residue-"

She glances at him, only to find him staring at her as if she had gone and grown two heads. Ah, she supposes that this must sound like utter nonsense to him. She clears her throat and glances away in embarrassment. She would need to bring a porxie here should she ever visit. 

Xiao looks like he wants to say something, but she speaks before he can get a word in. "You were present during the cataclysm, yes? Would you be able to enlighten me on the details?"

Xiao's gaze darkens. "I suspect you can find my point of view in any history book."

As he glances away, Y'shtola realizes she must have hit a sore spot. Really she should have figured, and perhaps handled this more delicately. But what's done is done. Instead she asks another question. "You are obviously older than the cataclysm. Can you tell me about the abyss order?"

The Adepti's gaze sharpens, and his eyes narrow dangerously. "Mortals should not be playing with the abyss. It will only cost you in the end. Keep your distance from that wretched place, lest you wish to lose your mind and humanity."

He spits out his words and tugs the plate from her hands with a surprising show of force. Then, with the blink of an eye, he disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving Y'shtola blinking in shock as she processes what had just happened. 

After a moment, she digs her fingers into her scalp and snarls in frustration before whipping around and returning into the building.

Some help he was…

Y'shtola storms down the stairs, heading to her room when she slows to a stop… 

Perhaps…her questions may have reopened old wounds in the adeptus…perhapes an apology is in order. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'shtola carefully sets the second plate of Almond tofu on the railing. The sun is high in the sky, and she can hear the caravan making its last calls. 

"My apologies, my new friend. Guardian Yaksha, Adeptus Xiao. Twas not my intent to reopen old wounds." She pauses. Thinking for a moment. Finally, she opens her heart, just a little. "The truth is, I am stranded here, and I seek a way home. My only lead rests in the abyss. Pray, forgive me."

She turns and begins to walk away. 

"Don't bother looking for answers in a place that is cursed to not be perceived. You'll find nothing but madness there." 

Y'shtola turns again upon hearing Xiao's voice. Only to find that he has disappeared once again before she can lay eyes on him. Her eyes narrow as she dwells on his words. 

'Cursed to not be perceived? How curious.' She muses. 

Pivoting on her heels, she turns to descend the stairs to join the caravan that awaits her at the base of the grand tree. 

Perhapes to the average person, the abyss would drive them to madness.

But Y'shtola had traversed the Void, had she not? 

She was confident she would perceive what was being hidden from her, curses be damned. 

Chapter Text

Rakavi's POV

Rakavi's knee bounces, her heel thumping against the sand. She sits hunched over, arms resting on her thighs. Her gaze must be burning a hole into Ritou's infamous docks. Her ears are back, and her brows are furrowed. Her hand has paused mid stroke from rubbing her chin and lips in thought. Her tail flicks from side to side. 

Late. They were late. 

She exhaled loudly and turned her face down and closed her eyes. She clasps her hands and focuses on the bouncing of her leg as she taps her foot on the ground. 

If Thoma hadn't caught her before she attempted to enter Ritou, she would have been waiting at the docks with him. However, because her identification documents and such were all fake, they couldn't risk the guards checking her. So she has to wait by the outskirts. Thoma wasn't able to convince her to return to the teahouse, and so they compromised that she would take the traveler to meet with Thoma while the man left to prepare a few things in advance. 

That was the plan at least. However the boat had long since come and gone, and it had been a few hours since Thoma left. It isn't until the sun is beginning to set that she spots a anemo powered cart on the shoreline, moving at a snail's pace, that she finally spots the one she was waiting for. 

She has a short blonde bob, and wore pretty white flowers with a patch of blue on one of the petals. She wears a white dress decorated in all kinds of celestial themed ornaments and trims, so much so that Rakavi nearly groans at how much she stuck out like a sore thumb. There was nothing that screamed outlander more than the girl with the otherworldly presence and the floating child beside her! So much for keeping a low profile. Word would spread like a wildfire and all eyes would be on them in an instant. 

The creature accompanying the girl was dressed in white as well, with white hair and a floating halo crown thing. She wore a cape that seemed to house the stars itself, and constellations floated around her. The girl's thigh high boots sink into the sand as she speaks with the Inazumans beside her, and she then quickly turns away to rush up the stone steps, only to stop upon seeing Rakavi. 

Rakavi huffs and stands, placing her hands on her hips, and meets her gaze to say hello- 

Her head pulses. Rakavi hisses and presses a palm to her forehead as the echo takes hold of her vision, making her surroundings warp until a flash of white takes over. 

…

A pair of identical twins stand atop a grand pillar, surrounded by clouds. They nod to each other, seemingly leaving, only to be stopped by a red void that splits the sky before them. 

The goddess that steps through is nothing if not sinister. Her cold gaze scrapes over the two, and the fight unfolds.

The goddess wields strange magic, and the two prove to be worthy opponents, but suddenly, the boy is captured in a prison made from geometric magic and the girl screams. 

"AETHER!!"

Things fade to black.

The girl jolts awake, reaching forward to grasp nothing, dismay warping her features. She glances around at her surroundings. An unfamiliar beach, in an unfamiliar world.

Alone. 

Everything fades to white .

…

Slowly, Rakavi's senses return to her. First is sound as warbled voices attempt to catch her attention. Next the white fades from her line of sight as her vision returns. Things sway around her for a moment, but slowly, she blinks as her eyes adjust to the world around her.

"Hello?" The girl says a bit unsure.

Everything in Rakavi's mind comes to a screeching halt. Her ears go back as she meets the traveler's gaze. 

Wide honey brown eyes gaze back at her, with a kind of concern that makes Rakavi's heart ache, but upon gazing at the girl, glancing at her soul through her eyes, Rakavi comes to a realization. 

This girl was in the same situation as Rakavi.

The floating thing speaks up in a squeaky trill. "Hey?? Teyvat to uh- um, whoever you are…?" 

"Are you ok?" The traveler probs, tipping their head inquisitively as they speak.

Rakavi blinks, her attention finally returning to reality. Slowly she gives a sheepish smile and rubs her neck. "S-sorry about that, haha, happens from time to time! I'm Rakavi." 

The traveler raises a brow, but merely responds with, "Ok…? I'm Lumine, and-"

"Paimon's name is Paimon!!" 

"-aaand we are the famous-!" The traveler takes a moment to cross their arms and put a smug smile on their face, and Paimon does the same. " The Traveler and Paimon! Honorary knight and Savior of Liyue Harbor and Mondstadt!!" 

Rakavi blinks. She snorts, and covers her mouth, trying not to chuckle. A fond feeling of nostalgia washed over Rakavi at the sight of the two. They reminded her so heavily of herself, back before the events in Uldah. When she was titled the Champion of Eorzea, and how proud she was of that title.

"Hey!! Why are you laughing?? Ohh- Paimon is gunna give you an ugly nickname!! "

Rakavi startles and puts her hands up, waving them a little. "Hey! Hey, no! I'm not making fun of you I promise! That statement reminded me of my younger days is all!" She pauses to think before adding, "Its refreshing, and you made me feel a little nostalgic is all." 

Lumine and Paimon stare at her. They stare for a long time before Rakavi realizes what she might have implied. They still somehow beat her to the chase.

"What do you mean by that?" Lumine inquires.

Deep down, Rakavi wants to revel in anonymity for a little while longer. She swallows. "Well… I am an adventurer." 

Lumine, thankfully, doesn't say much more, instead only nodding. Perhaps she did not take Rakavi's words literally, and perhaps she thinks Rakavi meant that Lumine's spirit reminded Rakavi, and not her specific accomplishments. But if she did think that, she wouldn't say anything for now. 

Rakavi clears her throat. "Anyway, it was already pretty clear to me you were the Traveler and Paimon. Even without being told your appearances, you stick out like a sore thumb."

They both look at her in dismay and then lean over to each other to whisper under their breaths. Lumine eyes her with suspicion. Rakavi takes this as a sign to explain her presence. 

"Ah, sorry, I forgot to bring it up, but I have actually been tasked with being your traveling companion while you travel Inazuma." 

They both snort simultaneously and Paimon huffs and places her tiny hands on her hips. "Paimon is already Lumine's traveling companion, so back off!" 

Lumine pips up with the real questions. "You have been tasked with it? By who? The Yashiro Commission?"

"Something like that. While I am certain I could never replace Paimon, you don't know how to get to the teahouse, do you?"

Silence. 

"Fine."

Score!

Rakavi mentally does a little fist pump as Lumine steps past her. Rakavi turns to follow her into the village outskirts. Although if she was being honest with herself that felt far too easy… she can't help but feel a but uneasy with the way Lumine walks and holds herself. Otherworldly, alien. Perhapes Rakavi was too used to people like her being hostile… not that she has much experience with aliens. Does Rakavi herself count as an alien? 

Rakavi is left to ponder this thought as they trek through the village and past the open fields. While Lumine walks with purpose, Rakavi would have mistaken her for someone under the thrall of sylphs, with how she drifts from one side of the road to the other to steadily gaze at the land around her. Paimon could have easily been possessed by a pixie of the first and Rakavi wouldn't be able to tell the difference with how she zips and zig zags around, calling out anything of potential interest. 

For people so disinterested in nonsense and distraction, they seem to create it for themself often enough. Rakavi tips her head. She supposes it makes sense. The end is not in sight, and there is no rush or urgency looming over their head. They have time to do whatever they please, and Rakavi almost longs for the whimsy gait that Lumine has in her step. It was almost romantic in the gothic storytelling sense of the word. 

Rakavi is pulled from her thoughts when Lumine stops to stare at her. Rakavi glances around before realizing she had stopped to stare at some point, and Lumine was waiting for Rakavi to do as she promised, and act as her guide. She clears her throat and pushes past. 

Lumine drifts to her side, gazing up at her with curiosity. "So you get headaches like that a lot? That sounds awful."

"Headaches?"

"Yeah, you clutched your head and stuff?" Lumine makes a vague gesture to her own head.

Rakavi hums. "Right. Yeah. Its a headache. Happens a lot." 

Lumine stops for a moment before Rakavi hears her move to catch up. She can hear the skepticism in her voice now. "Right. So… you are an adventurer huh? There's an adventurers guild in Inazuma?"

"That there is."

Lumine goes quiet. It unsettles Rakavi just a bit. She wasn't entirely certain what Lumine's goal was with this conversation. Was Rakavi really acting that suspicious? She didn't even have much to hide! 

Her tail flicks as she speaks up. "So, might I ask where you're from?"

"Far far away. You?"

Rakavi hums. "Ah.. about the same. I doubt you'll have heard of it."

Paimon floats in front of her. "Well Paimon's been to lots of places! Maybe Paimon will recognize it if you tell us?"

Rakavi raises a brow. "You sure? It's not on any map. Not here anyway." 

Paimon nods, and Rakavi shrugs. "Eorzea."

Paimon opens her mouth to speak but then shuts it. Rakavi smiles in amusement as she can practically see the gears turning in her head. 

"Is that… in Sumeru?"

Rakavi snorts in laughter and shakes her head. "Nope. Its far far away." 

"If its so far away, how'd you end up in Inazuma?" Lumine piques up.

"Good question. I dunno. I was fighting this tall starry looking thing and next thing I knew I was here."

The footsteps stop for a moment, and Rakavi stops to turn to Lumine. Her hand is on her chin and she seems deep in thought. 

"Did it have white hair? A godly presence?" Lumine asks, hope in her eyes.

Rakavi feels her mind flash back to the vision she saw. Ah… that thing Lumine fought. Rakavi shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. More monstrous. Fought with water powers."  

Lumine visibly deflates. It makes Rakavi's heart sink, and so she decides a change in topic was best. "So. I've heard your name tossed around quite a bit, but I have yet to hear the details of your daring do. Wanna tell me along the way to the city?" 

This seems to get Lumine to perk up. She breaks out into a grin and begins to tell her story, making grand poses while Paimon chimes in every now and then. It makes Rakavi feel a warm fondness in her chest. 

Was this what Venat felt? Back in Elpis, when she spoke of her own adventure?

Rakavi smiles. But as Lumine speaks of her previous powers, and the strange blonde man, she can't help but bring her reminiscing to a halt.

"So… this man. Dainsleif? Do you know how to get into contact with him?" 

Lumine looks at her with a curious gaze. "No. He seems to come and go as he pleases."

Rakavi hums and brushes a finger against her lips as she thinks. She slows to a stop as her ears swivel back against her head under the straw hat. "Dainsleif… he may know more of what attacked me… I'll keep that name in mind." 

She waves her hand as she shelves the thought for now. "Anyway, you said you fought a dragon huh? That's pretty impressive. How big was it?" 

"It was SO big! Like- it must have been bigger than 12 paimons! No, 20 paimons!" The little fairy floats around her as she says this.

Lumine rolls her eyes. "I don't think you are the best size reference, Paimon. I'd say it was bigger than 20 houses. " 

Rakavi chuckles at their banter. "Wow, that's pretty big."

Lumine places her hands on her hips before giving Rakavi a long stare. She tips her head. "You don't sound so surprised…"

"Eheh, please , you still have yet to regale me with the rest of your stories! I'm holding my applause till the end!"

Paimon takes this chance to excitedly launch into another story. As Rakavi walks, she can feel the traveler's gaze on her back. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she spots how her golden eyes are narrowed in distrust. A shiver makes its way up Rakavi's spine, and she glances to the setting sun. 

It seems they would not arrive in the city before the night came. But there was no reason to stop now. She only hopes that Thoma has set out a bedroll for the two of them upon their arrival. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time they arrive in the city, the moon is already high in the sky, and the three of them are dragging their heels as they make their way to the bottom of the tree at the entrance of the grand city. Lumine leans against it as she beholds the glittering lights before her, almost like little decorative lights placed on a bookshelf. Lumine seems to be in awe of the city, as she stands there silently gazing upon it. 

After a moment they begin to climb the stairs into the city. Rakavi's tail idly swishes from beneath her robes as she attempts to climb the stairs despite the restricted movement, and Lumine is kind enough to wait for her to catch up. Finally, they reach the top of the stairs, and the group of three take a moment to gaze out at the land. Lumine glances at the ocean, her gaze follows the horizon, catching the rolling fields, the mountain, and then finally, Rakavi. 

Rakavi nods and moves to continue walking, but stops when the Traveler does not follow. Instead, she takes a only a few steps forward, and faces the crystalline statue they had both been standing next to. It was nestled in a pedestal, with red crystal as the main centerpiece. Lumine holds out her hand, and brushes her palm against the surface. 

The crystal suddenly hums and flashes, before turning a deep blue. It lifts from its pedestal and begins to gently float in place, bobbing every now and then. Lumine turns back to Rakavi with a nod. But Rakavi can only stare, eyes wide with intrigue. 

The miqo'te tips her head. “What did you do?” 

Lumine frowns, glancing back to it. “I just… activated it?”

“ ‘Activated’ it?” Rakavi probs. 

Lumine shrugs. “Yeah. I don't know what they are but they seem to be some kind of really old transportation device.”

Rakavi's brows furrow as she looks back to the statue. 

‘I wonder…’

She steps forward and holds her hand out, and concentrates for a moment. 

Sure enough, with a brief flash, Rakavi feels the familiar sensation of aether flowing and briefly tethering to her. The tell tale sign of attuning to an Aethernet. Rakavi's arm falls back at her side and her shoulders slump, and she stares with wide eyes at the statue. 

‘You're kidding me. Right?’  

Her eye twitches.

She could have been using an Aethernet this entire goddamn time??

Rakavi reaches up to rub her face, resisting the urge to groan. Well… at least she knew about it now. She glances back to the Traveler and Paimon who are staring at her curiously. Well, Paimon is. The Traveler was gazing at her with something closer to suspicion, however the expression swiftly changes to something more friendly. 

“Where to now?” Lumine asks, with a sweet tip of her head. 

Rakavi glances to the path that skirts off to the side, deciding that if Lumine was not going to address that whole thing, then so be it. Let her come to her own conclusions. For now Rakavi would focus on just getting her to their destination. The group of three walk down the stone path, passing by some drunkards going home early for the night. They soon reach the teahouse. The lady outside stops them, questioning their garb (much to their dismay) before Rakavi steps forward to vouch for them. It only takes her and Thoma's seal of approval before they are let into the premises. 

They take off their shoes, and step carefully onto the tatami mat. Like usual, the teahouse is silent, and Taroumaru sits patiently on the counter. The dog licks its nose, and flicks its ear in their general direction. As this happens, Rakavi can feel her mind beginning to leave her. She was starting to check out when Thoma's voice startles her back into reality. 

“-I was beginning to think you forgot about me! What's wrong? Not used to seeing me in this form?”

Rakavi blinks again. Then she stares. Was Thoma…? Was Thoma pretending to be…the dog??

“So… you're a dog?” Lumine inquires. 

And the Traveler believes him??

Rakavi has to cover her mouth to conceal her snickers before Thoma finally reveals himself from behind the counter, giggling as he puts his hands up. 

When the laughter dies down Thoma's expression grows grim. Rakavi listens in to their conversation silently as Thoma apologizes for the test from this morning. Her ears perk up when she hears a familiar name. Kazuha. Thoma had briefly rehashed his story, along with his friend. Rakavi's eyes flit to Lumine as Thoma speaks. The blonde was listening with a respectable amount of mistrust, and also intrigue. Thoma wraps up the conversation with an offer to show them the statue of the Omnipresent God. 

“-but! Its late. You two should get some rest. Its not much, but we booked an inn room for you both. I will meet you by the statue in the morning.”

He smiles, and hands them both a letter. Rakavi sighs in relief. Finally, an actual room, and not the storeroom of the teahouse! Rakavi thinks she could use the rest. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The inn room is modest, with three futons prepared for them. They all retreat to their respective bedrolls, and only when Rakavi begins to retrieve her sleepwear does Lumine speak up once again. 

“You aren't from this world, are you?” 

Rakavi pauses, and turns to look at Lumine. Paimon stares at Lumine with wide eyes before looking back to Rakavi, waiting for her answer. 

Well… it wasn't like she was trying to hide it. Rakavi shrugs. “No. I'm not. But you aren't from this world either, so I figured I wouldn't have to hide it around you.”

Lumine's eyes widen in shock. “You knew?”

Rakavi raises a brow. “You both scream extra terrestrial being in just your clothing alone.”

The two of them simultaneously groan. Paimon is the one to speak up, now with excitement in her eyes. “But wait! How did you get here then?? You said something about fighting, and you ended up here! So what's the story??”

Rakavi frowns. “It's a long story but… i'll see if I can give the short version… basically, I was on an expedition into this shadowy dimension we call the void. I was with three other people. Two of which are very dear to me. We encountered a strange portal, and that starry creature pulled my friend in. I went after her. We both ended up in this other weird starry place, with a bunch of portals, and my friend fell into one portal, and I tugged the monster into another. I ended up on Watatsumi Island, and I killed the monster. But was gravely injured, and the leader of the island took me in. Now I am indebted to the rebellion.”

Rakavi rifles through her things to pull out her sketchbook full of her Echo visions. “Unfortunately, im stuck here until Inazuma opens it's borders. So I can't look for my friend. My only clue is well… this.”

Rakavi hands the sketch to Lumine and Paimon, both of which gasp, and Paimon exclaims, “Hey! Thats in Mondstadt! It's Windrise! How did you paint Windrise so perfectly if you have been stuck here this whole time??” 

Rakavi shifts from where she was sitting. Should she tell them? Would they believe her? She glances at Lumine and Paimon, who are now sitting patiently in front of her. Rakavi takes a deep breath. 

“Well… in my world, there is a rare gift we call the Echo. It grants many boons, one of which is visions of the past and present. I… I draw all of my visions in that sketchbook.” She nods to the sketchbook in Lumine's hands. After a moment of silence, Rakavi adds, “I still have yet to record my most recent vision… I… you saw it happen. My head hurts when I get a vision…”

Lumine glances back up at her, realization on her face. “Oh… so that's what that was? What did you see?”

Rakavi's gaze softens, hesitating for a brief moment. “I saw the moment your brother was taken from you.”

The room goes silent. The way Lumine's face falls as she makes a soft ‘oh’ makes something in Rakavi's heart twinge. After a few more moments of silence, Rakavi retrieves her sketchbook, and decides it was time to prepare for bed. She removes her hat, and begins to strip down. 

“You said you were searching for your friend? Well maybe we co-” Lumine cuts herself off.

Rakavi blinks in confusion, and turns back to Lumine. Both her and Paimon are staring in utter shock at her. Or rather, something above her? No. On her head? …Ah. Rakavi's ears twitch, and their eyes follow the movement.

“What?” Rakavi questions, raising a brow.

They both scramble to say it was nothing before turning to get ready for bed themselves. Rakavi sighs and returns to getting dressed. After slipping on her sleepwear, she digs around in her Aetherpouch for her makeup remover. As she does so, her finger bumps something. Something round and smooth. She frowns, and pulls it out.

Right. It was technically the reason they were in this mess. 

Rakavi runs her thumb along the crack in the broken Linkshell pearl. She closes her eyes and bites her cheek. When they were in their expedition, some voidsent tried to get a hit on her. They missed, but managed to catch her linkpearl in the process. Deciding it was best to not proceed with broken communication devices, they were supposed to return to the voidgate and retrieve a replacement. Only to be cornered and separated from Estinien and Zero via that lizard creature in the tunnels. They were lucky to have previously scouted said tunnels, and were able to reunite. But then that blasted portal just had to show up.

Rakavi sighs and sets it back into her bag. She manages to find her makeup remover, and begins to remove the makeup she had used to cover her stripes. She makes a careful effort to brush out her tail, her hair, and to glance at her companions before she finally, finally, settles down into her futon to rest for the evening. 

Gods. She feels like she needs it.

She sighs, and closes her eyes. At the very least, she knows the name of the place she had seen Y'shtola end up.

Windrise. Mondstadt. 

She hoped Y'shtola was safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…small hands dig into the sand, cupping the grains in soft palms, letting it shift through stubby fingers. 

Distantly, she can hear the chattering of people, other children. She glances up, watching the faded shapes mingle and separate as the children play. The sand glitters in the afternoon sun. Only disturbed by sandals and boots kicking it up, marring its perfect coverage over the stone and grass. 

Slowly, she blinks. Her gaze drags over the sand, landing upon soft patches of green shrubs. Her eyes trail up the bush-

Her ears flatten against her head at a loud shutter of a wingbeat. She glances in front of her once more from where she squats. 

Amidst the blotches of color and vague shapes, a tiny bird pecks at the sand from where it had landed. It has it's back to her, allowing her to see it's feathers. 

Blue. She had never seen a blue animal before. Bluer than the sky. Bluer than her eyes. Bluer than any paint she could hope to get her hands on. Its eyes were gentle, legs barely the size of a twig. Its long tail feathers swept the sand out from beneath it. Cobalt feathers shutter and fluff out. 

A call rings out. Her name.

Rakavi.

She should show them. She would let it go of course, but her parents would love to see such a gorgeous bird. And she desperately wished to know if those feathers were as soft as they looked.

Slowly, she reaches out, and grasps the bird in her hands. It struggles, and she tightens her grip, her ears flatten as her mouth gaps in dismay. She had to show her parents before it flew away- 

She doesn't hear it break. Rather, she feels it. The way it snaps, and the way it has no time to make a sound. 

Her hands shake as shadows loom over her. 

She opens her hands that cup the bird. Strings of flesh connect her palms, the crumpled form of the bird rests in her palms. Bones peek out from feathers, and she closes her hands-

“What…wh-what have you done?”

She looks behind her, up at the familiar faces. 

Her mother, her father, stare down at her. One shuts their mouth, gulping slowly. The other's eyes widen in horror. 

Their mouths open once again. Speaking in unison.

“Wh-what have you done?”

Rakavi feels her heart in her throat. She says something, but she can't hear it. She lurches forward as the bird in her hands shifts, almost pulling her off balance from the weight of it. She glances back down at her hands.

A chill slithers up her spine. Familiar white locks tangle around her fingers. Skin stretches away from the now misaligned halves of the severed head. 

“What have you done?”

Globs of brain matter ooze over her hands, while the rest of it is now plopping onto her boots. One tooth catches the light as Rakavi takes a step back, a wail caught in her throat. 

“What have you done??”

The crushed head twitches. The white miqo'te ear flicks. Rakavi's heart beats against her ribcage, and her breath quickens. Her hands shake, until the head drops from her grasp in a mushy heap on the blacken floor. She steps back. 

Something grips her by the arms, and spins her around. 

Rakavi's gaze follows ashen arms up to where Y'shtola's should have been. Her body suspended above the ground. Her ribs expand, curl, and bend, lifting her body up like a spider's legs. 

“What have you done?!”

-"RAKAVI!”

Rakavi jolts awake, her body trembling, sweat pooling beneath her. As the world around her stops spinning, she realizes she must have stopped breathing at some point. She swallows the bile rising in her throat as she rests her head back down, trying desperately to catch her breath. She felt cold, and jolts away from the hot fingers that graze her skin. 

Slowly, sound returns to her. 

“Rakavi?... are you ok?”

Taking a gulp of air, her eyes follow the voice. Two pairs of eyes gaze at her in concern. One golden, and the other a starry silver. They slowly come into focus, and Rakavi swallows again. Lumine begins to slowly rub her arm. 

“Rakavi…?”

Pain spikes up her arm, from her knuckles to her wrist. Slowly she glances down. Shards of glass stick out from between her knuckles, mixed with pieces of wood. Rakavi's heart drops as she recognizes the remains of a bowl of rice, and a wooden tray. 

“They brought breakfast… I was going to let you sleep but… then you started crying out… I didn't think you would lash out…” Lumine explains.

Slowly, Rakavi sits up. Ears flat against her head, she grimaces. First, frustration blooms, and then shame. She glances away from Lumine. 

“I… I'm sorry. For lashing out… and that you had to see that…” She murmurs, beginning to pick the shards out from her fist. Her hands were still shaking.

Fabric rustles, and Lumine's petite yet calloused hands grasp her own. She glances up. Lumine shakes her head. 

“Don't be.” Lumine whispers. 

Slowly, the Traveler begins to pick the shards from her skin. Her hands were steady, therefore far more suited for the job at that moment. Rakavi's gaze softens. 

Finally, and as usual, Paimon breaks the silence. This time her voice is far more cautious and soft. “Do you get bad dreams a lot…?” 

Rakavi is silent for a moment, debating her answer. “Yeah… almost every night now… I used to take medicine, but I have a friend that… she can control what dreams I have. Works a lot better than the medicine. But… she is struggling to stretch her power to this world. And… well the meds make me less alert. Sometimes forgetful. And I can't afford that in my line of work.” 

They are both quiet for a moment before Lumine speaks. “You aren't just an adventurer. Are you? What exactly is your line of work, huh?”

Rakavi lets out a humorous chuckle. “You got me…” she trails off. She bites her lip before speaking again. “The simplest way to put it is that I am a hero… one chosen by a goddess. Thats what the Echo is. Its her mark… but… saving the world… It does things to you. There are things I wish I didn't remember. I lost… someone close to me. And every day i'm scared I'll lose another. But sometimes its not that im scared of the world taking them away…” Rakavi swallows, and turns her gaze to Lumine's. “Let's just say my strength is both a blessing, and a curse. ”

Her free hand gives Lumine a calculated squeeze. That, in combination with her words makes Lumine's eyes widen. Rakavi glances away, letting her continue her ministrations on Rakavi's hand. 

“...Is Y'shtola the friend you are looking for?” 

Rakavi looks back to Lumine, eyes wide in surprise. “How'd you guess?”

Lumine shrugs. “You were calling out her name in your sleep. I suspected it was someone close.”

Rakavi nods, but doesnt answer. She looks back to the tatami mat. 

Y'shtola.

She squeezes her eyes shut. Her lips purse as her mind replays the events from her dream in her head. The tattered black dress, the ribs, but primarily the way her shattered head had looked in her hands. The sound it had made in combination with her heart thudding in her ears. Something rises in her throat, and she covers her mouth, swallowing whatever was coming up. 

Slowly, she lays back down, feeling the cold sweat return. Slowly, her eyes open, watching Lumine's face as she works. Rakavi closes her eyes, repeating in her head.

Y'shtola is alright.

That was not her.

Y'shtola is alright.

…

…right?

Chapter Text

Hey guys! I just wanted to post a quick update here since I have been gone for a bit, which while I know is the usual for me, but this time I have a reason, and you probably all know it. 

I stopped playing genshin sometime after the natlan characters first got their designs released before the natlan story. I like many people were very frustrated with the direction the designs went. I had been waffling on wether or not I wanted to continue this fic or not, as I originally planned for this story to end sometime after the sumeru main quest (but before the fontaine storyline), as well as a sequel fic afterward. But nowadays, esspecially with the release of the cow girl, I feel so so uncomfortable with the game, the cow girl essentially being the final straw. I decided to come on here and let you know that unless I miraculously get inspiration for this, this fic is discontinued. 

While there are aspects of the game I still love, I just don't like the direction it has gone. And a lot of the choices they have made have frankly killed my motivation for writing this. I don't really know why it killed this one fic specifically, as I still have two ideas I wouldn't mind writing in the future, but that is the gist of it. I hope to maybe come back to this in the future, as I would like to actually finish writing a story for once. 

Love you all! Thank you all so much for the support! (Dont worry, I am still working on writing some fanfics, albeit a bit slowly!)

(Btw, if you guys are interested, I can tell you all what I had planned in a second update chapter)