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Chapter Text

When The Traveller was released from the wrath of the wind, finally regaining her balance mid-air after tumbling haphazardly for a panicked interval, instead of attempting to get away from the dragon, to fly back to safe ground, a sudden resolve hardened within her. Hovering there, blinking away the tears in her stinging eyes, she locked in on the giant, rampaging beast as it writhed and rolled and felt an unexpected certainty. A will to fight, when seconds before she had been rushing to get out of the firing line, struggling to break free from the terrifying vacuum that had swept her up and away. An inexplicable compulsion to pursue this dragon. And so, with the unnatural presence of upward gusts fueling her glider’s feathers, preserving her high altitude, with a lack of a sound plan or anything really, The Traveler surged forward to attack.

How is this happening? A dim corner of her conscious wondered silently as she soared levelly atop the clouds. An unfamiliar voice answered as if she had spoken- “I’m preventing your fall with the power of a thousand winds.”

Instead of questioning the origin of this speaker, the strange, blanketing tranquility enabled The Traveller to accept their presence, abide by their words.

“Now, concentrate,” they commanded, a soft, gentle pitch colouring their tone; sounding almost.. childish. “See yourself grasping the wind. Harness its energy.”

Somehow, she knew exactly how to coax the elemental energy out of the atmosphere around her- all at once, Anemo power thrummed through The Traveller’s veins, and she threw out an open palm towards her target as the creature weaved and dove. Shining, translucent bursts of wind rocketed out, striking her enemy, and she concentrated on keeping her arm steady, tailing the dragon, gaining closer and closer until-

The creature, angered, let out a rending screech from its maw that reverberated in The Traveler’s ear and she hesitated, pulling back as it shot upwards without warning, doubling back to veer past and out of sight.

She stared after its wake for a few moments, eyes wide, the initial fear ebbing slowly back in as sense returned. And, soon, coming to the delayed realization that the dragon was gone. With that, irritation at the missed opportunity. But, of course, the only option for now was to admit defeat.

She began her gradual, spiraling descent down- the high turrets and churning windmills of Mondstadt soon revealed behind the thinning veil of clouds. Spotting the red outline of Amber, she alighted on the cobbles nearby, stumbling slightly on impact.

"A-Are you hurt?" Amber asked, rushing up to The Traveler as she landed back and catching her shoulders to steady her amateur attempt at a landing. The Traveller shook her head in reply, still a little too dazed by the whole ordeal to produce words.

A slow, dragging clap caught their attention, stark against the cacophony of the windstorm. One.. two.. three. Slicing the still air and mimicked by answering echoes rippling out across the deserted square. Amber glanced up, towards the source, and her expression changed. The Traveller mirrored her, lifting her head- and saw a stranger, mere meters away, strolling towards them.

A man. High leather boots, loud against the stone. A thick brown belt, slung around his waist, decorated at his side with a glowing icy orb. An elaborate blue jacket slung over a half-buttoned shirt. What looked like the remains of a fur coat hanging over one shoulder. A black eyepatch and a singular, glinting, diamond-blue eye- deceptively earnest as he brought his gloved hands together one last time.

“You’ve actually got the power to go up against the dragon,” he said, eyebrows lifting. He cocked his head, and at once, his gaze was piercing.

“Are you a new ally, or a new storm?”

Almost sounding like a challenge; a threat.

The Traveller gazed up at him, teetering uncertainly on how she should react, somewhat affronted by his silent appraisal. She looked towards Amber, who launched into a report on “Stormterror’s” attack, and soon introduced the newcomer at his teasing request- ‘Kaeya, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius’.

Chapter Text

With a last bid goodbye to Venti, The Traveler departed from the wide shade of the Windrise tree, Paimon floating alongside her shoulder. Bound for the next stop of their journey. The bard picked up his harp in her wake, idly plucking strings, and the sweet notes drifted across the open field. Humming faintly- puzzling out the lines and rhymes to the Ballad of the Brave Outlander.

The Traveler swished through grass til she reached the sandy path, and followed its curved line up towards the hill while Paimon upheld a steady stream of conversation that she only nodded or grinned fondly in reply to.

“Paimon can’t believe we’re going already!” she said. “It feels like we’ve only just arrived in Mondstadt. And we’ve made so many new friends! Aw, Paimon’s gonna miss them all… Maybe even that Tone Deaf Bard.” Paimon glanced quickly back- he had already disappeared from his post by the tree trunk, its roots only populated now with two landing storks.

“Still, we’ve done a lot in such a short amount of time, haven’t we, Traveler?” Paimon continued, happy as always to keep chattering. “We saved Dvalin from the Abyss, saved Mondstadt, and a bunch of other cool stuff! We make a pretty good team, don’t we?” She gave a thumbs up, looking smug. The Traveler had the grace to not point out that the most Paimon contributed to this alleged ‘team’ was coming up with her trademark ‘ugly nicknames’ for new acquaintances.

As the two crested the hill, the distant city of Mondstadt came into view, outlined against the strengthening light of the afternoon sun- a warm yellow glow tinting edges of the wheeling windmill blades and imposing stone walls. Gazing at it, The Traveler felt a certain strain of happiness; the contentment of recognizing your home. It had been less than a week and yet, she felt such a connection to this city and the people that lived within it.  

Paimon came to a stop, staring at the spectacle with wide eyes. “Woah! It looks so pretty from here! Mondstadt sure is a great place.” The Traveler nodded in silent agreement. Its scale was truly impressive.

“You know, it almost doesn’t feel right to just leave everyone behind so suddenly…”  Paimon mused aloud. The Traveler couldn’t help but agree. After the relentless events and adventures of recent, exiting the nation in such an unclimactic way felt unnatural. Still, there was no remedy to this issue, was there? They had to hurry to Liyue in time for the Rite of Descension.

The Traveler allowed herself another moment to drink the sight in, before walking forth.

“Hey, so, Paimon was just thinking,” Paimon popped up in front of her, forcing The Traveler to halt. “We should probably get some supplies from the shops in the city before we go. It’ll be a long road ahead of us, after all. You never know when we’ll be bogged in by hilichurls or something!” She trailed off, tapping her fingers together sheepishly, before finally adding- “And we could.. maybe say a real goodbye to some of our friends while we’re at it..?”

The Traveler frowned. The idea was tempting, but… “Paimon, don’t we have to leave for Liyue right away?”

“Paimon knows! But, we’ll have enough time to make a teensy detour, right?” Paimon craned her neck to look up at the position of the sun, almost toppling over mid-air in the process. “It looks like there’s still enough time. Traveling to Liyue usually takes around 5 hours by foot, and if we start out by sunset, we’ll definitely arrive at least 10 hours before the Rite of Descension begins. We might even have time to book an inn for the night and get some rest!”

The Traveler watched Paimon uncertainly, not fully convinced. Though in the end, she had no say in the matter- Paimon’s excitement getting the best of her as she tugged The Traveler by the hand, towards Mondstadt’s bridge.

“Ooh, come on, come on! Paimon can’t just leave! We’ve collected enough Mora to buy a big supply of food to last on the trip over. And.. maybe we could even buy another Sticky Honey Roast?”

By the time The Traveler was ordering a selection of meats and condiments from Mondstadt General Goods, she and Paimon had completed a quick circuit of the town and exchanged parting words with many familiar faces- stopping first at Angel’s Share to find Diluc working at the bar, of whom refused to let the two leave without accepting a bottle of fine wine (amidst Paimon’s whispered complaints that he wasn’t offering a more ‘generous parting gift’: Mora), making a pitstop at the church to apologise one final time to Barbara, and lastly running through the office of the Knights of Favonius to meet Jean, securing a promise that she would pass on The Traveler’s regards to Lisa and Kaeya, both of whom the Acting Grand Master had no inclination of where they could be. However, she had estimated that Amber was currently patrolling the town and that they might catch her on her rounds, so Paimon kept an eager eye out for the girl as The Traveler handed a bag of Mora over the counter.
The Traveler’s leather pack had been filled to the brim with various useful materials, potions to lessen the impact of elemental attacks and enhance Anemo abilities, and snacks for the road, as well as a pretty green gemstone Paimon had drooled over while passing the window of With Wind Comes Glory (which Paimon would not move on from, causing the Traveler to defeatedly purchase the useless, heavy rock). All they required now were ingredients for cooking meals on the road, enough to last until they arrived in Liyue Harbour, and this soon was produced before The Traveler in the form of a tightly-wrapped paper bundle.

Thanking Blanche, The Traveler placed the package gingerly into her overcrowded bag and was just rebuttoning the flap when Paimon shouted- “Look!” -making her flinch in surprise.

A large, dark shape spiraled above the village houses, getting gradually closer. The silhouette was instantly recognizable.

“It’s Amber!” Paimon exclaimed.

The Outrider landed effortlessly on both feet, hopping towards them with a wide grin. “Honourary Knight! I heard you were planning to leave soon. Oh, I’m so glad I could see you one last time before you left!”

“We came back here one last time to gather supplies before heading out,” Paimon explained. “And to say proper goodbyes to everyone.”

“Well, isn’t this lucky! And there I was worrying I wouldn’t be able to give you your lucky charm after all.” She rummaged briefly through the small bag at her hip, pulling out a whole, puffy dandelion that shimmered faintly. “Here. It’s a dandelion infused with Anemo energy. There’s a legend that these dandelions are blessed by Lord Barbatos himself! It should bring you luck on your journeys.”

The Traveler accepted her gift with a grateful smile, packing it safely into an inside pocket of her travelling bag.  

“Are you sure you’ve got enough supplies?” Amber asked. “And don’t forget all your wind glider training! It’ll be really helpful to use when-“

A call from across the village square cut her off. "I've heard that you're leaving Mondstadt tonight." Kaeya strolled up, seemingly materializing out of thin air. Paimon jumped back in the air as his voice sounded out. 

"Kaeya! You scared Paimon,” she protested. He smirked at this, before redirecting his attention towards The Traveler.

“So soon, isn’t it? Such a shame. It feels like you’ve only just arrived. And we have so very much to thank you for. Mondstadt has entered a new age of peace all thanks to you.”

“I’d love to stay,” The Traveler admitted. “I’ve made a lot of memories. But.. I need to find my brother. The Rite of Descension is happening soon in Liyue, and I want to ask the Geo Archon about my twin. He might have some information.”

“Is that so?” Kaeya tilted his head like a curious hound, pupils glittering with a light interest. “And, say, if you were offered an additional member to join your adventuring party, would you object?”

“WHAT?” Paimon and Amber screeched simultaneously, causing The Traveler to hastily cover both ears.

Paimon, comically enraged, stamped her foot into the empty air with all the conviction she could muster. “You? Come with us? No way! You tricked us only days ago, remember? How could we trust that you’re not going to stab us in the back and take all our precious Mora?!”

“Please,” Kaeya lifted one unaffected shoulder. “You really take me for such a crook? I could be a valuable helper, you know. Consider me your ‘personal guard’.”

Amber crossed her arms, forehead creased, sizing him up critically. “This is too strange. I’ve never heard you make such a generous offer in your life. What gives?”

“Isn’t it reason enough to want to repay our Honourary Knight for her bravery?” Kaeya implored. “Shouldn’t we, as Knights, bear a duty to protect her as she has so selflessly protected our great city? The world out there can be a dangerous place. And already, she’s been targeted by the Fatui. Who knows what other adversaries lay out there?”

“Wh- Hey! How do you know about the attack?” Paimon demanded.

“I heard too; Jean debriefed all the knights on the situation,” Amber explained, casting a worried glance at the Traveler.

"Besides, things have been slower than ever around here since the Grand Master left,” Kaeya continued. “For now, guiding you sounds far more interesting than any of the usual... Favonius stuff." 

“Paimon’s The Traveler’s guide, not you,” Paimon shot back. “She doesn’t need another guide!” Her protests went ignored.

"Hmm." Amber bounced from front to back, circling Kaeya’s figure, checking every inch of him with great suspicion. Her large hairbow flopped up and down as she surveyed his left arm, then his boot, and even got in close to investigate the fur on his cloak- as if he'd buried something incriminating inside. "You're hiding something aren't you, Kaeya?" 

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," he replied smoothly. 

Amber stepped back, hands on her hips. "You, taking your work seriously? I've never heard of it. What are you getting out of this?" 

"No faith in your cavalry captain? I'm hurt," Kaeya said. 

"It's not that, it's just- Hmph... What do you think of this, Traveler?" 

The Traveler was silent for a moment, deep in thought. And then, she smiled. “I see no issue with Kaeya joining us. He could be a good help, and we could always do with the extra company, couldn’t we, Paimon?”

Paimon harrumphed, turning her back on The Traveler. “But he… He-! Argh. Paimon isn’t sure…”

“The Knights have been kind to us,” The Traveler prompted her gently. “Mr Kaeya may have tricked us, but he was only doing his job. I don’t think he means us any harm.”

“Don’t take it personally. I was only fulfilling my duty as a Knight,” Kaeya agreed solemnly. “Besides, you were compensated handsomely for your great troubles. I thought you liked the sword?”

Paimon hesitated, her face appearing from behind her back. “Hm… Maybe.” Though the glint in her eyes betrayed her greedy approval for the ‘rare treasure’ Kaeya had given her. “Ugh. I guess we could do with some extra help,” she relented.

Amber’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like this… Still, I see no wrong with it,” she sighed reluctantly. “Alright. I’ll let Jean know you’re leaving with The Traveler, Kaeya.”

“Already taken care of,” Kaeya said. “I have her explicit permission.”

“Fine. I guess it really is okay…” she deflated visibly, before her tense energy returned and she pointed accusingly at the man. “If you try anything shifty, I’ll roast you into ash! You better take care of our Honourary Knight like you say!”

"Don't worry, Amber,” Paimon chirped up proudly. “Any hurt comes to the Traveler and Paimon will beat him up! She’s safe with Paimon here protecting her." 

"Oh, really?" Amber said. "I had no idea you know how to swordfight, Paimon! I didn't think there'd even be a sword forged that fits your size! Wow, I'm relieved..." 

"Ehe, yep..!" Paimon beamed sheepishly. The Traveler chose to keep her mouth shut for now.

"Enough talking," Kaeya interrupted. "We better get going. Unless you want to miss the Rite of Descension? Whispers in the street say it’s only a day or two away." 

“Right,” Paimon nodded. “Well… Welcome to the team, Kaeya.”

“Thank you for your help,” The Traveler said.

“It’s an honour to travel with you both- the legendary heroes of Mondstadt,” Kaeya inclined his head lavishly.

“Oh, blah, blah! Enough of the sweet talk from you, let’s go,” Paimon said, flying stubbornly ahead of them.

“Promise me you won’t let any harm come to The Traveler,” Amber demanded of Kaeya. “Not only is she our hero, but she’s my friend. I’m trusting you to deliver her safely to her destination and beyond, Kaeya.” The Traveler had never seen the upbeat young girl so stern, and it warmed her heart to see her so concerned for her- however unnecessary.

"I'll protect her," he pledged, placing an earnest hand over his heart. “You have my word as Cavalry Captain.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean much,” Amber grumbled under her breath. “You barely do your Captain duties…” She turned to The Traveler and hugged her tight. “Safe travels, okay? And visit us all any time. We’ll definitely meet each other again!”

The Traveler nodded and smiled at her as she pulled away.

“And, I sincerely hope you find your brother,” Amber told her, beaming brightly. “Goodbye!”

And so, the traveling party set out from Mondstadt as the sun sunk below the horizon and the sky above seethed with a swirling inferno of pink and red.  Paimon rushing ahead, her trail of sparkles marking the way, and The Traveler with her newest companion in step by her side- Kaeya Alberich, leaving his life in Mondstadt behind in pursuit of new horizons and true fun.

Chapter Text

The three journeyed through the strengthening shadows, following the path built by adventurers past that cut around the edges of Mondstadt’s forest and through its middle, eventually leading all the way to the nation of Liyue. They walked in-step with each other- the Traveler in the middle, Kaeya to her left and Paimon floating on the side opposite to Kaeya wearily. The atmosphere was amicable, however, with Paimon maintaining her trademark unending conversation that was mostly exclusively addressed to The Traveler.

“I hope you’re both good with walking long distances,” Paimon was saying. “If we keep going without stopping, we might make it in time to book a good night’s rest at a Liyue inn instead of camping out in the night!” The Traveler gave her a resolute thumbs up. She was definitely in favour of this idea.

“Why,” Kaeya asked. “Afraid of the cold, Paimon?”

“Not at all!” Paimon said, then hesitated. “Well... Maybe a little bit. Since The Traveler and Paimon started staying at a hotel in Mondstadt, it’s kind of impossible for us to camp out in the wild again. It’s just too… Um… Dark! And dangerous! And uncomfortable.”

“Hm,” Kaeya said, clearly unconvinced. “Well, either way, you don’t have to worry about my stamina. Ever since Grand Master Varka took away all of the cavalry, I’ve been doing all my errands on foot. You could say I’m rather used to walking long distances now.” He sounded mildly irritated at the mention.

“Okay, good,” Paimon nodded. “Just checking! Because if you were going to make us miss our warm, comfy beds, Paimon might’ve had to ditch you.”

“Hey!” Kaeya replied, his tone laced with joking hurt. “You’d really choose your bed over me? How cold.”

“Uhuh, Paimon would,” she nodded again, flying ahead. “Especially after you chose your mission over telling your friends the truth!”

The Traveler shrugged at Kaeya, who chuckled under his breath.

There were little people about along the road as the night deepened, but as they skirted the edge of Springvale and its emanating glow that spilled out to light the party’s moving feet, a few children rushed over to point and shout at the sight of the legendary Honourary Knight and the Cavalry Captain together, traveling somewhere unknown.

One child was brave enough to break away and run up to Kaeya. “Mr Kaeya, Mr Kaeya! What are you doing here with the Honourary Knight? Where are you going? Are you leaving Mondstadt?”

Kaeya leaned over to his level, smiling. “I am. For now. I’m going on a special quest with our esteemed Honourary Knight here.” There were ‘ooh’s from the gathered kids.

“Will you ever come back?” A girl called out.

He nodded. “I will be back- sometime very soon. Until then, do you think you could protect Mondstadt for me?”

“Of course!” A tall boy boomed, puffing out his chest. “You can count on me, Mr Kaeya. I’ll keep the hilichurls and monsters away while you’re gone. My mum says I’ll be a Knight one day. I can do it!”

Kaeya stretched back up, placing a hand on his hips. “Haha. Well, that definitely makes me feel much better knowing that, Pepe,” he said. “Do try to leave some hilichurls for me when I return, though. Otherwise, Jean might just replace me.”

The kids giggled- but they were soon silenced by a sharp call shattering the hush of the night.

“Pepe!”

The ‘future Knight’ kid scratched his neck, gaze downcast. “That’s my mom. It’s getting late. I have to go home now.”

A chorus of agreement went through the rest and they all turned and ran for their houses, shouting goodbyes over their shoulders.

“The kids seem to love you,” The Traveler remarked as they continued on past the village.

Kaeya shrugged. “You get to know a lot of people with the job. Especially the locals.” He smirked. “I.. don’t know exactly why, but children always seem to be drawn to me.”

“Like Klee!” Paimon broke in. “Klee says you’re her favourite.”

“She says that for everyone, Paimon,” Kaeya advised her.

“Oh.”

They went through the Windwail Highland and around the border of Dawn Winery, the moon rising into the sky.

“I really hope we don’t come across any hilichurls!” Paimon piped up. “Paimon heard from Ella Musk one time that some hilichurl tribes around Mondstadt become more active at night- especially midnight, which is now. She’s always saying about how some have different cultures or.. something. Beats Paimon.”

“I’m sure they’re all scared away by the sound of your voice, Paimon,” Kaeya reassured her slyly.

“Paimon’s chatter is the best hilichurl deterrent!” The Traveler proclaimed.

“Um… Paimon can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

“Speaking of, how do you tell the time so accurately, Paimon?” Kaeya asked her. “Or is it an innate instinct only held by accomplished adventurer such as yourself?”

“Oh, it’s easy,” Paimon chuckled, looking smug. “You see, you only have to look at the placement of the sun or the direction of the stars depending on what time of day it is, and-!”

Paimon launched into a long-winded ramble about her ‘very complex’ technique that ‘not many people can understand, so it’s a good thing The Traveler found Paimon’; Kaeya nodding along seriously and feigning great interest. The Traveler was pretty impressed so far with how well Kaeya was holding up against Paimon’s eternal talking- where most other people would presumably find it grating, he often quirked his lips in a half-smile or laughed softly at her words. One could almost say he fit into the party perfectly.

Halfway through the trek, on the banks of Dihua Marsh, the group discovered an abandoned, charred heap of an adventurer’s campfire, still smoking weakly. Paimon was finally persuaded to take a rest when bribed with talks of cooking up some dinner, and the travelers shrugged off their packs onto the flat dirt. The Traveler rubbed some sticks together over the pit, using her Anemo abilities with nuance to coax the sparks into a healthy flame that warmed the surrounding frosty air. Kaeya offered to cook them his specialty Fruity Skewers, a twist on the classic Chicken and Mushroom skewers, and Paimon evidently approved- relishing every meaty, juicy bite rather vocally and licking the skewers clean. It was from then that a cautious truce was struck between Paimon and Kaeya; The Traveler sensing Paimon’s residual hostility towards Kaeya finally subsiding and dissipating. Such was the power of food.

After finishing their meal and moving on, a few hours later, the faraway beacon of Liyue Harbour materialized on the horizon.

“We’re almost there!” Paimon exclaimed, picking up speed. The Traveler chased her down the steep hill, and the three raced across the wooden bridge to the start of the town.

“We’ve finally arrived!” Paimon announced triumphantly. “Sheesh, Paimon hasn’t done that much flying before. She’s so tired…” Kaeya raised an eyebrow. “Come on, let’s find a place to stop for the night.”

They bustled into the first inn they came across- the Bailu Guesthouse, which fronted the lantern-lit harbour. The Traveler and Paimon took a room together, as always, with Kaeya disappearing through the neighbouring door after lightly adding, “Good night, you two. Don’t go getting killed in the night now. That’d certainly be no fun."

Paimon bunched her fists together, overcome with joy, as she spied the luxurious bed prepared in the corner of their room. She shot straight over and fell back into the white silk sheets with both arms extended gratefully.

“Aah,” Paimon sighed. “So comfortable… Paimon’s never gonna go back to camping outside ever again!”

The Traveler shook her head in half-hearted disapproval before removing her heels and stepping through the threshold. She placed her travel bag on the carved wooden vanity at the far wall and then joined Paimon in her appreciation of the bed, flopping back into the ample space unoccupied by her companion’s small frame. It didn’t take too long for them to be whisked off to sweet, feathery dreams. Paimon’s being a picture-perfect scene of the Geo Archon floating towards them amidst a backdrop of bright Liyue terraces, The Traveler at her side and beaming with glee. And The Traveler’s one where she sat next to that missing boy with the golden braid in the sky of a distant land, sharing laughs and each other’s simple, familiar company. A smile twitched its way across her slack lips in the darkness.

The Knight was soon too asleep- his watchful eye finally permitted to close after an hour of staring blankly at the ceiling, deliberating an unseen issue.

*************************************************************

The Traveler was pulled out of her dream with an incessant jostling movement and Paimon’s voice exclaiming- “It’s time, it’s time! Get up, Traveler! The Rite of Descension is today!”

The Traveler squinted at the too-bright room through blurred vision, blinking rapidly to clear her sight. Her head felt light and airy, but she shook herself to awareness, the urgency of attending the Rite of Descension shoving away any residual tiredness. She stretched her arms up to work out the aches in her muscles, biting back a yawn, and swiftly prepared for the day- snatching up her bag, pulling on her shoes and nabbing the complementary Liyue specialty sweets the inn staff had left on the bedside table and stuffing it in her backpack (The neat pile looked suspiciously smaller than last night).

“Come on, come on,” Paimon cajoled, “Hurry!” She yanked at the doorknob repeatedly, falling back a little as it finally gave way and swung open, before righting herself and zooming out the room. The Traveler followed, rushing to keep up.

Kaeya was already waiting for them in the lobby, leaning languidly up against the wall with both arms crossed when they descended the stairs. He smiled in recognition when he spied them.

“Good morning. I trust you had a restful sleep?” he asked, pushing away from the wall. “All we have to do now is pay the fee, and we’ll be off.”

He purposefully hung back as The Traveler approached the front desk. The reluctance wasn’t lost on Paimon, who called out, “Cheapskate!” to Kaeya as he laughed softly.

When The Traveler asked the woman behind the desk to pay for the two rooms, she nodded and unexpectedly pulled out a full-blown contract.

Paimon appeared at The Traveler’s side. “Oh, yep, that’s Liyue for you! Where Mondstadt is all about freedom, the people of Liyue are obsessed with contracts. They have a strong focus on business and trade, so no matter what it is, they always find a way to sneak in a contract or two!”

The clerk nodded. “That’s right. We like to keep our transactions official and tidy.”

The Traveler signed the disclaimer that no damage had come to the rooms, and then the part that clarified she agreed to pay the outlined amount for the stay. It all seemed rather excessive. Once finished, she produced a handful of Mora and pushed it across the counter.

“By the way, Miss Inn Lady,” Paimon said as the woman counted the coins and placed them into a box. “Do you know what time today, exactly, the Rite of Descension is?”

“Oh, the Rite of Descension?” the woman asked, temporarily suspending her counting. “It takes place around 10 o’clock every year.”

“Phew!” Paimon lowered slightly in the air. “Paimon was worried we’d be late. Guess we won’t miss Morax after all- I mean!” Paimon glanced hastily at the lady, who had moved on to sifting through work papers. “Rex Lapis. We won’t miss Rex Lapis.”

Paimon turned to The Traveler, and in a whisper that carried the usual loudness of her speaking voice and was blatantly audible to the desk attendant, explained- “It’s considered rude for outlanders to call the Geo Archon ‘Morax’, so we should call him ‘Rex Lapis’ instead, like the locals.” She swiveled back around to giggle innocently at the woman, who looked up, puzzled.

“If you… want to see Rex Lapis up close,” the clerk ventured uncertainly, blinking away her confusion, “You should definitely try to be early for the ceremony. The square gets so busy it’s hard to see anything at all, unless you make sure to grab a front-row seat before the main crowds arrive.”

“Oh no! Paimon relaxed too early,” Paimon said, flitting from place to place nervously. “Ooh, we-! We need to go. Let’s go!” She shot out the open double doors, The Traveler soon running after her companion, the straps of her white dress streaming out behind her like a sketched impression of a cape.

With a final gracious nod of thanks to the clerk Kaeya rushed out after them, a small grin on his face.

They raced through a confusing maze of streets and balconies, dodging and weaving through crowds of playing children and pedestrians, the scenery a patchwork of rich reds and green hues blending together. However, The Traveler began to think they had passed certain buildings already as they flew by- and weren’t they back in front of the inn now? They clattered up the large stone stairs next to the accommodation, alarming a few locals, and emerged onto an elevated level of streets overlooking the shifting seas of the harbour.

“Wait!” Paimon abruptly halted in the middle of the busy square, The Traveler slowing to a stop behind her. Kaeya caught up in two long strides and stood, watching Paimon. “Paimon.. actually has no idea where the Rite of Descension is held. Ehe…”

“What? I thought you said you’d been to Liyue, Paimon?” The Traveler asked.

“I have! It’s just-! Ugh. Shouldn’t there be a sign or something?!” Paimon shrieked, stamping her foot. “Like, ‘Go here to see our great, mighty God’?”

“I guess the residents of Liyue don’t need directions. They probably already know where it’s held,” The Traveler offered.

“Haven’t they ever heard of a tourist?!” Paimon said. She sighed. “What are we going to do now? Kaeya, do you know where it is?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t say I’ve ever visited Liyue during the Rite of Descension,” Kaeya admitted, holding up both hands helplessly. “It’s never particularly interested me.”

“For a guard, you’re pretty useless,” Paimon told him bluntly, then swiveled around to face The Traveler. “Why don’t we try asking some of Liyue’s locals? Surely they’ll know, right?”

The Traveler approached locals at random with Paimon bobbing along at her side, Kaeya hanging back to spectate. The people they talked to didn’t really volunteer anything of use- more just information on the ‘Qixing’, of which Paimon explained to be the seven heads of Liyue’s seven enterprises, holding power over Liyue only in second to the rule of Rex Lapis. A merchant they encountered began prattling on about how good the Geo Archon’s annual business predictions were for his profits (while Paimon’s eyes sparkled at the mention of ‘fortune’) and Kaeya jumped in while the man wandered painfully off-topic.

“Speaking of Mora; did you know, Traveler?” Kaeya began. “’Mora’ actually gained its name from the-.”

“HEY! That’s Paimon’s line. She’s the Traveler’s guide, not you! Go fend off some monsters or something,” Paimon cut him off, thrusting her fists into her hips furiously. She redirected her attention to The Traveler, clearing her throat importantly. “Ahem! Did you know? The Mora that we use is named after the Geo Archon due to his second name, ‘Morax’.” The Traveler was busy hiding a laugh behind her hand at Paimon’s indignance, barely absorbing the information. 

When the merchant finally finished obsessing over his wealth, he presented a welcome hint towards where the Rite of Descension was actually held- “Head to Yujing Terrace, up on the high ground. It’s the highest place in the harbour- sounds like the best place for communicating with deities, no?”

Armed with this vague direction, The Traveler pointed to a staircase carved into the mountainside near a pond teeming with golden koi and they hurried up-  depositing them indeed at Yujing Terrace; and it seemed the merchant’s guess was correct. Streams of people flocked towards a round gate at the opposite end of the landing, a hum of anticipation in the air. The three followed the flow of the crowd and arrived at a wide platform, fringed with scattered onlookers and decorated in the middle with a colourful array of offerings and ceremonial candles.

Small clusters of people gathered around engraved censers, and Paimon made a beeline for the nearest one. “Paimon heard that the best time to make a wish is today, during the Rite of Descension. Let’s give it a try!”

The Traveler, Paimon, and Kaeya all placed an incense stick into the censer, and stood in silence, repeating their deepest desires within their minds in the hope that the Archons would hear.

“They say that the Adepti, illuminated beasts who protected Liyue, will hear and bless you,” Paimon added, breaking their trance. “Paimon wished for an endless supply of Sticky Honey Roast. What did you wish for, Kaeya?”

“That spoils the surprise, doesn’t it?” Kaeya responded simply with a smile.

“Aw, no fair! Paimon shared her wish!”

“Be careful, Paimon,” The Traveler chastised her jokingly. “If you say your wish aloud, it won’t come true.”

“Oh!” Paimon covered her mouth with her hands. “Paimon’s sorry! Anyway, shall we go and wait for the Rite of Descension now?”

“Lead the way,” Kaeya agreed.

They weaved their way through masses of tourists and Liyue locals to the front of the crowd, in clear view of the platform. A woman, who tourists nearby identified as Ninguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, took her place before the offerings, flanked by two officials in purple. She commanded a certain presence- holding herself with composed, regal cadence, both hands neatly folded. She gazed up into the sky, elegantly shielding her eyes, and announced in an unwavering voice, “The hour is upon us.”

With a flash of golden Geo energy the Tianquan summoned rock constructs, converging and swirling fast around the center of the square as she executed a series of complex, precise hand gestures. A column of Geo energy suddenly burst upwards from the rock platform and split the clouds, searing The Traveler’s retinas with a ghostly imprint of pure light, churning the pleasant weather into a wild hurricane. A ripple of expectation swept through the crowd, all eyes raising to the skies. The Traveler and Paimon tracked the spectacle with bated breath, straining for the first sight of the approaching Geo Archon, Paimon kicking her feet in excitement. 

Kaeya lifted his face upwards, single eye narrowed, scanning the skies with a marked keenness.

The storm intensified- yet there it changed, darkened, grew less orderly; more vicious- its tight coils unravelling like yarn. An orange glow shone from its middle like a warning flare, while the Tianquan displayed uncharacteristic hesitation, her upright, stiff posture faltering as she took a step back. A large, dark outline descended from the heavens, growing in size as it approached- no, not descended. Plummeted.

The limp body of a dragon crashed headfirst into the offerings with a loud slam, temporarily rendering all near deaf and reverberating through their chests.

The Traveler threw her hands up over her face as the dust settled and Kaeya had drawn his sword in an instant, poised to launch into battle. A few seconds of stifling silence, and then gasps of dismay swathing the space.

The Tianquan recovered swiftly from the shock, running up to the dead creature and crouching low to inspect it while harried whispers were exchanged among the distressed crowd. All waited for her verdict as she stood up, her back to them, motionless for only a moment until she flung out an arm towards the gates.

“Rex Lapis has been killed. Seal the gates!”

A flurry of movement broke out, so unlike the numb stasis of the last few seconds. Thundering boots stomped over the cobblestones as flocks of Millelith appeared out of seemingly nowhere, swiftly encircling the platform with polearms drawn. The spectators unconsciously drew close together in fear.

“Wh-what’s going on?” Paimon stuttered. “Did she just say Rex Lapis is… The Geo Archon is... Dead?!”

A heavy hand fell down upon The Traveler’s shoulder. “The Millelith are arresting suspects,” Kaeya’s voice came close at her ear. “We have to go. Follow me.”

“They think the killer is among us?!” Paimon asked The Traveler, eyes wide, as Kaeya dashed off and they followed. 

“Haha, now things are getting interesting, aren’t they?” he remarked as they hid behind a bulky bush outside the circular entrance, peeking through the leaves to watch the hoards of Millelith as they scoured the area. Paimon meanwhile flitted about The Traveler’s shoulders, anxiously spurting questions. “What just happened? Did someone really kill the Geo Archon? Are we suspects now?!”

“Don’t worry,” Kaeya reassured them in a whisper, as cool and calm as always. “I see an escape route. Look, there’s a tourist over there,” he pointed to the far right corner, where The Traveler saw a Snezhnayan man cowered in the shadow of an overhang. “The Millelith should be distracted chasing him any moment now. When I give the signal, we go through the small terrace beside the pond and take shelter behind that building.” He tilted his head at the terraced building bordering the left of the square. The Traveler nodded seriously, positioned ready to flee.

When the Millelith turned with a shout towards the right corner, Kaeya gestured with one hand and the three took off towards the short green terrace, passing under its thrown shadow noiselessly. They entered the exposed, sun-lit gap between the end of the roof and the building as the Millelith were turning back around, the unfortunate Snezhnayan in tow, and reached the safety of the back of the building just before being spotted.

“Phew, that was close!” Paimon puffed, relieved. “It looks like you’re.. weirdly experienced in sneaking around, Kaeya.”

Kaeya smirked in amusement. “You’d be surprised how many different skills you acquire when information-gathering for the Knights,” He stepped quickly over to the opposite side of the building’s length and glanced past the wall, forehead creased in concentration.

“This guy’s so suspicious!” Paimon whispered harshly. “Still, as long as you can get us out of this mess, Paimon won’t care. What’s next, Kaeya?”

“Hm,” he said, withdrawing back into the shadows. “Could you come here, Traveler?”

The Traveler approached his post at the very edge of the cover, Paimon joining her while exclaiming softly, “What is it, Kaeya? Paimon wants to see.”

“There’s a single Millelith patrolling up and down in front of our exit path. He seems to periodically switch which direction he’s observing.” Sure enough, there was a guard pacing the length of the plaza’s boundary before the stairs, his back turned as he searched the deserted area. “When he next turns his back, we should have ample time to walk down the stairs and out of sight. But you must do so quietly, or we’ll alert him,” Kaeya instructed. Paimon nodded emphatically, frowning.

Two minutes passed in tense silence as Kaeya peered out over the edge, watching, waiting. Paimon kept glancing nervously at the shrubbery populating the green space running next to the building’s walls, as if an adversary was concealed inside and about to pounce.

And, then- “Let’s go, Traveler.”

The Traveler carefully moved out onto the cobbled path, extending her leg slowly- and stepped straight onto a broken roof tile. It clacked loudly and the Millelith man turned around, drawn by the noise. Paimon covered her mouth in horror.

“They’re here! Get them!” The Millelith shouted, immediately taking chase. The Traveler hesitated, glancing back towards Kaeya- and finding the space behind the building completely empty. He was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did he-?!” Paimon started, but The Traveler turned tail and bolted down the stairs, sparing no time to dwell on confusion as the men gained on them. She quickly forewent the steps entirely and jumped to the landing, Paimon shooting ahead. Without losing momentum, The Traveler dashed down the slope- only to come up short as her escape path was cut off. A line of Millelith, their weapons drawn, advanced threateningly as the other men swarmed the staircase, rendering retreat a futility.

While Paimon fretted The Traveler summoned her own sword resolutely, eyebrows cutting fierce lines across her hardened eyes as she prepared to fight her way out. Her grip tightened on her hilt as the Millelith closed in from both avenues slowly, gradually, barking commands at her to surrender- and then, an unfamiliar voice, addressing The Traveler. “Hey, girlie. Hold still.”

There was no time for The Traveler to obey- two splashes of Hydro shot past her shoulders, hitting two Millelith. A flash of ginger arced over her head, and a man landed in front of them to the great surprise of both Paimon and The Traveler, a bow clutched in his hand.

With a quick movement he tore the bow apart into two shining, Hydro-infused blades, dashing forward to engage the Millelith in a quick, frenzied dance that ended with a blast of Hydro energy felling all the guards. The Traveler and Paimon watched, dumbfounded.

The man stilled, dissolving his weaponry, but there was no time for pause. A gruff shout from the balcony of “Stop! Stop,” filtered down as more Millelith joined the pursuit.

The stranger sighed at their appearance before looking to The Traveler, inclining his head at the cleared escape route. “Come on. Let’s go.”

She glanced at Paimon wordlessly, who bore the same expression of oblivious shock, before The Traveler chose to temporarily trust the man and ran after him, the Millelith’ cries soon fading into inaudibility.

Chapter Text

The Traveler couldn’t tell how long they’d been desperately dashing for when the tall stranger finally halted beneath the safety of a walkway. Paimon trailed up half-heartedly as The Traveler stopped, her shoulders bowed with exhaustion.

“Phew,” she puffed. “Paimon’s exhausted…”

“Just what muscles does magical floating use, exactly?” The Traveler asked.

“So insensitive,” Paimon shot back, expression thunderous. “You have no idea how tiring floating around can be! And, on that note-“ she swirled around, scanning the near-empty streets. “Where did Kaeya go!?! Did he really abandon us back there just like that?! How dare he-! Oh. Wait!”

She redirected her attention to the ginger man, who watched her shrieking with a mildly amused expression. The Traveler regarded him in a similarly curious fashion.

“Just who are you exactly?” Paimon demanded.

“Call me Childe,” he said simply.

“Childe?” Paimon repeated, hands on her hips. “What, so we’re supposed to dote on you?”

“Hahah, no, not at all,” he chuckled. “It’s an alias of sorts. In Mondstadt I don’t suppose you came across a ‘Signora’, by any chance?”

A flash of alarm struck The Traveler in the chest and she backed away from the man, snatching her blade from the air in an instant. The Fatui? Her darkening eyes honed in on his attire, comprehending for the first time the familiar symbols and style of clothing that, under consideration, looked similar to what Signora had worn.

Paimon was slower to put the pieces together, a finger upon her chin. “Signora… Childe…” The truth dawned and she flinched away in shock. “You’re Fatui! One of the Harbingers!”

“Oh, no, don’t worry,” Childe reassured them in the same casual tone. “I’m not looking for a fight. Signora gave you quite the bad impression, huh? Tsk, that woman… Can’t say I’m a fan either.” He grinned meekly.

The Traveler didn’t answer- both still incredibly unconvinced; leaning bodily away as one as if he physically repelled them. The Traveler began subtly noting all the escape routes they had access to.

“Right,” he soldiered on, crossing his arms. “Let’s forget all about her, shall we? I’m here to help you.”

“I don’t need help from the Fatui,” The Traveler stated harshly.

“Come now, don’t be like that,” Childe implored, acting hurt. He placed a hand over his chest and scrunched up his eyelids in an obvious attempt to appear non-threatening.  “I’m not a bad guy! …Okay, perhaps I’m kind of a bad guy, but I’m not here to give you any trouble.”

His eyes drifted to the sword held firmly before The Traveler’s body and he quirked an eyebrow. “Would it be too much to ask for you to keep the sword sheathed?”

With furious reluctance she released her grip on its hilt, allowing it to dissolve away into gold dust.

Childe laughed breathlessly in relief as he visibly relaxed; shoulders dropping. “I thank you for your knightly nobility, Traveler. I heard of your deeds in Mondstadt, so I couldn’t help but notice you during the proceedings back there.”

The Traveler frowned at this. He’d been watching them? How had she failed to notice?

“And, because I had my eye on you the whole time, I know it wasn’t you. Someone else was clearly behind it,” Childe continued, punctuating his words with an amicable flourish of a hand.

“Wait, hold on,” Paimon protested, cutting him off. “Is Paimon correct when she thinks you’re saying you want to help us clear our name? Because if so, we don’t need that! We already have Kaeya to vouch for us. We’re not taking any help from a Fatui!”

“Oh, that man who was with you before?” he cocked his head. “Well, forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t he no longer here? He split up from you two when the Millelith found The Traveler.”

“Ugh, maybe,” Paimon grumbled. “What the heck! I can’t believe Kaeya betrayed us already. The next time Paimon sees that man she’s going to feed him to the hilichurls! Where did he even disappear to, anyways?!”

“I’m right here.” Kaeya stepped smoothly out of the shadows of a nearby shopfront and into the afternoon light, idly twirling his sword.

Paimon screamed, flinching back as he appeared before swiftly recovering to funnel all her rage into berating him.

“Are you SERIOUS?!” she shrieked, “betraying us just like that? Dropping us to be captured by the Millelith, all to save yourself?! Paimon can’t believe you! If we weren’t saved by the FATUI, we’d be locked up in a Liyue jail somewhere! Paimon knew you were planning something bad since the start, but she didn’t think you’d be this stupid as to abandon us THE FIRST DAY!” She finally took a breath as Kaeya watched on in placid silence, offering nothing.

“And not even an ATTEMPT at an apology! Paimon KNEW you were a bad man! That’s it, Paimon’s done with this guy,” she announced, retreating to behind The Traveler and giving her a two-handed shove in the direction opposite to Kaeya. “He’s officially BANNED from our party. Traveler, it’s just you and me from now on, as it should be!”

Kaeya held up his free hand in a placating manner, finally intervening. “Please, calm yourself, Paimon. Do you really think I’d abandon you two? That’s hardly befitting of a sworn bodyguard, isn’t it? Listen- what’s more useful? Both of us imprisoned by the Millelith, unable to escape, or one of us free and able to bail the other out?”

Paimon immediately plugged her ears. “Lalala, Paimon can’t hear you! She’s done with your lies. You’re the worst person ever!”

Kaeya sighed, instead turning to The Traveler who was still quite weary. “With the situation we were in, capture by the Millelith was inevitable. I apologize for using you like bait, Traveler, but it was the only way I could see that didn’t result in an.. unpleasant end to our journey. Believe me, I was going to help you escape from their grasp at the first opportunity.”

“A little warning would’ve been nice,” The Traveler said, decidedly unimpressed.

“A fair point,” Kaeya admitted, the usual smugness seeping back into his tone. “Next time, I’ll be sure to avoid Paimon’s wraith.” He then turned to Childe, who stood watching the exchange with a bemused half-smile.

“One would think you’d have better survival instincts than to reveal you’re Fatui this early on,” Kaeya said lightly with a smirk, swinging his sword at his side languidly.

“Why conceal when you have nothing to hide?” Childe replied in a clinically unaffected manner.

“Hm,” Kaeya said. “Ah, where are my manners? I am Kaeya, The Traveler’s designated bodyguard. I offer you my sincere gratitude for protecting her when I was unable to do so.” He swept into a courteous bow.

“Please, it’s nothing,” Childe assured him. “I only want to see everyone safe in Liyue. I do hate conflict.”

“So do I,” Kaeya agreed, his eyes flashing as they fixed on Childe. “I hope we can get along.” With a quick, careless flick of his wrist, he discarded his sword and straightened. “Traveler, we need to get out of the streets and out of sight of the Millelith, or we’ll never have the opportunity to clear your name.”

“That’s where I can help,” Childe interjected. “If you get yourselves to Northland Bank now, you’ll be in the clear. It’s the only place in Liyue that isn’t presided over by the Qixing.”

“What is that?” Paimon asked, resurfacing from her tantrum. “Some secret Fatui hideout?”

“No, no, not at all,” Childe laughed. “It’s just a bank, I promise. You’ll be safe there. Come on, I’ll lead you to it. Follow me.”

The man ran ahead, and Paimon started off trailing after him. The Traveler and Kaeya hung back for another second, exchanging a skeptical glance- Kaeya’s ice-blue eye narrowed. He nodded at her, and with only a second’s more hesitation, The Traveler went after them, Kaeya bringing up the rear.

The Traveler thought the disorientating entanglement of red-rimmed staircases would never end, but finally the three crested the last flight onto a landing high above street level, Childe waiting by a column with his arms crossed for them to catch up. He was positioned before a set of large, ornate doors secured by an unmoving guard that was most certainly a Fatui. His presence didn’t exactly give The Traveler much confidence.

Paimon read the sign above the entrance. “Northland Bank…”

“Correct,” Childe said. “This bank was opened here in Liyue by Snezhnaya. Though everyone knows Liyue is the most enterprising in Teyvat, Snezhnaya is not short of change either.”

“And what could a Snezhnayan bank possibly want in Liyue?” Kaeya asked, pupils sparking with a cold interest.

“Snezhnaya trades frequently with Liyue, so this branch makes it easier for regular business to run as usual,” Childe explained. “Otherwise, we’d be sending diplomats halfway across Teyvat every time we wanted to sell or buy something. It’s more convenient this way, don’t you think?”  

“Fascinating,” Kaeya breathed with faux wonder.

“Indeed. Quick, inside, before we’re spotted,” Childe said, pushing through the entrance. The group stepped into a lavish chamber filled with rows upon rows of gold-embellished wooden drawers that reached right up to the high, paneled ceiling; marbled bronze tiling, and painstakingly carved lattices framing a large counter manned by another uniformed Fatui. An imposing cabinet looming behind him, barred from the public by the ornate barrier, was topped off with glowing lanterns and a sparkling golden fan, inscribed with intricate carvings. A collection of quiet customers milled by the benches set off to the sides of the room. Paimon gasped in awe as they entered.

“Wow!” she exclaimed. “The Fatui themselves may be terrible, but they sure know how to decorate.”  The Traveler begrudgingly agreed, while Kaeya silently surveyed the space, his gaze flicking from corner to corner.

“Hahah. I’m honoured. Oh, here-“ Childe rummaged around in his back pocket and produced a delicate slip of paper, giving it to The Traveler.

Paimon peeked over The Traveler’s shoulder. “This is a..!”

“I’m not sure exactly,” Childe admitted, shrugging. “Sometimes all money can buy is ‘things’ and not a name for oneself. All I know is that it’s a sigil. A sigil to keep the ‘mighty and illuminated adepti’ from bringing harm to you.”

“The Adepti?” Paimon asked.

“If you head north from the harbour, when west from Guili Plains, you will eventually reach a stone forest known as Jueyun Karst,” Childe explained. “The people of Liyue believe it to be the abode of the adepti.”

Kaeya nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve heard similar. Many Liyue herb-gatherers pass down tales through generations of adepti sightings in the stone forest. Though nobody quite knows if they’re true.”

“Isn’t it just a legend?” The Traveler asked.  

“Legend or not, they believe it,” Childe said. “As such, offerings to the adepti are made at its borders. Nobody dare venture in. But, I have no need for believing,” he admitted, grinning. “Not when I know for a fact that the adepti truly exist.”

“Really now?” Kaeya asked airily. Childe merely nodded.

“Hate to admit it, but your Fatui intel seems alright,” Paimon sighed. “But why would we go looking for adepti anyway?”

Childe laughed at this. “Oh, my little friend…” he shook his head haplessly at her naivety. “There are plenty of reasons mortals seek the blessings of adepti. Money, health, love… But you…” His voice dipped with intensity. “You will go for justice.”

“Justice?” Paimon asked, tilting her head.

“The Qixing will already have dispatched the Millelith. They’ll be seeking out the assassin from amongst the onlookers, which, as you know, means you’re one of their targets. But,” Childe said, “how could a mere mortal kill a god that can sweep aside entire armies? Rex Lapis never gave up his power as a god.”  

“So, they’re trying to pin the blame,” Kaeya mused. “How perfectly suspicious.”

“Exactly,” Childe affirmed.

“You think the Qixing did it and they’re trying to frame someone else?” asked The Traveler.

“Or.. to hide something else,” Childe said. “Hard to say.” He paused, glancing around the bank and then at the door behind them. “Even now, the Northland Bank won’t be able to hold the Millelith for long, but the adepti can clear you of any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can prove your innocence using just each other’s word. As you’re a foreigner too, Kaeya, you’ll also be considered a suspect. This might be the only way.”

Kaeya frowned. “Even if I was considered trustworthy, as they’re trying to accuse the first person they find, there’s no point in trying to make them see sense.”

“Indeed. Liyue was founded by the Geo Archon and the adepti- of course, it was built by force,” Childe continued to The Traveler. “Look for them. And leave faster than the Qixing’s messengers, so you may give your version of events first. If there is anyone that can help you in Liyue now, it can only be the mighty and illuminated adepti,” Childe concluded with a friendly smile. The Traveler nodded seriously.

“We should set out now, Traveler,” Kaeya told her. “The earlier, the better. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” The Traveler said, turning with Paimon and following Kaeya as he walked back out the doors. “Let’s go find an adepti!” Paimon exclaimed.

“Good luck, you three!” Childe called after them.

Chapter Text

Though it was quite the undertaking to sneak out of Liyue Harbour’s gates unnoticed by the increasing hoards of Millelith, once the trio managed to gingerly tiptoe their way across the bridge without drawing any attention they hit the ground running, dashing up the steep hills.

Paimon flew in front of The Traveler and Kaeya as the guide, pointing out which direction they should head towards.

“See those big mountain over there?” Paimon said, gesturing to the distant horizon. The Traveler strained her gaze and nodded as she spied a ragged peak, swarmed by white streaks of cloud. “That’s Qingyun Peak. Jueyun Karst should be just in front of it, so let’s head towards there! It’ll take a few hours, but Paimon thinks we’ll arrive soon enough if we don’t slow down, and by the time we reach it, maybe we won’t have to keep running around like criminals anymore! What a relief that’ll be…”

Kaeya laughed lightly. “You certainly picked a time to come to Liyue, Traveler. Becoming high-class assassins on-the-run was far from my expectations of your journey. I really did make the right decision. This is miles more interesting than chasing pesky pickpockets and hilichurls.”

“Stop making light of our situation, Kaeya!” Paimon chastised. “Honestly, you’re so weird. Save it ‘til we’re definitely not getting thrown in a Liyue jail!”

They made good time; cutting out a large portion from their trek by taking a diagonal shortcut across the waters of Luhua Pool using Kaeya’s vision. They passed quickly over the expansive body of water with him and The Traveler working in tandem, their collaborative process soon finessed to the two moving together like clockwork- Kaeya shooting out a burst of ice with a thrust of his sword while The Traveler whipped up a windblade to scatter the layer of ice as far ahead as possible. Paimon, meanwhile, gave the two a wide berth so as not to get sucked into the strong gales. (The two hadn’t needed to learn that lesson twice. A particular incident came to mind involving pyro slime barrels, a hilichurl encampment and a rather battered, slightly charred Paimon by the end. Paimon now made sure to create ample space between them as soon as The Traveler’s chest brooch started to glow.)  

Kaeya let out a grunt of approval as they neared the shoreline, hanging back to observe The Traveler blow his Cryo attack further- the ice rapidly accelerating outwards.

“Your elemental power appears to be stronger than a typical vision bearers’,” he rested one hand on his hip as he twirled ice particles off his sword, the movement practiced and succinct- practically second nature to the Knight, it seemed. “Perhaps the Anemo archon himself smiled down on you after all. Maybe he could sense your natural valiance.”

The Traveler smiled in lieu of a response.

“Paimon’s been meaning to ask, Kaeya,” Paimon piped up, raising her voice due to the distance. “A vision only appears to bearers in times of great determination or hope, right? Because one of the seven archons recognizes their strength of will. How’d you get your vision?”

“Ah, now there’s a grand tale,” Kaeya chuckled, launching eagerly into his explanation. “When I was a boy, I lived for a while on my grandfather’s ship as he and his crew sailed all across Teyvat, seeking ancient lost treasures. One stormy night, we were besieged by a giant sea beast that had laid dormant for many years. I was not yet experienced in swordfighting, but I took up my sword, ready to defend our boat and treasure. When a great tentacle burst out of the seas next to me, a tidal wave surfaced, about to sweep our entire vessel underwater. At that moment, I recall wishing that I could stop that wave; freeze that water, save us all. That’s when it appeared.” He grinned, eyes glazed as he saw the memory of that time. “A glowing orb, lighting up the darkness, descending before my very eyes into my open hand. With it, I infused my puny beginners’ blade with ice and froze the entire seabed solid. We triumphantly sailed back home the next morning with overflowing riches and sweet victory in our grasp.”

Paimon stared, blinking, for a few seconds. “..Yeah, Paimon doesn’t think she believes that.”

“I can’t see why you wouldn’t, Paimon,” Kaeya shook his head while he mechanically sent out another shower without looking. “I told you both already that my grandfather was a pirate.”

Paimon nodded firmly. “Yep, that’s exactly why she doesn’t believe you.”

The terrain of Liyue’s countryside was extremely rocky and mountainous, as opposed to the sweeping flat lands and green fields of Mondstadt. The three were often climbing up steep rocky outcrops and launching themselves from high altitudes, their wind gliders gently delivering them back to the level, grassy ground. It definitely took more time to traverse than the friendly plains characterizing the previous nation- though The Traveler didn’t find climbing a challenge, with it being a necessary skill she often performed while visiting other worlds with her twin. Kaeya also didn’t struggle with the task, scaling walls with ease- no doubt thanks to his experiences as a Knight.

They stopped occasionally to dig around in The Traveler’s bag for a bite to eat, but an oppressive sense of urgency constantly pervaded them, forbidding any notions of a real break. The trio only allowed themselves to eat as they walked, and sped back up to normal pace once finished.

After passing by yet another roadside inn, the party came to a high ledge overlooking a beautiful, sparkling lake yards below; a rickety-looking wooden bridge connecting to the tall rock island in the middle of the gap. A circular gazebo sat on top, and behind it, another slatted bridge linked to the opposite cliff face, which stretched right and snaked around the foot of the mountain.

“We’re so close! Jueyun Karst should be just up that incline,” Paimon shouted, surging ahead. “Come on, come on!”

With little hesitation The Traveler stepped onto the wobbling bridge and clattered across, Kaeya close at her heels. When they sped over the second bridge, Kaeya glanced over his shoulder, his eye dark.

“So persistent,” he muttered, his irritation apparent.

“What is it?” The Traveler asked without slowing.

“There’s a group of Millelith tailing us,” Kaeya stated.

“WHAT?!” Paimon shrieked, throwing her head from side to side, hurriedly searching their surroundings. “Where? Where are they?!”

“Sh,” Kaeya hissed shortly. Paimon immediately quietened, slapping both hands over her mouth. “Keep your voice down and don’t look behind. We don’t want them realizing we’re wise to their games.”

“How long have they been following us for?” Paimon whispered, floating excessively close to Kaeya.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “Perhaps someone saw us leave Liyue Harbour and took chase. Who can tell? I assumed they’d at least possess the foresight not to venture into adepti territory like this, but it appears I was sorely wrong. They’re too intent on catching us unruly criminals to consider the sacrality of such hallowed ground.”

“What are we going to do?” Paimon hissed, her eyes bulbous. “How do we lose them now? We’re almost at Jueyun Karst!”

“We can’t,” Kaeya twitched his shoulder in a half-shrug. “We’ll have to confront them. Engaging with the Millelith in such a rough fashion out in the open air before would’ve certainly propelled our notoriety to serial wanted criminals, but we should be free to act here without witness. Liyue’s residents rarely dare foray into the abode of the adepti, as I’ve heard. Still, let’s try not to harm them. It won’t do to make an enemy out of Liyue’s law enforcers.”

He subtly inclined his head towards a terraced gateway on the oncoming hill as they passed under lanterns marking the beginning of the mountain path. “Once we pass that first gate, let’s hide behind that large boulder next to it- see?” A tall stone protruded from the ground to the left of the gate. “We’ll wait for them to pass us, and while they still have their backs turned, we’ll knock out as many men as we can. The key here is surprise. If we don’t alert them to our presence, they’ll be easier to deal with. And any left we can fight off without inflicting too much damage. What do you think, Traveler?”

The Traveler nodded determinedly, agreeing to the idea. They maintained their usual slow pace up the slope- right until they passed under the shadow of the gate.

“Quick, hurry!” Paimon hissed, zooming to the shadows behind the tall neighbouring boulder and peeking out meekly. The Traveler and Kaeya bustled after her, settling into the dark, and waited.

Sure enough, a group of Millelith soldiers clad in yellow tunics and black paneled armour trudged by, sharp silver polearms at their sides.

“Huh? Where’d they go?” A soldier asked, halting.

“They were just here,” The Sergeant replied, scanning the landscape stonily. “They couldn’t have gone far. We must press on.”

“But…” Another soldier protested nervously. “Sir, wouldn’t we be trespassing on adepti territory?”

“We-! Argh, there’s no choice,” he conceded. “Apprehending the assassins are a top-priority mission from the Qixing! We must continue.”

The Traveler crept out as the soldiers debated who was to go first and scout the area- all men reluctant to step any further into Jueyun Karst, much to the frustration of their Sergeant. Kaeya shuffled out next, staying close, weapon in his grip. She plucked her sword from the air and held it flat-side up, parallel to the back of a few Milleliths’ heads, inching closer, and-

CLANG!

Her silver blade connected with their skulls and three men sunk to their knees simultaneously, blacking out. Kaeya claimed a few of his own victims at the same time- striking their heads with the hilt of his sword.

The Millelith left conscious turned at the ruckus, shouting- “Hey! It’s the assassins! Get ‘em!”

The two were ready for battle as the men charged- The Traveler taking on one hoard while Kaeya dealt with the other. Paimon ducked out of the way and hid behind a tree as The Traveler blasted back her opponents with Anemo, countered their attacks and finally charged her power enough to send a towering column of wind through the soldiers, sweeping them all away and depositing them far off, dazed and half-conscious, at the base of the slope.

Kaeya meanwhile parried the strikes of the mens’ polearms, his blade arcing up gracefully to clash against the pointed steel and flick them easily sideways, sending soldiers careening off. Once Kaeya gained the upper hand on an enemy, he disappeared in a dusting of snowflakes to appear behind the Millelith and knock them to the ground without inflicting any wounds. He finished fighting at the same time as The Traveler, and the three hastily resumed their ascent without delay; Paimon rushing them to leave before any Milleleth regained their senses.

“Traveler, wait,” Kaeya called out as they ran up another cobbled staircase half-buried in dirt. “Before we go any further, there’s something I’d like to posit.”

“What is it?” The Traveler asked, stopping.

“Just something I’ve been mulling over during our trip,” he said, a hand upon his chin. “’Who has the power to kill one of the seven Archons?’ And, well. As illuminated beasts, adepti possess immense strength and abilities mortals can only dream of. So far, they’re the only other beings in this land that harbour strength equal to Rex Lapis.”

“You.. think the adepti could have killed Rex Lapis?” Paimon gasped. “But didn’t they fight with the Geo Archon in the Archon War and help him to govern Liyue? Why would they do such a thing?”

“I don’t think they’d do it either,” Kaeya shook his head slightly. “But who else could slay a God? Just something to consider,” he smirked, striding ahead. “Come on. Let’s go.”  

“Ooh, Paimon doesn’t know who to trust anymore!” she whined. “What if we’re meeting with the Geo archon’s murderers, Traveler?” Paimon sighed and shook her head as if to fling away such thoughts, flying after Kaeya. “No, Paimon won’t believe it! Let’s go, Traveler.”

At the end of the steps the party arrived at a circular stone clearing, almost hidden with overgrown grass and ringed by squat lanterns. The bordering trees were festooned with paper sigils and colourful strips of cloth buffeted in the strong breeze, and an engraved monument, looking like a miniature pagoda, sat on a small hill overlooking the area. The clearing ended sharply a few steps away in a cliff face and long drop, leaving a breathtaking birds-eye view of the stone forest that The Traveler gazed at with mute amazement as they emerged.

“We’re here,” Paimon loudly announced. “But.. where’s the adeptus?”

The three glanced around the space. Suddenly, a booming voice from behind shook the earth.

“And who might we be? Those that dare enter Jueyun Karst?”

The party turned as one to see a.. giant stag? Paimon balled her hands into fists with excitement at witnessing an real adeptus, in the flesh.

The Traveler steeled herself. “I was sent here. Please take a look at this.” She produced the sigil Childe gave them for the adeptus to see.

The adeptus bowed his head to inspect it, his dangerous, red-hued antlers nearing Paimon who inched back warily. “A Sigil of Permission… Many a season has passed since one was last in the presence of such an item.”

The stag drew himself up to his full, impressive height, pointing his green head skywards ceremoniously. “He before you is the mighty and illuminated adeptus, Moon Carver. Speak, travelers. What business have you here?”

“Well,” Paimon began, stepping in to tackle the lengthy explanation. “It went like this…”

Once she caught him up to speed, Moon Carver seemed greatly agitated. “Preposterous… Preposterous!” he stamped one hoof, nostrils flaring. The Traveler felt his shout vibrate through her chest. “The Liyue Qixing… Utterly disappointing. How could someone possibly assassinate Rex Lapis during the Rite of Descension… And then place suspicion upon the attendees!?”

The Traveler and Kaeya exchanged a glance as the adeptus raged, and from the Knight’s expression she could tell Kaeya had come to the same conclusion- it didn’t seem likely that Moon Carver had killed the Geo Archon.

The adeptus plastered his piercing gaze upon the ground, deep in thought. “Hm… Travelers, of the unjust accusations placed upon you, one has become aware.” He nodded his head slowly. “The mind knows its answer. Though one must consult with one’s fellows, lest the mind be misguided.”

He stepped back a few paces, blinking his shining eyes. “Go. Take your Sigil of Permission; carry with you a message.”

“Where should we go?” The Traveler asked.

“Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer can be found here,” Moon Carver explained. “Only fate will decide if you shall find them. Only fate.” He spoke that as if pledging a dark promise. The Traveler felt a shiver trickle down her spine.

 “There exists a Conqueror of Demons, a Guardian Yaksha,” the stag continued. “Go to Wangshu Inn. There you shall seek him.”

The Traveler nodded seriously. With those brief instructions Moon Carver turned and walked off into the cover of trees, soon vanishing completely.

“Wow, not cryptic at all, huh,” Paimon remarked sourly, before recovering her usual enthusiasm. “Paimon hears that adepti are supposed to live on the top of tall mountains in the Stone Forest, so why don’t we try starting there?”

“A fine idea, Paimon,” Kaeya agreed solemnly. “How about we scale the highest peak first? Then, we can just glide down to the lower mountains without having to climb up multiple times.”

“Lazy but smart,” Paimon shrugged. “Then let’s do that!”

They set their sights on Mount Hulao- said to be the highest point in all of Liyue- and after around an hour of alternating gliding, walking and scaling, the three found themselves on the flat top.

“Those big rocks really are strange,” Paimon commented as they passed yet another clump of luminescent orange gemstones. Kaeya had earlier hypothesized they were a ‘special kind of Liyue amber’, when they kept spotting similar misshapen ores near the path up. “Ooh, look! There’s someone up here! Let’s go talk to them.” She flew ahead, not waiting for The Traveler and Kaeya who ran to catch up.

They discovered a young man cowering before a cave sealed with a magical sigil, his hands clasped tightly over his head in prayer. “Have mercy, O mighty adeptus!” he muttered continuously. “I beg you! Show mercy upon me and my brother… Spare our lives!”

“What’s wrong?” The Traveler asked as she approached him from behind.

The stranger started at the sound of her voice. “Who are you? What’s going on?”

Paimon crossed her arms, refusing to answer. “We asked you first!”

Suddenly, the stranger’s harried eyes lit up and he stumbled towards them. Kaeya immediately positioned his arm ready to summon his sword. “…Oh! You enjoy safe passage in Jueyun Karst… It can only mean one thing,” the man proclaimed with a smile so wide it was unnerving. “You must be adepti messengers! Sent here to rescue my brother!”

“What is he talking about?” Paimon asked The Traveler, shrugging helplessly. The Traveler, also, hadn’t the foggiest.

The stranger clapped his palms together above his face. “Oh, have mercy, mighty messengers of the illuminated adepti,” he pleaded hysterically. “I beg you to save us. My brother and I- we only came here because our family is poor and we heard of treasures hidden in the amber of Mount Hulao! We followed the path up the mountain, but suddenly, the amber… It swallowed up my brother, Li Dang,” He shook his head, regret disfiguring his features. “It was stupid of us. But all we wanted to do was find enough treasure to sell and support our family..!”

Kaeya let out a derisive puff of laughter, crossing his arms. “Either that, or you’re a Treasure Hoarder who’s had his crimes finally catch up to him. Which one shall it be?”

“Uh- That…” The man struggled momentarily to produce a rebuttal as Kaeya delighted in watching him squirm, one stern eyebrow raised in contest. “I… Um. Why does that matter right now?! My brother is in danger. Please, you’re our only hope!” He turned back to The Traveler and resumed his begging. “It dawned on me that we were trespassing on the abode of the adepti, and this was our punishment. I had no idea how to rescue my brother, so I just started praying for the adepti to have mercy, right here on the spot. And now, at long last, two messengers come to my aid.” He deflated in relief.

“What?” Paimon shrieked, dismissing the notion instantly. “We’re not adepti messengers. We just wanna find the adepti, like everyone else!”

“No, no, no, you must be messengers. You have to be!” the man argued, as if denying the truth for long enough would transform his hopes into reality. “I have no idea which amber trapped him. Please, you have to rescue him! I beg you, show me some adepti mercy!”

Kaeya stared flatly at the man as he again pressed his hands together over his dipped head as if in reverence of their so-called ‘adeptal powers’. Yet The Traveler, never one to refuse someone in need, accepted his request.

“Of your transgressions, your predicament and your repentance, one has become aware,” she imitated the words of Moon Carver, gleefully embodying her new role.

The man fell to his knees, garbling- “Thanks be to the adeptus of Mount Hulao and to their messengers! Never will we be so foolish again…” Both The Traveler and Kaeya placed their hands on their hips at the display, highly unimpressed.

Paimon giggled, swirling around to The Traveler. “Woah, check you out! You know, when you speak like that Traveler, you actually make a convincing adepti messenger.”

“I take no part in this charade,” Kaeya told them. “I am nothing but a humble mortal, O adeptus.”

The Traveler grinned at him. “We’ll be a good team- the mortals plus the immortal!”

Kaeya laughed quietly, then grew serious and looked to the stranger, who had returned to mumbling incomprehensible praises of the adepti before the dark cave entrance. “I’ll stay back here and watch over this thief. He is a Treasure Hoarder, after all- despite your.. generous acquiescence to his demands, as expected of our venerable Honourary Knight. We wouldn’t want him getting the jump on you with a poorly-crafted sob story.”

Paimon and The Traveler thus left Kaeya behind to surveil the man and commenced hacking away at the large chunks of amber lining the road. The precious rocks shattered surprisingly easily, releasing all manner of unexpected cargo- once a chest, which Paimon eagerly pilfered; two times a disorientated boar, and even a hilichurl (whom The Traveler made quick work of).

“Paimon was gonna ask that guy about where to find the adeptus,” Paimon chatted while she worked, bobbing along at her shoulder. “But he seems pretty one-track-mind about rescuing his brother right now. Let’s search all the amber by the path and find his brother as soon as we can so we can get some information!”

Further down the way they’d came, after being attacked by a trapped stork and besieged by small slimes inside another rock, The Traveler cracked open a cluster and found a man inside, shivering with fear.

“That must be Li Dang!” Paimon exclaimed, darting around The Traveler’s head. “Help him up!”

The Traveler dragged him to his feet as he spluttered and coughed, swaying slightly. “Wh-What happened?” he rubbed his forehead, blinking rapidly. “Y… You rescued me? Thank you…” An energy at once flooded through him, and he snapped to awareness. “Oh! Have you seen my brother? His name is Li Ding- we were climbing the mountain together. I just hope he didn’t get trapped in amber too…”

“He’s the one who sent us looking for you,” The Traveler informed him. “He’s at the top of the mountain.”

“He made it to the top?” Li Dang asked. “That means he should be okay..! Thank you! I will head up to find my brother now.” He bowed to the two in gratitude. “Here’s hoping I don’t run into any more amber on the way…”

“We’re heading back up too,” Paimon explained. “We’ll join you!”

They reconvened with the man and Kaeya, and the siblings were finally reunited. The two men dipped their heads in sync to The Traveler and Kaeya -they both really liked their bowing. Maybe it ran in the family. “Thank you for rescuing my brother, O mighty messengers of the illuminated adepti,” Li Ding gushed.

“The adepti will not twice be so gracious if you dare try to steal their treasure again,” Kaeya said, a hatred seething in his pupil as he regarded the Treasure Hoarders. “Perhaps it’s time you both found a real livelihood, rather than spending your days targeting innocent civilians and thieving others’ belongings?”

“That…” Li Ding hung his head, avoiding the Knight’s searing gaze. “We won’t go stealing ever again. We’ll go work in the docks of Liyue Harbour, like our father used to. We’ll become honest men with the adepti’s blessing! I promise!”

Kaeya nodded, donning a satisfied smirk. “Good.”

 “Have you ever seen the adeptus here?” The Traveler broke in.

“What?” Li Ding stammered, caught off-guard by the topic change. “Oh, no… I mean, like everyone else, we’ve heard that there’s an adeptus living in Mount Hulao but regular folks like us would never have the chance to meet them. No way.” His disappointment soon changed to eagerness- “Unlike you guys! You’re adepti messengers, so it’s a whole different story! Anyway, we have trespassed in the realm of the adeptus for long enough. We should get going. Thank you, mighty adepti messengers..”

“Yes, thank you, messengers,” Li Dang readily agreed, and they both inclined their head in respect one last time.

“It’s time we lead an honest life,” Li Ding smiled at his brother. “We’ll never forget the merciful kindness the adeptus has shown us today. Farewell!” They ran off, down the stone staircase and out of sight.

Kaeya sighed. “I doubt a lowly Treasure Hoarder’s entire worldview can be changed that quickly. They’ll be back to questing for adepti riches in no time.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Paimon said, circling the area. “We still have to find the adeptus on this mountain! Somehow…” she sunk slightly in the air with weariness. “Boy, it sure would be helpful if we were adepti messengers. Then we’d just know right away where they were!” The Traveler nodded in agreement.

“Not to mention, it seems like this adeptus has got a real temper problem,” Paimon grimaced. “But it’s not like we’ve done anything wrong, so… Hopefully we’ll be okay? Hehe…”

The Traveler had just opened her mouth to respond when a shout cut her off.

“Who dares trespass on my mountain?” a deep voice demanded, rumbling with palpable fury. “Who is it that frees the thief from his incarceration?”

The immense outline of a large bird materialised upon the cave’s roof, temporarily extinguishing the sun. Paimon gawked, her mouth agape, The Traveler gazed on with widening eyes and Kaeya tracked its flight path with eyebrows raised in quiet admiration as the adeptus swooped down and landed before the cavern entrance, extending its magnificent wingspan to its full extent. “Foolish mortals, come forth and receive your punishment at once!”

Foreboding brewing in her heart, The Traveler took a deep breath, tightened her hands into fists and stepped forward, her strides matched by Kaeya. The trio walked as one, a united line as they swished through the shallow pond separating them from the adeptus’ wraith and silently arrived to meet the bird.

He tossed his head, feathers ruffling in anger. “You intrude upon the sanctity of Mount Hulao, you destroy the amber of my mountain and you free a thief whose freedom is not yours to give,” he seethed. “The thieves’ ignorance was an affront to the adepti… But your actions are an abomination of the highest order!” His rage reverberated off the stone walls.

“Wait,” Paimon jumped in. “We can explain!”

The Traveler already had the Sigil of Permission ready in her grasp. She extended it out to the adeptus. “Here, look at this. Moon Carver sent us.”

The bird tilted his flame-coloured head. “Moon Carver.. trusted mere mortals as his messenger?” He inspected the slip of paper closely, angling his neck to get a better view. “Is this.. a Sigil of Permission? One is surprised to find that such things still exist in the mortal realm.” He blinked, his tone softening as the adeptus reminisced.

“In the beginning, Rex Lapis cast them for the mortals with his own hand. Few were made then, and thousands of years on, fewer still remain.” He paused as if in tribute of the past, and then-

“Speak,” he commanded. “One shall listen to the matter which brings you here, then one shall verify the truth thereof. You would be wise to speak the truth, for Liyue is not so far from here that one would be easily deceived.”

Paimon gave the same rundown as before, gesticulating wildly to illustrate the drama of being accused of assassinating a god and fleeing the forces of the Millelith.

The great bird frowned as she concluded. “Rex Lapis… Assassinated?” He threw back his head, letting lose an unearthly shriek of fury that caused all three travelers to flinch back in shock. “At the Rite of Descension!? What mortal in Liyue- nay, in all the world, would conspire to commit such foul treason? Or perhaps the more pertinent question is, what power in this world could aspire to achieve it?”

The adeptus shook his head, puzzled. “Rex Lapis charged the adepti with the protection of Liyue, and we have always honoured this duty. As the people have prospered, so have we gradually withdrawn into the mountains. Indeed, this was a gesture of good will towards humanity. But now,” he breathed, “alas! Rex Lapis, gone…”

The bird refocused on The Traveler, his gaze stern. “Travelers, of the matter you have relayed one has become aware. One now knows why Moon Carver has sent for us. Once one has dealt with certain matters here that require my attention, one shall convene with the other adepti.”

A question still nagged in the back of The Traveler’s mind, so she took her chance while she still had the adeptus’ attention. “Can someone explain the amber situation to me?”

“Paimon can!” Paimon immediately volunteered. “Adepti always have magical powers in storybooks- seems it’s true in real life, too. You know, like how grass is actually adepti hair, and rivers are actually adepti saliva. There must be something similar going on with the amber!”

“As much as I respect your abundant wisdom as a travel guide, dear Paimon,” Kaeya said, placing one hand on his hip. “I highly doubt that’s correct.”

“Your nonsense knows no bounds,” the bird stated bluntly. “This amber is produced by a flower that one has planted here, called the karst crawler.” The adeptus turned towards a nearby outcrop of amber, studying its curved grooves. “The majority of the plant is hidden underground. When stepped on, it produces amber to trap the invader.” He flared his wings again. “After taking up residence here, one planted many karst crawlers to ensure that the tranquility of the mountain would remain undisturbed. Over the years, they have helped to prevent many disturbances. But, in the process, they have also trapped many curious things…”

“Oh,” Paimon said, eyeing the stone warily. “So the amber is.. alive?”

“Just like a certain Alchemist,” Kaeya murmured sardonically to himself with a grin.

“What?” Paimon spun around to face Kaeya. “Who??”

“Correct,” The adeptus affirmed, ignoring Kaeya’s comment. “Thus, one may not leave this place in its current state for fear of the risk to innocent lives in one’s absence.” He gazed out over the mountaintops. “One will depart as soon as one has attended to this matter. One trusts that the manner of your departure will be swifter in nature.”

“Of course,” Kaeya told him. “We’ll leave at once. Traveler?”

She turned to leave with him, and Paimon flew alongside.

“Next stop is that big mountain over there!” Paimon pointed out a looming mountain opposite, faded with distance. The Traveler and Kaeya launched themselves from the edge of the cliff, soaring on the strong winds, cutting stark lines through the air to their next destination.

Chapter Text

Sure, The Traveler didn’t begrudge climbing, but the muscles in her arms were protesting by the time she wrenched herself up onto Mount Aozang’s peak. They had eventually reached the uneven, rocky top of by using the stone ‘treetops’ of the Huaguang Stone Forest like stepping stones; stopping briefly midway to snack on some apples and leftover Fruity Chicken Skewers at Paimon’s insistence. It all felt a little bit like extreme parkour as The Traveler hopped down the uneven outcrops to finally land on the soft, flat grass at the center of the peak.  With the towering, asymmetrical clusters of boulders enwreathing the area almost as if to protect the tranquil, clear lake it contained, The Traveler felt as if they had entered a sanctuary- the sudden sense of peace juxtaposing strongly with the struggle they’d just endured.

Paimon dangled close to the ground, breathing hard. “Paimon’s… Beating a lot of her flying records in Liyue so far…”

“A good way to exercise your flying muscles, no?” Kaeya remarked, seeming to be more energized by the physical activity if anything. There wasn’t a hint of exhaustion from his razor-straight posture to the smirk on his face.

“That’s not how they work!” Paimon shot back, stamping her foot. “Anyways- it looks like this place is deserted too,” she twirled in a circle, surveying the empty area. “But there’s another cave entrance sealed with a sigil over there, so there must be an adeptus here somewhere… Oh, look over there! There’s a.. table in the middle of the pond? Let’s go check it out.”

This involved yet more jumping- this time over wide mossy stones hidden in the water that were carved to look like clouds. The Traveler and Kaeya carefully crossed the lake to the middle island, where a stone table and stools awaited, utensils laid out as if dinner guests were due.

“Hey, who put this table here?” Paimon wondered aloud, voicing their shared confusion. She moved closer to the furniture, a hand upon her chin. “They’ve even set it ready for dinner. There’s a wine jug and everything…”

“The adeptus, perhaps?” Kaeya offered. “Even the mighty illuminated beasts drink with their friends… How fascinating.”

“But why would the adepti be missing if it was for them?” Paimon asked, floating to inspect a stool. “Oh, look! They even carved the guests’ names into the seats! ‘Here sits Retainer… Here sits Guizhong… Here sits Rex..?”

“Rex Lapis,” Kaeya nodded, walking up next to Paimon to read the engravings himself. “I believe we can safely assume the other names must belong to adepti.”

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Paimon agreed. “When Moon Carver was going through the names of his adepti buddies, he said there was one called ‘Cloud Retainer’, so that’s probably ‘Retainer’. Guizhong, though… Hm. Not one Paimon’s heard of!” She giggled, clasping her hands behind her back. “Since the adepti seem to really be having a dinner party, how about we cook up some extra-special dishes for them? We’re sure to get Cloud Retainer’s attention that way! Oh, but,” Paimon’s enthusiasm faltered. “What do adepti even eat, anyway? Paimon has no idea…”

“There’s a lot of birds around these mountains. Perhaps flying things?” Kaeya suggested slyly.

“My emergency food is finally coming into use!” The Traveler proclaimed.

 “HEY!” Paimon shouted, pulling at The Traveler’s hair in protest. “Don’t mess with me like that you two! I’m not food, Traveler! And you don’t really think they eat flying things, do you, Kaeya? Not like.. Paimon?!” She gulped loudly.

“Of course not, Paimon,” The Traveler laughed, gently removing Paimon from her hair.

“Phew. Paimon was almost worried there,” she admitted, holding a hand to her heart. “Anyways, she has an idea. People must make offerings here all the time, right? Let’s look around the area for any leftovers; maybe that’ll give us some ideas on what food to make.”  After a pause, she tentatively added- “Traveler, do you think maybe it’s at all possible that the adepti might like to try some… Sticky Honey Roast?”

The Traveler laughed. “I’ll make you some tonight for dinner. I promise.”

“Yay! Paimon thought you’d never offer,” she beamed.

Thus Kaeya and The Traveler and Paimon split off to scour separate sides of the peak, planning to meet back in the middle of the pond once done. Through serendipitous luck The Traveler came across two weathered recipes for past offerings, and even leftover ingredients to help them recreate the dishes. Kaeya also located another note containing a recipe, and The Traveler quickly cooked up the three meals to the best of her ability, placing them triumphantly onto the stone tabletop.

Kaeya nodded in approval. “Not bad.”

Paimon sighed wistfully. “They smell so good! Paimon wishes she could eat them…”

“Ah-ah,” Kaeya warned her smugly, wiggling a raised finger. “Unless you really do want the adepti to eat you, I’d leave them alone.”

“Ugh, stop talking about adepti eating me! You’re worrying Paimon,” Paimon whined, crossing her arms. Their bickering was soon cut short with a low, cacophonous female voice sounding all around them; Paimon shooting backwards in fright.

“One senses the presence of a Sigil of Permission,” it boomed. “One knows not why you have come, though the sincerity of your offerings is clear. Hence, you shall be granted an opportunity.”

A noise like heavy rain falling came from behind them- when the trio turned, they saw the shimmering gold seal barring the cave entrance disintegrate, opening a dark entrance.

“Find your way through mine abode, and you shall receive an audience with the adeptus whom you seek.”

Silence returned.

“Hm, it looks so creepy,” Paimon said. “Still, there’s nothing for it. We’ve got to meet Cloud Retainer. Come on!” She charged into the entrance.

The Traveler and Kaeya held way more reservations about blindly stepping into the black that awaited them, but The Traveler followed Paimon in, reassured in the fact that Kaeya was close behind- vigilant to danger and ready to defend them if the need arose.

Once the party crossed the threshold the oppressive dark transformed into a vast, well-lit cavern filled with round stone islands that appeared to, impossibly, float in mid-air. The islands were connected by strange translucent bridges that looked like large ghostly ribbons and were rather terrifying to walk upon, given The Traveler could see the steep drop directly below her heels. They hurried up the bridge to the first platform, and found an uncharged elemental podium emblazoned with the Cryo symbol. A quick gust of ice from Kaeya and the podium lit up, causing the next bridge up to take form- as well as multiple slimes. The Traveler groaned as she and Kaeya fought them off- they really were such a bother to deal with.

“I see,” Kaeya said when they’d retired their weapons. “We’re being subjected to the adeptus’ tricks as some sort of test... Hm. Do they think that humanity is their plaything?”

“Maybe it’s some sort of weird adeptal ritual,” Paimon shrugged casually. “Up we go!”

What followed was a complex, often frustrating and frequently confounding series of puzzles set by Cloud Retainer in order for the travelers to proceed through the abode- or, more aptly, in order to hinder their progress in meeting with her. Various mechanisms and elemental reactions on the islands triggered bridges to materialize, as they soon realised, and The Traveler and Kaeya combined minds to work methodically through the challenges (and slash apart the various ambushes by hilichurls and elemental slimes). The Traveler was beginning to debate the idea that perhaps this was all an elaborate farce and the adeptus had actually made reaching her an impossible task, when the path to a large stone arch opened up, sparkling from a distance. Hoping it finally marked the end of this labyrinth, the three rushed up the curved bridge and underneath the gate. They were met with the dead end of a crumbling brick wall. The Traveler was about to turn back and admit defeat when the female voice again spoke- coming from directly above them. She, Paimon and Kaeya craned their necks to see a large bird perched upon the wall.

“One is most impressed,” spoke Cloud Retainer. “The path that leads through this abode defies those of ordinary abilities.”

She spread her wings and landed deftly in front of the three. Despite being a similar animal to the previous adeptus, Cloud Retainer’s feathers were dyed calming shades of blue and gold, swirling in patterns across her elongated neck. She radiated grace and prowess, where the last deity had emitted an air of great rage. The Traveler lowered her tense shoulders, relaxing slightly in the adeptus’ presence.

“The one before you is the adeptus Cloud Retainer,” the bird introduced herself formally. “Now- speak of the matter which brings you here.”

Curiosity got the best of The Traveler. “Did you design all those mechanisms?”

Cloud Retainer bobbed her head. “You surmise correctly. This place did oneself build, as did one design the mechanisms within. In fact, even Guizhong and Rex Lapis themselves found one’s technological accomplishments to be worthy of commendation.”

“This place is huge, and there are so many mechanisms,” Paimon enthused. “Do you really have this whole place to yourself? What’s it even for? Did you build it as your private mechanism workshop or something?” She grinned at Kaeya and The Traveler. “It’s just like the stories say! The adepti leave the human world, find somewhere to go be a hermit, and then they research and invent all these amazing things…”

The Traveler facepalmed at Paimon’s impoliteness while Kaeya quirked a smile.

“One is simply not partial to the tedium of social interaction, and wished to find some peace and quiet,” Cloud Retainer stated. “Find it one did… Shortly after which, you arrived bearing your Sigil of Permission.” The Traveler averted her gaze sheepishly.

“But enough!” Cloud Retainer sighed. “State the matter which brings you here at once. You have disturbed the tranquility of this place for long enough.”

Paimon again seized the opportunity to explain their predicament to the adeptus.

“Rex Lapis… Assassinated?!” Cloud Retainer spat. “How can this be?! Such a heinous crime… Who would dare?” She let loose a rending shriek of anger that made their ears ring. 

“The notion is so preposterous as to be unbelievable… One shall have to verify the truth of the matter independently.” The bird seemed to think for a moment, visibly fuming. “Perhaps one shall quash Liyue first, then convene with the other adepti-!”

“Excuse me!?” The Traveler broke in, alarmed.

“Wait, what!? Did you just say ‘squash Liyue Harbour’?” Paimon exclaimed. “Are you seriously gonna wipe out the whole city?”

“I think you’d find great resistance from the residents if attempted,” Kaeya added, crossing his arms.

The great bird shook her head. “Only a response of sufficient magnitude can negate the possibility of further incidents.”

The Traveler scrambled for a counter argument. “But aren’t the adepti sworn to protect the city?”

Cloud Retainer narrowed her tiny eyes. “It is as you say. We have protected Liyue Harbour under the leadership of Rex Lapis for 37 centuries. But in the face of this coup by nefarious actors… Exceptional measures must be taken.”

“Wait,” Kaeya strode closer. “Is such indiscriminate, barbaric violence really befitting of an elevated, mighty adeptus? Wouldn’t it make more sense if you targeted only those who conspired to take the Geo archon’s life?”

“Kaeya!” Paimon hissed, flailing her arms in a panic. “Are you crazy!?”

“What?” Kaeya shrugged over his shoulder at her. “There’s nothing wrong with harming perpetrators if it’s for the greater good. I thought you two would agree.”

“Hm…” Cloud Retainer blinked slowly. “A fair point. One is inclined to agree with your reasoning.”

“Yikes! She’s really going to kill them,” Paimon exclaimed, tugging The Traveler’s shoulder incessantly. “Quick, you gotta think of something!”

“Wait,” The Traveler said, extending an open palm. “You accepted our offering- that makes this a contract.”

“Exactly what Paimon was gonna say,” Paimon declared, her eyebrows furrowed indignantly. “We made all that delicious food and gave every last bit of it to you! We were hoping you might help Liyue out, not wipe Liyue out!”

Her furious conviction ebbed a little in the stern face of Cloud Retainer. “Or, at least let’s… Y’know, discuss it first? As a group? Can’t hurt for you to get another opinion..?”

The adeptus tidily rearranged her folded wings. “’Contract’… A cruel irony that you should appeal to the notion after the merciless murder of the God of Contracts himself. The people of Liyue seem quite content to dispense with their ‘contracts’. They are quite adept at taking that which is composed of black and white, and turning it grey.

“Nevertheless,” Cloud Retainer said, scrutinizing The Traveler, Kaeya and Paimon in turn, “since you come here in the name of contracts, far be it from one to abandon one’s own contractual obligations. Least of all when you come bearing a Sigil of Permission…”

She expelled a heavy sigh. “Rex Lapis infused these sigils with adeptal power when he first cast them. That power once aided humans in battle. Most of the sigil’s power has long since worn off… It is but a keepsake now.” Her piercing gaze focused on The Traveler.

“This keepsake cannot be taken as proof of your trustworthiness,” Cloud Retainer continued, tone harsh. “One must investigate the claims that you make independently. This, no doubt, is Moon Carver’s very reason for summoning us.”

The bird set her shoulders high, spreading her wings in preparation for takeoff. “Your audience with the adeptus before you is now concluded. Leave at once, and disturb me no further.”

A strong gust of wind blew into their faces as she flapped her powerful wings, and when the trio lowered their hands from their face Cloud Retainer had vanished in a cloud of turquoise feathers.

“Woah, where did she go?” Paimon gasped, rapt.

“She’s flown off. Back to her ‘tranquility’, I assume,” Kaeya told her, then turned to The Traveler. “The exit is open- we can leave now. Let’s get moving. If we want to reach Wangshu Inn before the end of the day, we have to hurry.”

“Ugh, still?” Paimon complained loudly, trailing half-heartedly towards the shining structure marking the exit as Kaeya ducked through. “Paimon’s had it with all this hurrying. She just wants to sleep! And eat. Paimon wants to eat! What time even is it?!”

“It’s getting late in the afternoon, I think,” The Traveler guessed, slipping through the open gateway back to Liyue. Sure enough, as they emerged back onto the flat top of Mount Aozang the sun was barely visible behind the peaks of the Huaguang Stone Forest, sinking towards the distant sea.

“Why don’t I make us some dinner now?” The Traveler said, heading for one of the abandoned campsites on the outskirts of the pond. “We’ll rest for a while, then start out again when we’re prepared.”

“Ooh, Sticky Honey Roast please!” Paimon ordered gleefully, zooming after her.

The Traveler laughed, working on sparking a flame. “And for Kaeya?”

“Do you think I could swipe the wine from the adeptal feast?” he smirked.

*************************************

Wangshu Inn was impossible to miss. Buoyed in a sweeping plain of marshy wetlands, the impressive twisting trunk of its massive tree base, thick limbs carrying the red walls of the inn itself, and abundance of bright, sunset-coloured foliage stood out starkly from its lackluster surroundings and drew the eye for miles.

“That seems to be Wangshu Inn!” Paimon announced way down on the sandy shores. “Hm… Compared to Jueyun Karst, this place seems basic. Are we really gonna find an adeptus here?”

The Traveler shrugged.

The party took the open-air elevator that delivered them to the upper floor with an impressive system of pulleys that The Traveler silently marveled at. After booking two rooms at the front desk for the night, they commenced their search for the elusive ‘Guardian Yaksha’.

“He doesn’t seem to be on this floor,” Paimon observed, a hand over her peeled eyes as if the gesture would somehow improve her sight. Only a few normal-looking guests milled around the lobby; not exactly adepti material. “Let’s go up the stairs. Paimon reckons he’ll be up on the balcony! Heh, doubt we’re going to find him in the kitchen…”  She cast a last longing look at the kitchen area behind them as they commenced climbing the stairs.

“I wonder what form this ‘Yaksha’ will choose to appear as,” Kaeya mused. “I’m betting.. hilichurl.”

“Hilichurl?!” Paimon wrinkled her face in disgust. “Why would an adeptus want to look like a hilichurl? Besides, there’d be a lot more people panicking in the inn if they had a hilichurl just roaming around!”

Kaeya tilted his head. “The adepti all seem to like their peace and quiet away from humanity. It would be a sure-fire strategy to keep unwanted company at bay.”

The Traveler smiled to herself at their antics as they filed out onto the landing. The party stepped out onto a wide balcony, overshadowed by an enormous tree bough and completely deserted, save for the decorative potted plants.

Paimon peeked around the corners of the terraced roof. “Oh? He’s not here…” Kaeya nodded his agreement, examining the opposite edge.

The Traveler frowned, racking her brains for where else the Yaksha could possibly be hiding- but the dilemma didn’t trouble her for long. The scenery caught her attention.

She walked slowly forward, Paimon at her side, Kaeya at her shoulder, to the latticed fences’ edge, gazing down at the best view she’d ever seen of Liyue. The Traveler rested both hands on the fencing, leaning over to drink it in, a gasp of delighted wonder escaping her mouth.

“Woah!” Paimon breathed, looking from left to right while Kaeya rocked back on his heels, arms crossed, a grin on his face as he appreciated the sight.

An unfamiliar voice yanked the three from their trance.

“To the blind, everything may not be as it appears.”

The Traveler drew back into a plant pot as Kaeya turned upon the strange man, his sword drawn threateningly.

The man stared at the blade with dull eyes. “You’d be wise to not draw your weapon against an adeptus.” Realizing who he was, Kaeya swiftly relinquished his blade and stood back, allowing The Traveler a proper view of the Guardian Yaksha.

He was, in fact, not a hilichurl. Or any animal, really. He was a man. A short man; barely reaching Kaeya’s shoulders, with unruly green hair and a multi-coloured assemblage of clothing. A shoulder plate with a protruding spike signified a seasoned warrior.

“A Sigil of Permission? You came prepared,” the adeptus said in his harsh, low manner. “Though this only prevents me from hurting you myself. Doesn’t stop you from getting hurt in other ways.”

“We weren’t operating under any other presumptions,” Kaeya assured the man, eyeing him sharply.

“Hmph. Too much contact with our world is breaking the rules.” The adeptus crossed his arms- a closed book. “Mortal souls are not as robust as those of adepti, nor can your blood carry this level of adeptal energy.”

“Yeah… Paimon doesn’t get it,” Paimon whispered to The Traveler, holding a hand against her head.

“It’s for your own good. Leave. Now,” the man commanded. Without delay, he turned to leave.

“Wait a sec!” Paimon shouted, rushing forward. “We came here to-!”

He disappeared in a swirl of iridescent ash.

“Well, he’s certainly no fun,” Kaeya raised a palm, looking sullen. “The adepti really should learn to lighten up a little… Always so serious. How about we invite him to the bar? We can illuminate him to mortal pleasures, perhaps.”

“You’re just looking for an excuse to drink, aren’t you?!” Paimon turned on him, exasperated. “Of course we can’t go drinking with an adeptus! What if it’s, like, offensive to adepti or something? Paimon has no idea about adeptal customs…” She sunk like a deflating balloon. “What are we going to do now?! We were so close! Paimon didn’t think he’d just disappear on us like that.” She kicked the air like a tantruming toddler. “Paimon’s… peeved! All that adeptus does is think about himself. Paimon wants to give him an ugly nickname. But.. if you tick off an adeptus, the only thing you’ll probably ever find in a treasure chest is cabbages. Blergh!”

“I wouldn’t allow such a curse to befall us,” Kaeya agreed solemnly.

“It’s close to dusk-” Paimon bit back a sudden yawn. “Paimon’s getting tired already. Shall we turn in for the night and try again tomorrow? He might be back here tomorrow morning. Paimon’s not counting on it, though,” she muttered.

The Traveler nodded. “It’s been a long day.”

Kaeya agreed. “I believe we’re safe from the Millelith’s forces here. News of the Geo archon’s death hasn’t yet spread to out here. Still, let’s stay vigilant. I’ll wake you two if any trouble arises.”

They walked off the balcony and into the warmth of the inn, heading to their separate rooms.

Chapter Text

“Good morning, Traveler,” Paimon’s chipper voice came as The Traveler gradually reached consciousness. She opened her eyes to Paimon floating directly over her head, her hands placed on her hips. “We’ve got a lot to do today! We’ve got to find that pesky Yaksha to get his recognition and then return to Liyue to update Childe. Let’s get ready.”

Now that morning light streamed through the bamboo blinds, The Traveler could properly see the details of her inn room, much unlike arriving last night in darkness and promptly flopping down, asleep, on the bed. She gazed around at the simple armchairs and low table in the left corner, the pretty, interlocking patterns of the window frames and the fine, lavish painting on the folding screen in the corner of a sailing ship and turbulent seas. After stretching and tugging her boots back on, The Traveler scooped up her bag and left the room with Paimon.

Kaeya was waiting by their door, impeccably groomed and alert as always, prepared for the day.

“Good morning, you two,” he smiled. “Sleep well? How about we ask the boss of Wangshu Inn about where to find the adeptus when we check out? We might also gain some further intel about the nature of the adepti themselves.”

“Great idea!” said Paimon as they descended the staircase to the ground floor. Once they stepped off the final flight, Paimon shot off towards the front desk.

“Hi, boss lady!” Paimon shouted rather loudly for the hushed lobby setting. “We’ve come to pay for our stay last night and also ask about the adeptus around here!” She beamed in a way that was trying to be charming. The Traveler popped up from behind her companion with two bags of Mora already in hand.

“Oh, you mean Xiao?” The ‘boss lady’ asked, automatically accepting and processing The Traveler’s payment without having to look down.

“If you mean the short guy who’s really grumpy and weird, then yeah,” Paimon affirmed drily. “We tried to talk to him last night, but he disappeared on us! Do you know where he might be? It’s kinda urgent.”

“You’ve already met him?” The boss seemed surprised. “Not bad. It’s not often he’s in a good enough mood to agree to see people.”

“That’s his good mood?!” Paimon exclaimed.

“Oh, yes,” the woman nodded. “The adepti are very hard to come by. Many people go their whole lives praying to them, never once actually getting to see one.”

“Is it the adepti’s role to be generally impersonable?” Kaeya questioned mildly.

“Actually no,” the boss lady shook her head haplessly. "Their sworn duty is to protect Liyue, as of now. When the Geo archon built Liyue, he borrowed power from the adepti. But most of them only know how to protect Liyue by fighting. So for many millennia, it has instead been humans who have led Liyue, whilst the adepti have lived hidden away on the outskirts.”

“So, they’re like Liyue’s celestial soldiers, armed with god-like strength and abilities,” Kaeya breathed aloud. “Hm. Quite unique.”

“You really know a lot, huh, boss lady!” Paimon chirped.

“It’s not ‘boss lady’,” the woman corrected with a hint of weariness. “It’s just ‘boss’.” She shook her head, recentering on the topic, clasping her hands officially. “Anyway, seeing as you have the favour of the adepti, things should be a lot easier. If you wanna know my opinion… If you keep Xiao in a good mood, things should be okay.”

“Good mood?” Paimon tilted her head. “Can’t really imagine what a ‘good mood’ looks like for that ‘Vigilant Yaksha’!” Kaeya readily agreed.

The boss chuckled. “Will be interesting, won’t it?” She paused in thought, then offered a solution with open, animated hands. “How ‘bout this- you go see the chef for a bowl of Almond Tofu and a plate of whatever it is you’re best at making. Almond Tofu is one of the few human foods Xiao likes. The other dish is up to you.”

The three turned away from the desk as the boss moved to serve other waiting guests. Paimon raised her eyebrows conspiratorially. “Up to us, ey…?” She brought her two fists together under her chin in excitement. “Kaeya, why don’t you make your super tasty special skewers? Ooh, and then if you have any leftovers, Paimon can help you polish them off!”

Kaeya grinned. “I hate to disappoint, but I don’t think an adeptus would appreciate its strong flavours.” He looked to The Traveler. “A blander-tasting dish would be more likely to win him over, don’t you think? What shall you cook?”

Paimon slumped her shoulders. “Aw, Paimon just wanted to eat those skewers again…” she sighed mournfully. “Anyways- bland food. What sort of bland food are you the best at cooking, Traveler?”

“Satisfying salad, I guess?” The Traveler suggested half-heartedly.

They went down to the kitchen after Paimon called out through the doorway “Hello~! Is anyone there?” to answering silence, and The Traveler produced the ingredients needed for the salad from her travelling bag. The cabbages she’d unearthed in crates under old tarp along their journey were, rather impressively, still fresh.

“Is your travelling pack bottomless?” Kaeya asked, peering at it as she laboured over the pot. “You can’t possibly carry so many supplies in it. Is it enchanted? An old, lost magical artefact?”

“Nope,” The Traveler shook her head, cracking an egg. “Just really stretchy leather!”

The Knight seemed rather skeptical of this answer. Paimon shrugged at him.

A plate of glittering Satisfying Salad was soon held in The Traveler’s hands.

“Who knew the key to the adepti’s hearts is food,” Kaeya laughed. “It reminds me of a certain Paimon.”

“Hehe!” Paimon beamed guiltily, hands clasped behind her back. “Maybe a Paimon and an adeptus aren’t too different after all!” She swirled around and returned to the center of the room. “Anyway, let’s find the chef so we can be done talking to that grumpy Yaksha. Paimon’s not a fan of his attitude…”

Paimon darted around the kitchen, peeking behind shelving, searching for the chef. The Traveler meanwhile was bogged down with the heavy salad in her hand, standing in wait of the verdict. Kaeya pretended to look, scanning the walls with little vigor as he leant against the table.

Paimon reappeared, reporting, “He’s not here! Where could he be?”

The party looped back around onto the first floor and then out onto the balcony, looking for the man. At the railing right before the staircase that wrapped around the tree trunk, they found the chef, gazing out to the horizon.

“Hello!” Paimon instantly engaged him, ever the extrovert. “You’re the chef of Wangshu Inn, aren’t you? We have a request!”

He snapped his head around, face etched with irritation. “Can’t you see I’m on a break, kid? Scram.”

The Traveler tried. “Excuse me, we’d like an Almond To-“

“Scram!” He shouted, crossing his scarred, burly arms over his chest.

Kaeya approached the man from behind the two, his expression cold. “My sincerest apologies,” he began in his silky, calm voice, a gloved hand upon his chest. The man staggered back a bit, uncertainty causing his fury to falter. “We loathe to interrupt your rest. We understand that cooking for such a large inn as this must be trifling and.. terribly busy. However, this is an urgent mission- it comes from the boss herself. Care to listen in?”

“The boss?” the chef’s slit eyes widened. “I see. If it’s for the boss, then guess I don’t have a choice now, do I? I’m listening.” A satisfied smirk flickered briefly over Kaeya’s lips.

“Woah,” Paimon whispered. “Kaeya is.. way too good at this stuff. It’s almost scary!”

“But my heart’s not really in it right now,” the man continued, hanging his head. “Not enough to make a dessert as painstaking as Almond Tofu.”

“Oho, I’m sure that’s no issue,” Kaeya chuckled, waving off his troubles with intentional ease as he subtly pressured him. “As chef of the great Wangshu Inn, you can pull off a dish flawlessly no matter the conditions.”

“I…” The chef blew out a gust of air. “I can’t. A fencer’s hand must be steady; so too must the hand of a chef. But my hands, I’m..!” he held his palms up as they trembled. “They’re not steady… Because,” he gulped, “a traveler once told me that this inn… is haunted.”

“Oh?” Kaeya implored, his eyes sparkling with sudden interest. He shifted his posture- angling his weight away from the chef as he abandoned intimidating him, one hand on his hips. “A haunting? Please, tell us more.”

“Well, just now- just now! In the kitchen! I saw something… Something not right,” the chef forced out, stumbling over his words in his fright. “I keep thinking- even Wangshu Inn isn’t safe! I- I can’t keep a steady hand for something like Almond Tofu.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right travelers,” Kaeya folded his arms in a proud, decisive manner, tilting his chin up. “We happen to specialize in ghost hunting and vanquishing.”

“Uh- we do?” Paimon burst out. The Traveler flinched back in shock.

“Your little problem will be taken care of by us three,” Kaeya grinned amicably. “We will do our best. And in return, you will cook us a batch of your finest Almond Tofu. Do we have a deal?”

“Y-Yes!” The chef’s eyes filled with hope. “Yes, of course! If you get rid of that ghost, I can finally work again. I’ll cook you the finest Almond Tofu the world has ever seen!” He firmly shook Kaeya’s proffered hand.

“KAEYA!” Paimon hissed as they walked off, leaving the chef behind, bound for the kitchen. “What are you doing?! We’re not ghost hunters! Why would you lie to people like that?!”

“I’m getting us what we need,” Kaeya casually told her, voice low. “All some people need is a little diplomacy. Don’t worry. It’s not hard.”

“He says that as if he has any idea what we’re getting into,” Paimon muttered, rolling her eyes.

The three descended the steps back into the kitchen area and Paimon flew ahead to give the room a quick sweep.

She placed her hands on her hips. “Doesn’t seem to be anyth-“ Her sentence halted mid-way as her attention was suddenly captured by something behind Kaeya and The Traveler. The two turned just in time to see a translucent white blur in the vague shape of a person flash past the bottom of the stairs and disappear round the corner.

Paimon screamed, shooting to behind Kaeya and covering her face with both hands. “Ghost! Kaeya, quick! Protect Paimon! Shoot it with your ice or something!!”

Kaeya was markedly unaffected. “What’s wrong? You’ve never seen a ghost before, Paimon? And you call yourself an adventurer,” he tutted, an eyebrow raised. “I’m disappointed.”

“Y-You’ve seen a ghost?!” Paimon stammered, her eyes chasmic as they reemerged from her splayed fingers.

“Oh, yes, of course,” Kaeya nodded, eyes shut solemnly. “I’ve encountered many in my time. It’s only natural. I have countless ghost stories up my sleeve, if you’d like to hear.”

“Nope, no thanks,” Paimon swiftly shut him down. “Paimon’s scared enough with just the one ghost! She doesn’t need any more spookiness… Anyways, how come you’ve seen so many?! You don’t exactly seem like the supernatural bogey-man type.”

“Growing up, I lived in an old mansion that was extremely haunted,” Kaeya explained animatedly. “So, as a child, I saw many spectral figures floating down the halls, through walls; peering at me behind windows.” Paimon sunk in the air, clutching her cheeks with horror. “I learnt from a young age how to exorcise particular troublemakers with the help of my father, and I’ve since disposed of many ghosts. One becomes used to it- Teyvat is filled with lingering spirits. Which is why I’m so surprised you two have managed to dodge them thus far. It’s almost impressive,” he smirked.

“So how do we get rid of this ghost, O glorious phantom vanquisher?” The Traveler asked him.

“That’s Cavalry Captain to you,” Kaeya retorted, then narrowed his gaze, a hand on his chin. “It’s hard to tell. Each case has a different method of exorcism depending on what it is that ties them to the mortal realm. Bright or dark memories, regrets, unfinished business… You must first figure out what that is before you can dispel them. Plus, this is a Liyue ghost we’re dealing with. I’ve never before faced a ghost outside of Mondstadt. Perhaps they require different ceremonies?”

He started back towards the lobby. “How about we ask the boss again? She seems well-informed on the inhabitants of this inn. Maybe she’s aware of the thing that tethers this ghost to the building.”

Paimon introduced to the boss the chef’s fear and the ghost- asking if she knew anything about it or how it could be exorcised.

The boss laughed to herself. “Scared of something so insignificant. Hard to believe he was once a notorious gangster…”

“You don’t seem that afraid of ghosts either, boss lady,” Paimon observed, forehead creased.

“Gods and ghosts- I’ve seen it all before,” she replied, illustrating her words with a wiggle of her fingers.

“And you’re keeping the presence of an adeptus in this inn secret, aren’t you?” Kaeya unexpectedly spoke. The Traveler glanced at him, confused by his claim.

“Shh!” the boss lady hissed, casting a furtive look around before leaning in close. “Keep your voice down or you’ll divulge my little secret.”

“Why decide to keep it under wraps?” Kaeya asked. “That’s a suspicious choice.”

“He.. prefers to live in solitude,” the woman admitted. “He stays here only because of the peace and quiet from an unknown existence. Besides, people shouldn’t get too close to Xiao- it could cause damage to their souls. His adeptal energy is very strong."

“I see,” Kaeya nodded, straightening.  

“Right, best you three be off at once and go see to it that ghost doesn’t go scaring anybody else,” the boss said. “Not only that, but if you want to talk with the adeptus, you can strengthen your soul by practicing first with that ghost.”

“But how should we persuade the ghost to leave?” Paimon asked.

“There is a calligraphy painting in the inn known as the Witness Sigil. It’s been in circulation for over a thousand years,” the woman informed them. “Go take a look at it- it should be hanging on the wall on the next floor. Once you have, look for a place outside where you can see that exact same Witness Sigil formation. This should give you the power to see the ghost, and you may then be able to reason with her.”

The three sped up the stairs to study a yellowing, framed page marked with a sigil, and then down to the ground outside into the bright morning sunshine, discovering three separate rocks painted with fragmented pieces of the same shape. The Traveler, Paimon and Kaeya craned their necks left and right, trying to connect the puzzle into a cohesive sigil at the right angle- finally succeeding as the outline shone golden in recognition of their witness.

At once, the same see-through white silhouette appeared, dashing off on the path past market tents and over the bridge.

“Th-there she is!” Paimon shouted, cowering again behind Kaeya’s frame. “So scary..! Quick, Traveler, Kaeya! One of you… One of you grab her!”

The two gave chase, Paimon sticking close to her human shield. The small, ghostly outline zipped over the bridge and into thick trees, disappearing fast from their sight.

“She’s trying to get away!” Paimon exclaimed. “Faster, you two! We have to follow her. If it’s as the boss lady said, she won’t disappear like last time!”

They gained on the ghost as she stood, unmoving, below the shade of a birch tree. Closer now, The Traveler could just discern her faint features, and realised that she was a young child. No time for shock, however- as they crashed through the bush towards her, the girl suddenly turned and dove towards a broken Ruin Hunter at the base of the tree, dissipating before their eyes.

“Argh, she really doesn’t know when to give up!” Paimon loudly complained as they came to a stop, slightly out-of-breath. Her irritation was swiftly replaced with terror as the inert machine woke from its slumber- rising into the air, its metal arms unfurling as Paimon shrunk back with a shriek. The Ruin Hunter’s dim core flickered on like a giant eye, pointed at the party. The Traveler and Kaeya drew their swords without hesitation as it barreled towards them.

“This old, decrepit Ruin Guard,” Paimon called out to them as she dodged its lethal arcing hand. “Surely it’s not.. possessed?”

“How fun,” Kaeya remarked as he scored the contraption’s back with a strike of his blade, his gaze alight with amusement. “I’ve never actually witnessed a possession of an adversary. This is quite the experience.”

The Traveler shook her head at the Knight’s queerness, throwing a windblade in the Ruin Hunter’s direction. Kaeya shot his own elemental burst of Cryo, and the energies collided with the machine at the same time, causing a swirl reaction that threw its balance off. Taking advantage of its vulnerable state, The Traveler sliced up its back, destroying a few of the pumping pistons, and it collapsed from the sky in a sparking heap. One plunge of Kaeya’s blade into the Ruin Hunter’s core and the machine powered down.

From its mechanical corpse, the specter of the child rose up and landed on the ground beside it. She jumped up and down excitedly, singing- “Silly-churl, billy-churl…”

Paimon struggled to catch her breath as The Traveler rested her hands on her knees, rather exhausted. “Phew! We finally caught you,” Paimon panted. “Paimon’s pooped…”

The girl, perhaps unable to hear, kept singing in her echoing, unearthly voice. “Silly-billy hilichurl..!”

Paimon crossed her arms. “Little girl, are you listening?!” The Traveler looked to Kaeya, who took a step towards the ghost, assuming responsibility.

“Hello there. We don’t mean you any harm,” He said. “We’re just curious. Why is it that you’re haunting the inn?”

“Chilly-churl, frilly-churl…”

“Hey,” Kaeya attempted again, louder this time. “Haunting the inn and scaring people isn’t very kind, you know.”

The child stopped singing, lowering her head. “Oh. Okay. Dusky Ming won’t tease the travelers at the inn anymore. Next time, you can come play with Dusky Ming..!” Paimon hid behind The Traveler at this, muffling a gasp. “If you don’t all come and play, Dusky Ming will come find you!” she punched the air enthusiastically.

“Us three will play with you again sometime,” Kaeya nodded with a smile as the apparition slowly faded away. “We promise.”

“HUH?!” Paimon shrieked as the last of the figure vanished. “What did you just say to her?! Paimon is NOT going back to play with Dusky Ming! She’ll be killed or something!”

“Please, relax,” Kaeya held up his hands. “She’s gone now. You must tell a ghost what they want to hear for them to move on- that’s all. I doubt Dusky Ming will ever return to play with us. Still,” he tilted his head with a mischievous grin. “You can never be certain. Maybe she’ll show up again when you least expect it. I’d advise you keep a keen eye out, Paimon.”

“UGH! Traveler, can you tell Kaeya to stop scaring Paimon?” Paimon demanded while The Traveler bit back a laugh. “Anyways, let’s go tell the chef the good news!”

They located him at the same spot on the balcony, evidently still refusing to enter the haunted inn. When Paimon explained about Dusky Ming, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Wh-What?! You really got the ghost to promise to stop haunting the inn?” he pressed them desperately. The Traveler and Kaeya both nodded. The man let out a choked, elated laugh, smiling for the first time.

“Wow,” he said, folding his bulky arms. “You really are something. I am in your debt.” He turned towards the inn. “Please, wait a moment. I’ll make you three the smoothest, silkiest bowl of Almond Tofu.”

Prepared with a steaming bowl of the adeptus’ favourite dish in Kaeya’s hands and a plate of Satisfying Salad in The Traveler’s, the party approached Xiao on the top-floor balcony, who was there looking out over the view as if their thoughts had magically summoned him. He made no movement as they walked towards him, and only reacted by turning stiffly when Paimon called out “Hey, Xiao!”. 

“You three again,” he ground out, visibly displeased.

“Wait! Don’t go disappearing again,” Paimon rushed as The Traveler lifted her dish up, highlighting their peace offerings.

“What’s this?” the adeptus muttered, scrutinizing the salad and then the tofu. His dull eyes flickered with light when they landed on the dessert.

“It’s your favourite, Almond Tofu!” Paimon told him, waving one pointed finger. “As well as this distant traveler’s best dish- a Satisfying Salad.”

Xiao accepted the two plates wordlessly, setting his tofu down on the edge of a pot as he hesitantly sampled the salad.

“Traveler, quick!” Paimon urged her as he dug in. “Tell him everything before he finishes eating!”

The Traveler explained the events of the Rite of Descension and the suspicion placed upon her and Kaeya to the best of her ability under the time constraints- Kaeya jumping in with extra details on occasion. Once their tale was relayed and Xiao had polished off the last of his meal (clearly relishing it with a small smile he failed to conceal), he crossed his arms, pondering the matters.

“Rex Lapis…” he breathed, in shock. “How could this be? I.. can’t imagine it. Though times have changed, I’ve never imagined a Liyue without him.”

“All adepti we have spoken to have displayed the same reaction,” Kaeya said. “None have been aware of the Geo archon’s passing. Which has me wondering- how involved, exactly, are your kind in Liyue’s affairs?”

“Once, we took a greater role in the governing of Liyue,” Xiao explained. “But, in this age of humanity’s rule, most adepti have retreated to the solitude of the mountains and Stone Forest, merely defending the people in the shadows as per our duties. We rarely partake in this nation’s society- nor in its matters. The ruling Qixing and Rex Lapis bear those burdens.” His frown deepened. “Just what role have the Qixing played in this..?”

Xiao sighed roughly. “I will seek Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer. It is time they too made their decisions.”

“Will the adepti take over his role in Liyue?” The Traveler asked.

“Adepti do not turn on their responsibilities,” Xiao placed a hand on his chest. “I have my reasons to not want to be tainted by the mortal realm but.. responsibilities are responsibilities. Our god is the God of Contracts, after all.”

He made as if to depart, but Paimon piped up. “Wait! Paimon still has one last question.”

“Hm?” Xiao prompted, crossing his arms sternly.

“That.. Dusky Ming,” Paimon struggled for words. “She’s..?”

“When conquering demons, on occasion, you can come across spirits who have never hurt anyone, yet are also not yet able to be moved on,” Xiao explained. “So, I asked the innkeeper and the boss if they could keep her here for a time.”

The Traveler was struck by an instant bout of guilt.

“Ah,” Kaeya whispered. “So that’s how it is. Perhaps it would’ve been best to leave her alone?”

“Since you’ve asked me a question, now it’s my turn,” Xiao stated bluntly. “You two.” He stared at The Traveler, and then Kaeya. “Your souls are.. strange. You’re different to normal humans. Aren’t you? You,” he looked back at The Traveler. “Your soul is far older than a mortal’s should be. And you-” he turned to the Knight. “I can sense yours is stronger than any other I’ve come into contact with. Its structure feels unfamiliar. Why?”

The Traveler stayed silent, offering nothing. Kaeya shrugged smoothly. “It must just be my valiant attributes characteristic of a highly-skilled Knight.” Paimon looked between them, puzzled.

“Hm.” Xiao was obviously unconvinced. But, in a sudden puff of smoke, he was gone.

Kaeya didn’t miss a beat- turning back towards the building and beckoning The Traveler. “Come on. Now that we’ve liaised with all of the adepti, it’s time to go back to Liyue and reconvene with that Fatui.”

The Traveler nodded firmly, but as he walked off, she and Paimon lingered at the railing.

“Why didn’t you tell Xiao you’re from another world?” Paimon asked her. “Your soul is ‘older’ because you age differently to the people in Teyvat, right?”

The Traveler shook her head. “After what Kaeya said, I didn’t know if I should trust him.”

“Fair enough,” Paimon shrugged, then glanced in Kaeya’s direction. “But what’s up with him? A ‘strong soul’? What the heck does that mean?!”

The Traveler couldn’t answer. “I don’t know. Kaeya is certainly mysterious. Still, let’s trust him for now. We might be able to find out more about him later.”

With a shared resolute nod between the two friends, they followed the Knight together.

Chapter Text

A few hours later, after retracing their previous journey, The Traveler, Paimon and Kaeya arrived back in Liyue Harbour. Mercifully the Millelith presence had been massively scaled back in their absence, and the city was no longer locked down. The only remaining soldiers were just part of the daily patrols and weren’t scanning the crowds with intent- meaning the trio were able to traverse the streets with ease and not with a nagging fear of arrest. Now came the issue of relocating Childe- though, The Traveler’s prediction of the Fatui man being in the general vicinity of the Northland Bank turned out to be correct. As the three crossed the high-up bridge to the bank’s entrance, they spotted Childe casually milling outside the bank, gazing out over the balcony to the bustle of the streets below.

His slouched posture straightened as he saw them approach. “You’ve finally returned!” he called out, a smile materializing on his face. “How was your journey to Jueyun Karst?”

“Good!” Paimon zoomed ahead. “We met with three real adepti, and they all gave us their official recognition. They’ve been alerted of Liyue’s situation now, too. They’re all planning to meet soon and discuss their next steps.”

“..I see,” Childe said, a contemplative hand upon his chin. “Three adepti, huh? Which adepti did you meet with?”

“Fishing for names?” Kaeya jumped in before Paimon could respond, leaving her with her jaw hanging open. “Forgive me, but I assumed your Fatui intel would have already acquired such minor details.”

Paimon gasped, scandalized; pointing a finger at Childe. “You tried to trick Paimon!”

“Actually, no,” Childe admitted with a smile to Kaeya, ignoring Paimon’s accusation completely. “Even our expansive intel has its limits. We are aware of a few adepti’s identities, but our information is patchy at best.”

“Even so, I fail to see why knowing their official titles is of any particular relevance,” Kaeya continued, frost inching into his words. “What’s the Fatui planning- to steal the fabled adepti treasures, perhaps? Such a venture is guaranteed to get you killed- but it’s not like I’d be against that,” he smirked.

“Hey, now, let’s not worry about that,” Childe laughed his interrogation off. “It wouldn’t be fair for me to share the intel I’ve gathered on Liyue’s current situation without anything in return, now, would it? Unless you three don’t want to hear what I’ve learned?”

“Hmm.” Kaeya eventually relented. “Only fair, for your troubles. We met with the adepti Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, and the Conqueror of Demons. Satisfied?”

Childe nodded, crossing his arms. “Quite. Some of those names I’ve never heard of before… That’s valuable information. Thank you. Now, in return, I’ll share what I have.” He began delegating his intel with an unfurled hand, as if physically offering them it on an outstretched palm. “Regarding the archon’s passing… The Liyue Qixing’s response really has given me food for thought. They’ve announced that, as the true killer has not yet been found, they are not allowing anyone to pay their respects to the Exuvia.” A light frown played across his face. “They’ve even gone so far as to try and cut off information… But with the Rite of Descension and all, even the Qixing isn’t able to keep a lid on things.”

“Exuvia?” Paimon tilted her head.

“It’s common knowledge in Liyue that Rex Lapis is also an adeptus,” Childe readily explained to her. “The Geo Archon is also the God of Contracts, and is also known as the ‘Exuvia, Prime of the Adepti’. The mighty and illuminated adepti of today all signed contracts to protect Liyue way back then.”

“Guess that explains why they’re all so focused on Liyue’s well-being…” Paimon mused.

“Naturally,” Childe chuckled good-naturedly. “They both have the responsibility and the aptitude for the job. If the ruling Qixing became unable to perform their duty properly, the adepti have the right to take corrective action.”

“I presume they’ve never resorted to that in the past?” Kaeya asked him.

“You presume correctly,” Childe nodded, then returned to his initial topic. “The Geo Archon’s spirit has risen, so why would the Qixing hide his vessel? Truly suspicious…”

Kaeya narrowed his gaze in quiet contemplation.

“I agree- something is definitely not right,” The Traveler said. “This makes things difficult for me, too.”

“Oh, right!” Paimon perked up. “He’s the whole reason we came here! If the Liyue Qixing has locked up Exuvia and won’t let anyone near, then our quest to find The Seven is already over!” Kaeya side-eyed her discreetly.

“Oh? You’re trying to find The Seven?” Childe leapt instantly on her unintentional reveal. “And just why might that be, pray tell?”

“Nothing to do with you,” The Traveler smoothly rebutted.

Childe let out a short puff of laughter. “Nice answer. A knight that gets duped by the Fatui would really be no knight at all now, would they? But, I can help you with that too, you know.”

“How convenient,” Kaeya remarked mildly, his gaze ever trained on the man.

“Really?” Paimon prompted, too easily bedazzled.

“Give me.. some time,” Childe said. “Time to find someone. Someone who can help you break through this stalemate. I should be able to track them down in a day or two- I’ll send word to you three once I’m done. So don’t go too far, okay?”

“We won’t!” Paimon told him. “We’re going to be staying in Liyue Harbour for a while.”

“Good!” Childe beamed back at her. “Well then, I’ll see you all again next time.” He paused, gazing out over the view of the harbour again, lost in his thoughts. He chuckled under his breath, murmuring- “Truly fascinating. The harder they try to silence the situation, the greater the chaos that erupts…”

“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll be down in the nearest tavern for the remainder of the day,” Kaeya informed The Traveler and Paimon.

“Seriously?!” Paimon shrieked. “Ugh, typical Kaeya! Some bodyguard you are…”

“It would be a waste to come all this way and not sample the local delicacies,” he smirked. “Care to join me for a drink, Childe?” The innocent invitation was laced with a threat.

Childe smiled levelly back at him. “Oh, hah, I’d love to, but I don’t drink.”

“What a shame,” Kaeya said, his gaze boring deep into the man’s. “I wasn’t aware abstinence was a Fatui custom.”

“Her Majesty the Tsaritsa values propriety and restraint,” Childe explained jovially, never looking away as the two were locked in an unspoken battle fought only in their stormy eyes. “How would we best carry out her will if we were inhibited?”

“Is that so?” Kaeya’s lips curled further upwards at the edges. “She sounds like no fun at all. Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Their stalemate finally ended as Kaeya dropped his gaze. With a swirl of his ice-blue cape and a single hand aloft in goodbye, the Knight sauntered off in search of inebriation.

“I’ll see you later, Traveler, Paimon,” Childe bid them, turning and disappearing through the double doors of Northland Bank with an acknowledgement to the posted guard.

Paimon swiveled around to face The Traveler. “Now that we’ve got some free time on our hands, why don’t we explore the Harbour for a bit? Maybe even do some souvenir shopping and.. tasting of some street food? I hear Liyue has some of the best cuisine in all of Teyvat! Paimon’s nose has been marking all the spots we’ve got to try!” she giggled, practically vibrating with excitement.

The Traveler gave this idea a firm thumbs-up and the two companions began their descent of the twisting scarlet staircases, Paimon chattering all the way.

**************************************

Kaeya ducked into the first tavern he came across- an open-air affair in the vicinity of the docklands, the booming, lively chatter from its many punters spilling out into the streets, almost like a siren’s song luring in appreciators of alcoholic beverages.

As he entered, he scouted out his seat at the bar by the left wall- honing in on a free spot between a Liyue harbour worker who seemed to be on break and a man in a lengthy wooly coat characteristic of Snezhnayan attire, bent over his half-full glass. A wealth of opportunities, ripe for the taking. Their unsteady movements suggested they’d had one-too-many; it was almost too easy. It could even be considered boring.

He slid onto the empty stool as the bartender- a muscled man in a casual Liyue-style shirt and flared pants- greeted Kaeya with a cheerful grin, leaning over the counter. “Welcome to Hongyu Bar. What’ll it be?” 

“Whatever you recommend,” Kaeya said, leaning slightly back in his stool so his appearance was visible to both bordering men, and arranging his arms on the countertop so that he was open and receptive to his surroundings; adopting a relaxed, easy-going air that invited conversation. “Give me your finest.”

“Sure,” he nodded, picking up a glass and moving away to uncork a bottle. Kaeya smiled at the Liyue patron, who’d taken to staring outright at him- his foreign clothing must have caught the man’s eye after all. So predictable.

“A tourist?” he slurred, blinking slowly.

Kaeya nodded, shifting bodily in his direction so the man felt he wished to chat. “You from the Harbour?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “A.. dock worker. Where you from?”

“The distant lands of Mondstadt,” Kaeya said. “I came to witness the Rite of Descension, but I’m afraid this year must have been a bad time to pick to attend.” 

The man grunted in agreement, taking another swig. “Our Geo Archon, dead… I still can’t believe it! I didn’t even believe my coworkers when they told me the news. I tried to confirm his death by going to see his body, but…”

“But?” Kaeya subtly prompted as the man gazed into his drink, his half-closed eyes fogged.

“Oh!” he shook himself. “But, um. But! The Qixing is preventing any of us from seeing Rex Lapis’ body.”

“Oh,” Kaeya rounded his eyes. “I wasn’t aware they were doing that. That’s certainly not useful. I wonder why? What could they possibly gain from restricting access to his body?” he accepted the filled glass placed before him with a smile flashed to the bartender.  

“This is Osmanthus Wine, a long-enduring Liyue favourite,” the employee introduced the drink. “You two are discussing the Qixing?”

“I’m sorry,” Kaeya gave him a winning smile. “Is it rude of an outlander like me to criticize your leaders?”

“Not at all,” he sighed, crossing his bare arms. “We’re all thinking the same, to tell you the truth. Nobody understands why the Qixing made their decision- and we’ve hardly seen them in the streets since, so no information is being passed to the public. Maybe they’re just at a loss for what to do next, now that our Archon is dead. None of the seven nations have ever experienced anything like this; not in living memory. It’s completely new territory for all of us. Still... I don’t believe it’s right for them to deny us our right to mourn him. Rex Lapis cared deeply for Liyue. He would definitely have wanted his people to honour him.”

“Well, naturally,” Kaeya agreed. “I wonder what’s going through the Qixings’ minds?” he frowned, taking a swig- allowing the men time to ponder. Good wine, but nothing like Dandelion Wine, that was for sure. A crying shame the people of Liyue thought this brew to be the best. Kaeya hoped they’d soon be enlightened.

“Maybe they’re investigating the body?” the bartender suggested. “It could lead them to the assassin. Perhaps they don’t want anyone tampering with the evidence?” Kaeya cocked his head, miming consideration.

The drunk dock worker piped up again. “My.. my grandmother, she keeps on saying, uh-“ he paused to burp. “She’s always saying that we should be performing the Rite of Parting, but because Rex Lapis’ body is missing, we can’t..! She says it’s really.. disrespectful…”

 “A ‘Rite of Parting’?” Kaeya asked, pouncing on the lead. “I’ve never heard of it. Please, enlighten an ignorant traveler.” He gave an overformal flourish while swigging another drink.

“It’s a big tradition in Liyue, according to her,” he mumbled. “A long time ago, people used to.. hold big vigils when adepti passed, and.. uh.. make things like perfume and offer it? I’m not sure. B-But she won’t shut up about it recently… Because Rex is also an adeptus or something… Keeps saying how the Tianquan has ‘no sense of respect’ and is ‘a heathen’… Other crazy old people have tried to protest her decision but- but the Qixing are nowhere to be found! They’d be protesting to thin air.” He inexplicably giggled at this, his head lolling.

“The Qixing’s absence does seem unusual. Wouldn’t they typically be out governing Liyue?” Kaeya feigned honest confusion. “Isn’t it the Qixing’s duty to rule and guide your harbour?”

The bartender gave a derisive snort, polishing a glass with a dishcloth. “Well, yeah. They’re not often around as they’re busy people, but you see them here and there- for example, Keqing, the Yuheng of the Qixing, usually takes a very-hands on approach to her work for the sake of efficiency, so she’s often spotted roaming the markets and discussing business with merchants. The Tianquan, Ningguang, is typically found talking to her assistants in front of the Qixing’s main office at Yujing Terrace.” Kaeya made notes of the locations in his head and filed them away for later use. He doubted he’d have any luck finding them, but whatever. It was worth a shot. “But since confiscating Rex’s body, they’ve all vanished completely…”

“I just.. can’t quite grasp their logic,” Kaeya took one last stab at getting answers for the Qixing’s motives. “If they wanted to investigate the circumstances of his death, wouldn’t it have been wiser to preserve the crime scene and not move the body?”

The bartender inclined his head. “Fair point there.” He walked away to serve a new customer.

“Maybe they want to.. hide the fact that our Archon has died?” the dockworker threw out. “Like, they think it’s their own personal failing that Rex died on their watch? Or… They just don’t want people yet to know? Oh!” His unfocused eyes lit up with an epiphany. “Maybe they don’t want other nations to know that… Know that Liyue is... Um... Is..?”

“Is weakened?” Kaeya gently suggested.

“Yeah! Like, uh… No offence, but maybe they don’t want tourists knowing. So they don’t go running back to their nations like ‘Oh, Liyue is without its guardian! Let’s steal all its Mora!’” he broke out into a fit of hysterical laughter, splashing half his alcohol on the bar.

“Hmm,” Kaeya pretended to consider this. The man was getting to the point where it was more challenging than it was worth to squeeze any semblance of information from him. He’d move on soon- but only once he’d gained the attention of the Snezhnayan man, of course, who he’d seen continually sipping his drink in his peripheral vision. Perfect conditions to force out some delicious organization secrets. “Speaking of foreign visitors,” Kaeya angled his head slightly so the Snezhnayan man could better hear his words, “is it just me, or have there been a lot of Fatui around the Harbour recently? Is this normal for Liyue?”

The man noticeably shifted in his seat at the mention of the word. Kaeya’s forehead creased slightly. Fascinating.

“You’re not imagining things.” The bartender had returned. “In the past few months, I’ve seen more Fatui on the streets than ever before. Sure, there’s always been a general presence with the Northland Bank and all, but never this many.”

“Many… Boats…” the Liyue man breathed, his drooping head almost hitting the rim of his glass. He looked as if he were about to fall asleep. “Many boats.. seen. On the docks. Snezhnayan boats are… So pretty…”

“Perhaps they all came here to admire the Rite of Descension and the Geo Archon’s might, too?” Kaeya suggested, feeling the Snezhnayan’s gaze on his neck.

“Not at all!” he suddenly burst out. “We Fatui would never be as disloyal as to worship another God! Her majesty the Tsaritsa is the only Archon worth following..!” he slumped back, as if his shouting had taken all the remaining energy out of him.

“Oh? Could you be a Fatui?” Kaeya turned to him, surprised, as if he hadn’t yet noticed the man. “Perhaps our friend here can tell us more about their increased presence?”

“I’m just a .. lowly grunt,” the man spat, his expression disfiguring with resentment. A weakness. This really was too easy. “My commander never tells me anything. All- ‘It’s nothing to do with you Alexi, you’re too weak to handle the mission!’ and ‘Our logic would break your tiny mind, get back to work!’” He took a lengthy drag of liquor, smacking his pouting lips together. “God, I hate him. I’ve tried to find out as much as I could, and I’ve even got a pretty good idea! Take that you.. You…” he lost steam and sighed heavily, trying a different approach. “My head’s not exactly exploding, is it? Hah… Hahah…”

The bartender had meanwhile floated off to tend to other customers at their request. Kaeya smiled cordially at the direly inhibited man. “I’m sure you’re capable enough to comprehend their mission. I bet you’ve already figured out all their little secrets, one by one. That dastardly commander- who does he think he is?”

“Exactly,” the man gesticulated widely with ill-controlled limbs. “He doesn’t even know that I know we’re really here to collect the gnosis. I heard how overjoyed he was when the news broke of the Archon’s death... Because my investigation skills are that bad. Hah, right! He didn’t even find me snooping!”

Bingo. As I expected. That sweet satisfaction of unlocking the answers, teasing it out from patrons unawares with a meticulous dance woven from a rhythm of words, placed down as seedlings at key moments. It never got old. Kaeya took another sip of his wine to hide his smirk.

“That’s impressive,” Kaeya praised him as the man got lost in his delusions of grandeur. “I can’t believe he doesn’t recognize your talent. You should get a promotion at once, my friend.”

“Right? Hahah, I knew I was made for bigger things,” the man giggled, slapping his knee with excessive vigour. “I know it all! I know it all! And he doesn’t even know! Isn’t it hilarious! I know about our Liyue mission, I know about the Tsaritsa’s plan, I know about the gnosis collection-!” he dissolved into hearty laughter over his cup, then stopped abruptly. “No. Wait… My commander told me not to tell anyone outside of the.. the Fatui… Oh no.”

“Hah, don’t worry,” Kaeya clapped him on the back, grinning warmly. “Your secrets are safe with me, I assure you. No harm done.”

“Phew, that’s a relief!” the Snezhnayan man melted in his chair, taking yet another swig even as he struggled to hold the cup to his lips. “I wouldn’t want to be demoted even further…”

Kaeya listened to his insufferable drivel about how irredeemable his commander was and how he should be the next Harbinger for a few more minutes, but no new information came to light and he soon sensed the man’s usefulness was up. The Liyue dockworker on the other side had long fallen asleep, snoring on the tabletop as the bartender mimed shushing, so it was time to move on. He discreetly glanced around the tavern, searching for the rowdier, looser-lipped individuals- preferably more residents of the Harbour, as he was hoping for a few more clues pertaining to the Qixing’s ultimate goal. There. In the right corner, scattered around a round table- a gathering of Liyue locals chatting and laughing raucously as they threw back beer after beer.

Kaeya ordered another drink from the bar (settling for a second glass of Osmanthus wine- probably the best thing he could find to drink around here) and walked over to the group.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked with a placid smile.

“Of course, of course!” one of the men chuckled merrily- perhaps a bit too merrily- as he slapped the open chair next to him hard. “Why don’t you sit yourself down, my friend? There’s always room at our table, ey, boys?” the men around him cheered, raising their sloshing mugs. “What’s your name? You from the Harbour?”

Kaeya took his seat in one fluid motion, placing his wineglass upon the wooden slats of the table though never letting go. “Oh, I’m Kye. A simple traveler who thought he’d come to Liyue for the Rite of Descension, but… As you can probably surmise, those plans have since been scuppered,” he chuckled sardonically.

“Oh, yep, yep,” another man nodded sagely; the bobbing of his head a bit imbalanced. “Our Rex Lapis, killed! I’ve never seen anything like it. I was there, too.”

“It was a rather extraordinary welcome to Liyue Harbour,” Kaeya remarked good-naturedly. “Is this.. a normal occurrence over here?”

“Haha, of course not!” another exclaimed. “Rex Lapis usually just descends and gives us the business predictions for the year, that’s all. But this year… This year someone killed him.”

“Killed?” Kaeya affected an incredulous tone. “Someone actually killed him?”

“Aye, assassinated. Can you believe it?” the first man said. “The Qixing have arrested many suspects- mostly foreigners, like you. But, if you ask me, I’m betting it was all the Fatui.”

“The Fatui?” Kaeya gasped, pushing forward the conversation. “Whatever makes you think that?”

“Not only have their numbers in Liyue Harbour increased as of late, but after the Rite of Descension, every time I go past Northland Bank, I see hundreds of Fatui milling outside!” the man shook his head. “Something very fishy is going on with them. Could it be they want to take over Liyue?”

“Tian has got it all wrong,” another man proclaimed noisily. “It was the Qixing, I swear!”

“The Qixing? Why would they want to kill the Geo Archon?”

The man shrugged lazily. “Uhm, I dunno. For power? Jealousy? Anyways, why are they not letting anyone see Rex Lapis’ body! That’s what I want to know! It’s too suspicious.”

“Didn’t that whole operation with the Millelith seem a bit pre-planned to you?” another gathered man called out. “The way hundreds of them appeared out of nowhere as soon as the Tianquan gave the order- it was unbelievable!”

“Hm, that is true,” the first man admitted, before slurping more alcohol.

Kaeya tried to absorb more information from the group but nothing else they seemed to offer was anything but increasingly outlandish speculation, soon dissolving into a competition of who could come up with the most amusing reason of assassination as the men kept refiliing their jugs and becoming more and more unruly. Kaeya finally excused himself from the table, claiming needing the bathroom and instead leaving his empty glass on the tabletop with a couple of Mora as payment.

How he wished to stay for another drink, or stay the entire day. He gazed longingly at the bar. But, alas, he had to do his job, and continuing to linger in this tavern was not conducive to acquiring some answers and unravelling the mystery of the Rite of Descension. Stalking through the Harbour in search for a bit- it wouldn’t hurt. Even if finding his target was unlikely. He would mourn the loss of his extra drink later, when he actually had some relaxation time on his hands. Until then, it was back to the hunt. Piecing together puzzles like this was his favourite activity, after all. Why else would he be a Knight of Favonius, if not for the love of the game?

**************************************

A few hours later The Traveler and Paimon left the markets on the shoreline of the Harbour, packing the last of their shopping exploits into the depths of The Traveler’s travelling bag. They’d sufficiently emptied their pockets of Mora while wandering around the numerous colourful stalls, browsing the different wares the merchants displayed and harked, discovering the many different traditional crafts and artmaking processes of Liyue. The Traveler had scored a couple of souvenirs- a beautiful bronze bracelet with its Cor Lapis pendant fashioned into the shape of a lucky coin, a hand-crafted silk folding screen with a painted scene of the Harbour lit up at night (Paimon was stunned into silence when she successfully shoved it into her pack) and a dried sack of traditional Liyue tea. Paimon, not nearly as sentimental, had opted to spend her share on a variety of street food- chowing through a helping of Chop Suey, a bowl of Stir-Fried Fish Noodles, and buying multiple additional helpings of Grilled Tiger Fish after falling in love at first bite.

“We’ve still got some time left in the day,” Paimon said as she finished her last skewer. “Hmm… We haven’t done any commissions from the Adventurer’s Guild in a while. Why don’t we check out the branch here in Liyue and see if they need help with anything? We could probably do with the extra Mora after blowing it all on these goodies anyways, hehe,” she giggled sheepishly.

The Traveler nodded, and they looped back through the bustling dockyards as dockhands unloaded goods from both domestic and international boats, operating pulley systems that lifted heavy crates into the air and over their heads. They went past the smithery and followed the emerald banners bearing the crest of the Adventurer’s Guild up a flight of stairs to the main desk.

The Traveler approached the receptionist, opening her mouth in preparation to request commissions- and then she halted.

“Wait- KATHERYNE?!!”

**************************************

It’d been a bit of time since their meeting- enough to guarantee that he’d left the bank by now. Unless some pressing Fatui issues were demanding his attention as of late. Still, the matter of whether he’d be out on the streets was unknown, and although Kaeya didn’t like his chances, he still resolved to search the streets in the slim case he was about. It was time to get to the bottom of things without any pretense of civility. He was tiring of their little charade.

Kaeya kept to the shadows and behind buildings, scanning the foot traffic and letting no one know of his presence- not even harmless pedestrians. Sneaking around in such a way felt as natural as breathing. He skulked past the walkways at the front of the town, then briefly winded through the busy jetties and still there was no sign of a ginger head. Past the Adventurer’s Guild and Wanmin restaurant, which wafted tempting aromas his way- maybe he should’ve stopped for lunch. Or maybe he should’ve just taken the rest of the day off, stayed in that tavern. What a drag.

But there- a flash of bright hair amidst the crowds of shoppers beside the Jade Mystery pulled him from his brooding. Kaeya, eyes narrowing, slipped into the shadows of nearby trees, tracking the Harbinger’s movements as he chattered with fellow Fatui recruits. They moved further on, over the bridge as Kaeya tailed them, maintaining some distance to avoid detection. Once they passed into the main business precinct under the mass of red walkways, Childe’s two companions peeled off to head up some stairs, leaving him alone. Kaeya’s mouth curled up into a smile. He waited for a few moments longer until Childe had strolled to a more secluded area of the square, then stepped out from the shadows behind the man.

Childe turned his head to the side as Kaeya advanced. “You really can’t let things go, can you?” he chuckled, tone jovial. “I said I don’t drink. Maybe next time we can hit up one of Liyue’s restaurants? I personally recommend Liuli Pavilion- they’re the flagship restaurant in the Harbour of the Li cuisine, and their food is not to be missed. We could sample its offerings, if you’d like?”

“What do you want?” Kaeya asked, his voice cold and lightless.

“You’re not a humble traveler, are you?” Childe stated bluntly, pupils flashing. “Who are you?” he frowned at Kaeya’s clothing. “Your uniform feels familiar… A Knight of Favonius?”

“To you, I’m just a friend of The Traveler,” Kaeya shrugged slightly, raising an open palm. “And someone who looks out for the prevalence of justice and righteousness in this world. Now- answer me. What is it that you Fatui want from Liyue?”

“Reveal none of your secrets, and I’ll reveal none of mine,” Childe retorted, flexing his arms. He positioned a hand behind his frame, ready to summon his weapon.

Kaeya shook his head with a chuckle as if reprimanding a child. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Think about it for a minute- a Hydro vision versus Cryo. Which would be more effective?”

“I’ve always enjoyed a challenge,” Childe grinned wildly.  

“With these many eyewitnesses?” Kaeya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I find it hard to believe the Fatui would destroy their upstanding international relations so easily.”

“You’ve got me there, comrade,” Childe sighed, dropping his arm.

“I’m not your ‘comrade’,” Kaeya bit back. “You Fatui- you’re taking advantage of this situation with Rex Lapis. How did you arrive so quickly after news of his death? It’s almost too perfect. There are no coincidences in this world.”

“All I want to do is help the citizens of Liyue in the wake of such a catastrophe,” Childe claimed. “I can’t help but love this city. It’s been my home now for a while. You grow a heart for the sights, the sounds- the people.”

“How heart-warming,” Kaeya muttered. “I’m touched by your benevolence. Listen- perhaps you don’t want to reveal any of your close-guarded Fatui secrets, but know this one thing, comrade. I’ll be keeping an eye very closely on you. I know you’re just jumping for a chance to use The Traveler to your advantage, but unfortunately for you, she and I are way smarter than you may presume.”

“I only wish to help you three,” Childe placed a hand on his heart. Why did he bother to continue the act? It was infuriating.

“Well then, let’s keep it that way, shall we?” Kaeya grinned widely. “Let’s all get along. I’m only The Traveler’s humble bodyguard, after all. As long as you don’t target those two, I think I won’t have any reason to fight you. Consider this a warning, Childe. You’re treading on very thin ice. Don’t let it break.”  

“Please, I’m not going to hurt any of you,” Childe smiled back. “Banish such ideas from your mind. I’m an ally! I’ll prove it to you- you’ll see. Just wait for tomorrow. I’ll find someone who can help you.”

“That’s very good to hear,” Kaeya said, as more pedestrians milled around. “Perhaps my suspicions are misplaced. I’m sorry for coming onto you so rudely, especially seeming as you hold our best interests at heart. I hope you can forgive me. Well, until next time, Childe.”

“Until next time,” Childe whispered to himself as the Knight walked off. An inferno blazed in his downcast gaze.

Chapter Text

If one were to delve to the deepest depths of Kaeya’s crowded mind, one would find many ghosts- half-translucent memories, like black residual imprints dancing in his field of vision when blinded by their sudden, stinging light. Clinging to the fringes by threads, such that he is unaware of their presence, their survival, their existence in his mind. If he were to search his memory they wouldn’t appear in his named roster, his haphazardly-constructed film of his life thus far. They lurk, unbeknownst, unvisited- smothered in shadows and having not felt the warmth of sunlight for many years. Yet still a piece in the tapestry of Kaeya’s personhood, making up the construct of his being, determining the ever-fluctuating shape of his personality, the choice he next lands on. Silent, stealthy agents that may evoke a foreign emotion within his heart at indiscriminate moments- a tender happiness, a piercing nostalgia, an ache of grief. Even when their origin is concealed. Even when he cannot comprehend what possibly brought on this inexplicable bout of ‘feeling’. He could be drinking at the bar, laughing along with friends made over a mutual adoration of the liquor, and their chuckling will ring in his ears, disfigure into something unearthly, unknown, while he mourns an unseen loss. He could be sparring with a new Knight recruit, and a pain in his chest will send him careening off-balance and searching for a wound never inflicted by his opponent’s blunt blade.  He could be stalking through the woods, tracking his next victim of justice as they schemed, when a tug of something he couldn’t name would halt his rhythmic steps temporarily.

Strange occurrences, he dismissed them as. Shrugging off any puzzlement, continuing with his day. With the answers locked deep inside.

Though sometimes, in the cover of night, when the eyepatch laid on the bedside table and solitude blanketed him like a comforting embrace, he dared to foray back into that past. He dared to sift briefly, sparingly through the remaining records of that time that fade with each passing year. Sometimes, he removes those shields and allows those tempests, those storms of tangled, chaotic thoughts and emotions he hasn’t yet bothered to resolve, to attack his heart; stifle his breath.

Sometimes he sees the memories and sometimes others remain, unbidden, in those unreachable stores as if protecting their lives; knowing they will be savagely ripped apart by its witness if ever seen. Though, maybe he is aware. Maybe he can sense them but chooses not to reach out and close that distance, keeping his fingers tightly withdrawn. Perhaps he doesn’t want to recall- understanding too well the consequences such weakness would induce.

Sometimes, he reflects on those times readily- the ones that exist in harmony at the forefront of his consciousness. He accepts their part in his past- perhaps even using them to his advantage. Embellishing his tales, using them to further his supposed trustworthiness and wisdom, allow his ‘treasured friend’ to rest easy in his presence; until he pounces on their slip-ups and they’re lead away in handcuffs. Weaving truth and untruth together like this until they are naturally, effortlessly intwined in every word he speaks is the way Kaeya lives- breathing in honesty, spitting out falsities until they’re indistinguishable and even he cannot tell what is authentic anymore. Maybe that’s why looking in the mirror has long been forbidden- too terrified of the multiple pairs of eyes that stare back, each pupil reflecting a different person, an alternate version of ‘himself’. Unable to pick out the reality any longer from the frauds.  Until he drowns in their overlapping voices. No, he must pick back up his mask and willfully forget the charade. All in order to survive. After all, his lies sustain his life. How would he function without their assured inauthenticity when they rush through his veins, seethe in his blood? His entire existence- his citizenship, his identity, his words, his opinions- it’s entirely faux. All to showboat around. All to manipulate the criminal. All to manipulate those around him. No, no, all to have fun.

A nagging memory he is aware of sits within those depths. One that he occasionally replays on quiet nights. One that he can reflect on in his day-to-day life and understand the storyline. One that informs those reassurances of capability, of strength. A time starring long-lost companions, enwreathed in unfathomable warmth that doesn’t now reach his heart. That time of a specter. It rushes before his eyes now.

Kaeya Alberich had already been living with the Ragvindrs for a couple of years. He was, in all respects, a member of the family and Diluc’s undeniable brother. They had a bond shared only by destined friends, and fit easily into their roles- Diluc, as the official older brother, leading Kaeya and guiding him through the strangeness of his new life, and Kaeya, the younger brother, forever at his side, gazing up in adoration and wonder, joining in his countless sparring matches and games. They spent their days playing and laughing, cradled in the stability and love of their shared father, Crepus, and the house staff.

Kaeya soon got used to the yearly schedule, built around the cycle of the wine which had built his family’s wealth and strength. They moved back to the Dawn Winery for the Summer and Autumn months as the grapes amidst overflowing yards of vines ripened and were plucked carefully by their staff and other part-time workers who traveled from Mondstadt each year to join the harvest for honest Mora. Crepus returned to the estate to take charge of the complicated process, from picking to bottling, and to manage the annual headache that was organizing distribution and retail with the fresh wine sent out all over Teyvat. In the other half of the year, during both Winter and Spring, their little family, constructed from the three and their butlers, kitchen staff and cleaners,  resided in their permanent, official residence- a picturesque mansion straddled in woodland near Springvale.

On one of these Spring days the two boys were playing in the mansion, as was often how they spent their time. They’d make up games of make-believe and chase each other through the grounds, or play what they loved most- pretending to be valiant Knights of Favonius, battling foul beasts to save the citizens of Mondstadt.

Having just vanquished a rabid pack of hilichurls (a pile of Diluc’s toys gathered on the living room carpet), Diluc pulled out his short wooden sword and pointed it skyward, striking what he thought was an impressive figure. “Where to next, Sir Kaeya? Have you received any other reports of evil monsters around the city?”

“Um, I don’t know,” Kaeya shook his head.

Diluc giggled. “You’re meant to be a Captain! A Captain would always know what enemies were around!” he glanced at the group of plushies, who slumped against the wall as if they were real corpses. “It looks like all the hilichurls have been cleared out for the day. Why don’t we focus on another threat? Oh!” Diluc’s scarlet eyes lit up suddenly, and he grabbed Kaeya’s shirtsleeve eagerly. “I have an idea! How about we kill a real monster. Father and the staff will be grateful, right? Maybe then, the Knights will recognize us and we’ll become the youngest ever to join!”

“A real enemy?” Kaeya stammered. “Um- didn’t we just kill a bunch of hilichurls?” he gestured with his weapon to the ‘dead’ toys.

“Oh, well, we indeed defeated a lot of monsters around the city,” Diluc admitted, reprising his knightly role. “But don’t you realise there’s a different enemy lurking around? A ghost.”

“A- A ghost?” Kaeya’s eyes grew chasmic.

Diluc nodded seriously. “You haven’t heard it before? At night? Surely you’ve heard all the creaking and banging?” Kaeya shook his head mutely. “Well, this is an old mansion, after all. Of course it’s got a ghost. Why don’t we try and make it come out? Come on, Kaeya, let’s go search!” Diluc towed him away, leaving him no choice in the matter.

The boys ran around the mansion, up staircases and down corridors, peeking their heads into open doorways and looking under beds. Kaeya lingered behind as Diluc scoured, his apprehension contrasting with Diluc’s courage. It was at times like this that Kaeya admired his older brother’s bravery and wished he possessed the same. He just couldn’t stop shaking as he stuck close to Diluc’s back, glancing at the walls as if worried the supposed ghost would pounce.

“The thing is,” Diluc told Kaeya as they (or, more aptly, just he) explored the house, “ghosts can’t be just killed with swords because they’re see-through and you can’t hurt them. That’s why you have to stare at the ghost really hard and really angrily when they appear so that they’ll go away forever! I read it in a book.”

The rest of the afternoon quickly passed in this fashion, with the search fruitless as Adelinde called them downstairs for dinner. Diluc chattered to Crepus as the family sat for their meal, but Kaeya uncharacteristically could not bring himself to join in with the conversation, too preoccupied with chilling thoughts of a haunting. He kept his gaze fixated on his plate of pork and raddish, spearing his meat absentmindedly as he imagined a white figure hovering above him, watching him eat, or even leaping out behind him and stealing him away to a horrible ghostly realm.

After dinner had been cleared from the table, he and Diluc stayed a little longer while Diluc continued talking with his father and Kaeya continued to ruminate, seized with a mounting fear. When they were sent off to bed by Crepus’ order and Adeline’s gentle guiding hand, Diluc soon fell asleep, his noisy snoring filling the silence of the dark room. Kaeya meanwhile laid awake in his bed, trembling under his bedsheets as his blue gaze stared up at the black ceiling.

All the familiar noises and rhythms of the night had been recontextualized. What he had before assumed to be the footsteps of a maid or the breathing of the forest now disfigured in his mind, becoming the movements of a ghost beyond his bedroom door. Kaeya froze in fear at every sound, certain the door would fling open and a raging specter would attack him. He tossed and turned, unable to escape the images that flashed under his eyelids every time he ventured to close them of a translucent maw lined with sharp teeth rushing forward to devour him, a ghoulish face turned towards him, a man in chains floating clear through the wall. The terror became too much for the young boy, and he began to cry. Tears leaked from his wide eyes as he attempted to muffle his sobs, afraid it would alert the ghost, but it was ultimately futile. Strangulated sobs and sniffles escaped him and rebounded in the empty darkness as Diluc, impossibly, kept snoring.

Suddenly, booming footsteps traveled down the hall outside their bedroom- and then stopped, directly outside their door. Two slender shadows- feet – sliced through the light in the doorway. The ghost had found him. His heart stuttered in his chest as the doorknob began to turn with an ominous creak. Kaeya squeezed his eyes firmly shut, certain this was the end, not wanting to witness his demise when it came for him-! And then- a voice.

“Kaeya?” A familiar, soft voice called out. “Are you crying? What’s wrong?” Father. Crepus crossed the room immediately, crouching down beside his bed. Kaeya launched himself at the man.

“Diluc,” he blubbered. “Diluc, he-!”

“Diluc?” Crepus, with his arms supporting Kaeya’s weight, turned to look at his other son, who had since woken up in the commotion and was sitting amidst crumpled blankets, rubbing his face. “What’s all this about? Have you scared Kaeya?”

“The ghost!” Kaeya cried into his father’s chest. “Diluc was telling me about the ghost in the mansion! And it’s going to get me!”

Crepus was silent for a moment and Kaeya mistook it as a sign of his reciprocal fear at this news, but then he felt the man’s chest begin to vibrate gently and to the boy’s surprise he realised he was laughing. His deep chuckles were quite the contrast to his horror. Kaeya was confused.

“Why didn’t you two tell me sooner there was a ghost?” the man asked them when his mirth receded. “There’s an easy fix for that.”

He placed Kaeya down on his feet and stood, flashing them a smile as Crepus started towards the door. “Come on, you two. Put your nightgowns on. We have a ghost to hunt!”

Crepus rifled through his expansive catalogue of books, tracing each spine individually and occasionally muttering under his breath, his bright red ponytail swishing along to his erratic head movements almost as if it were alive. Diluc and Kaeya watched on under the cover of his study doorway, Kaeya trembling behind his sibling with a tight grip clutching Diluc’s arm. Crepus’ unexplained flurry of activity paused as suddenly as it had begun as he halted, his gaze landing upon a thick book spine, and he hefted the weighty tome down from its pedestal on his bookshelf.  

“Here we are.” The man beckoned the two. Kaeya let Diluc lead him forth, and Crepus showed them the embellished cover in turn.

Diluc tilted his head, audibly puzzling out the title. “Ex.. or… Kim?”

“Exorcism, my boy,” Crepus grinned, tucking the book in the crook of his arm in one swift motion. “It’s the practice of getting rid of specters and ghouls. We’re going to need this for our séance. Come on,” he bent low, taking Diluc’s free hand. “Let’s go catch our ghost for good. If we use the instructions contained in this book, it’ll never bother us again.” A spark of hope flared in Kaeya’s heart.

He guided the boys to one of the living rooms- the one they spent the most time in as a family- while flicking through the pages, waving to Adelinde absentmindedly on the way as she frowned, surprised at the sight of Diluc and Kaeya up so late.

“All ghosts are the souls of people who are stuck in the mortal realm- our world,” Crepus explained as they reached their destination. The boys fanned out in the room and sat opposite to one another on the rug, as per his direction. “They can be stuck here for many different reasons personal to the individual themselves. It could be regrets from their life, things they haven’t yet been able to do, or even particularly fun or sad memories. Usually, in order to exorcise a ghost, you have to understand who it is that’s haunting you, and what their trouble might be. Luckily for us, though,” Crepus announced, snapping the book shut and smiling at his sons, “I already know who this ghost could be, and I’ve found the perfect solution.”

“Who is it, father?” Diluc asked.

“A few years ago, we had a young kitchen hand who died from sickness.” Kaeya gulped, shrinking to the ground. “She was very nice, though, and she didn’t have any regrets or bad memories as far as I know. She loved to play with you, Diluc- when you were a baby. So, I think the reason why she’s here is just because she wants to play with you two.”

Diluc gasped. “So she’s a nice ghost?”

Crepus laughed. “Indeed! A very, very kind ghost. But she’s got to move on and rest with the other spirits now, so it’s best that we do an exorcism. Now, take each others’ hands, you two, so you form a little circle.” The two obeyed as Crepus walked to the flickering fireplace and lit up extinguished candles. He placed them on the soft wool of the rug, arranged around the boys in a loose circle.

“Close your eyes,” he told them, “and sing a song that really makes you happy five times. That should delight her, and she’ll then move on to peace.”

Diluc began singing an old Mondstadt ballad and Kaeya joined in, their unsteady, off-tune voices combining to create an endearing harmony.

When the plains of wind were struck with malice,

A fiery-headed dame took her post,

Amidst scourges of injustice and aristocracy so callous,

To Mondstadt’s savior patrons shall toast,

For summoned by prayer and the dame so fair,

Came Barbatos, freeing the soldier from her cage,

She marched into battle with freedom in the air,

With the Archon’s plucked strings, the first Knight Vennessa became!

They recited the song four more times as Crepus leant against the open doorway, watching his sons with a smile on his lips. Adelinde also wandered in and stood at his side, looking on with stifled giggles.

“A fine idea, Master Crepus,” she whispered. He grinned in thanks.  

When the boys finished and opened their eyes, both Adelinde and Crepus burst into applause.

"Well done!” he exclaimed, embracing Diluc and hoisting Kaeya onto his shoulders. “You did it! Now our home is safe once more. Make way for the brave Ghost Knights!”

“Bravo!” Adelinde agreed. The brothers beamed at each other, in turn excited and relieved.

They led the children back to their beds, tucking them in tight and Kaeya instantly fell into a warm, shining dream free of darkness, a smile upon his lips.