Author's Note: We're close to finally getting to the main events of Genshin, but for now there are secrets that must be exposed. What are those secrets?

Merno raised an eyebrow at the strange contents presented in front of him in a plate that Paimon took the liberty of doing, a big, goofy grin on her face. Clearly she was proud if it, edging Merno to give it a try despite his facial protests.

"Oh come onnnn. Pleaseeeee!"

"Paimon I'm not eating that. You'll have to break my other arm before you get me to do so."

Paimon started pouting, putting on a show as her childish demeanor took over. Merno had no choice now but to die by food poisoning if it meant shutting her up.

"Fine. Give it here."

Paimon's face changed as soon as it came, a glistening smile plastered on her face as she brought the plate up and set it in front of his lap. Grasping the spoon, she hovered its contents above Merno's mouth, making an 'ah' sound.

"Paimon, I can feed myself."

"Open your mouth, dummy!"

Merno does as told, embracing death itself as the strange but.. surprisingly tasty slush dissolved in his mouth.

"Ok that.. actually wasn't bad. What even is it?"

"Paimon can't say! It's a secret!"

"Fine then. Keep your secrets. You never cease to surprise me, honestly.. Actually, do you think you can lead me to Aether?"

"Mmh? Well, he's around but why do you need to talk to him? Did something happened?"

"Well-"

"Aether is currently receiving some training from Amber. Lumine as well. Don't tell me you were planning on walking out again?"

It was Jean. The acting Grand Master herself barging in unannounced with the little red dressed, explosive yet adorable minion. Both Paimon and Klee yelped excitedly as they enveloped one another in a hug like the kids they were. Merno on the other hand didn't hesitate to let Jean know how he felt about her by glaring at her.

"What do you want, Jean." Merno asks firmly, Jean crossing her arms as she motioned the two enlighten kids to exit the room.

Paimon glanced at Merno, giving her a nod before both Paimon and Klee exited the room, leaving Jean and Merno alone.

"What is your issue with me..?" Jean asks, furrowing her eyes at the man.

"Well for starters, I'm pissed off that my arm is broken and my body feels like a damn sandbag. I'm still in pain. My equipment is gone. My only sources of weaponry gone forever, and not to mention you trapping me here in Mondstadt like a damn child. I'm literally older than you by a year, you know."

The look on Jean's face softened up a bit.

"Merno-"

"Don't say my name."

"Stop being so stubborn and listen!" She sighed, massaging her temple. "You've only been here for a week. That fight you and your group had with Boreos has shaken all the citizens of Mondstadt. They're fearing for their lives, Merno.. and they think you're the cause of every unfortunate event that keeps happening here. And now with Stormterror on the loose.."

"Then why the hell would you still keep me here?!" Merno snapped, slamming his unbroken fist to the wall behind him.

"Because.. I'm trying to convince them that you're not a bad guy. They need to realize that you could be an asset to Mondstadt, not a liability."

"And become your puppet like the Knights?" He chuckled to himself.

The sound of palm and skin making contact echoed throughout the empty room. Merno's head snapped to the side as Jean's buttons were pushed, slapping the man.

"Don't you dare talk about the Knights in such a way! They sacrifice more for everyone than you could ever hope to grasp!"

Merno's chuckle became even louder, almost sinister as he met eyes with the Grand Master. Jean didn't like the look in his eyes, almost symbolizing the very thing she fought against.

"At least your sister Barbara was gentle."

Jean took to her feet, glaring daggers at the man before walking out of the room.

"We're done here."

But before Jean made her way out, Merno made sure to make her aware of his last words.

"Mondstadt was manipulated by her, Jean. It doesn't matter what they think of me, but I know the truth."

Jean took one last hard look at the man before shutting the door, leaving Merno to his thoughts in his dark room. He felt the rain and thunder wash over the land outside of this very room. The perfect weather to drown Merno's bottled up sorrow, hot tears welling up within his dead eyes.

--

Lumine and Aether found themselves laughing uncontrollably over the fun they were having. Amber has been teaching the two how glide like a pro over the past few days, and to her amazement, the twins were complete naturals!

And now as they felt small droplets with the clouds slowly darkening, the trio decided to take a break for the day, walking together to Mondstadt's inner café.

"You looked awesome out there, Aether!" Lumine praises through a grin.

"Not as good as you guys. That little trick you did earlier was pretty cool, Lumine."

"Now, now kids." Amber started. "Gliding is pretty cool and all, but you also need to learn how to be responsible. Which we will continue to elaborate on of course. For now enjoy yourselves! My treat!"

"Amber did anyone ever told you how amazing you are?" Aether asks through his usual positive nature.

"Only about a dozen times." Amber giggles.

The trio sit and order some quick snacks and drinks, watching over the rain as it began to pour even more than initially thought.

"Looks like another storm this week." Aether observed.

"No kidding. I wonder if Merno's doing ok. I haven't seen him at all since yesterday." Lumine added.

"Do you think he'll let me visit his today? He hasn't been in the best of moods lately.." Amber wondered.

Lumine placed her head in between her arms at the table, looking up at Amber.

"Who knows. I always meant to ask but.. are you two..? You know?"

Amber's slightly rosy cheeks was enough of an answer for Lumine, but of course Amber had to come up with her own defense.

"N-no! Not like that. We used to.. travel a lot. This was a long time ago, before Paimon even came into the picture. Believe it or not he was a completely different man. And although he still kept his secrets, even his name, he was always happy and enthusiastic and wonderful.. We helped one another more time that I could count since we were the only ones in Mondstadt to be so enthusiastic in discovering everything about the land. The man he is totally different now though from what I've heard.."

While this had Aether's curiosity, he decided to not join in as he didn't known the man very much either, but he wanted to learn more, so he simply listened in.

"So.. what happened?" Lumine asked, taking a sip of her flavored water that the waiter just dropped off for the table.

"Well.. Something happened in Mondstadt. A planned attack to be precise, which took all of us by surprise. Merno tried to fight along with us but the other Knights refused, finding out that he was the cause of it all, or so they say. Everyone says that Merno was secretly planning on working with the Fatui to disrupt Mondstadt itself.. but I don't believe that's true. I want to believe Merno."

"Wow that's.. He never told me this." Lumine admitted.

"And why would he? He knows everyone hates him. Everyone wants him gone. But yet he continued to travel, even meeting you guys along the way."

"But why would people hate a guy that was willing to sacrifice himself for others? You should of seen the stunt he pulled when he fought with us, it was insane!" Aether added.

"That's right!" Lumine perked in. "We have to clear his name!"

Amber sighed and looked down at her cup, watching the reflection of her own saddened face.

"I wish it was that easy. Jean is willing to hear his side of the story.. To convince Mondstadt that maybe he wasn't in the wrong. But I don't know what's going through his mind."

"Then I think it's time you pay him a visit, Amber." Aether added.

"Maybe you're right.."

--

Merno forced to compose himself as Paimon reappeared in the room, not even bothering to put on a fake smile. There was no hiding any feelings from Paimon anyway.

"What even happened after.. I don't think anyone has filled me in about what happened after I blacked out."

"Mmh? Aether and Lumine didn't tell you?"

"I haven't exactly asked. Did we actually beat that thing?"

Paimon's smile reappeared on her face, hovering and placing her head on Merno's shoulder.

"Well." She starts off. "Keqing had to dig you out of the rubble. Everyone else was hurt and we all thought the big wolf was down for the count until foosh! It got back up again! And we all thought it was over, but then he said something like 'I shall accept defeat' and disappeared!"

Paimon was trying her best to be truthful in her story telling while also mocking the beast, trying to put a smile on her companion. She continued.

"Everyone was worried about you, but you managed to pull through. You were awesome! Keqing had to say goodbye though, and left as soon as she came back to Liyue. She actually wrote a quick letter and told me to give it to you when you woke up again.. buuuut Razor ate it."

"Pfft. He what?"

"Yep! Yanked it right out of my hands and ate it, then disappeared into the forest. Aether carried you all the way here and at first people were worried, until the Knights came in. Come to think of it, the only one that seemed to really care was that red bunny girl."

"Amber.."

"Yep! That's her! The rest is history! You woke up and Paimon couldn't have been happier."

"Heh. Your story telling skills will never cease to amaze."

"Hehe."

It didn't matter how down he felt in life, Paimon always seemed to be the cure. And although he was feeling pretty tired again, probably due to Barbara's constant healing from time to time, he wouldn't have it any other way.

But of course the door creaks open, a figure with what appears to be bunny ears slowly making their way in. It's just a damn 'barge-in-Merno's-room' festival around here.

"Err.. anyone home..?" The figure asks, eyes still not adjusting to the dark given how Merno was just swimming in it currently.

"It's you. What are you doing here, Amber?"

"Eh.. Uhm. Honestly I don't really know myself. I'm not sure where to start here."

"Well you can start by turning around and helping Jean with her crap." He stated rudely, Paimon disapproving of his tone.

Amber sighed placed a bottle on the tabletop between them. Notably, Paimon was curious but Merno couldn't care less.

"Paimon could you give us a minute?"

Paimon hesitated, defiantly placing her hands on her hip to deny her request until Merno gave her the green light. She assured Merno that he was going to find the twins before disappearing out of sight.

"What do you want, Amber." He stated coldly.

"I just want to cheer you up!

Merno watches as the bunny girl places a bottle on the counter top table in front of him. A half smile on her face. Merno raised an eyebrow. From the little time they spent together, he has never seen Amber touch a drop of alcohol. Coffee? Yes, like water, but not alcohol.

"I already told Jean I don't need any of your help. Why do you care so much anyway."

"Well.. You helped me once before. It's only fair for me to-"

"I already said I don't need it. I'm not interested in you Knights or Mondstadt. I'm out of here as soon as I recover and I won't let you guys stop me."

While his words did put a frown on Amber's face, she still persisted. This man wasn't the same guy that helped her all those months ago. This man was broken. Betrayed and saddened by his own actions.

And the actions he claims was made by another.

"If you're going to stand there looking stupid then at least cut the crap and tell me why you're really here." Merno added.

"I just.. I wanted to hear your side of the story.. If you won't tell Jean, then at least tell me because.. I know the incident wasn't your fault."

And she was right, but yet it frustrated him to the core. As much as he tried and tried before to clear his name and prove that the attack on Mondstadt wasn't entirely his fault, the more he was pushed away. And now suddenly Jean wants to clear his name? It's all none sense.

Merno chuckled to himself, standing up to come face to face with Amber as he slammed his idle hand on the table, petrifying Amber a little. The look on his eyes said it all. It wasn't hatred.. more like regret. And she knew it all too well. She knew the feeling of loneliness and regret ever since her grandfather just left without a trace. Abandoned her.

"After all this time, now you want to hear my side? You looked away when I asked for your help all those months ago and NOW you want to hear my side?!"

Amber is known for being one of the happiest, most positive people in Mondstadt. But now? She couldn't even pretend to smile. He was right about everything. She could of stood up for him but was afraid of the consequences back then.

And now look at the results.

"I'm sorry Merno.. You're right. I should of believed you months ago but.. Jean.. You have to understand that she was just trying to protect Mondstadt. It was just too much for her to handle. For us to handle.."

Merno took a long, hard look at the bottle. So many thoughts were racing through his head. Maybe it was time he told somebody the truth. The truth that he hasn't even told Lumine with the only one in the world that knows being Paimon. But maybe by telling his truth, just maybe, the people of Mondstadt will stop judging him from his mistakes. From her mistakes.

He swiped the bottle from the tabletop and took a long, hard swig. Wincing has he set the bottle back down, the awful taste of raw alcohol traveling down his throat. He met eyes with Amber, who waited in anticipation for his words.

"Fine Amber. I'll tell you the truth. The truth that I have yet to tell a single soul."

He hesitated for a moment, breaking eye contact with Amber. He felt the warm touch of her hands with his.

"It's ok, Merno.. I promise I won't make the same mistake again and I will do everything in my power to clear everything once and for all."

Merno took a breath, furrowing his eyes just at the thought of everything. He took his hand away from her, to Amber's slight disappointed, and began his story.

"Her name.. was Alena. And we both came from a different world."