Episode 1: Family Reckoning Pt 1
In the middle of the night inside a warehouse holding the powerful magical sword the Festering Desire. The knights are guarding the place deep within the forest. "This is so boring," one of the knights said as they sit on top of the building overlooking the forest with nothing in sight.
"I know right, just guarding some dusty sword," the second knight said as a shadow is looking at them from behind a pillar.
"I heard that thing came from Dragonspine and it's some cursed sword made from the corpse of the dark dragon," the first knight said.
"Seriously, that creeps me out man," the second knight said as they hear something move behind them.
"What was that?" they draw their swords to stare into the darkness of the roof seeing it looks very empty.
"Gee, we are getting spooked here in the middle of nowhere," the second knight said as they withdraw their swords.
"I know right, hey you see Eula around lately?" the first knight asked.
"Yeah, what about her?" the second knight asked.
"You think she looks very beautiful. She got those killer hips and that big chest of hers is out of this world," the first knight said as the second knight groans at this.
"Are you serious, she is from the Lawrence clan? The nobles who enslaved Mondstadt many years ago, we fought a big war to put those bastards in their place," the second knight said.
"I mean I know but that was a long time ago and they are not a threat anyway," the first knight said.
"Just leave them alone, they are not worth the time of day. Besides as a noblewoman, you stand no chance anyway," the second knight said as the first knight groans at this.
"Damn it, anyways I can just stare at her beautiful body in her tight uniform and I would be happy," the first knight said as the second knight groans at this.
"Don't get any weird ideas," the second knight said as the shadow swoops in to drive a sword within the second knight's back. Blood explodes onto the first knight's face to see a dark figure behind his dead friend.
"You bastard," he swings his sword for the armored glove grabs his blade to snap it like a twig. The woman appears to show her bright yellow eyes as she takes the life away for him.
"Like you have a chance with a woman of the Lawrence Clan," she said as she pulls out her blade to drop the now dead guard onto the roof. She enters inside the warehouse to search for the infamous weapon until she finds a box that houses the weapon. "The Festering Desire, another key to the plan," she said as she escapes into the forest to contact her master.
"So, did you find the item?" he asked within her mind.
"Yes, Lord Drake. We have the Stone of Life, the Zell Amulet, and now the Festering Desire," she said.
"Good work, my dear Seala. Next is the heart of the dead dragon and my rise will be complete. 10 long years of planning is coming together under those foolish knights' noses," Lord Drake said.
"Time to go to Dragonspine and take the power of the dragon for yourself, my lord," Seala said as she teleports with the Festering Desire in hand.
Within a hotel room in the capital city, Aether and Paimon are resting there as they are staying in Mondstadt for a few months now since the way to Inazuma is blocked off. Their ticket to the island nation Beidou has been going treasure hunting for a while with them waiting patiently in Mondstadt which is the closest thing to home for Aether.
"Gee, what a drag. No letter from Beidou yet, this is going to take a while," Aether said as Paimon has a smug look on her face.
"Paimon thinks Aether is having a nice time with Eula," Paimon teases her friend to make blond-haired young man blush from this.
"Well, she is nice to be around but she is very sad with people doubting her duties as a Knight," Aether said as he remembers a memory of him and Eula in the Knight training grounds a few months back when he came back from Liyue.
-Flashback Begins-
Aether and Eula are training with them being in a pitched mocked dual. Paimon and Rosaria are watching them practicing with the fight getting intense. "I got to admit, the kid is quite good," Rosaria said as she is watching from the sidelines.
Aether is wielding his main sword called the Aquila Favonia as Eula is wielding a Royal Greatsword. They weave and parry each other's attacks as Aether uses his speed to evade her powerful sword swings. He rolls out of the way of her attack as her swing made a small crater on the ground.
"Gee, you don't hold back huh Aether," Eula said as she takes a deep breath.
"Looks who is talking, swinging your claymore likes it's a feather," Aether joked as Eula playfully twists her large sword in her hands and cling it to her back.
"True that, hey Rose. How was the show?" Eula asked using her best friend's nickname she uses as Rosaria pulls up her hand and form a thumbs up giving a passing grade.
"I got to say kid, you are quite good with a blade," Rosaria said as Aether feels humbled by the older woman's words.
"Hey; it's nothing, I was trained well back in my hometown," Aether said as Rosaria nods her head.
"Right, seems like no jackasses were bothering you recently," Rosaria said as she looks around to see a group of people giving Eula a nasty look. Rosaria gives them a dangerous look of her own to make them run away in fright. "Damn it," she said to pull out a cigarette to place it on her lips and use a lighter to fire it up.
Barbara comes in as Rosaria looks annoyed by her presence. "Sister Rosaria, Victoria needs you to attend for prayers," she said as Rosaria moves her hand to tell her to go away.
"So bothersome, tell her I am on break," Rosaria said as Barbara looks bothered by this.
"But you are here, having a smoke," Barbara said as Rosaria blows a puff of smoke into the air.
"Yeah, yeah. I am on my break with my friend here, give me a few minutes," Rosaria said.
"Fine, just don't be late okay," Barbara said as she runs off with Rosaria groaning at this.
"Gee, can't even enjoy a good smoke. Eula and Aether, don't be fresh now. I need to get through a boring pray, have fun," Rosaria teases them to make the two blush as she leaves them to go to her duties.
"Oh Rose, she is weird like that," Eula said.
"Indeed, she is. She is very unusual for a nun of a church," Aether said being very curious about this.
"Oh yes, Rose had a harsh upbringing when growing up. I can't say more, she would tell you when she is more comfortable with you Aether," Eula said as she spread out her arms. "I need some lunch, training is working up my stomach," she said.
"Good idea, Paimon needs some grub," Paimon said as she happily hops in the air.
"Okay, let's head for the Cat's Tail to get some food," Eula said.
"Sounds good to me," Aether said as Paimon nods her head.
"Paimon can smell the Honey Roast alright," Paimon said as they head for the restaurant.
"So, I wonder. How was your recent trip to Liyue? How was it?" Eula asked.
"Okay, the sights were nice but the air is very corporate there. Not my style," Aether said.
"Yeah, a lot of people were stuffy there," Paimon said to nod her head in agreement.
"I see, yeah lots of businesspeople there," Eula said.
"I love Mondstadt, it feels more comfortable and warm," Aether said as Eula smiles at this.
"I am happy you think that way. Mondstadt is filled with warmth," Eula said with a sad smile as Aether noticed this.
"Anyone bothering you lately," Aether said as she hangs her head.
Aether met Eula a few weeks ago when dealing with her uncle working with the Fatui to take over Mondstadt due to her family Lawrence being the ones who enslave the nation many years ago. Eula has the shadow of her family's crimes hanging over her head to deal with deep scorn from the people.
"I am okay, some jerks to deal with but I managed," Eula said as Aether puts his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey if you need any help. I will be there for you, okay," Aether said in a sweet tone as Eula glows in the face from his sweet gesture.
"Oh, thank you, I will remember that. Also thank you for helping me stop my uncle from harming the city," Eula said.
"No problem Eula, it's my pleasure," Aether said.
"Sorry about that whole act I was putting, it was quite cringeworthy," Eula said.
"It's okay but why do the act at all," Aether asked as Eula looks down onto her feet with people staring at her with scorn in their eyes to look down onto her. She felt the sting of the people's gazes.
"Because everyone else is judging me before knowing me due to my family history. My uncle's little stunt made it even worse. I might as well play along with it, so they can leave me alone," Eula said as she felt Aether's grip get tighter on her shoulder.
"Don't think like that, you need to prove to the people you are worth it and become the knight they need to protect them," Aether trying to encourage Eula to look deep into her eyes.
"I know, that is why I joined the knights to make the people see I will not be chained to my family's dark past enslaving this nation so many years ago," Eula said sounding determined as Aether likes to hear this.
"Good, oh I got a nice gift for you," Aether said as Eula's eyes widen by this.
"Oh, a gift for me, you didn't have to do that," Eula said as she is touched by this.
"No need, I insist," Aether pulls out a claymore from out of thin air as Eula looks on with awe.
"Oh my gosh, this is the Skyward Pride. A powerful sword from Mondstadt's past, where did you find this?" she asked.
"Found it in some ruins. I also found this beauty in there as well," Aether said as he summons his second blade called Skyward Blade.
"Wow, you have a knack for finding rare weapons. Three rare powerful weapons of Mondstadt in a row," Eula said as she takes the blade to place it on her back making it vanish. "Thank you Aether, I will use this weapon while defending Mondstadt," she said with a beautiful smile on her face as Aether is bewitched by her beauty and kind smile.
"Laying it pretty thick huh?" Paimon teasing him as Aether tells her off with Eula giggling at this. They arrive at the Cat's Tail to enter inside the building to see it topped with people. Everyone is enjoying the atmosphere and food until Eula showed up making the whole room silent.
"Hey, is that Lawrence woman," a lady said.
"I know right, why is she here with us commoners," the man said dryly. Aether, Paimon, and Eula walk through the tavern to find a table to sit at as a girl wanted to talk to the Traveler but her mother stops her to pull her away.
"Mommy, I want to talk with the Traveler," the girl said as the mom looks at Eula with scorn in her eyes.
"Not with her around him, her family are evil and own slaves," the mother said as Eula looks down about this with Margaret coming with drinks on her tray.
"Oh; hey there, you can take a seat. One of the waitresses will take your orders," Margaret said as the three finds a table to get comfortable. The smells of delicious food and drinks dance within the air.
"Smells so good," Paimon said.
"Yeah, I am going to get some pizza," Aether said as Eula nods her head.
"Oh, we can share a pie together. What flavor do you want?" she asked.
"Zesty Cheese Pizza," both Paimon and Aether said at the same time with Eula giggling at this.
"Indeed, that one is quite tasty, good choice," Eula said as a waitress comes over to take their orders.
"Hello Eula, I see you are with the Traveler today," the waitress said as this made the two blush.
"Yes, we are just hanging out. I am going to have apple cider, please," she said as Aether and Paimon ordered the same thing.
"How about your main order?" the waitress asked.
"Zesty Cheese Pizza please, we are going to share a pie," Eula said.
"Oh okay, that will be 2000 Mora please," she said as Eula gives her the set amount of money.
"Keep the rest," Eula said as the waitress bows her head.
"Thank you, madam. I will bring the drinks and pizza soon," she goes off with the trio getting comfortable.
"This is nice, I have been training my younger sister Kate lately to become a knight," Eula said as Aether and Paimon looks on with curiosity,
"Oh, you have a sister?" Aether asked.
"Yes, she has turned 16 years old recently and wanted to follow in my footsteps despite our family's protest. I took her under my wing, she is a damn good swordswoman with an Electro Vision she has gotten a few years ago," Eula said.
"That is cool, I hope she can make it and be strong like her big sister," Aether said as Eula smiles at this.
"I want that too; I would like for you to help us in training practices. She will benefit from the experience of a well-versed Traveler like yourself," Eula said.
"I would like that, I really like spending time with you Eula," Aether said as Eula feels her cheeks getting warm.
"Gee, you are so nice to me. I am grateful for what you did for me, I wonder if you and I can team up on doing commissions together," Eula said.
"Cool, I would like that very much," Aether said as Eula sports a bright grin at this.
"Okay, working with you will hopefully improve my reputation among the people and prove I am a knight first and a Lawrence second," she said.
"They will come around, I know it," Aether said as Eula wanted to change the subject.
"Hey, I want to see your swords. I didn't get a good look at them before," Eula said sounding curious about his twin swords.
"Oh okay, I will let you have a peek," Aether summons his two swords to appear onto the table. Both the Skyward Blade and the Aquila Favonia lay there as Eula is amazed by the weapons.
"Two powerful Mondstadt blades, very fitting for the Honorary Knight to wield these," Eula said as Aether has a big grin on his face.
"Yep, they serve me pretty well. Jean gave me the Aquila Favonia when I defeated Stormterror as a token of trust and I have been using it as my main sword ever since," Aether said as he magically put the swords away.
"Amazing, you been here not that long and done great things. You are an interesting person Aether," Eula said as Aether blushes to feel humble about it.
"It's nothing, just helping when I can," he said as the waitress comes in with their orders.
"Here are your apple ciders and your pizza. It's fresh from the oven, I hope you enjoy this," she said to place cups of cool apple cider and a big pizza pie on the table.
The waitress goes away with Paimon and Aether wetting in their mouths at the sight of the Zesty Cheese Pizza containing four different kinds of cheese, spices, and herbs giving it an appealing smell and look.
"Oh, this is delicious," Paimon said as Eula takes a plate to see the pizza split into 9 big slices.
"It is, let's dig in," Aether said as all three got their three slices to enjoy their time. Suddenly a drunken man appears to look at Eula with disgust.
"Hey; you are that slaver bitch from the Lawrence clan, are you?" the man said as Eula nods her head. "Stupid good for nothing murderer, all of your kind are no good," the man said.
"Hey, we are trying to eat here," Aether said to want him to back off.
"Don't bother with him, he will pass," Eula said as the man is making a scene with no one trying to stop him.
"You don't belong here; your noble types always have some scheme in your brain. Piss off," the drunken man said as Aether is wanting to knock this guy's lights out for badmouthing Eula. She is trying to avoid his gaze as this is only making the man angrier. "Hey, bitch. I am talking to you," the man is about to hit her as Aether is about to help but someone else grabs his hand.
"Gee guy, you are ruining my drinking mood," a deadpan voice said as they see Rosaria in a dark casual attire and sporting her short dark red hair.
"Rose," Eula said to be surprised as Rosaria sighs at this.
"Gee, I am always bailing you and Kate out of these messes," Rosaria said.
"What the hell you think you are doing?" the drunken man protested.
"Sorry, the adults are talking, sit in the corner," Rosaria twists his arm and kicks him across the room over the bar crashing into a set of wine bottles. "Put that on his tap," she remarked as the waitress understands, nods her head, and walks away to take other orders.
Margaret comes over to say sorry about the mess. "I am sorry Eula, our guest got rough with you," she said.
"It's okay, I am used to it," Eula said as they finish their pizza and tip the waitress. "Thanks for the save there Rose," Eula said as Rosaria brushes it off.
"It's nothing, just watch yourself," Rosaria said to go out of the door to go somewhere else.
"Well, that was bad," Paimon said bluntly.
"Yeah, it was. Are you okay?" Aether asked.
"Yes I am fine, sorry for dragging you into that nonsense," she said looking down as Aether puts a comforting hand on her arm.
"It's no big deal, I am willing to bear it if it means hanging around with you," Aether said with a goofy grin as Eula feels her face getting red.
"Gee, what is with this guy. He is too nice," she thought to think fondly of him. "Well thank you for having lunch with me. It was nice," Eula said.
"I can ditto that," he said as they exit out of the tavern to enjoy the rest of the day together.
-Flashback Ends-
Aether is still in bed to see the two blades in each of his hands. "Ever since that day, we have been going on missions together and fighting monsters and criminals. Slowly helping her gain the trust of the people here in this nation but they still treat her like trash despite what she has done," Aether said feeling sad about it.
"It's understandable but putting all that hate onto Eula is very unreasonable," Paimon said as he puts his blades away to get out of bed letting out a big yawn,
"Gee, that was a nice sleep and memories," Aether said as he begins to get ready with him hearing the door knocking.
"Hey big bro, we are here," Kate raises her voice as Eula groans.
"That is rude, Kate," Eula said as Kate has a big grin.
"Sorry, I am so hyped up. I want to hang out with you guys," Kate said feeling amped up for their commission together.
Aether opens the door to see the two sisters. "Morning, girls," he said.
"Hey big bro, you have time to talk?" Kate asked as he nods his head.
"Yeah, I just woke up," Aether let them inside as Aether takes in the girls' appearances.
Kate is Eula's younger sister who is 16 years old with her standing 5'1 tall with pale skin, short blue hair, and cool blue eyes like her big sister. She is a black and white custom female Knight combat uniform fitting her slender frame along with a black headdress on her forehead.
Eula is Kate's big sister and Aether's crush who is 21 years old as she stands at 5'9, snow-white skin, gentle blue eyes, and short blue hair. She is wearing her white and blue custom knight attire which fits her curvy yet athletic build.
He looks at Eula who stands over him with Aether only being 5'7 tall but he didn't mind, he finds her height pretty sexy. "I can cook you both some breakfast," Aether said as he heads into the kitchen in the hotel room.
"Oh, you can cook big bro?" Kate asked as he nods his head.
"Yep, I can wipe up a mean omelet," Aether said.
"He can do more than that, what are you going to make?" Eula asked.
"Breakfast sandwiches," he said as Paimon's mouth waters at this.
"Oh yeah, give Paimon now," Paimon said as Kate shares this excitement as well.
"Oh, you going to make Adventurer's Breakfast Sandwiches?" Kate asked as Aether nods his head as the girls sit at the table in the kitchen watching Aether cook up some breakfast. "Damn big sis, you are lucky your boyfriend can cook too," Kate whispers to her as this makes Eula blush from this.
"Hey, don't say it like that," Eula said as Kate shows a cheeky smile seeing her big sister's embarrassed face.
"So, you don't deny it," Kate said.
"Well, he has been a big help stopping uncle from doing harm and Mondstadt. He has been great company for the past several months and he has been good with your training. Very helpful on missions," Eula said as Kate looks at her blankly to see her elder sister gushing over her obvious crush on the Traveler.
"Right but our family is not happy with him. He is the Honorary Knight working with the Knights of Favonius and stopping our family from using the Fatui to gain power back. They are not happy with you being around him so much," Kate said as Eula brushes that off.
"I don't care, Aether is important. Working with him is helping me gain the trust of the people. No matter how slow the process may be," Eula said as she continues voicing her thoughts. "Being around Aether fills me with happiness and comfort since many people don't befriend me due to our family's past crimes," Eula said.
"That is an understatement, big sis. I am happy you are with him, you seem so lonely," Kate said.
"Oh well I have you and Rose," Eula said with a soft smile.
"You know what I mean," Kate said slyly to make her big sister blush from embarrassment.
"Oh Kate," Eula said as Kate giggles at this.
"Come on, why can't you ask him out. It's been several months since you been hanging out with each other," Kate said as Eula looks down onto fingers as they shyly press against each other.
"Well, I didn't muster the will to do it yet," Eula said.
"Come on, it's clear you both like each other. I noticed when he looks at you in those tight shorts you wear when you are training. He seemed very distracted by your plump rump," Kate teasing her as Eula looks more embarrassed.
"Well…" Eula is flustered as Kate giggles at this.
"I am teasing you, better get him while you can. I hear Barbara might have an interest in him," Kate said as Eula frowns at this. Aether and Paimon bring in the breakfast sandwiches along with hash browns on their plates and put them on the table.
"Oh, this is so yummy," Kate said.
"On the house," Aether said as they all gather around the food and begin eating.
"Damn, this is so good," Kate said as Eula nods her head. Paimon is gulping her sandwich like her life depended on it.
"Aether knocks it out of the park," Paimon said as she happily eats her hash browns.
"Hey big bro, remember the time we first meet on the training grounds?" Kate asked as Aether nods his head.
"Yeah, you were quite the interesting girl when we first meet," Aether said to remember several months ago when he and Paimon begin hanging out with Eula.
-Flashback Begins-
Aether, Eula, and Paimon are at the training centers at the Knights' HQ. Eula is wielding her new claymore Skyward Pride. Despite its size, it was lightweight yet powerful allowing her to easily slice multiple target dummies with ease.
"Wow, this is something else. So much better than my Royal Greatsword," Eula said.
"I am glad you like it; I also have another sword but I have two very good ones so I don't need it," Aether said as he hears a young girl coming their way.
"Hey big sis, you here yet," Kate comes in to see her big sister hanging out with the Traveler. "Oh, it's the Honorary Knight, my sister told me all about you," Kate said to go over to him to shake his hand.
"Yes, and you must be Kate. Eula told me about you," Aether said.
"Oh, my sister talks about you a lot with me," Kate said as Eula glows in the face.
"Gee, don't do that," Eula said as she sighs making her little sister giggle at this.
"Okay, I am here to train with you guys and give me some tips," Kate said as he summons her Royal Longsword to prepare to train.
"Cool, I would love to," Aether said as they hit training dummies with Kate using her sword to destroy a few dummies. He noticed her vision on the side of her skirt. "You use an Electro Vision huh?" he asked.
"Oh yes, it's very useful. I have both defensive and offensive abilities with this thing," she raises her Royal Longsword to charge it up with electricity as she slices the wooden dummy with ease.
"Nice sword," Aether said,
"Thank you, my sister used to have the Royal Greatsword. These weapons part of our family for generations. They were used during the times when our clan ruled these lands but they are just relics of a bygone era. Wish I had something better. My big sister has gotten that lovely gift you handed her. It's so cool, befitting of a Traveler of finding rare weapons in ruins," Kate said.
"Speaking of that, I do have a sword I am not using that you can have," Aether said as Kate's eye widen with excitement.
"Oh really, let me see," Kate said as Aether summons a beautifully made sword as Kate is amazed by this.
"This is the Flute, this is yours now," Aether said as Kate looks happy to see this beautiful, elegant sword.
"Thank you so much Aether, this is perfect," Kate said to hold onto her sword like a dear treasure.
"No problem, let's have a sparring match so I can test your skills," Aether said as he summons his Aquila Favonia in hand to get into a combat stance. Kate looks on with awestruck by the sword.
"Wow, that weapon is legendary. How did you get it?" Kate asked.
"Jean gave it to me as a gift in stopping Stormterror and a sign of trust," Aether said as Kate is greatly impressed by this.
"Cool," Kate said as they go into their sparring match with Eula watching from a distance as Rosalia comes in sporting a causal purple dress and showing off her short red hair.
"I see you introduced him to Kate," Rosaria said as she sits beside her to watch the two training. They see Kate is having a blast getting tips from Aether's combat experiences.
"Yes and she is taking to him very well," Rosaria said as Eula nods her head.
"Yeah, it's nice since the other kids harass her due to our family's past," Eula said looking sad at that as she remembers kids picking on her litter sister.
"I wonder letting Aether get close to your sister, you want him close to home," Rosaria said with a grin as this made her best friend flush.
"Gee Rose, not you too," Eula said as Rosaria playfully nudges Eula's arm.
"You didn't think I wouldn't notice. You got a thing for the boy," Rosaria said as she admits defeat.
"Yes, he has been a joy to be around and he makes me feel comfortable in his presence. He doesn't judge me from my noble blood and treats me like a good friend," Eula said as they see Kate holding her own but Aether is easily blocking her movements.
"Yeah, he is a cool guy but too honest. to be frank with you," Rosaria said as they see Aether disarm The Flute from Kate's hands to end the sparring match.
"Wow, you are pretty good Aether," Kate said to feel happy she was putting up somewhat of a fight as Aether brush off her attacks with ease.
"You are pretty good. With more practice, you can be top tier among the knights," Aether said as he can see Kate is very impressed by his performance.
"Let's do more sparring okay, I want to get very good at this," Kate said.
"Cool, looking forward to it," Aether said as the two relax on the benches to just enjoy the cool breeze.
"Thank you for showing her some pointers," Eula said.
"It's nothing, she is a capable swordswoman just like her big sis," Aether said as Eula cracks a soft smile.
"Yes she is, but uncle would throw a fit if he saw his niece taking lessons from the Honorary Knight or any knights for that matter," Eula said as Aether is confused by this.
"After what happened with him planning with the Fatui, why would your family even allow you two to join the knights at all. Your clan and the knights are at odds with each other," Aether wondered.
"Originally we were to join the knights to be insiders for my family to oppose them but we are not like them. We join the Knights and protect the city even against our clan. They are stuck in the past," Eula said.
"Oh, boy; if you thought our uncle was bad. You should hear about our grandfather," Kate said as the duo look confused by this.
"Your grandfather?" Aether asked.
"Yes, he left the nation when we were very young. He went to the north and disappeared soon after," Eula said.
"Why?" Paimon asked.
"Because he was looking for something to help him conquer Mondstadt and bring it back under our clan. It's called the Stone of Life," Eula said.
"This Stone of Life allows someone to gain immortality when they crack the stone's secrets but in exchange, you lose your humanity and submit to madness as a result," Eula said.
"That seems very steep," Paimon said.
"Yes it does, what is the point of living forever if you are trapped within your broken mind," Rosaria said.
"Indeed, my grandfather seek it out and never came back. I think he would have hated you for hanging out with us, only nobility is good enough for him and family," Eula said.
"Well, that old fart is not here anymore. We can try our best to prove to the people, we are on their side," Kate said to show a bright smile as Rosaria smirks at this.
"I will be there to make sure you two don't do anything stupid," Rosaria said.
"Thanks," Eula said as she enjoys her time with the others.
-Flashback Ends-
Eula processes her memories as Aether gives Eula a goofy smile making her glow in the face. "Gee, flashing that goofy smile always gives me warmth in my chest," Eula thought tenderly. "Are you still going to be in this dirty old hotel room?" Eula asked.
"Well, that is what I can afford until I finish my other living assortments. Why?" Aether asked.
"Well, I and my sister are living in our separate mansion that I own. To separate from the other toxic members of my clan. It would be nice to have you stay there," Eula said as Kate has a cheeky grin on her face.
"Oh, she really wants you to be there," Kate teases making the two blush from this,
"Stop joking around," Eula scolded her younger sister with Kate having a goofy grin. "Sounds like a plan?" she asked.
"Sure, it sounds good. Better than that small hotel room," Aether said as Paimon looks excited by this.
"Oh boy, this is going to be the good life from now on. Paimon wants to stuff her belly with tasty foods," she said.
"Get your things and meet us at the gates. We will take you there," Eula said as the duo head back to the hotel.
"Laying it on thick big sis," Kate said as Eula blushes to make her shut her mouth.
"Will you quit it but it's nice to have him and Paimon there. It would really brighten up that place," Eula said.
"Right," Kate said to playfully tap her on the shoulder.
Within the hour, Aether and Paimon packed their things to meet with the sisters at the gate. "Okay, we should use a teleport stone to get near your manor faster," Aether said.
"Makes sense, come on. You are packing light?" Eula asked to see Aether isn't carrying any luggage.
"Oh, don't worry about it, it's part of my secret project," Aether said.
"Sure, take us to the teleport stone and we can get back home," Eula said as a crow is watching from a distance on a tree. Drake is using magic to spy through the crow's eyes to see his granddaughters working with the Traveler.
"Hmm, how disgraceful. Working with that boy is the highest of sin. How far my bloodline had fallen, time to change that," Drake said as he summons a powerful monster to seek out their location.
Back with Aether and the other teleport nearby her mansion to see it below a hill. "Wow, this looks so fancy," Paimon said as it was a huge complex with gardens and other buildings around it along with a huge barrier surrounding it.
"Come on, I will show you around," Eula said as they go down the hill for a beast to watch from afar to pick up their scent.
"Master, I have found your traitorous granddaughters," the beast said via telepathic link.
"Good, show them the meaning of betraying our family. Bring them back to me, dead or alive," Drake said.
"Of course, sir," the beast said as it summons a group of beings to aid in capturing the two siblings.
They reached the estate to be greeted by her maids. "Welcome Lady Eula and Lady Kate. Oh, you brought guests here," the head maid said,
"Yes, this is Carla. My head maid and a longtime family friend watched over us when we were little. She is like a mother to us," Eula said.
"Indeed, I changed their diapers a long time ago. Seems like yesterday, she was so cute," Carla said as this made Eula and Kate very embarrassed by those childhood memories.
"Please don't talk about it, I would look lame in front of big bro," Kate said.
"Yes, please don't," Eula said as she doesn't want to be silly in front of her crush.
"I am sorry, please come in," Carla said as a shadow watches from the trees to send out his minions to attack the compound.
Paimon noticed a bunch of Hilichurls rushing at the gates. "Guys, we got a ton of enemies coming our way," Paimon said as Aether pulls out his Aquila Favonia to stab into the chest of a grunt to kick it onto the ground.
Kate wielding her Flute and cutting down groupings of Hilichurls with graceful ease. She is flipping and jumping away from the monsters' swings and blows. She slices off the head of a grunt to see it weirdly still standing.
Eula summons her Skyward Pride to cleave entire units in half as she is dancing around the blows of the big monsters. She craves her way through the horde to cave in the head of the Mitachurl. She thrust her big claymore into the head of a grunt to finish it off.
"Hey, do you guys think there is something wrong with these Hilichurls?" Paimon wondered to see the humanoid monsters look rotten and disheveled. Their skin is a sickly grey, their grunts becoming disgruntled moans and their outfits look worn out.
"Gee, they look undead," Kate said as she sees some of the zombie-like Hilichurls coming back up missing their limbs and even their heads. They keep pushing towards them as they cut and slash into their rotting blood. Sickly purple blood spread out of their wounds as a large Mitachurl missing his head leaps towards them.
Three of the swordfighters roll out of the way as a big wave of darkness knocks them backward. Eula slams into the wall of her manor as she wields her Skyward Pride to block incoming orbs of darkness from the jaws out of the undead Mitachurl.
She rushes forward to dance around dark orbs which explode on contact with the ground leaving behind craters.
She swings her Greatsword and severs the zombie in the middle seeing it flop onto the ground. Her blade is stained with the big Hilichurl's rotting blood. "Gee, what a pain. You three alright?" she asked.
"Yes, we are okay. Where did these things come from?" Aether wondered.
"These things were created through the darkest of magic. Necromancy, who could do this," Eula said as they noticed something big coming through the trees. "Look out," she goes to block but a huge mass knocks them all onto the ground.
"So, you manage to take out the Unbound. Doesn't matter, the more you slay the bigger the army master Drake will use to take over this ungrateful nation," a distorted voice said.
Kate, Aether, Paimon, and Eula see a huge Cerberus beast standing on all fours with three large heads with each covered by an element. The left head is covered in fire, the middle one surrounded by Electro energy, and the right head shrouded by Cryo power.
"Eula and Kate, how could you betray your bloodline. Joining the weak knights who don't have the strength to rule this nation," the big three-headed dog said.
"How do you know our names?" Eula asked.
"I am summoned by your grandfather Drake to take you both in, dead or alive," the Cerberus said as Eula is shocked to hear her long-lost Grandfather has returned to Mondstadt.
"Grandfather is back?" Eula asked in disbelief.
"Yes, he has found the Stone of Life and gave himself immortal life. Soon enough he will gain great power from a dark dragon which once put fear into these lands," Cerberus said as Aether looks on in terror.
"Durin," Aether said.
"Yes once he gains the power of the heart of that dark dragon. He will begin his conquest of Mondstadt and take it back under his clan's control," Cerberus said as the flaming head becomes actives with the others lying dormant.
"First things first, time to burn you all to a crisp," the flaming head said as it begins to lob fireballs at the trio.
"Gee, this is nuts. What is going on here?" Paimon questioned as Aether is batting away fireballs with his sword. The three-headed dog slams its paws onto the ground to summon pillars of fire to tear through the ground. Eula rolls out of the way as she plunges her claymore into the front left leg.
She is slashing into the tough skin of the forelimb as Cerberus knocks Eula onto the ground with Kate zapping it with lightning spikes. She conjures more lightning spears above her head and keeps lobbing them into the foreleg.
"My grandfather sadly has returned and he is making his move now. We have to get to the capital and warn Jean," Eula said as she leaps back onto her feet. Eula gets hit but uses her claymore to block the blow. She gets sent flying across the forest to get onto a tree and leaps back at the monster. She slashes into the flaming head as a crystal sword gets lobbed into its head.
Her white crystal sword explodes greatly wounding the fire head. "You ungrateful welp," the fire head said as its stream beams of flames at Eula.
Eula bats the flames away with her sword. The monster looks at the blade to know what it is. It groans in disappointment at the sight of it. "That claymore, a legendary weapon of Mondstadt and Barbatos. A true disgrace for a member of Lawrence clan to wield that," the monster said.
She skirts the ground with her blade to summon a wall of ice to block the incoming fireballs. "It's a sign of my duty to protect Mondstadt even against my own corrupt family-like my grandfather," Eula said.
Kate and Aether come in with their blades to slash into the flaming head shedding blood onto the glass. The huge dog summons a wall of flames to blow both of them away.
"How sad, the clan has fallen so far for the two granddaughters of our lord to be pawns of the weak knights," the Cerberus spews fireballs to destroy sections of the forest.
"Better than being a pawn of my grandfather's crazy plans," Eula leaps off a tree and swings her large sword to slice off the flaming head off its neck slot. Blood spew from the exposed wound as the head lifelessly limbs onto the grass.
The Electro head comes to life to take control as the large dog unleashes a field of lightning to shock Eula away. "Well, fire doesn't seem to do the trick. Then I will flash fry your bodies to dust," the lightning head speaks.
She gets knocked into a tree with Aether coming in with his blade to crave into the left leg. "Eat this," Aether cloaks his blade with Anemo energy and slashes deep into the limb. He lets out a rapid burst of wind crescents slice into flesh and bone making the beast kneeling in pain. Aether summons a large rock pillar knocking the monster into the air.
Eula follows up with her empowering the Skyward Pride weapon with cryo energy and leashes out ice-infused vacuum blades to crave into the thick skin of the monster. All the crescents hit as they embed cryo energy deep into the monster's skin. Eula snaps her fingers for all the cryo energy explodes and heavily damaging the active Electro head of the Cerberus.
Kate dodges incoming orbs of lighting to slide under the beast and ripping into its stomach with her Flute. She empowers her blade with Electro energy to crave chunks of flesh as she slides behind the monster. She jumps up and lobs bolts of lightning into is back shocking the Cerberus.
"I can see the potential in you both as Lawrence clan members. Sadly, it is to be wasted," Cerberus channels lightning into its body to create a dome of purple energy. Sparks rolling off the whirling dome as the beast is generating a powerful maelstrom of lightning giving all three fighters painful shocks and getting blasted away.
The large dog roars into the sky as its defensive barrier is very strong with none of their attacks unable to break it. "Nothing is working," Paimon said.
"Yeah, seems like you need to overload that thing to make a dent in it," Kate said.
"Burn bastard," a familiar voice shouted as a large burning phoenix swoop in and sets off a chain reaction making the whole electro barrier explode with a powerful Overload elemental reaction. They see the beast take a crazy amount of damage losing its Electro head in the process. "Looks like you need some help," Diluc appears behind them to wield Wolf's Gravestone.
"Master Diluc, perfect timing," Aether said as he is wielding his Aquila Favonia to prepare for further combat.
"I was sent by Rosaria; things are shaking up here. Hordes of monsters are heading for the capital city," Diluc said as the beast gets back up to use its remaining cryo head to fight back.
"What, are you serious?" Eula asked as they dodge incoming blasts of ice with Eula summoning a wall of ice to block the ice blasts.
"Yes, I was sent here to get you to help defend the capital city," Diluc leaps over the ice wall to bat away the ice shards with his claymore.
He speeds towards the beast with the monster trying to stop him with a wide barrage of ice blasts. Diluc is bouncing and jumping on trees to avoid them with ease as he is cutting icicles in half with his blade.
"Take this," Diluc sets his claymore ablaze to dodge a close range bite from the last head of the Cerberus. He swiftly craves through the monster to appear behind the beast. Shortly after, the Cerberus explodes with his blood and guts painted across the forest.
"Well, we need to get back to the capital city and set up defenses," Eula said as Aether, Kate, and Paimon nod their heads.
"Follow me," Diluc said as the five head back to the capital as a horde of undead Hilichurls are marching towards the city. Drake is on top of a hill overlooking his undead legion along with a mysterious armored female knight by his side.
"Sir, the Cerberus has failed his task to bring your granddaughters," the woman said.
"I see, at least they have the skills of our family that runs deep," Drake looks down at the Festering Desire for he now wields the powers of the evil dragon Durin within him. "Using this sword to absorb the power from the dead dragon's heart. I have everything I need to conquer this region and claim it in the rightful hands," Drake said.
"I will lead the assault with the Unbound hordes," the woman said.
"Seala, I will put my faith in you. Watch for Venti the bard, he is Barbatos's current form. He will be lurking about," Drake said as Seala nods her head to get ready for the upcoming battle at the capital city of Mondstadt.