Chapter 6: Detours

"Venti? What in the thrice-damned heavens happened to Stormbearer Mountains?"

"Hmm? Oh, right! I heard stories around Mondstadt that it was caused by some hidden and secret member of the Knights of Favonius, the 'Spark Knight' or some other title."

Alec gazed at the rather noticeable chunk of the venerable mountains that seemed to be absent, as if some kind of giant had decided to have a few goes at it with an equally giant hammer.

"So one person did all that? Why?"

"I think they were testing out some kind of technique or something, I never got the whole story."

"So some lunatic decided to rearrange the local scenery because they needed to practice? I liked looking at the mountains…"

Venti sent the taller male a raised eyebrow, commenting, "They're still there, just...missing bits?"

"Sure. Just a few bits. Nothing major."

Heaving out a sigh of defeat Alec turned away from the view and continued to follow Venti as the bard hummed a happy tune, leading the way towards what he'd titled the Dawn Winery, their last stop before heading to the aptly - if unimaginatively - labeled Stormterror's Lair.

"You know I remember when that used to be Decarabian's home, before you evicted him. Time flies, hmm?"

Gaze turning distant Barbatos nodded, musing, "That it certainly does...do you think he hates Mondstadt for what the people did back then? Turning away and denying what he no doubt thought was safety from the madness of the outside world?"

"Hate? No, I doubt it. More like a childish sense of bewilderment and dismay, I'd wager. If he believed that locking people into a frozen blanket of imagined safety was a permanent solution then I doubt he would ever be able to comprehend why they wished to escape it."

"Hmm, maybe."

Both were eager to move past the brief lapse into old times that were remembered by a bare handful across the continent as Alec asked, "So what's the plan with the winery then? Just to let you know now I'm not lugging a dozen bottles the entire way to the mountains, you want to drink them you can carry them."

"You're on the right path, we just need to buy a few provisions for the trek there and that's it."

The taller male gave his traveling companion a knowing look.

"With my mora, right?"

"Of course~! Any good bard pays for his meals and drink with song, I'm practically destitute!"

"You sounding happy about that pisses me off. And what makes you think I'm some walking mora bank myself? I've got ten thousand on me and that's it, it'll be lean living for awhile...and definitely no wine either. Foods already going to be expensive here and we won't have enough to splurge."

Dismayed at his words Venti protested, "That's it?! Why are you so poor?!"

"What do you mean why am I so poor?! You're the self-proclaimed winner of the Mondstadt sing off competition or whatever, don't you have a nest egg laying around somewhere?!"

"I already told you that a true bard relies on his talents to earn a living!"

"And is one of those talents scrounging off of poor wanderers that can barely afford to feed themselves, never mind their parasite of a partner?"

With a familiar argument continuing all the way to the entrance of the welcoming building constructed of sturdy wood and stone both immediately ceased the verbal spar as they strode in the front door, as if the spat hadn't occurred at all.

Alec nodded in appreciation of the atmosphere within, finding it far more calming that the presence of his hanger on, what with a pleasant hum of conversation, clack of tableware and crackle of cookfires...never mind the aroma, which was a rich blend of heady wines, smoked meats and cheeses.

"Huh, I see why you wanted to swing by this place, it's got a nice feel to it."

"I know, right? Here, I'll handle the provisions-"

A stern look that wouldn't have been out of place on an older sibling decorated Alec's features, Venti rolling his eyes as he replied, "Fine, you handle the provisions and I'll see about snagging us a few drinks before we head out. After all, I am a rather talented bard~!"

"The responsibility of ensuring we don't starve is all mine? Glad to hear it. This would be easier if anything halfway edible was present in sufficient amounts near that damn ruin…"

"But it's not, so no sense in complaining. See you in a bit~!"

Marching off deeper into the crowd of revelers and travelers alike Alec shrugged, making his own way to the counter while muttering, "Using a divine artifact to hustle some free drinks? Why am I not surprised, Barbatos?"

"What can I get yah?"

Smoothly snapping out of his inner monologue he met the eyes of the barkeep and responded, "Bit of an odd request but can I get whatever bread, meat, cheese or fruits you have that'll be fine to eat for the next few days of travel on the road?"

An eyebrow was raised the male's way.

"You do know we're a winery, right?"

"You do know life is full of inconvenient happenings, right?"

Shrugging in acceptance of the explanation the man pointed to the menu, stating, "I'll see what I can find, how many days you need?"

"Four to be safe."

"I'll cut you a bit of a discount since we'd probably be chucking half of the stuff anyways, two lunch meals for four days provisions."

Wincing as he saw the price for the special of the day Alec nodded in resignation, the bartender passing along his order to the kitchens before going to help someone else, Alec bemoaning the loss of a bit over half his savings.

"I could probably use a drink after that travesty. Dammit, where's Morax when you need him? Kid would accidentally walk across a mountain of gold or something as soon as we left."

Shaking himself free of those thoughts he instead gazed around the bar to distract himself - hearing the familiar plucking of strings from where Barbatos was plying his craft - and examined the patrons, people watching always an interesting activity for people like he and his kin...and his gaze was promptly caught by a young woman sitting by herself in a far off corner, poring over some kind of tome that looked to be about astrology, of all topics.

"Huh. Now isn't that an interesting sight?"

The young lady herself was quite easy on the eyes as well, adorned in a flattering leotard of royal blue, purple and gold while a shimmering body-stocking covered her arms and legs, form slim in a way that suggested lean living...something at odds with her expensive clothing and hat but hey, everyone had a story.

Intrigue well and truly piqued Alec made his way over to her, closer proximity revealing her features to be sharp, haughty and intense while light green eyes shone with a raptor-like intelligence.

"Ah, the cool and unapproachable type. This should be interesting."

"Pardon me, young lady, but do you mind if I borrow a moment of your time?"

"I'm not looking for companionship, number four."

Unable to stop the brief smile that appeared on his lips at her immediate response - her voice was just as cutting as he'd imagined it to be - he instead replied, "Not why I'm here, actually. I was just wondering if you could perhaps do an astrology reading for me."

That comment earned the bare minimum of attention, the young woman's gaze flicking his direction ever so briefly before returning to her book.

"While I'm suitably impressed that you could tell such a thing just from a brief glance I'm not in the habit of so freely handing out readings of one's fate merely on request. Astrology is a sublime and endlessly fascinating subject, not something to be bandied about. Pray tell, what would make you so special?"

"What if I paid you instead of politely asked?"

A sharp, mildly scathing look was sent his way, Alec trying hard not to smile at the blatant enthusiasm and reverence she held for her chosen craft.

"Accepting mere coin for the examination and translation of the very skeins of fate itself? Perhaps you didn't hear what I said all that clearly if that is your idea of sweetening the pot."

A moment of tense silence passed between the two...and Mona shyly adjusted her hat's brim so that it hid her face as a certain someone's stomach chose that very moment to loudly growl, a clarion call that was heard even over the background din of the bar.

"Okay, I won't pay you in money but how about I buy you a meal as compensation? That's a fair enough trade, right?"

"T-that is merely the same end result as your previous offer-"

A more high pitched gurgle left her stomach, the young lady's tone quiet and defeated as she mumbled, "Just...just something simple will do."

Grinning to himself Alec quickly placed an order for Northern Smoked Chicken, returning to the table within a minute as he stated, "Don't believe we were ever introduced, name's Alec Daman."

Settling for a brief and perfunctory nod the young woman responded, "Mona Megistus at your service. Now, what kind of Astrology reading would you prefer?"

Her tone took on a far more unimpressed tinge.

"Monetary futures, possible romantic liaisons-"

"I need a general reading of the star's positions relative to the heavens, of what aforementioned positions might mean for all of Teyvat."

Mona blinked, caught off guard by the unconventional request...and narrowed her eyes slightly, responding, "What you ask for is simultaneously incredibly grave yet incredibly difficult to decipher. For what possible reason could you seek that knowledge?"

Alec merely shrugged and offered her a vapid smile, the Astrologist huffing in agitation before mumbling, "No matter, at least it is not something as demeaning and inconsequential as a get rich quick scheme. Hand, please."

Dutifully offering his upright palm Mona began tracing the lines inscribed upon his flesh, explaining, "For this I will need to use both your origin and my own in order to create fixed points I can then use as a basis for my calculations and observations, just randomly observing the stars and their formations when compared to Celestia will serve no purpose whatsoever-"

She halted in her explanation, eye yet again narrowing in suspicion as she remarked, "You're an Astrologist."

"Not a very good one. While I know a fair bit about the art actually performing anything beyond palm origin readings is beyond my capability."

The young woman released an annoyed huff, retorting, "Then for what reason did you allow me to ramble on about the process when you doubtlessly already understand the basics?"

"Mostly because you looked like you were having fun."

An expression that straddled the line between venomous glare and bashful pout was directed his way as the Astrologist quickly shook her head, getting back to her work without further comment as she activated her Vision, water coalescing out of thin air and catching the light in a variety of shapes denoting star formations and the shining light that was Celestia.

Letting her perform her craft without comment the minutes ticked by, Alec noting that as they did Mona's expression became more and more dour, brow furrowing in disquiet as she continuously muttered and whispered under her breath, manipulating the hydro-enhanced sphere with motions that became increasingly uncertain.

Eventually a titanic sigh left the young woman, her eyes boring into Alec's own guileless orbs as she flatly informed, "To summarize...events are - for lack of a better word - converging. Celestia shines with a light I have yet to observe or even read about except in the most obscure of texts, it's relation to the Seven's stars of birth suggests conflict and friction, an entirely new and unrecognized illumination flits between them…"

Here Mona hesitated, seeming as if even she herself didn't quite believe this next bit of information.

"And a star dead for almost a century - reviving intermittently and always heralding some great new conflict - shines anew, the Star of Ending."

Alec closed his eyes, taking into account all that he'd heard...and felt his mood turn a fair shade grim. Seems like inbetween whatever Tsaritsa was planning, Lumine's arrival and his own reawakening Celestia was on the move, or at the very least preparing for whatever came their way...and he doubted the Abyss were going to just quietly and watch the proceedings, not after they'd corrupted most of Khaenri'ah.

Nodding to Mona the steaming platter of food arrived just on time, the Astrologist blinking in surprise at the hearty meal as he stated, "I thank you for your time and effort, Mona. Hopefully such dire readings didn't put too much of a damper on your mood."

"While it did exactly that...well, I wish a fellow Astrologist - however inexperienced - luck in their future endeavors. Although I still cannot fathom why you wished to know of such tidings."

"That's no doubt for the best. Safe travels, miss Megistus."

Alec rose to his feet and prepared to track down Venti-

-only to find the bard plopping down on the seat next to him, features an odd mix of elated and sheepish as he wordlessly handed a glass of ruby wine to Alec and Mona, keeping two of them for himself.

"So I have good news and bad news."

"Do I want to hear either of them?"

"The good news is that my performance got us drinks~! So feel free to say thank you, Alec and Alec's very pretty friend."

Mona arched an eyebrow even as she swiftly and efficiently cut her meal into bite-sized chunks, remarking, "Is this bard a friend of yours?"

"More like a pet I keep trying to house train but have only met middling success with."

Venti pouted and wordlessly snatched back Alec's glass, downing the whole thing in one go with clear relish as the male amusedly remarked, "If anyone caught you drinking wine like a beer they'd string you up by your thumbs."

"Not once they heard how good I am at playing! Anyway, the bad news is that the lyre is broken."

The taller male calmly stared down at the smaller, mentally counting to ten before nonchalantly asking, "Broken how?"

"All the energy I channeled into it during Dvalin's battle against Durin is gone, it's just a normal lyre right now. I could barely channel my normal musical talent, forget any Anemo energy."

Both men ignored Mona's increasingly raised eyebrow even as she wolfed down her food, Alec staying silent aside from a solitary finger tapping out a rhythmic tempo on the table.

"And you didn't think to check on that before we walked all the way out here, dropped mora on supplies and just generally wasted time because?"

Venti finally appeared somewhat sheepish.

"Well I kind of just figured since it was being looked after in a church run by my people it would be fine."

Alec let his head hit the table with a dull THUMP, fighting down the urge to throttle his traveling buddy.

Knowing Barbatos he hadn't realized that almost a century passing by would absolutely cause the lyre's more divine properties to waste away, especially if it was spending most of its time as a glorified museum piece.

"Wonderful, you really made sure we pulled off that heist for a clear and tangible benefit."

"Hey, you didn't stop to check on it either!"

"How in the world would I have checked on something like that, do I look like an Anemo god to you?!"

"We've been friends for so long, shouldn't you know something about how my powers work?!"

"Practically all we do when we spend time together is go bar hopping, argue or embark on adventures to better expand your repertoire of tales, get sucked into nation-spanning wars or-"

"AHEM!"

They both paused, glancing at Mona as she primly commented, "If you two wish to have your little argument then by all means, revel in it. But preferably not in the presence of one who is simply attempting to enjoy her meal, hmm?"

"A fair point, but...Mona, do you mind doing one more astrological reading for me?"

As if reading his mind the woman dismissively glanced towards the lyre held in Venti's grasp, her tone clipped as she replied, "Despite your childish implications of its power and history I can assure you of this, a bland and unremarkable object will have no sway whatsoever with the heavens...only relics and artifacts of great import have such characteristics."

Alec merely met her gaze, tone wry as he responded, "You might be surprised, Mona."

The Astrologist paused in her eating, gaze narrowing yet again before cautiously asking, "Is this in any way related to the reading you had me do earlier?"

"...Tangentially, yes."

A heavy sigh escaped the woman, tone resigned as she murmured, "Then I had best examine it, if only to satisfy my curiosity."

The young lady abruptly straightened her back, staring at the pair as she stated, "Be grateful, I will put my own personal business on hold for the moment in favor of aiding you in this strange endeavor. I don't feel very comfortable in leaving such dubious events at the mercy of such a strange duo."

Venti didn't so much as protest, turning back to Alec before teasingly remarking, "Oh hoh~? Nice to see that your ability to charm and ensnare fair maidens is as intact as ever, Alec~!"

In perfect unison both turned to the bard, retorting, "As if that's what's happening."

They shared a glance before shrugging in yet another perfectly harmonized action.

"See? You're on the same page there~!"

"Quiet. Are you some crass, rough and tumble adventurer, by chance?"

Venti merely smirked at them, as if he was in on some kind of joke they'd never understand.

"Ahh, to see the bastion of light stand free and illuminated once more, shining with a luster normally held only by the Engel!"

"Agreed, Mondstadt looks a lot better with its skies free of darkness rather than covered in it...although maybe that's a bit of an obvious statement to make."

The city's windmills spun once more in calm and smooth arcs, not the jagged patterns that had been so prevalent when Dvalin's wrath had afflicted it while the sky itself shone with a pleasant and reassuring hue of blue, puffy white clouds drifting high overhead.

The weather also seemed to have affected the mood of the city, occupants happily walking the streets while businesses resumed as usual, Lumine unable to keep the smile off her face as she observed the results of her endeavors. Sure, there was something to be said about good deeds being their own reward...but she always appreciated being able to tangibly experience the fruits of her labor.

"Hmm...look to the horizon, an influencer of nefarious patronage does battle with Mondstadt's southern lion."

Following Fischl's pointed finger the blonde traveler found the acting grandmaster indeed locked in a heated discussion with a woman garbed in the Fatui colors, the outsider seeming to be on the defensive as Jean stood tall and unyielding.

"-are being so reticent about such a matter, the Fatui are offering Mondstadt the hand of friendship by dealing with the threat of Stormterror-"

"By openly sending assassins and thieves to break into established neutral ground where the sick are tired are healed, to abscond with one of our most important pieces of cultural heritage? If this is the hand of friendship I shudder to imagine your idea of a closed fist."

The masked woman's expression turned utterly expressionless.

"And we do sincerely regret the actions of one of our own, she was a rogue element and acted against our leader's wishes in a misguided attempt to carry out her directives. If returned we offer assurances that she will be exported from Mondstadt's borders-"

"If you are unable to control your own membership than I imagine Mondstadt is far better off without your so called 'help'. We will continue to have custody over the intruder and carry out questioning at our leisure...or do you have any disagreements with our right to investigate the scene of such a blatant crime?"

A few terse seconds passed, the Fatui diplomat no doubt trying to sense the mood of the scenario...and correctly realized she wasn't the one with the initiative in this scenario, Mondstadt's citizens coming to a stop in their daily routines to watch the tableau unfold, none of them looking particularly friendly towards her.

"...No. You are welcome to our wayward compatriot, for now. We shall discuss this matter at a later date. Good day, acting grand master."

With a whirl of her body and sharp click of heels on the paved roads the Fatui woman departed without a backwards glance, Jean releasing a tiny and almost imperceptible sigh-

-all while the watching crowd applauded and whistled, clearly enjoying the dressing down the Fatui diplomat had received.

"A most splendid showing, oh glorious ritterin!"

"Yeah, I think everyone was on board with that little roasting session back there."

Smiling at Fischl and Lumine's comments Jean turned to face them, cocking a hip and crossing her arms as she amusedly replied, "As flattering as that sounds I'm far more interested in the results of your expedition. I assume it was a success, judging by the cleared weather and calmer Anemo energy?"

Lumine nodded, adding, "Everyone else is staying behind for a little bit longer just to ensure everything pans out alright, they shouldn't be too far behind us."

"That's good to hear."

A proud smile came to Jean's features, Lumine feeling like a little girl that just earned their parent's unmitigated approval despite the fact that she no doubt out aged the woman by a healthy number of years.

"You two are a credit to us all. Although…"

A slightly aggrieved huff left the leader of Mondstadt's knights, voice tinged with aggravation as she remarked, "The fact of the matter is that, despite what occurred with the Fatui thief the Holy Lyre der Himmel was stolen and we don't know who the culprit is. We might have to consider the reality that there's a third party at play, since it's a fair bet the Fatui made a play for it and were beaten to the punch."

Lumine and Fischl exchanged quick glances, unsure if they should remark that they knew the people that had gotten ahold of the lyre-

-and the eyepatch girl stiffened, gloved hand flying to her face in a familiar gesture that Lumine recognized as her receiving some kind of scouting information from Oz, expression gradually turning blank.

Something that didn't escape Jean's notice, the leader of the Knights of Favonius inquiring, "Does your familiar see anything of note, Fischl?"

"Erm, the augury of mine loyal night raven foretell that, well…"

Before she could stammer out an explanation Oz swooped down from high overhead, breathlessly exclaiming, "While I revel in the opportunity to serve as your eyes and ears, milady, even senses and tendons as hardy as mine need rest every now and again. But more to the point, Alec and the bard are returning to Mondstadt, they should be here within the hour."

Lumine frowned, wondering what had happened to the pair that was causing them to head back to the city after they had already retrieved the lyre...was it broken or something?

"Paimon can't help but wonder if something went wrong with the lyre...what do you think, Lumine?"

"The lyre?"

The quartet froze at Jean's sharp words, all eyes focusing on a sweating Paimon as she realized what she had let slip.

"You. Stew pot. Tonight."

"N-no, Paimon didn't mean to-"

"You two wouldn't happen to know anything about the Holy Lyre der Himmel, would you?"

Jean's cool tone caused the group to grimace, Lumine facing the music as she admitted, "Some friends of mine believed the lyre could be used to help calm Dvalin but didn't have the time or inclination to explain themselves. They're the ones who stole it and stopped the Fatui thief."

The austere blonde looked ready to demand further explanations from them come hell or high water-

-and calmed herself with a soft breath, stating, "Very well, if they're friends of yours I'll give them the benefit of the doubt...but I want to know all about this supposed plan of yours and why you felt it necessary to go behind our backs."

"That's fair. And if they're returning to the scene of the crime they probably plan to come clean anyway."

Nodding at Lumine's sensible suggestion Jean ordered, "Then follow me to the main gates, we'll meet your companions and get to the bottom of this whole mess posthaste."

"I-it is as you order, great lion of the south."

Appearing quite chastised Lumine couldn't help but offer Fischl a comforting hug, burying her nose in the other girl's neck as she joked, "Aww, relax! We're not in trouble, just holding onto the potential for trouble."

"Milady isn't one to enjoy having others mad at her. She is quite sensitive to the opinions and perceptions of others, despite her words and appearance."

"O-Oz?!"

Shaking her head in amusement Lumine grabbed her friend's hand and dragged her after Jean, the leader of Mondstadt's defensive forces giving her an exasperated look.

"You seem quite certain there won't be any kind reprisal for aiding and abetting in the theft of an important cultural artifact."

"That's because the two main culprits are turning themselves in and they'll take the fall, obviously."

That earned an amused chuckle from the woman, idly commenting, "We'll see," as they took up a seat by the main gates to wait.

Oz's prediction came true right on the mark, not even an hour passing before a trio of figures strolled through the main gates of Mondstadt, two of them Lumine recognized and one of them she didn't...although the traveler would freely admit that the newcomer was quite the looker, beautiful in an imperious and haughty kind of way as she carried herself with an unflappable air.

"Hmm, I wonder what kind of face she'd make if you teased her until she couldn't take it anymore? Ooh, that probably be adorable-no, focus on the matter at hand, Lumine."

Setting aside her less pure inclinations for the moment she offered a friendly wave towards Alec as he spotted them and approached, expression one of resigned annoyance, albeit not directed at her.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume your little adventure was infinitely more productive than ours was."

Lumine chuckled at the male's exasperated words, cheekily replying, "Maybe. Forget something at home?"

"Yeah. Basic intelligence."

A pointed glare was sent Venti's way, the bard protesting, "I said I was sorry, it's an honest mistake anyone could have made!"

"No it wasn't. Anyway, this is Mona Megistus, she's an astrologist we ran into on our aggravatingly short journey-"

"You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"-and she helped me out on some matters. And then subsequently provided a method and means on how to restore this piece of junk back to its previous potency."

Alec flicked the lyre clasped in Venti's hand with an irreverent motion, the bard shrugging as he bluntly replied, "It's completely out of Anemo energy."

Lumine was mostly just trying not to laugh, noticing how Jean had visibly twitched at seeing one of her people's most prized artifacts be manhandled around.

"While I originally had business elsewhere in Mondstadt this man's quandary caught my interest, for the time being I am assisting him and the bard with the wandering eyes."

"Guilty as charged!"

Offering up a friendly wave Lumine chirped, "Lumine, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance! This here is my companion Paimon, I guess you could call her one of my tour guides around Teyvat."

Fischl was next, grandly bowing while stating, "Before you stands the Prinzessin de Veirurteilung, Fischl and her most loyal retainer, Oz! Tis an honor most high to meet one who reads the stars and heavens to divine their nature and paths."

"As my lady stated, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of an astrologer."

Mona seemed caught completely off guard by Fischl's over the top introduction, blinking helplessly as Lumine amusedly stated, "You get used to it."

Alec moved the conversation along, turning to Jean before asking, "Lumine seems good at making exceptional and unique friends, are you another one of them?"

Offering a predatory smile the woman responded, "Acting grand master of the Knights of Favonius and current Lion of the South, Jean Gunnhildr at your service."

Alec and Venti blinked, both of them glancing at the lyre they had just been disrespecting before once more meeting Jean's frosty gaze.

"We're in trouble, aren't we?"

"That remains to be seen, based mostly on the merits and reasons for your theft of the Holy Lyre."

"Technically we didn't steal it since it originally belonged to me."

Venti's comment didn't smooth things over any better as the blonde knight pointedly tapped a finger against her bicep, the bard swiftly adding, "But we'd be happy to explain, naturally! It's just that, well...some of this is pretty sensitive information, we shouldn't talk about it in the open."

Huffing out a breath Jean nonetheless nodded, stating, "Then let us depart for my office, we can discuss things safely there...and good job stopping that Fatui thief."

Both Alec and Venti shared a smug look between them before following along, Jean turning to Mona as she said, "I'm sorry to occupy so much of your time when you stated you have business elsewhere, miss Megistus, but would you mind attending as well? If you have information on how to repair or enhance the lyre I'm not about to turn down additional opportunities."

Idly waving a hand Mona replied, "It's no matter, I was the one who became invested in this ever expanding tale and can hardly lay blame when there is none other than myself responsible."

Accepting that with a nod the blonde knight focused on her footsteps, Alec turning to Mona before asking, "Hey, do you mind doing a reading for Lumine?"

A frown was quick to decorate the girl's lips but the male quickly forestalled any complaint with a raised hand, adding, "You don't have to tell us anything if you don't want to, I'm just curious about whether you can."

The astrologist looked into Lumine's curious eyes, warily asking, "Is this by any chance related to the general reading of the star's position you had me perform earlier?"

"It could be."

A sigh of vexation left the hat-wearing woman, her gaze turning to the traveler who's curiosity was now in full swing.

"Very well. Pardon me, Lumine."

Palms illuminating with an ethereal blue glow the traveler stared with blatant curiosity as the astrologist manipulated a bevy of shining maps and star charts formed out of flowing water with great dexterity and confidence, an impressive display as she also kept pace with them through the streets of the city.

Although that confidence quickly started to wane, becoming shock and then childish frustration before - after a minute or two of lip biting and teeth gnashing - Mona released an explosive sigh, giving Alec and Lumine a suspicious glare as she stated, "I cannot read your fortune, origin or fate. And I cannot tell if it is because you are not associated with any one star or dozens of them."

Lumine shrugged, not wanting to get into her otherworldly origins at the moment as Alec simply cupped his chin, eyes narrowed in thought as Mona accused, "Is this further related to the fairly ominous reading from earlier today?"

"Maybe. Ask me later."

Lumine and Paimon shared a glance at his cagey response, the astrologist not accepting the vague words as she continued to hound him.

"He's definitely hiding something, huh?"

"Paimon absolutely agrees."

Stormterror's Lair was a far cry from its former glory, what had once been a grand and inspiring peak with a majestic sort of danger to it now a dark, depressing and curse-ridden spire of rock that practically leaked malice and despair.

"And I suppose we only have ourselves to blame for that."

Aether's thoughts were tinged with no shortage of melancholy, as he recalled the first time he'd seen the magnificent dragon in action, when Teyvat had still managed to retain that charm and mystique even as it was consumed by an ever escalating and desperate war.

Dvalin had been brilliant, confronting his dark and twisted opposite with a ferocity he could scarcely fathom as a winged god had surrounded the verdant beast with empowering song and wind, a counterpoint to the miasma and curses that had followed Durin like a lingering stench. And at the end of it all the dragon he and the Abyss Order now used like a puppet for their own ends had unleashed a titanic roar of victory, standing over the broken corpse of his enemy even as the battle proved to be tragically pyrrhic in nature, the winged guardian having to slumber away the remnants of Durin's curse.

Even when he had been at the height of his power, Aether doubted he would have come close to the display of strength that was showcased in that battle.

…

And what had been the reward for the dragon's sacrifice? His compensation for such a generous offering of blood and pain?

Ostracization. Neglect. Irrelevance. To be forgotten.

"You are not the only one who was betrayed by Mondstadt's values, Dvalin. To be free and without shackles is also to be free from responsibility...the responsibility of honoring those that came before, of remembering the prices that have been paid."

A grim smile appeared on his lips, mind wandering to times from long ago.

"Free will comes with its own trials and tribulations, my sister and I can attest to that."

Grimacing as the thought of Lumine caused a familiar but no less sharp pang in his chest Aether quickly set the morose thought aside, instead turning back to the grim work that was enslaving yet another victim of the gods and their crimes into doing their bidding...all in the distant hope that their rebellion and genocide would reverse a curse unjustly cast.

"...What would you have done, Lumine? Would you have walked down this path or found a different way?"

This time setting aside his grim mood was more difficult, the steadily approaching culmination of their plans leaving him anxious and uneasy.

"We never should have come to this world."

The quiet whoosh of a teleporting Abyss let him know he was no longer alone, Aether turning to meet the beaked and hooded figure, trying not to let his ever present regret show.

Where only a monster stood before him now, once upon a time it had been the visage of a friendly, pot-bellied baker that had always been happy to settle for breaking even or making enough to scrape by, if it meant one less mouth went hungry or one less stomach of a child rumbled, always a word of advice or slightly risque joke prepped and ready to brighten up someone's day.

Just one more sin to add to the mountain that was poised to crush Teyvat under their accumulating weight.

"My Prince, we've discovered a...complication, as of today."

Snapping out of his thoughts Aether frowned, asking, "Are the Knights of Favonius making their move?"

"No, their interference - along with the dogs of the Cryo Archon - was expected and accounted for. This is...different."

The Abyss wordlessly handed over a rolled bit of parchment, still fresh and fairly uncreased meaning it was put up within the last few days.

Curiosity piqued Aether unfolded the parchment, let his eyes rove over the details of the missing person poster...and felt his breath catch in his throat.

It...it was of him. Written by Lumine.

He'd recognize her handiwork anywhere, from the nigh perfect drawing to the rushed and scrawled handwriting that he knew was scribbled down in a rush. Letters weren't spaced out and instead bled into one another, a habit of her mind always being faster than her hand and he'd never passed up an opportunity to tease her about it when she was asked to translate her own work, a fuming and disgruntled expression always clear to see.

More damningly was the utterly brilliant recreation of his facial features, lips pulled into a smirk that Lumine had always said he had when he saw a cute guy or girl.

Whatever she may lack in the singing department she more than made up for in the field or artistry, having a deft hand and uncanny eye for detail that had usually left her doing cartoon renditions and on-the-spot drawings when they had run short of money...typically while while he wowed crowds with his singing and performances.

The male openly smiled as he recalled how she would always sulk the entire time they had to resort to such measures, squirreled away in her little drawing booth while he soaked up the people's attention, pissed that her singing drove people away rather than attracted them.

"My Prince? Are, are you well?"

Blinking rapidly as he realized tears were welling up in his eyes Aether quickly blinked them away, inquiring, "W-where did you find this? In Mondstadt?"

"Yes, our spies found this and immediately sent it to be reviewed by you in person. Thus far this is the only such poster but if more are to be created..."

Aether barely heard the latter part, mind awhirl as he made a sudden realization that hit like a lightning strike. The rushed scrawl, only one poster...Lumine was here. In Mondstadt. If she'd only had time to make one poster then she could still be within Mondstadt, or at least close by. Maybe something had come up - both he and her were nosy, after all - or she's only been able to make one poster at the moment before running out of material.

The means were irrelevant, what mattered was that after more than five centuries he could finally see Lumine.

He could make sure she wasn't lonely and sulking while putting on a brave front, she could make sure he wasn't upset and drowning his sorrows after the latest breakup, he could beat her at rock-paper-scissors and make her do the dishes, she could threaten to sing songs the whole time until he decided to purposefully lose...they could pretend nothing had happened, that they hadn't changed.

…

"But I have. I'm not who I was back then."

The thought was as sickening as it was true, a cold, alien feeling in his gut telling him that, without a doubt, Lumine would oppose his plan with every fiber of her being.

She hadn't witnessed what he had, hadn't seen the horrors he'd experienced firsthand...she had just arrived in Teyvat or he would have known of her appearance.

"Don't take any overt actions, at least not yet. For now focus on our initial plan with Dvalin, make sure the Knights of Favonius and the Fatui don't interfere."

"Understood, my Prince."

The Abyss departed without further comment, Aether heavily sitting on a nearby rock as his mind whirled in a thousand different directions at once.

"Oh Lumine...of course you show up at the worst - or maybe the best, depending on how you look at it - time possible, just as the final chapter in this nightmare charts its course."

Why now? A war was yet again on the horizon, a desperate struggle against an overbearing and unfathomably powerful divine oversight that would see the world purged and erased for the slightest infraction, perceived or otherwise...and his sister had fallen right into the middle of it, a final conflict that would, no matter who won, bring about unimaginable tragedy.

The only difference would be who was left to pick up the pieces.

"I'm sorry, Lumine...but you and I can't meet yet. Not when you would fight with all your heart against this inevitable ending."

Listless eyes staring at the wind-lashed peaks of Dvalin's lair Aether tried not to think about just how alone he really felt.