Chapter 15: The Next Adventure
"Morning, Fischl, Oz!"
"Whoah, you've got the Wandering Knight with you? Talk about a powerhouse!"
"Well, guess we can clock out early, huh guys?"
Lumine happily skipped alongside Fischl as she and Oz proudly strode through the main floor of the Adventurer's Guild in Mondstadt, soaking in the cheerful atmosphere that was prevalent throughout the building as she hummed happily to herself.
At first she had been a little worried that Fischl might be ignored or marginalized due to her strange manner of roleplay - part of why she was so quick to latch on to the Traveler - but it seemed those worries were unfounded. Sure, the vibe she got was more that everyone treated her as a mascot or friendly acquaintance - definitely not the kind of close friendship she probably desired - but there were a lot of worse alternatives.
"Behold, the board of edicts and crusades that beckons soldiery and pioneers to venture forth into the wilderness, life and limb placed at risk-"
"She means the bounty board. Catch you later, Fischl, Oz!"
The investigator wilted as a friendly young man passed them, taking the proverbial wind out of her sails as Lumine chuckled at the sight.
"Now now, let's not get caught up in the daily disappointments and work on finding a job that'll lead us towards Liyue, might as well kill two birds with one stone."
Accepting Lumine's mildly teasing back pat the two girls perused the board, Paimon suddenly perking as she announced, "Hey look, it's the tone deaf bard!"
All eyes turned towards where Venti was hanging up a bunch of flyers, wordless agreement causing them to head on over as he spotted their approach, cheerfully stating, "Well isn't this a pleasant crossing of paths! What brings you here, Traveler?"
"I could ask you the same thing, what's with all the flyers?"
Sheepishly rubbing the back of his Venti explained, "Well I'm going to be traveling for awhile and figured I'll need to stop for a nice, relaxing drink every now and again...but I don't have any money. So!"
The lithe Archon slapped his hand against one of the advertisements.
"Mondstadt's greatest bard is now available for hire~!"
"..."
"..."
"Paimon thinks you'd be better off as a wandering vagrant."
"Oh come on, why do you always have it out for me?!"
Chuckling at the interplay Lumine read the details, musing, "2000 Mora and a durable tankard? Do you even eat solid food?"
"On occasion. Mostly when it's free. And fret not over the seemingly small amount, a true bard pays his way as he plays~!"
"Paimon bets he's eaten by Hilichurls within a week."
"The Anemo Archon incarnate...a perpetual drunk? Should this Prinzessin not step in and perchance perform an intervention?"
Haughtily sniffing Venti bluntly replied, "Well if you're going to be like this then good day!"
Raising her hands in surrender Lumine announced, "Don't worry, don't worry. We're just teasing you. Actually, you wouldn't have happened to see Alec anywhere, would you?"
Stroking his chin in dramatic contemplation the bard hummed in thought, musing, "He's probably off gathering supplies for his journey to Liyue, if I had to take a guess."
The Traveler's eyes widened in surprise, quickly asking, "Wait, all by himself?"
"I would assume so. Why, was he going to go with you or something? From the sounds of it he dropped a pretty hefty surprise in your lap and then took off. And not the good kind of surprise either."
"An understatement of truly celestial proportions, master of winds. For there was no word not of cataclysmic import dripping from Daman's lips."
The Anemo Archon sagely nodded, musing, "Yeah, Alec probably figured that the stuff he told you would cause a whole lot of awkwardness."
Feeling an eye twitch Lumine growled out, "Oh did he? Well he was right and guess what? I'm a bitchy, tenacious and busybody friend that doesn't like being dumped on a whim. I'm going with him and that's that!"
Her words caused Venti to blink...and then burst out laughing in merriment, remarking, "It seems you have the true spirit of a traveler within you, what with such a tenacious soul! Alec never specifically told me not to tell you where or when he was going to be leaving, now that you mention it. Hmm…"
Smile tilting his lips upwards the bard remarked, "Look for him at Mondstadt's main gate later in the evening, he likes to start journey's at night when traffic is low if given the choice."
Smiling in gratitude Lumine couldn't help but ask, "I knew I liked you for a reason. And you seem pretty familiar with Alec's habits and such, I guess you two are that close of friends, huh?"
"Yeah, Paimon guesses that you two have been buddies for hundreds of years, maybe more!"
Expression going distant the Archon mused, "I've been alive and active for...well, around 2600 years or so, more if you count the time before I was the bard Venti. And I've only known Alec for maybe a thousand years but we've been in pretty consistent contact ever since."
Fond reminiscence colored the god's tone.
"Heh, our remember our first meeting all these years later…"
"...This is an ill wind that blows."
What had been hoped to be a warm and exciting return to Mondstadt had instead turned into what the Anemo god had been fearing, a land of lifeless, quiet and stagnant gusts. The cries and pleas of a people repressed had been what had stirred him from his long slumber yet he had hoped that it was merely the natural course of things, for change and strife to beget strength and solidarity.
Barbatos was of the opinion that he had been overly optimistic in that belief.
There was no grand tempest of howling winds that could freeze and eviscerate a Human in just a few minutes, no overbearing deity demanding compliance and subservience...but there might as well have been, considering how listless, silent and comparatively dull his prized city had become.
Where were the bards? The merchants and peddlers and adventurers and pilgrims and romantic couples? Where were the things that had made Mondstadt, well...Mondstadt?
As the deity walked through the streets he found evidence of those things, scattered findings and beacons of normalcy that brought a sense of joy to his heart. But they were undeniably mere oasis in a desert of strangeness, closer inspection revealing that even these mainstays held signs of tampering and perversion. Knights and other military-centric forces patrolled with disturbing frequency, their armor and weapons sporting not the six sided emblem but various iconography no doubt related to local nobility. Even worse were the scattered troubadours he passed by, singing tales that spoke not of harmony, happenings of afar and the city's proud history but of the exploits and importance of those with bluer blood than most.
...Something had gone very, very wrong with the city.
Deciding that the best way to quell his unease and perhaps find answers to his current problems lay in none other than his favored vice - drink and song - the bard approached a reasonably large tavern that under most circumstances would have been bustling and thriving with activity, now just appearing mildly busy and occupied.
The atmosphere within was little better, scattered conversation half-whispered while no instruments sang, the air furtive and muted as Barbatos squared his shoulders and approached the presumed owner of the tavern, a middle-aged man that watched his movements with a mildly suspicious gaze as he wiped down the countertop.
"A most pleasant evening to you, good sir! I happen to be a travelling bard of great talent and was perchance wondering if you might allow me to lighten up your wonderful tavern with-"
"You and every other novice with an instrument. What songs do you know?"
Briefly thrown off by the brusque words - when he'd last visited Mondstadt bards and musicians were given more benefit of the doubt than that - the Anemo god merely smiled, whipping out his lyre and confidently stating, "What would you prefer? Relatively new creations such as Dragon Dance? Or perhaps a few classics like City of Wind or Frozen Sky?"
Distrust and skepticism was instantly replaced by wariness.
"I don't know about that first one but the other two aren't played anymore. At least not in their presence."
Following the man's gaze Barbatos' eyes landed on a group of five armed and lightly armored figures, largely responsible for most of the noise as they joked and hollered, banging the table and quaffing drinks with little care for quantity or taste.
...Ordinarily the sight would have been a scene of comradery and well-deserved revelry. Those that risked their lives unwinding and rejoicing in seeing the light of day once more.
This atmosphere wasn't anything like that, the few other patrons within the tavern giving the group annoyed or cautious stares while their celebration carried with it an edge of abrasiveness and deliberate rudeness, as if half their fun was being as ostentatious as possible. But he'd never been one to turn away from such obvious misery and tension, electing to instead respond, "No worries, once they hear of my talent and passion I'm sure cooler heads and an appreciation of the finer arts will come to pass."
The bard did his level best to ignore the apprehensive and doubtful expression of the tavern owner as he strode to the middle of the room, idly plucking his lyre's strings a few times to gather everyone's attention, clearing his throat and waiting until he had several sets of eyes upon his person before announcing, "Come one, come all! Gather round and here the tale of Mondstadt most fair, a twist and tune of a City of Wind!"
Thus Barbatos began to play, pouring his heart and soul into the melody as he sang to the history and inception of Mondstadt, of when he'd answered the people's plight and freed it from its servitude to Decarabian.
It was easily a favorite of his for both objective and subjective reasons. It both cautioned the people against allowing a tyrant - no matter how well-intentioned - to hold that much authority and had been made in his honor by the individuals he'd liberated.
Which was why it was a bit vexing for one of the armored men to approach, expression stony as he authoritatively demanded, "Bard! What song is that?"
Meeting the male's gaze with a chipper smile and idle strumming of the lyre's strings he replied, "Why, good sir, it's none other than City of Wind! As a citizen of Mondstadt surely you've heard it performed once or thrice. Failing that at least heard of it before?"
Stony eyes met his eager own.
"What I've heard, bard, is that you have neglected the rule passed down by the noble houses and Lord Barbatos himself, to sing only of approved and sanctified movements that are just and true. This 'City of Wind' is not one of them."
Fighting down the nervous and uneasy feeling quickly pooling in his gut at that utterance the Anemo god decided enough was enough, puffing out his chest and boldly proclaiming, "Well allow me to educate you on this matter and lay to rest any unfounded concerns, for I myself am Lord Barbatos-"
SMACK!
Raucous laughter left the four other guards at the table, a condescending sneer on the face of the man who'd just struck him across the face.
"You? Pretending to be Lord Barbatos? Perhaps you are just as hard of seeing as you are hearing, for the depictions of Barbatos atop the statues of the Anemo god are grand, just and noble. About as far away from some limp and lanky scoundrel such as yourself could ever aspire to be."
"I really hate that Celestia never bothered to change those stupid effegies and just kept them as is. Why is mine inaccurate while that blockheaded lizard's is perfectly fine?!"
Keeping his mild annoyance to himself Barbatos instead debated how to go about resolving this issue without anyone getting hurt and also getting some more satisfactory answers. Simply calling upon the winds and having them serve him might confirm his authenticity as the Anemo god but these people clearly had been lied to about what he wished and desired. Outing himself so early might make his ultimate task all the more difficult.
"No words in your defense, imp? I asked of you a question, speak!"
Mentally resigning himself to a few demeaning knocks to the head while he decided on the best course of action Barbatos braced himself-
"Kicking around the children plying their musical craft in hopes of bringing joy to strangers Teyvat over? You lot have really reached a new low, haven't you?"
-and blinked as a stranger appeared behind the man, arm snaking outwards and keeping the soldier's own limb locked in place.
...Barbatos was not a child, thank you very much!
He turned his attention to the newcomer in order to provide both thanks and clarification in equal measure-
-before halting dead in his tracks, the man's midnight eyes meeting his own as Barbatos knew the male gardbed in simple but durable traveling clothes and sparse armor was a god. But a god of what? Morax couldn't be mistaken for anything than the Lord of Geo, aura that of an unassailable and immovable mountain that hummed with eons of solidarity. But this deity? It was like staring at a distant horizon on a moonlit night, an endless expanse with no end in sight.
He elected to be cordial yet on guard.
"U-unhand me you rebellious cretin! Men, to arms-"
"Oh, those men?"
Lazily motioning his head back to their table Barbatos was treated to the sight of the other four soldiers all pinned and restrained by a pair of individuals of similar dress and ruggedness to the god, arms or necks levered into compromising positions.
"They're indisposed."
Indignant rage colored the man's features, tone gaining an arrogant tinge to it as he warned, "You have no idea what you're doing, wanderer. If you dare to assault a member of the Lawrence clan then you-"
A sharp exertion brought the god's knee into contact with the soldier's noise, a wet crunch following a yelp of pain as the soldier reeled back-
-and a swift seizure of his nose by unyielding palms preceded a final squelch, the mystery god nodding in satisfaction as the guard reeled back with tears in his eyes, hands flying up to his broken and swiftly repaired nose.
"Good as new. Almost. Now, would you be so kind as to leave or would you prefer another facial makeover courtesy of yours truly?"
A wild moment passed as the local weighed his chances, mind running at breakneck speeds...and a snarl appeared on his features, hand streaking for the sword belted to his waist-
-and promptly found himself held immobile in an iron grasp, fingers clasped around his throat and the other keeping his weapon sheathed, unceremoniously dragged to the front door as his four cohorts were treated similarly before being disgracefully punted out the building in a tangled heap.
"You five better bring back the whole damn garrison, I want an actual challenge!"
Shutting the door behind him the god smiled as silence reigned, flipping a few mora to the stunned tavern owner in a perfect arc as he stated, "Don't worry, we'll take the fall for poor behavior."
The trio promptly took up position at the table formerly belonging to the knights, grabbing whatever food, drink or equipment caught their fancy as Barbatos slowly approached, unsure of what to make of these new strangers...what he did find interesting was the way the rest of the patrons reacted. There was no outwards celebration, no cheers or heroic clapping for the trio but there nonetheless persisted a sense of quiet satisfaction, grim smiles hidden beneath tankards or turned backs.
Yeah. Things definitely weren't great if no one even dared to openly rejoice.
"That was quite the brave thing you did. Standing up for people, that is. Although I hope you have the skills to back up your claim of being able to fight off an entire garrison of soldiers since I fear that's what will be sent your way."
"Well my outlook and actions on a day to day basis have often been equated to what most would describe as a deathwish."
His two companions seemed to find that comment amusing as he nodded to them, the pair departing a moment later to watch the various entrances and exits, a powerful hand being offered as the taller male stated, "Alec Daman. A pleasure to meet the grand, illustrious and most unfortunately absent Barbatos himself."
Inwardly wincing at the entirely correct assessment the bard returned the handshake, replying, "So you are a god yourself then."
"I have that distinction. One of our kind can usually recognize the other, after all."
Carefully seating himself across from the man Barbatos asked, "So what brings you to Mondstadt? Especially when you seem aware of the troubles that plague it?"
"I travel a lot, go to different places and snoop around, see if I can get myself into trouble."
He shrugged in an amicable manner, pointing to his two companions.
"My worshippers tend to tag along."
Barbatos slowly nodded, trying to discern just what the god before him represented. That sensation was certainly nothing like he'd ever experienced before.
"More to the point, Mondstadt has been a frequent target of mine, what with its slipping allure and attractiveness. Free expression, a melting pot of cultures and bastion of artistry has fallen far and fallen hard."
Lips tightening upon that admission Barbatos took a swift sip of an abandoned glass of wine, quietly asking, "How long has it been like this? I should have known, the people would have cried out to be freed and allowed to express themselves as they once could."
"Why are you asking me? Aren't you the god of this land?"
"I...was asleep. Letting the years pass and only briefly awakening to explore and see what has become of the world, checking on a precious few old friends and allies."
Raising an eyebrow in curiosity Alec eventually shrugged, blandly replying, "Well you must have steered clear of Mondstadt proper then, because this has been a situation of gradually increasing direness for centuries now. I've been dropping by every now and again to help where I can but there's a limit to what I can do, especially since this isn't my land."
Huffing out a trembling sigh the Anemo god whispered, "How could I have let things get this bad? Shouldn't I have heard and understood the prayers sent my way by my people?"
"Instead of bemoaning and moping about the reality of the situation why don't you try and go about fixing things?"
The unknown god took a contemplative bite of honeyed bread the previous revelers had purchased.
"After all, isn't that why you're here, Barbatos?"
The Anemo god slowly nodded, sadly stating, "It is. I merely wish that so much misery and suffering hadn't been needed for me to take action."
"Well this is what most would call a teachable moment, now isn't it? I dropped by the coliseum earlier and it's certainly an eyesore."
Following Alec's upraised finger the deity winced, instinctively understanding that the most fervent and desperate of wishes for his aid originated from that direction.
"...Well on the plus side that means I can rely on your aid, right? Allow me to assure you, the gratitude of the Anemo god is-"
"Help you? What gave you that idea?"
Blinking at the blunt refusal Barbatos bewilderedly asked, "But...but you said you came and helped Mondstadt before, why would you refuse to aid her now?"
"Because why would she need my aid now that her god has returned? It's a poor deity indeed that they would require the help of a stranger to fix their own land, wouldn't you agree?"
Wincing at the justified but entirely correct words one of the god's disciples suddenly turned around, lazily stating, "I think they took your words literally, chief. That is without a doubt a garrison headed our way."
"One of these days I'm going to learn to watch my mouth."
Sounding entirely false in that admission the unknown god stood up with an unhurried motion, even as armored feet began to audibly surround the tavern.
"Although I suppose I can offer you a small bit of aid, Barbatos. Just this once. After all I'd hate to see people die when there's no reason for it."
Before the Anemo god could say anything the unknown deity unsheathed the ornate knife at his side, a strange pulse of energy encompassing their surroundings-
-and Barbatos felt his breath catch in his throat as the world around them began to glow with life, purpose and meaning as colors were enhanced, edges were pronounced and sounds sharpened, strange pathways of gray chasing each other in meandering trails...and with a sharp CLACK the weapon was returned to its sheath, the Anemo god breathlessly whispering, "You...you're the god of-"
"Ah ah ah, that'll be our little secret. I prefer as few people as possible to know I walk among them."
For the second time that day a hand was offered, Barbatos more confidently taking it as Alec stated, "Let's meet again in a few years time, when Mondstadt is once again a place that bears visiting. Until then, Babratos."
Not waiting for a reply the man and his two acolytes dragged a nearby table over to a window, using it as a booster to exit through the unconventional entryway as Alec paused long enough only to shout out, "So the Lawrence clan needs fifteen times their foe's number to feel confident in picking a fight? No wonder this city has gone to shit-"
A sharp scratching noise sounded out as Alec's arm blurred upwards, stopping a crossbow bolt midflight in an astonishing display of reflexes as he jeeringly laughed and twirled the projectile.
"Even with mechanical enhancements you can't penetrate anything? No wonder your wives seek me out when you leave them unsatisfied!"
Darting further down the alley even as shouts and cries of outrage echoed through the city the tavern was quickly left alone, Barbatos slowly walking towards the distant coliseum, amused at the mystery god's actions before resolve flooded his spirit.
The man was right, it was his responsibility to ensure Mondstadt was a name that Teyvat would be proud to speak of, not anyone else's.
It was time he revealed himself once more and upheld an ancient covenant once more being tested.
"Wow, he sounds a lot more...devilish than the current Alec is."
A sad smile that contained no small amount of nostalgia graced the Anemo Archon's expression, eyes staring off into an unknown distance as he wistfully remarked, "Times change, gods are no exception. The whole kerfuffle with Khaenri'ah really did a number on Alec. He's still the same, but…"
The man helplessly shrugged.
"Let me put it this way, that time he saved Klee? If he was the same Alec Daman he was before that catastrophe he would have made her right as rain in just a few seconds and laughed it off, saying something about how kids should learn by doing before going to set off bombs with her."
Lumine couldn't help but feel a surge of empathy for the fallen god. She knew a thing or two about having your strength ripped away from you and she would privately admit that Daman's situation was a lot more nasty than hers was. She was apparently capable of gaining elemental powers like it was the easiest thing in the world, Venti and the rest made it sound like Alec was stuck that way for the rest of his life.
"Aww...maybe we should do something nice for him? It sounds like he's had a pretty rough life. Maybe take him out for dinner or something, Paimon wouldn't even mind sharing a bit!"
Lumine sent the sprite a shocked gaze that she felt a trifle defensive at.
"What, Paimon is capable of nice things! And she only said she'd share a little bit!"
"Ahh, there's the catch."
Grinning playfully Lumine dragged the floating woman into an affectionate hug as she sputtered for air, Barbatos chuckling before stating, "If you really want to make Alec's day then just be around him. Since you're so deadset on accompanying him I don't mind telling you that he really likes company."
A more melancholy smile once again adorned Venti's features.
"He rarely ever went alone. Or at least I never saw him without his acolytes or some other traveler of the day in tow."
Lumine seized on that particular admission, innocently asking, "You were saying something about Acolytes, did he have a large following? He must have been a god of something."
Venti's knowing look let Lumine know that she wasn't as subtle as she hoped she'd been, tone cheerful as he explained, "We call them acolytes but in reality they were more a shifting, varied and extended family that grew or shrank with the times, at least until the fall of Khaenri'ah. And as for what Alec's a god of?"
A playful, cheshire expression adorned the bard's face and Lumine just knew she wasn't going to like the next words out of his mouth.
"You were there when he saved Klee, right? Felt what his power did?"
The traveler slowly nodded, Paimon remaining silent and hoping Lumine didn't ask for her opinion. She really didn't want to have to pretend not to know who Alec was. Thankfully Lumine quickly replied, "Yes, but I don't-"
Barbatos whirled on his heel, looking over his shoulder with a broad grin as he cheerfully stated, "Then you already know what he's a god of, you just need to accept it! Not an easy thing for mortals to do but I'm sure you'll get it, Traveler. And with that we must bid each other a brief farewell till we meet again! Stay safe and may the winds guide you!"
Before Fischl could respond the bard was gone, leaving the investigator awkwardly standing there as their patron deity vanished into the crowd...Lumine puffing out a cheek in agitation as she had half a mind to stomp after the Archon and wring answers from his skinny neck. She just got a bunch of enigmatic crap from her brother and Alec, she was not in the mood to get a third helping of it!
"To think that we would meet the Anemo Archon in the flesh...milady, is this not a momentous occasion?"
"Truly, it is! But for the god that granted this prinzessin her power most royal to be of the...flighty variety is most unexpected, albeit perhaps fitting with knowledge of hindsight. For what else could the Anemo god be but ephemeral?"
"Nice way of saying he's a pain in the butt."
The Traveler found it amusing how Fischl and Oz didn't seem to disagree but also weren't keen on so openly badmouthing their god, the slimmer blonde releasing a sigh that carried with it her annoyance and frustration, stretching her arms high overhead as she said, "We better get some supplies of our own, if we want to make the journey to Liyue alongside that idiot. Feel up to it?"
"But of course, friend Lumine!"
Grinning and dipping in to plant a quick kiss on the ornately dressed girl's cheek - earning a cute flush in the process - Lumine turned to Paimon, asking, "How do you feel about organizing the rations and meals we'll be taking? Be sure to include yourself among them."
"Heh heh heh, Paimon would be more than happy to-HEY STOP MAKING THAT JOKE!"
Feeling her mood very much improved Lumine lead the way as her three companions followed suit, already thinking of the different ways she was going to bully Alec into letting them keep him company.
After all, it was obviously for his own good!