Just what is our relationship?
As Amber flew past the Mondstadt's famous Dawn Winery towards the lake, she asked that question to herself again and again. It wasn't like she and Aether were dating any way, they had only just gotten extremely close with one another. Besides his long expedition to Liyue, (Which Amber almost cried at during their goodbye) they had spent every moment together. Whether it was Aether helping Amber with her Outrider duties or vice-versa with Aether commissions, they had always managed to somehow…..end up together.
It wasn't till Aether had kissed her on the cheek that night that made Amber question her feelings.
Yes, she could live with all the other Knights teasing her. (Jean and Lisa were the main culprits) But she could not live with the new feeling within herself. When he had kissed her, something had woken inside of her, and she wasn't sure what it was. The only thing she knew for sure is that she wanted Aether to be okay.
After swimming across the lake and scaling the cliffside, Amber finally arrived at the point that Jean had marked on her map. Stone Gate. With her trusty bow ready in her hands, she began to look around. At first glance, there wasn't much around except for wildlife and plants. It wasn't till Amber walked closer to the cliff overseeing the main road going from Liyue and Mondstadt that Amber saw what she was looking for.
In the clearing was a mess of destroyed Ruin Guards. It was clear that a big fight had taken place here not too long ago. There were easily 4, 5 destroyed Ruin Guards all in various states of destruction. One was cut in half, another was smashed against a rock. However, the person that supposedly fit the missing persons posters, and who probably fought off these mechs was nowhere to be found.
As Amber walked around the remains of the battle looking for any clues that may lead to this mystery person, she came across a small amount of blood next to some Ruin Guard foot steps, walking away from the battle scene.
Just what on earth happened here? Amber wondered.
It was just then that Amber spotted a sparkle at the corner of her eye. Quickly throwing her bow onto her back, she began to run towards the Ruin Guard that was smashed against a rock. Just behind it and between the rock was a book. Pushing the destroyed Ruin Guard aside, it wasn't until Amber looked at the cover that she knew what it was.
This is Aether's diary, or Archive as he liked to call it. Amber was all too familiar with this book. Aether had shown it to her many times, showing her that he had basically documented and wrote about everything he came across. If he found something new, the first chance he got he added it to this very book.
If this is here, that means for sure that Aether was here, and he would not leave this behind by accident.
What happened to you Aether?
Based on the small amount of blood on the ground and Ruin Guard footsteps leading away, Amber came to the conclusion that one of the surviving Ruin Guards must have picked up and taken Aether away.
But Ruin Guards aren't known to pick things up, let alone people. Where would they take him? There aren't any ruins nearby. Was Aether that badly beaten? Wouldn't Piamon somehow find a way and save him?
Based on the many stories he told her, Piamon did somehow always help him out, even if she was kinda useless most of the time.
Looking around the scene one last time with more questions than answers. Amber pocketed Aether's diary Sorry Archive and walked over to the cliff overlooking the main road. She could just make out the Millelith checkpoint in the distance. With more worry than she had before, she jumped and released her glider. Hopefully the Millelith saw or heard something and could answer some of her questions.
What have you gotten into this time Aether?