Act 1, Scene 3

6th of the 10th Cycle

Paimon was decidedly not having fun. She told him to be careful, careful! to not spook the dragon. And what does he do? Have his chest piece flash like a Christmas tree. Unbelievable. Oh, he says it wasn't his fault, he didn't know it would do that. But what's the point of having equipment you don't know how to use, or even worse, cannot control?

Now, not only is the dragon spooked and more likely to eat him than not, but also the god they saw talking to it is also unlikely to partake in civil conversation.

As Paimon was viciously chewing over the most painful way to kill him, the Traveller was frantically trying to explain to her that his armour does that whenever it comes across a new type of energy. It has to calibrate, he says, calibrate! Paimon doubted he knew the meaning of that word.

Now she was left to wonder where the Traveller put away the strange teardrop-shaped gem. Where did he put away all his things anyway, does he have Void powers as well, she cannot sense the Void on him in any case.

As the pair left the forest, they were suddenly ambushed by a girl wearing red leathers and a strange hair ribbon that gave her the silhouette of a rabbit.

"May the Anemo God protect you, stranger! I am Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonius. You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt, explain yourselves!"

Paimon gave Amber her best smile, "We're not looking for trouble, miss!"

"That's what all the troublemakers say." Paimon's best smile morphed into a strained smile.

The Traveller, sensing trouble, introduced himself quickly, "Hello, I'm Aether, and this is Paimon"

"Nice to meet you!" Paimon gave a little wave.

Amber leaned forwards, hand on her chin, "Doesn't sound like local names to me."

"You literally just said we aren't citizens of Mondstadt," Paimon deadpanned.

Coughing into her fist, Amber continued, "Well look, there's a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. Best get you inside the city as soon as possible."

"Well, lead the way, miss."

"Of course! You're lucky I brought an extra horse today. The Whispering Woods isn't that far from the city, but it is still quite the distance."

Act α, Scene 3

"Damn that Rhinedottir! Damn her to all seven hells! And damn that stupid father of mine for letting her experiment without precautions, he should have known this would've happened! What was he thinking!?"

Lumine felt like she walked in on something important.

"Your Grace, please! Resolve yourself, your people need you!" A man dressed in black armour and a starry blue cape pleaded.

"People? What people do I have left? My parents, brothers, and sister are dead! The city's in ruins! The Solar Palace has been destroyed by those damned twin gods!"

Noticing her, the armoured man beckoned her over. "Your Grace, by all reports this lady has saved a considerable amount of surviving civilians and soldiers. The assault is already quieting down, we just have to hold on a little longer."

"With the surviving men she brought back, we now have enough personnel to man the defences of the Lunar Palace. This place has enough firepower to kill gods, Your Grace!"

This man must be the Third Prince, Lumine decided. He turned to her, "Thank you, lady, you were promised a reward I'm sure. But as you can see, I have nothing left to give." He spread his arms, gesturing to the spartan ballroom they were in.

"I have no material desires, Your Grace. I simply wish to know if my brother is in the city. He looks quite like me, but his hair is long and braided, and his outfit is black with his stomach laid bare."

"There has not been a visitor looking like that in the past moon cycle that I can think of, I'm afraid. Dainsleif, do you recall seeing such a person?"

The man in armour, Dainsleif, responded negatively, "I'm afraid not, Your Grace."

Lumine sighed, this was about what she expected. When she ought to thank them and take her leave, a great tremor was felt. The unlit candelabra high above them crashed into the tiled floor next to them as dust was kicked up.

"D-Dragons! The twin dragons are coming!" A lookout called.

Dainsleif straightened abruptly as the Prince shook himself of his stupor. "I will prepare the cannons, Your Grace. By your leave." Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off.

The Prince regarded her, "I know you were planning to leave, but…"

Lumine let out an aggrieved sigh, "Very well, I will aid the defenders. But only I command myself."

"Yes, yes…" the Prince trailed off. Lumine sighed again, and left him alone in the empty hall, to fester in his own thoughts.