The sudden realization of what had happened to me came down like a waterfall, lucid nightmares of the situation came to him In a not so kind way- not exactly nightmares, more akin to intrusive thoughts all at the same time as soon as I woke up In a cold sweat, staring at a clear blue sky In shock, terror, anger.

I was fucking livid for so many reasons, mainly being I'm here, In a different world, second being, I am not alone.

Looking around there wasn't a sign of the girl- Lumine, there wasn't a sign of Lumine anywhere, my brain was already trying to figure out what to do, how to survive with the lore I willfully shoved down Into It, so many useless little facts, so many important parts of history- parts of the future.

"L-Lumine?" I half-shouted, hoping I wasn't left here because I would die before reaching whatever civilization was the closest, the area looked familiar yet not, fucking vivid memories of beginning this damned game.

But I got no response.

"Motherfucker-" I sluggishly got up, staring at the put-out flame, realizing that It was pretty chilly, not that much that It was cold, more akin to It being summer yet still unexpectedly cold- Nah I'm doing It again! No distractions!

The air was so fresh, clean, and…just overall lovely, not to say living In an Industrial society was bad, never! But I'm somewhat of a city kid, you don't expect to be able to Inhale fresh air not contaminated by your family's constant cigarette Intake they have-

DISTRACTIONS!

I had work to do, so much fucking work I had no time for this bullshit half-assed sadness of being chucked Into another world, yeah It happened, I'ma cope then, problem solved; If I was gonna follow Isekai trends, self-insert trends as well or whatever, because I'm not that stupid- or am I hoping It Is typical self-insert trends because I'm terrified or reality? Distractions-

"Where the fuck am I?" Slipped out of my mouth as I walked forward, frantically looking around and at the ground, footprints, so maybe I can still find her Instead of being eaten and turned Into gourmet food by a bunch of hilichurls-

"Oh, good morning, Michael." A cheerfully entertained voice greeted my ears as I looked up, straight at Lumine sitting near a river, fishing, also staring at me In confusion.

"Lumine?" I questioned out loud, pointing at her as my eyes narrowed. It looked as If I was questioning her presence because I was still seemingly affected by the fact I am talking to a fictional character from a fictional world, which I was Inside In, It was terrifying, awesome, and utterly confusing.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, sounding slightly concerned, kinda shocking, not gonna lie, It was weird to hear and see her sound worried about me- a fictional character was worried about me, I was also still a stranger because we met like a day ago or a few hours ago, I still have a poor concept of time.

"N-No! No, not at all," I managed to hopefully shrug off any worry and suspicion as I stood there, still flabbergasted yet still managing to look completely calm.

"...Alright." She sighed, looking back at the pond in Infront of her- why'd I call It a river? Never mind, my arm dropped as I stood there, looking around yet again, I forced myself to sigh as Lumine focused on fishing, that was odd, she- she didn't look freaked out at all over the fact she was In a different world!

Maybe I was an Idiot In this situation.

"So…" My first peaceful words to her I repeated, not on purpose, but- Ah, fuck It; I moved towards the pond, staring at Its center while doing so, expecting some little fucking cash-grabbing elf mascot to pop up, but nothing happened as I reached Lumines side, I glanced at her.

"You seem awfully calm," I noted In a passive-aggressive way, maybe a little hurt that I was the only person bitching about being thrown Into another world, but she answered either way.

"I do seem awfully calm." She agreed with me, nodding gently, her smile did not ease my growing worries of being mauled by her again, I narrowed my eyes on her.

"But you aren't, are you?" I was half-accused and half figured out, I mean, the both of us were trying to do the same fucking thing weren't we? Acting cool and collected when we're losing our fucking minds over the case that I won't repeat yet again.

She sighed, "I'm…confused." She admitted, my eyes softened slightly, Isn't that relatable; She continued.

"I…I just don't know what to do, really." I stared at her for a moment longer, before looking over my clothes, dirty, ruined, then at the pond.

"...Neither do I." The silence told everything, reality sucks major ass, It was like that for a moment longer, more awkward silence, thankfully all the tension In the air dissipated as the both of us quickly glanced at the sky In sync, watching as another easily missable shooting star got dunked Into the pond Infront of us- BOOM! splashing water everywhere.

We both brought our arms up In defense, before realizing we weren't nuked out of oblivion and were fine- both took a step back as Lumine was the first to leave her defensive position slowly as she stared at the pond, her arms still tense, ready as she analyzed the situation; Her eyes shooting daggers at the little gremlin In the water struggling, I was just stuck watching.

Lumine was quick to take action, grabbing her makeshift fishing rod and chucking Its reel Into the water, perfectly getting Paimon by the back of her clothes, and tugging, hard.

It didn't work, Paimon was pulled closer yes, but she wasn't pulled completely out of the river In the cutscene that was not vividly playing In the back of my head- and deciding to be the better person I ran up to Lumine and grabbed the fishing rod with her, she looked at me for a moment, before nodding.

I did as well.

At the same time, we took a step closer, before tugging It with all our might, the sound of splashing water Inscread for a moment until It stopped, and the string snapped as Paimon was pulled out, I Immediately cheered, adrenaline was already running In my body.

"Hell Yeah- AGH!" I was Interrupted as a little gremlin was shot right Into my stomach, knocking me backward and onto the ground- still holding the fishing-rod Lumine was brought Into the mess of failure we had created.

"Ow…" A squeaky little gremlin's pained voice moaned out, dazed as much as I was, mainly because all the air was forcefully shoved out of my body, Paimon because she was a shooting star not eight seconds ago, the silence was…so stupid.

It continued for a moment longer, no one dared to speak.

…

In retrospect, perhaps I could've done this differently.

…

Probably.

…

"Both of you, try and move, please," Lumine asked, finally.

"Yeah, Yeah, got It," I grunted as I pushed at the two people on top of me, somehow after a little effort we managed to untangle ourselves, Paimon shakenly flew out of the ragdoll that was everyone there, Lumine managed to get herself out after my efforts succeeded, but I was still on the ground, glazenly staring at the sky as I sucked In a breath.

"What was that just now?" I knew what It was, but still, what the fuck? I don't remember Paimon flying Into the fucking pond like a shooting star, nor do I remember Lumine being here- that was a fact I just realized, Aether was supposed to be here, canonically.

So why wasn't he?

"Are you okay?" Lumine asked Paimon, Ignoring my ever-present Internal suffering, she was holding out her right arm to make sure she didn't fall as the little gremlin just shook her head for a moment, before staring at Lumine, smiling broadly.

"I am! Thank you for saving Paimon!" I just groaned again, Paimon jumped as she glanced at me, smiling again.

"Thank you for saving Paimon as well!" That wasn't what I was getting at, but still, being thanked helped my fragile ego recover at least a bit from everything that had happened, giving me half the will to try and sit up, but I was caught off guard as Lumine offered me a hand, yet again.

"You good?" She asked, I stared for a moment before snorting.

"I'll be fine, the rat just took the air out of me." Paimon just gasped as Lumine chuckled slightly, shaking her head as Paimon began talking.

"Paimon Is not a rat!" I took Lumine's outstretched arm, allowing her to pull me up. She was strong as expected, I stared at her for a moment again as she patted my shoulders off all the dirt away, I nodded In appreciation.

"Really? You sure?" I questioned as Lumine turned with me, staring at our little attacker, I didn't know why I was teasing Paimon, but It just felt oddly right- It was also extremely therapeutic In a way.

Paimon looked ready to say something back, but Lumine brought both arms up as she spoke.

"Listen, I think It's best If we…talked." She sounded serious as she glanced at the two of us, I paused, before nodding, and Paimon followed In suit, not wanting to say no to the person that saved her.

"There's that campfire you made, let's go there."

Everything…wasn't the same, I- we didn't start at the beach with the name I didn't remember, we were near the woods with a small pond, and near that pond was the makeshift campfire Lumine had created, and It felt wrong as well, as If I messed up something, ruined what had to happen.

My effects were already set upon this world ever since I came here, everything was unexpected yet familiar, slight changes In the world, In the path the traveler was supposed to take- In aether's path.

But this was Lumine's path It seemed, so I should have expected some changes, right?

Maybe, maybe not, I don't know.

"-So, you two were thrown here by some unknown god? And you got your brother taken away from you? That sounds horrible!" Paimon sounded sad, staring at the drawing scribbled In the dirt, two stars, one falling away from the other, It was different yet again, some stuff like before she didn't say.

"Me and my brother used to be able to travel from world to world- but ever since that seal was cast upon me, I…can't." I glanced at Lumine, away from the distinguished fire, eyes narrowed In sadness, In thought, she sounded hurt, angry, but she finally relieved the story to me. The presence of another person who fell from the sky like a shooting sky must've driven her to…say the things she's saying.

"That's basically what happened to me." I decided to take the attention away from Lumine, the pressure as well, she didn't need to say anymore, Paimon turned to me; I was still staring at the campfire.

"It's a little different since I didn't have the power to travel worlds like Lumine has," I chose my wording very well, chose to not bring up her brother, "But whatever I did…It angered that unknown god, she- she came after me and took me away from my world." My words were not lies, because I know what angered that god, or...I think It angered her, my sudden presence In her domain surely didn't please her.

How I got there does not matter.

"After I was sent here, I met Michael two months later, after that…we met you," Lumine spoke again, looking up at Paimon, I did as well, smiling lightly, Paimon seemed to be In deep thought, before smiling and nodding.

"Paimon has decided to help you find your brother!" She pointed at Lumine, who just smiled, paimon quickly turning to me.

"And paimon will help you find your way home! Paimon will be your guide In this world!" She looked at the two of us at the last part, Lumine couldn't help but laugh slightly, smiling.

"Thank you, Paimon." Lumine said, I kept quiet, just…smiling in happiness, the moment was extremely comforting, cute even, I thought I would be alone In this world, a single man against It, but no, I'll have my fellow traveler and our guide, Paimon.

"Paimon has decided we begin now!" She abruptly shouted.

"What." I glanced at Lumine, then back at Paimon, then back, Lumine just laughed, seeming to agree with Paimons statement.

"None of that! Paimon says we start now, so let's go!" The little rat flew behind me and began pushing me up, I got up, almost stumbled forward, and turned to her as I began to laugh at myself.

"Then It's settled." All I could do Is turn to the deadset Lumine, looking confused- I mean, I was happy that I was finally making progress, that we were making progress, but I mean, It's still kinda sudden, and weird, and sudden, and-

"Follow Paimon!" Lumine looked back at me, shrugging with a 'what' look, I shrugged as I followed the two, staring dead ahead as I went back to the empty void that was my mind, filled with Information and knowledge of the future I should not know.

"Quickly!" Paimon shouted yet again, and all I could do was half-run after them, groaning as I shouted back.

"Coming! Jesus…" They were fast, or maybe I was just slow? Not like It mattered, I had to catch up to a psychopath and a little rat, I could've gotten stuck with a better party, couldn't I? Ah, fuck It.

"You guys are too fast! Wait up!" I shouted to Lumine.

"You're too slow!" I faintly heard.

Damn.

"Why….did…you…pick a hill!?" I panted out, holding a hand to my chest as I leaned against the nearest tree, Lumine and Paimon was at the edge, where the path then went downwards, behind us was the beach Aether should've woken up- or been at, all I could do Is quickly look back and see the moving tides In the back.

"It was just a hill, quit complaining." Said the literal amazonian woman who kicked my ass not so long ago, I looked back and shouted slightly In defense.

"Shut up woman!" I wheezed out, "You're fit, I'm not!" She just rolled her eyes as Paimon perked up, we both glanced at her.

"Look at that! It's a statue of the seven!" I took one final breath as I moved closer to them, stopping next to Paimon as the three of us stared at the statue off in the distance, there It was- The anemo archon's statue, It was emanating a…slight glow?

"There's a ton of these statues scattered around the land to show the seven's protection of the world! And among the seven, this one controls the wind!" Lumine gazed at the statue In…disappointment, It wasn't the one who took her brother, therefore, It was worthless In the endeavor of finding him.

"Neat." I already knew this information because I've heard these words before, at least In a different way, thus my knowledge was vast, but they did not know what I knew, and…I wasn't sure If they needed to know what I knew, I…

"Paimon's not sure If this Is the god you're looking for..." Lumine turned to Paimon as well as I, breaking out of my thoughts, Paimon smiled broadly again.

"Paimon will take you to the statue! And there's a reason why~!" She abruptly turned and began floating to the sides of a mountain, I sighed and followed her, Lumine did as well, this time being the one behind; She looked….disappointed.

"Is something wrong?" I slowed down and allowed her to start walking next to me, glancing at her, she just smiled.

"I guess…I just expected this to be over sooner than I thought." She was hopeful that she would see her brother again, even If It was only two months since she woke up. It feels as If centuries have passed: Centuries have passed and all she can do Is worry about her brother.

"I… I think It's good to be hopeful." I smiled back at her, It was good to be hopeful because hope was all she was gonna get, for the time being, I wanted to say more, maybe…tell her what I knew, but-

"-The wind Is like poetry and language! Flowing!" Paimon's voice cut In, giggling slightly, "I'm sure there's someone who knows what happened to your brother! At least, that's what Paimon thinks!" She helpfully Informed me as she slowed down for the two of us, I just sighed.

"What about the gods?" Lumine asked.

"Well…" Paimon looked away, "Whether or not the gods' answer Is a different story- But you'll never know unless you try!" I don't think I hold much faith In the archons myself- especially Venti, or barbatos, but It might turn out different, who knows?

"It's good to have hope." Lumine slyly answered as she glanced at me, repeating my words to me, as If she saw the doubt on my face, I shook my head as I chuckled.

"You're right." We ended up following Paimon as she talked and talked and talked, Lumine joined her In conversation as I just observed the trees, the grass, flowers, and all I could; I wonder if the game mechanics apply? What about ascension? Leveling up? And food Items, could I regenerate all my health by eating a steak?

Maybe I should try It on that….juicy looking fruit hanging from a tree.

I glanced at the two figures walking away, then back at the tree, I shuffled closer as my eyes narrowed In thought- that wasn't an apple, wasn't any fruit I was familiar with, In real life, this little thing Is a…Sunsattia? Sunsettia? Eh, fruit Is fruit.

I reached for two delicious fruits and snapped them off their stems, Inspecting them for a moment, mystified and giggity because I was holding a fictional fruit, fanboying a little because still, I'm In genshin Impact!

Awesome, also horrible and I want to go home-

"Hurry up!" Paimon shouted as I scrambled around before sprinting after them, In front of us was yet another lake, pond, whatever, and It was deep as I realized while munching on sweet, sweet fruit, god, It was sweet!

"Really?" Lumine glanced at me as I ate the fruit, chewing on It as I shrugged, before pushing, then smiling, then tossing her one, she caught It with one hand and examined It.

"Just eat It, It's sweet! Also, fruit from a different world!" I felt…oddly energized, I felt good, great even! Better than before, this fruit did wonders, perhaps food-Items do affect your body In a certain way, probably not Instant regeneration or Increased strength, but something similar to a temporary buff.

She took a small bite, made a noise of surprise, and smiled, "It's good." I chuckled In victory and righteous pride, Paimon turned to us, and…huffed, puffing up her cheeks.

"Hey, no fair! Paimon wants some!" Right, I almost forget Paimon was a glutton who enjoyed all sorts of food, I just looked over at Lumine as she did the same, she was enjoying her fruit and I didn't want to ruin her mood; So as any good person might do I tossed my fruit at Paimon, who barely caught It, hugging It to her chest as she took a chomp out of It.

"Mhmh! So sweet!" Seemingly distracted by the fruit, Lumine and I decided to walk to the edge of the lake and stare at the statue, watching It In thought, Lumine brought a hand to her chin as she spoke.

"Is It…familiar to you?" She questioned, glancing at me as I just shrugged. It was, but she didn't need to know that.

"No, not at all, why do you ask?" Perhaps she thinks she'll find her brother through the archons, I mean, as far as I remember, It…should lead somewhere? Right? Yeah, probably, but I'm not sure the archons have had contact with Celestia or whatever.

"No reason." With that little conversation over, Paimon floated by with no fruit, did she eat It all?

"Let's go to the statue!" Paimon decided to float over as Lumine and I glanced at one another, I because this shit wasn't fair, why does Paimon get to float, Lumine because she wanted to know who goes first, and I, being the gentlemen, decided to do the right thing.

"Ladies first." I gestured to the other side, she just looked at me with dead-eyed amusement, shaking her head as she laughed, god, I was funny, or maybe she was laughing at me, specifically?

Would rather not know, honestly.

"Why thank you." She sarcastically replied, tossing her fruit as she took one final bite and took a few steps back, preparing herself before swan diving Into the water and then proceeding to swim over quite quickly, I watched this, a little stunned with how swiftly she had done It, I waited for a moment before doing It myself.

I walked Into the water until I couldn't anymore and kicked at the remaining ground under me as I swam over, getting my clothes soggy and wet, yet again as I looked up when I was about to exit Lumine offered me yet another hand, I took It, rolling my eyes.

"I'm pretty sure the knight In shining armor Is supposed to help the maiden." I snarked slightly, and Lumine laughed again.

"Well, I am helping the maiden." We both came onto the dry land, I shook my arms as I tried to get rid of all the water, quite ineffectively, I shivered slightly, Lumine looked fine as she turned around and got to Infront of the statue with Paimon, I followed as I shook my head.

"This Is It! The statue of the anemo archon!" Paimon Informed us as we all stared at It, the air grew stronger, a breeze hit us as I felt the air around us move as If It was alive, the feeling was small, almost missable, I turned to Lumine, not sure If I was the only one feeling It.

It was almost empowering, And cold, as we were wet.

Lumine held a look of mysticism as she gazed at the statue, she took a deep breath In as…she began walking forward, Paimon and I watched In silence, the clouds In the sky grew dark for but a moment, whirling In power as then, she placed a single hand on Its center as It all began to glow a bright light blue, It began at the bottom as It started to reach for the sky, and finally the orb at the very top.

For a moment nothing happened-

Until a little ball of light and wind came out, everyone watched In curiosity and amazement as It began to fly around us, Lumine took a few steps back as she watched It, I didn't move, simply watched It, It came to me for a moment, I stared at It with widened eyes, my chest felt light, It Inspected me, as It then when around and near Lumine herself, It hopped around for a moment as If It were alive, then It…

It rushed straight at Lumines chest, she let It happen as the wind was absorbed by her In a magical spectacle, I- I watched as Lumine was surrounded by air, blowing air and light that whirled around her In life! It dried her, as well as made her eyes glow light blue for a second before everything calmed down.

"Did you feel that, Lumine?" Paimon flew around and stopped Infront of Lumine. I was still shocked, stunned.

"That was the power of the elements! And you just got the power of anemo by just touching one of the statues!" Lumine gazed at her hand as Paimon spoke, at her open palm, she felt so light! It was amazing! Almost like the wind Itself!

"Y-Yeah, I think I did." She giggled, giggled, I've heard her laugh before, but never giggle like a little girl, my eyes were still drawn to the statute In so many emotions, I- I didn't think I'd feel that affected by It, but I felt It, yet, It was nothing but purely amazing.

Yet I felt…empty as well, an odd feeling of having something then letting It escape, as If I was gazed at and tossed aside, I can't explain It.

"That's amazing!" Paimon giggled as well, I let out a laugh, turning to Lumine as I Ignored that feeling, I smiled.

"Look at this, I already knew you were Impressive- but this?" Lumine turned to me as she smiled as well, laughing lightly, she had an odd look In her eyes, one of…planning.

"Stand still for a moment." She requested Immediately, I abided with a raised eyebrow, what was she-?

Oh, Oh shit.

She outstretched her hand and took a stance as Anemo began to gather In her left palm, air whirled around In pure power as she pointed It at me, I brought my arms In Front of my face as she then released It full power-!

I felt air brush against me kinda roughly, not pushing me or hurting me, but enough to…dry me a little, as well as push my hair around and make It look rugged and ruffled, one of my eyes peeked out from my arms as I stared at Lumine, who was smiling slyly as she placed her hands on her hips.

"I believe I deserve a thank you very much!" She cheerfully added as I dropped my arms and coned my hair a little with my arms and then dropped my arms back down, I sighed.

"Thank you dearly, Lumine." The little flying rat laughed at my expense, I just shot her a glare as I rolled my eyes as they stopped at Mondstadt, I quickly moved them back to Paimon.

"No need for thanks," Lumine said back as she took back her words, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes yet again.

"That there Is Mondstadt, The City Of Freedom! If we keep moving, we'll get to It eventually!" Lumine nodded along with Paimon's words as we all stood next to each other, staring off at It, Lumine spoke up.

"Well then, let's start walking now, I'd rather not spend another night In the woods. I've had enough people falling out of the sky for one day." I looked around one final time before we started going again, sighing.

"Let's start then-" Suddenly and very quickly mass amount of heat was felt as I turned around and stared at a FUCKING PYRO SLIME?! Jesus that thing was large- It was the size of a dog! I made a noise of fear as Lumine and Paimon quickly turned, Lumine's eyes narrowed.

"What's a pyro slime doing here-!?" Paimon screamed out as Lumine shot Into battle, a sword suddenly materialized In her hands as she slashed at It, leaving a darkish wound as the lava that was the slime moved around It, It dripped hot magma onto the ground, searing It.

She slashed there more times as her body moved with the blows, the slime was sent back, Lumine didn't feel like giving It room to breathe as she reactivated the previous skill she used on me- She was moving with the wind as the air gathered In her palm yet again; She dashed at the slime as It was caught mid-fall as It started to whirl a little In place before being sent flying Into the pond, bits and pieces of fire and magma flew everywhere, thankfully missing us and landing In the water this time.

She seemed to tense for a moment longer, expecting yet another slime to appear- as one did! As It was forming In the air and the heat grew she quickly turned and slashed It once as she then slashed It again, hard, sending It flying Into the water as air moved with the sword and evaporated the slime.

She stood still for a moment, stuck In a slashing pose, she sighed as she looked around before taking an elegant step back, bringing her hand down as the sword disappeared, somehow, she turned to us.

"You guys okay?"

I just stared at Lumine as Paimon flew towards her and cheered.

"That was so cool! Paimon didn't know Lumine could do that!" Paimon said as she flew around her, they started to talk for a little as I just…zoned out, turning to the statue of the seven, I stared at It with…shock, not entirely sure of what I just witnessed.

"It's nothing, just some simple footwork." Simple footwork my ass, that was something else entirely; But I shrugged off the feeling of…amazement yet again, I feel as If I'll be…feeling that a lot In the future.

"We should get going, we don't know If more of those…slimes will pop up near us." I was the first to move to the other side of the island we were on, staring at the lake that surrounded us, guess It's time we got wet again.

Lumine and Paimon looked at each other and shrugged, they stopped their little freakout moment and stood beside me as we stared at the water for a moment, I mulled over my thoughts and glanced at Lumine again.

"...Ladies first."

We stood around, water dripping off our clothes as Lumine used her new powers to dry us both, a current of wind came from below and shot Itself up, Lumine diligently held her hands around her skirt as for It to now go up and reveal something Immodest, I chatted with Paimon.

"-I still don't understand why you didn't float out of that lake the first time we met." That was the most confusing part, she could fly yet she didn't fly out that lake?

"Paimon has told you already! Paimon can't fly out of water If she's caught In It!" I just scoffed as my head reeled Itself back In disbelief, that was the stupidest thing I've ever heard- but as the wind stopped flowing I sighed and glanced at Lumine.

"You finished?" She nodded gratefully, elegantly- yeah yeah, whatever, she's elegant, she's amazing, blah blah, I gotta stop overanalyzing every single detail I see; Eitherway Paimon snapped herself out of our little argument I planned on counting, We were dry, we were ready, and….that's that.

"Paimon says we should go then! There's so much Paimon has to show you!" Lumine and I turned to Paimon and began following her, talking with one another.

"So, you got any plans for the future?" I asked because I had a couple, or many, or a few hundred depending on how much time I get to be alone with myself and think through my actions over and over again until I achieve perfection, either way, Lumine seemed to be In deep thought.

"Well, firstly I want to find my brother, no matter the cost." I nodded along to her words, that was what I expected.

"As expected, you seem the type to do anything for your family." What lovely insight I had, almost as If I knew how everything was gonna go- But still, she looked over at me as we walked, Paimon's voice was there, but Ignored for a moment, spouting something about fruit, culture, all of that.

"What about you? What do you plan on doing?" She stopped as she stared at me, I stopped as well as I thought about It, obviously, I want to find a way to go home, which means I'll probably need to find the unknown god, or somehow- In the future help Lumine get her powers back, maybe…maybe she can help.

"Well-" I was cut off as a breeze started to pick up, I looked at Lumine, thinking she was testing out her powers again, but no, her gaze was pointed at the sky above us as a looming, gargantuan shadow covered the lands we could see-

"Stormterror…." My voice whispered as I turned and looked at the looming beast soaring above us In the sky, I forgot- HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THE GIANT FUCKING LIZARD AT THE BEGINING OF THE GAME?! THE THING WAS FUCKING GIANT! It escaped our vision as soon as It entered It, Paimon's voice was heard.

"It's heading for the center of the forest!" I quickly looked over at Lumine, her face held fear- with determination cast over It as well, I looked away as she turned as I sucked In a deep breath, Paimon spoke quickly.

"Should we go the other way-?"

"N-No!" I shouted, quickly covering my mouth as I got weird looks from Lumine and Paimon, both with raised eyebrows, Lumine looked worried.

"I mean- we can't just give up now, I-I'm sure Mondstadt Is the safest place for us to be at," I explained myself quickly, my vision snapping towards the broken caravan and the strange wooden fences, surely created by hilichurls, safest place my ass.

I have to make sure the story goes how It's supposed to, I have to make sure I know how everything Is gonna play out, I have to-

"Yeah, I agree with Michael, let's hurry before we catch that thing's attention." Lumine decided to quickly take the lead as Paimon stayed close to me, staring at me as my breath exhilarated Itself, I shook my head and started to follow, I was panicking, for so, so many reasons, but- But It doesn't matter, I have to focus, focus on the-

The sound of yelling, the sound of familiar voices, Hilichurls, we moved by the side of some small hill where their camp was, the three of us stayed dead quiet as the Hilichurls panicked, praised, worshipped Strormterror, Lumine had already materialized a sword In her right hand, ready to strike If anything tried to strike us.

We managed to pass them unseen, quiet as the wind, I was still frantically looking at the sky, trying to mask my previous panic with being that there was a giant lizard In the sky, It worked, effectively.

Walking along the forest's path was easy, Lumine was still stuck In her wariness as well as I, Stormterror was close, super close, and If Stromterror was close, so was Venti- but after a few minutes of tensions walking, we heard Its growls.

"There!" Paimon whispered frantically as we all hid behind a tree, as we all got a good, long look at the beast that was Stromterror, a real, fucking dragon, perched on yet another hill as Its giant claws dag Into the earth and stone, It's giant fairy-like wings expended out, ready to take flight at a moments notice as It stared at the bard.

Lumine's gaze was on the Venti as was mine, he was so small In comparison to Stormterror, almost fragile- but I knew that was a god, an archon in Infront of me, and I was terrified, his voice was heard, gentle as the wind as he tried to soothe his old friend.

"...Don't be afraid, I'm here…It's alright now." My gaze went to the contraption that was attached to Its neck, a purple crystal was on It, corruption In Its purest form, some kind of abyssal energy being constantly fed Into It's very being- Its growls weren't growls at all, but purrs…demented purrs, but purrs, It was happy, yet…confused, unsure as It saw It's a friend.

"Is he…talking to the dragon?" Paimon's voice squeaked out, Lumine's anemo energy began to activate as the center of her dress glowed with power, as then did her cuffs, emanating a sound that almost tore at my ears as I was so close to It, soothing yet not, It alerted-

ROAR!

Its gaping maw opened Itself as Its head snapped towards us, then back at Its friend- roaring louder than before as wind- a tornado came from It's mouth, It swiped at Venti who dodged It with the wind of his own, peddling backward as It's claw tore against the earth and ruined It; Venti quickly turned to our direction, his face held conflict, displeasure.

"Who's there?" Stormterros wings expended more as even more wind was thrown about, Paimon was being held by Lumine as I tried to hold my own ground with the tree, My gaze turned to Venti, who was slowly backpedaling from Stromterror, looking upon It with pity.

A bright light enveloped him as he was whisked away, leaving us with Strormterror.

The beast began to fly as Its hate-filled eyes glared at our mere presence, Lumine and I stared back, the wind had stopped as It tossed Itself Into the air and plunged Itself forward and above us, sparing our lives.

I panted as I looked down upon myself, I was on my knees as I managed to not get blown away, I was dazed, confused as I tried to stand up, reviving aid from Paimon and Lumine, my breathing had not relaxed as Paimon began to speak.

"P-Paimon was almost blown away! What was that?" She questioned us as I looked over at Lumine who was staring at the ruined rock and land, staring at where Venti once was- staring at a bloody-red tear.

I shook my head, that- that thing Is Important, wasn't It? My brain was Immediately jumping to work, or the thought of work.

"Do…you guys see that?" Lumine asked as she began to walk over towards the tear, It was floating- barely even, It looked as If It would fall any second as I followed next to her and climbed up the hill, Paimon floating above our heads, no one dared to touch It as I circled It, Paimon began to talk again.

"Paimon's…Paimon's never seen this type of rock before." She sounded confused as we stared at It, Lumine remained quiet, contemplative; But I? I knew what It was, somewhat, and I knew we had to take It, therefore….

I reached for It, and the tips of my fingers touched Its bumpy and smooth surface, Paimon seemed to freak out, she knew It was dangerous.

"Wait! Don't touch It!'" I retracted my hand Immediately, the crimson tear felt warm, pulsating, and wrong, so, so wrong.

"All Paimon knows Is that It's dangerous, so don't go touching It!" She warned me as I glanced over at Lumine, Paimon outstretched her hand and…took the tear? In the same way that Lumine used her sword, so did Paimon by taking the tear away.

"What do we do now?" Lumine asked, finally dematerializing the sword she was holding away and looking at me, me, as If I knew- because I did.

"The plan Is still the same, reach mondstadt- I'm pretty sure that dragon should stay away from us for now." Lumine and Paimon seemed to mull over my words, I didn't take offense, I'm also very reluctant to go Into the open with that lizard In the skies.

"We should hurry." Lumine's words worked wonders to motivate Paimon and me as we began to follow the path quite quickly, everything was so rushed, too rushed, my eyes darted around the forest as we reached Its end, the light shined through the leaves, we were out, we began to slow down.

"Finally! Paimon doesn't like that forest." Paimon whined as we looked around, still walking forward, I gated off at Mondstadt, finding the city of freedom to be truly…breathtaking, I tuned to Lumine but was Inturtperut by a cheery, serious, and familiar voice-

"Hey! Stop right there!" Everyone looked up as a girl In some sort of adventure getup with bunny ears jumped out of nowhere; We were stuck watching the mesmerizing sight, the girl went Into a roll as she absorbed the height of the fall, turning as she finished her dramatized Introduction, she paused as she pulled It off.

I could've sworn she was celebrating slightly.

"May the anemo god protect you, strangers." Lumine took a defensive stance, unsure of the bunny-girl Intentions, I copied Lumines manures and did the same, I was kinda surprised as my mind was still worried about the fucking dragon.

Nevertheless, the girl spoke again.

"I am amber, Outrider of The Knights Of Favonius!" She placed a hand on her heart.

...

"You two don't look like citizens of Mondstadt, explain yourselves!"

Authors notes.

(Now I understand the word count may or may not be different since the last, but expect that I am extremely inconsistent with everything I do- I've also read the reviews and have tried to fix some spelling mistakes this time, especially with the 'I' problem, I have no idea if i succeed or not but we'll see.

Anywho, did you enjoy the new chapter? If you did or didn't, please review and tell me your criticism.

Adios.)