Chapter 6: Mondstadt, Part 4
A/N: I'M DONE FINALLY HERE TAKE IT it's not really edited either but IDC it's GOOD ENOUGH so there.
Um... yeah I guess I didn't get much writing done over the summer, huh?
uuuuugggghhhh
I mean, I don't even know what there is to say anymore; It was a busy summer (I've been sick on and off every other week for like 2.5 months now), but I still had some time and I just didn't use it and- ugh, I guess I'm just really NOT into this whole "writing" thing right now...? Like, what the heck, Golden, it's been half a year and you're on chapter freaking six?! She groans to herself in frustration, burying her face in her han- oh come on not again (um... yeah so I didn't actually mean to do... that, but uh whatever? Like seriously, sometimes, in real life, I genuinely slip into a "writer" mode and start freaking narrating about myself in 3rd person in my head and Archons I'm so freaking weird! And I'm rambling... again... as usual... so imma shut up now)
(re-reading my drafted author's note a month later, and... wow I am SO ADHD how did I not figure it out sooner? sheesh)
But I DO want to *proudly* announce that me and Night (my older sister, that is, not Lumine) have finally gotten my little sister to start playing Genshin and she's addicted now like us and she's fascinated by the lore like I am and already done with all the Archon quests and I'm... just... so proud ToT
Also, it occurred to me a while ago - I think around when I was writing the end of the previous chapter? - that I'd kinda like to have a beta reader for this story (maybe that'd help me write faster lol), and I kinda fished around a bit on the website, but nothing came of it... so if anybody's interested, please tell me!
And, I did make an account on Archive of Our Own, so maybe I could look for a beta on there too... I've started posting this story on AO3, and a few of my oneshots as well (my account is under the same username as on here).
I think that's all... other than, once again, I'm really really sorry for not updating!
(and I'm also sorry I talk so much, heh...)
~Golden out~
After leaving the Dawn Winery, Lumine spent the whole rest of the day in nervous anticipation of their upcoming confrontation with Stormterror. She was so anxious that she could barely concentrate on her daily commissions from the Adventurer's Guild, and in the end - after taking two or three nasty hits that she would normally have dodged quite easily - decided to give it up as a bad job. She spent the next hour or so pacing up and down the bridge to Mondstadt's city gates, but finally left after Timmie tried to drag over one of the knights to get him to tell her off for keeping his pigeons away.
And I didn't even kill any this time! She huffed as she headed back into the city.
Bored, anxious, and desperate for a distraction, Lumine proceeded to scour the entire city for any treasures she'd missed - apparently someone at some point in time had managed to haul an entire huge, decorative chest filled with goods up to the very top of the cathedral, where it had sat untouched for who-knows-how-long until she discovered it that evening - at which point Paimon had finally had enough.
"Night, stop it! Your worrying is driving Paimon nuts!"
She was about to snap back and say "Paimon, are you sure you aren't already nuts?" but she stopped herself, realizing that her little companion did have a point.
"Look, calm down already! Paimon's nervous too, but... how about we just don't think about tomorrow until it gets here, 'kay?" For someone who acts so stupid sometimes, Paimon can actually be pretty wise!
Lumine nodded in agreement, smiling gratefully at her. She really did need to relax...
"Paimon, let's go watch the sunset!"
There was one spot in particular that Lumine always found herself drawn to whenever she wanted to relax and unwind, or simply enjoy a good view...
Which was how she found herself waking up early the next morning with a cramped neck and an aching back, having accidentally fallen asleep curled up with Paimon cupped in the hands of the Anemo Archon's statue. She lifted her head, blinking the sleep out of her eyes as she gazed out over the peaceful, sleeping city. The sky was still mostly dark, the sun still resting just below the horizon line. It was time to go.
"Paimon... Paimon," she called softly, nudging her companion.
"Wuh... whaaat," the little fairy yawned, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
"We have to go meet the others, remember? It's time to confront Stormterror."
After a quick breakfast, Lumine and Paimon teleported to the waypoint nearest Starsnatch Cliff. The sun was starting to rise, casting a faint pinkish purple in the still-dark sky.
To their not-very-great surprise, Diluc was already there, sitting on a rock nearby as if he'd been there for hours.
"Oh heyyy, Master Diluc! Have you been here a while?" Paimon asked. "Paimon thought we all agreed to meet up on the cliff, not down here!"
"Actually, I only just got here," he replied simply. "I figured I'd wait a few minutes to see if anyone else would arrive. Now that you're here though, let's go." With that, he turned and began to walk up the path that led to Starsnatch Cliff. Lumine and Paimon shared a glance, then quickly followed.
Once they had made it a little ways from the Teleport Waypoint, Diluc began to speak. "Frankly, I'm glad I was able to catch you before the others showed up."
"Huh? W-why is that?" Lumine asked, confused. What sort of thing would he want to talk with her about in private?
"It's about Stormterror. Look, I'm hoping the plan will work, but..." Diluc sighed. "If things go south - which I think is honestly more likely than not - just watch out for the bard. If the dragon attacks, it will surely go for him, and I don't know that he'll be able - or rather, willing - to fight it," he explained.
"Wait, why would Dvalin... and, he'd... oh," Lumine murmured softly, eyes growing wide as the pieces finally clicked into place. "Oh! Wait, you mean... he- he's Barbatos. Oh, I should have known. It was so obvious!"
Diluc looked at her sharply. "You mean, you didn't know already? My apologies, I thought you had figured it out days ago," he said guiltily.
"No, it's- I mean, I had all the pieces, and I think somewhere inside I had sort of realized already, it just... hadn't quite clicked yet, you know?" She explained, gesturing around animatedly. "A-anyways, thank you for the warning, Master Diluc! I'll be sure to keep an eye on Venti. Er, on Barbatos."
"Good," he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards in almost-a-smile. Lumine grinned in return.
For a few minutes, the two of them walked together in a peaceful, companionable silence. Then, Lumine finally realized: "Wait, it's... quiet. Oh no, where did Paimon go this time?!"
Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced back down the slope. In the distance, near the Teleport Waypoint, she could just make out the bobbing white fairy next to a figure in bright, Anemo green.
She snorted. Of course. "For all she complains about him, Paimon sure seems to get along with the 'Tone-Deaf Bard' pretty well," she mused, before starting to giggle. "Oh boy, when she finds out his true identity..." He let out a little huff that could almost be counted as a laugh, and they both fell silent again.
Lumine and Diluc kept on walking, but the silence between them began to grow uncomfortable. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, no topics coming to mind. She glanced around awkwardly, and her eyes caught on something white peeking up from the grass beside the pathway... a patch of beautiful white flowers. She came to a halt, and Diluc stopped as well, turning back to look at her and raising an eyebrow. Crouching down, she cupped one of the lily-like blossoms in her hands, burying her face in its petals and inhaling its sweet scent. "Oh, they're beautiful!" She said, smiling at him brightly.
Diluc's face softened as he walked up beside her, kneeling down to gently touch one of the flowers. "Cecilias," he told her softly. "They may look beautiful and delicate, but they can only thrive in places where the wind blows fiercest."
Lumine looked at him in interest. "You seem to know a lot about them!" she commented, laughing.
"My father was fond of them. He grew a whole garden of cecilias at the Manor," Diluc replied. He was still gazing at the flower, but his crimson eyes seemed to be looking right through it, seeing some far-off, distant place instead.
"I didn't notice any cecilias when we were at the Dawn Winery," she said after a moment.
"No, you wouldn't have," he replied shortly, rising to his feet. "The Winery belonged to my father as well, but we- but I grew up in the Ragnvindr Manor. I have only been living in the Winery since my return to Mondstadt."
"Oh..." she said awkwardly, playing with a blade of grass. He almost said "but we grew up." Why...?
"We should keep walking," Diluc said at last. "The others will catch up with us soon."
She sprang to her feet. "Oh, of course... my apologies." For the delay, and for bringing up a subject you clearly don't want to talk about.
"There isn't a need for that, it was no bother," he told her firmly. "Now, let's go."
He turned and began to walk away, continuing up along the path. She made to follow him, but hesitated. Quickly, she stooped down and plucked one of the cecilias from the ground, holding it carefully as she jogged to catch up with him, before slowing to a walk at his side.
As they continued on in silence, the path they were walking on slowly disappeared, fading into green grass dotted with patches of cecilias. The sky and clouds were aglow in pink and orange, and as Lumine and Diluc stepped out to the edge of the cliff, the sea spread out before them, glimmering with the reflected light of the sunrise.
"Woah... it's so beautiful up here," Lumine murmured softly, as if speaking more loudly would somehow shatter the breathtaking scene. Instinctively, her right hand - still clutching the cecilia she'd picked - floated up to rest on her chest as she gazed out at the sea in awe.
"They say that Starsnatch Cliff is known for its view. But..." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him turn his head to look at her, "you're right. It is beautiful up here."
She turned to him, wanting to ask if he'd been to the spot before, but her question died in her throat. Diluc was gazing at her with his head tilted, a contemplative look and a soft smile on his face. She blinked a couple of times, her face going slightly warm. "...What-"
"Oh heyyy Master Diluc, Night, watcha doing?" Venti's voice sang out from behind them. Lumine jumped and spun around to face him.
"Venti, don't sneak up on people like that!" She berated him, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at the bard - at the Archon...
"Hehe, my apologies~" he replied, smirking guiltlessly. "But is it really my fault if you two were too busy staring into each other's eyes to- ow!" He complained, rubbing his head and laughing.
"Night!" Paimon yelled.
"Traveler, there was no need to hit him, a simple admonition would have sufficed," Jean reprimanded.
Are you sure about that? Lumine started to say, but Diluc cut her off.
"Good, everyone is finally here."
Venti walked forwards, up to the edge of the cliff, lyre in hand. Out of the corner of her eye, Lumine caught Diluc looking at her. Jean met his glance, and he turned away. Then, Venti began to play.
For a moment, nothing happened. Diluc turned to her and Jean, opening his mouth to say something... Then, there was a rush of wind, and the huge dragon flew up from beneath to hover in the air above Venti.
"You have come..." Dvalin rumbled. "What has been done cannot be undone!"
"If so, then why do I see sadness in your eyes?" Venti - Barbatos - asked his old friend. "Sadness that speaks of your yearning for this song..." Dvalin growled at him in response. Still, things were going surprisingly smoothly.
"They are... communicating..." Jean mused. Suddenly, she looked up. "Huh?"
An icy-blue projectile whistled through the air, and there was a flash of light. The Holy Lyre fell to the ground, dull and broken.
"No! Tone-Deaf Bard!" Paimon yelled as the four of them rushed forwards. Lumine and Jean stood protectively in front of Venti, who was grimacing and clutching his arm, while Diluc stepped in front of them defensively.
"Do not be fooled by him, dear dragon..." an Abyss Mage floated out to hover by the dragon's head. "He left you to rot alone! Now he attempts to deceive you once more..."
"Barbatos..." the dragon growled angrily.
(Paimon's exclamation of "What?!" went unnoticed in the chaos).
"Let your wrath fester! Mondstadt has already turned its back on you!" The Mage encouraged.
Dvalin rose into the air and roared. "You! You were planning this all along? To have me slain by them?!" The rush of air was so strong that Lumine threw her arms up to shield her face, bracing her feet as best as she could against the damp, dew-laden grass.
"It's not like that!" Barbatos yelled desperately, but it was no use.
The Abyss Mage seated itself on the dragon's neck. "The time has come for the dragon to serve its true master... while you bewail your pathetic selves, and watch the world tremble with fear!" Its voice lingered tauntingly in the air, as Dvalin swooped around them and disappeared.
"Dvalin..." Venti murmured sadly.
Lumine and the others approached him slowly.
"Barbat- Venti, please, be careful..." Jean fumbled. Does she think, somehow, that we might not all have realized?
The Archon laughed. "You've known my true identity for quite some time now, haven't you Jean? Though, I thank you for continuing to use the name Venti."
Lumine and Diluc exchanged a look. "Um..."
"Wait, what?! Night, did you know about this?!" Paimon yelled, stomping her foot in the air.
"To be fair, I didn't truly realize until Master Diluc pointed it out," she replied, smirking at her companion.
"Ugh, so, everyone knew but Paimon?!"
"Yep, pretty much!"
"How's the Holy Lyre?" Diluc asked, putting an end to their banter. Right, back to business. "Can it still be played? Or does it need to be repaired?"
Venti leaned down to inspect it. "Wow..." he picked it up, and held it out for them to see. "Unfortunately, I think it's beyond repair..."
"Look, Dvalin is in a lot of danger... so we can't let that Abyss Mage get away!" Lumine interjected.
"You're right," Diluc agreed. "If we don't fight the evil at its source, then we can't save Dvalin at all."
"In that case, I shall call upon Outrider Amber to track it down," Jean offered.
"No need," Diluc replied.
Jean looked at him, confused. "Why is that?"
"I eradicated one not long ago, in one of the Four Winds' temples," he explained.
"What!? When...?" Paimon asked. Diluc ignored her.
Lumine felt a drop of rain land on her head.
"If you want to track those monsters down, then I'll seek answers from my contacts. I've got other means for getting the job done." His contacts? Interesting...
"Diluc... though he dislikes the Knights of Favonius, he protects Mondstadt in his own way," Paimon said, looking at Lumine.
It had begun sprinkling now, and it was only a matter of time before the rain began in earnest.
"Isn't that right, Traveler?" Venti asked, in a tone that sounded like he was trying to sound innocent.
"Yeah, it's really admirable," Lumine replied, slightly confused.
"Just admirable? You don't think it's... like, brave and dramatic and se- mmph!" Jean slapped a hand over Paimon's mouth, effectively shutting her up.
"Just wait for my word," Diluc continued, determinedly carrying on. "And I'll be sure to let the Abyss Order know that their blatant disregard for Mondstadt..." he crossed his arms and glared. There was a sudden boom, and a flash of lightning struck behind Diluc, casting a dramatic silhouette against the now-cloudy sky, "...will not go unpunished."
Bonus:
Somewhere else in Mondstadt, a young man stood on the edge of a cliff, his long blond braid whipping in the violent wind that perpetually surrounded the city of Old Mondstadt - or, as the people nowadays liked to call it, Stormterror's Lair. His golden eyes were cold and devoid of emotion as he watched the beautiful blue dragon that had once been considered Mond's protector swoop past, returning to the ruined, crumbling tower where it made its home. Behind him, a Cryo Abyss Mage appeared in a flash of pale blue light, floating in between the two Hydro mages that had already arrived.
"Your Highness..." it spoke in that same strange, rasping, echoing voice that was shared by the rest of its kind. "Your humble servant returns. When your homeland returns to this world..."
Aether glanced back, then turned slowly to face the mage with his head held high and the same cold expression on his face.
"...We shall revel in its glory."
A/N: No extra scene with Venti this time, sorry... I felt it was getting a little tedious, plus I didn't want to do the same thing over and over again, and I did also want to somehow work this scene in (I mean it's when you see it in-game), so... yeah?
But anyways:
OMG hidden strife ahhh! (Sure, it was a bit ago but like I haven't posted a chapter since it so I have to say this somewhere :D) Lore AND Kaeya and Diluc content! made me so happy (and sad. about them two. but still happy)
and,
OMG SUMERU AHHHHH I finished all the quests and just... AHHHHH (I will - force myself to - leave it at that, I ranted on hoyolab and I don't need to do it here too... lucky you guys XD)
Umm also - actually important part here - I figured out why I've been having so much trouble actually writing... buuuut idk if you wanna read a 20 page long essay on ADHD lol so I'll put it (semi) simply:
Usually accomplishing things gives you a sense of, well, accomplishment right? Well, my brain really hates doing anything that doesn't do that. And, a LOT of things (chores, schoolwork, etc.) do not make me feel accomplished to complete, I only feel relief that they're over with... and that makes me dislike/feel unmotivated by/dread doing them. And unfortunately, this fanfic (not writing in general, though, strangely enough) has turned from "I enjoy this, and - yay! - I posted a chapter and I feel accomplished!" to "I finally managed to get another chapter out, oh thank goodness I'm finally done."
In other words, I'm not enjoying it.
And I HATE that! Because writing is fun and I love doing it, I love sharing my work and seeing that people enjoy it! And, there are some parts of this story that I'm just dying to write - but my perfectionism says that noooo I have to write out the whole thing and develop the Dilumi relationship every time I possibly can and write it all out and... I'm going to have to try and ignore that, and cut out the parts that I can't bring myself to write. well, starting next chapter. Maybe, that way, I'll end up posting more than 5 chapters a year hahaha... ha...
Anyways I have rambled (much more than) enough (as usual) so imma just go now... unless I think of something else that needs to be said lol
Like, my house has wi-fi now it's so amazing!
And also the Port Ormos music is FIRE I love it so much it's amazing
bye
~Golden out~