Genshin Impact
The Messenger of the Seven
Chapter 1
The Dragon on the Wind
"It has been a while since I have seen you in Mondstadt." He smiled as he stood under The Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero, a lyre in hand.
She nodded slowly, her golden eyes had been on the leaves of the magnificent tree above her for some time, but now that he had finally spoken, she looked at him. Her short white hair barely moved in the breeze, "That's right, I haven't been here in quite some time. Things seem to have settled down since my last visit." She adjusted the little brown rucksack on her back and smiled, "Anyway, if there is nothing else I need to relay to him, then I must take my leave." She bowed her head slightly and turned to walk away.
He gently plucked at the strings of the lyre, creating a beautiful sound, "What are your thoughts on freedom?"
She stopped in place, frowning, "Freedom?"
He continued to produce beautiful music, "This is the land of freedom after all, what do you think about that?"
Turning back to him, she showed uncertainty in her eyes, "Honestly? I am not sure. I have never really thought about it before. I have always known this was the land of freedom, but it would never apply to me. Also, I have been here so many times before, why is this the only time you have asked me about freedom?"
"Hehe- Because you will have a choice to make very soon!"
Her eyes widened, "A choice? No, that can't be right! It's not my place to choose, that's your-"
"Just think about it. The next time we meet, you can give me your answer."
She stared at him for a little while longer, but nodded in defeat, "Of course, until we meet again." She bowed her head again and turned away. As she walked, she noticed a man walking towards her, seeing his long red hair tied back and a short square-cut beard. She politely nodded to him.
His red eyes met hers, smiling at her as he walked past her. But after passing her, a little bit of sun peaking through the leaves shone on something on the ground, reflecting into his eyes. He frowned and knelt, picking up a very damaged teal silk ribbon which had a pin on it of a replica of a Cecilia flower. He turned to look at where she was walking, "Did you drop something?"
She frowned as she turned to look at him, checking her pockets, "I don't think so?"
He walked up to her, holding the remains of the ribbon out to her, "Is this yours?"
Her eyes widened as she took hold of it, examining the damage, seeing that it was now frayed beyond repair, "It is! It was a gift from an old friend..." She held it close to her chest in a saddened manner, "Thank you."
He looked at her for a moment, then pulled out his silk red handkerchief from his pocket and began to fold it up, "Pass me the pin."
She frowned, but nodded slowly, taking the pin off the ribbon and holding it out to him.
He took hold of the pin and attacked it to the handkerchief. He smiled as he took her hand which was still outstretched slightly and tied the handkerchief around her right wrist, "There, so you don't lose it again. You can keep the handkerchief, you can use it until you can get a replacement for that ribbon of yours." He smiled a little more, "And don't worry, it's clean."
She lifted her hand, examing what he had done, "Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?" She smiled, "May I ask your name?"
He smiled as he nodded, "My name is Crepus, what's your name?"
She bowed her head slightly, "It is a real pleasure to meet you, Crepus. My name is..."
"Celia?"
She slowly opened her eyes and found that she had been sleeping in her arms at the bar. Her long red hair covered her face. She sat up, brushing her hair out of her face. She quickly realised that she was sitting precariously on the stool's edge. She rubbed her right eye and looked at who had been calling her name, "Did you need something, Diluc?" She placed her right arm back on the bar, staring at the red handkerchief tied onto her right wrist, with the Cecilia pin on it.
Diluc watched her for a moment, then went back to wiping the glass he had in his hands, "Did you sleep at all last night?"
She shook her head, "Unfortunately not, I had a lot of work to do." She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, "Can I get some coffee?"
He nodded, "Sure." He turned and started making the drink, "Won't you heading out soon?"
"Oh yes, she will be. She will be taking messages to the knights at Stormbearer Point and then coming back to the Headquarters to relay information."
The sudden new voice made Celia shift her weight suddenly, causing her to almost fall off the stool. She sat on it properly and scowled at the man who stood behind her, "Thank you for that, Kaeya."
Kaeya smiled as he sat on the stool next to her, "Anytime, my dear Ceci."
Diluc scowled as he placed an iced coffee in front of Celia, "Did you have to make her jump like that? Also, don't the knights have their people who can do that? They are not good at doing their job, so they force others to do it for them..."
She took hold of the glass and sipped the contents, "I don't mind really. It gives me something to do. It's just with all the Stormterror attacks happening lately, I have been a lot busier than normal." She sipped the drink again, smiling, "This is perfect, thank you Diluc."
He nodded, giving her a slight smile, but then his scowl returned, "But with the Stormterror attacks, it makes it a lot more dangerous outside the city. Just be careful, Ceci."
Kaeya looked at him, then back at Celia, "As much as I hate to admit this, I agree with Diluc. You need to be careful out there."
She sighed, placing the glass down, "You know I can take care of myself. I may not carry a vision like you two, but I know how to fight and protect myself."
Diluc nodded, "I know, but that doesn't mean I won't stop worrying about you."
She groaned, "You sound like Dad..." She gulped the rest of the coffee and stood up. "I should get going." She pulled her deep red hair up into a loose bun, leaving a short side fringe in the front which swept to the right, "Thanks for the coffee, I will be back before it is dark."
Diluc nodded, "I will see you later then. Be careful, Ceci."
She scowled, "Stop it." She turned and started walking to the door.
Kaeya stood up, "I will walk you to the gate." He nodded to Diluc, then followed her out of the door.
Celia looked up at Kaeya as she walked out of Angel's Share and towards the main gate. "You do realise that I am more than capable of walking to the gate myself..."
He nodded, "I know, but I wanted to check in with you first if you don't mind."
She frowned, "What do you mean?"
He looked at her, "I couldn't help but notice before I came up to the bar you were staring at the pin that Dad gave you, is everything alright?"
Looking at the pin again, she nodded, "Yeah, I am alright. I have just been having weird dreams again." She looked up at him again, "Although, I have seen something weirder today."
He raised an eyebrow as they walked past Flora's flower shop, "And what would that be?"
She stopped walking, "You agreeing with Diluc."
Kaeya couldn't help but let out a laugh, "You might be right about that. It's not every day that we agree on something. But you know, you do need to be careful, it can be very dangerous outside the city, especially at this moment in time."
She scowled, narrowing her eyes as she glared daggers at him.
Kaeya put his hand on his hip, "You look like Diluc when you do that. If you keep scowling like that, I may have to start calling you Master Diluc."
"Don't you have somewhere to be, Cavalry Captain Kaeya?" She rolled her eyes as she walked out of the main gate.
Kaeya chuckled softly, watching her leave. Once she was fully over the bridge he turned and started walking towards the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
...
After climbing up to Stormbearer Point, Celia adjusted her belt. She wore a sleeveless frilly blouse and a red skirt which was short in the front and long in the back. There was a white frilly underskirt which pecked through at the front of the skirt. Over the top of the skirt and blouse, she wore a black leather corset which had a red panel in the front where the lace was and a large black belt around the middle of it. Her black leather fingerless gloves stopped just above her elbows with a white frill on the edge. She wore thigh-high black leather boots which laced up the front and belt buckles on the top, they had a slight heel to them. She also wore black shorts underneath the skirt. Her red handkerchief sat over the top of her right glove. She had a black leather pouch on her belt on her back.
She pulled a map out of the pouch, unfolding it to look at the parts of the map which had been marked out in pencil. She examined it for a moment, before folding it back up and returning it to the pouch. She started running towards the watch tower at the furthest point of the cliff. Once there, she looked around, stopping to see a Devotee of the Church looking out at the ocean. She smiled as she walked towards her, "Hello, Vind."
Vind turned around, smiling at her, "Hello, Celia. How are you?"
She nodded, "I am doing quite well, how are you?"
Vind looked back at the ocean, "I have been better. I am rather worried about these Stormterror attacks. I thought the knights would be checking on the Point today, why are you here?"
Celia stepped towards the edge of the cliff, "They had another attack in the early hours of the morning, so I am covering for them while they clean up the mess near Windrise."
"What does Kaeya say about you being out here while this is going on?"
Celia sighed, looking up at the sky, "The same thing that Diluc said."
Vind smiled, "Be careful, Ceci."
She nodded, "Yep, that's the one." She pulled a piece of paper out of her pouch, "Anyway, the knights will be adjusting their movements for tonight, this shouldn't affect you too much, but you are still on the list of people who need to know." She handed the piece of paper to Vind, "These are the changes to their movements. Also, how are the hilichurl positions?"
Vind read the piece of paper and placed it in her pocket, "Thank you for letting me know. The hilichurls haven't changed positions. But I will send word if they do."
Celia smiled, "Thank you, Vind. I will see you again soon." She bowed her head slightly, then turned and started to run.
Vind smiled and then looked back at the ocean.
After running for some time, she stopped at the south cliff edge of the Point, she closed her eyes, feeling the wind on her face. She opened her eyes and looked down at the beach pathway below, seeing someone walk down there with a floating creature next to him. She could make out his long blonde plaited hair swing behind him. She frowned, "A traveller?" She shook her head and turned to the west, starting to run again. She stopped when she saw a knight walk towards her. She smiled, "Hello, Harry."
He smiled, "Hiya Celia. Any news?"
She nodded, taking out another piece of paper and handing it to him, "Here you go, these are the movement changes for tonight. You will be heading south tonight. Someone will come and relieve you in the morning. May the wind go with you."
He nodded, "The same for you. Make sure the next time you come this far out you bring some of that wonderful Dandelion Wine."
She started walking past him, smiling as she turned to walk backwards, looking at him, "Maybe, if you are lucky." She turned and started running off towards Starfell Lake. She stopped at the cliff overlooking the lake and the Statue of the Seven in the middle of it. Her golden eyes picked up on movement towards the statue, she noticed that it was the guy with the blonde hair again. She stepped a bit closer to the cliff edge as if to jump off, but stopped herself. Turning away and walking, she could feel a shift in the wind, she bowed her head, closing her eyes.
She stopped when she felt something different within her. She felt a gust of wind force itself past her, heading in the direction of the Statue of the Seven. She felt uncertainty build in her, as something bad was happening. Her jaw dropped, "That Traveller might be in danger..." She turned and started running towards the cliff again, stopping when she saw him resting his hand on the statue, her eyes widened when a particle of Anemo energy left the statue and touched him.
He looked at his hands, parts of his clothes glowed teal in colour. He then launched anemo abilities, almost like he had a vision, but he didn't, she could tell.
She watched as he left towards the Whispering Woods. She turned and started to run, trying to keep track of him, her curiosity getting the better of her. She jumped off the top cliff and her red and white Wing Glider opened up behind her, causing her to glide down to a lower cliff, one very close to the Whispering Woods. When she landed, her eyes widened as a massive light blue dragon flew overhead towards the woods. She watched as the mysterious traveller entered the woods.
She thought back on something Diluc had told her before one of her previous journeys outside of the city.
"I know you can look after yourself. But I need you to promise me something. If you see the dragon, Stormterror, you must head straight back into the City or home whichever is closest. Stormterror is dangerous, especially to you. Do you understand?"
She sighed and nodded to herself, "I understand, brother..." She went to take a step but froze when she heard a roar. Stormterror launched out of the wood and towards her, her eyes widened in fear. She flinched as it got close to her, moving her hands to shield her face.
Liuli! Why have you returned!?
Celia's eyes widened as she heard the voice, she looked around and saw no one. The voice seemed familiar, which seemed to make her cautious. She turned to look at where Stormterror had been flying, seeing that he was already almost long gone. She found herself lost in thought for a little bit but snapped out of it when the breeze returned to normal. She shook her and started to run towards the city. She could feel a sense of urgency in her need to get there and so didn't stop running for anything.
Once she reached the bridge, her mind snapped to the person she had seen heading towards the Whispering Woods, she gasped and turned to look towards where the woods were. She took a step forward but stopped when she saw her friend Amber walking him. She exhaled in relief, knowing that he would be safe with her. She turned and entered the City.
Her first stop was the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, she looked at the guards outside of the building, "I need to speak to the Acting Grand Master, it is urgent."
They stood to attention, "Go right in."
She nodded, "Thank you." She opened the door and walked in.
Kaeya was standing in the corner, receiving a report from another knight. He looked up when he noticed someone had entered the building, he frowned, "Celia? What are you doing back so soon?" He handed the clipboard that had been in his hand to the other knight and walked over to her.
She looked at the ground, "I have come to speak to Jean."
He nodded, "I will take you to her, is everything alright?"
She walked alongside him, "Not exactly."
He frowned as he opened the door, "Master Jean, Celia is here to speak to you."
Jean looked up from her desk and stood up, walking around and looking at her, "Hello Celia, you needed to speak to me?"
Celia nodded, stepping forward, "Stormterror has been sighted just outside of the City."
Kaeya looked at Celia, "What? Did you see him?"
Celia nodded, bringing her arms in front of her, her left hand gripped onto the handkerchief on her right wrist, "Yes. He flew over Starfell Lake and landed in the Whispering Woods, shortly after doing so, he flew out of the woods and flew towards Stormbearer Mountains. Something seemed to have angered him more than normal but I can't be sure what has done this. While outside, something didn't feel right in the wind. It's almost as if something bad is going to happen."
Kaeya placed his hand on her shoulder, "Celia, are you sure?"
She nodded, looking at him, "Yeah, I thought it would be best to come to speak to you as soon as I could, Jean." She turned to her, worry in her eyes.
Jean thought for a moment, then turned to look out the window, "I know that you are not a member of the Knights of Favonius, but I do trust your judgement on this situation. We must be vigilant, thank you for reporting this to me, Celia." She turned to Kaeya, "Make sure that the other knights are ready for anything. It is better if we are prepared for something to happen and nothing happens than for something happening and we are not prepared. Can you also send Lisa to me?"
Kaeya nodded, turning to leave the room, "Right away, Jean."
Celia stepped forward, "Is there anything else I can do?"
Kaeya stopped at the door, looking at Jean, then at Celia.
Jean stopped in front of her, placing her hand on her shoulder, "You have done more than what was expected of you. You were only supposed to be outside the City to pass messages to the knights and yet you have gone above and beyond by reporting to me Stormterror's movements. I think what is best for you is to head home. I believe I heard that Master Diluc was still at Angel's Share. I will feel better knowing that you are safe if something happens."
Kaeya smiled and left the room.
Celia nodded, "Alright, I will head there." She turned to leave.
Jean smiled, "May the wind lead."
Celia bowed her head and left the room, she noticed Lisa leaving the library, she waved at her slightly and then left the building, heading straight for Angel's Share.
Jean watched from the window, "I hope I have done the right thing..."
Diluc placed a bottle of Dandelion Wine on the counter, watching the patron who bought it take hold of it and walk towards their seat. As he knelt and checked the bottles below the bar, he heard the door open, "Welcome." He stood up and frowned, "Celia?"
Celia walked over to the bar, glancing at the patrons in the seating area, "I need to speak to you, in private."
He nodded, "Of course. Charles?"
Charles walked over to the bar, "Yes, Master Diluc?"
"Look after the bar while I am gone." He walked out from behind the bar and took Celia by the shoulders, "We will talk upstairs on the balcony."
Once outside, Diluc watched her rest her arms against the railing, "What's going on?"
She bowed her head, closing her eyes, "I saw Stormterror while I was outside the City."
He stood up straight, "What happened?"
"I was standing on the cliff that overlooked Starfell Lake, Stormterror flew right overhead to the Whispering Woods. He didn't stay there long, he left and flew over me towards the Stormbearer Mountains, but when he did, I heard a weird voice. One I feel that I have heard before but I don't think I have. It scared me. It sounded really angry." She turned to him, "I went straight to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters and told Jean what I saw. Kaeya was there as well. She told me to go home. Do you think that is a good idea?"
He nodded, "Yeah, let's get you home."
She followed him back inside and down the stairs, watching him talk to Charles at the bar. They then both walked out of the main entrance and headed to the gate. Once they got to the gate, however, Celia turned and looked up towards the fountain, seeing the blonde-haired guy again, this time he was gliding down to where Amber stood. Her eyes trained on him, taking a step towards him, but stopped when the sky turned dark and stormy.
Diluc watched her, then looked up at the sky, "Something is not right."
She looked up at the sky as Stormterror flew over, the winds picked up as he roared. Twisters of wind appeared all around the city. Her eyes widened, seeing the guy being sucked up by one of the twisters. She gasped, holding her hand out as she ran forward.
Diluc grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from running, "Celia, it's dangerous!"
Disclaimer:
I do no own anything to do with Genshin Impact - All rights go to Hoyoverse
Things have been altered to fit my fanfic, some scenes have been cut out or altered for the purpose of this fanfic. Things will be explained later in the fanfic as to why certain things are the way they are.