At the break of dawn at Watatsumi island, Sangonomiya Kokomi oversaw the fleet and transports that were crossing into Yashiori island. Like 2000 years ago, when Orabashi led them out of the depths and into the light of day. Like 2000 years ago, they faced an insurmountable enemy. Throughout the whole night, she wondered if this would end in tragedy as well. But what other choice did they have? To kneel and be removed from their ambitions? To sacrifice a part of them for peace?

She had been praying to Orabashi religiously ever since the Vision Hunt decree was enacted. That had been the breaking point, the last nail in the coffin in Watatsumi island's submission to the Shogun. The neglection of Baal, the Tri-Commission's corruption and embezzlement, and the profanation of the bones of their God. It couldn't be ignored.

Once again, she observed the last ship leaving Watatsumi Harbour. The last ship wasn't manned by her followers. They were soldiers of the Shogun: Defectors who had had enough of the Commission's orders, Vision holders who had found refuge in her island and even those who refused to believe Baal would turn on them.

She knew that those soldiers wouldn't be praying to Orabashi. But that didn't matter. They needed manpower to survive. And she knew that unlike her, they would be praying to the God of Rebellion, Barbatos.

Stone Gate was located in Liyue as a way to facilitate customs for the Millelith. In comparison, the Knights of Favonius limited themselves to patrolling the border, though their cavalry provided the heavy lifting if trouble arose. Regardless, the border was open for everyone, though merchants had to deal with tariffs and regulations to enter and leave the country. Individuals normally could simply travel through without any delay, on most occasions.

Of course, that was several hundreds of years ago. Venti had never had any trouble before, though he had seldomly travelled in his human form. So as Ignatz dealt with the Millelith checking his cargo, the bard decided to stretch his legs and explore the checkpoint.

Not many people were leaving Liyue. The Rite of Descension would start in a few days, after all, so Stone Gate was somewhat deserted. Whoever was travelling through the border was mostly comprised of merchants from Mondstadt and the odd adventurer here and there. The vendors, the little ones who were left, were comprised of old men and women from the area. They mostly sold tea and some other provisions. To the other end, there were tents and barracks for the soldiers. They seemed busy, though he couldn't see more than ten soldiers manning the pass.

Regardless, it was a sorry state of affairs that left Venti without any new sources of information. In the back of his mind, however, he was detecting something. A concentration of elemental energy that was out of place. It was coming from the various stalls that were almost attached to the nearby stone walls. But he stopped himself. For once, he needed to have his mindset on an objective.

Before his small examination got too carried away, the bard headed back to the wagon. Stone Gate might have been disappointing, but he wanted to reach Wangshu Inn before that storm hit him. There he knew there would be more answers.

"Bard," His merchant companion started to talk as Venti approached him. "The crossroads is 20 minutes ahead, so I'll drop you off there. Also, I hope you brought mora with you?"

"Of course I did! I earned a whopping 10000 mora playing songs. I then wasted most of that on alcohol, so I have…" He checked the pouch on his belt. "2000. Wow, I contained myself."

"How are you even going to enter Inazuma with so little money? You know what, that's on you. There's a stall selling grilled tiger fish, so let's buy some and get out of here." Ignatz was also worried about the storm, though he didn't show it.

Venti tagged along and bought the fish skewer. It was hot, something his body appreciated. He imagined that there wouldn't be many hot meals after he reached Inazuma. The moment he stepped ashore, he would be a fugitive. Or in the worst case, Baal would immediately notice him. The chances were very low, but never zero.

"The Millelith is still checking my cargo." The merchant complained. "They didn't even bat an eye with you. But no, my barrels could contain pyro slimes, gunpowder or whatever. Like I'd walk around with a time bomb."

"That's because the Liyue Qixing are always stricter around these festivals. I remember that they once banned singing on public streets. So evil."

"Keep those comments for yourself. I'm not getting arrested for your follies."

Venti dismissed his complaints, deciding to focus on the now warm fish skewer. And that's when he noticed that concentration of elemental energy again. It had moved below an elevated platform next to the main gate. As if hiding and sneaking. And though he wanted to focus on getting to Liyue harbour, that fact had ensnared him. The platform was used to circumvent the river that had cut through the gorge, so its elevation was uneven at certain points. For this reason, a normal human being would have to crawl to get below it.

"Alright, we can eat while moving." Ignatz snapped his fingers, catching Venti's attention. "I'm hesitant to say when that storm will hit, so we better make haste. Hopefully those soldiers have finished their inspection by now."

"Are you so eager to send me away? Yet I make so very good company!"

"Most of the time you talk nonsense, bard."

"Oh, so there are times I don't, huh?" Venti's amusement was cut short as he turned around. "I'll be right over, I have to… take a leak! Yes, exactly that."

"I don't understand why you have to say things so weirdly, but okay. I'll be by the cart." Ignatz headed towards the wagon while Venti hurriedly headed towards the platform.

The bard checked for any Millileth soldiers around before crouching and inspecting the source of the elemental energy. However, he only found a pair of green eyes staring in shock at him. It was a girl with a witch hat so out of proportion that Venti almost didn't see the skin-tight outfit she was wearing. The bag she held close to her body, however, was more alluring.

"Hello, are you bringing the goods?" Venti's voice was deeper than usual, trying to mimic a criminal.

"Shut up! What do you want?!" The girl whispered, angry from the surprise.

"Not a lot of people walk around with enough elemental energy to blow up a house." He scratched his chin, feigning ignorance. "Let me guess, trying to sneak into Liyue?"

"N-No. Because that would be highly illegal. And I'm just… a courier! Yes, I'm bringing this object all the way from Fontaine for my master." The girl tried to sneak out but hit her head against the platform above.

"Ah yes, of course. But Fontaine's border with Liyue is not through Stone Gate, so that means… That you must be from the highly regarded earthworm courier division?"

"Okay, fine! I am sneaking into Liyue. But only because if they see what I'm bringing in, they'll confiscate it! That old hag must have been informed and that's why she sent me so suddenly!"

Her voice and expression told Venti enough. So he dropped the act instantly.

"Seems reasonable. And did you tell that to the guards?"

"Oh obviously! We had a fine tea with the Adepti afterwards!" Her snark was so potent Venti could smell it. "Of course I didn't! They're not reasonable! Why do you think I'm crawling in the mud?!"

"Alright, message understood." He looked back to the wagon and the soldiers around it. "I might have a way to get you in. A more dignified way. But it will depend on how fast you are."

"You don't say? And what's in it for you?" The girl wasn't about to let a stranger help her.

"Does the feeling of accomplishment count? If not, you can always sit and help me make poems. Or listen to my songs. Or both!"

"That sounds vaguely threatening. But I don't have any other option. What's your plan?"

"I'll create a distraction. You get into that wagon when the soldiers move away."

Venti ignored the barrage of questions from the crawling girl and decided to get into action as soon as possible. He returned to the stalls and then headed towards the wagon. The soldiers were finished with the inspection and were chatting with Ignatz in tranquillity. He ignored them for the moment, focusing on the few tents used by the guards. With a flick of his fingers, a surge of wind suddenly blew the tents away, catching the attention of everyone at the pass.

The soldiers rushed behind the flying fabric, leaving the wagon behind. Ignatz was about to rush to help them when Venti stopped him.

"Let's not waste any more time. Chop-chop!" The bard pushed him towards the front of the wagon before he jumped on the back.

Venti watched the raised platform, but he didn't see anybody leaving it. Perhaps the girl chickened out, or simply gave up on trying to enter Liyue. Those thoughts were quickly dashed away as she suddenly popped out of the ground from a puddle of water. She fell on top of Venti, who almost broke his back against the barrels.

"You okay back there?" The merchant asked as soon as the wagon started moving.

"Mentally I am fine!" Venti answered, seriously considering leaving behind his physical form.

The girl didn't answer, pushing a finger to her lips. He managed to sit down on one of the barrels, watching over the rushing soldiers of Stone Gate. But as minutes passed, nobody was coming their way. And with that, the girl stopped hiding.

"You sure have a powerful vision." She carefully examined Venti from toe to head. "I guess the Gods have a sense of humour."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Did that thing come out on one piece?" He pointed to the leather bag she was carrying.

Like it hadn't even crossed her mind, she scrambled to inspect the bag. The moment she opened it, Venti sensed the elemental energy become stronger. Did his stunt back there power it?

"It looks fine?" Unsure, she closed the bag. "Oh, eh… thanks for that. I'm unsure of what I would have done otherwise. But.. I don't have anything to reward you with. Unless you desire your fortune foretold?"

"Eh… I'll hold off on that. Like I said before, it was out of goodwill."

Their conversation was cut short as Ignatz interjected. "Bard, please tell me you have an even girlier voice and that you didn't bring in some random vagabond."

"Who are you calling a vagabond? I am Mona Megistus! Yes, the very same!"

"I don't care who you are! By the love of Barbatos, I am not a taxi!" Ignatz stopped the horses and turned around on the driver's seat. He noticed Mona's hat and immediately said: "She's a witch?! You brought me a witch?!"

"What did you just call me, huckster?! I am an astrologist! And well-respected in the art!"

"Woah, woah, let's calm down," Venti quickly chimed in. "If you two want to be angry, direct it at the perpetrator!" He pointed at himself.

"Yeah, that's fair." Ignatz hastily replied.

"On that, we can agree." Mona joined in, switching her frown towards the bard.

"We need to realise that… Wait, why did you two agree so quickly? I haven't done anything wrong!" Venti materialised his lyre. "I think the atmosphere is a bit too heavy after this sudden meeting. Why don't we calm down with some fine tunes?"

"Just tell me she's not staying for more than ten minutes." Ignatz rubbed his eyes and returned to handle the horses.

"Like I'd stay here." Mona retorted, fixing her glare on Venti. "Oh god, you're a bard." Mona grabbed her hat and covered her ears. "Please tell me you won't deafen me."

"Oh, don't act so scared! I'm sure I can play something that will tickle your fancy! 'Cause from Mondstadt's classics to Natlan's fiery pieces, I know every single song there is."

"Okay then," Mona's stuck-up smirk widened. "If you're so good, how about you sing the Ballad of the Frozen City? Surely that won't be a problem?" She didn't comprehend why, but Venti's carefree nature bothered her. So she chose the weirdest song she could think about.

Venti whistled in awe at her choice. "That's an ancient one. I'm afraid to say that it's a short poem, not a ballad. And seeing how it is incomplete, I'm not sure if I can play it properly." He caressed the strings of his lyre, playing a few tunes. "So, this poem is said to be created by Barbatos himself. It was left unfinished, or the rest of the poem was never properly written. It's about Barbatos' mighty feat, when he blew a frozen desert away, finding the perfect spot to replace Old Mondstadt."

The astrologist was caught off-guard as the random notes of the Bard started to resemble a gentle tune, like a whisper in the wind.

"A beauteous sound, a diamond I have found,
A diamond I have found beneath the snow
Buried in the ground, 'neath a muddy mound
'Neath a muddy mound where nothing grows"

Then, the melody stopped.

"I could continue it if you wish, though the rest will be a new invention." Venti casually said. "Indeed, the ground was not fertile until the Four Winds helped Barbatos shape the barren lands, and that was not the only problem. But those tales are boring, unfit for a cool song."

Mona's astonishment only lasted a few moments. It was a whim to make him seem like a fool, and it backfired. "Okay, you're the real deal. To know a poem that was burned in the Great Fire of Fall Equinox… You must be acting the fool. How come I've never heard of you?"

"Oh, I come and go from time to time. I don't seek fame."

Ignatz interrupted their conversation."Why don't you play her that Ballad? What was it again?"

"Ah, the Ballad of Thunder and Wind? Yes, I can certainly do so. And, I believe I have the second act ready as well." Venti started to play out a tune once again. " So, let's recap. Barbatos and Baal met in Liyue, at a Gathering of the Gods. The Anemo Archon showed the ways of wine-tasting to the God of Thunder, even though she seemed impervious to enjoying the red gold. Now Morax, the host, has returned right when Barbatos belittled him…"

For Barbatos, there wasn't a concrete line where drinking became taboo. Humans could have all the silly customs and rules that said otherwise, but he wasn't bound by them. He never imposed those ideals, however. Not only because of his almost complete inability to die of alcohol poisoning but because he wouldn't do it in principle.

With Archons, he was a bit looser on that matter. If they believed themselves to be above humans, they could deal with the consequences. So if Baal wished to drink a glass of wine right after sunrise, who was he to judge? No jury would find them guilty. That meant he had a blank cheque to drink as well, and Morax could do nothing about it. Or so he thought.

"You know, Morax," Barbatos said as the Geo Archon held him by his hood. "This is no way to have a civilised discussion."

"I have no objections if you decide to insult me. However, do not do it around guests, Wisp." Morax released his grip, letting Barbatos escape. The latter, however, decided to drop down like a sack of rocks. "I do not necessitate to remind you what happened last time, do I?"

"Okay, sorry boss," Barbatos said, somewhat surprised by his words. "I was simply teaching Baal one of Mondstadt's traditions. And quite professionally, might I add!"

The bard decided to float and place himself beside the silent Baal.

"Do not hide behind me, Barbatos." She glanced at him before getting up from the seat. "Is it time?"

"Not yet. But please, sit down and relax in the meantime," Morax gestured to Barbatos. "If he bothers you, do not be afraid to assert your position."

"I'm not a cat, have you realised that yet?" The Anemo Archon muttered below his breath.

"Thank you for your warning, Morax. But I am quite confident that I can keep him in check." Baal's confidence was not shared by the host.

"Your sister prefers to keep her distance from him, so you too have that opportunity. She may understand that Barbatos is a special type of threat." He quickly turned to his friend. "I mean no disrespect with this."

"None taken." The bard was accustomed to that treatment. Nobody liked an Archon who achieved his position by trickery and popular rebellion. However, this confirmed his suspicions about this Baal.

"If I may," Baal started, sitting back on the chair. "My sister does not avoid Barbatos. She respects his love of humanity and his ideals. She respects your… 'freedom', which is why she will not interact with you unless you seek her. I, however, couldn't care any less about your petty phases." She took a sip of the wine. "Perhaps… If you truly ruled over your lands, Barbatos, she would love to bond with you."

"Tell her that she can come talk to me whenever she feels. I'll have wine ready! Cause I gotta say, your sister does sound much better than you," Barbatos off-handedly pointed out, though Baal didn't mind. "But how about you? Will we mend the distance between us two?"

"No."

"Well, I tried."

Instead of focusing on Barbatos, Baal decided to instead to pay attention to Morax. "Tell me, when did you realise I was not my sister? Was it something I said?"

The bard quietly observed them from the sidelines. He understood that Morax knew the difference between Baal and the kagemusha, so this was a fine opportunity to learn.

"No. I'm afraid my ability to discern emotions is not quite optimal. What gave it away was that." He pointed to the wine. "Your sister has a low tolerance for alcohol. And knowing Barbatos, he would have her drink until she passed out. To protect herself, she made a contract with me since my steadfast nature precedes me. I won't share the finer details, but she won't drink without my presence. Baal takes contracts very seriously, and that I appreciate."

It looked like the real Baal not only understood his freedom, but Morax's contracts as well. It sounded like she was heaps more understandable than her sister here. But Barbatos had something else in mind.

"Hey, screw that! I wouldn't make her drink if she didn't want to, that's a fact! You are making me sound awfully bad!" Barbatos placed the wine bottle he was carrying on the table and turned to his friend.

"If you decide to insult me behind my back, then I can do so in front of you." Morax's words weighted, but it was nothing he couldn't carry.

"Oh yeah? Well maybe you…uh…" Barbatos faced the Geo Archon, but he felt small, very small. "Er, yeah! Maybe you can continue being a fine gentleman! So I'll do the same!"

"Barbatos," Baal, or rather Beelzebul, once again directed her serious tone against him. There was a tinge of red on her cheeks and nose already. "I seek to understand you as well. I understand your people live in peace and without the affliction of any curse. They also craft magnificent materials and brew distinct wine. Yet, are they not aimless? With no enemy to beat, no disease to stop? Without you to guide and protect them, how do they find the need to advance?"

"I didn't drink enough for this conversation," Barbatos muttered before clearing his throat. "I could shove down an explanation, but I guess it's easier with an example… How do you find the need to advance? Are you aimless?"

"Answering a question with another question is a sign of impudence. For the sake of diplomacy, I will answer it. My purpose is to be my sister's shadow. To be the iron fist to her soft touch, a half that makes a whole. And to protect the people of Inazuma, first and foremost."

"Okay, you didn't need to say it like it was a test. But you made your aims yourself, did you not? The heavenly rules are quite loose regarding that. I mean, I don't even rule my supposed dominion, and they do not care," Barbatos' question left her pondering. "Perhaps we who won the Archon War are unfit to say this since our mandate is legitimised by Celestia… But Morax understands how the world before the war was. And between all that death and destruction, humans didn't just seek to survive, they wanted to live. They don't need my guidance, because they already know what they hunger for. And that's to enjoy life. To be free to choose, to be responsible for their own actions."

Prompted by Barbatos, Morax gave his thoughts. "I will not act like I have an answer to this dilemma. I still require time to meditate and contemplate this issue. But I became aware during the Archon War that humans… people do not need a God to rule over them. That is not to say that they can thrive and defend themselves. A domestic dog can become feral and survive without an owner, yet that life might prove hard and short. I'm still quite unsure if they can be left to their own volition. This is one of the reasons I find Barbatos' experiment so amusing. And idiotic."

Beelzebul was quiet throughout the conversation. She didn't quite understand what they meant, how could they say such things after all? Morax himself raised Liyue from the seas. Barbatos changed the frozen landscape of Mondstadt to a temperate plateau. Without them, how could their domains prosper?

"You mention that humans do not need Gods to survive. But do they want to do so? The people of Inazuma love and venerate Baal. Why would they want to rule themselves?"

It was time for Barbatos to answer. "Well, Morax is a slow learner so I bet he doesn't have an answer to that. But this I can explain. As I said, humans are free to choose. Their will to choose might be blocked, restricted or denied, but it's never gone. At the moment, they are choosing to believe in you. They comprehend it is your might that protects and serves them. But when things go wrong, and they always do, you will be held responsible. Just like Decarabian was. And they will choose something you might not like."

Whether it was Barbatos' words, his serious tone, or the conversation as a whole, Beelzebul felt stuck to her seat. Was this the reason why her sister did not interact with the Anemo Archon? She now understood what made him so dangerous. It wasn't his strength or his anemo element. Those words he spoke were alluring and tempting. Like ambrosia that would addict anyone that ate it. If he devoted himself to preaching his ideas, she was fearful of what would happen.

Did she feel threatened by the Anemo Archon? Was she scared of losing their rule? To their own people, nonetheless? No, that wasn't it. She was scared that, might they choose to do so, they'd be lost in the middle of a storm. Without her, without her sister, they'd be throwing themselves like sheep to the slaughter.

Barbatos couldn't grasp what was going through her head. Yet in her eyes, he noticed that small doubt. That fear-instilled respect that every archon had shown him when they understood him. That if he wanted to do so, their rule could crumble like a house of cards.

"I do not believe that events will always end up negatively." The Electro Archon answered after a moment of thought, taking a long sip of her wine. "So your hypothesis is wrong, Barbatos."

"Barbatos' words aren't backed by more than one example. Don't dwell on his hypothesis and conjecture." Morax explained, lessening the severity of the conversation. "Regardless, I believe the sun is up already. We have some other, more important matters to attend to. Do we not, Baal?"

Beelzebul was raising the wine glass towards her lips before stopping abruptly. "Yes, of course." She got up from the seat, turning to Barbatos. She considered saying many things, but she kept it short. "I enjoyed the wine. Thank you, Barbatos."

"Ah, it's alright! If you need some more wine, just come greet me in Mondstadt! And… wait, what are you two doing? Why can't your good ol'friend Barbatos join in?"

"You're free to join in. Why, I believe the pile of documents regarding white iron tariffs will certainly keep you occupied, my friend," Morax was serious in his offer, so he was slightly disappointed when Barbatos returned to drinking. "I will take that as a no. The rest of the Gods are already here, so don't fret."

"Yeah, sure! What's so fun about economics anyways…?"

"And that's the second act of the song," Venti enjoyed the quick applauds of Mona and Ignatz. "There are some parts where the rhymes are forced, but those can be refined at a later date."

"Baal doesn't have a sister," Mona immediately spoke, unprompted. "But it was a fine song, I guess."

"Wait, what was that about Morax's and Baal's bureaucratic tasks? Why is that relevant? Don't tell me they were…" Ignatz's question trailed off as Venti's unexpectedly wide eyes stopped him.

"Do not even think that. Think of the age gap, for the love Celestia! What is it with you and Morax? Focus on Baal and Barbatos!"

"Okay, fine. Well, in the next part of the Ballad, do Barbatos and Baal…?" Venti's lyre struck Ignatz's face.

"Please no, I know what you're going to ask! No awful questions," Venti turned to Mona, exasperated. "Please, tell me you have better critiques."

"I'm not too keen on music. I suppose I can say that… What's the point of freedom when you starve for doing what you like?" Mona simply said, clutching her bag.

"Speaking from experience? Looks like we suffer the same way, then. Still, I'll take that as a bad critique."

"However," The astrologist stared out of the wagon. "I'll admit it was enjoyable. If this was a second act, I hope the ending is worth it."

Venti thanked her, though an inkling of doubt suddenly settled on his mind. He wasn't so sure about that. The more he remembered, the more it felt like everything was his fault. And he was sure that was his mind trying to make him feel guilty. The world didn't revolve around him, and Baal was her own person. He had to understand that and push the fake guilt away.

"Speaking of Baal. You seem like a knowledgeable lady, did you hear anything about Inazuma?" The bard asked with a slight smile, pushing away the doubts in his mind.

"Besides the Vision Hunt and Sakoku decree, not really," There was a brief pause before she snapped her fingers. "Actually, I seem to recall something I heard in Fontaine. About some inventor asking for assistance all the way from Inazuma. I can't recall the details, but it was something about Jade Steel? A furnace going overexerting itself and reaching a tipping point."

"A furnace? Do they require a Fontaine inventor to run a furnace? Even I can do that." Ignatz seemed proud of that, as if he felt the need to establish his worth against the two talented passengers.

"Not a normal furnace, duh. The name eludes me, but it uses some latent energy of the Inazuma islands… Anyways, if the Shogun needs higher Steel Jade quotas, then I am afraid things aren't going smoothly."

"Jade Steel is what their swords are made of, right? Are they going to war? But they locked the country, why would they suddenly get out to fight… I don't know, Sumeru?"

"You don't require much brainpower to figure that out, chauffeur." Mona stuck out her tongue at Ignatz.

If those swords weren't pointed to the outside, then there was only one direction left.

"I don't recall letting you into my cargo." The merchant glanced at Venti, who was quiet as they spoke. His face was pale, more than usual. "Are you doing alright, bard? If you want to give up on that Inazuma expedition, it's not too late to do it."

Venti shook his head. "I was simply thinking about someone, it's fine."

"You? Going to Inazuma?" Mona blurted out. "You have a vision, you know that?"

"Yep."

"Are you insane? The moment you step out… Bam! You get it?! You can't even get there!" Mona's explanation bounced right off Venti.

Ignatz observed Venti's odd silence and answered for him. "Well, at least it's for mostly selfless objectives. Seeking to help people and all that… And to meet someone, I believe?."

"Is that it?" With a flick of Mona's hand, she materialised a scryglass. A sort of glass used to see the reflection of the stars and check the future. "Look, you don't need to throw your life away. I can check on whoever you fancy. Their fate, their past, whatever you seek, the stars will show me."

"I appreciate the offer, but this isn't something that your divination can fix. Even if you told me, I'd still go to Inazuma," Venti's explanation didn't sit right with the astrologist.

"Well, but… Let me check your fate then. At the very least I'll be able to tell you how it might go."

She rotated the scryglass, the depictions of several constellations passing through. But the projections didn't last long, as a wind projectile from Venti blew her hat off.

"Hey!" She managed to grab the hat's tip before it blew away, the scryglass disappearing.

"Sorry, there are things I don't need to be revealed to me. And that you shouldn't know either." With a heavy sigh and a new smile, Venti continued. "Anyway! The wagon hasn't been moving for a while. Did we reach the crossroads?"

"Oh, yes," Ignatz answered, hiding his surprise. "So you two better get off my barrels!"

"I didn't want the ride, just so we're clear," Mona was the first to get off the wagon, clearly relieved touching solid ground.

Venti followed her, before climbing back in to get his lyre. Then after a quick jump, he felt energised when the soft breeze enveloped him. It didn't matter that the situation in Inazuma was worse than he believed. His objective didn't change. Whether he stuck to playing songs or asking for an audience with the shogun, it didn't matter.

The immensity of the Bishui river stood but a few minutes away, its waters so calm that no sound reached him. The ruddy ground below him reminded him of Liyue's pottery. It was wet, probably from a previous flood.

A stone bridge connected Dihua Marshes with the northern Liyue and Mondstadt, built centuries ago but remaining strong and in one piece. The moment he crossed that body of water, he'd be in Liyue proper.

"Bard," Ignatz cautiously approached him, maintaining some distance. "I suppose this is the end of our journey together."

"Indeed it is, I saved myself at least a day of travel thanks to you," Venti stretched his sore back. "I'll miss not having to walk. But we've both chosen our paths, have we not? If we meet in Mondstadt again, tell me how your journey ended. I'll make sure to sing the fully finished Ballad for you!"

"…Yes, I'll be waiting," Ignatz stood still, hoping for Venti to say anything. Any move or word that would allow him to open himself. He wondered why the bard's words resounded so heavily in him. The ability to choose, and to make a difference. Why did those vague words hurt him that way? There was only one answer. "I think that…"

"Mhm?"

"I think I might be able to get you into Inazuma," Ignatz managed to say. "I'm aware that they still let certain merchants to one of their ports. A Liyue smith told me about it over a few drinks. They won't let you out of the port town, but I don't think that will matter to you."

"Are you really sure?" Venti crossed his arms.

"Well, not 100%. The storms that surround Inazuma don't make exceptions, but they're still an island nation. They don't have everything they need to-" Venti raised his hand, stopping him.

"I mean the part about helping me. You have your problems to figure out. Do you want really to do this?"

"In your songs, Barbatos speaks about people being able to choose. Even if sometimes they feel like they can't. I've been choosing my whole life without realising what I actually desired. Everything… My unwanted choices led me to this situation. Now I want to make a choice that is fully mine. So yes, I am sure. "

Venti and Ignatz stared at each other before the former cracked up laughing. "Okay! I see the determination flowing through you! And how will you manage to do that?"

"Well, uh… Give me at least a week. You'll reach Liyue harbour in two or three days, so don't put all your eggs in one basket. But I swear that if a week passes and you're still stuck here, you're guaranteed to reach Inazuma." The merchant felt a surge of motivation throughout the whole speech.

"Don't bite more than you can chew, but I trust your word." Venti pressed his hands together in silent prayer. After the wind briefly picked up, he spoke again. "May the Anemo Archon's blessing protect you."

Ignatz didn't say anything as a wave of energy suddenly entered his body. He simply nodded and returned to his carriage, returning to his scheduled route towards Qingce village. Whether he noticed Venti's blessing or not, the bard didn't care. He simply waited for a few minutes until he was sure the carriage was completely out of his view.

When his mind finally settled in calm, he looked at the journey ahead. Or at least tried to.

"You're still here?" He asked Mona, who kept a bit of distance out of respect. Immediately, he noticed the solemn expression painted on her face. "I thought you just needed to cross the border."

"You broke it." She moved forward, presenting the open bag to Venti. He felt no more elemental energy emanating from it. Inside, he could only see some glass and metal, though he couldn't distinguish the form of the object.

"I broke what? You said it was okay before."

"Yeah, well, you broke it! I don't know what you've just done, but it's not glowing anymore! How did all that elemental energy disappear?" Her legs almost buckled in despair. "I can't come back like this! Not after everything I've done to get it out of Fontaine! That old hag is going to kill me!"

Venti used a bit of elemental to create Ignatz's blessing, that much was true. But how did that break whatever artefact she was carrying? Regardless, he didn't see a connection.

"Why don't you ask the stars for tech support?" He started walking away, heading towards the stone bridge.

"Really funny! You're not getting away with this," Mona ran in front of the bard. "You have to fix it!"

"Look, Mona the astrologist earthworm, I understand your despair. But I didn't do anything to break it."

In the span of Venti saying those words, the bag suddenly lit up again, the elemental energy swelling from outside the box in the form of anemo and hydro swirls. The bag flew away from the sudden force, dropping its contents everywhere, before the artefact suddenly stopped and fell to the ground. Mona ran behind it, catching it before it smashed itself against the silt.

"Well. That was… something." Venti observed the muddy Mona and the object she hid in her arms. "An artefact that absorbs and releases elemental energy. I've never seen anything quite like it."

"My food!" Mona let go of the contraption and ran to gather her scattered belongings. Random clothes, parchment and packed food were now all over the ground, some sinking over the mud while others were intact. Between the intact objects, Venti saw a bottle nestled on a lonesome patch of grass. Cognac.

"You know what, Mona? I'll help you figure out that thing." He got the bottle, holding back the temptation to drink it. "It will keep me entertained during my travels, don't you think?"

"Can you stop talking and help me gather my things?!"

The bard shrugged and started to collect whatever he found. Still, he was concerned.

The storm was a few hours away from hitting. And they weren't going to reach Wanshuu Inn at that rate. If they were travelling with an object that absorbed elemental energy right below an electrical storm… He didn't want to think about it. The Anemo and Electro elements mixed too well. Why couldn't that be the case for its Archons too?

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and follows, everyone. I read them all even if I don't get the email notifications. The trip to Inazuma won't take much longer!