Chapter 16: Departure

"Rope? Check. Durable pack? Check. Weapons? Check? Tied shoelaces? Several thousand years of existence has paid off, check."

Hauling the gathered supplies onto his back Alec jumped a few times to ensure it was properly settled, nodding in satisfaction before moving on to his final stop, the Knights of Favonius' armory to hopefully grab ahold of a few last minute items before he embarked on the next step of his journey, one he wasn't planning on coming back from.

He'd very much like to return from the latest misadventure but it was basically a surefire conclusion that he was going to be dead by the end of it so no use in holding false expectations. Besides, he had a standard to uphold as a deity, even if he was a mere fraction of what he once was.

"Oh wonderful, I haven't even left and I'm already throwing a pity party for one, attendees one."

Rolling his eyes at himself - Alec was certain he was far too old to go around moping - the male instead got moving, arriving at the armory in good time only to blink as he found three familiar figures having an intense conversation while a bemused knight in charge of distribution watched the proceedings.

"Klee, why did you put in a request for enough wooden planks to build an entire home out of as well as enough explosive powder to level said home?"

Jean paused, pinching the bridge of her nose before muttering, "Oh who am I kidding, I know precisely why you asked for it."

"I was working on a really big, really new and really exciting bomb, miss Jean~! You see, after I experimented a little I found out that if you put a bomb in a really tough casing and then set it off you get a really dangerous explosion! Too tough and nothing happens, too weak and the blast is mostly the same but get it just right?"

The girl threw her hands up in the air with a beaming smile.

"Kaboom~!"

Approaching with an amused smile on his lips the man stated, "Right back to your usual mischief, Klee? You sure are resilient, if nothing else."

"Yup! I'm back to full health! All thanks to you, mister Alec~!"

Snorting at the cheerful salute the girl sent his way the fallen god lightly ruffled her hair, remarking, "Tell you what, I'll help argue your case and tell you how to make this new bomb of yours both safer and more powerful if you help me find some high-quality rations and a bow with accompanying quiver."

Pointed ears perked in eagerness, Klee excitedly inquiring, "You know about bombs, mister Alec?"

"Well in my long and storied past, young lady, I became rather acquainted with the art of hot, powerful kinetic force smashing my fragile self into the ground. I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."

He glanced upwards to find Jean and Lisa sharing exasperated but mildly amused expressions, Klee's eyes starry with wonder as he continued with, "So? Deal?"

"DEAL!"

Darting off into the armory before he could get her to slow down Alec was greeted by warm expressions from the pair of young women, Jean stating, "There was little time to do so but I would be remiss not to thank you properly for what you did in saving Klee's life. She can be rambunctious and hard to handle but her heart is in the right place, the Knights of Favonius are lucky to have her."

Both of them inclined their heads in gestures of respect, Jean quietly stating, "To still have her."

Alec merely shrugged, bluntly replying, "All I did was save a young girl's life. You, Diluc, Lumine and Barbatos managed to save Dvalin and no doubt many more souls that would have fallen in the chaos if it had escalated. Has anyone thanked you, miss Grand Master?"

Jean blinked several times, caught flat footed as Lisa giggled, playfully patting her friend on the shoulder while purring, "My my, it seems you have quite the way with words, Alec. I can count on one hand the number of times our dear Jean has been at a loss for rebuttals."

"Don't go putting words in my mouth, young lady."

Releasing a sigh of resignation the acting Grand Master wryly commented, "I will freely confess to not knowing what to do with someone who so freely and willingly does good deeds. Small wonder you and the Traveler get along so well."

Deciding to dance around the issue that was more than a trifle sensitive Alec replied, "Well if you're uncomfortable and worried about a debt unpaid there is something you can do for me…"

He allowed his gaze to drift over to Lisa, the mage briefly stiffening as she no doubt feared he was about to demand compensation, the man's features narrowed and taut-

-before seamlessly shifting into a genial smile, lightly inquiring, "Would you perhaps mind covering the costs for two weeks of travelling rations, that bow and arrow as well as an additional 50,000 Mora? If Klee's inclinations are any prophecy she'll find me excellent equipment, albeit a bit pricier than I can afford."

Lisa violently puffed out a cheek at his shift in attitude while Jean raised an eyebrow, asking, "Are you implying that Klee's life is only worth perhaps a 100,000 Mora?"

"On the contrary, I believe my actions to only be worth that much."

Raising her hands in mock surrender Jean resignedly said, "Very well, if you insist upon that as your commission. Allow me a minute to confirm things with the itinerary, I shouldn't be long."

Departing with sure steps Alec turned his attention Lisa's way, the mage scowling with arcs of electricity dancing between her fingertips.

"That wasn't very funny, you know."

"What? Did you honestly think I was going to demand the life of your unborn child or something?"

Huffing in mild vexation the woman dropped her hand, languidly responding, "Are you perhaps the secret god of jesters made manifest? Your sense of humor - or should I say lack of it - would certainly go along with the theme."

"Ouch. Remind me to never be late in returning a book, if this is how you respond to japes I'd hate to think how you handle actual transgressions."

Lisa's only response was a polite smile that hinted at less than pure happenings.

"Revelry aside make sure to keep an eye on Klee. Hopefully she doesn't start thinking she's invincible or something because I managed to keep her going."

"Rest assured, we'll do precisely that for our little bombardier. Although I could turn that statement right back around on you, if I so desired. Don't go playing hero too much, Barbara was honestly uncertain if you would make a full recovery as fast as you did."

"I'm not that old."

The mage smiled at his dry remark, excited banging and clattering emanating from where Klee was no doubt returning at a fervent pace as he made to say his goodbyes-

-and paused as Lisa bowed at the waist, calmly stating, "I thank you for your earlier words of wisdom and advice, in answering a plea and mystery I was fairly confident would never be solved during my lifetime."

"And here I thought you were left uncertain and dismayed by the reveal. Thanks was the last thing I expected."

"Oh you certainly left me with no small amount of distress and would honestly not go astray by being more reserved with your words in the future."

She straightened and affixed the god with a soft smile, winking before finishing her response with, "But I find that my steps are a bit lighter these past few days, a trend that I imagine will continue. And for that you have my thanks."

"Well I'm always happy to have lightened the load."

Feeling a bit of vindictive playfulness Alec added, "Anything to keep the poor lady from feeling her encroaching years."

He received a summary swat on the chest, Lisa imperiously sniffing as she strode past, drawling, "Insulting a lady's age? It does indeed seem years don't beget wisdom."

Alec expected the sharp rebuttal. He didn't expect a far more languid and flirtatious wink to follow it up, Lisa purring, "If you find yourself in Mondstadt again feel free to visit my library, we'll see if an older model such as yourself can keep up with the younger ones~!"

Then she was off, hips swaying in a manner that was more than intentional as Daman merely shook his head.

Quite the scary individual, that one. A shame he was almost certainly never going to be able to visit Mondstadt again, he would have enjoyed chatting with her.

A loud THUD drew him from his thoughts as Klee all but toppled over, hefting a stack of supplies taller than she was with admirable strength and balance.

"I have your things, Mr. Alec~!"

Eyeing the assembled pile the male nodded in satisfaction, grabbing the bow and finding it to be of excellent make.

"You work fast, Klee. Well, a deal is a deal, want to hear about-"

He found a notepad thrust in his face, the girl practically bouncing on her heels as he spied Jean approach out of the corner of his eye, watching the proceedings with a sort of wary humor.

"Alright, I'll take that as a yes. You use equations and calculations when creating your bombs, right?"

"Equa...what are those? Klee just knows how to make them, look!"

Flipping to a random page in her notebook Alec read the 'directions' with growing resignation, unsure of why he expected anything else.

A pinch of powder, handful of jelly, two planks - of whose size could be anything - and other sorts of notes. Basically the exact opposite of what some of the chemists and other practitioners he'd learned the craft from had done.

"Okay, I'll write down how to create bigger and better explosions but you have to promise me that you'll have Lisa teach you exactly what it means, okay?"

Klee was only too happy to accept the addition, sharply saluting as she replied, "Okay! Now keep writing and try to explain what the calcubrasions mean~!"

"Okay, first we're going to pretend this letter right here is how hard the explosion will hit, the part that feels hot and powerful…"


Jean and Alec watched Klee zoom out of the building in a blur of red and white, the acting Grand Master commenting, "You're quite good with children, normally Klee has trouble keeping her attention on people for more than a few minutes. You had her enthralled for almost thirty."

Shrugging modestly as he began organizing his supplies the male responded, "I had help since we were talking about her favorite subject."

"You were teaching her advanced mathematics when she's gotten by just fine on instinct thus far. Don't downplay your efforts, that was impressive to watch."

"Well, as always, I've had the time to practice."

"And you told me to accept compliments with grace."

Chuckling at that Alec hefted the bag onto his shoulders before nodding in satisfaction, leaving the bow unstrung for the moment as he instead slid it into the quiver of arrows, accepting the purse of money from Jean as he mused, "You know, I've seen Mondstadt grow and change over the years, from when it was a shuttered fortress under Decabarin's icy aegis to this very moment."

He affixed the young woman with a meaningful gaze.

"Be proud of what you and yours have accomplished, Grand Master. It was brief but I'd say Mondstadt is currently what it was always meant to be...a city of true freedom and expression as unshackled as the wind itself."

The blonde started at the sudden words, staring wide-eyed into Alec's midnight own...and ducked her head as if in shyness, humbly responding, "You're far too free with your praise, Daman. Even if it's appreciated-"

"Do I come off as the type to needlessly stroke someone's ego just for fun? Or did you forget the part where I downtalked Barbatos in front of his followers?"

An expression half-scandalized and half-amused appeared on the young woman's features, responding with, "True enough, you did do that."

"Then rest assured I'm not blowing smoke. You deserve to have someone tell you what you've done is incredible."

Settling for a defeated sigh Jean settled for reaching forward and clasping his arm, Alec returning the gesture.

"Then know that I shall endeavor to maintain that standard and Mondstadt will always have its doors open to those who aided it. Safe journeys and I hope that your next visit isn't too far off in the future."

"Well, that makes two of us."


"Well isn't this the fancy abode?"

A few requests for directions had led him to a rather upscale building that - while it likely hadn't seen too many tenants in the past couple months - was nonetheless solid at its foundation, where Mona had apparently set up shop.

He obviously hadn't been led astray as the astrologist herself was located outside the abode, speaking with none other than Amber and Kaeya as they all animatedly pointed out different portions of a sheath of paper they were gathered around.

"Evicted already, Mona? Even I don't annoy people that fast."

Three sets of eyes turned to face his way, each with their own variation of greeting. Amber was predictably cheerful and friendly, Kaeya unflappable and suave while Mona simply rolled her eyes.

"For your information, Daman, we are merely finalizing the few remaining details of Mondstadt's newest astrological publication that will be written, edited and copyrighted by yours truly."

"Isn't that a monopoly on information? Hardly seems to be in the Mondstadt spirit."

Amber merely waved a hand, chirping, "Yeah, but Mona knows so much about it that no one can really correct her about things so we're fine with letting it go."

The astrologist favored Alec with a raised eyebrow, archly asking, "Or are you implying that I would forgo my pride in the craft to merely make a quick bit of Mora?"

Raising his hands in surrender the male easily grinned, stating, "Hoisted by my own standard, it seems. Got any names lined up yet?"

"Megistus Weekly Astronomy."

Alec glanced at Mona's proud and confident posture, turning to Amber and Kaeya before asking, "So what's it actually going to be called?"

"W-what are you implying?!"

Kaeya didn't miss a beat, responding, "Something catchy and eye-drawing rather than a more bland moniker. We're actually having a rather animated debate among the Knights as to who will earn the right to name it, seeing as how it will be under our sponsorship."

Amber consolingly patted the sulking Mona's shoulder - not that it seemed to do much - as she more cheerfully mentioned, "Normally astrology is a pretty tricky and study-intensive science but Mona had the idea to cover topics related to wind, how the activity and position of certain stars can shape how hard or fast it will blow."

Alec nodded, musing,"'Clever. No better way to make an esoteric subject fetching than to relate it to everyone's daily lives."

"Precisely, which is why I should be allowed to-"

"No one's going to be very interested in your articles if they're labeled like an accounting book, Mona."

Sagging at Alec's blunt words Amber whispered, "A little harsh, isn't that?"

"Would you have preferred her to go through with that naming convention?"

Kaeya's sensible response had the energetic young woman looking off to the side as Alec chuckled, mentioning, "You seem to have found yourself a good niche here, Mona. Told you it would be fine."

Recovering some of her dignity the astrologer favored the fallen god with a superior look, replying, "It seemed a natural course of action. I desired to continue my craft but - most unfortunately - needed a steady source of income. Discovering a middle ground was merely a matter of some hours thought and inspiration. More to the point, thanking this city and its knights for their continued aid was deemed just as pertinent."

Amber cooed, gushing, "Aww, isn't she so sweet behind all that fancy, prim and proper speaking?"

"It isn't prim and proper, it's just educated."

"Referring to those you sought to form deeper connections with as uneducated? A mite counterproductive, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh you know what I mean!"

Kaeya's amused grin had Mona groaning in frustration, Alec smiling as he calmly observed, "Maybe you'll believe me this time when I say that you truly are an impressive and resilient young lady, Mona. Not at all what you believed yourself to be just a few days ago."

Starting at the sudden proclamation the girl flicked her eyes from side-to-side, finding both Kaeya and Amber matching Alec's words with agreeable dispositions as she stuttered out, "S-such free praise is completely unneeded and superfluous!"

Not that it stopped her from hiding her face beneath the wide brim of her hat, face flushed with heat and an odd, quietly proud warmth pooling within her chest.

"Makes me wonder if the poor girl has ever had a positive role model in her life. Maybe not cruel ones, but definitely the toughest of tough love."

"Wait, you're leaving already?!"

Snapping out of his ruminations as Amber finally noticed his pack Alec nodded in confirmation, responding, "What can I say? The life of a vagabond calls."

Kaeya snorted, lazily pointing towards the bulging backpack and quiver.

"Better equipped than most wanderers, if you don't mind me pointing out."

"Don't forget the 50,000 mora for services provided, so that's something. I guess I'm less of a vagabond and more a well-off adventurer, aren't I? Nothing but the finest of dried fruits and trail mix for this traveler."

That drew amused looks from the trio, Amber rummaging through a nearby pack as she said, "Well it's a good thing I caught you before you up and went then, we wanted to show our thanks beyond some lousy preserved food and a little bit of mora. Mondstadt doesn't forget those who aided it, after all!"

Finally retrieving what she'd been searching for the outrider produced a glider of custom make and decoration, unfurling it as she proudly announced, "Feast your eyes upon my own personal bit of handiwork~!"

Alec wasn't above admitting that he was caught off guard and even a bit touched once he saw the contraption. A nice, soothing green while on either wing were two designs, one of a midnight knife and the other a blossoming white flower, Kaeya explaining, "There was quite a bit of debate among the knights as to what your relationship with the Traveler was. Perhaps the flower should have been attached to the blade, intertwined with the blade, 'penetrated' by the blade…"

Alec rolled his eyes at the insinuation that had Amber and Mona blinking in a clear lack of understanding.

"But eventually we decided on a simple union of the two, one wing apiece to aid in flight."

Gratefully accepting the gift Alec couldn't help but snark, "You're all wrong on that account, you should have had a purple raven mounting the flower. Or - more likely - the other way around."

That got no shortage of confused stares as Alec figured news hadn't spread yet, instead inclining his head in genuine thanks before remarking, "Living as long as I have it's not often you get a truly heartfelt gift. Thank you, I'll treasure it."

Amber blushed, enthusiastically pumping his hand as she stated, "Aww, you're way too kind! Be sure to visit Mondstadt as soon as possible and stay for more than just a few days next time, we'll have fun!"

Kaeya smoothly shook Alec's hand after Amber released the appendage, stating, "My sentiment is the same, Daman. It's not everyday I get to interact with someone of a similar sense of humor. Fair travels."

Mona hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react to the news of his departure-

-and stepped forward before quickly embracing him, quietly murmuring, "Thank you for everything you did, I wouldn't have minded someone such as yourself being my instructor for longer. Stay safe, since you evidently find it appealing to throw yourself into every dangerous scenario imaginable."

Returning the momentary hug Alec smirked, commenting, "You get points for finally giving me a title I don't mind all that much. Instructor has a nice ring to it."

Parting from the trio - and feeling only the briefest twinges of guilt for the lie he was about to tell - he remarked, "I'll be looking forward to my return with greetings and such like this, until we meet again."


The road to the Dawn Winery was a familiar one but a bit more lonely considering the absence of Barbatos at his side, the calming weather not entirely able to stave off the perpetual isolation that was the walk to his destination.

"What am I, a child? Next thing you know I'm going to be asking someone to hold my hand so I don't get lost…"

Shaking off that depressing and pathetic thought Alec instead focused on the more tangible and optimistic things that he could instead dwell on, such as what his first move in Liyue would be. Assuming Morax was still using his Zhongli persona to freely observe and experience the mortal realm all he would have to do was ask around for a well-dressed and knowledgeable man who was perpetually broke, yet somehow able to afford his various purchases. Alternatively, he could try to contact the Qixing or even travel to Jueyun Karst and speak with the Adepti. Sure, he wasn't entirely certain how they might view him after the chaos with Khaenri'ah and the fallout that accompanied it but Xiao and Ganyu would be on his side of the fence, probably Cloud Retainer as well. They went back a long time, after all. So far back that Guizhong was still alive and the Guili Assembly was at the height of its power, before everything went to hell.

Shaking off that train of thought - those decades had been some of the worst of the entire Archon War - Alec instead began to think of ways he could convince Morax to abandon his neutrality in the greater scheme of things and join in their plan to yet again prepare for a war that had never truly ended.

"I'd have better luck drawing blood from a stone. I'm going to need to draw on every minute of past friendship and goodwill to convince the stubborn lizard."

The vineyards and carefully sculpted lines of green belonging to the winery came into view, Alec continuing his walk as he debated buying a drink before he continued on his way-

-and came to a swift halt as he spotted four figures silhouetted against the horizon, his mood taking a turn for the annoyed and exasperated.

"Going somewhere~?"

Wearing a dangerous smile that clashed rather well with her narrowed eyes Lumine radiated an aura that suggested he wasn't going to be able to just brush her aside - not that he'd intended to - while the other three consisting of Fischl, Paimon and Oz made it clear he was on his own in dealing with this issue.

"Solidarity. You have love it."

Facing the proverbial music and marching towards the assembled quartet he replied, "You know, the reason I didn't tell you the day or time of my departure was precisely so we wouldn't have this little tableau unfold."

He came to a stop maybe a pace away from Lumine, crossing his arms and staring down at the blonde as she stared right back, the air between them tense and irate.

"I gave you your quest under the assumption that you wouldn't be traveling at my side, precisely because that's how biases are formed. And - if I may remind you - bias is the one thing I do not want you to operate under."

"I appreciate you having enough faith in my maturity to understand the extraordinarily simple concept that spending time with people whose company you enjoy tends to make them sound more familiar and trustworthy than strangers. Thank you for that, Alec."

"Well your self-proclaimed maturity should then be informing you that it doesn't matter if you're aware of it or not, bias occurs because that's simply how people are."

"I'd really appreciate it if you would actually consider me mature enough to also understand such a simple concept."

Eye twitching ever so slightly Alec growled, "Well you'll have to pardon me for my inherent childishness as I ask whether you realize you're being a gigantic, mature pain in my-"

"Oh would you two stop arguing for just a second?! Paimon's going to get a headache at this rate!"

"While I would perhaps not put it so bluntly Paimon does have a point, little meaningful discourse will be achieved this way."

"Says you, I was having lots of fun."

Alec's sarcasm was a tangible thing as Fischl quietly sighed, quickly stating, "Gatherings between a god and warrior of distinction and dignity should not be so bereft of the latter. Civil discourse and mutual harmony among mighty souls will bring light where darkness lay at a pace much swifter than a flame too scared to strike the tinder."

"We're not avoiding the subject, Fischl. We're just making our mutual stances on the matter known. Besides, the reality of the matter is simple."

Lumine almost felt herself back down as Alec yet again adopted the forceful expression he'd displayed when imparting to her his task, the weight of experience and certainty wearing away at her resolve...but she was nothing if not stubborn, defiantly facing the taller man with her head held high.

"Closeness and travel breeds empathy and understanding. Your task is to understand Teyvat, not me."

"Well aren't you just so special, deciding what's best for an entire planet? Big opinion of your importance and standing in the grand scheme of things much?"

An utterly humorless smile graced the man's features.

"I have that distinction, yes."

Lumine narrowed her eyes, quietly asking, "What about me? Don't I get a say in all of this? Do you think I like the idea of just seeing you wander off to who knows where-"

"I'm going to Liyue. There, problem solved."

"-also shut up, I'm talking here."

Sucking down a deep breath the Traveler continued with, "You've already proven yourself to be not as tough as you think you are. What happens if you come across a situation like what happened with Klee? Are you just going to collapse and hope everything works out in the end? That isn't what I want, Alec."

The man had to force down a sigh, stumped at how to respond.

Arguing the objective was easy. Gather your evidence and observations then go at it. The subjective? Not so much.

He met the woman's firm and uncompromising gaze, feeling his heart clench for the briefest of moments before he got himself back under control.

Lumine really did remind him of Maeili at times like this. Not so much in appearance - in fact they were almost polar opposite in that regard - but in the way they seemed to have a hyperfocus on his wellbeing, forgoing any kind of logical or coherent through line in favor of what he wanted.

...It was that very trait that had gotten the goddess killed, when he'd warned her of the unnatural happenings that accompanied the Black Sun dynasty's forays into extranatural travel, of Celestia's growing paranoia. Because of course the Goddess of Travel wanted to be a part of that whole calamity.

This time the sigh was audible, Alec knowing full well how this was going to turn out. When it came to someone as stubborn as Lumine there was only a few options for getting them to back off. Avoidance or hurting them bad enough that they left on their own, both extreme courses of action that he had no desire to employ.

"I really am getting sentimental in my old age. I miss the days where I could be a bastard and play it off with a grin. Or maybe it's just because I'm finally dying soon that has me all mushy."

"Alright, fine. Here, if you insist on accompanying me then take this, make yourself useful."

Without further complaint he unslung his backpack and quiver, both girls stumbling to catch the items as the added weight threw them off balance. Then again that was to be expected, considering how heavy his traveling accommodations were. In fact it was actually fairly amusing, seeing Lumine lug around his oversized luggage.

"That's...that's it? It was that easy?"

Taking undue pleasure in the Traveler's bewildered words Paimon was quick to add, "What the heck! Paimon and everybody else spent all this time trying to come up with reasons both normal and crazy that you should let us go with you and you just roll with it in under two minutes?! Paimon wants the food energy she spent on thinking back!"

Snorting as he gave the bewildered quartet a superior look that was equal parts smug and irritated Alec explained, "I know precisely what your type is like. You weren't going to let it go until someone ended up hurt or you got what you wanted, I would have had better luck arguing against an inanimate boulder."

He gave the Traveler a pointed glare.

"I'm trusting in your proclaimed 'maturity' to know if you're acting in a way that could possibly ruin or compromise what I've asked of you, Lumine."

The blonde merely settled for a nod, knowing that it was going to be tough for her to keep an objective view of things in the long run but willing to try anyway, if only to honor her newfound companion's wish.

"And keep in mind, Paimon, that you'll never be able to predict me."

"Ugh, what a complete grandstander…"

Turning his attention away from Lumine and the hovering sprite he instead asked Fischl and Oz, "What about you two? You up for whatever comes next?"

The investigator and her familiar merely nodded, hefting the imparted quiver while stoically replying, "Leave has been granted to debark on a long and storied quest to other lands, to witness and record tales of heroism and intrigue as well as to root out the nefarious misdeeds of Fatui and Abyss alike. Our fair Mondstadt exists not within a secluded bubble, a flap of butterfly wings an ocean distant may shift the gust that slices true the aegis reclaimed not yet a fortnight ago."

"Well, if you're sure…"

Meeting the pair of young lady's expressions he smirked, innocently stating, "So my presence isn't going to interrupt your nightly activities, is it? I can fashion earplugs if needed."

Fischl turned a fairly adorable shade of red while Lumine just scoffed, retorting, "Sorry, the idea of an old man listening in is a bit of a mood killer. Also I'm giving you back your stuff once we're past the winery."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Lumine."

The now quintet set off at a brisk but relaxed pace, swapping tales and barbs as Alec did his level best not to reveal just how relieved he was to not be making the final journey on his own.