"You surprised me back there with your moves. Thanks for the backup. How do you feel?"
"I feel fine. I barely broke a sweat."
"How did the hillichurls end up there?" Paimon asks. "Those monsters don't seem like the type to set up camp so close to cities like this."
"That's correct," Amber says. "It's much more normal for them to be further out in the wilderness. But because of the dragon, Stormterror has been around a lot more recently, our orchards have been destroyed as well and the local market has been affected as well. When a storm hits we usually end up with at least a few injuries, so the Knights of Favonius have been tied up doing their best to defend the area."
"So the monsters have been getting closer and closer to the city?" I ask.
"Correct. That said, clearing this camp has made this area safer. Come with me! A responsible knight must make sure to see you to the city safely."
"Thank you," I say as we enter Mondstadt.
"Let me officially introduce you to the city of wind, dandelions, and freedom. Travelers under the protection of the Knights of Favonius, welcome to Mondstadt."
"Finally we don't have to camp outdoors!" Paimon says. "But the city folk don't look too cheery."
"Paimon, if I lived in a city where I had to worry about an attack every day I wouldn't be cheery either." Reminds me of the American school system. "Other than that this city seems lovely," I say to Amber.
"Thank you. Everyone's been put out of place because of the Stormterror's attacks. But everything will be done as long as Jean's with us!"
"Jean?" Paimon asks.
"Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. Jean, defender of Mondstadt. With Jean on our side, surely even the vicious Stormterror will be no match for us."
Sounds like someone impressive.
"Before I take you guys to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, I have a present for you, Cecilia."
"I'm flattered but I don't need anything. Anyways, we just met."
"I insist. It's a present for helping me out with clearing the hillichurl camp."
"It's no big deal."
"Hey! Why doesn't Paimon get a reward?"
"It's because this reward is useless to you Paimon. But I'll treat you to a traditional Mondstadt delicacy, Sticky Honey Roast."
"Sticky Honey Roast!" Paimon says excitedly.
"Come with me, we'll head to the city's high ground," Amber says leading the way. As we're passing through the plaza, Amber says, "This used to be a bustling street, but with so many Stormterror attacks recently, the usual crowds are nowhere to be seen. Except for the local tavern near the city wall over there. They haven't been affected. If anything their business is better than ever."
Once we get to Mondstadt's high ground, Amber says, "So, the present I wanted to give you is... A wind glider! Outriders use them to ride the wind and the people of Mondstadt love using them too. I brought you here so you can experience it right away!"
"You're excited about wind gliders," I say.
"Well, that's because the wind is the heart and soul of Mondstadt! Alrighty, that's enough talk! Let's give it a whirl!"
"Is it hard?"
"It's pretty easy but you still need to listen to my instructions."
"Got it."
"Basically you just glide on the wind with them and you can change your direction by leaning to the side. Did you know that when you put one on for the first time, then you can summon it and get rid of it without taking it off? It's the same as our weapons."
"Interesting."
"It's so cool, right? Do you think you're ready to try it out?"
"Yeah," I say getting on the ledge with the wind folder on.
I jump. I let myself fall a few seconds before summoning the wind glider and I glide to the ground.
Amber runs down to me saying, "Thank Barbatos you're okay! You scared me for a second! I thought you were going to fall!"
"I wasn't going to fall, I think it's fun falling for a few seconds."
We head back up to where the large statue is. As soon as we get there, the sky darkens.
"The sky..." Amber says.
Stormterror flies above us and he summons three tornados. I summon my wind glider and use the wind currents from the tornados to fly up. As soon as I'm in the sky, I say afloat.
"Huh? How are you staying afloat with just a wind glider?" Paimon asks.
"I'm preventing your fall with the power of a thousand winds," a voice that sounds like the green guy from the forest says. "Now concentrate. See yourself grasping the wind. Harness its energy"
"Thanks, Barbatos," I say and the wind falters.
I get rid of the wind glider and summon my wings. I harness the power of the wind and shoot it at Stormterror, aiming at its back. As Stormterror retreats, I get rid of my wings and summon my wind glider, gliding down to the ground.
"Are you hurt?" Amber asks running over to me.
"I'm fine. By the way, was that saying, you guys use? Is it thanks Barbatos?"
"It's thank Barbatos."
"Oh."
"So you've actually got the power to go up against the dragon. Are you a new alley or a new storm?" Someone with blue long hair asks walking toward us, clapping his hands slowly.
"Kaeya, Cecelia, you've come at the right time. We must..."
"Hold on Amber. "Are you perhaps forgetting to introduce us?"
"Oh, right. This is our Calvery Captain, Kaeya. And these two are travelers from afar, Cecilia and Paimon."
"Why hello there, Kaeya. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I decided to look into Kaeya's mind since he's looking at us with a bit of suspicion. Travelers from afar? That's all we know of them?
"Well, I was separated from my siblings during our travels and I'm hoping that I can find them. I'm also looking for the Anemo God."
"Ah, I see. Welcome to Mondstadt, though, you haven't arrived at the best of times I'm afraid. I understand the anguish of being separated from family. I don't know why you're looking for the Anemo God though."
"Hey, Kaeya, if you need someone to talk to about your family, I'm here. I'll try to do my best."
Kaeya laughs. "I'm fine. Thanks for the offer though. You don't have to tell me why you're searching for the Anemo God. Everyone has their secrets. Relax, I won't press you for more. First and foremost, I would like to extend our thanks to you for your help just now on behalf of the Knights of Favonius."
"Well, we couldn't just sit back and watch."
"Your fight to defend the city was witnessed by no small number of citizens. The Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius is also very interested in meeting you, and formally invites you both to our headquarters."
As we enter the headquarters, I hear a voice say, "Jean, what's the hurry? I thought we agreed to meet them here."
"There have been sightings of Stormterror outside the city. Once we meet we must..." the one I assume is Jean says.
"Relax. I'll lend a hand when the time comes," the unknown voice says.
As we get to the door, I see a blond lady with grey-blue eyes in a uniform sitting at the desk and a lady with brown hair and green eyes in a purple mage outfit by the bookshelf.
Kaeya says, "Jean, I've brought them. When Stormterror attacked Cecelia flew up into the air with her wing glider. She fought off the dragon. And once it was over, I brought them here."
"Mondstat welcomes you, windborne travelers," Jean says getting up. "I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. This is Lisa," Jean says gesturing to the lady in purple. "Our resident librarian."
"It's a pleasure to meet you two," I say.
"Oh! Are you two here to help out? You're both so adorable!" Lisa says.
"Thank you. You're beautiful."
"Thank you. Sadly, your time of arriving in Mondstadt is regrettable. Stormterror has caused quite a ruckus in the region since its recent resurgence. Simply put, Mondstadt's elemental sphere and let lines are now akin to a yarn ball in the paws of a kitten. For a mage, it couldn't get much worse. My skin is one elemental particle away from a full-blown breakout."
"If it weren't for the interference," Jean says. "The Knights of Favonius would have better ways to help you than just putting up missing person posters. We simply ask that you stay in Mondstadt while we seek out your siblings."
"Thank you. I should really help out though," I say.
"Paimon will help too!"
"Good. In that case, we need a plan," Kaeya says.
"If that dragon has so much power, is it directly from the dragon, or does it have a source of power it's drawing on?"
"It has a source of power it's drawing on," Jean says. "Lisa has revealed the sources of Stormterror's power with her detection magic."
"Is that so?" Kaeya asks.
"They're located in the abandoned Four Winds Temples. Stormterror's ability to win up these kinds of storms can be attributed to its drawing power from the temples," Lisa says.
"Our objective is to deal with three of the four temples. I trust everyone knows why we are only dealing with three?" Jean asks.
"Paimon doesn't understand."
"Me either Paimon, but let's trust what they say."
"Knights of Favonius, time is against us," Jean says. "The storm is rampant. There is no point in maintaining a defensive position. We need to take initiative and act before the situation escalates."
I head over to where Kaeya is and he says, "You're not bad with that wind glider. The gliding style seems familiar."
"Is there a story behind your eye patch or is it just an accessory?"
"You want to know about me. I'm sorry I didn't have time to introduce myself properly. I am Kaeya, Calvery Captain for the Knights of Favonius. We can talk more once we get things sorted out. I know a great place for a chat."
"Do you know why Jean is the Acting Grand Master?"
"The Grand Master is currently off leading an expedition, so the Master, Jean, has stepped in to oversee the Knights while he is gone. Hence, you'll hear many refer to her as the Acting Grand Master. When the Grand Master left, he took the vast majority of our knights with him, leaving the Acting Grand Master with far more responsibility and stress. Come to think of it, it must have been hard for Jean."
"Maybe after the dragon stuff is all over, why don't we grab something to eat or drink?"
"Sure."
"Have a good day, Kaeya."
"See you later then."
I then head over to where Lisa is.
"Lisa?"
"What is it cutie?"
"What types of books do you have in the library?"
"All different types."
"That's good to know."
"Are you interested in reading?"
"I love to read, I just don't usually have time to which is sad. Also, with me being out in the wilderness, I wouldn't want books to get destroyed."
"You're a book lover too?"
"Yeah. Maybe we could grab a bite to eat or drink with each other and you could give me some book recommendations?"
"Sure thing cutie."
"Bye."
"I'll see you in a bit."
I head over to where Jean is and she tells me, "Thank you for accepting our invitation, traveler."
"It's no big deal. I'm always happy to help. You don't have to call me traveler though, Cecilia is just fine. Do you have any ideas on how to fight Stormterror?"
"One thing that's concerning is its change in size and power."
"If you're that concerned about that, there's probably another life form behind this. I did notice as I was fighting it that it has bright purple spikes on its back. Based on the dragon's coloring, I'm thinking that those don't belong there."
"That's a valuable piece of information. Thank you for that. Not many people have gotten to see its back since it's always flying in the air. But right now, the Knights of Favonius are in charge of dealing with the aftermath of the attack. The Grand Master entrusted the Knights of Favonius to me. I cannot let him or the people of Mondstadt down. I must get to the bottom of this."
"Goodbye. Remember to take a break for yourself."
I head out into the hall and see Amber standing by the door.
"Do you want to team up with me?" Amber asks.
"Sure. Maybe for a bit."
"You should know I don't slow down for anyone."
"Don't worry, you won't have to slow down for me. Jean seems pretty reliable."
"With Jean by our side, nothing can stand in our way! At least that's what I want to say, but I can keep spouting off the same line. She always dashes headlong into the heat of the battle, and we want her to take better care of herself. I really hope that one day I can look Jean in the eye and tell her she doesn't have to worry anymore because we have her back."
"Are there any inns or hotels here in Mondstadt?"
"Yeah. There is the Goth Grand Hotel, but the Fatui are occupying it. Then there's a smaller one, the Mondstadt hotel. I can take you there if you want."
"Sure," I say and Amber leads me to the hotel. "Thank you, Amber," I say as I enter the hotel. "Is there an available room?" I ask the lady at the counter. "There's one upstairs. It will be five hundred mora a night."
"Alright," I say reaching into my bag and grabbing my bag of mora, handing over five hundred mora.
"Thank you. Your room will be to the right when you go up the stairs and walk down a little bit."
"Thank you," I say, heading up the stairs.