5'th June 2023
Otara Provisonal Soviet
The Deserted streets of Otara were filled with activity for the first time in 6 months. Liquidation squads moved from house to house, ensuring that the scourge upon the Nation had receded. Vast stockpiles and caches were recovered as the plague retreated en masse once they learned of their fate in the new world. Trucks rumbled, ready to send the Provisional Soviet's Spoils of war to the several other Soviets just beginning to establish themselves. Most buildings remained intact, and there was a peaceful atmosphere as the Partisans and the Citizens reveled together in their newfound freedom. Few in the Now Retaken City, however, had that privilege.
Whangaparāoa Peninsula, Whangaparāoa-Rodney Military District
Smoke rises from smoldering piles of rubble as disheveled people walk down the main road, with grim-faced soldiers supervising their flight out of the devastated seaside town. Rhythmic gunshots emerged from behind the few standing buildings as tasks were carried out away from the view of the Civilians. Unlike the southern parts of the City, few things remained standing in this area, and most knew they would never be able to return to this place for a very long time.
Washington DC, United States of America
"So, You're saying there's another planet beyond those gates? Both sides of the War in Auckland have their feet in the gate?
Several men were gathered around a table in the most famous office in the World. The President was there, joined by his VP and secretary of defense. The Question, directed towards the black-suited intelligence officer, carried an almost mocking doubt.
"Mr. President, the photos speak for themselves. We're not the only ones that know about this. Intelligence channels have picked up to a level I've never seen since 9/11. We don't know what they're saying, but we know what they're talking about. Satellite imagery detects modest buildups at Vladivostok, Hainan, Jakarta, and Brisbane. It is undeniable from my point of view, as well as the CIA's that we move now, or we'll never be able to move at all."
There was a weighted silence in the room as everyone's minds spun into overdrive, thinking about backlashes, consequences, and the totality of potential decisions. The President spoke first, injecting command into his voice.
"Contact Pacific Fleet command. We're going in."
The Free City of Mondstat, Mondstat
Isla stared at a wall of empty faces, sensing something was wrong. These faces, they were all too familiar to them. With a slow feeling of dread, Isla began to realize why the faces were so familiar; They were the faces of those they had killed. Suddenly, their eyes opened in unison, and they began to scream with one voice. Isla stepped back, only to have an identical wall of screaming faces appear behind them, and slowly begin to move towards the other wall. Isla screams as they are just about to be crushed, then the Nightmare dissolves around them.
Isla wakes up in a pile of sweat as the Otherworldly sun bathes them in natural light. They take a second to calm their beating heart and purge the nightmare from their immediate memory. They looked at themselves and sighed as they realized they slept in combat gear again, a trait left over from the Civil War. After changing into another set of clothes, they freshened themselves up and left their bedroom.
Isla enters a two-floored hallway with a cavity running down to the first floor. Fortunately, this place was clean and well-maintained, as Isla and the rest of the High Command had been given separate bunkings. Isla walks down the hallway before stopping at a large window intricately carved. This part of the city had been primarily unscathed from the raging fires, but pockmarks from rounds still could be seen. Below the Window, a workgang labored to remove a piece of marble that had been dislodged from the building, manacles on their legs. 2 Knights supervised their work, with no translator being present due to them being needed for more necessary tasks. Isla watched out the window for a while, then walked away, stomach rumbling. They hadn't had a good meal in months, and it showed. They were going to do a round around central Mondstat, but their stomach dragged them to the dining hall.
The Dining hall was a typical medieval dining hall, with high ceilings, green walls, and a long table down the middle. Various cold meats and other foods had been laid out meticulously. The Hall was empty, owing to the amount of people needed to hold the city together during this dark time. Isla picked some food and decided to eat standing, taking in the fragrant tastes of a different land. The food was something Isla hadn't had in months, and they could feel satisfaction move throughout their body. After eating, Isla decided to take a walk outside.
Jean Limped towards Central Mondstat, aiming to get in a few minutes of soothing the civilian population. Ever since the so-called "Legion of Aotearoa," as they now called themselves, set up shop and began to send out hunting parties, the Population of Mondstat had become wary and untrusting. Rumors swirled of Civilians gathering arms, sweeping swords, bows, and spears off the corpses of Knights. Even though they had not openly moved against anyone, the fear of some scared family man spearing someone through the chest had become all too real. Even though the Language banner prevented instantaneous communication, the rumor had also reached their ears, and now they became wary, doubling patrols.
As she walked, something could be heard, and then soon, felt. It started with a rumble, not too dissimilar to the "Trucks" the LOA used for transport. But if the trucks were a dog growling, this sound was an earthquake. Then, metal clinking on the cobblestone road became the dominant sound, but It was much more fearsome. Fear entered her soul, and her steps became even more hesitant than they were then. She rounds the corner, and her breath halts in her throat. An amalgamation of darkish green and chrome made its way up the main road. It was squat but carried a tremendous aura. An angled front merged almost seamlessly into a rotund turret with a massive gun that could easily take their flimsy wooden buildings down with one shot. The monster's Rear shot out billowing black smoke, concealing what was behind. A free-flowing crimson flag waved proudly from its top, the only striking color on the uniform vehicle. Jean stood in pure awe at this mechanical beast until a familiar voice struck her from her thoughts.
"Sie sind ziemlich beängstigend auf den ersten Blick, oder? Sie werden Panzer genannt, ein fester Bestandteil der Kriegsführung in unserer Welt. Dieser Panzer war einer von Hunderttausend und dient immer noch stolz." (They're pretty scary on first sight, aren't they? They're called tanks, a mainstay of warfare in our world. This tank was one of a Hundred Thousand, and it still proudly serves)
Jean turns to Isla, staring in shock as they casually stand, staring with slight pride at the Tank making its way down the road. The Black smoke cleared as it reached an open area, allowing a good look at what was behind. A motley assortment of trucks followed in its wake, piled high with wooden crates. Following it all was a single, boxy vehicle. Squat like the tank but much more rectangular. A smaller turret carried a conservatively sized cannon but could still pack a punch if fired. The Convoy stopped, and several people moved to the Trucks.
"Komm mit mir, ich habe etwas für dich" (Come with me, I've got something for you), Isla says, casually strolling down to the convoy of trucks, Jean following behind. The Offloading of the crates had begun in earnest, with Isla quickly grabbing a wooden box and setting it beside the car. A few unlatches later, the top opened, revealing its prize. A row of black and brown Kalisnikovs stared back at Isla, who smiled as they grabbed one, handing it to Jean.
"Sie sind die direkte Verbesserung der Gewehre, die wir jetzt verwenden. Robuster, einfacher zu bedienen, können mehrere Schüsse pro Sekunde abfeuern, selbst die Geschosse selbst sind verbessert. Wir haben mehr als genug, um sie zu teilen, falls Sie möchten, dass wir einige Ihrer Männer darin ausbilden, sie zu verwenden. Es könnte die Spannungen verringern" (They're the direct improvement of the rifles we use now. More Durable, easier to use, can fire multiple rounds per second, even the bullets themselves are improved. We've got more than enough to share, if you wish us to train a few of your men to use these. It might lessen tensions.
Jean inspects the rifle, a sense of unease bubbling up within her. The Rifle was primarily black, with a Dyed Birch buttstock. Its curved magazine scythed out from the main barrel, and the whole rifle looked more menacing than the wooden rifles she had just used to.
Jean looks up, her unease growing faster, and sees that one rifle differs from the others. Its black coating was chipped and scuffed in many places and was much more weathered than the shiny, brand-new rifles it was sitting amongst. It also seemed older, more rudimentary. She places the gun Isla handed her aside and picks up the weathered one. As soon as she gripped it in her hands, her vision, mounted to her waist, glowed so bright that Isla had to turn away. Jean's world went black.
She comes to in a village, completely unfamiliar. She's holding the rifle, but she can tell her body is no longer in her control. She stood in a straw hut with several men and women running around, similar rifles in hand. Her body began to move, running outside. The skies above her were full of strange metallic objects, blade-like objects spinning above them, producing an ominous noise. These hovering beasts unleashed sparks of fire upon the village, lights spearing men, women, and children without discrimination. Her view turned to a double-barreled emplacement, its bulky ammo boxes giving it an almost comical look. The Guns opened fire in unison, the rounds shredding through the thin armor. The beasts came down in flame and shrapnel, cheers emerging from throughout the village. Gunfire raced through the town as women rushed, carrying ammo boxes and children. Jean thought it was over until a dull roar emerged from the east. A Chevron of boxy flying beasts painted the same color as Hovering ones. Various oval objects were attached to the bottom of it, gleaming in the sunlight. They began to drop off the beasts, smoothly approaching their destination. People noticed and began to run, dropping whatever they had. The objects detonated, releasing flaming gel across the village. Jean watched, fear screaming in her head as one of the objects detonated right next to her. She screamed as the flames ran up her body, as the pain became the only feeling she knew. She Screamed until she felt her vocal cords liquify in the intense heat, and her consciousness began to ebb away like logs to the fire she was now burning in.
Isla watched with alarm as Jean began to seize and shake. She quickly collapsed to the floor, and Isla rushed to her side. Her hands gripped the rifle like a parading North Korean soldier, and Isla knew what had caused her sudden episode. Isla immediately kicks the gun out of her hands, then withdraws their sidearm and fires repeatedly into the worn rifle, destroying it. Her seizing continues for a few seconds; then, she goes rigid. Isla heard dozens of Knights swarming towards the duo, the clinking of metal on cobblestone filling the area. Jean's head quickly moved to the side as her stomach contents returned up the way they went down. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused but fast, focusing on Isla. With a cry of horror, she lurches backward, crawling back.
"Wie können Sie noch am Leben sein? Bitte verletzen Sie uns nicht, wir stellen keine Bedrohung für Sie dar" ("How are you still alive? Please, don't hurt us, we're not a threat to you) Jean stutters out as she moves back, tears forming on her eyes. Isla stands there, confusion running through their mind. Isla crouches down, staring into her eyes before saying
"Hör zu. Ich weiß nicht, was du gesehen hast, aber es war wahrscheinlich nicht gut. Der Krieg in unserer Welt ist brutaler, als jemand in deiner Welt es sich vorstellen könnte. Es tut mir leid, dass du das sehen musstest. Wir sind nicht hier, um das zu wiederholen, was du möglicherweise gesehen hast oder nicht. Wir sind hier, um zu helfen" (Listen. I don't know what you saw, but It probably wasn't good. War on our world is more brutal than anyone on yours could imagine. I'm sorry you had to see that. We're not here to repeat what you may or may not have seen. We're here to help) Isla's gentle and calm tone calmed Jean's warieness towards the otherworlders, but the Trauma from her vision overwhelmed her, as she quickly throws her arms around Isla, sobbing into their shoulder. Isla was stunned at the sudden movement, but then begins to move,reassuring her. For a moment, Isla felt their repressed feelings bubble to the surface, but barely managed to keep them from bubbling up. They stayed in that position for a while, locked in that embrace. It was broken up by several Knights, who took over from Isla, slowly guiding her back to the HQ. Isla calls out to the crowd of Knights "Kümmere dich um sie. Sie hat viel durchgemacht" (Take care of her. she's been through alot) Which was met with no response. Isla puts their head in their hands for a few seconds, then looks around at the crowd of LOA soldiers and workers idly standing by, then yells "Come on boys! We can't all stand around and do nothing!"
Aether walked through the Mondstatian Forrest, Paimon following closely behind him. The Traveller and his companion had seen a lot over the past few days. They had seen people wearing clothes that made him seem normal lurk in the forests, glaring at him as he passed. He had also discovered some of their corpses, torn up by Hillichurl clubs, and now one of their strange weapons rested on his back, strap worn over his shoulder.
"Do you think that Mondstat is okay? Paimon thinks that something bad has happened." Paimon says, floating beside Aether as she speaks.
"If these new enemies can be taken down by a few Hillichurls, I don't think they'll be able to stand against the Knights for long. Im sure they'll be…. Fine." his speech stopped as the pair got their first sight of Mondstat. Although the city's walls were fine, the once majestic windmills that were a staple of the city were reduced to rubble. Smoke still billowed out weakly, and the area reeked of burnt wood. Aether stood, shocked, before beginning to sprint towards the city.
As Aether neared the city bridge, he could see a boxy vehicle sitting on the bridge, its turret rotating aimlessly. He ignored it, proceeding to run past it, and entered the city through the main gate. Several motorized carriages sat in the middle of the road, and dozens of people offloaded crates and various other things off them. Strangely, nobody seemed to care about the strange-looking man who just appeared out of nowhere and continued with their tasks. One man appeared to supervise the offloading of the cargo. He was the only one to seemingly notice Aether, which caused him to raise an eyebrow before walking over to him.
"Are you one of us? I've never seen that type of clothing before, is it cultural?" The man said curiously. Aether stared back at him in a mix of confusion and interest. Despite being from another world, he could completely understand him. He spoke the Language that Aether spoke when first arriving in this world. The man was about to repeat his question, but Aether said something first
"No, sorry. I'm not even from this world. It's a long story. I presume you guys come from somewhere else as well?"
The man paused before shrugging and saying
"Yeah, we're from a different world. It's a long story as well. It feels much better knowing we're not the only ones in this situation—name's Jack. Nice to meet you…." he paused for a name.
"Aether. Nice to meet you as well," Aether says, extending his hand in greeting, a gesture that Jack returns.
"Say, do you know how to use that rifle?" Jack asks, pointing at the weapon shouldered on his back.
"No, the closest thing we have to these are these slow-firing ones that only the most advanced nations in Teyvat employ," Aether responds.
"Well, I think it's time you get a lesson. You pass the 'vibe check,' as my superior officer would say. Come, I'll give you a few pointers," Jack says, leading him away from the offloading area.
5 Hours Later
Mondstat, for the first time in almost a week, felt like it used to be. With the offloading complete and no further tasks assigned, the LOA dispersed amongst the many restaurants, the civilians keeping a wide berth from them. The Knights, however, joined the LOA in their revelry, and the sounds of cheerful partying were heard throughout the city. Unfortunately, someone had to keep guard, and a pair of Men sat behind sandbags at the city entrance, idly watching out over the calm landscape. A Dirtbike drove like a bat out of hell out towards the entrance, which piqued their interest. With a screech, the dirtbike stopped, and the rider quickly removed their helmet.
"I have an urgent message for the General Secretary," the rider said breathlessly before continuing, "Elements of the US Marine Corps have landed at Takapuna and Northcote. They're setting up pontoon bridges. They're coming for the Gate."
Hundreds of kilometers away, news similar in shock factor reached the Ears of Mondstat's Neighbour, Liyue. A caravan of civilians had reached the Gates of Liyue with grim news: Mondstat had been overwhelmed by bandits. The Liyue Qixing, after an emergency meeting, gathered the best and finest of forces they had to offer and set off towards Mondstat to liberate the city from its grim occupation. A Purple-haired lady sat in a carriage, pulled along as the rest marched to war.
"Beidou, do you think the Traveller managed to reach Mondstat?" She asks, turning to an eyepatched woman.
"He can hike, that's for sure. For his sake, I hope he got caught up in the plight of some random villager. Don't worry, Keqing, he'll be fine."
"He better be. So help me, Rex Lapis, if anyone lays a hand on him, they're dead," Keqing says, Fury in her eyes.
AN: Totally did not forget about this for 2 weeks straight, but here we are! Enjoy!