Genshin Impact: Tristain in Teyvat
"We're not in Halkeginia?"
Princess Henrietta and her bodyguard; Agnès Chevalier de Milan were currently inside of the Headmaster's office in the Tristain Academy of Magic with Headmaster Osmond as the princess asked a question to the latter. Before all of this happened, she was in the royal castle back in Tristain, waiting for her royal carriage to finish preparations to set off to the academy here to personally check any updates on Louise's whereabouts.
Louise… thinking about her name makes the princess's heart ache for her dearest friend.
When Henrietta heard that Louise had disappeared from the academy during the summoning ritual, she immediately heads there with her bodyguard, despite the Regency Council's protests needing her here during the Reconquista's war against Albion. When she got to the entrance of the academy, she found the Vallière personal carriage parked outside.
Already knowing why they were here, the princess heads to the headmaster's office, only to find Duchess and Duke Vallière standing and facing the Headmaster and Professor Colbert, with the Duchess glaring at the latter like she wanted to execute him. She probably would as the professor was responsible for Louise's teachings during her time in the academy.
After the professor declares to the Vallière family that he would use his time to find their daughter, both the Duchess and the Duke seemed satisfied with his answer. However, before they left the office, Duchess Vallière warns him that if her daughter doesn't returned to them by the end of the week, she would deal with him. Her threat filled the two professor's face with horror, including Princess Henrietta.
Despite that, Professor Colbert was determined to find Louise whatever it takes and was given permission by the headmaster a temporary leave from teaching to focus on finding the lost girl. Henrietta, meanwhile, decides to conduct an official search for her friend all around Tristain and find some clues on her whereabouts.
Two weeks has passed since then and there's has not a single trace of Louise, like she disappeared from this world. Moreover, the search was slowly reduced due to their current resources now spend on the defense of Tristain after Reconquista won the war against Albion and are preparing to invade her home country. This was only possible because of a certain traitor within her ranks.
Viscount Wardes, the captain of Tristain's Griffin Knights and now the backstabber of her kingdom. During those 2 weeks of searching for her friend, Henrietta gave him a mission to enter the floating island to seek out her cousin; Prince Wales Tudor to gain the letter from him and destroy it before Reconquista does. Days after sending the griffin captain to Albion however, news broke out from inside the throne room that the Viscount had revealed to be a spy for Reconquista and killed the Albion prince in cold blood before stealing the letter.
To this day, her heart is still in pain as she blames herself for his death.
With the letter now in the hands of Germania, the military alliance between them and her kingdom are all but severed and they were now left alone against Reconquista's invasion.
Now that the war between Tristain and Albion is almost about to begin, Henrietta decides to travel to the academy to check up on the professor's progress on finding Louise one last time before she heads out to war. Even though her hope of reuniting with Louise grows smaller, she still held on her hope that she would see her again. Hopefully, the professor would have great news by the time she arrived there.
As she was about to exit her room, a blinding light surrounds her as she quickly closes her eyes. However, when Henrietta opens her eyes again, the light was gone. She turns around and found that nothing has changed in her room, confusing her. Just then, the door open and saw Agnès, who asked her to see outside. When she did go outside to see what's going on, she was surprised at the sights before her.
On the horizon, She saw the islands were full of life and the mountains peaks were spiky. She did notice however, that one of the islands had a giant skeleton on the coastline, which unnerved her as what kind of creature existed when it was alive. Beyond the islands, the princess saw a city connected to another island. She can also see a tower that is higher than its walls, she probably conclude that it was their castle. But it was nothing compared to the another tower that she saw next, behind a different island that stretched to the skies.
Looking at the views with her musketeers, it was clear to her that she and her kingdom were on the different continent and not at Halkeginia.
Henrietta then immediately set out to the academy with her royal musketeers and a small contingent of her royal forces to find her answers, but not before giving orders to her Regency Council to take control of the situation before chaos erupted within her nation. Hours later, she arrived at the academy and went to headmaster's office with Agnès to seek the principal. When she met with the headmaster however, she found out that he and the rest of the professors and staff were also confused as to why this happened.
"Yes, your highness." Headmaster Osmond confirmed. "We were in disbelief at first, but few other professors and I myself saw it ourselves and we are confident we are not in continent we know of."
The princess was in thought. If what the headmaster says was true, then they were in a different world. On one hand, the threat of Albion invasion was now gone as during her trip to the magical academy, she could not see the floating island on the sky near Tristain's borders. With Albion gone, she could now focus her kingdom's manpower to defend the people of Tristain, especially they were in an unknown territory.
On the other hand however, was the students of Tristain Academy of Magic. While most of them were from her kingdom, the rest of the students are noble children from different nations. She couldn't imagine their reactions when they realize they were transported to another world. Indeed, when she passed through the cafeteria, she saw one student crying at the dress of an academy instructor when they relay the news to the students. Some were crying, some were afraid, and others were in denial.
Nevertheless, Henrietta would deal with this predicament when she return back to the royal castle. Probably giving them status as citizens of Tristain and lands to ease their worries and fears. She knew it was never enough, but it was better than nothing.
Right now, she had to focus towards their predicament first. "If this is true that we are in a different world, then I would assemble a party to head towards the city that I saw earlier. If their kingdom rules these lands, then they would misinterpret our appearance as an act of war."
But the headmaster shook his head. "There's no need for that, Jean recognize this possibility as well. Hence, he wanted to go to that city as a representative to Tristain, along with some of the students voluntarily joining him on his journey."
"I see." Henrietta replied. "Who are those students that volunteered for Professor Colbert?"
"That would be Miss Tabitha, a young and skillful mage from Gallia and Miss Zerbst, a triangle fire mage from Germania. Both of them were the first students to volunteer." Old Osmond answered. "Of course, next was Miss Montmorency and the last was Mister Gramont."
"Gramont?" Henrietta asked. "You mean the son of Marshal Gramont volunteered to escort the professor along with the other students?"
"That's correct. Though I guess he only volunteered to join after Miss Montmorency does so, out for her own safety than joining the professor."
It wasn't surprising for Henrietta. After all, she knows that the young Gramont was engaged to the girl and they were set to marriage after graduation from the academy by their parents. However, if something happens to the two of them during the journey, she and the academy would gain an amount of criticism from the nobility and their families.
"Then I shall sent a small force to assist the group heading towards the kingdom. I shall send word to Duchess Vallière to help us in this mission." Henrietta proposed.
Headmaster Osmond wasn't opposed to the idea. "Of course, your highness. If there's any need of my assistance, let me kn-."
Before the headmaster could finish his words, a loud banging was heard behind the door.
"Agnès, open the door." Henrietta ordered.
Agnès nodded, though kept her hand near her musket as she opens the door. She relaxed when she saw her fellow musketeer, but was frowning when she noticed the woman had a panic expression on her face as she quickly entered the room. Before Henrietta could ask what's going on, the musketeer spoke. "Your highness! There's a small band of people heading this way and they have strange golems behind them!"
All three had their eyes widened at the news.
In an Aquarail, an Aquabus was moving towards the Court of Fontaine from Romaritime Harbor with passengers. Said passengers were Professor Jean Colbert and his students; Tabitha, Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst, Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency, and Guiche de Gramont.
Before they came to the harbor, the group were traveling on-foot on the island that is near the academy lands. During their travels, they encountered bandits and thieves who demanded they hand over their loot, only to be defeated or fleeing from the mages. They also encountered strange machinery that attacked them when they got nearer, even one that was flying in the air and shooting unknown but explosive projectiles.
They destroyed them and Colbert wasted no time to excitedly inspect these machines. Sadly for the professor, the inside of their bodies were either burnt or destroyed that is impossible for him to check what kind of power source they were powered by it.
Montmorency though, was excitedly grabbing foreign plants, flowers, and even fruits that she saw during the journey as much as she could carry from her bag. Hoping these new samples would be crucial for her alchemy.
The group bumped to another of those strange machinery again, two of them in fact. However, unlike those machines, these two almost had the appearance of a human, except they were two times larger than a regular human like the professor. One had a bulky appearance while the other one had a slim appearance but has the same golden and dark color. If it wasn't for the professor pointing out that these two are machines, the rest of the group would've mistaken it as golems.
Like they approached those strange machines earlier, the two humanoid machines attacked them. Much to their surprise, their enemies can use elemental magic and that slim humanoid can dodge some of their spells. Thus, they decided to go for tactics against their foes and the group shortly won the battle.
Colbert, along with the student Tabitha, immediately went to the destroyed machines to inspect them and both found out that their left shoulders contain some sort of energy with a different color before it went out. The professor wanted to bring them both back to the academy to study them. But he realize they don't have the manpower to do so right now, so he just leave them behind and the group continue onwards.
After a few hours of traveling, the group arrived in a tower full of people, walking around and talking to each other. They were relieved that they have found some sort of civilization in this world. While the students were resting on a bench nearby, Professor Colbert took this as a chance to get information about where they are now.
Talking to the natives who lived here, he learned that the lands that Tristain teleported itself to is the nation of Fontaine. The tower they currently standing is called Romaritime Harbor where it is an observation deck to seeing the waterfalls and an entrance for any travelers coming here through another nation called Sumeru.
What's more shocking to him is that this nation is ruled by the Hydro Archon, a god, named Focalors or Lady Furina by her people and the God of Justice. It wasn't all however. Colbert later found out that in this world, there are seven nations. Each of them are ruled by an Archon, who associated with seven different elements; Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo. These elements can be used by other people, albeit only one per person and they were called Visions.
Unfortunately for Colbert, this is all the information he got from the natives and other travelers here. But at the very least, he got the basic knowledge of this world somewhat. When they arrive to the main city, which is called Court of Fontaine, he would seek out a library or an academy if they exist.
Which is why he is now in an Aquabus with the students. Besides them, there was a small creature in front of the ride that gives the group a commentary on the local scenery around them. They met the creature when they step into a foreign but intriguing small ship. She introduces herself as Aeval and that she is a Melusine, an all-female race of creatures native to this nation. Once the ship begin to move, she started the tour.
While the students were listening to Aeval's commentary and then captivated by the scenery, the professor was more focused onto the ship and the water rail. He was impressed by this innovation as he realizes that this ship was restricted to the rail and it only focused traveling on one destination to another. Curious of what kind of power source this ship moved in the first place, he asked the Melusine about it and she responded that it was called 'Indemnitium' that powered not only this ship, but also the entire nation. She told him that he could learn more once they reached the main city.
Once they get to see Court of Fontaine for the first time, the group were awe by the sight before them and they were impressed at the architecture. However, they did notice that the city is surrounded by a large pool of water and some of the structures were sunken underwater. They thought it must've been a passing storm, though Colbert and Tabitha suspected there was more to it.
They finally arrived at the Clementine Line where their tour ended. When the professor asked Miss Aeval how much they would pay for the ride, she shook her head and says that tour rides are paid by the nation's government.
The group gave out their different feedback to Miss Aeval before stepping out of the Aquabus. Then they meet Grosley, who welcomed the group and introduces himself as the the Aquabus Guide for newcomers of Fontaine. Asking a few questions for the man, they learned that to meet the ruler of this nation, they have to get an appointment from the Palais Mermonia on the 4th floor, which is the main administrative building, much to their confusion.
Thankfully for them, there were fewer people to see Lady Furina today and still have time to make an appointment with her. So Colbert decided to head to the 4th floor by using what the man called an 'elevator' near him. Few seconds later, they arrived at the 4th floor and step out from the elevator. Their experience using the elevator was great to say the least as they were relieved they wouldn't have to walk up to the top.
Looking at the building in front of them, it was a grand and magnificent structure with two towers on each side while the last tower was on the far middle of the building that was two times taller. Surrounding the building were trees, bushes, flowers, and a strange metal sticks that is shaped like a torch with the bridge leading up to the building were flowers and strange metal sticks on the side. Bellow the bushes, multiple blue banners with the symbol of a golden weighing scale hanging on the walls.
The professor and the students quickly head towards the edge of the bridge in either direction and what they see below captivated them. The group saw the buildings below them are grander and richer than in Tristain, or in any other Halkeginia kingdoms. Even they dared to think that this city surpassed the buildings in Romalia. Not that they oppose to speaking it out loud, considering that they are now far away from the continent they know.
Walking towards the administrative building, they noticed those creatures Melusines again cheerfully walking around the bridge and some talking to people who wore a noble attire. Seeing these people of this nation are nobility was refreshing as they have been traveling for the past days. Guiche saw two noble women on the way and flirts with them. His fiancé of course, didn't like it and grabbed Guiche's ear harshly before dragging him away. Her actions made the two noble women giggle.
The group arrived at the entrance of the building. Just as they were about to approach the door, Kirche noticed that in her left, she saw a statue of a young girl with a long hair. It was wearing a simple dress with a hood and was holding a large sword that has an orb between the hilt and the blade. The statue seems to be shining blue light, including the orb.
Curious about this, Kirche asked the professor if he knows about the statue. The rest of the students seems to be curious as well. Colbert was hesitant for a while before decided to tell them about what he knows, though they have to move to a quieter place to avoid onlookers. When he did, they didn't seem to take the news well. Transporting to another world was one thing, but to a world where deities exist and ruled seven nations, including this one.
They were now uncomfortable of meeting the ruler, the Hydro Archon, as they will be speaking to a literal god. But their teacher convinced them as they need to because their nation was transported within her territory and would provoke a possible conflict if they didn't communicate. The students agreed with their professor's reasoning and followed him back to the entrance of the building, which they entered.
Inside the Palais Mermonia, the group was amazed at the interior of this place, with Tristainians almost reminded of the royal palace. There were all kind of flower vases full of flowers, fancy benches, bookshelves full of books, and some sort of strange devices on the floor and on the wall. There is also some kind of chandeliers attached into the celling with metal ropes, which the celling has glass that could see the sky.
As they headed further, they saw two people talking in the middle of the room. One was a tall white male, has a white hair that reached his waists with a single lock that has a blue underside. He also wore a formal noble blue attire with its colors ranging from light to dark. Another person was a woman, has dark blue hair, styled in a low ponytail. She wore a hat that is new for the group and wore an officer's uniform like in Tristain's army. They noticed her sword hanging from her belt and it has a strangest design for a weapon.
Colbert thought that they must be the highest noble authorities in this land due to their attires. So he walks towards them, with his students following behind the professor. They notice the two stopped their conversation and turn their heads at them, making the group nervous as they walk.
They stopped when the purple haired woman spoke. "Halt. Who are you travelers and what's your business here?"
"Umm…" Colbert stammered a bit, caught off guard by the woman's sudden question. However, he coughed before saying. "Apologizes for our sudden entrance, but allow us to introduce ourselves. My name is Professor Jean Colbert of the Tristain Academy of Magic and these are my students." He gestured at them.
The academy students nervously bowed at the two nobles before telling of their full names.
"I see." The tall man calmly said. "My name is Monsieur Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine and this is Clorinde." Neuvillette gestured to the purple haired woman known as Clorinde. "The Champion Duelist of Fontaine."
Clorinde bowed her head. "Greetings."
"Now, can you tell me your reason why did you all come here?" Neuvillette asked them. "If you're here to seek an audience with either Lady Furina or myself, then I'm afraid we have to postpone the meeting at the later date. There's a problem within the nation that we have currently."
"What kind a problem?" Colbert asked, though he already guess what that was.
"A few hours ago, our scouts reported that a mysterious land just appeared near the coast of the Beryl Region without warning. Lady Furina and I fear of a potential invasion by the Abyss, so we voted to sent the Maison Gardiennage forces over there to check the land if it's harmless or dangerous."
The group was alarmed at this. Are they too late to stop the conflict between them?
"It… it won't be necessary Monsieur Neuvillette. Because we are citizens from that land we call the kingdom of Tristain and we are here as a representative to seek ties between you and our nation to avoid a conflict."
Neuvillette and Clorinde widened their eyes for a second before returning to neutral stance, with the latter now focused of the group intensely in case if they tried to attack.
"Tristain you say?" Neuvillette was in thought before returning his gaze onto the professor. "And you said you want to seek ties with us to avoid conflict?"
"Of course!" This time, it was Montmorency that spoke. "Our kingdom is small and we don't have much of an army. So we have no reason to invade any territories."
As much as he hate to admit it, Guiche agreed with her as their current army wasn't in a position to invade, nor they want to invade in the first place. The others probably agreed with her too.
"I can sense that you have no reason to lie or deceive us, so I believe your words for the time being." Neuvillette honestly said, much to the relief of the group. "You are wise to come here and, as you said, we don't want conflict with your kingdom."
"Agreed." Clorinde nodded.
"However, our forces that we sent earlier probably already made contact with yours. Its best that you depart back to your nation as possible, if you want to stop a conflict between us."
"Thank you!" Colbert happily exclaimed, glad that this man has accepted to talk with them.
"I'll send an airship over here to come pick you and your students up, though it will take time. In the meantime, how about I offer a short tea party with you all? I will prepare teas and pastries in my office."
Even though there's a slim chance that the fight already started by the time they arrived back to the academy, a simple tea party would calm their worries a bit, especially what kind of teas and pastries they would taste in this nation.
They suddenly heard the door opened behind them. They all heard a female voice shouting in the air. "Neuvillette!"
The voice caught the group's attention as it was strangely familiar to them. As if they heard of this voice not long ago, but they can't quite remember.
"Ah, Lady Furina. Perfect timing, we were just about to have a tea party in my office."
The group was alarmed when the man said the name of the god of this nation. They turned their heads around to see the Hydro Archon for themselves, only their faces to be filled with both shock and surprised.
"Are you serious?! Our nation is in danger of this unknown threat and all you can think is a tea…." Lady Furina stopped her ranting when she saw the people near Neuvillette and Clorinde. Her earlier anger she expressed to her face had now disappeared, replaced only with disbelief and denial as her eyes began to tear up.
"No, its impossible. This… this must be a dream and I'm still in my bedroom, sleeping." Furina thought in denial. "But if I'm not dreaming, then how? How are they still alive after…. No… NO! I refuse to believe it. I refuse to believe they exist here!"
The group looked at the young woman and saw that she wore a fabulous dark blue noble-like outfit over a white vest with a jabot, all decorated with multiple blue cut stone accessories that resemble water droplets. The blue sash is laid over her white vest, tied into a bow and pinned with a large blue gem in the center. She also wore gloves with different colors; white and black, short white pants with black bands, dark heeled leather shoes, with her emblem emblazoned on the bottom of soles. Lastly, she wore a dark blue top hat tipped to the left of her head, decorated with metal flourishes that give the hat a crown-like appearance, in addition to including her emblem on the top surface.
Aside of her fabulous and expensive clothing, as well as her grayish-white hair and different eye colors, her appearance was familiar to the group. Then all of the sudden, it clicked in their minds. This wasn't a mistake. The girl before them wasn't new to this world or Lady Furina, it was….
"Louise…?" Kirche quietly asked.
A/N: Finally completed this story during the 3rd anniversary of Genshin Impact. I wish I could say something, but I need to upload this now before this day ends. I'll write another A/N in other time.
That's all for now, please leave a reply and I'll see you all later. :)