Chapter 11: Across the Land of Geo. Reaching the path of wind.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Gentle Rain)
Cloud found the walk across the land of Geo to be somewhat comforting. He opted to take his steps instead of using his Anemo powers or flying across the landscape. The numerous landmarks and the sight around him were rather calming to his mind.
'This journey has a lot of history in this land. Once I'm done with my Geostigma, maybe I should take a look around. Of course, I may have to help Inazuma of the circumstances with the Fatui. These cases of people being given Delusions are proving to be a concern.' Cloud recalled in his mind.
The wind soon blew, causing him to close his eyes in relaxation from the breeze. It was a respite he didn't think would be a comforting time with the air. The sensation was not foreign to Cloud.
'Kind of feels like I'm laying in a hammock, resting suspended in the air. The wind is like a soft fabric that is relaxing to the touch.' He thought.
His Vision began to glow in a soft mint green color. Responding to Cloud's thoughts, the wind soon became even calmer, making the sensation more comforting than usual.
'My Vision had to have a hand in making the wind more comforting. I really need to understand its powers, but I don't find it opposing.' Cloud thought.
Despite the relaxing feeling of his body feeling well rested from the wind, Cloud continued his journey. He didn't mind if the wind was alleviating the stress from his body.
'Somehow, I rather welcome the wind more than just letting my mind focus on my task.' He bemused in thought.
Cloud soon looked at his map, noticing the name of the region on it.
"So this is the Guili Plains… Much of the landscape is riddled with ruins from an old civilization." Cloud noted, seeing the remains of the ruins around him.
There were many ruins that were in the process of being overtaken by nature. Many buildings of the old towns from ancient history are shown to be in ruins, yet some of the formations show some form as to what they were. Cloud could see the ruins looking similar to market bazaars or nearby homes. Sadly, the defining features were eroded through time or coated with moss, making it difficult to identify.
'I wonder how this region used to prosper from before…' Cloud thought.
While walking his way across, he noticed the map soon zoomed out to reveal the name of the region.
"So this region in Liyue is known as the Qiongji Estuary. Seems as though a large river is nearby." Cloud spoke to himself.
(Gentle Rain OST ends here)
[]
After hours have past, Cloud soon noticed it was night. Despite lacking any means of illumination, the landscape was brightened by the star studded sky. It was a wonder to see the sky with an ocean of stars as far as the eye could see.
'Now this is a sight I could never hope to see from Gaia, even if I'm far away from the towns and villages.' Cloud admitted with wonder.
Despite the amazing view of the starry sky, the swordsman knew it was dangerous to wander across the lands at night. Recalling from what Ganyu spoke to him about the monsters across Liyue, he held his Buster Sword in caution.
'No telling what will appear here. Better to keep an eye out.' Cloud thought with caution.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Chasing the Torrents)
Keeping his eyes across the surroundings to detect any threats, he cautiously went through the Guili Plains. Though there were no monsters around, this didn't lower his guard. He could hear a growling sound from nearby, keeping his guard up. He soon noticed four creatures that sported a large mane of hair. Their limbs were wrapped in bandages, but their chest and feet were bare. The only article of clothing was a loincloth around their waist. They all had masks on, which obscured their faces. Overall, they looked like goblins in appearance. They were sitting near a campfire.
'So those are Hilichurls. They almost look no different than goblins. Knowing the same monsters back in Gaia, some might have found ways to harness the power of the elements. Better be careful, especially that large one.' Cloud thought.
The creature he mentioned in question was burly, easily three times larger than an average Hilichurl. It held a large battle axe that looked chipped and worn from countless battles. Dried blood stained the edge of the blade.
'I recall Ganyu mentioning something called a Mitachurl. They must act like a leader whenever they're near.' Cloud thought in observation.
Being cautious, the swordsman attempted to sneak through them, using the darkness to his advantage. Though they couldn't see him, a loud crunch from a snapping twig got their attention. They were all up in arms, looking for the source of the sound. Cloud was forced to hide at a nearby bush, tossing a rock away from their sight to divert their attention. The rock soon got the Hilichurls and Mitachurl to head to where the rock was thrown. They growled in response, looking around to find any intruders. With no one in sight, they soon returned to their camp, but were wary.
'That was close… I really don't have to fight those guys if I have an opportunity. However, this road they're camping on may make other travelers get attacked from them.' Cloud thought.
Placing his Buster Sword on his back, Cloud soon equipped his new weapon. The Katsuragikiri Nagamasa appeared to his right hand, ready for combat.
'Now or never.' Cloud thought.
Raising his sword up, he leaped to a nearby Hilichurl, cleaving it down. It caused a death cry that alerted the others. The remaining three had various weapons. One had a club while the other two used crossbows. Cloud noticed them charging their shots with elemental energy.
"These guys can manipulate the elements to a degree. Better be careful." He noted to himself.
Two crossbow bolts were launched at him with near perfect accuracy. One was charged with fire while the other was charged with electricity. Upon making impact, a phenomenon happened. A powerful explosion occurred, which got Cloud alerted. This was the Overload reaction.
'So Pyro and Electro can make explosions due to the thermal and electric energy being too much to handle. That might come in handy against my foes. I just have to be careful to avoid being a victim of this reaction.' Cloud thought.
Channeling Anemo on his blade, he created a blade of wind that carved down one of the crossbow wielding Hilichurls. He knew it was the one using Pyro, due to the bolt being set alight.
'If I can mix my wind powers with the fire…' Cloud thought.
Having an idea, he soon channeled a blade of wind that touched the small fire. It was absorbed and created a fiery blade that soon raced its way to the other crossbow wielding Hilichurl that was using Electro. Before he could fire another bolt, the Pyro-enhanced wind blade came to it. The fire soon touched the bolt that was charged with electricity, causing Overload to occur. The resulting explosion tossed the Hilichurl into the air, taking it down.
"That leaves the big guy…" Cloud spoke in a cold voice.
The Mitachurl soon began to stick its left hand in the ground. It pulled out a fiery creature that looked amorphous. Cloud watched with surprise as the monster soon doused its battle axe with fiery coating, making it glow red-orange. It soon hurled the creature to Cloud like a bomb, forcing the swordsman to evade.
'That thing used some kind of elemental slime to enhance its weapon? These guys are smarter than they look.' Cloud thought.
Soon, the Mitachurl swung its battle axe, creating a fiery shockwave. It soon leaped into the air, making an eruption of fire upon slamming the ground. Cloud was forced into the defense, avoiding the resulting attacks.
'Now that is smart usage of what it has done. Still, if that axe has been doused with fiery slime, it should amplify my Anemo abilities by extension. I still recall the fight against the Fatui back at Inazuma.' Cloud recalled.
He soon created a blade of wind by swinging his sword overhead. It raced its way to the Mitachurl. The wind began to contact the fiery slime on the battle axe, causing the fire to spread. Swirl was triggered, causing a firestorm that doused the Mitachurl with fire, along with the grass it stood on. Despite the grass now turned into a fire hazard, the Mitachurl barely registered the damage. However, it did flinch from the firestorm that was created from Cloud's Vision.
'Gotta hand it to this big guy, it merely shrugged off the fire from its surroundings. They remind me of hobgoblins.' Cloud thought.
The Mitachurl soon swung the battle axe horizontally, forcing the swordsman to leap back to avoid the attack. Another horizontal swing soon came, leaving little time for Cloud to process. Reflexively, he lifted his sword to block the blow. What he didn't anticipate was the force of the battle axe, including the heat from the fiery essence, weighing down on him. It buckled his legs briefly till the Mitachurl stopped. It was breathing heavily to regain its stamina from swinging its battle axe too much. This small window of a chance was what Cloud needed for an advantage. With a battle cry, he pushed forward, knocking the battle axe away from his weapon. Charging his Anemo powers, he soon performed one of his attacks.
'Cross-slash.' He mentally said.
Drawing the kanji for bane with the air (凶), the wind soon howled, absorbing the fiery essence. The cuts were so fast and clean, the Mitachurl groaned before falling to the ground in defeat. Its body was too weak to take any more punishment. Cloud soon had Katsuragikiri Nagamasa placed in its scabbard before it disappeared from plain sight.
'I'm definitely liking this new sword.' Cloud mused with a smile.
(Chasing the Torrents OST ends here)
[]
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Sojourner's Sweet Dreams)
The cool breeze across the plains billowed in the air. It was cold enough to notice the change of the seasons. The air was cool and crisp, hinting the approach of winter. Cloud noticed he was still far off from Dragonspine, evident of the mountain being visible from the background. It was still too far away for the mountain's climate to start affecting Liyue.
'Better to find a place to rest at or camp out. The night is quite dangerous to continue moving. Plus, I haven't had a chance to eat a meal.' Cloud thought.
Across the Guili Plains, there was a large bridge made of wood and stone. Cloud noticed the north end of the plains showing a path over the river.
'Hmmmm… There appears to be a large building up ahead. It looks like a large inn.' The swordsman thought.
The large building appeared similar to a pagoda, easily reaching a few ten stories up. The pagoda had a large tree, from which the building was built around it. The thick branches acted as support for the balconies. Judging by the location, it served as a landmark in the region. Cloud noticed his map was giving an update of info.
'So this is the Wangshu Inn in this region called the Bishui Plains. From what I can see, there is a river called the Bishui River that flows here. Looks like I was right after all.' Cloud thought.
Making his way to the large building, he felt at peace. To his relief, he wasn't hearing Sephiroth's voice.
'The medicine I have from Doctor Baizhu did wonders for me. Perhaps it has been suppressing Sephiroth's influence from me. Still, I have little time to ponder about it. I have to reach Mondstadt.' Cloud thought with determination.
Though he was determined, he felt exhausted after the constant traveling. He was also hungry, feeling somewhat famished from his travels.
'I should get a place to rest and a quick bite to eat. I can't continue on if I'm just out there without any food.' Cloud thought.
He soon made his way to the entrance to the building. He soon saw the name.
'Wangshu Inn… Just as the map said, this is the area.' Cloud thought.
A waitress soon noticed Cloud's arrival. The woman in question had chocolate brown hair with gray eyes, appearing in her early twenties. She was wearing a worker dress that appeared dark brown with a yellow front with the Geo elemental symbol embalmed.
"Welcome to the Wangshu Inn. How may I be of service?" The woman asked to Cloud.
"I would like a table for one person." Cloud responded.
"Right this way then, sir." The woman directed.
Cloud soon found a table to sit at. It was outside the inn, but it was well lit. Light from the nearby lanterns made it a safe haven for the people. The swordsman felt the wisps of the wind blowing around him. For a moment, he felt a presence watching him before it vanished.
'Odd… For a moment I thought I sensed someone in the wind.' Cloud thought.
The woman soon arrived with a menu.
"Please let me know what you're planning to order, sir." The woman said.
"Sure, miss…" Cloud paused.
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Yuhua. I'm the current waitress of the Wangshu Inn." The woman named Yuhua introduced.
"I'm Cloud. Cloud Strife." Cloud followed.
"Well then, Cloud. Please have a look at the menu so I can have your meal ready." Yuhua said.
Cloud noticed the several meals. To his pleasant surprise, there was Almond Tofu, Bamboo Shoot Soup, and Tianshu Meat. Much to his hidden delight, they remind him of his days in his home village back in Gaia.
"Excuse me, Miss Yuhua. I would like Almond Tofu please." Cloud requested.
"Coming right up. This meal is a local specialty for this inn." Yuhua spoke.
Cloud waited for a few minutes. He admired the calming breeze, feeling its essence around him. The wind billowed around his hair, causing it to look brighter due to the light shining it at certain angles. His eyes closed in peace in the relaxing current.
'I really could get used to this presence of the wind… Such a calm presence…' He thought with relief.
Soon, Yuhua provided the meal to Cloud, whom was relaxed. She soon gave the table a brief tap. This brought the swordsman back to reality after slipping away in comfort from the wind.
"Sorry to disturb you, Cloud. Your meal is ready and provided." Yuhua spoke.
"Forgive me. Ever since I earned this Vision, the wind has been producing a soothing effect to me." Cloud apologized.
Yuhua noticed Cloud's Vision and was surprised to see the Anemo symbol. Even more surprising to her was the appearance of it, hinting its origin.
"That's an Inazuma Vision. How were you able to procure yours without being taken from the Electro Archon?" Yuhua asked with surprise.
"It's a long story." Cloud answered.
Cloud soon began to eat his meal. He savored the taste of the almond tofu, finding it appetizing. It made him briefly remind him of his home village.
'Nibelheim… How I wish my village didn't have to deal with that awful incident. At least I found a remnant of my past that I never thought to find here.' Cloud thought with nostalgia.
He ate his meal with a calm expression. It was a brief moment of sad nostalgia that was shown on his face before quickly hiding it in his serious demeanor. Much to his relief, no one saw it.
'How nostalgic to eat this… My mother used to make this back when I was a kid…' He thought sadly.
Finishing his meal, he soon provided the money to pay for his meal.
'About 240 Mora for a dish. Still, a pleasant meal to have. Now I need to find a room to settle in.' Cloud though, looking at the inn.
Noticing Cloud's curiosity of the inn, Yuhua began explaining to him.
"If you want to rent a room for the night, you can talk with Huai'an. He is the innkeeper of this place. He's right over there, standing near the pathway to the inn." Yuhua spoke, pointing to a male figure.
The male in question was inspecting the nearby bonsai plants. He appeared young, looking in his early 30s. His hair was a dark brown color, with a matching mustache and pointed beard. His uniform consisted of a changshan which had dark sleeves with white wrist cuffs with yellow ropes, a grey vest robe, a white robe under, and black boots with yellow bands.
"That's the innkeeper?" Cloud inquired curiously.
"Yes. He's the innkeeper of this place. Speak to him if you wish to stay the night here." Yuhua confirmed.
Cloud thanked the waitress for her information. He soon walked to the man, whom was still tending a bonsai tree.
"Excuse me, Mr. Huai'an?" Cloud pardoned.
The man soon looked to Cloud upon hearing his name.
"Pardon my tending to the bonsai trees. I've been taking care of them for some time. Aside from that, welcome to Wangshu Inn. Are you looking for a place to stay?" The man named Huai'an asked.
"Yes. I would like to rest for the night." Cloud answered.
"The price will be 200 Mora. You can choose room to stay in. If you want to have a nice view, I recommend the top floor." Huai'an suggested.
"I'll take the top floor then." Cloud agreed.
Paying the Mora, he soon made his way to the top floor. The view was mesmerizing, easily showing the landscape all around his sight.
"He wasn't kidding. The view here is amazing." Cloud commented.
Sleep finally reached to his mind. The swordsman placed his Buster Sword near a drawer before drifting away in a calm sleep. Cloud didn't experience any form of Sephiroth's influence while he slept.
(Sojourner's Sweet Dreams OST ends here)
[]
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Cozy Leisure Time)
Cloud woke up from his sleep. The sun was rising in the sky, providing light to the ground. He soon got up and got himself ready for the day.
'Time to pay for breakfast and be on my way.' Cloud thought.
Stepping outside his room, Cloud breathed the fresh air that billowed. It was quite warm, indicating a passage of spring due to the air being bathed in the scent of pollen. Though the swordsman took a nice whiff, the pollen tickled his nose, causing him to sneeze.
"Bless you." A male voice spoke to him.
Cloud looked to where the voice was, but there was no one near him. Confused, he wondered if he was hearing things. The voice didn't sound like Sephiroth.
'I must be imagining things.' He thought.
[]
Making his way to the restaurant section of the inn, Cloud soon took a seat. Yuhua was seen providing customers their orders till she saw Cloud taking his seat.
"Good morning, Cloud. Are you about to continue your adventure?" She asked.
"I am. I have a destination to reach and it lies beyond Dragonspine." Cloud said.
"You mean Mondstadt? So you're heading to the Anemo Archon's region." Yuhua deduced.
"Yes. It pertain to a medical condition that I have to treat and the Archon is my only chance for a cure." Cloud spoke.
"I see. I wish you luck for your journey. Before setting off, what would you like to have for breakfast?" Yuhua asked.
Cloud looked at the menu that was provided to him from the waitress. He made his choice soon after.
"I'll have the Bamboo Shoot Soup." Cloud requested.
"Right away." Yuhua acknowledged.
During the time of preparation for his meal, Cloud noticed a male figure whom was standing on a tree branch near the Wangshu Inn. The male was wearing a white sleeveless shirt with subtle cloud patterns. It has a high black collar with golden accents, with its left side extending further to cover his shoulder. He had baggy dark purple pants with dark purple boots overtop. The male has black and dark turquoise gloves with gold decals and a necklace. Around his left arm, he wears a white and gold sleeve with a red lining. He notably carries an Anemo Vision on his left glove and is usually seen carrying what appears to be a Yaksha mask on the back of his right hip. For his physical appearance, the male has dark medium-length hair with teal undertones, pale skin, golden irises with avian pupils, and red eyeshadow. He also has a purple diamond marking on his forehead and a green tattoo around his right arm. Overall, he appeared to be in his late teens.
'I know this presence. It was that same feeling I got from yesterday. It must have been him since I felt the wind billow unusually.' Cloud thought.
The male soon turned, noticing Cloud staring at him. His Vision began to resonate, beckoning him to the swordsman.
'Who is this person? He bears the same elemental power I do. Yet, I don't sense anything evil from him. If anything, he's just a traveler.' The male thought.
Weary of Cloud's staring, he soon vanished in wisps of wind. This got the swordsman in surprise.
'He disappeared with the wind. I can no longer sense him now.' Cloud thought.
Soon, Yuhua provided his meal. This got Cloud's attention, smelling the soup.
"Thank you for the food." Cloud said.
He began to eat the soup. He found the taste quite pleasant. The broth of the soup was a savory flavor to him. Highlighting the soup was the chopped bamboo shoots and meat, giving it a rich aftertaste.
'Such a savory taste. I'm liking this soup.' Cloud thought.
Finishing his meal while savoring the taste, Cloud paid the waitress and continued his journey.
[]
At the outskirts of the Wangshu Inn, Cloud was about to head north till a breeze made itself known. The swordsman sensed someone was near.
"I know you're near. You don't have to be wary of my presence." Cloud spoke out.
The male figure soon made himself known, crossing his arms. He kept a wary expression on his face.
"You're not native from Inazuma, yet I see a Vision from the same region. What are you?" The male questioned.
"I'm but a traveler, reaching to Mondstadt to deal with an illness. My only hope is to reach the Anemo Archon to help cure this condition." Cloud answered.
"Very well then. You show truth in your words." The male spoke.
Cloud, for some reason, could tell the male was holding a heavy weight on his shoulders. The swordsman sympathized with the male, juxtaposing his previous life in Gaia with the male.
"Don't let your burdens overcome you. One day, you might find camaraderie whom shares the same burden." Cloud spoke wisely.
The male looked to Cloud with mild surprise before regaining his weary demeanor. The swordsman's words echoed in his mind.
"What is your name?" The male asked.
"I'm Cloud Strife and you?" Cloud introduced.
"Xiao." The male named Xiao followed.
Soon, Xiao disappeared with the wind. Cloud understood his demeanor, not wanting to be in crowds for long. He attributed this due his belief of being the warrior he was.
'Reminds me of how I was when I thought I was in SOLDIER. Sadly, I knew I never made it into the program.' Cloud thought, reminiscing his past grimly.
(Cozy Leisure Time OST ends here)
[]
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Loner's Departure)
Cloud was now on his own. Heading north across the bridge away from the Wangshu Inn, his map once again notified him of a nearby Statue of the Seven. The map also showed a new subregion. It was named Dihua Marsh.
'So there is a nearby Statue of the Seven… Looks like I'll be able to see how the Archon is perceived.' He thought.
He soon made his way through the marshland, finding the statue in the process. Upon touching it, the red statue turned blue. The statue's appearance depicted a male figure with a robe that obscured the upper half of the face, leaving the chin and lower face exposed. The figure was partially robed from the waist down, leaving it bare chested. The figure was sitting what appears to be a construct thrown made from the earth with various pillars at the back. On the statue's right hand, there was a small cube made from the earth that was compressed. It glowed in an amber yellow color.
"So the regions do have different appearances for their Statues of the Seven. That makes things interesting to note of." Cloud spoke with analysis.
The statue resonated with his presence. It soon produced a Vision that was gray in color with no elemental symbol. Cloud caught the Vision in question, but he pondered as to why the statue produced it.
"Weird. The Statue gave me this Vision, but I already have one from Inazuma. What's also surprising is the Vision bears the same style from Inazuma, despite being in Liyue." Cloud noted.
He looked at the Vision with an analytical eye. Though with constant inspection, he was unable to find any answers.
"Why did this Statue in particular bestowed me with an Inazuma Vision? What's worse is, the Vision is not reacting in any way." Cloud spoke to himself.
Finding more questions to answer, he set the thoughts aside to focus on heading to Mondstadt. Recalling on using the map's magical feature of sending mail to a recipient, he bang writing his new discovery to Raiden.
"Hope she gets informed. I'll have to explain what I know so far." Cloud commented.
Having recalled his primary objective, he continued north. Soon, he stumbled upon a fork in the road, which split in two paths. One continued northward while the other led to the icy Dragonspine mountain. Cloud knew he was taking a big risk to scale the mountain to reach Mondstadt. He opted to continue heading north.
(Loner's Departue OST ends here)
[]
Upon making his choice, Cloud saw three lizard-like creatures that appeared to be the size of an adult human. Their bodies had glowing yellow stones on them. They were spinning and dashing across the plains.
'Those must be the Geovishaps that Ganyu warned me of. They seem to be in their juvenile appearance so I should keep my guard up.' The swordsman thought.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Gallant Challenge)
The Geovishaps took notice and made their way to Cloud. He performed a stylish side flip, narrowly avoiding a spin dashing Geovishap. Before Cloud had a chance to strike, it soon buried itself underground, digging up yellow glowing crystals. The other Geovishaps soon dug underground, producing the same yellow glowing crystals.
'What's with those crystals? They seem to hold a distinctive aura. Maybe if I touch it…' Cloud thought.
Upon being touched, the crystal soon formed a spherical shield of an amber yellow aura around Cloud's body. Soon the Geovishaps appeared in the open. They were charging their next attack via spin dashing. The swordsman procured his new weapon, Katsuragikiri Nagamasa, at his left hand while holding his Buster Sword on his right hand. He held his swords in an X-shaped defense position. Soon, the Geovishaps dashed to Cloud. However, they only managed to impact on the amber yellow shield, deflecting them out of their attack. This left them helpless, allowing him to take them out.
'Here goes…!' He thought.
Cloud dashed to the first vulnerable Geovishap before stabbing it in the heart with the Buster Sword. It's skin was tough to break, but Cloud's strength allowed it to pierce through. He soon went to the second Geovishap, stabbing its head with Katsuragikiri Nagamasa.
'I feel bad for fighting them, but we have to do so to survive.' Cloud thought grimly.
The last Geovishap soon got itself ready to fight back. It performed a spin attack by rolling in the air and bouncing on the ground. There were shockwaves made from the creature's body, forcing Cloud to keep his distance. Soon, the creature tried to use its claws to attack him. The swordsman was able to deflect the attack, but it caused the shield he had to shatter.
"Tch…" He grunted.
He was forced back from the force of claws. It wasn't enough to knock him off his feet, but it had enough force to push him back.
'This won't be an easy fight, I'll admit.' Cloud thought.
The remaining Geovishap soon performed a horizontal spin. It was turning itself into a buzz saw, using its rocky spines with incredible speed. Cloud tried to block it with his Buster Sword, but the impact was too much. The force managed to knock him back off his feet, propelling him in the air. He quickly performed a back flip to recover from the attack.
"Ugh…" He grunted in pain, coughing up small blood droplets.
'That impact attack managed to damage me internally. I can't take too much from it, lest I risk my life.' Cloud thought.
He soon regained his composure and watched as the Geovishap was about to dig underground. The amber yellow glowing crystals were produced, allowing Cloud to absorb them and form an elemental shield. The Geovishap soon attempted to spin dash to Cloud, only for the shield to take the blow and deflect them, leaving it helpless. The swordsman wasted no time and created blades of wind from swinging both of his swords in an X-shaped attack.
'Dual Blade Beam!' He thought.
The usage of the Anemo powers allowed Cloud to use this upgraded form of the standard Blade Beam. The shockwaves rushed their way to the creature before impacting with a fierce wind. The remaining Geovishap soon perished, allowing Cloud to relax.
(Gallant Challenge OST ends here)
Cloud soon had his weapons dissipate from his hands. His Buster Sword remained on his back, but Katsuragikiri Nagamasa soon came with its scabbard attached to his right hip. The sword was glowing in a dull purple color that appeared calm.
'Guess it has a degree of sentience. I wouldn't mind it having to help me.' Cloud thought.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Plain of Nostalgia)
Cloud soon noticed his map reacting to the region he's in. It soon showed the name.
'The Stone Gate… This road will lead me to the region of Mondstadt…' The swordsman thought.
Following the path, he soon found wooden bridges built along the bases of the steep mountains around them. This helped him makes his way to Mondstadt with ease.
'This path has been useful for my quest. It took me till the afternoon to reach where o need to go.' Cloud mused in thought.
His map soon began to flash before a letter was provided. Cloud assumed it was from Raiden, whom he knew responded.
-Cloud-san, are you okay? Have you made your way to your destination?- The letter read.
Cloud soon wrote back with reassuring words. He notified her of his current situation and his progress.
"Time to head to the land of Anemo." Cloud spoke with determination.
Treading through the wooden bridges, he managed to find the path to his destination. The wind billowed with a crisp, cool breeze that was calming to Cloud. The very air was brimming with the essence of Anemo, causing the wind around him to blow gently around his body.
'It seems I'm on the right track. The wind here is brimming with the energy of Anemo here.' Cloud thought analytically.
The other was clearly shown after walking through the wooden bridges. It followed a small river that was flowing with cold meltwater from the glaciers of the Dragonspine mountain. Nearby, the mountain was looking with an icy storm, but it wasn't reaching anywhere close to where Cloud was.
'It seems all that ice and snow have been feeding the rivers not just in Liyue, but probably Mondstadt too. If I don't want to get lost, I should follow where the path leads.' The swordsman thought.
Cloud soon followed the river northward. The river near him was giving a soft blue color. It was cold to the touch, yet very refreshing. The ambient minerals made the river turn near ocean blue, making it appear brighter in the sunlight.
'Whoever said there's respite with nature obviously knows what they endured… It's peaceful out here.' Cloud thought.
(Plain of Nostalgia ends here)
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Chasing the Torrent)
However, Cloud was interrupted by two crossbow bolts that were fired near him. Both nearly grazed his face, causing him to jump back.
"What the?" He exclaimed.
Tracing where the bolts came from, the swordsman spotted two Hilichurls armed with crossbows. They were about to load another bolt on their weapons.
"Snipers… Guess they would choose this place either to hunt or deter adventurers." Cloud surmised.
There were several bodies of fish near the Hilichurls, easily tipping on what they were doing. Cloud sighed in response, but knew they have to be dealt with before someone else could get hurt.
"Sorry to interrupt your hunt, but I was just passing by." Cloud spoke with a hint of disdain.
He dashed with the wind to the first Hilichurl. He had Katsuragikiri Nagamasa in hand, ready to strike down the creature. When Cloud struck with a quick swipe that was aided by the power of Anemo, the Hilichurl made a death throb before falling to the ground motionless.
'One more left…' He thought.
The distance between him and the last Hilichurl gave it a chance to fire another bolt at him. Cloud took a front leap, forward flipping in the air, which allowed him to dodge the bolt.
"My turn…" He threatened.
Equipping his Buster Sword, Cloud soon swung up in the air, dragging the Hilichurl in the process. It was knocked up airborne, but the assault didn't stop. Cloud was channeling his Anemo power in his body, allowing him to ascend while spinning like a diagonal buzzsaw. The force and movement of the attack managed to eviscerate the Hilichurl. It soon fell lifeless to the ground.
"And there was one…" Cloud commented, landing on the ground.
(Chasing the Torrents OST ends here)
Having dealt the finishing blow, Cloud swiped his swords to clean them off. Having no stains on them, Katsuragikiri Nagamasa soon manifested its scabbard before reattaching itself to Cloud's right hip. The scabbard had a cloth called a sageo, which appeared ethereal purple. It seemed to glow bright with electricity, but Cloud noticed there was no electric charge.
'This sword feels like an extension of Raiden's presence. Perhaps through it, I have a connection?' Cloud thought.
Unable to find a concise explanation, he left the pondering aside to focus on his journey to reach Mondstadt.
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(Play Genshin Impact OST - Twlight Serenity)
Cloud was treading across the path to Mondstadt. He soon saw two jagged cliffs with a nearby river that was feeding into a large lake. The water was still cold, but it mattered little to him.
'Might as well wash my face since I had a long journey. The sun is starting to set.' Cloud thought, noticing the sunset.
He took a handful of water and splashed his face, feeling refreshed with the wind billowing. The cold touch of the mineral rich water was a pleasant feeling to him.
'Though I may have a heart of a warrior, I can't forget my country ways… It's been a part of me since childhood.' Cloud thought with a smile.
The air was very pleasant for Cloud. The breeze flowed calmly with the sensation of a soft bed comforter to the swordsman. Though he knew he was far from his destination, he knew that it was close by.
'The region of Mondstadt… Said to be the realm of the Anemo Archon. It sure is pleasant here…' The swordsman thought.
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Elsewhere, in another area of Mondstadt, there was a figure with a fishing pole at a large body of water. The figure was female with blonde hair, fiery-gold eyes, and pale skin. The hair was chin-length except for two locks of shoulder-length hair framing her face. She has two light-blue flowers pinned on the right side of her head and two pale blue feathers tucked at the left. She was wearing a sleeveless, backless, box pleated white dress held up by crossed black straps. She had a long two-tailed scarf, with each tail having a gold, flat diamond-shaped ornament attached to the tip of the tail. Her legwear consists of angled thigh-high stockings and white ankle-high boots. Her expression seems solemn, lonely for time immeasurably passed.
"I do not know how long I've been stranded here in this world. That unknown god separated me from my brother and I don't know how will I be able to find any leads." The girl spoke with a soft, solemn tone.
Soon, her fishing rod began to be pulled in. She soon pulled it away from the water. Much to her shock, it wasn't a fish that she pulled out. Rather, it was a small petite female figure.
"Eh?" She spoke in confusion.
(Twilight Serenity OST ends here)