"Are you sure about this Cinder?" Emerald asked she walked next to her leader.
"Yes, we tail them and maybe find their weakness eliminating two Nevermore with one bullet."
"What about your plan for the CCT?" Mercury asked.
"That plan is already on schedule during the Beacon dance I will strike the CCT to plant the Virus Watts made." They then suddenly stopped and hid in an alleyway.
There they looked at Ren who is currently looking for a suit with Jaune, the female members of Team JNPR separated from them due to the female formal clothing shop being on another street.
"Why are we hiding?" Mercury asked as he stood behind Cinder.
"To observe." There they saw Jaune picking a suit that fits him and Ren judging if it made Jaune looked good.
"This is a waste of time Boss." Mercury retorted as he started walking away.
"Mercury." Mercury looked at Cinder and Emerald and exhaled a deep sigh.
"What did I do to deserve this." Mercury muttered to himself.
They continued following the pair who made their way to different shops. And after all those endeavours the team met up again.
Mercury looked at Cinder and Emerald and smirked.
Cinder was growling at him but didn't pry further accepting her misjudgment.
Emerald on the other hand growled at Mercury ready to attack him at any given moment. Mercury just shrugged and walked away.
"Emerald." Cinder reprimanded her. Emerald clicked her tongue as she looked away.
From afar unnoticed by Cinder and Emerald were Jaune and Ren who were looking at them.
"So you noticed them too?" Jaune asked.
"Been following us since we left this morning" Jaune's eyes widen in surprise.
"Their leader is looking at me, if looks can kill I would be dead since yesterday." Ren sighed after saying this.
"Sounds tough, what can I do to help?" Jaune asked but Ren shook his head.
"Nothing, let's just let them do what they want." Jaune just looked at Ren.
"Your call just tell me if you need help." Jaune said as he pats Ren's shoulder.
"Will do." Ren nodded as they meetup with Nora and Pyrrha.
Jaune stirred awake from the rooms in one the abandoned building they hid upon. There he saw Paimon sleeping next to him. He looked at the door that was locked and his sword and sheathe/shield on the wall's side, his armour on the table.
Jaune slowly got up from the bed and walked towards the table to put on his armor and strapped his sheathe on his waist.
Jaune looked around the hallways to see if something or someone broke in. Seeing as everything was the same when he slept he shrugged and made his way back into the room to pick Paimon.
Paimon slept in Jaune's arm as Jaune made his way out the house and straight to Mondstadt gates, there he saw the knights going about their way.
They saw Jaune and greeted him, Jaune greeted back .
He went straight towards the Angel's Share luckily it was Diluc who was manning the counter.
"Hm? Jaune? What can I help you with?"
"Hide us, please." Jaune looked at him seriousness in his eyes. Paimon in his arm still asleep.
"Get to back." Diluc said as he asked one of his men to man the counter.
Jaune bowed to him in thanks with Paimon still on his arm. Diluc gestured him to come with him to which Jaune followed.
Jaune laid the still sleeping Paimon on a table.
"Speak now."
"Fatui attacked me and Venti when we were returning the Holy Lyre." This made Diluc's eyes widen.
"Continue."
"They were after this." Jaune pulled out the Gnosis infront of Diluc.
"May I ask what this is?"
"Gnosis. That's all I've found out." Diluc looked at the Gnosis.
"We need Lord Barbatos' for his knowledge in this matter. I'll arrange you the fastest horse towards the Dawn Winery to keep you and Paimon safe, stay inside the mansion. I will send a message for Adelinde and Elzer so they can take you in." Jaune gave thanks as he hid the Gnosis.
"I will have my men look for Lord Barbatos. Do they know what you look like?"
"Yes. I retaliated against a woman who has a cryo vision when we were attacked. They know what I look like."
"Pale woman with white hair?" Diluc asked only for Jaune to nodded.
"Tch. Just my luck." Just as Diluc finished his letter one of his men opened the door that leads to the counter.
"Master Diluc. It's...The Fatui."
"I'll be right there. Jaune can you ride a horse?" Jaune tried to recall one of the memories in his visions.
"Yes."
"Good. I'll keep them here. Charles get our men have them protect Jaune until he arrives to the Winery, I'll try to divert them them. Jaune forgive me but you must hand your sword here." Diluc said.
Jaune looked at him. His hand on his sword's handle. Then with a click he unstrapped it and handed it to Diluc.
"Take this." Diluc threw a sword towards him.
"That was my sword before I left the Knights." Jaune looked at the sword in his hand a white sheath in his hand the blade's guard is designed who looks like a white wing its handle is black with its pommel is an eagle.
its blade is pure silver-ish white with its fuller black in color with a wavy design in the middle that is white in color.
Teal colored glowing elemental gems etched inside the cross guard and the fuller.
"That's a standard sword wielded by Knights of Favonious. Take good care of it."
"I will though I hope you can bring Crocea Mors back to me after this."
"Hmph you don't have to worry about your weapon. Give me your armor and clothes also." Jaune complied. He was given an outfit that is the same as Diluc's.
"I'll deal with this first. Charles order one of the men here to look after the horses." Diluc left for the front.
Jaune donned the outfit that Diluc has given him.
"Isn't this just his clothes?" Jaune grumbled as he adjust the gloves. Jaune looked at Paimon who is still asleep.
"Dealt with them. Oh. You look better in that. Anyways take this hair coloring and this cloak." Diluc said a he handed him a black cloak and a hair coloring with color of red.
"Ill go first then you will go after me and my men leave."
Jaune nodded. Then he remembered something.
"If someone asked about me ask them What my weapon's name is. If they answered Crocea Mors that's my friend Lie Ren. I'll still tell you his looks, skinny feminine looking man with black hair and some strand on his bangs are pink." Diluc nodded as he wrote Ren's appearance.
"I'll see you at the Winery." Diluc said as he pulled up the hood and ran to the back. Jaune didn't looked and only listened for the sound of the horse hooves echoing until it was far. Jaune sighed as he waited for a minutes to pass.
The the back door open there he saw people in dark cloaking gesturing him to follow. Jaune woke Paimon up.
"Jaune? What up? What are you wearing?"
"Shhhh. Go inside your pocket dimension thing, I need to hide from the Fatui." Paimon immediately nodded and hid inside her Constellation portal thing. Jaune then went outside of the Tavern and got up in one the horses.
With a flick of the reins eleven horses went and raced out of the Mondstadt gates with shadows following behind them.
"Hyah!" Jaune yelled as he urged his horse to go faster.
"Were being chased!" One of the guards yelled
"Protect Master Diluc!!" One yelled as they all draw their Weapons.
One of the guard pulled out a Book and aimed his left hand towards the attackers.
Wind started to gather on his hand as it barreled straight to one of the assailants.
"Fatui!" Another one yelled the formation changed from diamond with Jaune in the middle to a triangle with Jaune still in the middle.
"The diversion didn't work?" Asked on of the guards .
"This is probably a smaller unit. Anyways lets focus. We have an important person to escort." The leader of the guards said as he warily looked around.
"Assailants has been delayed we can move faster now." One of the guards reported from behind. Just as they were about to go faster an eagle flew in front.
"Master Diluc's messenger bird?" The leader took the scroll of the eagle's claws. His eyes straightened and focused.
"Change of Plans, all of you follow me." The leader said as he moved to the very middle of the triangle.
"Switch formation to column." The leader said as he blew his horns six times.
"Sir Jaune stick with my partner, I will take the lead." Jaune nodded as he followed the Leader's partner. The group moved to a column.
"Were taking a detour!" The Leader said as he move to the right path instead of the left path that leads straight to the winery.
As they move closer and close they saw a natural bridge infront of them from there they went through under the natural bridge.
As they all passed they saw the Fatui still following them but as the Fatui was about to go under the natural bridge, one of the fatui agent was stopped by an arrow to the chest. From there they saw people jumping down the natural bridge, Jaune saw a familiar sword and the devastating sword swings from said sword.
Diluc has arrived and set up an ambush.
"Everyone! Attack!!" The leader said as he turned his horse back sword drawn and rushed towards the fray.
"OOOORAAAAGHH!!!" All of his men followed with a war cry.
Caught off guard the Fatui agents fell one by one.
"Jaune. Your sword." Diluc said as he handed the sword and sheathe to Jaune.
"Keep the sword it might help you in your future endeavors and I've already cut ties with the knights, I think it's best for the Honorary Knight have that blade." Diluc smiled as he drew his claymore.
"Now go to the Winery post haste." Diluc said as whirlwind of flames surrounded him.
Jaune nodded and rode his horse and followed the path when he looked back he a flame phoenix flying.
Jaune muttered a thank you as he made his way to the Winery.
With the wind brushing from his face and his former blonde now red colored hair fluttered in the deep dark night.
"Pancakes on a stick!!" A ginger woke up from her nap.
Her hammer on her back as she stood up, she was greeted by a sea of sand.
"Woah." She anticlimactically said.
"Ok, this isn't what I was expecting when arriving in another world." Glint of seriousness appeared in her eyes as she scouted her surroundings.
"Now what did Ren say when I'm lost?" She made a thinking post and close her eyes.
"Oh yeah find civilization!" She made an exaggerated scouting position and saw a statue.
"Statue found!" She immediately rushed towards the statue with her hammer on her shoulder.
Leaving everything and everyone that get in her way either unconscious or destroyed.
"We're finally here." Beidou said as her ship slowly docks on Mondstadt's docks.
"Welcome to Mondstadt." She said as Ren walked to her side followed by Kazuha.
Ren took in the scenery.
"Such place, beautiful."
"You still haven't seen the best of the world little boy." Beidou grinned as she gestured for Ren to follow.
"My crew has already spoken with the knights here, we're just going to drop you off, get some supplies, then we will be off to Liyue harbor." Beidou explained.
"I see. Thank Captain Beidou for your hospitality." Ren gave her a bow.
"Awww! No need for that. You're a honorary member of The Crux Crew now!" Beidou said as she pats his shoulder as she ushered him to lift his head.
"I guess this is where we part ways." Kazuha said as he gave a small smile.
"I guess so." Ren looked at the docks.
"Though we will see each other next time." Ren added.
"That I can agree, here take this." Kazuha said as he pulled out a blade.
"This is?" Ren looked at the Katana.
"Just a blade that I used." Kazuha said as he holds the sword.
"Amenoma Kageuchi. It's a blade that was given to me when I helped a farmer's son." Kazuha started reminiscing but had to cut it short.
"You can keep the weapon, they have given me the way on how to forge the weapon so I can just have other one made." Kazuha grinned.
"Thank you, I'll take good care of it." Ren said as he strapped the sword on his waist and walked down the ramp that leads to the Mondstadt docks. He gave a final wave to The Crux crew as he made his way to the Mondstadt gate.
Ren gave a final look on the Crux crew.
And continued his way into he gates of Mondstadt.
"Oh Good Morning traveler, welcome to Mondstadt!" The guard greeted him with a bright smile.
Ren gave a nod and went through his way.
From there he saw what was inside of the wall, a peaceful abit noisy sight.
Ren walked towards the fountain where he saw a restaurant named Good Hunter.
As he was about to go there he saw a knight.
Ren tried to get the knight's attention to which he was successful.
"Hello there! How may I help you?"
"Can I ask for the direction of Angel's Share?"
"Angel's Share? I see! I was about to go there myself since I'm leaving my shift early. If you would just follow me!" The Knight enthusiastically said ad he walked towards a stairs that leads a building Ren looked at the sign and saw the name of the building.
"Here we are!" The knight opened the door from and there Ren saw the bustling tavern.
"How can I help you?"
"Charles! Give the usual!"
"Oh! Percy gotcha coming right up! How about you, sir?"
"Oh I'm here to ask if you know of a man named Jaune Arc." Ren asked.
The face of Charles suddenly changed as he gestured for Ren to move closer.
"Can you tell me the name of his weapon?"
"Hm? Oh it's Crocea Mors, a sword with white and gold sheath." Ren immediately answered to which Charles smiled.
"Give me a moment let me just serve Percy his drink." Charles proceeded to do his job as a bartender and after that he went back to talk with Ren.
"Master Diluc has asked me to give this to you." Charles handed him a emblem.
"Go to the back where the horses are there would be a man there. Show them the emblem and they will know what to do." Charles bade his farewell and went back to doing his job. Ren looked at the emblem that shows a metal eagle with red eye.
He followed what Charles said and went to the back from there he saw a man with a sword on his hip.
Ren showed to the emblem to which the man squinted and nodded.
"I hope you don't have motion sickness." The man said as he motion for Ren to sit on the horse.
"There's only one horse where will I- Oh you're going to-"
"Yes. Now get moving." Ren nodded as he went up the horse.
Jaune woke up and saw an unknown ceiling.
Well not really unknown since he woke up in one of the guest rooms of the Dawn Winery.
From there he saw the Favonious Sword and Crocea Mors, his coat is in the coat stand that was near the door.
He was still wearing Diluc's outfit when he went to sleep his hair coloring wasn't even removed.
After arriving to the Winery he was immediately taken inside by Elzer and Adelinde was taken care of by the Winery's maid and Diluc's assistant.
Jaune got up from his bed then he stood up and made his way to the weapons.
He took Crocea Mors and strapped it oh his waist.
Jaune held the Favonious sword just as he was about to think on what do to with it, Paimon came in to the room and spoke.
"You're finally awake! Hurry Adelinde cooked breakfast for us!!" She said as she saw Jaune looking at the sword.
"Woah! Where did you get that?" She went closer to the sword.
"It was Diluc's, he gave to me."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"I don't know I don't exactly have a storage to put it in."
"Hm? Wait I think Paimon can do something!" Paimon touched the sword in Jaune's hand, Jaune kept his eyes on the sword.
Small constellations wrapped around the sword as it vanished from his hand.
"What did you do?"
"Hehe!" She smugly but her face sank.
"Paimon doesn't actually know..." Jaune just looked at her which made her shrink.
He continued staring which made her shrink some more.
"W-well you know, Paimon just thought of making the sword vanish like when Paimon go into the constellations portal thingy." She briefly explained.
"Paimon?"
"Yes Jaune?" She fidgety asked as she looked at Jaune.
"You're the best traveling companion ever!!" He hugged her to his chest!!!
"This is a breakthrough!!! Wait!! Can you make the sword appear in my hand?"
"Uhhh... We can try?" Paimon closed her eyes as she pointed her hands on Jaune's open palm.
A blast of constellations appeared in Jaune's hand as it took the form of the sword. Jaune couldn't contain his excitement at this revelation.
"It's seems you have quite the energy this morning." Diluc said leaning on the door way of the guestroom.
"Absolutely look at this!! Paimon do it!" Paimon made the sword vanish and made it reappear again.
"That is interesting but we have much more pressing matters to tend to." Diluc 's face turn serious.
"We have found Lord Barbatos." Jaune smiled after hearing this
"That 's a great news!! But why the frown?" Diluc's face scowled.
"He's been captured by the Fatui." Jaune's smile faltered after hearing even Paimon gasped at the news.
"My men have informed me of the location of their base." Diluc paused.
"You're not joining the rescue." Jaune's eyes widens but complied.
"I know it's most likely a trap to lure me out." Jaune said to which Diluc nodded.
"Yes but worry not, I have coordinated with the knight about this. They have sent the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company, The Spindrift Knight, Eula Lawrence." Diluc said.
"You seemed Abit fond of this Eula, Diluc." Jaune gave a smirk.
"I do find Her determination to liberate herself from the shackles of her clan is praiseworthy. But, she's... joined the Knights of Favonius.On another note, I've also managed to ask sister Rosaria for her cooperation to which she agreed. This operation is going to be a big one due to me and my men raiding the Fatui base."
"What about me? What can I do to help?"
"It's either you keep hiding here or leave to Liyue."
"Tch When is the raid happening?"
"Two days from now."
"I see I'll will leave for Liyue, but after I meet with my friend."
"Who is on his way right now." Diluc added.
"Charles has sent me a message. They will arrive here after few hours."
"I see. Thank you for everything." Jaune said.
"I will give you and your friend a horse, try to go to this place when you do arrive there." Diluc handed a envelope with a name of a location.
"Baiju Inn?"
"Yes give that envelope to the owner and he will let you stay for how long you wish."
"Why is that?"
"Let's just say it's because of the Top quality wines I'm willing to make a small discount when they're going to buy it from me."
"Is it really fine to do that?"
"Hmph! Just because the Dandelion Wine is the winery's popular product doesn't mean the other wine can fall short to it."
"You don't have to worry about me Jaune just worry about yourself."
"Sure."
"I'm going to take my leave now."
"Good luck Diluc."
"Thank you." With that Diluc left the room.
"Jaune let's eat breakfast." Paimon cut in as her stomach grumbled.
"We've arrived." Ren looked at the mansion Infront of him.
His escort lead him to it's front door from the outside he saw workers tending the vineyard and Maids cleaning the surroundings.
Then he heard a bell. He saw a bell near the door, it was a doorbell.
They waited for a few second until a man with white hair greeted them.
He was ushered inside but his escort only gave a nodded to the man and left.
"You must be Sir Ren, pleasure to meet you my name is Elzer."
Elzer lead Ren inside and guided him towards the Dining room there Ren saw a man with Red hair and Blue eyes going to the dining room but the man stopped and saw him.
"Ren?" Ren started confusingly as the man with Red hair.
"Ren it's me Jaune!" The man showed Crocea Mors
"Jaune? Why is your hair?-"
"Let's talk about that later." Jaune said as he gave Ren a hug.
"Am I glad to see you."
"Likewise." Ren showed a small smile as Jaune separated from the hug. Ren then saw a floating little girl?
"Jaune who is that?"
"Oh! This is Paimon, my traveling companion. Paimon this Lie Ren my friend and teammate."
"Nice to meet you!" Paimon gave him a wave.
"It's nice to meet you too." Ren bowed in return.
"Hehe! Now let's go Jaune let's eat!!!" Paimon held Jaune's hand proceeded to pull him towards the dining room.
Ren chuckled and followed behind them.
"Welp. I've arrive, but there is no civilization." Nora said as she stood Infront of the statue behind her from a far a wreckage of a camp of some sort lit aflame.
"This sucks." Nora said as she sat on she ground.
Nora looked at the statue curiously as her hand touched it, the statue lit up when it made contact with her Aura then she suddenly felt a sharp headache rendering her unconscious.
She then started snoring.
I don't really know what to do next.
Sumeru is an unknown territory for me since I haven't got there yet.
Anyways another chapter!
I also want to thank Loveless and Avalon GX for the ideas it's been really helpful.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I'm not feeling that good when making this so please tell me if you see any grammatical errors I'll try to fix those right away.
I don't really have much to say to be honest.
Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter also I know some of you will say that Teyvat doesn't have horses and that the road from Mondstadt to Dawn winery isn't that far but let's just say this world is the realistic version of Teyvat meaning everything is bigger. Idk what I'm trying to prove here.
Just don't ask me why they have horses and why it would take a horse back ride to just get to the Winery from Mondstadt.