Dean POV:

The next few days have been rather hectic. Aether officially joined the Adventurers' Guild a few days ago. I can't believe he has the same adventure rank as me, I've been doing this a lot longer than him. The smug bastard immediately rubbed my face in it. I'm still your senior member dude, show me some respect! I have to be on my toes when it comes to Aether. He loves messing with me for some reason.

Anyway, we ended up doing commission together every single day since then. I've been getting the hang of using Pyro and combat. It's insane to think about how I rarely used to fight regular people, never mind monsters… When did my life become so crazy? As of now, we haven't fought anything that was too much trouble. I'm dreading the boss battles that were sure to come.

I did ask Lisa if I could do some research on this world's history. My god, there were times I was better off not knowing anything about Teyvat. So many wars, world wars, and extinction-level events. Ancient monsters that some feel still exist on Teyvat and pray will never wake. I could guess a few of them. Some weren't that hard to beat in the game. But knowing this was real life and the insane feats that have been performed. I wonder about the chances of us beating any of them with no casualties.

Oh, that's right. Yesterday was the glider's exam. Aether got us in trouble because he always gliding all over the place. I told him it was illegal without a license, but did he listen? Nope. Amber caught him and drilled into him and Paimon. Get him, Amber! Which is how we ended up doing the exam. I'm still not too big on heights but the training Amber gave me the first I got here really helped. Aether passed with flying colors. And then we went up another adventure rank.

I guess being legally allowed to glide made us mean we get to take on harder quests. I'm not complaining. Then we helped Kaeya capture a bunch of treasure hoarders. He was going on and on about how his grandpa was a pirate and he inherited his eyepatch. First of all, that's nasty as hell. Even if he was trolling us why would he tell us that? I would take that to my grave. Secondly, Why are we doing the knights' work for them? It made sense in the game cause we had to raise our- Ohhhh.
I see what's happening here. It wouldn't look good if a bunch of newbies needed to save Mondstadt. It would hurt the knights' reputation and make Jean look incompetent. But if a bunch of high-ranked rising star adventurers with a growing reputation were to help out, it wouldn't look as bad. Honestly the knights' were actually doing us a favor. Well, it was more of an I scratch your back if you scratch my. But you get what I mean. I wonder if Aether caught on? He insanely perspective.

Anytime we went on a quest that needed more brain than brawn he always takes the lead. I have a huge respect for him for that. I learned a lot from our blonde traveler, even if he does have his goofy moments. Which I do appreciate. He balances out my dark moods. Even if he is being led around by Kaeya or Lisa or anyone really, He always does his best to help other people regardless of the circumstances.

I need to be of use to him. I can't rely on him to do all the work. That's why I've secretly gone out at night to fight more monsters. I know it's dangerous but I have to match up somehow. Everyone is so much more experienced than me. Even Aether who got here way after me. He takes everything in stride, while I can barely cope with being in another world. I know nerds that would jump at the chance for this. Who hated their life on earth and wished for a better escape. But I…

I could never do that to my brother and my grandparents. Not after losing my parents so soon. I grimed at the thought of my parents. Okay, maybe I did wish that I was… That I-

No. I could never do that to them. (Would you trade your life for theirs?)

Never.

"Are you okay?" I blinked. Aether was standing in front of me with a concerned expression on his face. Damn, I did it again, didn't I? Sometimes I get so lost in my head that I forget myself and my surroundings. "Oh, um. Sorry, I got lost in thought. What were we talking about?" Aether shakes his head. "We weren't talking about anything. We're waiting for our food, remember?" I blinked. Oh. Now that he mentioned it I was starving.

"Right. Where is Paimon?" Aether points to the flowing fairy talking Sara's head off. "She still ordering. Poor Sara, I think her head is about to explode." I snorted. I then noticed Aether was staring at me intensely. "Why don't we take a walk? At the rate Paimon is going we're going be here forever." I opened my mouth to reject his offer before I closed it again. Aether doesn't look like he going to take no for an answer. "Sure."

Aether leads me to an empty alleyway and drags me to a bench. We sat down in silence which lasted a few seconds before he finally started to interrogate me. "Okay, talk. What got you so down lately." I bite my lower lip. Would he judge me if I confess that I-. I shake my head. "I just wish I knew how my grandparents were doing. And my brother. I just vanish and who knows what they're thinking right now." Aether stayed silent. But he did give me a look to continue talking. So I did.

"My parents recently passed. Well not recently, It's been a year now. They were picking me up from a party that I wasn't supposed to be at. At a time when I would have been in my bed reading a book and my parents would have been in their bed sleeping. But no, I had to-" I sighed.

"I wasn't very popular in school. Or had any real friends. Just a bunch of acquaintances. But that's mostly because of me. I lived in a shitty small town where everyone knew everyone. Where my parents met and grew up. I hated it. So I put all my focus on school, I wasn't going to end up like my parents. Except, putting all my efforts into school robbed me of a social life. Everyone thought I was so perfect or thought I was better than them. It couldn't be the farthest from the truth."

"I ended up being lonely. Everywhere I looked people had lifetimes of friendship. I grew envious. I wanted that. Why couldn't I have that? Until one day I did. You see there was a time we had a new transfer student. Everyone was talking about it, you know, a small town. I was called in to show him around school. His name was Trent. He grew up in Manhattan- Oh, uh, It was a pretty popular part of the city where I'm from. Anyway, he was the coolest kid I ever met. He did things that I only ever saw on TV before."

"Trent smoked had sex, stayed out late, was popular with girls, and went to parties. I had never even been invited to one that wasn't family. He was just… he was the complete opposite of me. Which was why it sorta blew my mind that he wanted to be friends with me. I guess cause he was new and friendless and I was… friendless. Once we started to hang out, was then people started to notice me. People said hi to me in the hallways or just asked me about myself. I wasn't invisible to them anymore. I liked the change, I guess I liked the change a little too much because my parents didn't like it. And they didn't like Trent."

"They said he was a bad influence on me and that I should stay focused on school. That I did whatever Trent wanted me to do. And that they were worried about me. It made me angry. Okay so I did things I don't normally do, but that's why I was hanging out with him. I did things that I didn't do because I had never done anything. I haven't lived. No, my parents didn't understand, they never even left our crummy town."

"I said all this to Trent. And funny enough, he understood. He told me he thought our town was lame and that his mother was too controlling. He missed his "Boys" and his cousins. I pretended like I understood. Then he asked me if I wanted to run away. That his older cousin had a place we could stay but that I had to work for him. I told him yeah. I wasn't really going to go through it."

"Honestly I don't know why I was doing it. To get back at my parents? Trying to have control over my life? I just…I just didn't want to be myself. Anyway, I was going to meet his cousin at a house party he was throwing. The only problem was that it was in the city. And that I need money for the train. Trent needed money too. His mom definitely wasn't going to let him go. So I came up with a plan."

"I told my parents I had a falling out with Trent and that they were right. That I met new friends and that I needed money for dinner and a movie. My mom was skeptical but my dad was so happy that he convinced my mom that they should give me the money and that they should trust me. That I proved I could make the right decisions. I felt sick with guilt. I should have confessed right then and there… But I didn't."

"I felt trapped. I didn't want to do this anymore. But I already promised Trent and I didn't want to betray him like that. So I figured I'll just drop Trent off and I'll tell him I feel sick or something and go home. So I stuck to the plan and we went to the party. I hated it. Apparently, the party they were throwing was on private property and we weren't supposed to be there."

"I've never done anything like this before. How was everyone okay with this? Trent's cousin wasn't even there. It was mostly Trent's old friends. I decided I was going to leave but I didn't want to leave Trent there. So I asked him if we could go home. His friends didn't like that. I don't know what power Trent's friends had over him but he was the first time he has ever been cruel to me."

"In front of everyone, he asked me why I was so obsessed with him. That I always followed him around and that I was being weird. That he didn't swing that way. That I didn't own him. I didn't know what to say so I just stared at him. I was just trying to be a good friend. Aren't friends supposed to look out for one another? I defended him and lied for him, and for what? All so my parents to be right in the end."

"I never felt so… disgusted at myself. I knew better than this. Where was my self-respect? So I swallowed my pride and called my parents. The only people who have ever been there for me in my life. I started crying when I called them. I don't know why Trent's betrayal hurt that bad. Funny enough they weren't so far away. Trent's mom called them to ask what time Trent was coming home. Dumbass."

"They tracked me by my phone. They were so mad that they didn't even say anything when I got in the car. How could this night get even worse? As we're heading around the corner I hear a pop. I didn't know it at the time. But someone had brought a gun to the party. There was a fight and he pulled it out on someone. That stray bullet hit my dad and he lost control of the car. We swerved and hit a truck on the other side of the lane. I heard my parents died instantly."

I took a deep breath. "I can't imagine what my grandparents are thinking now. The last time I disappeared, my parents died. For it to happen again… They must think I'm a monster." I feel a flicker on my forehead. "Ow." Aether gives me a stern look. "How can you think that? You know you didn't do this on purpose to your family. And I'm sure they don't think you're a monster, just worried you've been kidnapped by one."

My eyes watered. "I know that. I just can't help but feel like things are my fault. I know it's irrational but-" Aether touches my shoulder. "It's not irrational. You're allowed to feel those things. But you have to know right? That you didn't kill your parents." I felt like someone punched me in the gut. Those words… No one ever told me those words out loud before. My vision becomes blurry. Aether's eyes soften. "Listen, I won't even bother to tell you something like I'm sorry for your loss or things will be okay. I don't have any right to since it's only ever been me and my sister. But I've been to so many worlds and you wanna know what I've learned?" I nodded.

"Sometimes bad things just happen. And no one, not even gods, can control them. It doesn't matter if you did a good thing or a bad thing or if you're a good person or a bad person. Bad things happen to people all the time and there is no rhyme or reason at all." Damn.

"But that's not fair." Aether frowned. "I know." And then the shorter boy pulled me into a hug. I was so caught off guard that it took me a while to hug him back. "But another thing I learned is that you never go through these things alone. That's why you have friends." Friends?

"We're friends?" Aether rolled his eyes but smiled. "Do you even have to ask? We have already been in so many life-or-death situations. I trust you. And I wouldn't have anyone else but you watch my back. So yeah we're friends." It's crazy. I still feel like things are my fault but Aether's words… I don't think he knows how much those words mean to someone like me.

"Come on, let's go back. I don't want Paimon to worry." Aether nodded rubbed my back soothingly and let me go. Huh. I feel a lot lighter now. I could take on a hundred Slimes if I could.

"Paimon we're back. You didn't give Sara any trouble did you." Paimon whistled and crossed her arms. "Paimon doesn't know what you're talking about." I coughed to hide my laughter. "Sure you don't." Aether looks around the table. "Where is our food?" It's just a bunch of empty plates. Wait a minute… "Oops. I guess I overdid it. Paimon will go order you another plate." Where the hell does she put it? She is like two feet tall.

Aether smacks his head and I sigh. "That's a lesson learned for next time. We're supposed to see Jean today. Let's not waste any time. We still haven't done any commissions either." ugh It's going to be a long day isn't it? I got to get my head into the game.

Afterward, we did a few commissions for the Adventurers' Guild. Nothing too serious. We escorted a merchant to Mondstadt, Cleared out a camp of Hilichurls, and even did a few deliveries for Sara. Our last quest was cleaning Venti's statue. I wonder what he's up to now? I know we might see him any day now but still, where was he hiding?

After a good day of work, we decided to go see Jean at headquarters. Only to see her arguing with one of the Fatui.

"Isn't that Jean?" Paimon pointed out. "Seems she's talking to someone… Let's let her finish, then go say hi?" You mean let's eavedrop Paimon, which is what we're going to do.

The fatui, Anastasia (See I did my research) crossed her arms and glared at Jean. "...Which is what has brought us here in the first place. If you are unable to promptly deal with the Stormterror threat, then you should leave the defense of Mondstadt to the Fatui. We can put an end to Mondstadt's dragon issues. All we need to do is bring that monster to the-"

Jean becomes enraged. "Monster?"

Anastasia looks confused. "Yes. What's your point?"

Jean huffs. "Ah… I'd expect a more professional attitude from your diplomats. Yet here you are saying you want to "put an end" to one of the Four Winds of Mondstadt? I won't have any of this nonsense in front of the knights of Favonius." Yeah, you tell her Jean!

Anastasia laughs in amusement. "Heh… hehehe…It's not as crazy as you make it sound. Fine. That's enough negotiation for today. At this stage, it's simply… an amicable exchange of constructive opinions, no? I'll be sure to make…thorough notes." She walks away as if she won somehow. The Fatui sure are full of themselves.

That's when Jean noticed us. "Aether, Dean, you're back. Thanks for your help. The elemental flow is finally stable. The aftermath of Stormterror's last attack is finally settled for the moment. However, the pressure from the delegation has become too big to ignored." Don't let them bully you, Jean.

Paimon was confused. "The delegation?" I nodded and took over for Jean. "They're from Snezhnaya, you heard of them before, haven't you? They call themselves the Fatui, and they follow the God of Cryo." Jean nodded and smiled. "So you were listening to Lisa yesterday. I'll be sure to her she has a diligent student." I blushed. Please don't. I can't take Lisa's constant teasing.

Paimon cut in. "Oh, them. They're super famous or rather infamous." They're definitely this world's Akatsuki. Maybe even more dangerous than them.

Jean nodded. "I don't think killing Stormterror is the right cause of action. The Cryo God's Fatui have always coveted the Anemo God's power. I don't believe they have Mondstadt's best interests at heart." They definitely don't.

Aether speaks up. "Speaking of power…" Oh yeah…I forgot about that "Thing".

"What is it Aether?" Asked Jean.

"There something I like to show the Knights' of Favonius."

Jean shakes her head. "Not here. We shouldn't discuss important matters out in the open." I get it but weren't you just doing that? Jean quickly ushers us into her office along with Lisa.

"It's a crystal embedded with some kind of power. Lisa are you able to analyze it?" Me, Aether, Paimon, Lisa, and Jean were all in Jean's office surrounding an ominous-looking red crystal. Lisa narrows her eyes. "Let me take a look. Hmm… I can see impurities in the crystal but upon further inspection… No, I'm sorry, I can't make a proper analysis at the moment. Give me some time, I'll take a look through the library's restricted section."

"Right. I'll leave the research to you then, Lisa."

"Understood. I'll notify you all if I make any progress. Though I wouldn't go getting your hopes up. They are incredibly ancient texts, not to mentio- Ouch!" Lisa takes a step back. "Gosh, that hurt! The impurities in the crystal.. It hurts when I get close… I see… It appears to react to Visions. The impurities and the elemental energy we embody repel each other. It's strange, though. Aether has elemental abilities as well but doesn't seem to be affected the same way. Dean either. Don't you have a vision? Then why… In any case, the crystal would be better left in the hands of my cuties. It will be a pain if left with us. Both literally and metaphorically."

Aether tilts his head. "Cuties?" Just leave it be Aether. I learned trying to figure Lisa out will have you pondering the whole day. But strange… I do have a vision so why am I feeling anything? Unless what I have isn't a real vision…

Jean must have been thinking the same thing cause she turned to ask me. "Do you know anything about what makes you special? Either of you?" I shake my head. "Do you? I'm just as lost as you are." Jean has a strange glimmer in her eyes.

"Well then, Aether, Dean, the Knights of Favonius have another favor to ask of you. Please accept the title of Honorary Knights… and the gratitude of the Acting Grand Master." Wait. What? I thought Aether alone was going be offer a title. Why did I? Wasn't everyone still wary of me? Did something I did change something?

Paimon couldn't believe it either. "Honorary Knights… of Favonius!?"

Jean nods. "We ask for your continued assistance in finding some answers. Stormterror's rage, and strange crystals… I know Mondstadt's peace hangs in the balance. May the wind open your eyes to the truth. We'll meet again if you find anything."

As everyone went to leave I stayed behind to ask Jean about this. "Why did I offer you the title of honorary knight? Well, that's easy enough. It's because you deserve it. As Acting Grand Master I've been keeping an eye on you. You have been nothing but kind, and helpful, and you even helped defend Mondstadt from Dvalin. Whatever your past was just know that you're a Knight of Favonius now." I started tearing up. I didn't realize how much their early attitude bothered me.

Jean's eyes soften. "You really are a sensitive boy. Branch Master Cyrus said as much. Forgive me but he told me the first few nights here you cried yourself to sleep." I blushed and looked down, suddenly not so brave. Jean stepped in front of me and gently wiped a tear from my eye. She cups my cheek with the same hand and forces me to look at her. "I'm sorry the knights were not as welcoming before. But please feel free to talk to me any time. It doesn't have to be anything serious. Just to talk. It's my job now as Acting Grand Master to look after you. Now why don't you help the Traveler for now. I have a feeling that one is heading towards and he might need the extra muscle." I nodded and turned to leave.

I don't know when it happened but I started to view Mondstadt as a second home. I made real friends here and not some people who couldn't bother to talk to me after my parents died. People were kind. I haven't felt kindness in so long. Maybe Aether was right. I do need people to get through this.

As I left headquarters, I saw Paimon and Aether discussing something. "What are you guys talking about?" Paimon and Aether exchange a look. "I think we should tell him," says Paimon. Aether nodded and he recanted what he and Paimon saw. Now I see what was going on. Maybe I should tell them what I know. "Which is why I want to do some investigation first before telling the Knights what I saw." I shake my head.

"I think I know who you saw." Paimon and Aether's eyes widen in surprise. "You do!?" sheesh no need to shout Paimon. "Yes. You most likely saw Barbados. Who I guess was trying to calm Dvalin down before you scared him away. He goes by Venti right now and he's a bard. You might find him at the Dawn Winery, that guy loves to drink. That's his statue down there. Looks familiar?"

"Paimon has a question. HOW THE HECK DO YOU KNOW THAT?" I smirked. "I have my ways. But if we wanna find anything on the crystal and Dvalin then we need to find Venti. Though given his personality… He might just come to us since we have the crystal. No, wait, I think I do know where to find him. Follow me."

I take Paimon and Aether to the place I knew Venti was going to be next. The giant tree in Windrise. As expected Venti is there. "Uh..Good day, travelers. What can I, Venti the bard do for you?" Oh my god. Is this him trying to be incognito? "Hello Venti. Aether, Paimon, this is Venti. Venti, this is Aether and Paimon. I'm not going to bother introducing myself since you know who I am." Venti blinked.

"Venti here is actually the Anemo God Barbados. Venti, Aether, Paimon, and I are on a quest to save Mondstadt and Dvalin. We need your help." Venti Blinked.

"Well this a first, even for me. May I ask how you knew who I was?" Come on dude. Be for real. "One, I heard your voice before remember? Two there is a giant statue of you in Mondstadt. I would have to be blind not to notice. Three I'm not from this world but I have seen you before in my world. There is a story about you in my world, please don't ask me how because I don't know. Four, you just admitted it.

Venti blinked then smacked his head. "I can't believe I did." What a silly god. "Aether why don't you show him the crystal?" Aether nodded and brought out a purified crystal. Venti's eyes widen and then give me a look of understanding. "I see what's going on." Paimon was confused. "You do? Also, what happened to the crystal? What's going on." Venti puts out another corrupted crystal and hands it Aether. The crystal purified in front of our eyes. "Your friend here has the power to purify the crystals. Interesting."

I nodded. "Now do you see where I'm coming from? We wanna help Dvalin. He's in pain, isn't he?" Venti opens his mouth to reply but a blast of wind knocks us back. The eye of the storm was here. "Aether!" Aether nodded and pulled out his sword while Paimon ducked and covered. "Your Anemo might not have any effects on it. Let me handle this. Give me a boost."

A took a running position and ran full force to Aether. He uses his wind blade to launch me into the air.

Pyro Dragon's Iron Fist!

I knocked the storm spirit out of the sky. I need to end this quickly before it gets back up. I don't fancy any more storms.

Pyro Dragon's Claw!

Pyro Dragon's Wing!

Pyro Dragon's Brillant Flame!
BOOM!

The Storm spirit dies in a fiery explosion. Venti whistled. "You sure are powerful. But seems like the dragon is not the only thing affected by the change in the wind.." I wanted to tell him I'm not that powerful. I'm just a cheater with a level 40 weapon. But if I explain that I might sound crazy so I'm just going to keep that to myself. "So you were saying someone told you about Dvalin?" asked Venti.

Aether answered. "Lisa did, the librarian of the Knights of Favonius." Venti smiled. "Quite the scholar this Lisa is. She's not wrong. The conflict has reached this point, only because both sides resorted to the use of force. His hate, however, did not arise from the people not making tribute to the Four Winds. Nor was it born from his own nature, but instead came about as a product of his own degradation."

"The black blood flowing through his heart has been torturing him for years. That's what has allowed him to be led astray by the lies of the Abyss Mage." I frowned. The Abyss? They were working with the Fatui, right? And since Aether is the traveler here, then that means…

Aether frowned. "The Abyss Mage? I never heard that name before." Venti clarifies. "They are from the Abyss Order, an organization comprised of non-human beings. They despise mankind. I don't know where they came from. All I know is that they hold deep hatred towards the human world. Many Hilichurls out in the wild take orders from them and act as their weapons."

I frowned. But I thought the Abyss order came from… I have to look through my notes.

"Before arriving here, I too was like Dvalin, cursed and left to waste. But now, before us stands the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero, the place from which Mondstadt rose. The wind among the branches is good, I love the way it smells… being here with you beneath this great tree feels like when the tear was purified earlier. Like the poison is leaving my body.. Mmmmmmm… Feels much better."

Paimon was confused. "How exactly did you get poisoned?" He just told us, didn't he? "It's because you were in contact with Dvalin, right?" I said out loud. Venti gave Aether a weird look. "Almost, It's because someone interrupted me when I was communicating with him." Aether looks around confused and points to himself. "Wait, me?" Venti rolled his eyes. "Yes you! Which is why to make up for it, you're going be doing me a favor. We're going steal- I mean borrow the "Holy Lyre der Himmel" from Mondstadt Catherdral." Wait so you knew it was stealing? I knew it!

Aether just stares at Venti. "Pardon me, BUT WHAT THE F-" I covered Paimon's ears.