Apologize for the wait on the update.
Other projects and life didn't leave me with time to focus.
But on the day of my birth, let this project breathe life once again!
Even if the chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones...
"What do you have to report to me?"
"The golden light in Mondstadt seems to have been illuminated from the Starfell coast by our agents. Damage reports state equivalency of a natural disaster proportion, but thanks to the localization, there were no real casualties."
"Very good. I would hate to hear any of our trade routes were affected. Is there any other intelligence you have gathered?"
"On my short arrival from the Chasm due to the urgency of this request, I have received word from Verr Goldet that the Vigilant Yaksha is on the move and heading directly toward the epicenter of the incident."
"I see. It must be an incident involving the ancient Gods if he responded so quickly. Troubling indeed…"
"I must mention Secretary Ganyu's anxiety to report as I came through. She was unusually distracted and unfocused when we crossed paths this morning. Could she know something as well? I could always…"
"Do not forget she is an Adeptus and one of the few remaining. She could have learned the Conqueror of Demons was heading for the disruption in Mondstadt and worried about his safety after such a cataclysmic event. Do not let her looks deceive you. She is older than all of us, and she has little left in the way of family."
"I will call her to ask personally. For now, I'm assigning you to continue this investigation until we have a satisfactory answer to what happened in Mondstadt. I'm aware you requested to work in the Chasm…"
"No, this is more imperative to the safety of Liyue. My business with Chasm can wait, Lady Ninnguang."
"Thank you, Yelan."
As the winds gently blew on the curving peaks of Mondstadt as they traveled down, Naruto peacefully took in the view as he walked along a path that seemed almost oddly placed. Well, no, considering they were at a beach, a road to travel upon did make some sense.
Probably was used as a port, now that he thought about it. Why it wasn't used that way before, he wondered? It was still more of a trail and had sheer rock to climb, but a road could be made with more effort.
Much else had seemed to change since he had slept. As much as Monstadt felt the same as the wind breeze calmly swept over him and the lands, something new caught his eye.
Odd creatures roamed in the distance. What were they? He had no recollection of them. Shifting through his memories of his scroll, there was nothing.
New creatures came to be often, primarily due to the Abyss. It wasn't unusual when a fresh terror would come forth and be documented. But these things felt…
Naruto frowned, and a shiver ran down his spine. Something was wrong with them. There was something more to them, and the moment he got to Mondstadt, he would have a field day with the library.
Whoever the current Librarian happened to be was about to have a time dealing with him, that was for sure.
Seeing the Knights were still around and patrolling Mondstadt was a benefit he was able to take advantage of. Indeed their collection only grew over the years he slept since the Library was commissioned. Lucky for him.
Their history was relatively young, considering the history of Teyvat…
Noticing Eula was watching him closely, particularly how he was handling his scroll along his waistband, Naruto rolled it back up and sighed. She was going to be challenging to contend with while around. Her scrutiny of him and being well-read enough to catch his reference earlier made this traveling party annoying.
At least Amber wasn't suspicious. She happily guided them as they traveled, checking ahead to make sure the Hilichurls hadn't made a camp blocking their path.
"All clear through Starfell!" Amber grinned as she returned with a hop, scouting the trail ahead as they neared the lake. "The Hilichurl activity since the incident has been relatively high, but they haven't tried to set up any barricades on the road yet!"
"Might have to have Jean send a patrol out this direction to keep the road secure. They are probably agitated by that ancient God's display of power."
Naruto could only nod, ignoring the scrutinizing gaze of the Eula. "I can only imagine. It probably caught the attention of many eyes…"
"I can only wonder what will become of it," Naruto muttered, flicking his hand through his hair.
If the Knights had sent scouts to see what had happened, he knew there would be reactions across the Teyvat, as his power was not subtle. His erosion was more severe than he feared as he couldn't hold back…
So now he had no choice but to watch the events unfold and see what the outcome would be. He grimaced, unsure of what that could lead to, but the whispers in the wind led him to believe…
"What's that in the middle of the lake?" Aether's voice cut his thoughts off and curiously drew his attention to the middle of Starfell Lake.
"A Statue of the Seven?" Eula turned her attention from Naruto, something he was mildly thankful for, and drew it to him. "Pray to tell me that you are unaware of the monuments of the Archons? Of Lord Barbatos?"
"How are you unaware of such things if you are an adventurer? Are adventurers not supposed to have adequate education of the world?"
As Aether laughed nervously, Naruto sighed and shook his head. He wasn't too surprised that the kid would slip up around the two. He didn't know anything about this world and had no way to prep him. Honestly, he was still sifting through answers as his memories were vast, and many things eluded him.
But something else drew his attention as the winds whispered around him as a mild wind gusted around them. He scowled deeply, his eyes narrowing as his attention was drawn to the lake's center.
"Oh, so that's what's happening?" Naruto bitterly groaned under his breath as his eyes sharply gazed at Aether briefly before focusing on something in the sky. "Well, ain't gonna let the kid go through this world powerless…"
"But you and I are talking soon, Bard."
"Eula!" Amber reproached her friend as she placed her hands on her hips.
"What?" Eula confronted Amber with a defiant frown. "Am I…"
"Ladies!" Naruto interrupted as his intent was entirely focused on something in the sky before an ear-shattering gust swept through them. "Incoming!"
Barely able to withstand the gale and stand on their feet, except for Naruto, a large shadow loomed over them as something significant flew above. Their eyes darted to the sky above as several more gales crashed upon them as the object swooped and passed over them.
A massive azure dragon flew forward toward the forest and seemingly toward the city of Mondstadt, fading out of sight as it stayed low.
"Stormterror!" Eula's horrifying voice echoed within the wind, her eyes shimmering and widening. "No! Was it heading for the city?"
"It stopped in the woods," Naruto confirmed as he focused on the dragon, recognizing the creature as his eyes dilated briefly. "He was landing there, so this was simply circumstantial…"
"That dragon has kept Mondstadt under siege for almost an entire year now!" Eula retorted, her eyes glistening with rage as she focused on Naruto.
Naruto's face steeled, unsure what to make of this information. Once more, he had been proven correct, and much had changed in his sleep. But now…
What had happened to Dvalin?
"Well, if it is only in the forest, the city is safe for now." Amber gingerly stated, shocked at the sight of the dragon having passed over them. "But we need to get to Mondstadt to report this to the Acting Grand Master. I'm sorry to leave you like this, but…"
"Don't worry about us," Naruto smiled comfortingly and shook his head. "We'll be okay on our own."
"Focus on protecting the city. We'll see you there shortly."
"He's right. Let's go!" Eula added, not hesitating as she rushed forward and began to make her way back to the city.
"Wait up!" Amber cried out, trying to keep up with Eula's pace as they blistered past the lake and into the woods.
Watching the two sprint forward, Aether couldn't help but want to follow as something felt off. His instinct was to help but seeing Naruto hesitate was enough to hold him back. "Shouldn't we go with them?"
"We'll be there soon enough," Naruto commented, drawing his eyes to the Statue of the Seven. "Kid, remember you telling me about your story about your powers being sealed by the Gods?"
"Well, these statues resonate with the powers of the Archons, and often blessings and answers can be received through them."
"It's usually the only way mortals can interact with the Archons by offering them gifts at such places and see if it pleases them." Naruto continued, his eyes focusing on the statue in the middle of the lake. "So this may seem like an odd thing to do, but trust me on this…"
"Swim out there and touch the thing. See what happens."
Curiously gazing at the older blonde as he brought up what he had told him earlier, Aether listened to his explanation. Then he awkwardly tilted his head at him in confusion. "Just swim out there and touch it?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, you know that sounds pretty weird."
"Just go touch the thing, kid," Naruto grumbled and rolled his eyes at Aether's puzzled expression. "It's a hunch, but if anyone is going to know anything about the Goddess you ran into besides myself, it would be the Archons."
"Who knows, you might get a response?"
"I guess." Aether shrugged, still unsure, as he looked at the pond called a lake. "I have seen odder things in my travels between worlds, so I can't say this is the weirdest thing I've come across."
"Really missing the ability to fly," Aether muttered as he gazed at the water, the memory of nearly drowning was seared in his mind before he took a deep breath to calm his nerves as he dived into the pond.
Naruto smirked as he understood the loss of one's powers and mobility hampered would be frustrating. Best not to show him that he could do such anytime soon…
It would only add salt to the wound.
"Like this?" Aether called out as he reached the center of the tiny lake and the small pedestal where the statue lay.
Pressing his right palm on the statue, he took a deep breath. Nothing immediately happened. He felt quite foolish, and now he was soaked once more…
Wait, what was this feeling? This green light enveloping him?
"Yeah, like that…" Naruto responded before he felt a pressure build around Aether, and his eyes narrowed as it suddenly released as a gale surged around him, spiraling out of control. "What in Teyvat?"
"An Anemo cyclone?"
"Is this a fragment of the kid's power?" Naruto muttered as he held out his hand before his face, winds whipping around him as a green tornado burned around the statue and where Aether had stood previously. "Well, isn't that interesting…"
"No wonder the Heavenly Principles descended upon them."
Watching the display, a grin formed on the corner of his lips as the cyclone slowly faded and dispersed. The kid looked stunned at what had transpired around him, gazing upon his very hands before the luminescent glow of the Statue of the Seven in an uneasy manner. Not that he could blame the kid, who undoubtedly never controlled the elements as he had released before.
"A blessing indeed," Naruto responded as he landed next to the young man beside the statue. "A limiter of the seal placed upon you has been removed by Barbatos."
"What?" Aether's attention snapped to Naruto, then to the statue. "But I never possessed a power like this before."
"A side effect of it still being sealed, I'm afraid," Naruto told as the statue's glow faded. "And the Archon's blessing to help push you forward to seek the answers you are looking for."
"Now that I don't like," Naruto muttered, bringing his hand to his chin and stroking it a few times. "What is at play here that I am unaware of?"
"A clouded destiny that even I cannot foretell." A voice resonated from the other side of the lake, drawing their attention only to see a young woman in witch attire slowly striding atop the water as if it was solid. "Greetings, I am the Astrologist Mona Megistus, witch of the Hexenzirkel…"
"Xiao?" Naruto ignored that witch walking on water, causing her to falter and nearly tumble as his gaze looked beyond her and at the two on the shore on the lakebed behind.
"It's rude to ignore someone when they're introducing themselves to you!" Mona cried as Naruto suddenly jumped past her.
"Yeah, yeah! Witch from Hexenzirkel! Know all about the coven!" Naruto waved her off, further flooring the flustered witch, causing her to lose her balance from the lack of grace.
And due to this, she lost her concentration and nearly fell into the water only to be caught in Aether's arms.
"Oh, thank you." Mona sighed in relief and gently smiled at the young man. "At least someone here has some manners and is a true gentleman!"
Aether chuckled as he held Mona in his arms, despite only standing knee-deep in the water. He wasn't going to say anything but…
Ignoring the event behind him, cerulean eyes locked with golden iris, a small, sad smile spread on the blonde's lips as he sighed. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Master…" Xiao softly spoke, seeing Naruto, and a mix of emotions swelled within him. "It has been quite some time."
"Over six-hundred years since we last spoke when you brought Miko to visit us in Liyue."
"Ah yes," Naruto fingered his scroll momentarily to recall the memories, a faint smile spreading across his lips. "That was an eventful trip that Miko loved. Not sure if Ganyu enjoyed it so much…"
"This lovely lady a protegee of yours?" Naruto glanced over at Shenhe, bowing as he greeted the young lady. "Or Cloud Retainers if I had to go based on the style of her outfit…"
"She had a distinct dress style for her apprentices."
"Shenhe." Shenhe returned the bow gracefully upon meeting her master's fabled teacher. "Cloud Retainer has watched over me since she took me in, but I apprentice under several Adeptus."
"Really?" Naruto grinned as his eyes shifted to Xiao, who immediately frowned. "Now that's interesting…"
"Considering this loner here never likes taking anyone under his wing. It took ages for him to agree to assist Ganyu…"
"Master…" Xiao bit back a snarl and sighed, knowing this habit all too well of his sensei.
He and Cloud Retainer shared a common bond that he did not like.
"Really?" Shenhe tilted her head and looked intrigued by the story, never having heard of this, considering it didn't take too much effort on Cloud Retainer's part to have the Conqueror of Demons assist her in training.
Perhaps it was due to the Red Ropes and wanting to ensure the evil within her was contained?
"Indeed!" Naruto grinned as he reached for his scroll, prepared to tell a grandiose story about his apprentice. "It all starts…"
"There are certain matters to be discussed." Xiao immediately cut off Naruto, not letting him get into the tale, and drew his cerulean gaze back to him. "Master, what happened wasn't something that can be swept aside so simply."
"It demands an explanation."
"Gotta some explaining, don't I?" Naruto's head faltered, his head lowering and his brilliant eyes losing their sheen and dulling. "Had a feeling there would be a reaction the moment it happened…"
"My control is slipping, Xiao. It won't be much longer until the erosion worsens, and I can't control it when my emotions slip."
"Master?" Xiao looked startled, his eyes sparkling fearfully as this was not what he had expected.
He was hoping for anything else. But not what he was hearing. Something else…
Xiao didn't want the Karma to stain his hand yet again…
Not this one. Not after the last time…
"It's nearing time, I'm afraid." Naruto's voice filled with sullen regret before he lifted his eyes and met Xiao's hesitant gaze before looking back at Aether with grim determination. "But I have some unfinished business before we add to your Karma…"
"And then one last dance with my dearest Shogun before the bell tolls its final note."
"I've never been on a boat before!" Sayu excitedly chirped as she scurried to the side of the boat, jumping on the railing as she looked at the waves rocking against the ship. "Whoa!"
"We haven't even set sail yet! This is cool!"
"As long as the seas are settled, it will be fine." Shinobu shook her head as she traced the energetic Sayu, rarely having seen her buzzing with this energy level. "It'll be rough if we're caught in a storm at sea."
"But none are being reported, so we should be fine on our trip to Liyue."
"Oh?" Sayu hopped off the railing and almost seemed to roll toward Shinobu, making the young priestess roll her eyes as she still was uncomfortable in this garb.
Thankfully she could soon take this dreadful attire off and wear something a little more comfortable while they were outside of Inazuma. But while here, she had to play the part of Shrine Maiden…
"Miss Kuki!" Sayu bounced in front of Shinobu as she watched the last of the cargo be loaded onto the ship, and a few crewmen were preparing to set sail. "Have you ever ridden a boat before?"
"Several times, in fact," Kuki responded earnestly, smiling at the young ninja. "This won't even be my first time traveling to Liyue."
"Since we're passing through, we might as well make a stop and see if I can pick up my license in law while there since I didn't get to graduate due to the Sakoku Decree officially."
"Whoa!" Sayu's eyes sparkled in amazement. "I didn't know you were a lawyer, Miss Kuki!"
"I'm not technically." Shinobu scratched her head sheepishly at Sayu's starry-eyed gaze. "I never got to finish the course. I had one more thing to finish, and then I would have passed and earned my license."
Shinobu sighed as she crossed her arms and shook her head. "But I suppose we shouldn't dally while we're on the job…"
"But Lady Miko said to take our time," Sayu responded, looking curiously at her caretaker. "Wouldn't rushing make us liable to make a mistake?"
Frowning as she recalled the head priestess saying those words after being given the mission details, Shinobu couldn't help but wonder why. It was like she wanted to appease her Shogun, yet at the same time…
"And wouldn't it be useful to have it just in case?" Sayu questioned as she tilted her head while looking up quizzically at Kuki.
"I know the laws well enough to stay out of trouble." Shinobu shook her head and patted Sayu's head with a smile. "No issue there. Follow my lead, and we won't get into any trouble."
"What about him?"
"What about who?"
Seeing Sayu pointing just off the ramp that had been pulled up as the anchor had been pulled, Shinobu's eyes lay upon the sight of a familiar figure running down the pier. And he was screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Oh no…"
"Hey!" Itto's voice roared from the pier as he plowed past several Tenyrou commission guards and blitzed toward the boat. "Where do you think you're going, huh?"
"Not 'bout to let my friend journey off by herself with a child, ya hear!"
"You guys ain't stopping me!" Itto bellowed, and with a mighty leap, he cleared the distance of the pier and landed clearly on the boat's deck in dramatic fashion. "Never fear!"
"Arataki Numero Uno is…"
"Ow, my head!" Itto dropped to his knees, gripping the top of his skull as a fist bopped over his thick skull before he defiantly gazed up into a stern purple gaze that was quite unhappy to see him. "Yo! What was that for? I was only coming to…"
"Not the ear! Don't twist! Anything but that!"
"I am fine, you giant, hard-headed moron!" Shinobu hissed as she stared directly into Itto's eyes as the crew looked on, unsure how to handle the situation as they slowly drifted off the port. "Do you realize what you have just done? All the trouble you caused me? I am liable for your actions, you understand?"
"I understand, believe me, that you are just trying to do the right thing and help out a friend, but I was okay!"
"Ah! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" Itto winced and begged as he flinched within Shinobu's grasp and was fearful of what more she could do. "I didn't know! All I knew was that your Vision was gone and that I got word that you were suddenly leaving…"
"Wait, you were tipped off that I was leaving?" Shinobu's eyes narrowed, and she twisted Itto's ear for good measure to make sure he told her.
"Yeah!" Itto cried as tears of pain rolled down his cheeks. "I don't even remember how we came to know it was just a random chance. People were spouting off the information that a green-haired Shrine Maiden was seen at Ritou and on the first voyage out of Inazuma since the Sakoku Decree was partially lifted…"
"You didn't even know what that was!"
"You're right! I just thought you were ditching town and wanted to make sure you were safe, so I was coming with!"
"Oh, precious freedom!" Itto praised as he rubbed his ear as Shinobu let go of his ear, sighing in relief that the pressure had been released.
"Lady Guuji." Shinobu hissed as she glared at the Sacred Sakura Tree. "So this is what you meant by that, wasn't it?"
"We need to turn the ship around…"
"Belay that!" Shinobu turned to the captain, responding and quickly moving to damage control. "I apologize for the situation, but my friend was meant to join us. He was hired as my bodyguard, but as you can see, he arrived behind schedule and was forced to make a rude entrance."
"Hey, wait. I wasn't…"
"He also likely forgot his papers in his haste, but I assure you they will be there on our return trip." Shinobu ignored Itto's protest, realizing how she was portraying him. "The fool may be one of the most ignorant of social graces, but no one doubts his physical prowess as such was why he was hired to protect me personally."
"We have a history, after all."
Looking upon the shrine maiden pensively, glancing over at the known troublemaker of Inazuma City, the captain could only nod, given the man's history. "Well, if you are certain the papers will be there on arrival back in Inazuma, I will trust your word."
"I can guarantee it," Kuki responded, trying not to snarl in irritation as she glanced back at the brute behind her, who had the dignity to look apprehensive about the ordeal. "They will be there."
As the captain settled the crew back down, Shinobi slowly stalked toward Itto, who staggered back. "Wait, wait, wait! Let me explain, ya hear!"
"Oh, this will be good." Shinobu rolled her eyes before withdrawing a small burlap sack with narrowed eyes. "I knew this was too heavy to be just my own…"
"Wait, what?" Itto blinked as Shinobu reached in and pulled forth something he hadn't expected. "What? No way!"
"That's my Vision! Where's yours?"
A gentle breeze fluttered the sakura petals around her, wisping and encircling her presence in an elegant dance. A stern purple gaze gazed upon the sea as she looked down from her perch on the mountain shrine, looking past the parted storm clouds.
"I feel that sorrow, dear brother…"
"Do not think I'm not aware time is fading." Yae gently whispered as she gasped a sakura petal into her hand before softly blowing it out, sending a wave of blossoms flowing down the mountain. "But I'm not ready to see our journey end just yet."
"I will assist in helping you find your resolve one last time."
"May this arduous voyage be blessed so they find their way safely to you…"
"Even the idiot that brings me reminiscents of your goofball antics." Miko prayed as she tucked her hands together and bowed her head, her eyes shimmering with an electric glow. "That you may find what has always helped you continue forward when you were pushed to your limits…"
"A family to protect."