Let's keep the ball rolling! As fast rolling I can possibly keep up with my writing speed... As always, I'll answer question and reviews at the end of the chapter.
Update: Got back home from vacation, so a bit delay of this chapter.
I like to say sorry this took long to get out and thank you everyone who is patient for the next chapter.
Date of started writing: 16th April 2024
Chapter 5: Trust in others
Angel share
Ichigo stared into the eyes of the acting Grand Master, confused as to why she would be here, "Want to explain yourself on what you were doing last night?" and there goes his cover story, maybe she isn't too angry about it. "We welcomed you into our city, gave you a room to stay, and you've gone and done this to us?"
"Now to be fair, it was stolen before I can even touch it." Ichigo defended himself against the blond, but her expression remained stern with her eyes on him, walking up to the substitute.
"You're lucky I'm not acting Grand Master right now, if I was there will be severe punishment." she crossed her arms over chest, taking deep breaths from the rising headache she is feeling at the moment.
Ichigo looks to Diluc for answers, hoping he would shine some light on why the acting Grand Master herself is here and involved in in this. "Well, like she said, she's not here as the acting Grand Master, she is here as 'Jean' herself, think of it like a work personality and an off duty personality like that." the red head owner explained as Ichigo soon understood what she meant by that.
"Plus, I contacted more than one person, Jean happens to be one of them, and when I told her the story in her office, well... let's just say she emptied the knight's coffee supplies for a week." Diluc said with a straight face, not seeing anything wrong of the words that left his mouth. "This side of Jean you would never see, so experience it while it last."
Jean soon collected herself, rubbing the side of her head with her hands to comfort the pain she feels, the regret setting in for so much caffeine consumption. "At first, I was shocked, and surprised, them Master Diluc informed me to give you the benefit of the doubt and hear you out, so now here I am, must be nice seeing me suffer mentally doesn't it?" she let out a dry chuckle.
"Cut the crap, like I'm that kind of sadist." Ichigo said, while Jean was taken aback from his words. "I have my reason for doing this, and I never meant to betray anyone's trust, but I needed that lyre so I can get something from Venti." the orange hair substitute pointed towards the bard with his thumb, the bard in question waved and took a sip of wine to help himself. "Plus I was planning to return it after we are done with it."
"And your reason for doing all this being?" Jean asked with a raised brow.
"I'll explain in due time." the orange hair substitute said, still a bit reluctant on telling the whole truth. "I will say I needed information on someone, it relates to my problem."
Sighing with a shake of her head, raising her hand to rub her temples at the current situation. "I will look on the bright side, if you didn't attempt to steal the lyre, we wouldn't have a lead who took it." she then turns to Diluc with a calculated look. "So, the sound of the Holy Lyre can purify Stormterror and return it to normal... is it true?" asked the acting Grand Master, hoping this plan will succeed and put an end to the long fighting.
"That is right." Venti chimed in with a strum of his regular lyre, standing next to Ichigo as he got the attention of everyone present. "Ichigo here is putting himself in the front line to resolve this Stormterror issue, truly a quality of a true knight."
Ichigo leans down, pulling on Venti's braid to bring him closer. "The hell are you doing?" he asked in a hushed voice.
"Putting the spotlight on you, I did promise you will be Mondstadt's hero~" Venti gave him a quick wink before he freed himself from the substitute's hold. "What a noble hero, a true hotshot of the knights, mysteriously showing up to a city in need and to answer to the cries of the people." Venti said in a sing a song like speech, strumming the strings of his lyre.
'Oh great I got a drunk hype man... boy, whatever...' Ichigo groaned, but he's already this deep into this so no use backing out now.
"I'd take a hype man, let everyone know how badass we are." Came the voice of Shiro from Ichigo's inner world, to which the substitute ignored as he didn't need his input on the matter.
"Feels like breaking the law more than helping." Paimon gave her opinion on the matter on the situation.
"Can't make an omelet without cracking a few eggs, plus if we get this done quickly it'll all be over." Diluc said as he then turned to Jean with her original question. "I understand this kind absurd explanation is hard to believe, but with several casualties and low man power, there's not much we can do but to throw more of the soldiers one way ticket to be injured."
Jean remained silent, she doesn't have any much options for the matter and if what is said to be true, Ichigo is their best bet and could end it all soon. "But, we can ask the bard to play the song again to try and persuade-" Diluc soon got cut off with Jean already made her decision.
"I believe you." the blonde acting Grand Master said in the middle of Diluc's comment, staring at Venti and Ichigo both. There are times she must make the most difficult of decisions, all taking brains to do so, but for the first time in years, she wants to make a decision on what her heart says.
"To persuade our stubborn commander- wait what?" the red head stopped mid speech, surprised by her decision, he would have thought it would take more persuading but to be this easy?
"I can't think of any reasons for Dvalin's betrayal, given it was one of The Four Winds." Jean said, feeling bad for their fallen protector that has been forgotten by the people that he protected for years. "And the truth to be revealed now, that our protector is poisoned in the battle over Mondstadt all those years ago, and then to be corrupted by the Abyss mages after he woke up... we can't really blame him for feeling the way he feels right now..." she looks down with sadness in her voice, feeling the guilt of sending the soldiers to attack Dvalin.
"But as acting Grand Master, I obviously cannot make such a statement publicly, plus with the diplomatic issues with the Fatui, it makes it hard for us to seek a peaceful resolution to the Stormterror issue." Jean shook her head with a sigh. "People would think I've lost grip on the gravity of the situation, I would lose faith in the people and would be called a failure and insane for believing such a tall tale." taking a seat besides a table, her mind starts to ease up from all the coffee she had consumed.
"That's why I can only do this in private, so I still have their trust while still saving Mondstadt, so that the city won't be in a state of disarray." she finished off, leaning into the chair with a hand cover her eyes.
Diluc crossed his arms, a sour look with his hard gaze fixated on her, his hate not towards the acting Grand Master, but towards the knights. "That's one of the reasons why I don't like the Knights of Favonius." he crossed his arms with a scoff, voice full of distain for the knights. "Always with the rules, it makes my blood boil." he turned his hard gaze towards the blonde acting Grand Master, raising a brow. "What's most surprising is you would believe an outlander and a measly bard so easily, did all that coffee finally melted that brain of yours?"
Jean crossed her arms, giving Diluc a hard look with a grunt. "Well, since my ever so cautious and meticulous superior, even you trust them. Don't you, sir?" she finished, putting emphasis on the word sir. "And leave me alone with my coffee, it's the only thing keeping from CHOCKING OUR ORANGE HAIRED FRIEND HERE!" she snapped her gaze towards Ichigo in the room with her bloodshot eyes.
"Love you too, Jean." Ichigo said with a flat tone in response with a wave, causing the blonde's right eye to twitch slightly from the comment.
"I thought I told you not to call me sir... Never mind, we hardly get to work together." Diluc retorted as he lets out a sigh, an awkward silence filled the air.
Ichigo took special notice on the comment, perhaps the two have worked together in the past, but chose to remain silent and ask the bar owner another time.
"As for the Holy Lyre der himmel, I have a rough idea on where it might be." Jean spoke up to relieve the awkward tension in the air, bringing everyone's attention on her. "The conflict Mondstadt and Snezhnaya stems from the conflict between the seven nations and their respective Gods. The Cryo God's Fatui seems to be after the Anemo God's power, I have a theory as to why they would steal it, but not enough evidence."
Venti stood silence at the last comment, feeling a bit uncomfortable of hearing he is targeted. "So, they want to take over the defense of Mondstadt, is that right?" Ichigo spoke up, having put the dots together. "So they would have full control and kill Dvalin, without needing the permission of the Knights of Favonius."
"That's right. If the Knights of Favonius publicly prevented an attempt on Dvalin's head, then... The only other way is to take the Anemo God's power is to take the Holy Lyre." Jean concluded to Ichigo's answer, his understanding to the situation surprised her even with limited knowledge of only being here for a few days.
"The number of Fatui has come to Mondstadt is far from limited, I've already managed to... coerce a few report out of them." Diluc said, adjusting his black gloves, causing a shiver to go down Venti and Paimon's spines from the comment.
"Diluc has determined that the Holy Lyre is not being held in the Goth Grand Hotel. I imagine they don't want to leave it in a place where it can be so easily found." Jean added on as she pours herself a glass of water, taking small sips to relieve her head pain.
"Oh, Paimon gets it, if too much of a scene gets made, then it becomes a big diplomatic issue." Paimon summarized as she understood the conversation at hand right now.
"Hmph, such is the diplomacy between the seven nations, I can't stand it." Diluc turned to Ichigo, his arms crossed, awaiting for his answer. "You ready to go?"
"One sec, I have a word to say to Jean." the orange hair Shinigami turned to the blonde in question as she raised a brow, curious as to what he has to say. "You value the public image that you maintain to keep the people's trust in you, right?" Jean gave a curious look but nodded after a few seconds. "Sometimes, things don't always go what you planned, just because you want to maintain the safety of the city at risk of public knowledge, you should trust the citizens in the city more."
"Even if you say that, I-" Jean wasn't able to reply fully as Ichigo cuts her off.
"No buts, if the city finds out, I'm sure they will side with you, do you think your fellow knights, your close friends even will think less of you? Amber, Kaeya, Lisa, Noelle, heck even Ellin, who is training to be a knight will still put the trust in you, Jean, I've been training her for the past two days and I can say she has deep admiration for you." taking a step closer the orange hair Shinigami placed a hand to her shoulder. "Have more faith in them."
Silence filled the room as the group all stares at Ichigo, Jean especially, taken back by his words as she looks down at her drink, a steady reflection of her can be seen on the surface. She looks up into his eyes and gave a small nod. "Thank you... sounds like you know from experience."
Turning around as his back face the acting Grand Master, Ichigo lets out a deep sigh. "Something like that..." after which he turns to Diluc. "Come on, I'm ready now."
"Jean said the Fatui are trying to steal Dvalin's power for the Cryo god, but I fear that intention might fall short of their true intension." Venti spoke up, deep in thought as he rest a finger to his chin. "I think they might use Barbatos' connection to thw wind to draw him out, which leads to the Holy Lyre being stolen." the bard surmised as he finished, the group soon exiting the tavern.
Jean watched the retreating figure of the new arrival, Ichigo, walk out, his words still lingering in her head as she finishes up her drink before joining them right behind. 'I suppose... he has some point to this words.'
They made their way to the side exit of the city, trying not to attract too many attention as the group walks towards the small door way through. "The God of Anemo? He hasn't been seen for more than a thousand years, what makes you think that's their true intention for all of this?" Diluc asked the musical bard.
The bard in question soon began to stutter, his words frozen as he couldn't come up with an answer at risk of revealing his secret, but luckily Ichigo came in with the save. "Well, it's only a theory right now, but with how connected with the Holy Lyre was to the God of Anemo, plus with the Fatui wanting to take control over dealing with Dvalin, it's a likely connection, but we don't have much evidence on the matter."
"Hmm, alright then..." the redhead soon pulls out a few mask from his coat as he passes them to the others. "Here, take these, it's disguises to protect your identity. Put them on before the Fatui sees you."
Ichigo examines the mask he received, the size only covers theirs eyes and not much else, it looks similar to what the Fatui's wore. "Oh sure, it's not like they'll recognize an orange hair dual blade swordsman, a redhead that dress all black, a short black haired bard, and a blonde that has the same attire as the acting Grand Master." Ichigo said with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes at the ridiculous lack of disguise, if he could even call it that.
Diluc walked in silence as he put his mask on, quiet from Ichigo's comment about their disguises as he tries to come up something to say, but ultimately... none came to mind. "Unfortunately, they are still one of Mondstadt's allies. At least that's the facade we're maintaining."
"Don't fucking ignore me, dammit!" Ichigo yelled, his eye twitching as this is almost as bad as Rukia's drawings, no one in their right mind would fall for this!
"Well I can't find any Fatui member disguises, so this will have to do, besides, our action will stir them up, so best not to implicate ourselves on them on a personal level." Diluc said with a huff, making their way over the bridge as they headed for the hideout. "I don't see you coming up with a better disguise."
"Why not ask Anastasia to lend you some clothes? After your date she seemed like willing to help." Paimon spoke up, this caught the attention of both Jean and Diluc as they turned their heads to the small fairy then back to Ichigo. "Did Paimon say something she shouldn't?"
"You were on a date with a Fatui? I never took you as someone like that, Ichigo, though I do hear the woman in Snezhnaya there are eye catchers." Diluc commented to the dismay of the orange hair swordsmen, this annoyed him as he tries to quicken his pace. "I won't blame you if you two are an item."
Jean, on the other hand did not share the idea as she walks over and placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "You two went on a date? What for? Did she try to ask about your alliance with the Knights of Favonius?" the blonde woman bombarded the substitute Shinigami with question after question, pushing his boiling point.
"My my, shall I sing a song for the occasion of the two love birds?~" Venti strum the string of his lyre, adding in his two cents. This action came with the consequence of Ichigo yanking on the bard's braid out of annoyance, causing the Anemo God to squeak out. "Not the hair, not the hair!"
"It wasn't a date, any nothing much happened, we just ate and talk." Ichigo replied back as he still held onto the braid in hand. "And besides, if I ask her, wouldn't she get in trouble for aiding us? the substitute finished as he lets go of Venti, letting out a huff as they walk quite a distance already.
"Or you could take their outfits." Paimon pointed in front as there stood four Fatui members, walking in the same direction as them towards the hideout quite a distance away.
"I don't know, stealing their clothes doesn't seem correct..." Jean said as she took the high moral ground, sure the Fatui might have stolen the Holy Lyre, but to rob the four male Fatui members of their clothes, it didn't sit right with her. She looks to her side and sees a lack of Ichigo and Diluc, her gaze turned back to the four now knocked out Fatui members on the ground as the two tall male of the group successfully took out the members without being seen. "Why do I even ask..."
Jean walks up to the two as she they finished stripped the four men down to their underwear, at which the acting Grand Master averted her gaze as the sound of rope being tied is heard before Ichigo and Diluc finished off by gagging their mouths. "This should buy us enough time to get the lyre and be out in no time." the redhead finished trying up the last member as he drags the body behinds a bush.
"You think it's alright to leave their unconscious body there?" Ichigo asked as he put on a black and red coat, pulling the hood to cover his orange hair, soon strapping his Zanpakuto back on.
"We're outside the entrance, besides their friends will find them... eventually." Diluc said as he puts the disguise on over his outfit, all while Jean and Venti bear witnessed the scene. "You two gonna get dressed or just stand there?"
Venti shrugged and joined in, not seeing anything wrong with it while the acting Grand Master is reluctant as Ichigo hands her the outfit. "You know, we can just proceed without you." the orange hair young teen said.
"N-no, I'll put it on..." she took the clothes with shaking hands and looks at it, the size a bit too big since it was worn by a male member, but she took a deep breath and looks for a place to change.
Ichigo looks at her expression and concluded she needed to change spoke up. "You can just wear it over your regulars clothes you know..." Ichigo said plainly, to which the blonde was confused as Ichigo lifted the coat up, revealing his shihakusho underneath, this caused the blonde leader to sweatdrop as she didn't thought of it, her mind still questioning the action they took was morally right.
"O-oh, right, silly me." Jean soon began to put on her disguise as Venti walks back with the coat that was obviously too big for his small frame, the ends dragging on the ground as the sleeves hanging loosely, with the hood covering his entire head.
"What about Paimon? Does Paimon need to disguise too?" the small fairy asked as everyone soon got dressed, Jean clothes while not fitting her, but at least not in Venti's situation.
"It's not like the Fatui ever recruited a small member with your size, besides you can past off as a... pet?" Diluc tried to reasoned with Paimon's dilemma, but couldn't think of one.
'Perhaps I can be of assistance.' the voice of Quincy Zangetsu spoke up within Ichigo's inner mind. 'I can create a small coat in her size, using reishi to create the fabric, but you will have to imagine the design as the base.'
'...Why did you wait until we robbed those guys to tell me, ossan...' the orange haired teen sighed before lifting up his right hand, the action confused the others before a small blue light glowed in his palm as the Quincy side of Zangetsu gathers the necessary amount of reishi, forming the coat, now it's Ichigo's job to add in the design. Before long the blue light died down and in his hand rest a small coat of the same design and color they all wear.
"Here." Ichigo handed Paimon the small Fatui coat as she happily takes it.
"Yippie! Paimon is going undercover!" the happy fairy soon puts the coat on with a smile.
Soon a hand rest on Ichigo's shoulder as he turned to see Jean with a displeased look and a menacing smile. "Why didn't you do that before you two stole their clothes?!" the blonde spat out as she shook Ichigo back and forth.
"Don't look at me, I'm still inexperienced with this, I can only make it that size." Ichigo retorted as he defend his claim, but two hand soon rest on both sides of his cheeks as Jean began pinching and pulling them, stretching from side to side. "Ow!"
"You. Are. Impossible!" Jean continues her assault on the orange hair teen's cheeks, before too long Ichigo's hand pried her grip off as he had enough.
"Enough! Let's just get this damn lyre and be done with it!" Ichigo brushed passed the acting Grand Master as he enters through the secret entrance, soon followed by Paimon and Venti, leaving Jean and Diluc last to enter.
"He certainly gets under your skin, doesn't he?" the redhead commented as they enters along, with Jean rubbing her temples from the pain she is feeling.
"I just don't get him, he's nothing I've ever handled before." the blonde let out a deep sigh, walking through the rocky corridor, and soon entered the hideout.
"Well he's an interesting case, but he does rile you up in a good way." Diluc said as he received an odd look from Jean, soon he walks in front of the group and leads the way through. "Alright, we need to stick close and blend in, don't giveaway your identity too easily."
With that said the small group headed in deeper as they walked up the stairs, soon spotting a lone member by himself. Diluc made himself known as he approached the man. "Hey, we're here for the shift change, you can clock out now." the redhead said as the guard lets out a content sigh.
"Finally, I was beginning to worry with you guys taking so long." the Fatui guard said before looking at the rest of the group with a raised brow, but he chalked it up from him being too tired. "Well, I'll leave you guys to it."
Before he left, Diluc intervened as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know who has the keys to the lyre right?" We are to be stationed there for extra protection."
"I think the other guards have them, can't remember which one exactly, but I'm gonna head out now, with Mondstadt having two Harbinger members here I rather go back to working under Signora than the new one that arrived." he said before leaving with a stretch, heading for the exit.
When the coast is clear and no one in sight, Ichigo decided to ask the question that caught his interest. "The hell is a Harbinger?"
"The Harbinger are a select members of the Fatui, there are eleven members in total." Diluc said as he leads the way inside deeper. "I heard words the Signora is in Mondstadt, but to hear a second one is here is concerning, don't know what made their decision to bring another one." their search stopped as the redhead peeks into a room where a few members sat on a table, they seem to be playing a card game.
Inside the lit room surrounded by candles sits three Fatui members, where the two are currently playing a game of cards and dice. "For fuck sakes, I needed the dice to roll Pyro." setting the dice aside he played discarded a card to convert into the element he needs.
Diluc signaled Ichigo to follow him as the two made their way in, with the redhead leading the charge as he approached the group. This caught the attention of the men playing, their eyes landed on the approaching members in disguise. "Hey fellas, we're the new recruits, mind if we join in?" Diluc waved to them as the two stood on around them.
"I don't remember anyone mentioning any new recruits, but I guess there are some slip ups from time to time." one member said as he shrugged, not caring much about the detail. "Come on, sit down and have fun." he resumed watching his two friends play as both Ichigo and Diluc sat behind the three Fatui members.
"We're actually transferred from the other region, we were recently stationed here in Mondstadt." Diluc came up with a fake explanation as he looks towards Ichigo, the orange hair waited on his signal before striking. "Say, I heard there are two Harbingers in Mondstadt right now, Signora we know but who's the other?"
"It's the Balladeer, he showed up a few nights ago, strange as to why they send another Harbinger-" he never got to finish his sentenced as Diluc quickly knocked him out, his unconscious body slumped forward, alerting the two members as they soon get knocked out soon after.
Their bodies lie down on the floor as Diluc searches their pockets, looking for the key they are searching for. Ichigo searched the other men's pocket, soon finding a metal key in the guy's pants. "So, who's this Balladeer guy? Should we be concerned?" the orange haired teen ask as he twirls the key in his finger.
"He's two ranks above Signora, but other than that, I don't have much information on him." Diluc led the group down the long hallway, seeing a large room with a device in the middle and a large door behind it. Diluc soon used the key he got from Ichigo and inserted into the device, activating the door as it glowed and opens up, revealing another room, with a platform leading up.
But before they can make their way their, the sound of the door opening alerted the many guards as they spot Ichigo and the others. "You! What business do you have opening the gate!"
"We're here to relocate the lyre!" Diluc yelled back, all while his hand gets ready to draw his weapon.
Unfortunately that didn't work as all the members drew their weapons and jumped down near the group, surrounding them from all sides. "Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way." Ichigo reached for his shorter Zangetsu as he gets in a fighting stance, with Diluc joining him as he summons a great sword.
"I was hoping to avoid any confrontation but it seems like we have no other choice." Jean drew her blade out as she prepares herself for battle.
"Intruders!" Ichigo and his group turned around to see the half naked members arrived in, untied as they all look pissed. "They took out clothes and are in disguised!"
"Nope nope nope, not fighting the back." Jean spoke quickly as she position in front to face the Fatui that are fully clothed.
"Well, Paimon will leave you all to it now, heh heh..." Paimon quickly flies over to a large debris to hide herself behind as she peeks out at the soon to be battle field.
10 minutes early
Anastasia sat against the wall with her group, deep in thought after her encounter with the orange hair teen today, his words still lingering in her head. "Anna." a voice called out to her, but to no avail as she didn't responded.
"Anna." this time, it was louder, but no sign of answering. "Anna!" they patted her shoulder, shaking the brunette out of her thoughts as she eyes her friend with a surprised stupor.
"Huh? What's up, Maria?" Anastasia responded with a delay as she straighten in her seat, looking at her friend and coworker, though her voice is still sound troubled as she hung her head low, staring down at her hands in her lap.
Maria, the female Farui, let out a sigh, taking a seat next to Anastasia, crossing her legs as her eyes look to her friend. "You've been down since this morning, what, did he reject your feeling that hard?"
Anastasia didn't answer, remaining silent for a moment, Maria was about to speak again but Anastasia spoke up. "Do you think what we're doing in right?" Maria raised a brow and gave a puzzled look, she didn't get a chance to answer as she got cut off once more. "The lives that we took, the crimes that we commit, is all of this... justifiably right?"
"Oh course what we're doing is right, we are doing all this for the Tsaritsa and her ambition, what more reason than that?" Maria responded with to her friend, unsure what brought up this topic of conversation. "We've been doing this for years, why question our motives now?" leaning forward, resting her arms on the table as her head is supported by her hand, her eyes narrowed as she stares at Anastasia. "Did that guy said something to you during your date?"
Silent remained, Anastasia didn't utter a word, fidgeting with her fingers as she pulls her knees close to her chest. "I just wish I met him sooner..." she spoke in a whisper, with Maria barely able to comprehend what was said. They didn't have time to continue their talk as they are alarmed by everyone heading to the main room, alerting them that someone opened the gate to the Holy Lyre.
Maria got up from her seat quickly, heading through the doorway as everyone is gathered to confront the intruders, with Anastasia putting her her mask in a rush as she heads out, seeing who it could be.
There she stands, near the edge on the third floor as she sees the intruders in the middle of the room, strangely, one of them caught her eyes as he held what looks like Ichigo's swords. "It can't be..."
With Ichigo's group
Diluc wasted no time and swung at several incoming members, sending them flying as he dodged a sword swing from another member. The redhead planted his great sword on the ground to pivot himself, twisting his lower half to deliver a downward kick to a Fatui's head, knocking him out. With the Fatui member knocked out, Diluc rushes to the oncoming ones.
His weapon dematerialized from the ground and soon materialized back into his arms as he threw it at one, catching them off guard as he rushes through and knock out another with his arms in a lariat.
With Jean she quickly parried a blade aimed at her, soon using Anemo to blow the enemy back, sending them against the wall as she dodged another blade swing with a backflip, while in the air parried another sword strike. While still airborne, Jean thrust her sword downward, blowing the oncoming group of enemies away and launching herself onto the second floor as she dashes to another group.
Venti remained stationary to cover for range, firing his Anemo infused arrows. The single shot multiply into dozens as they rain down at the Fatui, some knocked back while others got pinned down by the bard's shot. Soon he is surrounded all around, with them soon approaching him. "Nowhere to run now, little man."
"Or am I?" Venti said with a smug smile, confusing them all before a large magical circle appeared on the floor, powerful winds shot from it as all were shot up into the air, with Venti casually gliding up into the air as he takes aim at all of them. "Too easy." in a quick motion, Venti quickly fired his shots and hit every member dead on as they all scatter in different direction from the impact, soon landing on his feet safely.
Ichigo cut through every attack that fired at him, arrows, fireballs with Zangetsu, even dodging an electric attack as he gets in close and knocks them out with swift punches as he takes them down one by one, throwing punches with his free hand and kicks, avoiding from injuring them too much from using Zangetsu. Soon he approached another member, but stopped dead in his tracks as he recognizes her, as he sensed it from this morning and the day before.
Anastasia froze as Ichigo stopped in front of her, soon she got a good look and can recognize him from his facial feature and can see a bit of orange hair sticking out from his hood, and his Zangetsu on his back is a giveaway as she's seen him with it before.
"You?!" they both exclaimed as they pointed their fingers at each other, but got interrupted as a body is sent flying, crashing against the wall in between them. Shaking out of her stupor, Anastasia grabbed Ichigo's free hand and dragged him into an empty room, away from the ongoing fight.
"What are you doing here?!" she let out a scream in a panicked voice at the orange hair Shinigami, all while the ensuing fight kept going on. "Why are you here?!" she ruffled her hair in frustration. Not wanting him to get in trouble she pushes Ichigo to leave, but he refused to budge as he stood his ground. "You have to get out of here, before they find out-"
"I'm not leaving." Ichigo spoke, cutting her off. "I'm not gonna sit back and do nothing while something bad is going on, if I have the chance to help, I'm gonna take it." taking a big sigh, he looks at her through her mask, into her eyes. "Why are you here? Do you know what you're doing?"
Anastasia paused, taking a moment before speaking. "We are doing the right thing..." she said, repeating what Maria told her, unsure if it's her own choice of words. She looks down while fidgeting with her fingers. "No, of course what we're doing is right." she said as to lie to herself, reluctant to believe otherwise.
"Is it? Is stealing the Anemo's God's power the best course of action?" Ichigo pressed the subject further, she avoided his gaze, not wanting to look into his eyes. "Do what you want, but I'm gonna do what I know is right, and by saving Dvalin, but know this." the orange hair substitute turns to leave, stopping at the doorway. "I'm not gonna sit around doing nothing and feel like scum without lifting a hand to help."
"Then I can't let you go then." Anastasia said as she raised her hand, holding an orb of energy made of electro as Ichigo turned to look at her, unfazed by her action. "Turn back now, and I won't mention you ever coming here." Ichigo didn't bothered as he took another step, with this she fired the electric ball at his back, only for Ichigo to stop it with the palm of his hands.
"Your resolve is wavering, your heart is troubled, I can see it clearly." Ichigo said as he looks back at her, seeing her charge at him, bringing both lighting infused fist down at him, only for Ichigo to grab onto her wrists, she struggled in his hold as she stares into his eyes with her own, the pain and guilt surfacing after years of being in the Fatui.
Why now? Why start having these thought and feelings now after her encounter with Ichigo? All logic and reason are thrown out the window as she tries to push forward, tears on the verge of escaping. "You don't know me! You don't know what I went through!" Anastasia screamed with a shaking voice. "This is the only choice I had to survive!"
What she said surprised Ichigo, but he kept on his hold, her fist loosens as her legs can barely keep her standing. "Even if you dive yourself into darkness, don't give up, there is hope and a choice!" he yelled back, looking into her eyes through her mask. She couldn't hold it in much longer as tears streams down her face, her muscle relaxed and Ichigo releases his grip.
She covered her mouth, letting out quiet sobs as she soon instinctively wraps her arms around his torso, letting it all out. Ichigo sighed, wrapping an arm around her in comfort as she falls to her knees, once she has finished he lets go and soon got up, exiting the room, but not before giving Anastasia one last glance. "It's not too late to change, you know..." and with that he left.
Anastasia took off her mask, letting the tears flow out as she stares at the doorway he exited, clutching her mask as she comtemplated with her thoughts.
Returning to the fight, Ichigo quickly took out the rest of the Fatui members, their unconscious bodies falling to the floor. Once the battle is over, they regroup near the door they opened. "Where were you? I didn't see you majority of the battle." Diluc asked as they began to head towards the room above.
Strapping Zangetsu back to his waist, Ichigo turned his gaze to the side. "I was taking care of any members that were hiding." he replied back with a vague answer, not wanting to reveal Anastasia was left.
Jean gave a confused look as she could have sworn she saw him being dragged into a room while she was on the second floor, overlooking the fight below, though she can't confirm it much as she was too busy defending herself at the time. She didn't have time to interject as they all made it to the room where the Holy Lyre is kept, there at the far back where it lies.
The room itself seems empty, only lit by a few torches on the wall. Seeing as there's no guards, Venti marched towards the lyre. "Well seems like no one is here, let's grab it and go-" Venti was yanked back by Ichigo, saving Venti from a concealed slash to the bard's face.
The hidden enemy revealed itself, soon standing a few feet from the group. This is the same Fatui member that brought the lyre here, and no staring down the intruders. "Impressive, you were able to sense that, and to react that quick."
"I can sense your killer intent, you can't hide it from me." Ichigo said with narrowed eyes, all while holding a frightened Venti in his hand, the bard's face pale as what could have happened to him. Soon releasing Venti, Ichigo drew the short Zangetsu and points his blade at the hooded Fatui member. "Hand over the lyre and you won't get hurt."
The red hooded Fatui member chuckled as he drew his blades out from his wrists, getting ready for combat, lowering himself in a stance to prepare for a launch. "The ones who will get hurt... is you!" he dashed forward with great speed, winding up his arm for a slash across the orange hair substitute's chest. Unfortunately for him, the strike is blocked, with Ichigo holding up his sword.
"Too slow." Ichigo said as he pushes the Fatui agent back, cloaking himself and disappears from sight, this causes the group to tense up with them drawing their weapons in a defensive stance.
"It's useless, I'll cut your throats open before you know it." the Fatui agent's voice rang in the room, with Jean eyeing from left to right as she looks around. Soon a blade comes from Jean's right as it aims for her head, going for the quick kill.
Ichigo, sensing the attack coming, Shunpo next to Jean as he grabs the Fatui agent's wrist, stopping the strike. This surprised the agent as he is caught off guard, giving Jean the opportunity to land a slash to his shoulder as he tries to backs away, but Ichigo's grip remains a strong hold onto him. SO, face with no other choice, he released the wrist blade to free himself to avoid a devastating blow from Diluc.
Having to succumb to injury, he'll need to end this. Using his Pyro powers, the agent released spinning blades around him in great speed, circling himself like a fan of death as he launches them at the group.
Jean stepped forward and charges Anemo at the tip of her blade, winding her arm back as she thrust forward, creating a strong wind funnel, catching all the blades inside and launching back at the agent.
Letting out a frustrated grunt, he dodges them with a roll as he fires a large number of barrages, assuming this will work. But his thoughts are shattered as Diluc and Ichigo prepares their weapons in a striking motion, with the red head infusing his large blade in fire, then shooting a large bird towards the agent, and the orange hair Shinigami, using his strength, shoots a nameless Getsuga air pressure, aimed at his legs and injuring him.
Diluc's attack collided with the agent as is carries him to the end of the room and crashing him into the wall, creating dust and debris to scatter. Soon it cleared up to see the agent is knocked out, but still alive as he lets out a painful groan.
Jean sighed as she do away her weapon, soon taking off her disguise with the fight is over, "I thought it would never end, thank goodness." the blonde acting Grand Master said, took taking off her coat, freeing herself from large clothing. "Any more in that and I would be drenched." discarding the worn clothes to the side, she fans herself with a bit of Anemo to cool herself off.
"You lock yourself in your office too much, the lack of field work dulled your combat a bit." Diluc sighed, taking off his disguise as he threw them to the side, giving Jean a deadpan look. "You should get out of the room more." the red head finished with his arms crossed.
"I'm in there to manage the city, all those paper work needs to be done and trouble citizens asking for help everyday, I can't leave for a moment unattended." Jean said back, undoing her ponytail to feel the breeze she creates.
While the two are busy going back and forth, Ichigo walks on over to the lyre as he already did away his disguise, soon retrieving the item they are here for as he tuns back to the group. "We got the lyre, now let's get out of here." walking back past the others, he tossed the lyre over to Venti as he caught it, holding it close to him as he found his lost toy.
As everyone was leaving, Ichigo trailed behind the group slightly, going over to the side and check the room Anastasia is in, where she is no longer there. He surmised she had left during their fight with the Fatui agent. Soon he jog back to the group where Jean looks back at him. "Something up, Ichigo?" she asked as she walks beside him, matching his pace.
"It's nothing, I thought I heard someone in the room." Ichigo replied as he kept his eye to the room, soon focusing his attention back ahead. Though the acting Grand Master still has her suspicion of him for his action. "So, what's next on the plan?" Ichigo directed his question towards Venti, who now holds the Holy Lyre with a nostalgic smile.
His finger trace the lines of the string, feeling the cold touch as he gaze at his lost possession. "While we have the lyre, the Anemo powers has ben drained over the years, it can't summon Dvalin in its current state." Venti then turns back to Ichigo with a knowing smile. "But that's where you come in, my sword wielding friend."
Ichigo raised a brow, confused on what he meant by that statement. "I think you're mistaken about me for one thing, I can't fix that thing." the orange hair Shinigami said with a scowl.
This caused the bard to chuckle nervously as he soon corrected himself to his companion. "No no, I mean the tear drop you got from Dvalin." Venti rummage through his pockets as he got out the purified tear, soon tossing it over to Ichigo in which he caught. "I need you to pour it onto the lyre, that way, it can regain the power it once lost."
"And why the hell do I have to do it?" the orange hair Shinigami asked as he walks over with the tear, looking at the purified crystal her holds in the palm of his hand. as Venti holds the lyre below.
"Because you were the one to purify it, so you should have the honor and privilege, hehe." Venti answered with a smile. It was a lousy answer to the Shinigami, but there's no point in arguing it as he just... wraps his fingers around the tear as he felt it change from solid to liquid, the large drop splatting over the lyre as it glows radiantly, giving off a soft glow.
"What a youthful glow." Jean commented as she observes the lyre with a smile, oh what a wonderful feeling, reminding her of her youthful days.
"Praising yourself much?" Paimon said sarcastically as she lazily eyes the blonde acting Grand Master.
"I was speaking to the lyre." the blonde acting Grand Master shot the small fairy a look as she lets out a sigh, shaking her head.
Ignoring the two, Ichigo turns back to Venti as he released his palm, soon looking over the glowing lyre. "Job's done now, right? We go summon Dvalin?"
The bard shakes his head, all while he gently strums the strings as a gentle breeze blows by. "Not yet, while it retains the old power it once possessed, it's still not enough, we need more tears to fully recover the Holy Lyre's true power." Venti explained as he turns towards the city. "But fear not, I know the location of the remaining two, we just have to retrieve them."
His eye twitched at the comment, feeling the irritation rise as he suppress the urge to shake the bard down violently where he stands. "And where are the two?" Ichigo asked through gritted teeth.
"I surmise that Dvalin is crying where area that are isolated, his tears would have dropped somewhere where there is no one around." the bard began to think, soon looking at the large ruin colosseum in the distance. "There, the Thousand Winds Temple." Venti pointed as the group looks at the temple.
The temple in the distance has seen better days, the walls has collapsed, debris scatter all around, and cracks shows the age of time.
"What makes you think it's there?" Diluc asked, giving the bard a deadpan look, not entirely buying the explanation. Such a claim can be a tad farfetched to the point of view of the bartender, could the bard such went with a hunch or just baseless accusation? He'll never know.
"I've been following Dvalin for quite some time to know where he's been, and where he has shed his tears, and there are two known locations I know that the tears are located." Venti turned back to the group, pointing a finger at Ichigo. "You said you can sense dark energy from it, you can sense it, can't you?"
"What am I? A tear tracker?" Ichigo cast Venti an annoyed look his way as said bard gave a nervous smile in reply. Letting out a sigh, he looks towards the temple, closing his eyes as he focus in on the tear, his senses stretching far in the distance, passing by a few of the Hilichurls, soon it reached towards his target. It is there, but feint, probably from how far he has to sense it, but it's the same corrupted energy he felt before. "Yeah, it's there."
"That's one, where is the other?" Jean pipped in as she questions the Venti for the second location of the tear. "While we know where one is, we should also find the other, time is of the essence, we must hurry before Dvalin strikes again."
Venti paused, considering his words carefully as to not panic the blonde. "Well, would you take your chance at the temple, or would you go into one of the largest Hilichurl camp near the South?" that wasn't putting it lightly, as Jean's expression remained neutral as she took the information in, taking a deep breath.
"WHAT?!" Aaaand there it is, going off on a ramble as she paces herself back and forth at the news, biting onto her nail to calm herself, god she need another mug of coffee. "We can't deploy enough men to even raid the camp at the moment, with majority of them still recovering, how are we going to retrieve it with a small group of four?!"
Both Ichigo and Diluc stares at the breakdown of the acting Grand Master, taking hold of the bard as she shook him violently. "You deal with this on a daily basis?" the orange hair Shinigami asked his fellow bartender friend as they witness the scene before them unfold.
"When I was her superior, yes..." Diluc let out a gruff reply as he shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose as he is reminded at the times back then of dealing with her outbursts. "If you're done shaking down the bard, we can form our next plan."
After what felt like a good minute or two, Venti finally freed himself from the blonde's hard grip, with Jean letting out a heated puff. "Well with how short handed we are, we have the take the two tears on our own."
"What?! But with the pace we're going, it will take till morning! Paimon needs her sleep!" Paimon convulse her arms around frantically all while floating about, soon going up Venti's face as she held onto the bard's braids. "Tone deaf bard you better have a plan, or Paimon will chew your head off!"
Sighing to himself, Ichigo pulled Paimon off Venti, while she still held onto the bard's braids. Soon getting her off, Ichigo held the small fairy under his arm, turning his head to Jean. "If you're willing to listen, I have an idea."
This got the attention of the acting Grand Master, raising a brow to what Ichigo has in mind. "You have a small group to help us out, Amber, Kaeya, Lisa, and Noelle." Ichigo named off the four members. "They are capable and can work together well, it wouldn't hurt to get them involved."
"No, I can't let them be involved in this matter." Jean retorted sternly, of course, this earned a quick flick to the forehead from Ichigo to her forehead. "Ow! What was that for?!" she held a hand to her forehead, taking a step back from that sudden contact.
"Are you an idiot? Did you forget what I told you? Trust your people!" Stunned, Jean stood speechless as Ichigo berates the blonde leader, recalling what he said to her back in the tavern as the words came back rushing in. "You can't keep sheltering them from the truth, especially the one who are close to you!" stepping forward Ichigo stood in front of Jean with a stern look.
"I've fought with Amber, seen how capable Kaeya is, hell, I bet Lisa and Noelle are are capable, you trust them to take care of the three temples, but when the time comes when it counts, you deny that?" the orange hair Shinigami added on his claim as he stares into her eyes.
"He has a point." Jean turned to meet Diluc's eyes staring at hers, his arms crossed as he gave her a judging look. "You are a leader, but can't trust her closes knights? If we want to settle this now, it's best we gather the help we need in this crucial moment."
Jean's eyes travel back to Ichigo, biting down her lower lip gently, weighing her option; to either take on both in a single night and risk of fatigue, or seek help from her fellow knights. "I can't say that I fully agree, but your point does hold valid... let's go." she reluctantly agreed as she gave her answer to the group.
With the acting Grand Master's answer given, the decision has been made, and the 'okay' to gather Amber and the others. Diluc watched on with a nod, finally seeing that her stubborn side is put aside when the situation calls for it. "Alright, every hold onto me, we need to head back to Mondstadt quickly."
Everyone present, besides Paimon, are confused by his statement. The small fairy floats towards the swordsmen and tucks herself into his Shihakusho, and mentally preparing herself for a wild ride. "Paimon will do as he says, you will find out soon..."
Diluc shrugged and walked over to Ichigo, standing on his left as he'll humor him, placing a hand on the orange hair Shinigami's shoulder. Venti hops onto Ichigo's shoulder, getting comfortable, while Ichigo's eyes twitch. "Your huge sword is in thee way." the bard said with smugness in his voice, Valid, but it still pisses Ichigo off.
All their eyes turns to Jean, who is reluctant to join, but soon gave in as she held onto Ichigo's hand with a sigh. "Oh to hell with it..." the blonde leader held onto his hand, if only she knew what's in store for her when she done this.
"Alright, everyone hold tight." Before anyone had the opportunity to utter a word, they felt a rush of wind and the sensation of being dragged at high speed.
Mondstadt
Ichigo appeared at the back entrance of Angel Share, taking a look around, he notices a few things. Diluc leaning against the tavern, the color of his face faded, his arm clutching his stomach to save what little lunch he had that day. Jean, on her knees, leaning over with her right hand covering her mouth, trying to not regurgitate from the speed she experienced.
And Venti... the poor bard fell unconscious while still managed to hold on, foaming from the mouth, his body slouched over the Shinigami's back "Paimon did warn them..." the small fairy floats out of Ichigo's Shihakusho, albeit a bit wobbly as she's still not used to it herself.
"Sorry about that, guys..." Ichigo apologized as he helps Venti lay down on the ground as he stood back up, waiting for them to recover. For a good few minutes, everyone slowly recovered one by one, that leaves Venti still unconscious.
"I would hound ass your for answers for what just happened if we weren't for the Dvalin situation right now." Dilac said as he wipes the corner of his mouth from the slight saliva dripping out.
Jean returned from using the restroom inside the tavern, drying her hands as she walks over with wobbly legs, her body still feeling the effect. "Getting back to the task at hand..." her eyes scans the ground, where Venti has yet to wake up, to this Diluc went inside Angel Share and brought out a glass of water, dumping the liquid on the bard's face.
This proved to be a success as the bard sat up quickly, wiping away the water from his face. "I'm up, I'm up!" looking around, all eyes are on are on him. "Oh, ehe, where were we?" Venti asked with a nervous smile as he stands back up.
"We each will go and gather them, I'll wake up Amber, Diluc can get Kaeya, Jean with Lisa, and Venti can get Noelle." Ichigo explained, with Diluc raising a brow at Ichigo's choice on who to gather. "Jean, I'll need Amber's house address."
"Oh, right." the acting Grand Master complied as she informs Ichigo, along with informing Venti on where Noelle lives, soon with everyone got their objective, they know what to do now. "Alright, we can rendezvous here after we get everyone."
Everyone left the tavern grounds, leaving Diluc to himself as he is still processing what had happened. "Did he choose me to get Kaeya on purpose...?" shaking his thoughts off, the redhead sighed and walks to the Cryo user's house.
With Ichigo
Ichigo soon arrived in front of the house, now making his way forward to the door, he knocks on it as he waited for an answer. "Was getting Amber and the others involved a good idea?" Paimon asked as she turned the Ichigo.
"Of course it is, it's the first step Jean needs to take to grow, to start trusting people close to her to shoulder the burden." Ichigo explained as he continues to wait, after ten minutes have passed, he knocks on the door again, a bit harder.
"I mean, that's true, being a leader must be stressful as it is, to keep the the denizen in peace and not stir up chaos, she got so much on her plate." Paimon sighed, still waiting on Amber to wake up.
Another few minutes passed, with Ichigo knocking the third time. In the middle of his knocking the door swung open with an annoyed Amber on the other side with her hair a mess, wearing her red pajama shorts and shirt. "Do you have any idea how late it is?" Amber said with a hoarse voice, wiping the the sleep away from her eyes.
Soon the Outrider managed to open her eyes fully, seeing Ichigo and Paimon at the door. "Ichigo? Paimon? Why are you here? What's going on?" she asked question after question, soon realizing she's standing in front her them in her PJ, so she hid herself behind the door as she pokes her head out. "Give a lady a head up next time when you're gonna visit!" a tint of redness appear on her cheeks, feeling embarrassed at the situation.
"We won't have a next time if we don't leave soon." Ichigo's answer caused Amber to look at him in surprised of what he said. "Jean is calling for us, get dressed, we're meeting in Angel Share." with that answer, Amber closed her door as she rushed back to change into her outfit.
The door soon swung open with Amber in her outfit, adjusting her gloves, she exits her house and locked the door on the way out. "My hair took a bit longer to fix, sorry." a nervous chuckle escaped her lips as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Ready to go." with that said, the trio heads for the tavern, with her mind speculating what could be urgent to call her at this hour.
With Jean
Jean entered the knight's headquarters as she makes her way to Lisa's room, there she began knocking on the door rapidly in a hurry. "Wake up wake up wake up." the blonde acting Grand Master repeated as she awaits for the door to open.
It didn't take long as the door opened with a sleepy and annoyed Lisa behind it, wearing a purple robe over her nightgown. Though her expression quickly changed to surprise as the librarian sees who woke her up. "Jean? What's wrong?" she asked the blonde woman as to question why she would be up so late.
"Apologies for waking you up at this house, Lisa, but urgent matters calls, meet us at Angel Share." Jean informed her friend and fellow knight with an apologetic expression, a bit out of breath from running all the way here.
Understanding the situation, Lisa nodded as she soon goes back in to change up. It didn't take long for the librarian to change up, returning out with her attire as she puts her hat on, "Alright, let us be off." closing the door on her way out, the two older women began their track to the tavern.
With Diluc
The redhead reluctantly walks towards the house he is assigned to get his target, letting out a deep sigh, and slammed the door with his fist with barrages of loud thuds.
After several seconds, the door swung open with Kaeya poking head first, resulting Diluc's fist making contact with the Cryo user's face. This caused the eyepatch wearer to recoil back from the impact, holding his nose from the nosebleed. "To what do I owe this late visit?" he asked while maintaining his cool demeanor while keeping the blood from leaking from his nostrils.
"You are needed, we'll explain everything when everyone is gathered. Let's go." Diluc crossed his arms as he turned to leave, giving no room for Kaeya to question him.
"The same as always." Kaeya sighed as he quickly change his clothes as patch up his nose, exiting his house and following Diluc close behind. his mind racing at many thoughts on what could be this big of an emergency, and who are 'we' and 'everyone' Diluc is referring to.
With Venti
The door to the young maid knight received light knocks from Venti, all while waiting for the aforementioned maid to open up. The door opens up to a sleepy Noelle, wiping her eyes to see who would be knocking at the door at this hour. What she didn't expect is to see a bard on one knee, with a bed of flowers all around him while strumming his lyre. "Good evening dear maiden~ We seek your assistance~ Please follow me this instance~"
Noelle sweatdrops at the sights before her, either she is still dreaming, or this bard is delusional and is in need of medical attention. "Um.. pardon me, but do you need to see a nurse?"
"Not at all, but I do need you to come with me, we need your help." Venti said as he stood up, walking towards the confused maid. "your friend Ichigo sent me to get you."
Noelle attention perked up at the mention of his name, and without warning she slammed the door in Venti's face. This caused the bard to worry if he might have done something wrong, so he went to knock again but the door opens up to Noelle in her maid and knight attire as she walked out, all dressed and ready. "I am here to serve, let us be off."
Venti nodded as he leads the way, but a few paces along the way he turned to see Noelle cleaning up the flowers he left behind on the road, this is going to take a while...
Angel Share
Ichigo along with Paimon and Amber arrived back first, heading towards the back door and headed inside. Seeing as they are the first to arrive, Ichigo went over to the desk and sat himself down, waiting for the others to arrive. "So, what's this thing you want to discuss?" Amber asked as she took a seat next to Ichigo, while Paimon remains afloat in between the two.
"We'll tell you once everyone is here, so that we avoid going over it multiple times." Ichigo explained to the Outrider beside him. They didn't have to wait long as the back door opens up, and in comes Jean with Lisa following close behind, the latter of which is surprised at who is present.
"Amber? Paimon? And Ichigo? Well now, this is certainly a surprise." the librarian commented with amusement in her voice at seeing familiar faces. With the two older female entered, they grouped up in the front of the bar.
"Is this everyone?" Amber asked, to which her question is answered as Diluc and Kaeya came in, surprising the new additions of the group at present.
The Cryo user smirked at the scene before him, clearly amused at the situation. "Well now, it seems like all the familiar faces I know are here. So, is this a late night drinking party?"
"Now's not the time for your jokes, this is urgent." Diluc shot Kaeya an annoyed look, crossing his arms as he heads over to the counter, still waiting for their last member to return. "Where the hell is that bard? We can't start this without him, with him holding to the Holy Lyre."
Amber rose up from her seat at hearing the news of the stolen lyre. "Wait, you all found the Holy Lyre? And a bard has it?"
"Calm down, Amber, we will explain everything once Venti arrives." Jean reassured her fellow knight, this calmed her down as the Outrider sat back down.
"How long does it take to get one person? Surely it shouldn't take this long for the fucking bard to get Noelle." Ichigo sighed while tapping his fingers on the counter, the urge to get up and go look for the two. The door soon swung open with Venti panting, holding onto Noelle's wrist as he came in.
All eyes turns to the new arrivals present, with Noelle holding a big bag in her free hand and a clueless expression present on her face. "Oh my, I wasn't expecting everyone to be gathered, hello." the young maid greeted with a smile and a small bow.
Venti released his grip as he took a seat at the counter, catching his breath. Now that everyone has gathered, Jean took her opportunity and gathered everyone's attention. "Everyone, my fellow knights, I have important news, please hear me out."
With the new members gathered and their eyes on Jean, she informed of everything that has happened, starting from the Holy Lyre stolen, and to them storming the base to retrieve it, now they need extra hands to gather the remaining tears for the Holy Lyre to restore it's full power to heal Dvalin and save Mondstadt. Jean finished her rundown of everything as everyone takes their time to let everything sink in.
"Jean, you don't need to hold back, you can trust us." Amber stood up and gave her a smile, casting a two finger salute. "Count me in, let's save Mondstadt!"
"I agree, saving my home is far more important than getting some sleep in right now." Lisa adjusted her hat as she gives thr acting Grand Master a smile with a nod, with Kaeya applauding Jean from her speech with a smirk.
"This is getting all the more interesting, the Jean we know is more more to trust us, I wonder who have an influence on you." his one eye hovers towards the direction of Ichigo as he eyed him, his bunch on their new comrade was spot on.
"I'll also do my best, for the sake of our home and for the Knights of Favonius!" Noelle chimed in, also prepared to give it her all for Jean's request.
Jean breathed a sigh of relief, trusting the ones close to her to come to their aide, holding back a tear. "Thank you, everyone..." her eyes then looks towards the one who pushed her to extending her trust to others. 'And thank you, Ichigo.'
With everyone in on the plan, Ichigo stood up as he groups up with Diluc and Jean, but he is stopped by a hand to his wrist, he turned to see Amber. "And how are you involved in all this?"
"After we free Dvalin, I'll tell you, alright?" he stared back into her eyes, she soon slowly let go with a slow nod.
Now with Ichigo, Jean, Diluc, and Venti teamed up. "Alright everyone, our next move is simple while there's still night, we will go to the temple against the ruin guard, you four will take on the Hilichurl camp, you three have worked together for years, so you all know each other well, with Noelle included, this will be a good opportunity for you to work well with your fellow knights." Jean explained the plan to the others.
"I'll do my best, everyone." Noelle bowed to her group as she nervously stood besides with the others, but a hand rest on her shoulder as Lisa gives her a reassuring smile.
"Calm down, dear, just like how we teamed up." the witch librarian gave the young maid knight her calming words with a smile, this does well to calm her down.
"Alright, now that we have our goals set, we can move out." Ichigo heads for the door as everyone follows along, with one objective set in mind as they all went with their group.
Save Mondstadt.
Date finished writing: 31st July 2024
God glad I can get this chapter out.
Lots of things happened after I got back from vacation, got busy, got sick again, and work kept me busy, but here I am with chapter 5. I hope you enjoy.
So a question. Does Teyvat has wrist watch? I know they should have clocks, and I wanna add a time system.
Also if you're confused on how Ichigo made clothes for Paimon, I read that in another crossover fanfiction, and I tried searching it up in Quincy techniques, but couldn't find any on the wi-ki on making clothes and fabric, but I do know Quincy gathers reishi from surrounding areas to make the object in mind, just didn't confirm they make clothes
I probably forgot a few other things I wanted to ask but I'm sure it'll come back to me.
I wanted to do the rest of the mission and the final battle with Dvalin, but I wanna get this out soon so the chapter will be shorter than my previous chapters.
Now onto the reviews.
nhmataco: I have went back to previous chapters and fixed the typo, they will be updated at the same time I post this chapter.
Average crackhead: Yeah I agree with you there, which is why I plan to do something about Ichigo's power to make the story progressing more interesting. And have no fear, readers, I'm not nerfing him.
Mugen-blade: All your claims have solid facts, my Bleach knowledge was rusty and forgot majority and the early arcs, plus I don't have any beta readers to help me fact check it and I wrote that chapter during vacation. I'll hold onto that mistake since I don't think I can go back and fix it, feels like I cobout to go fix the chapter. If you don't mind I would like to keep in touch, you keep me in line from me making mistakes. That's up to you.
I will address that yes Ichigo is currently end game level of strong, and I will do something about that in the future chapter, it just won't be a nerf, but I do have an idea.
Invitado: Okay, glad to know I don't have to use google translate!
Dxhologram: I did have Ichigo struggle with a bow to make is realistic, but I do agree, some archery lessons from Amber will do some good.
Protector for all: I have read Hollow powers absorb and eat the pluses, along with the power to consume, so that gave me the idea of how to purify the tear, but I will ask the readers if that is possible. From the wiki I couldn't find if purifying is one of them, so I went with the notion of Hollow powers absorbing the corrupted energy in the tear.
Zabaniya: A hard to find good Bleach crossovers, from Naruto crossover Naruto is the lead, RWBY crossover is scarce, so I decided to write my own. I will add some side story that has story significant, and don't worry, Mondstadt story isn't over, there will be some stuff after the Dvalin mission.
Williamgbirkin: Yeah I tied that up as the reason they can see Ichigo, some people have the possibility to awaken their vision, so they should have some aptitude in them so see, like how some humans in Bleach have some amount of spiritual pressure to see ghosts. And those interactions will be interesting in the future, have some ideas on Xiao and Chongyun.
Kaleidoscope's beauty: Yeah when in the game Diluc straight up says he has contacts that has a lead, I added small stories in between to lenghted the time and flesh out the people in Mondstadt, and for Ichigo to get to know the city since when he arrived, shit just escalated with Dvalin and didn't have much time.
Stand up and be strong: It's a nice add in as I don't want to rush the story, I will take the pacing slower and have give the NPC more personalities and chances to interact in the future.
EOS Aizen: I have thought of the idea, but guns would be more advanced to make since a bow is more simple, but I will have Ichigo train to master it.
To Conquer: The people makes the city more lively, gotta give them more personality, thank you.
XtraDepress: Thank you, I do try to research the material for both stories to tie them in and keep it from sounding too farfetched. Yeah I wrote this after the blood war arc, so his personality have gotten the growth to keep a more level head in situations while still having the Ichigo reactions we know and love.
The heavenly principle's pride wounded, just like another prideful Shinigami we know, hehehe.
That's all for the reviews, thank you for reading and I'll see you all on the next chapter. Feel free to call me out on any mistakes I made, criticism is appreciated, reading reviews and seeing how much you enjoy it keeps me going. Thank you, bye!
