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Chapter 9: Through the Gates

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c


Of all feeling Kratos would perceive as they ventured through the Stone Gate, 'remembering Greece' was not one of those options.

The arduous path from Mondstadt to the official area that allowed entry into Liyue had been a welcomed distraction as they left the safe walls of the city. The floating Brat took pride in reading off some pages within the Adventurer's Guide on this new region.

The Land of Contracts didn't share similarities to Greece only in appearance. After all, deep in those ruined lands in the horizon that once preceded the current administration by the distant harbor, there was an attempt to a Pantheon of sort. Rex Lapis led them, but rather than bearing similarities to Zeus, the Geo Archon was one that hardly strayed from his dutiful chores.

He created mythological creatures with other gods to serve as a 'connection' with mortals. But where the Greek Pantheon saw its demise due to its own shortcomings (and Kratos' revenge), the Guili Assembly was wrecked by the Archon Wars. Gone were the prosperous roots of a new civilization built on understanding between the divine and the mortal realm, now shattered as only one Archon was allowed for each region.

It wasn't a vicious event in Mondstadt, but Liyue was vast and it had been home of numerous gods that saw each other with hostile desire. Only Rex Lapis survived that onslaught, leaving Liyue with a weary god that did nothing to mend the rift between the so-called 'Enlightened Beasts' and the descendants of Guili.

Nowadays, from what the Guide mentioned, Liyue was hardly tied with its God. Rex Lapis hardly left his domain to give guidance to the mortals, but his efforts to guarantee the sole currency for Teyvat as a whole made Liyue prosperous nonetheless.

The Harbor was akin to the old Crete, which Kratos remembered as one of the first kingdoms that could easily define themselves as unifiers of Old Greece. Long before Kratos was alive, and long before the world had gotten too tired of conflict back home.

Still, the group decided against continuing the trip to the harbor in a single day. It was too far, he couldn't even see it from the Stone Gate. Instead, they all voted on staying at this 'Wangshu Inn' for what few hours were left now and to resume their trip the next day.

Speaking of this 'Inn', Kratos hardly saw the purpose of such elevated construction. He knew the point of tall buildings, but for one of those to be located atop a large tree and serve as a Inn? It was reasonable to say his limited view on housing felt conflicted on the excessive sight.

It provided a nice view on the horizon once they were all standing by its principal balcony, and it was sturdy enough to face numerous times the weight of the current guests without any issues, but it felt so... expensively awkward. He didn't put too many thoughts on the topic, just leaving this situation with a singular personal comment kept within his mind.

The Girl liked the view, same for the Brat, and Kratos had to admit that was a good view.

Yet, while the three were busy looking around and booking some rooms, Kratos still felt their presence had been noticed by someone. Someone that was far from mortal but also... oddly not of familiar presence. It was somewhat akin to Venti, but instead of a divine streak he felt something diluted and less impressed. In fact, it felt like a mixture of divine and monstrous.

He glanced around, trying to not gain any attention from the distracted members of his group (and from their spy) as he tried to silently find out who was watching them while they were by the balcony. All Kratos saw was always a green hue blurring left and right, out of his sight, but lingering just enough to confirm that he wasn't overthinking it.

Despite that, he didn't feel much threatened. The force monitoring them was not hostile in nature, curious perhaps and definitely deadly if provoked, but it wasn't actively looking to start trouble. And to Kratos this was more than enough to not be too bothered by this.

Instead, the man focused on ignoring the Brat's nagging that he will have to 'try and fall asleep' knowing that he would be resting 'several meters off the ground'. The Girl chided the floating thing for giving her the creeps, yet Kratos cared not for the elevation of his slumbering post.

He had fallen to his death enough times to know it wouldn't be enough to claim his life.


It was a quiet night at Mt. Aocang and a young woman was silently pursuing her own peace as she quietly meditated upon a small rock.

The breeze was soft within the elevated position she was perched upon, but it was the strange sense of dread that kept her from allowing her mind to lose its consciousness over the world. She had been sitting there for some time, and she had consumed a fair bit of herbs to further cool down her spirit but... she couldn't just find peace tonight.

It all started when she tried to find sleep for the day and... all she could think off was 'Rage'. It wasn't hers, her red string was still well wrapped to keep her inner wrath under control. She didn't even feel the nightmares of the past. It was just her in a sea of red. Tame but wrathful, tacit and yet whispering furiously as it begging to be let out unbound.

It wasn't her wrath, but someone that had a greater form of rage than her own.

"This one has been wondering where you may have gone..." A familiar elegant voice owned by a feminine bird that landed beside her stirred the young woman 'awake'. "Shenhe."

"Cloud Retainer, my apologies for troubling you," The woman apologized in advance, surprised by the soft sight of the Adeptus. "Did I wake you up?"

Despite her divinity, Cloud Retainer still claimed hours to rest. Mostly due to her constant tinkering over machineries fitting of an entity of her cleverness. Shenhe was not familiar with any of those devices, her teacher a protective individual over the treasures she produced.

"Nay. This one has been awake for other instances. Alas, the reason I sought you out was less about concern and more about a request."

Shenhe relaxed her body, turning her pale blue eyes to her teacher with a flat but curious look. "How may I help you, Cloud Retainer?"

"This one has been warned that a new individual has entered Liyue. This one has also been warned that he is not one that is able of grave anger if provoked. He is currently staying within the abode known as the 'Wangshu Inn'."

"Do you require me to do something about this individual?"

Could he be the source of disturbance? Did she have permission to hunt him down?

"This one had much to think through what was learnt, but this one assures you that you are not to engage in any hostile confrontations with this foreigner."

Shenhe offered a slow nod and-

"You will meet him in the Harbor and... monitor him. Closely."

The request felt less 'open' to protest, but Shenhe didn't mind it. It was already a surprise for her to be refrained from attacking someone that was introduced to her as a potential threat, but she understood that the way of an enlightened warrior was not to be mindless in her own strikes.

She had to also accept that violence was not always an option. Tragically.

"Will I be escorted by someone?"

"No."

This, instead, was an issue.

"Cloud Retainer, would it be fair to say I am not... prepared for the chore of visiting Liyue?"

The hint of worry was less for herself, and more over the chances of hurting someone innocent. Shenhe may trust the red bindings, but she was also aware that she could be a worrisome element of trouble if provoked in a certain way or two. Still, the crane-like Adeptus hummed and shook her tall head.

"Nay. This one believes it is not time for you to find your way to the Harbor and learn of other mortals."

A soft but harsh rebuttal. Paradoxically perplexing, but Shenhe still bowed her head to this request nonetheless.

"I shall work to see this done, Cloud Retainer. Shall I go now?"

"This one prefers for you to leave by the next morning. Find some sleep as this one shall create a barrier to keep you sheltered from what troubles you."

Nodding, Shenhe offered a rare smile. "Thank you, Cloud Retainer."

The adeptus said nothing else before flying away, leaving the young woman to slowly slide off the rock and make her way to her thin bed. She had to get some proper sleep as...

Tomorrow was going to be a rather interesting day compared to the rest.


AN

Next time, Dad meets... Daughter.