I thought it'd be funny to make each arc three chapters. Chapter 3 is kind of a pain, and low key decided to cheat by making it a chapter 3.0 and 3.5 for when it comes out.
Just a lot of things to get through, is all.
To be a hunter, it wasn't necessarily how close your scent was to the area you were hunting in. It also wasn't how well camouflaged you were in an area. All one really needed to be a hunter: was patience. To sit in a tree or behind some bushes for hours on end; to find the tracks for a watering hole and confirm that droppings were fresh. All a hunter was, was watching an area, and waiting for one. single. moment.
It was so very much overkill to use either her Hawkmoon or her Warbow, yet the two bows were the only ones she had space to carry. To carry a third would mean less rations; less space to snuggle rope or fabrics into; less space for any missives she would have to ferry back and forth between the two regions. It also felt so very out of place to watch the dulled glint of her Warbow (treated with a mixture of pastes old Outriders had recorded as useful for maintaining a polished matte appearance) shimmer in the sunlight. A weapon blessed by the Church of Favonius and enhanced by Ordo Favonius' alchemists, reduced to a mere hunting weapon.
Amber huffed as she stabbed her hunting knife through the side of the boar's head, piercing through its head. A moment later, she slit its throat and moved it so it could drain properly. It wouldn't have been the wrong move to simply heft it onto her back and begin the trek to Stone Gate, but she had no desire to have her clothes stained with blood. As she watched the viscous liquid drip down to the ground and turn the earth a darker brown, she couldn't help but reminisce on the faint memory of a so called 'chocolate blood'. Whether it was straight blood heated in a pan and eaten like brownies (some part of her mind suggested blood could be used as a substitute for eggs, though for what ratio she had no clue), or if it required additional ingredients like sugar or flour, Amber couldn't remember. Either way, the more she thought about such a snack, the harder it was to watch the fluid stretch down.
It was moments like these that never made it into the stories. Of dealing with the aftermath of your kills. Perhaps if she had a trainee of any sort by her side, she could have gone into detail about the cuts she made, why she took the shot the way that she did, or even why she had shot this specific boar instead of the past three that had trotted past. But alas. All she had to entertain herself as she fought against the gag inducing thought of eating baked blood was humming a half forgotten song whose fragmented lyrics reminded her of Inazuma.
/ - /
"Wow, Amber! You dragged that all the way here?"
"Outrider," she mouthed mirthfully. "Carried, not dragged." Her lips pursed in amusement at the untreated skin she had folded in her lap. While the various merchants at Stone Gate had been more than happy to let her skin the boar as right of conquest, they had refused to let her have a hand in cooking it. The boar was of decent size and provided they portioned it properly, not a soul at Stone Gate would go hungry tonight. Even now, stragglers who had gone foraging the moment she arrived were still arriving with baskets of berries and herbs. Her hunt had somehow turned the night into a fantastical feast, and at the other side of the rest area she could see some merchants happily parting with a few bottles of alcohol.
Lumine grabbed hold of her left arm, her non-dominant one, and began poking and prodding the various muscle groups within. "But to have carried a whole boar from the woods." She— They?— gave a particularly firm squeeze on her forearm. "Especially on your own, Outrider? That's incredible."
She took the compliment with an amused huff, ignoring the tiny whisper that suggested she voice that it was her thighs and calves that had borne the brunt of the effort carrying her hunt here, not her arms. "Just don't ask me to do that same trip to Wanshu Inn. I might have the stamina to do it, but there's no way it could get there fresh enough to use in any proper meal."
Lumine giggled and sat back down, resting her head on a hand. "I feel like you had a much more productive day than us. Paimon and I were exploring a cave system but had to turn back because of too many Fatui and Slimes."
Rodea of Loch, half remembered memories suggested. A creature from the waters of Fontaine that settled within Liyue. "Wanna check it out again on the way back?"
Lumine smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let's just make sure to bring a change of boots. Where we stopped we heard a bunch of waterfalls, and even there the ground was squelching."
Amber scooted back and looked underneath the table. Lumine's boots were decidedly not mud rated, and even if they looked like the worst they'd received was stains and scuffs, the material alone suggested soggy boots meant soggy socks. "Paimon..." she started reproachfully.
"Wha- what? Ehh, why is Amber looking at Paimon with such a scary face?"
She hid her scoff of amusement by deepening her frown. "You're supposed to be the Traveller's tour guide, aren't you?"
"Ye- yes?"
Amber crossed her arms. "So how come you didn't have her get her boots treated?"
"Eh-he-heh... I forgot?"
Amber eyes the floating fairy critically, sighing after a few moments. "I suppose as someone who doesn't have to walk, care of footwear wouldn't be at the top of your priority list."
Lumine gave an amused smile. "You really care about your equipment, don't you, Outrider?"
She nodded solemnly. "Our equipment is what keeps us safe. It lets us hunt, it lets us be safe from the elements. If we take care of our equipment, our equipment will take care of us." Amber hummed. "Also, wet shoes means wet socks. Wet socks means sensitive feet, which can lead to cuts, bruises, infections, and all sorts of things that can force you off your feet for weeks. So water-treated boots are very important."
/ - /
Her whittling skills were by no means something to brag about, but the figurines she could make could at least buy her some information, older fabric, or even a sachet of spices. Amber gave a single sharp puff of air, sending the handful of shavings fluttering to the ground.
The Traveller (who had risen as Aether, her pained mind supplied) had left with Paimon a little bit ago to go visit a Goddess Statue. It wasn't that far from the main road, but she had little interest in paying proper respects to an Archon that wasn't her own. Barbados may not have had the most active participation in the lives of his nation, but she had more trust in a fair breeze than the odds of a flash of inspiration. Besides, the bard was never one for prayers, despite existence for the church. He much preferred toasts in his name, or the various celebrations of life and survival.
That wasn't to say she never spent time at the various statues scattered throughout Mondstat. Because of the divinity suffusing them, resting near a statue meant safety from most monster attacks. She wasn't entirely sure what malevolent creatures felt when they tried to approach the statues, but it took a particularly belligerent creature (sans Anemo Slimes, which treated statues like gathering spots) to chase someone into a statue's lands.
As she carved a few more lines into the figurine, a simple hawk perched on stump, Amber took a deep breath, leisurely bemoaning how the air itself had tasted dustier ever since they approached Stone Gate. Perhaps a Liyue native would feel much the same way if they were to visit Mondstat, but for her, every breath was minorly aggravating. It didn't feel right. Her body didn't feel right, and not in the way that mirrors made her feel, no matter the sense of pride she got at seeing the results of her efforts.
The air in Mondstat tasted of life and movement. Of an uncertainty she was able to navigate at every waking moment. Here in Liyue, it tasted of stillness. It tasted of patience and dust.
It tasted of a foreign God.
She huffed, turning her carving around a few times before ultimately nodding in satisfaction. It would earn no awards, but it could be worth a story from someone.
The next several minutes passed in relative silence. In the not-so-distant waters of Dihua Marsh, fish and frogs made themselves known at the waters edge. Birds called out for mates or warnings, and if she listened carefully, she could pretend she could still hear the chatter of Mondstat floating in on the wind.
In two days time, that ambience would be replaced by the conversations of Liyue. Of the seas and trade; paths ruined or repaired; treasures recently unearthed from ground shakes or heavy rains; the heart of Liyue was so different from Mondstat proper. She wasn't quite sure if she was ready for it.
"Had a nice nap, Outrider?"
Amber made a show of stretching her arms, back, and finally her legs. "It's no forests of the mountains or highlands, but napping in the shade of a boulder like this is nice in its own way." She patted the rock affectionately,
Aether chuckled and rested a fist on his hip. "Ready to go?"
She continued staring out at the waters a few more. Moments before pushing off. "Let's go."
/ - /
Truthfully speaking, she was entirely capable of spending one extra night on the road. It was no small matter to ignore Wangshu Inn (aside from a brief stop for a meal more professional than that of campfire cooking) and simply continue on their way to Liyue Harbor, but it was pure whim that had her suggest they spend the night at the inn.
The fact that apparently the stairway up top was broken (the elevator was perfectly fine, so travel up and down was no real issue) was just happenstance, one that Amber had no qualms against assisting with. As a member of Ordo Favonius, she was no stranger to carpentry work. Much like her whittling, her work would gain no awards from any competition, but between repairing carts, fortifying doors and windows of various villages against incoming storms, and general volunteer work for (re)construction, completing a repair job for the stairs (at two no locations no less, the second having happened during an altercation later that afternoon) was a simple as measuring twice and cutting once.
Amber let out a satisfied sigh and swirled her wine around. The clouds around Dragonspine were particularly strong this time of year, and likely wouldn't break until after the Rite of Descension. It would be a perfect time to embark upon the mountain and partake of its cold springs. Perhaps afterwards she might even be able to spend time firmly in Eula's embrace.
She closed her eyes. That was perhaps her biggest regret about her essential exile. It was by no means one, and she wasn't involved in any sort of scandal that any might see her departure from Mondstat as one, but it still felt as such. 'To thrust a candidate for future Grand Master into the limelight, that she might forge the connections one might need for the position', was what Acting Grand Master Jean had said. The worst part was that she was entirely correct. As an Outrider, she had plenty of connections throughout Mondstat, but beyond the borders of Barbatos' lands? The name of Amber carried no weight.
Still, did Jean really have to send her to accompany the Traveller? Couldn't she have waited until after the Rite of Descension when her 'roommate' (pesky politics, and pesky Eula for trying to maintain face) would have returned and she could have left home with clothes and blankets freshly smelling like the wayward daughter of the Lawrence clan? No, instead she had to leave ahead of the eagerly awaited day and with a pack that smelled only faintly of Eula. She took another swig of her wine, mutters of annoyance leaving her lips.
"Your words make for a poor dining setting. Cease your mutterings."
"I can't imagine anything I speak would be worse than the demons that haunt you, Adepti."
"Humph. Speak. Why have you called for me, Child of Barbatos?"
"To see you." She turned slightly, eyeing the sole Yaksha known as Xiao as he picked at the almond tofu she had prepared. "Also to warn you to keep your schedule clear for the next week or two." The build up of energy almost had her shiver in fear. It was only through a steel clad will that she continued on as normal.
"Explain, mortal."
"My companion, the Traveller? They are not from these lands, and the winds of fate blow strongly around them. In Mondstat they found themselves involved in the rescue of Dvalin from an Abyssian threat, and now they find themselves traveling to the heart of Liyue as the Rite of Descension is meant to occur? I'm no fortune teller, but I find myself concerned as to what events might unfold when the rite begins."
Xiao placed his chopsticks down, staring at her intensely. "You do not believe I should interfere."
Amber took another sip. "I do not believe it is my place to say anything regarding what Liyue's defenders should or should not do. I simply believe that I, a mere mortal, should do my best to inform the chosen of Rex Lapis that the erosion caused by time might have wide reaching consequences." A magnificent spear head of jade, with six angular diamonds of the same material floating parallel to the wings, suddenly appeared in front of her face.
"Speak plainly, mortal, before I take your words as more than some ill spoken prophecy."
She huffed. Quietly, so as not to overly offend the reasonably agitated Yaksha. "I suspect that wherever the Traveller goes, trouble, of whatever sort, will follow. As if their life was cursed with interesting times. Though perhaps it's the other way around. Someone not of our lands, a catalyst for change simply with their mere existence." She nudged Xiao's spear away with an extended finger before taking another sip of her wine. "Speaking of which, I hear them coming." It was true. Paimon was speaking loudly about the food she and the Traveller had eaten, and though she couldn't hear the Traveller's footsteps, it was impossible to ignore Paimon's voice. "I'd suggest—" The words died with a chuckle. All that was left of Xiao's presence was the faint scent of blood, gore, and dusty petrichor. "The power of an Adepti," she muttered. "How inspiring."
/ - /
Aether had remained as Aether for the next day and a half. That perhaps was the biggest blessing of the trip. Headaches bordering on migraines always developed whenever her memories told her she was wrong about the Traveller's gender, and it was starting to become increasingly frustrating how she was the only one that seemed to notice the discrepancies between her body's instinct and her mind's logic.
"Liyue Harbor's a lot bigger than I was expecting," the man himself said.
"It's the hub of trade, after all! Between business decisions and its port, and being the capital of Rex Lapis' homeland, Liyue Harbor has gotta be as big as it is! Also, just think about all the tasty food they must have..." Paimon giggled and kicked her feet in anticipation.
Amber swung her legs in amusement, not letting the soles of her boots hit the wall beneath her. "By the way, Traveller, did you know where we got the name 'mora' from?" When Aether shook his head, and Paimon didn't speak up, she continued. "We get it from 'Morax', Rex Lapis' original name from long ago. As visitors to Liyue though, we should only refer to him by his modern day name. Just thought you should know in case anyone happens to mention 'Morax'."
"Wow, Amber, you sure know a lot about Liyue!"
She smiled softly and closed her eyes. "I just happen to be well read about the subject, is all."
Several travellers rushed past them as they made their way down the hillside. Most of them spoke of what they were most excited about regarding their return, while a few more commercially inclined spoke of rumors on the winds of various trades.
"Say, Paimon?"
"What's up, Traveller?"
"Do you know what that giant building in the sky is?"
"Oh, uh, that's, ehhh—"
"I think it's called the Jade Chamber," Amber remarked. "Supposedly it's where Lady Ningguang, the leader of Liyue Harbor's commercial sector, resides and makes the majority of the decisions governing Liyue's trade. If the trade of Tevyat had a war room, the Jade Chamber in its entirety would be that." She paused and looked up at the building. "We've got to look like ants from up there, don't you think? Completely mindless and worthless to the eyes up above." She mimed drawing an arrow at the building. "I wonder how much ground I could cover if I were to take off from there..."
Aether laughed. "A building as important as that and gliding's the second thing that comes to mind?"
She laughed as well and brought her hands down. "Hey, I think the exact same thing about the Cathedral and Barbatos' statue. If there's a way to scale it, I'm going to glide off it some day. That's a promise."
Crossing into the harbor proper was a simple, if slightly notable affair. Because of her status as a representative of Mondstat, word had to be sent ahead of her presence, but beyond that no one accosted them as they passed through the initial markets and stalls.
Amber glanced from stall to stall, taking note of the urgency of the shoppers. "Sorry I made us spend the evening at Wangshu Inn, Traveller."
"Hm? What do you mean, Outrider?"
"I think today's the exact day that the Rite of Descension's meant to happen. We should probably stick together in case it gets more crowded." She smirked mirthfully. "You're not afraid of holding hands if we need to, are you?"
Aether chuckled nervously. "Ah, not really. I've held hands with my sister often enough. He likes to keep track of me the exact same way."
Amber forced a smile, blinking the pain away. Mid-sentence, Lumine had taken place of Aether, and swapped back just as quickly.
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry." She pressed a hand to her forehead, massaging it slightly. "Migraine. I think the stress of being a representative is getting to me."
Aether gently pushed her hand away, pressing the back of his hand against her forehead. "You don't feel like you have a fever."
The smile grew just a little more real, this time with amusement. "Traveller, I promise I'm not sick. I'm just stressed."
"Heh. Maybe we get you a fancy room tonight, then."
She nodded in agreement. "We should probably ask around. Figure out where the Rite of Descension is actually going to take place." She pointed up at the Jade Chamber. "Personally, I think it'd be somewhere near there. Not sure if it would be the highest point, but somewhere where access to the Jade Chamber would be easier."
"Why don't we ask them?" Paimon pointed towards a young woman and an elder man.
Amber closed her eyes as the woman spoke. They'd both been identified as foreigners, and she kept herself the perfect model of amiability as the woman incorrectly (though without any malice) called her a godless orphan.
"How come you didn't say anything, Amber?"
"Outrider," Amber mouthed reflexively. "What would be the point? We have places to be, and Barbatos has his own desires to attend to. We might not hear his words as often as those of Liyue, but for those who know where to look, we feel his presence as much as Rex Lapis."
Aether stared at her for a moment before shaking his head with a smile.
"How's your legs, Traveller? Feeling the burn?" She asked with a grin as they summited the steps leading from the docks to a plaza overlooked by an ornate building.
"After all that traveling, just a little," he countered. "How about you, Paimon? Feeling tired?"
"Ehhh, not really. Could go for a snack though!"
She and Aether shared a laugh. "Excuse me, sir?" She called out. "We're looking for where the Rite of Descension will take place. Do you know where that would be?"
The man looked over them, nodding to himself. "Traveled all this way for the Rite of Descension, huh?" He chuckled. "To think I've lived in Liyue all these years and never went to see it myself. I guess it's like they say: locals never visit the tourist spots." He crossed his arms. "If you're visitors, any directions I give you would probably just make you lost and confused. Suffice to say, make your way to Yujing Terrance, the highest spot in the harbor. Sounds like the best place to communicate with deities, no?"
Amber nodded in gratitude. "Thanks for your advice. C'mon, Traveller."
"Wow, Amber. You have great instincts."
"I could have easily been somewhere in the center of the Harbor where everyone could have gathered," she countered. As they continued walking along, following the general direction of Liyue's inhabitants at her behest, Amber kept an ear out for the general chatter. Voices suggested that Ningguang herself would be part of the Rite, having been moving to enact several things regarding the creations of Geo users. Elsewhere, someone argued that Rex Lapis was the oldest of the Seven, and that no one even came close.
"I think it's neat how much Liyue has worked to make the natural terrain part of their capital." Underneath the din of the crowd, she could hear the faint sound of a waterfall. Around them, people hurried along the bridge, plant filled ponds on either side. Here and there, she could even see fish swimming lazily along. "The closest Mondstat gets is the villages, maybe Port Dornman."
"Thinking about trying to incorporate some things?"
"Maybe if I ever get asked to advise additional construction." She tugged Aether to the side as a group of children ran past them. "Certainly wouldn't mind finding a way to have some more parks within the city. Can never have enough nature."
He chuckled. "Maybe a little less stairs though," he joked as they began climbing yet another set.
"But how else will we ensure that everyone gets enough exercise?" she countered. Once they reached the top, she reached for his hand. "I'm warning you now: if your hand gets clammy, I'm drying myself on your clothes."
"Fair enough. Paimon, stick close, okay?"
"Got it!"
Despite the general movements of the crowd, there were still islands of inaction here and there. Mostly from groups that seemed to be heading to the various buildings around the terrace. "Think we're following the right crowd?"
"We've got to be," Aether murmured back.
It was only once they passed through one final gate that Amber let go of Aether's hand, content in the knowledge that they were at the right spot. Banners dotted the terrace, and here and there she could hear hawkers shouting about their incense or talismans.
"You know, Paimon once heard that the best time to make a wish was on the Rite of Descension. Wanna give it a try, Traveller?"
She nudged Aether. "Maybe a prayer or two might grab Rex Lapis' attention. What do you think?"
Aether nodded resolutely. Together they moved with the general flow of the crowd, slipping out at two spots where large standing censers were gathered. Amber declined to make any wishes, stating that it felt weird to be doing so in a foreign land, instead standing watch as both Paimon and Aether bowed their heads in supplication.
"You know, that's Ms. Ningguang right over there," a Snezhnayan merchant whispered to her. "I didn't expect that the Tiānquán herself would be presiding over the Rite of Descension. I feel awfully lucky about my fortunes."
She smiled back at him. "Fortunes are only one part of what we call luck. At the end of the day, it's up to us to create our own fate, don't you think?"
He paused for a moment before laughing. "How very true. Well, from one Wisher to another, I hope your wishes come true."
Amber nodded, looking over at Aether as he approached. "So? Feel any different?"
He shook his head. "Aside from a little anxiety because of the event, no." He smiled all the same. "What about you, Miss Outrider? Feel strange being at the heart of another God's descension?"
She gave him an amused look. "Oh, so very strange. Absolutely awful. Completely at odds with my own body."
Aether laughed, drawing the attention of those around them. "Hopefully we're not so out of sorts we can't focus on the Rite."
"Hey, speaking of the Rite, we need to get closer. We won't be able to see anything from back here!"
"Hey, Paimon—!" Amber pulled back her hand as Paimon floated off, continually looking back at them to make sure they were followed. "Aether, lead the way." She grabbed hold of one of his shawl-tails, holding it tightly within a fist to make sure she wouldn't get separated. Disgruntled voices grumbled at them as they pushed their way through, eventually finding themselves at the forefront of the audience.
Amber shuffled her way to Aether's side, moving slightly closer than strictly appropriate to allow those behind her more room to see. It was as she did so that Lady Ningguang's assistants bowed and stepped back. "Oh," she gasped. Streaks of energy flared out from Lady Ningguang, coalescing into a quartet of magnificent gems of Geo that whirled around her body. "She's so beautiful..." she whispered, tapping into her elemental sight.
With a thrust of her hand, Lady Ninguang directed the gems toward the main censer, the gems orbiting it before flying into it with another gesture.
"Aether, use your sight!" The censor became alit with golden energy, another gasp escaping her lips as an outward pulse became a pillar of light. "Is that all her?" Her lips curled into a smile, excitement coursing through her body as the sheer power Lady Ninguang showed. Where light met clouds, a gentle funnel began forming. White clouds turned grey, and streaks of red lightning began shooting across them. "Hey, what's—" Dust filled the air, the terrible sound of cracking stone silencing everything. There, where the altar once stood, a draconic form slumped, the vibrancy of Geo within its body rapidly disappearing. "Morax..."
"Rex Lapis has been killed," Lady Ningguang shouted, "Seal the exits!"
Her hands slid from Aether's arm to his hand. "Traveller..."
"We need to leave." At once he tugged her along, the two of them making their way back through the crowd.
"Wait, what's going on!?"
"Traveller, I trust your judgment, but this isn't a good look, for either of us!" Amber hissed.
"I'll explain later. We just can't get caught."
"The terrain," she said as they passed through the gate. She tugged Aether to the left. "Use the terrain!" Amber's heart pounded as they rushed from cover to cover. Milelith soldiers stomped every which way, and once they filled the terrace, they worked to keep all angles covered. "The fence," she whispered. "I'll give you a boost, pull me up once you get on top. Sync?"
"Sync?" Aether repeated, wide eyed.
"Mark!" She rushed forward, sliding harshly to a stop against the wood. In that same motion, she hunched over slightly, bracing her hands to catch his foot and heave him over. Aether caught on quick, and reached down to lend her a hand to scale the fence. "We can't stay here. If not the Milelith, then someone inside will catch us."
Aether strode forward, crouching here and there where eye level windows existed. "I'm sorry I pulled you into this, Outrider."
"Explain later, escape now. Paimon, stay lower!" she hissed.
"Sorry!"
Aether peeked around the corner of the fencing. "There's some guards in the way. I don't think he's going to move."
"Acting Grand Master really won't like this," Amber muttered, making a fist.
"Outrider?"
With a huff of air, Amber punched forward, launching out an ethereal Baron Bunny. The bunny dip a front flip as it soared through the air, happily sprinting forward as best as a stubby legged construct could with the handful of Milleth guards chasing after it. "Go!" She needn't speak twice. Together they sprinted their way across the grass and rock, slowing down as they approached paved ground once more. "Okay, just a little bit more and—" A curse died in her throat. Focused as she was on the guards, she hadn't noticed the shards of pottery someone had swept to the edges of the walkway. Shards she had conveniently stepped on with the heel of her foot.
"Suspects, over here! Arrest them!"
"Run, run!" With a burst of wind that must have been borne from Venti, Aether charged ahead, recklessly jumping the last half of the stairwell and catching himself with a roll. Amber, for her part, instead vaulted over the side, landing beside him as he rounded the corner. "We need to—" She slid to a stop, another squad of soldiers running up the path. She and Aether backed up. Above, several soldiers charged down the stairs. Below, a squad with what looked to be a captain or a sergeant based off his sword warded them even further into the corner.
"Surrender yourselves. There's nowhere to run," the one with the sword said, leveling his weapon at them."
"Traveller, we should do as he— why!?"
With a flash of light, Aether summoned his blade, readying himself.
"Can we please just talk this out like—" Amber's eyes widened. Before the voice even registered, she ducked, a salvo of Hydro arrows shooting over their heads and landing disarming blows on the higher ranking squad. An orange haired man with a damaged scarf landed in a crouch in front of them. Without another word he brought his bow before him and where one single curved weapon was held, suddenly two blades of restrained water existed. "No, don't!"
It was rather impressive how quickly he (non-lethally) dispatched the Milelith, but all Amber could think about as the Harbinger before them beckoned them to follow was how big a diplomatic incident this would result in.
Next chapter will be released September 11th.