6th of May, 1916
15:23 CEST
Paris, France
Josephe Joffre, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Third French Republic, had just arrived in Paris. He had been informed of what had occurred and had been urged to return back from the Front. He could scarcely believe the reports. To him, they read more like some bad fiction that you might find in the papers. If it had been confirmed by anyone other than Pierre Roques, then he would think they were mad.
Nevertheless, this portal within the Arc de Triompe was real. He had just spent half an hour staring at it before conducting his inspection. The Paris Garrison had locked the area down tight. Buildings bordering the lockdown zone had their windows bricked up, and all traffic was being diverted through alternative routes. Since the first incursion, a few of the monsters, referred to as 'Hilichurls' by their Guests, had come through, only to be cut down by French gunfire.
Speaking of their Guests, from what he had been told, they've been given lodgings in the form of a hotel suite where they've been staying since they arrived. Joffre's inspection of the Arc de Triomphe's lockdown was quick, so as to give him more time to speak to their Guests. Now he was in his car on the way to the Guests' hotel room.
It didn't take long for Joffre to arrive outside of the hotel. French soldiers were stationed at the entrance to ensure no one that didn't already have a room checked or weren't explicitly allowed into the hotel made it through.
Joffre got out of his car and was met with Pierre Roques. The two shook hands and greeted one another, Joffre gesturing for Roques to lead the way. A translator was brought along to allow for clear communication between their Guests and them. The group of 5, including two armed guards, got into an elevator to the room of their Guests.
"What can you tell me about these two?" Joffre asked Roques.
"They have been nothing but compliant," Answered Roques, "they answered all of our questions we had asked of them. I do not believe that they mean any harm to us."
"They may not, however that portal is right in the middle of Paris, the heart of France." said Joffre, "What have they told us about what lies across that portal?"
"From their description, across that portal lies another world."
Before Joffre could ask more, their elevator had arrived at their desired floor. Their Guests were given the nicest suite in the hotel, and had been given all the accommodations they could want, so long as they cooperated with the French. Joffre immediately knew which room belonged to their Guests, as two armed soldiers stood guard on either side of the door. From what he'd been told, the two Guests are allowed to move freely as long as they had an armed guard with them.
As they approached, one of the two soldiers knocked on the door. A high pitched voice answered in English. The soldier then opened the door and allowed them in. The two Guests were seated around the small coffee table. Paimon, the small fairy, was still dressed in her peculiar clothes. Aether however wore a nice two piece suit that was provided to him.
"Aether, Paimon," Roques greeted
them, "I hope we did not interrupt anything."
The two shook their heads upon the translator explaining what Roques had said.
"No, not at all," said Paimon, "the Traveler and I were just waiting on you for the whole day."
"Good, good." Roques then turned to Joffre, "This is General Josephe Joffre, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Third French Republic." Aether and Paimon waved at him, Joffre giving a nod in return, "He is here to ask you some questions. I understand that you may be tired of our interrogating you, however the security of our nation depends on what you tell us."
The two nodded in understanding. Joffre then spoke up, "Allow me to be frank, what can you tell me about this other world."
Aether looked at Paimon, who would go on to explain it, "The world is called Teyvat, with seven nations each following one of the Seven Archons. The uh- the Archons are the purveyors of an element. So far Aether has traveled to the nation of Anemo, Mondstadt, and the nation of Geo, Liyue."
Joffre nodded, "What can you tell me of the other nations?"
"Umm, not much other than the element associated with them." Paimon said, "Inazuma is the nation of Electro, Sumeru is the nation of Dendro, Fontaine is the nation of Hydro, Nathan is the nation of Pyro, and Snezhnaya is the nation of Cryo," after mentioning Snezhnaya Paimon exclaimed, "Oh! We can tell you a bit about Snezhnaya, if you'd like."
The French entourage were muttering amongst themselves, with the translator asking the two a question, "You said the nation of Hydro is called Fountain?"
"No, it's Fontaine." Paimon explained.
"Odd, the French word for Fountain is Fontaine."
"Huh, weird."
Meanwhile Joffre and Roques seemed to be speaking amongst themselves. Aether and Paimon could only watch and listen, picking up a few similar words that they could pick up on.
Eventually Joffre turned back to them, "You said you could tell us a bit more about one of the nations. What can you tell us?"
Aether was the one who spoke this time, "Snezhnaya is the nation presiding over Cryo. The Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon, has been sending her paramilitary force called the Fatui to the other 6 nations."
"And what exactly are they after?" Joffre asked.
"They're after the Gnosis of each Archon. It's what gives them power and ties them to Celestia."
A bit of muttering began amongst the French. Joffre turned again to the Traveler, "What is Celestia?"
"Celestia is where the Gods are. They choose when to make someone into an Archon." Aether explained.
The questioning continued for almost an hour until the French had nothing more to ask of their Guests. They were about to leave when Aether asked them to stay.
"Is there a reason you'd like for us to stay?" the Translator asked.
Aether nodded, "We've told you about Teyvat. I'd like to ask you about Earth."
The Translator turned to Joffre and Roques, who seemed hesitant. The Translator then turned back towards Aether and Paimon.
"Perhaps it would be a better idea if only I were to stay?" asked the Translator, "the War Minister and the Commander in Chief are very busy as of late."
"That's fine." Aether nodded. Joffre, Roques, and their two armed guards left the room, leaving only Aether, Paimon, and the Translator.
"What is it that you would like to know?"
"We'd like to know your name." Aether asked.
"My name is Lambert."
"Why are you at war?" asked Paimon.
"Ah, because the Austrians had their heir to the throne assassinated." answered Lambert, "How France got involved is because of a string of alliances we had formed."
"How long has this war been going on?" asked Aether.
"Almost two years now," said Lambert, "for almost two years the world has been at war."
6th of May, 1916
17:01 CEST
Paris, France
"What now?" asked Roques, "What will we do about that portal?"
Having finished questioning of their Guests, the two were back in a car on their way to Roques' office. Joffre thought Roques' question over. That portal posed a very real risk to France and her war effort. If, for any reason, the Germans or Austrians are able to utilise it, then they'd have a back door right into the heart of France. Something they had been seeking ever since their invasion of Belgium. This portal was it.
"The best defence is a good offence." Joffre muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"If everything our Guests said is true, then across that portal lies a new world. A world with its own nations, rules, and politics." Joffre explained, "A world that we could use."
"You wish to invade?" asked Roques.
Joffre shook his head, "No, no. France cannot afford it. I wish to send diplomats across the portal. By doing so, we could secure our border, perhaps hash out a deal with whatever nation is directly across the portal to allow French troops to be stationed there."
"And we could become involved in politics there. Tangled up in whatever drama they have going on." said Roques, "You remember what our Guests told us about Snezhnaya. Their Tsaritsa's actions against the other nations. You may not be looking for war, but try to force your way into Teyvat, and war will find you. France cannot afford another war."
"No, I know that. Which is why we must do whatever we can to avoid war." Joffre said, "Aether said he was an Honourary Knight in the nation of Mondstadt, and considered a hero in the nation of Liyue. Perhaps we can get him to aid us."
"Whatever you have planned will not matter without the approval of the President and the Prime Minister."
Joffre sighed, "You're right. I don't know if they'll be willing to commit anything for an expedition across the portal. The Germans have us locked down in Verdun."
"If you want to convince them, then maybe our Guests could be useful," said Roques, "their elemental powers aren't limited to just them. With the power of a Vision, anyone can harness the elements. Perhaps that power could prove useful against the Germans."
Joffre nodded, "Perhaps."
"And what of the British?" asked Roques, "They have been asking about the portal and if they could speak to our Guests as well."
"This matter is a French matter first and foremost," said Joffre, "I prefer to keep it that way. That does not mean that we should keep our allies in the dark, however. We can permit them to speak to our Guests."
7th of May, 1916
10:31 CEST
Paris, France
Aether had become somewhat of a local icon in Paris. The papers, from what the guards outside his room told him, had written about his heroics when the portal first opened. The Translator from before, Lambert, had been kind enough to help Aether read said papers while he stuck around yesterday. He read that the French were locked down in battle at a place called 'Verdun', and their enemy, the Germans, weren't letting up in the slightest. The French phrase 'Ils ne passeront pas' appeared in the paper, which Lambert told him meant 'They shall not pass', words uttered by French General Philippe Pétain, the commander of the Verdun sector.
Donning his suit that the French had given to him and with Paimon by his side, Aether opened his door and spoke to his guards, chosen specifically for their ability to speak 'English', the language that he apparently spoke in this world.
"Go down to the main floor and ask the reception for an armed guard," said one of the guards, "you'll be good to walk around then."
Aether nodded and went into the elevator with Paimon. The last time they had been able to have some free time and actually walk through Paris had been the day before yesterday, and that was the first time. Enough people spoke English that he could feel at least somewhat comfortable asking for directions, but he still felt like a headless chicken in the city. His time travelling through different worlds had brought him to somewhat similar places to Paris, however the state of war that the country was in meant that food was being rationed, a strict curfew had been placed upon the city, and all around here were armed soldiers. The atmosphere felt tense, but it seemed that many in the city had grown accustomed to it.
Maybe a bit of fresh air could help him take his mind off his sister.
"What do you plan to do today, Aether?" asked Paimon.
"I want to see their Eiffel Tower up close." Aether said, "You can see it from the hotel, but I'd like a closer look. I also heard of an art museum called The Louvre that I'd like to visit as well."
"Oh yeah! I was talking with one of the guards and they said that the Eiffel Tower was made because of the Exposition Universelle that happened in Paris a while ago." Paimon explained, "Apparently, the Tower was actually meant to be taken down and scrapped, but the people liked it so much that they kept it."
"It certainly is an eye-catcher." The elevator then hit the main floor, opening its doors for Aether and Paimon. They walked up to the reception desk where a young man stood.
"Good morning, sir." greeted the young man, "What may we do for you today?"
"We'd like to go to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre," said Paimon.
The man nodded, "I'm sure you're aware, but you need an armed guard at all times while you're away from the hotel."
"We know." the two said in unison.
"Very well. I'll call for a driver to take you to your destinations. Do you know which place you'd like to go first? Your guards will be there early to meet you there."
"Oh oh! Let's go to the Eiffel Tower first!" Paimon said.
"Eiffel Tower, then?" Aether nodded, "Alright, your ride will be here soon."
Aether and Paimon then went outside and waited at the doors of the hotel. It didn't take long for a car to arrive. It was a small thing with room for maybe 5 people in total and without a top. From what the two had been told, everyone who was working for them as chauffeurs or guards were picked because of their loyalty to the Republic, and their ability to speak English fluently.
With how often many of these same soldiers spoke about the war and some of their leadership, Aether got the feeling they prioritised the latter over the former.
While this wasn't their first time, driving around in a car was still a relatively new experience for the two. Their chauffeur had gotten out and held the door open for Aether, Paimon simply floated into the car.
"Thank you, uh," Aether said, "may I know your name?"
The driver nodded, "My name is Jules, sir."
"Thank you, Jules!" Paimon said gleefully.
"Where would you like to go?" Jules asked them.
"We, uh, would like to go to the Eiffel Tower." Aether answered, "And after we want to go to the Louvre."
"Understood, sir."
The car began moving forward slowly before gaining in speed down the Parisian streets. During the car ride, the chauffeur would strike up conversation with the two of them. Asking about how they liked Paris, if they liked their food, if they've ride in cars before.
One question however stuck out from the rest.
"I uh, huh, I don't know." said Paimon.
The question that had been asked was 'How does Paimon not fly out of the car if she floats all the time?'.
"She gets tired by floating over soft snow too," Aether added, "as if she was trudging through it as I was."
"Huh, odd."
"If you think that's odd, you should hear about how I met her."
"H-Hey!" Paimon stammered, "Please don't!"
"Oh? Do tell." said Jules.
Mondstadt Outskirts
Word of the portal in Dadaupa Gorge didn't take too long to spread across the city. Knights who had been tasked to either patrol the Gorge or Mondstadt in case of another portal weren't prohibited from actually talking about it. That and many of said Knights often frequented establishments such as the Angel's Share and the Cat's Tail on their off time. A drunk Knight was often the best way to get a hold of gossip in Mondstadt.
A few concerned citizens had approached Jean about the portal, asking if she knew where the portal leads to, if she has a plan to get rid of it, and if the people of Mondstadt should be concerned.
Jean had tried to alleviate their worries by reassuring them that the Knights had it all in hand. However, the lack of an answer for if she knew where the portal leads didn't help at all. The City of Freedom had become engulfed in worry and concern for the future. If the portal led the Hilichurls somewhere far off from Teyvat? Then good riddance. The possibility that the portal could lead right into Mondstadt however was terrifying.
While not completely unprotected, many of the Knights were off in an expedition far away, led by Grandmaster Varka. What remained was essentially a skeleton crew, the bare minimum needed to patrol and protect Mondstadt.
Many business owners were now forming citizen militias to help defend Mondstadt while the Knights were gone patrolling. While at first Jean didn't condone such actions, the militias remained behaved and helped alleviate some concern for those within the city.
Master Diluc of Dawn Winery undoubtedly had the largest citizen militia. He committed them to defend Dawn Winery itself, the area around the Winery, and the roads leading to Mondstadt. Diluc himself often would participate in making sure his workers and wine made it safely to and from Mondstadt.
Currently, he was on his way back to Dawn Winery after having dropped off a supply of wine at the Angel's Share. And unfortunately, Cavalry Captain Kaeya just so happened to cross paths with him.
"Oh, good afternoon, Diluc," said Kaeya, "just finished restocking the Angel's Share?"
"If you're so inclined, then yes, I have."
"Good, good. I was planning on spending my free time there." said Kaeya, "Have you noticed anything peculiar along the way?"
Diluc shook his head, "Not at all. No Hilichurls, Treasure Hoarders, nothing. How about you?
"No, nothing on my end either." Kaeya seemed to be thinking for a second, pulling himself out of his thoughts, "Alright then, I shouldn't keep you for too long. Safe travels, Diluc."
"And I hope your patrol doesn't hit any snags."
The two bid farewell and went off on their separate ways. Kaeya back to patrolling the West side of Mondstadt, and Diluc to Dawn Winery. This whole portal business was growing tiresome. Everyone being on edge 24/7 meant less business for everyone. Not even the smithing industry saw any real boom as everyone went to buying weapons from other nations once it became clear Mondstadt's domestic weapon production couldn't keep up with the demand.
Seeing all this occur made Diluc wonder how the other nations were taking this whole portal ordeal.
Goth Grand Hotel
City of Mondstadt
The Fatui within Mondstadt were scrambling to get any information on the portal at Dadaupa Gorge. Pyro Agents had been sent to survey the Gorge itself to understand its nature, with other scouts being spread all over Mondstadt. No Harbingers were unfortunately in Mondstadt anymore, not after the disaster that was the Storm Terror incident and the Balladeer's brief visit. No, the Balladeer and La Signora was on their way to Inazuma, and with the Gnosis taken from Mondstadt, there was no need for a Harbinger to stick around.
If only one of them did, however. As of now the Fatui have been behaving more like a headless chicken, trying to get any sort of intel on the portal without any sort of direction. The Mondstadt branch had already gone and told their branch in the neighbouring Liyue of the portal, and they no doubt were trying to understand it as well.
The door to the main room of the hotel was pushed open, with three Pyro Agents entering.
"We need to report to the boss." said one Agent, "There's been a development with the portal."
"Uhhh, what boss?" a Fatuus asked.
The Agent sighed, "Where's Koralev?"
One of the Fatui shouted from one of the halls, urging the three Agents over. The Fatuus had led them into one of the hotel rooms which had been converted into an office space, offering them a seat.
"You said there was a development with the portal?" Koralev asked, "What's happened?"
"As you know the Hilichurls in Dadaupa Gorge have been thinned down to exceptionally low numbers," one Agent began explaining, "we believe we know why."
"Yes yes, the Hilichurls went through the portal and came out who knows where. Everyone knows this."
"We know where the portal leads."
Koralev looked gobsmacked, "H-How? Did you go through the portal?"
The Agent nodded, "We had Mikhail go through." he said, gesturing to the Agent on his left.
"You weren't meant to- ugh, what did you see?" asked Koralev.
"The portal was under an Arch in what looked to be a city. All around it were barricades made of wire and bags full of sand, manned by soldiers wearing bright blue uniforms and armed with peculiar looking muskets."
"Did any of them see you?"
Mikhail shook his head, "No, I was cloaked. However, a small band of Hilichurls had come through with me, and they were all dispatched by the men in blue. Their muskets I believe are a repeating design."
"Did you find out anything else while across the portal?"
Mikhail shook his head again, "No, I couldn't. They spoke a different language, I couldn't understand them, and I only meant to stay for a brief time"
Koralev hummed, "You weren't meant to cross the portal in the first place…" he trailed off, "However, now we have an idea of where it leads."
"What's our next move, sir?" Asked the first Agent.
"Let's keep this between ourselves for now. If you can, have this info be spread to the other branch leaders in Liyue and Sumeru especially. Only the branch leaders. Tell them yourselves if you must, and hammer home the need for secrecy."
"Should we make a request for a Harbinger to be stationed in Mondstadt?" Mikhail asked.
Koralev shook his head, "No, they're all either busy or it's going to be Childe. That man knows nothing of subtlety." Koralev took a bottle of wine on his desk and poured it into four glasses, offering three to the Agents across from him, "You've done good work. Let's have a toast, and may the Tsaritsa's hand guide us."
"May the Tsaritsa's hand guide us."