Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the new series. This chapter will focus on Ash taking it easy in Mondstadt for a bit from his Fatui experience. Aether and Paimon will briefly reappear to rekindle with Ash. Ash will also encounter Amber and learn a little bit about Gliding, which could play a key role later in the continuation of the Storm Terror arc.
Guide by the Wind
...
A few days had passed since recovering the holy lyre from the Fatui base, and Ash once more found himself resting in the familiar comfort of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters guest room. A soft groan escaped from the stirring young teen as he opened his eyes, his vision a bit blurry. Slowly, he turned his head to the side and noticed a familiar librarian in purple sitting next to his bedside, a warm smile on her lovely face.
"Lisa?" Ash said tiredly, blinking to clear his vision.
"Hello, cutie. Glad to see you're finally awake," Lisa greeted warmly.
Ash returned the smile and sat up, glancing around momentarily before looking back at Lisa. "Guess I'm back at the Knights' headquarters?"
Lisa nodded, confirming his suspicions. "You were out for a few days after you and Diluc returned to Mondstadt with the holy lyre," she explained.
Ash sighed. "I need to stop doing that," he muttered, earning a chuckle from Lisa.
"Don't worry too much about it, cutie. As long as you're still alive and kicking, that's what matters," she reassured him, earning another smile from Ash. Soon, his stomach growled, causing him to blush and Lisa to chuckle.
"How about we get you something to eat and then you can see the others? They were worried sick about you," Lisa suggested.
Ash nodded with gratitude. "Good idea," he said sheepishly.
Lisa helped Ash out of bed, and the two made their way to the dining hall. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stew filled the air, making Ash's mouth water. As they entered, several Knights of Favonius members looked up and smiled, relieved to see Ash up and about.
After grabbing a plate of food, Ash and Lisa found a quiet corner to sit and eat. As he devoured his meal, Ash couldn't help but think about everything that had happened. The battle with the Fatui agent, his strange power, and the revelations about his heritage all weighed heavily on his mind.
"Lisa, do you know anything about Rotarian descendants?" Ash asked between bites.
Lisa paused, considering his question. "Well, the Rotarians were known for their unique abilities, often tied to the elements. It's said they had a deep connection with the world around them, allowing them to harness incredible power. But their lineage is shrouded in mystery. Why do you ask?"
Ash hesitated before explaining everything that had happened during their mission, including his strange encounter with the Fatui agent and the blue glow that had saved him. Lisa listened intently, her expression growing serious.
"It sounds like your powers are awakening, Ash. Jean had her suspicions, and it seems she was right. You have a unique gift, one that could be very important in the battles to come," Lisa said thoughtfully.
Ash nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "I just want to help. I want to protect Mondstadt and my friends."
Lisa smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "And you will, cutie. You have a strong heart and a brave spirit. Mondstadt is lucky to have you."
The Pokémon Trainer smiled. "Thank you, Lisa."
Moments later...
Once Ash's stomach was full and satisfied, he and Lisa headed towards Jean's office. As soon as Lisa opened the door, allowing Ash to enter inside, his face was suddenly embraced by a worried Paimon. "Oh, Ash, Paimon is so happy you're not dead! Paimon was so worried!" the fairy girl cried, tears streaming down her eyes.
"Paimon...mfmph!" Ash's protests were muffled by Paimon as he waved his arms wildly at the sudden facial hug. Inside the office, Jean, Kaeya (with Pikachu on his shoulder), Lucario (leaning against the wall across the door), and Aether were amused by the scene.
"Paimon, you need to let Ash go. He can't breathe," Aether told his traveling companion firmly.
"No," Paimon shook her head, holding on tighter.
"Paimon..." Aether's tone grew more insistent.
Paimon sighed and finally released her hold on Ash's face, allowing him to gasp for air. "Sorry, Ash," Paimon apologized.
"No worries, Paimon," Ash said with a slightly raspy voice.
Jean stepped forward, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "Ash, we're so glad you're okay. You gave us quite a scare."
Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry for worrying everyone."
Kaeya, with a smirk, added, "Well, it seems our young hero has a knack for getting into trouble."
Pikachu jumped from Kaeya's shoulder to Ash's, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. "Pika!"
Lucario, still leaning against the wall, gave a nod of acknowledgment to Ash, who returned the gesture with a grateful smile.
Ash glanced back at Aether and Paimon, feeling a wave of familiarity and warmth. "How's it going, Aether? It's been a while since we last saw each other," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Aether sheepishly scratched his head. "Sorry we haven't been around much, Ash," the blonde Traveler sincerely apologized. "We've been helping Amber with some of her missions the past several days."
"And when we heard about the holy lyre being stolen by the Fatui, we tried to hurry back as quickly as possible," Paimon added, her voice full of concern.
"Hopefully Venti didn't drag you into his mess too badly," Aether playfully joked, trying to ease the tension.
"Yeah, we heard it was all tone-deaf bard's fault!" Paimon huffed with her tiny fists on her hips, scowling at the thought of Venti.
Ash chuckled. "Venti didn't cause too much trouble for me," he half-lied. "But he meant well."
Paimon crossed her arms, still looking skeptical. "Well, as long as you're okay. We were really worried when we heard what happened."
Ash smiled warmly. "Thanks, Paimon. It means a lot. But I'm fine now, thanks to everyone here."
Aether nodded, his expression softening. "We're glad to see you're okay, Ash. If you ever need help, you know you can count on us."
Ash's heart swelled with gratitude. "I know. And I'll do the same for you."
Jean intervened, her tone gentle but firm. "Ash, I think it's best if you take it easy for a bit. You've been through a lot, and you need to rest and recover."
Ash frowned slightly. "But I can help. I don't want to sit around doing nothing."
Jean shook her head, her expression kind but resolute. "I appreciate your willingness to help, Ash, but right now, the best thing you can do is rest. Let us handle the planning for our next move. I promise we'll keep you informed once we've figured everything out."
Ash sighed, realizing he couldn't argue with Jean's logic. "Alright, Jean. I'll take it easy."
Jean smiled, relieved that Ash was willing to trust her judgment. "Thank you, Ash. Your well-being is important to all of us."
Aether stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Ash's shoulder. "Jean's right, Ash. You've done so much already. Take this time to heal and regain your strength. We'll handle things for now."
Paimon nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And besides, you need to be in top shape for our next adventure together!"
Ash couldn't help but smile at his friends' encouragement. "Thanks, Aether. Thanks, Paimon. I'll try to take it easy."
Lisa added, "And don't worry, cutie. We'll make sure to bring you all the latest updates. You're not missing out on anything."
With a final nod, Ash agreed. "Okay, I'll rest. But if you need me, just call."
Jean nodded appreciatively. "Of course, Ash. Now go get some rest. That's an order from your Acting Grand Master."
Ash chuckled at her authoritative tone. "Yes, ma'am."
...
After leaving the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder and Lucario by his side, strolled through the Market District. As they walked, a familiar voice called out to him. The group paused, glancing around but spotting no one nearby.
"Ash, above you!" Amber's voice guided them to look up. The Outrider was gliding towards them on her glider.
"Oh, hey, Amber!" Ash shouted back with a friendly wave.
The group watched as Amber landed in front of them with a bright smile. "Hey, Ash! Glad you're finally awake and not always sleeping," the female Knight playfully joked.
Ash sheepishly scratched his head. "I guess I've been doing that a lot lately, huh?"
Amber shook her head. "I'm just teasing, but I'm glad you're fine now," she said, feeling relieved.
"Thanks, Amber," Ash replied with a smile. Then, he thought about her gliding earlier. "Do you glide a lot?" he asked curiously.
Amber's grin grew wide. "Of course! It's part of my duty as the Outrider after all," she stated proudly.
"I see," Ash muttered, thinking back to his previous journeys where he did some sky battling and contests. He had done something similar to gliding but had to wear a jumpsuit. His interest was now piqued. "Say, Amber, mind if I give it a go?"
Amber's eyes widened a bit. "What, you know how to glide, Ash?" Her interest was now intrigued.
Ash sheepishly scratched his head again. "I mean, they may not be quite similar, but I think I know the basics. How hard can it be, right?" he asked.
"I love your attitude, Ash," Amber complimented. "Alright, let's see what you got."
Pikachu and Lucario wearily exchanged worried glances, feeling like Ash's attempt to glide might end badly.
Amber laughed at Pikachu and Lucario's concerned expressions. "Don't worry, you two. I'll make sure Ash is safe," she reassured them.
Ash looked determined. "Thanks, Amber. Let's do this!"
Amber led Ash to a spot where they could practice safely. She handed him a spare glider and gave him a quick rundown on how it worked. "Just remember to keep your balance and use your body to control your direction. It's all about feeling the wind."
Ash nodded, absorbing her instructions. He strapped on the glider, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Alright, I'm ready."
Amber gave him an encouraging smile. "Okay, Ash. Start with a small jump and get a feel for it. I'll be right beside you."
Taking a deep breath, Ash ran forward and jumped, spreading his arms to catch the wind. For a moment, he felt weightless, the wind rushing past him. Amber glided alongside him, ready to assist if needed.
At first, Ash wobbled slightly, but he quickly adjusted, using Amber's advice to stabilize himself. "This is amazing!" he shouted, grinning widely.
Amber laughed. "You're doing great, Ash! Now try turning a little to the left."
Ash leaned slightly to the left, and the glider responded, changing direction smoothly. Pikachu and Lucario watched from below, their worries easing as they saw Ash handling it well.
After a few more minutes of practice, Ash landed back on the ground with Amber. He was beaming with excitement. "That was incredible! Thanks for letting me try, Amber."
Amber gave him a thumbs up. "You did really well, Ash. Maybe with some more practice, you'll be gliding as smoothly as a real Outrider."
Ash's eyes sparkled with determination. "I'd love to practice more. This was really fun!"
Amber chuckled. "Alright, we'll definitely do that. But for now, how about we grab something to eat? You must be hungry after all that excitement."
Ash's stomach growled in agreement, making both of them laugh. "Yeah, that sounds great."
...
Later that evening, Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario were summoned back to Jean's office. They were greeted by Venti, who was in high spirits.
"Ah, if it isn't my favorite traveler and his companions! I'm glad you could make it," Venti exclaimed with a broad grin.
Paimon, however, was less than thrilled by the attention Venti was lavishing on Ash. "Hey! What's with the favoritism, Venti?" she demanded, her arms crossed in frustration. "You're treating Aether and me like we're second-rate!"
Venti, slightly taken aback, tried to defuse the situation. "Oh, Paimon, that's not what I meant at all. I'm not ignoring you and Traveler," he said soothingly, though his reassurances did little to convince Paimon.
Paimon remained unconvinced. "Yeah, sure. I'm not buying it."
Venti shifted his focus back to the matter at hand, pointing to the map spread across Jean's desk. "It looks like Dvalin is heading towards Starsnatch Cliff. I have a strong feeling about this."
Jean's expression grew concerned. "That's quite a distance. It could take us several days to get there on foot."
Venti shrugged casually. "Then we should set out as soon as possible," he suggested, his tone nonchalant despite the gravity of the situation.
Paimon shook her head, unimpressed. "This sounds like a last-minute idea. Did you just come up with this plan now?"
Venti's smile wavered, irritation flickering across his face. "I assure you, Paimon, this plan has been thoroughly considered."
Jean sighed and turned to Kaeya and Lisa, her tone serious. "While we're away, can you both look after Mondstadt?"
Kaeya responded with his usual humor. "Leave it to us, Jean. We'll make sure everything's in order."
Lisa offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Absolutely. We've got it covered."
...
The next day, Diluc met with Ash, his Pokémon, Jean, Aether, Paimon, and Venti at the gate entrance of Mondstadt, where they were gearing up for their journey to Starsnatch Cliff.
Diluc approached with his usual serious demeanor, his crimson eyes scanning the group. "Good morning. Are we all set for the journey?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge of readiness.
Jean nodded, adjusting her gear. "Yes, we're ready to head out. We should move quickly to stay ahead of Dvalin."
Paimon, floating beside Aether, looked up at Diluc with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. "Hey, Diluc! Glad you could join us. Are you sure you're okay with this? It seems like a pretty big deal."
Diluc gave a reassuring nod. "I wouldn't miss it. If Dvalin is heading to Starsnatch Cliff, it's crucial that we act swiftly."
Ash, Pikachu perched on his shoulder and Lucario standing by his side, gave Diluc a friendly wave. "Morning, Diluc! We're all set and ready to go."
Venti, who had been fiddling with his lyre, looked up and grinned. "It's always nice to have an extra pair of hands—or wings—on an adventure!"
Aether, adjusting his own equipment, gave a determined nod. "Let's not waste any time. The sooner we start, the better our chances of catching up with Dvalin."
With the team assembled and final preparations made, Jean gave the signal to move out. "Alright, everyone. Let's head to Starsnatch Cliff and see if we can intercept Dvalin before it's too late."
As the group crossed the stone bridge on their way to Starsnatch Cliff, a figure watched them from the distance atop a cliff. The observer was a short-haired blonde young girl, dressed in a striking blue and white ensemble. Her outfit featured two white flowers adorning her head, a white scarf, a blue and white cape, a light blue skirt with a shoulder-length cut, white stockings, and matching white boots.
Her eyes were locked on Aether, and she whispered to herself, "Aether..." Her gaze then shifted to Ash, and her expression darkened. Clenching her fists tightly, she muttered under her breath, "And to think you befriended a Rotarian."
The girl's frustration was evident as she watched the group continue their journey, her eyes following them with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
...
You didn't expect Lumine to make an unexpected cameo, didn't you? Well, it was a last-minute decision to add in a cliffhangar xD. Well, expect the next chapter to be intense and to have some surprises along the way. Also, I hope you enjoy your 4th of July week in the upcoming days as well. :)