The lector was dead. Xiao killed it, with no control and no hesitation. His polearm glowered in the cellar's dim light as it watched from the palm of Rex Lapis' hand, and he stumbled away from it, bewildered by the sheen of clean steel. How had the lector died?

He took another step back and collided with the Grand Master, as Zhongli reached to steady him.

"I have to go," Xiao muttered.

"Why?" The nun asked as she stood with one heel against the wall. "You got information from it, probably more than we would have. It's not as if he didn't have it coming." She gazed over her fingers, nonplussed. Like death was an acquaintance and not a stranger, his karmic debt was either unnoticed or unremarkable. He wiped his forehead, speechless, as the Grand Master stepped aside.

"Let's allow our guests a moment of reprieve." No one argued as he was gently ushered forward, his polearm oddly trailing behind him for once, as he climbed to the bar's serving area. As he stood there, he became aggressively aware of Rex Lapis' approaching and watchful gaze. He imagined Venti's concern as it would have emanated from the stool that held his place; his frown would have looked strange in his favorite tavern, where he should have sat surrounded by his people.

"You didn't hurt them."

"But something is wrong. You must have seen what happened," he pleaded.

"I felt the chill from your karmic energy as I usually do, and then it changed," Zhongli returned his polearm, "which you know as well as I. If you were a true danger, then everyone below would already be injured."

"I lost control. Haven't you seen this happen four times already?"

Zhongli frowned, "I understand your concern, Xiao, although you've answered your own question. It's precisely because I have witnessed karmic death, that I know your case is not the same. While this could be a turn for the worse, it may also indicate some positive change."

"Then we plan for the former and hope for the latter."

Xiao flinched. The tavern was obviously closed, yet a stranger easily strode through the front door. He casually tugged at the wrists of his gloves and continued, "I'm going to assume you're both here with the Grand Master and not stealing from the cellar, since you aren't holding any wine, and this is an odd time to chat." A pair of clear, wide-brimmed glasses sat atop his head, and he wore an open white trench coat dotted with stains. A Mond-style geo vision was pinned to his collar like a button, an afterthought.

"Our answer greatly depends on who's asking," Zhongli replied.

"Albedo, Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius," he replied flatly. "Your suspicion is warranted albeit unnecessary."

"Albedo," Jean climbed to the bar eagerly, her sudden speed suspicious. She could have been listening this whole time, or perhaps she could have recognized his voice. "Tell me you've found something."

She placed a lingering hand on Xiao's shoulder as she sidled around him, and while he supposed the area behind them was tight, the gesture felt unusual. She was trying to comfort him.

"Sucrose and I investigated the five sites you requested. Aside from the lingering energy at Galesong, the ley appear stable. If the Fatui are planning another attack, which I get the distinct impression they are, then they aren't aiming for us."As he stood at the end of the bar, Albedo gave the distinct impression of a soldier, despite his odd choice in attire.

"That isn't much of a lead." Xiao considered retreating to some far corner as Diluc climbed up next, though he opted against it. If Zhongli trusted his condition then he could linger a bit longer. These people were important allies, so he reluctantly tore his gaze from the bar stools and reapplied a resting grimace.

"Unfortunately, we haven't the resources to investigate further, and to extrapolate now would be a waste. I can't obtain data from places I can't reach."

"What about the Sumerian researchers?" Jean urged.

"I sent a letter with the highest possible priority, but we can't expect much. I'm sure you're aware of the travel restrictions."

"The Traveler was working to bypass those," Zhongli interjected smoothly, "that is until she joined Xiao in The Chasm." Beside him, Zhongli summarized their situation. The chaotic events that led to it and the unfortunate outcome. The rubble left in the Golden Wolflord's wake, the fresh wounds inflicted by the ley events, the Millelith's treason, and the Traveler's disappearance.

For obvious reasons, he never mentioned Barbatos' presence or absence. Yet even without him, his people still clung to Zhongli's every word. Those remaining from the cellar slipped right by them despite the enclosed space, yet they remained unacknowledged.

It wasn't until Albedo responded that the room broke from its reverie.

"It's worth noting that our team placed a beacon on Dragonspine's western border. The ley readings were the highest there compared to the other sites, so I can't say I'm surprised." Jean stared over the bar as if it were a battle map, thinking.

"Does Mr. Zhongli's testimony allow you to draw any more conclusions? Surely you must know more about the Fatui's next move."

"Unfortunately, I can only speculate. If I could place another beacon at the Chasm, the latest point of ley activity, then I could at least verify a secondary direction from Liyue. But even then, I'm an alchemist. Not a miracle worker."

"Too bad the cavalry is missing. With horses you might get there next year," Kaeya mused.

"I'd pity the horse tasked with that mission."

Suddenly Jean, Diluc, and Zhongli were looking at him.

"What, I'm not a horse."

Kaeya smirked with a glint in his eye, "Well, Sir Adeptus, would you like to be?"


Long ago there lived a bard, a bard named Carmen Dei.

In her land of grief and wind, she sang of peace, the moon, the sun.

Things she couldn't dream to see, beneath the tyrant's reign.

She sang of birds that flew so high, high enough to see the sky.

Now a bard named Venti lives this modern day.

In his world alive and free, he sings of war that's long been done.

Her land fell for his to stand.

Her name fell too, just as she planned.

Prepared to give, to sacrifice, the bard had been that fated fight.

Though in truth he always hoped,

he wished to see the birds take flight,

upon that orchestrated night.

Instead the arrows, like streaks of light, sailed across the plains.

Then all he remembers, falling

falling

falling.

Then Venti ascended,

the past never to be mended.

He chose a name that means "the wind."

For all his friend had become, anew he wouldn't rise.

His life, his future, suspended.

He wishes he could sit again, upon his outstretched hand.

Yet the people of his new found land,

Know not of what or who he is.

Not quite ruled, yet faithful still,

they sing with steadfast will.

Barbatos, lover of wine, song, and all things fine

With him, they choose to dine.

Back again despite his loss and now his current chill,

The old bard now is not divine,

yet has one simple gift.

The power of free will.

Asleep for now the wind must be,

Although it's clear to see.

Across all time

And all the rhymes

They've always led each other.

The wind in his most desperate hour,

the bard is meant to empower.

He'd been there for him back then,

as he will be once again.

Upon completion of this quest

the wind of west

will help him rest.