Time for Chapter 15
Finally, the part where I can bring on the action. Especially now that the hurricane has passed, things can go back to normal. For this big chapter, I'll have Anakin do a slight side quest with the Traveler, before meeting with the others on Starsnatch Cliff.
Just to put this out there, the Anakin in this story has the Episode lll outfit as his default clothes, and will sometimes wear his brown Jedi robe. And sometimes, wear his Clone Wars armor, only when facing larger/stronger enemies.
Also, I'm wondering if I should use his Jedi robes from the Episode Vl ending, when he's a Force Ghost.
With that out of the way, time for me to begin, please enjoy the story!!
Jean POV - Dawn Winery (Mondstadt-Territory)
As been ten minutes since Anakin and the Traveler left for Mondstadt, as for me, I have been preparing with Master Diluc for our journey to Starsnatch Cliff. Focused on my preparations, I didn't notice Master Diluc approach me.
"Ahem"
"Oh! Diluc. Forgive me, I was a little preoccupied at the moment. Is there something you need?" I asked and apologized.
"Not exactly, just curious about what you and that man were talking about" He explained.
"Oh, I see. Nothing too serious, he was just curious about the Holy Lyre der Himmel, along with asking about the purpose of The Knights of Favonius" I explained.
"Understandable. It's only natural for an outlander to be curious about such things" Diluc responded, arms crossed. "Although, I don't think he'll see eye to eye with The Knights if you explained the entire situation with the Fatui to him"
"All we are trying to do, is keep the peace and avoid anymore pointless conflicts" I explained to him.
"Hm, there is no point in 'peace' if all you are going to do is let them take advantage of you" He pointed out.
"That's not happening" I shot back. "At least...I won't let it get to that point" I muttered.
"From where we are standing, I'd say they already are" Master Diluc bluntly stated.
Ouch, that was a heavy blow... "...You're right. I have let this situation get to this point" I admitted, taking him aback. "But I won't, let them get away with this. As The Acting Grand Master, I will bring the Fatui to justice for what they have done" I boldly announced.
Silent for just a moment, Diluc eventually responds. "If that's what you're aiming for, then I am more than willing enough to help you"
"You are?" I questioned.
"Obviously. If there is one thing I can hold above all, it is to see The Fatui be gone from Mondstadt" He bluntly admits.
"Diluc...?" I stood bewildered.
"The safety and wellbeing of Mondstadt means a lot to me. And to see they're plan fail, would most definitely lighten my mood" Diluc finished.
"I see...then, I guess we shouldn't wait any longer now, should we?" I replied.
"Exactly" He casually responded. "I'll go fetch the bard, we set off for Starsnatch Cliff in five minutes, don't keep us waiting" and with that, he left, closing the door behind him.
"sigh This entire journey is filled with unexpected turns" I muttered to myself, putting my things away. "I should definitely write a letter to Barbara, she's probably worried about me, we haven't spoken since the Stormterror incident"
Speaking of which, I wonder how Mondstadt is fairing in my absence.
Aether POV - Mondstadt (Inner City)
"Ah...we're back!" Paimon cheered as we walked past the city gates.
"Don't get too comfortable, kid. We only need to get a few...things" Anakins' mood changed, confused by the absence of life and cheer of the Main Street.
"That's strange, I've never seen Mondstadt become so silent, even if I haven't been here long enough to know what might be happening" I thought to myself, heading over to the reception desk for my commission rewards.
"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to The Adventures' Guild" The receptionist at the desk greeted.
"Good afternoon, Katheryne. I finally got to finish my tasks for today" I responded, rubbing the back of my head.
"Thank you for completing today's commissions. Here is your reward" She replied, smiling just a little as she wrote off the paperwork.
"Um, excuse me, Katheryne. But would you happen to know what's going on around here?" I asked, a look of confusion on my face.
"Hm? In what way do you mean?" The receptionist asks again.
"Well, everything here seems to be suddenly quiet. Even the birds seem to be silent" I told her, looking around at the other businesses.
"I see, to be truthful with you, young traveler. From what I know, The Knights of Favonius have been mobilizing around Mondstadt, more guards around the walls than usual" Katheryne tells me, putting away her paperwork.
Curious, Paimon speaks up "Mobilizing? Why would the Knights of Favonius need to-"
"Hey guys!" A feminine voice called out, joined by the sound of distant running.
"Huh? Oh! Look! It's Amber!" Paimon cheered, waving at our enthusiastic, Outrider friend.
"Hey Traveler! Paimon, Anakin, you're all back! Did you manage to restore The Holy Lyre? I mean-! Nothing, nothing..." Amber quickly reorganized herself, acting innocent.
"Oh, um. So I guess you heard about that, huh?" I asked her, rubbing the back of my head.
"Well, I wasn't exactly eavesdropping or anything, more like-"
"You were listening to my little conversation with The Acting Grand Master, weren't you?" Anakin interrupted, arms crossed.
"Huh? How did you...?" She mumbled in confusion.
"I can do more than just fight, kid. I was a Knight at one point after all, I'm open to my senses" Anakin explained.
"Wait! You were a Knight?! How come I've never seen you around here before?" Amber asked, bewilderment on her face.
"sigh I didn't mean one of YOUR Knights, Amber. I'm from-"
"Hold on! I think we're getting off topic here, we still don't know why everything is so quiet all of a sudden, remember?" I reminded them, having to shout a little.
"Wait, you haven't heard the warnings yet?" Amber questioned.
"Uhhh..." Paimon basically answered.
"Oh dear" The Outrider mumbled. "Earlier this day, when I was practicing in the Whispering Woods, I spotted a numerous amount of Hilichurls gathered around a large campsite. I don't know what they were doing, but If it's this close to Mondstadt, then it's definitely nothing good" She explained to us.
"That's not good. Traveler, do you think we should take a look into that?" Paimon asked.
"That sounds like a good idea, I couldn't really take a further look into it because I was by myself. But if we all go, we can handle whatever is thrown at us" Amber explains, smiling a little.
"Well, we only came here to grab a few supplies for our journey to Starsnatch Cliff. Besides, I don't think Anakin is up for another-"
"Count me in" Skywalker bluntly responded.
"Wait, what?" I was taken aback.
"I may not be a Knight anymore. But that doesn't mean my ideals have changed, If I have the chance to save innocents, I'll take it" Anakin states, standing tall as the sunlight shines above him.
"Wooow... that's so noble" Amber praises, amazed by him.
"You're eyes are shining, Amber" Paimon points out, literally pointing.
"Huh?! N-No they're not!" The girl in red cried out, blushing from embarrassment.
Among everyone beginning to talk back and forth, I realized that we've lost the topic at hand, ONCE AGAIN. "Everyone! Calm down please" I shoutout, holding their attention. "Let's just...get our stuff first and then we can head off for Whispering Woods. Is that okay with you, Amber?"
"Oh, uh. It's okay with me, I'll help you with your stuff too, If you want me too" Amber suggested. "Besides, does Anakin have anything other than his 'sword-thingy?'"
"Uhhh..." I couldn't give an answer.
"I carry a second weapon, a knife, and my robes. I store my armor elsewhere" Anakin responds.
"Sooo...not a lot, right?" Paimon bluntly states, earning a few stares.
"So that settles it then? We grab a few things before we head off?" I ask.
"Exactly!" Amber agreed before turning to Anakin. "If you want, I can help you find things you might need for your missions and stuff"
"Sure, I won't need too much though. Just need a backpack and a map, that's all" Skywalker
"Really? Just those two? Are you sure?" Amber questioned as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Of course, I don't want to be a burden on you after all" The former Knight replied, smiling for a moment.
"Huh, they seem to be getting along very well, it seems" I thought to myself, watching those two talk back and forth.
"ahem! That all seems good then. Now then, should we check out the Adventures' Guild first?" Amber suggested.
"Sounds like a plan" I responded. "Lead the way, Outrider Amber" I cheered her on, watching as we made our way around Mondstadt, completely unaware of the stranger watching us from up-above on the rooftops.
Amber POV - Mondstadt (Adventures' Guild)
After almost an hour of looking around and buying a few items, we stopped by the benches above the water fountain. "So, do we all have everything we need?" I asked with a smile.
"I'm all ready with my stuff" Traveler answered as he slung his new backpack over his shoulder.
"Paimon is ready too! She even has a coin pouch to store her Mora!" Paimon cheered, holding up her new pouch.
"That coin pouch is going to either be empty, or full by the end of the week" Traveler joked, teasing her a little.
"Hey! So rude" She shouted, cheeks puffed out, making me laugh for a bit.
"Mora? Are those like Credits here?" Anakin asked, I'm assuming that may be the currency of his world, maybe.
"Credits? Is...that what you call money where you're from?" I asked him, wanting to know a little more about him. "What about you, Traveler? Does money have a different name where you're from?" I also asked him.
"Pretty much" Skywalker bluntly admitted, crossing his arms. "Never had much on me though, even now I have..." He pauses, pulling out a handful of gold, silver, and copper bars, all in different shapes and sizes! "...Huh, enough for a few drinks actually" He simply stated.
"You drink!?" Paimon yelled out in astonishment.
"No. It was a joke, but my old comrades sure did, after every major battle it seemed" Anakin told her, recounting memories from his world it seemed.
"Whoaaa...you fought in ACTUAL battles before?! When?! And how many did you win?!" I asked him. "I hope my eyes aren't shining, that would be a little embarrassing" I thought to myself.
In that instant, the moment those words left my mouth, I could see the light in his eyes fade, warmth replaced by an indescribable cold.
"Anakin?" The voice of The Traveler breaks the cold silence. "We should be going now, we have less than five hours until sunset" He explained, seeming to be unbothered by quick, yet sudden silence.
"...Of course, The Acting Grand Master and others are waiting for us after all, right? We shouldn't have them wait any longer, let's go Aether" Anakin tells him, throwing his own backpack on.
"Exactly, I'm already ready for the walk there" Traveler answers, walking over to him. "Do you have everything you need?"
"Everything I need, is all accounted for" Skywalker replies, casually smirking.
"Then I guess we should get-"
"Wait, Traveler" I interrupted him, walking over to them. "Take this" I handed him a small bag.
"Ohhh...Is it more Mora?" Paimon asked, stars in her tiny eyes.
"Haha. Of course not, it's crystals that can enhance your weapons, should you run into any powerful bad guys, give these a try" I explained to them.
"Sounds useful" Anakin agreed, "We'll make sure to remember that. Thanks, Amber"
After a few more seconds of conversation, we now decided to make our way over the bridge and towards the Whispering Woods. "Huh...that was an interesting conversation" I said to myself. Something else I found interesting was the backpack Anakin now wore, modified from the one I had gotten him, into a bigger and more bulkier version, and in white too.
Especially that strange symbol he drew on the back, some black circle with a bunch of intercepting lines. "Huh, I wonder what that means" I wondered. Once we crossed over the bridge, they made a quick calculation on how long it would take to reach Starsnatch Cliff once this was done.
And after a few moments of silence...
"Sooo, what's with the bulky-looking backpack of yours, Skyguy?" Paimon innocently asked.
"It's standard issue gear from where I'm from" He answers. "One perk I still have in this world, is that I can summon things from mine" Anakin continued, slightly waving his hand around.
"Wait. You can do that?" I asked him, surprised that he was capable of summoning more than just weapons, and even more shocked on how nonchalant he was about it.
"You can't?" He joked, "I mean, It's not that complicated. Where did you think I got my robe and gear from?"
"Whoa. I wonder if I can do that too" I thought to myself.
"Now THAT sounds cool!" Paimon cheered, "So if that white box on your back is where you're from... Then that circle-thingy must represent your home, right?"
"I guess you can say that" Anakin replied, "But, what I considered my home is more of a personal matter to me now..." he mumbled that last part.
"Ouch, I don't think I should ask him about that, it doesn't seem like he wants to talk about it"
"...As for that 'circle-thingy' you're talking about. I guess I can tell you more about it" Anakin smirked. "It's the symbol of the greatest, and the best, group of soldiers that I had the privilege to fight alongside and lead, into battle"
Amazed, and yet, still curious, Paimon asks him further before I can. "Whoa...so cool... Wait! So who are those 'great soldiers' you're talking about then?"
Stopping, he turns to face Paimon"...It's the symbol of The Grand Army of the Republic" Skywalker proudly told us, the sunlight making him look more majestic. "And, as for whom I served under, that would be...The Jedi Order"
Anakin POV - Whispering Woods
Well, here we are, the place they call; The Whispering Woods.
"So then, Amber. Any clue on where we can find this 'monster campfire?'" I asked, examining an old arrowhead on the ground.
"Let's see" She examines the position of the sun and her surroundings, pinpointing her location it seems. "From where we are standing, I'd say we move right, and continue walking for 30 meters" She informs, pointing in that direction.
"Maybe we should look around? There could be Hilichurls patrolling the area if there is a campsite" Aether tells her.
"We might want to stick together then" Paimon butts in.
"We won't need to" I interrupt "There's nothing hostile around us, unless you count the boars" I told them, receiving some odd stares.
"How do you know that? Is that... one of your special powers, or something?" Amber asks, raising an eyebrow.
"One of them, yeah. How did you know that?"
"Umm, hunters' instinct?" She guessed.
"Alright then? With nothing to worry about, should we go investigate that campsite now?" I asked them.
"Yup" Aether answers. "Maybe we can still find a few clues as to why they were there" He stated.
"If there are any clues left. Anyway, care to lead the way Amber?"
"Of course! Follow me" She smiled, guiding through the bushes and trees, and eventually, to this rather larger campground.
"Whoa...you were right, Amber. There was a large group of Hilichurls here" Paimon pointed out.
"Told you" The Outrider giggled.
"And if they were here, then they weren't in a hurry, look around us. Not a single piece of litter, they made sure to cover their tracks" I stated to them. "And these 'Hilichurls', don't strike me as an intelligent species. Which means..."
"Which means, someone is purposefully leading these Hilichurls! But why? For what reason?" Aether asks, scratching his head a little.
Thinking, Amber eventually speaks up "I am not sure, but I think I know someone who does. Anyway, I shouldn't keep you here any longer, Jean is probably almost at Starsnatch Cliff. So I shouldn't keep you waiting any longer" The girl in red stated.
"Will you be safe on your way back? We can accompany you" Aether told her.
"Oh! Don't worry about me, Traveler. I can take care of myself. I'm Outrider Amber, after all" She smiled brightly.
"Very confident, I like that" I tell her "Just remember, try to keep yourself out of any unnecessary fights, go report this to your 'Kights of Favonius', if you will" I instructed her.
"Totally can! I'll see you whenever you guys get back!" She cheered, waving at us as she ran off back to Mondstadt.
"Bye, Amber!" Paimon cheered "See you soon! So, what do we do now?"
"Don't tell me you forgot already? We're supposed to meet up with Jean, Venti, and Master Diluc, remember?" Aether reminded his pixie friend.
"Hey! Paimon didn't forget! She just...misplaced that thought, thats all" The pixie defended herself.
"Haha, it's fine, Paimon. Let's just get going, we don't want to keep them waiting now, would we?" I tell them, already moving ahead of them.
"No, we definitely do not" The kid simply replied, following right behind me, his little friend disappearing with a bubbling sound.
And as continued our walk to this 'Starsnatch Cliff', a familiar feeling forms inside me, the feeling of nostalgia from The Clone Wars...
"Heh, this really IS like old times"
Aether POV - Starsnatch Cliff
"Are we there yet?" Paimon asked again, for the fourteenth time, in the past 30 minutes.
"NOW. Now we are there" Anakin finally answered the question she wanted to hear. "sigh Even my former student wasn't like you" the man muttered.
"Heyyy. Paimon has feelings too, you know?" She shouted, her cheeks puffed out.
"Haha, you're being silly again, Paimon. He's only joking" I explained to her, looking up ahead of us and spotting the faint forms of the others waiting for us.
"Sure, totally" Anakin simply replied. "Hey! We're over here!" He shouted, waving his hand around, catching their attention. "Come on kid, let's get this over with"
"You don't need to tell me twice" I answered back, both us jogging the rest of the way, finally joining the others on the cliff.
Crossing his arms, Master Diluc speaks "Everyone is finally here"
"What a view..." Paimon gasped, awestruck by the sights upon this cliff.
"Lovely for a fated reunion, isn't it?" Venti tells her, his voice, gentle as the morning wind. "Well, we must be prepared for a fight"
"So much for gentle words" I said to myself.
"Fair point. We can't be 'too' careful after all, can we?" Anakin agrees.
"Regardless of the outcome, things finally seem to be taking a turn for the better. Mondstadt has really been going through so much recently..." The Acting Grand Master speaks up, relieved that the Stormterror threat can finally come to an end.
"Huh! In the end, the solution to our problem was as simple as a traveler and a song. I suppose the Knights of Favonius may have played a part in it too..." Master Diluc reluctantly admits, giving credit where credit is due.
"Oh, we get it, Master Diluc... Everyone, please step aside!" Venti announces. "I, the best wandering bard of the mortal world, shall begin my performance with the Holy Lyre..." And with that, being handed the wooden instrument, he walked over to the edge of the cliff, and began to play...
The notes...the melody, everything about the song Venti played was captivating. And even despite the gentle breeze, his song seemed to have been already heard, for in just a moment later...
*rumble...rumble*
That sound...the sound of something rather large, coming for us! But not through the ground, but from the sky...
*WOOSH!!!*
"Whoa..."
The sheer size and power of Dvalin, blasting us with a gust of mighty wind. And upon seeing him, he ironically took my breath away.
"You have come..." Dvalin spoke! Taking me, or rather, US, by surprise.
"What has been done cannot be undone..."
"If so, then why do I see sadness in your eyes?" The young bard asked, worried for the dragon. "Sadness that speaks of your yearning for this song..." Venti spoke to Dvalin, his voice full of sorrow.
"Grr..."
"They are...communicating...Huh?" Jean wondered, only for us to be suddenly ambushed in the next second!
"Venti! Watch out!" One of us cries out, unable to save Venti as he is struck by an energy blast! Injuring him and destroying the Holy Lyre.
"Traveler!" Anakin yells, yanking me behind him as he used his 'Force' powers on the next attack. "Incredible..." The way his power blasted apart the oncoming attack, shattering them like ice.
"No! Tone-Deaf Bard!" Paimon cried out in panic, all of us rushing forward to save Venti, conjuring our weapons.
"Do not be fooled by him, dear dragon..."
A strange, yet mysterious voice spoke from behind Dvalin, appearing to be...an Abyss Mage!
"He left you to rot alone... Now he attempts to deceive you once more..." The Abyss Mage lies.
"Barbatos..." Dvalin growled in anger.
"Let your wrath fester! Mondstadt has already turned it's back on you!
"Guys. We might want to back away from this" I told them, still holding my sword in a defensive position.
"No! We can leave this dragon to it's suffering" Anakin states. "If what Master Jean and Venti say about this creature, then we can't just abandon our hope on him!" The Jedi yells, keeping his weapon ignited, eyes locked on the dragon as it looms around us.
"This isn't going to end well..." I told myself, watching as Stormterror unfolded his wings, making himself appear larger.
"You!" Dvalin angrily confronts Venti. "You were planning this all along? To have me slain by them!" He roars, the winds around us starting to pick up.
"No! Listen to me! It's not like that!" Venti pleaded, helplessness in his voice.
Taking its place atop Dvalins' head, the Abyss Mage continues his monologue. "The time has come for the dragon to serve its true master... hahaha" And then turned his attention towards Anakin.
"As for you... Jedi" The Abyss Mage pointed his staff towards Skywalker. "Stay out of our way, or face the consequence of dooming this world to oblivion...And suffer along with them"
Call me crazy but, it's almost like I can FEEL the power coming from Anakin, like the heat from a fire! Perhaps he's not to happy about this unexpected encounter, or the threat that came along with it.
"Now flee! Puny mortals... While you bewail your pathetic selves, and watch the world tremble with fear...!" The Abyss Mage cackled, flying away on the back of Dvalin, both of them disappearing.
"...Dvalin..." Venti whispered, watching the dragon disappear from view, along with the joy in his eyes...
Jean POV - Starsnatch Cliff
"Barbat-Venti, please, be careful..." I warned him, helping him back on his feet while examining where he was struck. "What was all that? Venti and Dvalin communicating, that Abyss Mage confronting Skywalker, and mostly importantly; The Holy Lyre..."
"Hehe...You've known my true identity for some time now, haven't you Jean?" Venti smiled. "Though, I thank you for continuing to use the name Venti"
"How's the Holy Lyre? Can it still be played? Or does it need to be repaired?" Diluc asked.
"Oh... Unfortunately, I think it's beyond repair..." Venti answered, disappointed that his signature instrument was now broken.
"You're friend, Dvalin, is in a lot of danger" Anakin bluntly stated. "We definitely need to save him in order to save the people of that city" He gestured towards Mondstadt.
"No, we should make that Abyss Mage pay first! If we don't fight the evil at its source, then we can't save Dvalin at all" Diluc interjected, explaining why saving Dvalin won't make a difference if we don't stop that Abyss Mage.
"In which case I shall call upon Outrider Amber to track it down..." I added to this conversation, fully trusting Ambers' tracking skills.
"No need" Master Diluc butts in.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"I eradicated one not long ago, in one of the Four Winds' temples" He explains.
"By yourself? That's pretty cool..." Anakin smoothly complimented.
"What!? When...?" Paimon yells in disbelief.
"If you want to track those monsters down, then I'll seek answers from my contacts. I've got other means for getting the job done" Diluc stated, not really answering Paimons' question though.
"Diluc..." Paimon gently muttered. "Though he dislikes the Knights of Favonius, he protects Mondstadt in his own way"
"Ooh? Why does our little Paimon sound so doting all of a sudden?" Venti teased.
"Hmph... Wait for my word" Diluc instructed, already preparing a plan. "I'll be sure to let the Abyss Order know that their blatant disregard for Mondstadt... will not go unpunished"
Finished.
About time I was anyways, that took way too long.
Still, I'm wondering if I finished this chapter correctly, might be missing a few details. Other than that, please enjoy this story, I'm doing my best to keep it up to date.
Have a great day!