~ Prologue ~

Chapter 4 – Terror of the Skies

Grey clouds instantly blanketed the sky and obscured the sun as howling winds assaulted the city with growing ferocity – as well as the gigantic dragon soaring across the expanse above and encircling the city as though it was its own prey.

"Stormterror! It's Stormterror!"

The panicked cry from a citizen stirred even more distress, causing the majority of the city folk to grow more anxious each second. However, among them, Tanjiro, Aether, and Amber simply grimaced as they witnessed the arrival of the beast they least expected to see; said beast swooping in towards the city and tearing off a chunk of roof material from other buildings, subsequently sending heaps of debris down before taking to the skies once more.

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Tanjiro asked, turning to the Outrider.

"We have to find shelter!" Amber exclaimed, not taking her eyes off the sky.

Paimon immediately jerked her head towards her direction. "H-Huh?! Wait, you're saying we just hide while Stormterror… you know, terrorizes the city?" she questioned in disbelief. Even Aether looked a bit dismayed by the suggestion.

The Favonius girl met the fairy's eyes with a despondent look on her features. "Look, I know it sounds hopeless and all, but there's really nothing we can do right now," she reasoned. "The best course of action is to wait this storm out and—"

Another roar silenced her, prompting her and the others to lift their gaze - only to see the massive dragon roar deafeningly, one so thunderous that the sky seemed to tremble. Seconds later, as if summoned by command, columns of tornadoes suddenly swirled into existence one by one, spearing down from above and scattering throughout the city as screams of abject terror welled up into the air.

"Come on!" With a holler and a beckon of her hand, Amber darted forward towards the stairs past the fountain.

Unwilling to waste any time, Tanjiro, Aether, and Paimon bolted ahead, wanting to evade the predicament the city was facing and find some shelter that could possibly withstand the violent gales, but before they could get far, a pillar of tornado whirled down on the plaza area unsuspectingly, catching the trio off-guard and stopping them in their tracks.

"Don't stop! Keep going!" came Amber's shout from the distance.

Banishing any hindrances from their head, the trio hastily forged ahead once again, but their momentary pause proved to be detrimental as the tornado's turbulent winds were far too strong to resist, the sheer force instantly plucking them up and flinging them skyward.

'Gkh-! Get yourself… under… control!' Tanjiro grunted, trying to maintain his balance from spinning and turning across the clouds, the ordeal itself nearly making him hurl.

Seconds passed and a thought crossed his mind, urging Tanjiro to act upon it quickly as he tensed every muscle in his body and curled inwards like a ball before extending his arms outward to each side, thus allowing his wind glider to spread out and keep himself steady at last.

Heavy breaths left Tanjiro's throat afterward, his head throbbing sorely from being flung unceremoniously as he shook his head in hopes of alleviating the pulsating pain. When clarity finally returned to his senses, his eyes bulged when he suddenly found himself high above the city, one that was fogged by the powerful winds the dragon had created.

What really shocked him the most was the fact that he was not gliding, but rather, floating. Tanjiro was no less baffled by it. "H-How am I…?"

"Cast your worries aside, my friend…" A soft yet ethereal voice spoke. "I am preventing your fall with the power of a thousand winds."

'W-Who said…?' Tanjiro trailed off in his thoughts as he scanned around with urgency, but no matter where he looked, he could not find the source of the sound at all. It was as if the voice emanated from seemingly everywhere.

Confusion took shape on the boy's features momentarily before the gravity of situation finally struck him as he suddenly yelled out two names. "A-Aether! Paimon!"

"Fret not, dear traveler…" soothed the voice in the wind. "Your companions are fine."

"Really?" A small sense of relief washed over Tanjiro as he searched around the hazy winds. "Where are they?"

The voice in the air giggled melodically. "Your intention to help your friends are clear and noble, and with that…"

There was a brief silence before a thrumming sound could be heard, compelling Tanjiro to look down - only for a gasp to leave his breath as he watched his curved blade glow a light teal tinge, emitting a pulsating sound that preluded the strange energy coursing across his sword.

"I shall bless your sword with the might of the wind itself."

Tanjiro simply marvelled at his blade in fascination, the steel gleaming with otherworldly energy that reflected in his eyes. Back then, something similar occurred when his sister's demon blood turned his sword blazing red. However, this new transformation on his blade emitted a serene yet potent power, astounding him even more.

"Now, go forth and aid your friends. I shall guide you to where they are."

The young swordsman's lips curled into a grateful smile, lifting his head. "Thank you."

A vicious roar boomed in the air, catching his attention. Furrowing his brows and tightening the grip on his sword, Tanjiro shot off towards the beastly sound, nimbly feeling the winds carry him through the clouds as though he was a feather.

"Now, concentrate. See yourself grasping the wind and harness its energy."

Determination seeped into Aether's eyes, the foreign power within him surging as he whizzed across the torrential winds. After being hurled abruptly into the wind, he was not expecting to find himself high above the city, let alone hovering over it. If that wasn't enough of a shock to him, the next few moments had him listening to a strange voice from out of nowhere. Whether he was losing his mind or hearing things in his head after being flung into the air like a ragdoll, he wagered it was a bit of both, but one thing was surely on the forefront of his mind right now:

Stopping Stormterror.

A thunderous roar rang loud in Aether's eardrums when the azure dragon finally entered his crosshairs in the far distance. Stretching his arms forward, he cupped his hands together and channeled his power as wisps of Anemo swirled into an energy sphere. Willing the power forth, a barrage of energy blasts then shot from his palms rapidly, hitting the dragon in the distance.

Realizing it was now under duress, Stormterror sought to avoid the assault by steering clear of the beams pelting his skin. The pursuit continued for several minutes, with Aether chasing his target with grim resolve, unrelenting in his attacks.

All of a sudden, something pierced through a cloud in the far front from the side, causing Aether's eyes to bulge. For a few seconds, all he managed to see was a green string of light heading towards the dragon, and then—

SHING!

A sharp whistle resonated in the atmosphere, followed by a guttural wail from Stormterror.

Shell-shocked by the sudden turn of events, Aether's jaw hung open as he stopped in place and zeroed his eyes in on the source of the attack. When he saw a glimpse of checkered garb of green and black, his eyes widened disbelievingly.

"Tanjiro!?" the braided boy blurted out loudly.

The aforementioned boy turned to him and flew towards his direction, stopping next to him. "Aether!" he exclaimed, beaming brightly.

"H-How did you… Where…" Words fumbled out of Aether's mouth like a mess, bewilderment painting his features.

Tanjiro chuckled sheepishly. "It's… Uh… great to see you, too!"

In return, Aether settled for a small laugh instead. "Y-Yeah, same."

"Is Paimon all right?"

"Right here!" A high-pitched voice chirped as the fairy appeared behind the blond boy in a flurry of tiny constellations, clinging on his left shoulder immediately, lest the winds flung her away. "Great to see you again, Tanjiro. We were really worried after we got separated."

Tanjiro smiled warmly. "Yeah, me too."

"How'd you know where to find us?" Paimon asked.

"Uhh… This might be hard to believe, but…" Tanjiro pursed his lips in thought, a few seconds ticking by before he finally answered. "A voice helped me find you here."

"Hold on, you heard the creepy voice that talked out of nowhere too?" A puzzled stare formed on the fairy's face, eliciting a nod in return. "Guess we're not the only ones then," she sighed. "Paimon thought we were losing our minds already."

"Whoever it was, we can thank him later," Aether replied. "Right now…"

A tenacious roar blared in the air as their eyes spotted the enormous figure of Stormterror disappearing into the clouds in the distance.

"We have bigger things to worry about," Aether finished.

Turning to his two companions, Tanjiro's eyes burned with resolution. "What's the plan?"

"For now, putting pressure on him would be the best course of action," Aether answered. "Until he decides to leave, we're going to give him everything we got."

"Yeah!" Paimon whooped. "Giving him the what-for should make Stomterror think twice before picking a fight."

Tanjiro nodded, agreeing with the approach. Despite the chaotic state of events, he was just relieved he managed to reunite with his friends.

"Huh?" Dark purple eyes shifted elsewhere and Paimon was filled with complete awe at what she was looking at. "Whoa! What's with the glowing sword, Tanjiro?"

"Ah… The voice said he 'blessed' it," Tanjiro simply responded, gazing thoughtfully at the soft turquoise sheen his sword had been bathed in. "Still not sure what he meant by that."

"Let's call it an upgrade then," Aether surmised, motioning his head to the side. "Come on. No time to lose!"

"Well… Uh… G-Good luck, guys!" Paimon offered, shooting a smile before vanishing from sight.

With that, Tanjiro and Aether bolted off, zipping through the clouds with an unfaltering resolve in their eyes.

Turbulent winds continued to assault Mondstadt, the fierce intensity making it difficult to see or traverse the city. Many residents secured themselves in their homes as advised, while some sought shelter beneath large but robust structures at the last minute. The people of the city had long since grown used to following routine whenever the winds picked up; at first, they thought if it was their Archon who had finally returned, but to their genuine horror, it was the arrival of something ferocious.

"Stormterror's here!" a person shrieked, holding on to a wooden pillar.

"This is bad! My shop is going to get blown away!" another one shouted.

"My flowers!"

"How is Stormterror back so soon!?"

"Clear skies first, then Stormterror the next? Could this get any worse?"

"Please save us, Lord Barbatos! Please save us, Lord Barbatos!"

Citizens pleaded their pleas to the wind, with many begging to their god in hopes of their prayers being answered. Long had it been since the Anemo Archon appeared to them, and with the storm getting worse, their hopes of salvation began to wane.

"Look! Up there!" a citizen yelled.

Curiosity filled the hearts of those who heard the words as they looked to the sky. Sure enough, the familiar and colossal shape of a dragon flew overhead.

"S-Stormterror!"

"Wait… What's that?"

Peering through the foggy winds, many people tried to make sense of what was truly happening above them. Undoubtedly, the winged creature they feared was a given, but they were drawn to something else entirely. Just when the dragon flew over the city again, a few seconds was all it took for many to catch a glimpse of two indiscernible figures soaring through the sky.

The same figures chasing Stormterror.

Channelling the element of Anemo from within, a volley of energy blasts was expelled from Aether's palms, bombarding Stormterror relentlessly as they flew across the vast expanse. Fortunately, save for a plentiful of clouds, they were at an altitude where the wind storm didn't reach them, granting sufficient visibility, but it was both frustrating and impressive that Stormterror was able to maneuvre deftly through the air, showing remarkable agility in making sharp turns and spins to steer clear of the energy bolts pelting his hide.

For Aether, it was a troublesome but manageable endeavour to push their attacker on the defensive – which was all according to plan.

"Right now, we've established our presence to Stormterror, so stay sharp if he ever decides to bite back," Aether elaborated, his eyes still locked on the dragon. "Our goal is to keep him occupied, so his eyes will be on us and not on the city."

Looking behind his shoulder, Aether continued. "Find a way to cut him off, Tanjiro. Look for an angle where you can catch him by surprise like what you did before and strike from there."

"Got it!" Not a second later, the burgundy-haired boy veered to another direction, disappearing into a cluster of thick clouds.

Half a minute transpired as Aether relentlessly stayed on the offensive, biding his time steadily and not letting Stormterror out of his sight.

Suddenly, golden eyes flickered elsewhere, the rapid movement in his peripherals grabbing his attention. What he saw was enough for his lip to quirk into a smile.

"Water Breathing!"

Gripping his blade firmly, Tanjiro took in a sharp breath and zeroed in on Stormterror as the steel weapon glowed a bright teal. With a strong kick of his feet, the young swordsman jetted off at tremendous speeds, piercing through a cloud like a bullet and closing the distance in an instant.

"First Form: Water Surface Slash!"

A high-pitched whistle sliced through the air as the sword sliced the dragon's scales, forcing a painful screech from the beast. With Stormterror's gargantuan size, finding a blind spot wasn't too hard for Tanjiro to exploit; though, at the back of his mind, it was also a dangerous gamble to get near like that. However, a few seconds was all it took before the winged beast managed to recover and flee, doubtlessly aggravated and highly on guard now.

Without a second to waste, the two travelers tailed after their target, flying off in their own directions, the intention to repeat their tactics clear. The chase went on, with Tanjiro meticulously eyeing the dragon's movements from afar while Aether continued to fire off blasts of Anemo.

When he saw Stormterror veer left, Tanjiro wasted no time following after him. Flying just over the dragon's humongous frame, it allowed him to draw closer without the risk of getting swatted away from behind; though, the enormous wings also posed a challenge due to the sheer force of pressure they created, each flap almost reverberating like a tempest.

The young swordsman continued to probe Stormterror's movements, waiting for the opportune moment to strike once more. Seconds ticked by to the sound of beating wings,

'There!' Tanjiro's expression hardened, speeding off instantly.

"Water Breathing!"

Taking in a sharp breath, Tanjiro lifted his blade overhead, hearing the foreign energy thrum and surge forth as he swung vertically, flipping forward in a circular motion.

"Second Form: Water Wheel!"

Another excruciating roar was heard.

But this time, Stormterror was prepared.

"Look out!"

A single second was all Tanjiro had when Aether's words reached his ears, with the next second being followed by the sight of a colossal tail whipping towards him at a terrifying speed. The Demon Slayer's eyes snapped wide, pupils dilating as he twisted his body with all of his strength, a fluid motion born of instinct, to evade a direct hit by a hair's breadth.

However, the attack created a rush of wind that was powerful enough to send him tumbling through the air.

"Argh!" Tanjiro grunted, clenching his jaw as he fought to steady himself, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He spun rapidly through the air before deploying his wind glider once more, a single shout fleeing his throat as he brought himself to an abrupt stop.

Shallow, broken breaths fled Tanjiro's throat, each inhale a raspy wheeze as he struggled to compose himself. When he finally looked up, he saw Stormterror soaring high above, momentarily distracted by Aether, who was relentlessly pelting the dragon with bursts of Anemo, their forms clashing fiercely among the clouds.

Lowering his gaze, Tanjiro focused on his sword, the blade still pulsing with an eager glow, as if waiting to unleash its power. He steeled his nerves as his hands gripped the leather-bound hilt with an unwavering intensity.

'Maybe this time…' Tanjiro gazed upward, furrowing his brows. 'I can finally do it.'

The Demon Slayer steadied himself, his breathing slow with each inhale deep and deliberate. Drowning out the sound of the raging tempest around him, he lowered his curved sword to the side, the energy swirling like a constant rushing sound. "Please…" A determined fire sparked in his eyes. "Please lend my blade strength."

With a strong push of his legs, Tanjiro propelled upward, soaring toward the dragon like a speeding rocket – all the while his sword began to emit a high-pitched whistle, one that was growing louder with each passing moment.

On the other hand, Aether confronted Stormterror head-on, his Anemo-infused sword clashing against razor-sharp talons while narrowly evading the massive wings. A single second of carelessness here would only spell trouble as he felt a single graze would end his life. However, behind the dragon, he saw Tanjiro closing in, moving fast with focused intensity – and to his side, the light teal color that coated his blade before was changing into a blend of fire and orange, accompanied by a constant piercing whistle.

Sensing the shift in battle, Aether scarcely evaded a jaw snap, flying past the creature before cupping his hands together and channelling Anemo. When the winged beast reared his head back to him, the golden-haired boy wasted no time hurling the whirling wind vortex directly at its face, staggering Stormterror greatly as it reeled back with a pained roar.

With a thin smile on his lips, Aether flared his wind glider and flew up.

Before Stormterror could fully retaliate, Tanjiro was already upon him—katana swinging in an overhead arc at its vulnerable chest.

"Dance of the Fire God!"

The weapon crackled and hissed with intense heat, soon engulfing it in bright, roaring flames as Tanjiro swung with ferocious intent – a flame-like mark morphing on his forehead.

"Dance!"

The flame-coated sword struck Stormterror's fur hide, a violent burst of raging fire erupting and scarring the beast with a scathing hot mark on its chest. Not a second later, a shrill, ear-splitting screech was heard, the tortured sound distorting the very air. Both Tanjiro and Aether were quick to slam their hands on their ears, the painful yet deafening howl making them wince uncomfortably.

Thankfully, the intolerable sound lasted only a few moments before Stormterror finally left, his roars gradually fading as he retreated into the far distance. A tense yet fragile silence lingered for seconds until a voice finally spoke.

"Is Stormterror gone?" Tanjiro exhaled audibly, breath heavy as the weight of the battle had begun to lift.

"Looks like it," Aether answered, a trace of weariness and relief in his voice. His eyes scanned the expanse around him, noting a major change in the atmosphere. "The storm seemed to have gotten weaker too."

Tanjiro let out a quiet sigh, grateful that their efforts amounted to something at the very least. "That's a good sign."

Just then, Paimon appeared beside the young Demon Slayer, floating with her usual exuberance. "Great job, you guys! Really gave Stormterror the what-for."

"Paimon!" Tanjiro's eyes widened. "Are you okay?"

The white-haired sprite simply beamed, her usual confidence shining through. "Yup! No scratches here whatsoever."

Aether raised an eyebrow, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I was wondering where you were the entire time. A little backup would've been nice," he remarked, the teasing tone in his voice unmistakable.

"H-Hey!" Paimon huffed, crossing her tiny arms in defence. "Paimon was cheering you guys on! Just, you know, silently," she added, her voice tapering off by the end. After a brief moment, though, her usual fiery spirit flared back to life. "And what do you mean 'backup'?! Paimon won't even last a second against Stormterror!"

Aether shrugged casually. "I don't know about that. You've got more spunk than you think."

Paimon stomped her foot in the air in frustration. "What do you mean by that, huh?!"

Tanjiro exhaled a long sigh, smiling at the exchange and feeling a bit of the tension leave him. But then, his gaze fell to his sword, a small gasp leaving his breath at the sight. "Oh no," he muttered.

Paimon spotted the sudden shift of expression. "What happened, Tanjiro?"

The Demon Slayer stared at the blade in his hand, a flicker of worry crossing his features. "My sword… It stopped—"

"Glowing," Aether finished, his frown deepening.

Paimon's eyes widened in alarm. "What?! Does that mean the power's gone for good?"

Tanjiro held the sword a little tighter, as if trying to will the foreign power forth again. Unfortunately, the black steel remained dull and lifeless. Subsequently, he looked up to meet the troubled expressions of his companions, only to return a small smile at them. "Maybe, but I'm just glad the power held on when I unleashed that last attack."

"Yeah…" Aether mused aloud, a curious expression crossing his face. "Speaking of last attack, that was something I've never seen from you before." He raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "A flaming sword—now that was new."

"Huh? What attack are we talking about here?" Paimon asked, her head shifting back and forth between the boys, clearly confused.

Aether gave her an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, Paimon. You missed it."

"What?!" The white-haired sprite widened her eyes in disbelief before she sighed in exasperation. "Ugh… Fine. But from now on, Paimon's not gonna miss any action from you two ever again."

Tanjiro sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Oh, it's nothing. Just… another breathing form I know."

"Breathing form?" Paimon tilted her head, crossing her arms behind her. "You mean apart from the 'Water Breathing' one you always use?" she queried, to which the burgundy-haired boy nodded.

"It's a vastly different sword technique, but…" A sheepish smile tugged at the corner of Tanjiro's lips. "I'm still getting the hang of it."

Paimon hummed in understanding, crossing her tiny arms. "Huh… Maybe that's why the sword ran out of power," she mused. "Could be a one-time-use kind of thing."

Tanjiro nodded slowly, his eyes flickering back to his sword. His grip tightened a little more as if he were lost in thought. Silence stretched on for a few moments before a voice finally spoke.

"Well… Let's worry about the sword thing for later," Aether suggested, his tone pragmatic but still tinged with concern. "For now, let's get back to the city. I'm sure Amber's worried sick by now—especially since we got separated and all."

Tanjiro nodded his approval. "Right. Let's go."

Grey clouds hung heavily over Mondstadt, and though the violent winds had subsided, a moderate breeze still lingered in the air. It was a welcome change from before, at least. From the sky, a pair of figures descended, heading toward the large plaza where the church stood, its towering spire visible against the grey backdrop. The plaza, usually bustling with activity, seemed almost serene in the quiet aftermath of the storm.

With a soft thud, Tanjiro and Aether landed nimbly on the cobblestone square in front of the lofty statue. Shortly after, Paimon manifested next to her golden-haired friend, whose eyes surveyed the area in search of anyone who were unable to seek any shelter.

However, Tanjiro's gaze remained fixated on the grey sky, an unreadable expression on his face. His stance was still, as if lost in thought, with his haori billowing lightly in the wind.

"Something on your mind, Tanjiro?" Paimon asked softly.

"Ah!" Tanjiro blinked, snapped out of his reverie, and turned his head to the side, finding both of his companions watching him with inquisitive expressions. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

Aether raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Well…" Tanjiro began, eyes swerving to the murky sky with a conflicted look. "When we were fighting Stormterror, I… picked up a faint scent."

Both Aether and Paimon suddenly paid rapt attention to him, with the white-haired pixie shooting a question. "A scent? What kind?"

Tanjiro pursed his lips, brow furrowing in deep thought. "For the most part, I wasn't able to smell properly because of the winds, but I think…" His voice trailed off the words lingering in the air as he glanced back at his companions. "Stormterror was in pain."

"Eh?" Paimon leaned her head to the side. "Well, you two were just fighting him off a minute ago, so I don't really—"

"No… That's not what I meant." Tanjiro shook his head, waving his hands lightly. "It's… a different kind of pain. Something deeper, something more painful."

The answer only confounded Aether and Paimon further, but before either could let a word out, a voice rang out in the air.

"Travelers!"

The trio jerked their heads toward the source of the sound, immediately recognizing the familiar figure of a young Favonius Outrider sprinting toward them. Within moments, she closed the distance and held them on each arm, concern etched on her face.

"A—Are you two alright?" Amber asked, her gaze shifting between the two boys with evident worry. "I was so worried! Both of you got swept away and I didn't know what to—"

"We're fine," Aether soothed with a faint smile, though his tone carried a hint of exhaustion. "Honestly, we didn't expect Stormterror to come back so soon."

Amber quirked a brow. "Wait… What do you mean 'so soon'?"

"Before we met you, Amber…" Tanjiro piped in. "We ran into Stormterror in the forest, but he flew away after he saw us."

"The dragon was that close to the city?!" Amber exclaimed, her eyes widening in alarm. "No wonder I heard something loud coming from Whispering Woods back then."

Paimon sighed in relief. "Good thing you two chased him away. If he stayed any longer, who knows what would've happened to the city?"

"We still can't rule out the possibility that Stormterror might come back and finish what he started," Aether commented, turning his gaze to the Outrider. "What's our next move?"

"Right now, we should—"

A sound sliced through the air, abruptly cutting Amber off. It was a deliberate, slow rhythm of clapping hands, each strike echoing in the stillness before a voice, laden with calm amusement, followed.

"To possess such power to fight the dragon…" A tall man with a tanned complexion began from a distance. He leisurely approached the group, the sharp cadence of his footsteps punctuating his words. "Quite the spectacle you two showed up there."

Tanjiro, Aether, and Paimon were silent, a mixture of curiosity and caution forming on their faces.

The man's casual stride slowed to a deliberate halt just a few feet away, a sly smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Tell me. Are you new allies… or new storms on the horizon?"

For the most part, Tanjiro remained cautious, but his curiosity about the newcomer lingered. The man's hair was a striking shade of blue, with streaks of lighter hues woven throughout, and a long lock cascaded down the left side of his face. A gold-trimmed black eyepatch covered his right eye, mostly hidden beneath a curtain of bangs. He wore a revealing white blouse that seemed almost too bold for the weather, paired with a fur-collared cloak draped loosely around his neck. His attire was completed with black, form-fitting trousers and knee-high boots. A Vision hung from his brown belt, shaped like a snowflake, its casing adorned with two delicate feathers and a stylized wing.

"Stormterror is attacking Mondstadt!" Amber exclaimed, turning to the three individuals beside her. "Hurry, we must—"

"Hold on, Amber," the man interjected, raising a hand with a wry smile. "Are you perhaps forgetting to introduce someone?"

Amber blinked, her eyes widening as she realized her oversight. She cleared her throat, then gestured toward the man with a sheepish smile. "Ah, right! This is Kaeya, our Cavalry Captain."

With a slight bow, Kaeya gave a wink. "At your service, travelers."

Tanjiro, Aether, and Paimon nodded back, returning a small smile of their own.

The young Outrider then glanced to the three people next to her. "And these," she continued, her voice brightening with excitement, "are travelers from distant lands. They've come to aid us in our time of need."

'Travelers from distant lands?' Kaeya wondered inwardly. 'Is that all we know about them?'

Afterward, Amber seized the opportunity to elaborate, her expression turning serious all of a sudden. "Long story short..."

"I see…" A contemplative expression briefly donned the man's face for a moment, pondering on what his colleague explained regarding the recent events. Moments later, a smile curved on his lips. "Welcome to Mondstadt — though you haven't arrived at the best of times, I'm afraid."

"Considering what just happened, it's pretty obvious," Paimon said.

"I understand the anguish of being separated from family. I'm not really sure why you two are looking for the Anemo God..." A brief pause ensued, only for a cryptic smile to spread across the man's lips. "But everyone has their secrets, right?"

Both Aether and Tanjiro frowned, their brows narrowing imperceptibly.

"Relax." A light chuckle fled Kaeya's mouth, lifting his hands placatingly. "I won't press either of you for more." Dropping his hands to the side, he continued. "First and foremost, on behalf of the Knights of Favonius, I would like to extend our thanks for the help you offered."

"Well, we couldn't just leave the situation to fester," Aether responded coolly.

"Other people could've gotten really hurt too, so we had to act immediately," Tanjiro chimed.

"Oh? Looks like we have two righteous boys here," Kaeya commended. "Your fight to defend the city against the dragon just now was witnessed by no small number of citizens. That is why the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius is also very interested in meeting you, and formally invites you three toour headquarters."

"Hold on, she wants to see them?!" A look of astonishment appeared on Amber's face. "It must be really important then. If that's the case, we should go right now to avoid any delay."

"I agree," Tanjiro concurred.

After sharing a nod, Aether craned his neck towards the tall man. "Lead the way."

"All right, follow me," Kaeya said, motioning his head to a specific direction.

The walk was no less long as the group of five arrived at their destination minutes later; a three-storey cobblestone building with windows and a small yard of shrubs and hedges decorating the front entrance.

"This seems to be the Knights of Favonius Headquarters," Paimon remarked, eyeing the structure.

"What a keen eye you have," Kaeya commented. "You are correct. This is where the Knights of Favonius convene whenever there are crucial matters or announcements to be discussed." The man then gestured a hand towards a pair of brown doors. "Shall we?"

Receiving four nods of confirmation, they proceeded, ascending the small flight of stone stairs and pushing past the brown arching doors. Once inside, they found themselves in a wide hall with multiple pictures neatly lining the silver-coloured walls; white and grey diagonal tiles covered the floor, along with a large symbol of a shield with intersecting swords on the center and a set of wooden stairs on the far end. Two wooden doors were placed opposite of each other on the far left and far right walls, each one embellished with two green potted plants on a column and two adjacent glass lamps. Directly above the center of the ceiling, a candelabra chandelier hung, bringing a cozy, ambient light to the spacious hall.

"This way." Kaeya walked to the left, the group tailing behind before stopping at the first door – where faint voices could be heard from within. Raising a hand, he rapped his knuckles lightly on the wooden surface three times.

"Who is it?" came a muffled, feminine voice from within.

"I've brought them, Jean," Kaeya answered smoothly.

A short pause occurred before the same voice responded. "Come in."

Smiling, Kaeya reached for the handle and twisted it, eliciting a sharp click before pushing it open and meandering inside, subsequently moving aside and letting them be the first ones to go in.

Letting out a deep breath, Tanjiro entered, walking just behind the group of four; revealing a fairly-lit room with a bookshelf and a longcase clock on the left as well as a four-seater table lined with papers and scrolls on the right. Opposite of the door they just passed through was a vertical glass pane with tucked curtain blinds and a wooden desk lined with books, documents, and a candle stand. A large rectangular carpet hued in gold and red laid on the timber floor, bearing a symbol perhaps related to the Knights of Favonius.

However, the presence of two women in the room captured Tanjiro's full attention, their expressions a blend of curiosity and expectation. His deep red eyes shifted to meet a pair of grey-blue ones belonging to the fair-skinned woman before him.

She had medium-length, golden-blonde hair tied back in a high ponytail, and gold cross earrings swung gently from her ears. A crest was emblazoned on the front of her strapless top, beneath a long blue tailcoat that cascaded down her figure. Her arms were adorned with separate white sleeves, and a short blue-and-gold cloak draped elegantly over her shoulders, resting atop a pristine white collar. Her legs were hugged in white tights, embroidered with a delicate gold diamond-dot pattern, and her feet were sheathed in white knee-high boots with a modest heel. Blue gauntlets encased her forearms, completing the ensemble with an air of dignified authority.

The second woman, by contrast, was most strikingly defined by the large, unusual purple hat perched atop her head. Her honey-brown hair was loosely tied in a side ponytail that draped over her left shoulder. She wore black gloves that complemented the deep purple and white dress she was adorned in, its sides split open to reveal the black lace stockings that wrapped snugly around her lean thighs. Black high heels polished with precision completed her look, lending her an aura of mysterious elegance.

Shutting the door, Kaeya walked over to the front. "So…" he started. "Now that we're all accounted for, I might as well bring everyone up to speed."

"…And once it was over, I brought them straight here like you said," Kaeya concluded.

Having recounted the events so far, there was a brief silence until the blonde-haired woman turned to the three individuals and spoke.

"Mondstadt welcomes you, windborne travelers," she greeted affably. "I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius." Pausing, she gestured a hand to the side. "This is Lisa, our resident Librarian."

"Oh! Are you sweeties here to help us out?" Lisa asked, a playful lilt painting her tone. "You three are so adorable!"

'Sweeties?' Both Tanjiro and Aether exchanged a puzzled glance, caught off guard by the affectionate term.

"Sadly, your timing is regrettable," Lisa continued. "Stormterror has caused quite a ruckus in the region since its recent resurgence. Simply put, Mondstadt's elemental sphere and ley lines are now akin to a yarn ball in the paws of a kitten. For a mage, it couldn't get much worse. My skin is one elemental particle away from a full-blown breakout."

"If it weren't for this interference, the Knights of Favonius would have better ways to help you than just putting up missing person posters." Swivelling her head, Jean faced the braided-haired boy. "We simply ask that you repose in Mondstadt while we help you seek out your sister."

A brief silence followed, the weight of her words hanging in the air, before Aether finally nodded at her way. "We'll help out. The sooner we get this done, the better."

"Paimon will help out too!" the fairy responded enthusiastically.

"Count me in," added Tanjiro.

Kaeya chuckled. "In that case, we need a plan."

"With Stormterror now directly attacking Mondstadt, we may have an opportunity to cut this problem off at the source," Jean explained. "Fortunately, Lisa has revealed the sources of Stormterror's power with her detection magic."

The Cavalry Captain quirked a brow. "Oh? Is that so?"

"They're located in the abandoned Four Winds' Temples," Lisa revealed. "Stormterror's ability to whip up these kinds of storms can be attributed to it drawing power from the temples."

"Our objective is to deal with three of the four temples," Jean stated. "I trust everyone understands why we are only dealing with three."

The fairy shook her head. "Paimon doesn't."

Subsequently, the blonde-haired knight faced the group resolutely – steel in her eyes. "Time is against us, Knights of Favonius. The storm is rampant and there is no point in maintaining a defensive position. We need to take initiative and act before the situation escalates."

"Wait a second…" Paimon intervened. "Where are the three temples?"

"That's where we come in," Amber answered. "Kaeya, Lisa, and I will be splitting up to check the three temples, so we can cover more ground that way. It'll be like killing two birds with one stone."

Kaeya let out a chuckle. "It would be three in this case."

"I'll take dibs on the one at Starfell Valley," Amber beamed.

"I guess a little trip to the Thousand Winds Temple would be a great way to exercise," Kaeya mused.

Lisa expelled a wistful sigh. "I was really hoping to take the nearest one," she said, almost dejectedly. "I suppose I'll head to Galesong Hill."

"Great! Now…" The brown-haired Outrider trailed off, craning her neck to face the two travelers, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "How about you two? Decided on who you wanna go with?"

With the attention now shifting to them, the aforementioned boys shared a glance with each other. For Tanjiro, he was a tad bit confused when he saw a small coy smile morph on his friend's face, somehow making his nerves tense.

"I'll go with Kaeya," came Aether's quick reply as he met the tall man's expectant gaze – not before turning to the Favonius Outrider a second later. "Amber, I take it you're fine going with Tanjiro?"

"Huh?" The young swordsman felt his stomach churn unpleasantly, his cheeks warming to a soft red.

"Sure!" Amber chirped cheerfully, placing her hands on her hips. "Both of you surprised me with your skills earlier, so I don't really have a problem teaming up with him."

"Oh?" Kaeya queried, intrigued. "Do tell."

Letting out a weak laugh, Amber waved her hands dismissively. "It was nothing, really. When I had to dispatch a hilichurl camp built near the city like I was told to, I ran into them and let them help me. All I can say is that Paimon's right: They're no pushovers when it comes to a fight."

Paimon hummed approvingly, folding her arms and tilting her chin up with pride. "Heh, told you so."

A giggle from Lisa sounded, smooth and rich. "If our dear Outrider says these two boys are more than just cute faces, then I'm all for them helping us."

Turning to the pair, Jean bowed her head lightly. "Thank you for offering Amber your generous aid, windborne travelers. With the three of you here, I am confident this operation will go smoothly."

Having composed himself after the brief attention earlier, Tanjiro lowered his head in a gesture of respect, a warm smile following soon after. "It's the least we can do, Miss Jean," he replied kindly. "After all, Amber was the one who guided us into the city—her way of offering assistance as well."

Jean lifted an eyebrow. "She did?"

"Yes," Tanjiro affirmed. "Without her, I believe we would've been lost the moment we stepped into Mondstadt, so we're very thankful for her guidance."

The Acting Grand Master gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, her gaze briefly shifting toward the young Outrider.

Amber let out a sheepish laugh, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks as she scratched the back of her head. "L-Like I said, it really wasn't anything special..." she trailed off, her smile tinged with modesty.

As if sensing another set of eyes boring into his being, Tanjiro spared a glance to the side. When he finally did, a smug smirk from a certain braided boy was all he saw, folding his arms and looking thoroughly amused by the proceedings.

'Please spare me already…' whimpered Tanjiro inwardly.

After a brief moment of silence, Aether cleared his throat to garner everyone's attention. "Moving on, once we finish helping Kaeya and Amber with the two temples…" His eyes drifted to the brunette-haired woman in the room. "Tanjiro and I can help Miss Lisa deal with the last one."

"How sweet of you, cuties~" A touch of mirth laced Lisa's tone, her lips contorting into a playful grin. "I was beginning to think you've forgotten me. Venturing into a temple on my own would've been so lonely, so I really appreciate the help of two strong boys such as yourselves."

Whether the flirtatious undertone in her voice and the wink she sent their way was intentional or not, Tanjiro and Aether merely nodded, whipping their eyes away to mask the redness spreading on their cheeks.

"All right, let's do this!" Paimon whooped excitedly. "Time to get our game faces on and head to these temples."

"The little fairy's got the right idea," Kaeya concurred. "Wouldn't want to keep the Acting Grand Master waiting now, would we?"

"Paimon's right!" Amber declared, her energetic nature shining through. "There's no time to lose, not with Stormterror still out there."

"I'll head out after a little while," Lisa said. "I still need to tend a few things here."

Nodding in understanding, Kaeya headed for the door and opened it, subsequently stepping aside and letting the others pass through like before. The first to act was Aether, who settled for a simple nod to the two women, before finally departing, with Paimon bidding a wave and trailing after him. After a moment, Amber sauntered towards the doorway as well - not before gently nudging Tanjiro and cracking a tiny smile at him, promptly exiting the room with a skip in her step.

Facing the blonde woman, Tanjiro bowed his head and beamed a grin. "We'll be back later, Miss Jean," he said. "We won't let you down."

A contented smile formed on Jean's lips. "If Amber can vouch for your abilities, then I'm positive that all of you will succeed."

Afterward, Tanjiro excused himself and left the room, gently shutting the door behind him before following the others.

"Well, isn't he quite the charming one?" A silky giggle fled Lisa's breath. "It's reassuring to know we have three extra pairs of hands to assist us." Her gaze shifted toward the blonde-haired woman, who wore a contemplative expression. "Hm? Something on your mind, Jean?"

There was a brief pause before Jean finally turned to meet Lisa's emerald-green eyes. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Inazuma's borders currently closed?"

A thoughtful hum escaped Lisa's lips as she processed the question, then replied, "If memory serves, the situation in Inazuma has grown dire of late, to the point that no one can either leave or enter the nation. What's more, this Sakoku Decree is the real source of all the turmoil."

Jean hummed thoughtfully, her expression distant as she pondered the matter.

Lisa tilted her head, her lips curling into a playful smile. "You're thinking about that handsome young man with the scar on his forehead, aren't you?"

Jean's cheeks flushed slightly, and she spluttered in response. "W-Well... I..."

Lisa chuckled softly, her arms crossed in amusement. "I'm not the only one, then. I'm curious about him too—along with that other charming blonde and their little fairy companion."

Jean sighed, her eyes drifting toward the vertical window pane behind her wooden desk, where the roiling winds were clearly visible beyond the glass. After a moment of silence, she spoke her thoughts aloud. "Do you think he escaped?" Jean asked, her voice quiet but earnest. "From Inazuma?"

A faint frown tugged at Lisa's features. "I'm not one to pry into others' affairs…" she began thoughtfully. "But if he did, I can only imagine the hardships that poor soul endured to flee such a place."

Jean's gaze softened as she spoke, her words carrying a mix of concern and hope. "For what it's worth, regardless of what happened to him… I hope he and his companions find a sense of belonging here."