The morning sun rose over Mondstadt, casting a golden glow across the city's cobblestone streets and wind-swept plains. The city of freedom buzzed with a quiet resilience, its citizens already at work repairing the damage from the previous night's Mitachurl assault. The air carried the scent of fresh bread from the bakery near the plaza, mingling with the faint tang of charred wood from the battle-scarred gates. Windwheels spun lazily in the breeze, their petals a blur of color against the emerald grass, while the distant sound of blacksmiths hammering echoed from the city's forge. Mondstadt was a city that thrived on hope, its people undeterred by the threats that loomed beyond its walls.
Inside the Knights of Favonius headquarters, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The stone building stood as a bastion of order, its halls adorned with banners bearing the Anemo Archon's symbol. Stained glass windows filtered the morning light into a kaleidoscope of colors, casting patterns on the polished wooden floors. The scent of old parchment and wax lingered in the air, a testament to the countless reports and strategies that had been drafted within these walls. Jean, the Acting Grand Master, had spent a sleepless night overseeing the interrogation of the two captured Abyss Mages, her resolve unshaken despite the emotional toll of the second creation broadcast.
At less than 20 years old, Jean had been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of leading the Knights of Favonius in the absence of Grand Master Varka. Her mentality was far more stable than most her age, a necessity born of her role. The second creation video, with its humiliating depiction of her being blasted out of her office by Klee's bomb, had briefly shaken her composure, but she recovered quickly. Mondstadt was in an eventful season, with the Abyss Order's schemes growing bolder by the day. She had no time to dwell on personal embarrassment when her city needed her most.
The interrogation had taken place in the headquarters' lower levels, a dimly lit cell block carved into the stone foundation. The air down here was cool and damp, the walls slick with moisture from the nearby Cider Lake. Iron bars separated the cells, their surfaces rusted but sturdy, and the faint hum of Anemo energy pulsed from sigils etched into the stone, a precaution against magical escape attempts. The two Abyss Mages, one Hydro and one Electro, sat bound in chains infused with Geo energy, their glowing eyes dimmed by exhaustion. Their elemental shields had been shattered during their capture, leaving them vulnerable to the Knights' questioning.
Jean stood at the edge of the cell, her arms crossed, her blue cape draped over her shoulders. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her tired face. Her Anemo Vision glowed faintly at her waist, a reminder of the power she wielded in defense of Mondstadt. Despite her decisive nature in battle, she found herself hesitating now. Torture was a method she abhorred, a relic of a darker age that Mondstadt had long since abandoned. The city prided itself on its freedom, and harsh punishments had been abolished under Barbatos' influence. But the Abyss Mages were stubborn, their lips sealed despite hours of questioning.
"Captain, you can't keep holding back like this," Kaeya said, his tone a mix of frustration and concern. The Cavalry Captain leaned against the cell wall, his dark blue hair catching the torchlight. His eyepatch hid one eye, but the other gleamed with a calculating sharpness, his Cryo Vision glowing at his hip. "Interrogating prisoners requires a firmer hand."
Jean shook her head, her expression conflicted. "I know I can be too rigid in this regard," she admitted, her voice soft but firm. "But I can't bring myself to use such methods. Mondstadt stands for freedom, not cruelty."
Kaeya sighed, pushing off the wall to stand beside her. "I understand, but we need answers. The Abyss Order isn't going to play nice just because we do."
"Then perhaps you should leave this to us, Jean," Lisa interjected, her voice a soothing purr as she stepped forward. The librarian's purple hat tilted slightly as she smiled, her green eyes glinting with a mischievous edge. Her Electro Vision sparked at her waist, a subtle warning of the power she wielded. "Go rest—you've been up all night. We'll handle the interrogation."
Jean hesitated, her gaze flickering to the Abyss Mages. Their defiant stares met hers, their voices rising in a bluff. "Don't waste your time—we won't say anything," the Hydro Mage hissed, its voice a gurgle of water.
"Even if you torture us, we can endure it," the Electro Mage added, its tone crackling with defiance.
Lisa's smile widened, a dangerous edge to her expression as she gently pushed Jean toward the door. "Go on, Captain—we've got this," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Jean relented, her shoulders slumping as she exited the cell block. The moment the door closed behind her, Lisa's demeanor shifted. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating intensity. "Alright, let's see how tough you really are," she said, her voice low and menacing. She raised a hand, her fingers crackling with Electro energy as two bolts of lightning arced through the air.
The cell erupted in a symphony of crackling electricity, the lightning striking the Abyss Mages with precision. Their bodies convulsed, their cries echoing off the stone walls as the shocks coursed through them. Amber, who had been standing guard nearby, flinched at the sight, her brown eyes wide with shock. She pulled Baron Bunny from her belt, hugging the stuffed toy to her chest as if to shield herself from the scene. "Lisa, isn't this a bit… much?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lisa glanced at her, her expression softening for a moment. "Sometimes, Amber, evil requires a ruthless hand," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "They'll talk soon enough."
True to her word, the Abyss Mages broke within five rounds of electrocution. Their defiance crumbled, their voices hoarse as they begged for mercy. "We'll talk—just make it stop!" the Hydro Mage gasped, its form flickering as its magic waned.
"We were ordered to distract Mondstadt—keep the Knights pinned here while the Abyss Order targets the Wind Dragon!" the Electro Mage confessed, its voice a crackle of desperation. "That's all we know—please, let us die!"
Lisa lowered her hand, the lightning fading as she turned to Kaeya. "That's enough for now," she said, her tone calm once more. "We'll report this to Jean—she needs to know the Abyss Order's true target."
Outside, the morning sun had fully risen, bathing Mondstadt in a warm glow. Xander awoke in his room at the Windblume Inn, the soft light filtering through the window to illuminate the modest space. The room was cozy, with wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling and a small desk piled with maps and notes from his travels. A vase of windwheel asters sat on the windowsill, their petals a vibrant orange against the green stems. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the faint aroma of dandelion wine from the bottles he'd bought the previous night, a reminder of his quiet evening.
A knock at the door roused him fully, and he opened it to find two familiar faces: Ying, the Traveler, and her floating companion, Paimon. Ying's blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, her golden eyes filled with a quiet determination. Her outfit, a mix of white and gold with a flowing scarf, was practical yet elegant, a reflection of her journey across Teyvat. Paimon hovered beside her, her tiny form clad in a starry cape, her silver hair bouncing as she floated. "Good morning, Mr. Xander!" Paimon chirped, her voice bright. "We're heading to the Knights of Favonius—Jean asked us to bring you along."
Xander nodded, grabbing his cloak and the Shadowfang Blade. "Lead the way," he said, his tone calm but curious. As they walked through Mondstadt's streets, the city's vibrancy unfolded around them. Children played near the fountain in the plaza, their laughter a melody against the bubbling water. Merchants called out from their stalls, offering fresh fruits and handmade trinkets, while a bard strummed a lute near the cathedral, his song a tribute to Barbatos. The air was crisp, the breeze carrying the scent of dandelions and the distant promise of rain.
On the way to the headquarters, Ying's expression grew pensive, her gaze distant. She turned to Xander, her voice hesitant but hopeful. "Mr. Xander, I don't know if you've seen my brother… his name is Kong. He looks a lot like me—blonde hair, similar style of clothing. Have you come across him?"
Xander recognized the longing in her voice, the same longing he'd seen in her during their travels in the game. Ying and Kong, the twin Travelers, had been separated by the Unknown God, their fates diverging across Teyvat. Ying's question was a shot in the dark, a desperate hope that Xander, as a fellow outsider, might have information. He shook his head, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ying—I haven't met your brother. We likely didn't come from the same world, so I wouldn't have crossed paths with him."
Ying's shoulders slumped, her disappointment palpable. She had expected as much, but the confirmation still stung. Paimon floated closer, her tiny hands patting Ying's shoulder. "Don't be discouraged, Ying! Teyvat is huge—we've only just reached the first nation. We'll find your brother eventually!" she said, her voice a mix of cheer and determination.
Xander offered a reassuring smile, his tone gentle. "Paimon's right. Auspicious people have their own paths—you'll meet again when the time is right. And I don't think you're an ordinary person, Ying, which means your brother must be capable too. He's probably living more comfortably than you are right now."
Ying managed a small smile, her spirits lifting slightly. "Thank you, Xander. I hope you're right," she said, her voice soft but resolute.
Xander's words, though meant as comfort, were closer to the truth than Ying realized. Her journey as an adventurer had been grueling—days of sleeping in the wild, scavenging for food, and facing monsters with little more than her sword and Paimon's companionship. Before reaching Mondstadt, she and Paimon had often gone hungry, their meals a patchwork of foraged berries and the occasional fish caught from a river. Kong, on the other hand, lived a life of relative luxury as the Prince of the Abyss Order. He commanded legions of followers, dined on delicacies from the Seven Nations, and enjoyed the entertainment of his subordinates, like the jester-like Abyss Herald, Enjou. The siblings' lives were a stark contrast—one a struggling hero, the other a shadowy ruler.
They arrived at the Knights of Favonius headquarters, its stone facade a symbol of Mondstadt's strength. The garden outside was a burst of color, with windwheel asters and dandelions swaying in the breeze. Noelle, the maid-in-training, played with Klee near a small fountain, their laughter a bright spot in the morning. Noelle's silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, her Geo Vision glowing at her waist as she lifted Klee into the air, spinning her gently. Her maid outfit, a mix of black and white with a red ribbon, was pristine despite the dirt smudges on her apron—a sign of her tireless work ethic. At a young age, Noelle already possessed B-rank strength, her potential terrifying in its scope. But her pure, kind nature made her vulnerable, her inability to say no a weakness Jean feared might one day lead to her downfall.
Klee, the Spark Knight, giggled as she landed, her red hat bouncing on her head. Her tiny form was a bundle of energy, her backpack stuffed with bombs and her beloved Jumpty Dumpty. Her title as a knight was more honorary than official, a way for Jean to channel her chaotic energy into something constructive—and to keep her under supervision. "Noelle, spin me again!" Klee squealed, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Noelle smiled, her voice soft but firm. "One more time, Klee, but then we need to help with the garden chores, okay?" she said, her tone gentle but authoritative.
Inside the headquarters, Jean awaited them in her office, the hole in the wall from the second creation video now a distant memory in the real world. The room had been tidied, the new chair behind her desk a stark contrast to the old one Klee had destroyed in the spoof. Maps and reports were spread across the desk, a testament to the ongoing threat of the Abyss Order. Jean looked up as Xander, Ying, and Paimon entered, her expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. "Thank you for coming," she said, her voice steady. "We've learned from the Abyss Mages that their attacks were a distraction—their true target is Teucer, the Wind Dragon. We need to act quickly to protect him."
Before they could strategize further, the alarm horns blared once more, their sound a chilling echo through the city. A new threat had emerged from the Whispering Woods—a pack of Ruin Guards, their mechanical bodies gleaming with ancient runes, marched toward Mondstadt. The Abyss Order had activated them as a final gambit, their programming set to destroy the city that stood in their way.
Jean sprang to her feet, her Anemo Vision glowing as she grabbed her sword. "Knights, to the gates!" she shouted, her voice carrying through the halls. She turned to Xander and Ying, her eyes sharp. "We'll need your help—Teucer's safety depends on us."
Xander nodded, the Shadowfang Blade humming at his side. "Let's move," he said, his tone calm but resolute. Ying drew her sword, her golden eyes blazing with determination, while Paimon floated beside her, her tiny fists clenched. "We'll protect Mondstadt—and find a way to Teucer!" she declared.
They rushed to the city gates, where the Ruin Guards were already engaging the knights. The machines towered over the battlefield, their mechanical arms whirring as they fired energy blasts. One of them launched a barrage of missiles, the explosions rocking the ground as the knights scattered. Xander teleported into the fray, his blade slashing with dimensional energy. The strikes cut through the Ruin Guards' armor, their metal frames sparking as they staggered.
Ying joined the fight, her Anemo powers swirling as she summoned a vortex to lift a Ruin Guard into the air. "Paimon, help the knights on the left flank!" she called, her voice steady despite the chaos. Paimon nodded, zipping toward the knights to relay Ying's orders.
Jean fought alongside them, her Anemo Vision creating gusts of wind that knocked the Ruin Guards off balance. Eula, Amber, and Kaeya joined the battle, their elemental attacks a symphony of Cryo, Pyro, and Electro. Klee, who had followed Noelle to the gates despite Jean's orders, stood at the edge of the battlefield, her eyes wide with excitement. "Klee can help!" she shouted, pulling a bomb from her backpack.
Jean turned, her heart sinking. "Klee, stay back!" she ordered, her voice a mix of fear and frustration. She rushed to the girl's side, scooping her into her arms just as a Ruin Guard's missile exploded nearby. The blast sent them tumbling, but Jean shielded Klee with her body, her Anemo powers creating a barrier to deflect the debris.
"Captain Jean, Klee wants to help!" Klee protested, her lip trembling as she clutched Jumpty Dumpty.
Jean's expression softened, her grip on Klee tightening. "I know, Klee, and I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice gentle. "But you're my responsibility—I need to keep you safe. Can you cheer for us instead?"
Klee nodded, her hat bobbing as she smiled. "Klee will cheer really loud!" she promised, clapping her hands. "Go, Captain Jean! Go, knights!"
With Klee safe, Jean rejoined the battle, her Anemo powers lifting the Ruin Guards into the air for a final assault. Xander's dimensional slashes, Ying's vortexes, and the knights' combined attacks brought the machines down, their mechanical bodies collapsing in a shower of sparks and twisted metal. Mondstadt had survived another assault, but the threat to Teucer loomed large, a shadow that would test their resolve in the days to come.
As the dust settled, Ying stood amidst the wreckage, her gaze distant. Xander approached, his expression thoughtful. "Your brother… he's out there, Ying. And I have a feeling he's more capable than you might think," he said, his tone reassuring.
Ying managed a small smile, her resolve strengthened. "I'll find him—no matter what it takes," she said, her voice filled with determination.
The Shadowfang Blade at Xander's side thrummed, a silent witness to the battles fought and the bonds forged. Mondstadt had weathered another storm, but the Abyss Order's schemes were far from over, and the search for Kong would lead Ying into the heart of Teyvat's darkness.
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