The morning sun bathed Mondstadt in a golden glow, its rays filtering through the stained glass windows of the Knights of Favonius headquarters, casting a mosaic of colors across the stone floors. The city of freedom was a vibrant tapestry of life, its cobblestone streets bustling with activity despite the recent threats. Merchants called out from their stalls in the central plaza, their voices mingling with the laughter of children chasing dandelions that floated on the breeze. The scent of fresh bread wafted from the bakery near the fountain, blending with the faint tang of iron from the blacksmith's forge, where hammers rang out in a steady rhythm. Windwheels spun lazily on the hills outside the city, their orange petals a blur against the emerald grass, a symbol of Mondstadt's enduring spirit.
Inside the headquarters, the air was thick with purpose. The grand building stood as a bastion of order, its walls adorned with banners bearing the Anemo Archon's symbol—a stylized windwheel in shades of blue and green. The scent of old parchment and wax lingered in the halls, a testament to the countless strategies and reports that had been drafted here. The garden outside was a burst of color, with windwheel asters and dandelions swaying in the breeze, their delicate petals catching the sunlight. It was here that Xander first encountered two of Mondstadt's most endearing figures: Klee and Noelle.
Klee, the Spark Knight, bounded toward him with a wide grin, her red hat bouncing on her head. Her tiny form was a bundle of energy, her red outfit smudged with dirt from her latest adventure. Her backpack, stuffed with bombs and her beloved Jumpty Dumpty, jiggled as she ran, the toy's googly eyes bouncing with each step. "Hi, Big Brother Xander! My name's Klee—I'm the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius! And the one behind, the one behind… um, I forgot…" she trailed off, her voice a soft chirp as she rubbed the back of her head, her hat tilting to one side.
Noelle stepped forward, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, her Geo Vision glowing at her waist. Her maid outfit, a mix of black and white with a red ribbon, was pristine despite the garden's dirt, a testament to her meticulous nature. She lifted the hem of her skirt in a graceful curtsy, her green eyes warm with kindness. "Mr. Xander, hello. I'm Noelle, a maid of the Knights of Favonius. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask," she said, her voice soft but steady.
Xander couldn't help but smile at the two girls, their innocence and earnestness a bright spot in the morning. In his past life as a player of Genshin Impact, Klee and Noelle had been his most-used characters, their abilities a perfect complement to his playstyle. Klee had been his first pull, a free character he'd grown to love despite her chaotic tendencies. He'd later spent a fortune in Mora—or rather, real-world money—to max out her constellations, ensuring her bombs packed a punch. Noelle, on the other hand, had been his god of war, a stalwart companion from the novice banner. Equipped with the Skyward Pride, a five-star claymore, she'd become a hexagonal warrior—capable of dealing damage, tanking hits, and healing her team. On his journey from Mondstadt to Liyue, Noelle's Geo shield and Klee's Pyro explosions had made short work of even the toughest enemies, including the infamous Guyun Stone Forest's F4, a group of elite enemies that players often struggled against.
"Seeing these two cuties first thing in the morning—today's luck is bound to be good," Xander said, reaching out to pat Klee and Noelle on the head. Klee giggled, her hat slipping further to the side, while Noelle blushed, her smile shy but genuine.
Paimon, hovering beside Ying, puffed out her cheeks in indignation. "Hey, it's not just two cuties—it's four cuties!" she protested, her tiny hands on her hips. Her starry cape fluttered as she floated, her silver hair bouncing with each movement. "Ying and I are cute too, you know!"
Xander smirked, his tone teasing. "My apologies—I miscalculated. But I see three cuties and one emergency food," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Paimon's face turned red, her tiny body trembling with frustration. "Argh! I'm so mad I could— I'll give you an ugly nickname! I'll call you… um…" She paused, her brain scrambling for a retort. Her eyes darted to the Shadowfang Blade at Xander's side, its dark steel glinting ominously as he adjusted his cloak. Paimon gulped, her anger deflating as she turned to Ying instead. "Ying, this is all your fault! Now everyone calls me emergency food—you have to treat me to a week of meals at the Deer Hunter to make up for this!" she demanded, her voice a mix of indignation and poutiness.
Ying, her blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight, offered a sheepish smile. Her golden eyes were warm but tinged with amusement as she patted Paimon's head. "Alright, Paimon, I'll treat you—but let's focus on the meeting for now," she said, her voice calm and steady. Her outfit, a mix of white and gold with a flowing scarf, was practical yet elegant, a reflection of her journey across Teyvat.
The trio—Xander, Ying, and Paimon—entered the headquarters, their footsteps echoing on the stone floors as they made their way to Jean's office. The room was a blend of order and warmth, its walls lined with bookshelves and maps of Mondstadt. A large window behind Jean's desk let in the morning light, illuminating the clutter of reports and scrolls on her desk. The scent of fresh ink and wax lingered in the air, a reminder of the sleepless night Jean had spent interrogating the Abyss Mages.
Jean stood at the head of the room, her blue cape draped over her shoulders, the emblem of the Knights pinned at her chest. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her tired face. Her Anemo Vision glowed at her waist, a beacon of her unyielding resolve. Around her stood the core members of the Knights: Lisa, Eula, Amber, and Kaeya, each a pillar of Mondstadt's defense.
Lisa leaned against a bookshelf, her purple hat tilted slightly as she smiled, her green eyes glinting with a mischievous edge. Her Electro Vision sparked at her waist, a subtle reminder of the power she'd wielded during the interrogation. Eula stood with her arms crossed, her icy blue eyes sharp and focused, her Cryo Vision glowing at her hip. Her claymore rested against the wall, its blade shimmering with frost. Amber sat on the edge of the desk, her red scarf fluttering as she swung her legs, her Pyro Vision glowing at her waist. Her bunny-eared headband bobbed as she smiled, her brown eyes warm with enthusiasm. Kaeya lounged in a chair, his dark blue hair catching the light, his single visible eye gleaming with a calculating sharpness. His Cryo Vision glowed at his hip, a testament to his icy prowess.
The sight of the group stirred a wave of nostalgia in Xander. When he'd first arrived in Mondstadt in the game, these characters had been his guides, their personalities shaping his early adventures. Amber, the lighter of Mondstadt's skies, had been his first companion, her Pyro arrows burning through vines and enemies alike. She'd been a staple in his early team, though she'd later been replaced by stronger Pyro characters, relegated to the warehouse—except by her true fans, who kept their promise to take her across the Seven Nations. Jean, the soul of the Knights, had been a character he'd spent heavily to obtain, her Anemo powers and leadership a cornerstone of his team. Lisa, the hidden black-bellied big sister, had captured his heart with her teasing charm, her Electro attacks a force to be reckoned with. Eula, the vengeful knight, had charmed him with her dance and playful sneezes, her Cryo prowess earning her a permanent spot in his lineup. And Kaeya, the True Monarch of Frozen Ice Crossing the Sea, had been a miner's dream, his non-stop resource gathering a boon for any player.
"You're here—good, everyone's present," Jean said, her voice steady as she gestured for Xander, Ying, and Paimon to take a seat. "Let's discuss our next steps. The Abyss Mages revealed that their attacks were a distraction—their true target is Teucer, the Wind Dragon. We need to protect him before the Abyss Order can enact their plan."
Before they could delve into strategy, the alarm horns blared through the city, their sound a chilling echo that sent a shiver down Xander's spine. The knights sprang to their feet, their weapons drawn as they rushed to the windows. Outside, a new threat emerged from the Whispering Woods—a horde of Abyss Heralds, their shadowy forms cloaked in dark magic, leading a pack of Ruin Sentinels. The machines, ancient relics of Khaenri'ah, gleamed with a menacing light, their mechanical limbs whirring as they marched toward Mondstadt.
Jean's eyes narrowed, her Anemo Vision glowing as she grabbed her sword. "Knights, to the gates!" she shouted, her voice a rallying cry. She turned to Xander and Ying, her expression resolute. "We'll need your help—this is bigger than we anticipated."
Xander nodded, the Shadowfang Blade humming at his side. "Let's move," he said, his tone calm but determined. Ying drew her sword, her golden eyes blazing with resolve, while Paimon floated beside her, her tiny fists clenched. "We'll protect Mondstadt—and Teucer!" she declared.
They rushed to the city gates, where the Abyss Heralds and Ruin Sentinels were already engaging the knights. The Heralds summoned torrents of Hydro and Pyro energy, their attacks a deadly dance of elements, while the Sentinels fired energy blasts, their mechanical limbs slicing through the air. One of the Heralds unleashed a wave of water, the torrent crashing against the gates with a deafening roar. Xander teleported into the fray, his blade slashing with dimensional energy. The strikes cut through the Herald's shield, sending it staggering back with a hiss.
Ying joined the fight, her Anemo powers swirling as she summoned a vortex to lift a Ruin Sentinel into the air. "Paimon, help Amber on the right flank!" she called, her voice steady despite the chaos. Paimon nodded, zipping toward Amber to relay Ying's orders.
Jean fought alongside them, her Anemo Vision creating gusts of wind that knocked the Heralds off balance. Lisa's Electro attacks crackled through the air, her lightning striking the Sentinels with precision. Eula's Cryo strikes slowed the enemies' movements, her claymore a whirlwind of frost. Amber's Pyro arrows ignited the Heralds' shields, the flames spreading to their cloaks. Kaeya's strategic strikes kept the enemies off balance, his Cryo powers freezing their feet to the ground.
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. Noelle, standing beside her, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Klee, let's help by keeping the area clear—Captain Jean needs us to stay safe," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Klee pouted but nodded, her hat bobbing as she smiled. "Okay, Big Sister Noelle—Klee will cheer instead!" she said, clapping her hands. "Go, knights, go!"
Noelle summoned a Geo shield, her Vision glowing as she protected the nearby knights from a stray energy blast. Her strength was undeniable, her claymore a force of nature as she deflected the Sentinel's attacks. Xander glanced at her, a thought crossing his mind. Noelle's prowess on the battlefield, her unyielding kindness, and her quiet strength made her a perfect candidate for a second creation video. She deserved a series of her own, a spotlight to showcase her as the invincible maid she truly was.
The battle raged on, the combined efforts of the knights, Xander, and Ying slowly turning the tide. The Abyss Heralds fell one by one, their dark magic dissipating into the air, while the Ruin Sentinels collapsed in showers of sparks and twisted metal. As the last enemy fell, the knights let out a cheer, their voices echoing through the city. Mondstadt had survived another assault, but the threat to Teucer loomed large, a shadow that would test their resolve in the days to come.
Jean stood amidst the wreckage, her breath heavy as she sheathed her sword. She turned to Xander and Ying, her expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you—both of you. We couldn't have done this without your help," she said, her voice sincere.
Xander nodded, his gaze drifting to Noelle and Klee, who were now helping the knights clear the debris. "You've got a strong team here, Jean. And I think Noelle deserves a spotlight of her own—she's a true god of war," he said, his tone thoughtful.
Jean smiled, her exhaustion tempered by pride. "She is. And I'll make sure she gets the recognition she deserves," she replied, her voice filled with resolve.
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 fight to protect Teucer would lead them into the heart of Teyvat's darkness.
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