The Knights of Favonius headquarters buzzed with a tense energy, the morning light streaming through its stained glass windows to cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the stone floors. The grand building stood as a symbol of Mondstadt's resilience, its walls adorned with banners bearing the Anemo Archon's windwheel sigil in shades of blue and green. The scent of old parchment and wax lingered in the air, a testament to the countless strategies and reports that had been drafted here in defense of the city. Outside, the city of freedom hummed with life, its cobblestone streets alive with the chatter of merchants, the laughter of children, and the rhythmic creak of windmills turning in the breeze. The scent of fresh bread wafted from the bakery near the plaza, mingling with the faint tang of iron from the blacksmith's forge, where hammers rang out in a steady beat.
Inside Jean's office, the core members of the Knights had gathered for a critical meeting. 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—a map of the Stormterror's Lair ruins, a list of recent Abyss Order sightings, and a half-empty cup of tea, long since gone cold. 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 glowing at her waist as a beacon of her unyielding resolve.
Around her stood 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 sparking at her waist. Eula stood with her arms crossed, her icy blue eyes sharp and focused, her Cryo Vision glowing at her hip, her claymore resting against the wall. 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 bobbing with each movement. Kaeya lounged in a chair, his dark blue hair catching the light, his single visible eye gleaming with a calculating sharpness, his Cryo Vision glowing at his hip. Ying and Paimon stood near the door, Ying's golden eyes filled with determination, her blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight, while Paimon hovered beside her, her starry cape fluttering as she fidgeted with nervous energy.
Xander stood among them, the Shadowfang Blade at his side humming with a quiet power. His cloak billowed slightly in the breeze that slipped through the open window, the scent of dandelions and fresh grass wafting in from the garden outside. The meeting was about to begin, and the stakes had never been higher.
Jean's voice cut through the room, steady and authoritative. "Last night, Lisa extracted a confession from the Abyss Mages," she began, her gaze sweeping over the group. "The Abyss Order is attempting to control Teucer, the Wind Dragon, using their dark magic. Their frequent attacks on Mondstadt were a distraction to keep us pinned here, unable to protect him. Now that we know their true goal, we need to act swiftly—but we're stretched thin."
She paused, her brow furrowing as she considered the challenges ahead. "The Fatui are still in the city, and we can't risk them taking advantage of our absence to cause trouble. We'll need to split our forces—some of us will stay in Mondstadt to keep an eye on the Fatui, while the rest head to the Stormterror's Lair ruins to rescue Teucer."
Kaeya leaned forward, his tone confident. "You can rest easy about the city, Jean. My sworn brother might seem cold, but he's still the same Diluc who loves and protects Mondstadt with all his heart. If the Fatui try anything, he'll step in as the Darknight Hero to stop them."
Jean nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "If Senior Diluc is watching over the city, that does put my mind at ease. Kaeya, I'd like you to negotiate with him—ensure he's ready to act if needed."
Kaeya inclined his head, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Consider it done, Captain."
Jean turned to the others, her voice firm as she outlined the plan. "Lisa, you'll stay in the city with Kaeya and Amber. Keep things under control here—and please, keep an eye on Klee. Make sure she does her math problems and stays out of trouble."
Lisa's smile widened, her tone teasing. "Don't worry, Jean—I'll make sure our little Spark Knight behaves. And I'll keep the Fatui in check with a few well-placed lightning bolts if necessary," she said, her Electro Vision sparking as if in agreement.
Amber hopped off the desk, her enthusiasm undimmed. "I'll patrol the streets and make sure everything stays peaceful!" she said, her Pyro Vision glowing with her fiery spirit.
Jean's gaze shifted to the remaining members. "Eula, Ying, Xander, and I will head to the Stormterror's Lair ruins to rescue Teucer. We'll need to move quickly—the Abyss Order won't wait for us to catch up."
Xander noted the shift in the timeline with a quiet amusement. In the original game, this mission had involved Venti, the Anemo Archon in disguise, asking Ying to steal the Skyward Harp, leading to a confrontation with Jean and Diluc that revealed Venti's identity. Now, with Xander's presence, the plot had diverged—he was joining Jean, Eula, and Ying, with Paimon as their "emergency food." Diluc, meanwhile, would remain in Mondstadt, playing the role of the Darknight Hero, a Batman-like vigilante protecting the city from the shadows.
The thought of Diluc sparked an idea in Xander's mind—a second creation video featuring the stoic nobleman. It would be a masterpiece, a chaotic spoof that would shatter Diluc's carefully crafted image and delight the Teyvat audience. But Xander knew that if Diluc ever discovered he was behind it, their relationship would be… complicated, to say the least. Still, the joy it would bring to the melon-eating masses was too tempting to resist. He made a mental note to apologize to Diluc in his heart, a silent promise to make amends for the chaos he was about to unleash.
With the plan set, Jean dismissed the group, instructing them to gather at the city gates in half an hour. Xander excused himself, claiming he needed to retrieve something from the Windblume Inn. In truth, he had a different goal in mind—a lottery draw he'd been saving for a moment of good luck. Klee's presence that morning had filled him with a sense of fortune, and he intended to capitalize on it.
The Windblume Inn was a cozy establishment, its ivy-covered walls and wooden beams giving it a rustic charm. Xander's room was modest but comfortable, with a soft bed, a small desk, and a window overlooking the plaza. A vase of windwheel asters sat on the windowsill, their orange petals catching the sunlight, while the faint aroma of dandelion wine lingered from the bottles he'd bought the previous night. He sat on the edge of the bed, his mind focused as he prepared for the draw. "Let's see what Klee's luck brings me today," he muttered, his tone a mix of anticipation and amusement.
He began a series of nonsensical chants, a playful ritual to boost his luck. "The Supreme Lord is as urgent as a law, Bo Ruo jackfruit, eating grapes without spitting out grape skins, the Supreme Treasure beats Bodhi's mother, your mother's surname…" he rambled, his words a chaotic jumble as he activated the system's lottery interface.
The virtual screen glowed with a soft blue light, meteors streaking across it as the draw commenced. Five meteors broke through the clouds, their colors shifting as they landed—three white, one blue, and one purple. Xander's eyes lit up. "Nice—shipped!" he exclaimed, his excitement tempered by caution. A purple draw was a solid pull, and as long as it wasn't a dud, it would provide a significant boost.
The system announced his rewards: "Congratulations to the host, you have obtained a full set of Meidesike. Congratulations to the host, you have obtained one million Discoins. Congratulations to the host, you have obtained ten servings of Sweet Flower Stuffed Chicken. Congratulations to the host, you have obtained a Magic Power Up Card (B). Congratulations to the host, you have obtained a Phantom Sword Simulation · Power Blade (A) skill card."
Xander's grin widened as he reviewed the haul. The Meidesike set—likely a reference to a powerful artifact set—would boost his stats, while the ten servings of Sweet Flower Stuffed Chicken were a welcome addition to his provisions, their savory aroma already making his stomach rumble. The Magic Power Up Card (B) was a timely boon, as he was on the cusp of breaking through to A-rank strength, just a step away from the next level. The card would give him the edge he needed for the upcoming battle with Teucer.
The Phantom Sword Simulation · Power Blade (A) skill card was the real prize. Xander had been relying solely on the Shadowfang Blade, its dark steel a reliable companion but limited in versatility. The Power Blade, a spectral greatsword projected by blue magic, would add a new dimension to his combat style. He activated the skill card, a surge of energy coursing through him as the knowledge of the blade's moveset flooded his mind. He stretched out his hand, summoning the Power Blade—a massive, glowing greatsword that shimmered with a blue aura, its weight perfectly balanced in his grip. The corresponding techniques came naturally, though the ultimate move remained locked, awaiting further growth in his strength.
The Discoins, however, were a disappointment. Xander opened the box to find a million gold coins, their surfaces stamped with an unfamiliar emblem. "Discoins… from Infinite Stratos?" he muttered, his brow furrowing. In that world, they might have been valuable, but in Teyvat, they were useless—no merchant in Mondstadt would accept them. He sighed, stowing the coins in his system space. "A million might sound like a lot, but they're just shiny paperweights here," he grumbled.
With his preparations complete, Xander made his way to the city gates, where Jean, Eula, and Ying were already waiting. Jean stood tall, her Anemo Vision glowing as she adjusted her sword, her blue cape billowing in the breeze. Eula's icy demeanor was as sharp as her claymore, her Cryo Vision shimmering with frost as she scanned the horizon. Ying's golden eyes were filled with determination, her sword at the ready, while Paimon hovered beside her, muttering about her "emergency food" nickname. The group set out for the Stormterror's Lair ruins, the path winding through the rolling hills of Mondstadt's countryside.
The journey was peaceful at first, the landscape a breathtaking expanse of green fields and distant mountains. Dandelions floated on the breeze, their seeds catching the sunlight like tiny stars, while the faint roar of Cider Lake's waterfalls echoed in the distance. The ruins loomed ahead, their crumbling stone towers a stark contrast to the vibrant plains, their surfaces etched with ancient Anemo sigils that glowed faintly in the daylight. The air grew heavier as they approached, a palpable sense of dark magic lingering like a storm cloud.
They reached the heart of the ruins, a vast courtyard surrounded by shattered pillars and a swirling vortex of Anemo energy. Teucer, the Wind Dragon, hovered above, his massive form a shadow against the sky. His scales, once a vibrant teal, were marred with streaks of purple, a sign of the Abyss Order's corruption. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light, his roars shaking the ground as he unleashed gusts of wind that tore through the ruins.
Three Abyss Heralds stood at the center of the courtyard, their shadowy forms cloaked in dark magic. They chanted in an ancient tongue, their staffs glowing with purple energy as they maintained the spell controlling Teucer. "You're too late, Knights of Favonius!" one of the Heralds hissed, its voice a crackle of malice. "The Wind Dragon belongs to the Abyss now!"
Jean's eyes narrowed, her Anemo Vision glowing as she drew her sword. "We'll free Teucer from your control—no matter what it takes," she declared, her voice a rallying cry.
The battle erupted in a storm of elements and steel. Jean summoned a gust of Anemo energy, the wind lifting the Heralds into the air and disrupting their chant. Eula charged forward, her claymore a whirlwind of Cryo as she struck at the nearest Herald, her attacks slowing its movements with frost. Ying's Anemo powers swirled, her vortexes pulling the Heralds together for a coordinated assault, her sword flashing as she struck with precision.
Xander activated the Magic Power Up Card (B), a surge of energy coursing through him as his strength broke through to A-rank. He summoned the Power Blade, its blue glow a stark contrast to the Shadowfang Blade's dark steel. He teleported into the fray, his dual blades a blur as he slashed at the Heralds. The Power Blade's heavy strikes shattered their shields, while the Shadowfang Blade's dimensional slashes cut through their defenses, the two weapons working in tandem to devastating effect.
Teucer, still under the Abyss Order's control, roared, his massive wings sending a shockwave of wind that knocked the group back. The Heralds seized the opportunity, summoning torrents of Hydro and Pyro energy that crashed against the ruins. Jean countered with her Anemo powers, her wind deflecting the attacks, while Eula's Cryo strikes froze the Hydro torrents, turning them into brittle ice. Ying's vortexes pulled the Pyro flames into a contained spiral, her sword slicing through the Heralds' defenses.
Xander teleported above Teucer, his Power Blade glowing as he unleashed a barrage of spectral strikes. The blue energy rained down on the dragon, the attacks weakening the Abyss Order's hold on him. "Teucer, fight it—we're here to help you!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the roar of the wind.
The Heralds fell one by one, their dark magic dissipating into the air as the group's combined efforts overwhelmed them. With the last Herald defeated, the spell controlling Teucer broke, the purple streaks on his scales fading as his eyes cleared. The Wind Dragon let out a mournful roar, his massive form descending to the ground as the corruption left him.
Jean approached Teucer, her Anemo Vision glowing as she channeled a soothing wind to calm him. "You're safe now, Teucer—Mondstadt will always protect you," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Teucer's eyes met hers, a flicker of gratitude in their depths. "Thank you… Knights of Favonius," he rumbled, his voice a deep echo as he spread his wings and took to the sky, free once more.
The group stood amidst the ruins, their breath heavy as they watched Teucer soar into the distance. The battle had been won, but the Abyss Order's schemes were far from over. Xander sheathed his blades, the Power Blade dissipating into a shimmer of blue light. He glanced at Jean, Eula, and Ying, a sense of camaraderie settling over him. "We make a good team," he said, his tone warm.
Jean nodded, her exhaustion tempered by pride. "We do. And with Teucer safe, Mondstadt can breathe a little easier—for now," 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 been saved, but the Abyss Order's shadow loomed ever larger, a storm on the horizon that would test their strength in the days to come.
***
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