Without question this matter has caused quite the stir. In the hall players were constantly discussing it, their expression filled with excitement, for them the Anemo Archon had always been a legendary deity, suddenly he turned into a "face-to-face" figure, momentarily stunning everyone, The sensation first caused the commotion in the player community, but once this news reached the cathedral, it would undoubtably lead to a true crisis of faith.
The discussions and debates continued for a good 20 minutes before the players gradually calmed down and accepted the fact, with the prior story build up. It wasn't to abrupt and some of the more perceptive players had even guessed earlier but we're very reluctant to admit it.
Following this revelation, many players abrupted with an unprecedented levels of enthusiasm, eagerly diving into the new storyline. Even some casual players upon learning that Venti was Lord Barbatos, joined the ranks of those interested in story progression. Since Lord Barbatos had already returned to Mondstadt, they believe that the situation would surely be resolved.
Players also gained a deeper understanding of Stormterror, previously they had thought of it as a ferocious dragon constantly threatening Mondstadt's safety. But now they finally learned the truth — it was never an evil or demonic dragon; it had always been one off Mondstadt's four winds, an attendent to Lord Barbatos Himself.
After ingesting the corrupted blood and enduring the pain for centuries of slumber, When the dragon awoke It was lied to by the abyss mages while still enduring its constant torment, many players upon learning this truth even shed tears of their own.
"What have we done?"
" we actually forgot such important history, Dvalin once sacrificed everything to protect Mondstadt! Yet we called it stormterror."
"Dvalin, i've read this name in history books before, I did not expect it to be stormterror."
"In any case, Lord Barbatos, the Traveler, Jean and Master Diluc are working to rescue Dvalin!"
Hearing these remarks, Lisa showed a relieved expression, through experiencing this games plot, the people had subconsciously learned the truth about Devon and understood the knights of Favonius conundrum. The Knights were not completely powerless against Dvalin's rampage; they were doing their best to save there "companion" who had been guarding Mondstadt for over a millennia.
However, what most people found most baffling was that Lord Barbatos as the Anemo Archon seem to appear too casual and carefree, it didn't properly match up to the all-powerful Anemo Archon they had in their mind. This discrepancy might be due to their childhood perception, shaped by the deification of the Anemo Archon through poems, hymns and Scriptures. Now that the Anemo Archon had decided to become a wandering bard named Venti, it was completely expected for many to experience a sense of disparity, as the storyline unfolded players seemed to gradually come to accept this fact.
In front of the Dawn winery, The main characters party gathered once more. Paimon then asked the question that was on everyone's minds.
"Come to think of it, Mr. Big Anemo god Barbatos — why exactly? Do you need the help of mere humans…?"
"Ahh… how do I put it…"
Venti spread his hands, thought for a moment and then replied.
" " the seven" as people know I know them, were once known as "the seven Archons." And each are presides over their own part of Tayvat. That is the role the Archons play."
" Only in performing this duty can we attain power, but I don't like the idea of " ruling" Mondstadt— and I don't feel that Mondstadt would really like it either."
Jean appeared deeply moved by these words
" " go forth and establish a city of freedom without rule." we have not forgotten Barbatos' wish for Mondstadt."
The players now seemed to understand what this saying meant.
After all, Jean was the acting grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius, and she had a greater understanding than the common citizens.
Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, left Mondstadt not because he didn't care about it anymore, but because he wanted to spread the culture and ideology of freedom throughout Mondstadt even if it meant him getting weaker.
The players began to gradually appreciate Lord Barbatos' actions.
Now with Dvalin deceived by the abyss order and threatening Mondstadt, there Archon returned during this crisis was proof of his continued love and affection for Mondstadt, many players felt relieved.
But in the next moment, Paimon ruthlessly shattered their illusions.
"Jean… you're such a devotee!"
" Maybe someone got a little too free and is just too lazy to care…"
Venti: "Ahh…"
" however it may have come to be… I haven't been back to Mondstadt for an extended period of time."
" Without a doubt, I am not the weakest Archon among the seven!"
[and yet you sound almost proud…]
"Aww, you flutter Me."
"Oh, such a humble god… is it a blessing or a curse?"
Diluc voiced what all the players were currently thinking.
" But we digress let's get back to the topic at hand: The common enemy of all mankind."
===
[prologue, act 3: song of Dragon and freedom, started]
Lisa gently taped the screen.
Finally, the continuation of the main story is here.
This morning aside from Lisa the fastest group of players had also completed act two of the prologue, no, most of them were at the same starting line. However, they had not experienced a two day long mint pick while waiting. Taylor had seamlessly transitioned to act three the moment they finished act two. Now Venti's identity as the Anemo Archon was exposed, everyone was eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the story. This curiosity even led them to temporarily ignore the new character banner and fully focus on the storyline.
" we have tracked the abyss mage to the vicinity of the winery." Diluc said sternly.
" I cannot stress enough how important it is to not let it escape." Jean said resolutely.
Back on Staas snatch cliff the abyss mage had damaged the "holy lyre der Himmel" and taken Dvalin away. Though no one explicitly said it, everyone was holding their breath.
The Traveler then spoke up, " let's hunt it down!"
After arriving at the marked location, Lisa controlled her characters swiftly using some quick clear tactics to eliminate them.
After the battle, Venti with a puzzled look said. " huh? What's this…?"
" after the abysm was defeated a certain energy dispersed from its body…" Venti stated, " it seems that energy was being used to cut the connection between Me and Dvalin."
Through this battle after defeating the abyss mage thanks too, the residual energy that dispersed from it Venti was able to read the rhythmic flow of how the barriers magic was woven.
Through this rhythmic flow, Venti would be able to break through the storm barrier and reach Stormterror's Lair,
" which means we're going to confront Dvalin? I'm fine with that… Jean Is the one who wishes to avoid any direct confrontation?" Diluc said
"No. When there are no other options left, it is my responsibility to alter our course of action."
" fortunately we have yet to need to go that far" said Venti
" Our real Trump card… the Traveler of course"
[is it because I purified the teardrop crystal]
"Correct"
" the impurities in the tears And the curse that binds Dvalin belong to the same maleficent power, which means…"
Before Venti could finish his sentence, Paimon interrupted him. " you tone-deaf bard don't you see how crazy this is? You've seen what Dvalin is like when he's ticked off! She will be swallowed whole before she even gets to lift a finger!"
Paimon truly cared about the Traveler, she was indeed the best companion then the player was faced with two dialogue options.
[Weren't we just talking about how I can fight?] Lisa smiled and chose the first option.
Their goal was inside of Stormterror's Lair firstly arrived at the massive straw barrier then cleared out a hilly ambush set by the abyss order, then Venti played on his wooden harp accompanied by a unique rhythm and then the barrier was lifted
On their way through the ruins, they naturally encountered monsters and mechanisms then when they reached the ruin towers top. it was guarded by ancient seals requiring the light actuator to be reintegrated.
That was called to repair in reality. It meant activating three mechanisms. Lisa was well aware of this seal in reality, but the game had simplified immensely. All they need to do was collect the fallen off pieces and put them back in there slots. This level of difficulty would be childplay for anyone let alone Lisa. In fact, real light actuators, were much more complex.
Even the other players found it easy the only difficulty was trying to locate the pieces. After gathering them. At some of the other mechanisms a wave of Hilichurls and an abyss mages appeared, requiring them to be defeated within a time limit.
It was time to test ther gaming skills and teams strength once again.
===
"I'm thinking of turning these adventures into songs after we're done…" Venti Sarah, come despite the upcoming showdown with his old friend Dvalin He seemed even camera more composed in this moment. it was in moments like these where you could see the traces of time at stand on him from the Carefree little bits of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, could be glimpsed.
[well, we certainly gone through quite a lot recently.] [we're practically old partners now.]
For the players, this was indeed the case just immersing themselves in this game's storyline had taken up a lot of their time. During this period, a Fatui harbinger appeared in the skys above Mondstadt and the owner of the mobile game café defended the city engaging in a battle with the harbinger. This experience alone seemed poorly being recorded in a ballad. However, in this mobile game there was no corresponding character for Mr. McCall. Many players regarded the Traveler as Taylor's projection in the game.
" Hopefully this song will be sung for years to come by the people of Mondstadt, just like the legend of Vanessa." Venti said.
" I have loved that song since I was small." Jean said smiling. Seemingly recalling some fond memories.
But the expression quickly disappeared and her demeanour became resolute once more. " I am completely prepared and fully confident that we can do this."
[rest assured I'm also completely prepared!]
Then Paimon pointed at Diluc. " even master Diluc accompanied us to the very end."
"Despite being an accidentally involved… bystander."
Diluc maintained his stoic posture with cross arms. " You shared your secret of me, and I only returned your trust to the same extent."
[So "Trust" is what drove Master Diluc here] [and " responsibility" is what drove Master Jean here] [What about Venti?] the Traveler asked.
" it's "freedom"" Venti replied.
Venti spoke without hesitation. " Mondstadt is a romantic city without the reign of a king, and it's citizens enjoy the most freedom amongst the seven Nations. I hope the dragon that once protected Mondstadt will soon be free too… no one should have deceived him by telling him that Mondstadt betrayed him. And no one should have told him that it was his eternal duty to protect the city. He has the right and freedom to choose his own way of life. Well then, traveller made the thousands of years of wind that have blown through Mondstadt go with you, just like last time I shall channel Anemo energy for you.
The pre-battle mobilisation was almost complete. All they had to do next was walk to the seal in front of them and enter the domain of Stormterror's Lair. After setting up her team, Lisa immediately began the challenge.
The scene changed and they were suddenly high in the sky facing Dvalin flying in the air.
" look! there are too shiny spot on Dvalin's back!"
" They appear to be poisonous blood clots that have coagulated on his wounds…"
" The abyss order must have cursed the wounds, that's what's corrupting Dvalin's mind."
" to save Dvalin, we're going to have to get rid of those blood clots."
Venti's Voice echoed. This challenge was somewhat similar to when they first arrived in Mondstadt And face the dragon for the first time they need to continuously use anemo powered shots to attack a specific spot on Dvalin's body. But it was not as simple as before Devon was no longer just a target in front of you. He constantly manoeuvered around the air firing an intense barrage behind it. The place she could not dodge in time quickly ran low on health and had to use up there sweet Madame's trying to hold out.
"Ugh, this is so hard to control!"
Some players had already completely failed in the pursuit and respawned at the entrance of the domain. "I was so nervous earlier I was sweating all over, I still couldn't catch up to Dvalin and I have run out of food" " this level relate difficult but completing it may save Dvalin!" " let me take a five minute break; I almost forgot to breathe earlier."
Even the fastest batch of players in advancing the storyline found This stage to be quite challenging. They failed in their first pursuit attempts as expected and had returned to the entrance of the domain to analyse The battle patterns however, one person was an exception.
Lisa's Emerald green eyes tremble slightly, reflecting a dream like battle scene above the ground and below the clouds with vast mountains and rivers passing below, the night sky above was exceptionally beautiful. The moonlight outlined a beautiful border on the clouds. The scenery in the sky was like a dream, but none of this bothered Lisa. Her focus was on Dvalin's High speed flight ahead and the incredibly dence barrage of attacks. Dodging, pursuing and attacking Lisa's fingers seem to have become one with the Traveler on screen as though she herself was one smoothly engaging in this aerial battle.
"Roar!!!!!!"
Finally after Somé continuous attacks Dvalin's Health bar reached zero and it let out a roar.
"Dvalin… i'm sorry this is hurting you… hang on just one more!" Venti's voice echoed.
Dvalin Lost his balance and start diplomats blow were storm gathered at a circular platform. The group also landed on The circular platform, the wind created a spiral of clouds forming in the shape of a hurricane.
"Boom!" Burst of green light surge nearly smashing everyone off the platform as the storm continued to rise. Dvalin emerged from the tornado emitting a sharper dragon roar than the hurricanes wind, Lisa saw the gigantic Dvalin in front of her with a full white shield value beneath his health. " The battle… has only now begun…?"
===
The platform appeared as if it could collapse at any moment the clouds and the sky kept turning occasionally flashing with lightning. Everything spoke of the powerful and chaotic anemo elemental forces here. In the area about previously one of Dvalin's blood clots had been destroyed I know it was time to deal with the other one.
" no, we can fight Dvalin on equal grounds, the greatest bard is here to help!"
In the team of four, there was a fifth trial character, the new limited character introduced in the version 1.0 update - Venti he was a five star bow character. Lisa opened the car panel and got a rough understanding of Ventes skills and talents.
When she returned to the gameplay, Devon started to swoop down from the sky, it's sharp dragon claws leaving to use marks on the platform. Lisa immediately sprinted to dodge this attack, then Dvalin return to the sky. It seems that Dvalin's Attacks, we're not continuous but came in waves, so as long as they charged the tax well enough, they would be fine. However, and it's current altitude none of the teams characters whether using elemental skills or Bursts could reach it. Even Venti As a bow character couldn't lock onto Dvalin with his basic boa attacks, this was the first time such a situation had occurred.