章節 36: 34. The Windborne Bard

Aether and I made our way through the cobblestone streets of Mondstadt, the morning sun casting long shadows across the buildings as the city slowly came to life. Our destination was the Knights of Favonius headquarters—Aether wanted to ask Jean about the strange red teardrop crystal he'd found when he first encountered Stormterror.

I could see why he'd think she might have answers; if anyone in Mondstadt could make sense of weird, dangerous things, it was the Acting Grand Master.

"So, you really think Jean might know something about that crystal?" I asked, glancing over at Aether as we walked. The memory of that teardrop made my skin crawl—like tiny needles prickling across my body.

Aether shrugged, his golden eyes focused on the path ahead. "Maybe, maybe not. But if she does know something, then it's worth a shot to just ask. Better than sitting around guessing."

I nodded, conceding the point. "Yeah, fair enough."

Aether had shown me the red crystal not long after we teamed up. It looked like a teardrop, deep crimson and pulsing with an energy that felt... wrong. The first time he'd held it up to me, a shiver ran through my entire body—like the air had suddenly turned electric, making my skin prickle and twitch.

I did not like that feeling. But there was something familiar in that energy, something that reminded me of my first encounter with Stormterror.

Back then, I'd barely survived that fight. The energy surrounding that dragon had felt wild, almost alive—just like the strange pulse coming off the red crystal. If I had to bet, I'd say this crystal had something to do with that overgrown lizard.

Paimon, as always, was zipping through the air ahead of us, her energy seemingly boundless even this early in the day.

She flipped and twirled in the sky, making little loops like a restless bird, until she suddenly froze mid-air, her eyes widening. "Look, there's Jean!" she exclaimed, her voice going up a pitch in excitement.

Aether and I followed her gaze, and sure enough, there she was—Jean, Mondstadt's ever-diligent Acting Grand Master, standing at the far end of the square. Her blonde hair caught the sunlight, making it almost glow, and she wore that same determined expression she always seemed to have, like she was carrying the weight of the whole city on her shoulders.

Well, to be fair, she kind of was.

Just as Paimon was about to dart over and bombard her with questions, she suddenly hesitated, her cheerful expression shifting into a frown. "Wait a second... who's that she's talking to?" Paimon narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her voice.

I squinted, focusing on the figure standing with Jean. A tall, cloaked person, their face obscured by what looked like a... Halloween mask? Really? The mask covered their features entirely, leaving only a pair of cold, sharp eyes visible through the slits. They were dressed in a dark, ornate robe that shimmered faintly under the sun, and in their right hand, they clutched a sleek case—one that looked far too polished and out of place in Mondstadt.

A chill ran down my spine, I finally realised who Jean was talking to. "The Fatui..." I muttered under my breath, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Aether turned to me, catching the tension in my voice. "You know who that person is, Tayden?"

"Not exactly," I replied, keeping my voice low as my eyes stayed locked on the masked figure. "But if I had to guess, that's a Fatui diplomat. And where there's a Fatui diplomat, trouble usually isn't far behind."

Aether's brow furrowed as he glanced back at the mysterious figure. "Fatui? Who are they?"

I took a breath, trying to gather what little I knew into something that made sense. "The Fatui... think of them like a government, but one that's way too interested in other nations' business. They're from Snezhnaya, the land of snow and ice, ruled by the Cryo Archon. And they've got a reputation for sticking their noses where they don't belong. Kaeya warned me about them—said they're always looking for leverage, always searching for a way to gain an advantage."

Aether's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered my words. He had that look on his face again—the one he got when he was piecing things together, connecting dots that I hadn't even seen yet. "So... they're not exactly trustworthy."

"That's putting it lightly," I muttered, glancing back at the masked figure. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not about to just trust Kaeya's word on everything. But the last time I ran into the Fatui, my instincts were screaming at me to not let my guard down."

Aether nodded slowly, his gaze sharpening as he watched the conversation between Jean and the Fatui unfold from a distance. "Alright, Fatui—suspicious. Got it." He gave me a thumbs up, his expression half-serious, half-amused.

I rolled my eyes at his attempt to lighten the mood, a small grin tugging at my lips despite myself. But when we turned our attention back to Jean, it seemed that the conversation had come to an end.

The masked figure gave a polite bow, their cloak rustling as they turned on their heel and began to walk away, disappearing down one of the side streets.

Jean watched them go, her expression unreadable, but there was a tension in the set of her shoulders that didn't escape my notice. It was like she'd just finished diffusing a bomb and wasn't sure if she'd cut the right wire. Whatever that Fatui diplomat had come here for, it hadn't left her feeling at ease.

---

Jean's usual calm demeanor looked a little frayed at the edges as we approached. Her eyes were looking and the ground with a hand on her chin, there was somthing in her eyes, the kind you see when someone's been dealing with a headache that just won't go away.

I could relate—politicians and their games were a pain no matter what world you were in. It wasn't hard to guess what the Fatui had been pressuring her about.

Paimon, being Paimon, had no concept of subtlety. She shot forward, waving excitedly. "Hey, Jean!"

Jean blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she softened into a more genuine smile. "Oh, Paimon. Aether. Tayden. I didn't expect to see you all here today."

Paimon hovered in place, grinning from ear to ear, while Aether stepped up, giving her a polite nod. "We've actually got something important to discuss with you."

At that, Jean's expression shifted—her smile fading, replaced by the serious look of someone slipping back into commander mode.

She glanced around the square, as if wary of prying ears, then nodded. "Important, you say? This isn't the best place for a private discussion. Let's head back to my office. We can talk there."

The three of us nodded, falling into step behind her as she led the way. As we walked, I couldn't resist asking about the Fatui diplomat we'd seen earlier.

"So, Jean, if you don't mind me asking... that person you were talking to earlier—was that a Fatui diplomat?" I tried to keep my tone casual, but I knew Jean would pick up on the underlying curiosity.

Jean glanced at me, the question clearly catching her off guard, but she recovered quickly. "Yes, you're right. That was a Fatui diplomat," she said, her voice slipping into a measured tone.

"The Fatui have been putting pressure on the Knights to resolve the Stormterror crisis in a more... expeditious manner. Their methods, as you might guess, don't always align with ours."

I caught the tightness in her jaw, the way her fingers flexed slightly as if resisting the urge to clench into fists. "Typical of them," she continued, a touch of bitterness creeping into her voice. "They're always ready to exploit any situation, swooping in when Mondstadt is at its most vulnerable."

Yeah, that was pretty much what I expected. It wasn't hard to imagine the Fatui sniffing around like vultures whenever trouble showed up. The last thing Mondstadt needed right now was pressure from a foreign power with its own agenda. Noticing the tension building in Jean's voice, I decided to let the subject drop. She had enough on her plate without me prying into her diplomatic headaches.

We walked the rest of the way in silence, the atmosphere growing heavier with each step as we approached the grand doors of the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

---

Once inside Jean's office, the atmosphere changed again, the silence filled only by the sound of pages turning. Lisa was there, leaning over the desk, examining the strange red teardrop crystal that Aether had brought.

She turned it over slowly in her hands, her gaze sharp and analytical, her usual languid demeanor replaced by something far more focused. Her eyes seemed to glow faintly as she studied the object, almost as if there was a spark of electricity dancing just beneath her pupils.

A shiver crawled up my spine, and I found myself leaning a little closer to Aether. "Is it just me, or is Lisa's stare way more intense than usual?" I muttered under my breath. Aether just gave me a knowing look, but didn't say anything.

Finally, Lisa let out a frustrated sigh and straightened up, her eyes dimming back to their usual hazel. She set the crystal down carefully on the desk, propping a hand on her hip with a frown. "I'm sorry, darlings, but this... teardrop crystal is beyond my expertise. The elemental energy it contains is too corrupted and unstable. I'd need to go to the restricted section of the library to get a clearer understanding of its nature."

She reached out to pick up the crystal again, but the moment her fingers brushed against its surface, she yelped in surprise, snatching her hand back as if she'd been burned. "Ow! ...Now that's certainly peculiar. Why would it react like that?" Her eyes narrowed at the crystal, as if it had personally offended her.

Jean took a half-step forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you alright, Lisa? It didn't injure you, did it?"

Lisa waved her off, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, It was just a little shock, that's all."

I watched Lisa closely as she adjusted her stance, a thoughtful look crossing her face. Then, with a sudden flash of inspiration, she raised her hand and let small arcs of electricity crackle between her fingertips. "If Im right then this should..".

With a delicate motion, she sent a few bolts of electricity dancing across the surface of the teardrop crystal. The instant the energy touched it, the crystal shuddered violently, as if alive. It flickered with a strange, pulsating light before her purple lighting was dispersed.

Lisa arched an eyebrow, her hand resting on her chin as she pondered the reaction. "Interesting... it seems that this crystal's energy rejects the presence of Vision-bearers. It's almost as if it's allergic to the elemental energy we use."

Paimon, who had been hovering nearby with an anxious look, darted closer, her eyes wide with curiosity. "So what's the verdict, Lisa? What does all that mean?"

Lisa gave her a knowing smile, then glanced between Aether, Jean, and me before offering her conclusion. "It means that this crystal's energy doesn't play well with Visions. It repels them. That's why it reacted so strongly when I tried to touch it. But for some reason, it doesn't seem to affect you two in the same way," she added, nodding toward Aether and me. "It's almost like you two are immune to its side effects."

Jean's eyes shifted to Aether, then to me, a puzzled frown settling on her features. "But you and Aether can control the elements, even without Visions. How is it that you can handle the crystal without any adverse effects?"

Aether just shrugged, offering one of his typical nonchalant smiles. "Beats me. I've been able to channel elemental energy since I got here. Maybe it's got something to do with that."

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward under the scrutiny. "Yeah, same here. My body's always been... weird about stuff like this. Guess I've just gotten used to it."

Jean's confusion deepened, but she didn't press further. It was clear that even she didn't know what to make of this strange mystery.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Lisa clapped her hands together, drawing our attention back to her.

"Well, since I can't exactly haul this little enigma back to the library with me, I suppose you two should be the ones to keep an eye on it," she said, smiling that playful smile of hers.

"After all, it seems you're the only ones who can hold it without getting singed. Lucky you, hm?"

Aether accepted the crystal back with a nod, tucking it safely into his pack. "Alright then, we'll hang onto it until you find something out. Just let us know when you have more answers, okay?"

Lisa gave him a sly wink, gathering up her notes and a stack of ancient-looking books. "Of course, dears. I'll keep you updated. And who knows, maybe I'll have a breakthrough next time."

As she turned to leave, I couldn't help but feel a small pang of relief—partly because the mystery of the crystal was now out of my hands, and partly because Lisa's teasing smile always made me feel a little flustered.

Aether seemed to take it in stride, as usual, giving her a polite wave as she disappeared down the hall.

With Lisa gone, Jean turned back to us, her expression more serious than before. "We'll keep looking into this. If anything comes up, you'll be the first to know."

"Thanks, Jean," Aether said, offering her a grateful smile.

"Yeah, we appreciate it," I added. "It's good to know you're keeping watch."

Jean nodded, her gaze lingering on the pack where Aether had stored the crystal. "Stay safe, all of you."

---

"Well, that meeting wasn't exactly the most helpful thing ever," Paimon sighed dramatically, letting herself flop down onto Aether's shoulders like a small, disgruntled child. Her tiny arms dangled lazily, and she puffed out her cheeks.

Aether just chuckled softly, reaching up to ruffle her hair. "It was still worth asking, you know?"

Paimon let out a little huff, her annoyance clear as she buried her face in Aether's golden hair like it might somehow block out reality.

But, as was typical with Paimon, her mood shifted almost immediately. She shot upright, grabbing a fistful of Aether's hair and yanking on it without warning.

"Ouch! Paimon, what are you—?"

She didn't give him a chance to finish. "Didn't you forget to tell them about that weird guy you saw back at Stormterror's lair?"

I glanced over, raising an eyebrow. Weird guy? Oh yeah—Aether had mentioned something about that before. A mysterious figure who had shown up during his first encounter with Stormterror, someone who seemed to have a calming effect on the dragon.

A guy dressed in green, with a hat that matched. Aether hadn't been able to make much sense of it, but it was enough to pique my curiosity.

Aether winced slightly as he disentangled Paimon's grip from his hair, setting her down on the ground. "I didn't bring him up because... I don't think he's a bad guy. I can't explain it, but when I saw him with Stormterror, it didn't feel like he was trying to cause harm. More like he was... trying to help."

I considered his words, feeling a prickle of interest. "So, are we going to track down this green mystery guy now?"

Aether folded his arms, thinking it over for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. It's worth looking into, but I'd rather keep it quiet for now. We don't need the whole city chasing after him when we don't even know what he's about."

Paimon crossed her arms, floating up to eye level with a skeptical frown. "But how are we supposed to find him? We don't have a single clue! Paimon doesn't want to go on a wild goose chase all around Mondstadt for a guy who might not even be here anymore! All we know is that he wears green and—kind of looks like that guy over there!"

Aether and I followed Paimon's pointed finger, scanning the direction she indicated. Sure enough, there was a figure jogging through the streets of Mondstadt, his outfit almost entirely green, with a wide-brimmed hat bobbing as he moved.

Aether was squinting, his expression shifting from surprise to recognition. "Wait—that is him! Come on, we need to catch up before he disappears again!"

And just like that, Aether took off, sprinting down the cobblestone street with surprising speed. Paimon zoomed after him and somehow keeping up with.

"Wha—hey, guys, wait up!" I called after them, but they were already weaving through the market stalls, chasing after the mysterious bard in green. I sighed, shaking my head as I sprinted to catch up. Guess our quiet search had just turned into a full-on chase through Mondstadt.

---

By the time I finally caught up to Aether and Paimon, I felt like I'd run a marathon—no, three marathons. If I didn't have my demon biology keeping my stamina at peak performance, I would be sweating hard right now.

I'd managed to catch up once before, but that was only because Aether needed to pause and use his Elemental Sight to track down the green-clad guy's trail. The moment he found it, they took off again, leaving me behind like a dropped hat.

And they did not make it easy. They darted through tight alleyways, ducking under laundry lines and weaving through bustling market stalls. I had to follow, squeezing between crates, nearly knocking over a fruit stand and accidentally knocking over someone's cabbage stand, which I had to pay for.

Then there were the stairs—so many stairs. .

There was even a point where I lost them entirely, and my only option was to go up. I ended up scaling a building, leaping from roof to roof like some kind of wannabe vigilante, just to spot them again down below.

By the time I dropped back to the ground, I was panting, sweat trickling down my face.

Finally, they came to a stop near Windrise, beneath the shadow of the massive Barbatos statue. I stumbled up behind them, my body all dirty from the things I ran into.

"Okay, can you both slow down just a bit?!"

Before I could get another word out, though, Paimon, of all people, slapped her tiny hand over my mouth, her expression serious as she shushed me.

She gave me a pointed look that said, be quiet or else. I blinked down at her, baffled, but stopped struggling when I noticed the shift in the air.

That's when I heard it—a soft, melodic sound that floated on the breeze, carrying notes that seemed to weave through the rustling leaves.

Music, delicate and haunting, filled the air, and my complaints died in my throat. I followed the sound, turning my attention to the base of the Barbatos statue, where Aether and Paimon were already watching intently.

There, standing beneath the massive stone figure, was the person we'd been chasing—the one in green. They were holding a lyre, the strings glowing faintly in the sunlight, each pluck of the notes sending ripples through the air. The melody they played was simple, but it had a timeless quality to it, as if it belonged to a world that existed long before Mondstadt's walls were ever built.

Their voice joined the music, light and clear, blending seamlessly with the gentle breeze. It was hard to tell if the singer was a man or a woman—there was a lilting quality to their voice, a sense of youth and mischief that made it impossible to pin down.

But that uncertainty only added to the magic of the moment, like they were part of the wind itself, drifting between one note and the next.

Aether and Paimon were mesmerized, their usual energy replaced by a stillness I rarely saw in either of them. Aether's golden eyes seemed to reflect the sunlight, his expression softened as he listened to the tale woven into the song. Paimon, too, had gone quiet, completely absorbed in the melody.

As for me, I found myself leaning against a nearby column, my exhaustion forgotten as the music swept through the square. It was like the entire city had paused to listen, the usual noise of the market fading into the background until all that remained was the voice of the bard and the gentle hum of the lyre.

The song spoke of legends—of ancient heroes and battles fought beneath the sky. It told of a dragon that soared through the clouds, of friendships and betrayals, of a city that had known both glory and sorrow. There was a sadness in the melody, and ended with a lonely dragon, it's fate unknown.

I couldn't look away. It was as if the whole world had been wrapped up in that song, each note pulling me deeper into its story.

The wind seemed to sway in time with the melody, carrying the bard's voice far beyond the square, as if even the statue of Barbatos above us was listening.

And then, all too soon, the song came to an end. The bard strummed one final note, letting it linger in the air before it faded into the breeze.

Silence followed, as if no one dared to break the spell that had settled over the square. Then the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their voices rising up to fill the space that the music had left behind.

I shook my head slightly, snapping back to reality. Aether and Paimon seemed to do the same, sharing a quick glance before Aether gestured for us to make our move.

"Guess that's our cue," I muttered, straightening up and rolling my shoulders to loosen the stiffness from my chase.

Aether nodded, and without wasting another moment, we made our way through the small crowd that had gathered around the mysterious bard.

As we approached, the wind picked up again, swirling around the statue of Barbatos, I felt like this bard was definitely not normal.

---

As the last of the crowd finally dispersed, Aether, Paimon, and I stepped forward, closing the distance between us and the mysterious bard. He was still strumming absentmindedly at his lyre, his eyes half-closed as if he was enjoying a private joke that no one else could hear.

The soft breeze swirled around him, tugging at the edges of his green cape, and he seemed perfectly at ease under the shadow of the Barbatos statue.

Paimon floated right up to him, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out like a tiny balloon. "You know, you're really hard to find, you know that?! We've been searching all over Mondstadt for you!" She jabbed a finger in his direction, as if scolding him for making things difficult.

The bard paused, looking up at her with a bemused smile, and then he chuckled—a sound as light and airy as the wind itself.

"Oh dear, my sincerest apologies, little one. I had no idea I was causing you so much trouble." He then turned his attention to Aether, his expression brightening with recognition. "Ah, but look who it is... the Traveler! So it's you again."

Aether raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So you remember us?"

The bard laughed softly, tucking a strand of green hair behind his ear. "But of course! How could I forget the one who interrupted my little chat with dear Dvalin?" He emphasized the name with a mischievous wink.

I stepped forward, curiosity getting the better of me. "Wait, hold on. Who's Dvalin?"

Paimon nodded eagerly beside me, her earlier frustration completely forgotten. "Yeah, Paimon's curious too!"

Aether glanced at the two of us, then nodded. "Jean mentioned it before. She said that Dvalin is Stormterror's true name."

Venti's playful expression softened into something more thoughtful. He tilted his head slightly, a wistful look crossing his face. "So... that's what they call him these days, hmm?"

His voice was barely a murmur, as if he was speaking more to himself than to us, his fingers idly plucking at the strings of his lyre.

He glanced back up at us with a twinkle in his eye, as if remembering that he had an audience. With a theatrical flourish, he bowed deeply, sweeping his green cloak to the side.

"Oh, but where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself yet!" He straightened up with a grin, his hand resting over his heart. "You can call me Venti, the Windborne Bard, bringer of songs and stories, and a lover of fine wines and freedom!"

He twirled around once, letting his cape billow behind him, before flashing us another smile that was equal parts charming and mischievous.

"But really, just call me Venti. Titles and formalities are as stuffy as the stagnant air. Wouldn't you agree?"

Paimon blinked, clearly taken aback by his sudden change in tone, but Aether just nodded slowly, still trying to piece together who exactly this strange bard was. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his dramatic introduction.

"Venti, huh?" I said, crossing my arms. "So, what exactly does a 'Windborne Bard' do when they're not serenading crowds in the middle of the city?"

Venti's grin widened, but before he could answer, Aether stepped forward, his expression growing more serious. "And about Stor-Dvalin... what do you know about him?"

Venti's demeanor shifted again, his smile fading slightly as he returned his attention to the topic at hand, but a trace of that playful glint remained in his eyes. It was clear that this bard had more layers than he was letting on.

Paimon, ever the inquisitive one, leaned in closer. "So, are you close to Dvalin?"

Venti straightened up. He placed a hand over his heart, giving Paimon a mock-serious look.

"Super close! The closest, even! You could say we're like best friends... though he might disagree at the moment."

I couldn't help but snort at his dramatic delivery. I leaned closer to Aether, whispering under my breath, "Are you sure he doesn't have a few screws loose?"

Aether rolled his eyes, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. "Just give him a chance. He's... different, but maybe he knows more than he's letting on."

I was about to respond when Aether suddenly seemed to remember something. He reached into his pack and pulled out the red teardrop crystal.

Only, it didn't look the same as before. Instead of the angry red hue, the crystal had transformed into a soft, clear blue, almost like the sky on a cloudless day.

I blinked, taken aback. "Wait, what the—how did it... change color?"

Aether looked just as puzzled as me, turning the crystal over in his hands as if expecting it to change back. But Venti's reaction was entirely different.

The bard's playful smile faded, his expression turning unexpectedly solemn. His gaze fixed on the crystal, and for a moment, the mischief in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a sadness that seemed far too old for his youthful face.

He reached out with a trembling hand, his fingers brushing lightly against the crystal's surface, as if it was something precious and fragile. "All the pain... it brought you to tears, hasn't it, old friend." he murmured, his voice barely more than a breath.

I exchanged a quick glance with Aether, feeling a knot tighten in my chest. What was this guy talking about?

Just as I was about to ask, Venti seemed to snap back to the present. He turned his attention to Aether, the strange, distant look fading from his eyes.

"I came across a similar teardrop crystal recently. Tell me, Traveler, can you... purify this one too?" Venti's voice was soft, almost pleading, as he held out another crystal—this one glowing with the same sinister red as the first.

Aether hesitated, his gaze flicking between the crystal and Venti's earnest expression. After a moment, he gave a slow nod. "I can try."

He took the crystal from Venti's hand, holding it in his palm. For a long moment, nothing happened. The air around us seemed to grow still, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves in the distance.

Then, without warning, the crystal began to glow with a soft, blue light, the red hue melting away like morning mist. The transformation was almost blinding, forcing me to shield my eyes until the glow faded.

When I looked again, the crystal was no longer red—it shone with a pure, serene blue, just like the first one. Aether's eyes widened in surprise, and I could tell he hadn't expected it to actually work.

"Whoa," I breathed, unable to keep the awe out of my voice. "How did you...?"

Paimon hovered closer, her mouth hanging open. "That was amazing, Aether! Paimon didn't know you could do that!"

Venti's expression softened into a smile, but there was still a trace of sadness lingering in his eyes as he took the crystal from Aether's hand. "Looks like you three are... special".

Just as I was about to press him for more answers, Venti abruptly straightened up, slipping the crystal into the folds of his cloak. "Sorry, but I have some business to attend to at the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero! So, if you'll excuse me, friends..."

He waved a hand in a cheerful farewell, then turned and began to walk away, his steps light and unhurried. Aether's eyes widened, and he called out after him, "Wait! Where are you going?"

Venti glanced back over his shoulder, flashing us a playful grin. "Oh, don't worry your pretty little heads! We'll meet again soon. Bye-bye, now!"

Before any of us could react, he reached the edge of the plaza and suddenly... leapt off the side.

I rushed forward, half-expecting him to crash into the ground below, but when I reached the ledge and looked down, he was already gone—vanished as if he'd been carried away by the wind itself.

I stared down at the empty space where he should have been, my mind racing to catch up with what had just happened. "Did... did he just jump off a cliff and disappear?"

Paimon floated over, looking equally bewildered. "What just happened? Who even does that?"

Aether just shook his head, a exasperated smile tugging at his lips. "I guess we've got our next lead... whether we like it or not."

Now I can tell that things are going to become pretty interesting.

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*Hey there! Sadghetti here. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I just wanna ask what do you all think about the story so far and if theres any requests or suggestions you all might have.

Ok thats all, thanks!*

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