Chapter Text
❝ Scientists imagine the scream of a star as it gets shredded by a black hole.
When a star gets consumed by a black hole ...what, exactly, does that sound like?
Well, nothing, since simply:
《 There's no sound in space. 》❞
I shouldn’t have been attached to them. It's too late. Forget me.
Again, again and again. Gaining nothing.
He lost count of the multiple attempts he had with his fight with the Unknown God, only to repeat the constant nightmare of losing his sister and adventuring without her. It seems that only he is experiencing this odd phenomenon. Even his sister, who has been with him through hell and back, seems to be unaffected by this …curse .
Then, something changed.
Paimon is worried for the Traveller.
It was a miracle that he still had his powers and sword or else Traveller would have gotten hurt with his recklessness. Paimon isn't sure of his powers but his sword is very pretty! Taking the shape of a star and with glittery gold decorating the dull silver. Despite claiming he was from another world, Traveller walked around Teyvat as if he had been here multiple times. He understood Teyvat Language, he knew the weaknesses of the enemies and he even knew the physics of this world that even Paimon didn't! And Paimon is his guide!…Basically, Paimon is saying that Traveller is being very weird.
Finally, we finally made it to the Statue of the Seven. When Paimon suggested that Traveller should go towards it, Traveller ran the other way! Urghh! Paimon now has to drag him back to the Statue. After much persuading and dragging, Traveller reluctantly touched it, revealing that he could now wield Anemo powers, which is super exciting! Traveller’s accessories are now shining with greenish blue! Which suits Traveller more instead of the boring white. But when Paimon looked at his face, hoping for a surprised reaction, Paimon was only met with a blank look, with him muttering something under his breath. But before Paimon could ask what he said, Traveller ran away again! Urgh! We’re never going to progress at this rate!
After what felt like hours of flying around aimlessly, the next time Paimon found Traveller, he was at the Thousand Wind Temple, fighting… A ruin guard?! Paimon immediately hid behind a fallen pillar. There’s no way he can–
Just before Paimon could say anything, the sound of the ruin guard deactivating echoed through the empty abandoned temple, proving that Traveller was the victor. But how? Paimon peeped out from her hiding spot, and there stood the Traveller, who barely broke a sweat, casually collecting the resources the chest had for him into his bag.
After flying around the Traveller like a fly, worried if he had gotten injured, before being waved off by him. Paimon finally dragged him towards the city of Freedom, Mondstadt.
Along the way, we found a super large dragon! Paimon’s super scared! That dragon could eat up Paimon super easily! Suddenly, we accidentally scared off the dragon, and it flew away and the weird green guy teleported away. They left behind a red tear-like crystal that Paimon doesn’t recognise. But Traveller went up to it and held it, causing it to turn from blood red to a greenish-blue colour like his accessories on his clothes. “What did you do?” Paimon asked curiously, only for Traveller to shrug and stuff it into his bottomless bag. Continuing their way to Mondstadt, with Traveller constantly making detours, like touching weird maroon red light-towers that turn into a navy blue or collecting Sweet Flowers and Mints. They finally made it to their original destination! But unlike the last time they looked at the city, it is now surrounded by looming dark clouds, giving it an eerie atmosphere, instead of its usual care-free, calm surroundings.
“Hey, you! Stop right there!”
We were stopped by a red bunny girl, who wields a Pyro vision, later introduced as Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonius.
“Well look, You came at a bad time, we are currently facing a problem with a large dragon- '' Dragon! What? Paimon glanced at Traveller, surely the news would shock him? But no, instead, Traveller looked like he expected it, as if he heard these news over and over and over again. Paimon’s worries only grow stronger.
Just who is Traveller?...
…Is what Jean wants to know.
Amber barged into her office, with two other people in tow. There stood(float?) a white-haired girl with dark blue eyes that contrasted her hair, almost the size of Klee, with bright stars accompanying her wherever she went. Next to her was…Jean had a sudden déjà vu, must have been all the coffee and stress piling up on her, an oddly familiar blonde teenage boy with honey-glazed eyes, probably around the age of 14-16. He spoke nothing, leaving his companion, Paimon, to speak for him. He looked distant, as if he was not actually there, in his own world created by his mind. Before they left, the traveller lingered at the door, loosely gripping the door handle, back facing Jean and finally spoke, “You shouldn’t worry about people’s expectation of you, Acting Grand Master.”
But before Jean could ask anything, he closed the door gently, leaving Jean with her own thoughts.
Following that… odd meeting, Jean had her meeting with the other Knights, they were planning to get rid of the sources of Stormterror’s power with the help of Lisa’s detection magic. However, before they could carry it out, outside of her office windows, the stormy sky that clouded Mondstadt’s sky was suddenly revealed its old usual clear blue sky, even the elemental flow was also stable. Someone was ahead of them and had gotten rid of it for them.
“Well, that certainly makes our job a lot easier.” Lisa jested.
“Someone faster than the Knights of Favonius, how interesting…” Kaeya voiced, which was something to take note of. The Knights were the most capable to handle this situation, but someone else handled it. Jean casted this thought aside for now, their main situation is Stormterror, they would thank their helper once this problem is solved.
She could not help but to be reminded of that traveller with blonde hair.
Said Traveller came out of Temple of the Lion.
Even though they have been travelling together for quite some time, Paimon still could never understand him! After unlocking all of those light-towers, which according to Traveller are called, “Teleport Waypoints.” How Traveller knows it but not Paimon, Paimon has no idea. He then went into these places called “Domains”. It was a ‘touch-and-go’ process. Traveller went in, killed monsters, collected treasures and out. All Paimon could do was float in awe as he cleared the domain swiftly. He was really good at fighting. His sword somehow has a mind of its own too. He would throw it towards his enemies, sharply slicing them like food. He repeated this process and when he finally came out of the Temple of the Lion, Paimon found the sky in Mondstadt to be a lot clearer now! Maybe the Knights of Favonius did something about it! When Paimon asked about it to Traveller, he only shrugged. Hmph! Paimon should give him an ugly nickname for that and for being hard to understand for Paimon! He didn’t even give Paimon a name to call him in the first place!
Turning around to face Traveller, pointing her tiny finger towards him, “You should be called…Silly…Silly Star!” Paimon exclaimed towards Traveller.
Traveller’s dazed look was replaced by a surprised face(Finally!) and then he…laughed! That’s the first time he laughed! Wow! That must be super duper rare! He looked better with a smile instead, it suits him more.
“Silly Star it is then!” Paimon affirmed before flying back to Mondstadt. Silly Star was smiling the whole way back to Mondstadt, it was a small one but better than his usual blank face! “You should smile more, it looks good on you.” Paimon randomly blurted out while they were walking on the bridge that connects the city to the wilderness. Silly Star turned to Paimon, and smiled wider! It is a small difference but that's an improvement!
When they made it in Mondstadt, Paimon’s stomach was screaming for food, but she also saw Jean in the distance, talking to a masked woman, with purple accents in her clothing. Silly Star was pointing towards Good Hunter, a food shop! “Ok so! Paimon will talk to Jean and you go buy food for us. Buy more for Paimon since Paimon managed to make you smile and laugh!” Paimon was especially proud about the last part. Silly Star sighed but still walked to the direction of Good Hunter.
Once Jean was done talking to the lady, Paimon flew towards Jean. Since Jean was the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, which sounds super serious, Paimon was a little nervous in front of her. “Hey Jean!” Paimon greeted. “Paimon. Where is your travelling companion?”
“He went to buy food for us! We went exploring and now we’re hungry! Anyways, How did you solve the weather problem here? It used to be gloomy and sad, but now it's back to normal.”
“Ah, about that…We didn’t do it.”
“...EH?”
That was truly shocking.
After Jean explained the situation with Lisa, they were left waiting for the little helpers. According to Paimon, they were exploring and came across the domains that the Knights were supposed to clear. It could be an odd coincidence but Lisa doubts it. Coincidentally clearing the same exact domains that the Knights just so happen to also be planning to clear thrice? That little traveller seems to have more tricks up his sleeves. At the corner of her eyes, she could see Jean anxiously waiting, looking up to the clock before walking hastily to the door.
“Jean, what’s the hurry? I thought we agreed to meet them here.” Leaning against the railings on the mini platform next to the bookshelves, Lisa closed her thick leather book, tilting her head slightly to meet Jean’s eyes.
She sighed, “You’re right. I’m just…a little–”
“We’re here!” A little pixie burst through the door, followed by a blonde teenager who gently closed the door behind them. What a unique pair.
“Good. But before that, this is Lisa, our resident Librarian.” Jean introduced.
“Oh, You both look adorable. Thank you for helping out, sweeties.” Gushing at both of them. The little pixie smiled proudly while the other turned the other way in embarrassment. Cute. The latter is what interests Lisa, he had a quiet, almost invisible aura around him, resembling a dying star, flickering between life and death. Curious.
“Anyways, I would like to know, how did you know about the location of the sources of Stormterror’s powers? I would have to use detection magic, which I presume you’re unable to do the same.” Lisa pondered, with an underlying wariness.
“...Coincidence.”
“Coincidence happening thrice? Seems very unlikely.” Lisa countered.
“Coincidences can be weird.” Turning to face Lisa.
Both of them maintained eye contact with each other. With Lisa’s silent message, “You’re hiding something.” and the traveller’s “And?”
The traveller was first to break eye contact when his companion yelled, “No, you Silly Star! That was not a coincidence!” Stomping her feet in the air. Causing the traveller to blink rapidly before looking away.
Silly Star? Now that's an adorable nickname.
Sighing, he elaborated, “My method of exploring is from top to bottom on the map. I just happened to clear the domains that had the sources of Stormterror’s powers during my exploration. That’s all.” His voice was unwavering and calm, and it sounded reasonable. Nothing gave away any lies.
“Oh right! You even cleared that domain underneath Starsnatch Cliff! Wow, Paimon didn’t know you had a pattern…Paimon thought you were running around like the Silly Star you are.” Causing the little Star to give Paimon an annoyed look.
“Well, then, Star—” The little Star glared at Paimon while Paimon giggled. “—You have my gratitude as the Acting Grand Master and allow me to treat you to a meal.”
Paimon cheered in the air while her companion heaved a sigh at Paimon’s etiquette.
“There’s something you didn’t tell them…” Paimon confronted Silly Star once they were out of the building. The sun was setting down, coating Mondstadt in beautiful warm colours. Shop owners were closing down their shops for the day. It made Paimon feel warm and calm.
“...The encounter with the dragon and the green guy…not to mention the weird crystal they left behind.” Paimon continued, folding her arms in an attempt to sound serious.
Which was successful when he reluctantly replied, “I just didn’t want to burden them more.”
“Well, you should tell them soon. Especially about that green guy…” Paimon turned to face the fountain below them. “...He looked just like that guy down there!” Below them, the aforementioned person was running across the town, down into the stairs. Realisation dawned on Paimon, Wait…Hold on a minute…That…That’s the same guy!” Before Paimon could continue, Silly Star disappeared without a trace. Paimon panicked before teleporting to his location and Paimon found herself on top of the Favonius headquarters.
“What are we doing up here!” Paimon grumbled loudly. Why were they up so high? They were just down at the entrance of the building. Urgh, Paimon still can’t understand Traveller. Paimon sighed and followed Silly Star’s gaze, which landed on the green guy that we were following! The green fellow was playing a lyre underneath the Barbato’s statue, attracting a crowd around him, enjoying his music.
While everyone was listening in on the story, Paimon felt Silly Star’s arm wrapped around her, another on her mouth. Without warning, he leaned to their left and now they were now falling to their death! Her screams were muffled by Traveller’s hands. Rather than their death, they were slowly descending down the tower. Paimon spun around to see that he had wings! What!? Why doesn’t Paimon know this? Questions flooded Paimon’s tiny brain that made Paimon super dizzy.
Once they landed, Paimon couldn’t help herself but to shout at him. “Warn me beforehand! That was terrifying you Silly Star! I thought we were going to fall to our death!” Swinging her arms in the air and stomping her foot into thin air. Paimon could float by herself perfectly fine! Why go through the trouble to make Paimon jump with him!
“...Sorry.”
Well, at least he looked apologetic. “Hmph! You owe me a Sticky Honey Roast!”
He smiled, “Yeah, I do.” Silly Star smiled again! It almost made Paimon forgive him.
Almost...
...gotten caught.
Venti stared back at honey eyes. They were dull yet determined, told more stories that even the bard himself has ever told. Ah, someone like him would have been written into a poem, it is a true tragedy, that he is someone to be feared.
"What do you mean 'he's more than a bard'? Paimon is not keeping up..."
The outlander sighed and sauntered closer to him, mumbling to his ears, “You’re Barbatos.”
…How?
Gripping the outlander’s arm, he teleported all of them to Windrise, to the ‘Symbol of Mondstadt’s Hero.’ “A bland bard like me? As a great god? How could you possibly presume that?” Though, through those lies, Venti was truly fearful of his secret being revealed. No one in Mondstadt, but an outlander that had barely been in Mondstadt, realised it. It mesmerised Venti.
“Your relationship with Dvalin. The statues that oddly resemble you. The immense power of Anemo that is more powerful than Jean’s, although you’re a simple bard.” The outlander listed laconically as though he was reading a script, ignoring the confusion from his companion. To reveal something so drastic, in such a dully tone. That almost disturbs him. But nonetheless, he would be useful for his next plan. Although, firstly, a petty payback.
“Alright fine, you caught me. But I could say the same to you. You’re not just an average adventurer, aren’t you?” The blank face now painted with colours of shock, Venti was internally dancing with glee. Worth it.
“Don’t worry! How about this? You keep my identity hidden and I keep my lips sealed?” An eye for an eye, a secret for another one. Now for Venti’s plan to properly take place.
“Hey! Don’t leave Paimon out of this!”
Waiting for the outlander was nerve-wracking. Many ‘what ifs’ flooded his head, but before the thoughts could burst his head, the traveller came out of the cathedral calmly, handing the Holy Lyre der Himmel over.
“We got it! Let’s go!” Paimon cheered cheekly.
“Well, that sure makes things easier. Tell me, how did you get it so quickly?” Venti asked while they made their way to Angel’s Shares. It was the best place to discuss more about it, totally not an excuse for Venti to enjoy a bottle of dandelion wine or two. “Oh! Paimon just flew above the guards and shroosh! It was super easy for Paimon!” Boasting and placing her hands on her hips in pride.
Huh, guess that little pixie did have her uses.
After all,
The disaster has greatly affected business.
“Hi, we’d like a seat at your ahhh…least conspicuous table.” The bard ordered, disrupting his conversation with Charles. Behind the bard were a teenager and a…floating child? Diluc focused back on the order the bard requested. Well, isn’t that just ironically conspicuous. A bard asking for obscurity is like a traveller staying in their own comfort zone. “Umm…The second floor has fewer customers, you’d be less conspicuous up there…But aren’t you a bard? Why not sit front and centre?” Diluc rebutted. Only for the bard to laugh up with a poor excuse. Diluc should look into it more.
“Right. I want answers” The tavern owner demanded. If Diluc had not asked from the ‘Protectors of Mondstadt’, he would have made a grave mistake. After a short introduction by the bard to the traveller and his pixie friend, in turn he was introduced to the traveller who assisted in the Stormterror disaster, even if it was by accident. A passing traveller faster than the Knights of Favonius…they are inefficient as always. After some back and forth, finally, an answer from the bard, but not what he was expecting.
Letting both the traveller and bard to stay in his tavern for a few hours so that he could contact some assistance was worrisome. He trusts that the traveller would not drink and thrash the area but the bard…was a different story. Eventually, one of his contacts arrived. Jean, not as the Acting Grand Master but as herself, a worried citizen in Mondstadt who is willing to lend a hand.
“Wait, you’re…Paimon and the traveller?”
“...Jean? Eek! Why is the Acting Grand Master here?” Paimon shrieked, taken aback by how someone as important as her would be assisting them. Conversely, her companion beside her looked at Jean and remained oddly quiet and expressionless, suggesting that he anticipated her arrival. Interesting. Following that, they sorted out the Holy Lyre and Stormterror situation with Jean surprisingly quick trust in the traveller and bard. The aforementioned traveller took the Holy Lyre out of his bag, revealing an old wooden lyre with intricate designs and a greenish-blue jewel to contrast the dull rosewood.
“We won’t be able to call Dvalin with it. The lyre itself is fine but the strings lack its original Anemo power…” The bard narrowed his eyes, a rare frown appearing on his face. Worries flooded the closed tavern before a voice spoke up, “...Maybe these can help.” Turning towards the source of the voice, which belonged to the soft-spoken traveller. There on his palms were greenish-blue crystals in a tear-like structure.
“Dvalin’s Teardrop Crystals! But how did you-“
“I happened to come across them during my travels.”
Everyone, even his travelling companion, in the building looked at the traveller, expecting for elaboration. Unable to handle the attention, he looked away and gave in, “I found one when I was at the Thousand Wind Temple—” Shifting his eyes to Venti, “—another time was when I met Venti, just outside Mondstadt.” Sensing his cue, Venti supported, “Oh right! You really have good eyes, I didn’t even notice it.” …They are hiding something, Dilic concluded. Before he could call them out, the bard continued, “That’s great! Try to use it on the Holy Lyre.” Guess Diluc would have to interrogate them later…
…Or not. Since Diluc found himself travelling with Jean and the odd duo that consists of an energetic child and a lethargic adventurer to find the remaining two Teardrop Crystals. The bard stayed in Mondstadt, said something about keeping Mondstadt filled with songs. Anywho, travelling with the traveller was…interesting. He kept activating these odd light-towers while walking to our destination, picking up random plants such as dandelions and valberries. Diluc pushed these random actions aside, assuming that he was simply interested in the things that Mondstadt had in store for him, since he was an outlander.
Pity that Diluc could not witness how the traveller fights. Jean was adamant of him standing back and letting both Diluc and herself to fight while the traveller looks for the crystals. When they found one of the Teardrop Crystals in a chest at a Hilichurl camp, unlike the previous clear blue crystals, it was in a murky red glow. As the traveller was picking it up to keep it into his bag for safe keeping, it instantly converted into its clear blue crystals. When asked about it, he only shrugged it off. Raising Diluc’s doubt that he is your ordinary adventurer in the Adventurers’ Guild.
Waiting for Stormterror on Starsnatch Cliff was setting Diluc’s nerves on edge. It seems that the sentiment was shared with the traveller who was gripping onto his dull grey sword tightly behind his back, in case the situation goes awry. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind stemming from below the cliff shook the land above it. The source of the wind came from Stormterror himself, who was growling at the bard, for the bard to somehow communicate with it.
Out of the blue, a circular shield created from Anemo stood in front of Venti, for it to be instantly crushed by the rushing icicle that was meant to be targeted towards the bard. Venti flew back a little by the impact, but unscathed. They immediately rushed towards the bard, anticipating a fight.
"Do not be fooled by him, dra—" the unwelcomed Abyss mage was interrupted by a flying sword cutting him off mid-sentence...literally. They all turned towards the origin of that sword attack, the owner of the sword quickly defended himself in a flat tone, “Sorry, Habits.” With the Abyss mage out of the way, the bard, who was apparently the Anemo Archon, was able to communicate with the dragon with much more ease, even removing the poison from the dragon.
“How pathetic are you mere servants? Unable to even take care of a simple pet.” An authoritative voice boomed through the bare land.
“Apologies, Your Highness…We were attacked by a traveller of unknown origins.” The Abyss mage replied solemnly.
“...Find him.”
“You Silly Star! Now we need to find your sword that you threw!” Paimon grumbled in annoyance. Seriously, who throws a sword? Well, apparently this Silly Dumb Dumb .
“Relax. It’s not the sword I usually use.”
Even though Paimon has been with him throughout his whole trip so far, Paimon still can’t understand him! How infuriating…
“Barbat—Venti, how is Stormterror?” Jean asked, stopping Paimon from thinking too deeply about Traveller.
“Hehe…You’ve known my true identity for some time now, haven’t you Jean? Though I thank you for continuing to use the name Venti. You’re not the only one who guessed my true identity though.” Eyeing Traveller.
“...Traveller? How did you guess his identity?” astonished by how this Silly Star managed to guess their Archon in the rivers of citizens within Mondstadt.
“Lucky guess.” That was not a lucky guess. This Dumb Dumb really likes to undermine himself.
Returning to Mondstadt, they were greeted by Amber, telling us that Jean has already told the others about their contribution! Paimon better get more food! Or better, more mora!
"Oh, we barely did anything.” Yet again undermining himself! Grr, he’s a liar.
“Oh? Well, whatever you say, Traveller!”
Then, they proceeded back to town, celebrating their victory with Sticky Honey Roast~, Paimon’s favourite! Paimon was glad that Amber remembered! Her tummy is craving for it.
“Well if it isn’t the famous traveller who helped save Mondstadt~” A blue man greeted us while we were ordering our food at Good Hunter. “Kaeya, Knights of Favonius, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” After a bunch of sweet talking that even makes Paimon sick, he left when he saw Amber walking up to them. At last! Paimon could enjoy her Stick Honey Roast! Yum!
Eventually, they met up with Jean and returned the Holy Lyre to the cathedral, specifically to the Deaconess of the Church named Barbara, who was elated to see it unharmed, before shoo-ing them out of the place. Rude! Well…They did steal the Holy Lyre from them so Paimon thinks it's fair.
“Traveller, I would like to meet you back at my office.” Well! Better not disappoint the Acting Grand Master! They split ways from Tone-Deaf bard and made their way to the Favonius headquarters.
“I refuse.”
“...Eh?” Paimon double backs. This Silly Dumb Dumb. Is refusing to be the Honorary Knight of Favonius! What!? Why refuse such an honour?
“I... just don't think I can handle the responsibility and pressure that comes with the title. I'm.. just a mere adventurer...that's all.” But that’s all lies! Paimon knows it! He is more than capable of being one!
“...I understand—.” But Paimon doesn't! “—The offer is still up for you, whenever you're ready, Traveller.”
“Oh right! Paimon forgot to ask! What is the purpose of your exploration in Teyvat?”
There was a few beats of silence, before he answered blankly.
❝ Honestly…I don’t know. ❞