Chapter Text
Aether moaned softly, opening his eyes. He saw a bright door with golden patterns on a white road, and around the columns and the sky. And... this place was painfully familiar to him, but he couldn't remember what had happened here. Lifting his head up, he saw the same unknown goddess who had taken his sister. But she was only peacefully sipping tea while sitting outside. — Hey!
— Mm? The goddess mumbled and looked at him. — If anything, I do not know where your sister is, — she continued to drink tea. "And... what are you doing here?" Aren't you supposed to be in Tevat?
— Where did you put my sister and Paimon?! The traveler frowned. He tried to draw a sword from behind his back to attack the goddess.
— This is not the most important thing right now. And I've already told you that I don't know," she looked down at him as if he were some kind of bug compared to her. "So that's why you're here... you know, my brothers and sisters and I got bored. And we decided to change the Format a little bit, namely the archons and their ideals. There is a reboot going on now. And after all... it's been twenty years since the last day you were in Tavat.
— W-what kind of reboot?.. WHAT TWENTY YEARS?!
The goddess rolled her eyes, continuing to drink tea, pouring out soft sounds. After a few seconds, she looked at her wrist, which was wearing a watch, and then at Ither.
— The restart is over.
***
— N-no! The traveler shouted. He abruptly opened his eyes, waking up from a short and incomprehensible dream. He was covered in cold sweat, but he already realized that he was on the seashore in Mondstad, between Petrel Peak and Starcatcher Cliff. Paimon was sitting next to him, her eyes wide. She probably woke up to his screams.
— What are you shouting?! Paimon was indignant.
— It's nothing. I had a bad dream. About some kind of reboot…
— That's right! Reboot! Paimon jumped up abruptly and flew up to a small stone near a high mountain, she began to read the inscription. —
"If you go straight to Mondstad, you will find culture and will there,
If you go a little further, you will find Li Yue, you will find peace and strength there,
Your gaze will fall to the northwest - You will find Inazuma and mind there, You will sail away from the big sea — You will be able to see the twilight with the desert,
In the south you will see the Cours De Fontaine, And next to it Natlan is blazing now, You will pass all the obstacles,
Pain and sadness,
You'll find a Snow One too,
In which everything has been known about you for a long time: both the name and the tons that you love to eat, the biography, the dream," Paimon read. She was amazed. — What? .. "Long live the new archons"?
Aether walked over to Paimon and the stone, peering at the text and realizing that now they would have to explore Tavat anew. But he hadn't found the Luminaire in the past either…
— Wait, wait, in what sense: "In which everything has been known about you for a long time?". We didn't even manage to reach Snezhnaya last time! — the traveler was surprised. Reading this line, a chill ran down his spine.
— Hmm, so we'll find out about it later! When we get to Snezhnaya!
— ... — The traveler looked around. Everything is familiar and old. The same teleporter, the same slope from which his journey began. He and Paimon stood on this hill, surrounded by wind asters and sunset trees. But the statue looked very different. The statue depicts a girl who was wearing a long dress with a necklace that depicted a mill, she was wearing a hood that covered her face. She was curtsiing, holding the dress with one hand and lifting the ball with the other. Anemo the archon?
— It looks like it! She looks cute! Paimon added, staring at the statue in fascination. — It seems that we need to ask the new archon for a blessing, as we did then! So that the statue gives you an element! Paimon joyfully flew down the mountain to the statue.
— Wait, Paymon! But everything is new here! What if it doesn't work! — the traveler was worried, running after his companion.
Paimon just snorted and continued to fly towards the statue through a small lake, among which there was a small island. There are still a lot of wind asters on the island, which the traveler liked very much. They smell delicious and look like a mill. By the way, he never bought them from Flora, just to admire them and put them in a Kettle of Serenity.
Paimon sighed, turning to Ither, who was all wet from swimming across the lake. — That's it! Touch the statue!
Aether, not really believing it, touched the statue, which is made of hard, hard stone, but was still pleasant to the touch. A small azure ball slipped out of the archon's hands and touched the traveler's forehead, giving him strength.
— Come on! Did it work?! The traveler shouted, looking at his hands. He can use the anemone element again.
— You see! Hehe! Paimon is always right! The best companion smiled smugly, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest.
The traveler abruptly grabbed his sword, jumped over the lake, and noticing the hydro slime by the puddle, immediately used his new strength. The anemone surrounded slime and crushed him, leaving only slime.
—Really..." the traveler muttered. Now it's easier for him to perform new attacks than old ones. In his opinion, they are faster and more efficient.
— Hey! So where did you run to?! Paimon was angry, catching up with him.
— Nothing special, I just wanted to test my strength.
— Next time, warn me when you check something!
The travelers decided to walk through the Effervescent Forest again. Where they came across Dwalin and Venty. But only… There was no grass and no big forest. Now they saw a huge wheat field, and in the middle of the field, they saw a girl who was picking wheat, but in a rather unusual way. She had crimson hair in a short ponytail, her hair was slightly covered by a light pink scarf. The eyes were pure blue. She was wearing a light pink dress, just below the knees, which had light blue pieces of fabric on it. Well, in the form of a small earring on his left ear, there was an electro eye of god. The girl was lying in the wheat, stood in the "bridge" pose, stood on her hands, then her knickers were slightly visible, and of course she was picking wheat.
"Hmm, wasn't there supposed to be a forest here?" Paimon asked quietly.
— There is no forest here anymore…
— Then let's go to thus girl! She has the vision and she's definitely local. And it seems. she reminds me of someone..." said Paimon, flying up to the girl, which she was clearly afraid of.
— Oh, oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll work better, but don't tell Janet! The girl pleaded on her knees.
— Mm? Who is Janet?
— Eh? She blinked in surprise, getting up from her knees. — So you're not local…
— You know, you remind us of someone… What's your name?
— My name is Aria. I do not know who I remind you of there, but I also want to know your names, travelers!
— My name is Paimon, and this is Iter! We want to find his sister!
— A sister? Is she lost? — Aria's face has changed, now she has become sad. — Oh, it must be painful to lose a close relative. And even though I don't know you, I'm sure you'll find her for sure! Her eyes lit up brightly again, but this time from faith.
—Hmm, thanks," Aether muttered, looking around the field and seeing Mondstad in the distance. — Hmm... and how do you get through the field to Mondstad?
— I'll take you! — Aria interrupted him sharply. — I'm the only one doing this field! I know him better than anyone! As well as the road from this field to Mondstad! She waved her hand and led them to the Mondstad, pouring herself a song.
Mondstad hasn't changed that much. But what was definitely noticeable was that there are more colors now! Wind asters, sugar flowers, dandelions, snapdragon, celestia, mint, grass-glow, lily of the valley! They all surrounded Mondstad, and on the streets they stood in pots at every house, on every balcony and in the souls of every resident. And Katerina... is still the same. I wonder if she remembers them? The blacksmith Vagen continues to taste the flowers without getting tired. Donna and Flora are selling flowers. Marjorie sells various stones and Mondstad curiosities. And... you can see Paymon's favorite place, The Good Hunter, next door to which is the Cat's Tail. The residents are boisterously discussing something, whispering. And then Amber flies off the gate on the planet. Her long brown hair is blowing in the air, and her eyes are happy to look at travelers. It is clear that she has matured and gained experience.
— Aether, Paimon! I've missed you so much! You're finally back! Scout exclaimed happily as she landed on the ground.
— Amber! Paimon exclaimed, but then she decided to change the subject anyway. — What happened in Tavat?
— Don't you know? The gods of Celestia have chosen new archons. And strangely, there is only one descendant of the archon. And this is our archon — the archon of culture. Also, the new archons exchanged their assistants or friends with other archons as a sign of peace. For example: our archon was given an assistant by the cryo archon, and our archon gave geo to the archon. I hope I explained it clearly?
—Well,— Paimon hesitated, exchanging glances with the traveler.— More opinion.
— That's good! Can I help you with something?
"Now we're just going to take a walk, explore the city and see what's new here," Aether replied, waving Paimon to go with him. And Aria and Amber were left alone, but it wasn't for long. They went back to work.
While inspecting houses in flowers, Paymon sometimes flew up to them and sniffed them, making a sound of pleasure. The traveler, on the other hand, calmly looked around all the buildings and institutions, and the Barbatos Cathedral, although... maybe not anymore?
— Look! Ordo Favonius! Paimon shouted when she saw the knights coming at them. The knights menacingly approached them, took out their swords and surrounded them.
— Who are you?! One of the knights shouted, pressing a sharp sword to their throats.
— Hey! We're just travelers! We don't want anything bad! Paimon shouted, panicking.
— Why should we believe you?! What if you're a Trabitoris?!
— Wh-what?! What kind of Trabitoris?!
All the knights were whispering, as if they were annoyed by the uninvited guests. But when they heard footsteps behind them, the knights abruptly dispersed and formed up in the face of the line, dismissing the travelers. A boy, about thirteen years old, was approaching them. He has fiery eyes, when you look at them, you can burn, either from beauty, or from something else. He had silky blond hair. They were quite long, with a low tail. He was dressed in the uniform of a knight of the Ordo Favonius. He was wearing a black shirt with gold buttons, over which was a white vest with gold patterns. On his feet were white trousers, which also had gold patterns on them. Around his neck hung a gold chain with the god's anemone eye in the middle.
— What are you doing here? I can even hear you from the library," the boy said seriously.
— And-excuse me, Grand Master! The knights bowed.
— We just noticed outsiders! — one of the knights justifies himself.
— Outsiders? Do you think I would let outsiders pass?
—N-no, Grand Master!
— That's right! Therefore, they went to their jobs," the Grand Master commanded, after which all the knights quickly dispersed. It was clear that the knights were very scared by the appearance of their superior, but tried to remain calm in front of him. — Who are you, travelers? The boy approached them, looking at them seriously.
— I'm Paimon, and this is Aether. I'm helping him find his sister! Paimon said, trying to smile pleasantly, although... she already understood that they had a big shot in front of them.
—Janet Ragnwindr,— he held out his hand to the traveler to shake it. The traveler did so without hesitation.
— Wait, wait, Ragnwindr?! Paimon was indignant.
— Yes, but what is it? Didn't you like my last name? I'm sorry, but I can't change my last name.
— That's not what I'm talking about! The last name is painfully familiar…
— Diluc Rangnwindr?
The traveler and Paimon looked at each other in surprise. Yes, they undoubtedly knew that the whole Mondstad knew Diluc, but... they had the same last names. But he doesn't look like a Diluc from the word at all! He looks like a Jean. And that means.
— Are you the son of Jean Gunhildr and Diluc Ragnwindr?! Paimon and Iter said at the same time.
— Didn't you know? Janet asked, cocking his head to the side.
—Well... you see, we haven't been to Tavat in twenty five years,— Aether said, scratching his head. To which Janet sighed.
— I'll have to explain everything to you…
— Who are the Trabitoris? Paimon asked sharply, deciding to change the subject.
— Trabitoris is a group that did not like the new archons. They have gathered from all regions and are trying to find the archons, get their hearts of the gods and create new archons," Janet says, looking at the beauty of Mondstad.
— Can we find out who these new archons are? You see, we need to find my sister," Iter tried to negotiate with him, but Janet just grinned.
— Even I don't know who these archons are. The only thing that is known about the archons is the legends about their past lives.
— Can you tell us about them?
— Ahem, our archon's real name is Sitri.
***
One day, a girl dressed in long white robes wandered through the mountains of the white crown. With slow steps, they crossed more and more ground, leaving turquoise footprints on them, like the wind. On her head was a wreath of dandelions, which were slightly inflated by the wind.
Wandering through the mountains like that, she saw a yearning adventurer. He was a short man with wheat-blond hair, a matching mustache, and emerald-green eyes. He walked, or even trudged, through the bright green grass with a sad look.
The maiden looked at him, asking softly:
— What kind of misfortune made your eyes suffer? They look like sadness has taken over your soul.
— How is it not sad here? I have friends, bards, they play different instruments, and they listen to the lyre. And I love playing it so much. And today, as I told them about it, my "faithful" friends turned away from me.
The maiden shook her head. She cast her bright gaze at the man and said to him:
— Don't be sad, the wind will cleanse their hearts and force them to show culture in order to apologize to you. There is nothing wrong with playing the lyre, only good things. But it's my decision not to like this subject. This is their culture…
A light breeze caught up with the adventurer's friends, and pushed them to apologize. The guy told them that he forgives them, but he won't be friends anymore.
A lot of questions appeared in the adventurer's mind. He tried to find the virgin, but she was not there. It was as if it had crumbled in the wind, but only dust remained. And this wind flew on, spreading the ashes across the Mondstadt.
***
— Oh, is she dead or something? And then she was reborn? So... did all the other archonts also die, but were reborn? Paimon broke the silence.
—Yeah,— Janet confirmed. — And some of them have… Ahem, rather strange causes of death. Overdose of pills to the (death of one of the new hydro archons)., wandering through the jungle and starving to (death of the new dendro archon.) Heh.
— Wait, wait, who do you mean?
— Mm? It doesn't matter," Janet waved him off. — And anyway,... I have a job! Yes, I need to work. Goodbye," he helped them with his hand and hurriedly ran away. The traveler was left alone with Paymon.
— Well, what kind of important business does he have there? Isn't it uncivilized not to welcome guests?! Paimon was indignant, to which the traveler shrugged his shoulders.
— Okay, let's ignore this fact. We could do with finding an anemone archon.
They passed on, seeing Barbatos Cathedral. He hasn't changed a bit, not even the statue has changed. The only thing is, flowers appeared again. And the knights, on the edges of the cathedral, looked askance at the traveler.
And in the blink of an eye, the door of the cathedral opened and a guy came out of them, about seventeen years old, he was red-haired, with hair in a square. They seemed silky, falling neatly over his shoulders. The eyes were green. And he was dressed in a white floor-length dress with long sleeves. Around his neck was a silver chain with the eye of God on it. The guy spread his arms hospitably.
— Long live the traveler and his companion! The guy shouted.
— Long live the traveler and his companion! — the knights repeat.
— So let's welcome them hospitably!
— So let's welcome them hospitably!
— Long live the traveler and his companion!
- yes!
Ithera and Paimon were surrounded by soldiers, leading them into the cathedral. The traveler looks back in surprise at the soldiers, who, apparently, only cared about how to carry out the order, and not sincerely meet them.
There was a long table in the middle of the cathedral, on which there was a lot of food. Mondstad pancakes, shish kebab with mushrooms, fishing sandwiches... Mmm…
"Have a seat, travelers," said the priest, when all the knights had dispersed. Sisters occasionally passed through the cathedral and an uncomfortable atmosphere hung in the air, which was slightly diluted by music.
— What was that just now? Paymon is just in shock! The flying object shouted indignantly, to which she received a laugh from the organizer of the feast. — And who are you?!
"My name is Veren Kraus, honorable wanderers. Unfortunately, the new knights didn't recognize you. Hmm, they should be more interested in Mondstad's past, not just the present," Veren smiled.
— Come on! At least someone recognized us! Paimon cried out joyfully, so much so that it echoed throughout the cathedral.
—Mmm,— Kraus said awkwardly. — Can you be a little quieter, gentlemen?
"Oh, right, hehe, I'm sorry.
The priest went to the window, looking at the knights who were rushing to their jobs. There was a silence between them, because Paimon was eating all the food appetizingly, and the traveler took himself some kebabs and one sandwich. Finally, the traveler decided to defuse the situation.
— Mr. Veren, we are in search of a new anemone archon, can you tell us if you have seen him?
— Hmm? The red—haired man looked back at the traveler with a surprised expression on his face. — No one knows that. Because of the purpose of Trabatoris, the archons have to hide among ordinary people. And... why do you need it?
"You see, Mr. Veren,— Aether hesitated, "I've been looking for my sister Lumin for many years. I was looking for her in the last era of the Tvat and I'm still looking for her. It is said that she has become the princess of the abyss. But... I can't believe it. Previously, we traveled together through the worlds with her, but then an unknown goddess took her away. Maybe she did something to her? I don't know... I don't know. But deep down, I still have hope that we will meet again, I will approach her and... we will start traveling again, as before. And no one like the archons will be able to help me with information about her…
Veren listened to every word of the traveler, to every emotion he felt while telling the story. And... the priest was touched by his story.
— Dear traveler, my job is to help and guide the desperate residents of Tavat. Although I don't see so much despair in you, but I will still help you. But... I will be useful to you only in the lands of Mondstad, because this is my homeland.
Paimon, who was sitting at the table, looked back at the traveler and Veren, who continued to have a dialogue. The girl finished everything on the table and joined the dialogue, which has already become a polylogue.
— It would be wonderful if you would help us, Father Veren! Thank you very much! — Paimon said.
—Oh, don't thank me," Kraus said, embarrassed.
***
Springweel also hasn't changed much, only... again, these flowers. They seem to have them everywhere already!
— In our case, we can find out who the archon is by exclusion. Tell me, who exactly cannot be the archon of the people you have met? Veren asked, holding the notebook in his hands.
—Well,— Paimon mumbled. — It's definitely not Aria, Grand Master Janet, and not you... well, we don't know the others.
— Also, among the users of the eyes of the gods, there is Miss Dina, Mrs. Orel, adventurer Falco and my old friend Meino…
"And who are they?" — the traveler asked. — Can we visit at least one of them today?
— Of course, — Varen pointed with his hand at some tall structure. — Do you see this?
—We see,— Paimon confirmed.
— It's an atomic bomb.…
— What?! We need to save everyone urgently! The traveler shouted, which caused the priest to chuckle.
— It's just a stone building, painted with paints to scare away rivals... Ms. Dina was lucky to find this place. There is a mine with precious stones under the building. Ms. Dina is a miner and explorer of the Dragon Ridge. Most importantly... don't tell anyone that the bomb isn't real. Gentlemen, Dina told me this in confidence.
"You keep other people's secrets very well, Sir Veren,— Paimon said sarcastically.
— Not really. I just needed to warn you so that you wouldn't be afraid to approach Ms. Dina. But before we go to her… I want to test your fighting skills. Do you see those slimes? Kill them.
— For a traveler, it's a piece of cake! Paimon said, after which the traveler took his sword, ran up to this cryo slime and began to attack it. Ither's movements were clear and collected, and after that, only slime remained from slime.
— Oh, it's even very good. The experience is visible," Veren said, smiling, as the traveler approached them again. — Now our goal is the mine under the "atomic bomb".
***
Our heroes had almost reached this tall building, next to which there were many workers in hard hats and work boots stained with soot and coal.
— Well, at least tell me about this "Mrs. Dina"! Paymon demanded.
"Well," Kraus replied, "this is Grand Master Janet's older sister. And... she occasionally deals with the "wine" affairs of their family. Because she's not really interested in it. Mrs. Dina prefers to do jewelry.
By this point, they had already reached the "atomic bomb". There were a lot of people around her. They were standing next to the hatch. Varen noticed a familiar face and immediately shouted: "Mrs. Amirida!". A short girl with dark blue hair and blue hair tips answered the call. The eyes had the same coloring as the hair. She was wearing a turquoise dress decorated with Cecilia's flowers. He was wearing a turquoise berth. There were two children next to her. One red-haired boy looked to be six years old. Amirida was holding his hand. And the second little girl, who looked to be three years old, she held in her arms.
— Who is this? Paymon asked, squinting her eyes.
— This is Amirida. She works as a nanny. What brought her here..." he looked at her and his face changed. From a thoughtful face, he became affable and friendly. — Good afternoon, Amirida! What did you order from Mrs. Dina for today?
— I came to pick up the earrings from *Adamasadamas -- (Latin -yaz. -- Diamond.) blue bright stone (can be used to elevate characters from Mondstad).* They can be found in the Rangwindr mine and in the fault. But in the jewelry store "Valley of Angels" you can find it ready—made., - the girl replied with a smile. — Dina should bring them soon.…
The black hatch moves and a tall, slender woman with scarlet slightly curly hair and blue eyes, like the purest sea, gets out of it. But a barely noticeable scar was visible through his left eye. She was wearing a brown long dress with black buttons in the middle. She was wearing a dark red cloth that intersects, creating a kind of vest. On her feet she had dark red boots with a heel. There were gold bracelets on her wrists. They depicted the scarlet flowers of Primosolis *Primopolis -- (Latin. yaz. — sunset). These bright flowers can be seen at the Dawn Distillery and at the dungeon "House of the Wind.".The flowers are long red petals that slightly cover the green stem. Yellow pollen sand is usually scattered next to these flowers.* The god's eye was in the form of a hairpin. There was a gold hairpin on the back of his head, which had the pyro eye of a god on it. The girl handed Amirida a black box. The nanny opened the box with admiration, looking at the gold earrings with Adamas. Amirida sighed with delight.
— Thank you very much, Dinny! As always, it's great! Amirida exclaimed. And then she looked at the children, "So, I think we'd better go home. You're hungry, aren't you? — Amirida and the children who were with her left.
— So that's what "Mrs. Dina" is like! Paymon shouted. In return, she received the strict gaze of a jeweler.
— What? She grunted in displeasure. — Who else are you? Well, I know Veren Kraus, but you…
— Paimon is Paimon, and this is Aether! We travel with him around the world to find his twin sister. We are trying to find a new archint anemone! They can usually tell us something important, like Nahida told us!
—Hmm,— Dina mused. — It's going to be difficult. An anemone archon can be anyone.
— And we know it perfectly well!
— I'm sorry for being so direct, but can I ask you a question? — She looked at Aether. — Why is the traveler silent? Is it because he is shy, or because he has a small vocabulary?
—Um,— Paimon mumbled.
"It's just that Paymon talks too much, Ms. Dina," Iter put in his five kopecks.
— But Paimon...! But Paimon..., — the best companion wanted to be indignant, but did not come up with anything.
— As we have already understood, Ms. Dina, you do not know anything about the Archon? Kraus asked.
— No, I don't know, and I don't want to know. There's no need to fill my head with other thoughts. I have to work.
— Clearly, then we dare not detain you! — Varen said, bowing and taking the traveler and Paymon aside. — Oh, we didn't see anything useful here.
—We saw...,— the traveler said quietly.
— Mmm? What did you see?
— Amirida... she reminds me of someone…
— That's right! Ven-..! — Paimon wanted to say, but was afraid to reveal the cards of the archon's anemone past.
— I think she might be an archon.
— Amirida? Varen was surprised. — Amirida… But really. It could be her!
— Then run after her! Paymon exclaimed.
And with a quick step they followed Amirida, who was already practically in Mondstad. Only, unfortunately, the trio was attacked by hilichurls and Mitachurls with a wooden shield.
— Ahhh! Traveler, save me! — Paimon shouted as the traveler drew his sword for battle. Varen also prepared to attack. He used a catalyst, so he didn't have to get anything out.
Varen set fire to Mitachurla's shield, while Aether, by the power of anemo, kindled the fire brighter and dispersed it. The fire reached the hilichurls, which burned and dissolved.
— That's it! Varen sighed, rubbing his forehead. — But we are lagging behind Amirida, we need to follow her!