The Stormterror's Lair ruins stood as a haunting monument to Old Mondstadt's fall, their crumbling stone towers casting jagged shadows under the midday sun. The air was thick with the scent of ancient decay, the faint tang of dark magic lingering like a storm cloud, though the oppressive energy had begun to dissipate with Teucer's liberation. The ground was a patchwork of broken cobblestones and moss-covered debris, now scarred with fresh craters from the battle, the remnants of wind element bombs that had torn through the ruins like heavy artillery. The wind, once a mournful wail, now carried a lighter note, a gentle breeze that seemed to whisper of freedom restored. The central tower loomed in the distance, its wind barrier gone, the Anemo energy that had once crackled with corruption now replaced by a soft, natural glow, a sign that the Abyss Order's hold had been broken.
Xander stood amidst the aftermath, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze, the Shadowfang Blade in one hand and the Power Blade dissipating into blue motes of light in the other. His recent upgrade to A-level had been a game-changer, his attributes skyrocketing to match the power of a quasi-A-level being like Teucer. The surge of magical energy still coursed through him, a vibrant blue aura that crackled around him like lightning, his senses sharper, his movements faster, his strikes more devastating. Jean stood nearby, her blue cape fluttering, her Anemo Vision glowing faintly at her waist, her blonde hair catching the sunlight as she sheathed her sword, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. Eula leaned on her claymore, her silver-blue hair shimmering like frost, her Cryo Vision glowing at her hip, her icy blue eyes softened by a rare smile of satisfaction. Ying stood with her arms crossed, her golden eyes warm with the sunlight, her blonde hair shimmering as she watched Teucer, her sword resting at her side. Paimon hovered beside her, her starry cape fluttering as she cheered, her tiny fists pumping in the air with excitement.
The battle had been intense, but the group had emerged victorious. Xander's Dimensional Slash had shattered the dark crystal on Teucer's neck, the final blow that had tipped the scales. The dragon had fallen to the ground, his massive form trembling as the corruption began to fade, the purple streaks on his scales receding like a tide. Jean, Eula, and Ying had seized the opportunity, their combined attacks shattering the remaining two crystals on Teucer's wings, the explosions of Anemo and Cryo energy lighting up the ruins like a fireworks display. Teucer had let out a final howl of pain, but as the last crystal broke, the fury in his eyes had faded, replaced by a clarity that hadn't been seen in five hundred years. The torment of the demon dragon Durin's blood, compounded by the Abyss Order's manipulation, had finally been lifted, and Teucer was free.
Venti approached Teucer, his lyre in hand, his teal eyes glistening with unshed tears as he spoke softly to his old friend. "Teucer… I'm so sorry it took me this long," he said, his voice a mix of sorrow and relief. "But you're back now—we're together again." Teucer lowered his massive head, his scales shimmering in the sunlight as he let out a low, rumbling purr, a sound of gratitude and forgiveness that echoed through the ruins.
Xander watched the reunion from a distance, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he crossed his arms. He had done the heavy lifting, taking on the most dangerous crystal and drawing Teucer's attention, yet here he was, left to the sidelines while Venti and Teucer shared their touching moment. This Wendy is a real dog, he thought, his mind already plotting revenge through the second creation broadcast. Ideas swirled in his head—The Wind God Who Dances in Women's Clothing, or perhaps The Philosophical and Free Wind God. If Venti dared to leave him out of the spotlight, Xander would ensure the bard faced the supreme power of creation's wrath.
After the reunion, Teucer offered to fly the group back to Mondstadt, his massive wings spreading as he took to the sky, the wind around him now gentle and warm. The journey, which had taken a full day on foot, was reduced to less than an hour by air, the straight-line route cutting through the clouds with breathtaking speed. Xander, Jean, Eula, Ying, and Paimon clung to Teucer's back, the wind whipping through their hair as they marveled at the view below—the rolling hills of Mondstadt, the shimmering lakes, and the distant peaks of Dragonspine, all bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun.
Teucer descended over Mondstadt, his massive form casting a shadow over the city as the group leapt down, landing in the plaza near the statue of Barbatos. The citizens of Mondstadt looked up in awe, their initial fear giving way to cheers as they recognized the Knights of Favonius and the now-purified Wind Dragon. Venti and Teucer flew off together, the bard promising to return after a brief flight through the wilds, leaving the group to bask in the city's gratitude.
The plaza erupted in celebration, the cobblestone streets filling with people as they poured out of their homes, their voices rising in a chorus of joy. Banners of the Knights of Favonius waved in the breeze, the Anemo Archon's symbol gleaming in the sunlight, a symbol of hope restored. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread and flowers, vendors setting up stalls to offer food and trinkets to the celebrating crowd. Children ran through the streets, their laughter mingling with the sound of lutes and flutes as bards began to play, their melodies a tribute to the heroes who had saved their city.
"Great, the Wind Dragon crisis is finally over!" a merchant shouted, his voice carrying over the crowd as he raised a mug of cider in a toast.
"Acting Grand Master Jean is incredible—so reliable!" a young woman called, her eyes shining with admiration as she clapped her hands.
"I knew the Knights of Favonius would resolve this crisis!" an elderly man added, his voice gruff but proud, though a nearby teenager snickered, "Didn't you say yesterday that the Knights were just eating dry rations?"
The crowd laughed, the tension of the past weeks melting away as they vented their grievances and celebrated their freedom. But amidst the cheers, a new chant began to rise, the voices growing louder and more unified with each repetition. "Get out of Mondstadt, Fools! Get out, Fools!" the people shouted, their anger directed at the Fatui diplomats who had taken advantage of Mondstadt's vulnerability during the crisis.
For too long, the Fatui had operated with impunity in Mondstadt, their presence a constant thorn in the city's side. With the external threat of Teucer looming, the people had been forced to swallow their anger, their hands tied by the need to focus on survival. But now, with the Wind Dragon crisis resolved and Teucer restored as the Guardian of the Four Winds, the Knights of Favonius could turn their full attention to the Fatui. The people of Mondstadt no longer needed to fear the Fools' arrogance, and their voices rang out with a newfound boldness.
The Fatui diplomats, stationed at the Goethe Hotel, began to panic, their faces paling as they watched the crowd from the hotel's windows. The momentum of the Mondstadt citizens was fierce, their chants a tidal wave of defiance that threatened to sweep the Fatui out of the city. But the diplomats took solace in the presence of their superior, the Fatui Harbinger known as the Lady, who resided on the top floor of the hotel. The sky is falling, and there's a tall one to hold it up, they thought, their fear tempered by the knowledge that their boss would handle the situation.
On the top floor of the Goethe Hotel, a woman stood by a window, her gaze fixed on the direction Teucer had flown. She wore a half-mask that resembled a crown, its dark metal contrasting with her long, golden-white hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of light. Her high-slit skirt revealed a figure that was both elegant and explosive, her presence radiating an aura of arrogance and power. Her blue eyes blazed with a cold, burning hatred, her lips curling into a sneer as she muttered to herself, "That bard… he's Barbatos."
The woman was Rosalyn-Kruzchka Lohefalter, known as the Lady, the eighth of the Fatui Harbingers. Once a Mondstadt native, she had been a witch of flames, her Pyro powers unmatched in her youth. But her past was a tapestry of pain and betrayal, her hatred for Barbatos rooted in a history that had left her scarred—both physically and emotionally. The revelation of Venti's true identity had reignited a fire within her, a desire for vengeance that burned hotter than any flame she had ever conjured. Tonight, I'll meet him, she thought, her voice a low growl as she turned from the window, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. A heart-to-heart… one he won't forget.
Back in the plaza, Jean addressed the crowd, her voice carrying over the cheers as she raised a hand for silence. "People of Mondstadt, the Wind Dragon crisis has been resolved!" she announced, her tone steady and authoritative. "Teucer has been freed from the Abyss Order's control and has returned as our Guardian of the Four Winds. The Knights of Favonius will continue to protect this city—and we will not tolerate the Fatui's interference any longer!"
The crowd roared in approval, their chants of "Get out, Fools!" growing louder as Jean turned to her companions, her expression softening. "You all did incredible work," she said, her voice warm with gratitude. "Xander, your strength was pivotal. Eula, Ying—your teamwork was flawless. We couldn't have done this without you."
Eula nodded, her icy demeanor tempered by a rare smile. "It was a battle worth fighting," she said, her tone dry but sincere. "Though I'll admit, I didn't expect to be riding a dragon back to Mondstadt. A… unique experience."
Ying laughed, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. "It was faster than walking, that's for sure," she said, her tone light. "But I'm just glad Teucer's back to his old self. Venti must be overjoyed."
Paimon crossed her arms, her cheeks puffing out as she glared at the sky where Venti and Teucer had flown off. "Hmph, that bard better not forget about us!" she declared, her voice a mix of indignation and excitement. "He owes us a big meal after all this—and I'm not letting him off the hook!"
Xander chuckled, his grin wide as he sheathed the Shadowfang Blade. "I'll make sure he doesn't forget," he said, his tone playful but laced with a hint of mischief. "I've got a few ideas for the next second creation video—let's just say Venti's going to have a hard time living them down."
As the celebration continued, the shadow of the Fatui loomed over Mondstadt, the Lady's presence a dark cloud on the horizon. The city had won a great victory, but the battle for its future was far from over. The winds of freedom had returned, but the flames of vengeance were just beginning to ignite, setting the stage for a confrontation that would shake Mondstadt to its core.
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