Pitch-dark sunken eyes stared at him while he slept. A hand slowly crept toward him...Unpleasant... Aether woke up in a cold sweat. It was just a nightmare.

~~~
"And just like that, the god took away my sister."

"Some kind of seal was cast upon me, and I lost my power."

"So while we used to travel from world to world, we are now trapped here."
Aether's voice was filled with emotion and distress...

"How many years ago was it? I don't know. But I intend to find out." Though his eyes were sad, they gleamed with determination to find his sister.

"When I woke up, I was all alone - until I met you two months ago..." He looked towards Paimon, whose smile was quite odd.

"Yeah, Paimon really owes you for that. Otherwise Paimon likely would have drowned." Flashbacks of Aether rescuing her, or rather, fishing her out of the water, flooded Paimon's mind.

"So Paimon will do her best to be a great guide!" She said out loud and proud, despite her eyes hinted at deep worry for something else, Aether couldn't help but have a soft smile on his face.

"We should head off. Let's get going." She waved to Aether, signaling for him to get up.

Aether stood up and followed Paimon as she started to wander through the forest. As they walked, Paimon gradually drifted closer to him. They eventually reached the top of a short cliff, granting them a bird's eye view of the surroundings. Aether's gaze roamed over the landscape until it landed on one of the Statues of the Seven that his companion had mentioned earlier. The statue was a tall, hooded stone figure, its wings curved around its torso like a shield, protecting the orb it held in its hands. Aether's eyes narrowed as he noticed a mysterious red mist surrounding it. Were all the statues like that?

"There are a few of these statues scattered across the land to show The Seven's protection over the world. Among the seven gods, this god controls the wind." She stated. "Paimon's not sure whether the god you're looking for is the Anemo God, but... Paimon'll take you to the Anemo God's place first."

They continued to walk down to the statue. "As we all know, poetry and language flow like the wind. There'll definitely be someone there who knows about your sister. Whether the gods answer you is a different story. You never know unless you try." Paimon's eyes were fixed on the state of the statue.

"Hm..."

When they arrived, Aether hesitated, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution. He took a deep breath and slowly approached the statue. He reached out and pressed his hand against the cold stone, a sudden warmth spread through his palm. To his surprise, the statue began to emit a soft, radiant glow, and a bright Anemo orb floated gracefully towards him.

As the orb made contact, Aether felt a powerful connection to the elements of the world. A rush of energy surged through him, he felt the essence of Anemo. Parts of his clothing began to shimmer with a vibrant teal light. It didn't overwhelm him, but he could tell that it was something extraordinary, a gift from the statue that resonated with his own abilities.

'Save them.'

Aether took a moment to collect his thoughts. He glanced back at Paimon, who was watching him with wide eyes, equally amazed by what had happened.

"Oh, it seems all you had to do was just touch the statue and you got the power of Anemo. People in this world can never get a hold of powers as easily as you!" Paimon looked in awe at him.

"I think I know why, it's because-" He was cut off by Paimon, "You're not from this world to begin with. If we head west from here, we'll reach Mondstadt, the City of Freedom. Or the City of Wind, because they worship the god of Anemo. There are loads of bards there; perhaps one of them has heard news of your sister." Aether stared but silently nodded.

"Let's get going. The elements of this world responded to your prayers and Paimon thinks that's a lovely sign." Paimon gave a reassuring smile to Aether. He looked back at the statue, and the red mist was still present...

They walked through the forest, having some small talk. Suddenly, a low growl was heard, causing both Aether and Paimon to freeze in their tracks. Instinctively, they moved swiftly to hide behind a thick tree and cautiously peeked out to locate the source of the noise.

"Don't be afraid... It's alright now, I'm back..." A soothing voice spoke softly. Peering out of the tree, they spotted someone clad in a bard's attire, gently comforting a massive, six-winged dragon. The dragon's scales shimmered in the patches of sunlight, its eyes closing slowly.

Before Paimon could open her mouth to question the scene, a sudden surge of elemental power reacted within him. The dragon's peaceful demeanor shifted instantly; its eyes snapped open, filled with a fierce, defensive light. It roared, creating a gust of wind that rustled the trees violently. "Who's there?!" the strange person demanded, his voice sharp with alarm, until spotting the two standing there. The dragon began to shuffle around uneasily, its massive wings causing small whirlwinds of leaves and dust. The person took a few steps back, and with a flicker of motion, vanished into thin air. The dragon then took flight, leaving the area in a state of chaos.

"Woah, Paimon thought she'd get blown away by the sheer force of the wind! Luckily Paimon grabbed a hold on your hair before that happened." She scratched the back of her head, trying to laugh off the tension.

"Luckily my hair wasn't pulled out." Aether replied with a small smile, though his heart was still racing. "Good thing the dragon didn't notice us." He sighed in relief, trying to steady his breath.

"Just what was that... Definitely something to do with that weirdo." Paimon's suspicion was evident in her voice, her eyes narrowed as she scanned the sky where the dragon had disappeared.

"I can't believe dragons exist in this world." Aether said worryingly. As his eyes roamed the disrupted clearing, something caught his attention. A glint of red amidst the debris. Paimon also noticed, pointing towards the shiny object. "What's that? Let's take a closer look." She said, curiosity piqued.

Aether climbed up the big rock to investigate, his movements cautious. There it was, a shiny red crystal, unlike anything they had seen before. "Paimon's never seen a stone like this before. Best we put it away for now as it looks dangerous." Aether carefully pocketed the red stone.

Suddenly, the air was pierced by loud, desperate cries. "HELP ME!!! AHHH!" The voice was filled with sheer terror. Aether and Paimon exchanged worried glances before quickly moving towards the source of the cries. 'Could this be related?' Aether thought.

They navigated through the trees, Paimon clinging tightly to Aether. Amongst the tree clutter, they found a man on the ground, cowering and shivering. His arms were wrapped around his head in a protective gesture, and his eyes were wide with fear. Standing over him was a long, distorted, bony figure... hilichurl, but twisted and more menacing than any they had encountered before. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its elongated limbs moved with an unnatural, jerky motion. The sight of the creature made Aether's hair stand on end, a sense of dread washing over him as if he had encountered something from a forgotten nightmare.

The hilichurl's body was grotesquely contorted, its bones jutting out at odd angles, and its darken skin seemed to stretch taut over its skeletal frame. The man on the ground whimpered, his body shaking violently.

(LOL sorry not sorry for ruining the atmosphere)

Aether took a step forward, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "Stay back," he whispered to Paimon. "We need to help him."

Paimon nodded hesitantly. "Be careful, Aether." She urged.

Summoning his newfound Anemo power, Aether focused intently on the hilichurl. He could feel the elemental energy coursing through him. With a swift, he directed a powerful blast of wind towards the creature. The gust surged forward, hitting the hilichurl with incredible force.

The impact was immediate and intense. The hilichurl was knocked off its feet. It tumbled, colliding with the ground. For a moment, the hilichurl laid still. Then, with a guttural growl, it began to rise, its glowing eyes locking onto Aether. It stumbled awkwardly, its legs shaking as it fought to stand upright once more.

He braced himself, ready for the inevitable confrontation. Then a fiery arrow streaked through the air, striking the creature squarely in the head. The arrowhead exploded on impact, engulfing the hilichurl in flames and forcing it to retreat back into the dark shadow. It vanished into the darkness.

Startled, Aether turned quickly to see who had come to his aid. Standing atop a tall rock, poised with a confident stance, was a girl with a red bunny-like headband, holding a crossbow. Her outfit was a blend of practicality and style, featuring a red and white color scheme that matched the headband. She had a determined look in her eyes. With a graceful leap, she jumped down from the rock, landing on her feet.

"Are you okay?" she called out, her voice clear as she approached Aether and Paimon.

"Yeah." Aether replied, still catching his breath. He then noticed that her right arm was missing.

"That was an amazing shot." Paimon exclaimed.

The girl smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "May the Anemo God protect you, stranger. I am Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonius," she introduced herself, extending a hand to Aether. "You guys are lucky I was patrolling this area. That was no ordinary hilichurl." Her expression turned serious. "They're more aggressive and seem to have some kind of dark energy about them. It's been worrying the knights."

"Thank you for helping me back there." Aether said with a small smile. He remembered the man who had been crying for help and glanced behind Amber, but the man had disappeared without a trace. Aether was confused, and Amber took notice.

"Hm? What's with the face?" She asked, looking in the direction Aether was staring.

"There was a guy crying for help over there, and now he's gone!" Paimon said, confused. Aether nodded in agreement.

"He's probably an adventurer who ran off. But I didn't see anyone when I heard the commotion you were making." Amber shrugged, looking at both of them. "What's your business here? You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt."

"I'm Aether." he replied.

"That doesn't sound like a local name..." She remarked, narrowing her eyes a bit. Her gaze then shifted to Paimon. "And this... mascot, what's her deal?"

"She's emergency food." Aether jokes, clearly amused.

"HEY! That's even worse than being a mascot!" Paimon pouted and angrily 'stomped' her foot. She clearly did not appreciate the joke.

"Well, look, there's been a large dragon sighting around here recently as well as those weird hilichurls. You'd best get inside the city as soon as possible. I'll escort you two." she stated firmly.

"Oh, aren't you here for some other reason?" Paimon questioned her.

"I am, but I can keep you both safe while taking care of it." Amber replied, looking off to the side like she remembered something. "Besides... I don't trust you two just yet."

"That's a rather rude way to speak to guests." Aether said, looking hurt by Amber's statement.

"Ah I'm sorry, shouldn't be saying that as a knight, apologize strange yet... respectable travelers." Amber said, placing her only remaining hand on her chest.

"That sounds so fake." Paimon retorted, putting her hands on her hips.

"Do you have something against the type of language prescribed by the Knight of Favonius Handbook?!" Amber shouted defensively. Her sudden outburst caused Paimon to fall silent and drift behind Aether for cover.

Amber sighed, her shoulders slumping as she turned her back on them. "I'm sorry. Follow me." She began to walk, leading Paimon and Aether towards the city. It was a silent walk with Aether keep glancing at Amber's missing arm until Amber glanced over her shoulder at them "So, suspicious travelers, what brings you to Mondstadt?" She asked, her tone curious but yet cautious.

Paimon quickly answered "Him and his sister got separated after a very long journey. Paimon's his travel buddy, helping him find his sister." Aether gave Paimon a grateful look.

"Oh, looking for your family?..." Amber's expression softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she looked at Aether.

"Ah... Okay, let me finish my task and I can help you put up posters around the city to find her." Amber offered.

As they continued, Amber suddenly stopped and pointed ahead. "A hilichurl camp!" she exclaimed.

Aether drew his sword while Paimon hid behind him. Amber swiftly used her crossbow to headshot the usual normal hilichurls. "My task this time is to clear out these camps." She explained.

The small camp was quickly cleared out. Amber turned to Aether and said, "Thanks for the backup. You sure surprised me with your combat skills. How'd it feel?"

"Barely broke a sweat." Aether replied, though his gaze shifted to Amber's right hand, or rather, the lack thereof. Paimon glanced at him.

"Now that you mention it, these hilichurls don't seem like the type to set up camp so close to the city." Paimon observed. "Could it have something to do with those dark-looking hilichurls we saw earlier?"

Amber shook her head. "No, I don't think so. It's more likely because the dragon, Stormterror, has been around a lot more recently. The storms hitting the city have caused some injuries, and the Knights of Favonius have been busy defending the area."

"So that's why these creatures are coming closer and closer to the city." Paimon mused, putting her hand on her chin.

"Exactly. Come with me, a responsible knight must ensure your safe passage to the city." Amber said firmly.

With that, they continued their journey to the city. Curiosity gnawed at Aether as they walked, and finally, he couldn't hold back. "What happened to your right arm?" he asked gently, trying not to sound too intrusive.

Amber visibly flinched at the question, her expression turning uneasy. She glanced away, her discomfort noticeable.

Sensing the tension, Paimon quickly intervened, floating between Aether and Amber. "Oh, Paimon apologizes for his lack of conversational skills." she said with a nervous laugh, hoping to diffuse the awkwardness.

Amber took a deep breath and forced a small smile. "It's fine." She said quietly. "I had a bad encounter with some hilichurls once... I was searching for some acquaintances..." Her voice trailed off into a whisper.

Aether's eyes softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry..." He said softly.

Amber gave a small, appreciative nod, her eyes reflecting a mix of old pain and newfound determination. "But don't worry, I've learned to adapt. Being an Outrider means facing dangers head-on, after all." She said, showing off her crossbow with a confident smile.

Aether broke into a slight sweat as he thought 'How would she reload arrows?'

They continued their journey in respectful silence, the atmosphere around them gradually lightening as they neared the city gates. As they neared the city gates, the towering walls of Mondstadt loomed before them, promising safety. Guards at the gate appeared on high alert, their eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble. Aether couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. As they passed through the gates, he noticed the tension in the air. The guards' postures were rigid, and their expressions were stern.

Amber's expression turned serious. "It seems like everyone's still on edge." she murmured, more to herself than to Aether and Paimon.

Inside the city, the streets were busy, but there was an underlying unease. Groups of citizens gathered in hushed conversations, their faces marked with worry. The somber mood was evident.

'What happened here?'

Amber broke the silence, attempting to lift their spirits. "Let me officially introduce the city of wind, dandelions, and freedom." She said, "Travelers under the protection of the Knights of Favonius - Welcome to Mondstadt!"

"But... the city folk don't look too cheery." Paimon observed, glancing around at the uneasy faces and tense atmosphere.

"Everyone's been put out of place by Stormterror recently. And the sudden bizarre hilichurls don't help ease out the tension." Amber explained. "But everything will turn out fine as long as Jean's with us!"

"Jean?" Paimon tilted her head curiously.

"Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius - Jean. With her on our side, surely even the vicious Stormterror will be no match for us." Amber stated proudly.

Aether thought to himself, 'Sounds like someone pretty impressive... I hope she knows something about the God of Anemo.'

Amber then turned to Aether with a smile. "I have a gift for you, Aether."

"What! How come Paimon doesn't get a gift?!" Paimon pouted, crossing her arms.

Amber chuckled a bit. "It's because this gift is useless to you, Paimon. Though I can treat you to a Mondstadt delicacy - Sticky Honey Roast." Amber offered.

"Ooo, yum!" Paimon's mouth started to water at the thought of eating something delicious.

"Alright come with me." Amber gestured her remaining hand.

They walked in silence again. As they passed by a weathered bulletin board, Aether's attention was drawn to the various notices pinned haphazardly across its surface. He paused, catching a glimpse of the messages and advertisements. In the center were two particularly compelling posters that stood out amidst the clutter.

The first poster depicted a cheerful elf child, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief and joy. She was dressed in a lively red outfit adorned with clover-themed accessories. Her smile was infectious, radiating a sense of hope and playfulness that seemed almost out of place in the current gloom.

The second poster featured a strikingly handsome man with dark blue hair, styled elegantly to frame his face. His expression was a mixture of confidence and sarcasm, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He wore an eye patch over one eye, adding an air of mystery to his already intriguing presence, while his uncovered eye glinted with a bright sparkle. His attire was equally captivating, a blend of practicality and style, suggesting he was someone of significance, perhaps a renowned adventurer or a figure of authority in Mondstadt.

Above the pictures, the word '''MISSING''' was written in bright red font. Beneath both images, it read: '''PLEASE CONTACT THE KNIGHTS OF FAVONIUS.'''

'I wonder...'

"Hey! Are you coming?" Amber's voice jolted Aether from his thoughts, and he quickly continued walking to catch up with her and Paimon.

~~~
BONUS art!

"Pitch-dark sunken eyes stared at him while he slept. A hand slowly crept toward him...Unpleasant... Aether woke up in a cold sweat. It was just a nightmare."