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-INAZUMA, EI'S RESIDENCE-

Paimon

"Wowza! Seeing the Archons all in one place... Cool!"

Venti

"Hi Paimon!"

Barbatos

"I don't like you."

Barbatos

"Okay!"

Lumine

"We got your message. What's going on?"

Ei

*Sigh*

"Stay quiet about this."

"Y/N's missing."

Paimon

"Whaaat?!"

Paimon let out a loud squeal.

Lumine

"They escaped?!"

Focalors

*Sigh*

"Unfortunately,"

Lumine observed the Archon's increasingly anxious and frustrated expressions.

Lumine

"Wow... That explains why the Statues of The Seven are back up..."

"Uh... Since when?..."

Kusanali

"They've been missing from their cell for the past two weeks."

Morax

"No leads."

Ei

"No sightings."

Paimon

"This is terrible!"

Barabtos

"No shit, Paimon."

Lumine

Come on, Lumine... Think...

"The uh... The bounty hunter..."

"Who was it again?"

Ei

"That man, Thoma."

Paimon

"Right! The slutty one!"

Lumine

"Hey, be respectful!"

Paimon

"What? It's the truth!"

Lumine

*Sigh* "Ignore her."

Paimon

"Hmph!"

Lumine

"Okay so..."

Lumine started to mutter to herself, organizing her thoughts. She attempted to come up with leads or a reasonable direction to go in.

.

.

.

Lumine

"Sumeru."

Kusanali

"Hm... Is that so?"

"That monster is in my nation?"

Ksuanali appeared visibly offended.

Lumine

"Well... We can't be for sure until we actually see them there, right?"

Kusanali

"Hm."

Morax

"Why is it you assume they're in Sumeru, Lumine?"

.

.

.

Ei

"I see."

"It all makes sense."

Barbatos

"Huh? What's going on?"

He was utterly clueless.

Paimon

"Dumbass!"

Barbatos

"Shut up!"

Focalors

*Sigh*

"He's drunk."

Morax

"Expected."

Lumine

"Venti, what the heck?! You came to a meeting wasted?"

Barbatos

"Oh come on, it makes things so much more interesting!"

Paimon

"This is why you're no more of a slut than Thoma is, haha!"

Barbatos

"I've had enough of your ass! Get over here!"

Paimon

"Eek!"

As the two engaged in playful pursuit by chasing each other, the four remaining Archons and Lumine maintained the momentum of the conversation.

Kusanali

"Ugh- Ignoring those two, may you explain what you mean, Lumine?"

"It seems here only Ei's realized."

Lumine

"Oh! Uh... Sure."

"I'm assuming that once Y/N is out, they'd want to get revenge on the one who locked them up, so..."

"Thoma."

Ei

"And Thoma is in Sumeru."

Kusanali

"I haven't seen any unusual weather patterns though. How can we be for sure that they're in my nation?"

Focalors

"That's just the thing. We can't be sure of it."

"Which is why we have to look."

Lumine

"I wouldn't recommend all of you Archons in Sumeru at once, though."

Ei

"We've already discussed that."

"Traveler, I suggest you accompany Lesser Lord Kusanali in looking for Y/N in Sumeru."

"Please update me on the progress. Meanwhile, us Archons will supervise our own nations in case they aren't in Sumeru."

Lumine nodded.

.

.

.

-THE NEXT DAY, ON THE OTHER SIDE-

You

"Scara! Where the fuck did you put my sweatshirt?!"

You screamed while frantically rummaging through the chaotic wardrobe, desperately searching every nook and cranny for it.

Scaramouche

"I dunno! Just take one of my t-shirts or something — it's too hot today for a sweatshirt anyway!"

As he stood in front of the mirror, vigorously brushing his teeth, he couldn't help but yell back in response to whatever had provoked him.

You

"Ugh, fine!"

"I'm going out!"

You said as you sat on the floor and reached for your shoes, feeling the cool leather in your hands.

Scaramouche

"Huh?! Without me?!"

You

"Yup! Sorry man, today I don't wanna attract any attention."

Scaramouche

"Pfft, when do you not? You're Y/N, everyone knows who you are!"

You

"Not anymore!"

Scaramouche

"Huh?... What's that supposed to mean?"

You

"It's been three years, dumbass. Nobody's been able to recognize me."

You said, gazing at your reflection in the old, cracked, body-sized mirror, the glass distorting your image.

Scaramouche

"How do you know that for sure?"

Scaramouche inquired as he lifted the corner of his towel to wipe at the corners of his mouth.

You

"I know that because I went out the other day in the city."

"I look so different! Nobody recognizes me!"

"The only photo people have of me is my bounty poster. That was three years ago."

.

"See, Scara, you still look the same though... When people see you, they'll freak the fuck out!"

Scaramouche

"Huh?! You went out?! When?!"

You

"Uh... Like a few days ago when you were still high and I got sober."

"Okay, I'm going now, bye!"

.

.

.

You

*Sigh*

"Do I really want to go find Thoma today? Maybe I'll just take a nice peaceful walk in the city or something."

In the peaceful solitude of the forest, the sound of your own voice filled the air as you engaged in a conversation with yourself.

You

"Hm..."

In the years spent confined in that cell, your mind was consumed with dreams of breaking free and tearing Thoma to bits. Surprisingly, all you long for now is a serene, undisturbed walk — devoid of conflict or turmoil.

You

What's going on with me?..."

As you walked deeper into the forest, you could feel the anticipation of reaching the Sumeru City grow with each step. The sunlight filtered through the thick leaves overhead, casting a warm glow on the path ahead. 

For once, you were actually looking forward to something. 

You relished the sensation of freedom that came with being able to stroll wherever you pleased without invoking fear in those around you.

You

"Hm... Where to..."

As you looked around, you were excited at the thought of strolling through the city with pure freedom. Suddenly, you felt a gentle hand resting on my shoulder.

???

"You don't look like you're from around here."

You

"Huh?..."

"Why? Cause I'm dressed like a homeless person?"

???

"Huh? No!- That's not what-"

???

*Scoff*

"Kaveh, you suck at acting nonchalant. Quit it."

Kaveh

"Ugh."

You

Are they suspicious of me?... Who even are these people?...

???

"I am Al Haitham. That is Kaveh. He is not important."

Kaveh

"Wow! So kind, Al Haitham, so kind!"

Kaveh dramatically raised his hands and produced a slow, mocking applause, his expression oozing with sarcasm. 

You

"Uhm... Cool?"

Kaveh

"We approached you because you look mad suspicious."

You

"Okay. Is it because I'm dressed like a homeless person?"

Kaveh

"No."

Al Haitham

"Yes, that actually is the reason why we approached you."

Kaveh

"What the fuck, Haitham?!"

You

"..." These guys are weird...

"Well, what about me is actually so suspicious?"

Kaveh

"Hm..."

"It's just... I haven't seen you around here before."

You

"So what, you expect yourself to know everyone in Sumeru personally?"

Kaveh

"Uh yeah, duh!"

Al Haitham

"I actually have no idea what I'm doing here talking to you. I only approached you because Kaveh wanted to approach you, and on these types of days, I have nothing better to do."

Al Haitham spoke with an incredibly calm and composed tone that seemed completely unruffled by anything.

You

"Right..."

Kaveh

"So."

.

.

.

"What's your name?! Where are you from?! Why are you dressed like that?!"

Kaveh began casually strolling around you, examining you carefully, and firing off a barrage of questions in rapid succession.

You

"Uh..."

"I'm from... Liyue. And my name is N/N."

"I'm dressed like this because I couldn't find my favourite sweatshirt this morning and had to take one of my friends' shirts."

"Are you satisfied with my answers, Kaveh?"

Kaveh

"Hm... Well, well, yes I am."

.

.

.

"You still look homeless though."