While I was still recovering from the fact that I have received a pretty "BUSTED" unique skill while having my breakfast with Paimon, who was comforting me from almost doing a second spit take. I needed to make sure that Paimon was safe before I began my journey to meeting up with Acting Grand master Jean, on our next step in stopping storm terror temples of the four winds.
After paimon was done patting me on the back from doing my second spit take, I took a napkin whipped my face, then paid for the meal that we both have eaten and we both headed out to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters for meeting with the Acting Grand Master Jean.
Paimon; That food was delicious, thank you aether for letting Paimon have breakfast.
Aether; No problem Paimon, and also, I promise to let you eat more of Mondstadt delicacies, when the moment comes.
Paimon then comes and hugs me from the side and I hug her back.
Paimon; Thank you for not being bothered by my eating habits,
Aether; Of course Paimon. No harm done to both of us.
As we entered into the Knights of Fanious headquarters, with the NPC Guards (Normal Knights of Favionus doing there normal Knight of Favinous salute greeting gesture like in the game, we went straight into the office, and knocked on the door and waited for a few moments before i heard a muffled voice.
Jean; (Muffled voice from the door); Enter.
I raised an eyebrow because jean sounded drowsey from the door, but I pushed those thoughts aside and just opened the door thinking nothing of it.
But as both me and Paimon walked into the room getting ready to tell her that I'm heading to the four winds temple, only to find a scene that makes me glad that I died before I got an office job in my old life, as well as something that made my heart stop for a few seconds.
"Paperwork" I whispered in horror to myself
Stacks upon Stacks of Paperwork
Mountains of paperwork covered every surface. The desk—what little could be seen of it—was buried under stacks of paperwork, forms, mission reports, budget approvals, trade agreements, diplomatic correspondence, and requisition orders. More stacks covered the floor. They leaned against the walls in precarious towers. They filled the windowsills, blocking the once-nice view of the village. They cascade off shelves like paper waterfalls.
And in the center of this paper apocalypse sat a single chair. The Grandmasters chair. Looking less like a seat of power and more like a prison sentence.
And the person who was sitting on that chair was Jean Gunhilder, but looking like the railable acting grand master professional and more like a sandbag trying to stand up straight on her chair
Her beautiful blonde hair that I really adored and liked was a mess as if she has been through a hurricane of paperwork (in which it looks like she literally has). Dark circles where present around her eyes indicating that she hasn't slept for a few hours or at least last night, her eyes where red with tiny veins in her white eyes from what I assume from the caffine from tea, that was evident from the empty tea cups that are around the left side of her desk, (I counted at least 12 tea cups). And lastly her posture was slumped onto the desk as if her head weighed a ton and her spine was about to snap from exhaustion. As if she was trying to balance a bowling ball on a stick.
It looked like Amber was the only one who was doing better, (mentally and physically wise) with helping out around the paperwork, with her helping jean carry a variety of paper work from office and helping to organize the paper work into different categories
Jean; "Ohh Traveler, thank you for coming, did you have a good night?" She asked drowsily as she tried to be professional in front of the person who helped her during the storm terror incident
Aether (gentle voice); "I slept well grand master, thank you for asking, and please, you can call me "Aether" while I'm hearing in mondstadt, so no need for formalities" I said that only because I know that keeping up with formality can be mentally draining, and she looks like she needs all the mental energy she can get.
After saying that Jean's shoulders relaxed slightly at the mention of me saying, which made me happy that I was able to make her relaxed.
Jean; If that's the case, then you don't have to be formal with me, you can just call me "Jean"
I nodded at that and then I went to get straight to business
Aether; "I'm sure that amber told you about our progress in one of the temples of the four winds?" I said already knowing the answer
Jean; "Yes, she told me that you two have made considerable progress going into that domain, and thank you for your idea of destroying the egg, she also said that you helped with amplifying her pyro element with your wind element to destroy the egg. Well done"
This exchanged happened with Amber nodding at the conversation, effectively confirming about there endeavour's in the temple.
Aether (Nodding); I'm glad I could be of help. Now I know that there are other temples that need to be traveled for your plan of weakening storm terror to work. So will Amber be joining me along the way to each one like yesterday?
Jean (Thinking); As much as it would be helpful to have both of you going into each temple to help, especially with how fast all of you did it, I need amber to help me with the office work here as well as guard patrol duty around mondstat city. So you will have to finish the temples with Captain Kaeya on the second temple, ( The Temple of the Wolf ). As well as visiting Liberian Lisa on the third temple ( The Temple of the Lions ).
Aether (Nodding); "Ohh right, Captain Kaeya."
I almost forgotten about the Calvary Captain, who helped the traveler in the game, although it made me kind of concerned. I suspect that he is still suspicious of my skills/abilities when we first meet, and is still holding his suspicions about me even after a told him a good story about my unique skill sets, so if I where to guess based on his character, he would most likely try to find opportunities for me to reveal more of my abilities for him to gather more information about me, but I wasn't going to risk that.
Luckily I have "Great Sage" to help me maneuver around his suspicions,
Aether (Thought Acceleration Activated); 'I'll be counting on you for helping me around his suspicions 'Great Sage'
Great Sage; ['Notice, Acknowledged master, this skill will help with the navigation around the captains suspicions']
Aether (Thought Acceleration Activated); Thank You
Aether disengages with 'Thought Acceleration' and go back to talking with jean
Aether; Hey Jean, is it possible that I can ask please?
Jean; Sure Aether, what do you need?
Aether; While I'm going through the temples there will be some dangers inside of those domains, so if possible, it is okay that Paimon can stay back and one of you, can watch out for her in the city while I'm gone?
Paimon quickly turns to me, with a complaint already ready
Paimon; But AETHER!!!, Paimon wants to make sure your safe!!!
Aether; I promise you Paimon, I will be safe, especially since I have Captain Kaeya looking out for my back, but it would give me peace of mind to if you are safe within the city,
I then turned to Amber who was in the room listening.
Aether; Amber, is it okay that during your patrol you can look over Paimon for me while I enter one of the temples of the four winds? I will pay you back tenfold for this favor later on when I get back.
Amber enthusiastically agreed at his request.
Amber; Don't worry, I don't mind at all!!! Its the least I could do for helping me back at the temple. So don't worry about it.
Aether; Awesome.
I then turn to Paimon.
Aether; Paimon you have been helping me and being both my companion and my guide ever since I got into Mondstadt. I want your safety to be prioritized above all else, as well as I have someone to come back to, so please stay with amber during the mean time okay?
Paimon was quiet for a moment, but then she still shocks me again with what she says next.
Paimon (Nodding A Little); Paimon understands, but please be safe for Paimons sake okay??
I smiled at her understanding still shocking me again, she might be even better than the paimon that the original traveler that aether had in the game, she doesn't complain as much, but most importantly she actually considers my emotions knowing that I would prefer for her to be safe.
So I decided, 'Why not just give her something to ease her troubles and worries about me?'
'Inventory' I said mentally, with my hand covered behind the cape of my back, with me removing the 10,000x5 mora, and decided to give her 40,000 pieces of mora in a pouch that comes into my hand.
I then extended the mora pouch and outstretched it to Paimon who grabbed it with her tiny hands but it might have been a bit heavy as she gasped for a little air with her floating.
Aether; Here paimon, use this mora pouch to spend your hearts content on the food, when amber has a chance to stop by a restaurant today, you can buy whatever you want with the money here, to keep you bussy
Paimon literally had stars in her eyes while hearing this, which made me happy that I was able to keep her promise, but it dimed a little as her eyes became thoughtful.
Paimon; Is it okay aether, Paimon knows that you said that you wanted to save up on money at the moment, so it will be okay, Paimon doesn't want to burden you.
Aether; Its fine Paimon, I'll just sell some materials that I get from complete tasks from the adventures guild. And I know how much you want to try Mondstadts cuisine so go on and try them.
Aether (Internal Thoughts); 'Besides, I still have the "Unique Skill" - " Descenders Blessing Into A New World" that will give me rewards for my conquering a domain. I can even use it to increase my drop rates and drop qualities of items and money after doing some tasks at the adventures guild when I have free time, so this shouldn't be an issue.'
Paimon nodded at that and looked at amber asking if she can come with her, in which she responds and says yes.
Aether; Thank you Amber, I'll pay you back for this
I then turn around and head outside the door, But not before Jean stops with another request
Jean; Wait Aether!, If possible after your done with the "Temple Of The Wolf" with Kaeya, can you also visit the "Temple Of The Lions" with Lisa after your done, if possible?
I shrugged at her saying "Sure no problem, but I would like to revisit Mondstadt city soon enough to check up on Paimon later after I'm done with Kaeya before I move on to the next temple with Lisa, if that's okay?"
Jean (Nodding in Relief); That's fine thank you again for your help
Aether (Smiling while walking out the door); Sure thing, Jean, I'll finish them quickly. And Amber, please look out for Paimon for me until then I get back.
With amber nodding at me giving her Mondstadt salute, in which I returned to her, before I left the room door.
Outside POV;
As I left the door and walked outside the exit of the Knights Of Favonius Headquarters, I walked around the plaza, made a turn towards an alleyway, so that I was not seen and then I accessed my other unique skill " World Sage " to display for me a map of Mondstadt's landscape that was recorded and updated from one of the statues of the seven that helped to unlock the waypoints for me.
World Sage; [Notice Master, please choose destination for your travels]
I then scrolled through the updated holographic map in-front of me, until I chose a teleport waypoint from walking distance to the "Temple Of The Wolf", to make it appear as though I walked from Mondstadt to there to avoid suspicions. With a quick click my body profile becomes unmade. As my hands slowly started to dissolve into a swirl of teal green anemo particles and stripes and digital particles before disappearing from my spot. Awaiting to meet Kaeya Alberich.
Narrator POV;
After a few seconds of transportation, Aether (or Y/N) makes it to "Windrise Plains" where the teleport waypoint was glowing faintly around him next to him as he glowing particles of anemo teal green (Represents the current element that he has) and strips of teal green began to materialize around the waypoint for our traveler to reappear next to it. He stretched for a few moments, still getting used to this useful and convenient way of traveling, as he walked around the plains with the guidance of "World Sage" sub skill - "Geographical Map Layout" to guide his footsteps. But as he was walking towards the temple of the lions he needed to confirm something with "Great Sage"
Aether (Mentally); 'Hey Great Sage, I have a question'
Great Sage; ['Notice, What is it that you require Host?']
Aether; 'I've been wondering about the Storm Terror Egg that both me and Kaeya would have to unlock the story inside the temple to leave the domain istelf. With the Unique Skill - "Mana Absorption" that you made this morning, Is it still possible for me to absorb the anemo energy from the egg to break it later correct?
I'm asking this because I don't have amber's or any other pyro user to create a burst effect with my "Wind Magic/Wind Style/Airbending Skills" in my arsenal, and since two elements can negate each other if there of the same nature. And I don't know if Kaeya's Cryo Vision abilites can be able to negate that storm terror egg at the end of the temple.
Great Sage; ['Notice, Host doesn't need to be concerned about this, as a reminder to the host, this new unique skill created this morning has 2 sub skills helpful for this task which includes;]
[- Ambient Mana Domination: Allows for the direct extraction of mana (magicules)/elemental energy, chakra/ode from the surrounding atmosphere or from a target's mana/magic via physical contact. In areas of high mana density (dungeons, leylines, after storms), this acts as a passive regeneration multiplier, constantly topping off reserves without conscious effort. In magical dead zones, the skill actively seeks out the thinnest strands of mana, extracting every possible particle from the environment to sustain the user.]
[- Energy Jamming (Passive): Emits waves that interfere with the flow of external magicules, mana, chakra, chi, or elemental energy. Making it difficult for opponents to cast spells by destabilizing the mana, elemental energy, chakra they are trying to manipulate.]
[With these two sub skills, the host has a higher chance of absorbing the mana from the storm terror egg once its found at the end of the domain.]
Aether; Thanks Great Sage for your help so far.
Great Sage; ['Notice - This skill will always be there to support the user in any way possible']
As Aether (or Y/N) continued walking he reached the gate way of the domain, with its gates puzzling with elemental energy, and once coming up close he finds a familiar person leaning back onto the sidelines of the door, casually flipping a golden pirate coin with a signature smirk.
Captain Kaeya
He then walked towards me with his arms crossed, before my profile with his calculating eyes before greeting me
Kaeya; "You've arrived"
Then he waves his hands at me to come closer
Kaeya; "Come closer. Can you smell that?"
Aether (Sniffing around his environment); "I don't smell anything"
With Kaeya nodding at my declaration as if he where confirming something
Kaeya; "Something must've happened in the temple, I imagine that there will be slimes, hilichurls and whatever is in there that is giving Storm Terror extra power."
Kaeya; "Oh yes, it is going to be " Lively " in there indeed" (he emphasised the word "lively" quite a bit)
Aether (thoughts); 'Knowing Kaeya character from in the game and lore, he is already going to plan to make this less about clearing the temple, and more about seeing my abilities, to see if my story from when i was introduced to the other characters checked out. But I wont give him that chance, I'll just stick to Anemo elemental energy from the "teyvat" world and not use the rest, but only if we face issues.'
Aether; "Will it be dangerous" he asked
Kaeya; "As bustling as it may be - no I cant imagine that it will be dangerous at all".
Kaeya; "Lets head in and finish this quickly so that we can clear out the other temples of the "Four Winds"".
Aether nodded at this and prepared his sword "Serpant Devourer" that he had sheathed on his left side saying with him getting mentally ready. In this scenario, he will not showcase or use his "Projection Magecraft" wish that he got as his 3rd wish because he knew kaeya would question it about him, so he traced a sword earlier before hand and will only really on his " Anemo Skills" and "Wind Breathing" forms for my swordsmanship, that i will enhance with "Anemo Elemental Energy"
Kaeya looked at his determind face with a nod on his head, but not before aether saw the flash of those calculating eyes.
Kaeya; "I'll be there to both observe and guide you around the temple as even though you've done this with amber, a knight needs to know how to adapt to any and all environments. I hope you can take this as a learning experience for the both of us my friend"
Aether (Internal Thoughts) 'He said "my friend" as a way for me to drop my guard, hoping that I might slip up, but like i thought before, that won't happen.'
Aether (Squaring his shoulders); Understood sir
Kaeya (Internally); 'He's not dropping his guard, his planning to be cautious throughout our encounter in the temple.'
He sighs, thinking that his plans for being friendly to lower his guard failed, Ohh well, he guesses thinking that he will have to earn his trust for him to open up.
Once i said that, we turned around and headed to the temple gates but before then, I got a notification from "Great Sage" about what to expect.
Great Sage; ['Notice! The host will be entering "The Temple Of The Wolf",] [ Main objective; Venture forth into the temple with Calvery Captain Kaeya inside the temple and stop stormterror from gaining the power from within] [Possible Rewards Inside The Temple Include;
1) Mora x 25,000 x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),
2) Airbending Scroll x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),
3) Wind Magic Spells - Intermediate Level x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),
4) Wind Style Ninjustu Scrolls x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),
5) Weapon Enhancement Materials x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),
6) Vayuda Turquoise Fragment - x ? ( depends on how much the user effort/experience in the temple),'
Aether (Internal Thoughts); "So these items are guaranteed, but the reward rates and the drop multiplication will depend on how good I work and navigate around the temple. Well I guess, its time for me to truly RAID this temple for all its worth.
Once they where both at the gate, Kaeya placed his hand at the gate entrance and the gates outer lines started to light up in red colours before turning blue and then we both entered into the domain with the gate closing behind us, awaiting and ready for what lies ahead.