Whoooosh—!
The powerful beat of massive wings sent gusts howling across the hillside.
A vast shadow swept over the ground, and in a blink, the figure of a great dragon descended.
Dvalin had arrived.
His immense, elegant form gleamed under the sun. Though an elemental being, his azure scales shimmered like fine gemstones. Having regained the blessing of the Four Winds, he was nearly back to his prime.
With a deep rumble in his chest, Dvalin spoke calmly, "Get on."
"Thanks, Dvalin!" Lumine called, her eyes bright with joy.
Paimon giggled and waved both arms at him, barely managing to hold onto Lumine's cape as the wind whipped around them.
Once they were settled, Dvalin spread his wings wide—
Whoooom—!
The dragon soared skyward.
As the air parted around them, the world below blurred into a tapestry of green and gold. Yet there was no harsh wind where Lumine and Paimon sat—Dvalin had softened the air around them with his Anemo power.
Before long, familiar scenery appeared ahead.
In the distance stood the great oak of Windrise, bathed in light.
Lumine's heartbeat quickened.
Her cheeks were flushed, her palms slightly damp. The closer they got, the more her emotions swelled—joy, nervousness, disbelief.
That moment when Gu Chen had died in her arms flashed vividly before her eyes.
Even if that had been a past life, it felt no different from reality to her.
The only thing that mattered was—
He was alive.
And she was about to see him again.
Dvalin slowed, descending in smooth spirals before gently landing near the Statue of The Seven at Windrise.
"They're over there. I'll leave you now," he said before taking off once more, wings carving waves through the clouds.
"Thank you, Dvalin!!" Paimon shouted after him, though she wasn't sure he could hear. Then she turned, eyes sparkling as she spotted the campfire in the distance.
"Gu Chen!! Your Paimon is here!!"
She darted forward eagerly.
By the fire sat two figures—Gu Chen and Venti, chatting over roasting fish.
Gu Chen looked up as soon as he noticed the dragon's shadow and smiled. He waved casually, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Moments later, Paimon barreled into his chest, hugging him tight. "You're really alive! Hehehe!"
Gu Chen chuckled and patted her head affectionately.
This little floating glutton had always depended on him too much—and honestly, he didn't mind.
Then he tilted his chin toward the fire. "Look what I've got here."
Paimon peeked down, and her eyes went wide.
"The same grilled fish…!" Her voice trembled, and tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She smacked his chest lightly. "It tastes the same as that time! Otherwise, I'm not talking to you for… ten whole minutes!!"
She remembered the letter he had left behind in that past life—and couldn't help tearing up.
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, grinning. "You doubt my cooking? Please. My skills are flawless."
He wasn't lying. His beginner's cooking skill had been overpowered from the start—
simple technique, perfect flavor.
"Paimon! You're taking my spot!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Gu Chen turned, and under the warm glow of sunlight and wind, there she was—
the golden-haired girl, holding a Sweet Flower in her hands.
Her face was flushed pink, golden eyes shimmering with emotion and affection.
"Fine, fine!" Paimon pouted, floating aside.
"Gu Chen!"
"Hmm?" he replied, tilting his head.
Lumine took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly but firm. She stepped forward, thrusting the flower at him.
"I've liked you for a long time! A man who makes a girl confess first is a bad guy—but that's fine! I like bad guys like you!"
She stuffed the Sweet Flower into his hand and stood proudly, arms crossed.
Gu Chen blinked in surprise—then laughed, opening his arms.
"Ehehe~!" Lumine giggled and threw herself into his embrace.
The warmth, the heartbeat, the scent of smoke and wind—
He was real.
And he was hers.
Venti chewed on a piece of grilled fish nearby, expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he snapped a few pictures.
Within seconds, they hit the Transcendence Chat Group.
[Paimon]: Hehehe~ Found Gu Chen! (photo: Paimon hugging Gu Chen)
[Venti]: I've lost my appetite. (photo set: Lumine giving flower / hugging / kissing)
[Zhongli]: It is rather bright for such displays of affection.
[Hu Tao]: My eyes! My poor eyes!! (spits)
[Nilou]: Awww~ Congratulations! (Klee: yay!)
[Collei]: So sweet… I'm jealous~ (dreamy face)
[Prince Aether]: Congrats. (gritted teeth)
[Dainsleif]: That sounded… forced. Shouldn't you send a voice message congratulating your sister?
[Kaeya]: Oof. A fatal blow. (troll emoji)
[Lyney]: Supporting this 100%!
[Furina]: I hereby declare—universal celebration!!
[Yae Miko]: My, my~ The young heroine awakens her Morax's reward and reclaims her destined husband~ (mischievous smile)
[Raiden Ei]: Publish this story. Immediately. (serious)
[Nahida]: (excited gif)
[Ningguang]: Traveler, will you still attend the Rite of Descension? @[Lumine]
[Lumine]: Hold on, I'll ask A-Chen~
[Kaeya]: "I'll ask A-Chen"—yep, certified husband slave. (wink)
[Lumine]: Excuse me?! It's called respecting my partner's opinion!! (pout)
[Venti]: (laughs in Anemo)
At Windrise, Lumine leaned against Gu Chen, whispering, "Should we still go to the Rite of Descension?"
Gu Chen thought for a moment. "Not a bad idea. With how much the world's changed after that video, the event might be very different. Could be worth witnessing."
Lumine gazed up at him, eyes full of light.
To her, the journey had always been about exploring together—and now that he was here again, the world felt complete.
But Gu Chen's voice turned thoughtful. "Although… my plans this time aren't quite the same."
"Oh?"
"I've been thinking… We've been wandering with no real home. It's time to find an anchor—to settle somewhere, and travel when we want to, not because we have to."
"Home…" Lumine murmured.
Then she smiled softly. "If it's with you, anywhere is home."
Gu Chen chuckled. "Exactly what I meant."
She leaned back into him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then… I'll just listen to you."
"Can't stand you two," Venti sighed dramatically, standing with his fish and wine. "Some of us are still single, you know!"
"Wait for me!" Paimon yelped, floating after him.
Once the two "light bulbs" were gone, Lumine smirked and suddenly pushed Gu Chen back onto the grass.
"Now you're mine~"
Gu Chen blinked, utterly unprepared. Since when was she this bold?!
Before he could react—
Her shadow fell over him, and her soft lips pressed against his.
His eyes widened.
There goes my first kiss.
Lumine's face was crimson. "Now you're marked! You're mine forever!"
She looked terribly pleased with herself, despite the nervous flutter in her eyes.
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You seem to have forgotten who's really in charge here."
He flipped her over, grinning—
Only to freeze when he spotted two suspicious "caterpillars" crawling through the grass nearby.
Venti and Paimon were wriggling forward, holding Windwheel Asters in front of their faces as pathetic camouflage.
Their eyes met.
Venti gave a cheeky smile. "Don't mind us! Continue~"
Then he quickly scurried away.
"...Let's eat," Gu Chen sighed, pulling Lumine up with a helpless chuckle.
Though interrupted, Lumine's happiness didn't fade.
They shared grilled fish under the warm sun—
the same taste as that first meeting.
"Try it," Gu Chen said, offering her a piece.
"Ahh—hot! But perfect!" she exclaimed, cheeks puffed.
"See? Talent."
"I don't need to learn. I've got you," she said proudly.
They laughed together, eyes meeting over the firelight.
A little ways off, Venti flopped onto the grass beside Paimon, grumbling, "I told you to move slower! Now we missed the best part."
"Hey, not my fault! I told you this was a bad idea!"
"Ugh, tragic. Truly tragic."
"Then what now?"
"We wait. Going back now would just get us scolded," Venti said wisely, plucking a grass stem to chew on.
"Fine…" Paimon sighed, gazing up at the clouds. "Still… it's kinda nice, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Venti agreed softly. "Old man Zhongli's retiring soon. Think he'll finally have a drink with me?"
"Oh! The Rite of Descension's coming up! We should totally go!"
"Brilliant idea! And with Dvalin's help, we won't even have to walk!"
Venti's eyes sparkled. "It'll be grand! The whole world's heard about Morax's retirement. This year's ceremony will be the liveliest one yet!"
"Let's ask Gu Chen!" Paimon chirped.
"Right—though, uh, maybe not in person…"
Paimon grinned. "I'll handle it!"
[Paimon]: @[Gu Chen] Are you two done yet?
[Ayaka]: (confused emoji)
[Prince Aether]: (alert)
[Jean]: Huh?! Paimon, what do you mean by that?!
[Barbara]: (blushing)
[Hu Tao]: (shocked Paimon emoji)
[Zhongli]: …
[Furina]: Do you have a video? I want to see!!
[Neuvillette]: Please stop being so unrestrained online!! (facepalm)
[Venti]: Haha! Wild as ever, Furina. But Paimon! Wrong phrasing! @[Gu Chen] You two lovebirds are done talking?
[Amber]: Oh, so it was just talking… I panicked for a second.
[Raiden Ei]: I believed it instantly. (nod)
[Yae Miko]: (mischievous grin)
[Gu Chen]: ???
[Gu Chen]: I was grilling fish, what are you people even thinking?!
[Venti]: Hahaha! Classic misunderstanding~
[Paimon]: Huh? I did mean talking! You guys are the weird ones!
Venti blinked. "...So they really were just eating?"
"Guess it's us with the dirty minds!" Paimon admitted, cheeks red.
"Come on, let's go."
They returned to the camp, where Gu Chen was laughing helplessly.
"The Rite of Descension?"
"Of course. When the Geo Archon retires, the whole world's going to celebrate."
"Then let's head out soon!" Lumine said brightly.
"No problem," Venti declared proudly. "I'll call Dvalin—we'll fly straight there!"
"Perfect," Gu Chen agreed, smiling. "I was planning to settle in Liyue anyway."
"What? Not Mondstadt?"
Gu Chen chuckled. "You wouldn't understand. Still, we'll visit sometimes—maybe spend summers here."
Venti nodded approvingly. "Fair enough! I can already see it—me and the old man, finally sharing a drink instead of tea. He deserves a good night off!"
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