The Whispering Woods lay close to Starfell Lake, its dense canopy catching the afternoon sun. Patches of shifting light slid across the ground whenever the wind pushed through the leaves.
Klee hopped ahead with unspent energy, her small figure weaving in and out of bushes and tree trunks.
Kael Arclight walked behind her, covering a yawn. He was starting to feel the fatigue settle in. Once they returned to Mondstadt, he planned to sleep well.
"Kael, hurry. It's right up ahead."
Klee waved him over with a bright grin. Kael picked up his pace and pushed through a cluster of shrubs. She had stopped in a small clearing.
The clearing looked ordinary, a little overgrown and almost neglected, yet Klee happily pulled out a small shovel she always carried.
"Klee, what are you doing?"
"Digging up treasure."
Klee got right to work, humming cheerfully as she scooped away at the soil. Before long, loose earth scattered aside, and a small wooden box emerged from underneath.
Covered in dirt, the box looked like it had been buried for some time. Klee tossed her shovel aside, bent down, and lifted it out with both hands. Her face lit up with satisfaction.
"Yay, it's all still here. Klee's treasure bombs."
"The last time I came here, I had too many bombs to carry, so I hid some."
"Treasure bombs?"
Kael raised a brow. When Klee opened the lid, several red bombs lay neatly arranged inside. Each one gleamed as if she had polished them carefully. A cheerful face, drawn in her hand-painted style, smiled from each shell.
Klee hugged the box and swayed it proudly.
"Hehe. I knew they would still be here. I used up all my bombs at Starfell Lake, so these are perfect. It's a good thing Klee planned ahead."
Kael stared quietly, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.
Other people buried treasure.
This little girl buried explosives.
And she truly cherished them as treasure too.
As Klee pulled bomb after bomb from the box and tossed them into her already stuffed backpack, Kael noticed something else. No matter how much she added, the bag never looked full.
He narrowed his eyes.
This backpack had held fish earlier, plus all her usual explosives. It still had room for more.
Klee noticed his look and giggled.
"Kael, this backpack was custom-made for Klee by Albedo. It can hold lots and lots of things."
Kael nodded slowly. That explained a lot. Albedo doted on her, and for an alchemist, making a spatial pouch was hardly a challenge.
Still, he found himself pausing at the sight of a small girl carrying an entire arsenal on her back.
Especially when those bombs were things he could empower with Path of Destruction energy.
"All right."
Klee clapped her hands, cheerful again. "Everything is packed. Kael, let's go back and blow up more fish."
Kael stared for a moment.
"You want to return to Starfell Lake?"
He looked up at the sky. It was already afternoon. If they went back out that far and returned afterward, they would reach Mondstadt at night. Sleeping outdoors was not ideal, especially with the wildlife of Teyvat.
And he still needed to hand in his commission at the Adventurers' Guild.
"Oh."
Klee scratched her head. "Klee forgot the time."
If they went back now, it would be too late. She visibly wilted with disappointment.
"Let's go. We should return to Mondstadt. I still need to report my completed task."
"Okay."
Klee perked up again. "Then we can play tomorrow."
They left the Whispering Woods together. A fresh breeze drifted through the trees, bringing the faint scent of leaves and earth. Klee's laughter trailed behind them like sparkling bells.
Soon, the shadows of the woods thinned away. The horizon opened into the shimmering expanse of Cider Lake. Sunlight danced across its clear waters, while waterbirds rested near the reeds, forming a quiet, peaceful scene.
"Cider Lake is here."
Klee ran ahead joyfully and hurried to the shoreline. She rummaged through her backpack again and drew out a red bomb, identical to the ones they had just dug up.
"Kael, look. The lake is huge. Want to try bombing fish here?"
Without waiting for a reply, she threw the bomb high.
"Let's try this one and see how many fish it brings up."
The bomb hit the water.
The explosion tore through the lake before the sound even finished forming.
A deafening roar shook the air. A towering column of water surged upward, nearly reaching the clouds. Spray and debris rained down across the surrounding grass, and even the distant wooden bridge quivered faintly.
Kael stared silently.
Cider Lake was Mondstadt's primary freshwater reservoir, a long-standing symbol of the city. Its clarity and sweetness shaped Mondstadt's famous wines. Seeing Klee casually toss bombs into it felt almost unreal.
Klee, however, was delighted.
She immediately threw another bomb.
She was clearly remembering how powerful her bombs had become once Kael empowered them. She was enthusiastic.
Another blast erupted.
Klee raised her hand to throw a third bomb, then suddenly stopped. Her expression froze. She slapped her forehead and scrunched her face.
"Oh no…"
"The bombs Kael empowered are not the same as before. Cider Lake is so close to Mondstadt. The city must have heard that."
"What if the Knights think monsters are attacking?"
Kael said nothing.
As she spoke, a blaring series of warning horns sounded from Mondstadt.
The explosions had reached them.
Knights gathered quickly along the city walls, peering outward with tense expressions. Citizens outside the gate looked around in confusion and fear as the echoes rolled across the plains.
"What was that explosion?"
"It came from outside the city."
"Is it monsters again?"
Voices rose one after another.
On the battlements, the stationed Knights of Favonius exchanged alarmed looks.
"How did such a strong blast go off outside the city?"
"Send someone to check immediately."
"I am going to report to Acting Grand Master Jean."
"There may be a monster attack."
Orders spread across the wall. Knights began to mobilize, organizing themselves with practiced precision. One of their patrol leaders was already sprinting toward headquarters.
Mondstadt had taken the explosions seriously.
And the chaos was only beginning.