Hello everyone, we are getting closer and closer to 7.0 on Genshin and already from what I heard from lastest announcement that we got hit with a bombshell about the Tsaritsa which makes things interesting to say the least.
Let me know what you think about it and how you think it might affect my story in a sense.
___________________________________________________________________________
June 22nd, 1941
At exactly 3:15 in the morning, the big guns opened up. German artillery throughout the entire Eastern front from the icy Baltic to the warm Black Sea began to fire on Soviet positions. The Luftwaffe began pouring into the skies of the western frontiers of the Soviet Union striking down any plane that it could find. On the ground of Soviet airfields, thousands of planes that were caught parked on the ground would be destroyed within a very quick time frame to where the Soviet Air Force was for a time all but ceased to exist.
In echo, at 5:30 that morning, the German ambassador to the Soviet Union was admitted to the office of Foreign Commissar Molotov. By this point,German troops were already marching into Soviet territory with entire Panzer Armies spearheading the invasion. The German Ambassador, Count Schulenberg, placed on to the desk of the Foreign Commissar two documents. The first was a memorandum from the German government that accused the Soviet Union of concentrating forces for an attack upon Germany and Western Europe. The second, bearing the Pale star of Snezhnaya, declared that those same preparations threatened the realm of the Tsaritsa, Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya, and the stability of the nations of Teyvat that it protected.
Molotov listened as the ambassador read them and said nothing. But eventually, he looked across the desk at Schulenburg and blinked in disbelief. The second document was what really had his attention, but more importantly was the name of this foreign monarch tied to the Germans:
"Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya," he repeated, "Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya?"
His expression remained controlled, but a coldness could be felt in the room.
"A Tsaritsa bearing a Russian name and title now joins Hitler in attacking us?"
Schulenberg lowered his eyes as the tears never stopped flowing from his eyes as he hung down his head as if in shame.
Molotov processed the unmistakably Russian name again.
For a brief moment, Molotov believed that he understood the trick. Surely, this was another invention from Berlin, perhaps some Romanov Pretender or White émigré adventuress whom Hitler had dressed in a crown and presented to the world as the ruler of an imaginary kingdom with Russian title. He remembered the intelligence reports of unfamiliar soldiers in the Balkans with machines that did not match German manufacturing. The British accusations about the Bismarck and the previous reports that Moscow dismissed as fantasy or capitalist provocation.
Molotov read the second document that Schulenberg handed him and he looked at the Russian name beneath a symbol that he was not familiar with. When he finally had the energy to speak, disbelief had given way.
"What have we done to deserve this?"
Rava-Ruska, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union
June 23rd, 1941
The Soviet counterattack began shortly after sunrise. For hours the men of the Soviet 41st Rifle Division had endured German artillery, dive-bombers, machine gun fire and repeated infantry assaults against their positions. The defensive fortifications of bunkers north and west of Rava-Ruska were damaged but remained functional. The Germans began to fall back after repeated attempts to break through the Soviet lines of the 41st Rifle Division. Most of the German units that were attacking the division were mainly infantry of the 17th German Army where the German 1st Panzer Group was heading a spearhead for Army Group South further north. The infantry were advancing on foot while depending on their supply coming through much slower horses pulling their cargo.
Although the Army Groups Centre and North were making much better pace in their invasion in comparison, Army Group South with much preparation done on the part of the Fatui had still ran into much stiffer resistance than anticipated. In the years prior, the Soviet Union felt that if an invasion by the Germans were done, then the main priority of said invasion would be the resource rich regions of Ukraine and the Caucasus. There, the Germans had encountered a stronger and much well fortified force in Ukraine. At Rava-Ruska, this assumption had produced fortified positions, the heaviest of Soviet formations that were prepared to defend the border.
For the Soviet soldiers of the 102nd Rifle Regiment, these preparations had brought a positive development in the invasion that came upon as they and 244th Rifle Regiment managed to push the German invader back by regaining some ground lost during the opening assaults. For the first time since the start of the invasion, Red Army Soldiers could see the enemy retreating before them.
Krasnoarmeyet Leonid Solovyov of the 102nd Rifle Regiment had been one of the first to be both inspired and cheerful in their recent efforts in beating the Hitlerites back. Their regiment's commissar had been giving rhetoric to the troops since yesterday to keep pushing the Germans back from Soviet soil and for the Motherland. Leonid heard the shrieking sound of falling bombs from the German bombers and the shells of the Fascist Artillery. Earlier he had seen the brief glimpses of gray uniforms moving between shell craters. The German soldiers had seemed less like individual men than pieces of some vast machine that appeared unstoppable.
But it was a machine that was going backwards.
Across the field, German Infantry were withdrawing toward a thin belt of trees. Their conditions varied from organized groups to wounded mobs needing to be carried by their comrades. Some began to run, while a mortar crew abandoned its weapon and ammunition crates.
"They are retreating," said the soldier beside Leonid.
The soldier's name was Pavel Krylov, a broad-face former railway worker from Kyiv that Leonid had made friends with since he joined the regiment.
Leonid watched a German soldier stumble into a shell crater and disappear.
"They could be trying to draw us out," Leonid suggested.
Pavel grinned and proudly replied, "Then they are drawing themselves back to Berlin."
A moment later a whistle sounded farther down the Soviet Line as Officers climbed the trenches with Pistols raised and cried.
"FORWARD!"
The command spread from one position to the next, while Leonid hauled his scrawny body over parapet and followed his squad into the open field. His legs felt heavy after hours beneath bombardment, where every step carried him past evidence of the fighting. While the Germans continued to retreat at their sector, a cheer rose from the Soviet Line.
Lenoid did not join it at first as he kept his rifle against his shoulder and watched the trees ahead. He watched as some men fired at the retreating Germans even when the range was too great for accurate shooting, while others began to shout insults at them. A young red army man near Leonid waved his cap over his head and mockingly shouted 'goodbye' until a sergeant ordered him to put it back on.
They then reached the abandoned mortar position. Pavel stopped beside and lifted one of the ammunition crates.
"A present from Hitler," He shouted with a smirk.
Several men laughed and even made some jokes, but Sergeant Viktor Malenkov was not amused. Malenkov was a hardliner that was transferred from Sevastopol and tended to act more like a commissar to his company.
"Leave it, they are worth more on the ground than you standing here," Malenkov told Pavel, knocking the crates off his hands.
Pavel's smile faded as he replied as the crate landed on the mud with a dull thud, "Yes, Comrade Sergeant."
"Good," Malenkov said, "The Germans are still retreating. They ran into the forest. So are we."
Leonid passed the German mortar, where he could see one of its crewmen laying beside the weapon with a hole through his head. He appeared no older than Leonid with his helmut covering most of the pale hair as blood ran down his face from his forehead. One hand remained wrapped around the strap of an empty ammunition case. Leonid looked away as the victory felt less glorious when examined up close.
Ahead, the field narrowed as it approached the trees, smoke drifted among the trunks that turned the morning sunlight into narrow gray pillars. Rifle shots could be heard cracking inside the forest.
Malenkov raised one hand as he pointed to the forest, "Spread out. Watch the flanks."
The squad entered the forest as they carefully moved forward with the air cool and strangely still beneath the trees. Smoke hung close to the ground that carried the scents of burnt gunpowder and damp soil. They found discarded German packs and the remains of used field dressing. However, they could not find any bodies, potential prisoners, and no Germans waiting to surrender.
As they examined the area around, a bird called somewhere above them as the forest became silent. Then the sudden heavy cold fog rolled up to them from the north. At first, it was a thin white ribbon curling around the trunks. But within moments it thickened, spreading across the forest ground and rising past the soldiers knees. Moving with unusually fast speed as it swallowed anything around it. Not far ahead, the soldiers could even see a higher wall of thick white fog move up as tall as the trees and turn them into dark shadows.
Pavel watched it approach and tilted his head, "Fog?"
"It happens," another soldier said.
"Not like this."
A cold gust of wind moved through the forest as Leonid shivered. Only moments earlier, sweat had soaked the collar of his tunic. Now, the damp cloth felt icy against his neck and his breath appeared faintly before his face.
Pavel rubbed his hands together, "It's June."
No answered his comment as the taller wall reached before the squad and stopped just a few meters before them. The wall did not move forward any more and towered over them. Some of the men felt fear before them as they moved backwards a few meters. The fog seemed to muffle every sound around where the distant sound of artillery seemed to have fallen silent.
Leonid could hear his own breath easily. He heard the small metallic clicks of men adjusting their rifle bolts, while Pavel was heard muttering something that sounded like a prayer.
Malenkov noticed the men back away and raised his pistol, "Hold your positions."
Leonid lowered his eyes toward his rifle as a thin white crust formed around the barrel. He rubbed it with his thumb and felt the ice break beneath his glove.
"Comrade Sergeant," Leonid called.
Malenkov glanced at him as Leonid held out the rifle as frost crept along the metal before their eyes. Pavel stopped rubbing his hands
"Comrade Sergeant, maybe we should fall back?" one of the soldiers suggested, "We are too far from our lines and we can't exactly see the Germans at all."
Malenkov looked toward the wall of fog, but Leonid watched as the Sergeant did not answer for a minute.
"We have orders to advance," Malenkov finally said.
"Orders did not mention this," Pavel replied.
"Do you wish to explain this to the Comissar?"
Pavel said nothing and lowered his eyes.
Then a metallic sound came from inside the fog with a loud clank and what sounded like a voice. But the voice did not sound anything like a human. To Leonid, the voice that was heard could best be described as a metalically muffled voice.
"What's that sound?" asked one of the other soldiers asked.
"Quiet," Malenkov ordered as he raised his pistol toward the wall of fog, "IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!"
There was no immediate response but something was definitely in there as a violent sound of trees being knocked over continuously could be heard. By the second, the violent thumping and cracking sound of trees were increasing more and more. The ground beneath the feet of the troops rattled, Leonid could literally feel the bones and joints in his legs literally shake from the vibrations.
"Who's there?" Malenkov yelled again, firing a round from his pistol into the air.
No response came at first until a tall bulk came behind the fog. The Bulk was taller than any of the trees near the troops and could easily rival the entire height of the tallest dome of Saint Basil's Cathedral. The body was dark bronze in some parts, but mainly looked like carved stone with a single glowing red eye. There were four long jointed limbs with two in a position for a human, but there was an additional arm on its back angled upward. The bulk's lower section had no legs or feet, but a gyroscope-like contraption that spun as it rose up higher. Leonid could not decide if it was something between a tank or an aircraft as it looked at them with that glowing red eye.
Pavel whispered with wide eyes, "Bozhe moi."
Malenkov raised his pistol with both hands and a shaky grip as he ordered, "FIRE!"
The squad opened fire as bullets struck the machine's armor and scattered sparks across its body. The red eye flickered, but the machine did not fall. The Bulk suddenly surged upward as it four skeletal arms rose above its body, spreading through the fog like the limbs of some enormous spider. For a quick moment, it hovered over the soldiers, its red eye fixed upon them while the the rings beneath its torso spun faster and faster. With two of its arms on its right side suddenly turning into sharp elongated spears as it pitched forward and plunged at the squad.
The machine struck the ground with force and speed of an artillery shell, while its speared arms struck the earth.
Leonid stared upward for a moment and then shouted, "MOVE!"
Leonid jumped to the side as Pavel followed soon as frozen soil, roots, and pieces of the troops were sent flying. The shockwave lifted men, like Leonid and Pavel, off their feet and flying away from the crater. Pavel landed on the ground without a scratch and worked right himself carefully. However, Leonid was sent hurling to the trunk of a tree with his shoulder striking first. Pain exploded through his chest as he felt the air in his lungs be suddenly expelled. In his ears. all that Leonid could hear was nothing but a deafening ringing.
Landing on his side, he groaned as he tried to get to his feet but lacked the energy to do so. He rolled his side to where he looked to where his squad was at and saw the crater that the bulk made. He could see about four other men in his squad not far from the crater, but others that were at where the crater is now were missing. But he could figure out one figure not far from the crater.
Malenkov had been thrown backwards as he was meters away from the crater. He had lost his pistol and…below the knee under ruined fabric his left leg. The sergeant screamed in agony as he clutched the ruined fabric of his trousers as his voice cut through the ringing in Leonid's ears.
Pavel crawled toward him, "Comrade Sergeant."
Malenkov looked up at Pavel with his face white with shock.
"Get back to the line!" Malenkov screamed, "Warn HQ immediately ... .NOW!"
The bulk lifted itself higher and threw its arms apart as all four of its arms detached from the shape of its and unfolded beside itself. Bronze plates rotated outward as they locked into frames around the circular openings of where its arms had been and resembled into the muzzles of enormous guns. The muzzles glowed a dull orange color, then they went horizontal as they fired shells out of them.
"GO!" Malenkov yelled.
Pavel stagged to his feet and ran toward Leonid, where he seized the back of Leonid's tunic and pulled him away from the tree.
"Stand!" Pavel said.
"I can't breathe," Leonid said.
Pavel dragged him up right and threw one of Leonid's arms across his shoulders. The bulky machine continued to fire as the shells went up in the air and came back down. One of the shells changed direction and curved toward the tree trunks.
"They are following us!" Pavel shouted.
The first projectile struck behind them tearing apart a tree and threw splinters across Leonid's back. Another slammed into ground beside the crater as it engulfed two wounded men in fire as they screamed.
Malenkov remained where he had fallen as he lifted one arm toward the retreating soldiers.
"Keep going!" he yelled before the third projectile descended.
Pavel pulled Leonid behind a tree as the forest flashed orange with the blast swallowing Malenkov's voice. Leonid tried to look back, but Pavel tightened his and dragged him onward.
"Do not stop"
Through the fog ahead, more Soviet soldiers were running toward the fortifications. Some had discarded their rifles, while others shouted that somehow German tanks with a blue star had cut the road. Behind them came the metallic muffled voice of the bulky machine as it climbed above the trees to fire again.
The White House, Washington, D.C.
June 23rd, 1941
7:15pm
The sun had not yet set when Aether first saw the White House, but the even light had rested upon its columns. As they rode a motorcade from Pug's home in Annapolis, Aether was still wearing his blue outfit from England, sat in the back with Paimon on his lap and Pug right beside him. But after a few hours, they arrived and the motorcade stopped as the doors were opened. The group were lead into the interior with a group of Secret Service agents.
"Wow…." Paimon said in admiration, "This place has at lot to it…..it seems to be more….well…bland compared to everything we've seen so far."
Aether rolled his eyes as he wanted to tell Paimon to stop before she gets too far ahead, but knew that it would be no good. He just hoped that she said nothing that would insult the President as in a sense, he and Paimon are being treated as guests from the non-Fatui aligned nations of Teyvat if that could be a title. But he decided that it was best to at least remind her of being watchful of her manners.
"Remember we will be having dinner with the President, so be mindful of yourself," Aether said as if he was talking to her as if she were an unruly child.
"Alright ... .Alright…Paimon gets it," Paimon retorted, "But Paimon was nice at Pug's Home and with Churchill."
The Secret Service agents guiding them through the White House appeared determined not to look directly at Paimon as if they had been warned about her beforehand. Eventually they entered a dining room with yellow walls and yellow curtains on the windows. Then on the wall was a painting of a man on a chair wearing a black outfit and had expression as if he was pondering a situation. Aether had expected something closer to the Jade Chamber or the Palais Mermonis with constantly moving attendants. But the White House and the room itself seemed quieter in comparison.
Aether slowed for a moment as they were led into the room.
"Who is that?"
Pug followed his gaze.
"Abraham Lincoln," Pug answered, "Our sixteenth President. He was present during the Civil War."
Aether walked closer to the painting to inspect it.
"You had a Civil War?"
"About the issue of Slavery, yes," Pug answered, "Eleven Southern States left the Union rather than accept a government they believed might restrict."
Aether continued studying the portrait.
"And Lincoln stopped them?"
"Eventually," Pug said, "The war lasted four years. More Americans died fighting one another in any other war this country has fought."
Aether glanced back at him.
"And what happened to Lincoln after the war?" the Blond Traveller asked.
Pug's expression changed, "He was assassinated before he could see much of the peace."
Paimon's expression went grim as she looked at the portrait.
Before anything else could be said, a pair of doors opened at the far end of the room. A tall woman with graying hair entered dressed plainly but elegantly. Beside her came a thin man whose narrow face and hollow cheeks made him appear unwell, though his eyes remained sharp. But supporting himself upon the thin man's forearm was another older man walking in with a cane and wearing a broad but confident smile on his face.
Aether immediately recognized him from the newspapers and remembered hearing his calm voice roll from the wireless sets in London. Before him was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who looked broader through the shoulders than the photographs suggested. His dark suit was neatly tailored, while a cigarette holder rested at a jaunty angle between his teeth. His movements were slow and deliberate with one hand gripping the cane and the other firmly around the thin man's forearm.
Pug immediately straightened up, "Mr. President.
Roosevelt stopped several steps inside the room and looked toward the Naval Officer with a smile.
"Pug," he greeted warmly, "It is good to see that you made it back safely after that Convoy drill you wonderful on after we last met."
"Well, there were some tense moments, Mr. President," Pug answered.
"Yes, but you handled it splendidly," Roosevelt replied.
Then the President's gaze went to Paimon for a brief instant with no open stare, gasp, or any form of surprised reaction.
Pug stepped aside as he introduced the pair, "Mr. President, may I present Aether, commonly known throughout Teyvat as the Traveler, and his companion, Paimon."
Aether bowed respectfully and introduced himself, "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. President."
Paimon hurriedly followed with her own bow.
"It's a very big honor," she added.
Roosevelt's eyes rested on Paimon for a moment, but only with the mild curiosity.
"The honor is mine, Miss. Paimon," he said, "Pug's report described you in great detail."
Roosevelt pointed towards the thin man that he had arm wrapped around, "This is my advisor Harry Hopkins. He handles a considerable number of matters for me that can at times fall on no department."
Hopkin gave the President a tired sideways glance.
"That is one description of my duties," the thin man answered.
Roosevelt just laughed as Hopkins released his arm once the president had steadied himself with the cane. Hopkins walked up to Aether and Paimon as he extended his hand with an introduction.
"Mr. Aether."
Aether shook it.
"Mr. Hopkins."
Hopkins then looked toward Paimon and his expression remained composed as well. Although, his eyes briefly travelled from her floating feet to the halo above her head.
"And Miss. Paimon."
"Paimon is just Paimon," she exclaimed, "Miss. Paimon sounds strange…no offense, Mr. Hopkins."
"Then you and Mr. Aether can call me Harry"
Roosevelt pointed toward the tall woman beside him.
"And this is my wife, Eleanor."
Eleanor Roosevelt approached them and offered Aether her hand.
"Welcome to the United States," she said warmly, "I understand you, both, have travelled far and wide to reach us."
"You say several bumps on the road, Ms. Roosevelt," Aether said admittedly, "We started off from Fontaine then to Liyue and Mondstadt then we landed in Berlin and had to be snuck out to Britain. Afterwards, sailed to Halifax and then took a train to Annapolis."
Eleanor's expression showed a genuine motherly expression of concern rather than diplomatic politeness.
"You have endured a great deal," she said.
"Yea, and Paimon had to pretend to be a baby," Paimon added.
Roosevelt raised an eyebrow, "A baby?"
Pug's mouth moved a corner, "Apparently, as part of the disguise to get them out, it was the only practical means of getting them out of Germany."
"I confess," Roosevelt said, "this is the first time that I have heard such a story."
Eleanor gestured toward the table as she spoke, "Perhaps we should sit and discuss more during dinner."
Roosevelt nodded as he walked to a chair at the head of the table, while his legs remained stiff beneath him. Each step requiring him to shift his weight while Aether watched without intending to stare. He had met rulers who had concealed every weakness through all means possible to their divine authority. But Roosevelt's condition was plainly visible to him, but it did not diminish his presence.
Roosevelt noticed Aether watching as the young man found a chair to sit as a butler brought a booster seat for Paimon.
"An old illness," Roosevelt explained to the Traveller, "It deprived me of the use of my legs but thankfully a stay at Warm Springs helped me gain my confidence back."
Aether lowered his eyes.
"I apologize, Mr. President. I did not intend to stare."
"No apology is necessary," Roosevelt replied as he lowered himself to the chair, "Most people tend to stare the first time."
Eleanor took the chair to her husband's right, while Harry sat beside her. Pug took his place across from Aether, where the young man was right in front of him. A butler quietly moved around the table, pouring water into glasses and checking the arrangement of the silverware. After some time, the first course arrived in the form of soup, warm bread, and butter.
For several minutes, the conversation was pleasant. Eleanor asked Aether about Teyvat which led to a conversation about Archons being a majority women. Then it continued on how a good number of the leadership positions in Teyvat were run by women, which seemed to be of great interest to Eleanor. President Roosevelt then asked Aether more about him personally and his own family.
"So you travelled to Teyvat, but this woman that calls herself the Sustainer of the Heavenly Principles stopped you and your sister. Then she separated you," he repeated.
Aether nodded briefly as he continued, "Then I was asleep for a long time and woke up."
"And you have been searching for her ever since," Eleanor said as her hands became still.
Aether nodded.
"You look older than you appear," President Roosvelt said.
Aether hesitated and then nodded with a reply, "Yes."
"And how did you come across Paimon by chance?" Roosevelt asked curiously.
"I fished her out of the water when trying to get food," Aether said with a smile.
Roosevelt laughed as he replied, "Well, I guess you made one hell of a catch."
Paimon was almost offended as Roosevelt laughed.
"Have you had any luck finding your sister?" Eleanor asked.
Aether's smile faded, "I found her once."
Pug noticed the change in the atmosphere immediately as Paimon stopped reaching for another piece of bread.
Eleanor seemed to notice it, "She is alive?"
Aether nodded, "Yes, but she refused to come with me."
"Why?"
"She told me that I have not yet learned the truth about Teyvat," Aether explained, "That I need to finish my journey throughout the nations before I could understand why she chosen the oath she did."
"And what is that path?" Hopkins asked.
Aether hesitated before answering, "She is with the Abyss Order."
"You mean the group causing problems in Natlan that our Snezhnayan Envoy Tartaglia mentions? That he describes as an enemy of both the Fatui and the nations of Teyvat?" Roosevelt asked for clarification.
Aether looked toward him with surprise.
"Tartaglia told you about them?"
"Not as much as I would have liked, he was using it as an excuse to explain Snezhnaya entry into Hitler's little gang," Roosevelt replied, "He was rather less forthcoming on a bunch of things, not only the part about your sister. Right now, my Secretary of State has the impression that Churchill's declaration of war struck a cord on the man."
"What does this Abyssal Order want? And does your sister lead them?" Eleanor asked.
"She doesn't lead, I don't think. But she does have authority and they call her Princess," Aether explained, "But the Abyss is the remains of Khaenri'ah. Many of its people were cursed and transformed into creatures. They want revenge on Celestia and destroy the nations ruled by the Seven."
Eleanor looked troubled as she processed it, "Transformed as punishment?"
"When met Lady Arlecchino in Berlin, she did tell me that what happened in Khaenri'ah was nothing that could be compared in the Bible even in Sodom and Gomorrah," Pug stated.
"But what reason would these Heavenly Principles have for taking retribution against an entire people?" Eleanor asked.
Aether had no answer as he remained silent for several moments. He admitted that he did not know why, but referenced what happened at Fontaine with the Properchy Crisis.
"My god," Hopkins said, "And I have heard some people question God's decision to drown the world during Noah's time. But this is different…."
"Yes, and in this story, the people of Fontaine were originally different and their sin was their transformation," Roosevelt said, "Also, in this situation, it took a lawyer's dodge to save the people."
A moment later, the main course came in. The smell of food like roasted chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and gravy filled the air.
"Another question, Aether, about the Fatui, their Harbingers, and the Tsaritsa. How does your world view them all?" Roosevelt asked as plates started to be served.
"Well," Aether admitted, "there is no single answer. But in general, most people don't like Fatui. They are diplomats, merchants, and almost even a role of influential dominance possibly serving on the Tsartisa. They have embassies in almost every nation, but their agents inside either create or exploit a crisis in all the nations."
"And the governments of Teyvat tolerate this?" Eleanor asked.
"Not by choice," Aether answered, "Snezhnayan merchants and ports provide a lot to trade. I've hundreds of Fatui it seems at times, but they always have more behind them. But they also have diplomatic protection."
"Even if their activities become known?" Pug asked as he leaned forward.
"At times, there was not enough proof. Or exposing them creates more problems than its worth…Like in Liyue for example, they tried to infiltrate the Qixing in getting a supporter groomed ready to replace an aging member considering retirement," Aether explained.
"Oh…mean that guy….Zhiyi…" Paimon said as she started eating from her plate.
Aether nodded.
"He wanted to succeed Uncle Tian, the member retiring and does the policy making of the Qixing. The Fatui fueled Zhiyi and encouraged his ambition where they could use him after he gained the position," Aether continued, "Sponsored discreetly by the Regrator..also known as Pantalone. But the plan failed"
"Thank god it was Tartaglia you chose to come to Springwood," Hopkins said with relief to Roosevelt.
Paimon and Aether shared a glance as Pug closed his eyes in response.
Hopkins noticed and suddenly felt regret.
"What?" he asked.
"Tartaglia tried to drown Liyue Harbor by unleashing an ancient sea monster called Osial from the sea," Aether explained, "He hoped to draw out Liyue Archon to reveal himself."
"I withdraw my gratitude," Hopkins said.
"And the man neglected to mention that after all of these talks," Roosevelt said, "What about this alliance that Snezhnaya has with Hitler? Does Teyvat know about it? And how do they feel about it in general?"
Aether rested his fork beside his plate for a moment as he cut the chicken.
"The Alliance was the biggest news in Teyvat, the Germans was already doing trade at Fontaine buying Ruin components," He said, "But the recent news that we had before we left was the news of the Metel Directive of the Fatui in Yugoslavia. The Fatui claimed that they were restoring order in a new member of the alliance that experienced a coup."
"Restoring order," Hopkins huffed.
"That was Fatui's explanation," Aether said, "The information came through the Steambird, but most of its sources were Fatui's own public statements. We had no way of knowing how much of it was true."
"Well, the Fatui have been making work on that restoring part," Roosevelt said, "Wonder if news about Russia and Britain Declaration of War on the Tsaritsa ever reached Teyvat yet?"
"A friend of ours said not yet, but it was mainly about the declaration," Paimon answered.
"I was wondering if you would be willing to stay for a bit, Aether and Paimon. I told Pug long ago when this Fatui business reached us that I wanted to meet someone that can give me the other side of the story. And I believe we found him," Roosevelt said, "Would you be willing? You be guests and be under the protection of Commander Henry. I know you promised to help the British. Me and Churchill have been always in close communication at times, so you would still be fulfilling your honor."
"And after helping you, what would happen afterwards?" Aether asked.
"We would be willing to find a way for you to get back to Teyvat and help tell our side of the story to the other nations there," Roosevelt offered.
At the Ruins of Khaenri'ah
Earth Time: June 25th, 1941
A woman with blonde hair and a white outfit stood before a ruin of destruction that once belonged to the great civilization that once existed. Around her surroundings were different floating streams of black and red cubes connected together as they moved like a river of death. She thought about all of the memories that she had here in this nation before the Cataclysm and showed no emotions, where she gave a blank but pained stare into the abyss of ruins. A section of shattered road stretched before her as it remained partly buried beneath collapsed pillars. She walked around as she touched a lantern.
"Some day soon, we will rebuild what is lost and take our place in destroying the throne of this world to end my war with destiny," she said to herself
"Your highness!"
The woman turned to the voice behind her as an Hydro Abyss Herald stood several paces away with one fist held against his chest and bowed his helmeted head.
"What is it?" the Princess said as her expression remained unchanged but her golden eyes narrowed.
"There has been an incident with the new Ley Lines for Khaenri'ah," the Herald explained, "It has been growing without instruction at an alarming rate."
The Princess stared at the Herald for several seconds.
"How fast?"
"The Primary root has extended more than thirty meters since midnight," the Herald answered, "An additional unplanned secondary branch has appeared. But the more concerning issue is that there are signs of contamination in the new Ley Lines."
The Princess's eyes sharpened as she questioned, "Contamination from the Abyss?"
"No, your Highness," the Herald explained, "The corruption does originate from the Abyss. We believe that it came from the other world…"
Surprise filled the face of the Princess as she processed what the Herald meant by this belief.
"Explain" was what she ordered next.
The Herald kept his fist to his chest as he explained.
"Several days ago, the new Ley Lines began to relieve memories that did not belong Khaenri'ah or any other civilization in Teyvat. At first, we believed that they were fragments displaced and distorted during the Cataclysm. However, the images contained objects and people that do not exist beneath this world's sky."
The Princess continued her silence as the Herald continued.
"It was until we witnessed soldiers wearing uniforms used by the foreigner allied with Snezhnaya."
"Earth," the Princess said quietly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The floating cubes continued to stream past them as the Princess paced herself on the ruined street.
Then the Princess talked again as she looked back to the Herald, "But how could memories from Earth enter a Ley Line created here?"
"We do not know for certain," he answered, "However, our suspicion is that the manner in which Snezhnaya opened the passages between the two worlds has formed a deeper connection than the physical portals used by the Fatui."
"So because the portals are more wounds, they are leaking damage into the two worlds," the Princess summarized.
The Herald inclined his helmeted head.
"That is the closet explanation our engineers have produced, Your highness. But the damage does not appear to travel the portals in the manner of physical matter."
The Princess stopped pacing, "Then what is crossing?"
"Memories."
The Herald lowered his fist from his chest and opened his armored hand if attempting to hold something that could not be seen.
"The passages created by Snezhnaya do more than connect the locations. Each time one is created, the two worlds occupy the same boundary. Their laws, energies, and histories touch one another. Even if the portals close, the impression like a scar remains afterwards."
"And the Ley Lines are finding these scars?"
"Yes, and the magnitude of these memories were noticed months ago but were not enough to be a concern," the Herald continued, "But in the last three days, these memories have increased in the thousands at least to where the contamination has increased dramatically."
"Would this have anything to do with the Snezhnaya's recently declared Special Defensive Operation against the Soviet Union that they announced to Teyvat?" the Princess asked with a raised eyebrow.
The silence from the Herald was all confirmation needed for the Princess.
"So the Tsaritsa announces that she is protecting Teyvat from the dangers of Bolshevism while the dead from her operation poison the foundations of another nation," was what the Princess commented.
"Yes, and it turns out that the Tsaritsa announced that Snezhanya is also at war with the British Empire for planning to collaborate with the Soviets on colonizing Teyvat."
The Princess huffed as not wanting to believe such an absurd claim.
"Do we know if the British or Soviets even have the ability to do so?" she asked.
"No; Although, we believe the British are trying to find a way to connect Teyvat, the Soviets are too militarily disorganized to do anything even before the Snezhnayan Special Defensive Operation," the Herald said.
The Princess stared at the Herald for a second, "Then Snezhnaya's claims are false."
"We have found no evidence supporting the Snezhnayan claims," the Herald.
"But the issue at hand for us right now, is that the memories because of the recent invasion have begun to contaminate the new Ley Lines to where it is unable to discern memories from Khaenri'ah and Earth," the Princess summarized.
The Herald nodded in response.
"Take me to the affected Ley Lines," the Princess ordered.
"At once, your Highness."
The Herald turned around as it summoned a purple portal that the Princess slowly walked through it. Moments, later the Herald followed her as the portal closed behind them and left behind the ruins of the nation that they were restoring.
Let me what you thought about this chapter so far if you think I deserve it, I originally it was going to have more and thought it would be better not to info dump too much in one chapter. The next chapter will have more from Teyvat and a quick scene on the Henry Family outside of Pug.
Here is the historical facts that were referenced or might need explanation:
1. Ruva-Ruska is a real place in Ukraine and was where some of the opening fights of Barbarossa were at. Contrary to popular belief, the German Army was not all tanks and motors where at best 80% of the German Army was horse-drawn. The German Army used more horses than Napoleon did in his invasion of Russia, which makes supply difficult. But in Ruva-Ruska, which was part of the unfinished Molotov Line, the German IV Army Corps would eventually overcome the 41st Soviet Division but it was difficult as the Soviets actually managed to push the Germans back. And I assumed that even with Fatui help in prep, those difficulties in fighting in Ukraine especially are still going to happen. But the difference is that for the Fatui forces in the operation, Ruva-Ruska is important to do a partial Armored Thrust to out flank the Soviet Mechanized Corps at Brody and would need to break through by doing heavy damaged to the Soviet Forces. In this Invasion for the story, most of the Fatui units are with Army Group South to secure the vast resources of Ukraine and for a potential push to Buka for Oil.
2. The Molotov-Schulenburg meeting: This meeting actually occurred including the wording that Motolov's uses at the end of the meeting. The German Ambassador in Moscow, Friedrich-Werner Graf von der Schulenburg, actually opposed the invasion and told Motolov that he did not approve of Hitler's invasion and was trying before this do a Bismarck approach with the Soviet Union to keep its relations positive with Germany. Schulenburg would actually be one of the many members of the Stauffenberg Plot, where it was suggested in the new German Government had the coup succeed that he would serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
3. Destruction of Soviet Airforce: During the Invasion of the Soviet Union on its first day, the inflicted catastrophic opening losses where one source that I read said that 1,500 planes were destroyed on the ground. The numbers were so high that even the Medicinally, but also Bubberly Challenged Goring thought someone was cooking the books at first. The numbers did not mean that the Soviet Airforce was completely gone, but the Germans would have unquestionable air superiority for a good while.
I think that is all for now for the chapter now. I will just leave one question for now that you can answer if you want:
1. How do you think that the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles might be take all of these events in your opinion?