Chap 4: Adventurer and Grand Bazaar

Author's note: Well, hello there! First time writing a story so don't expect an amazing one, but I will do my best. If you have some complaints, please give me constructive critique so I can hopefully improve and give you a better story down the line. I write for fun and to relax so don't bother with powerstones, but I appreciate comments so don't hesitate!

English is my second language if it can even qualify as is so sorry but don't expect amazing grammar and all of that. I will do the best I can.

Sorry for the wait but here's the new chapter!

Do you want to see the traveler soon or do you enjoy just his travels and his interactions with people?

Thank you all again for your support, I really appreciate it!

Alright, it's time to read and enjoy for you.

*Sound*

(System)

'Thinking'

"Talking"

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In a black space where consciousnesses are connected, a lone figure could be seen watching in sadness the life of her people.

Her name was Lesser Lord Kusanagi, God of Wisdom, Dendro Archon of Sumeru, also known as Nahida.

*Sigh*

"I hope Kaveh will finish his project in time… His almost constant arguing with Alhaitham doesn't help him with that…" she thought out loud, a habit she took due to being trapped alone for so long.

"I should study their contradictory comportment to be a better God for Sumeru in the future."

…

…

"Let's see if Dunyarzad's condition has worsened recently."

As she said that, she connected herself to the Akasha Terminal of Dunyarzad.

"Hmmm… It seems like her illness is worsening slowly but surely, she should have 2 or 3 years before her Eleazar becomes too much for her."

"I wish I could do something to help… I'm not fit to be the Archons of Sumeru." she said, tears almost falling as she blamed herself for the hardships of her people.

…

…

"I wonder if Nesmil is doing good on her travel. Let's see what she and the others are doing…"

Connecting to Nesmil's Akasha Terminal, she noticed a weird looking man with the group. Indeed, instead of a normal human, he had huge colorful butterfly wings on his back and long red hair reminding her of Nilou. Instead of walking, he was flying above them and if his voice and manners didn't give her a hint, she wouldn't be able to tell its gender.

"How weird… I've never seen someone or something like him. And it seems he doesn't wear an Akasha Terminal, I wonder who he is and where did he come from?" she thought out loud, intrigued by this new element in her people's lives.

"I wonder if he eats like us. And did he use the elements to fly? But I don't detect any Anemo element from him. His wings don't seem to be the reason since they rarely flap."

"He seems so free…" Nahida said with longing in her eyes.

"Gloxinia huh, how interesting…!"

…

…

…

"Gloxinia, welcome to Sumeru!" exclaimed Nasir when the group were near the gate.

""""""Welcome!"""""" said the others after Nasir.

"Thanks, all of you!"

"Do you need me to help you find an inn, sir?" said Mazaar, the only one still able to stay serious after the end of their long journey.

"Nah, don't worry, I don't have any moras anyways."

"What? Then how do you intend to spend the night? Do you want me to give you some for tonight at least?"

"Haha don't be so stressed out, I will either sleep outside in the forest or up here." he said, gesturing at the top of the Divine tree.

"Excuse me?" Mazaar said with disbelief, his expression mirroring the others.

"You heard me, it seems comfortable on top of this big tree. I wanted to sleep on it since the first time I've seen it." Gloxinia said with a cheeky smile.

"You know what? I'm sure you're right sir." He responded, abandoning the idea of reasoning with him.

"We will go accompany the cargo our client, so this is where we separate."

"Thank you again for saving our lives, it was a pleasure traveling with you sir." He said as he left while the others nodded in farewell.

"Bye!" said Gloxinia as waved his hand.

'It was fun, but now I need to get going.'

'First, I will join the Adventurer's Guild. It will give me some income even if I don't really need it. I don't really care about food, lodging and necessities since I can create them myself. But it never hurts to have some money on me.'

'It will also give me a sort of ID for my travels. I'm sure not all the cities will be like Sumeru, who didn't even ask me questions.'

'They sure rely a lot on their Akasha Terminals…' he thought with mockery.

'I'm sure I will be asked a few questions in the city of Mondstadt or Lyue Harbor for example and with the Adventurer's Guild trustworthiness it will be a lot simpler.'

'I will explore the city tomorrow I think, most people are closing their shop or going home right now. Well except at the Grand Bazaar I think, might be interesting to go there before going to sleep. I could even see my first game character if I'm lucky.'

"Alright, to the Adventurer's Guild it is."

…

…

"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. I am Katheryne, the receptionist here at the Adventurers' Guild. What can I do for you today?"

"Hello, I'm here to register as an adventurer."

"Understood. For you to be accepted as an adventurer, you will need to fill this form as well as completing three common commissions as a test." She responded as she handed him the form.

"Alright, do I need to take the commissions right now or I can do it tomorrow?" asked Gloxinia as filled his form with his basic information.

"You can do it tomorrow if you like, but you won't recognized as an adventurer until then."

"No problem, here's my form."

"Thank you very much, do you need any further assistance?"

"No, thank you Katheryne, goodbye."

'She really is a puppet, I doubt anyone other than her could not react to my wings and my age. I wonder if I will have a visit from the Fatui after this considering her creator…'

"Now, to the bazaar!"

…

…

"There's really a lot of people…" Gloxinia thought out loud at the entrance of the Grand Bazaar, getting curious glances due its look.

"I wonder if it's always like this or its because there's something special going on?"

'Maybe the troupe where Nilou is perform tonight.'

"Excuse me?" He heard behind him.

"Hm? What is it?" he said as he turned around, coming face to face with a young woman.

'Isn't it that sick woman from the main quest of Sumeru, what was her name again? Dinazard…? Dunazard…? Ah yes, Dunyarzad!'

"I'm sorry to bother you, but are you perhaps a new member of the theater troupe? And in that case do you know where Nilou is?" she asked with a curious voice.

"I'm sorry but I'm only a traveler, and I don't know where this Nilou is."

"Oh! That's too bad, thank you. But I thought you would be since you are wearing a costume."

"A costume? Hahaha, that's my real wings you know?"

"Really?! How is it possible? I didn't read anywhere that people could have wings!" she exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Well, that's because I'm not human to begin with. I'm what you call a Fairy. And if you observe me closer, you can see I'm flying just above the ground right now."

"A fairy?! No way! Aren't fairies imaginary creatures? And you're really flying! Ah! Not to be rude of course!"

"Haha don't worry. But you know, many thing people thinks are imaginary or impossible are in fact a reality…" he responded mysteriously.

"Is that so… Maybe it was not just dream then…" she mutters to herself with hope.

"Anyway, is there something special tonight going on? There's a lot of people." asked Gloxinia.

"Yes! Tonight, the Zubayr Theater troupe is playing. My friend Nilou is part of the troupe as a dancer, the director searched for her that's why I asked you before if you knew her."

"I see… I heard the troupe had an amazing dancer, is this her?"

"Absolutely! She is amazing when she performs! Are you staying here to watch the show?" she asked, eager to introduce him her close friend.

"Well, now that you told me that she was this amazing, I can't just walk out of here without seeing it!" he responded with amusement.

"Great! I'm sure you will like it! Come with me, I now where we can enjoy it the most."

"Aren't you searching for that Nilou?"

"Haha, I'm sure she's being held by some people from the bazaar like always so don't worry."

'She really is honest… She isn't even trying to put a façade like most of the people around. That's nice to feel.' He thought while using his Heart reading ability on the people around him.

As Gloxinia's new friend led him to place where he could see the stage from a greater height while talking about her friend, he spotted her talking to a serious man. (For those who don't know, Nilou is a playable character in the game, he just pretends to not know her to Dunyarzad.)

"Hey Dunyarzad, isn't this Nilou?" he said to her while pointing toward them.

"Huh, you're right. The man is the director that I told you about. She ended up meeting him, like always…" she responded while shaking her head with a small laugh.

"You don't like him?"

"Oh no, not at all. It's just that every time there's a play, he is really stressed about it and has many things to manage. He gets a bit rough with people in these times but in truth he really cares about them, I'm sure he would even confront the Sages if there's something happening to the troupe!"

"A lot of people are like that."

"I guess so! Oh look, Its starting!"

As the director, Sheikh, announced the beginning of the show, the crowd grew silent, and the lights of the bazaar were turned off. The music began as Nilou stepped on the stage, dressed in white clothes adorned with flowers, contrasting with her bright red hair. And as she began to dance, it was as if the crowd was hypnotized by the beauty of her movements. Each gesture was a testament of her passion and devotion to her art.

It was at this moment that Gloxinia truly understood why Nilou was so popular, she didn't just dance, she was presenting the world a beautiful tale.

When the show ended amidst the roaring cheer of the crowds, Gloxinia was going to say goodbye to Dunyarzad.

"Dunyarzad, thanks for showing me this spot. I will be going now."

"Wait! I want to introduce you to Nilou, I'm sure she will be delighted to know you." She said with hoping eyes.

"Hmm… Alright, lead the way then." He said, yielding to her hopeful face.

"Thank you! This way."

As they tried to navigate their way near the stage, it became increasingly difficult for them to advance.

"Wait, I know a better way than this." he said to her, stopping in his track.

"Really? What is it?"

"This!" he said with a mischievous grin as he took her in his arms and flew above the crowd, to their amazement.

"Wow! That's amazing! I never thought I would know how it is to be able to fly someday!"

"Pretty cool, right?"

*Nod* *Nod*

"Ah! I see Nilou in the back. Hahaha, I didn't know she could make this face!" she said while laughing at her friend's surprised face.

"Dunyarzad! I'm glad to see you! And I didn't expect you to arrive like that!" Nilou said with a smile.

"Me too! You were incredible tonight! And I wanted to introduce you to someone amazing!" she responded with enthusiasm.

"His name is Gloxinia, he was the one flying me here. He is amazing right!"

"Thank you! And nice to meet you Gloxinia! I'm Nilou! And he sure is amazing. His wings are also beautiful, are they real?" she addressed Gloxinia with a charming smile.

"Nice to meet you too, Nilou. You did an amazing performance tonight. And yes, they are a hundred percent real hahaha." He responded, smiling at her.

"Thank you! That's amazing, I didn't know anyone could have wings like that."

"Gloxinia is a fairy, you know!" said Dunyarzad, jokingly flaunting her knowledge.

"Is that so? I didn't know fairies were real. Do you know other fairies as well Gloxinia?"

"Unfortunately, I'm the only Fairy in the world right now."

"That's too bad. But if you are a fairy, do you also have mysterious power like in those stories?" Nilou asked with great curiosity.

"Well, I can control nature if you count that at a mysterious power." He said while thinking.

"Really?! That's amazing! And you're not even a Vision Holder!"

"Oh, I know! Why don't you join the troupe? I'm sure you would be amazing in stage!" she proposed to him.

"Sorry, but I'm a traveler. I don't want to join something that won't allow me travel for long. But thanks for offer, Nilou."

"Is that so? I understand… How long do you intend to stay in Sumeru?"

"I didn't really plan that much, but a month or two maybe."

"Perfect! You will be here for the Sabzeruz Festival in four days then! How about you participate with the troupe just for it? I'm sure the crowd will be thrilled!" she said, hopeful.

"Well… Why not? If it's only for one time I can help you."

"Thank you! From now on, you are a honorary member of the Zubayr Theater Troupe then! I will tell Sheikh about it!" she said as she ran to tell the director.

"Poor Sheikh, he will be even more stressed out now…" said Dunyarzad.

"I'm sure he will be fine, beside it's for only one night. But I wonder what they will prepare with me in addition." he responded.

"Will you dance like Nilou?"

"No, no, I can't dance at all. Better leave that to the professional." He said quickly while shaking his head.

"Gloxinia! The director is okay with it! Can you come here tomorrow afternoon so we can organize ourselves?" exclaimed Nilou as she ran back.

"Sure, I can come tomorrow."

"Perfect! See you tomorrow then!" she said as she left to help the troupe pack their things.

"Yes, see you!" he responded while waiving his hand.

"What will you do now, Dunyarzad?" Gloxinia asked as the two of them left the bazaar.

"It's getting late so I will go home, my parents will get worried if I don't."

"I see, I will also go sleep then." He responded with a nod.

"What inn are you staying for the night?" she asked him.

"I'm not staying at an inn actually, I will sleep on top of a tree."

"Really?! Aren't you uncomfortable then? Do you want me to ask my parents if you can stay the night at my home?"

"Don't worry, I'm actually more comfortable on a tree than on a bed. But thank you for the offer."

"I see… Is it because you're a fairy? You like being close to nature?" she asked, curious about him.

"Hmmm… I never considered that, but I guess you're right. Being close to nature is better for me." He mused.

"Alright, I will go then. Goodnight, Dunyarzad!" He said as he was about to fly away.

"Alright, if you're sure then. Goodnight, Gloxinia!" she responded.

…

…

…

"The view sure is amazing on top of this giant tree." said Gloxinia as he lied down on a hammock made of vines and leaves with Disaster.

"Tomorrow, I need to do the commissions and go to the troupe."

"I wonder what reactions the Sages have to my arrival in Sumeru…"

"Oh well… Not that I actually care." He shrugged while preparing himself to sleep.

"Still, I should keep my senses active. What If someone try to kick me out of here in my sleep?"

"Goodnight…" he said to the Divine tree as he felt asleep, receiving a warm feeling in response.

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Alright, chapter 4 is finished! Its a bit longer than the others.

I hope you liked the bonus chapter on Halloween and that you spent a great holyday.

I took a pause from writing yesterday because I was tired from partying, but I'm back!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and this story.

Thank you for reading!