Trials of the Falcon 1

Time passed as they sat together in silence, taking in the night. Eventually, Orion suggested they should head back. "We should probably go now."

Emily looked down from their high perch. "How are we getting down?"

Orion grinned. "Oh, it's easy." He grabbed her hand, causing her to blush again. He jumped, using a burst of pyro from his legs to slow their fall and land gracefully. As he set her down, she laughed, clearly impressed.

"You're crazy, you know that?" she said with a smile.

Orion chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Only a little, but it's worth it to see you smile."

Emily stepped closer and, with a blush, kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for tonight. Farewell, until we meet tomorrow for the third test at the Temple of the Falcon."

Orion touched his cheek, a bit stunned but smiling. "Goodbye, Emily."

As she walked away, he realized he didn't have a place to stay. "Man, I should have asked if I could stay at her place for the night. Or maybe she'd think something else entirely." He sighed. "Oh well, I have money. I'll just find a tavern for the night."

Orion made his way back through the quiet streets of Mondstadt, his mind still buzzing from the evening's events. The Cat's Tail Tavern came into view, and he pushed open the door, greeted by the familiar sounds of merriment and the soft clink of glasses.

Approaching the counter, he caught the attention of Diona, the bartender. "Oh, you're back already," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I need a room for the night," Orion replied.

Diona handed him a key. "That'll be 500 mora."

Orion handed over the coins, chuckling to himself. "Maybe Diluc did actually give me too much money."

With the key in hand, he made his way to his room. It wasn't as grand as the one in the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, but it was cozy and clean, with a soft bed and a window overlooking the quiet street below. He set his polearm carefully next to the bed.

Orion jumped onto the bed, sinking into the mattress with a sigh of relief. Staring at the ceiling, he mused aloud, "I wonder what the guild has cooked up for the third test. So far, it's been a cakewalk for me."

With a satisfied smile, he let the day's events replay in his mind, the spar with Diluc, the guild test the moment atop the statue with Emily, and the unexpected warmth of her farewell kiss. His eyelids grew heavy as he imagined the trials ahead, and without overthinking, he drifted into a deep sleep.

…

Orion tossed and turned through the night, haunted by the same unsettling dream. As the first light of dawn crept into his room, he woke with a start, his heart pounding. He blinked groggily at the ceiling, frustration mixing with confusion.

"Ugh, that dream again," he grumbled, rubbing his head. "What does it even mean?" He sighed deeply, trying to shake off the remnants of the disturbing vision. "I can't even get a decent night's sleep it seems," he added. The new day demanded his attention, and he needed to focus on the trials ahead.

Orion shook off the remnants of his unsettling dream, determined to focus on the day ahead. He grabbed the leftover food from the night before, taking a quick bite as he readied himself for the challenges awaiting him. The simple meal provided a moment of comfort, and as he finished, he felt a surge of energy.

Stepping out of the tavern, he took a deep breath of the crisp morning air. The city of Mondstadt was just beginning to stir, its streets alive with the promise of a new day. Orion glanced at the map Eula had given him, grateful for her help. "Glad she gave me this map," he thought to himself, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Can't get lost this time."

He followed the map's directions, winding through familiar streets and alleyways. The path led him away from the bustling heart of the city, where the sounds of commerce and conversation gradually faded into the gentle murmur of nature. The cityscape gave way to a more tranquil setting as he approached the outskirts.

As Orion approached the Temple of the Falcon, its ancient stone walls seemed to whisper tales of bygone eras through the mist that clung to its surface. The grandeur of the temple was striking, a testament to its deep historical significance.

He soon noticed a crowd gathered at the entrance—members of the Adventurers' Guild, along with all 29 other participants. His heart sank slightly as he realized he was among the last to arrive.

"Well, looks like I'm the last one here," Orion muttered to himself with a rueful smile. Despite the minor annoyance, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. The sight of so many eager faces only heightened his excitement for the upcoming test.

He spotted Emily engaged in lively conversation with her friends. When their eyes met, she gave him a shy wave, which he returned with a grin. No words were exchanged, but the gesture was enough to warm his spirits.

Nearby, Fischl and her raven companion Oz stood next to a young woman in mage attire who was new to Orion. Fischl appeared to be in the middle of a heated discussion with Bennett, scolding him with an air of dramatic annoyance.

As the last of the participants gathered, Cyrus stepped forward, his commanding presence drawing everyone's attention. "Welcome, everyone," he began, his voice carrying an authoritative tone. "Today marks the final test in our evaluation process. For those of you who have passed the initial trials you are already registered Adventurers and this is where your journey as an adventurer will truly take shape."

He paused to let his words sink in before continuing. "The purpose of these tests is to assess your capabilities and assign you a rank. The ranks are S, A, B, and C. Each rank determines the level of tasks and responsibilities you'll undertake moving forward. S rank adventurers will handle the most challenging missions, while C rank adventurers will be assigned more basic tasks."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. One participant's voice cut through the buzz, "I'm definitely aiming for S rank!" Another scoffed, "You wish. We'll see who actually makes it."

Cyrus paused, allowing the participants to absorb the gravity of the rankings before continuing. "Now, let's get into the details of your final test," he said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness. "The Temple of the Falcon, once a revered domain and a symbol of one of the four winds, is now an abandoned ruin. Within its depths, we've hidden a series of ancient swords. Your task is to locate these swords and make your way out of the temple. Be warned, they are well concealed and this will not be an easy endeavor. The temple is home to various enemies, primarily hilichurls, and their numbers can be overwhelming."

A buzz of apprehensive excitement rippled through the crowd.

Cyrus continued, "To ensure fairness, you'll be divided into teams of five. Each team will be assigned randomly to balance the skill levels and give everyone a fair chance."

With that, the guild officials began collecting the tokens from the second test. They then drew names to form the teams. Orion watched as names were called out and teams were formed. When the process concluded, he found himself paired with Bennett, the mage girl he hadn't met before, a swordsman, and the participant he had saved during the second test.

The participant who had been saved looked over at Orion with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. "You!" he exclaimed, glaring at Orion. "I don't want to be stuck with this guy. Can't we switch teams?"

Cyrus shook his head, his expression unyielding. "No, it's not allowed. The teams are final. You'll have to work together."

The disgruntled participant huffed in frustration, but Orion chose to ignore him. Instead, he turned his attention to his other teammates with a friendly smile.

He approached Bennett first, who greeted him with an enthusiastic wave. "Hey there! Looks like we're on the same team for this one. I'm Bennett, by the way."

"I know about you already Bennett, quite the fight you had yesterday," Orion said with a grin. "I'm Orion. I guess we'll be facing this challenge together."

Next, he turned to the swordsman standing nearby, who introduced himself with a nod. "I'm Nico. Looks like I ended up with quite the team. Let's make it count."

"Definitely," Orion replied. "Looking forward to working with you."

Finally, he greeted the mage girl, who had been observing quietly. "And you are?"

"Mona," she said with a mysterious smile. "The stars have already foretold our victory today. It's a pleasure to meet you, Orion."

"We'll do our best," Orion assured her. "Seems like we've got a good mix here."

Cyrus, who had been watching the exchanges with a neutral expression, stepped forward. "You're all set then. The temple is open for entry. You have six hours to complete the task. Good luck, and make sure to keep an eye out for both the swords and any potential threats."

Orion hefted his polearm, his eyes sparkling with determination. "Alright team, let's head in and breeze through this, whatever they have prepared inside." He gestured towards the entrance with a voice full of confidence.

The disgruntled participant scowled, crossing his arms. "Who made you the leader?"

Mona gave him a sharp look, her patience wearing thin. "Oh, for the love of stars, just quiet down

 and follow along. We have a job to do."

The teams, one by one, stepped into the entrance of the Temple of the Falcon. Orion's group was among them. The moment they crossed the threshold, they were engulfed by an entirely different world. The cavernous interior of the temple was a labyrinth of shadowy passageways and eerie silence, the air heavy with the sense of danger. Flickering torchlight cast long, wavering shadows on the stone walls, and the usual sounds of the outside world were replaced by the distant echoes of their footsteps.

Orion looked around, his eyes wide with wonder. "I feel like we just stepped into another dimension," he said, his voice filled with awe.

Mona adjusted her hat and replied with confidence, "You're somewhat correct. This is indeed a dimensional domain, but it's still connected to Teyvat. Don't let the darkness fool you."

Nearby, the irritatingly eager teammate piped up, "So, what's the plan? Should we stick together or split up?"

Bennett, ever the practical one, chimed in, "We should probably stick together if they assigned us as a team for this."

Orion couldn't help but laugh at the suggestion, shaking his head in amusement. "Really? Splitting up in a place like this? Seems like a sure way to get lost. Let's stick together and make the most of it."

The annoying teammate glared at Orion with pure disdain. "I just don't trust you, specifically."

Orion's patience snapped. In a swift, fluid motion, he drew his polearm from his back and leveled it at the idiot. "I get it. You don't like me. But if you're planning to make our time here a misery, you might want to rethink that. What was your name again?"

Kitzler, caught off guard by the intensity in Orion's bright yellow eyes, felt a shiver of fear. "It's Kitzler," he managed to stammer.

The rest of the group burst into laughter, the tension breaking. Orion, still holding his polearm, flashed a smirk. "Well then, Kitzler, let's see some good behavior, shall we?"

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