Volume 5 – Chapter 36(Stormterror VI)

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Author Note:

[ ] = When Twilight is speaking.

{ } = When talking through Telepathy.

' ' = When thinking in your mind.

<<  >> = When talking with your Pokémon or Tamed Beast.

--- --- = When describing a certain period of time OR Another place.

** ** = Point Of View i.e., POV

/// /// = In Call

" " = System and when talking to it.

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Lumine: Here, Venti.

Once the barrier was removed, Lumine returned the Holy Lyre back to Venti.

Venti: Oh...... yeah.

Diluc: Looks like we owe that person another one.

Jean: Um.

'Jean: Though I am having a feeling this won't stop here.'

The group then hurriedly entered the opened path.

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Next, they stopped upon a mossy stone bridge that links to the front gate of Stormterror's lair.

They carefully cross it while looking at the broken structure all around.

'Lumine: A destroyed civilization?'

Paimon: Paimon wonders how Dvalin gets in there with a body that huge.

Sighing at her travelling companion idiocy, Lumine tried to put some common sense in her head.

Lumine: He didn't need to walk in. He can just fly inside.

Paimon: O-Oh. You do have a point.

While they were on guard in case any enemy ambushed them, no such thing happened.

The main reason was because Abyss Order was still thinking that without killing that Abyss Mage, no one would be able to remove the wind barrier around the lair. Hence, they stationed no one inside to stop the intruders.

Traveler and others soon reached the entrance of a massive temple that occupied almost the entire canyon, only to see another barrier blocking their way.

At this everyone turned their eyes to Venti.

Noticing this, the bard showed a wry smile before taking the Holy Lyre and pointing towards the barrier.

Nevertheless, compared to last time no blue light came out of it.

Tilting his head in confusion, Venti looked at Traveler.

Venti: Lumine, why don't you try?

Lumine: Huh? Sure.

Taking the lyre from bard hand, Lumine did it same. Nevertheless, there was still no reaction.

Paimon: Is it broken?

Flying closer, Paimon looked at it with curious eyes before knocking on it.

Venti: It's not. The lyre is still perfect. Even its Anemo power doesn't decrease a bit after we replenish it.

Paimon: Then why it's not working?

Lumine: Maybe…because that's all the help Mr. Erste will give us. The rest we have to do ourselves.

Venti: Is that so?

Lumine: Um. If Mr. Erste helps us in every step, then there's no point in us coming here. He could have just resolved it on his own.

Paimon: Oh, that's true.

Jean: Then let's find another way.

As they looked around, Diluc pointed towards the hole on top of the tower.

Diluc: We can use that.

Venti: Yup. We just need the wind current over there to reach it.

Jean: Let's take a detour then.

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Next, they made their way around the barrier using various wind currents to reach the third highest floor of the tower.

Paimon: It was more tired that Paion thought it would.

Giving her a blank stare, Lumine spoke.

Lumine: You're floating all this time. You can't be as tired as the other three.

Paimon: Paimon still get tired!

Hearing this the traveler just shrugged her shoulders while other three were looking at her with astonishment.

After all this up down, even someone experienced and stronger like Jean and Diluc have haggard breathing. Yet, Lumine was same as when they started. As if all this exercise was amount to nothing to her.

'Venti: Interesting. Even if her level is lower than Knights of Favonius, her physique isn't. She is someone who spent most of her time in fighting.'

They then headed towards the second highest floor, only to see no stairs leading the top floor.

On the contrary, they saw remains of a large robot leaning on one of the pillars supporting the tower. Witness it, Lumine hurriedly raised her guard and took out her sword.

Jean: A Ruin Guard? What's it doing in Stormterror's lair?

She questioned to no one in particular.

The others waited but they didn't hear any sound from Ruin Guard.

Slowly by slowly, Lumine approached it with her sword held tightly in hand. Even after she stood in front of it, the robot didn't move. After confirming that it wasn't going to move, she put her sword away.

Paimon: Is it broken?

Lumine: Doesn't appear so.

Jean: No signs or damage. So, it wasn't defeated in battle.

Lumine: Maybe its energy ran out or something?

Jean: Um. That answers why its not moving. Still, what is----

Diluc: While I am also interested in knowing what happened to this machine, we should remain focused on the task at hand.

Venti: Hehe, Master Diluc's right. Let's keep moving everyone.

The group then spotted a wind current and used it to glide to the top floor of the tower.

There they saw some sort of mechanism across the hole in the middle of the floor.

Venti: Oh, we can't advance any further. The ruins seem to be guarded by ancient seals.

Paimon: Is this the work of Dvalin?

Venti: No. These ruins were once part of an ancient city. Dvalin just happens to be nesting in these ruins for now. These ruins even predate the existence of The Four Winds. Mondstadt is a city without a ruler. However, before it was ruled over by a tyrant.

Paimon: I see.

Venti: Anyway… I'll sing you that story when we have a chance in the future.

At this time, Diluc walked over and inspected the object.

Diluc: The markings on this seal... If my archaeological knowledge is not mistaken, this appears to be a light actuator. If we retrieve and reintegrate all the parts, we should be able to get it working.

Jean: We should be close to completing the ceremony for this actuator. Let's put the last part back and see.

Jean pointed at the crystal object nearby as Lumine walked over and grabbed it.

Lumine: So... do I just put it on the light actuator?

Diluc: Once the crystal is close enough, it'll do the work by itself.

Hearing this the traveler nodded.

Lumine: Got it.

As Lumine approached and got closer to the actuator, the crystal suddenly flew by itself and disappeared into the machine. This resulted in a domain briefly appeared on the hole of the floor before disappearing.

Lumine: That's easy.

She then returned back to the others.

Venti: So, we're right. Still there are three more halos circling the tower.

Paimon: Means three more light actuators to activate.

Jean: I can already see one from here. The remaining two must be scattered within the ruins. Let's go find them.

Diluc: I'll go find another. Lumine and Jea----

Venti: How about Master Diluc, Jean, and I each take one? While we are doing so, Traveler will stand guard here in case some enemy show up.

Hearing this Diluc and Jean were surprised. However, before they could say anything Venti gestured them to keep quiet. Turing to Lumine, he asked.

Venti: What do you say Traveler? Can we leave this place to you?

Lumine: Huh…Well, sure.

Venti: Hehe. Thanks. Alright then Master Diluc, Jean lets go.

The bard then dragged both of them away in the confused eyes of Lumine and Paimon.

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Some distance away.

Once confirming that Lumine and Paimon could no longer hear them, Diluc.

Diluc: So, what is this all about?

Instead of answering right away, Venti turned to Jean.

Venti: Jean, I want ask. Do you know the real identity of Lumine or where did she come from?

Jean: I don't. We did some digging when Kaeya mentioned it but we failed to find anything. It was as if Traveler appeared out of nowhere.

Venti: So, that's the case. Huh.

Putting one hand on his chin, Venti pondered with serious expression.

Diluc: Is there something wrong with her?

Venti: I can't say that but I am more interested in that Sir behind her.

Jean: You mean, Your Excellency Herrscher?

Venti: Um. I am having a feeling the identity of that person is very terrifying.

Diluc: Is it because the power he left in the Lyre not only calmed Dvalin but also removed the wind barrier?

Venti: Yes. Even an Adeptus will have difficulty doing it. Yet, he did even when he was not physically present.

As if realization struck Jean, her expression turned stern.

Jean: Venti, are you trying to say that there is a possibility that Your Excellency Herrscher can be from Celestia.

Venti: Correct. That's exactly what I am thinking too.

Jean: This makes things extremely complicated. If really is from Celestia then we must make sure he won't get offended in anyway. Otherwise, it will be over for Mondstadt if Celestia fury falls on us.

Diluc also turned serious because of the gravity of the situation.

Diluc: There is something more to it, isn't it? You won't just separate us to tell us that.

Venti: You're right. I will get to it now.

He then looked straight into their eyes spoke seriously.

Venti: If something dangerous happen to any of us during Dvalin rescue, I want that the remaining ones to prioritize Lumine's safety above anyone's else.

As Jean and Diluc turned solemn, Venti continued.

Venti: I have a feeling that the reason we got that Sir help is because of Traveler. In other words, Lumine is very important to him. Hence, we must make sure that no matter what happen she should remain safe. Even if we died in the process.

Jean: ...…

Diluc: ...…

In the end, Jean and Diluc nodded gravely, fully agreeing with Venti before rushing towards their goal.

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Fifteen Minutes later.

Jean, Diluc, and Venti returned back to the top of the tower after activating all three actuators. This resulted in the sealing becoming darker.

Paimon: You are back! Paimon was getting bored of all this waiting.

'Lumine: It was not even an hour. How could you get bored so easily?'

Venti: Ehehe. Sorry about that.

Lumine: Is it finally time?

Venti: Indeed.

The bard nodded earnestly.

Venti: You know... I'm thinking about turning these adventures into songs after we're done.

'Lumine: Well, we've been through a lot in the last few days.'

Venti: Hopefully, this song will be sung for years to come by the people of Mondstadt, just like The Legend of Ven----

Lumine: Let's complete it fast. I am already missing Mr. Erste.

Without waiting for him to continue, Lumine stepped forward and stepped on the runes.

Seeing this the others could only smile wry before following her.

The runes then began glowing, signaling that Dvalin's Domain was ready for them.

Jean: By the way, how are you feeling Lumine? Are you fully prepared? We can still take a few minutes of rest before proceeding?

Feeling somewhat surprised at Jean overly worry out of nowehere, Lumine spoke.

Lumine: No, I am good and ready to go.

Jean: Then its fine.

Lumine: ...…

Venti: Well, Lumine, may the thousands of years of wind that have blown through Mondstadt go with you.

Lumine: Um.

Next, the white light enveloped them all and they all vanished.

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The four then arrived in Dvalin's Domain as they felt the air furiously swirling around this plane of existence.

Sixteen platforms circled around as they saw the abyss below which made chill down their spine.

The waited anxiously before a terrifying roar of Dragon resounded in the area making them tremble.

ROAR!!!

Raising their head they saw the dragon coming out with its roar informing them about his arrival.

Venti: Dvalin is here. And it looks like we don't have any choice but to fight it.

Diluc hurriedly took out his claymore, Jean and Lumine also took out their swords. Venti also summoned a harpe-espe bow, with its aqua green color strings representing the power of Anemo.

Venti: Fret not! Wit the help of the best bard in the world, we are on par with Dvalin.

'Lumine: Par my foot! Even before we were not Dvalin's match and now...'

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Venti(Barbatos) ---> Level 110(weakened)

Jean ---> Level 95

Diluc ---> Level 85

Lumine ----> Level 68

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Stormterror(Dvalin) ---> Level 270(weakened/poisoned)

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'Lumine: Last time it was only level 225 now it reached level 270. Even then it's still "weakened and poisoned". How strong it would be once it recovered completely?'

Venti: Oh, by the way. Even after hundreds of years without use, Dvalin's claws and teeth are still sharp and dangerous.

Paimon: So, what's the plan?

Venti: Our main goal is to immobilize Dvalin, to let Lumine purify the last blood clot. We need to be a decoy to give her the opening.

Jean: In other words, we just need to have his attention at us while Honorable Knight stays quiet.

Lumine: Watch out!

A claw came towards them which they narrowly dodged by jumping to the side.

Without giving them any chance to collect themselves, Dvalin returned and slammed its claws on the platforms, blocking their exit paths. Next, the power of Anemo gathered in its mouth.

Venti: Ah…We are in trouble.

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*A/N: Please throw some power stones.

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