20. Mondstadt: Back Home

I had already packed my things and said my goodbyes to Albedo. To his credit, he didn't seem disappointed that his "research subject" was leaving—at least not outwardly. We had spent the last two days testing my absorption of Anemo energy, and while the results were… interesting, I had to get back to Mondstadt. There was a certain warmth about the city that I desperately craved after days in the frozen expanse of Dragonspine.

Albedo had, in his own way, thanked me for participating in his experiments, though he left me with a cryptic, "We'll have to continue our research in the future." I wasn't sure if that was a promise or a threat.

As I made my way down the icy slopes, the familiar sharp chill of Dragonspine nipped at my skin, but at least I was moving steadily now. Two days ago, I could barely walk without my legs feeling like lead. Now, I was on my feet, still not at full capacity but getting closer. Every step felt like progress. My limbs still feel kind of stiff, but it was a far cry from the complete paralysis I had experienced after pushing myself too far against the Abyss Herald.

The path back to Mondstadt was quiet. Snow crunched beneath my boots as I followed the winding trail out of Dragonspine, the wind a constant companion. I welcomed the solitude, the opportunity to clear my head, until a noise off in the distance snapped me back to reality.

I narrowed my eyes, spotting a group of figures up ahead. The glint of metal, the rough-hewn armor—it didn't take long to recognize them.

Treasure Hoarders.

"Of course," I muttered under my breath. The Treasure Hoarders had a habit of showing up in the worst places. Dragonspine wasn't exactly an ideal place for robbery, but desperate people make desperate choices.

As I approached, one of the Treasure Hoarders spotted me. He was a burly man with a crude axe slung over his shoulder, and his lips curled into a smug grin.

"Look what we've got here, boys!" he shouted, raising his weapon. His companions gathered around him, blocking the path. "Hand over everything you've got, and maybe we'll let you pass."

I sighed, coming to a stop in front of them. There were five of them—nothing too overwhelming. "Listen, I've had a rough few days. I'm not in the mood for this."

The leader chuckled, twirling his axe in his hand. "Oh, tough guy, huh? Don't think you can scare us with your little speech. We've handled bigger prey than you."

"Really? Bigger than me?" I flexed my fingers, I wasn't fully recovered, but I was more than capable of handling these fools. "I'm giving you one chance. Walk away, and I'll pretend this never happened."

The leader's grin widened as he took a step forward. "Or maybe we'll just take what you've got by force."

Without warning, he lunged at me, axe raised. I sidestepped his swing easily, my body moving with an instinctual precision that even surprised me. My hand shot out, grabbing his wrist before twisting it sharply, forcing him to drop his weapon with a howl of pain.

Before the others could react, I was already on the next one. A swift kick to his stomach sent him sprawling into the snow. Another tried to charge at me, but I caught him with an elbow to the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. The last two hesitated, unsure of whether to flee or fight. I didn't give them a chance to make up their minds. A few well-placed strikes, and they were down, groaning in the snow.

I stood over the pile of unconscious and semi-conscious Treasure Hoarders, dusting snow off my hands. "I warned you. I didn't even need to use my weapon."

As I turned to leave, a voice called out from behind me. "Impressive."

I glanced over my shoulder to see a Knight of Favonius approaching, sword drawn. He was young—barely more than a recruit, by the looks of him—but his stance was solid, and his eyes were wide with surprise as he took in the scene before him.

"Treasure Hoarders?" the knight asked, eyeing the men on the ground.

"Yeah," I said, stepping aside to let him through. "They'll be out for a while. Think you can handle the clean-up?"

The knight nodded quickly, sheathing his sword. "I'll take them into custody. Thank you for dealing with them, Honorary Knight."

"Oh you recognize me? That saves some trouble" I gave a nod and a wave as I continued on my way. My breath came out in frosty puffs as I headed down the road to Mondstadt, the outline of the city growing clearer in the distance.

Even after that brief encounter, my body still felt the strain of recovery. It wasn't quite the effortless battle I'd have preferred, but it felt good to be back on my feet—and better still to know that I hadn't lost my edge.

As Mondstadt's gates finally came into view, a sense of relief washed over me.

---

The familiar walls of Mondstadt loomed ahead, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. After the cold, isolation at Dragonspine, the bustling city felt like a sanctuary. I could already picture the warm fireplace in the Knights of Favonius headquarters and maybe, just maybe, a decent meal that didn't involve strange alchemical concoctions.

As I made my way toward the Knights' headquarters, the lively sounds of the city washed over me—people chatting, vendors calling out, and children laughing as they ran through the streets. Mondstadt. It was good to be back.

"Ah, the Honorary Knight graces us with his presence," a smooth, teasing voice called out from my left.

I turned just in time to see Kaeya lounging against a nearby wall, his usual smug grin plastered across his face. He was dressed in his usual attire, with his Frostbearing Vision dangling from his belt.

"Kaeya," I greeted, rolling my eyes. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

Kaeya pushed off the wall and sauntered over, his one visible eye gleaming with amusement. "You didn't think I'd let you return without giving you a proper welcome, did you?"

"Right, because you care so much about proper welcomes," I deadpanned, 

Kaeya chuckled, walking beside me as we continued toward the headquarters. "So, tell me, how was your little 'vacation' with Albedo? I hear you spent most of it being his prized experiment."

I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck. "It was... an experience, alright. I think the man has a personal vendetta against my taste buds after all the stuff he made me drink."

Kaeya's grin widened. "Sounds like a bonding experience to me. Though I imagine being Albedo's test subject wasn't exactly luxurious."

"You could say that. I'm still half-convinced one of his potions was just straight-up grass."

Kaeya threw his head back in laughter. "Ah, classic Albedo. Always on the cutting edge of cuisine, I see."

"Yeah, cutting-edge is one way to put it."

Kaeya's laughter faded into a sly smile as he glanced at me, his tone shifting just slightly. "So… I hear you've picked up a little something extra during your time up there."

I raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You know… a certain affinity for Anemo energy, perhaps?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait—how do you know about that?"

Kaeya winked, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Albedo's been sending reports back to Mondstadt. Apparently, our resident alchemist was very thorough in documenting your progress."

I felt a jolt of nervousness run through me. "Reports? To Mondstadt? Did… did he mention anything else?"

Kaeya raised an eyebrow at my sudden shift in tone, but his grin remained in place. "Nothing too scandalous, if that's what you're worried about. Just the basics—your recovery, the whole Anemo energy thing... you know, the usual."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. If Kaeya wasn't mentioning anything else, it meant Albedo had likely kept his promise about not revealing the truth about me being from another world. Still, the thought of Albedo sending detailed reports to the city was enough to make me nervous.

"Right… right," I muttered, trying to brush off my anxiety. "Just the basics."

We walked in silence for a moment, the playful banter giving way to something more comfortable quiet that spoke of mutual respect. After all, we'd been through quite a bit together. Ever since our brush with death during the battle against the Abyss Order, we'd developed an odd sort of trust.

"So," Kaeya said, breaking the silence, "what's it like absorbing Anemo energy? Do you feel like a Vision bearer now?"

I frowned, still trying to wrap my head around the strange new development. "Honestly? I'm still figuring it out. It's slow—barely noticeable most of the time. Albedo thinks my body's adapting to the elemental forces in Teyvat, but it's not like I can suddenly start throwing wind blades around or anything."

Kaeya chuckled. "Shame. I was hoping to see you pull off something dramatic next time we spar."

"Trust me, I'd love to," I replied dryly. "But right now, it's more of a mild tingling sensation than a weaponized windstorm."

Kaeya gave a mock sigh. "Well, at least you've got something to look forward to. If you ever figure it out, be sure to give me a demonstration."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be sure to schedule a private show just for you."

Kaeya clapped a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening just slightly. "In all seriousness, Tayden, it's good to have you back. Mondstadt's felt a little quieter without you around."

I looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "I didn't realize I was such an integral part of the city's ambiance."

"Don't get too full of yourself," Kaeya shot back, his smirk returning. "I just missed having someone around who can handle my charm without running away."

"I think that says more about you than it does about me," I teased, shaking my head.

He laughed again, and just like that, the weight of the last few days felt lighter. 

Just as Kaeya was about to part ways, a loud, cheerful voice echoed from behind us. "Tayden! You're back!"

I turned just in time to see Amber sprinting toward me, her face lit up with excitement. She skidded to a halt right in front of me, nearly knocking me over with the sheer force of her energy. "I've been waiting for you to come back! Eula and I were talking about you just the other day."

"I'm back, yeah," I said with a grin, bracing myself for the whirlwind that was Amber. "Missed me already?"

Amber folded her arms with a huff, though her bright smile never faded. "Of course! It's a lot more boring without you around."

Before I could respond, a cooler, more composed voice cut in. "Speak for yourself, Amber. I think I prefer the peace and quiet."

I looked over Amber's shoulder and saw Eula approaching, her usual stoic expression in place, though I could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Eula," I greeted, nodding at her. "It's good to see you too."

Eula crossed her arms, giving me a mock stern look. "So, you decided to return in one piece. I was starting to wonder if you'd frozen solid up there."

"Close enough," I joked. "Albedo almost turned me into one of his lab samples."

Amber giggled. "See? I told you Albedo was experimenting on him!"

Eula raised an eyebrow, looking me over. "You seem fine, though. Still able to move and joke around, so I suppose you didn't suffer too much."

"Barely survived," I said, shaking my head dramatically. "But honestly, I'm glad to be back. Dragonspine's beautiful, but I missed you guys."

Amber practically beamed. "Well, now that you're here, we need to do something fun! Oh! How about a gliding challenge? I've been practicing some new tricks."

Eula sighed, though it was clear she was amused. "Amber, not everything has to be a competition."

Amber waved her hand dismissively. "It's not a competition! It's just... training! Right, Tayden?"

I laughed, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Whatever you say, Amber."

Eula's eyes softened as she looked at me. "In any case, it's good to see you. I'm sure you have plenty of people to report to, but don't be a stranger."

"Wouldn't dream of it," .

Amber and Eula stayed for a bit longer, catching me up on everything I'd missed in Mondstadt during my time away. It was good to laugh and joke with them again. No matter how chaotic life in Mondstadt could be, moments like these reminded me why I had come to care about the city and its people so much.

As they said their goodbyes and headed off, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the bonds I'd formed here. Amber's boundless energy and Eula's shy tsundere-ness were two sides of the same coin, and somehow, we balanced each other out. It was good to be home.

---

After saying goodbye to Amber and Eula, Kaeya turned to me with his signature smirk

"Looks like you've got quite the fan club, Honorary Knight."

I shot him a look. "Says the guy who charms half the city without even trying."

Kaeya chuckled, clapping me on the back one last time before turning to leave. "Welcome back, Tayden. Try not to cause too much trouble while you're here."

"No promises," I called after him, grinning as he disappeared down the street.

With that, I continued on my way to Jean's office, feeling lighter than I had in days.

---

The grand doors of the Knights of Favonius headquarters swung open with a low creak, and I stepped inside, the familiar scent of parchment, wood, and a hint of dandelion wine filling the air. After days of icy isolation in Dragonspine, the warmth and life inside the headquarters felt almost surreal. It was good to be back in Mondstadt, where everything seemed just a bit more manageable.

I made my way down the hall, nodding to a few passing knights who gave polite greetings. Word had probably already reached Jean about my return, especially with Albedo's habit of sending regular reports on everything. Still, it felt right to check in personally, especially after everything that had happened with the Abyss Herald.

Reaching her office door, I knocked twice, hearing a calm "Come in" from within. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.

Jean sat behind her desk, her posture as impeccable as ever, though the pile of paperwork beside her hinted at the weight of her responsibilities. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.

"Tayden, welcome back," she greeted warmly, standing to meet me halfway. "How are you feeling? Albedo's reports mentioned that your recovery has been slower than expected."

I shrugged, trying to mask the lingering stiffness in my muscles. "Yeah, it's been slow, but I'm getting there. Still not at full strength, but I can walk and fight, so that's something."

Jean's brow furrowed slightly, concern clear in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that, but Albedo also mentioned something rather unusual. He said your body has been absorbing Anemo energy. Can you tell me more about that?"

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, that's a new one for me. Apparently, my body's been slowly absorbing Anemo energy from the environment. It's not something I can control yet—it's just... happening. Albedo thinks it has something to do with my biology reacting to the elemental forces of Teyvat, and that something kickstarted my body into absorbing anemo energy, but to be honest, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

Jean nodded thoughtfully, her fingers lightly drumming on the desk as she processed what I said. "That's unprecedented, especially for someone without a Vision. We'll need to monitor it closely, but I trust Albedo's judgment on the matter."

"Yeah, he's keeping an eye on things," I replied. "I just hope I don't end up causing a windstorm by accident."

Jean gave a small smile, though her eyes remained serious. "I'm relieved you're on the mend, but we'll need you back at full strength soon. The Abyss Order's growing boldness is worrying. Your encounter with the Abyss Herald suggests they're becoming more aggressive."

I frowned, recalling the battle in Dragonspine. "Do you think they're planning something bigger?"

"It's hard to say for certain," Jean admitted, her voice tinged with concern. "But we've noticed an increase in Abyss activity around Mondstadt's borders. So far, nothing as severe as what you faced, but enough to put us on high alert. I fear we may only be seeing the beginning."

I crossed my arms, letting her words sink in. "Not exactly the news I was hoping for."

"I know," she said softly, "but we'll be prepared." She paused for a moment before continuing, her tone more measured. "While you're still recovering, I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to participate in one of our upcoming training sessions for the younger knights. We could use a special guest—someone who's somewhat of a beginner but has improved quickly. You wouldn't be leading the training, just... participating."

"Participating?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What exactly does that involve? You want me to show off a bit and give them some tips?"

Jean chuckled, shaking her head lightly. "Not quite. I think it would be valuable for them to see how a skilled fighter like yourself handles real combat situations. It's less about showing off and more about inspiring them."

I nodded, considering it. "Fair enough. Who will I be working with?"

"One knight in particular could really benefit from your presence—Noelle," Jean explained, her expression softening slightly. "She's shown exceptional dedication and skill, but she's still learning."

"Noelle?" I asked, trying to recall the name. "Is that the white-haired girl in maid clothing? I've seen her around the city before."

Jean smiled fondly. "Yes, that's her. Noelle isn't officially a knight yet, but she's been training tirelessly. She's determined to prove herself, and I think she'd benefit greatly from seeing how someone like you approaches combat."

"A maid who wants to be a knight?" I mused. "That's... different."

"She's quite remarkable," Jean said, her pride in Noelle evident. "Her strength and dedication are unmatched, but she isn't exactly ready to become a knight yet. I think you'll find her determination inspiring."

I couldn't help but grin. "Alright, you've convinced me. I'll join the training session. But don't blame me if I make the rest of the knights look bad in front of their peers."

Jean's amused smile returned. "I'll be sure to warn them."

I relaxed, the conversation feeling more lighthearted than I had expected. "So, when's the training?"

"In three days," Jean replied. "That should give you some time to rest after your time in Dragonspine."

"Three days, huh?" I rubbed my chin. "I guess that's enough time to recover a bit more. I'm looking forward to it."

With that, I nodded my thanks and turned to leave.