Chapter 10: Preparing for What Comes Next

The morning sun bathed Mondstadt in golden light, and the city's early risers were already busy with their routines. Merchants opened their stalls, knights patrolled the streets, and the faint sound of birds chirping filled the air. But within the Knights of Favonius headquarters, a different kind of energy hummed—one of preparation and focus.

Aether stood in the central hall, flanked by Jean, Lisa, Amber, and Rosaria. After the events in the ruins and the successful destruction of the Abyss Order's relic, the city had enjoyed a brief respite. However, everyone knew that this peace would be short-lived.

"We've made progress, but the Abyss Order won't stay quiet for long," Jean said, her eyes scanning the maps spread across the table in front of her. "We need to ensure Mondstadt is ready for whatever comes next."

Amber, leaning over the table with her usual enthusiasm, nodded. "I'm ready for anything! If they try something again, we'll stop them."

Lisa, always relaxed despite the seriousness of the situation, gave a small smile. "Oh, Amber, your energy never runs out, does it? But Jean's right—we need to be prepared."

Rosaria stood slightly apart from the group, her arms crossed as she observed them with her usual aloof expression. "Preparation is fine, but we need to stay vigilant. The Abyss Order is crafty, and they won't wait for us to be ready."

Aether watched them all, feeling the growing sense of unity among the group. They had faced challenges together, and through it, their bond had strengthened. He was no longer just an outsider—he was part of something bigger, something important.

Jean's gaze shifted to Aether, and she offered a small, grateful smile. "Aether, you've been invaluable to Mondstadt. We've managed to make it this far because of your efforts."

Aether shook his head modestly. "It's been a team effort. I couldn't have done any of this without all of you."

Amber grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Well, you're still the hero of the day in my book! I don't know what we'd do without you."

Lisa gave him a teasing look. "Oh, I'm sure we'd manage. But it's nice to have someone as reliable as Aether around."

Rosaria, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Don't let all that praise go to your head. We're not done yet."

Aether chuckled, but he understood the truth in Rosaria's words. There was still much to do, and the Abyss Order remained a looming threat. He had come to Mondstadt searching for his sister, but his journey had grown far more complex than he'd anticipated. The friendships he had formed here were becoming more than just alliances—they were turning into something deeper.

"What's the next move?" Aether asked, his tone serious.

Jean's expression turned thoughtful as she studied the maps before her. "We've dealt with the immediate threat to Stormterror, but we still don't know how deep the Abyss Order's influence runs. We'll need to investigate further, both in and outside Mondstadt."

"We should also check in with the people of the city," Amber suggested. "Make sure everyone's feeling safe and prepared."

Jean nodded. "Good idea. Amber, you and Aether can handle that. Lisa and I will focus on reviewing our defensive strategies. Rosaria—"

Rosaria interrupted, her voice as cool as ever. "I'll keep an eye on things from the shadows. If there's any movement from the Abyss Order, I'll know."

Jean gave her a nod of understanding. "Thank you, Rosaria. Let's stay on alert. Mondstadt may be safe for now, but we can't afford to be complacent."

With their plan in place, the group dispersed. Amber was already pulling Aether toward the door, her energy infectious as always.

"Come on, Aether!" Amber said with a grin. "Let's go see how the people are doing. They always seem a little brighter when you're around."

Aether followed her, chuckling softly. "You really think so?"

"Of course!" Amber replied, her eyes shining. "You've done so much for the city—it's only natural that people look up to you."

As they made their way through Mondstadt, Aether couldn't help but notice the sense of normalcy that had returned. The streets were busy, filled with the sounds of life and activity. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, the city had been under threat from a corrupted dragon.

Amber waved to some passing townspeople, her usual sunny smile in place. "Hey there! How's everything going?"

The people greeted them warmly, clearly relieved by the recent peace. It was clear that Mondstadt's spirits had lifted, thanks to the efforts of the Knights and Aether's help.

"See?" Amber said, nudging Aether playfully. "They know you're the reason things are better."

Aether smiled, feeling a sense of pride but also a quiet resolve. "I just hope we can keep it that way."

As they continued their patrol, Amber's usual enthusiasm seemed to quiet a little, and her expression grew thoughtful.

"You know," she said after a moment of silence, "I've been thinking… about everything that's happened. You've been through a lot since you got here, haven't you?"

Aether nodded, his mind drifting back to the many battles and trials he had faced since arriving in Teyvat. "Yeah, it's been… a lot. But I've had a lot of help."

Amber's smile softened. "Well, I just wanted to say… thanks. You've been a huge help to Mondstadt, and to me. It's nice knowing someone like you is around."

There was a brief pause, and Amber's usual bright demeanor returned as she gave him a teasing grin. "Just don't get too used to all the praise! I still plan on showing you up one of these days."

Aether laughed, shaking his head. "I'll be looking forward to it."

As they continued their patrol through the city, the bond between them felt stronger than ever. The people of Mondstadt were safe for now, but Aether knew that the real battle was far from over. The Abyss Order still lurked in the shadows, and there were many more challenges ahead.

But for now, there was a moment of peace—a brief respite before the next storm. And in that moment, Aether felt a growing sense of purpose, not just in his quest to find his sister, but in the bonds he was forming with the people of Mondstadt.