014 ※ So, We're Walking... Just Kidding, Let's Teleport to Doom

"It doesn't matter. Now, how the hell are we going to get to the capital? This will take years," I muttered under my breath, my frustration growing as I glanced around at the seemingly endless stretch of wilderness. Every direction seemed to lead into more trees, rocks, and rugged terrain. The idea of traveling such a long distance on foot felt like a monumental task, one that could stretch on for what felt like an eternity.

"Don't be so exaggerated, little one," he replied, his tone smooth and casual, as if the issue at hand was something trivial—something that could easily be solved with a snap of his fingers. His confidence in the face of my concern made me want to punch him, but also made me realize just how much I didn't know about what was going on here.

I rolled my eyes dramatically, letting out a deep sigh as I tried to stifle the annoyance that was quickly bubbling to the surface. His completely laid-back attitude in such a tense situation was infuriating, yet somehow amusing at the same time. It almost felt like he was mocking the situation, like he knew something I didn't, and that just made me even more impatient. But as I looked at him, I noticed that signature smirk of his tugging at the corner of his lips once again. It seemed like it was permanently there, as if he found amusement in everything, no matter how serious it was.

"So, one of my wraths is spatial wrath. I can create dimensional portals to places I've visited," he said, his voice casually dropping this little bombshell as though it were nothing at all. He seemed almost proud of it, the way he spoke, but there was no arrogance—just the confidence of someone who knew they had a power others could only dream of.

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh gods, this is so cool. It makes everything easier. Now I understand why your King keeps you near," I said, the amazement creeping into my voice as I processed the information. The realization hit me quickly—this ability of his changed everything. The journey to the capital could be completed in a matter of moments if we could just take a damn portal, skipping all the travel time and exhaustion.

I let out a teasing laugh, unable to resist adding, "You're like his bitch and his transport."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and I could almost feel the irritation radiating from him. I could practically hear his teeth grinding in annoyance. "Damn... how old are you? Twelve?" he asked, his voice dripping with exasperation.

I rolled my eyes again but couldn't stop the soft chuckle that escaped my lips. The way he reacted was almost too funny to ignore. "This won't work, big one. I won't tell you my age," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest defiantly. He'd been relentless with the questions, but I wasn't about to let him get the satisfaction of knowing. Let him stew on that for a while.

"Big one?" His expression flickered with surprise, his brows furrowing as he processed the words. "You're calling me 'big one' now?"

I couldn't hold back a laugh at the confusion on his face. He looked like he'd never been called anything other than his name, and it made the whole thing even more amusing. "Well, you call me 'little one,' so I thought I'd balance it out," I said with a grin, "Cuz damn, you're like, what? Twenty-five or thirty centimeters taller than me? You faes are tall as hell."

I watched as his eyes lingered on me for a moment, clearly trying to make sense of what I said, before the confusion gave way to a blank stare. It was as if he couldn't fathom being anything other than serious.

"You're still a giant in front of the dwarves," he said, his attempt at humor falling flat like a lead balloon. It was as though he thought this was some profound observation.

I gave him a blank look, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside of me. "This was supposed to be a joke?" I asked, unable to hide the sarcasm in my voice.

He shrugged, looking completely unfazed, his face betraying no hint of realizing that his joke had fallen short. "Okay, we're losing time," he said, as if the failure of his humor didn't matter in the slightest. And, honestly, it didn't, because now we were getting down to business. He wasn't one to linger on failed jokes for long.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes once more as I watched him shift his focus. It was clear to me now that he didn't care about small talk or jokes. He was all about action, and that was something I couldn't argue with, especially when the urgency of the situation was sinking in.

With a single motion, he pointed toward the wall in front of us, his palm open and facing it. The air around us seemed to change, the atmosphere growing dense with an invisible force. It was as if the entire space was charged, alive with energy, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of it. Then, in a flash, the surface of the wall rippled—like the fabric of reality itself bending under pressure.

A shimmering, glowing portal opened before us, rippling with light and energy. The space inside looked like nothing I had ever seen before—like a window into another world. Through it, I saw a breathtaking city nestled between two towering mountains, their snowy peaks glittering under a star-strewn sky. The streets of the city were alive with people, their movements visible even from this distance, though the city felt oddly peaceful in its quiet intensity. A biting, icy breeze poured through the portal, carrying with it the scent of snow and something else—something wild and untamed. It was cold. Far colder than I had expected.

He turned back to me, his trademark smirk still playing at the edges of his mouth, though there was something reassuring in the way he looked at me. "Don't worry, it's safe," he said, as though he could sense the hesitation creeping into my body. His voice was calm, almost soothing, and it made the idea of stepping through the unknown feel a little more manageable.

He extended his hand to me, his fingers just barely brushing the edge of my palm, waiting for me to take it. I hesitated for a moment, the thought of what lay beyond the portal swirling in my mind. But with Nacht at my side, still close to my waist, and Bakaashi clutched tightly in my other arm, I knew I couldn't afford to waste any more time. I needed to trust him. At least for now.

I reached out, my fingers closing around his hand, the warmth of his touch grounding me as I stepped forward. I took one last, lingering look at my treehouse—the only home I had known for as long as I could remember. It had been my sanctuary, my refuge. And now, it was nothing more than a distant memory. A sense of reluctance tugged at my heart, but the weight of everything that was to come pushed me forward, urging me to embrace whatever this new world had to offer.

With a steady breath, I stepped into the portal. The world around me twisted and spun, my body feeling momentarily weightless as everything familiar fell away. In an instant, the lush greenery of the forest, the rustling of the leaves, and the comforting presence of my old life were gone, replaced by the cold, crystalline air of a place I had never imagined. The change was so sudden, I felt like I was caught between two worlds, unable to fully let go of one before stepping into the next.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a completely new place, the world around me stark and different from everything I'd known. The city of Mondstadt stretched before us, as grand and imposing as I had imagined. The towering mountains loomed above, their snowy peaks shrouded in a perpetual mist, their jagged edges cutting through the night sky. The stars above glittered like diamonds, casting a pale, ethereal glow over everything.

The city sprawled beneath the mountains, its streets filled with the hum of life. It wasn't overwhelming or loud, but the quiet bustle of activity was unmistakable. The atmosphere here was different—alive with energy, yet calm, and undeniably strange. There was a mystery to it, something that called to me in a way I couldn't quite place.

I glanced up at him, and for the first time since I had met him, his face was unreadable. The smirk had faded, replaced by a more serious expression. It was like a switch had been flipped the moment we crossed the threshold of the portal. We weren't in my world anymore, and I was no longer just the girl from the treehouse.

"Welcome to Mondstadt," he said, his voice grounded now, a quiet certainty in it. "The capital of the kingdom, little witch."

I blinked, taking in the vastness of it all. This was just the beginning, I realized. What lay ahead, I had no idea. But for the first time, I felt like I was about to find out.