The soft golden light of morning slowly crept through the curtains of a small house in Springvale.
Inside, Aether lay quietly on his bed, his eyes slowly opening as the warmth of the sunlight brushed against his face.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling.
But unlike the previous days, his mind was not calm.
Fragments of thoughts lingered.
The boar incident.
The terrifying nature of his new power.
And the uneasy feeling that something unseen was slowly closing in on him.
"…I need to focus," he muttered under his breath.
With a deep breath, Aether sat up and stretched.
"Let's just do some commissions today."
His voice carried a hint of determination—as if trying to push away the growing unease within him.
Without wasting time, he stepped outside, summoned his golden wings, and soared toward the distant lands of Liyue.
A Cold Welcome in Liyue Harbor
The bustling city of Liyue Harbor soon came into view.
Ships lined the docks.
Merchants shouted over prices.
The usual lively atmosphere was still present…
But something felt off.
As Aether landed and began walking through the streets, he immediately noticed it.
Eyes.
Cold, judging eyes.
People along the roadside turned to look at him.
Some whispered.
Others simply stared.
"…What's going on?" Aether wondered.
A man passing by muttered under his breath,
"That's him… isn't it?"
Another voice followed,
"Yeah… the blonde traveler…"
Aether frowned slightly.
He couldn't understand.
"Did I… do something wrong?"
Ignoring the strange atmosphere, he continued walking toward the Adventurers' Guild.
A New Commission
"Ad Astra Abyssosque," greeted Katheryne, her tone as calm and mechanical as ever.
"Welcome back, Aether."
He nodded.
"Good morning. I'd like to take a commission."
Katheryne scanned her records.
"There is a request regarding a group of Treasure Hoarders causing disturbances outside the city."
She handed him a map.
"Their camp is located in a rocky area near the trade routes."
Aether accepted it.
"I'll take care of it."
As he turned to leave, he hesitated for a moment.
Then he asked quietly,
"…Katheryne, is something going on in the city?"
Katheryne paused briefly.
"Information regarding public sentiment is not within my operational scope."
Aether sighed lightly.
"…I see."
The Battle Against the Treasure Hoarders
Soon, Aether arrived at the location marked on the map.
From behind a rocky outcrop, he observed the Treasure Hoarder camp.
Several figures moved about.
A Pyro Potioner stirred flames in a vial.
An Electro Potioner crackled with purple energy.
A Scout kept watch.
A Gravedigger leaned lazily against a shovel.
And a massive Crusher stood guard at the center.
Aether's eyes narrowed.
Then, his thoughts shifted briefly.
His new power.
The ability to manipulate gravity-like force.
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…No."
He shook his head.
"I shouldn't rely on that."
His voice was firm.
"If I lose control… it could be dangerous."
With that decision made, Aether drew his sword.
"I'll finish this the old way."
The battle began instantly.
The Scout spotted him first.
"INTRUDER!"
The camp erupted into chaos.
The Pyro Potioner hurled a blazing vial.
Aether dashed forward, narrowly avoiding the explosion.
Flames burst behind him as he closed the distance.
With a swift slash, he struck the Potioner, knocking him off balance.
The Electro Potioner retaliated immediately, sending arcs of lightning toward him.
Aether leaped into the air, spinning gracefully as the electricity passed beneath him.
He landed behind the enemy and struck with precision.
The Potioner collapsed.
"Two down…"
But the fight was far from over.
The Crusher roared and charged forward, swinging its massive weapon.
Aether blocked the attack, but the sheer force pushed him back several steps.
"…Strong."
The Gravedigger attempted to strike from behind.
Aether sensed it.
He pivoted sharply, parrying the attack and delivering a counterstrike.
The man fell instantly.
The Scout rushed in next, attempting quick attacks.
But compared to Aether's speed, it was nothing.
Aether moved like the wind—swift, precise, untouchable.
One by one, the enemies fell.
Finally, only the Crusher remained.
It raised its weapon and slammed it down.
The ground cracked.
Aether leaped upward, then descended with a powerful spinning slash.
The blade struck true.
The massive enemy staggered…
Then collapsed.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Aether lowered his sword slowly.
"It's over."
A Watchful Presence
As he turned to leave, a sudden sensation crept over him.
Someone was watching him.
He stopped.
His gaze shifted toward a distant rock formation.
For a brief moment—
He thought he saw a shadow move.
"…Who's there?" Aether called out.
No response.
The wind blew softly across the empty terrain.
"…Just my imagination?"
But deep down—
He knew it wasn't.
Aether frowned.
"…Something's wrong."
Instead of flying, he chose to walk back.
Careful.
Alert.
A City Turned Hostile
Back in Liyue Harbor, the atmosphere had grown even worse.
As Aether walked through the streets, whispers followed him.
"Murderer…"
"That's him…"
"How dare he show his face here…"
Aether froze for a moment.
"…Murderer?"
His heart sank.
"What are they talking about…?"
Confused and unsettled, he hurried to the Adventurers' Guild, collected his reward, and left quickly.
"…I need to clear my head."
Rejection at Wanmin Restaurant
Hoping to calm himself, Aether walked toward the familiar Wanmin Restaurant.
"Maybe some food will help…"
As he approached—
Chef Mao looked up.
His expression changed instantly.
Without a word—
He pulled down the shutters.
CLACK.
The restaurant closed.
Aether stopped in place.
"…What?"
Inside, he could hear hushed voices.
"That's him…"
"Don't serve him…"
"He killed Rex Lapis…"
Aether's eyes widened.
"…Rex Lapis…?"
"…Assassinated?"
"…And they think… I did it?"
His fists clenched slightly.
"…This doesn't make any sense."
The murmurs grew louder.
"Get out of here!"
"We don't want trouble!"
Aether lowered his gaze.
"…I should leave."
Return to Springvale
Without another word, Aether left Liyue Harbor.
He took to the skies and flew back toward Mondstadt.
The wind rushed past him, but it didn't calm his thoughts.
"…Why are they blaming me?"
"…Who started this?"
Back in Springvale, he quietly entered the Good Hunter.
This time, the atmosphere was normal.
He ate silently.
No whispers.
No judgment.
But his mind was restless.
Later, lying on his bed, he stared at the ceiling.
"…Something bigger is happening."
"…And I'm right in the middle of it."
A New Destination – Dragonspine
The next morning, Aether made a decision.
"I won't go to Liyue for a while."
Instead, he visited Katheryne in Mondstadt.
"Any commissions available?" he asked.
Katheryne shook her head.
"Currently, there are no urgent requests."
She paused, then added,
"However… you may consider exploring Dragonspine."
Aether blinked.
"Dragonspine?"
"A region filled with ancient ruins, extreme cold, and unexplored mysteries."
Aether smiled faintly.
"…Sounds interesting."
The Beauty of Dragonspine
Soon, Aether stood at the base of Dragonspine.
A massive snow-covered mountain towered before him.
The air was cold.
Sharp.
Refreshing.
As he stepped forward, the scenery changed dramatically.
White snow blanketed the land.
Frozen rivers glistened under the pale sunlight.
Ancient ruins lay half-buried beneath layers of ice.
Tall pine trees stood silently, their branches heavy with snow.
The wind howled gently through the mountains, carrying a sense of mystery.
"…It's beautiful," Aether whispered.
Yet beneath that beauty…
There was danger.
Aether took a step forward into the snow.
"…Let's see what awaits me here."
A Meeting of Power – The Adepti and the Qixing
Meanwhile, in Liyue, a tense meeting was underway.
Inside a grand chamber, Ningguang stood before the gathered Adepti.
Present were:
XiaoCloud Retainer (Xianyun)Moon CarverMountain ShaperStreetward Rambler (Madame Ping)
Ningguang spoke calmly.
"We do not yet know who assassinated Rex Lapis."
Her words echoed in the hall.
The Adepti remained silent.
But their expressions showed distrust.
Cloud Retainer spoke first.
"You expect us to believe that the Liyue Qixing knows nothing?"
Moon Carver added,
"This matter is suspicious."
Only Madame Ping spoke gently.
"I trust Ningguang."
Ningguang nodded slightly.
"…Thank you."
Then she continued.
"There is another matter."
She revealed a document.
"The traveler known as Aether."
The room grew quiet.
Aether's Name in Question
Ningguang explained everything.
His actions in Mondstadt.
His reputation.
And the rumors spreading in Liyue.
"Someone is manipulating events," she said.
"They are trying to use Aether as a pawn."
Xiao narrowed his eyes.
"…Or he is the culprit."
Ningguang shook her head slightly.
"I do not believe so."
"But I cannot completely rule out the possibility either."
The Adepti exchanged glances.
"We will uncover the truth ourselves," Mountain Shaper declared.
Ningguang nodded.
"That is all I ask."
Childe's Frustration
Inside the Northland Bank, Childe paced back and forth.
His expression was irritated.
"…He hasn't returned to Liyue?"
"No, sir," his subordinate replied.
"He is currently in Mondstadt."
Childe clicked his tongue.
"…Coward."
He stopped and smirked slightly.
"My plan was perfect."
"Frame him… let the Qixing capture him…"
"Then I save him… and earn his loyalty."
He sighed.
"…But it's not working."
His expression darkened.
"Fine."
"If he won't come to the trap…"
"…I'll move the entire board."
He turned toward his subordinate.
"Spread more rumors."
"Make the people question the Qixing."
"Let them demand justice."
The subordinate bowed.
"As you command."
Childe smiled.
"Let's see how long Liyue can stay calm…"