I leaned back on the wide sofa-like bench, a sunsettia in one hand and my legs propped up like I owned the place. Biting into the fruit, I let the juice drip down my chin just to annoy Greg, who was already eyeing me with lizard judgment.
He tilted his head slowly, throat puffing with that low, disapproving rumble that only meant "you're an embarrassment." Perfect. Exactly the reaction I wanted.
The air was calm for once. Nahida sat a little ways off, her small frame glowing faintly as she worked, weaving her will into the Akasha itself.
Watching her made me feel both relieved and a little guilty—it was on us to make sure she could keep doing her thing without being interrupted. A kid carrying the weight of a nation while I sat here spitting sunsettia seeds. Yeah, guilt was definitely winning.
"So," I said between bites, voice carrying lazily across the room. "While I was away, it seems like the plan went well, I presume?"
Nilou sat beside me, tilting her head, one finger resting against her cheek as though she was thinking it over. She looked like a dancer mulling over a routine. "Now that you mention it… it did go really well. Without a hitch."
I gave her a sidelong glance, chewing slower. "Without a hitch, huh? No explosions, no sudden chaos, no Greg setting something on fire?"
Greg's tail flicked sharply against my leg. The message was clear. Because this idiot wasn't here.
I pointed at him with my half-eaten fruit. "Oi, don't act high and mighty. You weren't there either. We're in this together, lizard. You cause as much chaos as I do."
Greg hissed and raised his claw, smacking me across the arm with a casual whap.
"See? Violence. This is why people think you're a menace," I muttered, rubbing my arm.
Nilou giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Honestly, Greg might just be better behaved than you most days."
"Et tu, Nilou?" I groaned, clutching my chest dramatically. "Betrayed by my own Goddess."
Greg puffed up his throat and stretched his tail just enough to make himself look smug, clearly pleased with the support.
I leaned forward, squinting at him. "One of these days, Greg, you're going to wake up in a pot of soup."
He swiped at my hand with his claw in mock outrage, and Nilou laughed again, shaking her head. "You two really never change."
Before Greg and I could go for round two, Lumine stepped forward, her expression a strange mix of relief and frustration. Her voice carried a sharp edge when she spoke. "Where have you been anyway? You've been gone for a whole week without saying anything."
Her words cut through the casual air instantly. Even Paimon stopped hovering mid-bite of her snack, crumbs tumbling down like frozen evidence of shock.
I sat up straighter, brushing my sticky hand against my pants. A smile tugged at my lips, soft and a little sheepish. "I went back to my Master."
Paimon tilted her head, floating closer. "You mean… Mountain Shaper?"
I nodded, tossing the sunsettia core into a basket nearby. "Yeah. Trained under him again. And the other adepti too."
Greg stretched his neck high, making a low growl as if to say finally admitting you didn't just nap in a cave, huh?
Lumine's eyes softened, though worry still clung to her expression. She stepped closer, almost hesitant. "Your hair…" she murmured, her fingers brushing through it with a tenderness that froze me in place. "It's grown. And the white strands… you must've suffered a lot."
Her touch lingered like it had been waiting there for days. Weeks. Maybe even years.
Even Greg, traitor that he was, crawled up onto her shoulder and nodded—or, well, gestured with his claws like he was saying, If you only knew what this idiot has been through.
I forced my grin to brighten, though my chest tightened under her touch. "It's all worth it though."
My mind whispered things I didn't say out loud: Worth the storms. Worth the pain. Worth the silence of years that felt endless. Because seeing them again—seeing her again—made it all matter.
Lumine blinked at me, her hand lingering in my hair. Nilou leaned in closer, her eyes wide with warmth. "Shigeru… you didn't have to go that far alone."
Her voice made me swallow hard. Because she was right. But admitting that? That would mean admitting I couldn't carry it all. And I wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
Paimon's lips quivered, her little hands clutching at my sleeve. "We could've helped. You dummy…"
Greg flicked his tail again, this time curling it lightly around my wrist, as if warning me not to brush this moment off. His eyes narrowed, the kind of look that said don't you dare make a joke right now.
I chuckled weakly, scratching my cheek. "Guess I've got a bad habit of running headfirst. But hey… I came back in one piece, didn't I?"
Nilou shook her head, though her smile never faded. "You came back, and that's enough for us."
"And if you disappear again," Lumine added softly, "we'll find you. No matter where."
Paimon nodded rapidly, puffing her cheeks. "Yeah! Next time you vanish, we're dragging Greg with us to sniff you out!"
Greg lifted his snout proudly, as if already picturing himself leading some heroic rescue mission. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling.
And then all three of them jumped at me at once. Arms wrapped tight around me, pulling me into their warmth. Even Greg was still perched on Lumine, glaring at me like I'd better not ruin this moment.
For a second, I couldn't breathe. Not from the dogpile hug, but from the weight of it all. A week for them. Fourteen years for me. And yet somehow… this warmth felt unchanged. Like I'd never left.
If I could, I'd stay here forever. No trials. No storms. No more time tearing me away from them. Just this… this impossible warmth. A warmth that reminds me I'm not just surviving—I'm living. And I don't ever want to let it go.
***
The moment Nahida let out a long sigh of relief, I knew she had done it. The little archon looked like someone who had just finished climbing a mountain twice her height. Her shoulders loosened, her eyes softened, and even the air around her felt lighter.
I grinned, stepping forward with my hands in my pockets. "Seems like she's finished. Let's go talk to her before she decides to collapse and blame it on me."
Nilou walked by my side, her steps quick but careful, worry still lingering in her eyes. Lumine followed, her expression calm as always, though I knew she was already trying to figure out the next step. Greg clung to my shoulder like a smug ornament, flicking his tongue once as if to say told you she could handle it. Typical lizard dragon thing to do.
Paimon floated ahead, waving both arms. "How's it going, Nahida?"
Nahida looked up, her tiny face carrying the faintest smile. "I'm done with the parts that needed my involvement to complete." Her voice was soft but steady. "Although it's my first time working with the Akasha like this, its internal structure and operation procedures are easy for me to understand. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's design is truly brilliant." She paused, then added with a small flick of her wrist, "Oh, also, this is for you."
Something small and glowing drifted into Lumine's hands. She blinked, tilting her head. "Huh? What's this little floaty thingy?"
"It's a small device I put together just now. You can think of it as an upgraded Akasha Terminal," Nahida explained. "You may not need it right now, but it should be helpful in certain situations."
Paimon gasped dramatically, holding the thing up as if it were her evil twin. "Wait! This thing has the same characteristics as Paimon! We're both small things that float..." She slumped in the air with a heavy sigh. "All the things that make Paimon special got copied... When Paimon appears with Lumine and the others from now on, people won't even remember her. Paimon isn't unique anymore..."
I pressed a hand to my forehead, trying not to laugh. "Really? That's your crisis right now? Not the end-of-the-world business, but losing your trademark floatiness?"
Greg flicked his tail at my cheek, as if agreeing with me but also finding it funny. Traitor.
Lumine chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. "Are you actually upset? It looks completely different from you."
"It does!" Nilou added gently, her voice full of warmth. "Paimon, no one could ever mistake you for something else. You're far too... lively."
Paimon sniffed, still hugging the device as if it betrayed her. "Easy for you guys to say..."
Nahida leaned closer, her tone patient and honest. "It's alright, Paimon. It can't replace you. It's only a flying device, but you're everyone's irreplaceable friend."
Paimon froze, eyes wide. Then she spun in a slow circle, her cheeks puffing with exaggerated emotion. "Waah, you're so good at comforting people, Nahida. If only these guys were as smart as you..."
I jabbed a finger at her, grinning wickedly. "Careful, floaty. You're doomed now. A gadget that does your job and doesn't sass back? That's basically your competition."
"Eep!" Paimon squeaked and immediately zipped behind Nilou like she was a human shield. "Paimon's safer here! Nilou's sweet, not mean like you!"
Nilou glanced at me over her shoulder, her lips curving into a small smile, though her brows still carried that shadow of worry. "Shigeru... you shouldn't tease her so much."
Greg flicked his tongue at me, his version of a scolding. Great. Even my lizard thinks I'm being a bully.
Nahida tilted her head, confused. "Hm? I was simply telling you what I feel to be the truth. I wasn't trying to comfort you."
Paimon beamed as if she had just won something. "Nahida, you're a natural at this! What you just said made Paimon even happier!"
I muttered under my breath, "Great, now she has two cheerleaders..."
Lumine folded her arms, hiding her smile. "Better them than you picking on her."
Nahida's expression grew more serious then. "By the way, there's something I need to confess... Even though I'm the Archon and in control of myself again, I'm not very good at fighting. You may have heard that an Archon's power is derived from their people's faith. However, I'm not as well-loved as Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. If we get into a situation where combat is our only option, I'll have to count on you. I'll do my best to provide support."
Her honesty hit me harder than I expected. For someone so small, she carried an ocean of responsibility on her shoulders. I clenched my fists lightly, not out of frustration but resolve. This wasn't just her fight.
I thought, She's carrying more weight than she should. But if she's willing to admit her weakness, then I can't let her down.
Lumine stepped forward, her voice calm and strong. "Don't worry. Fighting is our forte." She glanced my way with the faintest smirk. "Especially that guy."
"Hey," I said, raising an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nilou giggled, though she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Even she couldn't resist laughing at my expense.
Greg raised both claws like he was cheering Lumine on. Perfect. Even my pet was on their side.
Nahida's eyes softened as she looked between us. "I'm glad I can rely on you."
Paimon tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, so the God of Wisdom isn't good at fighting. That actually sounds about right."
I rolled my eyes. "Real encouraging, Paimon."
Nahida ignored the jab and straightened her tiny frame. "I've located where the false god is. Time is of the essence, so let's skip to it."
Nilou's hand brushed against mine briefly, a silent reminder that she was with me. Always.
I smacked my fist into my palm, grinning with just enough edge to let them know I wasn't joking around anymore. "Alright then. Time to beat some sense into that guy with the weird hat."
____________
End of Chapter 147
Quests Completed:
*Observe Nahida weaving her will into the Akasha like she's updating the entire city's software patch.
*Admit you suffered for them without saying the words outright, leaving everyone worried anyway.
*Endure the endless tail flicks, claw swipes, and smug looks of one very self-righteous lizard.
*Receive your Goddess's laughter as she sides with Greg in public court.
*Get ambushed by Nilou, Lumine, and Paimon all at once — crushed under affection instead of fists.
*Watch as Paimon discovers she's not the only small, floaty thing in Teyvat. Panic ensues.
*Lose against Nilou, Lumine, Greg, and even Nahida as they all team up against your teasing.
*Hear Nahida admit her weakness in battle, and silently vow you won't let her down.
Rewards:
*+1 Group Hug of the Century (Permanent morale boost)
*+1 New Bond Strengthened: Lumine's Vow (unbreakable, unshakable)
*+1 Greg Smugness (Passive: Increases lizard ego for the next 2 chapters)
*+1 Emotional XP: Nilou's Gentle Concern
*+1 Warning Tail Flick (Greg-exclusive debuff: "Don't Joke Here")
*+50 Archon Trust (Nahida)
*+1 Temporary Gadget: Nahida's "Paimon Rival Device"
*+3 Banter Points (earned through relentless teasing of Paimon)
*+1 Title: Radish Guardian in Training
*+1 Marching Order: Toward the False God's Throne