"Oh, right! I should introduce myself," the girl said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She struck a small pose, her voice proud. "I'm Mona Megistus, an astrologer of great renown. And you are?" she added, pointing a finger at him expectantly.
"I'm Riven," he replied, his voice calm but distant. "A man wandering without any memory of his past." He gestured beside him. "And this here is Spark."
"Woof," the dog barked right on cue.
Mona tilted her head with interest. "No memory? How tragic… That only makes me more curious to read your fate. But first ugh—I need food. Shall we head to town?"
"I'm already going," Riven said, stepping ahead, his voice tight with urgency. "Let's move."
Mona blinked, caught off guard, then laughed. "Alright, alright! No need to push. I left my wagon this way. Try to keep up!"
She turned and darted off through the trees.
Riven lingered a moment, casting one last look toward the forest. "…Farewell," he muttered.
But just beyond the brush, slimes watched him from the shadows silent, unmoving.
They would remember him.
He didn't give them the chance to act. Riven turned on his heel and sprinted after Mona.
The narrow path opened into a clearing where a modest wagon sat hitched to a chestnut horse. Celestial symbols decorated the violet wood, mirroring the stars stitched across Mona's outfit.
"Come on," she called from the driver's seat. "You're the one in a hurry."
Riven climbed aboard, his expression tight. Spark leapt into the back, tail wagging.
As the wagon rolled into motion, unease crept in.
Wait… I'm a grown man traveling alone with a teenage girl. In the one book I skimmed, this kind of setup makes me look like a complete creep.
His expression soured.
Great. Just my luck. I'll get arrested before I find out who I even am.
Stop. Focus. There's something more important right now.
"Riven," Mona called over the steady clop of hooves, "how'd you end up with that adorable dog, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I don't mind," he said, voice tight. "Woke up on a beach. Drowning. Old man saved me. He died a few weeks later… left me Spark."
Mona's playful tone softened, falling into a gentle hush. "…I see. That's… a lot."
"Yeah," Riven muttered. "That's why I need answers. Fate. The stars. Whatever you call it, I just need something."
He stared ahead, the trees parting to reveal the town on the horizon. "By the way… Do you know someone named Amber? The old man said she was his granddaughter."
Mona's eyes lit up. "Amber? Of course! She's a sweetheart, always helping out. You'll definitely find her in the city. Why?"
"I promised to deliver a message," Riven replied. "His last words. I gave him my word."
Mona nodded slowly, her gaze growing more respectful. "Then we'll find her."
"We?" Riven raised an eyebrow.
"Sure thing," Mona said with a grin. "I'm heading to the capital of Mondstadt eventually—just taking my time stargazing along the way. You don't mind traveling together, do you?"
Riven leaned back slightly, considering her. "…No, I don't mind. I plan to train out here for a while—and I need Mora."
He hesitated, then frowned. "By the way… weird question, but what's the age of consent around here? Just asking, for clarity."
Mona froze. Her face turned bright red.
"…W-What!?"
Riven's eyes widened as he realized how that must've sounded. "Wait—no! I didn't mean it like that! I'm not—!"
Before he could finish, it was like the very air turned against him—Mona's Hydro energy surged, blasting him clean off the wagon with a loud splash-thump into a nearby puddle.
"You pervert!!" she screeched, steam practically rising off her head.
Flat on his back in the mud, Riven groaned. "I was just trying to avoid a misunderstanding…"
From the wagon, Spark let out a sympathetic woof.
Somehow, Riven managed to clear up the misunderstanding—awkwardly, but clearly enough that Mona refrained from launching him into another ditch.
Still, she sat beside him with puffed cheeks and arms crossed, muttering to herself under her breath. Something about "traveling with a clueless oaf" and "never again trusting the stars when they send her a male companion."
She was too flustered to even look at him now.
Riven wisely stayed quiet.
Up ahead, stone walls loomed into view as the wagon rattled toward the city gates. The scent of fresh bread and spices drifted through the air, mingling with the lively chatter of townsfolk and the bustle of market stalls.
Riven took it all in, then glanced sideways at Mona—still stewing in silence, her nose slightly turned up.
"I'll meet you at the restaurant," he said as he hopped off before Mona opened her mouth to reply, but he was already off the wagon and heading for the tall building bearing the Adventurers' Guild crest.
Inside, a cheerful voice called out, "Ad Astra Abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild!"
"I want to sell this," Riven said, pulling the slime core from his bag and dropping it on the counter.
The receptionist blinked. "Oh! Uh—sure! Let me check…"
Moments later, she handed him a pouch. "Here you go—300 Mora."
"Thanks."
"Would you be interested in—"
He was already gone.
Outside, Spark was halfway through a plate of meat, and Mona was delicately sipping something herbal. Riven dropped into the seat across from her and grabbed the menu.
His eyes widened. "These prices are robbery. I can barely afford four meals…"
He slapped the menu down. "Alright. Are you done eating? I want you to read my fate. Now."
Mona raised a brow. "You're that impatient?"
"Yes," Riven snapped. "I've waited long enough. If you really are who you say you are, then prove it."
She leaned back, smirking. "Fine. But you're paying for my meal."
"Deal."
Mona waved at the waitress. "Bring us a bowl of water."
The waitress returned swiftly, setting a deep ceramic bowl on the table.
"Place your fingers in the water," Mona said, her tone shifting—calmer, older somehow.
Riven obeyed without hesitation. The water was cold.
Mona closed her eyes. Her hands hovered over the bowl, glowing faintly. The surface shimmered, darkened… stars bloomed in the reflection, moving like distant spirits.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"…A lonely path. Woven in shadow. Marked by silence."
The stars flickered—some fading, others bursting too bright.
"You found light once… someone who gave you hope."
Her breath caught.
"But that light shattered. And you were punished."
A ripple broke the image. Chains—faint, spectral—drifted down into the deep.
"Hardship follows you like mist. Even the stars hesitate."
Then her voice stilled. The stars paused… then began to shift. A new movement. A path uncertain but not closed.
"…And yet," she said, softly, "there is more."
Her eyes opened, glowing faintly.
"Your story is not over. Something, someone—will come. Not as it once was… but love may still find you. Written in the stars."
Riven stared at the water, breath shallow.
What the hell was that, some kind of riddle? Riven groaned and resisted the urge to punch himself… or just slam his head against the table.