The journey back to Liyue was a stark contrast to the tense, purposeful trek to Mondstadt. A quiet, peaceful atmosphere had settled over the caravan. The mission was a resounding success, alliances had been forged, and the immediate danger had passed.
For Ren, the days on the road became a period of quiet reflection. The whirlwind of battles, new friendships, and divine encounters had left his mind buzzing. He spent most of the long, swaying hours of travel nestled in the comfortable, secure embrace of his big sister.
Ganyu, sensing his quiet, contemplative mood and mistaking it for sadness at leaving his new friends, had taken it upon herself to be his personal source of comfort. She would sit with him in the main carriage, a soft blanket draped over them, and simply hold him. It was not a restrictive, overprotective hold, but a gentle, reassuring cuddle, a constant, warm presence that anchored him and made him feel safe.
Nestled in her embrace, the scent of Qingxin flowers a familiar, soothing perfume, Ren's thoughts drifted. He replayed the events of the past weeks, his mind turning over the pieces of the grand, unfolding story he found himself in. He thought of Klee's explosive laughter, of Eula's reluctant friendship, of Lumine's quiet, determined strength. A small, sad smile touched his lips. He did miss them.
But as he leaned back against Ganyu's comforting warmth, her earlier words echoed in his mind. "Liyue cannot solve Mondstadt's problems for them. They must find the strength to face their own challenges."
He finally, truly, understood the depth of her wisdom. His decision to leave hadn't just been about returning home. It had been a necessary, deliberate act of non-interference. The Stormterror crisis was Mondstadt's battle. More importantly, it was Lumine's. It was the first chapter of her journey in this new world, the crucible that would introduce her to the allies, the conflicts, and the very nature of Teyvat.
For him to have stayed, to have interfered in this story. It would have robbed Lumine of her own agency, of her chance to grow, to become the hero the story needed her to be. His very presence, he knew, was already a significant deviation from the original timeline. He was a wild card, an unknown variable that would undoubtedly alter the future. But for now, for this first, crucial chapter, it was vital that he let the story unfold as it was meant to. He had to let the main character have her own adventure.
Besides, he remembered Zhongli's calm, confident words, the quiet reassurance from one god about another. "Barbatos is not weak." Ren chose to trust in that. He trusted in the wisdom of the Geo Archon, and by extension, he placed his faith in the unseen strength of the Anemo Archon. Venti was not a helpless victim; he was a player in this grand, divine game, and he had his own part to play.
A sense of peace settled over Ren. He had done the right thing. He had offered his help in a moment of crisis, forged friendships, and planted the seeds of future events with his invitation to Lumine. He had played his part, and now it was time to step back and let the other actors take the stage.
He snuggled a little deeper into Ganyu's hug, the rhythmic swaying of the carriage a soothing lullaby. The road ahead led back to Liyue, to his home, to his own projects, and to the quiet, unfolding mystery of his own power. He had left Mondstadt's story to its hero. Now, it was time to return to his own.