[Option Three: Go with the flow. You won't promise to stay forever, nor will you close the door on returning. Someday you may set foot on this land again—perhaps for a brief visit, perhaps to start a new journey. Reward: 1× Everwinter Shadewalker. You can summon a Fragmentum-born wraith that obeys your commands absolutely. It mimics the Silvermane Guards' build, wears armor in Belobog style, bears a faceless ice-crystal helm, and wields an ice-forged axe that delays enemies' actions.]
Kairo blinked. "Huh?"
A fresh set of choices? That overlapped weirdly with Stelle's earlier invitation—too many paths at once. But what really snagged his eye was the reward on the third option.
Everwinter Shadewalker?
Of course he knew what that was: a Fragmentum wraith that appeared after the Everwinter, aping the Silvermane Guards' silhouette—disciplined armor, and a head like a clean-cut shard of ice with no features at all. In combat it hewed with a frost-axe that slowed time around its targets, dragging their movements into cold molasses.
And that… was a reward?
If things like this could be earned, could the rest of those "monsters" be collected as well? The thought flashed like lightning—if he could summon a roster of such things, a one-man faction wasn't a fantasy.
Decision made, he inclined his head to Jean. "Many thanks, Acting Grand Master. If there's a chance, I'll return. I'm also registered with the Adventurers' Guild—if Mondstadt needs an extra pair of hands within my reach, I'll help."
Jean's smile bloomed warm and relieved. "In the field, if you need anything, send word to me anytime."
The moment her voice faded, the reward notification slid across Kairo's vision:
[You chose "Go with the flow" to answer Bronya's goodwill. Reward granted: 1× Everwinter Shadewalker. Summonable at will.]
Beside him, Fischl's gaze turned thoughtful. If Jean knew Kairo could step out and be back in Mondstadt the next second… that would be a sight. A private privilege curled at the corner of her lips; she squinted happily.
"Strange… why isn't Fischl upset?" Barbara, standing at Jean's side, glanced over, puzzled.
Last night she'd clearly heard Fischl's voice from Kairo's room. If Fischl wasn't traveling with him, shouldn't she be at least a little reluctant? Yet the girl looked… positively buoyant.
Still, Barbara shook off the thought and stepped forward with a small wrapped bundle, eyes a shy ocean-blue.
"K–Kairo…"
She held the bundle out with both hands, voice soft. "This is… a little gift I prepared."
Fischl's cheeks picked up a pink dawn-glow. Kairo paused, then smiled and accepted it. "Thank you."
"I hope you'll like it…" Barbara lowered her head, fingers twisting her skirt hem.
"I will." He nodded.
Paimon zipped closer, curious. "Oooh—what is it, what is it?"
"N–nothing expensive," Barbara blurted. "Some of my own recovery potions, and a Liyue Travel Guide I compiled… I heard you're headed there. I thought it might help."
"Whoa! So thoughtful!" Paimon gasped.
"Barbara can put guides together too?" Amber laughed, genuinely impressed.
Arms folded, Fischl watched the exchange with an unreadable little squint.
"Thank you, Barbara. I'll treasure it," Kairo said again. Barbara's blush deepened. "Mm…"
Soon after, beneath the Knights' and townsfolk's gazes, Kairo, Lumine, and Paimon walked out of Mondstadt's gates.
A murmur rolled through the crowd that had gathered.
"Kairo's leaving?"
"To Liyue? That's far. Isn't it dangerous on the road?"
"I've heard Liyue's even more prosperous than Mondstadt—more chances, more resources…"
"It'd be better if he stayed—Mondstadt needs him."
"Adventurers' Guild will miss a reliable hand."
"Maybe he's been earning lately to prepare for the trip. Business in Liyue, maybe?"
Understanding, wistfulness, envy—the street filled with mixed voices. With the dragon crisis solved, some even hoped Liyue merchants would return and trade with Mondstadt again.
When Jean and the others dispersed, a raven winged down onto Fischl's shoulder. Oz's feathers caught the sun.
"Milady," he intoned, "Sir Kairo's departure is but a brief separation."
"Mn." Fischl's gaze stayed far. No gloom, only calm resolution.
Oz hesitated. "Milady feels no sadness?"
He had expected heartache, not serenity. He shook his head—perhaps he'd worried too much. "By the way, last night I saw Lady Barbara approach Sir Kairo's home with a gift in hand. She delivered it today instead."
"Barbara? Last night?" Fischl's ears flushed. Did Barbara come to the door and… see that she was inside?
"Or perhaps she simply didn't wish to disturb him," Oz added diplomatically.
Fischl pressed her lips together, then suddenly spun and dashed in the direction Barbara had gone.
Sunlight spilled over her hair as she slipped through the crowd; in moments she had caught up with the deaconess.
"Maiden, a world-saving rite requires your power!"
Fischl planted her hands on her hips before Barbara.
"Huh?" Barbara stopped, blank, blinking up at her. "What do you mean?"
"Barbara!" Fischl's voice rang, clear and a little excited.
"What do you need me to do?" Barbara tilted her head, curiosity overcoming confusion.
"I require the sacred might of a priestess—to borrow your Hydro element and initiate a secret rite!"
Barbara stared, speechless.
Oz alit nearby and translated gently, "My lady hopes you can help channel Hydro energy."
"Oh! I see." Barbara exhaled and nodded. "What kind of help?"
Fischl drew a mystic pass from her pocket—a lacquered ticket etched with faint, shifting stars—and held it up as though brandishing a relic. Barbara's eyes widened.
"You want me to infuse Hydro into… that?"
"Correct." Fischl's satisfaction was palpable. "This is a permit to meet Kairo—a wondrous artifact!"
"A… what?" Barbara faltered. A pass that could take them to Kairo?
"Channel your power," Fischl declared, "and this ticket will tear through space and bear us to where he stands!"
"It can… teleport?" Barbara stared at the ticket's low, steady glow. It sounded like a domain gate—but portable.
Fischl nodded, utterly confident. "With this in hand, distance and time cannot sunder our bond."
Barbara's gaze softened. "So that's why you're not sad about him leaving."
"Sad? It's merely a brief interlude. I can visit him whenever I wish."
"…I understand." Barbara smiled. "All right—I'll help. And I want to see it with my own eyes."
"Excellent! Come, great envoy of water—we open a new path!" Fischl clapped her on the shoulder, making Barbara laugh despite herself.
The two hurried toward the Cathedral and Barbara's room to begin imbuing the pass with elemental energy.
…
Outside Mondstadt, along the wind-brushed path, Lumine walked shoulder to shoulder with Kairo while Paimon bobbed ahead, humming.
"Kairo, have you been to Liyue before?" Paimon asked. "Since you said you've wanted to go, you probably know a bunch already, right?"
"Naturally," Kairo said with a small nod. Liyue—he knew it well.
"Then tell me everything—Geo Archon, places to start, all that," Lumine said, curious. "I know nothing yet."
Kairo opened his mouth—then paused.
A familiar, luminescent overlay slid open in his sight.
[You board the Astral Express, leaving wind and thawed snow behind. The train rolls once more into the starry deep.]
[By Akivili's tradition, the Nameless choose their own road.]
[Before deciding the next world, the crew gathers to cast their sacred vote.]
[You join the route-planning meeting. The Trailblazer asks your opinion. You suggest the Xianzhou Luofu—and see curiosity spark in their eyes.]
The prompt hung there, waiting.
Kairo's fingers flexed at his side, the weight of the star-etched pass warm in his pocket—and far behind, in a quiet room lit by stained glass, two girls pressed their hands together over a glowing ticket as the first trickle of Hydro flowed in.
—To be continued.
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