[Location: Falcon Coast – Hidden Fatui Stronghold]
[Time: 06:30 AM]
The morning mist clung to the cliffs, hiding the jagged entrance to the ancient ruins the Fatui had claimed.
"This is the place," Diluc said, adjusting his gloves. He stood with his claymore planted in the grass, looking like a disappointed father about to discipline unruly children.
Aether nodded, stretching his arms. "They won't expect us this soon."
"I hope they have breakfast ready," I growled, pacing in a circle. My claws tore furrows into the dirt. "I'm starving, and I have a craving for high-voltage static."
Paimon hid behind Aether. "Please don't eat people while Paimon is watching. It gives Paimon nightmares."
"Relax, emergency food. I only eat the bad ones. It's recycling."
"Move out," Diluc commanded.
We breached the heavy stone doors.
[Location: Inside the Stronghold]
The interior was a mess of ancient Mondstadt architecture defiled by hastily erected Fatui scaffolding. Red banners hung from the ceiling.
"Intruders!" A guard shouted.
A squad of Fatui Skirmishers blocked the hallway. A heavy Electrohammer Vanguard, a Geochanter Bracer, and two Pyroslingers.
"Form formation!" the Electrohammer shouted, raising his massive weapon. It buzzed with purple energy.
Diluc didn't even slow down. "Aether, take the Gunners. Raiden, break their line."
"With pleasure!"
I activated [Shadow Motion]. My body dissolved into a pool of darkness, sliding across the floor at breakneck speed, passing right under the Electrohammer's swing.
I materialized directly behind the Geochanter. He was chanting a shield spell.
"Too slow!"
I didn't bite him. I tackled him. Using [Steel Strength], I slammed my shoulder into his back with the force of a wrecking ball. He went flying, smashing into a stone pillar with a sickening crunch. His Geo shield shattered before it could fully form.
The Electrohammer turned, roaring. He brought the hammer down on my head.
BOOM!
Electricity crackled across my body. The floor cracked.
"Got you, you mutt!" the Skirmisher laughed.
But the laughter died when the smoke cleared. I was standing there, shaking my head.
[System Alert]
<[Electricity Resistance] active. Damage minimized. [Pain Nullification] active.>
"That tickled," I snarled.
I lunged. Instead of attacking his body, I bit down on the head of his hammer.
[Unique Skill: Predator] – [Activate].
The metal crunched like a biscuit. The Elemental energy stored within the weapon was violently sucked out, rushing down my throat in a stream of spicy, tingling power.
"My hammer!" he screamed.
"My snack," I corrected mentally. I whipped my tail around, sweeping his legs. As he fell, Diluc finished him off with a flaming overhead strike.
"Searing Onslaught!" Diluc yelled, turning the hallway into a barbecue.
[Location: Inner Chamber]
We kicked open the final door. The Electro Cicin Mage was there, clutching the Holy Lyre. She looked panicked. The Pyro Agent from last night stood guard.
"They're here already?!" The Mage shrieked. "Zinea needs backup! Reinforcements!"
"Give the Lyre back!" Aether shouted, charging forward with Anemo wind swirling around his blade.
The Pyro Agent vanished into stealth again.
"Not this time."
I closed my eyes.
"Great Sage. Locate."
[Great Sage]
"Aether, duck!"
Aether dropped. The Pyro Agent materialized right where Aether's head had been. Before the Agent could recover, I was on him.
I didn't kill him—we needed answers, or at least, the Knights did. I pinned him to the ground with one claw, applying enough pressure to crack the stone beneath him.
"Stay," I commanded, my voice projecting straight into his terrified mind. "Good boy."
The Cicin Mage panicked. She floated into the air, summoning three Electro Cicins (flying bats). "Go! Zap them! Fry them!"
The bugs swarmed me, shooting tiny bolts of lightning.
"Annoying..."
I opened my mouth wide.
[Predator: Area Mode] – [Vacuum].
A vortex of wind and gravity formed in my maw. The three Cicins screeched as they were dragged through the air, unable to resist the suction.
Gulp.
[System Alert]
The Mage stared in horror. "You... you ate my babies!"
"You're next if you don't drop the harp."
She looked at Diluc, whose claymore was wreathed in fire. She looked at Aether, who was ready to strike. And she looked at me, a dragon-wolf licking his lips.
She dropped the Lyre.
"I surrender! I surrender!" She raised her hands, floating down slowly. "Just don't eat me!"
Aether caught the Lyre before it hit the ground. He checked it over. "It's safe. A bit dusty, but safe."
Diluc walked over to the cowering Mage. He looked terrifying. "You will tell us everything you know about the Abyss Order's involvement with Dvalin. And why the Fatui want the dragon's power."
The Mage nodded frantically. "Yes! Yes! Just keep the dog away!"
I sat down on my haunches and scratched my ear with a hind leg. "I prefer the term 'Apex Predator,' thank you very much."
[Location: Dawn Winery – Cellar]
[Time: 09:00 AM]
We had handed the Fatui over to the Knights (well, Diluc had "anonymously" left them tied up at the gate). We were now safe in the Winery.
Venti was there, nursing a bottle of Dandelion Wine.
"Ah! You retrieved it!" The bard clapped his hands. "And look at that, not a scratch on it. Unlike the Fatui, I assume."
"They'll live," Diluc grunted, crossing his arms. "Mostly."
Venti strummed the strings. The Lyre hummed with a sad, dissonant tone.
"It's true," Venti sighed. "The Lyre's power has faded. Dvalin is suffering... his tears have poisoned the Anemo flow."
Aether pulled out the Teardrop Crystals we had purified earlier.
"Can these help?"
Venti's eyes widened. He took a crystal and placed it on the Lyre. The crystal dissolved into light, and the wood of the Lyre turned from a dull brown to a verdant, glowing green.
"Amazing..." Venti whispered. He looked at Aether, and then at me. "You two... you defy the laws of this world."
He looked specifically at me.
"A Dragon from beyond the stars," Venti mused, a knowing glint in his teal eyes. "Tell me, friend... does the wind blow in your world?"
"It does," I replied telepathically. "But it doesn't smell as sweet as apples and wine."
Venti laughed, a genuine, bell-like sound. "I like him! I definitely like him. Alright then! The Lyre is restored. We have the tool to save Dvalin."
"Where do we go?" Aether asked.
Venti pointed north.
"To the starsnatch cliff. We summon him there. But be warned..." Venti's expression darkened. "The Abyss Order will not let us save him without a fight."
I stood up, shaking off the dust from the raid. My stomach growled.
[Great Sage]
"Let them come," I grinned, revealing a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. "I'm still hungry."