The sound of wind was the first thing he heard.
A gentle breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the scent of fresh grass and distant flowers. Slowly, consciousness returned, and the young man opened his eyes. Above him stretched an endless blue sky, dotted with drifting white clouds that moved lazily as if guided by an unseen hand.
He lay on a vast grassy plain, emerald blades swaying rhythmically around him.
"…Where… am I?"
His voice felt unfamiliar to his own ears.
The young man sat up, rubbing his temples. His head throbbed slightly, as though something important had been torn away from him. He searched his mind desperately, trying to recall anything—memories, faces, places—but there was nothing. Just an empty void where his past should have been.
No childhood.No family.No reason for being here.
Only one thing remained.
"My name…" he murmured, pressing a hand to his chest. "Aether."
The name surfaced naturally, as if carved deep into his soul. Yet beyond that, there was nothing. Not even the faintest hint of how he had arrived in this strange land.
Aether stood up slowly, brushing grass from his clothes. His attire was unusual—light, practical, and unlike anything he remembered seeing before. He looked around again. The plains stretched far and wide, interrupted only by distant hills and the outline of forests far away.
"I don't remember anything… but staying here won't help."
With no other option, Aether began to walk.
A Dragon in the Sky
The grassland was peaceful, almost too peaceful. Birds chirped somewhere nearby, and the wind hummed softly as it passed through the fields. Aether followed no particular path, simply moving forward, hoping that answers would eventually find him.
Then—
A deep, thunderous roar tore through the sky.
Aether froze.
He looked up just in time to see a massive shadow pass over the land. His breath caught as an enormous dragon soared above him, its wings blotting out the sun for a brief moment. Azure scales shimmered against the light, while dark, jagged black horns protruded ominously from its back.
The air trembled as the creature roared again.
"That thing…" Aether whispered.
The dragon flew toward a dense forest in the distance, wind spiraling violently in its wake. Trees bent under the pressure of its passing, leaves scattering like frightened birds.
Every instinct screamed danger.
Aether clenched his fists, steadying himself.
"Going after that would be suicide," he said calmly. "If it's heading into the forest, then I'll go the other way."
Without hesitation, he turned his back on the forest and chose a safer route, moving along the plains. Though his heart raced, his steps remained firm. Somehow, despite his lost memories, fear did not paralyze him.
The wind seemed to follow him, guiding him onward.
The City of Freedom
After what felt like hours, a familiar structure finally appeared on the horizon—a stone bridge, arching gracefully over a river that reflected the sky like a mirror. Beyond it stood a magnificent walled city, windmills turning lazily atop tall buildings.
Aether stopped in awe.
"So… a city."
The sound of flowing water and distant chatter reached his ears as he crossed the bridge. At its end stood the grand gates of Mondstadt, guarded by two armored soldiers bearing spears and the insignia of the Knights of the Favonius.
"Halt!" one of the guards commanded. "State your name and business."
Aether raised his hands slightly, showing no hostility.
"My name is Aether," he said evenly. "I'm a traveler. I don't have a destination—I just wish to see new places."
The guards exchanged glances.
"A traveler, huh?" the second guard said. "You don't look like you're from around here."
"I'm not," Aether replied honestly.
After a moment of silence, the first guard nodded. "Mondstadt welcomes all who come in peace. You may enter."
The gates creaked open.
As Aether stepped inside Mondstadt, he felt something stir within him—something warm and familiar, though he couldn't explain why.
A Walk Through Mondstadt
The city was alive.
Citizens walked freely through stone-paved streets, laughter and music filling the air. Vendors called out from stalls, children ran past chasing one another, and the gentle wind carried the scent of freshly baked bread.
Aether wandered slowly, absorbing everything.
At the city's center stood a beautiful fountain, crystal-clear water flowing endlessly. Nearby, towering above everything else, was the magnificent Statue of the Anemo Archon—arms outstretched, face serene, as though blessing the city with eternal freedom.
He continued walking, passing the imposing Headquarters of the Knights of the Favonius, where disciplined soldiers trained diligently. Not far from there stood the Church of Favonius, its bells chiming softly in the breeze.
Everything felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Eventually, Aether found an empty bench near the statue and sat down. He leaned back, gazing upward at the stone figure.
"If I've lost everything… then maybe this wind brought me here for a reason," he whispered.
For a moment, the world seemed to listen.
Stormterror's Wrath
Dark clouds gathered suddenly.
The wind intensified, howling violently through the city streets. Citizens looked up in fear as the sky darkened unnaturally fast.
"What's happening?" someone shouted.
A familiar roar echoed across Mondstadt.
Aether stood abruptly.
"The dragon…"
The same creature from before emerged from the clouds—Stormterror, Dvalin, his massive wings stirring a devastating storm. Buildings shook, banners tore loose, and people screamed as the wind grew uncontrollable.
"Take cover!" the Knights shouted. "Protect the civilians!"
Aether shielded his eyes as debris flew past him. He moved quickly toward cover when something caught his attention.
A soldier, clutching a child, struggled against the raging wind.
"Hold on!" the soldier shouted.
The wind surged violently, lifting them off their feet and slamming them into the ground. The soldier cried out in pain as his spear was torn from his grip and hurled across the plaza.
The weapon skidded across stone… stopping near Aether's feet.
Time seemed to slow.
The Spear of Fate
Aether looked from the fallen spear to the dragon tearing through the sky.
"…I can't ignore this."
He stepped forward, grasping the spear firmly. Though he had no memory of wielding a weapon, his body moved naturally—as if guided by instinct.
He took aim.
The dragon circled above, its corrupted black horn visible between its wings.
"That one…"
Aether inhaled deeply and hurled the spear with every ounce of strength he possessed.
The wind itself seemed to carry it.
The spear pierced the sky—
—and struck true.
A deafening roar followed as the black horn shattered, fragments scattering into the storm. Dvalin screamed in pain, losing balance and crashing into nearby buildings.
The city trembled.
Aether didn't wait.
As chaos erupted and Knights rushed forward, he turned away, vanishing into the winding streets before anyone could see him.
By the time the soldier and the child stirred, the mysterious stranger was already gone.
"What… happened?" the soldier muttered.
The storm, however, did not fade.
A Song Interrupted
Hours earlier—
High above the land, among ancient ruins, stood a lone bard.
Venti, the Anemo Archon, played a gentle melody on his lyre as he faced a wounded dragon.
"Easy now, Dvalin," he said softly. "The corruption will fade. You just have to trust me."
But dark magic surged.
An Abyss Mage appeared out of thin air, laughter echoing ominously.
"Your song ends here, Barbatos."
Venti's eyes widened. "No—stop!"
Controlled by the Abyss Order, Dvalin roared and took flight toward Mondstadt, ignoring Venti's desperate pleas.
"Dvalin...," Venti whispered.
The Knights' Resolve
Back in Mondstadt, the Knights of the Favonius gathered in the headquarters.
At the center stood Jean, Acting Grand Master, her expression resolute.
"Stormterror's attacks are escalating," she said. "The Abyss Order is behind this. We must act."
Lisa "I've identified ancient Temples where they're gathering power."
"Then that's our target," Jean replied firmly. "We protect Mondstadt—no matter the cost."
Outside, the wind howled.
And somewhere beyond the city walls, Aether walked alone, unaware that his fate had already intertwined with the winds of Teyvat.