As Mondstadt came into view, a girl dressed in red with bunny ears suddenly jumped over the trio on front of them. She is equipped with a bow and announced herself proudly with a proud grin.
>>"Hey! You three there! Stop right there! Outrider Patrol! I'm Amber."<<
Paimon perked up instantly.
>>"Ah! We're no danger, we are Travelers. We were heading into Mondstadt our new companion need help."<<
Amber's gaze flicked between them Lumine, then Paimon, then finally her she paused immediately and is startled by the sight.
>>"Whoa... You okay...? You look like you ran into a ruin guardian."<< Amber said, concern softening her grin.
>>"I'm fine..."<< she tried to say but came out thinner than she meant.
Amber didn't push, instead, she stepped closer, voice lowering slightly.
>>"Hey...no pressure. But you're hurt. Mondstadt have people who can help."<<
She straightened again, all sunshine.
>>"Again ! Name's Amber! Outrider Amber of the Knights of Favonius"<<
Paimon gasped.
>>"Wait ! You are one of the Knights?!"<<
Amber laughed slightly
>>"Relax, relax. You're not in trouble."<< Her eyes lingered on the bruises and the way the wind curved around her instead of touching.
>>"...You're just in the wrong state to be wandering alone."<<
Lumine felt it too the air tightening, the strange resistance around her companion.
But Amber only smiled wider.
>>"Come on!"<< she said, gesturing toward the city.
>>"I'll walk you in. First time' s always easier with a guide and for you three! I'm your guide."<<
Amber smiled broad, happy and motivated while she The three accompanied him to Mondstadt, and as the three followed Amber and approached, they already saw the guards who would probably have stopped them if Amber hadn't been there.
Amber didn't waste time and led the way through the main gate, waving cheerfully to the guards as they passed.
>>""See? No Problem!"
Mondstadt opened before them, stone streets bathed in sunlight. She led them straight through the city, past curious glance, banners fluttering freely in the wind. The air felt lighter here, clearer. Even so, when the breeze brushed past her, it hesitated, bending strangely as if unsure how to touch her.
Amber slowed her pace, walking backward now.
>>"So! First things first Mondstadt is the City of Freedom! No tyrants, no rulers breathing down your neck."<<
She gestured around proudly.
>>"Just people living how they want. Pretty great, right?"<<
Paimon spun in the air.
>>"Whoa... Paimon likes this place already!"<<
She looks at Amber, Paimon and Lumine while Lumine helps her walking.
Amber's gaze flicked briefly to her again, her bruises, her stiffness, the way she kept her injured side guarded.
>>"We'll stop by the cathedral later"<<
Amber added more gently.
>>"They've got healers and... well, you could use the rest."<<
She nodded faintly.
They passed the plaza, the fountain, the towering statue of the Anemo Archon looming above them.
>>"That's Barbatos, the Anemo Archon"<<
Amber explained.
>>"Protector of Mondstadt. People pray, sing, or just hang out there."<<
The wind stirred and then music.
A lyre's melody drifted across the plaza light, playful, yet threaded with something ancient.
Paimon froze midair.
>>"Lumine that's guy from before!"<<
The bard stand there and play on his Lyre casually with his green outfit and his green hat slightly tilted. He looked up, eyes bright. He was about to leave, but he stopped when he saw the injured person near Lumine. His gaze started by Paimon, to Lumine and then slid naturally too naturally to the new companion.
The wind faltered, just for a moment.
Venti's smile didn't fade, but it sharpened, thoughtful.
>>"Seems the wind brought you someone new"<<
He said lightly, Lumine frowned and tilted her head and Paimon did the same.
>>"We met before. In the forest."<<
Said Lumine.
>>"Did we?"
Venti laughed softly.
>>"The wind carries so many meetings."<<
His eyes lingered on the new companion .
>>You look... tired and you are hurt"<<
Something cold curled beneath her skin and she looked around at Lumine, then Paimon and then Venti.
>>"I'm fine..."<< she said.
Venti hummed slightly.
>>"Mm. Then the city will be kind to you."<<
He slowly walks away.
>>Just... don't wander too far alone. Mondstadt's wind protects, but it doesn't explain."<<
And with that, he run away and he seemed to be in a hurry. Amber just blinked.
>>"Huh. That bard's always popping up."<<
She clapped her hands.
>>"Anyway! Let's keep moving!"<<
The Knights of Favonius Headquarters stood tall and orderly a contrast to the city's relaxed streets.
Jean greeted them personally.
>>"Amber. You're back early."<<
Her eyes shifted to Lumine, then Paimon and finally to the companion which is supported by Lumine. Whereupon Jean's expression sharpened.
>>"She's injured."<<
Paimon answered immediately.
>>"Paimon found she with Lumine in a ruin."<<
Jean approached her calmly, bend slightly to meet her eye level.
>>"You're safe here, Mondstadt does not abandon those in need."<< Said Jean firmly and gentle.
After a pause.
>>"But you are not from here, are you?"<<
She hesitated, then shook her head.
Jean nodded, accepting the answer without pressing.
>>"Lisa, be so good."<<
Lisa a elegant lady with a purple Witch outfit emerged from behind a shelf of books her brown hair cascading lazily over her shoulder, her green eyes already gleaming with interest while a book resting loosely in her hand. She looked up and down slowly and paused.
Lisa closed her book with deliberate care and straightened, her gaze no longer lazy but intensely focused not on Lumine, not on Paimon, but on her.
>>"Oh my..."<< she drawled.
>>"Now this is fascinating. My dear... where did you said found you this one? In a Ruin?"<<
It was silent until Lisa lifts her gaze and looked at Lumine and Paimon, Lumine answered.
>>"In the ruins outside the city. She was hurt."<<
Lisa approached, heels clicking softly against the floor. She didn't touch her not yet. She circled once, studying the way the air bent subtly around her, how the light seemed to hesitate.
>>"How fascinating..."<< Lisa murmured.
>>"Your injuries are obvious... but that's not what worries me."<<
She lifted two fingers, electricity humming faintly not striking, not threatening. Just sensing and the reaction was immediate, the air resisted.
Lisa's smile faded slowly and she circled her slowly, green eyes tracing the strange resistance in the air.
>>"No Vision."<< Lisa murmured.
>>"No elemental resonance... and yet"<<
She smiled knowingly.
>>"Something is strange, something is wrong. You feel it too, don't you Sweetie?"<< she asked Lumine quietly.
>>"She doesn't quite... align."<<
Paimon looked between Lisa and Lumine, she want to understand and want to talk with both.
>>"Paimon thought it was just weird!"<<
Lisa sighed softly and shakes her head.
>>"No, sweetheart. This is beyond weird."<<
She stepped back, tone shifting responsible now.
>>"But... she needs treatment first. Speculation comes later."<<
>>"Can someone help her?"<< Lumine asked and Lisa smiles gentle and knowingly.
>>"Of course Sweetie, you can take her to Barbara."<<
Her smile turned sharp.
>>"Understanding her will take longer. Your body doesn't follow Teyvat's rules."
She said gently but her eyes darkened with curiosity. >>"This fractures is not something I can erase."<<
Jean straightened and decides.
>>"Then she stays under our protection."
Lisa smiled charmingly and moved closer to her with research curiosity.
>>"Oh, absolutely. I take good care too...~"
She glanced at her and said seductive.
>>"Welcome to Mondstadt, dear...~"<<
Amber left after a while with a smile because she had to leave again, she apologized, wished her a good recovery and was gone. Jean asked Lisa to take the three of them to Barbara, who was in the Favonius Cathedral Jean will then gather her thoughts and brainstorm how to deal with the three of them, especially one of them.
Once there the Sunlight filtered through stained glass, casting soft colors across the stone floor. The scent of incense and clean water lingered in the air. Barbara helped her, her hands glowing faintly with Hydro energy, her expression gentle but focused.
>>Try to relax please, I'll take care of the pain and everything else. It'll be over soon."<< Barbara said softly.
Cool water wrapped around her bruised skin, easing the tension, closing the wounds that had no right to still ache as deeply as they did. But not everything healed Barbara frowned slightly.
>>"That's strange... Why can't I -"<<
She focused harder. The healing worked physically and the body responded but the heaviness remained.
>>" I don't understand that... Your injuries are healing, But I don't understand why you still feel so tired."<<
Barbara said slowly, concern creeping into her voice.
Lisa, standing nearby with crossed arms, answered for her.
>>"It's simple... because what's hurting her isn't something you can wash away. The body of this girl doesn't follow the rules of Tevyat like our bodys"<<
Barbara looked up, confused and concerned.
>>"Is... is she cursed?"<<
Lisa shook her head with a little smile.
>>"No. She's... misaligned."<<
Barbara finished the treatment gently but looked apologetic.
>>"I'm sorry... this is all I can do."<<
She looked at Barbara and answered silently.
>>"I am already very grateful to you, you have helped me a lot and don't want something in return. Asking for more or being ungrateful now would be wrong, I'm greatful for your help out of pure and kind heart ness."<<
She looked at her body and it was true, the wounds were gone but the fracture was not.
Later, as the city settled into dusk, the wind shifted. Lisa was back with Jean and Barbara is in the Favonius Cathedral. A familiar melody drifted through the plaza light, playful, almost careless while she walked with Lumine and Paimon again. A bard stand by the Anemo Archon stature, lyre in hand, green eyes watching far more than he let on.
>>"Hmm~"
Venti stopped playing and he looked at her
For the briefest moment, the smile slipped.
>>"That's a heavy wind you carry, you know"<<
He said lightly, hopping closer. Paimon brightened.
>>"Hey! You're that bard from the forest! The one we saw talking to that big dragon!"<<
Venti chuckled and said.
>>"Guilty as charged."<<
Then, he speaks softer with a little smile:
>>"Some souls pass through this world untouched. Others... leave cracks behind."<<
The wind stirred, curious then withdrew. Venti stepped back, hands raised casually.
>>" But Don't worry. Mondstadt welcomes all kinds of strays."<<
His gaze lingered just a second longer.
>>"Even the ones the world doesn't know what to do with yet. Mondstadt makes no distinctions and excludes no one, you three should rest"<<
And with a laugh and a tune, he leaves in direction Tavern leaving only wind, unanswered questions and the quiet certainty that she had been seen.