They walked beneath the dense canopy of Teyvat's forest, their steps soft against the mossy ground and fallen leaves. The air was rich with the scent of fresh earth and blooming wildflowers. In the distance, a gentle breeze carried the sound of a waterfall, like nature's quiet song welcoming them.
"This world is called Teyvat," Lumine began as she guided them along the trail. "It's made up of seven nations: Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya. Each one is ruled by an Archon, a god tied to a specific element."
She walked ahead with confidence along the familiar path. Behind her, Noah, Kiana, and Elysia followed, listening intently as her voice blended with the forest around them.
"Each nation and Archon is tied to one of the seven elemental forces of this world, namely: Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo," Lumine continued. "Humans can tap into these elements through certain methods, rituals, or training... but there's another way. A simpler, more powerful one."
As they walked on, the trees began to thin, and the terrain opened up. The dense forest gave way to a wide ridge, where worn stone paths cut through moss-covered ruins. The light here was softer, filtered through scattered clouds above, casting everything in a grounded calm.
"When someone carries a strong desire, the gods and heaven recognize it. That's when a Vision appears. It looks like a jeweled ornament. It lets the bearer channel elemental power.
They walked until the forest gave way to the edge of a cliff. Beyond it, the land opened up. In the distance stood the tall walls of a city. Below, a small lake shimmered quietly, and in its center stood an elegant, serene, and divine looking statue that was glowing with faint Anemo energy.
"That's our destination," Lumine said, pointing ahead. "Mondstadt. The nation of freedom, govern and protected by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos."
"Woah!" Kiana gasped, eyes wide with amazement. Elysia was already snapping a photo with her usual energy, while Noah stood still, enjoying the spring breeze as it ruffled his hair.
"Hey, Lumi, what's that statue?" Kiana asked, pointing toward the figure below.
"...Lumi?" Lumine blinked at the sudden nickname, caught off guard. She let it slide. "That's the Statue of The Seven. Each nation has one, dedicated to their Archon. This one belongs to Barbatos. People usually come here to pray and ask for blessings and protection as they travel.."
They went down the slope, aiming to get closer to the statue and maybe offer a prayer. After all, this world had real gods so why not try? But when they reached the edge, they came to a halt. The Statue of the Seven stood on an island at the center of the lake, separated by shallow but wide water.
"Ughh... how are we supposed to get there?" Kiana complained.
"The water isn't deep," Lumine noted, squinting down at it. "But yeah... we'd all end up soaked if we swim across."
"Ohh! Then it's time for our wonderful captain to save the day again!" Elysia chirped as she slung her camera aside and turned to Noah, eyes gleaming.
"Captain, do your thing! You always fix our messes," Kiana added cheerfully, bouncing next to him.
Seeing their reactions Lumine glanced at Noah too, clearly expecting something.
Noah's cheek twitches under their stares. He let out a tired but used sigh.
"Please hold my hand."
Before Noah could even finish lifting his hand, Elysia latched onto his left arm and Kiana took the right, grinning like they'd just claimed a prize. Lumine, watching the scene unfold, froze for a second, her cheeks turning pink. Noah's hand hung awkwardly midair, completely ignored.
"Excuse me," Lumine murmured. Then, before he could say anything, she stepped in and wrapped her arms around him from the front.
Surrounded by Lumine's softness and flowery scent brushing against him, Kiana clinging to one side, Elysia smiling on the other, Noah frozen still.
He was grateful alright, feeling lucky to be surrounded like this. but he can't help, maybe just a little, cursed.
"I did say you could just hold my hand, you know," Noah blushing, muttering, with a little exasperation.
"Oh, we heard you loud and clear~" Elysia grinned, clearly enjoying herself.
"But this is way better, isn't it?" Kiana chimed in with a teasing smile.
"Um… should I move?" Lumine asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up at him.
Without thinking, Noah gently rested his hand on her waist to stop her. Lumine's cheeks flushed deeper, but she didn't try to step away. Kiana and Elysia simply shared a knowing laugh, clearly pleased with how things turned out.
Damn, I moved on instinct. He thought, but didn't say anything to deny what Kiana and Elysia said.
Noah exhaled, steadying his breath. Then in a heartbeat, prana flared around them like scattered star lights. A gentle reminder of Noah's Genestella lineage. Lumine, seeing it for the first time, could only watch it in silent awe. And in the next blink, Noah teleporting them from the clearing's edge to the foot of the statue.
As they landed, Elysia and Kiana wandered off to get a closer look at the statue, but Lumine didn't move right away. Because of her height, she had to tilt her head back just to meet Noah's eyes. Her cheeks were still flushed from earlier, eyes a little misty from the closeness they'd shared.
This is so unfair! Keep calm me! Remember your training! I am with Force! I am calm, cool and collected!, Noah repeated to himself like a mantra, keeping it all behind a small smile and faint blush. Slowly, he slid his hand from her waist.
THAT WAS AWESOM-- NO!NO!NO! KEEP IT COOL ME!. He let out a slow breath, part reluctant, part relieved.
Kiana eagerly stepped forward, reaching for the statue. A breeze stirred around her fingertips playfully surrounds her. Elysia followed with a graceful touch, drawing a shimmer through the air as if the wind acknowledged her... then passed.
Noah stepped up last. As his hand touched the statue, a faint shift rolled through the air around him. The breeze circled him gently, like it was curious then gently fades.
As he pulled his hand back, he felt a nudge through the Force, a suggestion brushing the edge of his thoughts.
Understanding it, he looked over his shoulder at Lumine.
"Lumine," he said. "You also try touching it."
She blinked, surprised. "Me? Why?"
But before Noah could respond, Kiana jumped in.
"It's okay, Lumi! It's just the Captain doing his mysterious gut-feel thing again."
"Yep, nothing to worry about," Elysia chimed in as she casually prepped her camera. "Pretty sure it's going to be a nice surprise."
Lumine tilted her head, puzzled. "Why are you both so sure?"
It was odd. They'd only just met today and only spent a few hours together. Yet somehow, she already found herself trusting them. Maybe it was because they were like her… people from another side of the stars.
"Well, it is because of my ability." Noah explains to her. "I have this special power that makes me know things. Hmm, it is like an inner guide or something. It is kinda hard to explain, so all I can ask right now is for you to give me a chance."
Seeing Noah's sincerity, Lumine could already tell he wasn't lying. She had already decided to go along with it anyway, but she wanted to hear it from him first. She wanted to understand the kind of people she had just met.
"Alright," she said, giving a small nod, eyes filled with trust towards him, toward them. Noah caught it from her look and silently thanked her for it.
Lumine stepped forward and pressed her hand against the statue's surface.
The wind stirred.
A swirl of green light flared out, wrapping around her like a breath of life itself. Her eyes widened as the Anemo element flowed into her carefully. She swayed slightly from the rush of it all, as the light settled around her like welcoming her.
The others were stunned.
Kiana's eyes sparkled. "Lumi… wow! Did you just get blessed by the Anemo god?"
Elysia blinked. "Incredible."
Noah let out a relief sigh.
Lumine looked at her hands as the light faded. She flexed her fingers slowly. "This… I didn't expect this." Her voice wavered, caught between confusion and wonder.
She turned her palm upward, watching as a soft wind gathered there. Everything felt clearer like the world itself just opened up for her.
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The group began their walk back toward Mondstadt, the sunlight filtering gently through the trees as Lumine playfully tested out her newly acquired powers. Kiana and Elysia flanked her, firing off curious questions about how it felt to wield Anemo, their chatter light and energetic. Noah followed behind them, watching with a soft found smile.
But just as they neared the forest's edge, Noah's pace slowed. His gaze narrowed. One hand moved subtly toward the hilt of Lux.
"Hold up," he said, voice low. "Something's coming."
From the shadows between the trees emerged several creatures, slimes and a flower?
Before Noah could step forward, Lumine raised her hand. A burst of Anemo energy flared from her palm, sending the slimes tumbling backward.
"It's fine. Just Hydro slimes and a Cryo Whopperflower. Nothing too serious," she said quietly, then glanced at Noah, Kiana, and Elysia, who were all stunned. "Is it okay if I deal with them? I want to try using the Anemo element properly."
"Are you sure you can handle it alone?" Kiana asked, her concern showing clearly.
Noah and Elysia didn't speak just watching Lumine, gauging her intention.
"They're common around here. Nothing you need to worry about," Lumine added. Seeing their concern towards her. She can't help but feel the warmth settles in her chest.
The three looked at each other, then nodded.
"If I think you're in danger, I'll step in immediately. Alright?" Noah said firmly.
Lumine gave them a real smile, before turning toward the monsters. She summoned her faded blade and ran ahead, calling to the new power flowing through her.
And the wind answered.
Anemo gathered around her as she moved. With a sweep of her hand, a focused gust shot forward, slamming a slime into a tree. Another lunged, and she twisted midair, using a wind current to vault above and strike it from behind.
Kiana's jaw dropped. "She's… already fighting like that?!"
Elysia, recording the whole scene, gave a soft sound of admiration. "So graceful. It's like she's became one with the wind."
Noah didn't speak, but his eyes stayed locked on Lumine, watching closely for anything that might slip past her.
The fight didn't last long. Lumine soon jumps spinning at the center of the clearing as the wind responded to her call.
"Wind, rise!"
A tornado burst to life, pulling the slime and Whopperflower into its swirling core. Inside, the Cryo and Hydro elements mixed and clashed within the spinning air, triggering a flurry of reactions that tore through the monsters.
Moments later, with a pop, both creatures vanished—leaving behind only a few drops of pure elemental residue scattered across the ground.
Lumine remained in the middle, catching her breath, a little winded from the effort.
"That… was exhilarating," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
Noah let out a quiet breath of relief, easing his grip on the hilt of his weapon.
Kiana rushed over and hugged Lumine, her eyes sparkling. "That was amazing! You were like—woosh! And bam!" She mimicked the wind attacks with her arms, grinning wide.
Elysia walked over, chuckling as she tucked her camera away. "Seriously, that was beautiful. It's like you were dancing with the wind."
Lumine, caught between them, offered a shy but genuine smile. "I didn't even think I could do that… I just moved without thinking. Letting my instincts take over. ."
Noah chuckled, then reached into his waist pouch and pulled out a cookie, offering it to Lumine. "Then I guess this calls for a congratulations."
Lumine blinked, tilting her head curiously at the cookie before gently taking it.
"Lucky!" Kiana pouted, still hugging her. "That's the Captain's classic cookie. Best thing you'll ever eat!"
"Yep, legendary even," Elysia added from Lumine's other side, nodding seriously. "That cookie has solved more crises than we can count."
"You two are exaggerating," Noah sighed. "It's just a regular family recipe."
Lumine took a careful bite. The moment she chewed, her eyes lit up with surprise and delight. Before she even knew it, she finished the cookie right away.
"See, Captain? This is the ultimate power of your cookies!" Kiana declared with pride, as if she'd just declared a universal truth.
"That's right!" Elysia added with a firm nod. "From now on, you're only allowed to give these out under strict supervision—especially to girls! We don't need a sudden surge of rivals."
"…This was my first time tasting it, and I… agree," Lumine admitted, glancing at the cookie crumbs in her hand. "You shouldn't hand these out so casually."
Noah just stared at the three of them, unamused.
"…Fine," he muttered with a sigh. "Let's get moving. If we keep dawdling, we won't reach the city before nightfall."
"Yes~!" the girls replied in perfect sync, before happily following after him toward Mondstadt.