Aether was there.
Her blond hair caught the lamplight, and her golden eyes held a quiet gentleness.
Lisa approached silently and settled herself against him, resting her head naturally on his shoulder, as if this gesture were part of an old habit.
Dream Aether: "You always arrive at the right moment."
"I was just about to begin the story."
Dream Lisa: "Oh?"
"Then I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Under the covers, three children were huddled together.
Lisa recognized them immediately, her heart squealing with tenderness.
Violet, the eldest, had inherited her mother sharp wit and followed every word intently.
Viorel, more restless, fidgeted slightly, eager to hear the heroic passages.
As for Hyacinth, the youngest, she was comfortably settled next to Lisa, absently playing with a lock of her hair.
Aether turned a page of the book, and her voice became calm and warm.
Dream Aether: "It was during my first battle against Dvalin."
"The wind howled, and the sky seemed about to collapse..."
The children listened with fascination.
Lisa watched Aether tell his story, his expressions, the way his eyes lit up when he spoke of courage and hope.
She felt immense pride, not for the hero he was, but for the caring and present man he had become.
Dream Lisa: "You're being a bit dramatic, you know."
Dream Aether: "Maybe... but that's how stories stay etched in our memories."
Violet looked up at Lisa.
Violet: "Mom, is it true that Dad was really that brave?"
Lisa smiled and gently stroked her daughter's hair.
Dream Lisa: "Yes."
"But what makes him truly special is that he always came back."
Aether gazed tenderly at Lisa.
The world around them seemed to slow down.
The wind grew softer, the sounds more distant.
He leaned slightly towards her, their foreheads almost touching.
Dream Aether: "And you, Lisa… you've always been here too."
Viorel: "Could I, too, face dragons like Dad?"
Dream Lisa: "Be careful, don't let him climb everywhere."
Aether from the dream: "Too late, he's already inherited your thirst for curiosity."
Hyacinth looked awkwardly towards Lisa, and she leaned down to embrace him.
Lisa dream was so beautiful that she didn't want to wake up.
She felt a profound peace, a sense of complete fulfillment.
This dream wasn't just a fantasy:
It was an entire life
- Coherent
- Stable
- Filled with love.
As the minutes passed, Aether continued to recount his adventure to his children (from Lisa dream).
The children fell asleep one after another, lulled by Aether voice.
Lisa watched their peaceful faces, then looked up at the starry sky.
Dream Lisa: "You know... I could stay here forever."
Dream Aether: "Me too."
He put an arm around her shoulders.
Dream Aether: "I love you, Lisa."
He brought his face closer to hers, his lips especially close.
Dream Lisa: "....."
"Me too..."
"I love you.... Aether."
Lisa closed her eyes, letting the feeling of happiness completely wash over her.
Then, gently, the light faded.
Before their lips even touched, sealing their love.
Lisa wakes up.
Lisa: "....."
She lay motionless for a few seconds, staring at her bedroom ceiling.
The silence was calm, almost respectful.
Far from embarrassment or confusion, a familiar warmth still filled her chest.
Lisa: "...That dream again."
She let out a small, satisfied laugh and turned slightly onto her side, clutching her pillow.
It wasn't the first time she'd had this dream, and now she recognized it like a beloved place.
Lisa: "It's always so vivid..."
She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the details:
- The blanket
- The children
- Aether voice.
DOKI DOKI
Her heart sank gently, but this time, it wasn't from worry.
Lisa: "I suppose it's normal... when you're in love."
Currently in Monstadt, only Jean and Kaeya knew, but the purple-clad librarian was in love with the blond-haired traveler.
She slowly sat up, perched on the edge of her bed.
The morning sun streamed into the room, illuminating the books and vials.
Lisa placed a hand on her chest, where her heart beat calmly.
Lisa: "This isn't just a dream. It's a wish."
She smiled, a genuine smile, without any ulterior motive.
She knew Aether was complex, always on the go, but that didn't diminish her feelings in the slightest.
On the contrary, it made them stronger.
Meanwhile, on Aether and Paimon's side:
Morning was gently settling over Mondstadt.
The golden sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains of the small inn room, caressing the light wood furniture… and then Paimon's face.
Lying on her back, the little fairy stirred slightly, frowned, and weakly waved her arms.
Paimon: "Go away… Pyro Slime…"
She flung her arms away, as if trying to ward off an invisible threat.
Aether, lying right next to her, opened his eyes a little.
Aether: "....."
It took him a few seconds to fully wake up, then he turned his head toward Paimon, amused by the scene.
The warmth of the sun made his blond hair shine, and a tender smile spread across his face.
Paimon squirmed once more.
Paimon: "Too hot... burning..."
Aether stifled a laugh.
Aether: "Hehe... my little emergency food is still getting everything mixed up."
He sat up slightly and gently drew the curtain to keep the sun from beating down too hard on Paimon's face.
The room was bathed in a softer light.
Paimon mumbled something incomprehensible before settling down and drifting back into a peaceful sleep.
A few minutes later:
Paimon finally woke up for good, floating a few inches from the bed, her eyes still half-closed.
Paimon: "Huuuh... did we win...?"
Aether: "No, you were asleep."
Paimon: "Oh..."
She yawned deeply, stretching her arms.
Aether: "Come on, get up."
"We have a beautiful day ahead of us." "
A little later, Aether and Paimon strolled leisurely along the cobblestone streets of Mondstadt.
FFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffff
The wind turned the large sails of the windmills, producing a steady, soothing sound.
Foosh
Paimon looked up at them, though his eyes still betrayed a hint of fatigue.
Paimon: "They're still as big as ever... Paimon will never tire of them."
Aether: "That's true."
"Mondstadt hasn't changed much since we left."
Merchants were setting up their stalls, knights patrolled calmly, and a few locals greeted Aether with grateful smiles as she passed.
???: "Honorary Knight!"
Aether and Paimon turned around at the same time.
It was one of their friends:
The famous idol of Mondstadt Church
Barbara.
Barbara: Every citizen of Mondstadt adores Barbara. She learned the word "idol" from a magazine.
Before them stood Barbara, smiling as always, accompanied by Klee, who was bouncing with excitement, and Diona, arms crossed, feigning indifference.
Klee: "Honorary Knight! Paimon!"
Paimon: "Oh!"
"Barbara!"
" Klee and Diona!"
Diona: "Hi."
Barbara clasped her hands in front of her, visibly relieved.
Barbara: "I'm glad to see you."
"Sorry about yesterday, I couldn't make it."
Aether: "We kind of expected that."
"More fans?"
Barbara sighed softly.
Barbara: "Yes... I had to hide for hours."
"One of the sisters helped me sneak out."
Klee tilted her head curiously.
Klee: "Barbara's fans are really scary sometimes."
Diona: "They'd be less scary if they drank less."
Paimon nodded seriously.
Paimon: "Paimon agrees."
"Too much energy, too much shouting."
Aether then took out the small bag from his belt and handed it to Barbara.
Aether: "Here, a present."
"Chili peppers."
Barbara's eyes lit up.
Barbara: "Oh, thank you so much!"
Klee blinked.
Klee: "Chili peppers?"
Barbara: "Yes."
"I eat a little to take care of my voice."
Paimon: "While the other singers use honey."
Diona: "...You're all weird." "
Paimon: "Is there really someone in Mondstadt?"
Barbara laughed softly, a little embarrassed.
Barbara: "To each their own."
After a few moments of conversation, Barbara's smile softened and her gaze became slightly worried.
Barbara: "By the way... Aether, could you go see Jean today?"
Aether blinked, surprised.
Aether: "Why me?"
Barbara clasped her fingers together.
Barbara: "Because she agrees to rest when you ask her to."
Paimon tilted his head, intrigued.
Paimon: "Oh?"
Barbara hesitated for a moment, then continued:
Barbara: "And also... for you, I think it's also because the Substitute Grandmaster of Mondstadt..."
Aether: "Me".
"What?"
A silence fell.
Barbara and Paimon exchanged a knowing glance.
Paimon flashed a mischievous smile and gave an exaggerated wink.
Paimon: "Hehe"
Barbara: "Let's just say she likes you."
Aether froze for a second.
Aether: "...Huh?"
Paimon burst out laughing.
Paimon: "Heh heh heh!"
Aether scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.
Aether: "Jean is just...serious."
"That's all."
Diona rolled her eyes.
Diona: "You adults are truly blind."
Paimon: "No, only him."
Klee, who had been listening attentively, gently tugged on Barbara's sleeve and leaned close to her ear.
Klee: "Tell me, Barbara... is Master Jean in love with the Honorary Knight?"
Barbara didn't answer aloud.
She simply smiled... and winked.
Klee: "Ooooh..."
Paimon, who had seen everything, stifled a laugh.
A few moments later:
The small group then decided to take a walk together in Mondstadt.
Tap tap tap tap tap
Klee ran from one end of the street to the other, talking about new bombs she wanted to test (far from the city, of course), while Diona grumbled, explaining why it was a bad idea. Idea.
Diona: "No bombs."
"No explosions."
"No fire."
"No destruction."
Klee: "Just a tiny bit?"
Diona: "No."
Paimon floated above Aether, enthusiastically recounting their latest adventures to Inazuma, while Barbara listened with admiration.
Paimon: "And then, Aether dodged at the last moment, and then the ochimusha charged at him with her sword!"
Aether: "Paimon's exaggerating a bit."
Barbara: "You two have really been through so much..."
Paimon: "And I haven't even told you how the Electro Archon draws her sword."
Aether: "PAIMON!"
They finally arrived in front of the Adventurers' Guild.
Katherine stood behind her counter, straight and smiling.
Katherine: "Welcome to the Guild of Adventurers.
Paimon: "Good morning, Katherine!"
Katherine: "Good morning, Honorary Knight."
The group paused for a moment to chat, enjoying the quiet of the morning. Mondstadt seemed peaceful, but beneath this tranquility, emotions mingled:
- Glances
- And unspoken words
Katherine stood straight behind the counter of the Adventurers' Guild, her hands clasped in her ever-present professional smile.
The soft murmur of Mondstadt echoed around them:
- Hurried footsteps
- Lively discussions
- The steady clatter of windmills in the distance.
Katherine: "Honorary Knight, Paimon, a letter has been addressed to you."
Aether blinked in surprise.
Aether: "A letter?"
"For us?"
Paimon immediately moved closer to the counter, almost hovering above it.
Paimon: "Huh?"
"Paimon didn't see it coming!"
Katherine took out a carefully sealed envelope and handed it to Aether.
He took it, his fingers closing gently around the slightly thick paper.
His gaze slowly descended to the name written on the back of the envelope.
His eyes widened slightly, but enough for Paimon to notice.
Paimon: "...Huh?!"
Sender: Ganyu
Recipient: Aether and Paimon
She leaned over to read it.
Paimon: "Why did Ganyu send us a letter?!"
Barbara, who had been watching the scene curiously, inclined her head slightly.
Barbara: "Is she one of your friends?"
Aether nodded slowly, still thoughtful.
Aether: "Yes ".
"She's a Liyue Adept... well, she mainly works at the Civil Affairs Office."
He paused, frowning slightly.
Aether: "But she's almost always swamped with work."
"If she took the time to write to us herself... it must be important."
Paimon swallowed hard.
Paimon: "Paimon has a bad feeling..."
Aether took a deep breath and unfolded the letter.
Aether raised his head.
Aether: "I'll read aloud."
He cleared his throat slightly and began:
Aether: "To the hero of Liyue:"
"This is Ganyu, I'm writing to you from the Liyue Civil Affairs Bureau.
"I hope this letter reaches you safely and that you and Paimon are well."
Aether continued, his calm voice blending with the sounds of the city.
Aether: "Since you left, many things have continued to change here."
"The people still often talk about you, about your exploits in Mondstadt, Liyue, and more recently, Inazuma."
"Even among the Qixing, your name comes up regularly when people talk about seemingly impossible situations that were nevertheless resolved."
Barbara listened attentively, her hands clasped to her chest. Klee, meanwhile, had moved closer, her eyes shining.
Klee: "Wow..."
Aether continued.
Aether: "I am truly relieved to know that you have endured so much and are still safe and sound."
"Your ability to overcome adversity commands respect, even among the most senior Adepts."
He paused briefly, then continued, his tone becoming slightly more serious.
Aether: "However, the reason I am writing to you today is not solely to inquire about your well-being."
"...."
"A troubling situation has recently arisen, and I fear I may not be able to understand its cause on my own."
Paimon tensed slightly.
Paimon: "Oh..."
Aether: "It concerns Shenhe."
"For some time now, her behavior has been... strange, she seems distracted, sometimes absent, as if her mind is elsewhere, she performs her duties, but without the serenity that usually characterizes her."
FFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffff
The wind blew gently between the buildings.
Aether: "She says she doesn't feel anything in particular, but I know her well enough to know she's hiding something."
"Even Master Cloud Retainer noticed this change, though she claims it doesn't matter."
Aether swallowed before continuing.
Aether: "Shenhe expressed a desire to see you."
"More specifically… she wants to see you, Aether."
"She hasn't been able to explain why, and every time I try to press the issue, she changes the subject."
Barbara exchanged a glance with Paimon. Paimon narrowed her eyes, intrigued.
Aether: "I don't know if this is related to buried memories, his past training, or something more recent, but knowing your ability to understand others and face the unknown, I thought you might be able to discover the source of this unease."
Aether's voice remained steady, but his gaze became more focused.
Aether: "I know I'm asking a lot of you, especially after everything you went through in Inazuma."
"But if you agree to come to Liyue, Shenhe and I would be deeply grateful."
He took a deep breath.
Aether: "Of course, take all the time you need to decide."
"Your safety and well-being come first. Whatever your answer, know that you will always have a place here in Liyue."
He reached the end.
Aether: "May Archon Geo watch over you."
"Ganyu."
A hush fell over the group.
Even the sounds of the city seemed to fade away.
Klee broke the silence, her head bowed.
Klee: "Is one of your friends sick?"
Aether slowly folded the letter.
Aether: "I... I don't know. Ganyu herself isn't sure."
Paimon crossed her arms, lost in thought.
Paimon: "Shenhe acting strangely... it's not reassuring."
Barbara placed a hand on her chest.
Barbara: "I hope nothing serious has happened to him..."
Diona shrugged.
Paimon: "Adepts always have complicated problems."
Aether looked at the letter one last time, her gaze determined.
Aether: "In any case, we can't ignore this."
Paimon nodded.
Paimon: "Yes. But before that, we have to get back to the inn."
"We need our things."
Aether nodded.
Aether: "Exactly."
The group parted ways after a few words of farewell.
Chapter 5: Family and Pyro Slime
The End