Five hundred years ago…
Aether crested the hill, his chest tightening as the wind carried the scent of smoke.
Below him, the nation burned towers toppled like felled trees, streets reduced to rubble, and flame devoured everything in its path. A strange, malevolent aura curled through the chaos like a living shadow, suffocating the land itself.
Screams echoed from every corner, mothers calling out for their children, fathers desperately searching for their families. Cries of pain and fear filled the air, each one a dagger to the heart. Among the chaos, one boy stood frozen in the open, his small form shaking, wide eyes locked on the nightmare above.
Floating in the blood-red sky, a lone figure loomed. Clad in jagged black armor, his very presence bent the air around him. Crimson eyes burned beneath his helm, and in both hands he wielded swords that pulsed with terrible power—power that reeked of death and ruin.
"You are to be erased from existence," the figure declared, his voice as cold as the void. Yet beneath that steel edge… there was a flicker. A crack in the mask, was it sorrow?
The child below trembled, too afraid to run, too young to understand.
Aether took an unconscious step back, unable to tear his gaze away. Then he felt a tug—Lumine's hand, warm and desperate. She didn't speak, only pulled. And together, they turned and fled, hearts pounding.
Behind them, the figure lingered. Hovering, unmoving.
His grip on the blades tightened. For a moment, his entire body trembled.
But then… he stepped back. He did not strike.
And the cries of the innocent continued to echo, unanswered.
"Wow… what a terrible nightmare," Paimon said, floating beside Aether with concern in her voice. "But Paimon doesn't know who that dark-armored figure was. Maybe… an unknown god?"
Aether shook his head slowly, eyes fixed on the horizon. "No… there was someone else. Someone who stood in the way. The one who took my sister."
Paimon blinked, worried. "Wait, another god?!"
She hovered closer, puffing out her cheeks with determination. "Well, even if Paimon doesn't understand it all… she'll help however she can! No matter how many scary gods or nightmares show up!"
Aether gave a small nod, grateful for her presence, but the weight in his eyes said it all.
Aether slowly rose to his feet, brushing the sand from his clothes as the remnants of the nightmare clung to his thoughts. With a quiet breath, he followed Paimon, his ever-cheerful guide—along the shoreline.
They ran beside the crashing waves, slimes emerging now and then to test his blade. He fought without hesitation, though his heart remained distant.
Mondstadt was still a few days away. At least, that's what Paimon had said.
…
In Mondstadt, Riven stepped out of the library with a quiet sigh. Days spent searching for a single word—Khaenri'ah. It echoed in his mind, strangely familiar, like a whisper from a dream. And yet, not a single book within those walls held the answers he sought.
He wandered the plaza, lost in thought, turning over every possibility of what it could mean. That was when he caught sight of little Klee, darting through the square with a joyful laugh. Her carefree energy pulled a faint smile from him.
Was I ever like that? he wondered.
A soft laugh escaped, unbidden. Then he paused, looking around. Has someone just laughed? For a moment, the wind carried something else—faint words that brushed against his memory.
Run… Fenn.
He turned toward the voice, heart quickening, but there was nothing. Only the rustling of leaves and the breeze slipping through the streets.
Then—a flicker of movement caught his eye. He looked up to see Amber jogging across the square, her signature red ribbon bouncing with each step. Running alongside her, barking excitedly, was Spark.
"Hey, buddy," Riven said, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he crouched down. Spark bounded toward him, tail wagging furiously. Riven ruffled the dog's fur. "Been a while, huh?"
Amber reached them, catching her breath with a grin. "Thank you… for bringing me the bag," she said, voice full of sincerity. "His note… it said everything."
She knelt beside Spark, gently stroking his head. "He told me about you, the young man with no memories."
"Woof! Woof!" Spark barked, almost proudly.
"I think…" Amber started, but Riven held up a hand.
"Don't say anything. I've been thinking… Spark should stay with you, Amber," he said. "He's good company and if I remember right, you're a scout. He'll be more help to you out there than chasing shadows with me."
"But I—"
"No buts." Riven leaned down, meeting Spark's eyes. "Listen well, Spark. I know our time was short, but I've got things to take care of… things I can't drag you into. You'd make one hell of a scout dog, better than following me into danger."
"Woof… woof," Spark barked, a little softer this time.
"Hey, now… don't get emotional on me, buddy," Riven said with a chuckle, gently patting his head. "Amber, take good care of him, yeah?"
She gave a small nod. "Of course. Oh—right! I've gotta head to Whispering Woods for patrol. Come on, Spark!"
"Woof!"
Riven watched them go, a quiet ache settling in his chest. Something about the moment felt heavier than expected. Spark had been his first companion since waking up in this world.
"…Guess I forgot how hard goodbyes can be," he muttered, standing and brushing the dust off his coat. "And now I've got no dog to help me hunt."
He sighed, glancing toward the guild board. "Well. Time to pick up a few commissions."
Before he could consider his next move, Riven froze—his gaze drawn skyward by a strange, pulsing aura. Above, the same dragon he had seen before tore through the clouds, its massive wings casting a shadow over Mondstadt as it roared across the sky.
A small child clung to her parents nearby, crying in fear as the beast vanished into the distance, heading toward lands unknown.
Riven exhaled sharply. "I really need a Vision," he muttered under his breath. "But they say only those chosen by the gods receive one… whatever that's supposed to mean."
Right focus on going need mora if I'm going to get to Liyue
"Already planning on leaving?" Kaeya asked, strolling up behind him with his usual grin.
"Uh… not now," Riven replied. "I still need to learn a bit more swordwork from you before I go."
Kaeya chuckled. "And yet you're picking it up like it's nothing. Even without your memories, you're a natural."
Riven opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly, a shiver ran down his spine. Sensing something, something massive.
A deafening roar tore through the skies above.
The dragon was returning.
Riven looked up, eyes wide.
"…Oh shit."