Chapter Text
Paimon's not sure how long it's been since it all happened.
It's been a while since the fall. Since the abyss went to war with the archons. With each individual nation. The day where all hell broke loose.
The day that the archons were utterly defeated.
Prior to the events, it seemed as though the Tsaritsa was ambushed by the Abyss Order before Aether and I arrived in the nation of ice, and took all of the gnoses from the Tsaritsa, sacrificing members of the Abyss Order to the Tsaritsa and her harbringers in turn for the gnoses. They had formed a plan, remained in the dark for a while, which would explain why we hadn't seen the abyss order since the Chasm...
On top of that, it was later found out that the Abyss Princess, Lumine, had retrieved the book forbidden to ordinary eyes: Before Sun and Moon. It was there that she would find out that Celestia truly was watching over Teyvat, at every waking moment. And opening that book spelled her fate out.
It was there that her plan fell apart, because she never expected to be confronted directly. What many assume to have happened was the defeat of the Abyss Princess, and a greater curse to fall onto her people, turning most into awful, horrible amalgamations. The Abyss Princess herself would now suffer too, as she was given the very curse Dainsleif had been punished with.
Knowing the Abyss, though, it was later utilized in a different plan. If she couldn't punish those from above, who had destroyed the nation she grew to love, she would take down those who didn't help stop it.
And so, a war broke out. A few of the seven archons died during that fateful day, with the remaining survivors being that tone-deaf bard, Murata, Kusanali, and the Tsaritsa. And while Ei herself survived, the puppet didn't, leaving her consciousness in her blade. Nobody had expected the attack, and nobody had expected for the outcome that would mark the fall of most current era archons.
Nobody expected for the traveler, everyone's hero, to go missing on that very day. Especially me...
As it turns out, amidst all the violence and war, had the Abyss Princess, Lumine, kidnapped Aether. The Traveler tried to resist, tried to fight off his sister and convince her that this wasn't the way, that they should go back to how things used to be, but.. she had nearly killed them in the struggle. She claimed it was for his own good, that this was how things had to be. How they should have always been.
During all of this, many nations suffered a great calamity from the New Abyss Order.
In Mondstadt did the tone-deaf bard finally come out from his drifting to defend the people of his nation, cutting down the Abyss Order with slicing winds and tornados that swallowed groups of Abyss members. Amalgamations of animal-like abyss creatures invaded the area too, and the ground wasn't the only thing that was unsafe. The skies were infested soon enough, the aerial creatures of the abyss shrouded over Mondstadt, plenty of never-before seen monsters from the depths of the Abyss. Despite how easy they were taken down, their numbers were what gave them an advantage. Despite this all, the anemo archon defended his nation, suffering a handful of casualties in the process, but saving most in the end.
In Liyue, did their archon remain under the radar, but would personally help out the Liyue Qixing from the attacks, fending off creatures commanded by the Abyss, and the Abyss Order themselves. Vishaps destroyed and smashed buildings, injured and even took lives, Lawachurls and the like made work of the millelith, and the adepti were kept busy by lectors, heralds and abyss mages. Liyue, though.. they weren't fortunate enough, as they hadn't expected for the fallen couple of the depths to resurface with a newfound vengeance. And it seemed like the Jade Chamber wasn't going to be rising again...
Inazuma suffered a great surge of ghastly ghouls of fog and smoke that resurfaced from Tsurumi island, which used to be dormant. The abyssal ghouls and it's fog consumed those who touched it, and left not a trace of the people who inhabited the nation. The Puppet herself wasn't safe from the fog, and was consumed easily by it. Ei's consciousness remained in the sword she once weld. Fortunately enough for her, Yae Miko took it upon herself to take the sword with her, before it too was consumed by the subsuming fog.
Sumeru nearly suffered a raging wildfire on the nation's tree-looking base itself. Lots of homes were burned down, and plenty of pyro whopperflowers had invaded in weirdly large amounts... Pyro abyss mages and heralds were sent out to the dendro nation. The Abyss Order even called on a Pyro Regisvine to emerge and cause more damage. Thankfully, while the young archon, Kusalani, was their archon, she had the help of her Courtier fend them off. She and her Courtier fought off the vicious, blazing flower. The flames were snuffed out after the chaos of the pyro flora, as were the Abyss Order members themselves for attacking their nation, being executed out of the public's eye.
Fontaine wasn't as lucky. With the time the Abyss Order had, they had brought back an ancient war behemoth, labeled the RGL-3 Pyr. It was thick in it's armor, and powerful in it's firepower, shooting volatile bursts of flames out. Despite being a nation known for it's tech, the ancient war machine overpowered the nation's tech. Though, it has been said by Jean that apparently, it's attacks are much similar to the "Black Fire Incident", and that archon residue was empowering it, along with the New Abyss Order's energy. In turn, it made the Pyr capable of taking down it's nation's archon, and would end up being the nation with the most casualties in all of Teyvat.
Natlan was one to suffer the least amount of casualties and damage, and fought off the New Abyss order with ease. Despite the new surge of power in the Abyss, it seemed no match for the pyro archon and her fierce people. Abyss Heralds and the hydro mages hadn't stood much of a chance, and neither did the abyssal creatures that emerged and began to invade the nation of fire. Despite being partially of volcanic rock and pyro energy, it didn't last long against the nation's powerful lineage. Even as a Brumal Serpent had invaded and assisted the Abyss Order did it fall to the hands of the nation's archon. It did inflict the most damage to the nation of fire, but it wasn't the worst of most the damages each nation took.
While those nations whose archon had fallen were thrown into chaos and were slowly infested by the abyssal creatures, those whose archon had survived still rule their nation. Most of the standing nations serve as camps now, or safe zones in the chaotic outskirts of the corresponding nations. Those that didn't survive had their nations infested with all sorts of abyssal creatures and monsters.
Many nations who had their archon fall suffered a great amount of casualties, and only a few managed to escape, to flee to the remaining nations that were open to those who survived. Many of the remaining archons looked over their nation more thoroughly too, and actively protected threats that came their way too.
It became the norm, to see abyssal creatures attempt to attack a nation, to enter it and try to hurt innocent people. But the remaining archons refuse to let that happen.
After the attacks, the remaining nations recollected themselves, and continued to fight over the years. Some people in these nations had lost their lives. Some Knights of Favonius, some from Liyue that came to Mondstadt for shelter, and some who had been sent out for supplies that just never came back. Spies who we had sent out to catch any plans under the New Abyss Order were either caught and held hostage, or were mercilessly murdered upon being caught.
Some of the survivors with visions however, have been going missing, Albedo was nowhere to be seen or found, and Kaeya doesn't had never came back from one of his scouting trips.
Even the equipment that was still in Albedo's cave went missing! Where on Teyvat could they be? One second, he was right here, and the next, gone!
That'll have to wait for now. Lately, the surviving spies seem to have overheard a plan of the Abyss Princess's from an Abyss Lector, when they were relaying it to another member of the abyss. I really wish I knew, but.. Jean refused to tell me anything. She knows Paimon's been worried about Aether...
And as of recently, it seems that the scouts that were regularly sent out had found a camp on the Chasm's surface, and the face there was said to have been never before seen. Though, they were also described as.. ethereal.
Paimon doesn't know what we might find, but.. Paimon has a good feeling about this wanderer. Maybe she knows something we don't? I guess we'll have to see when we get there...
Notes:
Wow, this has me feeling both content and nervous that it's a little iffy. Though that may be because I started this prologue sort of chapter off as Paimon reciting the events that had happened before all of this chaotic BS, aha. I can assure you that the story isn't going to written like this. This is probably the only time you'll ever see one of these chapters written like this (unless I write some epilogue by the end.) For now, though, let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is always welcome. This also isn't the first time I've put something out, but I am more confident about this story compared to my last. Aside from that, thank you for reading this if you've made it this far! I will try to keep a consistent schedule. Maybe one chapter a week? Who knows.
Lastly: This story is also on Wattpad! I use the same user on the site, but just in case, here's a link below! Other than that, Have a good one!
https://www.wattpad.com/story/306724312-a-post-genshin-journey
Chapter 2: Ⅰ. Putting a Name to The Face
Summary:
Our scouting group has heard rumors of a stranger who has been wandering all about on Teyvat, and mark down the last location she was seen. Their search for this stranger is cut short when catching sight of a brilliant bright light in the distance of Liyue's Chasm surface.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
︵‿︵‿ ☁︎ ‿︵‿︵
This was the era when thousands died fighting
for what they believed in.
The age in which feral, rogue monstrosities
ravaged the world.
︵‿︵‿ ‿︵‿︵
As raindrops would pelt the earth and the couple of trees that sprouted from the grassy soil, birds settled on branches and huddled up beneath the leaves, protected from the sky's assault. Small reptiles scurried across the moist dirt, and foxes scurried around for small mice.
Accompanied by the rain were multiple footsteps, squishing and squeaking under leather boots, paired with the peculiar sounds of the floating, white-haired fairy's movement. The group traveling held some form of umbrellas over their heads, while the girl floating beside them had picked up a fallen branch, attempting to use it as a makeshift umbrella.
That unfortunately hadn't worked out as she thought it would, and had now a semi-drenched head of hair, as well as part of her jumper's collar being a little soaked. The floating mascot huffed softly, annoyed. To her surprise, however, she no longer felt the onslaught of raindrops slipping through the branch's defenses, and would only feel the chilling air on her skin.
Turning up would she be met with the site of a warm, red umbrella canopy, before figuring whose umbrella was above her head now. A head of silky brown hair and a red bow reminiscent of bunny ears met her eyes, the outrider, Amber, giving the floating child a gentle smile.
"I told you it wasn't going to work out, Paimon. Why didn't you just ask to share an umbrella with one of us? I'm sure none of us would mind, and there's enough room for the both of us!" She chirped, the cloak that hung onto her shoulders being dragged behind her gently by the occasional gusts of wind.
The porcelain-haired pixie crossed her arms and shook her head. "No way! Paimon can't be independent if Paimon's actively depending on someone for help! Paimon's pretty sure you know how that works when she told you!" She said, pouting and puffing her cheeks out.
Amber's brows furrow at her statement. "Why are you determined to be so independent, Paimon?" The cocoa haired girl asked, staring as she waited for a response from the fairy. The girl in turn had her expression shift from a playful pout to a hurt, dejected look.
The Outrider noticed this shift, and winced a bit, letting a sigh slip past her lips. "Paimon, I know what's been going on in your head.. A lot of the knights have known for a while too. And I get it, it's not the same without Aether here. But that doesn't mean you need to act strong because he isn't here. I'm sure he feels like there's something missing too.." Amber wistfully said, before trying to offer a comforting smile.
"Besides, we've made a promise to find the Traveler and bring him back to safety. And I intend on making sure it's kept!" The girl declared, one of the bows' "ears" twitching.
Paimon sighed, and finally gave a smile to the Favonius Outrider, albeit small as she floats closer to her. "Alright.. But just this once. Paimon needs to grow on her own!" She claimed, before seeing that look in Amber's eyes. "As a person, I mean!" She squeaked with both hands on her hips, glaring at Amber, who was now suppressing her giggles.
It didn't take long for their little conversation to be cut off however, as someone would clear their throat, delicately, as the source of the sound came around. Her ears twitch as she pushes her rounded specs back up to the bridge of her nose. "A-Apologies for the intrusion, Amber, Paimon. But we're nearing The Chasm." Sucrose uttered, ears flicking lightly.
The two's heads perk up a bit as they look at the alchemist, then ahead as they approached The Chasm. The two towers that once at the entrance collapsed, and the tents tattered and destroyed out front. Thankfully, those collapsed towers didn't block the entrance to The Chasm. The Chasm itself had seemed to remain the same, aside from the damages and age it endured, it was still relatively the same as it had once been.
Hibiscus-colored leaves blew in the light gusts of the rain, and the tents that remained flapped a bit in the breeze. And was Cinnabar Cliff..?
"So what I heard was true.." Sucrose mumbled as she stared at said cliff along The Chasm's outer cliffs. "There is water flowing down it." She added. And there certainly was water running down it like a waterfall, though a gentle stream that seemed to run down into The Chasm's gaping maw.
Amber stared in awe, and Paimon with a wondering expression. "Is that normal?" Paimon asked. If Aether were there, she'd be probably tell her that this was a dumb question. Sucrose hums in affirmation, however, walking ahead of the two as she stared at it.
"It is. It's natural for a lake to form in this weather. Especially considering the amount of time that's passed, we've suspected for the forming river beyond Cinnabar Cliff to transition into a waterfall down it." She continued to ramble, before clearing her throat. "B-But that's not what we're here for.." She uttered.
Amber nods and smiles. "Mhm! We're here about that peculiar wanderer!" She chimes in, before placing a hand on her chin as she thought. "Though, I still think it's weird.. I've only ever heard of her once. I've never seen her myself.." She mumbled, huffing a bit. Paimon nodded. "Yeah, Paimon has never even come across this wanderer, even when she was with Aether.. How could someone just slip under everyone's noses?" She added onto Amber's statement.
"That doesn't matter right now." A new voice would cut in, a familiar head of vermilion hair coming into view. The Winemaster glanced at the three, aside from other scouts that were around them, as he walked ahead and down along the path of wet soil and wood. "We're here to see whether this new face is a friend, or a foe." He stated flatly.
And not long after that statement would a brilliant, bright flash of orange and white erupt just behind a looming cliff further into the chasm. "..And I think we've found what we're looking for." He finished, his pace increasing a bit as he walked down the wooden steps. The others follow suit in a bit of a hasty pace compared to Diluc.
✧ ˚ · .
Uneven and rapid footsteps were heard, and the whirring of a blade being swung, the crash of a spear into the ground, and the thrusting of a lance accompanied the static ambience the rain created. Steel clashed against steel harshly as blows were blocked and parried by each side of the battle. Ivory hair swam in the air erratically as the woman bobbed and weaved, exchanging swings with Shadowy Husks of the abyss. Focused azure eyes watched, and a heavy claymore was swung with each opening, slicing into the husk's armor each time.
Heavy breaths came out of her mouth as she readied her blade again, she and the last opposing husks circled around each other, on a field of fallen remains, armor of their comrades from the abyssal guard with some burns, cuts, and some.. strange matter adorning them. Finally breaking the pattern, one charged at the girl, jumping up in their approach, it's brand swinging in a downwards diagonal motion, narrowly missing its target and smashing the floor beneath it. Pale-Moon hair continued to dance in the air, hands gripping onto the handle firmly as the massive blade met the Abyssal Windcutter, flaying its back.
With what sounds like a gasp from the husk, its muscles tensed at the pain as that same matter painted the edge of her blade, before it would go limp, its form fading into blue sprites, now leaving its armor on its own. By the corner of her eye would the wanderer catch the incoming lance, narrowly avoiding it with only her cheek receiving a cut from the tip of the lance, wincing and grunting, blood seeping out from the new cut. Jumping back with her claymore in hand, she huffed, glaring at the two Husks.
Aside from her aching limbs, few cuts and burns adorned her skin and her clothes, dirt and grime too along her pants legs as she kept stepping back, avoiding swings of the hydro-infused lance of the abyssal knight. Occasionally would her blade meet the lance, clashing in a great burst of mist as her blade would infuse itself in pyro energy. The battle dragged on until the Line Breaker had thrusted it's lane forth, it's opponent evading the pointed weapon, her claymore being raised up and swung hard, the blade finding itself deep into the side of the abyss knight, blood spurting out from the cut and adding more to her blade. With a pull, the hefty blade came out in a swift, clean motion, spilling some more abyssal blood on the terrain, before it would collapse onto its back, and join its allies.
Finally, The Standard Bearer that had been standing by had wasted no time in making its advance, lighting its spear ablaze with a pyro banner and bringing it around its head and swinging it, letting a war cry ring out into the air. All it would end up meeting in it's uncoordinated advance was hard, stained steel, as the cobalt-eyed wanderer would parry the banner-bearer's spear, shoving it down with her blade, and bringing it around, swinging high and promptly cleaving it's head clean off it's shoulders.
Darkened blood spewed out from its neck as it slowly collapsed, reaching up to said neck with stiff hands, before finally hitting the floor with a thud. Its body, too, faded into blue wisps of light, it's armor a hollow shell now.
With the remaining husks finished off, the stranger groaned lowly, letting her weapon sink into the stone ground beneath them, cracking it as the blade broke into the solid surface. Hanging onto the handle, she rested on one knee, cloak hanging down and lying on the ground, rain running off of it and her head. She had never intended to exhaust herself like that, and even swore not to do that again. But she was in a pinch, she had no other choice!
With another groan, she felt her head start to ring and ache, her cuts stinging too. And with the last fragment of her consciousness, heard a faint shriek, seeming to call out to her. She had a feeling releasing all that energy would have drawn attention, but this was the least convenient for it to happen.
Her worries came to a halt though, as everything faded to black.
✧ ˚ · .
Waking up from blacking out was probably the worst thing she could ever feel.
At least, that's what she thought. A head of pearl-colored hair would mistakenly rise from the bed she now lay in, maybe a little too quickly. Feeling the rapid rush of a migraine emerging from this, her hands shot up to cup her temples, taking a hiss-like breath in. Another head of white hair perked up from a corner of the room, gasping a bit. The fairy would float over to the wanderer, hands out. "H-Hey hey! You shouldn't be sitting up right now! Especially that quickly!" The floating.. child? Would scold with a finger wagging at her, before easing her back into the bed again.
The wanderer didn't object as she lied back down. Though, it's not like she had much a choice. The floating child was now whizzing about in the tent, muttering something to herself along the lines of "Where was it again?" and some other musings that were too quiet to understand, before a soft "aha!" sounded from her.
Trailing stardust behind her, she'd come back with a canteen back to the stranger, grunting as she struggled to open it, before finally uncapping it. "Here, drink this! You'll probably need it after that whole fight.." She uttered, her tiny hands finding their way behind her back.
Gently taking the canteen, she rested on an elbow and would down the water, head tilted back as she did so. So much so that it would trickle down her chin the water up with a heavy breath, she'd hand the canteen back to the strange fairy, and sat up slowly, a hand still rubbing her own temple. Eyes fluttering open, the woman stared at said fairy. "Where- mmh.. Where am I?" She asked.
"Huh? Oh! We're still in The Chasm." The fairy nodded. "We found you out like lamp grass in the morning!" She added with an innocent-looking smile. "Ah! Right! Paimon's name is-.. well, Paimon." She continued, hands on her hips as she stared. "What's yours?"
The stranger looked at the fairy, which would soon catch the attention of the fairy more than it should have, Then again, their eyes weren't exactly normal to begin with.
With a nod, she placed a hand over her chest. "My name is Benares." She stated simply. The floating child, now named Paimon, would cup her chin between her finger and a thumb. "Benares, huh? What a weird name.." She thought out loud, causing the wanderer to deadpan at the fairy.
Before she could respond, the tent's canvas opened slightly, presumably the front of it as a headband-wearing girl peeked in, eyes lighting up at the sight of the mysterious girl awake. "Ah, good morning! Or- well.. I guess it's dusk now, but that's beside the point..!" The brunette hummed happily, walking in.
She stopped by the bed, arms behind her back as she tilted her head, one of the headband's 'ears' hanging down. "How are you feeling? You've been out for a couple of hours.." The brunette asked, her expression shifting into that of worry. "We found you all battered up. You even blacked out just as Paimon here caught sight of you." She continued. Benares would simply nod, wincing again as she sat back up.
"I'm alright.. It's not the first run-in I've had with the husks of the abyss. And I'm sure it won't be my last." She said with a scoff. Looking down at her hand, she noticed it was bandaged up as she brought it up to her face. "Ah, right! I hope you didn't mind that we patched you up. The cuts would've gotten infected if we ignored them.." She mumbled. It was clear what she *was* embarrassed about, and in turn, the bandaged girl shook her head and gave a soft smile. "Don't worry, it's alright. I'm thankful, actually. It's a considerate thought, but I think I'd prefer to have clean cuts too." She jokes. The Outrider brightened up, smiling again, before realizing she hadn't exchanged her name with the new face.
"Ah, I'm sorry! My name's Amber!" She chirped, a gloved, open hand held out to her. Benares stared at it and took it in her own, shaking it a tad bit firmly. Before she could give her own name, the fairy would chime in. "This is Benares! Pretty strange name, huh?" The fairy said. Benares' mouth had been open to say it, but now would force a smile, nodding. "Yup. That." She curtly said, letting go of Amber's hand after.
The brunette nodded, arms crossed. "It is a pretty foreign sounding name.. I like it, though!" She nods, asking then, "Where are you from? I don't think I'ver heard of a name like yours from other people.
Benares thought for a bit before she answered her, giving her the excuse that her parents had decided to give her a particularly unusual name. Amber seemed to eat that up with no questions asked. "Well, your parents were certainly creative.. It's a pretty nice name!" She declared happily.
Not long after would Amber go to another end of the tent, picking up a bag that sat in the corner, and swinging it over her shoulder and turning back to the girl and the fairy. "We're going back to Mondstadt. It's not exactly safe out here." She said, with Paimon nodding at her statement. "And while I do trust you in your ability to defend yourself, I just can't bring it in me to leave someone out here in the dangerous outskirts! Besides, we have someone to properly heal those wounds and cuts back in 'Mond!" She finished, smiling.
"There's a new set of clothes there on the corner of your bed," Benares would look at the corner of the bed, her cloak folded beside a set of Mondstadtian clothes, "Your cloak was the least damaged, and since it's still raining, you won't have to worry about much." The Outrider gave a curt wave and started to head out of the tent. "We'll be leaving in fifteen minutes!", was the last thing she'd say, before presumably joining the others the wanderer caught glimpse of from the tent flaps.
Benares simply huffed. Seems there was no point in arguing, the girl made it clear in her words that she saw it as her duty to bring her back, though most of it seemed to be out of the kindness of her heart.
Swinging her legs around and down off the bed, she'd push herself back up on her feet, albeit hissing in the process, trying to ignore the pain. Reaching up to the tattered shirt she was wearing, she began to lift it up and over her head, before hearing a startled squeak.
"H-Hey hey hey! At least let Paimon turn around first! She's in the same room as you, y'know!" She complained. Benares stared at her, unamused. She huffed, rolled her eyes, and continued slipping her shirt off, letting it fall to the ground.
After stepping out of her pants and slipping the fresh clothes on, she'd throw on her cloak over her shoulders, and turn back around to face the floating gremlin that was Paimon, whose arms were crossed. "Finally! Now, let's get out there! We've been waiting for you to wake up before making any food, and Paimon's starving!" She whined, brows furrowed angrily.
This was gonna be a long day. A strange, long day.
Notes:
his took a fair bit, and I'm a little indecisive about this chapter. At least towards the end. I was trying to think about how I'd end off this chapter, and settled on having it end before the initial travel back to Mond. I have something in mind for their travels. As much as I love to write, I don't wanna make a massive chapter. Not yet, at least. I'd like to leave those for chapters with important events. As for themes of the story itself, I do love a dark and sad story, but I'll probably ease into that instead.
Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter! If there's anything I can improve on, I'd love to hear. Other than that, I'll see you next week!
d54jlh64 (Guest) on Chapter 2 Wed 17 May 2023 11:31AM UTC
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