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"It's a crystal embedded with some kind of power... Lisa, are you able to analyze it?"
"Let me take a look... Hmm... I can see impurities in the crystal, but upon further inspection... No, I'm sorry, I can't make a proper analysis at the moment. Give me some time. I'll take a look through the library's restricted section."
"Right. I'll leave the research to you then, Lisa."
"Understood. I'll notify you all if I make any progress. Though I wouldn't go getting your hopes up. They are incredibly ancient texts, not to mentio– Ouch! Gosh, that hurt! The impurities in the crystal... It hurts when I get close... I see... It appears to react to Visions. The impurities and the elemental energy we embody repel each other. It's strange, though. Aether and Azure have elemental abilities as well, but doesn't seem to be affected in the same way."
"..."
"Anyway, the crystal would be better left in the hands of my cutie. It will just be a pain if left with us — both literally and metaphorically."
"Okay. I will keep it."
"...Fascinating. Do you know anything about what makes you special?"
"Mmm, not really."
"I do not know what to make of it either. Well, then, you two... The Knights of Favonius have another favor to ask of you. Please accept the title of Honorary Knights... and the gratitude of the Acting Grand Master."
"Honorary Knights... of Favonius!?"
"We ask for your continued assistance in finding some answers. Stormterror's rage... and strange crystals... I know Mondstadt's peace hangs in the balance. May the wind open your eyes to the truth. We'll meet back here if you find anything."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Aether was leaving out a massive detail, and it bothered me. I walked out ahead of the others to get some fresh air. It was quite windy, and the cecilia in my hair nearly went flying. Wait... Why was there a cecilia in my hair? I never picked one up, let alone put it in my hair.
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"There's something you didn't tell them. The dragon and the crystal weren't the only things we saw."
"I don't think he's a bad guy."
"What the..."
"So you do remember him, that green guy. He looked just like that guy down there! Azure?!"
I jumped down from the ledge and went after the guy in green. The landing hurt my leg slightly, but Celestia's power had given me some really good advantages, including accelarated healing and a hightened resistance to pain to go with the power. Maybe it would injure me without those factors. I still don't know why I suddenly became a near immortal being after being infused with powers like that.
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That bard's singing was incredibly amazing. I can sing, sure. How do you think I keep my glaze lilies alive? I still remember the lyrics to the song that the bard was singing, and now, I can understand the meanings behind all of it. I won't spoil you yet! Just read on!
What is to be sung transpired in days of yore,
When the divine archons still walked the earth.
A dragon cast his curious gaze on the world below
As he parted from the heavens that gave his birth.
The dragon sought truth amongst common folk,
But mortal trifles only fogged his mind.
The windborne bard strummed his strings dolce
And the Holy Lyre answered his questions kind.
The dragon was but a child full of wonder,
And soared the heavens free from care.
The bard's songs invited him to sing along,
For he yearned to let all perceive him fair.
Enchanting legends the bard and dragon were,
But the tides of despair soon engulfed the land;
The lion fang perished and the falcon flag slept.
As a vile dragon approached Mondstadt in lone stand,
Over the Cathedral loomed death and his friends.
Of the people's agony, the bard soon sang.
The soaring dragon heeded his grave calls,
And amidst the windstorms a brutal war sprang.
Blood of venom sent the sky dragon into slumber,
Only to awake to be expelled in abhor.
"Why do people in this age loathe me so?"
But the Holy Lyre replied no more.
Wrath and woe, vigor and venom,
Poured from the dragon's bitter eyes.
The dragon's curse sprawled in silence,
But the Lyre could no longer soothe his cries.
I really should learn how to play the lyre... Such a pretty instrument. Probably can't fit it in my schedule anywhere. Training sessions, sparring, writing this, adventuring... Yeah, I'm too busy. Oh well.
"Wait, you guys are... Oh, that's right! You're the ones that scared Dvalin away."
"Dvalin? Who's that?"
"Lisa told us already, weren't you listening?"
"It's Stormterror's real name... For some reason, I know that."
"Huh? ...Oh, right. Most people seem to call him "Stormterror." Why do you call him that... are you two meant to be close or something?"
"Oh, so close..."
"Hey, guys. Paimon thinks this guy has a screw loose..."
"I'm sorry, you are...?"
"Pfft, Aether. Okay, let me breathe."
"I'm Venti the bard. Three-time winner of the "Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt," to be precise. So, what do you need from me?"
"Given you recognize us, Paimon doesn't believe we need to explain any further. Of course it's about Stormterror."
"Storm...?"
"You got amnesia? I'll smack you so the memories come back if that's the case..."
"Hey! Cut it with the amnesia act! Aether, show it to him."
Aether pulled the crystal out, but now it was a completely different color, now a shining teal instead of blood red. I was slightly startled by the sudden change. How does the thing change in the period of half an hour...
"What!? The crystal has been purified!? When?"
"Not sure how this happened."
"Could've sworn this thing was a different color. At least my skin isn't tingling when I get close anymore."
"Dvalin, he... The anguish he feels... has brought him to tears..."
"And now you have me imagining a crying dragon, way to go."
"He was once such a gentle child. Now so full of rage and suffering... I also came across a Teardrop Crystal. Can you purify it?"
Venti gave Aether another crystal, and in seconds, it was shining teal, just like the other one.
"You... really do have some wonderful abilities... Someone like you is going to end up getting written into a bard's poem. Oh, a hero so bright, should (he/she) stand in the light. Though stand in the shade, and you'll be met by a blade... Alas... I've really not the time to compose a melody for you at this moment. Anyway, even if Dvalin is not taken down, his life will still wither away in the breeze... He'll burn himself out in the flames of anger..."
"I also feel sorry for Dvalin."
"Thank you for that, and you for purifying the Teardrop Crystal. But I have my own plans for what is to follow."
"Oh? And what plan would that be?"
"Seeing this tear has brought to mind a friend so dear. Heh-heh, one must be going."
"Hey! Where're you running off to!?"
"To the "Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero." Bye-bye~"
"Weirdo..."