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Chapter 34 : Return to Mondstadt
🕑 Added 2024-09-14 22:29:42 +0000 UTC"Allow me to tell you of the Divine. of Celestia."
Diluc paused, eyes fixed towards the horizon outside the window, as if the very mention of Celestia demanded a certain reverence.
"Celestia," he said, his voice grave, "is said to be a realm above all others, a place that holds beings of unimaginable power. If the Archons are the gods that walk this world, then Celestia… it is a place where the gods themselves bow. A plane of existence beyond our comprehension, where only the truly divine may ascend."
Orion listened in silence as the weight of the words fell.
"There's an old legend in Mondstadt," Diluc continued, his voice dropping lower. "The story of Vennessa, the Falcon of the West. A mighty and good warrior, a leader amongst the oppressed of Mondstadt, in days long past when the city did not enjoy the freedom which it does today."
Diluc's gaze grew distant, as if even the air surrounding him was thick with the weight of the memory.
"Vennessa fought for her people, freeing them from tyranny at the hands of those who wanted to trample Mondstadt into dust. She led her rebellion against those that oppressed her people to victory, becoming the first ruler to ever have ruled over the free people of Mondstadt. But that was not the end of her story."
He inclined his body a little forward as he went back to speaking in an almost whispered tone, which oddly seemed to echo through the room.
The rumor goes that Vennessa ascended. Abandoned the world of men and ascended to Celestia itself, becoming a god. The Falcon of the West, they call her, eternally watching over Mondstadt from the skies. Some even say her spirit is in every gust of wind that sweeps down from the heavens and whisks through the city.
Diluc shook his head. "But whether that story is true… I cannot say. What I do know is this: Celestia is real. It's where the divine reside, far beyond the reach of mortals like us. If the Archons are gods of this world, Celestia is on a higher plane. A place we cannot touch. We can only hope to catch glimpses of it in fleeting legends like Vennessa's."
He sat back again, his face cut into a mask of insecurity. "What truly is happening in Celestia is unknown. And yet, the power they hold… it's beyond anything we can imagine."
Diluc's gaze turned to Orion's. "If Dvalin indeed spoke of the Celestia, then we may be dealing with something much greater than the Abyss or any one of us. Forces that shape the fate of an entire nation with the blink of an eye.
Orion started to lean forward, resting his arms on his knees as his expression darkened. "These legends. they paint Celestia in a good light," Orion began, voice cold. "But that Celestial Emissary--assuming he really is from there--is far from what I'd imagine a divine being to be. He was more like a demon, a twisted thing of power and cruelty."
Diluc nodded, his eyes narrowing as if he, too, had been thinking along that line. A moment later, he spoke: "From what I have been able to gather-from you, from others-everything points to one unsettling conclusion: Celestia might somehow be controlling the Abyss."
Orion's eyes flickered, but he said nothing, waiting for Diluc to go on.
"How and why, I don't know," Diluc said, the frustration easily heard in his voice. "It makes no sense. To what end would Celestia involve itself with such dark forces? I can't say. My knowledge is limited, and the truth is buried under a mountain of secrecy."
He stood, his silhouette outlined against the fading light in the room. "But there's something that I must do. I need to meet certain Fatui members. they're still active, despite what has happened in Snezhnaya. I have a feeling it's all connected-whatsoever happened in that frozen land, and what unfolded after. I believe some answers lie there."
Orion's eyes narrowed. "Snezhnaya." he repeated, his voice full of determination. "I'll go there. If it helps me find that bastard, I don't see a reason to linger here any longer."
Diluc whipped sharply around, his face serious. "No, Orion." His voice was firm, almost a warning. "You need to tread carefully. I know you're very strong, but you're not strong enough-not yet. We're talking about powers greater than the Archons here. If you rush in without knowing what you are up against, you may not make it back.
Orion's jaw clenched, but Diluc's words hung in the air weighted with truth. After all, not even someone of Orion's strength could easily overcome the weight of the unknown, of the forces that lay ahead.
Diluc rose to his feet, his expression thoughtful as he stared into the distance. "I've been fighting the Abyss my whole life," he started off low and grim. "The Fatui, on the other hand, were the scheming kind I've always been cautious of. But now? They seem more like victims. and possibly even allies? It's ironic, really." He shook his head, with a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "This is the true meaning of chaos-when even your enemies might become your allies."
Orion stood up, grasping his polearm in a grumble. "Well, just what I needed: another layer of confusion dropped onto my already chaotic existence," he said with sarcasm, frustration barely masked. "I still can't remember who I am, and dealing with all this-Celestia, the Abyss, the Fatui-it's not exactly clearing my mind."
He slung his weapon over his shoulder and looked at Diluc. "I head back to the city, though. Gotta go collect my commission reward from the guild. We did break the seal, didn't we?
Diluc nodded, and for the first time in a while, there broke through a small smile past the stoic expression. "Yes, Orion. You've been a great partner in this mess. Go take some time for yourself. Enjoy the peace while it can be had. You deserve it."
Orion smiled wryly and folded his arms. "Wait," he said, stopping in front of the door. "Aren't we forgetting something rather significant here?"
Diluc raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Orion smiled wider. "The food! You're talking about the Abyss, Fatui, Celestia-and no single word about a meal. Where's the grub?
Diluc chuckled, for what felt like the first time in a while, shaking his head. "Leave it to you to think of that at a time like this." He turned toward the entrance and called out, "Adelinde, bring in the food." Orion smiled and said "and the wine please."
Soon after, a feast was set before Orion, and he wasted no time digging into his meal. Plates magically appeared before him, disappearing just as magically with him having had his fill of everything on them including the finest of dawn winery's wine. Diluc sat to the side of him, amusement dancing in his eyes as Orion tore into the dishes.
Sated at last, Orion leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach. "Now that was the important part," he said, grinning lazily.
Standing up, he stretched and grabbed his polearm. "I suppose it's time for me to head out."
The moment Orion turned to the door, his expression changed. He dialed on his elemental sight, and indeed, there was still a faint trace of Electro hanging in the air. Freezing, he narrowed his eyes. "Someone with an Electro Vision was here recently, right?"
Diluc smiled wryly-looking impressed-almost. "Sharp as ever, Orion. Yes, Lisa was here. I've gathered that she was keeping tabs on you."
Orion's eyes widened in surprise. "Lisa? What would she want to do that for?"
"I didn't believe her excuse," Diluc said, his voice grave. "She said it was just one of her knights spotted Dvalin, but from what I have learned, she knows much more about what has been going on than she has alluded to."
Orion's look of confusion turned suspicious. "Will you tell Jean, the Acting Grandmaster?
Diluc's eyes narrowed pensively. "I'll tell Jean once we get enough solid information. We'll definitely have to cooperate, no question about it. But until then, I won't bother her with rumors or speculations."
Orion nodded, the weight of such a decision clear on his face. "Makes sense. Just be sure to let me know in case Kaeya gets anything worth using. I would need absolutely any information we can get."
"I will," Diluc said. "Take care, Orion."
Orion nodded a last time, his face serious again, before he turned and stepped out into the night.
****
The moment Orion stepped through the gates into Mondstadt, that breeze from the city hit him. It was so characteristic: fresh bread from the bakeries, chatter from the nearby market stalls-even the distant hum of the city's fountain. He chuckled to himself in amusement.
"It feels like I've been away for ages," he muttered under his breath, eyes moving around him at the busy streets. The contrast between Stormterror's Lair's creepy silence and the lively energy of Mondstadt jarred, but oddly comforted.
With his destination now certain, Orion set off towards the Adventurers' Guild. He navigated through familiar stone steps until he saw Katheryne at her usual spot behind the desk outside, an ever-polite smile waiting for him.
"Ad astra abyssosque!" she greeted him with her bright yet formal voice. "It's been a while, Orion."
Orion barely smiled at her with a slight nod. "Yeah, feels like forever."
Katheryne continued, her tone warm: "We've already received word - the seal on Stormterror's Lair has been lifted. It was an extraordinary feat. Not many adventurers could have pulled it off, alone in fact. Congratulations on a job well done."
Orion raised an eyebrow although trying to veil his smirk. "I had some help, also not many?
"Indeed," Katheryne said, a proud look gracing her face. "Among S-Rank adventurers, even they are few and far between, not only here in Mondstadt but in all the branches within the other nations, too. You've quite made a name for yourself."
Before Orion could get a word of reply said, Katheryne gestured to a small pouch and a polished wood case on the counter. "As part of your commission reward, here is 100,000 Mora and several rare items, collected specifically for adventurers of your caliber."
She opened the box, revealing a brand-new polearm with its sleek design glinting in the sun. The metal shaft had some intricate designs etched into it, while the blade gleamed in sharpness, promising deadly precision.
"Along with this polearm," she added, "crafted specifically for high-ranking adventurers, it's designed to resist the toughest battles and amplify your elemental abilities. A perfect fit for someone like you."
Orion eyed the weapon a moment, surprised at the gesture. He was not usually one for sentimental gestures, but he was impressed with the craftsmanship and effort.
"Not bad," he said, hefting the polearm and trying its weight in his hand. The balance was perfect, and there was a hum of elemental energy running through it.
Katheryne smiled at his approval. "I'm sure you'll find it useful. And once again, congratulations on lifting the seal. The Guild and Mondstadt owe you a great deal."
Orion nodded, accepting the pouch of Mora and slinging the polearm over his shoulder. "Thanks, Katheryne."
The smirk set small to himself as he turned away; his thought slid through his mind with a thread of sarcasm: "Not that I'll be needing another polearm." He felt the familiar weight of his own trusted Skyward spine at his side.
