Border of Liyue · Southern Foot of Chenyu Vale
The roar of rushing water was deafening. A massive waterfall plummeted from the sky like a silver ribbon, crashing into the deep pool below and sending mist billowing into the air. Sunlight refracted through the vapor into a faint rainbow, yet no one paused to admire its beauty.
Four figures stumbled out of the dense forest, each bearing wounds and exhaustion. At the front was Yae Miko. Her normally elegant and ornate pink kimono was now stained with mud and torn in several places, her fox ears drooping slightly, revealing undeniable weariness. Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, had her iconic plum-blossom hat askew. Her lively plum-blossom eyes were fixed sharply on the waterfall ahead, her knuckles white from gripping the Staff of Homa so tightly.
Yelan fared slightly better. Her sharp instincts as an intelligence officer had allowed her to dodge many fatal blows, but the rips in her tight-fitting suit and the blood seeping through told of a brutal battle. Most heartbreaking of all was Yun Jin. The renowned opera star of Liyue had her right sleeve hanging empty, her face as pale as paper. She could barely stand, supported on either side by Hu Tao and Yelan. Her lips, which usually sang with gentle melody, were now pressed tightly together from agony and blood loss.
"Past this waterfall lies Sumeru's territory!" Yelan panted, her voice mostly drowned out by the cascade. "Once we cross, Lü Bu's pursuers should hesitate to follow!"
"Hurry—they're coming!" Hu Tao glanced back. The clink of armor and shouts of soldiers echoed faintly from the woods.
Yae Miko forced herself upright, forcing her usual mischievous yet weak smile. "My my, what a mess we are. Once we're safe, I must soak in a hot spring and drink the tea I've kept under the Sacred Sakura…"
But just as they were about to step into the curtain of water—disaster struck.
From behind the rocks flanking the falls and from within the trees, countless soldiers poured out in an instant. Their cold armor glinted in the water's light, and their weapons were not standard spears, but strange, curved sickles attached to long chains—glinting like the tendrils of the Grim Reaper.
Leading them, mounted on a tall steed, was Hu Zhen, one of Lü Bu's top generals. He wore a cat-and-mouse grin. "By His Majesty's order, I've been waiting for you all! The fox spirit, the Funeral Parlor brat, the Liyue spy… and the opera singer. Surrender!"
"Dammit—an ambush!" Yelan's heart sank. She immediately shielded Yun Jin behind her.
Hu Tao leveled the Staff of Homa before her, her face frosty. "Try to take us? Ask my staff first!"
Yae Miko's eyes turned completely cold. Electro energy gathered quietly at her fingertips, but her body swayed—she was already at her limit.
Hu Zhen waved a hand. "Seize them! Dead or alive!"
The soldiers swarmed forward. The specially forged sickles on chains were hurled far, coiling precisely around the four women's limbs. Exhausted as they were, they could barely dodge.
Yun Jin, already weak, stumbled. Her left leg was instantly wrapped in cold, barbed sickle-chain. The sharp hooks dug into her flesh, drawing a pained gasp as she nearly fell. Hu Tao, moving to protect her, was slowed and caught by a chain around the ankle, crashing to the ground. Yelan agilely evaded two chains, but a third coiled around her waist like a viper, yanking her off balance. Yae Miko unleashed a burst of lightning, repelling several chains, but more closed in from all sides. Her strength finally gave out; her wrists and ankles were bound together, her lightning fading.
Cold chains bit into their skin, tearing clothes and drawing blood. They were dragged roughly, forced into a humiliating posture. Hu Zhen laughed triumphantly.
"It's over! Drag them over!"
Despair, like the cold water of the deep pool, drowned the four in an instant. Yae Miko's eyes flashed with resentment. Hu Tao struggled furiously but to no avail. Yelan calculated every possibility yet found no escape. Yun Jin closed her eyes, nearly accepting her fate.
At that critical moment—
A golden radiance, bright as the sun, descended from the sky at a speed beyond all reaction.
BOOM—!
A violent shockwave sent every soldier surrounding the four flying. The chains shattered instantly.
Amidst smoke and mist, a golden figure stood tall, his sword emanating a terrifying aura. He turned his back to Yae Miko and the others, facing the horrified Hu Zhen and his army, his voice cold and authoritative:
"Touch my people? You dare ask for my permission first?"
"Aether / Traveler?!" The four women exclaimed in unison, voices trembling with disbelief, relief, and joy.
Hu Zhen was stunned and enraged. "Who are you?! How dare you block His Majesty's—"
He never finished. Aether's figure vanished.
In the next instant, golden sword light split the air like thunder. No one present could follow his movement. A flash of light weaved through the ranks; wherever it passed, weapons snapped, armor shattered, and soldiers fell like grass.
Hu Zhen frantically drew his blade to meet him, but his skill was laughably childish before the enraged Traveler.
CLANG!
A crisp metallic snap, followed by the dull sound of steel piercing flesh.
Hu Zhen froze. He stared in disbelief at the golden sword tip protruding from his chest. Aether appeared behind him like a ghost, his gaze icy.
"You…"
Aether pulled his sword free. Hu Zhen's massive body crashed to the ground, his eyes wide with shock and resentment.
Their commander slain in an instant, the remaining soldiers lost all morale. Terrified, they scattered and fled, vanishing within moments.
The waterfall's edge fell silent, save for the rushing water.
Aether turned and hurried to the four women, his coldness melting into deep concern and tenderness. He knelt quickly, carefully cutting the remaining chain fragments from their bodies with his sword.
"Are you all alright? I'm sorry I was late!" His voice was urgent and anxious. His gaze swept over their injuries, and when he saw Yun Jin's empty right sleeve and pale face, his heart twisted painfully.
"Cough… Lucky you arrived just in time, little one." Yae Miko forced a smile, attempting to pat his head as usual, but her strength failed her. She lowered her hand helplessly. "Or you would've never gotten to taste my tea."
"Aether! You finally showed up!" Hu Tao tried to jump up, but winced in pain from her ankle. "Oww… hurts! Those bastards—this Director's definitely recommending them the Wangsheng second-coffin half-price deal!"
Yelan gritted her teeth and tried to stand, but stumbled. Aether caught her arm in time. She took a deep breath, her tone calm, but her trembling fingers betrayed her. "Thanks. What's the situation?"
Aether's expression turned grave. "I came to tell you this. Sumeru City… especially the rainforest zone, was suddenly attacked and set ablaze by Lü Bu's army. Heavy losses, total chaos. The Akademiya and the Thirty Corp are resisting, but it's no longer safe."
The news felt like another bucket of cold water, dousing their newly kindled hope.
"What? Sumeru too…" Hu Tao's eyes widened.
Yae Miko frowned. "Lü Bu's ambition and speed exceed our expectations."
Yun Jin spoke weakly, her voice nearly lost in the waterfall's roar. "Then… where do we go?"
Aether's gaze drifted downstream, where a winding river flowed. "By water. To Fontaine. It's relatively stable, and far enough."
But the greatest problem remained: after consecutive battles and being dragged by chains, all four were at their physical limits. Especially Yun Jin—she had lost too much blood, could barely stay conscious, and could not possibly travel far.
Aether did not hesitate.
"Forgive the rudeness."
He approached Yun Jin first. A faint blush tinted her pale cheeks. She turned her head slightly. "Thank you… Traveler."
Aether's movements were incredibly gentle, as if handling a fragile treasure. Careful to avoid her injured right arm, he slipped one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her in a perfect princess carry. Yun Jin was light, carrying a faint scent of powder and a trace of blood. Feeling his warm, steady embrace, her tense body relaxed. She rested her head lightly on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Aether felt her slight trembling, his pity deepening. He held her securely, minimizing every jolt.
He carefully placed her in a small, light boat by the riverbank—one he had prepared in advance, or perhaps Yelan's backup plan—and settled her in the most comfortable corner, covering her with a cloak.
Next was Hu Tao. The mischievous director suddenly felt shy, putting on a tough front. "H-hey, I can still walk by myself—" Before she could finish, Aether lifted her just as gently. "Eep!" She yelped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Her plum-blossom eyes blinked, and a faint pink dusted her cheeks. For once, she fell silent. Aether set her down beside Yun Jin.
Then Yelan. The spy remained the calmest, but her quickening heartbeat betrayed her. She cooperatively wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you." Aether held her firmly but carefully, avoiding the wound on her waist. As he set her down, she whispered quickly: "I have a contact in Fontaine."
Last was Yae Miko. Watching him approach, she curled her lips into a playful smile, her fox ears twitching. Weak as she was, her tone remained teasing. "My my, saving the best for last? You really know how to treat a lady, little one."
Aether smiled helplessly, knowing she was forcing spirit. He bent down and lifted her as well. Yae Miko was lighter than she looked, carrying a faint fragrance of cherry blossoms and Electro. She rested her head on his other shoulder, her warm breath brushing his ear, speaking in a voice only he could hear: "This time… I really owe you, my little hero." The teasing was gone, replaced by genuine dependence and softness. Aether's heart skipped a beat, his ears warming. He carried her to the boat and settled her on Yun Jin's other side, letting her lean against the hull.
Once all four were safely seated, Aether untied the rope, picked up the oar, and pushed off the bank. The boat drifted gently downstream, away from the perilous shore, toward Fontaine.
The setting sun painted the sky and water in warm orange-red, as if the bloodshed and danger had temporarily faded away. The boat glided across the calm river, the water gurgling softly.
Aboard, the four exhausted women huddled together, gradually overcome by drowsiness. Yun Jin had already fallen asleep. Hu Tao's head nodded, finally resting on Yelan's shoulder. Yelan remained alert, but her gaze softened. Yae Miko closed her eyes, long lashes casting shadows, a faint, peaceful smile on her lips.
Aether rowed, his gaze drifting worriedly over them again and again. He lingered longest on Yun Jin's injured arm and pale face, filled with protectiveness and quiet guilt for not arriving sooner.
The sunset stretched his shadow long, covering the four women he now guarded. The road ahead was unknown, but for now, they were together. They were safe.
The current carried the boat gently, bearing wounded bodies and quietly growing affection toward Fontaine—and toward many more unknown, perhaps sweet, stories to come.