Aether sat inside the Adventurers' Guild, leaning back in his chair as the hum of conversation washed over the room. Across from him sat a man dressed far more formally than most adventurers—clean coat, polished boots, and an air of refinement that stood out immediately.
Fontaine.
If Aether wanted more reasons—and more direction—in his journey to find Lumine, then learning about the other nations was necessary.
Aether crossed his arms, studying the man.
"So," he said casually, "you're from Fontaine. What can you tell me about it?"
The man smiled faintly. "Well… let's see."
---
(The following visuals are for the reader, not Aether. Some occur in real time, others in the distant past.)
The scene shifted upward—past clouds, past sky—before plunging down toward a magnificent city.
Fontaine.
A sprawling metropolis of white marble, flowing canals, and towering mechanisms.
"It is a city of technology and creation," the man's voice narrated.
"A nation where invention and art walk hand in hand."
Mechanical constructs patrolled the streets, assisting civilians, lifting heavy loads, maintaining bridges and aqueducts with clockwork precision.
"A city of people, of law… and of justice."
The view widened, revealing the grand Court of Fontaine, its towering halls standing as a symbol of judgment and authority.
"A city of beauty."
The vision settled on a single figure.
Furina.
---
"And our beloved Archon," the man continued, "who is… not quite an Archon."
"What?" Aether blurted out.
The man waved a hand quickly. "Ah—she is an Archon. It's just that we lovingly call her something else."
The image showed Furina descending a grand staircase, her posture confident, her presence radiant. She waved to the people below, smiling brightly.
"The Princess of Fontaine."
Mondstadt flashed briefly—Lisa's teasing smile.
Liyue—Beidou standing proudly beside Ningguang.
Inazuma—Ei, calm and terrifying in equal measure.
Natlan—fiery silhouettes of strength.
"But Fontaine," the man said proudly, "has its princess."
The vision showed Furina accepting flowers, kneeling to speak with children, laughing as she shared cake with her people.
"She is adored. Loved. Cherished. The kindest soul among us—her beauty rivaled only by her heart."
Aether raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… a little biased."
The man coughed. "Perhaps. But it is true nonetheless. Many have sought her hand in marriage."
The vision shifted—nobles and warriors from Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Natlan, Snezhnaya… all powerful, all influential.
"And?"
"Every single one was rejected."
Aether whistled softly. "Damn. High standards."
"Yes… but not entirely hers."
The man's expression darkened slightly. "The highest standards belong to her father."
Aether leaned forward. "Father?"
The scene darkened.
A shadow loomed behind Furina.
A massive presence.
A hand slammed down, echoing like thunder.
The shadow lifted—
Neuvillette.
---
"The embodiment of justice himself," the man said quietly.
"King of Fontaine. The Hydro Dragon—Neuvillette."
Aether winced. "Yeah… I can see why no one passed."
The vision showed terrified suitors fleeing as mechanical enforcers pursued them, documents spilling from their hands—proof of corruption, crimes, sins laid bare. Clorinde appeared, escorting Furina safely away.
"He is not cruel," the man added. "Merely… protective."
Aether nodded slowly. "So why isn't she Queen?"
"Because she has not yet fully succeeded her mother, the previous Hydro Archon. Until that day… she will always be our princess."
The man paused, then looked at Aether carefully.
"One more thing, Traveler."
Aether frowned. "What is it?"
"They say the Princess is searching for a knight."
The vision shifted—golden light, a red sword, a blond-haired knight with golden eyes.
"…A knight exactly like you."
The scene snapped back to the guild.
Aether blinked. "That's… interesting."
He turned to Paimon.
"…Why are you staring at me like that?"
Paimon quickly looked away. "N-No reason!"
The man cleared his throat. "There is… one final story."
---
The vision shifted again—ancient Fontaine, its architecture older, grander.
Young Furina stood beside Neuvillette. He smiled softly… then closed his eyes.
When he opened them—
She was gone.
"A Prince of Liyue," the man narrated.
"One who could not accept rejection."
Ancient Liyue rose into view. A smug prince stood atop a tower, armies assembled below. Adepti stirred. Zhongli himself prepared to intervene.
Then—
The sky darkened.
Storm clouds twisted violently.
A roar shook the world.
A nine-headed hydro dragon descended from the heavens.
Neuvillette.
"With a single storm, he drowned an entire region."
The Sea of Clouds formed beneath the deluge.
Furina was saved, shielded by divine waters.
Neuvillette stood upon the sea itself as Furina approached, climbing onto his back. Together, they vanished into the storm.
A young Xiao trembled, frozen in terror.
"That," the man said solemnly, "was the day many learned the true meaning of fear."
The vision faded.
Gaimen stared Aether straight in the eyes.
"This tale is told in both Fontaine and Liyue."
"To remind us," he continued, "never to steal what is not yours."
Aether exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah. I get the message."
Paimon gulped. "Paimon suddenly doesn't want to visit Fontaine without you…"
Aether looked down at his hand.
Red sword.
Golden eyes.
Blond hair.
"…Looks like Fontaine might be unavoidable."
And somewhere far away—
A certain Princess of Fontaine paused mid-step.
And smiled, for reasons she did not yet understand.
Aether got up as he looked at him.
"Well, thanks for telling me this."
Gaimen gave a small bow, placing a hand over his chest. "Think nothing of it, Traveler. Fontaine values stories as much as laws. Both exist to warn… and to guide."
As Aether turned to leave, Paimon hovered closer to his shoulder, unusually quiet. She waited until they were a few steps away from the table before whispering.
"…So basically," she said slowly, "Fontaine is a city of courts, machines, drama, scary water dragons, and a princess whose dad can drown entire regions if someone annoys him."
Aether exhaled. "That's… one way to put it."
Paimon puffed up. "Paimon is just saying! Compared to that, Mondstadt feels like a picnic with drunkards and bards."
They stepped outside the Adventurers' Guild. The breeze was gentle, Windblume petals drifting through the air as Knights and citizens passed by, laughter and music filling the plaza. The contrast between Mondstadt's freedom and Fontaine's overwhelming weight of justice lingered in Aether's thoughts.
"A blond-haired knight with golden eyes and a red sword…" Aether muttered.
Paimon snapped her head toward him. "Hey! Don't just casually repeat that!"
"What?" Aether glanced at her. "It's oddly specific."
"That's exactly why it's scary!" Paimon waved her tiny hands. "That's basically you with extra dramatic lighting!"
Aether gave a dry smile. "If prophecies decided everything, we wouldn't have free will."
Paimon crossed her arms, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Tell that to the mysterious Archons, ancient dragons, time-stopping gods, and now a Hydro Princess waiting for her 'destined knight.'"
As they walked, the scene shifted—Jean stood near the Knights' headquarters, speaking with Lisa and Kaeya. The moment she noticed Aether, she raised a hand.
"Traveler," Jean said calmly, "I heard you were gathering information about other nations."
Aether nodded. "Fontaine, specifically."
Lisa's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh my~ A nation of law and judgment? How troublesome."
Kaeya chuckled. "Careful, Traveler. Cities like that love putting heroes on trial."
Jean folded her arms. "If you plan to go there eventually, be cautious. Fontaine doesn't measure justice the same way Mondstadt does. Intent matters less than proof… and spectacle."
"Spectacle?" Aether asked.
Lisa smiled knowingly. "Public trials, grand courts, eyes always watching. Justice isn't just delivered—it's performed."
Paimon shuddered. "Paimon doesn't like the sound of that…"
As the conversation ended, Aether looked up at the clear sky. The same sky Scaramouche had once called fake. The same sky Asmody watched from beyond chains and cubes.
Fontaine…
A land of water, judgment, and a dragon king who loved his daughter enough to flood nations.
Aether clenched his hand slightly.
"If I go there," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else, "I won't be walking in blind."
Somewhere far away—beyond marble halls, beneath endless waters—a blue-eyed girl laughed as fountains danced, unaware that the knight spoken of in prophecy had just taken his first step toward her land.
And high above Fontaine, the Hydro Dragon opened his eyes.
Later that day with Eula, as she looked at the letter given to Aether
She blinked. "I am sorry, the Shadow Guard wants you to go where?".
Aether read the letter from Rosaria. "Inazuma, and free the spies that are trapped there".
Eula folded the letter once more, her brows knitting together as she studied Aether's face.
"Inazuma…" she repeated slowly. "That's not a casual request. The Shadow Guard doesn't send people that far unless things are already bad."
Aether sighed, slipping the letter into his coat. "Rosaria wouldn't ask if it wasn't serious. Apparently, several Shadow Guard operatives were caught during the Sakoku Decree. They're being held quietly—off the books."
Eula crossed her arms. "So this is an extraction mission. From the nation of the Electro Archon. During a time when foreigners are barely tolerated."
Paimon floated in a nervous circle. "Paimon doesn't like the sound of this. Inazuma is scary! Lightning everywhere, strict rules, angry samurai…"
Aether gave a small smile. "Yeah. Sounds like my kind of trouble."
Eula exhaled, then straightened, her voice firm. "Then I'm coming with you."
Aether blinked. "Eula—"
She cut him off with a sharp look. "Don't finish that sentence unless you want to sleep on the couch for the rest of the year. You're walking straight into the most tightly controlled nation in Teyvat. As your wife—and as a knight—I won't let you do that alone."
From the doorway, Lisa's voice drifted in, amused and lazy.
"Oh my~ going to Inazuma without telling me? That would be cruel, Cutie."
Amber leaned in right behind her, eyes sparkling. "An overseas mission? Sounds exciting! Plus, someone has to make sure you don't get lost again."
Noelle nodded earnestly. "If Master Aether is going somewhere dangerous, I'll provide support. That's my duty."
Aether looked around at them—Eula's resolve, Lisa's knowing smile, Amber's enthusiasm, Noelle's quiet determination—and let out a short laugh.
"…Alright. But this isn't a vacation. We go in quietly."
Diluc's voice came from the side, calm and sharp. "Good. Because Inazuma isn't just dangerous—it's unstable."
Everyone turned. Diluc stepped forward, arms folded.
"The Vision Hunt Decree may be over, but the damage hasn't healed. Factions are still fighting in the shadows. If spies are trapped there, freeing them could disrupt more than you expect."
Aether met her gaze. "You've dealt with political fallout before. Any advice?"
Diluc nodded once. "Move fast. Don't attract attention. And if the Shogunate notices you…"
She paused. "…be prepared to face a god."
Paimon gulped. "Why does every nation end with that sentence?"
Aether chuckled, then his expression turned serious. "We leave at dawn. I'll contact Beidou—her ship is still the safest way to reach Inazuma without raising alarms."
Eula placed a hand on his arm. "And after that?"
Aether looked out the window, where the Anemo currents gently stirred the Windblume petals drifting through Mondstadt.
"After that," he said quietly, "we pull shadows out of a lightning storm… and see what Inazuma has been hiding."
Far away, beyond the sea, thunder rumbled.
And somewhere in Inazuma, unseen eyes began to turn toward the horizon.
To be continued.
Ok so I am gonna be honest, I wanna do a rewrite to this fic, so yeah do you guys wants it
1. Yes
2. No