Liyue, the City of Contracts, the Nation of Commerce, the Land of the Geo Archon, the sea-side City....this place had many names. Unlike Mondstadt, who at most had hills and cliffs, the geography of this nation was dominated by large, picturesque mountains. On one hand, there were valleys, mountains, autumn-like forests and on the other, there was the sea.

The beautiful ocean, that graced the land with its waters, smell, sight and sound. An optimal location for trade, which was abundant in the nation that belonged to the God of Commerce. The landscape combined with the abundance of merchants across the city were perhaps the reasons why the atmosphere was different.

Or maybe it was Divyasree's growing anxiety that contorted the atmosphere as such.

If Mondstadt was a rollercoaster, then what the hell is Liyue? An apocalypse?

We're gonna experience one catastrophe after another, quite literally.

Lumine was equally as worried, though not for the same reasons. You see, Divya was acting weird, and not the normal weird, the 'I think I'm sick' weird. Her skin was frighteningly pale, sweat dripping down her forehead even though the temperature wasn't even that high. Her pace of walking had decreased slightly too.

Time and again the blonde and the guide had asked their friend if she wanted to rest, but her stubborn nature proved difficult to bypass.

"Woah!! Look at all the people!!" Paimon exclaimed as the neared the crowd that awaited the time for the Rite of Descension.

Well, after the rituals, the blonde thought it best to take the brunette to a doctor or a healer. This time, she would make sure she wouldn't succumb to her friend's rather adorable puppy eyes.

"Let's go to the front" Said woman proposed as the three- well two considering Paimon could float- gently made their way through the line of citizens up front.

Truly, the game aesthetics don't do justice to Ningguang's beauty

Although their height seemed to be separated by only an inch, Ningguang's posture, elegance and grace made her seem a lot taller than she actually was. Her moon-like hair was half tied up in a bow like shape, the rest flowing gently behind her. The red tassel rested in-between her brows, and only now did Divya realize that it seemed similar to a Nethi Chutti. The most captivating feature though, were her rose-red eyes, similar to Razor's and Diluc's, but different in the way they slid lazily over everyone present.

Her long dress was slitted on both sides up until her waist. The woman's dress was both professional yet alluring in subtle ways.

I see why she has thousands of suitors lined up for her thought the eighteen-year-old with a rueful smile. Oh, the life of a woman in a harem built just for her.

What would it be like?

"The hour is upon us" She spoke loudly yet professionally. Her tone was elegant, just like her.

Lumine glanced at the brunette, then back at the Tianquan. To her, Divya seemed to hold the same amount of sophistication and elegance in the way she spoke, only a lot more polite and gentle. Murmurs halted the two's thinking causing them to turn front.

And so, the rite began.

Bright light burst forth from the center of the mechanism, shooting forth towards the skies. The wind responded to the suffocating amount of elemental energy, churning in the skies above as the light continued to pierce through the dense blue.

But...

Shit-!! Divya stumbled a little, her stomach churning just like the winds as her chest began to grow heavy.

What's wrong with me?! It feels like-

It feels like I'm gonna puke!!

As if on cue, the sky darkened an ash-black color, the light extinguishing rapidly amongst the grey clouds as the wind drew from strong to terribly bad. Red streaks of lightning were the only indicator of a god's demise.

Rex Lapis tumbled from the sky, crashing onto the table that held offerings for him. Screams of fright echoed around the impact as Ningguang rushed to inspect the massive dragon.

"REX LAPIS HAS BEEN KILLED!! SEAL THE EXITS!!" The leader of Liyue shouted, giving orders to the Millelith as they rushed around the now panicking crowd.

Zhongli, you really chose such a dramatic way to retire huh-? The eighteen-year-old thought weakly, her hand subconsciously clutching her stomach as she suppressed the urge to vomit her breakfast out.

"Don't sneak around like that, you'll be more obvious that way" Divya whispered to Lumine, who immediately got embarrassed at the fact that she was right.

"Here" She said, positioning herself in such a way that she was able to block off most of the traveler's attire whilst still being normal. She wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her a bit closer before whispering an apology at the sudden movement.

Brown hair was a lot more normal than blonde hair in Liyue, so the eighteen-year-old knew that it would be a lot harder to spot her than her friend. Paimon had been forced to act as plushie, and was currently pouting stiffly in Lumine's arms.

Act Natural, Act Natural, Act Natural, Act Natural- the nineteen-year-old chanted in her head, hoping that none of the anxiety that she felt was evident on her face.

"Hum a song if you feel anxious, you'll look more natural too" Divya told her, noticing her friend fidgeting with the child's cape.

Nodding, the golden-eyed beauty took in a deep breath and began humming softly.

The two had actually made it out of that place and into the courtyard. The guards, bless their oblivious souls, seemed to think nothing of them. Those that were far away from the location had been allowed to get out, and it seemed that they thought the three to be one of those innocent citizens.

Well, technically they were innocent, but they were not citizens so-

"Halt!! You there!! Blonde girl!!" Ok, maybe they weren't so lucky right now.

"RUN!" Lumine yelled as she broke into a sprint. The three, well- two considering Paimon technically couldn't run, raced across the yard.

The brunette's long legs barely touched the ground as she ran down the stairs, taking four at a time before jumping down and running with the blonde in tow. Just as they were about to make it out of the pavilion, a few Millelith soldiers quite literally poofed into existence across the street in front of them.

Backing away, the two eyed the soldiers wearily.

Divya immediately pulled her friend back before she summoned her sword as she felt the air thickening uncomfortably around them.

It felt similar to what happened right before Rex Lapis' clone fell.

"Hey girlies!! Hold still!!" A loud, masculine voice spoke from behind them.

And here comes the devil. Literally.

Hydro infused arrows shot out from behind them, disarming the men in front of them. Paimon squeaked as a tall man jumped in front of them.

His bow split into two swords, dual blades made purely out of hydro. In swift, sure strikes, he took down the guards, the water swirling around him in strong defensive movements.

"Come with me" Childe said with an easy smile on his face, before running away.

"Come on" Lumine said, as the three ran to catch up with the man ahead of them.

The short haired ginger man stared at the three in mild interest. His blue eyes, that once sparkled just like the clear waters of the sea did when the sun showed its gaze upon it, scanned them dully. He impatiently pushed the fatui mask on his head to the side, opting to clear his vision.

His red scarf swayed with the wind, still wrinkled after his last attack on the guards. The greyish black suit however, showed no signs of battle, leaving him completely innocent in any mere civilian's eyes.

"Call me Childe" Tartaglia said with a smile on his face. His vision flickered to the brunette in front of him, a little confused at her presence.

Had there been someone accompanying the Honorary Knight to Liyue?

"Childe? What, so we're supposed to dote on you?" The rather funny looking mascot spoke in sarcasm.

Laughing, the man was about to open his mouth to speak when said brunette took his opportunity.

"It's a codename. He's the eleventh Fatui Harbinger, like La Signora who is the eighth." she stated, crossing her arms and maintaining a neutral gaze.

Everyone's heads snapped towards her, two with shock, and one with caution. Childe narrowed his eyes at the girl, before brushing her statement off with another chuckle.

"Don't worry, I'm not looking for a fight" he stated, noticing how the Traveler's stance changed to one of battle. His blue eyes glowed for a second as he observed that her stance was one of experience, professional, leaving no room for any adversary to discern weaknesses.

Hah...now if only I could fight her right now.... he thought sullenly, before mentally shaking his head and focusing his attention on the only one who didn't seem tensed; the brunette.

While such information isn't particularly hidden, not many can identify a Harbinger on first glance...

"Signora gave you quite the bad impression huh? Tsk..that woman... can't say I'm a fan either. Right, let's forget all about her, shall we? I'm here to help you."

"Help?" Lumine asked skeptically, eying him up and down before looking at her companions as if to confirm that what she heard wasn't an illusion.

"Yes help! I'm not a bad guy....ok maybe I am kind of a bad guy, but I'm not here to give you any trouble"

In another week you're gonna regret saying that to her sir- thought Divya, sweating just by thinking about the dude awakening Osial.

"Would it be too much to ask you to keep your sword sheathed?" Childe asked, before beaming when the blonde relaxed her stance and let her sword disappear.

"I thank you for your knightly nobility, Traveler!! And before anything else, what is your name hm?" The ginger turned to face the eighteen-year-old, who simply smiled back politely.

"Divyasree, though it may be hard to pronounce, so just call me Divya"

A traveler from Sumeru? But she seems to be accompanying the Honorary Knight, so that's not it...

The blonde and the brunette noticed the Harbinger critically observing the latter, his eyes narrowing with well-concealed suspicion. Clearly, he hadn't heard of the companion of the Honorary Knight and didn't seem to like the extra card that was suddenly placed on the table.

She supposed that meant that her friend was a lot more well-known than her, which was a good thing. Add on the fact that she wasn't as ethereal and otherworldly as Lumine, and she was basically a citizen of Liyue if she managed to find clothes that could fit her.

Brown eyes met golden ones before she turned back, nodding to herself.

Yep, Lumine is definitely way prettier than me

"- as the old Liyue saying goes, 'the walls have ears'" finished Childe.

Quite literally, considering Zhongli hasn't parted with his Gnosis yet and the Qixing and Yelan have so many networks.

Not to mention Pantalone.

Wait, does that mean Zhongli knows everything that happens in Liyue? Because everything is connected to the earth? Or does he not have that ability even with his Gnosis?

Theories theories...

Either way, I just hope that as we prepare for his funeral, I can somehow talk to the Adepti and make things easier when we have to work together...

Honestly, isn't this test of his going too far? He should be called the God of Flamboyant Exits rather than the God of Contracts with the stunt he pulled today.....or maybe God of Extreme Parenting?

Childe smiled in amusement at the way the woman, Divya, seemed to have suddenly retreated into her mind to think about something that seemed quite serious.

He couldn't help but laugh at how easily she had made herself vulnerable by detaching herself from the external world.

Truly, it was funny. Not to mention how innocent she looked while thinking. It was... new.

Nethi Chutti - An ornament that is adorned on a woman's head in India. It is common to both North and South India, but there may be differences in designs. Usually, there is a hook on one end of the jewelry and a pendant with unique and pretty designs on the other. The hook is attached to the hair sometimes along with a bobby pin, and the pendant is allowed to dangle onto the forehead, right above the brows.