Chapter 2: The Dawn of a New World
The morning deepened, and the golden light of dawn spilled gently over the meadows of Springvale.
Nathan stood with the young hunter he'd met earlier, the two of them chatting casually about hunting routes and the changing seasons. The man complained about the scarcity of boars this year and how the winds had shifted, driving game deeper into the woods.
When their conversation came to a close, the hunter slung his bow over his shoulder and gave a friendly grin.
"Well, Traveler, I'll be off. Gotta bring something home before the sun sets."
"Good luck out there," Nathan replied with a wave.
The hunter nodded and disappeared into the treeline, his footsteps fading into the whispering leaves.
Silence returned to the meadow, broken only by the hum of wind and the distant gurgle of a stream. Nathan exhaled slowly, feeling the serenity of the moment settle over him. The breeze carried the fresh scent of pine and mountain air; even the light seemed to shimmer with energy.
He adjusted the leather strap across his shoulder, carefully securing the **mystery egg** in his satchel. The shell pulsed faintly with warmth, as though aware of his touch.
"Alright," he murmured under his breath. "Time to head for Mondstadt."
The dirt path ahead wound through the valley like a ribbon of ochre. Nathan began his trek, boots crunching softly against the earth. Birds flitted through the branches above, and slimes peeked curiously from the underbrush, their gelatinous bodies glimmering with elemental color. They made no move to attack—merely watching him with innocent wonder.
After several minutes of walking beneath the warming sun, Nathan sighed.
"Wow, this world is way bigger than I thought," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "In the game, Mondstadt was like… thirty seconds from Springvale. It's been twenty minutes, and I'm still nowhere near the bridge."
He groaned and stomped a foot in mock frustration, earning a few amused looks from passing travelers leading carts of fruit and barrels of cider.
The truth was that **Teyvat**—this version of it—was vast, immeasurable, and alive. It wasn't just a digital map or a continent under an endless sky. It was a realm folded within itself—a **massive dome-world**, suspended outside the flow of the true cosmos. Once, Celestia's divine power had sustained its balance, keeping its skies bright and its seas alive. But with the gods' abandonment, the balance had begun to decay.
The stars above were no longer lights of distant suns, but **reflections**—echoes of a dying heaven.
Unseen by mortal eyes, the fabric of Teyvat was weakening. Its ley lines were thinning, its elements bleeding into chaos. In centuries to come, the fractures would become visible even to ordinary people.
And perhaps that was why **Nathan Morningstar** had been brought here—to restore what was fading. To fuse the life force of Pokémon with the crumbling essence of Teyvat, even if he didn't yet understand that truth.
He felt it, though, somewhere deep within—an instinct tugging at his soul, whispering that his journey held meaning far greater than he realized.
By the time the sun reached its zenith, Nathan crested a hill—and froze.
The city of **Mondstadt** stood before him, grand and alive.
Its walls soared toward the heavens, stone gleaming beneath the sunlight. Banners of deep blue and gold fluttered from the parapets, carrying the emblem of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. The windmills beyond spun lazily, their blades glinting like the feathers of an angel.
"Whoa…" Nathan breathed, awe coloring his voice. "It's incredible… It feels so real."
At the city gates, guards greeted incoming travelers with practiced ease. Merchants trundled past with carts of wine and grain, while children raced by with handmade kites shaped like Anemo sigils. The air was alive with laughter, chatter, and the distant melody of street musicians.
"Alright," Nathan whispered to himself, clenching his fists with determination. "The start of my journey—spreading Pokémon across Teyvat. Let's go."
His enthusiasm turned a few heads, but no one seemed to mind. Mondstadt was the City of Freedom; eccentric newcomers were a common sight.
As he entered the bustling plaza, Nathan summoned his **system interface**, its azure screen overlaying the view before him.
> **Mission Update:**
> **Objective 1: Establish a Pokémon Shop in Mondstadt.**
> *Reward: First Partner Pokémon (Random).*
He smirked. "Step one: find a place to build it."
For the next hour, Nathan wandered through the city, exploring every street and corner. He passed the flower stalls of Flora, the clang of Wagner's forge, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pies drifting from Good Hunter's outdoor tables. Yet, every open space was already claimed.
Shops filled every alley, every courtyard—Mondstadt was a living maze of commerce and music.
"Damn," Nathan muttered, slumping onto a bench near the fountain. "For a city this big, there's literally no space left. Guess real estate is a nightmare even in another world."
He leaned back, watching pigeons flutter around the marble basin. For the first time since arriving, doubt crept into his mind. Maybe he wouldn't be able to complete his first mission after all.
Then—
A bright **ding** resonated in his mind, followed by the familiar glow of a system prompt.
> **[System Notification]**
> *Detected: Lack of available land in Mondstadt.*
> *Activating Emergency Adjustment Protocol.*
>
> **New Sub-Quest Unlocked:**
> **"The Winds of Opportunity."**
> *Speak to Acting Grand Master Jean of the Knights of Favonius to request land authorization for a Pokémon Research and Training Facility.*
> *Rewards: 10,000 credit points and 1×(10) pull ticket
Nathan's eyes widened. "Jean? As in Jean Gunnhildr?"
A grin spread across his face, and the exhaustion vanished as excitement rushed through him. He leapt from the bench, straightening his coat and tightening the strap of his satchel.
"Alright!" he said with renewed energy. "Time to meet the Acting Grand Master herself!"
The Anemo wind seemed to answer, swirling gently around him, carrying faint motes of light. The egg in his bag pulsed once—warm, alive, almost expectant.
With determination gleaming in his amber eyes, Nathan turned toward the towering spires of the **Knights of Favonius Headquarters**. Each step he took echoed with the promise of something new—something that could change Teyvat forever.
The world was vast, mysterious, and fragile.
But now, for the first time in ages, **a spark of life** had returned to its heart.