Lumine: "He can turn invisible?!"
"Thankfully," Lumine said as she slipped into the seat across from Kairo. She glanced around Good Hunter—still a few late diners—then lowered her voice. "We need your help."
The moment she spoke, the translucent panel flared before Kairo's eyes, lines of text cascading across it.
[After collecting supplies for Wildfire, the Trailblazer learned from them that they'll need Svarog's help to restart the furnace core to reach the Overworld again. Svarog may also know about the Stellaron—but he's out of reach.]
[Seele, however, mentioned you've dealt with Clara. Through you, Wildfire hopes to contact Clara and arrange a meeting with Svarog. Faced with the Trailblazer's request, you choose…]
[Option 1: Do the right thing.]
You remember your bond with Clara and how easy it would be to pass a message. Besides, Svarog's information could help everyone. The Trailblazer has come this far—there's no harm in giving them a push. You decide to reach out and try to arrange a meeting.
(Reward: Astral Express Special: "Rice-Oil-Salt." One sip quadruples stamina and focus. Two sips: tireless. Three sips: see a healer.)
[Option 2: Hands off.]
You decide not to intervene. You're only an observer; there's no need to broker between Wildfire and Svarog. He's an enigma—introducing him could backfire, and that wouldn't be your problem to own. You politely decline.
(Reward: Enhancement Balm Recipe: Cryo. Input into a Synthesizer to unlock.)
[Option 3: Equivalent exchange.]
"Help is possible, but…" You weigh it quickly. Even if you know pieces about the Stellaron, you can't cite a source the Trailblazer would trust. Clara and Svarog's time is a valuable currency. Since they need you, ask for something back—resources, intel, something useful. Fair trade keeps friendships tidy.
(Reward: Trailblazer (Destruction) Ultimate — Stardust Ace. Grants a devastating finishing strike.)
Kairo fell silent. Every reward was tempting.
Option 1's tonic? A powerful buff in a bottle.
Option 2's recipe? Great—if he had the right Belobog materials or even a Synthesizer here in Teyvat. He didn't.
Option 3, though… Stardust Ace. A true offensive trump card—exactly what he lacked.
He chose Option 3 without hesitation.
A plan clicked into place. He set the panel aside and met Lumine's expectant gaze, one brow arched, the hint of a smile at his lips.
"You need a favor?" His voice was light, teasing. "Of course. But…"
Tap, tap—his finger idly drummed the tabletop.
Paimon pulled a face; she'd heard that but many times. "R-right, right, we can't keep mooching! There has to be give and take…"
She shot Lumine a silent what can we offer? look.
Lumine paused, cheeks warming under Kairo's calm, amused stare. "What… do you need? If it's within my power, I'll do it."
Kairo thought it through. Mora? Supplies? Trinkets? None of that mattered. What he needed most was time in the field—and a capable partner.
"After this is settled," he said, "be my assistant for two weeks under the Adventurers' Guild. Escort work, field scouting, resource runs."
"Assistant?" Lumine blinked, then nodded without fuss. "Alright. I agree."
Paimon clapped. "Deal! But no bullying the assistant!"
Kairo laughed. "I'll treat my assistant very well."
With that, the bargain was sealed—and something in the air between them shifted, subtle but real.
Paimon suddenly remembered the point. "Oh! We still haven't said what we need tonight!"
"The Favonius Cathedral," Kairo said. His smile sharpened when Paimon gaped. "When are you moving?"
"After midnight," Paimon admitted. "We were hoping you'd, um… make it easier?"
The cathedral was sacred, guarded, and unfamiliar. Even if Kairo boosted their speed, a clean infiltration was another matter—and they didn't even know where the Holy Lyre der Himmel was kept.
"That part's simple," Kairo said. "I'll fetch it."
"Really?!" Paimon's eyes sparkled.
Lumine, surprised, offered, "Let me come with you."
"You can," Kairo said, "but it's small work. If something distracts the patrols, I won't complain—and if you get spotted, well, an Honorary Knight taking a midnight tour sounds… plausible."
"Then we go at midnight," Lumine decided. "Paimon waits outside."
"Y-yep!" Paimon nodded vigorously.
They ate, they waited, and the city settled into hush. When the last tables were wiped down, Kairo set his mug aside and stood.
"Time."
Paimon yawned huge. "I'll be outside… cheering very quietly…"
Lumine smothered a laugh. Together, she and Kairo stepped into the cool, silvered streets. Mondstadt at midnight was gentle even in silence. The cathedral rose ahead, serene under the moon.
No sentries at the door tonight. With Kairo's Ripple Technique still humming through their limbs and Lumine's Anemo to aid their steps, the pair slipped inside.
Incense clung faintly to the air. Moonlight pooled through stained glass and spangled the pews with color. Lumine's eyes adjusted; her voice was a whisper.
"Where do we start?"
"Inside," Kairo said simply, angling toward the altar. He stopped before an inlaid stretch of wall—plain, unremarkable—until he pressed his palm to a seam.
Click.
A narrow door gave inward, revealing stone steps and a cool draft.
Lumine stared. "The cathedral has a hidden crypt…?"
She peered down into the dim, catching runic grooves along the walls. "How did you even know this was here?"
Kairo's smile was slight. "Some things you don't have to visit to know."
Not the time to pry. Lumine set her jaw. "Let's go."
They descended—and her eyes widened. This wasn't a broom closet. It was a vaulted chamber, lantern-warm against ancient stone, patrolled by Knights of Favonius in quiet rotation.
"So many guards underground?" Lumine whispered. "No wonder no one ever sees the Lyre."
"Archon's relic," Kairo murmured. "They'd be foolish not to lock it down."
Lumine squared her shoulders, ready to ask the plan—when Kairo tilted his head, a ghost of a grin playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Wait here."
"Eh—?"
The air trembled—hummm—and Kairo vanished.
"—!!"
Lumine's heart jumped to her throat. She swept the space where he'd stood—nothing. Not a trace. No breath. No footprint.
Invisible.
He could turn invisible.
A warmth flushed her cheeks—half shock, half incredulous admiration. How many tricks did he have, exactly?
"Relax. I'm still nearby," his voice drifted on a breeze, amused and calm.
Lumine stilled, eyes scanning the hush of the crypt as a pair of knights paced past… and a brass-bound case far beyond caught the light like a wink.
The Holy Lyre der Himmel.
Somewhere the air rippled, unseen—and the locking latch gave the softest tick.Midnight hands, a silent song, and a relic that belongs to the wind—can a phantom step out with a god's Lyre before dawn?
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