"A city!" I practically barked, my excitement overriding any remaining aches from my recent battles. "You know where a city is? Lead the way!"
Lumine smiled, a genuine warmth in her expression. "Yes, we do. It's called Mondstadt, the City of Freedom. It's not too far from here." She gestured inland, towards a distant, hazy silhouette that I now noticed on the horizon. "We've spent some time there. Maybe you'll find some answers, too."
"Paimon knows the way!" Paimon declared, zipping ahead with renewed vigor. "Just follow Paimon! It's super fun there, with windmills and delicious food!"
And so, with Paimon fluttering enthusiastically in the lead and Lumine walking beside me, I finally set off towards a place that promised an end to my long, lonely wanderings. The path took us through rolling green hills, across winding dirt roads, and past scattered groves of trees. The landscape felt alive, but now, it was imbued with a different kind of life – the promise of human activity.
As we walked, Lumine and I talked, sharing snippets of our journeys. I kept my "system" and "leveling" to myself, for now, but described my months of solitary monster hunting and the sheer, unending wilderness I'd experienced. Lumine, in turn, spoke of her initial confusion, her first encounters with the strange elemental powers of Teyvat, and the kindness of the people she'd met on her quest for her brother.
Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, the landscape shifted. The trees thinned, giving way to open plains, and then, nestled on an island in the middle of a vast lake, stood a sight that made my breath catch in my throat.
Mondstadt.
It was everything I'd imagined and more. Tall stone walls, numerous windmills turning gently in the breeze, and houses clustered together in a way that spoke of community. A large, impressive gate beckoned. Sounds drifted on the wind – faint laughter, the distant clang of a blacksmith, the murmur of many voices.
"We're here!" Paimon announced, doing a little celebratory spin in the air. "See? Paimon's a great guide!"
A wave of profound relief washed over me, so strong it almost made me dizzy. This was it. After months of silence, after facing down monstrous brutes alone, I was finally, truly, in a place where people lived. The loneliness, for the first time in what felt like forever, began to recede.
As we approached the grand gates of Mondstadt, a figure suddenly dashed out from behind one of the stone guard towers. She was a young woman with a bright, energetic demeanor, dressed in a red and white uniform, complete with goggles perched on her head and a large, cheerful bow on her back.
"Lumine! Paimon! You're back!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up as she recognized them. Her official stance immediately melted into a warm, genuine smile. "And who's this with you?" Her eyes, sparkling with curiosity, turned to me.
"Oh, it's Amber!" Paimon chirped, fluttering up to meet her. "Hi Amber! We brought a new friend!"
"Hi," I managed, still a little overwhelmed by the sudden, enthusiastic greeting after months of solitude. "I'm Lance. And yeah, I'm definitely new. Very new."
Amber's smile widened. "Well, Lance, it's a pleasure to meet you! I'm Amber, the Outrider of the Knights of Favonius! Welcome to Mondstadt!" She exuded a warmth and eagerness that was a stark contrast to the quiet wilderness I'd grown used to. "I'm here to help new arrivals, so if you have any questions or need a hand, just let me know!" This truly felt like civilization.
Amber, true to her friendly and energetic nature, immediately took charge of my introduction to Mondstadt. "Alright, Lance! Prepare to be amazed! This is the City of Freedom!" she declared, gesturing grandly with both hands.
"First things first," she led us through the main gate, where actual guards stood, their armor gleaming. The sounds of the city immediately enveloped me: the murmur of conversations, the distant clatter of a blacksmith's hammer, the cheerful jingle of a bard's lyre. It was an assault of sensory input, a welcome cacophony after months of nothing but wind and monster growls.
"This is the main plaza!" Amber announced, leading us into a wide-open area. "And that magnificent statue right there is of Barbatos, our Anemo Archon, the God of Freedom!" She pointed to a colossal statue of a figure with wings, standing majestically in the center of the square. I gazed up at it, feeling a strange sense of reverence for something so grand and ancient.
Next, she led us past various shops and stalls. "Over here is Good Hunter, Sara makes the best food in the city!" she gestured towards a bustling food stall where delicious aromas wafted out, making my stomach rumble in protest. "And that's the Adventurers' Guild, where you can pick up quests and get rewards for your hard work!"
We passed by the towering headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, a sturdy, impressive building. "And of course, this is our headquarters!" she said with a proud grin. "Though, I'm usually out on patrol."
What truly struck me, though, was the sheer presence of people. Families walking by, vendors calling out their wares, children playing games in the streets. I saw a young couple holding hands, a merchant haggling over prices, a group of guards chatting idly. Each fleeting glimpse was a powerful reminder of what I had missed. I found myself instinctively turning my head, trying to take in every face, every interaction.
"Mondstadt is truly the city of wind and freedom!" Amber exclaimed, spreading her arms wide as we stood near the edge of the city, overlooking the vast lake and the distant hills. The wind, ever-present, carried the scent of flowers and the distant call of gulls. "We value our freedom above all else."
I just nodded, a genuine smile plastered on my face. "It's... incredible," I managed, my voice still a little thick with emotion. The sights, the sounds, the sheer vibrancy of it all. This was what I had been searching for. The loneliness I had carried for so long finally began to lift, replaced by a sense of belonging, a quiet awe.
"Now, for one of Mondstadt's most beloved pastimes, and a crucial skill for getting around!" Amber declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement. We had made our way to a higher point, near the city walls, overlooking the expanse beyond. "Have you ever tried gliding?"
I shook my head. "Can't say I have. Never seen anyone do it, either."
Amber beamed. "Well, you're in for a treat! See these?" She pulled out a sleek, red and white wind glider from seemingly nowhere, attaching it to her back. "They're wind gliders! With the blessings of the Anemo Archon, we can harness the wind to soar through the skies!"
She then went into a detailed explanation. "It's all about catching the wind currents. You need to jump from a high point, open your glider, and then guide yourself with the air. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of steering and managing your stamina, but it's incredibly fun!"
"Watch closely!" With a confident grin, Amber took a few steps back, then launched herself off the ledge. Her glider unfurled, catching the wind, and she gracefully soared outwards, dipping and rising with impressive control. She did a small loop before landing smoothly back near us. "See? Easy peasy!"
Paimon clapped her tiny hands. "Amber's the best glider in Mondstadt!"
I watched, fascinated. My high Dexterity immediately analyzed her movements, the subtle shifts in her body, the way she angled the glider. It looked exhilarating, and infinitely useful. "Looks... tricky," I admitted, though a thrill was already sparking within me. "But I'll try."
Amber handed me a spare glider, similar to hers but a plain grey. It felt light but sturdy. "Alright, just attach it to your back like this." She helped me secure the straps. "Now, remember: jump, then open the glider right away. And try to relax! The wind will do most of the work."
I took a deep breath, my eyes scanning the distance. This was a different kind of challenge, one that relied on finesse rather than brute force. I took a running start towards the edge, pushed off, and just as I felt gravity take hold, I willed the glider open.
WHOOSH!
The fabric caught the air with a satisfying snap, and I felt myself lift, soaring outwards. The initial sensation was breathtaking – the ground rushing away below, the vast sky opening up before me. My high Dexterity and Combat Reflexes immediately kicked in. I instinctively adjusted my body, feeling the currents, making small, precise movements to steer. I dipped, then rose, a natural rhythm already forming.
"Woah! You're a natural, Lance!" Amber's voice drifted up from below, laced with surprise and admiration. "Most people wobble a lot more on their first try!"
I grinned, a genuine, joyful sound escaping me as I soared, feeling the wind against my face. This was freedom, a different kind than the one I'd known in combat. This was liberation. After months of being grounded, always aware of the terrain beneath my feet, I was finally flying. It wouldn't take long to master this.
After a while, my impromptu gliding lesson came to an end. I landed smoothly, feeling exhilarated. Amber clapped, genuinely impressed. "See? You're a natural, Lance! You'll be zipping around Teyvat in no time!"
Lumine, who had been watching patiently, stepped forward. "Amber, Paimon and I were just about to head out for a patrol near the Whispering Woods. We've heard some reports of increased Hilichurl activity."
Amber nodded, her cheerful demeanor shifting into a more serious, focused expression. "Good thinking, Lumine. The outer areas always need checking. We can never be too careful." She looked at me, a question in her eyes. "You're welcome to stay and explore the city, Lance, get acquainted. Or, if you're up for it, you could join us. It would be a good way to see more of the surrounding area and help out."
The thought of being alone in the city, even with all its newfound wonders, didn't appeal to me as much as staying with the first people I'd met in months. Besides, fighting Hilichurls was something I was exceptionally good at now.
"I'll join," I said without hesitation, gripping my spear instinctively. "I could use some more 'getting acquainted' with the local wildlife, and it beats sitting around. Plus, I owe you two for pointing me towards civilization."
Lumine offered a grateful smile. "We appreciate the help, Lance."
Paimon, ever the energetic one, zipped around us. "Yay! More friends for Paimon's adventures!"
And so, my first steps into Mondstadt were followed swiftly by stepping back out of its gates, this time with companions. Amber led the way, her keen eyes scanning the horizon, while Lumine walked by my side, Paimon fluttering between us. The open world beckoned once more, but this time, it didn't feel quite so lonely.