Sunlight poured through the windows of Dawn Winery, casting a warm glow over the polished wood floors and rows of wine barrels lining the walls. It would've been peaceful, really, if it weren't for the fact that we were about to launch a heist against one of the most dangerous organizations in Teyvat. I drummed my fingers on the table, feeling the familiar spark of excitement run through me. Nothing like an adventure, right?
Across from me, Aether was poring over a hand-drawn map of the Fatui base that Diluc had somehow managed to get his hands on. His eyes narrowed with focus, following the winding paths and narrow corridors etched onto the page, and I could practically see him memorizing every little detail. Paimon floated beside him, chin in hand, her usual animated expression twisted into something close to serious.
"So, just to be clear," Paimon said, squinting at the map. "We're sneaking in through this tiny, barely-visible path, sneaking around the guards, avoiding any traps they might've set up, and making our way to the center of the base without getting caught? All while they're probably expecting someone to make a move?" She looked up at us, her arms crossed. "Does anyone else think this is just a little bit… risky?"
I grinned, leaning back in my chair. "Come on, Paimon. Where's the fun in playing it safe?"
She huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Paimon's idea of fun doesn't usually involve risking her but against the Fatui! Do you know what they do to people who get caught in their bases?"
"Isn't that the point?" I shrugged. "Makes it all the more exciting. Think about it—if we pull this off, we'll have a story to tell for ages."
"Not everything has to be about stories," Aether said, shooting me a dry look from across the table. "Some of us would like to make it out of this in one piece."
"Which we will," I said, still grinning. "Relax, I've got a good feeling about this one."
Aether just shook his head, but I could see the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. For all his quiet, serious vibes, I knew he wasn't immune to the thrill of a good heist. I mean, come on—half the trouble we got into was because of his curiosity, not mine.. I think.
Diluc walked in then, his usual stoic expression as firm as ever, with Jean following closely behind. She looked even more serious than usual, which was saying something. With a nod in our direction, they both took seats around the table, studying each of us in turn. Diluc set a small rolled-up parchment on the table and spread it out, revealing a rough layout of the Fatui base with guard posts, potential entry points, and what looked like scribbled notes on security routines.
"Let's go over this one last time" Diluc began, his tone all business, "this is what we're up against."
Jean's gaze shifted to Aether, then me. "The Fatui base is heavily fortified, as expected. Diluc's contacts have given us valuable intel, but we'll need to rely on skill and precision. This won't be an easy task."
I gave her a nod, my confidence unshaken. "Good thing we've got a plan, then."
"Plan?" Paimon piped up. "Is this about when we're supposed to do the sneaking or about making sure Paimon doesn't end up as a Fatui test subject?"
I chuckled, shooting her a wink. "Paimon, you're far too slippery for them to catch, don't worry. Besides, we'll be in and out before they even know what happened."
Jean gave a small, approving nod. "Confidence is essential, but be careful not to let it turn into recklessness." Her gaze shifted between us, sharp and assessing. "If anything goes wrong, regroup and retreat. We can't afford to lose anyone over this."
"Understood," Aether said, his tone steady.
I leaned forward, studying the map. "We're entering from here," I pointed to the discreet path along the side of the base, "thanks to Venti's little distraction on the east end. That should draw most of the attention away from us, but we'll need to stay sharp. I don't want any surprises."
Paimon raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so now you don't want surprises?"
"Strategic surprises, Paimon. There's a difference."
"Right…" She rolled her eyes but floated a bit closer, her attention now fully focused on the map.
Diluc folded his arms, his gaze steady and serious. "Once you're inside, stay low and keep to the shadows. They have patrols running through these hallways—here, here, and here." He marked three points on the map with quick, precise movements. "If you're careful, you can avoid detection, but it's crucial you don't engage unless absolutely necessary."
Aether nodded, his face a mask of concentration. "Got it. We'll avoid the main corridors as much as possible."
Diluc turned his gaze to me. "And that goes double for you, Tayden. This isn't a game. You're up against trained operatives—any mistake could endanger the entire mission."
I held up my hands, feigning innocence. "What, me? I'm the picture of caution."
The deadpan look he shot me made me chuckle, but I dropped the act. "Alright, I get it. Don't worry too much, I've faced of against an Abyss Herald before y'know?"
Diluc didn't respond, but Jean gave a small nod, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Remember, this mission is about retrieving the Holy Lyre and returning it to Mondstadt safely. Mondstadt's future depends on it."
Her words hung in the air, a weight that settled heavily on all of us. I let the seriousness sink in, pushing aside the thrill of the challenge just long enough to remind myself why we were really doing this. Dvalin. Mondstadt. The people counting on us.
Yeah, alright. Let's get this done.
I stood up, stretching a bit to shake off the lingering tension. "Well then, guess we better get moving. Wouldn't want Venti to steal all the glory."
Aether chuckled, and Paimon gave a little cheer. "Yes! Let's do this! Paimon is ready to get that Lyre back!"
With one final look at the map, the three of us headed out of the winery, moving quietly through the dimming light as evening fell over Mondstadt. I felt the rush of anticipation building, the steady beat of my heart picking up as we approached the Fatui base.
---
At The Fatui Base
We crouched behind a line of trees, the stone walls of the Fatui stronghold looming just ahead. Lanterns hung along the walls, throwing harsh, flickering light across the compound, and I could make out guards pacing back and forth, their heavy boots scuffing against the dirt paths. Their weapons glinted under the moonlight, an unwelcome reminder of what was at stake if this plan went sideways.
Paimon hovered beside me, peeking through the branches, eyes wide with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. "There are so many guards… Paimon doesn't like this."
I couldn't help but grin, reaching up to give her a quick pat on the head. "Then let's make it less 'crowded,' shall we?"
Aether, crouched on my other side, scanned the base's perimeter with the same intense focus he usually saved for pulling off perfectly timed attacks. "We'll need to spread them out if we want any chance of sneaking in undetected."
"I'll take care of that," I said, leaning forward and studying the nearest guard who seemed distracted, maybe even bored. "You two ready?"
Paimon nodded, and Aether gave a quick thumbs-up, that familiar glint of determination in his eyes. We'd been through enough by now that a look was all it took for us to sync up.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the familiar sensation that tugged at the back of my mind. A faint, prickling sensation crept over my skin as I conjured a sliver of energy into the air, sending a quiet pulse toward the unsuspecting guard. Just as he turned to face my direction our eyes met, his posture sagged, his head drooping as if he'd decided that now was as good a time as any for a nap. I watched as he slumped forward against the wall, sound asleep.
"Alright, that's one down," I whispered, casting a quick glance at Aether.
Without a word, Aether's fingers flicked in a subtle, practiced motion, conjuring a faint breeze that wove its way through the compound. It was barely noticeable—a whisper of air, really—but it was enough to nudge one of the hanging lanterns along the far wall.
The gentle sway cast flickering shadows across the courtyard, drawing the attention of a nearby guard who tilted his head, squinting suspiciously in the dim light.
"Not bad," I muttered, giving Aether a grin. "Let's keep them guessing."
Paimon gave me a quick nod and rose a little higher, quietly peering over the wall, her small frame practically invisible against the night sky. She hovered there for a few seconds, her eyes darting across the compound, then drifted back down.
"There are two more guards near the east entrance," she whispered, pointing toward the narrow gap in the defenses. "They're pacing back and forth, but one of them stops every few seconds to look at the far side. Paimon thinks he might be the one with the most suspicion."
"Good eyes," I whispered back, flashing her a thumbs-up. "Alright, Aether, let's split those two up. If you can get one of them to move off, I'll take care of the other."
Aether nodded, raising his hand in a subtle, almost lazy gesture. A small, concentrated gust of air drifted across the base, this time sweeping low to the ground, carrying a handful of stray pebbles. The rocks tumbled noisily across the courtyard, scattering just behind one of the guards. He jumped, turning quickly and muttering to himself as he moved in the direction of the sound, squinting into the dark.
Perfect.
With him out of the way, I focused again, drawing on that thread of energy that I could feel pulsing just below my skin. I narrowed my gaze at the remaining guard, putting my arm out towards him, letting that familiar tingle build until I could almost see it—a thin, shimmering thread of power stretching between us. I guided it forward, feeling it settle over him.
Sleep
His movements slowed, his steps grew heavy, and before long, he slumped against the wall, out cold.
"Two for two," I murmured, glancing over my shoulder at Aether and Paimon. "Nice work. Let's move before they wake up."
Together, we slipped through the narrow gap in the wall, the shadows swallowing us up as we entered the heart of the compound. The air was thick with the metallic scent of iron and smoke, and somewhere in the distance, I could hear the low hum of Fatui soldiers murmuring to each other.
We moved in sync, keeping close to the walls, our footsteps light and silent. Every so often, Paimon drifted upward just enough to get a glimpse of the courtyard or ducked through one of the nearby doorways, signaling us forward with a quick nod or a wave when the coast was clear. Her small form and light movements were perfect for recon—nothing that'd catch the guards' eyes unless they were looking for something specific.
Aether was just as in tune, conjuring faint breezes every so often to mask our movement or even rustling a few leaves in the far corners of the courtyard, just enough to make any guard wandering nearby look the other way.
Ahead of us, a door swung open, and I spotted a Fatui agent stepping out, casting a long shadow across the floor. I stopped, motioning for Aether and Paimon to do the same. The agent looked around, stretching as though he'd been inside too long, his expression weary.
"Got it," I mouthed, already channeling that thin thread of energy toward him. Within seconds, his eyes drooped, his posture slackening as the pull of sleep took hold. He blinked once, twice, then dropped to his knees and slumped sideways against the doorframe, snoring softly.
"Nice," Aether whispered, raising his eyebrows in approval as we slipped past the sleeping guard.
"You make it look too easy," Paimon added, her voice barely a whisper.
I shot her a smirk. "What can I say, Im finally getting the hang of it."
We continued through the narrow corridors, weaving between rows of wooden crates and dimly lit sconces lining the walls. Every so often, I'd catch a faint shimmer of blue light—the telltale glow of the Holy Lyre, just visible through gaps in the stone. The sight of it sent a renewed jolt of excitement through me. We were close.
After a few more twists and turns, Paimon motioned for us to stop. She hovered higher, her gaze fixed on the corridor ahead. "Two guards standing right in front of the door," she whispered. "They're talking… about last night's patrol or something. Paimon didn't catch all of it."
"Perfect. Let's split them up," I murmured, glancing at Aether.
Aether met my eyes and nodded, already preparing another trick. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he summoned a tiny swirl of air that zipped past the guards, knocking over a tin cup someone had carelessly left by the wall. The metallic clatter echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of one guard who muttered a curse before heading toward the noise.
I moved quickly, sending another thread of energy toward the remaining guard, feeling it settle over him like a lullaby. His eyes glazed over, his head tilting slightly as he fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.
As the second guard rounded the corner, Paimon darted up to the ceiling, glancing down with wide eyes. The guard looked around, his gaze sweeping right past us before he shrugged, seemingly deciding it was nothing. He turned to head back to his post, and as soon as he turned his back, Aether and I moved in unison, stepping lightly until we were right behind him. Aether moved first, grabbing him in a chokehold to subdue him, he was out cold soon enough. I didn't even need to lift a finger.
---
Diluc's POV
A brisk wind whipped through the compound, carrying with it the faint echoes of a voice—light, lilting, almost playful. The sound drifted through the corridors, and I watched as one of the guards nearby paused, head cocked to listen.
"Strange," he muttered, stepping closer to the edge of the wall, his focus entirely on the unusual sounds swirling around him.
Good. Exactly as we planned.
A blur of green darted across the rooftop above, a streak of wind as Venti bounded lightly from one ledge to another, always just out of sight, the faint echoes of his song trailing in his wake. He swept his fingers through the air, conjuring a breeze that stirred the nearby lanterns and sent shadows skittering across the walls, the flames flickering just enough to cast the guard's face in wavering light.
Jean moved first. In one swift motion, she lunged forward, her posture calm and focused, her sword in a practiced, graceful arc as she delivered a clean strike against the guard. He slumped forward, barely able to comprehend what had hit him before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Jean straightened, casting a quick glance at me. "He's down. Let's move before anyone else comes this way."
I nodded, glancing up where Venti lingered, watching us with a grin as he sent another subtle gust of wind through the courtyard. It was almost unnerving how at ease he was, like he was playing some elaborate game.
Venti's voice drifted down to us, faint but audible, as he began singing a low, haunting tune. It had a strange effect, drawing in every guard who heard it like moths to a flame. Another Fatui agent stumbled forward, his eyes scanning the shadows, his brow furrowed as he tried to pinpoint the source of the voice.
"Alright, time for another one," Venti murmured to himself, clearly enjoying the attention.
He darted across the rooftop again, his footsteps light and nearly soundless as he conjured a small whirlwind in his hands, sending a scatter of loose debris clattering against the far wall. The guard stiffened, his focus snapping toward the sound, and he moved toward it with careful, deliberate steps.
From my position in the shadows, I exchanged a look with Jean, and she nodded, her posture tense but ready. As soon as the guard was close enough, I moved, a quick, fluid strike that left him barely enough time to react. He crumpled to the ground, joining the other.
Jean leaned close, her voice low and steady. "It's working, but we need to stay quick. Tayden and Aether won't have long before the Fatui realize what's going on."
"Understood," I replied, brushing my coat off as I glanced toward the next corridor. "The quicker we move, the fewer reinforcements we'll have to deal with later."
A sudden gust of wind whipped past us, ruffling my hair as Venti landed lightly beside us, his expression bright with satisfaction. "See? Nothing to it!" he whispered with a wink, already glancing toward the next rooftop, his fingers itching for another trick.
"Be careful," Jean warned, her gaze sharp. "If they catch sight of you, this entire plan will fall apart."
Venti grinned, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Jean, my dear, if they managed to catch me, they'd deserve the credit." With a quick flourish, he leapt back up to the nearest ledge, his voice lifting in a clear, taunting melody that echoed through the empty courtyard.
Jean sighed, clearly exasperated, but there was a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "He doesn't know the meaning of restraint, does he?"
I shook my head. "No, but he's good at what he does. As long as he keeps them occupied, we'll be able to reach the inner courtyard without alerting the guards there."
A small group of Fatui soldiers rounded the corner just as Venti's voice took on a teasing lilt, his melody rising into the air like a haunting invitation. They looked up, confused, weapons drawn as they tried to follow the sound. I could see the frustration in their eyes, the way they were itching to catch him, to silence that constant, mocking song.
Venti darted across the compound, leading them further from our position. Jean's grip tightened on her sword as she motioned for us to follow, sticking close to the shadows as we moved toward the inner chamber. Every so often, I could catch a glimpse of Venti, his cloak trailing behind him as he hopped to another ledge or darted down a narrow alley, his laughter like a ghostly whisper carried on the wind.
Two more guards appeared in our path, their faces drawn and tense, clearly on high alert. They glanced at each other, sharing a look of confusion, but before they could act, Jean sprang forward. Her movements were precise, each strike aimed at the head, and within seconds, both guards lay on the ground, dead.
I stepped over them, nodding to her. "Efficient as ever."
"Efficiency is what we need," Jean replied, wiping her blade clean. "Let's keep moving."
We crept through the compound, following the path we'd mapped out earlier. Venti continued his antics overhead, now swirling up loose papers and stray leaves into the air, sending them dancing across the courtyard in a bizarre little display that left the guards scratching their heads, their eyes glued to the mysterious gusts of wind. It was as if he were everywhere and nowhere all at once, a fleeting specter that led them on a wild chase without a clear end.
"Looks like they're starting to lose patience," I muttered, noting how some of the guards were now whispering urgently into their comms, trying to figure out what, exactly, they were dealing with. They looked rattled, almost spooked, and I felt a little satisfaction knowing that Venti's distraction was working better than expected.
We reached the door to the main building, and Jean pushed it open slowly, the hinges creaking faintly as we slipped inside. The interior was dimly lit, shadows cast long across the stone walls, and for a moment, the silence was almost unsettling.
Jean paused, her gaze sweeping over the room. "Alright. Tayden, Aether, and Paimon should be working their way to the Lyre from here. We'll need to hold this position until they're ready to extract it."
I nodded, taking up a position by the doorway, keeping my focus sharp for any sign of approaching guards. Venti rejoined us a few moments later, his breathing steady despite his constant movement, his expression positively glowing with triumph.
"I do believe I've successfully confused every single guard out there," he announced in a whisper, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Jean shot him a look that was both relieved and exasperated. "Let's just hope they don't get wise to it."
"Oh, Jean, my dear, trust me," Venti replied with a grin, "they'll be chasing me long after we're gone. Now, shall we await the grand finale?"
I nodded, a faint smirk crossing my face. "For now, we hold. But if anything changes, we're going to need to move fast."
As Venti leaned against the wall, humming a tune under his breath. I know it, this bard is something or someone far more important than he lets on. And I already have an idea of who he might be, but that will have to wait another time.
For now, lets hope that things are going as smoothly for everyone else.