Chapter 24

"So beautiful."

At Starsnatch Cliff, amidst the ever-drifting mist, Lumine gazed at the white fog surrounding her, so close it felt within reach. A smile graced her face.

The wind flowed around them, protecting them. A gentle breeze brushed past, accompanied by the pure white mist. Looking down, everything was laid out before them in perfect clarity.

"This is the most scenic spot in all of Mondstadt."

Famas hopped off Lumine's shoulder. They were the first to arrive at Starsnatch Cliff, and the area was completely empty, save for the grass swaying in the breeze and a few pure white Cecilias.

"Ehe, Lumine, Paimon, you're here so early?"

Just as the three of them were quietly admiring the rolling mist and the beauty of Starsnatch Cliff, a youthful voice, carrying the scent of the breeze, called out from behind Famas.

It was Venti, Jean, and Diluc.

"Oh, now everyone's here."

The group stood together, and Diluc nodded. Venti subtly exchanged a glance with Famas.

"This place really is beautiful."

Paimon tried to grab the invisible mist with her hands.

"It's a fitting setting for a reunion with destiny, don't you think? Well then, it's time to begin."

The Holy Lyre der Himmel appeared in Venti's hands.

"Yes, no matter the outcome, at least we've seen a turning point. The entire city of Mondstadt has borne too much these past few days…"

Jean's gaze was firm as she looked at Venti.

"Alright, alright. Everyone, step back a bit. The best bard in Teyvat is about to strum his lyre!"

Standing at the edge of the cliff, the breeze mixed with the scent of grass swept across Starsnatch Cliff.

Venti's slender fingers gently brushed the strings of the Holy Lyre der Himmel, producing a crisp, melodious sound.

A soothing melody began to play on Starsnatch Cliff, carried by the flowing wind, drifting outward.

The wind followed the beautiful melody, its direction gradually shifting.

A chaotic and violent wind began to replace the cool, free breeze, and even the light mist around Starsnatch Cliff started to swirl erratically.

Famas widened his eyes, watching as the wind's flow became more urgent.

With the sound of flapping wings, Dvalin's massive figure rose from below Starsnatch Cliff, appearing before Venti and the others.

The beautiful melody came to an abrupt halt.

Venti looked at Dvalin, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"It's been a long time, old friend."

"You… There's nothing left to discuss."

Dvalin's booming voice made everyone's ears ring.

"Is that so? Or am I mistaken? Your eyes seem to be reminiscing about this song."

Venti looked softly at Dvalin, hoping to convince him to accept his help, to free him from his current pain and return to how things once were.

The Holy Lyre der Himmel glowed, soothing Dvalin's tormented soul.

It was because of the lyre that Dvalin was able to remain calm and speak face-to-face with Venti.

Famas calmly watched the heartwarming scene, knowing what was about to happen.

Suddenly, an ice spike shot toward Venti.

But the target wasn't Venti—it was the Holy Lyre der Himmel in his hands.

Venti misjudged the attack. While he dodged the ice spike, the lyre in his hands was struck and fell to the ground.

The glowing light of the lyre faded, and it lost its power.

Dvalin let out a furious roar. Without the lyre's suppression, the Abyss Mage's corruption and the poisonous blood that had turned Dvalin into this state took full effect.

Everything happened too quickly, too unexpectedly.

An Abyss Mage appeared beside Dvalin, letting out a shrill laugh.

"Ah, Tone-Deaf Bard!"

Paimon saw Venti clutching his wrist, blood dripping from it.

"Don't be fooled, pitiful dragon. He abandoned you long ago. Look, now he's trying to deceive you again!"

An Ice Abyss Mage perched on Dvalin's head, continuously whispering poisonous words.

"Barbatos! Are these people here with you to hunt me down?"

Dvalin roared in anger, noticing the fiery red aura behind Venti and the people standing there, unaffected by the raging winds.

"Hate, rage! You've already turned against Mondstadt. There's no going back now!"

The Abyss Mage continued to fan the flames.

"That's not true! Dvalin, believe me, I'm here to save you…"

The usually eloquent Venti stammered in front of Dvalin, turning to Famas for help.

"Now, this dragon will serve its true master. Hahahaha! You can stay here and lament your helplessness!"

"Dvalin… wait!"

As Dvalin prepared to fly away, Venti hurried toward the edge of the cliff, trying to stop him. But he stepped on empty air and began to fall. Just as he was about to plummet, a hand clad in fiery red armor grabbed him.

It was Famas, now in his human form.

"Don't you think you're being a bit too arrogant?"

Famas stomped his foot, drawing Pyro energy from the ley lines. It condensed into a molten-colored spear.

"You?! [War Lord] Famas, you're still alive?"

Dvalin seemed startled, his six wings flapping irregularly as he flew back several dozen meters.

Famas twirled his spear, feeling the immense power flowing from the ley lines. His smile grew wild.

"The heavens abandoned me, but the earth remains beneath my feet."

Famas leaped into the air, his spear aimed directly at Dvalin. The surging Pyro energy, fueled by the wind, transformed into a fiery dragon, charging toward Dvalin.

"Crimson Dragon!"

The spear strike was immense, carrying the force of a thousand suns.

Unable to dodge, Dvalin summoned all his strength to summon Anemo energy to block the attack.

Famas' flames collided with Dvalin's wind.

The two forces, both at the level of divine power, clashed.

The resulting elemental reaction spread across a radius of over a thousand meters, including Starsnatch Cliff.

"After a thousand years, is this all the progress you've made, mighty Dragon of the East?"

The two combatants were pushed apart by the massive elemental reaction. Famas taunted before charging again, his flaming spear forming a massive blade of fire. He slashed and stabbed relentlessly, forcing Dvalin to defend with his claws, unable to counterattack.

"If you don't show some real strength, I'll pluck all your feathers."

Even as he fought, Famas found time to mock Dvalin, who had once been plucked by him.

"Roar!"

Dvalin roared, firing a massive ball of Anemo energy from his mouth toward Famas.

"Crimson Battlefield."

A massive Pyro shield surrounded Famas, and the ley line energy formed an elemental vortex at his feet, creating a fiery tornado. Within the tornado, the souls of countless warriors seemed to roar.

The two stood facing each other, separated by the distance.

"Is that really Famas? That… Pyro Slime?"

Paimon, stunned by Famas' terrifying display of power, clung to Lumine's shoulder, trembling.

"Did I bully Famas before? He's not going to hold a grudge, is he?"

The group barely managed to shield themselves from the aftermath of the battle using their Visions, staring in awe at Famas as he fought Dvalin. Only Diluc seemed unsurprised.

"War Lord Famas, the Pyro Archon of a thousand years ago, the founder of the ancient war nation of Natlan."

Diluc explained Famas' origins to the group.

Only Venti looked on with concern.

He knew Famas couldn't maintain this level of power for long.

A/n - Read chapters ahead on my patreon.com/nneol