Ch 2 "Monstadt"
Kaeya: now tell me the truth..... Who are you all?
Kaeya still look relaxed, but there was a sternest to his voice, and a hint of intrigue. Kiba sensed this and warned Issei
Kiba: Issei-kun get behind me
Kiba Extended his arm in front of Issei, seemingly trying to block him, The rest of the ORC got Behind the two Boys
Kiba: it's none of your business Who We Are, we just did your job, that's as much as we're going to do for you
Kaeya laughs playfully
Kaeya: Now Now, no need to be aggressive.... But I wasn't asking
Kiba: and I said what I said, now leave us be. He's not comfortable with you around
Kaeya laughs again
Kaeya: Oh is he now~? He didn't look like it when he stared down those Abyss
Kiba: Don't take another ste-
And before Kiba could finish the sentence
Asia: Erm... Everyone? Why don't we calm ourselves down with some tea?
Everyone looked at Asia who stepped in to try and de-escalate the situation
Akeno: Hmm... Resolving the situation with tea time? Not bad thinking Asia, ufufufu~
The ORC looked at Kaeya, who was pondering his thoughts
Kaeya: Hm.... I would love to~
He Smiled while Kiba narrowed his eyes and was still Weary
Kiba: ... Fine, I accept
Kiba Held Issei's Hand close to him
Kaeya: The Knights of Favonius Headquarters has some delicious Tea, I'll lead you all up there and Let's resolve our differences shall we?
The Crowd disperse into gossip on who the newcomers are, The Blonde and Brunette took on very powerful beings without breaking a sweat, who are they? The ORC followed Kaeya and a couple of knight up to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, they walked in to see a checkered floor and a Light hallway akin to any medieval setting, Kaeya Opened the door on the Left, leading to an office where two beautiful blonde Women are in, One wore a Knightley white outfit while the other wore a purple Witch clothes
Kaeya: Jean, I got some interesting people for you. The tea's over there
Asia and Akeno diverge from the group, making and preparing The tea. The Woman in white, Jean, replied
Jean: Thank you Kaeya, I heard the reports, I couldn't believe it myself
Jean gestures to the group
Jean: Greetings People from afar, I am Jean Gunhildr, Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. I would like to welcome you all to Monstadt, the Nation of freedom
Rossweisse: Thank yo-
Before Rossweisse could speak up, Rias Steps forward
Rias: The pleasure's all ours, although I guess we did come in a awkward time
Jean: You could say that. But I do want to ask, How did you all come here?
Rias chuckles
Rias: One of our Professor's made a world traveling device and accidentally teleported us here
Jean's eyes widen
Jean: So it's true. You're all from another world...
Rias: That seems to be the case
Asia and Akeno placed the tea's down on the large table for everyone to grab
Jean: This is.... something.... Ah I forgot, this is my Subordinate Lisa Minci
Lisa: Ufufufu~ so many young Cuties~
Akeno's back starts tingling, Getting Deja Vu
Kiba leaned into Issei's ear and whisper's
Kiba: Her style-
Issei: yes I know it's like Akeno...
Issei was still weary, He died on Teyvat as "Aether", these were his friends. He didn't know how they reacted to his death... But it's for the best of they don't find out who he really is, He really didn't want to see them again too...
Rias: I assure you We truly mean well but for now In the meantime our professor is trying to bring us back, we are essentially stuck here
Jean frowns and ponders
Jean: That is troubling.... How about in the meantime you all stay here in the headquarters, but I would like to aska favor out of all of you
Rias: *raise eyebrow* and that is...
Jean: Ever since.... One of our best died... The Abyss had been growing more unstable as of 2 years-
Rias closes her eyes, mentally confirming Issei's story
Jean: -I would like you all to dampen the Abyss Unstable advances for as long as possible....
Jean looked around the group in plea, until her eyes landed on Issei, those grey eyes widen a little, a jolt of light went off in her mind, For a split second, she saw a a kinder face she thought long gone. Rias noticing this decides to respond
Rias: We'd gladly help. Whenever people need it, we never refuse
Jean's eyes went back to the redhead
Jean: Thank you... And for your efforts we'll accommodate you with whatever we have
Rias smiles, bowing in respect
Rias: Thank you Ms Gunhildr
Jean only smile
Jean: Please, call me Jean, it's the least I can do
Rias turns to Issei, gauging is expression. His expression was gratitude. But still uncertainty
Rias: If that's all, we'll be taking our leave now
Jean: Yes.... May the Wind Guide you
The ORC all left the room, leaving only Kaeya, Lisa, And Jean
Kaeya: So. What are we thinking?
Jean: They look trustworthy enough
Kaeya: the blonde boy almost attacked me y'know?
Jean: From what I heard you tried to get close to the Brunette boy
The atmosphere thickens
Kaeya:.... About that...
Lisa: Yes... I felt it too. It's like a face I've seen before... Someone nostalgic.... Gone too soon
Jean: *sigh* if you're suggesting he's Aether... Don't... Don't give me that hope... Please...
The other two looked down
Kaeya: He's gone too soon....
Lisa: I liked him too...
Jean: we all did... But it's time to move on...
Kaeya: Jean you know I can't-
Jean: I get it Kaeya... You loved him... We all did... But it's too late now...
The conversation ended there as Kaeya Left the room
With the ORC, They were walking down town square, following Issei
Issei: Why did you agree..?
Rias: Issei, if someone asks for help we never refuse, right? It's what you taught me... What you taught us
Issei sighs heavily
Issei: I just.... I've been thinking back... All I've done is help them... I never really got anything back from them... I know I've preached about helping other's no matter what but... Sometimes I think it should go both ways... Not one sided. I'm sorry if it sounds selfish but I truly think that
Everyone felt that for Issei. They know what he meant, They know what he's been through,they know what they've put him through
Rias: It's okay to think that Issei... It's only Human to think that... You know your worth and you are worth the world to us... Don't think otherwise
Issei could feel the genuine words coming from her, he looked at his friends and their expression leans the same. Compassion
Issei: Thank you... Everyone... For making me feel wanted...
They continue walking down the steps back down to the fountain area
Koneko: Where are we going, Issei-senpai?
Issei: if I'm going to be here for a while.... Might as well get comfortable
They approach a stand near the front gate, Issei walked up to the Woman in green, working in the stand
Katheryne: Ad Astra Abyssosque! You seem to be new here, would you like to sign up for the adventurers guild?
Issei exhales deeply, trying not to draw attention
Issei: I would like to reopen an old account
Katheryne was a little surprised, she was sure she haven't seen this person before
Katheryne: Okay then...
She grabbed a pen and the paperwork
Katheryne: May I ask for name?
Issei: *sigh deeply*.... Aether, Account Password, Lumine
Katheryne's eyes widen, clearly not expecting that from left field
Katheryne: T-T-T-Traveler?? Is it really you?? I-It's been 2 years!
Issei: Shhuush! Could you keep it down? Yes I'm back, new appearance, and I'm not happy about it okay? Can I please have my stuff back?
Katheryne complied, trying to keep it professional, She handed him a card and a big bag of Mora
Katheryne: Y-yes, here's you license and Your Mora Savings
Issei grabbed it and turn around
Issei: Thanks... And oh, one more thing...
He turn to see her
Issei: Good to see you again, Katheryne
Katheryne smiles
Katheryne: It's good to see you again too, Traveler...
Issei finally let out a small smile, before heading back to the group
Rias: What's that Issei?
Issei: my Savings from this world, we need this to survive, and yes I was apart of the adventurer's guild
Xenovia: How much did you saved?
Issei put the bag away
Issei: 51 million Mora
The group's eyes went wide
Irina: 51 million!?!
Issei: This could sustain us for a while...
Gasper: What did you do for a living senpai!?
Issei just shrugged it off
Issei: commissions. It's not that complicated
Kiba: Surely Guild Commission's don't give out that much...
Issei: yeah they don't, I just saved up and hunt for food
Asia: W-Wow...
Akeno: Didn't know Issei-kun was that kind of Man~
Issei looked over at her
Issei: Trust me. I didn't have a choice
Issei then walked ahead and turn around to face his friends
Issei: So. We have some time to kill. What do you want to do first?
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Meanwhile, in a different, darker dimension, the few Abyss Herald's from before rushes back to a throne room where a blonde girl sits emotionlessly
???: Why did you come back...?
The girl asked dejectedly
The Cryo Herald in a panic, stutters
Cryo Herald: Y-your Highness, T-There's b-been an i-interference, a-an unknown group appeared and d-drove us back. We're all that's left
The Cryo Herald shows her a Cryo projection of what happened
"Princess": hmph... A couple of teenager's? Is that what drove you back? Patheti-...!?
Before she could finish, She sees a Brunette boy, Issei, in the projection. Her eyes twitches as her vision switches Issei.... To Aether, and back and forth
"Princess": A-A-A-A-Aether....
She stood up, blood rushes throughout her body as she stood, Emotions running rampant inside her mind. Fear, Confusion, Happiness, Hurt, Longing
"Princess": You. ready more forces, we're going back
The Cryo Herald tried to object
Cryo Herald: But Your Highness-
"Princess": this time not to take over Monstadt... But to retrieve something
The Herald only complied
Cryo Herald: Y-yes, Your Highness...
The Abyss dispatch disappears as The Princess sat back on her throne, now clasping her hands together
Lumine: Aether.... Please.... Let it be you... it's been so long... I miss you....
She could only hope to wherever that is that her hunch is right
Meanwhile, at the Harbor of Liyue, a group of youngins went over to the Adventurers guild to check out some commissions
Chongyun: Xingqiu, Hu Tao, stop that
The young exorcist whines at the Blue Haired boy and the Spratic Funeral Director keeps poking at him
Xingqiu: Hmhmhmhm come on Chongyun... Have a little sense of fun~
Hu Tao: Here here! I'm taking off work to help you after all
The other person in the group, Xinyan chuckles
Xinyan: you're right, You wanted to do these consecutively as much as possible just before Lantern Rite so we decided to help
The Ice haired boy sighs as he went to see the Commission's board to see what there is
Chongyun: let's see... Huh, The New Adventurer's for this month...
Xingqiu: Ooh~ some new faces
Hu Tao: Hahaha! They look you younger everytime
Xinyan looked at the board new Adventurer's with a smile... Until her eyes landed on a familiar name
Xinyan: Wait a sec...
Hu Tao: Hm? Whatcha looking at, Xin- ....!
Xingqiu: Huh? What'd you went- huh..?
Chongyun looked at where his friends were looking... And his heart dropped
Chongyun: Guy's... I'm dreaming right?
Hu Tao's face was nothing but shock
Hu Tao: ... We have to talk to Katheryne
The other three agreed, there's no way Aether's on the adventurer's list. He Died 2 years ago... Right?
At Wolvendom, Mona was walking around getting some berries for her meal while checking on her scryglass for something interesting
Mona: Man those Abyss just keep getting stronger... Thank heavens the boy saved me in the knick of time... But what did he meant by "I'm Sorry"?..
Suddenly, Her Scryglass starts shifting more and more
Mona: Huh? What's going on?
Mona read the scry... Her eyes went wide
Mona: N-no way, there has to be something wrong..!
Mona tried to reconfigure it, but it was right the first time...
Mona: N-no, this can't be true... He died...
She clutches her chest as she sheds a tear, she couldn't believe it
Mona: H-He defined Fate again... Aether...
The Longer Issei/Aether Stays in this world. The more people will find out he's alive... At least this time, He has people who have his back
To be continued...