Roots of Power

Kaeya sighed, resignation settling into his bones.

The Knights' best fit for a Beast Cavalry Squad stared him down.

Nimue's eighth team thrived in the wild—battle-hardened.

Eula's guerrillas matched them—field prowess unmatched.

Both squads boasted top-tier outdoor skills.

A quick poll could've rallied volunteers fast.

Without them, he'd scrape the barrel's bottom.

Crooked melons and cracked dates—slim pickings.

Two-thirds of the Knights rode off with Falga.

Kaeya's leisure had crumbled—work loomed large.

How'd he land in this mess so sudden?

He craved a snack—comfort for the soul.

Cavalry captain wasn't just a title—it stuck.

Falga gutted the roster, but Kaeya held the post.

Scouts had it worse—Amber alone remained.

Her granddad's legacy hung on her shoulders.

This beast gig was his burden—duty called.

He'd grit his teeth and make it work.

Ye Ruo cherry-picking teams sparked a hunch.

Something juicier awaited those he kept.

Kaeya, sharp as ever, smirked at the thought.

He stepped closer, eyeing the tigers warily.

"These Sumeru long-hairs won't maul us, right?" he probed.

Bold as brass, he reached out a hand.

His strength shrugged off beastly threats.

"If they snap at my picks, I'm sunk," he muttered.

Ye Ruo grinned, voice brimming with ease.

"No worries—they're tame—jump, boys!" he commanded.

Eleven tigers leaped in sync—graceful, absurd.

"Squat, paw, lick, tail chase—meow!" he barked.

The Knights gawked—silence swallowed the "meow."

Every order landed—tigers complied like pups.

Fierce facades melted—kittens in disguise.

Knights crept forward, egged on by Ye Ruo.

Hands brushed fur—no snarls, just calm.

Relief washed over them—tension dissolved.

Awe bloomed—taming mastery beyond hunters.

Kaeya wiped his palm, intrigue flickering.

"Wildly obedient—quite the trick," he mused.

"Fine, I'll take 'em—horses to tigers, why not?" he relented.

He led the logistics crew, tigers in tow.

Stables awaited a refit—empty no more.

Saddles needed forging—blacksmiths on deck.

Warhorse gear wouldn't cut it—tigers demanded custom.

Stability mattered—riders couldn't tumble off.

Human ingenuity would bridge the gap.

Envy lingered among the sidelined knights.

Who wouldn't crave a tiger mount?

"Tiger Riders" sang of glory untold.

Eula's voice rose, confusion knitting her brow.

"Ye Ruo, why not us?" she pressed.

"We're tops in the field—perfect fit," she argued.

Nimue's squad echoed her—puzzled, eager.

"Master Wind Knight, what's the holdup?" a knight ventured.

"Our honor points scream priority," another added.

Jean tilted her head, curiosity piqued.

Nimue sidled toward Lisa—recruitment in mind.

Lisa dodged—Jean got the heads-up first.

She vanished, leaving Nimue stomping mad.

"Why won't she join? Captain spot's hers!" she fumed.

Defeated, Nimue trudged back, sulking.

Ye Ruo's lips curled—a sly spark ignited.

"You're sidelined for something better," he teased.

"Tokens in my pocket—plant contracts await," he revealed.

"Think deception flowers—elemental allies," he explained.

"Your squads rule the wild—perfect match," he reasoned.

Power-ups loomed—no Vision required.

Deception flowers—tricky, advanced flora.

Combat-ready, mobile—nightmares for foes.

Frost variants wielded icy arsenals.

Earth Dodge let them slip underground.

Ice Spikes pierced from below—sharp traps.

Elemental Charges blasted raw power.

Leaf Blade Turns spun cutting whirlwinds.

Continuous Charge Jets rained icy hell.

Gatling-style barrages—puff, puff, puff.

Hunters paled—knights quailed at the thought.

Cold bows couldn't match that firepower.

Plant partners would reshape their game.

Strength, tactics, teamwork—all transformed.

The system chimed in Ye Ruo's mind, panel glowing anew.

He perked up, hungry for the latest prize.

[Customer Eula completed Old Mond: Chains of Ice—Reward: Frostwave Crest.]

[Frostwave Crest: Summons a surging wave of frost from the user's weapon, freezing enemies in a wide arc; enhances Cryo strikes with chilling resonance, slowing foes or shattering brittle defenses; can form icy barriers or blades on command.]

Eula with frost waves—her grudge grew sharper.

The system thrummed, Ye Ruo's fame a rising storm.

His gifts took root—Mondstadt braced for bloom.

***

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