Mona's Arrival and a Fatui Skirmish

The late afternoon sun bathed Mondstadt in a golden glow, its light filtering through the towering windmills that dotted the city, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread from the Good Hunter eatery and the faint aroma of dandelions carried on the breeze, a peaceful scene that welcomed travelers and locals alike to the city of freedom.

Xander sat at a wooden table outside the Good Hunter, his vibrant blue aura shimmering faintly around him, the Shadowfang Blade resting against the bench as he sipped a cup of milk tea, his expression one of satisfaction after the latest Teyvat Second Creation broadcast. The video had caused quite a stir, especially for the Kamisato siblings, and Xander couldn't help but chuckle, his voice a quiet murmur as he said, "The little turtle name has spread, I'm quite proud of that."

He had drawn three rewards after the broadcast, his voice a mix of hope and mischief as he prayed, "Little turtles, bless me with something good this time." The starry sky had responded with three white lights, his rewards disappointing as he muttered, "A box of chocolates, a bow technique book, and turtle soup, what a waste."

The chocolates were from a dubious brand, the bow technique book a memoir from a self proclaimed Syndicate Bow and Arrow Reaper, and the turtle soup a cruel irony, his voice a grumble as he said, "I should stop with the wicked prayers, they never work." Despite the lackluster rewards, he felt a sense of accomplishment, his tone cheerful as he said, "The second creation video was a hit, time to relax and explore Mondstadt."

As he approached the Good Hunter to grab a meal, he spotted an unexpected figure sitting with Ying and Paimon, her wide brimmed hat adorned with celestial motifs, her Hydro Vision glowing at her hip, her voice a mix of pride and embarrassment as she spoke. It was Astrologist Mona Megistus, her presence in Mondstadt a surprise, Xander's voice a curious whisper as he said, "Mona, here, this early, that's new."

He approached the group, his tone friendly as he said, "Hey, didn't expect to see you here, Mona." Ying waved, her golden eyes bright as she replied, "We found her near Stone Gate, she was with Xiangling."

Paimon floated beside Ying, her voice a mix of teasing and concern as she said, "Yeah, Mona fainted from hunger, we couldn't just leave her." Mona's face flushed, her tone indignant as she grabbed Paimon, "We agreed not to tell anyone, you little traitor!"

She rubbed Paimon's cheeks, her voice a mix of embarrassment and defiance as she said, "I'm the greatest astrologer in Teyvat, it's humiliating to admit I starved." Ying tilted her head, her voice puzzled as she asked, "But astrologers shouldn't be poor, right, divination pays well, doesn't it?"

Mona puffed out her chest, her tone proud as she replied, "I don't take trivial commissions, using astrology for petty mora is a blasphemy to my art." Xander smirked, his voice a playful jab as he said, "So you spent all your mora on fancy astrology tools, becoming the first famous astrologer to starve on the roadside?"

Mona tugged at her braid, her voice sheepish as she admitted, "The best instruments are expensive, I may have overdone it." Paimon crossed her arms, her tone scolding as she said, "You nearly died, and you're still obsessed with equipment, if we hadn't passed by, you'd be gone!"

Mona's cheeks burned brighter, her voice a quiet mutter as she said, "I appreciate the rescue, truly." Xander chuckled, his tone nostalgic as he said, "I get it, I used to eat dirt to buy model figures I loved."

The group settled down to eat, Xander ordering a plate of Mondstadt hashbrowns, their golden crust glistening with butter, the aroma making his stomach growl as he said, "This place never disappoints, let's dig in." Mona explained her purpose in Mondstadt, her voice determined as she said, "I'm here to retrieve a box my master left, and to take on her friend's heir."

Ying nodded, her voice curious as she asked, "A box, what's in it, something important?" Mona's eyes gleamed, her tone mysterious as she replied, "It's a relic of great astrological power, I need it to advance my studies."

Paimon tilted her head, her voice skeptical as she said, "Sounds like more trouble, are you sure you won't starve again?" Mona glared, her tone sharp as she replied, "I'll manage, I'm not that hopeless!"

Their meal was interrupted by a sudden commotion near the city gates, the sound of shouts and the clash of weapons echoing through the streets as a group of Fatui Skirmishers ambushed a merchant caravan, their Cryo and Electro energies crackling in the air. The merchants cried out, their voices filled with fear as they shouted, "Help, the Fatui are attacking, they're after our goods!"

Xander stood, his vibrant blue aura flaring as he drew the Shadowfang Blade, his voice filled with excitement as he said, "Looks like trouble, let's handle it!" Ying jumped up, her Anemo Vision glowing as she summoned her sword, her voice determined as she said, "We can't let them rob the merchants, let's go!"

Mona hesitated, her voice uncertain as she said, "I'm not great in a fight, but I can't ignore this." Paimon floated beside her, her tone encouraging as she said, "You've got Hydro magic, you'll be fine, let's help!"

They rushed to the gates, the Fatui Skirmishers wreaking havoc as their Cryo Gunner froze a cart, the ice creeping up its wheels, while the Electro Cicin Mage summoned a swarm of cicins, their buzzing a menacing drone. The lead Skirmisher, a tall man with a Pyro Vision, laughed, his voice a sneer as he said, "Mondstadt's goods belong to the Fatui now, stand down or burn!"

Xander charged in, his Shadowfang Blade glowing with dark energy as he slashed at the Cryo Gunner, his voice a confident taunt as he shouted, "You picked the wrong city to rob, let's dance!" The Gunner staggered back, the ice on the cart shattering, her voice a grunt as she muttered, "You'll regret that, outsider!"

Ying followed, her Anemo Vision creating a vortex that pulled the cicins together, her voice a fierce shout as she said, "Mona, now, hit them with Hydro!" Mona nodded, her Hydro Vision glowing as she summoned a wave of water, her voice determined as she shouted, "I may not fight often, but I won't let you win!"

The water drenched the cicins, amplifying Ying's Anemo to create a Swirl reaction, the cicins dissipating in a burst of elemental energy, the Electro Cicin Mage crying out, "My cicins, you'll pay for that!" She retaliated with a bolt of lightning, the crackling energy aimed at Mona, but Mona countered with a Hydro shield, her voice a mix of fear and resolve as she said, "I can do this, I have to!"

The Pyro Skirmisher roared, his flamethrower igniting as he sent a wave of fire toward Xander, his voice a snarl as he shouted, "Burn, you meddling fool!" Xander dodged, his vibrant blue aura flaring brighter as he equipped the Beowulf set, the gauntlets glowing with white light, his voice a triumphant roar as he shouted, "Not today, let's see how you like this!"

He delivered a devastating uppercut, the Beowulf gauntlets amplifying his strength, sending the Skirmisher flying, his flamethrower clattering to the ground as he groaned, "Impossible!" Ying and Mona worked together, their Hydro and Anemo creating a swirling storm that engulfed the remaining Skirmishers, Ying's voice a united shout as she said, "Together, we end this!"

The Fatui fled, their morale broken, the merchants cheering as they thanked their saviors, one of them saying, "You saved our livelihood, thank you!" Mona, panting from the effort, smiled, her voice a mix of pride and relief as she said, "I didn't think I had it in me, that felt good."

Xander sheathed his blade, his aura dimming as he grinned, "Not bad for an astrologer, you've got potential." Ying nodded, her Anemo Vision fading as she added, "You're stronger than you think, Mona, welcome to the team."

Paimon floated around them, her voice cheerful as she said, "See, you didn't starve, and you fought, you're amazing!" Mona blushed, her tone humble as she replied, "I'll keep improving, I promise, let's find that box together."

The group shared a moment of camaraderie, their bond strengthened by the battle, the city of Mondstadt returning to its peaceful state as the sun dipped fully below the horizon, their journey just beginning, but their resolve firm.

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