Chapter Text
“Feels surreal, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. Very much so, didn’t ever expect that I’d be leaving Fontaine for a trip overseas so soon. I thought about it, and perhaps may have had it on the back of my mind, but I certainly didn’t expect me to be going away so quickly.”
“Well, a first time for everything, no? Though, I wish it could be under better circ*mstances.”
“Touche, I wish it too. But hey, you’re with me, and I couldn’t really complain anymore if that condition is fulfilled, no?”
Aether chuckled as his hair flapped with the wind, Navia’s hair beside him also flowing behind her as the pair watched the raised waters of Fontaine slowly recede in the distance; the pair illuminated only by the stars of the night sky above them.
“I’ll agree to that, better have you with me than anyone else.” He responded, looking out across the ocean before turning to Navia. “Speaking off, I know Sigewinne said you can go carefully after a week but are you feeling fine?”
“Hmm?” Navia turned to him, the bandage across her arm, leg, and torso still visible through the improvised clothing she wore; nothing more than a simple yellow and black dress without much outstanding features. The top of the dress was cropped to allow for easy checks on her bandages and quick in-field medication if needed; especially around the bruises, scratches, and the broken bones. “I’m alright. It still hurts of course and I can’t say I feel like I can run a marathon, but this will be fine otherwise.”
“Leg’s waking up?” Aether asked, looking down at the cast on her broken leg that was fitted with a few wooden pieces to help strengthen it for walking.
“Oh, yes. Don’t remind me, it actually stings as it wakes up, but I can at least feel it.” She smiled, her upbeat demeanor returning after a week of rest. “Come on, I’m not that fragile, broken as I am.”
He smiled at her, gently putting his hand onto her hand that was on the ship’s railings. “Then that’s all I need to hear. Just stick to me for now, at least until you can walk.”
“Should be able to walk on my own when we arrive in Sumeru, don’t worry about that.” Navia smiled, gently folding her hand up such that his palm was in hers. “As I said, I have my partner with me. What else can I need? I don’t mind where I go so long as that is fulfilled.”
“Fair play.” Aether says, the pair turning to look at the distance again. “You know, even in simpler clothes, you still look amazing.”
“Oh, hush you.” Navia gave a giggle, though she did not sound like she hated that praise. In fact, deep down, there’s a certain craving that she wants to hear very often from him. “To be fair, Chiori did speed-tailor us some clothes that are, in her own words, very casual yet very you. And no one would really know you’re Aether just by looking at you.”
Aether chuckled as he looked down; a simple black shirt and some light gray pants, with a golden-black scarf around his neck. No patterns, so it didn’t give him away. “I guess we’re both silently undercover for now.”
“Oi, flappy talkin’ with the wind, eh?”
Beidou strolled up to them, casually leaning on the railing beside Aether, giving a wave to Navia as well. “Nice to see you two up and about despite what happened. Tell you girl, you look ready to hit the deck when I see you. Amazing you can stand the sea travels like this.”
“Oh, you flatter me.” Navia chuckled. “I have been on various high-speed boat chases in Fontaine, so the rough seas are more or less just an adaptation. Still, you guys are pretty amazing for doing this day in and day out, sometimes for weeks on end.”
“Hehe, thank you.” Beidou chuckled before casually putting her arm over Aether’s head. “Knew you’d find a lass that appreciates any sort of work.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t be close to someone who doesn’t. Especially when my work can be incredibly random.” Aether jokes, Beidou giving a hearty laughter at that, the ship’s captain patting his hair before putting her arm back on the railing.
“Good man, you.”
Navia giggled. As she watched the pair, she sort of understood the rather interesting relation between them.
“Well, one thing I’d wanna know.” Beidou says, turning to the pair. “I’ve seen some articles about you, Navia. Aether brought them over when we wanted to ask me to let you three hitch a ride, not that he needed to.”
“Ah, is that so….” Navia shot Aether with a side eye, to which the traveler shrugged. “Well, I do hope I’m not unaccepted here, though I think we’re past that point.”
“You kidding? After what this man has done for me and my crew, anyone who is friends with him is welcome, so long as we’re cool with them as well. And you’re no less than the next person I’d like to invite over.” The captain chuckled, Navia giggling back as well.
“But you see, that’s not what I wanna know right now.” Beidou turned to Navia, putting her back on the mast nets. “What I do want to know is what sort of cult did you anger to have a whole bunch of angry machines come running at you, destroying people’s homes in the process.”
“Ah, that’s a long story.” Navia says, still leaning on the side railings at her end to make sure she can stand for long periods due to her healing injuries. “Basically, there’s a murder case going on and as we got closer to the culprit, they seemed aware of us and targeted us to get rid of anyone on their tail.”
“Hah, trying to clean up after their mess, eh? Well those dumbos don’t seem to know what they’re dealing with.” Beidou replied, chuckling as she looked at the pair. “And ‘sides, you got Aether here a your companion. Pretty sure nothing’s going to get in your way now. Although that said, throw ‘em on board someday when you find them before giving them to the authorities. A beatdown sounds nice.” She adds, cracking her knuckles.
“Well noted, Cap.” Aether replied, earning a short laugh from her.
“Alright. Tell you what.” Beidou turned to Navia. “I didn’t realize you held a high class until I saw some photos of you Aether gave me. That’s a fine dress, though quite different from what I’m used to. I’m very glad you ain’t one of those rich snobs who complain about everything not up to standards, cuz if you were, I woulda asked my boy here to change girls he carries around.” The captain added, laughing at the end while taking another bottle of liquor.
“Ah, haha. I see, well perhaps that’s a normal way to see people in fine clothes as, even I would have to admit, plenty of them who wear properly are less than proper with their words. Chiori would know, wouldn’t you say, Aether?” The president of Spina di Rosula giggled, looking at Aether.
“Absolutely. I recall she kicked someone so hard once, she left an imprint on their butts for weeks.” Aether replied, earning a laugh from the group.
“I’m glad you are a good person. In any case, you’re in safe hands with us. And when you’re done and need a trip back, Aether or you yourself can hit me right up in that adeptus-home-realm of Aether’s.” Beidou turned to Aether, giving him a wink.
Though in the context it's more a blink as she only has one eye to look out of.
Aether nodded at her. “Thank you, Beidou. This would make our journey a lot easier.”
“Anytime.” She smiled, before turning around.
“Oy, Kazuha! Is that grill I smell?” Beidou asked, looking out to the deck of her ship.
“It is.” The wandering Samurai replied from below, looking up at them on the railings. “It’s still hot, and they taste wonderful I suggest you three get a few before resuming your talks, or else Paimon will finish them.”
“Mmf-hey! Paimon’s not a glutton!”
“.....well…..sometimes.”
Aether and Navia looked at one another and gave a small laugh, Beidou laughing more boisterously while shaking her head, turning to her 2 guests. “Well, dinner time as the man said. Come on, before it grows cold and you end up with cold food and nothing to warm your spirits.”
As Beidou lead the way to the lower deck, Aether gently held onto Navia, making sure she was able to comfortably get to the lower decks.
“My, a gentleman. You know, if this is what you do to ladies who get hurt, some may hurt themselves on purpose.” Navia jokes, earning a laugh from Aether.
“Well, in that case, I might as well change my profession to a doctor, no?” He rebutted, earning a laugh from Navia as well.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------
Aether looked up from the chair he’s on inside their room on board. “All good now?”
Navia stood in front of him, wearing a common Sumeru dress tailored to fit her, white and yellow. It did well to hide almost all of the bandages, only a few are left on her hands and cheek.
She smiled, turning to him. “I can walk and do things on my own now. Thank you, mon amor, but I do think I should still take it easy. It’s still sore and I feel very stiff inside so I shouldn’t be doing much.” Navia responded, giving Aether a thumbs up.
Aether sighed, smiling afterwards as he looked up at her and stood. “Good then. We’re coming into the docks now, and we should keep a low profile. At least, until we get what we need and return to Fontaine.” He responded, Aether himself wearing some casual white and yellow Sumeru robes as well.
“I hope we do, otherwise we’d be back at square one here.” She says, bringing out a file containing some papers. “Here’s the details that the Knave left for us. It seems there are several researchers doing research on ancient machinery for the Fatui, and that if we track them, we can get to the bottom of this.”
“Right, but we can’t just go asking around. We have to be a bit more quiet so as to not alert them that someone’s looking for them, in case the researchers are also alerted by what is happening in Fontaine.” Aether responded, fixing up his clothes one last time.
“Agreed. Alright, we’re all set. Aether and Navia’s investigation, Sumeru edition!” Navia gave a cute cheer, one that made the pair of them laugh lightly.
“Okay, okay, but nothing too fancy. Don’t want to need another trip to hospital.” Aether teased. Navia put her arms down, giggling as she gave him a thumbs up. He chuckled at that. “Well, since we don’t want to fight to put attention onto us, I have a few friends along the way that we can make do with as company for the trip. A friend for the trip to the city, and a few in the city to make life easier.”
“Alrighty. I trust you anyway, so let’s go.” Navia seems all positive now. Aether notes that it is a good thing; the last thing he needs is for Navia to be still feeling down after what happened. Best thing for them is to keep their spirits up.
With that, Aether opens the door to the deck of the ship. Unlike how the air felt in Fontaine, this time the air had a twinge of Dendro in it. As the pair got out, they are greeted with the lovely sight that is Sumeru’s Port Ormos, alongside the famous bridge connecting the 2 sides of the port, lined with trees and vegetation. Ships constantly traverse in and out of the ports with cargo being offloaded and loaded onto docked vessels.
Beidou hopped down from the upper deck as Navia’s eyes seem to glow, observing the port outside with almost child-like wonder. The captain cuckold at her reaction.
“Yeah, everyone seems to feel this way when they just arrived in Sumeru for the first time. Amazing, huh?” Beidou says, Navia nodding in response.
“Oh absolutely. I’ve read about them and seen photos, but this is different. It’s actually amazing.” Navia said, before clearing her throat and looking back. “So, this is where we hop off?”
“Yup!” Aether nods, turning to Beidou. “I’ll give you a ring on the Realm Dispatch later when I need a pick up I guess. I owe you one for this, Beidou.”
“Hah! Nonsense, you’ve done a lot for me already, consider this a favor since we’re also on a cargo trip here after all.” The captain chuckled, casually sipping her booze again. “In any case, the boys are starting the offload. Get a move on you two, before they see you. Oh, and I’ll say hi to Paimon for you in the teapot. A shame you can’t bring her otherwise it’d be too obvious its you and Navia, but it has to be done.”
Aether sighed, nodding. “I’ll treat her to something when this is over. I’ll do that to you and Kazuha as well.”
“Attaboy.” She smiled, before turning to Navia. “And you take care too. Heard it's your first time abroad. It can be a unique experience, but it's not all fun out there. Learn that the hard way, but at least you have Aether with you.”
“Will do!” Navia smiled. “And if you do go to Fontaine, swing by Spina di Rosula’s HQ! I’ll have a banquet over for you guys!”
Beidou merely laughed, giving a thumbs up before she had to go elsewhere to manage her crew. Kazuha passed by, giving them a wave as he went to help.
“Good luck, Aether. Let the currents keep you safe.” The wandering samurai says.
“As do you, Kazuha.” The traveler replied.
Kazuha took a look at Navia, passing a nod. Navia smiled and nodded back before they split and went their separate ways.
Aether and Navia hopped off the ship as cargo was being unloaded. This allowed them to creep through the crates and materials being offloaded without being easily seen from the outside, especially because its at rush hour when they disembarked.
“You have a friend going to bring us to Sumeru city?” Navia asks, creeping between crates.
“Yep. I told her to wait just under the large arching bridge on the same side as where we docked.” Aether replied, looking back at Navia as they paused. “How about you> Feeling good so far?”
“I’ll be fine. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Navia smiled back, appreciating how careful Aether is with her after the blunder she had.
“Good. Tell me if it does and we can take a break before continuing.” Aether says, his voice soft yet stern in its own way. Navia gave him a nod, and the pair resumed.
They darted between boxes, crates, ships and people before reaching the end of the dock. Aether took a peek outside, watching the crowd go here and there and looking out if anyone is looking for them that isn’t his friend.
“Clear.” He says, getting out of cover and walking casually with the flow of the crowd. Navia nodded, hopping up and doing the same. With her make-up gone and her hair let down, she looked like any other lady with her partner on a trip to Port Ormos.
Nobody was any wiser to who they really were.
In order to fully blend in, Navia quickly latched her arm into his, making the pair merely seem like a couple on walk or on business at the port. Aether cleared his throat as he felt it, clearly aware of what she’s doing and not swatting it away.
Luckily the pair were able to hide their cheeks from going too obviously red.
After a while, they walked all the way to the bottom of the arcs, people up on the bridge above them walking between the 2 port-sides and some stopping to sight see.
“She should be here.” Aether hummed as he looked around. Navia stuck close to him, keeping watch where he’s not looking to make sure no one is noticing them while not looking too obvious. She’s not bad at stealth for someone who is quite used to being under the spotlight.
After a while though, he smiled. “There she is. One second, let’s cross.” He says, pointing to the supporting pillar located just by the water side. Navia nodded, following him as the pair went through the bustling port.
And leaning onto the pillar, a lioness was crossing her arms, looking out to the sea.
“He should be here soon.” She murmured.
“Dehya!”
“Ah.” A smile picked up on her face as she turned around, finding him with her eyes quite quickly. “Well there you are. Not kidding when you said you’ll be incognito, you look like anyone. Sadly, I can quite easily tell it to you.”
“Well, since its you, that’s not a bad thing. Always glad to see my friends recognize me regardless of outfits.” Aether stopped beside the pillar. “Good to see you’re here. Thank you.”
“A pleasure to help. When I heard what’s up, I couldn’t just sit and lt things play out. That’s what good pals are for.” She smiled confidently before looking behind him. “Ah, the one you mentioned?”
“Yup.” Aether motions to Navia as she steps beside him. “So yes, this is Navia. My partner, and currently the one I’m traveling with to solve a crisis.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” Navia gave a small bow.
Navia silently liked the way Aether addressed her, not by her official role as Spina di Rosula’s president, or as a Fontainian, but by her status as his partner.
“And Navia, this is Dehya. The only mercenary I would hire around Sumeru for assignments.” Aether replied, motioning to Dehya.
“Pleasure as well.” Dehya replied with a confident smirk. “Hmm……I can tell you were involved in a fight some time ago.”
“Ah.” Navia scratched the back of her head. “That obvious?”
“No, not really.” Dehya shook her head. “I just have a good eye. Working as a mercenary and often walking the sands of Sumeru’s deserts for days on end, you do become more aware of your own wellbeing, as well as those around you. Still, better safe than sorry, you really can make this?”
“Yeah.” Aether replied for her. “If you’d say she can’t, I think Navia would take it as an offense.”
“W-wait, Aether, that's too much.” Navia sputtered slightly.
Dehya however merely laughed at their interaction. “Haha, I see, I see. Very well then, in that case we’re good.”
Navia blinked a few times. “Uhm, okay?” She asked, slightly thrown off by how easy-going Dehya was for someone who looked like her in the first place.
“So, Aether.” Dehya turned to him. “You basically just want me to accompany you to Sumeru city, all the while fighting anything that gets in our way such as Fungi or other bandits?”
“Yes.” Aether nods. “Normally, I’d be down to help. And Navia’s pretty capable too.” He says, Navia showing her Geo vision that was hidden in a small pocket.
“Oho. Alright, but what’s the catch? And where’s Paimon?” Dehya asked.
“We have a belief that whoever attacked us in that short introduction I gave you back then in the teapot; they may have contacts here and are on the lookout. They know we have important details about their past, and so they may hunt us down to have it sink with us, including abroad from Fontaine.” Aether replied. “That’s why Paimon isn’t here, because it’d be obvious it's us if they see her.”
“Same goes for fighting, catch my drift?”
It didn’t take Dehya more than 1 second to figure it out. “Oh, no wonder you’re also wearing disguises. Well played. Alright.”
A smile came to her lips. “You’ve done so much for me and my peers in the past, it's only fair now that I repay you in full, and then some. I’ll gladly help you two get into the city, and perhaps beyond there as a bodyguard further down if you need me to.”
“That’d be a bit much, honestly.” Aether chuckled in response. “While we’d be grateful, I wouldn’t want you to be throwing potential jobs away for this.”
“Dude, you can pay me minimum wage and I’d still take it. Heck, just for a favor, I’d take it. It’s you we’re talking about here.” Dehya responded with a sincere smile; remembering how much he had helped her beforehand. “It’s alright. I’ll hang around the city, keeping watch at least and then escort you back here when you need to leave.”
“And that’s final.”
Aether opened his mouth to complain, but eventually sighed. “Okay, I guess I’ll owe you one then, Dehya.”
“Thank you.” Navia responded this time. “We really appreciate it. This is quite a big help to our cause that has no relation to you at all.”
“Hey now, it’s quite alright. Helping friends in the end is a good cause already.” Dehya waved Navia’s worries off with a laugh. “I’ll take it, and make sure anyone who tries touching you two will end up meeting my fists.”
Navia and Aether gave a smile, looking at one another and nodding.
“Shall we set off immediately, or do you two want to stop for some afternoon chow?” Dehya asked, stretching her arms out slightly.
Aether turned to Navia, the woman understanding that her partner was asking for her answer. Navia shook her head. “No, we should go as soon as we can to get to the city before night, and perhaps have dinner while discussing matters there. You’re welcome to join us if you want to.” She says, Aether nodding as well.
“Haha, I see that you live up to the expectation of being an employer that is all too friendly to me sometimes. Alright, I’ll bite then, though if you’re going to be discussing much, I won’t be too much help unless whatever is being talked about is from here.” Dehya responds, giving them a tooth-grin.
Well, more like a fang-grin for her.
“It is about Sumeru, or at least depending on what we find when we visit the Akademiya later.” Aether says, before motioning to the exit of Port Ormos, a little ways away. “Let’s go then, times a wastin.”
Dehya nods, leading the way while Aether gently takes Navia’s hand to avoid her getting lost, before the three make their way out.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The trio were walking through the forests of Sumeru as they talked to one another. Dehya explained her job and how the conditions are in the desert, while Navia explained her position and all the difficulties posed by becoming the president of Spina di Rosula.
Still, they both pointed out that so long as you have reliable friends, it would make things easier; Dehya admitting she’d be rather envious that Aether is helping her actively now.
One fact that Dehya hid was that the traveler had helped her the same way back, makingher and Cyno’s lives easy when going bounty hunting.
“I suppose there were some good things back then, but all the bad stuff outweigh the good ones. Kinda why it's a good thing we got rid of those damn earpieces. Wasn’t one to wear them anyway.” Dehya said, explaining about Aether’s effect onto Sumeru and how he made the Akasha terminal redundant.
“Amazing. Much like in Fontaine, I assume this man has had a word with the archon?” Navia asked, gently fluffing up Aether’s hair.
“A word?” Dehya laughed, Aether scratching his cheek. “Girl, he’s Lord Kusanali’s first Sage. A rank he holds to this day, his name’s still up at the Akademiya as an official Sage of Sumeru; the very first one of the new era.”
“Really? A sage?” Navia raised her eyebrows, looking at Aether. “You never told me you were a sage in Sumeru! So being an executioner is not enough for you, huh?”
“An executioner?” Dehya paused, raising her eyebrows now. “So that’s your role in Fontaine? Gotta say, that sounds quite amazing.”
“Yep.” Navia replied, Aether finding out he couldn’t say much to hide his role as Navia would happily splurt it out. “The Executioner of Justice, pointed by the Iudex himself. Oh, I mean, the man who leads the court and reads judgement.”
“Hot damn. Snuck off to another nation and you make a name for yourself. Guess this’ll keep going, eh?” Dehya chuckled, swatting his shoulder lightly.
“I guess I couldn’t help it. It just happens from time to time after all.” Aether shrugged, the pair walking up the path with Sumeru city starting to appear over the horizon.
“Oh, is that the city?” Navia points ahead. “Wow, it looks so much more embedded into nature than I thought. The complete opposite to Fontaine!”
“Yep. That’s Sumeru’s core alright.” Dehya stopped, the two blondes stopping with her as they took the view in. It’s evening now, so the city’s night-life glow is coming on as lamps and lights are lit up, the place glowing even at night. “It’s been a long day for you two I bet, so let’s saddle up and head on down. I’d love to show you around, but Aether’s there anyways.” Dehya added, smirking at Aether.
Aether chuckled, giving her a thumbs up. “Don’t worry. I know all the places, so I can give Navia a true tour. Once our business finishes, sadly.”
“Oh, yes, right.” Navia nodded at that statement. “We have a murder case to solve, and we aren’t in Sumeru for vacation. Even tonight we have work ahead of us before we can rest, so let’s get to it.”
“Hold up.” Dehya paused, looking ahead.
“Huh?” Aether saw how Dehya’s senses seemed to go on high alert. Navia too was quick to pick it up, the three being experienced enough in combat to know when one another is getting alerted to possible opponents.
“Up high.” Dehya says, pointing to a high spot on a hill by the main road, covered with some trees. A good vantage point to see the road ahead.
Aether nods, turning to Navia. Navia nods as well, before the three dart away from the main road quietly. Their feet carry them through the grass, careful and quiet but moderately fast steps as they go up the hill ahead. The leaves and shrubberies tickle their legs and arms as they pass, but they paid it no mind as they arrived at the top.
“I knew I heard something.” Dehya said, frowning at the sight of ambush-thieves waiting at the main road to the city. “Hoarders looking for an easy pick.”
Several hoarders were waiting by the side of the road ahead, while a larger group were sitting by a campfire. They were waiting to pounce on easy prey before leaving after getting their spoils. A quick way to get money and go before they get found out.
However, their targets were much wiser than they initially thought.
Navia clicked her teeth, looking around. “Are we in the clear? I am worried that, since the murderers aren’t too sure if we’re dead or not, that they would have spies around Fontaine and other nations to ensure we both are really dead.”
Aether sighed, shaking his head. “Until we are ready to prove that we are still alive, best keep them thinking we are gone. Dehya?”
“Alright. I can deal with it. For once, it's my turn to make sure you’re safe.” Dehya smirks as she gets up, looking at the couple beside her. “Besides, for one, let me do the fighting without needing you for once. Too many times you’ve made me and the others like Candace and Xyno look like we can’t fight sometimes.”
Aether chuckled, shrugging. “What can I say, it's in my nature to help.”
Dehya rolled her eyes, giving him a friendly stink eye. “Yeah, yeah, let me handle this. Call it returning the large list of favors Sumeru owes you.”
With that, Dehya leaps out and dashes quickly, Navia and Aether hunkered down watching from a distance.
Navia tapped Aether. “Will she be fine?”
Aether chuckled, patting Navia’s shoulder. “You only need to watch, mon cheri. There’s a reason why I asked her to escort us.”
Navia nodded, in turn realizing that Aether’s combat abilities means he can judge everyone else’s abilities quite well. As such, he wouldn’t choose someone lackluster to escort him when going through a nation and he isn’t allowed to defend himself.
Well, in essence, they could, but they don’t want to break their cover unless absolutely necessary.
A loud thud broke her thoughts as she looked forward, only to suddenly duck as one of the poor hoarders who were looking for an easy grab was sent flying through the air, right by Navia and Aether before smacking into a tree and going out cold.
“Come on, that all ya got? I can do this for hours!”
Yeah. Navia’s worries are quickly gone when she looks ahead, only to find Dehya casually all over the place, sending thugs left and right, up, down and center. It was almost pitiful for those thieves.
Almost.
Dehya landed a punch to the face on one of the shovel-wielders before bringing her greatsword around and down onto a pair of potioneers. The hit stunned them and sent them flying back into the ground before passing out dry.
She flipped back; her form strong yet agile as she floated over a crossbow bolt, before launching a jet of pyro directly at the shooter. It burnt the ground up leading to the hoarder before exploding, sending him out of the count. Another toss back off her sword sent a fighter reeling back, before a rear kicked knocked him out for good.
And soon enough, before Navia or Aether had much to say, all of them were basically washed out, cold and beaten down.
Dehya blew a puff of smoke out from the grass nearby, before her weapon vanished as she stretched her arms out. “Ah, there we go. That’s a nice warmup.”
She looked around, her eyes careful in making sure that the coast is clear before she turns to Aether and Navia, hiding over the ridgeline across. “Heya! It’s clear. Told you I can handle it.”
The pair of blondes come out, Aether carrying with him 2 fainted hoarders who were on the ground nearer to them/ Dehya smirked as she also hauled some of the hoarders who were sent flying a little too far away.
Soon, all 9 of them were stacked at the center of the camp in a slump, all out cold for perhaps a few hours to come after taking quite a beatdown.
Dehya smiled wide as she claps a few times to clear her hand of dust. “All done and dusted. What do you say?” She asked, turning to the pair.
Aether just gave a smile. “As I knew would happen. Asking you would never go wrong.”
Navia chuckled as well, clapping her hands a few times. “Wonderful. Hehe, I was initially worried, but now I guess that’s on me for thinking that was too much. Man, mercenaries here are quite the scary stuff.”
“Not all of them. And not everyone wants to work for a clean cause.” Dehya replied, cracking her hands before looking at the pile of thugs. “Take these idiots for example. Instead of finding work elsewhere, they take to robbing the general public that passes here. Despicable, if you ask me.”
“Luckily, Aether knows me. There should be no issue looking for an Eremite who’s down for working the proper stuff around here.” She crossed her arms, looking back at the pair. “Well, all done here. Now I think we should leave them here, maybe tie them up and let the corps know of this.”
“Good idea, though- eh?” Aether was about to get some rope out when he looks in the distance a figure walking down the road.
A pause and he chuckled. “Well, no need for that. I think before we can find the corps, the corps found us first.”
“Hmm?” Dehya raised her eyebrows, turning around and spotting the lone figure walking down the road. It only took her a second to chuckle, realizing who it was. “Well, I guess that makes things easier for us.”
“Ah, so it seems I’ve been beaten to the punch, literally.”
Dehya and Aether roll their eyes while Navai chuckled awkwardly at the joke.
“.....no? Not funny?”
“Come on Cyno, make better ones.” Dehya replied, the General Mahamatra shrugging his shoulders.
“It sounds good to me. It’s been a while, Dehya.” Cyno replied, Dehya giving him a nod in response to the slightly shorter man.
“Indeed it has been a while.”
“And your…..” Cyno turns to Aether and Navia before pausing.
He squints for a bit, Aether just giving him a small side smirk.
“......okay. That doesn’t fool me, Aether, if that’s what you’re trying.” He says, crossing his arms upon recognizing the traveler. “One close look and anyone would recognize your eyes.”
“Well, if my friends recognize me, I guess that’s not too much of a problem, so long as you don’t mention my name out loud.” Aether replied, chuckling. “Good to see you again, Cyno.”
“It is good as well.” Cyno replied, before looking at Navia. “A friend of yours?”
“Yes.” Aether says. “Navia, a partner of mine from Fontaine. We’re here for some work-related issues, though I don’t think I can explain in full detail here as it would take a while.”
He turned to Navia. “Nav, here is another good friend of mine. Cyno, General of Sumeru’s Matra. A fearsome fellow in a fight, and harbinger of bad jokes.”
“Hey. Those jokes are quality. Ask Tighnari.” Cyno defends himself, crossing his arms.
Navia looks between Aether and Cyno with some awkwardness before giggling. “Well, yes. A pleasure to meet you. I’m a Fontainian, and I’m indeed Aether’s partner here.”
Cyno squinted his eyes again as he observed Navia’s movements. “Pardon me, Ms. Navia, but you appear to be less than stellar. Are you injured?”
Navia shook her head. “Navia’s fine, no need for formalities. Also, I’m quite alright, I took a beating back in Fontaine with my partner here and uh….had to run to Sumeru for a little while to cool off and to continue my investigation.”
“Investigation?” Cyno raises his eyebrows, Dehya excusing herself with a wave of her hand to tie up the thugs.
“Yeah. There’s a criminal organization that has caused murders in Fontaine. Some very important individuals too, ones that have plenty of mora to their name and businesses that they run.” Aether explained. “And we have some resources telling us that they have relations to a certain group of researchers in Sumeru.”
“In Sumeru?” Cyno raises his eyebrows. “Now this is interesting to me. What branch are you looking for?”
“They used ruin machines to attack us. It hurts quite a bit too.” Navia admitted, rubbing her arm where she was cut in the fight. “So maybe one that studies ancient machines.”
“Haravatat or Kshahrewar.” Cyno replied, humming in thought for a bit. “Not much to say about those 2 branches as of late, but I know for a fact that starting from last year all the way to now, there is a group or two of researchers in those 2 branches that have made a lot of new findings related to ruins and ancient machinery. It could be that the groups were even working together, something you don’t often see in here.”
“They also likely got a fund injection from an external source. Have there been any talks lately?” Aether asked, Dehya finished with tying the thugs up.
Cyno took a moment to think before answering. “Now that you mention it, I’ve heard some of the other people talking about how some researchers seem to have obtained funding from nowhere. I think we need to look into that first.”
“Oi, I’m done here. What do you want to do with these?” Dehya asked, coming over to the group as she wipes her forehead.
“Thank you Dehya. The Corps of Thirty is sending people here to take care of it. For now, I think we should leave for Sumeru. It seems that their business is quite urgent there.” Cnyo turned to Dehya to reply, before looking back at Navia and Aether. “If this is a case worth investigating, I’ll help you. First, let’s get to Sumeru and find Al-Haitham. He should have information regarding this matter.”
“Good plan.” Aether nods.
“Also….why are you two in disguises?” Cyno asked, looking at them top to bottom.
“Ah.” Navia scratched her hair slightly as she replied. “It's the bad guys. They know how we both fight and all that. Seeing as how we demolished quite a lot of their inventory. If they see us leaving, or their spies abroad happen to see us, they’ll know we made it out of the ambush alive, and hunt us down.”
“Ambush?” Cyno raised his eyebrows. “You two got ambushed?”
Aether sighed as the 4 of them walked to the city. “It’s a long story……”
