~•~•~
Lyra hurries to the cathedral and waits for the others to arrive. Her plan is that while the others do their plan, she would go and get the lyre while swapping it with a fake.
Then, she sees Aether, Paimon and Venti enter the cathedral and talk to one of the sisters. 'I call upon Yui, the eleventh.', she thinks to herself.
To use the powers of her past lives, she has to 'call upon' her past life. Yui, the eleventh life, was a spiritual dualist. She was able to conceal her presence as well as her aura. She could also shift her aura.
She uses Yui's ability to go to the basement unnoticed. Throughout the hallway, she sees a lot of guards. 'this should be a piece of cake' she manages to get to the back of the basement and successfully swaps the holy lyre der Himmel with a fake one.
'teleport way point: Favonius HQ' she then appears on the top of the Favonius HQ at the teleport way point. She sighs in relief.
'that was good. Venti is a bard, he would want to be in a tavern later today... I believe Angels share is the most popular tavern here, right? Perhaps I can already go there.' Lyra heads to the tavern and opens the door.
"hm? Oh, a new costumer. Though you don't seem to be from here...", a red head behind the bar says. Beside him is another man. "the name is Lyra. I am a traveller from Fontaine. I have a question... do you have any non-alcoholic beverages?", Lyra inquires.
"yes, we do. We have grape juice and apple cider." – "I'll have apple cider." The red head nods and prepares her glass. Lyra sighs to herself.
"I wonder when they are done..." – "here, your apple cider." – "thank you." She drinks her apple cider. "so... who are you?" – "Diluc of Mondstadt. Not interested in idle chit-chat.", the red head answers disinterested. "got it...", she mumbles.
After some time, the door opens once more. "Hi, we'd like a seat at your, uhm... least conspicuous table." Venti says. Diluc looks at him sceptically. "Umm... the second floor has fewer customers. You'd be less conspicuous up there... but aren't you a bard? Why not sit front and centre?" Venti lets out a nervous laugh.
"let's save the paid performance for next time. We'll be heading up now, see you in a bit!", Venti exclaims. With that, Venti, Paimon and Aether head upstairs. Lyra sighs. "that bard...", she mutters.
Diluc turns to the other man behind the bar. "hey, keep an eye on them. There's something strange about that bard. I'll go ask around.", Diluc says to the other bartender. "Ask who exactly?" – "the 'protectors' of Mondstadt..."
After a few seconds, the door opens again. A knight comes in. "Ah, master Diluc. Have you seen two thieves around?", the knight asks. "what happened? Why have you mobilised so many guards?" , Diluc questions.
"haven't you heard, master Diluc? Two thieves were trying to steal the holy lyre!" Lyra perks up. 'those idiots! They went in to steal it?? Why did they not look for me so that we could've figured something out together! Or rather, I could have told them that I actually have it...' she sighs.
'I should have just gone to them once I was done...' Lyra shakes her head to clear her thoughts. "I didn't see any thieves enter the tavern.", she says. "I believe I saw them outside earlier. They headed that way", Diluc answers.
"Understood. Thank you, mast Diluc!" the knight hurries out of the tavern. Venti, Paimon and Aether head down the stairs and go to where you sit. "wow, look who showed up.", Lyra comments.
"Lyra? Oh, I didn't notice you here.", Aether says. "Today I think I'll have a glass of–", Venti starts just to be cut off by Diluc. "you can put down that bottle you stole from behind the counter." – "...something cold." Diluc sighs.
"right. I want answers.", Diluc demands. "lemme finish my drink first? Then I can-" Venti gets interrupted once more, but this time by Aether. "how about answering my question first?" – "oh, you wanna ask 'who's this?' am I right? This is master Diluc, the owner of this tavern. He's very famous. By the way, his dandelion wine is one of my favourites-" – "You are getting of topic, wisp.", Lyra says and Venti immediately shuts up.
"I just heard about some thieves from the guards. Your friend here also overheard it. For the record, I like your guts for trying to steal the holy lyre der Himmel. Even if you are fools.... But we don't often get to see people like you." – "it wasn't us that stole it! The real thief is still out there!" then, Lyra couldn't hold it anymore. She bursts out in laughter.
"h-hey! You were supposed to help us!", Paimon remarks in anger. Lyra calms down shortly after. "hah... mind telling me what exactly happened?" – "well, when I was about to get it, someone else got it before us. It alerted the guards and they only saw Paimon and I. the real thief got away when the guards arrived. We had no choice but to flee."
Lyra chuckles. "oh my... seems like you are not the only one who got fooled!" – "huh?", they all say in unison. Lyra looks at Venti smugly. "tell me... is this the lyre you're looking for?" With that, she takes out the holy lyre.
Venti gawks at the lyre in front of him. "How?! I thought you went ahead for personal reasons??" Lyra chuckles. "I figured out what Venti had in plan, so when you were talking with the sister, I used the moment to go into the basement unnoticed. I then swapped the holy lyre with a fake one. So, the one this thief has, is only a fake one."
"you are very clever." Diluc compliments her dryly. "however, I still don't know why you took it. Explain." – "let me handle the explaining." Venti takes out his lyre and begins singing a song about Dvalin.
Diluc's eyes widen in shock. "What did I just witness... this is confidential information. Why did you let me know?", he questions Venti. "why? Hmm... Perhaps the winds are changing. What say you, master Diluc?", Venti answers.
Lyra looks at him, deadpanned. 'that is something Barbatos would say.' "Interesting... I say we meet here again later tonight once the tavern closes. I'll help you and organise some contacts. Outlander, as one of the knights, it seems you're not a suspect. Blonde is the only description on the wanted poster. You should be save. And you, Lyra. You are also out of the spectrum since you weren't seen. As for the bard however, it'd be better if you stayed in the tavern"
"Haha, No problem! I like taverns.", Venti states. Diluc decides to stay silent. "then it is settled. We will come back later.", Aether says. Lyra however, merely turns to Diluc. "mind if I stay here as well? I would like to talk with Venti some more.", Lyra asks. Diluc shakes his head. "alright. We will be around then.", Aether shrugs. And so, him and Paimon exit the tavern.
"soo... what is it you want to talk about?", Venti starts. "two questions. One. Lynda. Do you know of her?", Lyra questions. "Lynda... Lynda... I don't think I can think of someone with that name..." – "perhaps Lynda Grunnhildr."
Diluc perks up behind the counter. "Grunnhildr? Like Jean Grunnhildr?" Lyra nods. "Oh, yes, I do remember a Lynda Grunnhildr! She was once the grand master of the knights of Favonius. She held the title of dandelion knight, just like Jean today.", Venti chimes.
"But how do you know that name?" – "unimportant right now... let's just say I love reading of the history of Teyvat." – "and your second question?", Venti inquires.
"Willow. Do you remember that name? perhaps old Mondstadt as a reference?", Lyra asks with narrowed eyes. Venti's breath hitches. "you know of the history of Mondstadt that happened 2600 years ago?! Not only that, but you also know the actual name of the so known nameless bard!" – "and you do as well." She smiles.
Then she leans to Venti's ear. "it is alright, Barbatos. I won't tell anyone. I understand why you're keeping yourself hidden." She leans back. "Freedom, isn't it?"
Venti looks at her blankly, then smiles. "yeah... but... how do you know?" – "how would I not recognise my little whisp friend?", Lyra grins. "anyway... I have to go and gather those contacts. Both of you can stay here. Do a performance or whatever" Diluc leaves through the back door.
"how can I be so sure you are really... him?" Lyra sighs. "I have been pushing this away for a couple of years now... I never had the confidence to tell anyone, so... you will be the first." She looks around, noting no one in their close vicinity, and takes a deep breath.
"I have a special... power. When I die, I get reincarnated. I got this curse 7000 years ago. 7000, Venti. This is currently my fifteenth life. My fourth life is when I first met you: I was Willow, the bard, your friend." – "b-but Willow was a male!", Venti retorts.
"for some reason, I was born a female in all my lives. It was just that one life I felt more like a boy, which is why I transitioned to a male back then. How else do you think I was able to recognise you so quickly? It is so obvious for me because you look like me. You took my form. My form as Willow, at least."
"..." Venti remains silent. Lyra sighs. "May the winds carry forth~ my soul when I'm gone~ may the harsh of the storm~ never linger for long~ may the birds ever fly~ where their journey leads them~ may the land and the sky be ever blessed with freedom~", she sings. (Credit to this song comes later as the full song is used in this chapter as well)
Venti immediately recognises it. "your last words... no one heard those, except for me... and of course Willow, the one who said them... so you are really him..." Lyra couldn't hold herself anymore. She hugs Venti tightly who returns it just as tight.
"just know... with each life, I will always be your friend... you know why I asked about Lynda? That was my twelfth life." – "but how do you remember things of your past lives?", Venti asks.
"this is a curse. A curse I got in my first life. I remember everything that happened in the past. And my powers? I can call upon my past lives powers quickly and use them. Though I usually use them only if necessary." She breaks the hug.
"though while this ability is a curse itself, meeting the people I know till today was a blessing. Without this curse, I would've never met you or any of the others. So, while it is a curse, I also see it as a blessing. I am actually pretty glad I can remember. While there are a lot of memories I would rather forget, I am happy I can remember the good ones as clear as I do now.", Lyra explains.
Diluc then appears through the front door with someone else. "Lyra? You are in this as well?" – "oh, master Jean." – "please, we are off duty right now. Just call me Jean." – "got it.", Lyra affirms.
Diluc steps behind the counter. "I already explained the situation to her. Lyra, could you show it to her?" Lyra nods and takes out the holy lyre. "you actually managed to get it and fooled everyone. How did you do it?", Jean questions.
"a simple spell I learned from a spiritual dualist. One of their abilities is to conceal and shift their aura and presence." – "which..", Venti starts. "the eleventh." Venti nods as Diluc and Jean look at them confused.
"What are you two talking about?" Lyra sighs. "I wish to talk about it later, once Aether and Paimon are here." Jean nods. "Alright. We can wait." – "though while we wait, perhaps Venti and I could sing?" she looks at Venti. "Sing? Which song?" – "his last words." – "sure, we can sing that." Jean perks up. "oh? A special performance? Well then, I look forward to it." With that, Venti starts strumming his lyre.
(Lyra; Venti; both) [last words by VocaCircus; a Genshin Impact fan song]
"may the winds carry forth~
My soul when I'm gone~
May the harsh of the storm~
Never linger for long~
May the birds ever fly~
Where their journey leads them~
May the lands and the sky~
Be ever blessed with freedom~
come, gather 'round and I'll spin you a tale~
One of tyranny, of humble dreams~
And those who prevail~
It starts with a hopeful young bard and song~
Though his melodies~
the wicked king, he wouldn't rule long~
A kingdom of isolation~
Is as glorious as a prison~
With a feather of eagle~
The bard was entranced~
As a silver of freedom~
Before him, it danced~
'what beauty may lie~
Beyond these walls~?'
With reason to fight~
The king would soon fall~
In a moment it came~
Desires to see~
The clouds, the rain~
Entire lands set free~
The time had come to face the king~
In an accumulation of everything~
Oh, the bard would shape the future~
With the message of his last words~
May the winds carry forth~
My soul when I'm gone~
May the harsh of the storm~
Never linger for long~
May the birds ever fly~
Where their journey leads them~
May the lands and the sky~
Be ever blessed with freedom~
May the winds carry forth~ may the winds carry forth~
Your soul when I'm gone~ my soul when I'm gone~
May the harsh of the storm~ may the harsh of the storm~
Never linger for long~ never linger for long~
May the birds ever fly~ as free as the night~
Where their journey leads them~ and back again~
May the lands and the sky~
Be ever blessed with freedom~
With freedom~
Lalalalalala~"
Jean couldn't help but clap. Diluc himself sports a surprised expression. "that was very good. Is it a story of the past?" Lyra nods. "a story about the one who saved old Mondstadt." Jean looks at her surprised. "old Mondstadt? You mean the place Stormterror claimed for himself, and which is now known as Stormterror's lair?" – "yes." – "you know more about Mondstadt history than anyone who was born and still lives here." Lyra chuckles.
"you will get why later."
~•~•~