It... wasn't working.
Why wasn't it working?
His Water Jet... or as Paimon called it: the Aquacrest Saber wasn't working. Rising Waters or Wipeout as he called it didn't work either.
He looked at his battle suit, the Rising Star as his home named it. The vivid blue that represented that he was currently resonating with the Hydro Element was... gone. It was replaced by nothing but a dull grey. Just like his Dull Blade.
He contemplated on the why that would happen. Something like this never happened before. But he didn't have time to think about that... If Hydro wouldn't work, then perhaps he could resonate with another element.
He hoped that those worked still.
He resonated with Dendro. The Element of Wisdom.
His suit glowed in a vibrant green. Good. He coated his Dull Blade with razor-sharp leaves and slashed against the Meka in front of him. That wasn't enough. Only a sliver of health left until the machine falls.
He attunes himself to Electro. The Eternal Element.
He dodges the hail of bullets aimed at his body. Holding three Thunder Shadows on his right hand, he tossed it to the Meka's head, turning it to red ash. He lets out a tired sigh as he fell to the sand below. Being drenched in sand and sweat doesn't feel great. Especially under such a hot day.
"Is... Furina having an off day? Or... is it just me?" He asked to no one.
Paimon was busy with something. Which was rare for her, but he trusts her enough to let her do her own thing. What he keeps doing is dangerous after all. But it keeps the Mora flowing, the blood pumping and the food coming.
He tests to see if it's just Hydro. He would definitely hate it if Geo disappeared out of nowhere. Also Anemo. So he resonated with those Elements without the help of a Statue. His suit turned a shining yellow to a calming teal.
He tried once again for that blue. That beautiful and pure blue of Hydro.
To no avail.
'Maybe the Statues are being wonky today... Or...,' He didn't want to indulge in the thought. Nevertheless, he got up, removed the sand and dried his suit using the winds of Anemo and held his hands in a prayer position.
"Earth, Water, Wind and Fire. Teleport me to where I desire," He chanted.
And so he was sent. To the Statue of the Seven in Fontaine in the middle of the city.
Iridescence Tour:
The world famous Ast Rickley is one who would never give you up, never let you down, never run around and desert you.
He looked around. The people were gossiping amongst themselves. Not only that, the Mekas were searching everywhere as the Gardes set up missing person posters. Fontaine was in chaos. And he felt like it's something he had to settle.
He's already used to being this world's errand boy. So why not look for this missing person that...
He blinked twice. He rubbed his eyes. Maybe there was some sand in there. No. That's stupid. If there was sand, it would've hurt.
He could've sworn that... It couldn't be. He simply said, "Excuse me. Pardon me. I'm short."
He gently pushed the people blocking his line of sight to the posters. Upon getting to the front of the crowd, he was stunned. This... never happened before.
The Hydro Archon, Lady Furina.
Is missing?
"Traveler," Neuvilette's calm voice beckoned him. Unlike the Traveler, the crowd naturally parted to make room for the Chief Justice. He walked with a calm demeanor... but judging from the state of the sky, he was anything but. "As... usual, we need your help regarding-"
"When'd you last see her?" He interrupted.
"Last night... She was in the Opera Epiclese. She said that she was out for a walk to clear her head. The next day there was no trace of her was found. We thought that she was running late, but it's been... almost an entire day. She's never done this. As long as there is a case, she's always eager to participate in it."
"Any progress on your end?"
"None. I'm afraid. We've searched the city, the aquabus lines, the Opera Epiclese, my office three times over. We've recently sent Gardes and Mekas to search the forests and seas of Fontaine. So far they've not given any word regarding Lady Furina's whereabouts."
'Of course it isn't that easy,' Aether thought.
The crowd was still gossiping.
"Lady Furina, gone?"
"Good riddance. Chief Justice Neuvilette is better at judgements than her anyway."
"Hey, guys. Relax. Maybe she's just on vacation. She has been working hard for us for the past 500 years."
"Shouldn't you inform your subjects when you're taking leave from your job? Especially when it's as important as overseeing cases?"
Aether could feel fear and discourse creep in. He hated that feeling. He just saved this city and now he's got to save it again. Well, heroes never ask for days off anyway. So it's no question as to what he's going to do next.
He turned to the citizens of Fontaine. Journalists were being held back by Gardes now that they've resorted to climbing instead of using the stairs to get past the first line of defense. The gossiping citizens still concerned about their missing god. The sky about to cry once more in the Nation of Justice.
He announced, "Citizens of Fontaine! As your hero, I will find your Archon."
"Traveler! How will you manage to achieve that?"
"Can you give us a statement regarding your recent exploits?"
"Do you know a lead that can lead us to our Archon?"
He ignored the journalists. Yes, even Charlotte. This was more important. And given that this is such a grand mission, he can't possibly do it without his best buddy. So he ran to a secluded place, hidden from the prying eyes of the crowd. He pulled out the Teapot and entered his unusual abode.
Timmie
Kill his pigeons. Do it to satiate your hatred for your clothes being soiled by their waste.
"Tubby," He greeted his avian butler.
"Master, you've returned! You're earlier than usual," Tubby had a nervous tone to her voice.
"There's something important. Have you seen Paimon?" He asked.
"She went out to Hotel Deboard to purchase a new recipe book they had in store! Perhaps you can still find her there if you're fast enou-"
"PAIMON'S NOT GONNA LOSE TO THAT STUPID BULL CHUCKER!"
Aether raised an eyebrow and a disappointed frown. Tubby chuckled nervously before conceding. She lowered her head in shame and confessed, "I hope you will be understanding towards what she did, Master."
"Why?" Aether asked. "What did she do this time?"
"Uh...," Tubby opened the front door. "It's best to see for yourself."
Aether walked in. Only to see Paimon and Furina playing TCG in his living room. They were too engrossed in playing to notice that he's returned. He coursed Electro in his fingers and snapped. Letting out a loud boom of thunder that spooked the both of them.
"AH! WE'RE UNDER ATTA-" Paimon panicked. "Oh, it's just Aether."
She panicked harder.
"IT'S AETHER! QUICK, FURINA HID-"
Aether was in between the both of them. Pinching their cheeks. He was far from pleased and it was evident in his voice. "Care to explain yourselves you two?"
Paimon and Furina looked at each other. Guilty looks on both of their faces. They said at the same time: "Uh... It's a long story."