Tale of The Maid-Knight (A Genshin Impact Fanfiction)

Investigating the Abyssal Tracks

Both Aether and Noelle headed back to Mondstadt for a time, mostly because they had to bring the great astrologer Mona Megistus there to meet her rival... Which turns out to be Klee, the young Spark Knight of Favonius.

Noelle's homecoming was cut short when Aether asked for a new partner in his adventures.

When she heard that, she can't help but feel a sharp pain, like a needle piercing her chest. But she shrugged it off, and followed him. They went to Angel's Share where this new partner is at.

The partner looks eerily similar to Aether, save for his tall posture and dark clothes.

"...And this is..." The man asked after he saw Paimon, and turning his gaze to the Maid-Knight on standby.

"A future Knight of Favonius." Aether answered.

"Eh? But I'm--"

"Uuhh... Noelle, Paimon thinks that we should let them both talk for now."

Noelle nodded, and stayed quiet afterwards.

"A future Knight? Can we trust her?"

"Mister, I trust her with my life. After all, she saved me a lot already."

"Hmph, fine. Young lady, what's your name?" The man asked.

"My name is Noelle, a maid of the--"

"You said she's a future knight--" The Man interrupted.

"And I said it. She has the potential."

Aether and the man continued to drink from their cups, as an awkward silence filled the ambience.

The man introduced himself as Dain, as Aether gave him the 500 mora he asked. But then he asked him questions, things that Noelle aren't hearing as she's keeping her lips sealed.

"Hmph, and final question." Dain declared.

"Eh? I thought the last one was the final?"

"Think of this as an extra. This involves the girl accompanying you." Noelle shook a bit when she heard Dain saying that.

"What of her?"

"Human hearts are easily corrupted by the abyss. Yet, I see an immense amount of purity in this one's heart that even the darkest of powers may not affect her. Who is she to you? Is she important?"

"I am responsible for whatever happens to her, that's my answer."

"So that's your answer. Alright, you can now commission me."

Noelle sighed in relief, as things then calmed down. Dain says that he mostly accept commissions relating to the Abyss, a threat that Noelle has never encountered before.

They went on to the Temple of The Falcon when Dain begins to talk about an "Abyss Herald" and such, before entering in search of the herald in question.

Throughout the domain, Dain looked as Noelle and Aether clears out the threat rather easily. At one point, a Hilichurl tried to smash it's wooden club right at the back of Aether's skull, only for Noelle to tackle it, the force causing the Hilichurl to be sent flying to a wall that breaks, and it falls down into it's death.

They continued to walk through the domain, with Noelle following behind Aether and Dain.

"The... Maid you brought is a capable fighter, Traveller. You pick your companions well."

"She's still in training, Dain. And she came to me... Even though I never thought of inviting her in the first place."

"In training, you say? I'd say with her strength and valor she's qualified as one now--"

"Ssh!" Aether shushed him.

"Umm, I don't think I am qualified yet, as the Grandmaster, or any of the other knights didn't say so, at least."

Aether begins to whisper to Dain.

"She always underestimated herself despite her efforts. Whenever it comes to praise, leave it to me!"

Dain nodded at those.

"Cheer up, Noelle! You're making great progress! Truth be told, you're probably more than qualified by now!"

"H-Huh? Is it true, Honorary Knight? I'm happy to hear that!" Her frown turned into a bright smile, that caused Dain to look away, focusing on the path ahead.

In the end they didn't find the Herald. They continued to search for it in Wolvendom but only found a bonfire with a talisman, and they continued on to Stormterror's lair where they fought off a group of monsters lead by an Abyss mage surrounding one of the light actuators.

Noelle was there when Aether sensed a presence on top of a cliff overlooking the lair. And when he touched a dandelion on the ground just near the edge, Aether spaced out, holding his head in pain.

Noelle quickly ran towards her senior, and held his shoulders.

"H...Honorary Knight!? Please, snap out of it!"

When Aether shows no signs of getting better, Dain raised a brow as Noelle then hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around his body.

"Please... Snap out of it..."

And when Aether did snap back into reality, he noticed Noelle hugging her, and when Noelle noticed her actions as well, she jumped back and bowed.

"P-Pardon my intimacy! I... I was just attempting to ease the pain of whatever happened to you, Honorary Knight!" Noelle muttered quickly, as she finds it hard to process her words.

"It's alright, Noelle. Thanks for the help, anyways..."

"The maid sure cared for you. Surely she does not have--" Dain is about to speak again, but then Paimon clasped his mouth shut.

"Uhh, Dain. There are times to talk, and times to be quiet! Now Paimon thinks that it's the latter!"

Dain just sighed as Paimon then moved her hand away.

"Anyways. Just touching the dandelion reminds me of..."

"Hmm, perhaps that dandelion bears some sort of scent that only you recognize, Traveller. As for why... Has it perhaps experienced something related to you?"

Paimon didn't get what Dain is saying, while Noelle gave Aether a worried look, as he then suggested that he should look further into this problem.

Noelle then knew that Aether was talking about his twin sister that is still missing somewhere in Teyvat, which is the reason why Aether's journey is still far from over. Nevertheless, she mentally vowed to assist and accompany Aether through all this, no matter how much will they suffer and such.

Dain left afterwards, although before disappearing in the distance, Dain took one last glance at Noelle.

'That Maid... Have I seen her somewhere before? Maybe it's just my imagination?'