Nobilis Custos

Arcane

Aether's POV

>Brave one. Know that to this end, I'm ever at thy side.<

Those words linger in my mind as I'm guided back on my feet by the Noble. As she keeps a gentle grip on my shoulder, she talks to her subjects in an unknown language to me, but the four low their heads and put a hand on their chest. I guess they will follow their mistress' orders, whatever those may be.

"State thy name, brave one." the lady talks, and I jump at the realization that I haven't introduced myself yet.

"My name is Aether, milady." I say bowing a bit, then I expose my palm towards Paimon and proceed to introduce her as well. "This is my companion and best friend." it's the first time I see this little rascal do such elegant bow, but I guess knowing the Noble's legend has their pros and cons.

"It's an honor to have thy acquaintance." the lady bows and continues: "Thee may address me as Y/n, and these are my loyal companions Izel, Arius, Ahlstarr and Jala." one by one, as their names are announced, the four covered individuals bow the same and stay like that for a good minute.

Without seeing their faces is hard to disguise them, but I know that the tallest is Izel and the one who always stays ahead of lady Y/n like a shield is called Arius. I think as I manage to make them stand straight. It makes me feel weird that such important people bow, also I've never been good with such high formalities. For the other two there will be occasions where I can tell who is who.

"The honor is all mine, Lady Y/n." me and Paimon answer in unison and with a smile.

"Please, little Aether." Y/n holds her hands out for me to take and I'm confused... But I do as she told me, finding the thing a bit embarrassing. "Little Paimon, please come closer. I suggest holding onto one of us."

"Y-yes milady!" she quickly grabs my clothes and right when I was asking myself what was happening, in a blink of eye, my range of vision change. Literally, I just blinked and now I'm on the surface, finally I can recognize where I am. "Yay~, we're out!!" Paimon exclaims in joy and I can't help but to break into a very big smile too.

Right, the mission! I jolt gasping when I realize now that I'm out, the skies above Mondstadt are grey, carrying heavy and strong winds. I have to go to the temple and clear it from the influence of the Abyss Mages. I scatter but the sensation of Lady Y/n's hand slipping away from mine halts my feet right away. That was so rude! "My apologies, Lady Y/n. I am in great hurry and I have to go there, but I promise I will come ba...ck..." my voice dies out when I see her walking past me and heading where I pointed with my finger. What?

"Now that I think about it Traveler, you should had chosen your words better." Paimon crosses her arms as together with me watches Arius, Ahlstarr and Jala escorting their mistress while Izel remains behind us.

"What do you mean?" I whisper seeking a quick answer.

"It's said that the Noble grants wishes, and she asked it, remember?" I nod but I'm not following her reasoning. Even because she doesn't have many strikes of intelligence like now, she sharps her ears around treasures or food only. "You wished for her to take you go back home.... And she's going to follow you until the wish is fulfilled."

Suddenly I realize what a big of a deal this is. Indeed, I chose my words poorly, but I didn't know she was being serious about it! I put my hands on my hair, hoping I didn't involve a slumbering deity into my journey, forcing her to follow me around and expose her to danger because I had my mind overworking over something else!