Genshin Impact Murder Mystery

Chapter 1. Return to Mondstadt

It was a beautiful crystal clear morning on Watatsumi island. On such a wonderful day Aether decided to go on a morning walk. While walking around he started to relax and take in the serenity of the place. He noticed how different it is there without Paimon's constant chatter. Maybe he should leave her sleeping more often in the Serenitea Pot. But that is besides the point as he continuous walking he noticed Gorou standing guard near the bridge of Bourou Village with Koyama. After a short debate in his head Aether decides to go up to Gorou and start a conversation with him.
" Hi Gorou, what are you doing here?" Aether greeted.
" Hello Aether, I am just standing guard to protect Bourou Village in case anything happens." Gorou replied.
" Oh, really, I thought that was Koyama's job?" Ather asked.
" Well yes, but her excellency requested that I would help out the other guards around the Village." Gorou answered.
" Ahh, that makes sense I just noted that normally you're near Sangonomiya Shrine to help out and protect Kokomi."
Aether noted.
" Yes, but her excellency is right at the moment we can't be sure that nothing will happen so it's better to be prepared. After all protecting the people of Watatsumi island is our prior objective." Gorou says proud and smiles while his tail is waging.
As they continue talking a soldier starts running rather quickly towards them with a letter clutched in his hand.
The Soldier shuts:
" TRAVELER!"
Successfully gaining Aether's and Gorou's attention.
Out of breath he stops before the two trying to catch his breath. Before succeeding to do so he holds up the letter giving it to Aether.
Shortly after he regained his breath he says:
" This is an emergency letter addressed to you, it came all the way from Mondstadt."
This took Aether by surprise what could have happened to send him a letter all the way to Inazuma. The soldier then swiftly turned around and went back to his original position. Aether shook of his surprise and started to open the letter.
Gorou curiously tried to see what was written but then shacked his head thinking better of it and just asked:
" And...what does it say?"
Aether replayed:
" Give me a second I haven't read it yet."

Dear honorary knight,
I am sorry to trouble you at this time, but I would not write this if I didn't think that this was not of utmost importance. For sometime now we have got reports of unusual hilichhurl activities around Brightcrown Canyon. The hilichhurls around the area seem to be more aggressive but not only that they are stronger and have a strange black aura around them. This alone is not the only reason I am writing this to you as of late these hillichhurl have been seen in larger amounts but also they started to appear near Springvalle. The Knights of Favonius have trouble with handling the situation at hand. It could very well end like the Stormterror crisis. As of now we don't know if the Abyss is the cause of the situation we can only assume. Because of your expertise I have an investigation mission I would like to a point to you including myself and some others. Once you're here I will go more into detail about the mission.
~Best regards from the acting grand master Jean~

While reading through the letter Aether's face held a worried expression so much so that after he was finished Gorou immediately asked:
" Aether are you okay? What's going on?"
"Thanks for your concern Gorou it just seems that Mondstadt is in trouble. I'll have to leave soon but if it's not to much of an inconvenience to ask could you a company me to Mondstadt. I think you would be a great help"
Aether said while smiling reassuring.
Gorou pondered for a bit before answering:
" Personally, I have nothing against helping you but I will have to ask her excellency on the matter first. I'll ask her right away as to not waste your time. Meanwhile you can gather all of your things."
"Sounds like a plan Gorou. I'll meet you at Sangonomiya Shrine when I am done gathering everything."
Aether said. Gorou just nodded, turned around and quickly made his way a cross the bridge to the Shrine. Aether watched Gorou disappear from his sight. As soon as Aether couldn't see Gorou anymore he got his Serenitea Pot out of his inventory and entered the realm were Tubby instantly greeted him. He gave the teapot spirit a little closed eyed smile before going into the house to gather his equipment. Aether went upstairs to his and Paimon's shared room. Inside everything was the same as he left Paimon was still cozily sleeping on the bed, books are spread around the room and some plates from last nights dinner are still laying on the table. He quietly made his way around the room as to not disturb Paimon. Firstly he got his sword from the sword stance and got some potions from the cabinet.
As he got the last of his equipment Paimon started to wake up. She started yawning and stretching and said sleepy:
" Morning...ahh...Aether."
"Morning Paimon did you sleep well?" Aether asked.
"Yes Paimon even had a really nice dream about sticky honey roast but that's of topic, how long have you been awake for Aether?"
Paimon replied.
"I have been awake for quite awhile now I even took a morning walk around Watastumi island."
Aether said.
"WAIT YOU HAVE BEEN AWAKE FOR SO LONG...why didn't you wake Paimon!" she angrily exclaimed.
" Sorry Paimon, I just thought you might need the rest."
Aether sheepishly replied.
At the end he also added something in his mind
*...and I needed some peace and quiet.*
"Aww that's very kind of you but Paimon wonders why you are gathering your stuff so hastly?"
Paimon curiously asked.
" Ahh..Yes I almost forgot to tell you when I was outside I got an emergency letter from Mondstadt were it is stated that they are in trouble so we have to depart immediately."
Aether answered.
"Oh no Paimon hopes it is not that bad." "We will just have to see Paimon."
"Well do you have everything Aether?" Paimon asked.
"Yes I should have everything we need let's head out and meet with Gorou at Sangonomya Shrine."
Aether replied.
"Meet with Gorou will he come with us?"
"I am not to sure, he said he needs to ask Kokomi first...so we will get the answere when we meet him at the shrine."
"Alright let's not keep him waiting then."
Paimon said happily while floating around.
Aether and Paimon both exit the teapot after biding Tubby a goodbye. Both got out at the same place Aether talked to Gorou, so they went a cross the bridge and went up the beautiful shells that led them straight to the shrine. Infront of it Gorou was already patiently waiting for them to arrive.
"Hey, Gorou we're here"
Paimon exclaimed.
Gorou ears instantly twitch at the sound of his name being said and shortly after he turned around to face them.
"Ahh...Aether, Paimon her excellency gave me the permission to go to Mondstadt with you"
Gorou hastly said.
"That's great! I just kind of thought you wouldn't be able to come with me considering your job here and all..." Aether said looking down.
"That may be true, but you have helped us in our time of need it is only fair that we help you now in return."
Kokomi said suddenly appearing out of no were surprising all of them.
"Just on thing may I be so bold to request that Paimon remains here with me? In the upcoming days many meetings will be held here and it would help me a lot to have her around considering...ahem...my state of wellbeing."
Kokomi added while sheepishly smiling while her hand scratches her head.
Aether instandly knew what she was talking about, it hadn't been long ago that he and Paimon witnessed what Kokomi is implying right now.
"Well Paimon what do you think?" Aether asked.
"sigh...Paimon really wanted to go back to Mondstadt and eat at Good Hunters but it seems Paimon is needed here so Paion will stay here and help Kokomi out"
Paimon stated matter of factly.
"How about as a compensation I will take you out to eta considering I am the one asking you to stay it is only fair." Kokomi said.
"Well that just sweetens the deal, count Paimon in."
she exclaimed.
"Well that takes care of that."
Aether thought.
"So...Gorou are you ready to head out?" Aether asked.
"Ready and waiting."
He answered.
"Then let's head out to the harbour, bye Paimon and Kokomi."
Aether said while walking away and waving.
" Goodbye your excellency."
Gorou quickly said and bowed.
"Have a good trip."
Kokomi and Paimon both replied.
Arriving at the harbour the went on board of a ship heading to Liyue harbour.
~3 Days later after an uneventful time on sea they both arrived in the early morning at Liyue harbor.
Shortly after arriving they made a beeline towards Mondstadt only taking a break at Wangshu Inn for the night had arrived. It seems as though Xiao was busy that night for he could not be seen by them while they were staying there. In the morning they already left not wanting to make the people in Mondstadt wait any longer. They arrived around mid day at the bridge were Timmy was feeding his birds as they approached they flew away. Timmy instantly was angry at them for scaring the pigeons away. All Aether could do was awkwardly smiling at him for this hadn't happened for the first time and surely not the last either. Approaching the gate Gorou started to get even more excited waging his tail and looking from left to right.