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

The Mirage of The Maid-Knight

"Man, it was a complicated situation I just had to solve."

Aether said that as he entered the Serenitea Pot.

"Aether, you've returned! What situation, indeed?"

"It's with Yelan. We had to find out what one of the Qixing candidates was truly hiding. To think that he would poison his own master who trusted him so much..."

"Did Yelan did anything else with you?" Ayaka asked.

"Not really. She's not going to take a seat on one of the positions in the Qixing anytime until at least someone truly retires."

"Now what are we planning to do, for the upcoming summer?" Noelle asked.

"I was called back to Mondstadt..."

Noelle shook at the mention of the city she once called home. It's been months, and she has missed it so.

"What happened in Mondstadt?"

"Nothing big. I was just stopping Albert from pestering Barbara for the tenth time. Then I met both Fischl and Mona. They've gotten closer since the last time we met, and now they want to spend the summer somewhere. I've been thinking about going back to the Golden Apple Archipelago which me and Paimon visited last year."

"Can I come with you as well? I would like to accompany you alongside Lady Ayaka this summer."

"Sure. I will signal you when me and the others get there. You and Ayaka can scout the islands on the archipelago for any threats."

"Understood."

"What? Let me rephrase this. You met two girls who you've been talking to in the past, agreed to take them on a summer retreat, and I only get to clear off threats instead of having time with you?" Ayaka asked.

"I promise you, Ayaka, that I will have time with you both after we make sure everything is fine at the archipelago."

And so, a day later, Noelle and Ayaka teleported to where Aether is, standing on top of a small hill on a small island adorned with Dodoco decor.

"This looks like as if the Spark Knight set this up." Noelle looked in amazement.

"I have to agree with you on that. These looked... Rather cute."

"Good, you both arrived. So, I found presence of some Fatui members on the archipelago. Particularly on that island." Aether said, pointing to a small island north of Broken Isle which he drew on a makeshift map.

"Apparently, they have this machine that creates mirages around the island, which makes us see stuff from within our memories. Keep an eye on Fatui activities, scratch the order of having to clear the area since they didn't attack us."

"Got it."

With that Noelle and Ayaka went away towards that specific island, Ayaka's aura freezes the water beneath their feet as they traversed across.

A few days afterwards, after having explored Mona's mirage and see what her memories are, Aether noticed something at the first island where they arrived at during the start of their summer retreat.

"There seems to be one more mirage for some reason. You guys can go ahead to check on that Fatui infested island."

"Eh!? Why'd you want to go to this mirage alone?" Xinyan asked.

"Let him be, Xinyan. I have a feeling that this is personal." Mona stops Xinyan, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"We get it. Stay safe, traveler." Kazuha said.