𝚂𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝙰𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 [𝚐.𝚒 𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚡 𝚐𝚗!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛]

XII

When Amber asked you to join her for some hilichurl camp cleaning out, you didn’t think much of it. The routine had been the same for a while now. Going down to Springvale, helping repair damages, cleaning out the camps that steadily creeped closer to the city and village. It was the same old same old and working with Amber wasn’t new either.

Amber was rather excitable and took her job very seriously, taking it upon herself to do the same as you and help others beyond the walls of the city. Because of that, you had run into her quite a few times and worked with her some. She was a good partner and clearly good with the people of Mond, calming them down and performing her tasks so enthusiastically that they couldn’t help but feel okay with her around.

So a request to help her with some hilichurl camps close to the paths leading to the city wasn’t something you thought too hard about before saying yes.

The two of you chatted as you traverse the dusty path, grumbling in annoyance when the wind kicked up and blew dirt back into your hair and eyes. When the winds grew stronger you had to hold down your flapping hair. A painful roar had your head snapping around to see Dvailn flying towards the woods, landing close to the area where you were going.

“Oh no! I didn’t think Stormterror would show up so close to where we’re going!” Her cheeks puffed as a look of displeasure crossed her face.

“Hey,” you tapped her arm. “Maybe we should go check it out.” Your voice was stilted, same as when you first met Venti.

You were with Amber. Going to clear a hilichurl camp. Dvalin showed up. Oh my God.

"Are you out of your mind!?" Amber's shrill voice snapped you back. "We can't confront such a dangerous creature! We'd die!"

"Amber, I appreciate your common sense, really I do, but I think we should check it out."

She tapped her foot, not unlike a thumping rabbit. "You're sure?"

You breathed out slowly, trying to keep your calm. "Yes. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I think we should be there."

"Okay," she placed her hands on her hips, and with a determined nod, was ready to be on her way. "Let's go."

The two of your speed walked, soon turning to sprinting as you heard a roar from what you could only assume was when the Traveler and Paimon startled Venti.

You and Amber made up on a small hill you thought might work to your advantage and allow you to see the retreating dragon. Outside of his attacks on Mond, you had only ever seen Dvalin through the game, and personally, you thought that was a damn shame.

Of course your first thought was to help Dvalin if you ever saw him, especially since you knew how too, but fuck if you didn't think his design was pretty (not to mention his human form fan arts). Seeing him, and now the Traveler now that you knew they were there, excited you.

But you and Amber only stood on that hill looking disappointed (you) and wary (her). It seems Dvalin had truly left.

A rustle from the left had you both snapping your heads to the side. Amber wasted no time jumping into the dusty path, a hand hanging near her bow, ready to snap it to attention at all times, and you followed soon after, landing right next to her in front of the protagonist pair.

And it seems you finally found out which twin you got.

Standing before you with a little pixie by his side was Aether, golden braid shimmering and windswept, clothes rustled no doubt from nearly being blown back into a tree by Dvalin, and eyes impossibly wide, staring at you and Amber in comic shock. He opened his mouth, presumably to ask 'what the fuck?' as any other would, but he was beaten by the Outrider.