Meraki

Part 1 Chapter 2: Rejoice! Barbatos has returned, and he's stealing a Lyre

"So this "Holy Lyre der Himmel" is..." Aether wondered.

"One of the most treasured items in Mondstadt. It's the Lyre that Barbatos used to play. With it, perhaps I can help Dvalin draw his gentle nature back out of this nightmare he's going through." Venti answered.

"Will it really stop Stormterror from causing more damage?"

"Of course. I'm the best bard in the world. There's not a single song I do not know, no matter if it's from the past, present, or future. Look me in the eyes. Do you not find me trustworthy?" Venti boasted.

"I don't." Sying responded coldly, making Venti frown for a moment.

"So how can we get the Holy Lyre?" Aether inquired.

"It's said that it's enshrined deep within the Cathedral, somewhere safe. I'll go take a look around. You can come if you want." Venti said. The duo followed the bard inside the Cathedral, well more like Aether dragged Sying inside. Venti approached a Sister. "Let me handle this." The bard told them. "Hello there, Sister."

"May the Anemo god bless you, young bard. How can I help you?" Sister Gotelinde wondered.

"Actually, I know a secret that can save Mondstadt from its current predicament." Venti told her.

"Oh, what a blessing from the god of Anemo! But you should report that to the Knights of Favonius. Why have you come to me?" The Sister asked.

"Hahaha, because you, dear sister, are able to help! I'd like to borrow the Holy Lyre. With it, I'll be able to help Stormterror-" Venti tried to explain but Gotelinde stopped him.

"Please see yourself out." She said. Venti looked surprised. "It's a vicious dragon indeed, but once the Acting Grand Master makes up her mind, nothing can stand in the Knight's way."

"That's simply not acceptable! Wouldn't Stormterror end up getting killed that way?" Sying interjected with a snarl. Getting rid of a part of Mondstadt should never happen.

"That foolish beast has betrayed the Four Winds. Not even the god of Anemo themselves would forgive it!" The Sister replied. Sying let out an annoyed growl as Venti let out a sad sigh.

"Please, I beg of you!" Venti pleaded.

"I'm afraid not, little bard." She spoke.

"Then, I guess I'm left with no other choice. I cannot hide anymore! My disciples, rejoice! Behold, the god of Anemo, Barbatos has descended!" Venti announced. Sying gave jazz hands to add a dramatic effect. "Shocked, aren't you? Don't you just want to cry out and rejoice? How does it feel to finally meet the god you've been serving?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going back to handle the Cathedral's paperwork now." Gotelinde decided and walked off. Venti looked down dejectedly and buried his head in Sying's coat.

"She didn't even bat an eyelid." Venti groaned.

"Feel my pain." Sying sympathized, giving the bard a pat on the back as Aether came over to the two of them. Venti looked up at the blond

"But, I have at least learned what I wanted to know. She didn't deny that the Cathedral is enshrining the Holy Lyre. Now, Aether, since you're the hotshot of the Knights of Favonius, maybe you can give it a shot." Venti suggested.

"Alright. I'll do my best." Aether agreed and went to talk to Gotelinde, the Sister from before. Venti looked up at the Nova Archon.

"If you don't trust me, why did you help?" Venti wondered.

"For old times sake I guess. And, if you take away one of the Four Winds, that's like destroying a part of Mondstadt, and that is unacceptable." Sying answered after a moment.