Untold Stories: A Genshin AU Tale

Chapter 1: Saved From Danger

The cave was ominous, dark and eerily quiet. The only sounds were Aether's shoes and Paimon's constant worries.

"Aether.. Are you sure we should be walking through this cave? Aren't there other ways to proceed?" Paimon said, her eyes filled with worry. "Relax Paimon.. I'm sure we'll be safe." Aether assured Paimon.

Aether's words calmed Paimon down by a bit, and proceeded through. The cave still felt rather unsafe. Before they knew it, rumbling could be heard behind the two. Aether picked up the pace, Paimon following quickly behind.

"W-what's that sound?! Its getting closer!" Paimon exclaims, more worry displayed on her face. "Just keep going! We'll find somewhere to hide!" Aether barks, the duo picking up the pace. The two hid somewhere after running for a while. The burrow they hid in was safe.. for now. Once the rumbling had died down, Aether slowly stepped out of the burrow, dusting off the dust from his outfit.

"Phew.. Paimon's glad we didn't get caught by.. whatever that was chasing us." Paimon sighed. "Kinda glad too.. but i wonder what was chasing us." Aether added, wiping some sweat off his forehead. For a moment, the cave was silent, the gravel underneath Aether's shoes were the only noise that occupied the silence. A few steps forward, Aether inspected the surroundings. It seemed safe.. "Phew.. Paimon thinks we're going to be A-oka-"

Paimon was cut off by thundering thuds coming from all sides, Aether gripped his Silver Sword tightly, preparing to defend himself and Paimon from whatever danger was approaching. The thuds was soon followed up by rumbling. Aether and Paimon were on edge.. A small canister was then rolled towards their position. Paimon was curious, but Aether decided not to touch the canister. "It could be dangerous. Paimon.. dont touch it." Aether spoke with a serious tone as Paimon looked closer at it. "Im just curious, thats all! No need to be so on edge.." Paimon jokingly said, her eyes still stuck on the canister.

After Paimon had finished her sentence, the canister then split in two and discharged smoke towards Aether and Paimon. Aether swung his sword around, trying to hit whatever or whoever could be in the smoke. Paimon was also confused and dazed by the smoke. As the smoke clears, Aether saw armed men surrounding him and Paimon..  "Oh shoot.." Aether raised his sword, attempting to defend himself and Paimon again.  "Gah! Bandits!" Paimon frantically went behind Aether and clinged to him.

The bandits formed a circle around Aether, looking at him and Paimon with grins..  "Yes.. they'll sell well.." One of the bandits say. They were planning to sell Aether and Paimon off to get rich, seemingly thinking on how to capture them first. "Get.. away from us!" Aether said with fear and resilience in his eyes. Paimon attempted to hide behind Aether.. the bandits got closer and closer to the two, as Aether's swing of his sword was countered by one of the bandits and whacked out of his hands..

-Meanwhile-

Atop a small pathway in the same cavern.. a hooded figure holding a lever-action rifle kneeled. "Another rescue mission.. great. I wonder whos this so called 'Traveler'," The hooded figure sighed, unamused. He recieves a notification and gets on his communications device. "Engage target sir?" The hooded figure asked, his finger pressed on communications device. "Yes, you are authorized to engage." The person on the other side of the communication spoke. The hooded figure then placed his finger onto the rifle's trigger and aimed down the iron sights.. ready to fire.

-Back to Aether and Paimon-

The bandits got closer. Aether was now getting pretty afraid, while Paimon entered her teapot. As Aether closed his eyes, silently wishing for a miracle.. another smoke cloud surrounded the bandits, and they looked around, pointing their own swords and daggers around the cavern, trying to leave the cluster of smoke. A whiz was then heard flying by.. "GAH!" One of the bandits cries out, the others were on high alert. One by one with each whiz sound, the bandits fell until one was left. The rest were down, their blood leaking onto the gravel ground. The last bandit who was still standing grabbed Aether, threatening to kill him if whoever shot down his crew doesnt show himself.

Aether grunted, struggling to get out of his grasp. "Let.. go of me you-" "Silence!" He yells at Aether. "Y-you better show yourself.. o-or i wont hold back on this person!" He laughs nervously, but with another whiz, the last bandit took a bullet to the head and went down. Aether was frightened by the sudden kill, and was also in shock by the few drops of blood that landed on his face.  "I-i gotta get out of here.. this cave is a nightmare!" Aether quickly makes a dash towards the cave's exit.

The hooded figure lowered his rifle and smirked. "Seven hundred.. and.. eighty seven kills." He counted, keeping track of how many lives he had taken. He got up, and left the cave. "Mission successful, sir." He reported. "Good, return now, meet up at the location i gave you." The person on the other end spoke.

-Some time passes-

It was close to dusk when Aether finally managed to escape the cave. Paimon came out of her teapot, still a bit dazed from the encounter. "What.. happened Aether?" Paimon still dazed and confused. "You don't wanna know.. it is best if you not question about it.." Aether replied.

"But-" Paimon tried to speak up.

"Trust me. You do not want to know.." He said, a stern expression plastered on his face.

"O-okay.. but.. right now.. where do we go?" Paimon asked, looking around. "We visit a person that has called for me. Not sure who is he really.. but we've returned to Mondstadt for a reason, and thats him." The two continued their journey, and proceeded into Mondstadt. Once arriving into the meetup location, a wooden cabin in the middle of Mondstadt, Aether and Paimon waited. They heard some footsteps approaching the cabin, and when the door swung open, it was a man in his mid-40s who stepped in, along with his assistant.
"Ah, so glad to see you, Mr. Aether. It has been a while since we've talked."

"Mr. Werdach. It really has been a while." Aether greeted the man, shaking his hand.  "Aether you.. know this guy?" Paimon looked at him. Werdach looks at Paimon, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Mr. Aether here has interacted with me a few times. I have called him back here to accept anothet task." Paimon looked back and forth at the two. "Wait? Really? Huh.. i guess i wasnt around when you two interacted, i dont recall Aether meeting you."

"Well now you do." Aether chuckles too, and turned his attention back to Werdach. "So, this is the famous 'Traveler' huh? Seems a bit redundant with that title when he can't protect himself from a gang of bandits." Aether was a bit taken aback by the comment, and looked at the figure standing in the corner. His face turned sour, a frown now replaced his smile. "Hey! I was overwhelmed okay!"

"Yeah, sure.. youre the one to talk." The figure snickers and Aether still kept his frown. "Enough, Astreal. This is our guest, not another one of your targets." Werdach said, his expression stern. Astreal steps out of the shadow-y corner of the cabin, as he looked at Aether. "Name's Astreal. A.R.M.S."

"A.R.M.S.? Paimon.. doesn't understand." Paimon places her hand on her chin, wondering what it meant. "It stands for Armament Research Munitions Specialist, A.R.M.S., Paimon." Paimom pauses. "Oh.. Paimon still doesn't get it."
Werdach looked at the two, a chuckle escaping his lips. "He makes weapons, Paimon. Specifically firearms." Aether and Paimon were shocked and their curiousity piqued. "You mean.. like what those Fatui soldiers wield?" Paimon asked, her eyes full of wonder. "Yes, I supply firearms to whoever pays." Astreal replies, a smirk on his face. "You see, im just willing to work on whatever firearms as long as theyre willing to pay, no matter what side their on. Its buisness."

Paimon looks at Astreal, her eyebrows still furrowed. "I see.. but-" Aether stops Paimon. "I think thats enough Paimon.. Mr. Astreal, I.. give my thanks. For saving us back in that cave." Astreal smirks and nods. "Its no issue.. as long as Mr. Werdach here pays me." Werdach chuckles, as he asks Astreal to leave. Once only him and the duo were left, Werdach shook Aether hand. "Apologies for his behavior.. you probably think he's a bit of a showoff, but he means well."

"A showoff? Mr. Werdach, you think about me that way?" Astreal looks at Werdach, a sarcastic expression replaced the smile on his face. "Of course not, Astreal.. im just joking. Anyways, lets get on with it, shall we?" Werdach says, inviting Aether and Paimon to follow him while Astreal left the cabin.

Astreal stretched and yawned, taking a short break at the Dawn Winery. Looking through his list, Astreal sighed quietly while sipping on his own drink.

"Hm.. that kid seems special. I think I'll be looking foward to see what he has to offer.."