Chapter 21: The Crystal

When we finished our meal we went out to find Jean. As we were heading to the Knights of Favonius headquarters we saw Jean talking to a woman with a mask

“Is that, Jean? Seems she's talking to someone...” said Paimon

“...which is what has brought us to this point in the first place. If you are unable to promptly deal with the Stormterror threat, then leave the defense of Mondstadt to the Fatui. We can put an end to Mondstadt's dragon issues. All we need to do is bring that monster to the—”

“Monster?" Jean interjected

“Yes. What's your point?” said the woman with a mask

“Ah…  I'd expect a more professional attitude from your diplomats. Yet here you are saying you want to "put an end" to one of The Four Winds of Mondstadt? Yet here you are saying you want to "put an end" to one of The Four Winds of Mondstadt?

“Heh... Hehehe... It's not as crazy as you make it sound. Fine. That's enough negotiation for today. At this stage, it's simply... an amicable exchange of constructive opinions, no? I'll be sure to make... thorough notes...”

As the woman with a mask walked away we went to Jean and she noticed us coming toward her

“Oh, Lumine, Jun, you're back. Thanks for your help. The elemental flow is finally stable. The aftermath of Stormterror's last attack is finally settled for the moment. However, the pressure from the delegation has become too big to be ignored...”

“Delegation? From Liyue Harbor or Inazuma City?” Paimon asked

“Snezhnaya. They choose to follow the God of Cryo. Their envoys go by a particular name: The Fatui. Heard of them?”

“Oh, them. They are super famous.”

“More like infamous,” I said

“Why are they infamous?” Lumine asked

I explained to Lumine what the Fatui are “The Fatui are a powerful military force in terms of power and numbers, making it the strongest of all the seven nations. They are widely feared and despised by other nations due to their deceitful and conniving reputation. They are led by eleven executives called the Eleven Fatui Harbingers and from what I have heard these guys are no joke and are very powerful. On top of them is the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon.

“You are very knowledgeable about them Jun.” Jean was impressed with what I knew about the Fatui

“I’m new here so I had to learn as much as I can, and with how the Fatui can be found in every nation and their notoriety I had to know what they are.”

‘They also are everywhere in-game so I already knew about them’ I thought trying to sound how I knew the Fatui was natural

“I see,” Jean believed what I said. Lumine on the other hand was suspicious of how I knew the Fatui as if I had faced them before and not just researched them.

“The Fatui wants to kill the dragon but I don't think killing Stormterror is the right course of action.” Jean was adamant about this and would not budge in this decision

“The Cryo God's Fatui have always coveted the Anemo God's power. I don't believe they have Mondstadt's best interests at heart.”

“Speaking of power…” Lumine interjected

“What is it Lumine?”

“When we were heading to Mondstadt we saw Stormterror drop something. We need to show it to the Knights of Favonius.”

“Oh? Let us head back to headquarters then. We shouldn't discuss important matters... out in the open.”

We headed to the Knights of Favonius headquarters and into Jean’s office. Inside was Lisa waiting for us 

“Hello, cuties, you're finally here, and I see you brought Jean with you.”

“Good Morning Lisa, we’re here we met with Jean who was talking to a Fatui ambassador,” said Paimon

“Fatui… they really are troublesome.”

“Ah, they still want to kill Stormterror which I refused but knowing them they will still have a way,” said Jean

“Let’s put that aside for now. Lumine you said you have something to show for us?”

“Yes, we found this in the forest where Stormterror was before leaving.”

Lumine showed the red crystal shaped like a tear. Jean and Lisa were intrigued as they also did not know what it was

“It's a crystal embedded with some kind of power... Lisa, are you able to analyze it?”

“Let me take a look…” Lisa examined it for a few minutes

“Hmm... I can see impurities in the crystal but upon further inspection… No, I'm sorry, I can't make a proper analysis at the moment. Give me some time. I'll take a look through the library's restricted section.”

“Right. I'll leave the research to you then, Lisa.” Jean understands, that this crystal has not been seen before and with the vast number of books in the library it will take time to find out what it is

“Understood. I'll notify you all if I make any progress. Though I wouldn't go getting your hopes up. They are incredibly ancient texts, not to mentio— Ouch!” Lisa tried to grab the crystal but instead got hurt by its impurities

“Gosh, that hurt! The impurities in the crystal... It hurts when I get close…”

She examines the crystal again

“I see... It appears to react to Visions. The impurities and the elemental energy we embody repel each other. It's strange, though. Lumine has elemental abilities as well, but doesn't seem to be affected in the same way.”

I looked over to Lumine and I saw her panic a little because I knew she was not from this world and some rules won’t apply to her

“Anyway, the crystal would be better left in the hands of my cutie. It will just be a pain if left with us — both literally and metaphorically.”

“Okay, I'll keep it for now.” Lumine got the crystal and placed it in her inventory for safekeeping

“...Fascinating.” Jean was intrigued

“Do you know anything about what makes you special?”

Lumine shakes her head, which I knew was untrue. She looked at me and she knew I caught her lie which surprised her

“I do not know what to make of it either. Well, then, Lumine… Jun… The Knights of Favonius have another favor to ask of you. Please accept the title of Honorary Knight... and the gratitude of the Acting Grand Master.”

“Honorary Knight... of Favonius!?” Paimon said surprised

“We ask for your continued assistance in finding some answers. Stormterror's rage... and strange crystals... I know Mondstadt's peace hangs in the balance.”

“You can count on us, Jean.”

“Me too.”

“Paimon as well”

“Thank you, all of you. May the wind open your eyes to the truth. We'll meet back here if you find anything.”

Lumine, Paimon, and I said our thanks to Jean and Lisa and we exited the headquarters