Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

in honor of our esteemed redditor Falitoty (this tanya was of the weaponization of the mythos)

Chapter 1; if i could reach your star

A cloudy day with little sun rays coming from the sky, in the plains of this domain, Frederica Gunnhildr was mounting her horse as an advance party of the Knights of Favonius. She galloped, but surprisingly, behind her was her former husband, Seamus Peg, keeping up at her pace. Seamus surprised her with his resilience. The pair had distanced themselves over the years, and even when they tried to make amends, they failed to reconcile, barely uttering many words to each other. However, they were once a couple, so they had good teamwork. Now, they arrived atop a hill where they had a complete view of their surroundings—a sea of dandelions as far as they could see. They didn’t know how they made it here. Some snowflakes started to fall earlier than anticipated. Soon, this scene would be under a white blanket. In indignation, she uttered:

"We only made it here today. We need to start preparations to camp now if we want to be sheltered before the bad weather."

At that moment, her ex-husband Seamus shot a fire signal into the sky from a catalyst, signaling the other knights of their whereabouts. Breaking the silence between them, Frederica admonished him:

"You don’t need to do that," she said, mad at him.

"You order, I comply," said the man without protesting.

"You are doing it again. You had your redemption before me, before Mondstadt, and you will have your redemption before your daughters once you return. Stop blaming yourself. We cannot change the past, but please live for the future or at least the present."

"I have lived on borrowed time since we divorced. I never expected anything from the next day to come. You are my reason for life and my faith. I said it to you the day we married, and I will say it until the day I die."

"Stop! Stop your victim act. You are raising a death flag over your head, which is a bad omen that will get you killed. I also regret being such an idiot. The only battle I entirely lost was when we broke up. Not believing you above all circumstances made our daughters grow up separated. That we couldn’t be the parents our daughters deserved is my fault and pain."

"I couldn’t see your point of view, and I didn’t realize the consequences of my actions until our daughter Tanya came to the cathedral as the saint. She was as young as Klee but matured like Jean. She despised everything my existence signified. Castellan or not, she only saw garbage in me. She wouldn’t have done her duties as a saint if not for Barbara."

"I don’t believe you. She was always an example for other kids. She was impeccable in etiquette and study. She never voiced out, and she always kept her promises."

"Barbara is cheerful and lovely. In contrast, seeing how Tanya showed her disdain openly made me realize that maybe Jean saw me as despicable behind her seriousness and dutiful persona. Seeing how my youngest uttered jinxes about destroying the church, even if she was the saint chosen by the gods, made a disaster of the whole cathedral. Cardinal Calvin did a better job dealing with her than me, her own father. Following Grand Master Varka, even if it is a sacred duty, does not stop feeling like an escape."

"We have now spent two years together on this expedition, and we are so proud that we never spoke sincerely until today. How is it possible that my daughter chose me even if I was so strict with her? Seeing her doing business with Margaret in the Cat’s Tail, joyfully playing free of worry, made me escape my problems using work as an excuse. I thought I was the worst mother for Tanya and Jean."

"No, you are her heroine. You are the most magnificent woman in all Mondstadt and, for me, in the whole world."

"What the heck did I do wrong?"

"I was also mistaken."

When the men and women of the expedition arrived with the supplies and carriages, they saw an image that had been unbelievable since the start of the expedition. The two people who maintained an icy law between each other for years were chatting about the most typical things as if they were lifelong friends. Behind them, white foxes sat like cats, and they were speaking about mundane things like their favorite color of cats, their favorite flavor of slime jelly, and boasting about their daughters.

-Angel’s Share Front Door

"Hello, a sight to see, honored traveler. Are you interested in mixology?"

"That is me. How can I help you?" answered Lumine.

"Hey, do not forget about the great Paimon," said the floating fairy.

"Hehe, how can we forget the fairy? Sure, the thing is that our tavern, the Angel’s Share, is in charge of a week for bartenders. We hope that our academy week will be of interest. Basically, you will have complete access to all of our ingredients, and while you do not generate losses or waste materials, you can have unlimited refills of everything you wish for."

"Unlimited drinks! Come, Lumine, this is our chance," Paimon floated cheerfully.

"So, what do you say? Would you bless us with the honor of recruiting the honorary knight?"

Inside the bar, a man with chestnut hair named Charles saluted Paimon and Lumine from the bar counter.

"Hey, hey, how long without seeing the pair of you two around here? What would you like to have today?"

"Well, we came here to be bartenders."

"Oh, it seems Luka recruited you two. That guy has a stroke of demonic luck. After his blessing by the saint, the guy is banned from gambling With the presence of you two, this event will be a success. I know that you two are good at dealing with complicated jobs and are great chefs, but mixing drinks needs to be exact with the technique. However, as in a previous event, the saint arbitrarily mixed various types of liquor to knock out a certain client, pummeling him to the floor for disdain. We have decided that for this week, we are refraining from serving alcohol. We know you have been taking good care of the saint in your travels, but she has a history as a troublemaker until recently."

"Mmm, surely, she got out of the norm and is regretless when dealing with everyone who does wrong, but we couldn’t believe a person so proper could do so much mischief."

"Well, her circumstances are... complicated. I will not say more because I don’t like to speak behind the back of esteemed people or friends. Even so, if she is the blessing of Mondstadt, it is true that she was assigned an important role at such a tender age, which she didn’t like above everything else. You will know more about her past as you speak with the incoming guests, but be sure to ask the person in question her point of view on those facts once the trio restarts your travel," said Charles, picking up a mug.

"We returned here because of the incident with the Sakura tree. Do you think she was feeling melancholic?" said a worried Paimon.

"Mmm, she is strong emotionally and uses a catalyst like no other. I suppose if you can defeat a dragon, you are also a person and still prone to getting sick. Not everyone can be a hero a hundred percent of the time. Think of this mug. Simply putting pinecone caramel in your drink will not make it tasty. You need to add and mix it with something sour like coffee and soften it with a bit of cream, proceeding with giving it texture and presenting it with an image like intricate latte art. Only then will you have the perfect drink and the whole picture," ending his task, Charles motioned Paimon to try the drink.

"Whoa, how do you name it?"

"A caramel pinecone macchiato. Now, why don’t you try this, Paimon, while I teach the traveler how to mix?"

-A familiar face arrived at the tavern.

"Hello, hello! This is a surprise. I didn’t expect to see such familiar faces today. Is the Saint visiting her home while you two work? Give me a death afternoon and tell me the news about your journey," Kaeya said with a smile.

"Yeah, leave it to Kaeya to complicate things right from the start," Sister Rosaria said, not even as a joke.

"With too many demanding customers, I just thought the traveler could use a little experience," Kaeya continued.

"There’s that silver tongue again," Paimon said, floating nearby.

"Hey, hey, I’m not as good as your traveler companion. You must’ve picked something up from the Saint. Why don’t we start with something simpler, like a Moonlit Alley? And make it big," the boy with an eyepatch suggested.

"I’ll leave my drink to your choice. Just make me some kind of tea, not too big, please," Rosaria requested.

"Incoming!" Lumine called out as she started preparing the drinks for the pair.

After a few minutes, Lumine presented the drinks along with a dessert.

"Mmm…" Rosaria murmured, lost in thought.

"What is it, Rosaria? Do you not like the drink?" Paimon asked, floating closer.

"I can always make another," Lumine offered apologetically.

"No, the drink is fine. It’s just that I rarely drink tea… It reminds me of certain things," Rosaria admitted.

"I suppose you’re referring to the church?" Kaeya asked.

"Yeah. The church held an event I couldn’t attend, but Deaconess Barbara saved a few ingredients that Saint Tanya had prepared for me. I thought baking wouldn’t work in the hands of a little girl, but the Saint prepared everything methodically while the tea was made by the Deaconess. In the end, everything tasted magnificent."

"You’re feeling melancholic today, Rosaria," Paimon said, floating upside down.

"Sounds like Mondstadt has gained another fanatic of black tea and brownies," Kaeya teased.

"As a general rule, I always drink something stronger, but what you served me brought back good memories."

"And you, Kaeya? How’s your drink? It’s our first day, you can admonish us," Paimon said worriedly.

"I was going to make a joke about you making me another, but well… You reminded me of the Saint. How much do you know about your traveling companion?"

"Tanya? Hmm… she’s weird—mature and stoic like Jean, yet as free-spirited as Barbara. She’s told us a lot about the history of Teyvat, but even with all her knowledge, she still worries about plot holes in lore that she suspects are vital in other nations. Why?" Paimon asked, doing a barrel roll.

"Yes, the Saint hates people who are overly proper and rigid as much as I do—to the point of choosing to go on adventures with you two. But she wasn’t always the perfect Saint we all take for granted. Jean and Barbara adore her, but in the beginning, Tanya was no different from a demon," Rosaria revealed.

"That’s different from the quiet girl who frequently visited Lisa’s library and greeted her sister every time she entered headquarters," Kaeya said in surprise.

"You were there when she was taken from the Gunnhildr house. What do you remember from that day?" Rosaria asked.

"Ah, yes… The day Jean brought Tanya before Varka and Saemos. Jean was mortified back then—those were difficult months for her. She even slept in the barracks despite her house being nearby. Later, she rented an apartment, though she barely uses it now that she’s the Acting Grand Master."

"Kaeya, it’s more than that. She was as bad as a hilichurl, as satanic as an Abyss Mage. The church thought the Saint was possessed."

"You’re exaggerating. How could that cinnamon roll with angelic looks be a demon? She’s been the blessing of Mondstadt since… Brightcrown Canyon?"

"Yes, but only recently. Ever since she was baptized and awakened as the Saint, she wanted nothing to do with the church. Having a feral cat with colorless elemental power and no Vision was hard—only Barbara or I could calm her. We don’t know how, but one day, after falling sick with a fever, she woke up and suddenly became the sweet, proper, and educated child that everyone associates with her name. Then things happened in Whispering Woods, and she took control of her life. As long as no one questioned her intentions, she was normal. But if she got mad at you and her pupils turned golden… that little girl could make even the Castellan tremble."

"Wait, so it’s true that she’s a co-owner of businesses like The Cat’s Tail? Then that means Stormbearer Mountains wasn’t an accident—it was done on purpose."

"I fear that… only she would understand her reasons. The point is, the cathedral is at peace without her. In fact, having the Saint as an ambassador investigating Snezhnaya’s movements is useful. On the other hand, keeping the old guard of the Knights of Favonius on the expedition for this long could yield results. But if she’s afraid of something, it means she’s not doing this out of duty as the Saint—she’s doing it for Mondstadt’s well-being."

"We don’t know how much danger Teyvat is in, but she’s certainly had visions before. And those have saved us more than once," Paimon revealed.

"See, Kaeya? Something big is coming. I’m not particularly devout, but even I find myself considering a prayer now and then."

"Certainly. The chain of events since the Traveler arrived is anything but normal—Mondstadt, Liyue, and now Inazuma. What’s your next destination? Sumeru?"

"Yes. Now it’s time to head into the jungle and the desert," Lumine confirmed.

"Bring the Saint with you. You never know what kind of poisonous things you’ll encounter in the jungle, and she’ll be able to keep you alive in the desert—even if you get lost for forty days without food," Kaeya advised.

"Oh, come on. You don’t actually believe that old book— You know what? Better take her along. She could find her way even underground, and if you need to fight against a supernatural being, she’s your best bet," Rosaria added.

"Oh, how can you two be so— You know what? We should just proceed with the plan," Paimon huffed.

"I asked her before, and she said yes… but now I’m starting to think I might actually encounter everything you two are afraid of," Lumine admitted.

- Back in the Serenitea Pot

After a good day of work, Paimon and Lumine had learned a lot about making drinks—cocktails, coffee, and even frappés. Now, with full bellies, they were ready to rest for the next day. Inside the dimensional space of their Serenitea Pot, they entered a townhouse replica of Mondstadt, though its arrangement and placement seemed to change every once in a while.

Inside the house, they found the subject of much of the evening’s conversation—none other than Tanya Gunnhildr, the Saint of Mondstadt. She was seated on the sofa, engrossed in a book, with an ever-present cup of coffee resting on the table beside her.

"Merhaba, mon amies," Tanya greeted them.

"Really? Are you going to spend this break learning languages?" Paimon asked.

"Of course. We don’t know how many ruins, scrolls, or ancient books we’ll come across in Teyvat. Each nation has its own characteristic civilization. Just remember how my knowledge helped us in Inazuma."

"Ah… That’s so true that I can’t argue… But don’t you want to take a break? You’re finally back home!"

"Spasiba, but everything is fine. I already finished the last one. I’m taking it easy—I don’t want to lose my touch."

"Wait—how and when did you even find the time to do that?" Paimon asked, surprised.

"Hmm… Since I was able to visit Lisa’s bibliothèque in my spare time."

"But you had the role of a Saint in Mondstadt! Didn’t you play with other kids or something?" Paimon puffed her cheeks in frustration.

"My pastime was starting businesses and launching projects. I never really played—except with Klee or TCG."

"Really? Lumine, say something to her!"

"Do you want to come with us to Angel’s Share?" Lumine offered.

"I can’t. I need to keep an eye on Lord Bar—Venti. When Angel’s Share runs out of alcohol, he disappears. When there’s alcohol, he works as a bard. You know how he is."

"How can you toss the church aside but be so devoted to your boss?" Paimon asked, bewildered.

"Well, I’m the Saint, Venti is Lord Barbatos, and everything else is unimportant. Church and religion are human inventions. You don’t know if the Creator is an all-powerful flying spaghetti monster or an anthropomorphic dinosaur. The will of the gods is beyond human comprehension. Their nature can’t be fully understood or confined to a fixed image. Want to see the descriptions of angels in the old book? Look."

"Really…? If we ever go to Celestia, I don’t know if we should be more scared of the gods or of you," Paimon muttered.

"It’s always best to be cautious and avoid preconceptions before making judgments. You know how that cost the Qixing dearly in Liyue. Against my magnificent defense, along with Yanfei’s helping hand, they were vanquished. If we eventually go to Fontaine, we should bring her with us—we never know if we’ll end up in another legal battle."

"I agree. Every time we arrive in a new nation, something always happens," Lumine added.

"Really? Do you think we’ll get in trouble with the law just by arriving?" Paimon asked skeptically.

"It’s happened three out of three times already—we have a track record," Lumine replied.

"Surely… But changing the subject, I never expected the ‘perfect’ Saint to have been a demon when she was younger," Paimon countered, making Tanya drop a bit of her treasured coffee.

"Where did you hear that?"

"At the bar. People have a soft spot for you, but they know you had your circumstances."

"No! My carefully crafted image!" Tanya dropped her book.

"I think people talk about you more now that you’re constantly traveling instead of working in the church. Your absence probably made them start piecing things together little by little," Lumine pointed out.

"No… My shameful past…" Tanya groaned.

"So it’s true—you really were worse than an Abyss Mage!" Paimon teased.

"You’re not originally from this world, are you?" Lumine suddenly asked.

"Where did that come from? She’s weird, but—" Paimon did a barrel roll midair.

"Yes. You already know I was reincarnated, but what you never knew was that this wasn’t my original world. That world was completely different," Tanya admitted, finally conceding.

"Oh no… You’re not joking," Paimon said, stunned.

"Do you want to tell us about it?"

"You once told me that in this vast universe, other worlds exist, and similar people tend to reappear, either when a great distance has been traveled or when a long time has passed. My story shouldn’t be any stranger than what you’re already used to."

-Gunnhildr Residence – Back in Time

Frederica was teaching Jean a history lesson from a book that had been passed down through their family for generations, from heir to heir.

"Remember, Jean, our clan’s history dates back three thousand years—older than the Anemo Archon himself. Lord Barbatos was once a mere wind spirit who fought against the tyrant king Decarabian. Outside the old walls of Mondstadt, life was harsh, and no one believed our clan would survive.

That was until the patriarch’s daughter prayed to a spirit, and the little girl was transformed into the first priestess of the wind spirit. When Decarabian was finally vanquished, that same priestess crowned Barbatos as the Anemo Archon.

Years passed, and the corrupt Lawrence Clan took control of Mondstadt. It was her reincarnation who once again prayed for Barbatos’ return to expel the nobility—except for our clan, which has always placed Mondstadt above all else. Her aid to Vanessa was—"

Frederica suddenly lurched forward, vomiting into a potted plant.

"Mom! Are you sick? What’s happening?" Jean rushed to her side, alarmed.

"Don’t worry… This has happened to me twice before. I know the symptoms," Frederica said, wiping her mouth.

Jean’s eyes widened. "You’re pregnant? How could this happen? Who’s the father?"

"Who else?"

Jean’s expression turned from shock to disbelief. "Father?! But you two are divorced!"

Frederica let out a small sigh. "I found a hidden message—written only seen by this pencil trick, an old trick we used when we were young. It always seemed odd to me that he burned a piece of paper in the fireplace every day, even when we were discussing government matters. And… well, this happened."

She pulled out the note and showed it to Jean.

(I am under a contract. I cannot reveal against whom or what the details are. I’m sorry. I know I was a terrible husband. I love you)

Jean clenched her fists. "Then why did you two get divorced? What was the point of all this?"

"Your father is compromised. We don’t know the details, but whatever he’s involved in puts us all in danger. Barbara and your father are safe in the cathedral. You and I are safe here with the Knights of Favonius. Our situation hasn’t changed.

Promise me, Jean—when you eventually marry, be careful. Do not repeat my mistakes. Choose your husband above all else."

Jean looked at her mother, her expression torn between anger and sorrow. "How can I accept something like this? What was the point of leaving my sister behind? What was the point of your divorce?"

"You don’t need to understand or accept it. I have taught you to be steadfast. Above all else, we endure. We take every blow until our enemy lets their guard down.

Fortunately, they haven’t come after me… Perhaps they fear our clan."

-Tanya’s POV

Nothingness. The void. Limbo.

I don’t know how long I’ve been here, nor how far I’ve walked. Then I saw a river, its banks lined with countless dogs. I befriend them and They helped me cross, guiding me until I reached a wasteland.

I walked on, witnessing two mountains clashing against each other. I crossed a razor-sharp peak that cut through my flesh until only bones remained—no skin, no meat.

I trudged through a snowfield so cold it stripped me of what little was left. My organs had fallen away long ago—I don’t know when or where.

I entered a desert, but by then, I no longer needed food or sustenance. A violent wind lifted me high into the air before sending me plummeting. Arrows rained down upon me, nearly ending my existence. When the barrage ceased, a jaguar emerged, devouring every soul that passed its path.

I was lucky. While the jaguar feasted on another traveler, I slipped away.

Then I reached a river. I floated. I drifted for an eternity until I arrived in a place where entities with unpronounceable names introduced themselves. They consumed me, and I became one with the universe.

I don’t know if it was real or how much time passed.

Then—I woke up.

I opened my eyes to a world where people spoke German again.

The mansion was beautiful, richly adorned. The woman who was my mother had calloused hands and fair skin, tanned by the sun. When I looked at the girl I assumed to be my older sister, I saw she carried a sword and wore the uniform of a knight.

I suppose I was a noble this time.

The absence of a paternal figure was a shame—perhaps he had fallen in battle or was away on a mission. At least, in this life, I had a family.

My past lives… their details are strange to me.

I remember a city of crystal towers floating among the clouds.

I remember an industrialized world filled with digital technology—far more advanced than anything here.

And in my most recent life… I recall a world where magic and automobiles coexisted.

But there was a war.

I try to remember, but my head aches.

I cry.

And I don’t know why.

-After Some Time

Living as a baby was complicated. I tried not to be a hassle and only cried when I needed something. Still, every time I tried to remember anything about the life of Tanya Degurechaff, my head throbbed with pain.

I cried.

I knew I had lost something important—something I had forgotten.

I didn’t care about the memories of that Japanese salaryman. What mattered was the life of the argent… but I didn’t know why.

My sister worked and studied as a squire. My mother was a captain. My maid, Anne, took care of me. Whenever they had free time, they took me outside, introducing me to relatives and other nobles. I think my name is Tanya Gunnhildr.

How ironic.

I have the same name as in my past life.

Living in a cadre is boring. My older sister watches over me, though not willingly. I think she has mixed feelings. (Am I the daughter of another father?)

Looking at myself in the mirror, I see the same blue eyes that turn violet under the right light. The same blond hair.

No one ever mentions my father. I assume he’s dead. Sometimes, I catch my sister gazing at a photograph—one that includes another sister, one I believe is now gone.

I think I was my father’s last departing gift.

A shame.

But at the very least, I can take care of them—just as they take care of me.

-A Year Later

I began practicing mana.

The energy in this world is similar in some ways to my last one—more abundant, more free—but also strange. It shifts under certain conditions, on certain days.

I believe they call it elemental energy in this world.

My maid, Anne, told me stories about people who could wield a single element through a divine device called a Vision, bestowed by the gods.

Ha.

As if that were a good omen.

I don’t care about being X. He is nothing but an inferior being. He may have power, but he is nothing compared to the true god—Azathoth.

The Necronomicon.

I need to find the Necronomicon.

I need to get a message to Nyarlathotep.

I need to start a cult.

My head burns.

Fever.

Something feels wrong.

I think I’m sick.

-Mondstadt Cathedral

Vind had returned to submit her weekly report on the Stormbearer Point subjugation. Instead of entering through the main entrance, she opted for a side passage to avoid disturbing or dirtying the marble floors. As she stepped inside, she approached Sister Grace and inquired about the apprentice, Barbara, who was tending to the sick so late into the night.

"Grace, why is the daughter of the Castellan caring for the sick before dawn?"

"Barbara is tending to a baby with a dangerously high fever," Grace explained, concern evident in her voice. "We don’t have a healer available until morning since they are all on an expedition with the Knights of Favonius. I fear that by the time they return, it will be too late. The child has taken a liking to Barbara’s lullaby, and she’s been singing non-stop to keep her calm… but at this rate, she’ll lose her voice before dawn."

Hearing this, Vind approached Barbara, offering her a cup of water.

"Barbara, wet your mouth, but don’t gulp too much. You need to last until dawn. Keep singing—I’ll check on the baby."

But Barbara didn’t stop. She didn’t even pause for a sip.

Vind leaned over the child, expecting to see just another fevered infant. Instead, what she saw made her blood run cold.

The baby was a miniature version of the apprentice.

Porcelain skin. Golden hair.

And when the child stirred, blinking weakly at the new presence, Vind saw them—those same blue eyes. Eyes that, under the right light, turned violet.

The same eyes as the girl singing beside her.

"Shit," Vind muttered. She turned sharply to Grace. "Wake the Castellan. Bring him here—now."

"Sister Vind, the situation is dire, but we cannot wake the Castellan. The maid who brought the baby in is asleep from exhaustion, and tomorrow is the cathedral’s busiest day. We could call for the priest—"

"Tell the Castellan that a child of the Gunnhildr bloodline is in danger and that we need his last blessing."

Grace paled.

She didn’t need an explanation.

The last blessing was only given to the elderly or the terminally ill—those nearing their final moments. For a baby to receive it meant that she would not live long enough to receive her baptism. She would die before she had even truly begun to live.

Barbara knew this, too.

She was young, but she had already received her confirmation. And now, finding out that this child—her own blood, a cousin, perhaps—was slipping away filled her with deep, unbearable sorrow.

Her voice trembled.

Her lips quivered.

Before she could break, Vind gripped her shoulder, forcing her to focus.

"Do not cry."

Barbara’s breath hitched.

"She may be your cousin, but you must not stop. We need to buy as much time as we can."

Minutes passed like eternity. Then an hour.

When Sister Grace returned, the Castellan didn’t protest. He merely approached the child and began the sacred rites. The prayer was long, solemn. By the time he finished, Barbara’s voice had withered to barely a whisper.

And then—just as dawn approached—the baby’s breathing slowed.

Her little body stilled.

Barbara had no voice left. But still—she mouthed the words to her lullaby. Even in silence, she continued singing.

Even in tears, she kept singing.

Then, as the first rays of the sun crept through the stained glass windows—

—light exploded into the room.

A Vision had appeared.

Blinding, golden, radiating warmth.

A powerful force surged through the cathedral, enveloping everything in a divine glow.

Everyone froze, stunned by the sudden miracle. And in that hushed, sacred moment—

The baby stirred.

A tiny, fragile voice spoke.

"Mama… Jean?"

And only then—only when she knew her song had reached the one she could never meet—

Did Barbara finally allow herself to cry.

-Morning Mass – The Principal Sermon of the Week

As the congregation gathered in the cathedral for the principal mass, the Castellan stepped forward to deliver his sermon. His voice, steady yet solemn, carried through the grand hall.

"Today, we receive grave news—" he began. "The Knights of Favonius expedition has ended in failure. We lost faithful men to the attack of a new enemy—a vagabond drake. The casualties, though minimal, came at a heavy cost. We had sent every single one of our healers with them, believing their presence would ensure victory. But in their absence, here in this very cathedral, we nearly lost an innocent soul."

A hush fell over the congregation.

"Tanya Gunnhildr was lost for a full minute, succumbing to a relentless fever."

Gasps rippled through the hall. Murmurs spread like whispers of wind.

"But thanks to the unwavering faith of our apprentice, Barbara, we bore witness to a miracle. A Vision—bestowed in our time of greatest need. Through this divine blessing, the child was returned to us."

The Castellan let his words settle, allowing the weight of them to be truly felt.

"In light of this, we have made a decision—" his gaze swept over the faithful. "From this day forth, a healer will remain in this cathedral at all times, day and night. No matter their age, no matter their status—every soul within the Nation of Freedom shall have the same chance to survive as this innocent child did."

A solemn silence followed.

"Now, we honor those we have lost. Let us bow our heads and hold a minute of silence for the squadron who gave their lives in duty."

The great bell of the cathedral tolled, its mournful chime echoing through the vast stone walls.

And for that minute, Mondstadt stood still.

-Knights of Favonius Headquarters

Squires Kaeya and Diluc stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching in growing concern as their friend Jean pushed herself beyond her limits. She had been training relentlessly—twenty-nine hours without rest.

Diluc clenched his fists. “This is insane. We just returned from the expedition only to find out her baby sister nearly died, and now she’s throwing herself into madness.”

Kaeya, leaning against the wooden railing, remained composed. “Don’t stop her. Just a little more, and it’ll be thirty hours. Grand Master Varka designed this training regime hoping to awaken a Vision. If there’s ever a moment for that to happen, it’s now—at the height of her desperation.”

“The only thing she’ll accomplish is getting herself injured,” Diluc argued. “This isn’t how you deal with grief.”

Kaeya sighed, his tone turning uncharacteristically serious. “We both know it’s better to endure pain here, in training, than on the battlefield.”

-Grand Master’s Office

Grand Master Varka sat behind his desk, reviewing documents while Frederica stood nearby, engaged in quiet conversation.

"Do you think she’ll make it?" Varka asked without looking up.

Frederica crossed her arms. “Hard to say. I barely lasted thirty-two hours myself. But this is the first time I’ve seen someone make it to thirty.”

Varka smirked. “She’s cut from the same cloth as my captain. Even if she doesn’t succeed today, I already know who my next officers will be.”

He slid a list across the desk.

Frederica scanned the names and nodded. “I have no complaints. The selections are solid.”

Varka leaned back. “Right? Now, tell me something—why didn’t you ever mention you had another daughter?”

Frederica hesitated. “…It’s complicated. She’s still Saemus’ daughter, but—”

Before she could finish, a commotion erupted outside.

Jean collapsed.

The clock struck thirty hours and ten minutes.

Her comrades rushed to her side, carefully lifting her onto a stretcher.

Varka watched as they carried her away. “Am I being too harsh on her?”

Frederica shook her head. “She’s my daughter. If she has even the slightest chance of awakening a Vision, we couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip by.”

Varka leaned forward. “And what about your youngest? Will you train her the same way?”

Frederica’s expression softened. “No. She nearly died. I want her to build a strong constitution first—long before she even touches a sword.”

Varka chuckled. “Fair enough. But if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask. If you want to teach Tanya using the Bibliothèque, you’re welcome to. Lisa’s already planning to head to Sumeru after finishing half the collection. If your daughter grows up with the same passion for books, she might just follow in her footsteps.”

Frederica exhaled, considering the offer. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

-Mondstadt Cathedral – Castellan’s Office, Front Door

Cardinal Calvin stood between Barbara and the door, attempting to placate the deaconess, who was seething with anger—an emotion rarely seen in her.

"Why can’t I see my father?! What are you hiding?! Why do I have another sister?!" Barbara’s voice trembled with frustration. "Did he do something improper? Who is the mother? Since when do I have a half-sister?!"

Calvin’s expression remained solemn. "Barbara, before you go in, you need to understand something. The reason Frederica and Seamus separated was due to a contract—one that not even Grand Master Varka nor I were aware of at the time. Your sisters are safe with the Gunnhildrs, but if you don’t remain here, the castellan’s alibi will be compromised. If that happens, his life will be in danger."

Barbara’s breath hitched. "What? Then… what’s the point of all this? Why couldn’t we have just lived together again?"

A voice called from within the office.

"Enter."

Barbara clenched her fists. "I hate you!" she yelled as she stormed inside.

Seamus, the castellan, sat at his desk, his face worn with exhaustion. He exhaled deeply before speaking.

"Barbara, before you say anything, listen. Tanya is Frederica’s daughter, but I can’t tell you why we divorced because—"

"Huh?"

Before he could finish, Seamus suddenly collapsed, blood spilling from his mouth onto the floor.

"Father!" Barbara gasped, panic gripping her.

Cardinal Calvin’s voice was urgent. "Use your Vision! Quickly!"

But Barbara had only just received her Vision—she couldn’t wield its power at will. Desperately, she tried to summon its healing abilities, but all she managed was a weak halo of water.

"I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please don’t die before giving me answers—don’t leave me alone!"

Seamus was in no condition to speak, his breathing ragged. Calvin took over, his voice grave.

"Barbara, forcing answers from him could be fatal. Until one side of the contract is broken—or one party involved dies—he will never be free to live a normal life."

Barbara’s hands trembled. "What kind of contract is this?! Who made it?! What conditions—?"

Calvin shook his head. "We don’t know who or what the contract was made with. But what you must understand is that he did this for Mondstadt’s well-being."

Barbara’s vision blurred with tears. "Then what’s the point of any of this? How am I supposed to accept it?"

Calvin placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "We endure. We wait until whoever holds this contract lets their guard down. And when that day comes…" His voice darkened. "We will strike back. Until then, we must be the last ones standing."

-Sometime Later – Bibliothèque of the Knights of Favonius

Alice observed as Wood patiently taught a group of children during his time off. She smiled to herself, musing about her own plans to gather materials for her little Klee. As she pondered, her gaze landed on a familiar shade of blonde—no, two of them. Sitting next to the bookworm Amy was a young girl named Tanya.

"Hello, Lisa. Any news while I was away?" Alice asked.

Lisa smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Other than the arrival of the captain’s youngest daughter? Not much. She’s lovely, and I’d say she’s about the same age as your little Klee. Why not try teaching them together? Spoiler alert—you’d hit the jackpot."

Alice scoffed playfully. "We’re a family of geniuses, but no one can keep up with my little Klee."

"Want to bet?" Lisa teased. "If Tanya outpaces your expectations, you’ll owe me that rare edition of Snow White and the Six Dwarfs."

Alice chuckled. "Fine. But when I win, you’ll owe me a favor—like bringing me something special from Sumeru."

"We both know I’ll do that anyway," Lisa replied. "You’re just being paranoid."

"I’m serious, Lisa."

"And I’m telling you—Tanya is gifted."

Intrigued, Alice approached the young girl.

"What’s your name, little one?" she asked.

Tanya didn’t respond. Instead, she calmly turned a page in her book.

"Isn’t that a bit advanced for your age?" Alice prodded, noticing the complex alchemy text in her hands.

Still, the girl remained focused, flipping another page as if Alice weren’t even there. The lack of acknowledgment irked the witch, but instead of resorting to a spell, she decided to take another approach. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a book—not a catalyst, but something far more enticing.

"If you answer my question correctly, I’ll give you this special edition of Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers."

Tanya had wanted a catalyst for some time now. Weighing her options, she finally relented.

"Tanya," she said simply.

Alice grinned. "What are you reading?"

"Alchemy," Tanya replied. "But the information here is incomplete. It reads more like a tale than actual research."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think that?"

"The proportions are either incorrect or nonexistent."

Alice was impressed but pressed further. "Then tell me—what do you think it takes to create a human body through alchemy?"

Tanya barely hesitated. "Not much. The ingredients are fairly common."

Alice smirked. "Oh? If you can answer correctly without reading, I’ll give you this catalyst instead."

Tanya’s eyes sparkled with interest. Without skipping a beat, she recited:

"The human body is chemically composed of approximately 35 liters of water, 20 kilograms of carbon, 4 liters of ammonia, 1.5 kilograms of lime, 800 grams of phosphorus, 250 grams of salt, 100 grams of saltpeter, 80 grams of sulfur, 7.5 grams of fluorine, 5 grams of iron, 3 grams of silicon, and trace amounts of fifteen other elements."

Alice was taken aback. The girl was correct. However, she wasn’t fully satisfied just yet.

"You’re missing one crucial ingredient," she challenged. "Can you guess what it is?"

Tanya frowned. She was getting annoyed now. If Alice wanted to keep testing her, she would find a way to turn the question against her. Then, an idea struck.

"The Philosopher’s Stone," Tanya said, her voice confident. "Through nigredo, the putrefaction of matter; albedo, to obtain white silver; citrinitas, achieving the yellowish transmutation; and finally, rubedo, the red liquid associated with the quarter ascendant moon."

Alice blinked, momentarily speechless.

"... Here you go."

Handing over the catalyst, Alice spun on her heel and raced back to Lisa.

"Where did you even find this girl?!" Alice demanded.

Lisa smirked, sipping her tea. "I told you—she’s Captain Gunnhildr’s daughter."

"Do you think it’s possible to teach her? Come on, Lisa, I need to teach her! Help me!" Alice pleaded, practically bouncing in excitement.

Lisa chuckled. "There’s no problem with that. I just need to leave a note for Jean to pass on to her mother. Not everyone gets the opportunity to learn from the most powerful witch in the world." She winked. "But I don’t know if the Gunnhildrs would be thrilled about having a witch in their ranks, especially given that you’re a member of the tea party."

Alice grinned mischievously. "Well, that just makes it even more interesting, doesn’t it?"

-Later in the Mondstadt Cathedral

The boys and girls were to receive their baptism. There were many people attending the ceremony. Inside the church, children from common birth to nobility gathered, while their relatives waited outside the cathedral. With each change of season, a ceremony was held twice a year to bless those born in summer and winter. Tanya was the smallest among them, having been born in August. She had to be baptized earlier because the number four was synonymous with death, so she needed to comply with the custom.

The ceremony was nothing out of the ordinary and was performed by Cardinal Calvin, with the castellan seated behind the altar. The formalities were concluded, leaving only one final step: the children would each preach with their hands on the lost preaching of the Secrets of the Winds book. One by one, they took their turns, until it was Tanya's.

She had just begun to recite her vows when a sudden light illuminated the entire cathedral. Bubbles of elemental energy floated from beneath the seats, rising to the ceiling and into the sky. Those gathered outside around the statue of Barbatos witnessed the spectacle of light, stunned by the display of angelic power. But it was no coincidence. Tanya, glowing with winged light and a halo above her head, began preaching a prophecy.

"/&%&/ will come, gather the remains of the Descenders, get rid of the unfortunate objects, the stars in the sky are false, the world is not a loop but a spiral."

Thus, the first prophecy of the reincarnation of the Saint Gunnhildr was heard by all in Mondstadt.

-Convent of Mondstadt

The castellan watched as his daughter trembled in terror, unable to recall the prophecy she had spoken. The girl was frightened of everything. When he entered the room, she recognized him instantly, but instead of relief, her reaction was one of panic. She backed into a corner like a feral cat, her fear twisting into sudden aggression.

"Get out! You are supposed to be dead! I do not need a father—get out, tormented soul!" she screamed.

The saint was hysterical, colorless elemental energy swirling around her, making objects in the room float. Even without a Vision or a catalyst, she could unleash havoc. Her words were nonsensical, and the priest, seeing the danger and confusion, decided to place her in the care of the nuns. For reasons unknown, she seemed to fear all men.

Days passed, and the nuns believed Tanya was improving—but it wasn’t so simple. Beneath the surface, things were spiraling out of control.

Edna and Victoria, two of the nuns, whispered about the unsettling incidents surrounding the saint. Weeks passed with moments of calm, only for eerie events to escalate, frightening the convent.

"The other day, I saw her shooting down birds and dissecting squirrels," Edna murmured.

"She spoke in languages I have never heard in my life—while she was asleep," Victoria added.

"She writes books with blood and turns idols upside down."

"I found an altar made of beheaded dolls, like some kind of ritual."

"She disappears and reappears behind you without a sound—like she’s stalking you."

"She spilled something over a statue the other day and shouted insults at it."

"She is not fit to perform ceremonies—she’s a heretic."

"I think she is possessed," one of them whispered fearfully.

-Tanya's Point of View

Well, it seems that my attempt to achieve de-canonization was a failure. I tried everything, but all was in vain. What were the chances that my magic would be special? Or that those people using a catalyst like some sort of bible would activate an ancient seal? Damn it—I didn’t see this coming.

I already burned through all the ideas I got from movies back when I was a salaryman. Maybe the only way my methods would work is if I killed someone… Wait—kill? I’m a civilized person. I could harm my biological sister, but killing someone in her presence so she could heal them on the spot? No—I've only ever killed to survive, in self-defense. I never wanted to hurt anyone on purpose.

Anything would be permitted if I could summon Yog-Sothoth. He knows the way—he is the way. I need to call the Primordials—no! I’m going crazy. When did I become contaminated? These visions of a past life—they’re from two lives in the same timeline. I fought alongside werewolves and vampires… Eikons filling the sky… I was summoning horrors straight out of hell. The empire wasn’t supposed to win—it lost. When did Viktoriya die? The Great War was awful, but my brothers-in-arms—the 203rd—always had my back. I protected them, and they protected me. No—something's wrong. What the hell is a "projek"? The empire lost—we never won.

Before I realized it, I was in the cemetery behind the cathedral, crying under the moonlight, praying for a lost friend.

-Rosaria POV

Rosaria was tasked with containing the saint if she ever unleashed her elemental energy. The girl wasn’t normal. She couldn’t be stripped of a Vision because she didn’t need one, and there was no way to suppress her abilities. Her elemental power was colorless—impossible to identify at a glance.

Regrettably, any record of her abilities had been lost centuries ago. At first, Rosaria found Tanya's antics amusing—she enjoyed watching the clergy scramble to figure out how to deal with the girl. But as things escalated, Rosaria’s amusement turned to concern. The situation was spiraling out of control, and even she, of all people, began considering prayer.

"Visha… Visha… Why did you abandon me?"

The little girl wept for a lost friend who never existed. She spoke in eerie conversations with beheaded dolls as if it were completely normal. She terrified the people around her from the moment she entered the church's care. Even Barbara, standing by her father, grew increasingly distressed as rumors spread.

During the day, Tanya appeared more stable, but when night fell, madness overtook her. Rosaria searched for the girl one night and finally found her in the cemetery, kneeling before a nameless grave, soaked from the rain. A sliver of moonlight illuminated her figure, but Rosaria wasn’t moved.

"Damn girl—why are you always here?" Rosaria muttered.

Tanya sobbed, whispering apologies.

"Visha… I’m sorry, Visha…"

Who the hell was Visha? Rosaria didn’t know—perhaps an ancient name.

That night, Tanya collapsed with a high fever—just like the day she first arrived at the cathedral. Despite their efforts, nothing could cure her. Even Barbara attempted a miracle, but it was all in vain.

No one could explain why this reincarnation of the saint was descending into madness and wasting away so young. Something—some unseen force—was making her sick, driving her into delirium. The nuns did their best to explain the situation to the castellan, but no one truly understood.

Barbara wept in frustration.

When Rosaria entered Tanya’s room to relieve Barbara of her watch, the girl was gone. Worse yet, Barbara’s amber catalyst was missing. Alarmed, Rosaria ordered a search of the grounds—starting with the place Tanya always fled to.

At the cemetery, they discovered a freshly dug grave. Beside it lay Tanya—unconscious, fevered, and with blood on her lips. The castellan, inspecting the grave, found a black sword buried there. When he touched it, the dark surface seemed to peel away, revealing a glimmer of silver beneath.

Without hesitation, he ordered a full search of the cathedral.

Victoria and the other nuns gathered, giving their accounts.

"Victoria, do you know what this is?" the castellan asked, holding the artifact.

"A knight’s chalice," she replied.

"A blood-stained chalice—an artifact meant to be purified by the church. And yet, while caring for the saint, you had this roaming around unsupervised?"

"But, castellan, it's common for these artifacts to remain in the church for seven days."

"That's naive. Let me show you what happens when I polish this chalice."

He cleaned the chalice and the sword, revealing their true forms—pure silver beneath the blackened surfaces.

"The cathedral is overflowing with corrupted artifacts. The saint vomited blood simply by purifying this sword—even in her weakened state. No one will be punished, because the entire church failed to prepare for her arrival. This child doesn’t want to live here—it’s obvious. She will stay with the Knights of Favonius until she grows strong enough to control her purification without risking her life."

That night, Tanya dreamed of the past.

-The Wastelands, Three Thousand Years Ago

A little girl was crying above what was now a dried lake.

"Visha, Visha, come back, I need you"

A wind spirit greeted the little girl.

"Do you want to save your family and your clan? If so, I can save the city."

"Do you believe in god?"

"The gods do nothing for the well-being of the people. They only care for their own interests. The gods do not value the lives of mortals, and that is why I left heaven."

"Then you have all my support. In your name, I will build a temple. By your will, I will build a city if you keep your word of safeguarding freedom above all else."

"My name is Barbatos."

"And I, Tanya, will be your priest."

-Present, Serenitae Pot

Tanya was retelling her side of the story to a now tearful Paimon.

"Tanya, why did you suffer so much? You should have told us everything before," Paimon sobbed.

"Was it because the ruler of the pact was killed by the Shogun that you decided to speak now?" asked Lumine.

"Maybe," Tanya replied. "But you’ll hear a lot of stories this week in the bar, so I want you to hear everything I did before you form the wrong impression of me. Also, now we are about to uncover the truth of the world, so revealing the truth of the saint is a step forward, don’t you think?" said Tanya.

Chapter Text

In honor of our Redditor L4 of the WEST, the chillest author out there.

If I could reach your star, Chapter 2:

Serenitae pot morning.

Tanya prepared breakfast for the trio. She always slept like a log, no matter where or when, but she was an early bird in this life, perhaps a trait inherited from one of her parents. Paimon and Lumine rose from bed a little late due to the late hour they went to bed, having worked the night shift this week. The breakfast was still hot on the table, a blessing of the saint, as was customary.

"mmm, aaa, from whom did you inherit this custom, Tanya?" asked a yawning Paimon.

Tanya was preparing a cold brew coffee for herself, always using strange tools.

"According to my sister Barbara, my father always made breakfast. And according to my sister Jean, my mother never had a hangover. Analyzing with my foresight, I possess both of those qualities.

"You are a monster," said Paimon.

"Is that why you tell us stories from the point of view of different people?" asked Lumine.

"In the past, even before becoming a saint, I was never capable of reading a room. I never got the gist of reading the air. I was incapable of empathizing with people, or my intentions were misinterpreted. I always gave the opposite image I expected for myself. That is why, when analyzing, I use clairvoyance in this sphere of light to have all the necessary context at hand. My poor judgment always costs me a lot, and on some occasions, I ruined my life and condemned entire nations."

"Huh, wait, that is your honest expression, not your poker face. You always do your magical things, but this is simply too much," said Paimon.

"But you cannot see the past and intentions of everyone, making you still make mistakes, am I right?" said Lumine.

"Yes, it's true. I simply cannot be a busybody in the matters of everyone and every single instance. Seeing the future is a lot harder than seeing the past," confessed Tanya.

"Regardless, not everyone can tell where they are wrong. You are on the right path. You are not doing that so often. You are only using that discovery the same as us in the narratives. Are you going to tell us something that we need to know today?" Lumine said, taking a sip of her matcha.

"Yes, I think it is necessary to continue from where we left off yesterday," said Tanya, making a sphere of light formed from sun rays appear on the coffee table. "But first, let's eat."

Barracks of the Knights of Favonius

Eula Lawrence left her life as a maid in her clan behind to become a squire. Everyone in the city saw her as despicable and frowned upon her in the knight order, except for a few friends she made. Among her newfound friendships was Jean, who was fleeing home for something she did to her own sister. The always cool and composed sergeant was punishing herself. They only knew each other before, but in these months, their friendship bloomed since they both had nowhere to be but the barracks. Eula didn’t have a house to return to, and Jean was in self-exclusion from her household. Living together made Eula close to the circle of friends of the captain's daughter, which made Eula not feel alone anymore. The duo avoided touching on the subject of the little sister, but today was an exception. Eula was breaking the ice.

"Jean, I need to tell you the reason the grand master made me private. He revealed to me that I was assigned to be the bodyguard to the saint, your sister."

Jean's eyes started to well up.

"I knew it, my mother hates me."

"Jean, your family does not hate you. You have a house to come back to. Your family loves you, they forgave you. They chose me because I reminded the saint of a friend she had millennia ago. I have never been proud of being noble, but I understand the weight of duty. You didn’t have bad intentions; you made the right choice. But before that, you need to tell me why you decided to punish yourself."

"I suppose I need to tell you what happened the days my sister was revealed as the saint."

Gunnhildr Household – Night

Around the perimeter of Captain Frederica's house, the entire clan and servants holed themselves up in the mansion. Knights loyal to the captain put their swords to the service of the Gunnhildr in support, but half the Knights of Favonius were outside the doors of their barricaded house, waiting to claim the saint. Tanya's mother didn’t want to hand over her younger daughter. The moment the saint manifested her powers, releasing an ancient holy seal in the middle of the cathedral in front of half the city, Frederica hugged her unconscious daughter and ran back home. She raised her levies and everyone loyal to her with the instruction to keep her daughter in her care.

At the war table, Frederica was cursing.

"Shit, why out of all the children in the city did the saint turn out to be my daughter? She was supposed to grow up away from all the political bullshit," the captain cursed.

The maid Anne returned to inform.

"My lady, you need to face the knights. They are raising a parley; they are your coworkers, and there is no ill will," said the maid in charge of taking care of the house and Tanya.

"I have never been stingy in anything, and I cannot permit myself to lose my youngest."

The war council voiced up.

"We cannot permit this dispute to fracture the whole city in two, my lady; you need to reach an agreement."

"Haha, I suppose I need to face a whole division in front of my own house," Frederica said, giving instructions to all her clan while preparing to face the knights.

Frederica made her way through the barricades in her garden to face the whole garrison, yelling.

"Who among you wants to kiss the grand master's ass so much that you have the balls to separate me from the parting gift of my husband?" Half the division laughed, and Sergeant Diluc Ragnvindr, the red-haired friend of Jean, started to walk to face the captain. The old guard had decided to relinquish long ago; the novices were the only ones at hand.

"My captain, you have never left the mansion. At this moment, they may be taking little Tanya out through a back door."

"That is impossible. Jean would never hand over her own sister."

"Do you have records of the saint?"

"No, but we could work over the march. This is not the first time for us to have a saint in our ranks."

"Where has Jean been this whole time?"

"In the bibliothèque, taking care of her sister."

"And there is not a single book about the saint except one paragraph in a certain book, am I correct?"

"What are you insinuating, Ragnvindr?"

"If Jean could not make an idea of what her sister is, she would seek the help of the only ones with answers, and those are the church, the same people who gave us the order to reclaim the saint."

"You are overanalyzing."

"What is the motto of your clan?"

"Monstadt always."

"Then if in those two days the little girl has been sleeping, Jean will seek a way to awaken her. She will deliver Tanya to Varka and Saemus."

At that moment, the expression on Frederica's face turned white, realizing that maybe she had educated her eldest daughter too well.

"Go back, my captain, the surest thing is that all of us are only a distraction."

At that moment, Frederica ran through the mansion, asking.

"Quick, take me to my daughters. Someone has infiltrated and poisoned the mind of my eldest."

"My lady," Anne the maid reported, coming back from the library, "Jean has deserted. The passage to the headquarters is open."

Then, in that moment, Frederica dropped her sword to the floor.

Grand Master Office

Saemus was greeting his daughter Jean for the first time in a long while. He kissed his unconscious youngest daughter while carrying her in his arms.

"She has been sleeping for these two days; are you sure you can take care of her?" said a teary-eyed Jean, seeking solace in the castellan.

"We can try with the holy lyre der Himmel, but finding the right song will take more than one attempt."

"Father, I need to be certain that you will take good care of her. There is not a single book about the saint except for a paragraph and nothing more than hearsay."

"Daughter, you can rest knowing that I will take care of her even better than Barbara," said Saemus, bidding his farewell while taking another pathway.

"Jean, this trial is not different from the one your mother faced years ago. It is never easy to put Mondstadt above family."

"Grand Master, am I doing the right thing?"

"When it is time to make this decision, there is never a right answer; the price is so high that it cost your parents their marriage. But you can be sure that choosing Mondstadt always makes things better little by little."

"If my sister can wake up then…"

"You can take shelter in the barracks for as long as you need, Jean, but you need to come to terms with your family when the time comes," said Varka, putting a hand on Jean's shoulder. "Until then, you need to face the weight of being the heir of your clan."

Back to the Barracks of the Knights of Favonius

Eula couldn’t believe what she was hearing; it was a blessing in disguise that there was nobody back at base. The captain and the castellan were once a couple, and the truth shocked her.

"If you are going to protect my sister, you need to know this truth: Tanya and I have another sister named Barbara."

The deaconess, the healer who saved Tanya as a baby, was blood of the Gunnhildr. Eula expected to face a little high society drama, but the truth was worse than any novel.

"Jean, this is…" Eula was at a loss for words; she couldn’t articulate nor ask more questions.

"Eula, promise me that you will protect my sister."

Alice's House – Qualification Exam

Alice, the most powerful witch in the world, was examining the saint candidate. And why candidate? Simple, she was nothing like Alice initially suspected; this saint had the memories of a millenary age, which would be impossible. Nobody could achieve immortality or reincarnation indefinitely; such things are prohibited by the laws of the world tree Irminsul. The flow of the ley lines that dictated the natural order of Teyvat made it impossible, meaning that the soul of the saint was not like that of a simple mortal. Maybe her body was normal, but her soul was different—ascended, similar to that of a deity. Was this the reason she was capable of coronating the wind spirit Barbatos as the Anemo Archon?

But then why did the person who was her friend five hundred years ago not remember her? Tanya was taken under Alice's tutelage to stabilize her powers. This exercise was developed by trial and error to control her power to purify and bless at will, not passively going full AOE, which made her sick. Tanya wore a bracelet at all times to check if her power was not leaking out. The little girl slept with artifacts in her room to check if her subconscious was working fine. Every morning, Alice asked Tanya to purify artifacts with the hope that she would remember the sensation by reflex. The saint was asked to create holy water in hopes of draining her excess holy power, with the intention of her controlling a pond of power instead of the lake that her mana pool normally was.

In front of the examiners Frederica and Alice, Tanya proceeded to purify artifacts and odd objects. Blood-stained knight sets transformed into white knight sets, and black swords transformed into paladin swords. Discarded water after a blessing turned into a precious material for transmutations, which irritated Alice a lot. Too many errands and common artifacts were wasted over the years, and this little girl had in her hands the means to create artifacts of higher rarity and resources to transmute them to their maximum capacity simply by existing. Now, the Knights of Favonius would be unstoppable if equipped with such legendary builds. The church would have a monopoly in their hands, and the worst thing was that the little girl did not stop pleading to go back there after the incident that almost cost her, her life.

"Could I finally go back to the church after today?" asked the innocent blonde girl.

"Yes, but first I want you to purify this berserker set," indicated Alice.

The little girl started to pray.

"I believe in miracles since the day that I met you. How did you know I needed you so desperately? Yesterday I was the loneliest person there could be, now you are by my side, caressing and loving me," recited the girl.

The artifact set transformed into a newer one in front of their eyes at the will of the saint.

"Now I want you to continue with this lance of Dragonspine," Alice asked kindly.

"You descended from the stars directly to my heart. If you feel that it is right, if you feel the same as me, you can take me away. I promise to love you." Then, after a shining light, the lance turned into a magnificent weapon she had never seen before.

"Now I want you to transform the water that I used to boil the vegetables," ordered Alice.

"Wouldn’t we use dirty water?" questioned the girl.

"We ran out of it, darling. I want to see if giving a better item a chance, you would be able to bless something better," said the witch.

"Okay, but I think this will be the last thing I will be able to do for today." The blonde stared at her and closed her blue eyes and started to pray.

"I used to deposit my faith praying, then my opportunity to ascend to heaven sleeps. I used to be preoccupied about the future, but then I tossed my worries to the winds. Now I don’t have any reason to be careless, not at least until I hear your voice," ended the girl.

Then, the normally sanctifying assumption transformed into a sanctifying essence.

(Shit! Now her ability is even more broken? Was that another prayer? Will she eventually create elixirs?) Alice questioned the efficacy of her teachings.

"How do you feel, little bird?" asked her mother, Frederica.

"It feels like I have been running for ten kilometers."

"There you have your chocolate and coffee; when you are finished with them, you can go and play with Klee," said Alice's husband, bringing the treats to the table.

"Yay!" said a happy Tanya. "Then, could I go to meet with my sister, Barbara?"

Frederica's eyes turned a little wet. "Yes, but you mustn’t tell anyone that she is your biological sister; that topic is a secret," said Frederica, dropping a tear.

"Then I will call her onee-sama."

"Good," said a reassured mother.

When the examination ended, Pops, Alice’s husband (who had been given that nickname since the birth of their daughter Klee), guided Tanya to play with Klee. The pair were only a year and a few months apart. The lesson of the day was drawing things that fly. While the children played, Alice prepared tea in the kitchen to speak of a serious topic with Frederica.

In the Kitchen

"I have never been devout; I simply go to church on essential days and important celebrations, always using work as an excuse. But this time, I haven’t stopped praying to Barbatos. I have not been sleeping well since my daughter is in the care of the knights," said a preoccupied Frederica.

"The state in which they returned your daughter was simply too much. I don’t know why your daughter wants to go back so badly. I thought your family was almost atheist," said an indignant Alice.

"Saemus and Varka received Tanya from Jean's hands. We, the Gunnhildr, simply did not have any records about the saint other than oral retellings. Jean thought her sister was finally in good hands. Since our fight, she has never left the barracks. Tanya pardoned her sister, and I also forgive her, but Jean does not stop feeling regretful."

"I am not surprised. Five hundred years ago, during the age of the cataclysm, the walls of Mondstadt had a breach. The population took refuge in the cathedral. The situation was critical until the saint decided to descend to the abyss, stopping the horde in self-sacrifice. That is the reason you didn’t have the means to educate her. If I hadn’t had a tea party with the saint back then, this teaching method would have been forgotten. Jean made the logical decision."

"I cannot forgive the church; they almost killed my daughter."

"I also don’t wish to have my friend in a corrupt place."

"What are you talking about? I am always mad at Saemus, but Cardinal Calvin is a decent person."

"If there was a place with information about the saint, that place was the church. The cathedral was the only place in the city defended effectively as a last stand five centuries ago. That is the reason why the only settlements in Mondstadt are Dornman Port, the vineyards, and Springvale. Any other place, even my village, was erased from the maps."

"I have a bodyguard in mind. The position will make the girl always indebted to Tanya, and her loyalty is not in doubt."

"The Lawrence girl? Why not Jean?"

"Jean is currently being trained to be the next grand master. Her mistake was choosing duty over family, but she chose right. It is never easy to put Mondstadt above everything else, even family. She will be a good heir."

"You are too severe even with your own family. What would have happened if Tanya died?"

"The father of my daughters would never allow that; if not, I would never have chosen him to be married. Someone separated us on purpose, but the question is, who?"

"Before speculating, I want you to see this." Alice showed a drawing made by Tanya to Frederica, firearms and ships with distinct characteristics.

"This doesn’t seem to be the typical style of Fontaine or Snezhnaya. Are these from Tanya?"

"Your daughter already has the memories of the original saint. I think she will unlock memories from when Vanessa overtook the nobility or when the cataclysm happened, but these designs are not like the ones seen in Teyvat."

"Sure, these designs are more like something made entirely by engineers pursuing maximum efficiency and effectiveness; they don’t have the usual current style."

"I made the calculations over the rough blueprints of this Yamato ship and this Mauser rifle. The sketches from Tanya, even as messy as they are, match mathematically. I made a bet over coffe ou latte and chocolate in exchange for the blueprints, and she won."

"This aesthetic is nothing like I have seen in Teyvat. Did she really draw these blueprints?"

"I think the memories of the saint started even before the age of archons or kings. I warn you that as Tanya unlocks more memories, this girl will mature a lot faster. Tanya has the same tastes and expressions as the saint I befriended. Her quirks are unique, and I can tell from miles away that they are the same person."

"So I will not see my girl being so sweet for the long time I expected."

"You need to value her innocence while you can. There will be a day when I will need to be away from my daughter, but the years of infancy we will see in Klee will be an eternity compared to those of the scarce infancy in Tanya, not only for the difference in race but in mental development."

"Wouldn’t it be better to have Tanya back home?"

"You can’t. I am a witch, and I could confess to being the most decent person of everyone from the clique of Hexenzirkel. You are lucky I am in the city. One friend killed her own husband, another transformed who would be her husband into a dog for years, and another made abominable aberrations like the riff wolves. You only trust me because you've known me since you were Tanya's age, and I love Mondstadt so much that I would leave my own daughter here if the need arose."

"Yeah, I sometimes forget that you are a legendary creature."

"Your daughter cannot be taken care of by only a maid. A young and vulnerable saint is a golden goose for a lot of people. In only a test, she created something that is valued in a sizable amount. This is nothing big to consider a fortune, but it is still a considerable amount. You need to have the help of the knights and the church as a whole."

"I will need to make sure everyone in the city loves her as much as I love her."

"I don’t think you will have any problems with that. The saint has always been an innate idol, but she has not unlocked all her potential yet. She still needs to awaken. Until then, she needs the help of the adults protecting her."

"I never dreamed about both of us having daughters that would be childhood friends."

"I know. All that time waiting for the right choice was worth it. Pops is another kind of man. He makes breakfast, cleans, and takes care of Klee. He gave me security and complimented me. I never imagined having security in someone, and even if he is busy, for him, we are his everything."

"Saemus was also like that, but then…"

"What happened?"

"Alice, I know you are the strongest in your relationship, but do not take your husband for granted. I know that being a woman of action made us comfortable having a shoulder to lean on, but even if he is a man, do not forget about also protecting him, or you will end up like me."

"I will take note, but tell me, why did you two separate?"

Frederica ended her tea in one gulp.

"At the beginning, we had a normal, common life. We were in love and conceived two precious daughters. But then my work went from bad to worse. Years of work trashed to the bin. The bad guys were two steps ahead of me. Corrupt people fled in front of my nose before I identified them. I arrived late to arrest a lot of people. Then, the stress ate me alive. Suddenly, I was not the best at my job. In despair, I discarded all possibilities and thought the impossible: my husband was betraying me."

"But he loved his daughters."

"Back then, I never knew that he made a contract. I found him red-handed, scavenging my archives in the middle of the night without excuses. Then, in my indignation, I thrashed him badly like I had never hit a person in my entire life. But Barbara saw how I was pummeling fists on her father. In that moment, I was no longer her mother; I was only the horrible person beating her father. She didn’t want to know anything about me. Betrayed, we divorced, each one taking a daughter with them."

"But now you know that everything he did was for the good of Mondstadt."

"When I discovered my wrong assumptions and mistakes, we conceived Tanya, but a long time had already passed us by. Then, thinking of what-ifs, I concluded, what if someone didn’t want the saint to be reborn?"

"What? You are beating around the bush. Let me think... shit."

Mondstadt Cathedral Castellan Office

Seamus was in his office practicing the lyre, warming up because it would be needed in the ceremony this week. In this brief moment for himself, he was warming up with a song he knew too well.

(The enemy has gone,

but soon it will come back,

when the drums of war sound again

I surely will die.)

(All of mine have perished

Only I am still standing

Each one of them was my friend

But soon I will see them again.)

(Because I am also hurt

Gravely injured

I knew it, seeing my blood seeping

My life is going away

This body will not last

One that I never doubted put in danger

Pursuing a dream

That I would never achieve.)

(I tied myself to my banner

Symbol of my faith

If death comes sooner than them

I wish to encounter them standing)

(Standing and defiant

Like I always lived

To keep them in their minds

That I never gave up)

(I am losing consciousness

I am losing my sight)

(Dead wait just a moment

For they will come back)

(I see a lady coming

She is smiling at me

If that lady is the reaper

Who is afraid of dying?)

(She is singing a song

From my homeland

The same nana my mother sang

I would never forget it

Ooooh)

At that moment, Barbara stormed into the room, opening it, asking.

"I never knew the lyrics of that song, only the rhythm."

"That was the nana of the Gunnhildr. You always hum it, so I couldn’t teach you the full song. You remember it since you were a baby. When the saint arrived, the first song I tried using the holy lyre del Himmel was this same nana, and I was right on the first try. But she awoke confused and frightened of every man. Only Sister Annette was left in the room. All the elemental power the saint unleashed expelled everyone in her sight. If I could have been there tending to the saint, I would have realized that she was purifying everything around her, sickening her body, incapable of keeping her powers at bay."

"So you called me because she was coming back."

"She will be here protected by a knight by her side. She will start her education under Sister Gotelinde. Sister Rosaria will be our backup, and you will be her company in hopes of letting her settle in within the church."

"Two people with visions taking turns wouldn’t be exaggerating."

"Three. The knight has awakened her vision only recently. Tanya will never be left alone. Do you think you are capable enough?"

"Sure."

"She insists on calling you onee-sama, an honorific she only uses with Jean. Be discreet about our relationship. The immediate goal is for the saint to be ready to perform the solstice ceremony as her debut. The church needs to show everyone in the city that the saint is safe and sound. Aside from that, you are free to be in her company and befriend her however you want."

"I am reassured. I thought she would have a trauma."

"She unlocked memories about the dawn of the archon era, just when she crowned Barbatos. Keep that in mind. Aside from that, I received reports about her being the cute cinnamon roll she always was before the summer ceremony. Take care of your sister and remember that now she is the little one of the three."

"I never thought about suddenly being the one in the middle."

"She pleaded to come back, and she will alternate her residency between the cathedral and the knight's headquarters for security reasons."

"Wait, you are being paranoid. You are more cautious with her than you were with me."

"We have been absent in her mere three years of life. I am not less responsible for her than Frederica."

Mondstadt Cathedral

In the front row for the week's Mass, attended Saint Tanya Gunnhildr, escorted by her bodyguard, Eula Lawrence, the two spent the morning watching how the formalities were performed; the little girl didn’t protest. A little lecture, a little debate, a little singing, a few rites—every session ceremony was efficient in catering to different styles for each aimed public.

 Nothing was exaggerated but seamlessly functional. Tanya raised questions in her head about how her work had evolved so much, only giving it a few thousand years. Given enough time, her work mixed into something that seemed too natural. After all, this is the only church she has any awareness about, because each nation venerates their respective archon differently—some following the rules of the free market, others pursuing knowledge, others fighting, others doing theatre, others having a queen. So she asked herself if all of this was necessary.

Tanya had a lot of regrets about taking a church as her banner. Certainly, this path was the most effective in accumulating the necessary faith for her boss, but seeing this after remembering more than one life was confusing. She knew more than anything else that she was the sole culprit. Tanya was successful, but was she simply too effective? This concerned her because she created a church of all things, realizing this made her perplexed.

After attending a lot of ceremonies silently during the day, she was guided to a classroom inside the chapel to be introduced to Sister Gotelinde, who received her as her pupil. This nun was serious and proper, so Tanya concluded that the woman was the strict kind of teacher. This person gave her lessons about all the styles of giving their respects to the archon Barbatos, emphasizing that as everyone has their free will, it was also reciprocal that these same people give their respects to the archon in every way they liked the most.

Tanya felt ashamed because she had practically stolen the ideas and customs of all the religions she knew about. After all, in another life, she liked anthropology in search of finding a logical reason in how each culture affected every interconnected national economy and pursuing an explanation for why each country ran so inefficiently.

Each time she discovered that humans were the only creatures that would trip over the same stone a second time and why each country had the politician they deserved, making this politician not only pick up the stone on the third chance but also throw the stone at their neighbor, accusing them of nonsense while being so foolish as to throw the stone at their own feet more than once, rambling about everything being the fault of others. These were reasons why she avoided installing a democracy and instead established a meritocracy.

Sister Gotelinde ended her lessons but not without realizing the confusion on Tanya's face.

"You have a worrisome face, for which I notice you are putting the effort to listen, reacting each time I speak. You are putting in an effort, but you didn’t write a single thing in your notebook," said an angry nun, admonishing Tanya.

Her bodyguard flinched, seeing how the saint was treated, but Tanya continued to apologize.

"It is not that; it is that everything is simply too familiar. I feel like I have a déjà vu each time you say something or each time you mention anything from history. I remember the face of someone from a long time ago in my mind," said an almost crying Tanya.

This expression made the nun backtrack two steps, correcting her attitude to ask the escort whom she had sidelined all day.

"What is happening to this girl? Eh, your name is..?"

"Eula Lawrence, sister." Gotelinde raised an eyebrow hearing the surname, but she recomposed.

"Wait, why is someone from that clan here?"

"She feels lonely without familiar faces near her. I was selected because I remind her of a friend who fought against Decarabian by her side more than two thousand years ago."

The face of Sister Gotelinde changed to one of surprise, realizing her own standing.

"Ah yes, I often forget about two and a half thousand years prior because of what happened only a thousand years ago." Sister Gotelinde changed her posture, avoiding a landmine, pursuing not to alienate herself with the saint for badmouthing her bodyguard. After all, the two will spend more time together than anyone else, so she wanted to be in her good graces.

"Do not blame the Lawrence. They were my favorite hunters. Ever since we left the old citadel, we had nothing to eat but mere rabbits. But they always did the hard work without protesting, making the impossible to bring fowls and deer for a change. But there were never enough of them for all of us. The rabbits were simply too plentiful that we got tired of their taste. The Lawrence were the most effective, which is why I put them in charge. Their ruin was totally my fault," said the saint, apologizing in the name of the most hated clan in the entire Mondstadt, which surprised Eula.

"Wait, how does this all relate to their wrongdoing?" said Gotelinde. Eula maintained silence, waiting to hear more about the history of her clan willingly, since it had been so long that she could not remember the last time she was so attentive to the matter.

"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I made them drop the bow and lance for the feather and paper. A thousand years passed, and we reaped the fruits of my poor judgment. I assigned the roles wrong. I made a mistake for everyone. The system I created ended in a monopoly that stagnated," said Tanya, who was remorseful for not doing her job as head of human resources effectively, even though she has a degree in it. But now she has the body of a three-year-old girl, so she was emotionally unstable, which is why she didn’t stop crying.

Silence reigned over the room but was interrupted when the deaconess Barbara entered the room along with Rosaria to call everyone for dinner, but all she encountered was her sister crying.

"Hey, what are you doing to the saint?" yelled Barbara, running alongside Tanya, for which Eula proceeded to explain.

"It's not like that; she is simply too confused, remembering a lot of things and started to cry over the past," said Eula.

"It's true, she explained. The nobility corrupted over thousands of years ago, and she feels regretful thinking she was the reason for their faulty system," said Sister Gotelinde.

Seeing how the teacher put herself in defense of the Lawrence girl, Sister Rosaria spoke to change the ambiance.

"Barbara, the saint is only three years old and she is overwhelmed remembering her past life. Why not change airs and have dinner? We all already did the important tasks for the day. Everything is too new for such a young little girl," said Rosaria, having a soft spot for the sisters.

Making their way to the mess hall, Sister Jillana felt proud of the food she had prepared, seeing how the new faces were digging into it with gusto. But she and the other sisters asked why the saint avoided speaking with the castellan directly.

"Cardinal, convey to the castellan that the dinner is superb," said Tanya with the decorum of a fine lady.

"Tanya, you cannot treat the boss that way," said a surprised cardinal.

Rosaria made the impossible not to start laughing at the absurdity of this instant. Since the beginning of their relationship, for whatever reason, the saint avoided voicing a word directly to the Castellan Saemus. Mother Superior Maria chastised the saint, who didn’t feel any regret.

"Tanya, you cannot be mean to him. His song made you wake up from a coma, and he was responsible for finding that your power was leaking, sickening you mentally and physically," said an indignant Mother Superior.

But Tanya didn’t correct her attitude, and Saemus didn’t correct the saint, so the nuns couldn’t protest as only the higher ranks were speaking.

"Leave her be. It is normal for her to feel that way; the first thing she saw after waking up was an unfamiliar place filled with strange faces dealing with a curse that almost cost her her life. Compared to that, this outcome is nothing; we need to give her time," said Saemus, calming everyone.

"The castellan feels glad that the food is to the liking of our fine lady," said Cardinal Calvin, continuing.

"Tell the castellan that I appreciate the efforts put in my absence, and I feel bad for being always away for centuries," said Tanya, using high society etiquette over the table, something only seen in people from noble upbringings. But with her infantile attitude, the scene resulted in something comical.

Solstice Ceremony - Mondstadt Cathedral

The young saint was a cinnamon roll; she was sweet and dedicated. Even though she was so little, she was smart. Maybe she had innate talent, or it was because of her unlocked memories, which made her do quirks that made the nuns raise an eyebrow, sigh, or chuckle very frequently. Like her insistence on discarding Celestia in totality to the point of even wanting to ban any mention of it, which was impossible because you could see the place in question on the horizon. Or maybe wanting to put more emphasis on the adoration of the goddess of time, or the often occasions where she spoke of the archon Barbatos more like a friend than an archon, giving historical data out of nowhere that could make any scribe or historian drool.

At first, Eula found the little creature adorable, hiding behind Sergeant Diluc when she was introduced to her by Jean. Both knight were from noble upbringings but very different in contrast to their heritage. But they both had something in common: the saint was fond of them because the saint met an ancestor of theirs who was close to her in the past. So she was very fond of them in this life, taking a liking to both almost immediately. The little girl was very similar to Jean, but what also surprised her was that she was also very similar to Barbara, being a strange mix between the two. So Eula took note to never let the three of them be together in the same location for obvious reasons, because their relationship as sisters was a secret, a truth known by a lot of people but not public knowledge.

The inaugural ceremony of the saint was performed in various sessions during that special day. When it was her turn to sing, the image of the saint was changed by the refraction of the light along her voice, which captivated the elderly people. This adult version of the saint manifested when the girl sang with all her soul, taking everyone by surprise.

(I have marked on my chest

All those times that fate

Didn't let me be here)

(I have a faith that matures

That goes with me and heals

Since I met you

 I have a lost footprint

Between your shadow and mine

That doesn't let me lie)

(I am a coin in the fountain

You are my pending wish

My will to revive)

(I have a constant morning

A canvas waiting to be painted

A blue sky to see in you)

(I have your love and luck

And a steep road

I have the sea by my side

You are my north and south)

( I am going to see you again

Get wrapped in your clothes

Whisper in your silence

When you see me coming)

(I have muffled words

Between my mouth and pillow

That I cannot hide)

( I have a plaza in a town

That accompanies me in the nights

When you are not here anymore)

(Today, I am going to see you again

I am going to bring joy to sadness

Let's have a party

To make this love grow even more

To make this love grow even more)

(I have a constant morning

And a blue sky

Waiting for me)

(I have your love and luck

A steep road

The sea by my side

You are my north and south

I am going to see you again, my wind)

Later, when her duty ended, the saint was questioned by Barbara about why she transformed while singing, making her manifest her blessing, and everyone discovered that it was not on purpose. Barbara questioned her about where she learned beautiful songs.

"I don’t remember much about Visha, but I feel that I need to remember something important. I remember visha singing lot songs to the soldiers."

At that moment, tears dropped from one of the eyes of the saint.

"I think I lost visha, but I don’t remember when or why? I know it is important, but…" Tanya noticed that she was involuntarily dropping tears and moved the palm of her hand to her face. "Why am I crying?"

Barbara hugged her sister in her arms that instant.

"It was not as practiced, but your blessing was incredible; everyone liked your transformation."

"Which blessing, onee-sama?"

As instructed by Alice, this was a signal that the power of the saint was fluctuating, so she needed to empty her mana pool completely.

"Barbara, we need to take the saint to create sanctifying essence and holy water ASAP, now," said a worried Eula.

"Okay, I will call everyone to bring the necessary water."

After a While

As promised between the saint and the castellan, Tanya now had time available to do her saintly duties, which consisted of doing odd things like going to Wolvendom to meet the spirit wolf, Boreas. The road was treacherous and dangerous, but the little girl was escorted by a battalion of cavalry from the Knights of Favonius to reach a clearing where a sword was embedded in. When the saint touched the sword, the climate in the entire region changed, and the legendary wolf appeared. This magnificent spirit inclined in front of her, and the saint responded with reverence. The knights were occupied calming the horses.

"Greetings, North Wind. I apologize for being late in returning."

"You are only but a pup; it is obvious that you hurried to report. You could have waited to grow up more."

"I came to check on the pact and borrow one of your subjects."

"I have two pups; one doesn’t want to return to civilization, and the other is not of our race. Which one do you want to take?"

"The one of another race. I don’t think it is appropriate for this one to be in the wilds."

To the howling command of the great spirit, the pack of wolves was seen all over the mountain range. All the knights present, who had easily taken care of hilichurls and beasts, were restless seeing the quantity of apex predators that were too many in number for the guards. Sergeant Kaeya voiced his concern.

"Wait, wait, wait, these are simply too many. Are those all the wolves in Mondstadt?"

Eula calmed everyone yelling.

"Do not be afraid, and show your respect; do not raise your weapons!"

At Boreas's signal, a Shiba Inu pup walked in front of Tanya.

"As you see, this one is a dog. If you think he is up to the task you have in mind, you can be his master. Otherwise, we don’t think he could survive in the wilderness."

"From today forward, you will be named Hachiko."

The doggy barked in approbation.

"Wah wah."

"Good, I think that is everything for the meantime. When you grow up enough, try to visit the old citadel to pay a visit to our sleepy-headed friend. He has been taking a nap for a long, long time."

"Who?"

"Dvalin. I see you are still a little pup to not even remember the cataclysm. Maybe when you are an adult, you can wake him from his lethargy."

"I never thought he could be harmed so much, to the point of undergoing hibernation."

"Humans and beasts lost a lot of us centuries ago, but as seasons pass, life finds a way. Even in a broken cycle, given enough time, nature heals."

"Thanks, I made good in coming."

The spirit bid his farewell, and the climate returned to normal.

Coming back from the mountain range to the lakeside, Kaeya, motioned by the knights, asked the saint for information.

"Wait, the story about the four winds is true?"

"Dvalin, Boreas, Vanessa, and the Grand Master. Those are the four winds. Have you all never learned anything about this information? This is basic mythology."

"We know this from fables and tales. You cannot expect all of us to take legends as facts without knowing which ones are real."

"Every legend has come from a certain truth. That is how they are born."

"Then a wolf, a falcon, a lion, and who is Dvalin?"

"Really? Nobody remembers that we have a dragon?"

Said the saint like it was the most obvious thing while all the present yelled.

"A dragon!"

A Time After - Office of the Castellan

The Castellan Saemus and Cardinal Calvin were discussing the movements of the now four-year-old saint.

"Why is the saint creating projects and businesses everywhere?"

"The goal is to encourage community work."

"The visit to Wolvendom brought new information about a dragon sleeping in our nation's old ruins, but how did this lead to the saint generating a small fortune, and what is this recruitment to form an inquisition?"

"It is a holy inquisition, aimed at alleviating the poor and needy, acting as an arm of the church. We cannot impose our will in the matter because, as per the codex, the saint has a hierarchy akin to a pope."

"Then why didn’t she just create an order of Templar knights like before?"

"The saint does not want to repeat the mistake of letting the church back a corrupt power, so she insisted on this agency being independent and autonomous."

"But it is an inquisition! Why do we need to have such a thing doing community service if the next day those same people could be walking with torches doing a witch hunt like in the old days?"

"The saint replied that she wanted to change the definition of an inquisition to one more amicable."

Then the castellan changed the subject, massaging his temples and rubbing his stomach.

"How was the dispatch of the adventurers? Did we validate the veracity of this report from the cavalry?"

"We did an S-rank personal mission to Alice but…"

"What happened?"

"Intelligence reported that the witch destroyed the old citadel in what she referred to as remodeling."

"What the heck!"

"And not only that, but the dragon did not even yawn and kept sleeping like a rock, unbothered. Alice's report said that the destruction was a means to make the place more accessible."

At that moment, the castellan gulped down some rarely used stomach medicine and changed the subject again.

"Where is the source of the funds? If we stop the flow of money, we could stop the saint."

"She has a wide net of entrepreneurship; all the projects are new businesses that she calls startups."

"And what is the possibility of these investments bearing fruit?"

"High risks, loss funding, no profits, no added value in annual cash flow, nor dividends as seen in civil registers. The list goes on and on."

"Wait, what? How much does a girl of only four years know about making business?"

"Nobody knows. Any registry of the saint in the secret chamber evaporated long ago. We discovered that the room and bookshelves were empty. We encountered the saint red-handed opening what she called 'the chamber of secrets.' Tales from retired clergy indicated that this place was intended for future saints. Seeing it empty saddened her a lot; this was our last place to sweep."

"So she has a backup if she never returned. If the saint was totally new, tell me: what is the possibility that the same person who put down Mondstadt's first stone would be good at many different things?"

"Not entirely zero; after all, she has more than one life."

"Shit! From where the saint got so much political leverage?"

"Mother Superior saw your three daughters together. Barbara and Jean had high hopes about reuniting, but a long time had passed by, making them without anything in common. Tanya was guiding their conversation. Mother Maria joined her thoughts together and discovered the truth, ambushing Sister Vind afterwards. Then she gave her full support to Tanya."

"The priests are all men, but the muscle of the church are nuns, so they have an advantage in numbers even if we have more power."

"How did this happen?"

"We have three powers now: you, I, and Tanya. We are not divided into factions because everyone moves between our jurisdictions and duties. But Tanya's will is different from yours, so you can say she has her own authority."

"Shit!"

Angel’s Share – Present

Another familiar face entered the tavern.

"Hi, it's Master Diluc! What are you doing here? Don’t you have something to do today?" said the floating fairy Paimon, doing circles.

"Eh, me? Nothing to do? Don’t count on it yet. I hear that you two were working as bartenders and have a round of invoices to deliver, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone seeing you two!" said the red-haired magnate, owner of the Dawn Winery.

"Woah, the knight of the saint always knows how to read the wind correctly!" said Paimon, floating till she reached the ceiling.

"Oh, come on, I have never been her knight. I only look like a certain knight who had the saint as his liege a long time ago. But tell me, traveler, how are you feeling as a bartender?" said the red-haired guy, taking a seat in front of Lumine.

"Actually, we are only getting started; everything is a new experience," said the blonde honorary knight Lumine.

"Yeah, it is too early to be in the mood. We have only been in this role since yesterday; however, we have already been working, hearing a lot of concerns," added Paimon.

"Well, people tend to loosen up and speak more when feeling excited or confused. The role of a bartender is not only to mix drinks but also to listen. You only need to hear the feelings and worries of the people around you, their experiences and everyday problems," continued Diluc.

"I see, I keep seeing another facet of people here," said Lumine, tidying a cup. "I must admit that it is a little hectic."

"So I guess they already told you about little Tanya, Jean's sister," concluded Diluc.

"Hey, it is not only that. The people feel ashamed to have worked a little girl so hard for the sake of everyone. Once she disappeared, everyone was left questioning what they took for granted," said Paimon, inflating her cheeks.

"But Tanya always chose to work willingly by herself. The people ashamed are those who thought the girl was stolen of her childhood. But this is not the first time that girl grew up. She didn’t need to have another childhood. She didn’t need a father because since she was reborn, she thought that this man was dead. That is why she reneges and despises the man when she confronts him face to face. She already made up her mind about having only a mother and a sister as her only family," revealed Diluc.

"Hey, you speak like you know her a lot, even though you claim to never take care of her," asked Paimon.

"Mmm... in a way, I indeed took care of her. But to this day, she feels shame about not being capable of protecting my father. She feels regretful about me leaving the knights," revealed Diluc.

"So Tanya feels bad about not adding Dawn Winery to the barrier in time," said Paimon, floating low.

"To tell you about that, I will need a Gray Valley Sunset. I leave the size in your hands," ordered Diluc.

"Sure, I will start to prepare it," said Lumine.

"Good, take your time. This will take time to explain," said Diluc, feeling comfortable to continue the chat.

Lumine took her time preparing the drink while Diluc summarized the childhood of the saint.

"At the beginning, the saint was no more than a little bookworm in the library. She saluted her older sister and mother when they ended their workday. Tanya only had a maid in her household, so she always felt alone at home. She decided to be one of the regulars in the bibliothèque. The Gunnhildr house is near the Knights of Favonius headquarters, but regardless, she treasured the moments she could see her mother and sister a little earlier.

Everyone took care of little Tanya with love, even better than how the knights are taking care of Klee now. Kaeya and I were no exception. When the girl was discovered as the saint, she didn’t wake up. Jean feels sorry about delivering her own sister to the church behind her mother’s back and will in an attempt to wake her.

The Gunnhildr didn’t have the means to raise a saint. Every register about the saint, her power, or her characteristics was lost or burned five hundred years ago during the breach of the walls of Mondstadt during the cataclysm and the eventual death of the saint descending to the depths of the abyss to close a portal in Musk Reef.

To this day, we still have a singularity below Cape Oath consisting of twelve floors where the seal is rumored to still be there. To this day, Jean feels guilty for choosing Mondstadt above her family, but the Gunnhildr duty is choosing Mondstadt above all. Great Master Varka taught Jean that lesson. It resulted in the right choice. Tanya was woken up, but the Gunnhildr saw how Tanya matured prematurely, and that is the reason why Jean could not say no to Tanya’s requests. Her mother and sister forgave her, and they still do, but Jean still believes that the chosen path was not the right one. To this day, Jean has not returned to her own house even with her mother abroad."

Lumine put the beverage in front of Diluc.

"Mmm, not bad, you are a natural."

"It’s thanks to the ingredients. The fruit is fresh and juicy, so the drink is sweet and tasty naturally without the need of adding anything," said Paimon.

"Sounds like we must give thanks to the soil of Mondstadt, which is true thanks to the saint's efforts saving Mondstadt from the worst of the cataclysm five hundred years ago," said Diluc.

"It turns out that Gray Valley Sunset is the first drink I mixed. I was a little young. My father put a lot of ingredients in front of me and suggested I experiment with them. No requirements, no instructions, no help. The only thing for sure was that he wanted to try my creativity. In the end, I created a vase of fruit punch just like this," said Diluc, caressing the vase with his hands in remembrance.

"But why fruit punch?" said Paimon.

"In retrospect, back then, I was simply too young and naïve, maybe more than the little saint analyzing her memories was," Diluc took a sip of his drink.

"I would not be so sure," added Lumine.

"Oh?" asked Diluc.

"I am sure that your father thought that it was a great drink, and he sure enjoyed it," Lumine said without taking her eyes off Diluc.

"I never thought about it that way. I suppose my father didn’t utter a single word for a time. Thanks for bringing it up. There is something that I wish to give to the trio for their journeys. I supposed it was better to wait for you two to have a little more experience as bartenders, but the Saint is an avid fan of coffee, so I don’t see the problem with gifting it a little early. You all will enjoy it."

Diluc showed them a cute fontainian coffee press.

"It is cute. Tanya is peculiar about her tastes, but if it is from you, she will try it immediately," said Lumine.

"I hope so," nodded Diluc.

"Tanya gives you all her support to not give up on Jean. Everyone in the city wants you to be together," said an excited Paimon, giving a barrel roll.

"Oh come on, we have never been that way. We were good friends, but she feels like she owes me something, and I don’t want her to feel responsible. Nobody is. Sometimes, we lose battles, comrades, brothers, or fathers. The sisters do not need to feel sorry for only recently being able to add the vineyards under the barrier array. Jean does not need to feel guilty about not having a vision back then. I don’t want that dynamic in our future relationship," said a serious Diluc.

"Wait, you are not feeling ashamed or shy about it! You are talking seriously!" said a surprised Paimon.

"Everyone who has been living in Mondstadt for the last decade knows that the prophecies of the saint cannot be reversed without nefarious consequences. In this case, this prophecy is a blessing. I had resigned and given up, but now I not only have hope but certainty. I only wish for Jean to come to terms with her own feelings. I don’t care if it's in a year or in a decade; I will still wait for her," said Diluc, making a punch and touching wood.

"Oh, Tanya has a great brother-in-law. She waits for the day when the eventual wedding takes place," a joyful Paimon nodded.

"First, we need to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but when that happens, it will be definitive. We both have a heavy workload in the near present, but by the time the expedition returns, I will have my staff fully trained. When Captain Frederica returns, I will make my move with her blessing, even if I need to kidnap the person in question."

"Yes, definitely, elope with her," said a cheerful Paimon.

"The cool Jean is shy about takeovers like those," said Lumine.

"Well, farewell. I hope to see both of you doing a great job. I wish to see the trio around here."

"Come back soon when you have time, boss," said Paimon.

Late another familiar face came to the tavern

"A little foamy reef... please," said a disheveled blue-haired knight with elegant clothes. The person in question entered the tavern, sighing, possibly tired from a long time searching for a breath.

"What worries you?" asked Lumine, the traveler working as bartender in her post like it was the most natural thing to do.

"I... am fine, only a little busy," said a tired lieutenant.

"Uh, hey, Lumine, there is something wrong with Eula. She seems like she has been drinking even before coming here?" said the fairy Paimon, floating discreetly.

"But a foamy reef has coffee in the ingredients. Don’t you upset her stomach if she drinks coffee after getting drunk?" murmured Paimon to Lumine's ears. "For the sake of her stomach, the drink must be diluted with water before delivering it to her."

While preparing the drink, Lumine took care to utilize the techniques learned from Diona, the Cat's Tail star, the rival establishment of this tavern where she got the secret of preparing a drink that would make anyone sober up. Lumine left it to Paimon to evaluate the drink with a spoon to corroborate the efficacy of the drink's potency.

"Very well, this drink seems to be the right one," said Paimon, doing a backflip in mid-air. While Eula received the drink.

"This drink is very tasty. I don’t remember drinking something like that since being the bodyguard of the saint," added Eula.

"Wow, if the lieutenant didn’t realize that we diluted the drink with water, she surely must have been drinking too much," said Paimon in a lowered voice.

"One more, bartender... huh? Wait, since when are you both girls bartenders?" said a speechless Eula.

"We are learning how to be bartenders. We have been here all day. Until now, you realized that we were tending the bar," said Lumine, boasting.

"Ugh, I am sorry. I came here from the Cat's Tail. Maybe I had too many drinks."

"Is there something worrying you? We are here if you want to talk. Both have experience taking care of the saint; we have that in common. We are here if you want to let off steam. We will not say a word to the saint that you are lost without her," said Paimon.

At that moment, an adventurer entered the tavern and clicked his mouth.

"Ugh, a Lawrence."

But in that instant, behind him, a pair of regulars entered the tavern: Draff Oddears, the hunter from Springvale, and the novice hunter Jack Mac schoolboy, two of the legendary drunkards of Mondstadt who kicked the nasty no-named adventurer in his butt and back.

"Novice, she is not any Lawrence, she is Eula! The previous bodyguard of the saint," said Draff, the father of Diona.

Then, Jack said something very good to make his point clear.

"Today we had a good hunt spree, so we will gift one gin tonic to everyone in honor of Eula with the hope that she finds a good man with whom she can toss away that damned surname."

"Well done, I have taught you well," said Draff to his drink mate.

Then, the whole tavern voiced a yell.

"To the paladin of the saint, Eula!"

"For her to find a husband, hurrah!"

Lumine and Paimon were speechless; they had never been in a tavern so late until this week, and this took them by surprise.

"Ugh, shit here we go again. This is precisely why I do not go to have drinks alone. Everywhere I am in Mondstadt, people introduce me to their cousins or uncles. Those geezers only think about pairing me with someone. I reject every approach, but every time, there are more suitors," Eula sighed.

"I warn you, traveler, beware of what you wish to the saint for. She could give you what you deeply desire, but at the same time, if that wish comes too easily, that same wish will be your ruin," said a paranoid Eula.

"Before, I was never welcomed in any establishment; I thought I would never be received amicably. I thought I never had any friends. I wished for people to salute me with a smile or be friendly talking about me. Before, people did a 180-degree change when I mentioned my surname, but now people have esteem when I mention my given name and pity when I say my surname. This is not the treatment that I expected. This care is similar to the deaconess Barbara's idolization."

"Oh come on, don’t think like that. Tanya would go messing around the bushes, but all that effort will be recompensated. If you follow her indications, fate will simply cooperate to put the pieces in the right place, making a chain of events so spectacularly that even we eat popcorn seeing how the drama unfolds in front of our eyes," said Paimon, going in circles.

"Oh no, she has contaminated your mindset the likes of the white knight. I never decided to be born in the Lawrence clan. When I obtained my vision, I thought of becoming a great person to make a name for myself. I always keep a blacklist to bring retribution against the wrongdoing I received, but this love is not normal. Watch them; they are starting to tell tales about when I was going from one place to another in errands as an inquisitor," said a blank-faced Eula.

"You must have watched how the Fatui were evicted from the Goth Hotel. The poor bastards needed to buy the entire property building on the spot not only to have a base of operations but to have a roof under which to sleep in Mondstadt. The motherfuckers needed to eat lettuce for a month until they received funds back to them. That is what they received for getting in the path of our saint and her inquisition," said Bruce the knight to Quinn, boasting about the saint.

"I remember that day. Eula was fantastic in that episode. The faces on every Snezhnaya diplomat were ones I will never forget," replied Quinn.

"Oh, I remember. They needed to receive direct communication with Pantalone about the diplomatic crisis. That one of their eleven got into a fistfight with the saint was an error they paid dearly for," Jose Six Fingers added.

"They called me to escort Catherine while handling the money in metallic, heavy and sounding, to the saint in person. The poker face with which the saint made them recount the entire sum for the second and third time was one I would never forget when I need to fake a smile," said the experienced adventurer Cyrus.

"See, everyone is accepting you, Eula. Maybe you didn’t have this kind of care for yourself, but everyone loves you. We couldn’t believe in another atmosphere around you, at least not since we've known Mondstadt. The only thing left is for you to accept yourself," said Lumine.

"Do you really believe that? Now that you mention it, until they assigned me to escort the saint, I never believed that a day when people would voice out to defend me would come, nor that anyone would invite me for a drink. It cost me everything to be a Knight of Favonius, but nobody had appreciation for me until I met the Gunnhildr sisters," said a fidgety Eula.

"The wind always changes its course," said Lumine.

"Oh, it's true. The deaf bard also said something like that. Only be you, Eula. Keep going forward and live life. If you don’t stop, sooner or later, you will make people think differently about the Lawrence surname, or maybe you will convince your clan to change their attitude. You only need to be patient," followed Paimon.

"Oh, okay, thanks. I think I must leave."

"Don’t you want us to accompany you back home?" said Lumine.

"Not needed. I need to remember what you said, and I would not wish to think of something more until I write it up to the last word," said a hurried Eula.

"Eula certainly is more open about herself after a few drinks, but I feel like there is something lost in her habitual pursuit of vengeance. Do you think that when she wakes up tomorrow, she will return to warn us about forgetting about what we saw today?" said Paimon, doing a barrel roll.

"Maybe, I hope not," said Lumine, cleaning a cup.

Chapter Text

This long chapter in two parts are dedicated to our favorite redditor Failninjaninja

Chapter 3; If I could reach your star.

Serenitae Pot Music Room – Present

Tanya was practicing one of the many songs in her extensive repertoire.

(I will do everything to see you again

I would give my life, my rifle, my boots, and my faith

That is why, in the trenches of my solitude,

Your eyes are my light, and your sight is my heart)

(If it weren’t for you, I could not go on living

In the emptiness of these days of the unknown.

If it weren’t for you, I would never have known happiness

Like I do when, after a hug, I see you parting again.

And it's only the thought of seeing you once more, knowing you’ll wait for me

That makes my heart begin to race)

(Seeing you is all I want

Seeing you again, to heal and feel whole.

Because without you, I am not happy

Unlike when I’m at your side, where I feel myself fading away)

(You are everything I have.

I don’t want to die

Without seeing you again.

See you again—

Say, “Welcome back.”)

Tanya was focused on the piano, singing ballads, when she was interrupted by a hurried Lumine and Paimon. She silently hoped they wouldn’t pester her about the lyrics.

“Tanya, what the heck happened afterwards?” Paimon asked.

“Eh? So soon? Who the heck did you run into at the Tavern? We left a little summary as a clue; I thought we went over everything necessary,” Tanya replied, surprised.

“We met Diluc and a completely wasted, drunk Eula,” Lumine revealed.

“Grr... This is going to need coffee,” Tanya muttered, closing the piano lid.

“You’ll love this,” said Paimon, while Lumine presented Tanya with a gift from Diluc.

“A Fontaine coffee press? Mmm, not bad. You’ve got a deal,” Tanya said, snapping her fingers.

“It took everything in us to keep a neutral poker face,” Paimon said. “We had to act surprised, but the whole story is different. Why do the people of Mondstadt love and fear you at the same time?”

“Eh, it’s not complicated. For someone in power to hold onto rule indefinitely, there are only two real paths: make your enemies cower at the mere mention of your name, or be beloved by the entire populace even your foes.”

“!How are we seeing both things at once?!” asked a hysterical Paimon.

“Well, I’m not the pristine new saint who was supposed to come next. I’m more of a failure, a disappointment. I’m not perfect; I can’t control the image I project, or how people choose to respect me. You know I’m not very social. A ruler needs to respect the needs of those who put them in power, not just grant the people’s wishes out of compassion. That comes as an afterthought. Take the treasure, keep it safe, and people will follow; so long as the money doesn’t run out.”

“Wait; why are you talking like a dictator?” asked Paimon.

“Is there really a difference?”

“Wait, wait, wait; how is all this related to the current outcome? What was that poor little crybaby? When did you grow fangs?”

“Do you remember that neither of you knew what the heck the ‘saint’ was until I defended Venti; saving your butts from a Fatui Harbinger and blowing up the entire plaza of Mondstadt in the process?”

“Hey, what? How?! Is this another one of your roundabout odysseys?” Paimon exclaimed.

“Very close. We’ll need to pick the story back up from where we left off; and damn, I’m almost about to tell you my whole life story,” said Tanya, conjuring a ball of foresight light.

“Is your relationship with everyone really that complicated?”

“No. My whole life is complicated. I can’t seem to stay out of trouble.”

“Did you ever kill a god and get stuck with bad karma?” Paimon asked.

“Well... in another life, I did kill a god.”

“What the heck? Your eyes... they’re telling the truth,” Paimon said, staring into Tanya’s characteristic blue eyes.

“Ah, you two need to understand; no one can be both a good person and the one responsible for keeping everyone alive. You can’t be both. I’ve lived many lives and learned that lesson the hard way. I’m no paragon of justice. I’m not the best example of a good person. I try not to do harm when I can avoid it; but I make mistakes, too.”

“I don’t think you’re a bad person,” Lumine said. “You created a nation. There are fewer people with that achievement than we can count on both hands. Not everyone who’s done that is still around to boast about their nation enduring for thousands of years. And the other one is... well, in secret retirement.”

Lumine held out a mist flower as a token.

“Mmm. So, today you both want a Frappuccino?” Tanya asked. “You know, before I was a tea peasant, I was introduced to coffee with Frappuccino. Eventually, I could drink black coffee... but this sweet little sin of mine never quite went away.”

“We didn’t even enjoy dinner; we had to keep pretending and putting on that fake surprise,” Paimon grumbled, clutching her stomach.

“Also... we can’t go to bed without knowing what happened afterwards,” Lumine confessed.

“So... we’re pulling an all-nighter and sleeping in late,” Tanya said as she began to prepare coffee. “Well, we are on vacation. I don’t see the problem. We can be a little childish now and then.”

-Cathedral of Mondstadt, back in time.

The castellan, Saemus, was delivering a sermon from the old book on the significance of the day for this event.

“Our life is precious because it is always in danger.

Life is so ephemeral and delicate because we keep making mistakes unknowingly.

These mistakes are not meaningless. Life is beautiful because we can try again and again.

Because we put our lives at risk every day without even realizing it; from dawn to every single breath.

It is because we don’t believe our place in heaven is the most important thing.

It is because we believe in the Archon that we do not believe Teyvat is a horrible place.

Greed and corruption are fought relentlessly.

We cannot accept filth; we clean it to enjoy the pure and the beautiful.

This world wasn’t created by Celestia; it was remodeled, and it is indeed the most beautiful place there is.

Because we don’t need blind faith, money, or status to appreciate life.

Even in our ignorance, we can still uncover the truth.

We can comprehend the intricacy of the state-of-the-art that is nature.

We don’t recite scripture to memorize it; we feel it.

We preach by example.

We fear the unknown, but a life without fear lacks essence, like a year without snowfall or storms.

Without hardship, the field does not yield a good harvest.”

Then it was the saint's turn to sing.

(When time passes, and we get old

I start to think

That the injuries weigh heavier than the years, in the end

I want to spend my years

Alongside you, my eternal love)

(Together with family, with friends, and with my voice)

(Because I am worth nothing; if I don’t have you

If I don’t have the best

Your love, your presence in my heart)

(A slow year holds more value than an empty century, love

It is better to have filled my heart

That is why I want peace of mind; your care is always with me

Even if we're far apart, or closer in the end)

(I am not worth even a leaf; if I don’t have anything.

If I don’t have the best

Your love, your company in my heart; come, love.)

(I feel restless without you

I feel strong when I’m with you

Without you, I don’t know what living is

My life is a dark tunnel without your light.)

(I want to spend more time with you

Make up for every night I’ve lost

Vanquish the immense fear of dying

Be eternal alongside you)

(See you again; a reason to live.)

Inside the church, while everyone was occupied, the saint strolled quietly.

Tanya had everything planned. While her substitute sang the hymn, she slipped away to find her secret chamber; the place where all the knowledge she had once forgotten, all her investigations, every important registry she had ever collected, was hidden. It was the sole reason she had willingly returned to the church.

She needed answers.

The truth was her priority.

Only then could she decide whether to become a knight like her cool older sister; a path that would let her act freely to follow a family tradition, and avoid the suffocating image of a shrine priestess.

Her memories were jumbled and senseless. But soon, she would uncover what had happened over the two thousand years she couldn’t recall.

She found a familiar statue beside a pillar. Tanya conjured a solid orb of sunray light and placed it in the statue’s hand. The statue moved, triggering a hidden mechanism. A secret passage opened.

“Perfect. This trick is impossible to discover,” she whispered.

But as soon as she descended the stairs and lit her magical sphere, she was met only with bitter disappointment.

“What? How? There’s nothing! Everything was looted!” Tanya yelled, her voice echoing hysterically.

The chamber was empty. Bookshelves bare. Every drawer was hollow. Not a single quill, no ink, no parchment. Nothing.

Just then, her sister Barbara found her.

“Tanya, are you playing hide and seek?” said the innocent deaconess, peeking into the hidden passage. “Oh, what an incredible secret base!”

But all she found was her sister, crying.

“Nee-chan… they robbed me. There’s nothing left.”

“What happened?”

“My treasure… my knowledge… my heritage. It’s all gone.”

“But… you can always fill the chamber again,” Barbara said gently.

At that moment, both heard Eula calling Tanya’s name in haste. Tanya quickly remembered something.

“I can only trust you, Sister.”

She opened a wardrobe that surprisingly still had clothes in it. Activating a hidden switch at the bottom using light magic, Tanya uncovered a box.

“Sister… I can’t trust anyone else. Only you. Take this box. Later, we’ll uncover what’s inside. Don’t tell anyone; not even Father.”

Barbara’s heart swelled. It was the first time her little sister had ever called her “sister” with affection. Recognizing Tanya’s sadness, she nodded.

“I understand.”

Barbara took the box and swiftly exited.

Moments later, Tanya yelled again.

“Nothing! They didn’t even leave a single book; not a single scrap of paper!”

She grabbed a chair and hurled it across the room, smashing it in rage. Then, something caught her eye; something odd. The robbers had left only girls' clothing in the wardrobe.

Examining them closely, she noticed something: names embroidered with delicate needlework.

Nicole von Lebenstein. Christina Plingsheim. Hildegart.

Not just names; familiar names. Names from her old Kampfgruppe.

“Wait… what? How? That’s impossible. I’m supposed to be the only one here… or was I?”

Eula finally found the open chamber and descended the stairs. She found the saint sobbing on the floor, surrounded by girls’ clothes and a broken chair.

“What happened here?” Eula asked, stunned.

Tanya, for the first time since Eula had met her, wasn’t just crying; she was seething.

“This place was for another saint… but now it’s empty.”

“I see… But why are you so full of rage? You’re not crying from sorrow. This is pure hatred.”

Tanya thought she was in control, but her emotions had turned wild.

“Because this isn’t just about me! All my techniques, my diaries… the work of two and a half millennia; gone!”

Her fury rose until her golden eyes began to glow. Eula, alarmed, remembered Sister Rosaria’s warning: if Tanya’s eyes ever changed color, she was to knock her out immediately.

But Eula couldn’t bring herself to hurt Jean’s little sister, so she embraced her in a hug.

Then, the air changed. Elemental particles formed, wind whipped around them, and gravity itself began to shift. The weight in the room intensified. Chairs began to crack under their own weight.

Panicking, Eula tightened her embrace around Tanya.

“Listen! The city mistreated me, too. They wouldn’t even accept my money. I had to hunt to eat. All because of something my clan did centuries ago; something I had no part in.”

“The Lawrences are discriminated against even though we were nobles. My family’s no better. They’d rather have fancy furniture than food. All they cling to is a fake glory of a past that never existed. I couldn’t live for them; so I left, to live for myself.”

Tanya’s eyes flickered back to blue.

“Eula… do you wish for the people to forgive your clan’s misdeeds, or at least to make up for them?”

“Not just that. I want them to abandon that arrogance. To discover humility, like the Gunnhildrs. I don’t care about false pride. I want true honor. I want them to stop living in the past.”

“Would you be willing to make a pact with me? To obey every task I ask of you, to make that wish come true?”

“Yes. I yearn for people to greet me with a smile; not with scorn at the mention of my surname. I just want to be one of them. To be loved.”

Tanya’s eyes returned to their natural blue.

“Then, even if it takes years… I believe I can give you a blessing.”

“Can you?”

“Yes. But I warn you; once it’s done, it cannot be undone. The future will conspire to fulfill your wish, but not in the way you choose. We will bend destiny itself. Are you ready for that?”

“What must I do?”

“Everything. You must give me everything. You must gift me your future and never stray from the path. Otherwise, what you wished for will become your grief.”

“Can you really do it?”

“Yes. But you must never regret it; never renounce it. Or it will become a curse.”

When Sister Rosaria and the priests arrived to check on the commotion, Tanya was relocated to her bed; exhausted from crying and drained of mana.

Eula tried to explain; until Rosaria slapped her across the face.

“Why are you hitting my bodyguard?!” Tanya cried.

“Stupid girl. You could have died,” Rosaria snapped.

“I calmed her down! I didn’t have to knock her unconscious like you do!” Eula shouted back.

Then Rosaria let sawdust fall on Eula’s head.

“What is this?” Eula asked.

“What’s left of the chairs. Gravity in that room was so intense, it nearly tripled everyone's weight in the church. You’re lucky. If you hadn’t been hugging the saint, you’d be red marmalade by now.”

“…Huh.”

Eula was left speechless.

Cardinal Calvin, having moved the enchanted clothes and examine the furniture engraved in protecting sigils , turned to Tanya.

“Little girl… who were Nicole, Christina, and Hildegart?”

“I don’t know where to place them in my timeline yet… but they were dear friends. I believe I taught them magic. Why?”

“What was the name of that chamber?”

“The Chamber of Secrets. I took the name from a book saga I once read. I don’t remember all seven volumes… but I hope to read them again. It would be amazing to rediscover the tale from beginning to end.”

Then Rosaria remembered picking up a tiny baby outfit from the pile and raised an eyebrow.

“Does the name Tasha ring a bell?”

“I always name a little person that. Why?”

Rosaria and Calvin exchanged a stunned glance. The nun whispered into Eula’s ear as she left the room.

“Only for this time… we forgive you.” Then she shouted, “Everyone, move on!”

Eula suddenly made the connection: Five hundred years ago… the saint descended into the Abyss. And she had baby clothes stored? (shit)

Her eyes shot back to Tanya, who was now quietly musing over the name of the books she wanted to find.

“The Philosopher’s Stone… The Chamber of Secrets… hmm…”

Tanya thought to herself, I always took precautions. I hope I didn’t fall back into hoarding again. I always had a gift ready. Can I choose the name Tasha for a child this time; my twin, Lotte…? My head…

“Tanya, are you okay?”

“I’m trying to remember something… but my head hurts.”

“No, stop. You’re only making it worse. Think about what you want to do in the immediate future.”

“First, we need to buy a truffle and take Hachiko to the forest.”

“Okay, what else?”

“I need to speak with the chief of your clan. He must have some unused land we can borrow.”

“…I don’t want to… but fine. I’ll do it. What else?”

“We need to go to the bank.”

“Are you opening an account?”

“I probably already have one. The Northland Bank honors its word, as long as you have the account booklet.”

“Wait; do those last for centuries?”

“As long as the bank does.”

“And what are we doing with all that?”

“Improving life in the city.”

“How does that help the city?”

“There are two ways to stimulate an economy: top-down or bottom-up. Doing so will help with your blessing.”

“Wait; what? When did you do it? I don’t feel anything.”

“By habit. I usually add more spectacle… but this time I did it by reflex. Sorry.”

-Barbara’s Room – Night

Barbara had received permission from the castellan to host a sleepover with the saint. The higher-ups had engaged in a conversation she didn’t fully understand, but everyone seemed relieved by the idea, especially since it came from Seamus’s daughter. After the recent scandal involving the discovery of a secret room, a sleepover between the sisters was the perfect excuse to distract the attention of the saint and grant them some privacy.

For once, the sisters were given quality time together. Until now, the Church had filled the saint’s schedule so thoroughly that she’d barely had a moment to herself. The castellan felt guilty about his younger daughter being isolated for so long, and this break was also a chance to keep her from remembering certain… unnecessary things.

Both sisters looked forward to opening the box Barbara had hidden in her room. When all the lights in the cathedral were turned off and the nuns were finally alone, they got to work.

“Well, what do we have here?” Barbara asked playfully.

“Nothing too exciting, I think,” Tanya replied as she opened the box.

Inside, they found a grimoire, plaques from Liyue, a bank booklet, and a small, well-worn bag.

“I think I’ll give you this fully upgraded version of Sacrificial Fragments. It’ll be useful for you,” Tanya said, handing over the catalyst. “I want to find an artifact set that’ll let us both become battlemages.”

“Yay! You remembered my catalyst collection!” Barbara beamed. “What are the other things?”

“My savings account books and my dimensional bag.”

“Wait; those exist? What’s inside?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I’ve always had a tendency to hoard… and this thing could be filled with just about anything.”

“Like what?”

“Lots of herbs, materials… maybe every kind of item imaginable. It’ll probably take an eternity to sort through.”

“So your savings can be reclaimed using those plaques and bank notes?”

“Yes. But sister, remember this: always keep your money secure. You can give gifts, but never lend. People change when it comes to money. It must be earned, with work.”

“…Can we go eat on the main street? We’ve got a break starting tomorrow.”

“Yes. As many times as we want. When you're handling a country’s money, the numbers are on a completely different scale than for an individual. These accounts might be for emergencies or personal use, but this is definitely adult money. So no, it’s not ‘little.’”

“Still… being invited out by my little sister feels weird. Why don’t we take turns inviting each other? You don’t know much about the city, right? Besides, my job as a healer pays me a bit, since I have a Vision.”

“That’s a good idea. We should take this opportunity to explore and survey the city.”

“…Why do you look sad?”

“I want you and Jean to meet. She was always so heartbroken when she looked at that old picture of you. I always thought you and Father were dead.”

“…So that’s why you always ignored him. I can relate. As for me, I don’t know why, but… I’m terrified of our mother. All I really want is to see Jean.”

(So, there was domestic abuse… haa.) Tanya thought. Then she noticed something tucked between the pages of the grimoire.

“Wait; there’s a letter inside the catalyst.”

“How old could it be?” Barbara asked, eyes wide.

Both sisters leaned in and began to read.

—Letter—

(Dear daughter of the Gunnhildr household,

If you're reading this, it means I succeeded in saving everyone in the nation of freedom.

Inside this room, you'll find various objects once owned by those who could wield light element. If a girl meets the requirements, she may be trained as a substitute saint. But only you can inherit my legacy. Without a saint actively in service to pass on their knowledge, no one can unlock light magic. Some call it the element of light, but even now, this power is strange to me; more like something *imagined than understood.

Within this library, you will find centuries of compiled knowledge. In it lies the truth of this world. And this world is not a fantasy, but a fairytale; one with all the danger that definition implies.

No one truly knows death, yet all believe it to be the worst of evils. For millennia, I’ve sought to break free from the cycle of reincarnation. And from all the time I’ve spent fighting, I’ve learned that the most dangerous enemies are those willing to die in battle. In that sense, I know I will inflict a grievous loss upon that cosmic horror.

I’ve lived many lives in eras of conflict, surviving thanks to the instinct to sense death; a gift that has saved us countless times. But now, I feel a shiver, something sinister beneath everything I stand on. I’ve always hated being in charge, or be the center of attention. I cherished the time when I could sit quietly, reading on a sofa without worrying about tomorrow. But now, you will be alone.

I don’t want others to get the wrong idea of who I was. They glorify me for things I never meant to do, or they worship me in the wrong way. I’ve never been perfect. I have my flaws. Please; don’t live under anyone’s expectations but your own.

As a descendant of a knightly household, you must learn that true valor is in overcoming fear. Never let it paralyze you; use it to stay alive. You will grow up orphaned and raised like a princess, but always be your own person.

For a long time, I lived in denial. I wanted to run and hide from the truth of this world. I resisted the will of the universe. But eventually, I realized: I had never opened up to anyone. I never let anyone into my world. Ours is not the first generation to leave behind only a single heir. You are the reason Mondstadt will survive. You are the reason why every capable hand in Mondstadt will raise a sword to fight.

I am proud to have led this nation; to see it grow from tents and shacks into a home for a civilization, one that became the granary of Teyvat.

Never be afraid to learn from the harshest of lessons, even those in a dictator’s handbook. But do not let power corrupt you. Do not let others cloud your judgment. I’ve already seen it happen to my finest warriors, to nobility that fell. I once believed that if I were their queen, I could prevent it; but I know now, it could have happened to me, too.

If you read this letter within the next seven or eleven years, then I don’t care if I am left stranded, frozen in ice, turned to stone, or reduced to ashes. I will know my existence had meaning, and I can rest in peace.

The people of Mondstadt are the finest I’ve ever known. They don’t care whether they’re men, women, or elderly. Every single one of them will rise to fight, even with sticks and stones, to drive the Abyss from the land of mankind.

To our heiress

Your mother and aunt, as twins, were the happiest women in the world during the few brief moments we got to gaze upon you. We both consider you our daughter. We wish for everyone in this city to love you as deeply as we did.

We will meet again, where the truth lies.)

—After reading the letter

Tanya stared at the page, completely stunned. She had no idea how to process what she'd just read; or why her entire backstory seemed to have shifted overnight.

“Tanya… did you think you’d never come back, five hundred years ago?” Barbara asked softly.

“I think so. It seems they left our great-grandmother orphaned.”

“…Do you think I could use light magic like you?”

“I think so. But I don’t remember anything. In a way… I might be a different saint entirely now. Or maybe I’m just another version. I don’t know anymore. I’m confused as hell.”

“Do you want to move our trip to the center of Mondstadt to tomorrow morning?”

“Yes. I don’t want to think anymore. I feel like there’s a cosmic horror or some terrifying truth about the world hidden away; something I’ve never read or heard about.”

“Every archive in that chamber was erased. Even your legacy; everything meant for the next saint, it’s all gone. They expected someone new to take your place.”

“…But for whatever reason, I came back. So maybe… someday I’ll remember writing that letter.”

Tanya said this while mentally sprinting through every fragment of knowledge she could piece together, the effort giving her a sharp headache.

“Don’t force yourself to remember. The memories will come when the time is right.”

“…I want that outing. Maybe I’ll discover something out there, exploring the city.”

“In exchange,” Barbara grinned, “I want you to teach me light magic.”

“Mmm. Yeah… you’re my sister, and you have a Vision. If I can’t teach you, then no one can.”

—Next Day, Center of Mondstadt

It was a rare coincidence: both Rosaria and Eula had a day off. Their ongoing disagreements and tendency to take work too personally had prompted the castellan to order them to rest. In their place, Sister Annette was assigned to oversee how Barbara would manage taking Tanya out for breakfast along Mondstadt’s main street. After all, if she couldn’t handle caring for her sister, who could? The streets were well-patrolled and safe, making the outing a sound choice.

“I am glad to see you well now, little Tanya,  so you didn’t go out much because your mother and sister were always working. You were always a bookworm and ended up more in the care of the Knights than your family. you felt lonely at home with only your maid, who, coincidentally, is my cousin,” said the blue-haired nun.

“Yes, Anne took care of the Gunnhildr household, but she had to take care of me all of a sudden. I hope I wasn’t too much trouble,” admitted the saint.

“No, quite the opposite. Anne said you were the quietest baby she’d ever seen. You only cried when you needed something. Once you learned to walk, she always found you in the library. You even preferred books in your cradle over toys. Everyone wondered where those traits came from, since your family is full of action-oriented people, and you’re the complete opposite; so delicate.”

“I’m kind of ashamed. So much has happened... it feels like this year alone has lasted a decade.”

“Since your third birthday, it’s been one unfortunate event after another. Now you’re only going to be four and already so well-versed. Isn’t it confusing with all those memories?”

“Almost. I don’t know... they’re just there. I always wanted to learn the sword like Jean, but now it’s almost certain I’ll use a catalyst. So far, I can only provide support.”

“We haven’t touched the subject of elemental energy much. We didn’t want to overwhelm Tanya. So far, she can summon a light shield, a ball of light, and a light technique she calls ‘Hologram.’ She also knows basic healing, so I thought she might come with me to learn stitches. But Father doesn’t want her to see serious cases yet,” Barbara said, almost slipping up and revealing their sibling relationship. She was saved by the arrival of food, for which she quietly thanked Barbatos.

At that moment, Sara, who was tending the Good Hunter, brought the plates to their table.

“Meat-nado for Barbara, Pile ‘Em Up for Annette... sautéed matsutake for... The Saint?!”

The manager-in-training froze, recognizing the little girl everyone saw every weekend morning at church.

“Mom! Why didn’t you tell me?!” Sara cried.

“Sara, you’re under trial by fire. I said not ‘help,’ not ‘guide,’” her mother replied.

“In that, she sounds just like my mom,” Tanya giggled.

“Please don’t curse me for blowing up your cover,” the novice shopkeeper pleaded.

“Oh no, I’m not there yet. It’s easier for me to bless than curse. The amount of energy and karma I’d have to manage is... not even comparable, I think,” Tanya confessed, shaking her head.

“Wait, what? I’m so sorry! As an apology, I’ll gift you a drink; I’ll be right back!” Sara said, rushing off.

Annette took the opportunity to ask more questions.

“So that’s the famous lore bomb that makes all the nuns chuckle and pull funny faces? I’ve been too busy restoring relics to witness it myself.”

“No, the Saint needs to go out and socialize more. She’s always been cooped up and socially clumsy. That’s one reason the castellan made us all take time off; so we could have a little vacation,” Barbara explained.

“I see. The result of all those classes. Don’t you want to take a stroll around the city? Get some fresh air, maybe jog a few memories? I’m a history geek myself, and I’m only great with crafts,” said Annette.

“I think calling what you do ‘crafts’ is too humble. You can restore artworks and build amazing things,” Tanya said.

“So Anne told you, huh? Thanks. You two remind me of how we cousins were as kids,” said Annette warmly.

The trio continued chatting while enjoying breakfast. The rest of the patrons gave them space, remembering the tragic events that brought the Saint into the church’s care. Seeing her now a sweet, smiling girl, soothed Annette's heart; after all, she was there when tanya awoke from a coma.

“I’ll get the bill. Barbara, you can go make your withdrawal at the Northland Bank with Tanya. That way, you can also get Katherine to explain things to her,” Annette suggested.

“Are you sure?” Barbara asked.

“We’re on the main street, and you have a Vision. If I didn’t trust your maturity and responsibility, I wouldn’t entrust the Saint to you. Besides, this will be quick.”

Once they finished their meal, Annette formally passed guardianship to Barbara, who took Tanya down the street to the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Welcome to the Adventurers’ Guild. My name is Katherine,” greeted a beautiful black-haired receptionist.

“Whoa! An automaton?!” Tanya exclaimed.

“Eh? What?” Barbara blinked.

“You’re very perceptive. Not everyone notices on their first visit. I am indeed a Snezhnayan doll. This allows the Guild to operate 24/7,” Katherine replied.

“I always thought you were human... all those years... I feel silly,” Barbara said, embarrassed.

“Happens all the time. So, what can I help you with today? Bank withdrawal? Mission request? Registration?”

“We came to reclaim a bank account under Norm 1138,” Tanya said, handing over an old banking booklet. She was so small that Barbara had to lift her up to the counter.

“This is a very old bank book. I’ll need to contact Central and verify some security questions. This account has been inactive since before the Northland Bank was named as such.”

Both sisters exchanged glances. (Wait, that’s it? So easy?)

“Your lucky number?”

“Eleven.”

“Favorite color?”

“Silver.”

“Name of your best friend?”

“Visha.”

“Favorite poem?”

“Le rêve est l’avenir du passé.”

“In what do you have faith?”

“In the laws of liberty and free market principles.”

Barbara stared at her, stunned, and dropped her.

“Tanya? What the heck?”

“I needed something personal and obvious. Besides, Barbatos agreed to uphold freedom above all else when he ascended to archon hood.”

“In that case... yeah, you have a point,” Barbara admitted.

A hidden mechanism clicked. A small footstool rose from the floor to help Tanya reach the counter.

“Ready. Welcome back, Tanya Von Degurechaff. To finish syncing your account, you must register as an adventurer. Your identification will function as a debit card, and your booklet remains your contract proof. Store it safely in case of another prolonged absence,” Katherine explained, handing her an inscription form.

Barbara, hearing the name "Degurechaff," was visibly shaken; she may heard that name before but from where?

Just then, Sister Annette returned.

“Oh, such a dependable onee-san, helping her open a bank account; wait, why is the Saint registering as an adventurer?” she asked, peeking over Barbara’s shoulder.

“As part of a race or entity with a prolonged lifespan, special-grade individuals must register as adventurers when opening a bank account. Her ID will require a drop of blood. Since she reincarnates, she’ll always have different DNA , and identity each time. This rule also applies to Adepti in Liyue,” explained Katherine.

“So that’s why she needs so many forms. Do you need an adult?” Annette asked.

“Estimated age: over 2,500 years. Guardian not required since 2,480 years ago,” Katherine stated.

Annette turned to Barbara. “Don’t tell me she’s filling all of those herself?”

“She writes as neatly as my father. Maybe in another life, she did a lot of paperwork. Even her handwriting looks formal,” Barbara replied.

Katherine continued explaining the rules and obligations of the Guild, the ranking system, and how each branch was a subsidiary of the Northland Bank.

“To finish registration, you must complete a mission. Any difficulty will suffice,” she said, handing Tanya a list of low-ranked tasks.

Tanya scanned them quickly and chose the one with the least difficulty and reward.

“I’ll take this one,” she said.

The mission in question was one in Mondstadt involving the retrieval of several cats.

From Tanya’s perspective, this break was the best she’d had in a very long time. Everything was going perfectly. Barbara had supported her plans, and the nun Annette, assigned as her chaperone, believed they were cousins instead of sisters due to Tanya's relative being a maid for the Gunnhildr family. This gave Tanya plenty of freedom. She even managed to reclaim her bank account. Best of all, she was strolling around the city playing a game of cat-catching.

Tanya had an innate knack for locating cats. For some strange reason, every time she took an odd alleyway, climbed somewhere, or crouched beneath something, she ended up finding them. Her methods were erratic and seemingly senseless, but they worked. Eventually, the cats would give up when cornered, flopping on their backs and showing their bellies in submission.

The first to fall was Night Pilot, a cat with black on its back and a white undercoat, resting in a watchtower. The second was Little Rose, a white cat who had wandered off to visit another household's feline. Third came Finnick, a yellow, tiger-striped cat dozing among dandelions with a view of the sea. Baobab, a gray cat, was sunbathing on a garden bench. Sneku, a northern breed and the most troublesome of the bunch, was hiding in the bushes.

When Tanya returned, followed by the cats, the restaurant owner, Margaret, was surprised to see the rumored saint arriving with all of them at once.

"Thank you so much. This mission doesn’t get picked often, especially since my restaurant isn’t earning much these days. I thought only novices would attempt it, but then the saint shows up, for only a hundred mora!"

"But isn’t your place in the center of the city? That’s a prime location," Tanya replied.

"I fear I only opened it because I couldn’t find another job. I know nothing about running a business... I just barely break even or often in the red."

"You have so many young cats. Why not turn it into a themed cat café?"

"A what?"

"A café where guests can enjoy the company of pets they might not be able to have at home. You can add games, signature food..."

"I don’t know how a saint knows about such things, but a blessing might help my luck."

"Mmm, your menu has too much variety. You need fewer items to simplify, and unique ones to attract. Have a specialty and make your drinks something people can’t replicate easily."

"Wait, Prince is missing. We need to find him!" said Barbara.

"What color is he?" Tanya asked.

"Completely black. Very smart. Don’t run off; wait for your chaperone."

Tanya dropped a stick on the ground. It gave her an idea of the direction to go. With a cheerful smile, she waved goodbye and set off to continue her cat-hunting.

"I think I know where he is. He must be near a fountain!"

At the main street fountain, there was no sign of the cat; not in the market, nor by the alchemy bench. That left only the one near the abandoned hotel.

"Tanya, we shouldn’t be here. We should have waited," Barbara warned.

"But the cat is inside," Tanya insisted.

"Annette hasn’t caught up with us," Barbara said uneasily.

"Oh, poor thing... he’s trembling," Tanya said softly, reaching for the cat.

But just then, with her hands full, a group of Treasure Hoarders appeared out of nowhere. They grabbed her, kidnapping her.

(Shit, this close I can’t activate my shield... I hate being a support. I need to practice offensive magic and become a DPS.)

"What do we have here? A noble child. We can ransom her," one sneered.

"This was supposed to be our treasure day! If we cause a scene, we can’t come back, boss!"

"We’ve been searching all day. The construction workers’ll be here soon. No time left anyway."

"Oh, another one! We are lucky!"

They turned to Barbara.

"I won’t let you take the saint!" she yelled.

"Jackpot, boys! Let’s slap a slave choker on the saint!"

A battle erupted inside the building. Barbara summoned water from thin air, flinging it at the attackers.

"Shit, she’s got a Vision!"

"Water element? Weak! Kill her!"

Barbara struggled. She had little combat experience. But after a lot of sharp strikes, she stopped forming new water and instead used what water was already present; whips of liquid lashing at the hoarders.

They were strong. She couldn’t bring them down, only keep them at bay. So she shifted tactics, trapping the heads of two attackers in water that she hide on the ceiling, suffocating them. The last hoarder, holding Tanya, drew a knife and pressed it to her neck.

"Not another move! Drop your Vision or I’ll slit her throat. Do you really want everyone to wait centuries for the saint to reincarnate?"

The others laughed as Barbara hesitated.

"Damn, I was almost done!"

"Ha! That dumb bitch actually dropped her Vision!"

The leader sneered.

"We will have fun, even when you grow up, little saint. Would your children be special too?"

Tanya's eyes widened in terror. Her fear of men already paralyzed her, but now this... this was too much.

Barbara snapped. For the first time in her life, she wanted to hurt someone.

"May Lord Barbatos forgive you... because I’m sending you all to heaven."

Her Vision lifted from the floor and began to glow. A new power awakened. She was no longer manipulating external water; she was manipulating the water inside their bodies.

Their fingers twisted unnaturally. The bandits screamed.

"I can’t move!"

"She’s a witch!"

"My fingers! My hands!"

Barbara moved them like puppets, then hurled them into a wall, breaking it. Light from the nearby fountain streamed into the building.

Shaking, Barbara ran to her sister and embraced her.

"I’m sorry... I swore never to kill. But that vow almost cost your life."

Tanya, still holding the cat, replied:

"You never made a vow about not kicking asses. That was amazing. I was paralyzed. I should’ve activated my shield or done something, but I just... froze."

"Is it because of your fear of men?"

"I’m okay with the knights... but the malice in those Hoarders... it gave me goosebumps. And I just—"

"Don’t apologize. You’re still so young. You’re not even four yet. I saved your life just yesterday, remember? You don’t have to grow up all at once."

"I know; That’s why I call you onee-chan."

Just then, voices echoed nearby.

"Hertha, Belinda, check inside! Freda and I have the back!"

Two female knights rushed in.

"Hey, that’s Jean’s sister!" one of them said.

"Hello girls! You two did that? Good job! It took us a while to deal with the back."

They led the girls outside while Freda and Annette dragged the unconscious bandits out front.

Annette, kind as ever, didn’t scold them.

"I know they were bad guys, but... wasn’t stepping on them a bit much?"

Barbara blinked, then looked down.

"Oh; sorry. Didn’t notice I was stepping on garbage."

Everyone present was female. They all silently agreed: yeah, those guys were garbage.

While the older girls chatted, they commented:

"See, Freda? Told you Barbara has that big-sister aura."

"Annette, we should’ve called for reinforcements..."

"We didn’t have time. These girls were running around all over the city."

"Then it's settled. We can’t leave this place as a hideout. The hotel’s coming down."

Tanya asked, "Wasn’t this building scheduled for remodeling?"

Annette turned serious.

"Do you feel sorry? Because it’s your fault this historic spot’s going to be demolished."

"Yes... I think I was really careless today."

"Not just careless; foolish. When I saw you go in, I called for backup right away. But the hoarders pounced on us. They were strong. You delivered the final blow, but it was reckless. Other kids wouldn’t be so lucky. You’re special; you can’t be replaced. You can’t just have adventures whenever you want like some spoiled child."

Tanya’s eyes watered, but she didn’t cry.

"Just give me one night. With the materials meant for the remodeling and a magic circle, I can rebuild the hotel."

Annette looked skeptical. But Barbara stepped in.

"Annette, let her try. Tanya froze in fear. I was the one who took them down."

Freda examined the bandits’ injuries.

"Annette, she’s right. They’re not bruised; they’re dislocated all over. Whatever Barbara did... it was so brutal they had no chance. If she not a healer, they might have died from internal injuries."

Annette rubbed her temples.

"Old Ludwig Goth is a fan of the saint. Like most old folks in the city. I’ll see if he can pull some strings and get the materials."

-That night in Mondstadt, in front of the Goth Hotel

Knights of Favonius and church personnel stood in formation, prepared to witness what would become the first of many miracles attributed to the Saint. A large crowd had gathered to watch. The hotel was situated just below the stairs that led to the Knights' headquarters, and feeling responsible for the incident that had occurred there, the Knights began posting guards and helping with the logistics to transport the necessary construction materials.

The Church, on the other hand, was furious. The Saint, who was supposed to be enjoying a break, had gotten herself into trouble by "playing around." Tanya petitioned Cardinal Calvin for permission to restore the site, but he initially refused until he witnessed the Saint tearfully opening the Castellan’s office. That display swayed both, and the authorities of the church petted her head and agreed, now the preparations were finally set into motion.

Tanya was closely guarded as she examined a sigil embedded in the cornerstone of the old building. She arranged magic circles using mystic enhancement ore throughout the area and scribbled her final touches on a scroll. With a clock to track the time and an astrolabe to align the stars, she completed the final drawing of symbols on the ground outside the building. Dressed in her shrine maiden attire and holding a ceremonial staff, Tanya stood before the crowd. Torches surrounded the fountain, casting a solemn glow as she began to chant, stepping gracefully in a sacred pattern:

(Clock, please don’t mark the hours,

For I am losing my mind.

She is forever leaving me,

When dawn eventually comes.

We only have this night

To live our love,

And your tic-tac reminds me

Of an irremediable pain.

Clock, stop your ticking,

For my life is slipping away.

She is the star that lights my being,

And without her love, I am nothing.

Stop time in your arms

Let this night last forever,

So she never leaves me,

So dawn never comes...)

The scene that followed was unlike anything anyone had witnessed. The torches ignited into pillars of flame. The fountain’s water rose and spun in spiraling orbs. The stars above shifted in reverse, trailing light like comets. The construction materials began to dissolve into golden dust that flowed into the decaying building. Piece by piece, the hotel was rebuilt; its windows, walls, and cracks all mended until the old structure vanished completely.

In its place stood a magnificent hotel.

It looked exactly as Ludwig Goth remembered from old portraits, perhaps even grander than what his ancestors had described. The Grand Goth Hotel, a gem of Mondstadt's past, had been restored in a single night.

Overcome with emotion, Ludwig knelt and began to pray.

“For Barbatos… I thought it better to demolish this den of criminals after what happened. But instead, you’ve gifted the city a relic of its history. I had prepared for months of restoration, but you did the work of a hundred men in one night. How can I possibly thank you enough for bringing back a piece of my grandfather’s legacy now that I’m so old?”

Tanya frowned at the gesture.

“I don’t like being idolized. If you need to pray, do it for Barbatos. Don’t kneel. Just read this note and tell me if the conditions seem acceptable.”

The old man stood, took the offered page, and after reading, nodded thoughtfully.

“The elders of the city pulled strings to gather the materials once we caught wind of your plans. But these terms… they're very specific. I doubt anyone could profit under such unlikely conditions, but if they somehow did, it could be a win-win. Co-ownership seems fair. After all, you saved us a fortune with your miracle.”

As the people of Mondstadt knelt to offer prayers to Barbatos, the Knights of Favonius formed an honor guard, lifting their swords overhead to make a ceremonial path for the Saint.

(Aah… the things I have to do just to make good money.  And now I’m a shrine maiden.)

Chapter Text

This long chapter in two parts is dedicated to our favorite redditor Failninjaninja

Chapter 4; If I could reach your star

-Another day  in Mondstadt – Residence of the Lawrence Clan

Eula had returned to the last place anyone expected her to. For all intents and purposes, she had been expelled from her clan; disinherited, cast out. And yet, here she was, granted entry once more, not for who she was, but for the one she was guarding: the Saint.

Her cousin Lessig awaited them at the entrance, now serving as adjutant to the patriarch.

“Greetings, cousin. This way,” he said politely.

“So you’re doing this now?” Eula asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You were supposed to be the maid. But you ran away. Normally, no one would ever hear from you again. But since you brought the Saint with you… Well, the letter caught the patriarch’s attention. So now, we’re willing to listen to what she has to say.”

“So if not for my work,” Eula said bitterly, “you would never have said a word to me?”

“I’m afraid that’s the truth.”

The path through the vicinity felt strange, like walking into a forgotten dream. When they arrived at the main chamber, a vast hall that looked more like the final room before a battle with a final boss, the patriarch stood waiting.

“Do you come seeking mercy?” he asked. “Or to apologize for all your mistakes, daughter of our blood?”

“I come as a humble servant of the Saint,” Eula replied. “No knight, no noble; just someone hoping to restore a little honor to a forgotten lineage.”

“Normally, we would never allow an apostate into our home. But since you brought the Saint with you… hand her over, and we might consider settling our score.”

At that moment, the Saint stepped forward.

“Venerable patriarch,” she said gently, “I’ve come to thank you, and to finish my task. I submit to your judgment if you so wish, but I ask that you let me first fulfill the promises I made.”

“What are you talking about?” the patriarch said sharply. “You only remember the founding of Mondstadt. If you knew the full truth, you’d have no sympathy for us. What are you hiding?”

“I currently remember only as far back as the Age of Kings,” the Saint answered. “But looking at you now… I remember Edward. You’re the spitting image of him. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“You’re speaking of someone from two and a half thousand years ago?”

“Back then, the Lawrences weren’t just hunters. You were my best outriders; my most dependable agents. That’s why I entrusted you with so much. But I never returned… and the whole system we built fell apart.”

“Little girl,” the patriarch said darkly, “it was Landrich and Barca who murdered your parents a thousand years ago. Why are you still trying to help us? No one has faith in our clan anymore. Youngsters like Eula are throwing away our customs.”

“I don’t remember those events yet,” she admitted. “But I know this: my mistakes led Mondstadt to lose a precious asset. There’s now a void where explorers once thrived. It’s so large, we’re left with a single old man as the only outrider. Once, every one of you could outfly, outfight, and outlast anyone. You glided the skies and wielded lances better than any swordsman ever could.”

“You speak of an age of foundation and hard work,” the patriarch said bitterly, “but you don’t remember how you abandoned us. Suddenly, you returned every five hundred years, expecting us to obey your will. Do you even remember poor Thomas? His sacrifice was forgotten.”

“I fear I don’t know who he was,” the Saint said softly, “but if he’s still remembered after all this time, then surely… he was a hero.”

“Little Saint,” the patriarch said after a pause, “how confident are you in this proposal you’ve written?”

“I don’t know how many seasons it will take,” she replied. “But I’m certain that, given time, we can rehabilitate your clan’s wasted land.”

“And in the meantime, the land will be rented by you?”

“Yes. And the needy will be the ones working it.”

“It’s not much,” he mused, “but any income from otherwise discarded land would be welcome.”

“I’m glad,” said the Saint. “This technique could increase food production to the point where we would be exporting surplus to other nations.”

“So… everything the cataclysm destroyed might finally be rebuilt... Little girl, take some time in the garden. I’d like a word with our relative.”

As Eula started to protest, Tanya gently stepped aside and bowed.

“Lessig,” said the patriarch, “escort the Saint to the garden. Let her speak with our people.”

Eula turned to her cousin. “Cousin… I know you’re a good man. Don’t follow the lead of others like a sheep.”

“Don’t worry,” Lessig replied. “The whole clan is curious about the image this time-traveling Saint has of us. Tales of an age when nobility fought with bows and lances… they will be entertaining.”

And with that, he led Tanya to the garden for a quiet tea party beneath the old trees.

Then, the patriarch turned to Eula, voice heavy with memory.

“This is not the right moment for that sweet child to hear a sad story. You may tell her the deal is closed. She can borrow our land for her experiment.”

“Why do you listen to the Saint,” Eula asked, “but not the people of the city?”

“Because all of Mondstadt owes her a great debt. She’s the only one who’s ever paid attention to us. She’s the only one who still has faith in us; even though we wronged her.”

“…What happened to her that no one knows about?”

“That,” the patriarch said, “was a part of history never revealed by the Church. And I fear… our clan may be the only ones who still remember it.”

-Five Hundred Years Ago — Cathedral of Mondstadt, Aftermath of the Cataclysm

A heated debate raged among Mondstadt’s highest authorities. The nation, once the granary of Teyvat, lay in ruins. The Abyss had swept across the land, leaving scorched earth in its wake. Entire villages were erased from the map. A few scattered settlements remained, but they would soon be abandoned; they couldn’t be protected. Compared to what it once was, Mondstadt was shattered.

They had lost so many people. The backbone of their armed forces was decimated. Only a fraction of the Knights remained, most of them permanently wounded. Every citizen who could lift a sword had done so. Even the city walls had fallen. A breach in the defenses had only been held by the sacrifice of the Gunnhildr clan, whose estate had been demolished to create a makeshift barricade. Half the city had burned. The protective magical barrier was gone. And all that was left… was a single orphaned infant.

“Who is the father?” someone asked.

“Does it even matter? Both twins are dead.”

“We have two names, but only one girl.”

“Was the other sister pregnant too?”

“To honor her, her funeral will take place shortly. It would be disrespectful to defile her remains.”

“Then where did this baby come from?”

“Whose child is she?”

“No one knows. The twins always traded places to keep hidden which of them was the true Saint.”

“The substitute Saint maintained the barrier at the cost of her life.”

“And the other,,, the one who descended into the Abyss… she was the true Saint. But which one was she? Lotte… or Tanya?”

“Is there anyone from the Gunnhildr clan who can answer?”

“Gentlemen,” one man said solemnly, “we’ve just received word, the last Knight of the Gunnhildr line succumbed to Abyssal corrosion. This baby is all that remains of their bloodline.”

“Rostam! He was the childhood friend of the twins, he would know if the baby's name is Tania… or Tasha.”

“Gentlemen,”  another voice interrupted. “Grand Master Arundolyn has confirmed it. The punitive expedition to Khaenri’ah claimed many of our best. Rostam was among them.”

“Both twins maintained the barrier. This child could be trained in the ways of a Saint. If she manifests a Vision, we may yet rebuild.”

“Without a current wielder of Light Magic to guide her, you’re talking about forcing a helpless infant into a life of brutal trials, with no guarantee of success.”

At that moment, Thomas Lawrence, the famed outrider, stepped forward and took the baby into his arms.

“What are you doing, Lawrence?” one of the elders demanded.

“This baby deserves a family. Not a prison. She must be raised with love, not shackled to duty.”

“would you risk the hegemony of an entire nation for the sake of one child?”

“Yes,” Thomas said simply. “She is innocent. Her path should be hers to choose, when she’s ready. She will not be chained by your expectations.”

The room grew silent. Then, one by one, the elders drew their weapons.

“You will not leave this room alive.”

“I know,” he replied, eyes steady. “But the Saint will return. And I won’t let her find that you’ve become the monsters she once trusted, like my clan. Not again. I’ll protect this child, even if it costs me everything.”

“You fool,” one of them spat. “No Lawrence will ever be welcomed in Mondstadt again. Everything you’ve worked for; every effort to redeem your clan, will be thrown away. You’ll die like the scum you are.”

Thomas smiled faintly. “Nah. I win.”

In a blaze of motion, Thomas Lawrence fought them all; clerics, guards, scribes, and nobles. He held nothing back. When the dust settled, the floor was littered with the fallen. Bloodied but alive, Thomas escaped with the baby in his arms.

He reached the home where the Saint and her twin had once lived. A maid opened the door in stunned silence.

“Federica,” he said breathlessly, “I have something to give you.”

“Thomas? What on earth… where did you get her?”

“Look at her eyes.”

In the shifting light, the baby's irises shimmered, changing color ever so subtly.

“…Wait. Is she…?”

“Yes. The last of the Gunnhildrs. But no one knows if she’s truly the Saint’s daughter.”

“How do we protect her? Only the women of the house remain…”

“I’ll go. I’ll seek help; from the Imunlaukr and the Ragnvindrs.”

“Wait, Thomas, you’ve made powerful enemies. They’ll never give you peace. What about… us? What about our wedding?”

“I know,” he whispered. “I wanted to lead the Lawrence´s. But now… I have to disappear. Forever.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

Then came the barking of hounds the guards had been released a lot of noise was heard. No time to waste. Thomas did what he did best.

He flew, gliding.

Gliding into the night, disappearing into the wind, Thomas Lawrence vanished from Mondstadt. Word spread quickly: only a single baby had survived, the last legacy of a great and noble clan. No one knew her true parentage. But her name… her name honored the Saint’s sacrifice.

Thomas Lawrence was declared a traitor. A bounty was placed on his head, dead or alive. Stripped of honor, chased across the border into Liyue, his tracks finally vanished somewhere in direction to Fontaine.

-Back at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters

“So… they admonished you. I don’t care.”

Frederica Gunnhildr stood firm, arms crossed. “You chose well. Now it’s my turn to take care of my daughter while she’s here. Give me your report.”

Eula Lawrence gave her debrief. As the final words left her mouth, Frederica slammed her fist onto the desk with such force that it split clean in two.

“No, no, no!” she cried. “Why does my daughter have to suffer like this?!”

“So it’s true?” Eula asked quietly. “The things found in the cathedral… the words of the Patriarch?”

Both women turned pale.

Frederica’s breath quickened, her composure cracking as tears filled her eyes. She took several minutes to calm herself before she could speak again.

“The reason I named my youngest Tanya… it was because she was meant to be my last. The name came from the only surviving child of our mainline during the Cataclysm, Tania. Five hundred years ago, everything was lost: homes, fortune,But not people… Tania survived only a baby.”

She paused, her voice softening. “She grew into a brilliant librarian. She salvaged countless texts, rewrote many from oral tales, and even resorted to… less honorable means to acquire others. She stole any book that crossed her path if it was in danger of being lost. That’s why our libraries today are so vast. We owe them to her. That’s why I chose her name for my Tanya.”

Eula’s eyes widened. “So that Tania… is her Tasha? She’s her own great-grandmother?”

“It’s possible. It was long rumored that Tania spent her life searching for records of the Saint. But she never found them. And now it seems we’re all descended from her, myself included… and by extension, my daughters.”

Frederica suddenly gripped Eula by the shoulders.

“How much does she remember? Tell me.”

“Nothing from five hundred or a thousand years ago. Her memories are blocked somehow. She has feelings… impressions… but no clear recollections. When she tries to remember, she gets terrible migraines. The Church acquired an object from the Singularity in musk reef; a simple rock, and even that gave her a flu. Just holding it.”

“What?! Who had the brilliant idea of exposing her to that?”

“Sister Vind,” Eula admitted. “She wanted to make sure Tanya didn’t run off to awaken the dragon until she was older. The lesson… worked. It scared the Saint enough to slow down.”

“But now my daughter is working all over the region. Who set that plan in motion?”

“No one but the Saint herself. Just like with the wolf spirit… Tanya kept saying strange things. Something about ‘weaving destiny.’”

-Knights of Favonius Training Grounds

On the sunlit edge of the training fields, Jean helped her little sister, Tanya, train her dog Hachiko, a loyal companion she had brought back from Wolvendom. At first, Jean had only shown the girl a few basic steps. Now, the Saint of Mondstadt was guiding her dog through feats so impressive, even veteran hounds couldn’t compare.

Private Diluc chatted nearby with Jean, while his brother Kaeya set up a playful training circuit in the open yard. Tanya and Hachiko were darting around it together, laughter bubbling from the girl as the dog eagerly followed her every gesture.

“Aren’t you being a little too modest?” Diluc asked, arms crossed, raising a brow. “You’re clearly a gifted teacher.”

“It wasn’t me,” Jean replied, smiling with a touch of pride. “She invented everything on her own.”

“Wait; tracking is expected. But identifying illicit substances?”

Jean nodded, as if even she didn’t quite believe it. “She taught the dog by herself. The Grand Master gave her the samples as a reward for passing her exams. I just supervised. Honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

“How in Celestia’s name did she convince him? The old man’s as stubborn as they come.”

“She started with something simple: tobacco. Had Hachiko sniff it out and found his cache. It made him laugh so hard he gave her permission to continue.”

Diluc chuckled. “And the thing about using a sandbox for the bathroom and asking for a permit?”

“All her idea.”

“Fetching the newspaper?”

“She taught him that, too.”

“So what did you teach her?”

“‘Give a paw.’ ‘Sit.’ ‘Roll over.’ ‘Crouch.’ That’s it. After that… my little sister managed to put all of us to shame.”

Diluc turned his gaze toward the training circuit, watching Tanya direct Hachiko through it with precision and joy.

“What’s she working on now?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Jean said, squinting. “She said she wanted to teach him to complete a kind of obstacle course.”

“Is that some sort of noble pastime from the Age of Nobility?”

“Maybe,” Jean admitted. “She doesn’t seem like the sister I used to know. She’s… different now. She says and does the strangest things.”

Diluc gave her a sideways glance. “You sure? Look at her. She’s just a happy little girl playing with her dog. I can’t believe she’s the same legendary figure people are whispering about.”

“You didn’t see her at the cathedral when she awakened,” Jean replied, lowering her voice. “She had wings… a halo… everything. It was overwhelming.”

“I saw her sing at the church,” Diluc offered, “and honestly, she didn’t seem much different than the Deaconess, other than a few impressive magic tricks.”

Jean was quiet.

Diluc nudged her shoulder gently. “Aren’t you being a bit hard on yourself? You still feel guilty, don’t you?”

Jean didn’t answer at first.

“You never say no to her,” Diluc added. “That says more than anything.”

– Next Day, Springvale

Jean was accompanying Tanya as she took her dog for a walk. Strangely, this outing had to be done in the forest surrounding the settlement. On their way to the village, they heard two girls arguing.

“I cannot say that, Siegfrina—”

“Marla, you have a crush on that boy Marvin! You need to act!”

“But our families are so different...”

Jean thought it was a bother for an unlucky girl like her to overhear love chit-chat, but while she was pondering that, her sister—of all people—decided to join the conversation.

“I can help with that,” said the little girl.

“How cute, are you two sisters?” the pair of girls exclaimed.

“Tanya, you don’t have to get involved in other people’s matters,” said her bodyguard sternly.

“Onee-chan, it’s my duty as the Saint to make sure people are happy.”

“Wait—the Saint? What are you doing here?” the chestnut-haired and blonde village girls asked, stunned.

“I need help with an experiment, and also with finding someone suitable to take my dog for a walk. Obviously, my dog is so smart he’ll pay you for your services.”

“Wait, what?”

“Don’t believe me? Why don’t we take a stroll, and I’ll show you.”

“You have a knight as an escort, so you must be the real one.”

“Obviously. How about I show you my halo?”

At that moment, Tanya revealed her golden halo floating above her head, making her already angelic appearance even more divine.

“Okay, show us the way!”

In the middle of the forest, Tanya pulled something out of her pocket, a rare and expensive truffle she had stolen from the kitchen.

“Tanya, where the heck did you get that?” Jean asked, glancing around in horror to make sure no one saw the stolen item.

“Don’t worry, we’ll replace it with something even better. Hachiko, I want you to find something similar to this.”

Tanya let the dog sniff the truffle. He barked excitedly.

“Wah!”

In just a few moments, Hachiko found a bigger truffle beneath a tree.

“Incredible, and the dog didn’t even eat it!” said Siegfrina.

“So that’s what you meant about the dog paying for his walks,” said Marla, impressed.

“Mmm, we’ll keep searching,” commanded Tanya.

“Wait, are you going to leave that truffle here?” Jean asked in disbelief.

“This one’s no good to me. We need to find a special one. You can keep it and prepare a dish for Diluc,” Tanya added, dropping a bomb that made Jean blush.

“Wait, he’s my superior! I’m just the girl he trained before! We’re not like that!” she protested, flustered.

The two village girls looked into her eyes and said, “There’s no way.”

Soon, as they reached the third tree, the topic was forgotten, everyone gasped.

“Bingo!”

“Impossible!” the three girls shouted at once.

Hachiko had found another white truffle beneath a Sunsetia tree. Tanya began to instruct the girls.

“Loosen the dirt just a little to identify it. Insert the stick underneath, don’t push or pluck, just pull gently. It’ll make a little pop, and then you can pick it up. Only take one and don’t return to this tree until next month. If you don’t find white ones, take the black. There’s no rush, there are plenty for everyone. But remember: don’t fill entire baskets or bags with them. If you do, people will get suspicious.”

“(^-^)” The three girls were speechless.

“How much does a matsutake cost?” asked Marla.

“Three hundred mora,” answered Jean.

“And a white truffle?” Siegfrina asked.

“You don’t even want to know how much a regular black truffle costs,” said Jean, her tone serious.

Everyone turned to Tanya with suspicion, and asked in unison:

“How the heck did you know this was here?”

“Because I seeded them all over Mondstadt. Am I not amazing?” the Saint said, proudly puffing her chest.

“Wasn’t it common knowledge that truffles are found by adventurers or hunters?” asked one of the village girls.

“How long ago was this?” Jean asked, realizing that her little sister’s memories from past lives were still influencing her.

“Hmm, I think... back when I got tired of eating rabbit. I don’t remember exactly. Maybe that’s why there are so many boars around here?”

“Wait, you did that because you got tired of eating rabbit? That’s why you don’t like it now? That must’ve been just after Decarabian was defeated, when you founded the city!” Jean exclaimed.

“…”

Marla and Siegfrina began doing calculations in the dirt with a stick.

“Let’s see, boars have a couple of piglets, three to six per pregnancy. If two survive and multiply for two thousand years…”

“Well, you two have good heads on your shoulders,” Tanya said, amused by their effort.

“What the heck, that’s a lot of boars,” said Marla.

“How many truffles would be consumed over the years? The exponential value is insane! Those are just too many digits!” said Siegfrina, overwhelmed.

“There’s no abacus that can calculate the exact number! It’d be easier to count how many trees are in Mondstadt!” both girls cried out, clutching their heads in mental agony.

Jean stepped in to clarify.

“A female boar can start having piglets in her first year, and give birth for three consecutive years, about six piglets at a time. So we get twelve little pigs a year. That kind of reproduction would lead to 10^845 in just a thousand years. But that number isn’t realistic. You have to factor in mortality rates. In the end, you’d need to use this formula”

Jean began drawing a complex equation in the dirt, something Tanya had learned from a colleague economist. Tanya was stunned, seeing how smart her sister really was.

“Wah, you have a smart older sister!” said the village girls.

“I know, right? My sister is cool,” Tanya beamed proudly.

“Now it’s our revenge!” declared the pair, resuming their calculations with Jean’s data.

“Let’s calculate the space required for a mature tree, subtract the space used by the population and mountains…”

“There are still a lot of trees left, but even if not all of them grow truffles, that would still be a lot,” the duo concluded.

But Jean corrected them again, giving a more precise figure.

“I think this is a closer approximation. But you also need to account for animals constantly moving around, eating and scattering the truffles throughout the ecosystem.”

She drew another equation.

“Even if Tanya planted only a hundred trees a thousand years ago to simplyfy, and we assume ten percent never produce truffles, and the rest produce for forty years, not all at the same time, the expected yield looks like this…”

Witnessing the complex formula filled with mathematical symbols, repeating equations Tanya hadn’t seen in a long time, the saint turned to her sister and said,

“Are you sure you’re the daughter of our mother?”

Tanya was beginning to realize that Jean was far better as a manager and thinker than with a sword.

“It’s because you’ve been holed up in the library that our mother doesn’t know how to handle your education. And now, with your powers, she can’t see where the gaps are. Your education needs to cover not only what mine did, but also what the Church requires. You acing everything doesn’t help one bit.”

“Mmm. Are you going to give me etiquette lessons?”

“Of course. You’ll be a diplomat, raised to the level of a princess. Do you think our mother is all brute force? What you did to the entire ecosystem was way too much. When she hears about it, she’ll definitely make you do more girly stuff. You're strangely a tomboy for someone who keeps coming back as a saint.”

Jean shook her head, realizing the 4D chess move her sister had pulled two and a half thousand years ago. If Tanya had done all this just for something to eat, then she had surely done the unthinkable.

“You two get along well,” commented the village girls, seeing Jean playfully messing with her little sister’s hair.

“You can tell we’re sisters because when the sun sets, our eyes turn violet under the right light,” said Tanya, using the moment to slip away from Jean’s grasp.

“Now that I think about it… you could be our own great-grandmother,” Jean mused, shaking her head as she recovered from Tanya’s jab.

“Oh, come on. I don’t think that’s possible. I’m sure I’ve never married,” Tanya said, combing her hair.

When the two village girls realized the saint was not only a reincarnation but possibly an ancestral being, they dropped to their knees.

“Oh great saint, free us from all evils,” they prayed.

“If you two stop praying, I’ll give you what I promised. Deal?” Tanya said quickly, not wanting to be worshiped.

Instantly, the girls fell silent.

“So, this girl Marla has a crush on a boy named Marvin, right?” said Jean, not forgetting the previous chatter.

“Those two live in Springvale and want to win over a boy who lives…?” asked Tanya.

“In the city,” said Marla, her voice full of hope.

As the four girls walked back to the village, they spoke more freely.

“But she can’t stop living in Springvale,” Siegfrina explained.

“Then why not have Siegfrina collect the truffles and Marla sell them?” suggested Tanya.

“That could work… but wouldn’t it make people suspicious in the long run?” asked Jean.

“Not if we control the whole supply on purpose,” said Tanya. “We’ll create a company to sell all the truffles around Springvale together. That way, we take a step toward controlling the entire truffle market in Mondstadt.”

“But what about seasons of high and low demand?” asked the blonde Marla.

“We could set guaranteed prices to protect people during times of poor harvest. The difference would be in the income. After all, truffles aren’t available year-round,” Tanya explained.

“Then it could work like the grain cooperatives we already have, right?” added the chestnut-haired Siegfrina.

The discussion continued until the trio reached the conclusion that they should manage a fund drawn from profits made from white truffles, while living off black truffles. That way, when difficult seasons inevitably came, people would feel obligated to join their system.

Jean shivered as she watched the trio of cute girls calmly build the foundations of a monopoly before her eyes.

(I never realized there were so many sharp minds in Mondstadt. I’ve only ever seen this level of scheming in Lisa…)

Jean didn’t place herself on the same level; not because of lack of intelligence, but because her kind heart made her incapable of plotting or executing takeovers.

When everyone returned to the village and gathered in front of the windmill, a large crowd was waiting to welcome the saint.

“Why are there so many people here?” asked the surprised little saint.

A female bard approached with a lyre.

“The news spread quickly, and old Finch asked me to accompany you in song. Nice to meet you. My name is Myweiss.”

Seeing the whole village gathered, Tanya’s eyes widened with surprise.

“Well, I’m fine with that. But I don’t want to sing church songs all the time. If that’s okay, I’ll sing. What do you all want to hear, a happy song or a sad one?”

“A sad one!” the villagers replied in unison.

“Eh? Why?” Tanya asked, taken aback.

A girl with calico cat ears stepped forward.

“Everyone always sings happy songs over and over. A sad one guarantees it’ll be something new.”

“Oh, I see. Wait, hold on! you already have a blessing. Which spirit gave it to you? What’s your name?”

“My name is Diona. We don’t know anything about a spirit, but there’s a tale about a fairy living in the water behind the village.”

“Mmm… I’ll need to come back and check that lake later,” said Tanya, her voice thoughtful. “But I can already confirm, that tale is true.”

Everyone in the village began to cheer as Tanya stepped forward and started to sing:

(My pleasure, you can take all the time you need.

For my part, I will keep waiting,

For the day you decide to come back,

And be happy, like we were before.)

(I know very well that, like me, you suffer daily;

The solitude of two lovers parting,

Fighting not to meet, refusing reunion.)

(But that’s not why I give up

On loving you each day.

I’m near you, even if you’re far from my life,

For your happiness, at my expense.)

(But if you still hold even half

Of the great love I still keep for you…

You can swear)

(That I will bless whoever holds your heart.

I want you to be happy,

Even if it’s not with me.)

(And still, I never stopped

Loving you every day.

I’m with you, even if you’re far from my life,

For your happiness, at my expense.)

(But if you now hold even half

Of the great love still lingering in me…

You can swear

That I bless whoever has you.

I want you to be happy,

Even if it isn’t with me.)

Tanya finished her performance with a gentle flourish. A halo of light formed over her head, and a single sunray broke through the clouds, shining down on her.

“As long as you treasure your friendship with your best friend,” she said, her voice gentle and radiant, “your love will be returned. It won’t matter if you two gaze upon the stars together each night. As long as you hold that friendship close to your heart, he will never leave your side, because that’s the kind of person he fell in love with.”

“(….)”

Silence fell over the village. Everyone stared in awe, breath held, as Marla was blessed out of nowhere. But in time, all of Mondstadt would come to learn something very important: the saint loved to make a spectacle.

While the villagers were left dazed, Jean was quietly thinking to herself:

(In that way… Tanya is very similar to Barbara.)

And so, it was only two weeks after that day, while Marla was doing her usual truffle-selling rounds, that the boy she’d been waiting for finally made his move. Marvin, the boy from the city, noticed just how cute she was and confessed to her, asking if they could start dating.

To this day, years later, those two lovebirds still meet whenever they can, gazing at the stars together on Starsnatch Cliff.

–Serenitea Pot, present–

“You had a daughter? How many lives have you lived? Is your soul even older than what we found buried in Dragonspine?” asked Paimon, clearly shocked.

Tanya said nothing, her hands quietly moving as she tidied the table.

“Tanya, answer me! You always start cleaning when you’re trying to dodge the question!” Paimon cried out, flustered.

“Are you suffering from erosion like Zhongli? Respond, say something!” the floating fairy added, now sounding truly worried.

“Life is long... if we know how to seize it,” said Lumine softly. “But what happens when all we want is to rest?”

Tanya still didn’t speak. She kept moving, quiet, focused on the act of tidying. Lumine continued.

“You don’t know, do you?”

“I, eh…” Tanya hesitated. “I’m not good with memories from the Cataclysm. Everyone says I descended into the Abyss, but… I only remember fragments of day-to-day life. I don’t remember who I was back then. My feelings, my mindset, it’s all a blur. I think something changed during those long years of absence. My identity is a mess. Maybe the trip to the Abyss did something to me.”

“The energy you were supposed to purify… it only makes you sick if you’re not careful,” Lumine said, remembering. “I was the one who saved Dvalin.”

“I can purify and bless,” Tanya admitted, “but Abyssal energy is different. If I try to handle more than I can bear, it… breaks me. And I know I never married. I’ve always waited for Visha. Maybe… maybe the child is from my twin sister, Lotte.”

“How can you be sure?” asked Paimon, voice still high with disbelief.

“Because… I never found Viktoriya.”

“Wait, Visha is a girl?” Paimon blinked. “Then… you like a girl?”

“You’ve said it yourself before: I’m a bro-con. I have no issue accepting this crush,” Lumine said flatly.

“Lumine, that’s not the point!” Paimon flailed in the air, exasperated. “She was so tired she wanted to die. How can we make sure we don’t lose her the same way?”

“Because,” Tanya said quietly, “I have the same goal as you two: to reach Celestia and fight the Heavenly Principles. Our vision differs from the Fatui’s, but to find the truth, we must keep traveling. We can’t join their cause… not their methods.”

“And I’ll bring my brother back,” Lumine said, her eyes burning with resolve. “Even if I have to drag him.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you still think your brother did the deed thingy,” said Paimon, accidentally unleashing a storm with her careless words.

“Paimon!” Tanya snapped. “There’s a limit to how much of an airhead you can be.”

Lumine’s fists clenched. “Yes. And if we can’t be sure about Tanya… how can we be sure about my brother? For all we know, any blonde walking around could be his descendant after five hundred years. He’s just that popular.”

“Lumine, calm down,” Tanya and Paimon both said at once, trying to bring her back from the edge.

Chapter Text

Notes:

I will keep writing while dealing with a real-world job, but steadily, okay.

In this history, Tanya has lived as the reincarnation of the saint, but something is wrong; she remembers her life as a salaryman, but also her life as Tanya from anime, manga, light novel, and YS restaurant. Did the Necronomicon mess her up, who knows ¿?, also where is teyvat? Dunno. We will possibly get that into the Cryo Nation, or when the teyvat chapter ends, it has something to do with Star Rail, but I will keep it open.

***

This chapter is dedicated to Half Baked Cat. I love his stories.

Chapter 5

Mondstadt Plaza – Present

That night, Barbara was walking across Mondstadt Plaza. The church had taken a recess this week to commemorate a solemn anniversary, the end of the Cataclysm. According to the final decree of the previous Saint, anyone wishing to honor her had to offer Barbatos a vacation. As a result, the church's days off were meant to remember the fallen by embracing life as they had: celebrating their sacrifice by living fully. The entire week was filled with festivals and parties, not unlike the customs in Natlan, where the dead are celebrated rather than mourned.

Barbara was admiring the scenery and strolling toward the statue of Barbatos when she heard the unmistakable voice of a knight arguing with a drunkard.

“What are you doing up there? Get down from the statue! You’re not allowed to drink from the statue’s hands!”

Hearing that, Barbara approached and found her sister, Jean, on night duty.

“Sister?”

“Oh, Barbara, thank the Archons you're here. There's a drunkard drinking alcohol on top of the Archon’s statue. Come help me before the Inquisition sets him on fire for heresy or something.”

“Jean, the Inquisition only carried torches that time the Fatui diplomat fought the Saint. And even then, they paid dearly for the disrespect. They're now the pariahs of the entire city, so much so that even the Lawrences have an unspoken pardon. The Inquisition doesn’t fight anymore; it just... helps.”

“Come on, help me get this lunatic down. For a country drowning in alcohol, I’m surprised we don’t see this sort of thing more often. I don’t want it to become normal.”

The sisters climbed up to the statue, only to be met with an unexpected sight.

“It’s the magic Barb...”

“Venti?! What the heck? Get down this instant!”

“No one should venerate that ungrateful Barbatos! He’s a conceited glory-hog with a hero complex. All praise should go to the Saint. Barbatos is just a pretty face grinning on a throne!”

“Okay, that’s it, I’m getting the torches,” said Jean, furious.

“Sister, you can’t do that to Lord Venti. Deacon Dhalia and the others told us the ‘magic Barb’ is the vessel from which Barbatos descends into physical form.”

“Not this again...” Jean muttered, massaging her temples as the migraine of past events returned.

“Wait... did you say again?”

“Lord Venti always gets melancholic around this time of year. Normally, he’s a harmless drunk, but this week he tries to vanish entirely into alcohol.”

“But why abuse medicine?”

“Wait, what?”

“Alcohol nourishes the soul! That’s what the priests always taught us growing up.”

“Eh, no. That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Now I have to make sure the Cardinal isn’t brainwashing the nuns. Did Sister Victoria didn’t teach you?”

“I always thought she had something going on with Mister Nimrod... hasn't that always been the case?”

“Of course not!”

At that moment, Venti began to speak, his voice weaving into something more solemn.

“Lord Barbatos is nothing but a brute who relies on force. He’s not who you think he is. Long, long ago…”

**

– 500 Years Ago – Mondstadt, Aftermath of the Cataclysm

When the call for a final battle echoed across Teyvat, it foretold a cataclysm born from Khaenri’ah’s countless broken taboos. That civilization, in its arrogance, dared to wield forbidden knowledge to manipulate energies beyond mortal comprehension. Celestia’s judgment was swift, the gods, by divine mandate, summoned the Archons to extinguish the heretics’ ambitions.

The godless nation fought back with machines and technology far surpassing their time. Their might was enough to strike down even the Electro Archon herself. Horrified by this defiance, the remaining Archons allowed Celestia to unleash retribution unchained, and the entire population of Khaenri’ah fell under a curse: their people were twisted into monsters.

Still, the corruption spread. Their actions shattered the natural order of Teyvat. From the depths of the abyss, abominations surged upward, indiscriminate in their destruction, crossing borders and toppling cities, contaminating the earth like a plague of cockroaches.

And what of the Anemo Archon?

He followed Celestia’s orders like a shepherd of their will. It was not Barbatos who shielded Mondstadt, but the Four Winds. It was the Saint who sacrificed herself. Barbatos returned only after the danger had passed, to reap the glory. Dvalin, guardian of the skies, had retreated into hibernation, wounded from his battle with an aberrant dragon.

All that time, Barbatos believed Mondstadt would remain untouched, as Celestia had promised. But like Dragonspine before it, Celestia’s promises were mere suggestions.

When Barbatos was finally released from his duties, he returned to Mondstadt from the skies, unaware and unprepared for what he would find. From Musk Reef to the walled city, devastation stretched across the land. What had once been the granary of Teyvat was reduced to ruin.

Panicked, Barbatos sought the injured first. The Knights greeted him with grim resolve.

“It wasn’t a suggestion or a choice. It was our duty.”
“We had no doubts. It was our duty.”
“We feared the unknown but never feared death.”

Alarmed, the Archon rushed to the cathedral, desperate to understand how this tragedy had unfolded. The Saint and her sister had maintained the barrier, surely nothing could have broken through? But what he’d never grasped was this: every defense eventually falls.

When he reached Cardinal Alvin, the Archon was greeted not with reverence, but with a fist to the face. All of Mondstadt’s leaders had bled in the battle, including the Cardinal himself.

“Damn Archon,” Alvin seethed.

“You chose to be Celestia’s lapdog instead of protecting your own land.
The Saint left her daughter orphaned when she descended into the Abyss without hesitation.
The substitute Saint died defending the barrier.
The Gunnhildr family was left with nothing but a baby
their knights slaughtered.
You are not our Archon.
You are a coward.
Where were you when Mondstadt needed you?
Had you stood with us, we might have prevented this.”

That day, Barbatos was exiled from his own land. And for a week, Mondstadt lost faith in its archon.

**

Barbara was stunned. The tale was too much to believe, but everything in it matched the truths she knew. Her eyes brimmed with tears as Lord Venti hurled bitter curses at the Archon.

“That’s the real Barbatos, a pretty face smiling from a throne, wearing a crown placed by the Saint.
Without her, he’s nothing.
Like a final boss, his strength is doing nothing.
As a king, he is useless.”

Jean didn’t flinch. She had already heard the tale.

“It can’t be true. Maybe it’s because the Archon took over his body, that’s why he hates Barbatos.”

Jean clutched her forehead as Venti’s drunken rant unraveled his carefully guarded secret. But then she found a way to soothe Barbara’s sorrow.

“Barbara, Lord Venti didn’t have the same upbringing the Saint did. He comes from a family of wanderers bards. Don’t blame him.
He may be older than the Saint, but he doesn’t share her strength… or maturity.”

“No way… so he’s the last of his troupe? He’s alone?”

“I fear so. Around this time each year, he loses himself to alcohol. The rest of the year, he functions well enough.
Maybe being a vessel for an Archon is simply too much.
He’s still a good person. His burden is just... heavy.”

“I understand. So after this week, he’ll go back to being the charismatic Magic Barb as always, right? Next year, we’ll take turns taking care of him.”

“Yes. Tanya watched over him two days in a row until the sun rose, but she needed rest, too. We’re lucky to have found him before others.
We’ll take turns with the Saint to make sure he’s not alone.”

**

Serenitea Pot – Present

Tanya, Lumine, and Paimon had gathered together in the largest bed of their house. What surprised Lumine most was how openly Tanya (the Saint) began to speak once her serene facade crumbled. For the first time, Tanya seemed... vulnerable.

“So it’s not that you hate your father,” Lumine said gently, “but you blame him for breaking your mother’s heart?”

“Yes,” Tanya replied. “I could never understand hiding everything behind a contract. The easier path often leads to greater pain. Even now, years later, we’re reaping the consequences of his inaction.”

“But... he might’ve accepted that path not out of fear, but out of love for your mother.”

“If he had any courage at all, he would’ve embraced his destiny.”

“Not everyone is that strong. And you missed something important.”

“What do you mean?”

“The reason you couldn’t finish off the Signora. The reason the Shogun ended your mission.”

“Tanya,” Paimon said carefully, “let Lumine finish. You’re still refusing to face it, even now.”

“No blood of the Gunnhildr line could end the contract. Just as the Signora could never lay a hand on your mother or your sisters.”

“You delivered an unforgiving beating,” Lumine added. “But even if the situation had been reversed, the Signora wouldn’t have been able to finish you either. If she could’ve, she would’ve done it when you were weaker, when you were a child, before you had your computational orb.”

“Besides, maybe the point was never to destroy the Saint,” Paimon said. “Maybe it was to delay her reincarnation.”

“Right!” Lumine brightened. “She was terrified when you called her ‘little Rosalyne’, and she called you ‘auntie!’”

“She could’ve meant Lotte...”

“No, she wouldn’t have been able to move the Qixing against you otherwise. She was afraid. Truly afraid. Of you.” Retorted lumine

“I’m not possessed,” Tanya whispered. “Just incomplete. That’s why we travel together.”

“Tanya,” Lumine said softly, “just like you sent your father out to protect your mother… the Signora was afraid for the Saint she remembered.”

“Mmm. That... fits better,” Tanya said quietly. “But we can’t ask her now. The Shogun must’ve allowed her to be imprisoned. Maybe that way we might have triggered the awakening of my memories, those from 500 years ago.”

“The past shapes who we are,” Lumine said. “Maybe that’s why you hesitate to face the fate of the wandering troupe. You don’t want to see them... broken.”

“From what I recall after my awakening a thousand years ago,” Tanya murmured, “it was anything but pleasant.”

“But that awakening made Mondstadt the granary of Teyvat and gave birth to the Knights of Favonius.”

“It also painted a target on Mondstadt’s back,” Tanya said. “Celestia doesn’t favor defiance.”

“Is that why Mondstadt shifted to producing high-value goods in your absence?”

“Yes. If you can’t fight with numbers, you fight with quality.”

“Tanya, your philosophy favors a strong nation before a strong army,” Lumine said. “But there’s no enemy left to fight.”

“There is.”

“Then those enemies need heroes, not regiments.”

“I know,” Tanya said, her voice trembling. “I understand. But if we face them... I’ll cry.”

**

Mare Jivary – Wanderer Troupe Camps – 1,000 Years Ago

The downlight swordswoman moved through her daily routine with quiet precision. In their hidden camp, the elite unit known as the Wanderer Troupe trained under the guise of traveling musicians. Their next destination: Mondstadt. Their mission: to liberate Anya; obviously the Tanya so many longed to save.

Thanks to Kreuzlied, the company knew exactly how to move, and the troupe’s conductor was none other than Weiss. At first, Elya couldn’t believe her luck, recognizing a familiar face in Teyvat of all places. When Weiss told her the troupe had been created to infiltrate cities and collect intelligence, Elya hadn’t hesitated. She joined at once, helping to found what became the core of their resistance.

Weiss had revealed something else: the Saint had been imprisoned by the nobility of Mondstadt, the very society Tanya herself had once helped build in another life. That same prosperity, after a thousand and a half years, had soured into corruption. The “Argent” was now a victim of her own success.

Their camp sat in the heart of Mare Jivary, a place both brutal and remote. It was the perfect staging ground for what amounted to a coup d'état.

“Are you sure this was necessary? We nearly died.”

“The foundation of Lawrence's power was built on what the Argent created. If we want any chance of success, our fighters have to match the 203rd in strength.”

“We might be elite… but we’re still few.”

“The people of Mondstadt will rise if we give them hope.”

“We could fail.”

“We could. But the spark will remain.”

“It’s too dangerous. Destabilizing an enemy never goes as planned. Coups are always a gamble.”

“I know. But we owe Tanya everything. We need to free her, and escape beyond Teyvat. Once we reach space, not even the horizon of existence or the void will stop us from reaching IPC space. Viktoriya laid it all out.”

“We need to blend in and give the best show of our lives.”

“Hey, brag all you want, we are great artists.”

“I still can’t believe this place. Teyvat is wild.”

“It’s nothing like Pegana. Traveling the Imaginary Tree was disorienting. It felt like we had to start over from scratch. Reborn. How the hell does Tanya manage that alone? How did she even end up trapped here?”

“This place is the edge of the unknown. The hardest challenge we've ever faced in our path.”

“You and I, we don’t fear death. It’s familiar. But not everyone’s like us.”

“The problem is, Tanya couldn’t escape on her own. We either rescue her... or give her a path to do it herself.”

“Do you think time will be an issue? We’ve practically lived new lives here. But she’s been here even longer.”

“Visha said no. Once this is done, we’ll be back on the space station.”

They'd studied the structure. Countless worlds existed in divergent timelines, each rooted in the branches of a tree. Each branch marked a worldline, each leaf fixed in time. The tree absorbed energy from imaginary spacetime. New worlds budded and withered in different universes.

“We only get one shot at this. Except Tanya.”

“I know. This was my mission proposal.”

“But not every volunteer regrouped.”

“I think we’re scattered in time.”

“That’s bad.”

“Maybe. But it also means we get more attempts.”

“That’s good. With enough chances, success is inevitable.”

“But we won’t be coordinated.”

“And we won’t know what the others did.”

“Shit.”

“Really? Isn’t that the usual job?”

“Yeah... you're right. I’ve always got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“Elya, you don’t have Visha’s luck.”

“That’s the good part. This luck is all involuntary. Come on, Weiss, the Wanderer Troupe is waiting.”

**

Mondstadt – Wanderer Troupe Encampments

Elya was nursing a spectacular headache, and it had a name.

“What the hell, Erich!”

“It wasn’t on purpose! I was living a perfectly average life, and somehow still ended up in this mess.”

“You’re the guy the resistance is rallying behind! But on the other hand...?”

The situation was tangled beyond reason.

Erich Lergen had reincarnated as Erich Imunlaukr, an aristocrat born into nobility. Against all expectations, he’d trained to become a knight, shocking his peers. That choice allowed him to move freely throughout Mondstadt, using his status to search for the Saint.

He became a beloved figure, respected by commoners and whispered about by nobles. The Lawrence Clan, brimming with envy, watched as he earned the affectionate title of Knight of Flowers. Then came their counterstroke: a political trap in the form of an unwanted engagement.

He was forced to marry Anya Gunnhildr, a woman bearing a scar that made her a pariah among high society. But Erich didn’t care. He never judged her. And over time, she opened her heart to him. They married quietly, forming a bond neither of them had expected. Everything changed during the last solstice.

A plague began to spread through the slums, creeping into the countryside. Erich, drawing on knowledge from his past life, discarded food and water, and identified the source quickly: rats.

He rallied the church and sympathetic nobles to act, but the Lawrences saw his actions as a challenge to their authority. Rather than heed his warning, they had him imprisoned. And the plague bloomed like wildfire.

Everyone suffered. Commoners, city dwellers, even the nobility. Panic overtook the capital.

Then his pregnant wife performed a miracle.

Anya had come before Landrich, the Lawrence patriarch, to plead for her husband’s freedom. When Landrich pronounced the death sentence, something inside her broke. Fury and heartbreak collided. The only man who had ever loved her, truly accepted her, was about to be executed for the Lawrence’s pride.

Her eyes shifted to golden lit with power.

She cursed the rulers. A blinding light erupted from her body, immobilizing everyone in the chamber. A pillar of divine energy soared into the sky, and a shockwave raced outward from her, sweeping beyond the city walls. The plague was annihilated. Even unrelated illnesses were cured. Her own scar vanished.

It was a miracle no one could ignore.

And yet… the miracle never came again. Thanks to their marriage, the Lawrences couldn’t openly retaliate against Erich. They named their daughter Tanya, but Anya and the child were “escorted” by Lawrence loyalists. A gilded prison. Erich was powerless to stop it.

“You’re married to the Saint!” Elya groaned. “You used to be so terrified of her you’d get stomachaches. She adored you, and you never even noticed. Ha!”

“Anya is not Tanya,” Erich insisted. “They’re different people. I swear.”

“You’re lying to yourself. Once Anya’s memories awaken, you’ll be married to the demon queen.”

“If only it were that simple. We haven’t seen a single miracle since that incident. Not a flicker of light. Tanya’s just a year old, and the Church rejected us. Nothing’s happened.”

“You know, we might figure out the truth, once we root out the rot in Mondstadt.”

“Could you... Could you get my family out of Teyvat?”

“Of course. Once the plan’s in motion, nothing’s stopping us from bringing them along.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, how the hell are we going to explain this to the boys?”

“They’re going to fry me alive.”

**

Current era, Four Years Ago - The Renovated Cat’s Tail Café

Mother Superior Maria had long held suspicions. Most nuns did. One glance at Barbara and the Saint side by side was enough to raise questions. Some believed the story that they were cousins, but after seeing the three of them together, Barbara, Jean, and Tanya, at her favorite café, even she was shaken.

They looked like drops of water from the same well: identical skin tones, the same silky blond hair, and those unmistakable blue eyes of the main house. Each is in a different stage of life, yet undeniably cut from the same cloth.

Damn it. So it was true. The Saint was born out of wedlock. Conceived by sinners, or at least, that’s what Maria now feared. That Tanya was the fruit of a forbidden bond.

Maria frequented The Cat’s Tail often. She hadn’t come today with the intent to spy. Out of her habit and in her civilian attire, she looked like any elegant woman out on an afternoon errand. Barbara and Tanya didn’t recognize her. Even Eula, on guard duty at the entrance, failed to notice her, thanks to the artifact ring concealing her aura. When out of uniform, Maria often played with her hair, wore makeup, and dressed in fine clothes, spending a bit from her untouched stipend.

She sat with her back to the girls, quietly playing with Prince the cat, but their conversation floated clearly through the café.

“Surprise,” Tanya chimed, cheery as ever.

“Barbara?” Jean’s voice cracked, tears in her eyes.

“Sister!” Barbara wept, hands over her mouth.

“How...?” Jean and Barbara both asked, stunned.

“Well,” Tanya smiled, “this café is partially co-owned by me.”

Though the sisters clearly cared for one another, the long years of separation made their reunion awkward. They had grown into strangers. Tanya worked quickly to break the silence.

“You know, Jean, Barbara has a collection of catalysts. Just like your sword collection.”

“I can’t return home,” Jean murmured, “so collecting seems pointless now.”

“Jean... Barbara…” Tanya tried again until Margaret arrived with food, thankfully breaking the tension.

“Tanya remodeled everything,” Margaret beamed. “We’re just days away from reopening. I want your honest feedback on the menu. We’re still in hiring for a mixologist for the fountain, and the board games haven’t even been opened. But I think it’s coming together.”

“But... it’s a secret that we’re sisters?” Jean asked hesitantly.

“The old guard already guessed those two were married,” Margaret said with a shrug. “It’s true the public doesn’t know. But you three aren’t guilty of Saemus and Frederica’s mistakes. You’re welcome here anytime. Escape your duties and let the adults clean up their own mess.”

“We still need more staff before the rush hits,” Tanya added proudly. “But the foundation is solid.”

And that, finally, cracked the ice. Because what truly connected Barbara and Jean... was Tanya.

Jean took longer to process it, but Barbara was already suspicious of her sister’s entrepreneurial habits.

“Wait, is that why you’ve been around the city with Eula? You’re... spreading Springvale's strategies citywide?”

“Didn’t I tell you, onee-sama?” Tanya tilted her head innocently.

Jean tousled Tanya’s hair, amused and bewildered that a four-year-old could have such grand ambitions, unless they were fueled by lifetimes of experience. The guilt crept in again.

“It’s because you remember building the city, isn’t it?” she asked softly, burying her face in her hands.

Tanya slipped from her grasp, and Barbara gently began combing her little sister’s hair.

“Jean, you really have a bad habit,” Barbara scolded lightly.

“Nee-chan, my job is to make the city smile,” Tanya chirped. “Money isn’t everything... but it helps.”

“Jean,” Barbara added, sounding much like a priestess, “good deeds bring good harvests, eventually. Money shouldn’t just collect dust, it should move. Be put to work.”

“Wait... what have you been reading?” Jean blinked.

“Well,” Barbara began, “the late Saint left behind books, The Little Capitalist Piglet, An Incredible Exchange, and The Princeps Handbook. While Tanya was recovering her memories, Rosaria and I hunted down her earlier writings.”

Jean frowned. The Saint’s writings she remembered were massive academic volumes, on differential equations, advanced physics, even relativistic astronomy.

“Wait… I thought the Saint authored all the technical books. These sound... different.”

“She did both,” Barbara replied. “For science, she published as Tanya Gunnhildr. For stories, she ghostwrote as Tanya Degurechaff.”

“Wait... what?! My sister wrote The Vagabond Castle, The Sky Castle, Chihiro’s Journey, all of those?”

“I didn’t even know until Barbara found the evidence,” Tanya admitted, scratching her cheek. “I don’t remember writing them.”

The realization shook Jean. Maybe it wasn’t her sister’s past life changing her, but revealing who she always was.

“Are you working on something new?”

“There are stories I never published,” Tanya said. “Kimetsu no Yaiba, I Sold My Life for Ten Million Mora, The Tunnel of Wishes, The Exit to Goodbyes... just a few.”

Her sisters were enthralled. The name “Degurechaff” always carried a certain literary power. The Saint’s storytelling had gathered a quiet following.

“Incredible. You have to keep writing!”

“But... why do you remember the tales but not the lives?”

Tanya fell quiet, a cool sweat forming on her back. Then, honestly:

“I... I don’t know. I think something broke me 500 years ago. That might be why the Abyss makes me sick.”

“Tanya, you need to be honest.”

“Each time I try to purify the rock I took from the Abyss… I get hallucinations. Strange ones. Even for me.”

Jean didn’t wait; she pulled her sister into a hug.

“Just come home. That’s all I ask.”

But Tanya shook her head.

“Not without Barbara. I’ve made my decision.”

Barbara held out her hand, revealing a faint orb of light.

“Jean, I’ve only managed this tiny spark. But maybe... if I keep working at it, we could bring everyone back home.”

From her table, Maria quietly paid the bill and rose. These girls had pure intentions. A clear goal. It was time for the adults to stop hiding.

At the door, she pressed a note into Eula’s hand.

“Give this to the Saint when you return to the cathedral.”

“Wait, who are you? No one came in…”

Maria slipped off her ring.

And Eula’s eyes widened in recognition.

“Tell the Saint,” Maria said, her voice firm, “that the Kreuzlied Society is ready to report to their Matron.”

**

Back at the Cathedral

Mother Superior Maria confronted Sister Vind, armed with what she now knew.

The Saint, Tanya, was the daughter of Captain Frederica and Castellan Saemus. The records confirmed it. Their divorce was legally filed. But in Barbatos’ eyes, there was no sin in their union. Divorce, after all, was a noble invention. Marriage was an eternal vow.

Maria drew a breath.

She was ready to confront the Castellan.

**

Castellan’s Office

Rosaria stood guard outside the office, arms folded, holding back a furious Saint.

“Let me in.”

“You can’t. The Castellan and the Cardinal are discussing your request to form an Inquisition.”

“Then I have every reason they need to hear me.”

Mother Superior Maria arrived just in time to see the Saint brandishing a slip of paper like it was a sword of divine mandate. Eula stood beside her, carrying a bulky account book thick with tabs. Whatever Tanya had discovered, it was heavy enough, literally and figuratively, to warrant confrontation.

“Rosaria,” Maria said calmly, “will you let me pass?”

“Of course, Mother Superior.”

“Good. The Saint will be joining me.”

The pointed arch of Rosaria’s brow was priceless, but Tanya’s stormy mood shifted instantly. Maria was glad to offer her this hand, because the fire in those blue eyes needed direction, not suppression.

The doors opened to the sound of laughter.

“We have three centers of power now,” Cardinal Calvin was saying. “You, me, and Tanya. We aren’t factions, yet. Everyone moves within their duties, but she’s gaining her own authority. And once she grows older…”

“Oh sure,” Maria quipped, “boys versus girls, like grade school all over again.”

Their smiles vanished the moment Maria stepped inside.

“Gentlemen,” she said sharply. “Today, I won’t be giving you an earful. But she will.”

The little Saint leapt into the empty chair in front of the desk. She motioned to Eula, who placed the account book on the desk and opened it for all to see. Tanya unfurled the paper she’d brought, ruler in hand, ready to deliver judgment.

“I started auditing the old ledgers to see if we could recover forgotten funds. That’s when I found these inconsistencies.”

She traced the inflated expenses, zeroes too many, figures too convenient. It wasn’t one mistake; it was a pattern. A pattern that, over the years, amounted to a fortune.

“The person responsible will have to show their face. And we’ll finally gain access to funds we never used.”

Cardinal Calvin leaned over the page. The ink didn’t lie, this oversight fell squarely under Priest Novak’s purview.

“This is more than sloppy bookkeeping,” Calvin muttered. “Saemus, I think we have a mole.”

The Castellan tensed, just for an instant. Maria saw it. So did Calvin. But it was Tanya’s quiet accusation that detonated the room.

“You knew.”

“We can’t arrest a priest,” Saemus snapped. “It would undermine the sanctity of the church.”

The sharpness of his response jolted everyone. Calvin turned.

“Saemus... did you know?”

The silence that followed carved a hole in the room’s air. Then

“We can’t involve the Knights. We’ll handle this internally.”

His words felt... rehearsed. Empty. Tanya saw right through it.

“What did you do?” she demanded, fists clenched.

“This doesn’t concern you!”

The sudden rise in his voice silenced even Maria.

“Everyone out,” Calvin ordered.

“No,” Maria interjected. “Something’s hidden here. We’re not leaving without the truth.”

Saemus’ expression had changed entirely, his calm, tight mask cracking under the pressure. The Saint stood, no longer a quiet girl, but in judgment.

“You gave him leave. Yesterday.” Reading his mind

“I only wanted to protect people!” Saemus shouted.

“No. You’re making excuses. Anyone with guts would’ve fought to the end.”

“He’s bound by a pact, Tanya,” Calvin said softly. “He’s a victim too.”

“Even if that’s true,” she said coldly, “a true man from Mondstadt would rather die than live like this.”

The insult struck its mark. For a foreign-born Castellan, that was among the cruelest barbs imaginable.

“Then I’ll take your chocolate away,” Saemus said bitterly.

“You think I care about sweets?” Tanya fired back. “I care more about the diaries I wrote. You can shove your chocolate where the sun doesn’t shine, maybe then you’ll start speaking crap honestly.”

The Saint’s profanity exploded like cannon fire, rising from barroom curses to naval-grade venom.

“Forget your coffee privileges,” Saemus barked.

“So it was you,” Tanya snarled. “Your fault emptied my chamber.”

He didn’t deny it. Couldn’t. The silence was its own confession.

That was when the storm finally broke.

Tanya launched herself at him, but Eula caught her mid-air, arms locking around her waist.

“No, you can’t punch your father!”

The room trembled. Objects began floating as if gravity had forgotten them. Light buzzed in the air. Rosaria stormed in.

“Damn it, Eula! Knock her out!”

“Don’t you dare!” Calvin thundered. “No one touches the Saint.”

“She’ll blow us sky high, then you’ll thank me in the afterlife!”

Everything unraveled. Chaos churned inside the room like a storm.

Then Tanya, eyes blazing and tear-lined, spoke, her voice heavy with centuries.

“People feared death less than submission. But you chose the easy way.”

“Everything I did was to protect my wife and daughters!”

“All you’ve ever brought us is pain.”

“Do you think I wanted to be Castellan? All I ever did was run! Fight! Work! You have no idea what that cost!”

“But I do know what it cost her. She whispered it to me in the cradle. She cried for you every single night.”

That stopped even the trembling books mid-air.

The fact that Tanya remembered her mother’s voice from the crib was chilling.

“You are not my father,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I already had one.
He died protecting us.
He was more of a man than you’ve ever been.”

And in that moment, the air tore away.

Time bled. Space folded.

And the vision of everyone present left the room, left the now, seeing into something far into the past.

**

City of Mondstadt – 1,000 Years Ago

A pale-skinned woman with platinum-blond hair carried a newborn child in her arms. Her features resembled Frederica's yet were quieter. When the infant was placed in her arms, a man’s voice could be heard from behind the chamber doors, trembling with joy.

But he was not permitted inside. Two guards stood with lances crossed, barring him.

Days passed.

The mother and child were brought before the throne. The ruler, cold-eyed and regal, motioned to his son. But the woman simply shook her head. In denial.

Months later, the guards permitted her and the child a single visit with the father. One day. One afternoon.

Then came silence.

The seasons turned. The mother strolled the palace gardens, child in arms, under the ever-watchful eyes of guards. Though luxury surrounded them, it was a golden cage.

One day, smoke filled the skies.

Outside the walls, the city was in chaos. From beneath the flowers in the palace garden, rebels rose, cutting down armored guards. They fled with the mother and child into an air balloon, crossing the lake. But on the far shore, the ruler was already waiting, sword pressed to the kneeling father’s neck.

The man reached out toward his family.

The ruler swung.

His hand fell to the ground.

Men descended from gliders, and the rebels were captured. The escape had failed.

Back within the palace, the ruler once more signaled to his son. Once more, the mother refused. So they were taken to the coliseum.

From a high balcony, she was forced to watch.

Her husband was thrown into the arena, one arm missing, sword in his grip. Around him stood the men who had tried to save them, injured, bound, but still defiant.

The ruler offered clemency to one.

“Kreuzlied Lawrence.”

Kreuzlied cried out. He would rather die than be spared. But they unshackled him nonetheless, tears streaming down his face as he was dragged away.

Then the games began.

They released a wyvern drake into the arena. The men, broken as they were, fought the beast and drove it back to its cage. Another day won. But day by day, match by match, the rebels fell.

Until the day the husband was pierced through the chest by a gladiator’s blade.

Only a few remained.

Then, a figure unveiled from the arena and removed her hat, revealing not a man, but a woman. Her sword gleamed like polished silver, shaped like a flute that sang as it moved. The crowd fell silent.

She spoke.

Her voice stirred the populace. But still, the games continued. The men who rallied behind her dwindled. Yet she endured.

Seasons changed.

The mother came to her cell. They cried together, two warriors in different cages. The baby, too young to understand, reached out... and light wrapped around the swordswoman’s body like a promise.

The next day, she faced the drake alone.

The battle was brutal.  Both spilled Blood. At the final clash, both warrior and beast collapsed.

Then a light ignited.

Blue flames engulfed the woman’s broken form. And from that blaze, she rose again, unharmed. healed.

The crowd surged.

The ruler seethed.

More days passed. Tan-skinned slaves were thrown into the arena. In one clash between the gladiator who ended the father the swordswoman died, she did not rise.

The baby wailed from the balcony.

“Elya.”

The Downlight Swordswoman never returned. She died.

In the days that followed, a new favorite emerged, a red-haired, tan-skinned woman who defeated all challengers, even when outnumbered. The crowds, once lulled into silence, began to riot.

The mother raised her voice:

“Rise up. End the rule.”

In the chaos, the ruler drove his sword through her chest. The ruler’s son shouted commands in panic.

Then the child, tiny and trembling, manifested a pillar of light.

The red-haired woman seized the baby. No weapon could pierce those glowing in gold. The people, emboldened, took up whatever they could find and stormed the guards.

A winged figure descended at the coliseum gates. The people surged forward, from all parts of the city from each origin demolishing the palace with the ruler inside, and all nobles were banished.

The coliseum, too, fell. In its place, they erected a statue bearing the archon likeness.

The red-haired woman adopted the child. she grew, becoming Grand Master, and one day watched as his adopted mother transformed into an eagle. That moment, she took on the mantle of the Saint.

**

Back in the Castellan's Office

The present shattered under the weight of what they’d just seen.

Tanya sat on the floor, stunned, her golden eyes wide in disbelief. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She hadn’t meant to do it, whatever it was, but it had already happened.

The worst of it, though, was what it did to Eula.

“Ha... no, no, no…” Eula began to shake, clawing at her own arm. Blood bloomed beneath her nails.

The three church authorities exchanged alarmed glances. What era had they just witnessed? How had they all shared the same memory?

“What was that…?” someone whispered.

Rosaria lunged to stop Eula.

“Stop! This isn’t how a knight behaves!”

“I’m dirty. My blood is filthy,” Eula muttered, dazed.

Tanya’s fury toward the castellan vanished as she watched her bodyguard spiral.

“Eula, stop, it wasn’t your fault. It was mine. That has nothing to do with you,” she pleaded, inching forward.

“We’re all sinners,” Eula said hollowly, raising her dagger.

Before she could make contact with her skin, Rosaria stepped in with grim efficiency, knocking Eula out cold.

Tanya rose, her grief and anger turning her pupils golden. She turned to Saemus, her voice low and heavy:

“Fix your political mess and then you’ll have your saint back. I’m going to my mother until Eula recovers. Rosaria, come.”

Without waiting, she walked out, Rosaria carrying the unconscious knight behind her.

Saemus slumped in his chair, his voice barely a whisper.

“What have I done…? That was the era of Vanessa…”

That was when Mother Superior Maria rolled up her sleeve and delivered a punishing blow that sent Saemus sprawling to the ground.

“That’s the least of your sins!” she shouted.

“You knew Novak was responsible for raiding the Saint’s chambers, maybe for years! And you did nothing!”

Cardinal Calvin stepped forward, crouching over Saemus, only to pluck a key from his chest.

“Sorry, Saemus. I’m going hunting. Until we’re sure you’re not a threat to others, or yourself, Mother Superior will assume your duties.”

Behind a portrait on the wall, Calvin opened a safe and began selecting artifacts, each more strange than the last.

“Calvin?” Maria asked warily.

“I’ll be wandering the city,” he said, buckling on relics.
“...and ending a few heresies along the way.”

Outside, Barbara saw Tanya storm into the clinic, cradling the wounded Eula. Her eyes widened.

“Father?”

She ran to her father’s side and immediately knelt to begin healing him. As the halo of water washed over his injuries, she glanced over her shoulder at the two church leaders rifling through his office.

“So... everyone knew about the contract?”

Maria met her gaze evenly.

“Can you stay, Barbara? The interrogation will be long otherwise.”

“Sure. It'll go faster if I patch him up, right?”

Saemus looked at his daughter, half-ashamed, half-stunned. And despite everything, there was a flicker of pride and fear in his eyes.

“Sorry, Pops,” Barbara said, wiping her hands on her skirt,
“but you made Tanya cry. So now it’s your turn to suffer a little.”

**

Back to the Knights of Favonius

Tanya was supposed to be celebrating. After all, she’d just had a wonderful reunion dinner with her sisters at the Cat’s Tail, their bond rekindled. But it all unraveled fast.

A political witch hunt had erupted within the Church, the last place she wanted to think about. Her birthday week, ruined. Her punishment? A total coffee ban, which frankly felt like a war crime.

Restless and mentally scrambled after that harrowing vision, she couldn’t concentrate on lectures or prayer. She needed something physical. Something pointless. Something… miserable. So when she spotted a certain silver-haired maid dusting shelves, a dreadful, brilliant idea struck.

Guided by Noelle, Tanya voluntarily knocked on her mother’s office door, an act roughly equivalent to digging her own grave with a lace-trimmed spade.

“Hi, little bird,” said Frederica, not looking up from her paperwork. “You want to tell us what happened at the Church? Eula’s said nothing, and we’re all ears.”

“Mom,” Tanya said solemnly, “I want you to teach me etiquette.”

Frederica froze. Noelle blinked.

“By Barbatos’ own revelation,” Frederica exclaimed. “The maid has converted my tomboy into a proper lady?”

“Captain,” Noelle stammered, “I would never presume to correct the Saint’s nature.”

“You don’t have to be polite,” Frederica snorted. “I was just as bad.”

“Captain, I would never”

“Let’s not forget how Jean turned out. The tree clearly doesn’t fall far from the apple.”

“Isn’t it the other way around?”

“Exactly. The elegant gene skips Gunnhildrs at random. In that sense, I envy my heir.” She narrowed her eyes at Tanya. “After this, little bird, you’ll be one step closer to imitating your sister.”

“And then… I can finally start swordsmanship?” Tanya asked hopefully.

“Not just yet. You still need more fortitude. Honestly, you’re still too fragile. Maybe in two years.”

“Right. Two years. Got it.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about what happened with the castellan?”

“I don’t know any castellan. I don’t know anyone named Saemus. I want my coffee back.”

“Tanya, coffee was revoked for a reason. Do you want to explain?”

“I prefer etiquette classes.”

Frederica looked at her daughter. She recognized that pain. Tanya’s aura radiated anguish. Whatever happened at the Church had devastated her, and poor Eula too. If Tanya wanted to keep her mind distracted from whatever horror had played out in her quarters… well, so be it.

“I like that fire in your eyes,” Frederica said gently. “Complete your training, and I’ll return your chocolate.”

Tanya lit up. Her spirit returned in a flash.

“Yay! I’ll finish this odyssey in record time!”

After a few arrangements, the etiquette instructors were chosen:

• Phonia as the official instructor
• Noelle as the model lady
• Mika as the male counterpart and dance partner (a.k.a., the unfortunate soul who didn’t step back fast enough when volunteers were called, everyone did a step back he only stood still.)

Despite his confusion, Mika felt like he’d just won the lottery. Teaching etiquette to the Saint, and spending time with Noelle? This was a dream.

The transformed Knight classroom was styled like a charming tea salon, complete with delicate table settings and cozy decor fit for royalty. Tanya’s lessons began.

Noelle demonstrated the proper inclinations, salutes, and postures, graceful down to her fingertips. Tanya tried to imitate her... poorly.

Then came basic dance steps. Tanya and Mika were adorably clumsy compared to the poised precision of Noelle and Phonia.

Everything changed once they reached the tea etiquette module.

Tanya absorbed it like a sponge dipped in divine caffeine. What should’ve taken months to master, she learned in a handful of lessons. Her posture refined. Her gestures turned fluid. She transformed.

And that’s when the instructors began to panic.

“This is bad,” Hertha whispered.

“Yes. Very.”

“How did we miss the signs?”

“We thought the whole curriculum would take years! She’s a tomboy!”

“Jean never had this... condition.”

“Do you think it’s the other lives?”

“Definitely. Probably. Maybe.”

Presented with tea and the proper attire, Tanya entered what they quietly dubbed “lady mode.” Every motion; delicate. Every word; measured. Dressed in lace and satin, she was royalty incarnate. But when she wore her usual clothes… poof. Back to casual Saint.

That inconsistency frightened everyone.

Phonia reported to Frederica, who stormed into the classroom like a thunderhead.

“Someone explain this to me. Now.”

“Captain, we,uh,it’s hard to,,,”

Noelle stepped forward.

“Captain, after Eula’s confirmation and our own observations… since returning from Alice’s teachings, the Saint once displayed techniques older than anything I’ve ever seen. Now with the right conditions, beyond etiquette. They’re... instinctual. Not learned. Someone must have”

“Trained her like a dog,” Frederica finished grimly.

She took Tanya by the shoulders. The girl, dolled up and perfect, responded like a machine.

“Do not worry, esteemed mother. As long as I wear a dress, I will behave appropriately. You need not be alarmed.”

Her voice was flat. Soulless.

Tanya, inside, was screaming.

“Tanya, come back. Who did this to you? What life was it?”

Tanya felt trapped. Her body moved on its own. Her mind begged for release.

Then... the memory cracked.

“Lotte. My twin.”

Migraine hit like lightning. Tanya clutched her head, collapsed, and was soon burning with a fever that sent her to bed. She had never felt so powerless. The psychological rupture scarred her deeply.

That night, in a sweat-drenched dream, she saw a life in an empire. Viktoriya by her side. A world of routines built around food and discipline, and disturbingly heavy on Yuri Bait.

**

Tanya’s Room - that afternoon

Deacon Dahlia was called from the Church to assess the Saint’s condition. Captain Frederica and Jean were already gathered around Tanya’s bedside, watching her sleep, pale and feverish beneath the sheets.

“Is she going to be okay?” Jean asked quietly. “Is she purifying the city again instead of resting?”

“No,” Dahlia replied, surprisingly calm. “It’s not that. It’s... caffeine withdrawal.”

“Huh?! That’s possible?” Jean blinked.

“Apparently, yes. Castellan Calvin revoked her access to coffee, no more café au lait, not even a drop of black coffee after a... disagreement. Your mother enforced the punishment, and we’re now on day eight.”

“Wait. Nine days without coffee? That’s enough to knock the Saint out of the sky?”

“Everyone’s body reacts differently. Especially at her age. But yes, migraine, fatigue, mood swings. All textbook symptoms. She’ll recover in about a week. Or... you know, just give her a cup of coffee and call it solved.”

Jean shifted uncomfortably.

Then, hesitating, she asked the question that had been gnawing at her.

“Is it true that a priest ran away?”

Dahlia’s expression turned grave.

“Yes.”

“Was it the same one who emptied the Saint’s chamber, the one with the archives for future Saints?”

“We suspect so. But he disappeared before interrogation.”

Frederica’s face darkened, her posture stiff. Her eyes flared with barely contained rage.

“Which priest? This concerns every Gunnhildr.”

“I… I can’t”

“Dahlia, all of us are Gunnhildrs. That includes Barbara.”

Dahlia hesitated. But seeing Frederica’s fury, and his apprentice's potential danger, he exhaled slowly.

“Novak.”

Frederica struck the wooden doorframe, splintering it with her fist.

“Ugh, why is it always Snezhnaya?!”

Jean gently pulled her mother back and took the reins.

“And the castellan, what did he do?”

“He delayed reporting it. Deliberately. Said dispatching the Knights would jeopardize the Church’s reputation. Gave the suspect more than enough time to escape.”

“So the public image was more important than Barbatos, or the Saint?”

“That’s exactly what the Saint argued. Loudly. With the Cardinal and Mother Superior in the room. When it was over, they had Barbara heal him.”

Frederica crossed her arms, practically vibrating with scorn.

“If he hadn’t already been bruised, I’d have gone and made my ex-husband and instated my daughter as the pope.”

Dahlia reddened at the implication and the realization.

“motherfucker bastard”

“Watch your mouth, Dahlia,” Jean warned as the priest let fly with a muttered curse.

“Right, sorry. No offense meant. Just… damn.”

Frederica didn’t press it further.

“So we can count on you now?”

“From this day forward, absolutely. A service to the Gunnhildrs is a service to the Saint.”

“And the sisters most likely to help?”

“Mother Superior supports the Saint wholly, but she serves the Church first. Your best allies are Rosaria and Sister Vind.”

“Rosaria?” Jean asked. “She fights with Eula all the time.”

“That’s not personal. Their methods just clash. Rosaria’s practically agnostic. If not for a… certain accident that earned her a Vision, she’d never have joined us.”

“And Vind? I always thought she was strictly by-the-book.”

“She’s the one who summoned the castellan to give Tanya her final blessing as a baby. She recognized the Gunnhildr bloodline instantly. She’d defy even Barbatos if it meant protecting Tanya.”

Jean nodded solemnly.

“Tanya’s been so cagey about which life returned during that etiquette episode. Any idea?”

“Vanessa’s era,” Dahlia said. “She remembered being orphaned.”

“And Eula didn’t want to talk about it because...?”

“Because she saw the moment it happened. How the Lawrence Clan killed her parents. Tanya’s memories broke through during a fight.”

“...Shit.”

**

Dawn Winery – The Day After

Crepus Ragnvindr was on his way home in his carriage, traveling from the city of Mondstadt to his beloved winery. His friend Connor and head maid Adelinde had reminded him time and time again that he didn’t need to oversee deliveries himself, but honestly, it was a beautiful day, and the little kitten curled up in his lap had made the return journey downright pleasant.

“So... do you like to travel, little kitten?” he asked gently, petting her as her wide eyes flicked from tree to field in fascination.

Crepus enjoyed being on the front lines, meeting clients personally, and solving problems before they grew. It kept his business sharp. It kept him sharper.

At the stables, chestnut-haired Hillie greeted him with a towel.

“Welcome home, my lord. Masters Diluc and Kaeya have returned from the city on their scheduled leave.”

“How long are they staying?”

“Three days. Two to rest, the third for festivities. The Captain granted simultaneous leave, they’ve earned it.”

“They’re not so young that they still need me,” he said with a grin, “and I’m not so old I can’t enjoy their absence a little.”

Inside, short-haired Moco opened the front doors. As the master of the winery, Crepus’s return warranted a welcome from the entire household, including his sons.

“Sorry for keeping everyone waiting.”

“Apologies, Father,” said kaeya. “If we’d waited just a little longer, we could’ve traveled with you.”

Kaeya, tan and as charming as ever, gave a mock bow.

“Still shedding my knight mode, I’m afraid.”

“And here I thought my prodigal son would be spending time with his girlfriend.”

“Father, Jean and I aren’t quite at that stage yet.” Voiced diluc.

“Yet, is it?”

The maids stifled their smiles with dainty hands.

“Oh, what joy, we’ll have a lady soon.”

“At last, my brother aims high. Why not just confess already? You two practically orbit each other.”

“It’s... more complicated,” Diluc muttered. “Her sister, the Saint, is in a fragile place. If I got closer now, I’d only add to her burdens.”

“Mm. You inherited my caution,” said Crepus, amused.

 “Speaking of which, still driving your own carriage, eh?”“You met Mother on a carriage ride, didn’t you?”

“Exactly. Passed her every week. One day, I finally asked. She said yes. That’s how I ended up with her... and now, this.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the tiny silver kitten cradled in his arm, startlingly elegant, with blue eyes that shimmered violet under the right light.

“Do her eyes match your girlfriend’s, or is it just me?” Crepus teased.

Adelinde, composed as ever, inspected the creature like she was analyzing a rare wine varietal.

“I’m unfamiliar with this breed. Too graceful for a stray. Perhaps an incognito adeptus?”

She was clearly smitten, but refused to show it.

“Where were you, Adel?” Crepus asked.

“Fetching a bed and litter box.”

“And how did you know I was bringing a cat?”

“We always had those. I just brought them down from the attic.”

Obvious. Natural. Prepared.

After dinner, the kitten, now sparkling clean, curled up on Crepus’s shoulder, entirely uninterested in Kaeya or Diluc.

Father and sons sat by the hearth, discussing recent events with somber candor.

“So you led the front to reclaim the Saint,” Crepus began, massaging his temples. “And my other son infiltrated the estate to convince the heir to surrender her sister. You two never realized you were on the same mission?”

Both sons looked sheepish.

“Then the Saint nearly dies in the Church’s care, only to be educated by a witch?”

He took a slow gulp of whiskey.

“And now the poor girl is chained to a role she never chose. Meanwhile, her sister won’t come home out of guilt.”

Kaeya, ever unafraid to speak hard truths, added another blow.

“Also... Tanya’s etiquette? Had no natural talent. All was Instinct from a past life. The realization nearly broke her.”

“Brother, please,” Diluc groaned. “Could we not... dig our own graves?”

Crepus took another swig.

“I don’t know whether to feel proud or sick. On one hand, mission accomplished, Tanya woke up. On the other hand, you two moved too fast. Your hearts were in the right place... but what were you thinking?”

The kitten leapt into his lap, pawing at his vest and letting out an insistent meow.

“At least I brought home a kitten instead of more chaos,” Crepus chuckled. “Funny, neither of you ever brought pets.”

“I already had a turtle,” said Diluc.

“And I had my brother,” Kaeya grinned.

“And who landed a girlfriend first?” Crepus smirked.

“Women like stoic types.”

“Then Diluc has the advantage.”

“You two agree way too much,” Diluc muttered.

But for a brief moment, laughter filled the room.

“Now tell me,” Crepus asked, eyes narrowing, “why exactly did Captain Frederica send two knights to defend the vineyards?”

The air shifted. The brothers exchanged a glance and dropped the pretense.

“There were sightings,” Kaeya began. “A certain drake, an old one, has been seen near Mondstadt again.”

“A vagabond wyrm,” Diluc clarified. “The vineyards are the closest resting point to the Liyue border. The Knights want to establish a forward outpost, discreet, but ready.”

“All we’ve got leading the outriders is some old foreigner with barely enough recruits,” Kaeya added with a smirk. “This isn’t about engaging the creature. The mission is to spot it, signal it, and let the main force sweep in from the city.”

“And that force?” Crepus asked. “It can’t be stationed indefinitely.”

“No. The long-term plan is for the Saint and the Deaconess to maintain a defensive barrier around Springvale and the city. That would free up the mobile units.”

“You’re telling me that child is going to hold an entire warding net?”

“The Saint performs miracles now,” said Diluc, not quite meeting his father’s eyes. “Each day, she rediscovers something new.”

“And the city keeps stacking burdens on a girl barely taller than my wine barrels.”

“Exactly why Frederica wants a watch post here,” Kaeya confirmed. “For dissuasion and early warning. Nothing more aggressive. This is from Varka himself.”

Crepus sat down and opened the letter.

(Crepus, this old enemy is a vagabond drake who once served as coliseum entertainment a thousand years ago. He bears a grudge against Mondstadt that even the fall of the Lawrences hasn’t extinguished. He won’t fight unless cornered; that’s why he’s survived so long. But don’t underestimate him. Think of him like a locust aiming for your grapes. Best of luck, old friend. Sigh, Varka)

Crepus exhaled.

“What else is happening in the city?”

“The Snezhnaya diplomats have taken over the entire Grand Goth Hotel,” Kaeya said. “They’re calling it an ‘embassy,’ but…”

“Feels more like staging,” Crepus muttered.

“At least old Ludwig got a stack of mora he couldn’t refuse,” Diluc said. “And the Saint received a donation, most likely hush money.”

“So that explains her latest business ventures.”

“You knew?”

Crepus raised a brow.

“Boy, I know every trade whisper within ten kilometers. And I needed to make sure that kitten wasn’t someone’s cherished pet. Turns out, our maids love her.”

“And you were curious about the coffee theme.”

“Exactly.”

**

The Next Morning

A sharp scream pierced the quiet halls.

“Aaaaah!”

Diluc rushed in, sword drawn, only to find Adelinde pale but unharmed.

“What happened?”

“The kitten… It’s gone. She left her collar.”

“We can’t expect a stray to settle,” he sighed.

Just then, Kaeya motioned for them to follow.

“Come with me. Quietly. Father’s room.”

Inside, the sight was absurd: Crepus sternly lecturing a floating silver seelie, which dipped its head in apology.

“You can’t just enter rooms unannounced,” Crepus scolded. “Especially not mine. Some of us need sleep.”

“I’m sorry,” the seelie mumbled.

Diluc blinked. And then…

“Tanya, why are you still pretending?”

The seelie shimmered and poofed into a familiar silver kitten with striking blue eyes.

Gasps all around.

“Wait, how’d you guess?” Kaeya asked.

“It was the wildest theory I could come up with,” Diluc muttered. “Now, care to explain why the Saint of Mondstadt is playing hide and seek in our house?”

“I’m not Tanya. I’m a cat.”

The silence was deafening. And telling.

All three suddenly realized, with a pit in their stomachs, that Tanya had overheard… everything.

Kaeya went ghost-white. Crepus’s brain short-circuited. Diluc exhaled and knelt beside her.

“Are you angry at the city? At us? For treating you like a stringless doll?”

Tanya gazed down.

“I’m a cat. Cats don’t go to Mass. Cats don’t worry about politics or corruption. They sleep. They eat. They don’t have to live up to anything.”

Her voice wasn’t bitter, it was tired. Exhausted.

Kaeya and Crepus finally recomposed, but she kept speaking. Maybe she was just in a rebellious phase. Or maybe… this was her only way to breathe.

“Let me guess,” Diluc said gently. “You turned into a cat, couldn’t go back, and decided to follow Father.”

The kitten raised her paws.

“Meow.”

“Tanya,” he said flatly, “that won’t work on me. I only have eyes for Jean.”

Adelinde, Kaeya, and Crepus dramatically clutched their hearts.

Diluc? Unmoved.

“Will you tell us what happened at the church?”

“I had no sympathy for that man, my so-called father. Leaving my mother… separating Barbara and Jean… That was already low. But what he did was despotism. I won’t play Saint”

**

Captain’s Office - Knights of Favonius Headquarters

Frederica was having one of those days, bizarre petitions, awkward paperwork, relentless headaches. But nestled on her desk, purring softly, was a white-haired kitten with piercing blue-violet eyes that shimmered subtly like a Gunnhildr’s gaze. Trembling around anyone else, the little thing only relaxed near her.

Privately, Frederica found the kitten soothing. Publicly, she justified it as emotional leverage, a new family member to coax Jean and Tanya home.

Then came a knock.

“Margaret,” Frederica sighed, “I can't have Knights searching for your cats across the entire city.”

“Come on now,” the cafe owner huffed. “The Saint found mines easily, and we agreed she’d assign a squire or apprentice to help me out. Or are you implying this mission is too much for the mighty Knights of Favonius?”

“Ugh, fine. Take Noelle. Or Mika.”

“You’re lovely, when your daughter’s reputation is involved.”

“You’ve been insufferable since Tanya remodeled your restaurant.”

“I’m not profitable yet, but I’m no longer drowning. I just need a bartender. Know anyone?”

“That’s not a Knight matter. Goodbye.”

“What happened to that lovesick detective sergeant?”

“Greedy as ever. Go hunt your own talent, Margaret.”

With a dramatic huff, she left. Frederica returned her attention to the kitten, handing her a piece of fried fish.

“Mondstadters gets too spoiled. You give a mouse cheese, and it wants milk too. Don’t fall into that trap, kitten.”

“Meow.”

The next visitor arrived: Cyrus from the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Frederica, is the permit for tactical drills approved?”

“Always. Beating hilichurls is a time-honored tradition. Just watch who you assign. Too many complaints, and Jean will flip.”

“So dependable. Drinks later?”

“Please. We all know how that ends, everyone blackout drunk, me completely lucid, stroking their heads like a forgiving storm.”

“One day, we’ll outdrink you.”

“In your dreams. If I fall, Jean or Tanya will inherit the throne of tolerance.”

“Your mom too, wasn’t she, wait. Is that hereditary?”

“Yup. We never got hangovers. Fifty-fifty odds with Tanya and jean ”(seventy percent if Barbara counts, but you didn’t hear that from me)

“Monsters, all of you.”

“Thank you.”

**

Next came a shy knock.

“Herman. And this must be Ellin.”

The girl clutched her father’s cloak, eyes wide.

“Apologies, Captain. She’s nervous.”

“That won’t do, Ellin. Can’t become a Knight like that.”

The girl’s lip wobbled. Frederica softened, walking over to the giant wall map behind her desk.

“Do you know who made this?”

Ellin blinked. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“No…”

“Your father did. He’s not the strongest or flashiest, but he’s meticulous. Brave in a quiet way. These maps serve Varka and the Knights, my Jean too. So in a way... your Papa protects my family.”

Ellin turned slowly toward Herman.

“Is that true, Papa?”

“One of my many jobs, yes.”

Frederica gave Herman a rare glance of approval.

“Jean grew up studying these maps like Tanya read her books. She memorized every river, hill, and pass from your father’s hand before she even learned to read. If you admire Jean, know that Jean admired your father’s work.”

“Whoa...”

“When you join the apprentices, if training gets tough, tell Jean that your Papa made the maps. She’ll make sure no one overlooks you.”

Ellin glowed with pride as she and Herman submitted the final paperwork. A reserve apprentice, soon to join the next generation.

**

Last came Anna, clutching a cloth-wrapped object.

“Captain, It’s done.”

“Show me.”

Anna unwrapped a glider prototype. Frederica traced the seams with a nod.

“It’s crucial to have functioning gliders. In a few years, outriders will flock all over with tools like these to move freely.”

“But... it’ll cost the Gunnhildrs a hit.”

“Sell alternate colors. One glider per person, remember?”

Anna’s eyes widened.

“Oh! That’s why, limit scarcity drives demand.”

“Exactly. I won’t design your motifs or pick your colors, but the foundation is sound. The rest? Yours.”

“Thank you, Captain. I wouldn’t have done it without you.”

“Don’t thank me. Make it fly.”

Frederica sat back, rubbing her temple as the kitten curled up again. Just another day in Mondstadt, knights, maps, gliders, cats, and future outriders.

The day had been looking up, until Cardinal Calvin arrived, exuding calm that felt more like a threat.

“Hello, Frederica. I want you to read this.”

“Are you finally going to tell me what’s going on inside your Church?” she replied, taking the letter in hand.

(To everyone reading this: we succeeded in conjuring more than a ball of light. Barbara activated light magic, but something went wrong, and we couldn’t control the spell. We don’t want anything to do with the old dirty priests or their messes, so we’re disappearing in protest. Fix your own shit and then we’ll come back. Goodbye. Sign Tanya Gunnhildr)

Frederica read the letter in silence. Then she slammed both palms on the desk, rage bleeding into every crack in the room.

“What the hell has the Church been doing?! Your side of the city is rotting.”

“We’ve had a few... internal struggles,” Calvin said with maddening calm.

“Don’t lie to me. I know a Snezhnayan cleric slipped away. If he had anything to do with my daughter's vanishing, I swear I’ll kill Saemus myself.”

“Yes, we’ve confirmed the escape. But you don’t need to worry, Saemus has been cooperating. The contract compromised him, but the situation is under control.”

“Under control?! My daughters ran away, and you keep saying it’s fine?”

“It’s just one mole.”

“No. It’s three. And don’t play innocent, I know about your Sumeru and Fontaine infiltrators embezzling Church funds.”

Calvin’s lips twitched.

“You’re surprisingly well-informed, Captain. But yes, your daughters are safe. This device indicates one is still in this room, though perhaps in an astral or spiritual plane.”

“Calvin, they’re just girls. And you’re talking about them like ghosts. Do I look like some crazy  bitch to you?”

Her hand rested on the pommel of her sword.

“We’ve only identified Snezhnayan as the prime conspirator,” Calvin replied smoothly. “The castellan was acting under contract influence. The other two... no longer exist.”

Frederica’s breath caught.

“What did you just say?”

“The clerics from Sumeru and Fontaine have been eliminated. There’s nothing left of them.”

“They needed to stand before a judge, are you saying you executed them?!”

Calvin’s expression shifted, his presence coalescing into something colder, heavier.

“Their crimes against the sanctity of the Church demanded action. But you need not worry. The protection of the Saint and of Barbatos remains our priority.”

Panic prickled up Frederica’s spine. Her eyes darted across the room, measuring weapons, escape options. Calvin noticed.

“That won’t help,” he said softly. “The Gunnhildr line must be preserved. Without you all, there can be no Saint. And without the Saint, there is no Barbatos.”

She seized the desk sword. It wouldn’t unsheathe.

She reached for her dagger. It stuck in place.

“What the hell are you?”

“Your friend, still. And a member of the Kreuzlied Society.”

Her hands flew to the bow, but the arrows wouldn’t budge from the quiver.

The kitten on her desk began to cry. ¨meow, meow¨

“You killed them?”

“They were purged. A message to every nation, even Snezhnaya. We won’t let foreign hands soil our altar. If needed, we’ll challenge witches one by one, and even if we fall, we’ll ensure they bleed first.”

She turned to her desk, her last weapon, the hidden pistol. The drawer wouldn’t open.

“This is insane!”

“Interfering with the Saint is heresy. Some of us believe your separation from Saemus was orchestrated to prevent her rebirth.”

Frederica stared, heart pounding, realizing she had no defense against the real Cardinal Calvin, layered in relics, unstoppable and unshakable.

“Whose side are you on?”

“Mondstadt’s,” he answered evenly. “Saemus and I share that burden.”

“What do you mean?”

“Five hundred years ago, my ancestor struck Barbatos in the face. Exiled him from the Church. He was furious; our archon had become a dog of Celestia. And during that time... your great-grandmother was orphaned.”

“But the Four Winds protected everyone. Even the witches helped.”

“And yet a witch played a hand in the Khaenri’ah disaster. If not for Alice’s reputation, the Church would have hunted them all down. In a fair fight, a lone witch isn’t a problem. But their tea party... that’s another matter.”

“You’re not possessed, are you?”

“Only with righteous anger. All of Mondstadt is a victim.”

“And Snezhnaya?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Some signs point to them. Others... feel stranger.”

He walked to the window and pointed skyward.

“What are you saying?”

“Celestia broke its promises. It nearly wiped us out through famine and annihilation. We believe it’s time someone new sat on that throne. Someone who will do the damn job.”

“So… for Teyvat?”

“No. For Mondstadt, always.”

Frederica dropped into her chair. Her heart finally steadied.

“For Barbatos, Calvin, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“I carry a dozen holy artifacts. I won’t fight you, Frederica. I’ve always hoped we’d walk the same path. That’s how we caught the last two traitors.”

Frederica stood, grabbed her claymore, and rested it on her shoulder.

“I can’t cut you in half, but I can beat you to a pulp. Now get out before I decide to redecorate my office with your jaw.”

“I’ll bring Adeptus’ Temptation to the next council.”

“Two. I want one for eating with my daughters.”

“Understood. Until next week, Captain.”

Calvin left.

The door closed.

And Frederica collapsed to the floor, tears falling in silence.

“Shit, Saemus… why? Why the contract? I still love you. Even after everything.”

She felt indignation that they doubted her fidelity.

It wasn’t the threat that shook her; it was that she almost died at the hands of someone she trusted. If she had panicked just a little more, she wouldn’t have walked out of that conversation at all.

The kitten padded toward her, meowing gently.

¨meow, meow¨

Frederica hugged it tight, tears returning,

“Jean and Tanya won’t come back home. I’m alone. I always have to look strong, but I’m so tired.”

She sobbed, curling her shoulders around the cat.

“My stupid Saemus…”

Light filled the room.

The kitten shimmered and changed, becoming the soft, gentle face of her daughter.

“It’s not that, Mama… Tanya doesn’t want to come back if I’m not there. And I didn’t want to return without Papa. I’m sorry… I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

Frederica looked up, her heart breaking anew.

“Barbara…”

“Mama…”

They held each other and wept.

And that’s how Barbara stopped being a cat.

“I’m sorry,” Frederica whispered. “But if this happened at the Church, I can’t imagine what would happen with all of us under one roof again.”

“I didn’t know, Mama. I didn’t.”

“With that contract… Saemus could endanger any of us, even against his will.”

“So that’s why you broke up…”

“You were so little. Of course, you don’t remember. It’s okay. One day, we’ll tear that damn contract apart. And bring this family back together.”

**

Dawn Winery -  Friday

Jean rode hard, guided by Hachiko; the Chiba Inu Tanya had once rescued. The dog led her through Mondstadt’s streets, finally arriving at a heartwarming sight: Barbara hugging their mother. When her sister unlocked a new light-element technique moments later, Jean’s heart swelled with pride.

But that pride was shadowed by concern.

They had unlocked the spell by purifying the same abyssal shard that once left Tanya fevered. Whatever the Saint had seen this time was far worse, awful, it shattered her confidence, left her doubting her identity, and trapped her in the form of a cat. Barbara and Tanya had eventually separated, and Jean, guided again by Hachiko, tracked her down.

She recognized the place immediately. The dawn winery.

As Jean entered the grounds, a maid greeted her like clockwork.

“Welcome, Lady Jean. We were expecting you. My name is Adelinde, you can call me Adel.”

“Wait, did I introduce myself?”

“You’re Captain Gunnhildr’s daughter. The Saint is waiting.”

“It’s good to know my sister is safe.”

“She is. But… she’s a bit melancholic.”

Adelinde guided her to the manor. Diluc met her at the door.

“Jean, good, you’re here. There’s... a situation.”

“Let me guess. She’s still a cat?”

“Yes. Depressed. In denial.”

“But she’s the calm one. Occasionally cryptic, sure, but grounded.”

“You’ll see. My father’s at the piano.”

Jean stepped inside and found Crepus, seated at the grand piano, playing a soft, haunting tune. On his lap: a silver kitten, singing quietly.

(Come on, hold my hand

I wanna contact the living

Not sure I understand

This role I've been given)

(I sit and talk to God

And he just laughs at my plans

My head speaks a language I don't understand.

(I don't wanna die

But I ain't keen on living either

Before I fall in love

I'm preparing to leave her

I scare myself to death

That's why I keep on running

Before I've arrive, I can see myself coming)

(I just wanna feel real love

Fill the home that I live in

I got too much love

Cause I got too much life

Running through my veins, going to waste)

Crepus played gently, offering no judgment.

“Hmm... we need to rework that chorus,” he mused.

Jean’s blood ran cold. Tanya didn’t sing about gods, only Barbatos. She crowned him, trusted him. But this... was raw. Personal. That she opened up at all was a rare thing. To do so with someone outside the family was even rarer.

“Father, we have company,” Diluc said.

Crepus looked up.

“Ah, Frederica’s daughter. It’s been a while. Welcome back”

“Pleasure, sir. Wait, have I visited before? Non-work related?”

“Of course. Long before we adopted Kaeya or Barbara was born. My late wife and Frederica were close. We’re partly responsible for her marriage to Saemus, in fact.”

“Wait, what?”

“You weren’t told? I assumed that’s why you and Diluc always got along so well.”

Kaeya tried not to grin. the maids stood stoically. Jean sighed.

“So what’s the deal with Tanya?”

Everyone turned to the kitten, curled in Crepus’s lap.

“To be honest,” the old man said, “I can’t return her in this state. She’s flip-flopping between pressure cookers. That headquarters security is not helping. She needs somewhere simple. Stable. From now on, she will stay here. My cat.”

“We’ve had altercations despite that security,” Jean muttered.

“Exactly. Instead of peace, she’s getting silence. You and Frederica are always busy. She doesn’t want to be a Saint. Never asked to.”

Jean squinted at her feline sister.

“Tanya... you’re just trying to skip mass, aren’t you?”

“Is that not normal?” the kitten mewed. “I can handle Sunday service. But every day? More times I get to finish a meal?”

That was more like her. The faithful one was Barbara. Tanya inherited their mother’s agnosticism and her dry pragmatism.

“Does this have to do with your projects?”

“Yeah. I need to move. Clinic, lake, cathedral, wherever I’m needed. But not mass. Please.”

“Fine. As long as you stay guarded, I won’t press. Now stop being a cat already.”

“I can’t.”

“Still? Your chocolate’s back. Coffee too. Even Mom’s on your side.”

“It’s not that. I’m still stuck.”

Jean remembered Barbara’s advice: a strong identity or emotional anchor.

“Just imagine who you want to be, Tanya, that is all you need.”

The kitten shimmered. Light enveloped her and transformed her into a blond girl in a red dress, elegant like a porcelain doll.

“Adorable,” whispered the maids.

“Who is this?” Jean asked.

“I wore this once for a promo. The image never left me.”

“Seriously? All that rancor for a dress?”

“You also hate skirts, Jean.”

“Fair.”

“Also, easier to ride home.”

They bid farewell to the Ragnvindrs, relieved to see the Saint smiling again.

Halfway back, Jean reined in her horse.

“We’re far enough. What are you not telling me?”

Tanya leaned over and vomited onto the road.

“Tanya!”

“There’s a death omen over the Dawn Winery.”

“You saw it when?”

“Last night. I couldn’t tell you there... It would’ve made things worse.”

“Another prophecy?”

“The future shifts constantly. But the aura around Kaeya and Diluc changed after one night. They have a death flag now.”

Jean exhaled slowly.

“And this ties into the Abyssal shard.”

Tanya nodded. Then spoke, trembling.

“When I purified it… I dreamt of another me. A foreign one. A warmonger, wrapped in prayers and contradicting logic. A person who glorified destruction, from desert to tundra. A soldier who justified it all. And the god she thought she fought, but kept doing his bidding... brainwashed, he loved making us fight. Me and the other apostle. I tried everything. Bullets to the head. Knives to the heart. She kept coming back.”

“Tanya…”

“Even when I won, someone always pulled her back. Cities turned to ash. The final battle was in a church… and still, nothing stopped us.”

She broke.

And Jean caught her.

“It doesn’t matter how many lives you’ve lived. The pain, the joy, they’re all yours. But so are your choices. You didn’t bend the knee. You crowned your archon. That’s braver than walking on water.”

Tanya sobbed.

Light wrapped around her, and gently, the Saint returned to her true form: the little girl with sky-blue eyes and four years of memory, and centuries of burden.

“Okay,” she whispered.

Jean realized that Tanya may have a past as the slave of the all-father or the descender, a grim past before mondstadt, but she will not press further; she only needed time, the same thing that hurt her that hunted her, time that ends with everything.

Chapter Text

Star 6

Notes:

This chapter is dedicated to punctual_timing and watchinkid, for giving us the best inspiration.

A quick explanation of the lore: Tanya reincarnated in Mondstadt more than once. The times she returned to the Empire correspond to the web novel, light novel, manga, anime, movie, and the mythos.

Here is where cosmic horror manifests. The visions from the Abyss were inspired by other works as tribute, but they are not canon — only delusions. On the other hand, the fanfic mythos enters because the Abyss is a primordial terror, and Lovecraftian lore feels more fitting than the current official canon. For this writing, I lean into the eldritch unknowns until hoyoverse give us more abyssal stuff.

Tanya fits seamlessly as the saint, guiding Mondstadt into a golden age that lasted centuries, ending five hundred years ago. They exhausted everything repelling the Abyss invasion — an incredible achievement, considering Khaenri’ah perished and Natlan struggled for centuries until the Traveler’s arrival.

Thus, Mondstadt here is almost the same as canon, except it was once richer and mightier. The nation of wind currently dedicate much of its manpower to crafting precision instruments and tools for Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya. They did not pursue mass production. Think of ASML creating machines for microchips in the Lowlands, Swiss artisans cutting diamonds for jewelry, or Japanese craftsmanship producing china dolls or telescopic lenses for scientific research. Mondstadt’s industry specialized in quality, not quantity. I even imagine some drunkard becoming a machine-language programmer (zeros and ones), an accounting auditor, or a statistician — jobs that explain their relaxed lifestyle.

In summary, this Mondstadt resembles a privileged European town in a forgotten country like Liechtenstein. (Surprisingly, this comparison fits so well it made my day — they even speak the same language, lol.)

Some may wonder why Tanya seems off. This Tanya will mature rapidly to become our Tanya. I needed to give her an origin and introduce the problems carried by reincarnating and growing up again and again. I chose a family in Mondstadt, one tied to a passage of lore: the Gunnhildr. Even the arguments of lore helped me anchor her in the timeline. And why so many loops? Remember — it is a spiral.

(She enters the lore without issue, but at the same time alters the timeline. That topic will unfold in Sumeru and later in the Cryo nation, where I hope to connect the story to Star Rail, if Mihoyo allows it lore-wise. Are the 203rd Star Blazers? ¡Perhaps¡. Will they reach a space station similar to Hestia?, I wonder if I’ve left that path open.)

chapter 6: Dawn Winery

Diluc watched the Gunnhildr sisters depart for the city. He felt a weight lift from his back. Walking slower than usual, he realized he might finally relax. But upon entering the mansion, he heard his father, Crepus, making Kaeya pledge a promise.

“Son, you need to promise that you will aid Jean in everything possible.”

“That is guaranteed, Father.”

“Kaeya, promise me this. I need the assurance that Jean will not repeat the same misfortune that befell Frederica.”

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“Hah… the divorce of Frederica and Saemus wasn’t an accident. The departure of my wife may not have been a coincidence.”

Hearing his mother mentioned, Diluc stopped eavesdropping and confronted his father.

“Old man, wouldn’t it be me who protects her?” Diluc burst in, slamming the door open.

“Diluc!” Crepus exclaimed, surprised.

“Father, what are you talking about?” Diluc demanded, agitated.

Crepus unraveled the mess in his head.

“It is only my guess, but the pieces start to fit. Too many coincidences at once are not mere chance,” he said, rubbing his temples.

“What are you trying to say?” both brothers asked.

“Boys, the Gunnhildr are strong, but not only in strength. They are also delicate in unfortunate ways. They may be independent, but they need solid support. Diluc, if you want to confess to Jean, you must have the courage not only to date her, but to be serious.”

“If I need to leave for the city, I will.”

“Oh, living together is not the solution, boy. It is not so easy. Saemus fell into that trap, and it wasn’t until a certain accident that he could marry Frederica. Let me tell you…”

Sixteen ago

Mondstadt’s main street bustled as always. Master Crepus was chatting with Katherine, as he often did.

“Here you have the wine invoices for your northerners, Katherine.”

“Thank you very much. It is always a pleasure to do business with you.”

Suddenly, the signal for the expedition’s return echoed. People from the surrounding streets began to gather, eager to witness the spectacle of knights marching in formation. Some even made line. Soon, watchmen rushed up and down the walls, signaling that something was wrong.

The knights attempted to disperse the crowd, but it was impossible during rush hour. Then the reason became clear: Captain Gunnhildr entered through the gates, galloping, her armor stained with blood, carrying an injured man. From her mount, she barked orders.

“Someone, quick — a healer!”

The temple of steel was visible on her, nearby, and fortunately, a nun was there buying flowers.

“Let me see,” said the nun, without dropping the bouquet, as she examined the wounded soldier.

“What is your name?” asked the captain.

“Maria. Ah, do not worry about the bell flowers — I can crush them for first aid.” She chewed the blossoms, applying them as a poultice while stitching wounds and binding them with bandages.

More knights returned, each battered and weary. Their equipment was worn, their carriages filled with the injured. Horses carried two or three comrades at once, and some knights leaned on their swords like canes.

“Guards, hurry! Bring stretchers and carry them to the cathedral. Tend to those who cannot stand!”

The sight demoralized the civilians, but the captain remained steadfast, ensuring her soldiers reached safety within the walls. At that moment, Grand Master Varka raised his voice.

“Captain!”

“Grand Master, we found the drake, but—”

“Frederica, what the heck!”

Frederica froze, snapping out of her battlefield inertia to focus on Varka.

“Grand Master.”

“Watch yourself. You are scaring everyone.”

She was drenched in blood — none of it her own — spotted from head to toe. The nun did not flinch, the guards continued their duties, but civilians, from adults to children, trembled in fear.

“We faced Ursa, but—”

“Frederica, I order you to go home.”

“But—”

“Now. I relieve you of your mission and task.”

“But—”

“Frederica, if you force me to repeat myself, I will degrade you to squire.”

At last, Frederica understood her error. She was no longer on the battlefield; she was in the city. Her haste had saved nearly everyone, but she had forgotten something equally vital: giving the city the impression of security. Instead, she had filled them with terror.

Indignant and powerless, Frederica returned to her apartment, where Saemus received her. Though they already lived together, it was the first time he had seen her in such a state.

“Frederica, are you all right? What happened? Are you injured?”

“Marry me,” Frederica said.

Saemus had lived with his girlfriend for some time, but she had never agreed before. This time, it was she who asked, and he answered:

“Yes.”

He guided Frederica to clean herself and change her clothes. Her return to the city had been fueled by adrenaline, but once home, her strength collapsed. Physically and emotionally drained, she finally accepted her loss.

“Saemus… Ana. We lost Ana. What are we going to do with Anne? She is so small, without her mother. She is alone.”

“Do not worry. We can take her in as a maid. Her family is part of your clan, isn’t it?”

“But you already do all those duties.”

“I can teach her everything she needs. Then she will decide what to do with her life.”

Back at Dawn Winery

Crepus told his sons the tale of how Saemus won Frederica’s heart.

“Boys, remember: if you want to love, you must first know how much you are willing to give to a woman.”

“Wait… even though they lived together, she didn’t give in?”

“Do not think Jean will be easy.”

Gunnhildr Estate

Barbara entered her old house for the first time in over a decade. She didn’t know what to expect, but the house was unchanged, and her room was just as she had left it: her tale books lined the shelves, her drawings hung on the walls, and her stuffed animals sat in their familiar chaotic order.

“But where did Tanya sleep?”

“I kept her cradle in my room. She was always a quiet, tiny baby, so I wanted her near me. Later, we decided she should have her own room because she outgrew her bed. But then she was discovered as the saint, and she never came back. That didn’t help.”

Barbara noticed how her mother’s gaze fell to the floor.

“Since she was a baby, she cried whenever she entered this room. I think she always knew everything here already had an owner.”

“I’m surprised to learn a baby hated my bedroom.”

“Drunkards and children always tell the truth. She preferred being surrounded by ink and paper.”

“Ha, that’s typical of her.”

Barbara’s eyes fell on a stuffed turtle. She had always been jealous of Jean’s turtle, crying for one of her own. Only when she received that plushie did she finally calm down.

“I think I’ve found my lucky token.”

“You know, Jean’s turtle never died. It only hibernated.”

“What?”

“One winter, it turned out to be a jadestone turtle. We relocated it, and it still lives somewhere in Chenyu Vale, in a warmer climate.”

“Wait, you deceived Jean for years?”

“You’re an accomplice now. Take this secret to the grave.”

“Mom… how will I face Jean from today on?”

That night, Barbara stayed in her old room, breaking her self-imposed promise. Nostalgia overwhelmed her as she remembered her early childhood spent alongside her sister - her role model, her friend, inseparable in everything they did.

Alone in bed, illuminated by her light orb - an element she had unlocked for reasons she never fully understood - Barbara reflected. She realized she remembered little about her transition to life in the cathedral. She recalled wanting to be a deaconess, Dahlia teaching her music, and years spent adapting to cathedral life. But her memories were obscured. She noticed gaps: the extra step on the staircase that vanished when she tried to count them, the fact that Rosaria had always been her friend though she couldn’t recall when they met, and the mystery of why she had chosen to become a nun.

For the first time in years, she asked herself what her life might have been had she never left this house. Would she have become a priestess, a singer, an adventurer, or a knight? If she could go back, would she make the same choices? Then she understood her little sister, the saint. Of course she would not do the same - taking root is for trees; to open paths, one must walk.

But what of her father? How could she help him? She was now in the house she had vowed never to return to without him. Leaving through the head quarters front door would raise too many questions, given her family resemblance and her nun’s attire. That was why they would depart discreetly through the house using the passageway. Still, she wished for the day when her father could return with the rest of the family, entering proudly through the front door.

She fell asleep without noticing, her light orb fading. She realized she had never slept enough when she transformed into a cat, and now her body demanded rest.

In her dreams, Barbara saw a red-haired man petting her head in welcome, and a boy with the same red hair playing with her sister. Her mother spoke with the boy’s mother, while her father carried her as a child. The place was lush with vegetation, though she could not recall where it was.

After sleeping like a stone, Barbara awoke to find her sister before her, combing her hair into a single braid resting on her right shoulder, tied with a scrunchie. But something was wrong - this Jean was younger.

“Jean, did I come back in time?” Barbara murmured, yawning, before drifting back to sleep.

“I think Barbara is still half-asleep.”

Jean then announced, “I think the Adeptus Temptations will get cold.”

“Spicy food!” Barbara exclaimed, sitting up and accidentally making Tanya trip on the bed.

“Really? Are you a glutton? You’re supposed to be a nun,” Tanya complained.

“Oh… my other sister and Jean,” Barbara realized, finally waking.

“Hey! Am I less important than a plate of food?” Tanya protested.

At that moment, Frederica and Anne arrived, carrying food through the passageway.

Around the table, everyone recounted the chaos. Tanya had tried to purify an abyssal shard, but it resisted, filling her with delusions. Again and again she attempted purification, without success. Meanwhile, Barbara practiced her light element, hoping to achieve more than a simple orb. Suddenly, she transformed into a cat, unlocking the mimic skill. Tanya mysteriously understood her mewing and transformed into a cat as well, becoming trapped in the spell. She decided to write a letter, but before they could plan to visit Alice’s house, Hachiko the Shiba Inu burst in, chasing them. Both sisters became stranded, wandering the city as stray cats until Frederica found Barbara and Master Crepus took Tanya. Jean, meanwhile, took the dog to track them.

Mother and child did not dwell on the events, since they were already resolved. Instead, they focused on the delicacies before them - the gourmet dish from Liyue, a true magnum opus. But Jean pressed her mother for answers.

“Why did Master Crepus welcome me back? Did you take me there when I was little?”

“Huh? Don’t you remember? You and Diluc were childhood friends.”

“I don’t recall ever playing in the vineyards.”

“Of course not. We never let you get dirty in the mud. You played in the mansion. Their turtles were mementos of each other. We bought them from a traveling merchant as a pair, and both named them Turtly and Turtlee.”

“Wait… I don’t remember meeting my sempai until I began sword training.”

“So you don’t remember that we were considering a promise between the Ragnvindr and Gunnhildr families?”

In that moment, Tanya choked on her food, startled by the news. Barbara panicked, but Jean quickly rose to give first aid to the saint. Their mother, however, continued her sermon - a discussion that had been simmering for a long time.

“I thought both of you remembered being inseparable. Wasn’t that why Diluc gave you special attention?”

“What? No. I’m only the girl he instructed, nothing more. He has no hidden agenda. He is honest and stoic - unlike his brother.”

“Yes, and I’m sure he will not want to ask me for your hand in marriage.”

“What? First we’d need to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Are you so senile that you already want a grandchild?”

“Well, with three daughters, I hope to have at least six grandchildren in total — two from each of you. Did you all hear me?”

Barbara dropped her cutlery in shock. Anne quickly cleaned her cheeks with a handkerchief, while Tanya recovered from her near-asphyxia.

“Ha… ha… ha…” Tanya exhaled, finally breathing safely again.

Jean finished her task, returned to her dish, took a bite, and bickered with her mother.

“Don’t even mention an arranged marriage. I don’t want you to ruin what we have.”

“Oh, so you want to go slow,” Frederica teased.

“It’s not that kind of relationship,” Jean defended.

“There’s no way someone so pretty could go unnoticed. It’s your choice not to have a boyfriend. Or are you so dense like a black hole?”

That final comment from her mother filled Jean with fury.

“For my sister the saint, you’re the same as Grandma.”

The remark angered Frederica.

“Jean Gunnhildr, retract that statement. Do not put me in the same shoes as that witch. She made sure I never had a single boyfriend. The townsfolk avoided me until I met clueless Saemus and eloped. Without him, you wouldn’t even be born.”

They ignored Tanya’s emergency - after all, for someone who faced combat daily, choking was nothing to fear. But Tanya, enraged by the heavy mood, burst out:

“Stop! I almost reincarnated as the daughter of my own sister, for the love of the Archon!”

Frederica suddenly realized something important.

“Wait… that’s why they separated the marriages of both houses. They didn’t want the saint to be my daughter or granddaughter.”

Tanya’s anger dissolved into shock.

“There’s no way something so…”

Everyone connected the threads.

“Oh, shit!”

“Oh, shit.”

“Everything fits. The next to be born would be the saint - meaning me.”

Confusion silenced the table until Barbara broke into laughter.

“Jajaja! What are you three crackpots? What kind of dysfunctional brainstorm is that?”

Seeing her family debate filled Barbara with joy, though she also cried.

“If only Father were here… eh, why do I cry?”

Jean raised the white flag, apologizing to her mother.

“Mom, I only hope I don’t hate you the way you resented Grandma.”

Frederica blinked twice, realizing her mistake.

“Of course, I forgive you. And I don’t sniff around in your business. That applies to Tanya and Barbara too.”

“Well, I hope to find Visha. For me, that’s enough.”

“What? But I’m older, and I don’t have anyone,” Barbara protested.

“Oh, so that’s the mystery about Visha. Tell us about him?, Her? Mmm ancient names are weird.”

“Visha made the best coffee in the world and was a superb baker… or so I think. So much time has passed, and between memories from different centuries, I’m starting to forget visha’s face and voice. I know Visha is my most important person, but I’m afraid of forgetting.”

“No! Another mystery - like the stairway steps.”

“Aren’t there nineteen?”

“There are twenty.”

“I counted twenty-one.”

Everyone stared at each other, incredulous. They all knew there was an extra step, but each had a different number. Anne, the maid, explained:

“Certainly, it varies by plus or minus one. Normally there are twenty steps, if the house is in a certain mood. I always thought we had a gnome or an Inazuman yokai. The discrepancy became more apparent after Tanya arrived.”

The revelation spurred the saint into action.

“Oh, how I hate gnomes. I’ll need to exterminate it before they infest the garden.”

Tanya took a knife from the cutlery, infused it with magic, and started to stride toward the stairway.

“Wait, you’re talking about vanquishing a mythological creature?” Jean protested.

“Wait - I haven’t even taught you how to brandish a sword. How do you intend to eliminate a gnome?” asked her mother.

“Don’t kill it. What if it’s a yokai?” Barbara interjected.

“Oh, true. I’d love to see a Zashiki-warashi.”

Frederica took the knife from Tanya and corrected her.

“You cannot simply jump into action. Mondstadt already lost you once. Let us talk with it first, then decide. Being surrounded by knights instead of staying home has influenced you badly.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be a bookworm? Why so belligerent? I don’t brandish my sword at the first opportunity,” Jean added.

“Okay, okay. I’ll use my Eye of Truth to see the hidden step and locate the singularity. Do we agree?” Tanya relented.

The saint formed a circle with her left hand and a jutsu with her right, walking up the stairway. As she stepped onto the last stair, a threshold shifted, revealing another step at the base. The space and architecture of the house warped.

Mother and daughters gasped as the extra step materialized out of nowhere.

“Wait… what?” the trio exclaimed.

“Bingo,” said the saint, descending from the railing in a rush.

Frederica grabbed Tanya and admonished her.

“Not while this is my home, little girl.”

“Okay,” Tanya apologized, carried like a cat.

Now that they examined the step, Tanya opened a hidden lid in the first stair. Inside were not gnomes or yokai, but pieces of clockwork, tools, and a book.

“Uh, those are only artifacts,” the three said. But Tanya jumped with joy and hugged Barbara.

“Yes, yes, yes! Barbara, you’re my favorite sister. You discovered my computational orb - my tools are here!”

“Is this some kind of catalyst?” Jean asked.

“Don’t compare the manipulation of elemental energy to the use of mana. This artifact will let me unleash the light element to its maximum potential.”

“Why do you sound just like Alice?” Frederica remarked.

“Well, because the light element and adeptus techniques are, in essence, pure aether - diametrically opposed to the Abyss.”

“Wait, the light element is magic?”

“Imaginary… almost. Its nature shifts. That’s why I created the Alewives to investigate.”

Tanya covered her mouth, realizing her mistake. Everyone in Mondstadt knew the brewsters were the predecessors of witches - like the infamous Alice.

“Tanya Gunnhildr!” her mother’s voice thundered.

Panicked, Tanya destabilized the room, making everyone float in zero gravity. She grabbed her tools to escape, but Anne propelled herself off the wall and caught Tanya in a firm hug.

“Not on my watch, little girl,” Anne said, holding the rogue saint.

“Barbara, help!” Tanya cried.

“Jean, please!” she protested.

“If you confess more of what you’ve done, I might consider not punishing you,” Frederica warned.

Gravity returned, and they discussed how to confront an unleashed saint. Tanya apologized, confessing how she had once assigned the women of Mondstadt’s back-village as priestesses dedicated to the goddess of wind and time, Astaroth. Before beer brewing was dominated by women, it was a sacred craft. Over centuries, this role degenerated into oblivion, birthing the cult of witches. Alice had retold how the witches launched a punitive force against the Anemo Archon, how the twin saint signed a truce with their league, and how the mess was resolved. But recalling these memories gave Tanya a migraine, collapsing her to the floor.

“Tanya, stop. You don’t have to hurt yourself.”

“But I need to know if this orb was mine… or Charlotte’s.”

“You may play with that puzzle and I’ll forgive you, but you must distract yourself now,” her mother ordered.

Tanya carried her objects to the coffee table and began assembling the computational orb. Frederica noticed something strange: Tanya was using her left hand as dominant, though she had always favored her right. To confirm, she asked Jean and Barbara.

“Jean, Barbara, do you see what I see?”

“I only noticed she’s exhausted, and her sitting posture is like Inazuman” Jean replied.

“For someone so spontaneous, I’m surprised at her dexterity with delicate work,” Barbara added.

Frederica left Tanya under Anne’s supervision and spoke with her older daughters.

“Listen, when you eventually have children, never correct their dominant hand. Forcing a left-handed child to use the right can stunt growth, cause speech deficiencies, or emotional stress. What you see in your sister is concerning and abnormal. I don’t know if it’s memory overload or something else, but I’m certain my baby was right-handed. I’ll need to speak with the church about this.”

“Mom, I think I know the cause,” Barbara said.

“What are you talking about?”

“When Tanya is stressed, she awakens memories suddenly. When she discovered Father’s contract, she filtered her memories into the present. But I suspect she’s not only remembering her lives as the saint.”

“What do you mean?”

“Her stories as ghostwriter Tanya Degurechaff have a world-building that repeats. I saw her chatting with an Inazuman merchant in their language. She even wrote a list only they could understand.”

Jean confessed:

“Wait… she’s always preferred Inazuman candies and rice. When she was two, she refused sausages until she saw rice balls gifted to me at Dornman Port.”

“Every time I patrolled Dornman Port, she asked for dango,” Frederica added.

“Wouldn’t that be because Watatsumi civilization was saved by the goddess Astaroth?”

Both knights urged Barbara to continue.

“In my classes, we reviewed temples from other nations. I found mention of the goddess of a thousand winds in the island nation.”

“What topic were they studying?” Frederica asked.

“The pilgrimage of the sacred fire. They carried a flame, never extinguished, across temples throughout Teyvat. If I’m not mistaken, in a few years the church will begin another journey.”

“Wait… that pilgrimage goal is to stabilize Natlan’s ley lines. The saint of centuries ago began that tradition - which is none other than…”

The three turned to see Tanya finishing her orb.

“I think I’m only missing the gem. Finding the right mineral will be complicated. What a disappointment… but at least this will keep me busy.” She collapsed onto the carpet.

Jean muttered, “Wasn’t she supposed to have cleared her etiquette lessons by now?”

“At least this has a solution — unlike Saemus,” tanya sighed.

The saint’s words were a revelation. She had already predicted doom for Dawn Winery, and now for her father. Frederica, not very pious despite marrying a priest, felt a lump in her throat. Her captain’s discipline kept her calm, though rancor toward her ex-husband lingered.

“Little bird, what are you talking about?”

“I saw it with my elemental sight. The contract he made is no normal pact. It is unbalanced, one-sided - a curse.”

“Explain. We need him alive to give him a good beating.”

“Each of his organs is bound by threads. If he even thinks of breaking the contract, his life is endangered. It’s frustrating, but I can do nothing for my father.”

“There must be a weakness. No contract can be so one-sided.”

“That’s the worst part. He accepted all disadvantages. To me, he is no different than a death in life - his existence hanging by a thread, every hour of every day. That is why I called him Soul in Repentance. I don’t want to grow fond of him, because I know we will lose him. And the worst thing is… he cannot give us any details to save him.”

Cathedral of Mondstadt — Conference Room

When Tanya and Barbara returned to the cathedral escorted by Eula and Rosaria, the two knights guided the sisters directly to a chamber.

“It’s good to see you back, but we need to go to the meeting,” said Sister Grace, greeting them at the entrance.

Barbara expected anger or admonishment, but the church seemed focused on business first - a relief, since she didn’t want to feel uncomfortable. Sister Grace approached the saint, adjusting her attire and noticing Tanya’s braid tied with a scrunchie bearing the Gunnhildr seal. The change in hairstyle was cute.

“Well, normally you’re too young to preach theology. But you are the one responsible for writing the manuscripts that shape our faith. So it is right for you to be here. You are the second most important person after Barbatos himself, and we need the saint to be the voice of reason.”

This surprised Tanya. Yes, she was the saint, yes, she had written many things - but her memories were a jumble of disordered information. She never thought she would rely on them so soon. They felt like the memories of other people: she knew what had happened, she remembered it, but she had no liberty in how those memories shaped her psyche, because the actions had already been taken. Too many lives crowded her mind at once. She was forgetting her existence as an imperial soldier, and almost nothing remained of her life as a salaryman. What she thought were her origins blurred beneath centuries in the Empire and years in Teyvat.

While Tanya tried to order her priorities, they arrived at the conference room. Inside, clerics, priests, and nuns debated something they considered vital.

“This puts our lifestyle in jeopardy,” said the aged clerics.

“The cultural shock will be too great,” worried the priests.

“The future will change completely once these devices become cheap and fashionable,” added the nuns.

The saint was astonished. Seeing the church debate something beyond prayer was good, but they were overthinking. Castellan Saemus led the discussion, while Tanya yawned, half-closing her eyes in boredom.

“Why are we even debating this? I left it clearly in the codex centuries ago!” she exclaimed, seated opposite the castellan at the great table. Barbara remained in the back, her rank still low.

“The point is that this technology will leave bards without work. Everyone will have access to music whenever they want, and nobody will play live. The box that makes portraits is useful, but the music reproducer is another matter,” said the elderly archpriest.

The debate centered on Fontaine’s new inventions: the color camera and the turntable, with vinyl discs ready for export.

“As the codex states, one must live free while respecting the rights of others. Music everywhere will create contamination in the form of sound saturation once these devices become portable. Just as the camera grew smaller and captured color, massification is inevitable. Soon, the music heard in our country will be dominated and substituted by one of foreign origin.”

Tanya was surprised at how her father saw the big picture, almost prophesying the end result. She had to admit Saemus was the church’s leader for a reason - not everyone had lived in an industrialized, digitalized world as she had.

“As I stated clearly, the point of technology is to facilitate life, save time and work, and remain clean and amicable with the environment. That is why Mondstadt crafts high-value products, not mass-manufactured goods. We focus on the means of production. These lenses, for example, were made using Zeiss crystal patents in ways we never imagined. The mark is visible once you disassemble the camera. Schaffhausen is the same with meshing gears. We don’t manufacture - Mondstadt makes the critical machines that enable mass production. Seeing those companies still working fills me with pride. They are as old as the city walls,” admitted the saint.

“Then we will ban the turntable. Technology will not be used on Sundays. We never know what else may come, so abstinence is safer,” said the clerics.

The saint realized it was a blessing to be present - people had misunderstood her written words.

“Wait, didn’t you hear me?” Tanya asked, astonished.

“Yes, you already wrote about it. You agree,” the clerics assumed.

“You’re taking my words too literally. You’re missing the point. Nobody can stop technological advance - it is inevitable. One can stop the flow of a river, but the water always finds a way. Give water a thousand years, and it will divide a mountain in two,” Tanya explained, trying to recall a fable she had written more than two thousand years ago.

“Yes, before this divides us, we will build a dam,” replied the archpriest, like a dutiful student.

Tanya tried to steer the situation, determined not to recreate one of her famous mishaps. After so many lives and mistakes, she was finally learning not to dig her own tomb. She was getting wiser.

“No… that paragraph speaks of harvesting nature’s blessings to make work,” said the little saint, facepalming.

“But with the proliferation of turntables, it will only be a matter of time before all restaurants and homes have music at their fingertips all day. This will leave musicians without work,” said Saemus.

Tanya realized the common mistake. The discography industry was still in its infancy - musicians were paid by project, not by album. She saw a way to turn this into a technique that could benefit everyone.

“Yes and no. In exchange, musicians will not only earn from their performances but also from their records. Their music will be preserved like a photograph for posterity, generating income from every album sold. We will not only have foreign music in our hands but the music of all Teyvat within reach, from this point in history to centuries later. Just imagine seeing a picture of me from a thousand or five hundred years ago today - that is what will happen to music.”

“Then how about sending our bards to record their presentations? What about their pay - will they accept our offers?” Said saemus.

“Of course. Good idea. We could pay them by album rather than recording session, making it easier to introduce our culture to other cities.”

Tanya felt she was finally leading her people in the right direction. She didn’t know how she had done it - transforming bellicose Germans into peaceful, mild folk was a mystery she could only attribute to her boss, Barbatos. After centuries of effort, she was finally seeing the fruits.

“Exactly. The best artists will become popular not only in Mondstadt but across all of Teyvat. The people in Fontaine must be searching for genres and themes everywhere. We can start with the classics. New melodies will be inspired, music will never stop evolving, and artists will create for themselves. Remember: the windmill may stop turning, but the wind will never stop blowing.”

Saemus noticed that even though the saint had finally expressed her point clearly, she kept squinting at him. He quickly wrote in his notepad and asked her to read it.

“Tanya, what did I just write on this page?” he asked, raising the notepad.

Tanya closed her eyes. “There are only an E and F upside down.”

Saemus felt relieved she didn’t hate him, but worried that his little bird was straining her eyes.

“Wrong. It says EFE WTF UFO.”

The clerics and priests sided with the castellan.

“For Barbatos, Saemus, how did you know?”

It was clear the little saint would grow into a beauty, destined to be an ambassador and public figure. Protecting her image was a priority. Her tomboyishness would fade with age, but her eyesight was already suffering. They needed to act.

“Because I use glasses, and I don’t want a four-eyed saint. Staying indoors has harmed her. At this rate, her sight will worsen permanently. The good thing is she’s still young. We only need to change her habits. From today, she will perform ceremonies only on weekends and help in the medical wing. She will be free to go out into the city as she wished.”

Tanya blinked twice, surprised. She never expected that reading by her light orb at night had damaged her eyes. Having parents in this life had its advantages.

“Will you return my coffee?” she asked sweetly, craving her guilty pleasure.

“If you work well as a nurse, you’ll have it back,” Saemus replied, sipping his glass - only to notice it had turned into alcohol.

“Huh? Why do I have firewater?” he asked, searching for the culprit.

“It’s not alcohol, it’s northern water,” Tanya revealed.

The clerics then noticed their glasses had turned to wine.

“Wait, this is Barbatos’ special!”

“This is the most coveted wine!”

“No, it’s southern water,” Tanya corrected, thanking them.

Everyone realized the saint had just revealed one of her miracles. They felt relieved - even after their mistakes, she was finally accepting them.

“But how can you do that so casually? Doesn’t it require a canticle or ceremony?” exclaimed the clerics.

“Well, after several lives, one learns short invocations and silent casting. This is my fourth time as the saint. I admit it’s still difficult to multiply bread and fish like in the wastelands, but once we got Decarabian drunk, it was only a matter of time before he fell - turning an impossible battle into a pyrrhic victory,” Tanya said, treating a dragon as if it were a mere game.

Everyone was stunned by the lore bomb she had dropped.

“Do you remember where you put the cornerstone? Where is it?” asked the archpriest.

“Mmm, not so easy. I unlock memories from past lives, but they don’t come all at once. Yes, I’ve recalled memories from the Archon and Vanessa’s era, but they’re not in order. It’s like reading every book in a library at once without finishing a single one page by page. Sometimes natural, sometimes not. You’ve read the old book since you can remember, but I not only recall reading it - I remember writing, editing, printing, and publishing it. I remember important days mixed with everyday occurrences from centuries ago, all at the same time. Do I make sense?”

The assembly was awed, realizing this little girl carried not just a legacy but the past of a nation.

“What do you need to remember everything?” asked the archpriest.

“Purifying the abyssal shard was effective,” Tanya admitted.

“Under no circumstances. You took months and caught a flu trying to partially purify a single rock,” Saemus objected.

“But she can practice accompanied. She will need that ability if she wants to awaken Dvalin. The contamination after centuries will be far worse than mere fragments. Maybe not in a year or two, but in a decade the saint will no longer be little. She may then perform another miracle. Until that day, she will still not be an adult, but she will be qualified to ascend to her rightful pontiff position,” said Cardinal Calvin.

“I will not purify more than a single fragment at a time, or at most one per day. You can assign anyone to keep watch. Is that sufficient?” Tanya offered.

“Then the most impartial would be Rosaria,” said Mother Superior Maria.

Tanya was surprised. Someone from her own faction had chosen a guardian who gave her no favoritism, no pleas - someone who had even struck her physically. It was obvious they wanted her protected by a merciless guardian.

“I admit your choice was made out of consideration for my integrity, and I agree, Mother Superior,” said the saint, realizing she would receive a relentless protector.

Soon, everyone would see how Tanya not only developed her light element but also exorcised the gothic nun, transforming her into a devout person. Tanya would have her vengeance for so many knockouts.

Chapel of Mondstadt

Tanya possessed only a single abyssal shard. The second would soon be brought by Sister Vind. It had taken her months to purify just one fragment — and even then, the rock remained partially purified and each day it contaminated back a little more. She knew she would eventually need to request more from the Adventurers’ Guild, though she never expected a continuous supply. Shards could only be found beyond the twelfth floor of the Abyss Door, where the miasma was so severe it endangered anyone who challenged the Spiral Abyss singularity. Abyssal contamination claimed more lives than the aberrations themselves, and no one had ever passed the sealed door beyond floor twelve and lived except herself who reincarnated meaning she died.

Now it was Rosaria’s turn to watch over the saint. The gothic nun had taken that role during Tanya’s worst days, ensuring she didn’t harm anyone by mistake. Her methods were crude but effective. She may have stepped beyond her boundaries, but it was undeniable: Rosaria was the sole reason the church had avoided a catastrophic light-element accident. If anyone could handle colorless elemental energy, it was her.

The saint was furious at her bodyguard, but she was already plotting payback. The best part was that she didn’t need to invent anything new - she only had to grant Rosaria access to her visions.

“As we agreed, you will watch over my work. If I grow sick or tired, you will stop me.”

“Whatever. Better than before. Just don’t go crazy again, making the furniture fly or pulling some gravitational stunt. I don’t care if you catch the flu, but don’t expect me to serve you hot soup. That’s for everyone else. My job is to keep you alive.”

Tanya took her position and began purifying the abyssal shard.

Her voice rose softly, almost like a chant:

“Hello, darkness, my old friend,

I’ve come to talk with you again,

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping,

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence.”

Rhine Front — The Great War

Two figures of light clashed above the battlefield. The purple one hurled orange spells and occasional yellow barrages that illuminated the sky, while the golden figure answered with green and blue magic. Even from afar, anyone could distinguish their styles: the purple mage was brute force, the golden one pure elegance. The heavens blazed like a second sun, turning night briefly into dawn. Then came a great explosion. The golden figure plummeted into the forest, darkness returned, and the purple light faded.

Artillery thundered, beginning its grim orchestra. A combat medic approached the forest and found the small figure of an injured mage.

“Soldier, soldier, wake up.”

The medic saw the combatant breathing. He removed the helmet, revealing celestial golden hair. He transferred the computational orbs back into the helmet and noticed a rosary.

“I think God reciprocated your faith,” he murmured.

The medic treated the first injury in the left quadrant, splinting a fractured arm and leg, likely from the fall. He built a small refuge from rifles to fend off the cold. Night halted all advance.

By morning, after cooking lunch and preparing coffee, the child soldier stirred.

“Wo bin ich?”

The medic calmed her, showing the weapons as tent pillars and pointing to the red cross on his arm. She protested, but he signaled her injuries — she was incapable of defending herself.

“Na ja, ich schätze, du musst mir immer noch sehr gut helfen, aber wenn du irgendetwas versuchst, werde ich dich töten.”

The medic wondered why an officer named Tanya von Degurechaff had been conscripted when she was smaller than the adolescents of the international brigades. Exhausted, she fell asleep like a stone.

He debated her fate:

If I carry her to the Allied camp, she’ll be a prisoner of war. If I leave her to the Russians, she won’t survive — they don’t feed captives. If I take her to the Imperial camp, she’ll cause more deaths among my band. The name “von” is noble; she must be important. But she is six years younger than the minimum age for training.

At dawn:

“Guten Morgen.”

“Wo ist dein Essen?”

“You need it more than me.”

“This is better than what I usually eat. I haven’t had a good meal in so long. Even if it’s bad, it’s still better than K-Brot.”

“You have a stronger stomach than most boys I’ve seen. Good for you to enjoy it.”

They communicated by writing in English. When finished, they prepared to leave. Tanya wrote in her notebook:

“Would you make me prisoner?”

“You never answered why you saved my life, nor why you make such effort for an enemy soldier.”

“You are not entirely right.”

“How? Why are you doing this?” she pressed, underlining why.

The medic pondered, then revealed himself fully.

“Because it is the right thing.”

“And the true reason?” she wrote.

“Your reason is securing a future. My reason is securing the future of others.”

“Is just,” she finished.

The medic nodded. “Yeah.”

They continued their trek, the child soldier singing softly.

Suddenly, a bullet grazed the medic’s head. He dropped into the snow, Tanya crying out from the jolt.

“Stop shooting! I am a medic, for God’s sake!”

“Oh, Английский medic…”

“Why did you fire?”

“I thought you were Imperial.”

“How far are we from our lines?”

“Not far. Who is this?”

“A mage. I made her prisoner when she was shot down. Her name is Tanya von Degurechaff.”

“She is now my prisoner.”

“I found her, tended her injuries. She is my prisoner.”

“No. She attacked the capital of Moskva. She is on the most wanted list.”

“I don’t care what she did. I will not hand her to the Russians.”

“Comrade Loria would give anything for her capture,” said the Russian soldier, raising his rifle.

“What does that have to do with this?”

“It means I will do anything to be promoted.”

“I don’t care. If that’s the case, then she will be prisoner of no one,” said the medic, lifting his firearm.

Brussels — League of Nations, Trials of the Great War

The tribunal of the League of Nations assembled to judge the acts committed during the Great Conflict. Criminals of every kind stood trial: Russian officials who executed POWs, politicians who trafficked old Imperial weapons to Dacia to attack the Empire.

But today’s defendant was none other than the hated Demon of the Rhine, the Butcher of Arene, the Punisher of Brest. This was the most awaited trial for the Allied nations, who sought to end the existence of the most dangerous figure from the Imperial side: General Erich von Lergen, father of the Imperial Princess Tanya of Baden, the Saint of the Danube. What were the odds that the most respected figure and the most feared were father and daughter? Fate left behind mysteries as incredible as the war itself.

“Accused Erich von Lergen, how do you declare yourself?”

“Innocent. As general, I acted in compliance with the rules of engagement signed by the international community. As for the Russians - they never signed, so we were not obliged to treat them well.”

“How dare he?” cried the Allied tribunal.

“The nerve,” muttered even some Imperials.

The American judge, impartial in European matters, took a conciliatory tone.

“Remembering your origins in leadership and power, you were made general because of your role during the Legedonian incursion, correct?”

Erich remained relaxed, even in an international court.

“Yes, your honor. A human wave trespassed without visa into Imperial territory. We had no choice but to use the military to deport every single illegal immigrant.”

Imperials laughed; the Allies turned red with anger.

The judge pressed on.

“There is a constant in your conduct - a tendency to deceive allies and foes. Even those spared ended up radicalizing against their own country, as happened with the invading force that staged a coup against the Legedonian alliance government, leading to the rise of dictator Anson Sue.”

Erich did not flinch.

“Respect for the freedom of others is peace. Each nation has the right to determine its own government, your honor.”

The judge grew impatient with Erich’s leaps of logic. The tension mounted as the court touched a delicate subject.

“Then how do you justify the massacre of Arene? The population was not comprised entirely of soldiers.”

“Certainly. Every one of them were combatants,” Erich replied without shame.

The Allies launched their attack.

“General Lergen, the evidence from the partisans places you as the mastermind of this massacre.”

“Hah. As if those selfish people would ever be honest,” Erich retorted.

The court displayed photographs, maps, and records of the intervention. The Allies seemed confident - until Erich countered.

“Gentlemen, I plead for the testimony of Devorah von Eldelreich.”

Everyone was stunned to see Light Saber enter the stage.

“Lady Deborah, would you grant us access to the recording from your magical orb?” asked the judge.

“Certainly. But I warn you - the uncensored version may be too explicit, even for veterans.”

The Allies salivated, expecting blood. But the Imperial side revealed the battlefield truth. The fog of war lifted: Erich von Lergen appeared with steeled resolve and cold precision, while Francois militias kidnapped Imperial sympathizers, ambushed bystanders, and slaughtered them. A church filled with elderly, women, and children was set ablaze. Parisian mages had infiltrated the population, violating the Geneva Treaty without shame.

“Erich von Lergen ordered artillery over civilians!” cried the Allies.

“They were no civilians anymore. As the recording shows, they became partisans once they massacred Imperial subjects. There was no choice but to counter their atrocities,” the Imperials replied.

Genocidal or villain, it was clear: the Empire exploited a legal loophole to level a rogue city. Yet the cause lay in Parisian military tactics, embedding mages among civilians to form partisan militias that systematically eliminated the Germanian population. Both sides had blood on their hands.

Then Erich delivered his final push.

“The Empire never started a fight. We did not start the war. You call your system democracy, but it is a disguise. True democracy was Greek - each citizen voted, and no one sought power willingly. In your system, votes are divided among parties, reducing the people’s voice to a fraction. The elite caste chooses candidates, institutionalizing corruption through lobbies.

We Imperial nobles may be old money, but we live with a silver spoon below us and a sword of Damocles above our heads. If the Empire fails, if the Kaiser falls, we nobles face the guillotine. Our privileges oblige us to take up arms. Noblesse oblige. For God’s sake, my daughter is literally a princess, and she fought in the Danube though she is not yet of age. Everything I did, I would do again for her future. She is niece of the Kaiser, and my witness Light Saber is her cousin. Her real name is Deborah Saxe-Coburg & Gotha!”

The revelation threw the chamber into chaos. The House of Windsor had played them all for fools. The Allies were ridiculed, exposed. The session was recessed amid uproar.

Waiting Room

Margaretha and Hans, Erich parents cared for Tanya while watching the televised court on a black-and-white TV.

“See? I told you. Your father had everything under control. They were all under his strings,” said the grandfather.

“I’m surprised where he finds so much will and so many cards up his sleeve.”

“When it’s about you, nothing stops him,” said the grandmother.

“I don’t think I could play 4D chess like him. I’m his daughter, but I couldn’t flip the table so casually.”

“You don’t have to copy him. Just be yourself. You’ll do just as well,” said both grandparents.

Knights of Favonius — Captain Commander’s Office

Frederica Gunnhildr sat receiving a troubling report from a certain nun. She wondered why this sister had chosen to side with her. What surprised her most was that this was the same girl she had once rescued from bandits - the church’s feared executioner. Never had Frederica imagined seeing that wild girl dressed in austere robes instead of gothic attire, now fidgeting nervously, fearful and confused.

“Captain, you need to stop the saint. She is aiming to create a regiment. She is producing consecrated water in great quantities, and she even found an artifact purveyor named Shiliu. I don’t know where she is getting the weapon billets, but she is building an arsenal to arm an entire army.”

“We will need to be well-armed to face Ursa. Not all knights are fortunate enough to wield Favonius weapons,” Frederica replied.

“Captain, all she does every day is try to purify the abyssal shard, exhausting herself creating materials until she collapses from mana depletion. She is no longer possessed - but she is obsessed.”

This was bad. Frederica had tried to separate Tanya from her side to temper her belligerence, but the opposite had happened. Left in the church’s care, Tanya had mounted a weapon workshop. Modernizing the knights’ equipment was a priority, and improving troop quality was welcome - but her daughter was only four years old, for the love of Barbatos.

“I am having difficulty recognizing the girl who scarred the Grand Master. Rosaria, what happened to you?”

“When the saint tries to purify abyssal energy, we see things. I think they are visions mixed with hallucinations - glimpses of old Mondstadt or an even older age. Everyone speaks German, but I cannot place the date. I watch over her and stop when the visions grow too explicit, but I don’t understand how she keeps going. She aims to awaken Dvalin by training her purification. How is she so immutable, unchanged, sane? One vision sent Eula to the hospital. I laughed at first, but I was wrong. I thought I was stronger. I deceived myself. I didn’t value our peaceful days.”

The gothic nun was crying. Rosaria - the same girl who had once knocked out Frederica’s little bird to prevent the saint from harming bystanders, the cruel nun who had renounced her faith - was becoming devout.

Frederica sent Rosaria back to the church, escorted by Knight Lawrence. As she prepared her next move, she met Albedo in the hallway. The chief alchemist rushed to her, clearly searching for her.

“Captain Commander, we have a problem.”

“Albedo, what happened?”

“We have a case of embellishment.”

“Speak with Jean - she is in charge of the treasury.”

“Captain, it is the knights who are profiting.”

“How?”

“Advanced weapons are being replaced with rare ones. And this appeared.”

Albedo showed her an elixir.

“Where did you find this?”

“We received it along with the usual sanctifying Asuncion.”

“Oh, gods… the culprits are my two daughters.”

“Was the saint responsible for creating the elixir? Is she capable?”

“Yes. Who else? Tanya is creating everything, and Jean is introducing it into headquarters. What is the volume?”

“This week, all the small storage. If I hadn’t been searching for a catalyst for my apprentice Sucrose, I would never have noticed. It took me an hour to find the last pocket grimoire. I cannot have her roaming around with a weapon worth a year’s salary.”

“Holy… I raised them well.”

“So Jean is diverting funds?”

“No. Jean is buying gold at copper prices.”

“Wait… are we deceiving the church?”

“I think our little saint is unstoppable.”

“I’m going to tell the headmaster I’m taking a vacation. I don’t care where the saint is - my daughter needs correction. She is not the church. Not yet.”

Frederica headed for the Grand Master’s office, but before she could open the door, Varka intercepted her.

“Perfect, Captain. Speak with the castellan.”

Varka pushed her inside and sealed the door. Waiting for her was her ex-husband, Saemus.

“What the hell! You are supposed to be the church. You are distorting a small child. She is not a weapon, nor a fountain of riches, nor a tool to control devotion.”

“First time, eh?” Saemus said.

“What are you talking about?”

“She may be the saint, but in reality she is chaos incarnate. This will be one of many occasions she drives you mad.”

“Don’t be absurd. She is the prophet of Barbatos.”

“Since Tanya awoke as the saint, we never reunited. She always gives me headaches, and now she has orchestrated everything to bring us together. She doesn’t need a father - she already had an infancy. This is not her first life. She may be young, but she is not innocent or oblivious.”

“Saemus, she is my little bird. She is only four years old.”

“Frederica, you must understand. She was three years old a year ago. Now she is an entity two and a half thousand years old.”

“She only needs guidance. She must learn control.”

“A year I tried to speak with you. The only thing I needed to do was give her free rein. She cannot be tamed. You must unleash her, and she will surprise you. She is a hurricane, like her Archon.”

“Why?”

“Why I cannot ignore you. Why I argue with you. Why I am always in disagreement. Because I love you, but we cannot be together.”

“….”

“I know I broke your heart. I know I broke your trust. I betrayed you. But I will never stop loving you.”

“But the contract?”

Saemus tried to answer but vomited blood. This time he did not collapse. Instead, he seized the elixir from Frederica’s hands and drank it in one gulp, then knelt, drained of energy. Frederica understood: they could speak, but not about the details of his condition.

“You wanted to talk about assigning the saint to the medical wing.”

“She has the potential to surpass even her sister. If we train her young, she will be the best doctor. I wanted your permission to proceed.”

“If it distracts her from the sword, it will be worth it.”

“Didn’t you want her to imitate you?”

“She is a carbon copy of me. We are too similar. Or perhaps we all took much from her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Saemus, it is speculation, but I think she is her own grandmother.”

“Calvin told you?”

“Yes.”

“Personally, I think she is her own great-grandmother.”

“What are you saying?”

“My theory is about where the Gunnhildr came from before arriving at Decarabian’s citadel. I want to investigate Dragonspine. It will take time, but I think we will find answers.”

“So you think we will find clues, about the contract?”

Saemus did not reply - confirmation enough.

“Of course. We will send someone to explore that frozen tundra. Perhaps we will find a clue to break that damned contract.”

Castellan Residence — Church of Mondstadt

After a partial day of work in the clinic, Barbara welcomed her father to dinner. But as soon as she saw him, she noticed a bruise on his cheek, red as the spaghetti sauce she had prepared.

“What happened?” Barbara asked, worried.

“Your mother. I tried to make an advance, and she refused me,” Saemus admitted.

“It’s not like you wanted to make another Tanya,” Barbara replied, conjuring a water halo to heal him.

Saemus fell silent, watching how his daughter was maturing in a way opposite to his own path. He decided to be sincere, hoping to guide her.

“Barbara.”

“Yes, papa?”

“Remember - all men are wolves.”

“Yes. That’s why I want a husband like papa.”

“Above all, do not choose a man like me.”

“But you chose our family over everything, even your marriage.”

“My kind is the worst. And yes… I wanted to make another saint.”

Barbara froze.

“…No way.”

“My kind seems harmless. But it took me years of throwing notes into the chimney to apologize. One thing led to another… and Tanya was born.”

Barbara’s eyes widened.

“I told you - all men are wolves. Do not trust any man. Be more guarded with the quiet ones. We want to lower defenses.”

“Then what options do I have?”

“None. Love comes and makes you foolish. Life chooses for us.”

In the end, Barbara would choose a certain Archon as her husband - the complete opposite of her father. The best catch there could be: Barbatos. The tale of how they ended together would be lost to legend.

Notes:

Next chapter, dragon hunting, I want to make the drake a real menace, I will going to give him a power up and badassery, he will fall but with style,

My work IRL is hard but funny, marine container inspector, I want to gain experience and jump to an office, it will take me months or a year but it will be worth it jumping up in logistics.