Cold prickles fingers

      The traveler had just returned from the abyss and wanted to go to Fontaine, but an old acquaintance told her to stop by Snezhnaya on the way, saying that Lumin would have a very interesting sight to remember for the rest of her life.              - Ohh, Lumine, Paimon is so tired. We have to drive all the way to this cold country. Why don't we stop for a snack? - Paimon levitated lazily on the waterfall, feigning fatigue and death hunger.              - No, Paimon. The sooner we get to Snezhnaya the sooner we can have lunch.       - But Paimon wants to eat now! - objected the fairy girl.       - You'll be patient. Besides, do you want to spoil your appetite before the delicious specialty borscht?       - Oh, no way! If Tartaglia makes borscht again, Paimon swears he'll pour it on his head and smash the plate against his fucking redheaded skull.       - Why are you doing this to him? Tartaglia was always a good cook, especially the borscht. So what if he mixed up the ingredients once after a double shift. That's no reason not to eat now, is it? - The traveler pushed against the bulky wooden door of the cabin. Paimon huffed angrily:       - He ruined one of Paimon's favorite meals!!! If you like his stupid arrowroot so much, you can eat it all you want! Paimon won't!       - All right, all right, calm down, Paimon. We're almost there. - on the horizon showed impressive snow-capped, forested, massive and intimidating mountains with a dangerous city and a port welcoming the traveler.       Saying goodbye to the merchant ship and the captain, who was born out of joy of their arrival in Snezhnaya, Lumin and Paimon moved towards the city. Though the little flying fiend whined and hindered the traveler all the way, the Honorable Knight did not punish her companion with the lack of promised food. They quickly found the nearest diner, ordered their food and sat down to rest on the soft fluffy chairs near the table.       - Your order. - a plump woman with curlers twisted in curlers served the strangers. - I don't have many people today, so we started taking orders.       - Ooh, it's warm and fragrant! Yumm, it tastes so good! This is the best place I've ever eaten at in my seven years.       - Even better than Wanmin Restaurant? - Lumine smiled.       - Well. maybe equally good. - Paimon orders cutlets into his mouth faster than chewing them. The impression was that the little girl had been starved for several dozen days.       - are you the traveler from Mondstatt? - with a touch of indifference from the woman standing next to them.       - I thought I'd seen you somewhere. In fact, you're the only crazy people here who wear summer clothes in cold weather. Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you. - the cook reached into the shelf and pulled out a letter. - Here, this is for you. The red-haired Harbinger came by here today, and advised me to give you this envelope when I met him. He said that he was your comrade.       Lumine read every word carefully. It looked like Tartaglia had written the message in a hurry. The handwriting was crooked and careless. After finishing the letter, the travelers took the unfinished food with them, and left the cafe. The friends quickly rushed to the square where they could meet Childe. They did not find it there. A bunch of people were crowded around, whispering sullenly among themselves. Autumn, there was some kind of performance in the square, and all the gawkers wanted to see it. Was this what Tartaglia wanted to show his friend?       - I don't think anything good is about to happen. - Paimon looked around tensely. Lumine on the other hand didn't answer anything and chose his trademark silence mode again. The atmosphere became more and more oppressive, and cautiously crept back, already regretting coming. Life experience had taught them that it was best to steer clear of all crowds and mass events, the discovery of a discovered Honorable Knight never ended well in such cases. From the pungent strange scent emitted by the mist, Lumine begins to faint. Tripping on someone's foot, she didn't keep her balance and flew to the ground. Fortunately, an unfamiliar girl in a coat quickly picked her up.       - Lumine! Oh, thanks for not letting her get hit. Lumine! Wake up...- Paimon flew restlessly over to her friend and reached out to bring her to her senses, tapping her blonde head with her small hands. The unfamiliar girl began to bring the little girl to her senses, and after a moment the traveler woke up. At the same time the solemn music began to play, and that girl led her and Paimon through the crowd closer to the rendezvous.       - Uh, hehe... We were actually walking to the side, so we wouldn't think you'd let us go, would we? - The companion began pulling her silent friend by her sweater, hoping to escape, but her savior found no occasion to step back even half a meter. A familiar voice came from the stage:       - Ladies and gentlemen, children and mothers, dogs and cats, look here! We are all gathered here to witness a moment after which your life will never be the same! -       - that's... Tartaglia?! - Paimon's tone turned from surprise to revolt. She and Lumin stared dumbfounded at the redheaded acquaintance, their mouths hanging open.       - welcome your Cryo Archon, the mighty and powerful Tsaritsa! - the 11th Harbinger returned, waving his hand toward the curtain. He stepped off the carpeted walkway and got down on one knee. The snow-white light flaps of the curtain slid open, and a tall woman with a bulky staff stepped out. She reeked of cold and dread. Everyone froze, afraid to even breathe.       - The people of Snezhnaya and overseas visitors. This day will be the greatest event in the history of the Teivat. We are no longer under the rule of Celestia's gods. Now, the only god here is me. And I promise to be better than those arrogant, greedy deities who have mocked you from heaven and lied to you all this time! From this moment on, the lives of all the creatures of Taivat will change, but you, citizens of Snezhnaya, are the luckiest of all. Your region is ruled by me, the strongest deity of the seven, the archon of all archons. I know that among this crowd are many traders and travelers from other kingdoms. I know that now, with the innovative technology of Snezhnaya and Fontaine, everyone will know about it. So behold your 'archons', at whose feet you have been wallowing for thousands of years! - The queen tapped her staff and all six archons appeared on the stage. They were badly beaten.       - Murata, Pyro Archon and goddess of war; — The ruler slowly approached the red-haired, swarthy woman, then the ash-crowned goddess standing next to her. - Vine, Hydro Archon and goddess of justice; Sitri Kusanali, Dendero Archon and god of wisdom; Beelzebub, Electro Archon and goddess of eternity; Morax, Geo Archon and god of contracts; Barbatos, Anemo Archon and god of freedom. - The Tsaritsa listed all of her victims, approaching each one in a timely manner.       The purpose of this spectacle was to humiliate and denounce the archons. For many inhabitants of different regions the identities of their patrons were unknown, which for many years played into the hands of the deities themselves. They could live quietly among the people without fear that someone might recognize them.       The traveler and Paimon stared wide-eyed at what was happening. All their old friends whom they had helped were now standing on the stage as if on death row.       - Undoubtedly, they will continue to rule their kingdoms at will, but will be forced to obey me. Now, their identities will be known to everyone, and hiding as before is no longer an option. Right, Venti? - The Cryo Goddess turned to Barbatos, glaring at him with a haughty gaze.       - V-venti? I... Uh... - There was a look of confusion in the young man's eyes. A nervous chuckle almost escaped his lips, but he choked on it, biting his lip bloody.       - An archon who chose to become an alcoholic bard instead of helping the people. All you do is lie drunk under the tavern bar. The woman spoke coldly and aloofly, but there was an old resentment hidden in her rebuke that Venti could hear perfectly well. - Oh, Zhong Li, how are things in retirement? Do you get paid a lot? Ooh. Raiden Ei. How is it living with the idea that your "failed" doll has become stronger than you? Weren't you ashamed to look him in the eye? - The ice lady slowly walked in front of each victim, chilling them to the bone. - For being here now, you can thank the great traveler. Without her help, I couldn't have done it.       - What?! What does Lumine have to do with this?! You've got to be so brazen to lie so blatantly! - Paimon was outraged.       The Archons were released from the stage and headed towards the traveler. The crowd parted, slowly beginning to disperse. Ei pushed Luming out of the way with her hand, Zhong Li silently followed her, ignoring his old friend.       - you! - Stomping with anger, Murata walked up to the Honorable Knight and grabbed her by the collar of her sweater. - I'm going to barbecue you, you punk ass!!! You think you can get away with this?! You show up in my kingdom, pretending to be my friend, and then you do what?! You're sucking up to that snow wohore?! I accepted you with all my heart! You've become my bro! Bro for bro! But you betrayed me, and I swear revenge!       - Murata, calm down... Speak in a more civilized manner, and let the lady traveler go. She has nothing to do with this. - The Dendro Archon gently took the Goddess of War by the elbow.       - Let her go? Who the hell are you to decide what I do, asshole?! She betrayed me, she betrayed you, she betrayed all of us! Traitors should be punished with cruel punishment and retribution, not mercy!       - Sitri is right, Murata. Let her go. If the traveler is guilty, fate will surely punish her. This is no time for a showdown. - Wyn intervened. The fire goddess, burning with her own rage, shrieked:       - Oh, you're sucking up to Kusanali, aren't you?! Aren't you the one who's been jerking off to law and justice all your life, madam?!       - please don't turn to personal insults. We should all put our ideals and principles aside now. Fighting isn't the answer. — Sitri kept standing his ground.       - Oh, fuck you all! - The goddess let go of the exhausted Traveler, and she collapsed helplessly into the arms of her unknown savior. Murata left, followed by Zhong Li and Raiden. Vin and Kusanali didn't wait long either. It was only Barbatos who hesitated.       - Lumine. - His eyes no longer sparkled. His gaze had become empty and glassy.       - Venti, I... - The former hero recalled in a shaky voice, lifting herself up. - I'm sorry.       - No, I'm the one who's sorry, traveler. Be happy, and may the wind be with you.       - Wait! Venti! - Lumin rushed after the Archon, but he spread his snow-white wings and soared away, disappearing from sight. She only had time to touch his cold, gentle hand for a moment. All that was left was the flower that flew off his head.       - Lumine, Paimon hate to interrupt you, but Paimon think we should go! By the way, where is the girl who caught you? - Paimon caught up.       Suddenly there was the sound of shattering crystal, and a huge column of ice flew at the friends. At the last moment, someone saved Lumine, and Paimon flew back into the rubble of ice and crystal shards.       - Mr. Balladeer, there's been an attack. - The same unfamiliar girl from the crowd ran towards the ruined columns. She was followed by Tartaglia and a couple of Fatui agents.       - Are you all right? - Dainsleif slowed down briefly to make sure his friend was okay.       - Yes, thank you. - replied Lumine. - Wait, so you've been following us all this time?       - right. - Dain picked up the traveler in his arms and flew to the portal with lightning speed. The girl tried to jump, but her friend held her so tightly that it was impossible.       - No! Dain! Wait, I need to find Paimon!       The man didn't listen to her and disappeared with her into the spatial hole.

***

Paimon barely scrambled out of the wreckage, but she couldn't find her friend.       - Lumine! Lumine! Where are you? Lumine! - The little girl almost sobbed, hoping to hear an answer. She looked around in a panic, thrashing about, blown about by the wind. And almost right in front of her, Tartaglia killed the last criminal. The magical companion collapsed back into a small "cave" of ice.

***

      - Well, well, well. They must be Inazuma bandits. That's why their clothes seemed so familiar. - Scaramouche approached the redhead with a smooth, relaxed stride. - With visions, too, mmm..... Nice. Hey, you guys, take that biomass to the furnace. Hmm. Aside from those pathetic low-life bandits and their laughable attempt at an attack, the day went according to plan. Adalinda, come here.       - I'm here, my Lord. - A young woman in a coat with short curly pinkish hair appeared in front of him.