The moon hung high over Mondstadt, casting a silvery glow across the city as the stars twinkled in the clear night sky, their light reflecting off the still waters of Cider Lake. The Angel's Gift Tavern buzzed with life, its wooden walls adorned with old paintings of Mondstadt's history, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat and the sweet tang of dandelion wine, the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation filling the space with warmth.
Xander sat at a corner table, his cloak draped over the back of his chair, the Shadowfang Blade resting against the wall, its dark steel glinting in the lantern light as his vibrant blue aura shimmered faintly around him, a sign of his restless energy after a day of revelations. He had just finished a lively debate about Mondstadt's strongest fighter, his claim that Klee held the title sparking disbelief among his companions, but Diluc's confirmation had left them all stunned, the truth sinking in as Ying and Paimon rushed off to verify it with Klee herself.
Paimon's earlier skepticism still echoed in his mind, her tiny arms folded as she had said, "Xander's not even from Mondstadt, how would he know who's the strongest here?" Ying had nodded in agreement, her golden eyes narrowing as she added, "We're both travelers, don't act like you know everything."
Xander had leaned back in his chair, his legs crossed, his voice taking on a dramatic flair as he replied, "Don't judge me by common standards, I've only been in Teyvat for a month, but I've studied its history." He continued, his tone almost mystical, "I can see the world's issues, big and small, over time, so how could Mondstadt's strongest fighter stump me?"
The others had stared at him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and amusement, Rosaria's icy gaze particularly sharp as she muttered under her breath, "This guy's lost it." Paimon had spread her hands, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said, "Are we in a second creation video right now, because this sounds like one of those crazy plots."
Xander had chuckled, his voice filled with genuine surprise as he said, "Paimon, your knack for snark is impressive, I didn't expect you to roast the Erchuang broadcast like that." Rosaria, her interest piqued, had leaned forward, her Cryo Vision glowing faintly at her hip as she asked, "Alright, if you're so wise, who's Mondstadt's strongest fighter?"
Xander had grinned, his tone confident as he declared, "It's simple, the strongest in Mondstadt is someone you see often but overlook, Klee." The room had fallen silent, the name hanging in the air as everyone processed his words, their disbelief palpable as Paimon exclaimed, "Klee, a child, how could she be the strongest?"
Xander had turned to Ying and Paimon, his voice calm as he asked, "Have you been to Cape Oath?" They nodded, and he continued, "That massive crack stretching to the sea, Klee made that with one of her bombs."
Ying's eyes had widened, her voice a mix of shock and doubt as she said, "You're joking, right?" Paimon echoed her, her tone incredulous as she added, "That huge crack, Klee did that?"
Diluc, who had been quietly listening, spoke up, his voice steady as he confirmed, "It's true, Klee's bomb caused that crack, Jean used it against some hilichurls, but its power was beyond anything we expected." He continued, his tone grave, "After that, Jean realized Klee needed strict guidance, or she'd cause chaos, just like her mother Alice."
Rosaria had slapped her forehead, her voice a mix of realization and amusement as she said, "I can't believe I forgot about that little gremlin, her destructive power really is Mondstadt's greatest." Ying and Paimon had exchanged a glance, their disbelief turning to acceptance as they muttered in unison, "It really is Klee."
The pair had rushed out of the tavern, eager to find Klee and confirm the story for themselves, leaving Xander alone with his thoughts, a smirk playing on his lips as he considered mentioning another contender. He had almost told them about Eula, the "God of War" who could mimic any ability she observed, but he held back, his voice a quiet mutter as he said, "That's a story for another second creation video."
His mind shifted to the next day's broadcast, his decision to focus on Inazuma a deliberate one, as Mondstadt and Liyue had already received several second creation videos, while Inazuma lagged behind with only two. He leaned back in his chair, his voice a thoughtful murmur as he said, "I can't play favorites, I need to balance things out, but not too balanced, Equilibrium is the Fool's mentor after all."
He considered his options for Inazuma's next video, mentally listing the candidates as he sipped his cider, his voice a quiet reflection as he said, "Itto and the Traveler are already done, so they're out." The remaining characters flashed through his mind, Yae Miko, Kujou Sara, Yoimiya, the Kamisato siblings Ayaka and Ayato, Thoma, Sayu, Kuki Shinobu, Kirara, and Gorou, each a potential star for his next broadcast.
The Kamisato siblings caught his attention, their popularity in second creation content undeniable, and he felt a twinge of guilt as he muttered, "Ayaka and Ayato, the siblings of the gods, I'll have to apologize in advance." He knew their story would resonate with his audience, the great cause of second creation demanding equal representation, and he resolved to make their video a memorable one, his voice a quiet promise as he said, "Everyone deserves their moment, I'll make it worth it."
But the peace of the tavern was shattered by a sudden commotion outside, the sound of shouts and explosions echoing through the streets as a massive hilichurl uprising erupted near the city gates. The patrons of the Angel's Gift froze, their voices rising in a chorus of fear as they peered out the windows, the sight of a horde of hilichurls led by a towering Lawachurl sending chills down their spines.
Diluc sprang into action, his Pyro Vision glowing brightly as he grabbed his claymore, his voice booming with authority as he shouted, "Fatui or not, we protect Mondstadt, to the gates!" Rosaria set her drink down, her Cryo Vision flaring as she summoned her polearm, her voice a mix of annoyance and resolve as she muttered, "I was just getting comfortable, these beasts will pay."
Xander stood, his vibrant blue aura flaring as he drew the Shadowfang Blade, his voice filled with excitement as he said, "A fight, just what I needed, let's show them Mondstadt's strength!" He charged out of the tavern, Diluc and Rosaria close behind, their weapons at the ready as they joined the Knights of Favonius at the city gates, the air thick with the scent of smoke and the sound of battle cries.
The Lawachurl roared, its massive Geo-infused fists slamming into the ground, sending shockwaves through the cobblestone as it led a group of hilichurls armed with flaming clubs and crossbows. Jean was already on the scene, her Anemo Vision glowing as she directed the knights, her voice filled with determination as she shouted, "Hold the line, don't let them breach the gates!"
Xander leaped into the fray, his Shadowfang Blade glowing with a dark energy as he slashed at a group of hilichurls, his voice a confident taunt as he said, "You picked the wrong city to attack, let's dance!" The hilichurls fell quickly, their bodies disintegrating into elemental particles, but the Lawachurl turned its attention to him, its glowing eyes narrowing as it charged, its fists raised to strike.
Diluc struck from the side, his claymore igniting with Pyro energy as he unleashed a fiery wave, his voice a low growl as he said, "You're not getting past me, beast!" The flames engulfed the Lawachurl, its Geo armor cracking under the heat, but it roared in defiance, its fists slamming into the ground, sending a wave of Geo spikes toward Diluc.
Rosaria countered with a burst of Cryo, her polearm a blur as she froze the spikes in place, her voice a cold sneer as she said, "You're not the only one with tricks, let's see how you like this!" She followed with a swift strike, the frozen spikes shattering as she drove her polearm into the Lawachurl's side, its roar of pain echoing through the night.
Jean joined the fight, her Anemo Vision creating a vortex that pulled the remaining hilichurls together, her voice filled with resolve as she shouted, "Xander, now, hit the Lawachurl with everything you've got!" Xander nodded, his vibrant blue aura flaring brighter as he equipped the Beowulf set, the gauntlets and greaves glowing with a white light as he leaped into the air, his voice a triumphant roar as he shouted, "This is for Mondstadt!"
He delivered a devastating uppercut, the Beowulf gauntlets amplifying his strength as the Lawachurl staggered back, its Geo armor shattering under the impact, its massive form collapsing to the ground with a final groan. The remaining hilichurls scattered, their morale broken as the knights pursued them, the battle ending as quickly as it had begun, the city gates secure once more.
The citizens of Mondstadt cheered, their voices rising in a chorus of gratitude as they thanked the fighters for their protection, the streets returning to their peaceful state as the moon continued its journey across the sky. Jean turned to Xander, her Anemo Vision dimming as she smiled, her voice warm as she said, "You've proven yourself again, Xander, Mondstadt is lucky to have you."
Diluc nodded, his Pyro Vision fading as he sheathed his claymore, his voice a mix of respect and amusement as he said, "Not bad, you're more than just a showman." Rosaria smirked, her Cryo Vision glowing faintly as she added, "I might actually start taking you seriously, don't let it go to your head."
Xander grinned, his vibrant blue aura fading as he sheathed his blade, his voice filled with satisfaction as he said, "Just another day in Mondstadt, now let's get back to that cider." The group shared a moment of camaraderie, their bond strengthened by the battle, the tavern welcoming them back with open arms as they settled in for the rest of the night, the question of Mondstadt's strongest fighter answered, but new adventures on the horizon.
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