With pleasantries finished, the group made their way to the site where the escort/invest mission would begin.
"About two months ago, we started getting reports about unusual behavior from local wildlife and elemental creatures," Melissa explained, adjusting her glasses. "The knights were dispatched to secure the area, and that's when we noticed that monsters were actively avoiding the area around the Statue of Seven. Those that remained, however, became aggressive."
"At first, most people assumed it was just another miracle from Lord Barbatos, so they didn't pay much attention," Sister Celes said, pausing with a concerned expression.
"But those who came here to pray, hoping for blessings... many of them fell ill or suddenly turned aggressive," Deacon Ragna added.
"That's when we realized something was definitely off about this place," Philip said grimly. "We sent another group of knights just last week, but they couldn't stay long. All of them reported a disturbing, unnatural sensation while there."
Noah, Kiana, Elysia, and Lumine listened attentively as the group explained the strange occurrences. While the others spoke, Noah subtly reached out with the Force, sensing for anything unusual that might aid their understanding. Kiana and Elysia exchanged thoughtful glances, processing the information—but Lumine's posture suddenly changed. Her body tensed, and without a word, she reached for Noah's arm, holding onto it tightly.
"...Excuse me," Lumine said, her voice soft but enough to draw everyone's attention. "The people who got sick... did they just suddenly feel weak, even though they were healthy before? No prior illness?"
".......Yes," Ragna blinks before he answers with a solemn nod. "That's exactly what happened."
Lumine bit her lip, tightening her grip on Noah's arm. Her reaction didn't go unnoticed Noah, Kiana, and Elysia exchanged worried glances. Across from them, Rostam, Philip, Melissa, Hideon, Celes, and Ragna shifted uneasily, sensing the heaviness behind her silence.
"Does Miss Lumine know what's causing this?" Deacon Ragna asked gently.
"...s..." Lumine whispered, barely audible.
Kiana stepped forward, about to speak, but Elysia gently stopped her. Noah placed his hand over Lumine's, grounding her.
"...ab...ss..." she finally breathed out, her voice trembling as she clung to Noah.
Kiana couldn't bear it anymore and wrapped her arms around Lumine. Elysia followed a heartbeat later, surrounding her in support.
"Lumine, breathe. I'm here. Kiana and Elysia are here too. Take your time," Noah said, his voice gentle assuring her.
Lumine tried to steady her breath, drawing in and out slowly. The warmth of their presence, their hands, their support, wrapped around her like a soft blanket. It wasn't enough to stop the pain, but it was enough to give strength to endure it.
Little by little, she raised her head to meet Noah's eyes.
I'm scared... so scared. I want to run. The memories....they're all coming back. But... I don't want to be alone again. I want to stay with Noah. I want to be with Kiana. I want to stay beside Elysia... That's why... even if it hurts... even if I'm terrified... I'll keep going...
Her eyes still carried that haunted emptiness, their usual light dulled by pain. Tears slid down her cheeks. Her breathing remained unsteady. But despite it all, she chose to take a step forward.
"......Abyss." Lumine spoke clearly, though her voice trembled and in that same moment, her knees gave out. She didn't hit the ground. Noah, Kiana, and Elysia caught her instantly. Noah conjured a chair with a quick flick of his hand; Kiana gently eased her into it while Elysia handed over a bottle of water.
She was gasping for air, like someone who had just resurfaced from drowning. But even through the shortness of breath and shaking limbs, Lumine fought to hold herself together.
"...This... is what happens when you're exposed to the Abyss," she said, forcing the words out between ragged breaths.
Rostam, Philip, Melissa, Hideon, Sister Celes, and Deacon Ragna all stiffen. The gravity of her condition settled in their expressions: serious, alert, and respectful. They exchanged firm nods, realizing now that this mission would demand far more caution than they had planned.
Rostam knelt in front of Lumine, his voice softer than usual.
"Lumine, thank you. What you've done is incredibly brave. You didn't just help us, you also helped everyone who got affected by the Abyss. Now that we understand the cause, we can start treating those who've fallen ill. Truly, thank you."
Lumine met his gaze with a small nod, tears slipping down her cheeks. She didn't speak, but her silent resolve said enough.
Rostam stood and turned to Noah, his usual flamboyance replaced by a resolute discipline befitting a knight. "Noah, you can consider this commission as complete. We got the information we need. From here on, the Knights of Favonius will take over officially."
Noah paused, his gaze shifting to Kiana and Elysia. Both met his eyes with expressions clear: whatever choice he made, they would stand by it. He knew they were also thinking about Lumine, whose condition made the next steps more complicated.
He turned toward Rostam, Philip, Melissa, Hideon, Sister Celes, and Deacon Ragna. Despite their own serious expressions, each of them offered a small nod, it was their way of saying: it's okay. Do what you must.
Noah returned a grateful nod, his lips parting to speak—
Then it hit.
The Force surged through him like a lightning bolt. His instincts screamed. His body moved before his mind could catch up. His eyes widened in alarm.
"GET DOWN!" Noah shouted, thrusting out his hand as the Force surged around them, forming a protective barrier just in time.
A violent burst of Anemo energy erupted nearby, sending shockwaves that nearly knocked them off their feet. Kiana instinctively shielded Lumine and Elysia with her body, while Rostam and the knights moved to guard Sister Celes and Deacon Ragna. The wind howled for a few moments then fell into eerie silence.
As the dust settled, the group slowly straightened. What they saw made their blood run cold. The Abyss had begun to spread in all directions, its presence staining the land with a suffocating air of corruption and dread.
"That explosion... it came from the direction of the Statue of Seven," Deacon Ragna said, his voice tight with unease.
A low, unnatural howl pierced the air. All eyes turned upward.
The sky appeared to have a fracture. Thin cracks etched across the heavens like a spiderweb slowly forming.
"No... no, please... not again..." Lumine whispered, her voice breaking as dread washed over her.
And then, the sky shattered. Darkness spilled forth. The Abyss had returned.
----------
A flash of blue light sliced through the air as an Abyssal creature spilt in two. Noah had drawn his lightsaber—Lux cutting through the enemy lines. Beside him stood Rostam, his demeanor no longer the flamboyant knight known for flashy entrances and dramatic flair. Now, he fought with resolve, his movements sharp and disciplined. Though he lacked a Vision, his raw strength and masterful swordsmanship overwhelmed the creatures with ease. Together, the two carved a path forward, the ground has scattered bodies of the defeated Abyssal creatures.
"Holy crap... these two are tearing through the Abyss like they're dealing with training dummies," Hideon muttered, smashing his gauntlet, powered by his Geo Vision, into another enemy.
"Quit chatting and keep punching!" Melissa snapped, sending a surge of Hydro blasts toward an approaching rifthound.
"Hideon! Left flank! Make sure Sister Celes is covered! She's our only healer! The Abyss will target her!" Philip commanded, cleaving through another enemy with a sharp swing of his greatsword.
"Roger Cap!"
"Sorry, everyone! I'm not suited for battle," Celes said, clenching her hands tightly.
"Oh, don't worry~ don't worry~! It's always the healers they go for first. Classic tactic!" Elysia chimed in, loosing a volley of crystal arrows that dropped the approaching foes before they could get close.
"Miss Elysia is right, Celes," Deacon Ragna added as his spear drove cleanly into an Abyss creature lunging toward them. "Protecting you increases everyone's chances. Don't blame yourself."
"...I get it," Celes murmured, biting her lip as she reluctantly nodded, frustration show in her expression.
Kiana weaved through the chaos of battle nimble as a cat, her twin pistols firing non stops with precision at any foe that came too close to Elysia or the others. All the while, her eyes flicked between Noah and Rostam, keeping their backs covered from unwanted attacks. But the corrosive nature of the Abyss was starting to affect her. Something within her was starting to awake .
She keeps seeing these visions of illusions, and an unfamiliar yet familiar voice creeping into her mind, hindering her focus.
Ughh... What is this?! Why does it keep showing up?! Her face twisted in a mix of pain and confusion, struggling to block it out.
A sudden rush of Anemo energy surged outward, swirling violently before pulling in all the nearby Abyss creatures and hurling them back like leaves in a storm.
"?!" Everyone turned sharply toward the source of the wind. Lumine stood at its center, her elemental burst having triggered the blast. She was breathing heavily, her small frame swaying, barely holding herself upright.
Seeing her like that, Kiana's concern snapped into action. Whatever she had been feeling moments ago vanished. She rushed to Lumine's side.
"Lumi! Hold on!"
"Kia...na...?" Lumine mumbled, her voice faint.
"Yes, it's me! Just hang on! I'm taking you to Sister Celes!" Kiana lifted her without hesitation and rushed toward their healer.
"Miss Kiana, please keep supporting Miss Lumine," Celes said quickly as she began healing, her hands already glowing with restorative energy.
With no enemies immediately in sight, Philip, Ragna, Melissa, Hideon, and Elysia instinctively moved into position, forming a protective barrier around Celes, Kiana, and the weakened Lumine.
At the front, Noah and Rostam scanned the area quickly after Lumine's elemental burst. Seeing no further threats, they sprinted back toward their group.
"Sir Rostam! Mister Noah!" Deacon Ragna called out. "We need to pull back immediately. Even if Miss Lumine cleared most of them, we're still surrounded on all sides, we'll be trapped sooner or later."
Grim determination marked both Noah and Rostam's faces. Noah's eyes turned to Lumine, who sat slumped and pale, her breathing shallow and irregular. Kiana was right beside her, gently holding her hand, offering comfort just by being there. His eyes met Kiana. Her expression told Noah everything he needed to know. She nodded once.
"...We need to return to Mondstadt as soon as possible. Lumine's condition is getting worse," Elysia urged, glancing toward Noah. "Can you teleport all of us back with your ability?"
Everyone turned to Noah with a mix of worry and hope in their eyes.
"It's possible," Noah replied. "But I can only transport four people at once, including myself. I'll need to make three trips."
"Then the first group should be Lumine, Deacon Ragna, and Sister Celes," Rostam said, scanning the surroundings for any enemies.
"After that, take Miss Kiana, Miss Elysia, and Melissa," Philip suggested. "I'll go last with Hideon and Sir Rostam."
Hideon gave a quick nod, already bracing for what was to come.
"No, I believe it's better if Miss Kiana goes with Lumine and Sister Celes," Ragna said firmly. "Her presence keeps Miss Lumine stable."
Noah didn't hesitate. He stepped toward them and asked softly, "...Will you be able to hold on for a little longer?"
"Yes, Don't worry. We are tougher than we look." Rostam replied, his tone no-nonsense.
"Go. We'll keep things under control until you're back," Elysia said with a smile.
Noah glanced around. One by one, the others answered with brief nods and quiet gestures of trust.
"Alright. I'll be back as fast as I can." With that, he pulled Kiana, Lumine, and Sister Celes close and with pop they disappeared.
"You heard him! Hold the line until Noah returns!" Rostam called out, his blade raised high as the enemy surged forward.