After passing the Chasm, which she skillfully avoided going through, Nat found herself lost, the ink on her maps bleeding and blurring the lines from a mix of snow, rain, and blood. Nat still couldn’t completely wrap her head around everything that had happened in the last two or three weeks that she had been traveling, in fact she couldn’t even remember how long she had been gone. She had yet to see a living, breathing human on her journey, just some hillitrolls that she avoided, as she felt that she wouldn’t be able to take them on. Nat continued onward, finding herself on a dirt path that she followed, watching the birds fly through the blue sky. While Nat didn’t know where she was, she felt she may finally be close to her destination. A dizzy spell overtook her, and she decided she had to sit down and let it pass, hoping she would soon find running water to drink and maybe then she would feel more balanced, at least long enough to find her way. She found a tree not far off of the path, and sat under it, soon nodding off. When she woke up some time later, a flaming head of red hair looked down on her, his hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, staring at the person in front of her. He was a few years older than her, good looking, and dressed in uniform with some of the people standing behind him.

“Miss, are you okay? You’re covered in blood?” The man spoke, causing her to slightly jump. His voice was low, calming but intimidating, and Nat had forgotten that she probably looked like a mess, covered in weeks old dried blood and dirt. The stranger continued, “my name is Diluc, of the Knights of Favonious in Mondstadt. May I tend to your wounds?” He held out a hand to help her up, and she gratefully took it.

“You’re from Mondstadt?” She shyly asked, in awe that maybe, just maybe, she had finally made it.

“Yes, of course. Where are you from?” He asked, pulling her up, and leading her to a few carriages that Diluc, and the other knights, were using during their travels. Nat told Diluc and the knights about her journey, keeping some of the more gritty details to herself. She was from Snezhnaya, she ran away from the Fatui rule, and she had lost her friend along the way. Tears started to brim at the corners of her eyes as she thought of Ajax, and the emotions of her journey finally started to settle into place.

“You’re safe now Miss Natalya,” a blue haired boy with an eye patch ensured, “we’ll bring you to Mondstadt and keep you safe.” She soon learned that this young man was Kaeya, Diluc’s younger brother. The two chatted with her during her journey back, and she was in awe as they approached the bridge leading into the city of Freedom.

“Here it is – Mondstadt!” Diluc announced. Mondstadt was larger than she expected and she tried to take it all in at once.

“I can’t believe I made it.” Nat whispered to herself as they entered the city. Mondstadt was bustling with people, shops, and commotion as the knights guided Nat and the carriages inside the gates, guards greeting them hello. Children played with dogs in the street, a young woman was selling flowers, and the faint smell of honey could be smelt lingering in the air as the excitement started to bubble more in Nat.

“We’re going to bring you to meet Grand Master Varka. He’s in charge of the Knights and will be able to help you get accustomed here.” Diluc explained as he and Kaeya led her deeper into the city, church bells ringing around them. Walking through the Knights headquarters, to Varka’s office, was like a dream come true for Nat. When they reached his office, Diluc introduced Varka to Nat, giving him a brief rundown of her story. Varka was empathetic with Nat, and invited her to stay for dinner, where he discussed a plan of action for her.

“There is a young mother here in Mondstadt who recently lost her son. She is devastated, and could use some help during this difficult time. She has agreed to take you in.” Varka explained with a brooding voice. Nat shook her head in understanding as they finished their meal, and Varka led her back to the lobby of the Knights Headquarters, where Diluc was waiting for her. “Young Diluc is going to take you to your new home. Please don’t hesitate to ask him any questions.”

Nat bowed her head and responded, “thank you Master Varka. I am grateful for your help.” With that, Nat was passed on to Diluc, who had a glowing red vision on his belt. “How did you get your vision Sir Diluc?” Nat asked inquisitively. Diluc looked surprised, no one had really asked him that before, as they assumed the Crepus’ son would be worthy of a vision.

“I actually just got it last year, it appeared to me in a dream and when I awoke it was there, burning my hand even in the chilly winter air,” Diluc paused, reminiscing, “we can learn how to master our visions together if you like.” He smiled, acknowledging the vision on her waist, and remembering the story she had told them. “Also, Diluc is fine. No need to say sir, sir is my father.” Diluc added, as he held open the door for Nat, who nodded her head in understanding.

“Diluc, I want to become a Knight. How can I do that?” Nat asked as Diluc noted the curiosity in her mind.

“Lots of training, but we can help with that, right brother?” Kaeya asked, after suddenly appearing by their side. Kaeya gave them a cheesy smile, throwing his arm around Diluc.

“Yes, we can absolutely help you train Natalya.” Diluc agreed, leaning into his brother. Nat could tell the two of them were close, and had a strong bond between them, making her think of Ajax and his siblings. The siblings who would soon have to mourn the loss of their brother who would never come home. She shook off the thought quickly, and continued the conversation with her new friends.

“You can call me Nat, no need for formal names.” The three laughed and she felt like she had found her people, or maybe she was thinking too quickly. That evening, she moved in with Ms. Ingrid, and heard all about her son and his bravery, sailing to Inazuma to bring his father a bottle of Dandelion wine. Ms. Ingrid brought Nat to the spare room, across from her late son’s and let her settle in. Nat plopped on the bed, kicked off her shoes, and curled up into a ball. She knew she needed a shower and had to unpack the few belongings she had brought with her, but instead she fell asleep. She hadn’t realized how

exhausted she was, or how much she had missed a bed, until her head hit the pillow that night. She soon nodded off, dreaming of her new future in Mondstadt, with Barbatos watching over her.

Over time, Ms. Ingrid’s home became one of great love and comfort for Nat, and Ms. Ingrid became a second mother for her. Ms. Ingrid would often leave out hot tea for her after a long day of training, and always made sure to have leftovers for her. In return, Nat ran most of Ms. Ingrid’s errands, and helped with household chores. Ms. Ingrid even took Nat out shopping for new clothes, trinkets, and other necessities she may need from time to time.

As soon as she was settled in, Nat started to train with Kaeya and Diluc regularly, building quite a bond with the brothers. Diluc would help her with her vision, though at times it was hard seeing as they had different elemental abilities. Diluc focused their training sessions on controlling the elemental powers, and the emotions linked to the bursts. Nat quickly learned that Diluc was a very calm person, and had a wonderful grip on his emotions. She knew that if Diluc were to ever loose control, he would have to be devastated, and she hoped to never see him that way.

When Nat trained with Kaeya, they focused on her swordsmanship. This was something Diluc wasn’t able to help with as much, as he used a Claymore, which took a completely different skill set, something Nat only knew from trying to pick up Diluc’s weapon one day. Kaeya battled with grace, and made sure to teach Nat how to be elegant in battle while getting the job done. Nat specifically wanted to learn Kaeya’s parry, which she had learned was a step back he did after his initial hit. Kaeya was impressed at how quickly she picked up on the parry, but Nat truly enjoyed spending time with the quick-witted knight. While he always seemed to be one step ahead of her, she knew she could trust him.

It was after a few months of training and spending time with Kaeya and Diluc that Nat first met Crepus Ragnvindr at the Dawn Winery.

“So you’re the Nat that my sons have been telling me all about. A pleasure to meet you,” Crepus said as he held out his hand, garnished with a delusion, and Nat took it. Nat shook his hand firmly despite her fear of the vision on his hand, something that was common to see in Snezhnaya. Delusions were man-made visions that often took great physical, or mental, tolls on their users. She had seen many lose their lives to their delusions, and families loose loved ones.

“The pleasure is mine, thank you for letting them train me. I truly owe them my life.” Nat answered as she bowed her head in thanks, making Crepus laugh.

“These two saved your life? From the sounds of it, you saved your own, and have a vision and scar to show for it.” Nat had forgotten about her vision and scar, both still so new to her. She had holstered the vision to the front of her belt, with her locket attached to it, remembering the sacrifice Ajax made for her to be here today. She chatted with Crepus for a few minutes, his sons lingering behind listening in, before Adeline, his housekeeper, called for him to get going on his next big adventure. “Before I go, I have a gift for you young adventurer,” he spoke to Nat, and the boys smiled in secrecy behind her.

“Mr. Ragnvidnr, you didn’t have to get me anything, I didn’t get you anything…” Nat stuttered, surprised and unsure of what Mondstadt customs were for this situation.

“I know I didn’t have to, but at the same time I did.” He walked around the corner and picked up a long box from the table, “For you.” She took the box and opened it, revealing a beautiful new sword with Snezhnayan embellishments. Nat was left speechless at its beauty, it was an immense upgrade from her dull and borrowed sword from home. “Custom made from Warner himself, fit for a knight in training.” Crepus chimed, proud of his gift. Nat tried to thank him, but still couldn’t seem to form a proper sentence. “ Don’t worry about it…Now Take care of my boys Nat!” Crepus yelled as he walked out the door waving, making Diluc and Kaeya both roll their eyes.

“I’m the cavalry captain of the knights of Favonious, what makes him think I need protection?” Diluc scoffed as he rolled his eyes, making Kaeya chuckle at his defeat.

“If you don’t think you need protection, maybe we should duel instead,” Nat said, quickly drawing her new sword.

“Not in the house!” Adeline yelled, seeing them out of the corner of her eyes, making the trio move outside. They spent most of the afternoon training before Diluc had to head to the knights headquarters for a meeting.

“Why aren’t you going Kaeya?” Nat questioned, as Diluc’s figure vanished in the distance, his claymore resting on his back.

“While I may be a knight, I’m too low in status for meetings like this. One day I’ll sit at the table with them though.” He smiled, daydreaming of the day he could follow in his brother’s footsteps. He and Nat continued to spar for a little bit before getting dinner at Good Hunter and heading separate ways.

In the months that followed Nat trained hard, and started making new friends across Mondstadt. She helped Flora pick new flowers for her shop, gathered ore for Warner, and assisted Miss Lisa with some experiments she was conducting in the library. Soon she also met Jean and Eula, the knights highest skilled swordsmen, and she was invited to watch them spar. A feeling of comfort and familiarity started to wash over.

Home.