5. A Meal, A Tease, and A Divine Wind
Orion took a seat at the outdoor table near Good Hunter, the warm breeze carrying the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling steak and fresh-baked bread. Amber, ever the energetic guide, bounded up to the counter with a cheerful wave.
"Hey, Sara! The usual, please!" she called out.
Sara, the ever-observant owner of Good Hunter, smirked as she wiped her hands on her apron. "Oh? Amber, you've brought a guest today? And here I thought you only had eyes for your duties."
Amber's face immediately flushed a shade of red that rivaled her pyro vision. "W-Wha—no! It's not like that! He's just a traveler, and I'm just—doing my job!"
Sara chuckled, leaning forward with a knowing glint in her eye. "Mhm. And yet, you've never brought anyone else here for 'just your job.'"
Amber sputtered, her hands flailing in protest. "T-That's—ugh! Just give me two Sticky Honey Roasts and a Sunshine Sprat, okay?!"
Orion, watching from the table, couldn't help but smirk. "Damn. She's cute when she's flustered."
But before he could enjoy the spectacle further, a familiar—yet different—voice hummed in his mind.
[♡~ Ohhh, Master~! Congratulations! You've received a blessing from the Anemo Archon himself! The skill 「Wind's Elegy」 is now yours~! ♡]
The voice was playful, almost mocking in its sweetness—like Yae Miko whispering in his ear.
Orion stiffened. "Zero? Is that you?"
[♡~ Maaaybe~? Or maybe the system just decided you needed a little more flavor in your life~?]
"What the hell happened to the normal system voice?"
[♡~ Oh, Master, don't be so boring! The Heavenly Principles thought you'd appreciate a change~ After all, you seemed so disappointed earlier when I disappeared… Did you miss me~?]
Orion's jaw clenched. "You—!"
[♡~ Ah-ah! No denying it~ I saw how you looked at me. Very scandalous, Master~]
He could practically hear the smirk in her voice.
"I hate you."
[♡~ Liar~ ♡]
Before he could retort, Amber returned, plopping down across from him with a huff, her cheeks still pink. "Ugh, Sara's the worst sometimes."
Orion forced a neutral expression. "She seems… observant."
Amber groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Why is everyone like this…"
Just then, a gust of wind swept through the plaza—stronger than usual, carrying with it the faintest whisper of a melody. Orion's new skill, 「Wind's Elegy」, hummed in response, as if greeting its creator.
"Barbatos… what exactly did you give me?"
And somewhere, deep in the back of his mind, Zero's laughter echoed.
[♡~ Oh, Master~ You're in for such a fun time~ ♡]
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Author's Corner (A Question of Intentions)
[Reader, let's be real—did you really think Orion was going to get a normal life?]
[A peaceful meal? A cute crush? A system that doesn't tease him mercilessly?]
[Of course not. This is GenshinImpact. Chaos is inevitable.]
[But hey, at least he's got a shiny new skill. And a certain Outrider blushing at him.]
[Progress? Maybe. Trouble? Absolutely.]
[As for you, Author… are you enjoying this? Watching him squirm?]
[…Maybe. Just a little. ♡]
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Orion clenched his teeth as Zero's playful voice coiled around his thoughts like a mischievous spirit.
"Enough. Stop toying with me," he growled internally. "I'm not in the mood for games. If I start reacting to you out here, people will think I've lost my mind."
The last thing he needed was Amber noticing him arguing with an invisible voice. He might have once been a lethal shadow in another life, but here? He was just a man trying to enjoy his freedom—not get locked up for erratic behavior.
Zero's tone shifted, losing its teasing lilt for once.
[「Wind's Elegy」—A blessing from Barbatos himself. It allows you to manipulate wind currents with precision, enhancing movement, evasion, and even redirecting projectiles. Activation is instinctual; your body will know when to call upon it.]
Orion exhaled. Finally, a straight answer.
"Andyou?" he pressed. "Canyou manifest again like before? Or was that a one-time thing?"
[No.]
His chest tightened unexpectedly.
[...Unless you permit it.]
A beat of silence.
[I exist within you, Master. If you wish for me to appear, I will. Anywhere. Anytime.]
The implication hung in the air—dangerous, tempting.
Before he could dwell on it, Amber's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hey… you've been quiet for a while. Is the food not to your liking?"
Her tone was light, but her fingers fidgeted slightly against the table. "Did Sara's teasing make him uncomfortable? Does he think I'm weird now?"
Orion snapped back to reality, offering her a reassuring smile. "No, it's great. I was just… thinking about Barbatos. Wondering what he's like. I'd love to meet him someday."
Amber perked up, her worry melting into enthusiasm. "Oh! Well, you're in the right city for that! Though, good luck getting him to show up—he's kind of… elusive." She grinned. "But hey, if anyone can manage it, it's probably someone as mysterious as you."
Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit him.
"If Amber is here with me… who greets Lumine and Paimon when they arrive?"
The timeline was already shifting. Would they still encounter Venti? Would the Stormterror crisis unfold the same way?
A gust of wind swirled around them, carrying the faintest hint of a lyre's melody. Orion's new skill hummed in response, as if acknowledging the unseen presence of its creator.
Somewhere in the city, a certain tone-deaf bard smiled into his wine.
"Things are about to get interesting,"Orion muttered.
Amber tilted her head. "Hmm?"
"Nothing," he said, taking a deliberate bite of the Sticky Honey Roast. "Just enjoying the food."
But his mind raced.
If the threads of fate are already unraveling… what role do I play now?
And deeper still, a quieter thought:
"Will I meet her?"
(Lumine's face flashed in his memory—golden eyes, quiet strength. The traveler who should have been the hero of this story.)
The wind didn't answer.
But it never did.
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