AShift in Fate
The sun had begun its slow descent behind Mondstadt's walls, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Orion leaned back in his chair, studying Amber as she happily finished off the last of her Sunshine Sprat.
"Hey, Amber," he began casually, "don't you have duties to attend to? Patrols, missions… that kind of thing?"
Amber waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, not today! Well—okay, Jean did give me a mission, but that's tomorrow." She grinned. "Today, I'm free as a bird!"
Orion nodded, but his mind was already racing.
[♡~ Master~ Looks like you arrived before the event where the Traveler was supposed to meet Amber~] Zero's voice purred in his thoughts, no longer playful, but laced with warning. [Which means… you're tied to Lumine's fate now. And you must avoid her at all costs.]
His blood ran cold.
"What?"
A flood of questions crashed into him.
Did he take Aether's place?
Was the Heavenly Principle trying to make him the Abyssal Prince instead?
Was this why he was given these powers—these memories—this second chance?
His fingers tightened around his cup. The thought twisted in his gut like a knife.
Amber tilted her head. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Orion forced a smile. "Just… thinking about tomorrow."
---
As the last light of dusk faded, Amber stretched and stood. "Welp! Since you're new here and all… you got a place to stay?"
Orion hesitated. "Not yet."
Amber beamed. "Then you're in luck! You can crash at my place for the night. It's not much, but it's cozy!"
He blinked. "You're sure?"
"Of course! What kind of Outrider would I be if I left a traveler stranded?"
Grateful, Orion accepted.
Amber's home was a modest but warm space, filled with mementos of her grandfather—a former Outrider himself. Old maps, a well-worn bow on display, and a few dusty adventure journals lined the shelves.
"Grandpa left me this place," Amber said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "He taught me everything I know about being an Outrider. One day… I'll live up to his legacy."
Orion nodded, sensing the weight behind her words. "You already are."
Amber's cheeks pinked slightly before she cleared her throat. "A-Anyway! Make yourself at home. I've got some things to check on, but feel free to explore the city a bit. Just don't get lost!"
---
Night had fully settled by the time Orion found himself standing outside Angel's Share, the lively hum of chatter and clinking glasses spilling into the streets.
"Might as well see what the fuss is about."
Inside, the tavern was alive with energy. Patrons laughed over drinks, a bard strummed a lyre in the corner, and behind the counter stood a man with fiery red hair and piercing eyes—Diluc.
Orion took a seat at the bar.
Diluc glanced at him, wiping a glass clean. "Haven't seen you before. What'll it be?"
"Something strong," Orion said.
Diluc raised a brow but said nothing, pouring a glass of Death After Noon and sliding it over. "Rare to see a traveler these days. You here for business or pleasure?"
"Neither. Just… passing through."
Diluc's gaze lingered, as if assessing him, before giving a slight nod. "Enjoy your drink."
Then, from the corner, the bard's voice rose in song—a melody hauntingly familiar, though Orion couldn't place why.
The lyrics spoke of a hero lost to time, of battles fought in shadows, of a soul torn between duty and freedom.
It sounded like his past life.
His chest tightened.
The bard—Venti—paused mid-verse, his bright teal eyes locking onto Orion's. A knowing smile curled on his lips as he raised his glass.
"Welcome, traveler from afar~" he sang softly. "The wind is here to carry your dreams."
Orion's breath caught.
He knows.
And just like that, the game had truly begun.
---
Orion stared into his drink, swirling the amber liquid absently as Venti's words echoed in his mind.
"The wind is here to carry your dreams."
What did that even mean? Was it just a bard's poetic nonsense, or did the Anemo Archon know more than he let on?
Before he could dwell further, Venti himself slid onto the stool beside him, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Something on my face?" Orion asked dryly.
Venti chuckled, resting his chin on his palm. "No, no. You just… remind me of an old friend." His eyes, usually bright with mischief, held a fleeting shadow—something ancient and knowing.
Diluc, who had been polishing a glass nearby, scoffed. "If you have friends, Venti, tell them to pay your tab for once."
"Eh-hee~" Venti grinned, waving a hand dismissively before hopping off the stool. "Another time, Master Diluc!" With that, he sauntered away, his lyre already in hand as he resumed his song.
Orion exhaled, tossing back the rest of his drink before standing. "Keep the change."
Diluc gave a curt nod, watching as Orion stepped out into the cool night air.
---
The streets of Mondstadt were quiet at this hour, the glow of lanterns casting long shadows as Orion made his way back to Amber's home. Pushing the door open softly, he expected to find her awake, perhaps tidying up or preparing a spare bed for him.
Instead, he was met with the sight of Amber slumped over the table, her chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths.
"Asleep?"
He approached cautiously, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Amber?"
No response.
Sighing, Orion carefully slipped an arm under her legs and another around her back, lifting her with ease. She was lighter than he expected, her head lolling against his shoulder as he carried her down the hall to her bedroom.
"Sara must've worn her out with all that teasing earlier," he mused, gently laying her down on the bed. He pulled the blanket over her, making sure she was comfortable before turning to leave—
—only to freeze when a thought struck him.
"Wait. Since when does Amber just… pass out like this?"
His instincts, honed from another life, prickled with suspicion. But before he could dwell on it, he shook his head.
"Overthinking it. Just let her rest."
Closing the door softly behind him, Orion retreated to the couch in the main room, collapsing onto it with a tired groan.
"So much happened today… where do I even start?"
The System's gifts, Zero's teasing, Venti's cryptic words, and now this strange feeling that fate was tangling around him like a spider's web—it was all too much to process.
With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes, letting sleep pull him under.
---
The moment the door clicked shut, Amber's eyes flew open, her face burning crimson.
"Oh my Archon, oh my Archon, oh my Archon—"
Sara's words from earlier rang in her ears:
"If you really want to know how he feels, just pretend to fall asleep and see what he does~"
It had sounded like a joke at the time, but curiosity had gotten the better of her. And now—
"He carried me. He actually carried me to bed. And he was so… gentle."
Her heart hammered against her ribs as a flurry of unspeakable thoughts raced through her mind—images of strong arms, whispered words, heat creeping up her neck—
"NO. BAD AMBER. KNIGHTS OF FAVONIUS DO NOT THINK LIKE THIS."
She buried her face in her pillow, muffling a scream.
"I'm never listening to Sara again."
---
Meanwhile, in the Shadows
Far from Mondstadt's peaceful streets, a figure cloaked in darkness watched the city from a distance, golden eyes gleaming with quiet intensity.
"So… you're the one who took my place."
Aether's voice was barely a whisper, carried away by the wind.
"We'll see how long that lasts."
[To Be Continued…]