The silence that followed the storm was heavy, broken only by the settling of dust and the distant ringing of the Cathedral bells.
Leo felt the weight of every gaze in the plaza—Jean's analytical stare, Lisa's predatory intrigue, and the Traveler's guarded confusion.
Leo straightened up, his muscles screaming. The Ongekibou Rekka had vanished back into his digital sub-space, leaving his hands vibrating from the sheer kinetic feedback of the ritual.
"A street performance?" Paimon's question with a dry, tired chuckle.
"Sure. Let's go with that. The 'Mondstadt Percussion Exorcism'—it's a very niche hobby."
Jean stepped forward, her cape fluttering in the dying breeze.
She looked between Leo and Lumine, her hand resting habitually on the hilt of her sword.
"Two travelers, both without Visions, yet both capable of repelling a Dragon's gale," Jean murmured.
"One uses the wind itself, and the other... uses a Sound I've never felt before."
"It's called 'Pure Sound,'" Leo said, falling back on the Hibiki lore stored in his HUD.
"It cleanses the 'Makamou'—or in this case, whatever purple gunk was sticking to that dragon's back."
Lumine stepped closer, her golden eyes scanning Leo's face. "You saw it too? The corruption?"
"Hard to miss," Leo replied.
"It looked like a virus. And that kid in green you mentioned? He was trying to heal it, wasn't he?"
Paimon gasped, her tiny hands flying to her cheeks.
"Wait! How did you know that?! We only saw him for a second in the Whispering Woods!"
Leo tapped his temple. "I have a knack for seeing things others miss. Call it a 'Rider's' intuition."
While the heroes converged in the plaza, the atmosphere blocks away was far more clinical.
Inside the Fatui-occupied hotel, the Agent watched the scene through a high-powered looking glass.
"The resonance was off the charts," the Agent reported into a communication device.
"He didn't just hit the ground; he harmonized with the Traveler's elemental burst.
It's as if his gear acts as a catalyst for any energy source."
A cold, static-filled voice crackled back through the device.
"Continue the observation. If his 'mechanical Visions' can be replicated, the Tsaritsa's reach will extend beyond the elements.
If not... bring me a sample of that 'cedar' wood."
Back in the plaza, Kaeya leaned in, his smirk widening.
"Well, since we're all friends now—and since the city isn't currently being airborne—how about we move this to the headquarters?
I believe the Acting Grand Master has a few 'Honorary' titles she hands out to people who save our walls."
Jean nodded. "Indeed.
Leo, Lumine—your assistance was invaluable. But Mondstadt is still in danger. Dvalin will return."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
URGENT QUEST: THE DRAGON'S CURE
Objective: Investigate the 'Tainted Tear' at the Temple of a Thousand Winds.
Reward: 1000 RP
Leo looked at the notification.
1000 RP.
That was two and a half spins. That was the difference between fighting with drumsticks and pulling out a Grand Zi-O watch.
"I'm in," Leo said, looking at Lumine. "Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on the guy who fights with a dull blade."
Lumine gave him a small, competitive smile. "And someone needs to make sure the drummer doesn't get blown away."