Focalors: So you want to know about Natlan?
Lumine: Yes, yes, we're preparing to go to Natlan. We heard there's constant war there, so to be safe, we want to gather some intel first.
Inside a cafe, Focalors, Lumine, Qixuan, and Paimon sat facing each other.
Qixuan: I heard there are a lot of dragons there. I wonder if we can get one.
Focalors: Haha, Miss Qixuan is truly interested in things from Natlan.
Lumine: So… does the God of Hydro know anything?
Focalors: Hmm… a nation of war. I heard the Natlan people are martial, and… that place is also where the Abyss invasion is most severe. I suppose it's for survival that the Natlan people are like this.
Lumine: What about the current God of Pyro? Do you have any contact?
Focalors gave a wry smile and said, "I haven't even met those current Gods, so how could I know about the current God of Pyro? However…"
Lumine: Don't keep us in suspense.
Focalors: Haha, I have some unofficial news: the current God of Pyro is a God who became a God in a human body.
Paimon: Huh? Is there something different about that? But it sounds very impressive.
Qixuan: Of course it's different. The Gods of Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, and even Focalors, are essentially Gods. In that case, becoming a God as a human is not an easy thing.
Focalors: That's right! By the way, are you leaving tomorrow?
Lumine: Yes, to find my brother as soon as possible, we'll set off first thing tomorrow.
Aether: So my sister still remembers me, boo hoo hoo.
Outside Fontaine…
Paimon: Furina, are you here to see us off? Hehe.
Furina: Cough cough… I, I just came to confirm your safety. I, I'm not here to see you off because I'll miss you.
Wait… what did I say?!
Focalors emerged from behind Furina and said, "Furina is truly saying one thing but meaning another."
Furina: No, I'm not!
Ugh, how did I say that?
Neuvillette: These supplies might be useful. Please accept them.
Neuvillette pointed to a mountain of various daily necessities and food piled up beside them.
Lumine: Uh… okay, thank you.
Lumine took out the Serenitea Pot and put the supplies inside.
At this moment, Arlecchino approached with Clervie and Lyney.
Clervie: I heard you're leaving for Natlan today. Ah, I'm so envious. I've never been to another country.
Lumine: You'll have a chance.
Clervie: Oh, oh, Qixuan-jie, I can freely control the power within my body now, look!
Clervie began to repeatedly show off her abilities.
Qixuan: Cough cough, alright, alright, congratulations, Clervie.
Arlecchino: Miss Qixuan, you might meet one of my colleagues after arriving in Natlan. Don't worry, he is a soldier with an upright character, who adheres to moral principles, is strict with himself, and lenient with others. I hope you can get along well.
Qixuan: Of course.
Lyney: I don't know what I can give you, so take these magic hats! There are many useful things inside.
Lumine: Thank you, Lyney.
Afterward, everyone who knew Lumine came to see her off. Qixuan was even pestered by several little girls for autographs. After a commotion.
Qixuan: Alright, it's time to go, Lumine.
Lumine: Goodbye, everyone.
Their figures gradually faded into the distance, signifying new adventures awaiting them.
Furina: Come back and visit when you have time!
After several days of travel… everyone finally set foot on this land filled with heroes and legends.
Looking at the steep mountains and cliffs around them, Paimon exclaimed, "Is this Natlan?"
Qixuan: It might be due to years of volcanic eruptions, which have made the terrain here steep and dangerous.
Lumine: So where should we go first?
Qixuan: Let's find a local to ask.
They set off along a path that didn't look too difficult to walk. Suddenly, an Abyssal Gate appeared ahead, and then many Rifthounds poured out from inside. They were attacking a small dragon.
Paimon: Ah! It's the Abyss! Look, what are they attacking?
Lumine didn't even draw her sword. A tornado, infused with the power of the Electro element, formed an Electro storm that instantly annihilated all the Rifthounds.
Qixuan: Is this… a dragon?
Lumine: It seems so. Do Natlan's dragons look like this?
Paimon: It's injured, what should we do?
Qixuan: Just leave it to me.
In a short while, the little dragon woke up and then rubbed against Qixuan. Eventually, Lumine temporarily adopted it. Of course, the name Qixuan gave it was very domineering, 'Overlord', but it was later rejected by Lumine and Paimon, who named it 'Little Earth Dragon'.
They continued their journey along a path and finally saw a tribe ahead. So they decided to find some locals to ask questions.
A group of people ahead seemed to be arguing about something.
Traco: Sorry, Kachina! I know it's bad to go back on my word, but my partner and I must achieve results in this Pilgrimage.
Traco looked at the person next to him, then continued, "Besides, if we can't find a teammate, we can't keep wasting time."
Semperya: Kachina, I'm sorry…
The little loli—no, little girl named Kachina looked wronged and said with a crying voice, "But, but if you two leave too, I'll be all alone."
Semperya: Kachina, you're still young and an heir to an Ancient Name. You'll have many opportunities. We are just ordinary tribal warriors, and after fighting for so many years, our bodies are starting to decline, and we haven't achieved any good results.
Traco: Yes, remember last time? We lost terribly. This time there are even fewer people, and the outcome will probably be… sigh.
Registration for the Pilgrimage closes tonight. This is the last chance to change teams.
Kachina seemed unable to refute.
Kachina: O-okay, I understand. There's nothing that can be done. If only I were stronger. Compared to other heirs of Ancient Names, I'm still too weak…
Then Kachina composed herself and said, "It's okay. After all, my Ancient Name is Uthabiti, which represents strength. I'll figure something out myself."
The two quickly thanked her, then expressed that they were still friends, just not participating in the Pilgrimage together.
Paimon and the others in the distance heard everything clearly.
Paimon: Hmph, even though I don't know what the Pilgrimage is, they're too much, abandoning her like that!
Lumine: We can't just leave her, can we?
Qixuan: Then let's go over and see.