#m-mercy

That much is true, wonders the Traveler as he meanders about the balcony, waiting for an absent sign. No one's here.

A detriment at worst, for he's meant to find all known Adepti and inform them about the passing of their Archon.

With lips sealed tight in mild dread, he informs Goldet about visiting some other time tomorrow before leaving for the harbor. He passes the bridge, leaving the vicinity of Wangshu.

For now, he'll have to settle with waiting, there's no use looking for someone who-

He only hears Paimon's horrified shriek before all of a sudden, he's crashing to the dirt with a hiss.

“T-Traveler!”

The foot on his dominant arm holds it down with immense weight, telling of the ability to crush it if the newcomer wishes to.

Aether can only try to move his head, though he's quick to freeze at the prickly feel of a weapon pressing against the side of his neck.

“Where is she.”

She?

“I don't know who you're talking about,” he says, honest and firm, retaining the sobriety in his tone and gaze despite sensing immediate peril.

Whoever this man is who wears the mask of a demon... means harm if need be.

“Lies will not save you, mortal,” the polearm presses deeper, “If you value your life, you will-”

“We don't know who you're talking about, r-release the Traveler!” Paimon charges with a yell, but her tiny body is no match for the measly swipe of the man's gloved hand.

The yelp prompts Aether to twist his body with newfound vigor, though his endeavors are fruitless. The slam of a foot lands straight on his sternum and he winces, glaring through narrowed slits until-

“... !”

The Conqueror of Demons?

“A second spent is time wasted, don't mess with me. Answer.” growls the masked Yaksha. His effulgence of cyan speaks decibels of danger, suffocating and thick.

Aether almost cries out when the foot presses harder. “I don't know who you are talking about!”

That doesn't seem to appease the Adeptus.

“You-!” a pause, then suddenly, the weight on him is no more.

“A Sigil of Permission..”

When Paimon has found her way back to his side, the mask has vanished, revealing a face torn by contemplation. Aether stands, sword materializing in hand.

Golden eyes flicker to the weapon before the polearm disappears.

“When you bear such an item... I cannot harm you.” it is said through gritted teeth, as though the thought of it pains him so.

Aether scoffs. Can't harm? Too late for that, isn't it?

“G-good! Now listen up, you crazy- I- I mean, listen!” Paimon shouts with a semblance of anger, though she's quivering. “We came here to tell you something important. We don't know this 'her' you're talking about!”

The Conqueror is scowling, appearing repulsed at having to entertain their presence.

Beyond his own annoyance, he truly does wonder about the reason for such belligerence.

“Not tonight.” the answer is terse, “My energy is too destructive, come back tomorrow.”

He vanishes without a trace before either of the two can even respond. Paimon is already blasting off her displeasure, stomping in the air, having forgotten her prior fear.

Aether certainly feels disconcerted; he did not expect his meeting with the Vigilant Yaksha to go off on a wrong footing. The sigil blessed him with safety, that's for sure.

Hand clutching his midriff, he trudges with a groan, not willing to think too much of the situation. The environment he sees, however, forbids him from doing so.

Guili Plains always has been prolific with ruins and debris, with a couple of hilichurl camps active and flourishing with creatures, but...

What he sees now...

A chill runs down his back.

The grass is almost dyed black and there are lingering whirls of dangerous anemo, a second away from exacerbating into cyclones. Camps are no more, and the remaining architectures have all but crumbled apart.

A battlefield greets his eyes—but something is amiss.

He recalls the way the Yaksha demanded things a while ago, the malice in his voice, and the destruction that now lay before his eyes.

When Aether ponders more into it- the ruined prairies do not look as if war has broken out. No, it looks upended- ruined for a purpose not to engage in battle, but...

“Where is she?”

But to search for someone.