Rosaria recounts the unfamiliar track she found. Just as curious, she saw scratch marks left behind by the assumed culprit. She considers them large for any wildlife which usually roams the countryside and forests of Mondstadt. The other three listen quietly, their atmosphere calm as they carefully turn the information over in their own thoughts. 

 

At some point, strumming had stopped playing through the tavern. Though it was quickly replaced by singing and other instruments. The bard had slipped away from his place and snuck his way to the bar, perching sideways on a stool as he listened in. His eyes were lit with curiosity, falsely innocent as he observed them.

 

Dainsleif spoke next, reminding them that he was still there. The ex-general had an imposing presence, but while he was silent, he tended to ebb away; Dissolving from the forefront of a situation as easily as he came and went without cause for notice. 

 

“I would assume that it is not a creature native to Mondstadt. The presence of something tainted by abyssal energy has drawn me here during my pursuit. I imagined it would be wreaking more havoc than these occurrences, but what has been discussed makes me question if it is what I am tracking after all. Perhaps it is a force that will soon attack more severely, when it no longer has whatever reason holding it back as it does now.”

​

As though it was in response to his words, the walls of the tavern shuddered as if shaken by another torrent of wind. It causes a shift of general unease to pass through the tavern. Patrons glance around anxiously even as the celebratory ambiance of a typical night in the tavern carries on.

​

Kaeya reiterates, “So some creature of the abyss is targeting something in Mondstadt? Or at least wants something in Mondstadt. But why focus its efforts here? Is it drawn to the people? The noise? The singing?”

 

“I have yet to discern that myself,” Dainsleif replied. No one interjected that they knew, so it was silently understood that they all were equally bemused. “Though I would imagine there is something here drawing it in.”

 

Another gale whips itself into a frenzy outside. Once again like before lights and torches flicker and splutter until they are eventually extinguished. Any windows that are shut are aggressively blown open to let in the crying gale. The door makes a loud bang as it hits the wall, having been thrown open by the invisible force. Cold wind, carrying the feeling of fear brushes over the tavern that has gone deathly silent again. Everyone is stopped in fright to listen: Someone from the storm cries out, then bursts into a fit of hysterical laughter that is barely discernible above the roars of the wind. The wind is so fierce it whips the moonlight that is filtering through the now open doorway. It makes it appear like a small shadow slips through. Hardly anyone’s eye is keen enough to catch a glimpse of such an occurrence. Even if someone had, they would quickly forget it because a large object slams its body against the side of the tavern, making one of the patrons shriek. Their cry sets off an eruption of shouts and screams that is only quelled by frozen horror as a large beast wrapped in shadows appears in the doorway.

 

It howls. The sound would almost be tortured and sorrowful if it were not so frighteningly horrific. The creature resembles a large wolf that has been tainted and corroded by forces darker than most can comprehend. Its eyes glow a violent shade of purple, a shade that shifts to a color even more vivid yet darker at the same time as it surveys its surroundings. It starts to move. No one can predict if it is starting to leap into aggressive action. Without a second more to spare a streak of scarlet dashes at the beast. A slashing wave of flames lights the threshold on fire and licks at the beast’s face. The hand that sent it summons a claymore as a second comes to help wield the hefty weapon. Diluc rebounds his path off of a table, then pushes against a support beam to launch himself at the Riftwolf. Before the monster can launch an attack, Diluc brings his claymore down on it. The Riftwolf howls as a high-pitched shriek deafens the room. It moves back. In its retreat, it gets swept into the gale that still surrounds the tavern.

 

Diluc stands on singed floorboards, smoke curling around his boots as he slams the door shut and secures the locks. “Everyone remain calm, this is not a time to panic.” His composed voice and the admiration that the people of Mondstadt hold for the tycoon helps to lower the din to frantic whispers and hushed debates amongst the patrons. “I need people to close the windows and barricade the walls.” His gaze sweeps the tavern to land on the four sitting at the bar. Kaeya stands as he catches his gaze. 

 

“All those able-bodied, collect chairs and tables. We will use them to block off both doors.” The Cavalry Captain instructed, his voice smooth and soothing to a distressed audience. “Once that is done we will gather. We are stronger in our support of each other.”