Witch's Homework: Of the Waking of Wind

...I'll take that as a yes, then.

Venti?

Ah, finally! You're here, Traveler! Do you have a message for me from someone, by any chance?

There's not a single prophecy about you in that dictionary.

That's what you were about to say, right?

Yeah.

Oh? Just a moment, Traveler.

Hmm... Your curiosity seems as strong as ever, Barbeloth. Alas, my "future" will have to remain absent from your dictionary.

The wind may be happy to let dandelions trace its form, and have poets sing it into verse, but to be contained is hardly its nature.

So, dear Barbeloth, please do set your pen down. Words heard on the wind are not meant to be recorded on the page.

If you're truly interested in this legend, allow me to fashion it into a poem. I'll be sure to share it with you ladies at our next tea party.

Barbeloth? She...

Hahaha, Barbeloth has always been a reasonable person, and I believe she heard my request.

As such, our conversation should be free from interruptions for now.

Wait, Barbeloth was listening in just now? P—Paimon didn't notice a thing...

Well, she is a Hexenzirkel mage. They all have quite a few tricks up their sleeves.

Still, you noticed right away, and even got her to leave us alone. Doesn't that make you the real master at cards here?

Hmm... Given the various practical factors at play, I'd call myself a master — with limits.

There you go, being all secretive again. Well, anyway, there wasn't a single thing about you in that dictionary.

Yeah, she just...

You being here is enough. Barbeloth's "prophecy" concerning me may be "incomplete," but it's not "incorrect."

There's something I need to do, and I could indeed use your help.

What is it?

Hehe, trusty as always. In that case...

Could you play a song with me later, Traveler?

Huh? I mean, sure...

Yep. That's all.

But, don't worry. This isn't a performance to decide the fate of some consequential event... It's just a duet between friends.

The last time I played this song, the howling gale was my sole audience, and the notes scattered in all directions, leaving only fragments of the melody behind.

But now, with a friend like you by my side, why should the wind alone bear witness to this music?

Besides, I think my hands will be just that much steadier, playing alongside a trusty friend like you.

I'll play the best I can.

That's all I ask. Now, let's head to the performance venue. If we follow the breeze, we'll be there in no time.

Huh, this island looks kinda familiar...

Paimon thought we'd have to fly super far, but it looks like we're just outside the city...

This island...

Is it special?

Not always. It was once an isle like any other — an ordinary, unassuming aggregation of sand and gravel.

That is, until seeds of stories were brought here by the wind, and cultivated by time.

And in due course, the wind brought forth new tales, and time caused them to grow into legends.

So, with that... Allow me to welcome you in "truth" to this island favored by Time, Traveler.

This is the place where Time and Wind met in the distant past.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... You suddenly sound so serious, Tone-Deaf Bard. Paimon's not sure she's following this conversation anymore, either...

Hehe, fret not, dear Paimon! The best stories always start with a bit of suspense and intrigue.

Ah, looks like our music has moved some in our audience to step on stage.

But that's against concert rules, so let's usher them out.

Alright, that should do it. This was an exquisite performance, Traveler. Thank you.

That power you unleashed just now...

Ah, don't worry. That power was mine and mine alone. No external help was involved.

Think of it like... tuning a musical instrument so that it might play melodies lovelier still.

Hah, so you do have some tricks up your sleeve! What else are you hiding, hmm?

Oh, Paimon. How many tricks could I possibly have? I only have two sleeves, after all.

You know that's not what Paimon meant, Tone-Deaf Bard!

Hahaha, I have a feeling the wind is gonna be pretty strong today. We should head back to Mondstadt and tell people to hold onto their hats.

Once upon a time, I summoned the first winds of freedom on behalf of Mondstadt's people. With the aid of those winds, liberty was returned to all who were owed it.

I told you about this before, remember? About how I encountered "Time" at the Thousand Winds Temple and received some help.

Well, it was because of Time's help that the those first winds of freedom were able to blow so strongly.

But, forceful gales like that are most suited to wiping things clean, not helping things grow.

So, after a few crises in Mondstadt were resolved, I made the winds gentler — just strong enough to bolster the people in times of need without knocking them off their feet.

...

Shadows gather in the distance. I'm sure you've felt it, too.

I've heard about the Pyro Archon's face-off with the Ruler of Death, Ronova, and what happened to the Fatui Harbinger, The Captain.

And that's not even mentioning how Abyssal activity has been encroaching closer and closer to Mondstadt.

I fear the impending crisis may be beyond what humans alone can solve... In light of that, I need to be prepared.

It's the Anemo Archon's duty to intervene in times of need. As such, I, Barbatos, will bring forth a wind strong enough to disperse whatever storm lies ahead.

But, if I whip up a gale of such strength in Mondstadt City, it would just turn the place upside down — clothes, hats, the flowers that rest on people's balconies...

That's why I chose to do it here — the place where I once offered an ode to Time.

Who knows, perhaps Time shows this island special favor precisely on account of my lovely, lovely music.

Wait, so... Is this place really that special? It sure doesn't look like it...

There's a tide that ebbs and flows, and a bunch of birds that come and go... It just seems... normal.

Time's impact on things isn't limited to what the eye can see. Think of it like... a ripe Sunsettia.

If the outer peel remains intact, it's nearly impossible for the average person to tell whether the fruit inside is ripe.

But even the tiniest hole in said peel will cause the fruit to rot, starting from that spot.

Nestled in the hands of Time, not one "blemish" marks this island's "peel." Thus, Time's influence on its very essence remains hidden to all.

At the most fundamental level, of course, all things that lack Time's favor will be erased at some point.

But with the power that remains here, I can leverage Time to draw a boundary around the Wind.

That way, the outside world won't notice a thing, no matter how powerful of a gale I whip up here.

Of course, as the one requesting help, I should offer something in return. That's why I invited you here, Traveler... So we could perform an ode to Time together.

Just let me know when you're ready, Traveler. Oh, and I can lend you an instrument if you need one.

I'm ready.

Great. Let's get started.

There's something I need to do first...

No worries. Just come find me when you're ready.

Just let me know when you're ready, Traveler. Oh, and I can lend you an instrument if you need one.

I'm ready.

Great. Let's get started.

There's something I need to do first...

No worries. Just come find me when you're ready.