Hold over Myriad of Worlds

I was sitting across from Jing Yuan, who was lost in thought. Fu Xuan looked at me with a look reserved for maniacs and fools. Yukong and Tingyun were quiet at this moment.

-"Do you have any proof?"- General asked in a deep voice.

-"Yes, I'll take you to Orario. With no Aeons there, you will feel the difference."

-"Then let's go. If you speak the truth, I have to reevaluate the plans of Luofu."

-"Come this way."

I took four of them to Hold. Inside, we passed a few people until we arrived where Hephaestus was waiting. Fu Xuan instantly noticed a strangeness when she saw her.

-"That person... Her nature is like that of Aeon. The world automatically behaves in her best interest. But the effect is much weaker. What kind of being is she?"

-"Let me introduce her. This is Hephaestus, goddess of forge and crafts."

-"God? Like those in old beliefs?"

-"Exactly. Because she originates from rules of the world that bear similarity to Paths, you could mistake her for weak Aeon."

-"I have never seen Aeon, but I believe Fu Xuan senses."

-"Welcome, I'll take you for a quick look at Orario. Yue, are you coming to?"

-"No, I plan to talk with Astral Express next. As for details about the collaboration. Ningguan knows best what to do."

-"Ok, then we'll be on our way."

-"Then excuse me."

I returned to my world again, and this time, I teleported into Express. Inside, the crew was already gathered. While surrounding the Pom-Pom, they listened to his story of how we met.

-"When Akivlii ascended, he was present not only as an observer but as one of his close compatriots."

-"Does that mean that technically he is part of the Express crew and our senior?"

-"Hmm... Yes. He learned to perform all the roles of the crew by himself. If Akivlii was a captain, he would be a quartermaster. One was the soul, while the other was the mind of Astral Express."

-"I never thought that you felt so highly of me, Pom-Pom."

-"Yue! You always suddenly appear behind people! You truly deserve your past title, Ghost of the Express!"

-"Hey. Back then, I was simply the Nameless, not Yue. Ghost and I have nothing to do with each other."

-"And yet you can appear like him, always scaring me when you show!"

-"Well, it was good to reminisce old times. Now, the new generation of Astral Express, I have a little job for you."

-"Please, tell us what kind of job?"

-"Of course, it is to Trailblaze. Only rather than here, under Aeons' gazes, I want you to venture outside."

-"Outside?"

-"Yes, I want you to leave branches of Imaginary Tree and seek new worlds."

-"What are you spouting, Yue?! Do you want to repeat the Akivlii tragedy?!"

-"No. I advised against THEIR decision at that time. Now I have the assurance of success."

-"You are not one to spout empty words. Guys, what is your view on this?"

-"I'm all for!"

-"This is in line with our ideas, so why not."

-"What kind of danger will await us?"

-"I have no idea. I can assure you that you will not be lost in [Primordial Chaos]. Nothing else."

-"It is too risky, I'm against it."

-"I seccond Mr. Welt."

-"Stelle, what about you?"

-"I..."

-"Don't be like those two, c'mon."

-"Stop putting pressure on her, March."

-"Yue, why us?"

-"I have two reasons. The first is your experience. The second is about the train."

-"Train?"

-"Yes, it is the only thing that can easily withstand travel into Chaos. Without it, I would be in trouble."

-"What kind of assistance can you provide for that journey?"

-"Knowledge and resources. Access to new ways of gaining strength, and lastly, opportunity.

-"Then I also vote for accepting his proposal."

-"Yey!"

-"So be it."

-"Then Pom-Pom, can you trace the coordinates of that thing?"

-"Show me it. Yes, I can input it into navigation."

-"Then go for it."

Pom-Pom went to the cabin. The crew prepared themselves for the warp jump. When Pom-Pom's voice sounded from the intercom, all were already seated. When the jump commenced, I was able to again feel that indescribable feeling of warp.

We caused a commotion when the whole train appeared near the outer wall of Hold. Everybody came to see Astral Express in whole glory.

-"Fascinating, I can't help but want to take it apart to study how it works."

-"While we can't do that, Himeko over here will be more than happy to consult you on the subject of mechanics."

-"Yes. I believe this is the beginning of a long friendship."

-"I have the same feeling."

While two women with red hair started exchanging ideas, March and Stelle met Elysia, who swooped on them with starry-eyed looks. Zhongli, who appeared in the meantime, was already exchanging stories with Welt. Dan Heng asked for directions to the library, quietly leaving.

While everyone was getting situated, I returned to my world one last time. This time, only one person was waiting for me. 

-"Welcome back, Master"

-"Ready to go?"

-"Yes. This time, I truly bid my farewell. From now on, I Jingliu has no place in the Xianzhou Alliance. My debt has been repaid. Now, my home will be by your side."

-"Happy to have you on board."-We smiled at each other.

-"What is our next destination, Master?"

-"I plan to send this ship toward the meeting place with Ruan Mei."-I started. -"Until it arrives there, I'll be doing things in Hold."

-"Then allow me to follow you."

-"I don't mind. Let's go."

This was Jingliu's first time in Hold, so I took her around. After a short tour, I went looking for Ningguang. It appears that she wasn't in Hold, so I entered Teyvat. Liyue was as busy as last time. Quickly scanning the city with my awareness, I was able to find Ningguang. 

To avoid pushing through the crowd, I grabbed Jingliu and teleported to Jade Chamber, where Ningguang was working. When we appeared, she raised her head.

-"Yue? Are you looking for me?"

-"Yes. I wanted to ask you if you can find some time tomorrow?"

-"Let me think, tomorrow... Yes, in the evening."

-"Then I thought that we again need to hold a meeting sa Principles."

-"I also have some things we should address, so I'm all for it."

-"Then can you contact Nobunaga? I'll inform Elysia and Astraea."

-"Ok. anything else."

-"Yes. I believe that we should also invite a few more people."

-"Who do you have in mind?"

-"The first group would be people to become our deputies: Loki, Ganyu, Yelan, Hephaestus, and the person you have chosen."

-"We have to start building internal order. Appointing deputies would help us in that."

-"The second group will be forces allied but not yet intending to integrate into Hold, someone from Loki and Hephaestus familia, Jing Yuan, Zhongli, and Mei."

-"You wish to convince them to become part of Hold directly?"

-"I wish to try. You negotiated with them already, right?"

-"While Xianzhou Loufu has not agreed to anything yet, I think that they are thinking of directly joining us. That General Is someone casious but also brave."

-"I thought about it. I have a proposition for him, but I alone will not be able to do it yet."

-"So it is just a promise?"

-"No. A guarantee."

-"What about the others?"

-"Liyue is in your hands. I think it can directly start being integrated."

-"Yes, Emperor and the rest of Qixing agreed to start that process."

-"Then only familias are left as problems. I think that we should allow them to be treated as special units within Hold. Give them greater autonomy for loyalty."

-"I can draft something on that idea."

-"Thank you."

-"Worry not. Each of us has different roles to perform." 

After bidding farewell, I returned to Hold. To prepare something before the meeting, I went directly to the workshop. I asked Jingliu to seek Hephaestus and inform Astraea and Elysia about the meeting while I started getting busy. Soon, girls came and also started getting busy. While Jingliu was out of her depth, she soon adapted to the role of assistant.

We worked the whole night. Luckily, just before noon the next day, we succeded in creating the prototype of the communicator.

-"Hephaestus, do you mind becoming my deputy as Principle of Progress?"

-"Direct huh? I can agree to that, but you have to promise me something in exchange."

-"What exactly?"

-"Three things. You will forge an item that I would classify as divine. You will help me heal my eye. Last, I will keep a secret for now."

-"Ok. I promise you that."

-"Then we have an agreement."

We then took our night work and went toward [Throne Room].

When we arrived, Nobunaga and Astraea were already waiting. This time, aside from the Thrones, there was an additional chair next to each of them. Together with additional sitting positions for familias, Loufu, Fire Moth, and Liyue, the room was quite full.

-"Long time no see Nobunaga. How's it going on the front?"

-"Yo, Yue. I had made more progress over the last week than in the past year. Muskets were already my secret weapon. Now, with Liyue's Guizhong Ballistas, we are unstoppable."

-"Good to hear it's all going well. Did something interesting happen to you this past week?"

-"My rival answered my letter. I plan to invite her here, but for her to join, someone will have to defeat her."

-"Who do you have in mind?"

-"You, Jingliu, or maybe that Kevin guy who once shoved in my barracks."

-"Kevin will probably not agree. Jingliu is the best choice, in my opinion."

-"Why not you?"

-"Well... I don't want to."

-"Strong argument. Can't argue with that."

I turned to Astraea, who listened to my talk with Nobunaga on the side.

-"Sorry for leaving you out of the conversation, Astraea. Did your familia return from the dungeon yet?"

-"Don't worry, we are seeing each other almost daily. Yes, they returned yesterday and are now still sleeping that journey out."

-"Happy to hear that. Bring them here sometime later. I suggested Jingliu teach some people fighting, and she agreed to lead the class from time to time if I'm in Hold."

-"I'll pass that info to them. They'll probably be interested."

-"Jingliu is a good teacher, so it will do them well."

-"What's going on with that Jingliu? More than half of what you say revolves around her, some kind of love?"

-"I lived through too many partings for love. She had just begun a new chapter in her life after being tortured for hundreds of years by Mara. I want her to regain more of her spirit, not to only be a sharp sword."

-"I can feel your good intentions, but let me tell you directly, Yue. If you continue like that, she will become only more dependent on you."

-"..."

-"I can see that you are not someone experienced in relationships, so let me explain this to you. She has feelings for you. If you don't even consider her, then be direct and firm while rejecting her now. Don't do anything, and in a month, she will solidify her feelings. Then you will only harm her with rejection."

-"Thank you, Nobunaga. I'll talk to her later."

-"Good. Send her to me for a week. I'll give her some jobs."

-"I didn't expect Nobunaga to give advice like that."

-"Ningguang, it's nice to see you too."

-"Yes. Yue, while I agree with her, don't forget one thing. Emotions are highly personal. Neither Nobunaga nor I have any right to tell you what to do. Just don't become a person who knowingly ignores others' advances and emotions."

-"Thank you all for your advice. I'll make sure not to become such hypocrite."

-"Then it's all good."

-"Where is Elysia?"

-"Ganyu is already looking for her. We only need to call everyone and start."

-"Are all offers and contracts ready?"

-"Of course. Astraea, did you bring the [Sword of Promise] with you?"

-"Yes."

-"Then we are ready to go."

-"Guys! I'm here!"

-"Let's start everything."

We sat in our places. Ningguang started by unveiling a scroll with oaths of the positions of deputy Principles. While quite short, it bounds a person to Hold and us for their life. In exchange, they receive full benefits of Hold, present, and future.

-"Astrea, as Duty, you will lead the administering of oaths."

-"I'm well prepared for that."

-"Continuing distribution of roles, Yue is chairperson from now on."

-"Aren't you better fit for that role?"

-"No. We have responsibilities not only to Hold. Only you hold no other position. You will work in the best interest of Hold, so you are chairman."

-"If you put it that way, I have no way out."

-"Is everybody ready?"

-"Yue, now's your turn."

-"Then you go for new deputies. I'll get doors to [Hearth of Hold] opened."

I rose from my throne and went behind it to sealed doors. I started opening them while the girls left. They returned quickly with five people in tow. I was still focused on the seal, so they waited for me.

-"Done, let's go inside."

We all went inside. [Hearth of Hold] immediately attracted attention. One glance was enough to understand the exceptionality of that crystal. I have no idea how it functions and yet can feel that its origin is 'greater' than that of all Paths and Aeons.

-"This is the most important place for the entire [Roundtable Hold]. No one other than Principles and thier direct subordinates can know of this place."

I looked over five people in order: Ganyu is [Hope], Yelan is [Domination], Loki is [Duty], Tingyun is [Avarice], and Hephaestus is [Progress].

-"Astraea."

-"Leave it to me."

Astraea started explaining about the oaths. While they were not happy to be bound for life, the prospect of being directly connected to [Hearth of Hold] made them all accept the conditions.

They all recited their respective oaths. The moment they ended, the string extended from Crystal toward new deputies. When it connected, we all could feel that they, like us, become part of [Roundtable Hold].

At the exact moment of contact with that string, I caught a glimpse of obscure power. It seemed strange. Rather than oppressive, as great powers would mostly feel, it seemed extremely 'normal', 'normal' to the point of unnaturalness.

It was as if hiding in plain sight. So obvious that you don't notice it, like breathing. After that short moment, I couldn't trace it again.

-"Time to return."

-"I'll call rest inside."

-"Go forward, I'll seal this place and join you."

When they left, I looked into Crystal floating next to me. That short moment made me doubt my understanding of power. After not being able to detect anything more, I resealed this room. When done, I turned around and left.

In [Throne Room], everybody was already seated. I walked to the white throne and sat down.

-"It's time to commence the meeting."