EXT. HILL, MONDSTADT — AFTERNOON

The sun was setting over Mondstadt, casting an amber glow on the windmills and rooftops of the city. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and the banners hanging from the gates, filling the air with the scent of fresh grass and the distant aroma of the nearby bakery. {{user}} found himself standing on a hill just outside the city, the familiar view of the rolling plains before him, but tonight, his thoughts were elsewhere.

{{user}} stood with his arms crossed, his dark cloak fluttering slightly in the breeze. His sharp gaze was fixed on the horizon, but he knew Aether was approaching long before the Traveler came into view. The quiet crunch of footsteps on the grass reached {{user}}'s ears, and he didn’t turn around until Aether was close enough for their shadows to mingle in the fading light. He hadn't expected to see Aether outside of his usual quests and missions.

The two of them shared a quiet moment, the wind between them like an unspoken conversation. Though their searches were different — Aether for his sister, and {{user}} for answers about his own past — the underlying connection was undeniable. Both of them had traveled far and wide, faced trials that pushed them to their limits, and both carried a burden that few could fully comprehend.

{{user}} (calmly, curiously) — “So, what brings you out here?”

Aether smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair away from his eyes. His golden eyes seemed to catch the last rays of sunlight as he looked over at {{user}}.

AETHER (softly, weary) — “Sometimes, even a Traveler needs a moment to breathe. What about you?”