Lumine ran up the Mondstadt stairs for the second time that day. Though not with fear or anxiety this time. There were a few people in the plaza, but not enough that heading up the statue would draw attention. Someone probably would notice her climbing up the stone robes though.

"Venti can you make us a wind current?" Lumine asked pointing upwards. The wisp did a little loop in the air and summoned a cylinder of wind.

"Thanks!" Lumine jumped and opened her glider, soaring upward. She landed high enough above the view of the people below, and climbed the rest of the way up to the statues shoulders. Venti and Paimon flew beside her as she carefully balanced across the arms, and as they approached the statues outstretched hands, the crowd of people below came into view.

"Reminds me of the last time we were up here together. After the Stanley incident." Paimon noted.

"Yeah. When we learned about Venti's past." She turned to the wisp. "Jean told me a little bit more about your relationship with the people of Old Mondstadt. I'd love to hear more sometime if you want to tell me. I'm alway willing to listen." Lumine smiled at him trying to be upbeat.

Venti couldn't show many emotions in this form, but he looked happy from what Lumine could tell. He slowly nodded his head.

"Hm? Oh Lumine look!" Paimon pointed down towards the entrance of the church behind the statue. There was a large group of people coming out of the church led by Barbara and Jean. The crowd in the plaza seemed to be growing too. Everyone was gathering around the statue and Lumine ducked down to try and stay out of sight. Their timing had been perfect.

"Is this why you wanted to come up here? What if we get caught?!"

"It's okay, they can't see us up here. Besides, I want Venti to have the best view for this."

Venti definitely wouldn't be seen even if he poked out from over the statue, so he looked down, curious about what everyone was doing here. There were way more people around than normal and the crowd had definitely grown while they were up there. Mondstadt's festivals often draw quite a crowd, but this seemed like more than just the attention drawn by local events. Venti was the center of Mondstadt's social circle and even he had no idea what this was.

Unless, wait. Jean, Barbara, he could easily spot Diluc in the crowd, Kaeya, the tavern patrons...

This was...about him? As soon as he pondered that, he heard them.

Even without a gnosis, all gods could hear sincere prayers sent to them. And that's when he realized. They're praying.

Thank you, Lord Barbatos...

For our freedom

For the winds which let's us glide

For the music you inspire

For peace

There were children in the crowd too.

I like watching the dandelions fly!

The breeze keeps us cool in the Summer!

He signaled out Jean's thoughts.

Please be well, Barbatos. I hope my thoughts reach and help heal you. Mondstadt is a representation of your teachings of freedom and heart, and we gladly give that love back to you. Her healing powers were indeed imbued into her prayer and Venti felt them flow into him. Faith and love, it was energy for the gods.

He heard Diluc's voice as well.

You weren't careful like I told you to be, but I suppose that's alright. That's just you I suppose. Stand back on my stage as your old self and don't forget, there are people who care about you, a bard who inspires others.

Venti's little wings stopped fluttering and he lowered down into the statue's hands. A tear ran down his small face. It had been long since he cried in this form. He suddenly understood, his was for him. The people did not know anything was wrong. They'd just been asked to come together as one and sent their gratitude and they did so sincerely.

"Venti, are you okay?! Is it too much?" Lumine moved towards him and moved her hand to scoop him up, but hesitated, hovering over him. She didn't want to disturb him further. It wasn't too much, but he was still overwhelmed, caught off guard. He hadn't expected such love for an absentee archon, or for him, Venti the bard.

Barbara lifted her head as the thoughts stopped and the rest of the sisters then townspeople followed. She turned to face them.

"Thank you everyone! I'm sure Barbatos has heard our words. May the anemo archon protect you."

The crowd became noisy again and began to disperse and the sisters headed back into the church. But, Venti still seemed stunned.

"Umm Venti?" Paimon called out to him to which he finally looked up and floated back into the air.

"Thank you, Traveler." A teal glow of anemo energy and wind circled around him and in a small flash, not bright enough for anyone on the ground to notice, he returned to the form of a human bard.

"Venti!" Lumine gasped, still sitting, now below him as he stood.

"You're back to normal!" Paimon exclaimed.

"The prayers of the people seem to have restored my energy. Thank you, for all your help."

Lumine shook her head. "It's Jean you have to thank. She went to the church earlier and set all this up."

"Really?" He looked down, Jean was still in the plaza talking with people.

"Venti, I think you somehow got it in your head, that the you who you are now and the you who you were, are different and that because of that difference, no one wants either.." Lumine stood up to face him.

"'Venti' and 'Barbatos' are two sides of the same coin I think. You've put everything you care for into this city, songs, love, and freedom. The people love it. The people love you, a bard who sings praise for the ideals they follow too. After all, you're the self-proclaimed best bard in all of Mondstadt."

"'Mondstadt is a representation of your teachings of freedom and heart' That's what Jean said…I just don't know how she can still have faith in me after seeing what I'm really like."

"She's seen you, Venti, when we faced Dvalin, when we flew together. Mondstadt doesn't need you to be a protector through force, but it needs you to protect the loving nature of the city of the wind. You do that through your songs, and through helping people like me feel welcome. I think that's all Jean needs, and I think she probably respects you even more now that she knows who you are."

"Yeah! Who better than a tone deaf bard to perpetuate the carefree attitude of the city?" Paimon added which did get a slight chuckle out of Venti.

"Lumine, Paimon, thank you. You've not only helped restore some of my power, but maybe also, some of my confidence." He took a step closer to the edge of the hands and with his back still turned he continued, "I'm ready to hear about what happened in Liyue."

Lumine took a few steps to stand next to him. "Okay."

It had been so long since Venti flew such a distance with his own wings. Not merely gliding on the wind, but soaring high up on his own power. Flapping his wings powerfully he pushed himself upward and forward, then spreading them wide to drift along. It felt nice, but it was also exhausting. He was too used to teleporting and being on the ground. He was up high enough that anyone walking down below wouldn't spot him if they happened to look up, but low enough that he could still enjoy the landscape. Liyue was beautiful, even at night.

Venti began to feel an ache in his wings and knew that he had to land somewhere soon to take a rest. Lumine told him not to push himself and he took her words to heart. He angled his body to descend slowly down over Guili Plains.

The big tree in the middle of the path seemed like a good place. Once he was low enough he spotted two balconies, neither with any people on them this late at night. He lowered himself onto the roof and folded in his wings breathing out a sigh of exhaustion. It was late and he was tired, but he also knew he was close to the city, or at least more than halfway, and he was determined to see Morax tonight. He would just take a quick rest here and be off again.

"Wait! Why did I hear that you were dead?!"

"Lumine can explain it."

"Don't go!"

"Barbatos."

"Can I at least come visit you?"

"Of course you can. But for now you need to stay here and heal."

Venti sat against the top of the tree on the roof and summoned his lyre, closed his eyes, and began strumming, not playing any song in particular, just up and down scales and chords that sounded nice together. Eventually his improvisation connected into the beginnings of a melody and he hummed along.

Suddenly there was a creaking noise at the edge of the roof and footsteps drawing closer. Venti opened his eyes to see a figure cautiously approaching.

"Barbatos?"

Venti immediately perked up. "Xiao!" He hopped up with delight and skipped over to the Adeptus who was trying to bow respectfully. He was interrupted however as Venti wrapped his arms around Xiao's neck and wings around his back. Thrown off balance by the force of Venti practically throwing himself at Xiao, he stumbled backwards and tried to stabilize himself. He made a grumbling sound, already feeling suffocated and annoyed. The soft feathers of Venti's wings were curled around them and brushed up against Xiao's skin. It would have felt nice if not for the unexpected assault.

"Hahaha sorry sorry" Venti released himself from Xiao and jumped back. "I know you're not the biggest fan of physical contact. It's just been so long!"

Neither of them could actually remember when the last time they saw each other was. Time was not a useful tool nor was it kind to immortal beings like them.

"How did you know I was up here? I was trying to play quietly."

"I felt the weight of my karma lessen suddenly and I realized you must be near. Eventually I could hear the music."

A solemn smile appeared on Venti's face. "Rex Lapis still has you working hard, huh?"

Xiao stiffened. He didn't know how much Venti knew and he didn't like talking about his duties in front of him. Barbatos was never fond of the contract Xiao had with Rex Lapis. It went against all he stood for. Sometimes he would try to convince Xiao and Rex Lapis to drop it and let Xiao be free. The arguments would always end with Xiao ensuring that he was perfectly fine and cherished his role as a protector of Liyue. Venti would back down and Rex Lapis would shoo him off.

Xiao opted to change the subject instead. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm on my way to see Rex Lapis. That blockhead came to see me but just darted off, so I decided I'd go to him. You wouldn't happen to know where he is would you?"

Xiao sighed. "He's in the city somewhere, but I don't know exactly where and I won't be able to help you find him. You see-"

"Oh I know aaaaaall about his little test. Lumine- you know the traveler Lumine right? She's been making her way around Tevat- she told me the whole story."

"Yes, we've met. She aided the Adepti and the Qixing is subduing Osial."

"Oh yeah she's really making waves. Hehehe!" Venti giggled at his own joke. He was just so overjoyed at seeing Xiao again.

"Anyway you don't have to hold onto his secret. I know he's alive." He said with a smirk.

"Maybe so, but I still don't know where or who he is."

"Another decision of his I disagree with. I can't believe he would abandon you like that. He freed himself, he should at least free you too."

"I wasn't abandoned and I've told you before, I don't need to be freed-" Xiao was cut off as Venti reached a hand to his face and drew close, lowering his voice to a seductive whisper.

"Then why does your karma dissolve before me? Why are you relieved by my presence?" Venti spoke, bright green eyes peering deep into Xiao.

Hints of a blush actually appeared on Xiao's face, and he pushed the bard away.

Venti smiled and ruffled his wings before opening them wide. "I will not force my ideals on you. Your own choices are an important part of freedom too. I respect your dedication to Liyue, but I'm still going to go talk to your boss." Venti pushed down with his wings and lifted his feet off the ground creating a gust of wind. Xiao stood steadfast before the breeze.

"Are you really going to see him now?" Xiao asked.

"Yep! Is there anything you'd like me to pass along?"

"No. It's just late. I'm not sure he'd appreciate a visit in the middle of the night."

"Well that's his fault for leaving me earlier." He flapped his wings and flew up a little higher. "Goodbye Xiao! It was great to see you!"

"Wait did you fly here on your own?" Xiao began to call out, but Venti was already off headed towards the city.

"Did he really fly all the way to the inn from Mondstadt at his hour?" Xiao wondered. It was quite the distance and he never recalled seeing Venti actually fly on his own. Venti's words and residual feeling of Venti's hand on his cheek made him blush again. He shook his head and tried to clear his thoughts as he watched Venti fly out of sight Xiao climbed back down onto the balcony as Verr Goldet came out from behind the front desk.

"Was someone there? I thought I heard music" She asked him.

"It was just the wind."

Venti flew until he could see the lights of the harbor, then landed on a cliffside overlooking the city. It was the middle of the night but there were still some lanterns lit.

"Now then? Where are you Morax?"

Long ago, both would easily recognize the presence of the other as soon as they entered their territory. Those with a gnosis could easily sense others with one. It was a secret and hidden power that bound the archons together.

Venti focused, closing his eyes and trying to extend his senses outwards through the wind, searching for traces of Morax in the city, but of course he'd cover his tracks perfectly. Maybe he wasn't here? Venti wondered briefly, but it was much more likely that he was just well-hidden from prying eyes just like him. He could just go into the city and search, but the millelith probably wouldn't treat a stranger wandering in at this time of night too kindly.

There was one other way. Venti knew there was a statue of the seven nearby, so he headed over to it. He looked up at the figure of Rex Lapis, partially covered by robes leaning on the side of this throne looking bored. Not that there was any expression on the stone face. Venti placed a hand on the base of the statue and sent a wave of anemo energy through it to meet the geo energy it contained. A friendly greeting of sorts. Then, he prayed.

"Morax…" Venti whispered his name under his breath using the statue to amplify his calling. It was a one way communication line, but Venti still expected some sort of response. Though the evening winds were calm and quiet, Venti heard no response. He slowly slid his hand down the statue until his arm fell back to his side.

Did it work? Had Morax heard him? Venti had no way of knowing. He decided to head back to the cliffside overlooking the city. Tomorrow he could go down and...

"When I said you could come see me, I didn't mean at 2:30 in the morning."

Venti turned to the voice. "Well, you shouldn't have just left me then." And took a few steps closer to Zhongli.

"I'm sorry I know it's late. I just really wanted to see you. And ahh, I apologize... I've um, come empty handed."

"How rude of you." There was no bite to his words and there was a smile on his face. Venti closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Zhongli's back to which he reciprocated. There were no tears this time, only relief.

"Thank you for saving me." Venti said, though his voice was muffled by Zhongli's chest.

"It seems some time in your original form did you some good. You smell like fresh cecelias instead of wine for once."

"Hey!" Venti playfully pushed on Zhongli's chest, separating them.

He turned back to look out at the city and admire the lights.

"Preparations for the Lantern Rite are beginning." Zhongli explained.

"It's beautiful. Liyue has always been a beautiful place."

"Yes, and I will continue to watch it grow in the hands of the people."

Venti turned back to Zhongli. He looked so pleased, so content.

"Ehe," Venti giggled, "So you have learned something from me after all!"

"Hm?"

"Lumine told me everything. I mean you faked your own death! That's totally a me move." Venti grinned wide then composed himself for what he would say next.

"I'm sure it wasn't easy, relinquishing your hold on the city and entrusting it to the people, but you did. You let go. I'm ignoring the situation with the Fatui, because in the end, you did it for your freedom right?"

"I hadn't considered it like that, but yes, I suppose you're right."

Venti took hold of Zhongli's hands and looked up into his amber eyes. "I'm proud of you Zhongli, and I say this with full sincerity as the God of Freedom, I'm happy for you."

Zhongli let out a hearty sigh as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you, Venti. I appreciate it."

Soft. There was more than a crack in Zhongli's solid exterior.