A/N: Hey, it's the worst Author in fanfiction who have not updated his story for almost a year. Might be exaggerating, but also might be true.
Unfortunately, this is not an update for your favorite stores (if you even like my stories that is). This is merely, an announcement of sort that I will be stopping taking update my major stories like DMC + Slime project, GoT and Danmachi, Midoriya's Stand Quirk series. However, to compensate for that, I will be uploading small time project as a way to see whether people like my stories or not. And if they do, take as an inspiration to update my major stories.
In my mind, it would be another RWBY crossover as it's one of the not so complicated world to delve into, and also a one shot type of fanfiction, which would only consist about 1k-2k words at most per chapter.
And yes, this announcement of not updating story will only for be this one. And the other story I plan to upload.
I wish you all a good day/evening, and for you all to be safe amidst this dangerous period.
Disclaimer: Genshin Impact belongs to MiHoYo, not me.
-Chapter 1 starts-
Aether could only stood agape, unmoving with his expression remain the same. Panic, fear, lost. His arm which reach for something that was no longer there, trembling. Slowly, he lowers his arm and stood there motionlessly, with only the movement of his chest through breathing the only movement seen from him.
His bangs cover his eyes, hiding away the emotions of what he is experiencing. 'It… It can't just end like this… right?' he thought, in despair. 'Lumine… We haven't seen each other for so long, and that his how you treat me… as if I didn't matter…'
And so, Aether looks up, his eyes no longer covered, and instead, releases the dam that are his tears, as they freely ran down his cheeks, his sobbing could be heard throughout the dark area. "Lumine…" His sob only rang louder before his voice quiet down to mutter out one last sentence before going away.
"Am I no longer worthy to be called your brother..?"
-Line Break-
Paimon was certainly a mysterious creature, but people in Teyvat doesn't seem to mind her that much, to which the said person appreciated. Instead of minding the stares, she could just focus on burying her face onto foods.
But, she couldn't do that, not without Aether paying for her food first. So she stuck by staying at the Adventurers' Guild at Liyue Harbour, to which the Liyue Katheryne gives her some company.
Aether have gone for two days now, ever since he took over the commission about the collaboration of Grand Thief, Big Sis, and Raptor. Usually, Paimon would stick with Aether where he go, but this time was different.
He… He just patted her head, smiled her, and said:
"It will be fine, Paimon. You need some rest. I promise to treat you your favorite food after I'm done."
Paimon doesn't know why, but his smile at the time was different. It felt… empty and sad. It lack the warmth that he usually carried with that smile. Now that she think about it… ever since the encounter with the Abyss Herald, Aether have been acting very differently. The way he fight has changed too. Usually, he is so swift and carried a little bit of elegance, but now he strike much fiercer.
She… she don't like this new Aether. She wants her old Aether back. The Aether who would stop by anyone to greet them, or ask them if they need any help. The Aether who would tease and spend time with her, who would treat her tasty foods. But, she doesn't know how to bring that Aether back. She's a guide, a travel companion, not a miracle worker!
Her ears twitched hearing a familiar footstep as only one person in Liyue have that familiar tone. Her theory proved to be right as the sight of Ganyu entered her range of vision, once again engaging in conversation.
Noticing the tense and awkward situation, she could only sight softly, "So, he have yet to return..?"
Paimon was on the verge of crying, but she willed herself to stay wrong and gave the Adepti a smile, if a little forceful. "Yeah, but Paimon don't think you should be worried, Aether's the strongest after all!"
"I'm not the strongest nor will I ever be the strongest, Paimon.." A voice speaks, interrupting their thoughts. Paimon felt two emotions after hearing that voice. Relief and concern. The owner of that voice never sound so.. broken.
The man walked into their view, as Aether tiredly went up to see Liyue Katheryne to report about the commission he had taken. Aether looked up and saw the Half-Adepti, Ganyu, and offered a dim smile, which was returned if albeit hesitantly.
Liyue Katheryne swallowed an audible gulp before speaking out. "Ahem… How did the commission go, Traveller?"
The rest of them began to worry as Aether took a good moment being silent, his eyes look dull and lifeless, holding no brightness or warmth as they usually do. "I-It went… fine?"
Ganyu was leaning her head, waiting for Aether to elaborate what he reported further but found that he had no intention to do so. She sighed again, before approaching him, her hand reach out to pat his shoulder. However, that didn't happen.
The Traveller's eyes shrink, despair clearly could be seen, as he took a step back. The others widened their eyes, as they never seen him so scared before, maybe except Paimon. But that was more of scared for Venti's condition after Signora's attack.
But this one was clearly different, he is scared, scared of being hurt.
Aether then shaken out of his stupor and saw the others glancing at him worriedly, his mouth forming an 'o' shape, but no words could come out of it. He didn't notice the tears he willingly let out days ago were running down again.
And so, he fled the scene, ignoring the cries of others.
-Line Break-
Aether could only run, and run, and run, and run, but he seems to never reach anywhere. He could never reach to where she is. Not after she easily dismiss him just like that, as if he has not been searching for her, hurting himself, receiving new scars from battle, just to find where she is.
But it was not repaid kindly. Instead, Fate spit him right on the face and gave him a twisted version of his loving sister.
He then stopped to regain his stamina, huffing as exhaustion took over his body. He looked around himself… and he couldn't remember where he is right now. Spotting a river nearby, he walked there before sitting down. His tears soon once again let out, becoming a pseudo waterfall. Not wanting to be seen crying by other adventurers/travellers, he curled himself into a bowl, hugging his knees and hiding his tearful eyes away from sight.
It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, but he stayed like that and cried his heart out until his tears could no longer come out. Looking up, he finds out that it is evening, probably around 7.
"So this is where you've been…" A voice, a familiar one, rang out. The voice huffs, not unlike him from hours ago. "Paimon and Ganyu been searching for you, we were worried about you, and then you jus-"
The best travelling companion couldn't finish her words as she suddenly dragged by Aether towards himself, hugging her tight. Paimon, who didn't know anything of why her companion suddenly act like this, merely replied back in kind. She doesn't know what happen, but she knows that he needs her support. And so, she willingly gave him her support. She hugged him back, rub circles on his back.
No, she totally do not mind the wet sensation on her shoulders. She will ask questions later, but for now, Aether needs her.
"P-Paimon… I'm sorry…" Aether spoke out between hiccup as he cried once again, "Please… don't leave me alone, it's… so scary…"
Paimon smiled, and she internally cheered for herself, as Aether's eyes grow a little bit of life back in it, patting his back again, before saying, "Paimon will never leave you alone, Aether. We're partners, and partners will never abandon each other!"
Aether could nod shakily, and continue hugging his flying companion, and it was at that moment, Paimon decided.
She will never leave him alone, not ever. And if there is a soul that dared harm him, she will turn into an Archon herself, kill everyone, and then herself.
-Chapter End-
A/N: And that's it! So, there are much to be explained here. Firstly, during their travel with Dainsleif, they managed to encounter the Abyss Herald. Secondly, this story is a one shot collection of depressed Aether getting comforted by the characters of the game. You can see this as a romance if you squint hard, but it's mostly fluff angsty type of fic.
Now, in this story, Aether left Paimon at the Adventurer's Guild in Liyue, and ventured alone. The Abyss Herald never tried enslaving Andrius, and instead the ending cutscene of the fight in We Will Be Reunited played out without Dansleif.
As for next chapter, it could be Ganyu, but we will see how things played out.
Silver III Jhin, out!