-...They were so touched by my words that they started crying...-Barbatos couldn't help mumbling after they left the village and started walking towards Whispering Woods. -...To react so emotionally to my words, were they blaming themselves for what happened, all this time...? -He wondered aloud before sighing, still feeling conflicted about that whole situation. -...I know full well what would have happened if their plan at the time succeeded, that if I wasn't found back then...-...He might truly have remained sleeping, never able to see anyone ever again...-...But since things turned out differently in the end, seeing how much they developed as people and how much they regret what they did...I can't really seem to hold this against them...-He admitted, before sighing again. -...Though, it might be due to me being deeply asleep at the time, completely oblivious to what was going on...
He couldn't help sadly adding, especially as he remembered how everyone reacted when he returned,
Which started by the children tackling him to the ground, soon starting to heavily cry about...
...
...
This was not the right time to think about this,
This day, this moment, he should use it to spend time with his friend...
*He should have him experience new things, before...
-W-well, looks like we are already nearing Whispering Woods! -He decided to say instead, trying to make himself cheerful and not think about the other "matter". -Remember what I told you about this place, Venti? There are a lot of Small Lamp Grass growing all over the place! More than enough to make a beautiful flower crown! -He added in a happier voice, soon taking his friend's hand in his. -So let's go and make some now! With me by your side, finding each one of them will be a piece of cake~
He amusingly said, soon tugging "Venti" along into the forest,
With Barbara and Amber having no other choice but to follow the two along...
*As the Archon now also wondered if his friend already tasted cake or not,
He already tasted an apple pie, but as for a cake of any kind, did he ever...?
...
...
Huh...?
...
Why did he...
...
Suddenly...
...
Feel so...
-VENTI! ARE YOU OKAY?! HOW ARE YOU FEELING?! -Was suddenly heard, as he soon felt himself being caught by Amber, who sounded very worried. -...For you to suddenly stumble like this, you are not feeling tired, are you...?
She couldn't help worrying asking him, with Barbara soon doing the same,
As "Venti" couldn't help but look at this whole situation with a sense of dread...
*His friend, who was definitely not human, shouldn't have suddenly stumbled like this,
He shouldn't become tired and so much at that, just from walking and...
...
...
His friend's braids were shining when he "appeared" at his grave at that time,
And ever since then, they continuously kept shining, only now dimming slightly...
*Only when his friend stumbled moments ago, did they start to...
...
...
No...
...
His little elf friend...
...
He couldn't have...!
...
His dear friend,
Why would he do this...?!
...
...
...
So this was it, the thing he so foolishly forget:
His friend's braids were shining when he was using his power,
And the only thing he was using his power on right now...
...
Was keeping him here.
...
...
-I am alright! I am alright! I just didn't look where I was going, that's all! -He heard his friend tell Miss Amber and Miss Barbara, the latter offering him a "potion" of sorts. -...Alright, since you look so worried, I am going to drink it. Hopefully, afterwards you will realize that I am truly perfectly fine. -The Archon, who "Venti" noticed looked a little transparent now, said upon taking the "potion" and soon drinking it all. -See? I should be fine now! So, there is no need to worry about me at all! -He reassuringly said, upon giving the now vial back to the still worried Deaconess. -So, how about we continue spending time together...? We are still here to have fun, right?~
The Archon added in some amusement, acting as if nothing happened just now,
Acting as if he wasn't putting his own life in danger and as if the "potion" had any effect on him still...
*Apparently this "potion" should have helped him and yet it didn't look like there was any change at all...
...
This was something which was going on for a while now, "Venti" soon realized,
That no matter what happened, his friend didn't want to accept reality...
...
...
The reality that if he stayed here,
His friend will surely die...
...
...
"Venti" couldn't help feeling extreme guilt about the whole thing,
And even while spending time with his friend, he couldn't bring himself to smile brightly anymore...
*Yet, his friend looked so happy, he couldn't turn away...
...
...
For how much longer should this continue...?
After making the flower crowns, one of which he now wore on his head,
The group soon left Whispering Woods and were now walking back towards Mondstadt,
Yet "Venti" couldn't help being distracted the whole way...
...
Deeply in thought about what happened back then,
About what happened to his friend and the insistence that he was okay...
*And when his friend asked him if he was alright, he showed him the most reassuring expression he could make...
...
...
His sudden "revival", him being able to take on a human form, having the chance to see Mondstadt and spend time with his friend and everyone else...
...
It was truly all his friend's...Barbatos' doing, wasn't it...?
...
...
And it was taking him a lot of energy to keep up...
...
...
"There is no need to worry, I am going to be just fine."
"I am not sure what they are so worried about, but since I trust them all and you too, my darling Deaconess, I don't mind doing what you are asking of me~"
"Venti, are you feeling okay...? Do you need to rest...? It doesn't look like you have a fever, so it's probably due to me riding on your shoulder for so long..."
"Well, it's about time to continue with our trip, Venti! Our next destination is the "Thousand Winds temple"! You really wanted to see that place, right...?"
"My, look at the time! Seems like we already dallied enough! The people here are so gracefully waiting for us to finish our chat, it would be in poor taste to linger here any longer! We should proceed deeper into the village and see what those lovely people have prepared for our arrival!"
"I am fine! I am fine! There is no reason for you to worry about me, my dear friend! I was just thinking too hard about something, that's all!"
"I am alright! I am alright! I just didn't look where I was going, that's all! Alright, since you look so worried, I am going to drink it. Hopefully, afterwards you will realize that I am truly perfectly fine. See? I should be fine now! So, there is no need to worry about me at all! So, how about we continue spending time together...? We are still here to have fun, right?~"
...
Yet, he kept insisting that everything was fine, while ignoring the danger on his own life,
Not only that, but he was also constantly changing the topic when this issue came out...
*And every time he was about to piece things together, his friend insisted on hiding it from him...
...
...
So that's why Miss Barbara and Miss Amber sometimes looked so sad,
They must be so worried, but can't bring themselves to stop him, lest they break his heart...
...
"...I wish that this moment could continue forever...That together with everyone, I could..."
...
He felt the same way, he wanted to stay with his friend,
After 26 centuries they were separate, they could finally hang out together...
*And being able to spend time with his friend again, he had truly missed this so badly...
...
...
But he was here on borrowed time, unknowingly seeping his friend's life,
And if things stay as they are, his friend will surely die...!
*He would rather turn into a flower again than let that happen!
...
...
He couldn't let his friend die because of him,
Both for Mondstadt's sake and for his own...
*Couldn't his friend see how worried everyone was about him...?!
Couldn't he see the anguish everyone must be going through due to his reckless actions...?!
...
...
He will try talking some sense into his friend,
But in the worst case scenario, he still has the ceremonial dagger...
*If his friend refuses to stop this, then he was going to put a stop to it himself!
He would rather his friend be shocked by his sudden actions, than have him die!
...
...
THIS HAD TO STOP NOW!
-...Friend, how long are you going to play this charade...? -He couldn't help saying aloud, just as the group entered the city, not caring that he just stopped his friend in his tracks. -...How much longer are you going to gamble with your life...?
"...Friend, how long are you going to play this charade...?"
"...How much longer are you going to gamble with your life...?
-Venti, what are you...? -Barbatos couldn't help saying as soon as he heard those words, too shocked to think straight. -...Just now, did you...Did you just ask that...?!
No...
...
He should have heard it wrong...
*He definitely heard it wrong...!
...
His friend,
He can't know!
...
Venti can't know what he is doing!
He can't know about what he tried so hard to deny!
...
...
If he knew, then...!
...
...
-I must have misheard it, silly me...-The Archon soon said, deciding that this was the case. -Sorry, my friend, what did you just say...? Can you repeat it to...?
-Friend, how long are you going to continue this...? How long are you going to deny reality...? -"Venti" interrupted him, sounding and looking dead serious now. -I know that you missed me and I missed you too, but you can't continue like this, else you will die! -He emotionally yelled out, unable to stop his feelings from flooding out. -I already experienced all Mondstadt had to offer, by spending time with you and everyone else! Unlike 2600 ago, I could finally enjoy the freedom we so desperately fought for! So please, let me go! For you to die, because of me, because you are keeping me here, I...I DON'T WANT THAT!
-I am always the one getting left behind! Everyone else grows old and dies! -Barbatos yelled back, just as emotional. -Out of all the people we knew back then, you, Amos and a few others were killed during the rebellion! And everyone who survived? I had to see them grow older and older as the years went by, gradually getting weaker and weaker until they all died! I attended each one of their funerals, saying goodbye for one last time, knowing that I could never see them again, with everyone going where I can't follow! No matter how much I wanted to see them all again...-He couldn't help feeling anguished and broken at the mere reminder. And what's even worse...-But they are not dead anymore, right? They have reincarnated. Yet they don't remember anything, they are truly gone now. I am the only one who survived and remembers. -No matter how much he tried to tell himself otherwise, the friends he knew were already long gone...! -I am always the one who gets left behind! Don't you know how awful it feels like?! And now...Now you want to leave me again?! I...! Aah...!
He suddenly felt his legs buckle under him and soon found himself tiredly dropping to the ground in a sitting position,
Noticing from the corner of his eyes his body's current condition, which seemed to be worsening considerably...
*Was it just him or was he flicking in and out pretty badly now...?
And it just changed to sunset...
...
...
But if he stopped now, his friend will disappear...!
If his friend leaves him too, then how would he...?!
-Barbatos, calm down and listen to me. Stop using your power to keep me alive, in this form. -A quiet yet extremely concerned voice of his friend interrupted his thoughts, as "Venti" was now sitting right before him, looking as if he was on the verge of tears. -...It's draining you, so much. I don't want you to die. Especially not like this...! -He admitted, tears started to freely stream down his face now. -Being able to see what Mondstadt has become and spend time with you. This is enough for me. So, please, let it go. Let me go, alright...?
-Venti, I...! -He wanted to protest so much, but seeing his friend's crying face made him stop in his tracks.
-It's alright. It's alright. Unlike in the past, thanks to you I was able to enjoy my time here, experiencing Mondstadt together with you. Even if it was for a short while, I still had so much fun. -The other tried to reassure him, yet it was as clear as day that he also didn't want to say goodbye. -...So it's alright now, my dear friend. Thank you for giving me this chance.
He gratefully and slightly sadly said, accepting his fate.
*If it saves his friend from dying from energy overuse, then it was fine with him,
As long as his friend could continue living, for both of them, then he has no regrets...
...
-I can't do that...I can't…! -Barbatos soon said, looking extremely conflicted and also panicked, an expression which was harder to see due to his constant flickering. -...If you leave now...
-You are going to be just fine, my little elf friend. You don't need me in order to continue living your life to the fullest. -"Venti" interrupted him, his expression unreadable, yet the tears continued to flow. -...Your people, they are your family now, isn't that right...? They worked so hard to make sure that you are alright, especially today, when you kept endangering your life so much...-He turned around, soon glancing between the people that gathered during their exchange. -They all look so worried, knowing what you are doing, yet not having the heart to stop you...-He soon voiced his earlier realization, before turning to look back towards Barbatos. -...Friend, don't tell me that you failed to notice this...? Did you not realize why we had so much time today...? -He rhetorically asked, already pretty sure about what the answer would be, if his friend's guilty expression was anything to go by. -They want you to live, you know that right...? Just like myself, they don't want you to die. So please, stop using your power to keep me here. You have to continue living, just as all of us want you to.
-...I...I wanted to keep...Spending time with you...So much...-The Archon soon said, sounding so broken, as he lowered his head. He could clearly feel the worry and fear coming from all around him now and felt himself unable to look into their eyes...-...I didn't want...You to leave...I didn't want to...Accept it...So when they...Showed their care...I...
He just ignored it, acting as if nothing was wrong,
All this time, his people were watching over him...
*From the moment they had breakfast at the Cathedral and up until now...
...
Seamus and the other Clergy members praying to him, with other people soon joining in,
Amber's, Barbara's and the others worry each time he needlessly used his power,
The continued insistence of him drinking a "potion" and partaking in prayer infused food and drinks,
Esther, Iris and some others acting weird around him, something which he chose to ignore...
...
And then, Albedo's weird message to him, just before the Chief Alchemist left back for Mondstadt:
"Sometimes, you have no choice but to say goodbye. Even if you wish for your loved ones to stay, you have to let them go. If not for yourself, you have to do it for those who are still here."
...
...
From the very start, his people were looking out for him...
*And it was truly thanks to them, that he had all this time to spend with his friend,
If they weren't making sure he was okay, he might have already...
...
...
But, if he stopped now,
His friend will...!
...
His friend will...!
" ...I am not going to let you go through that again..."
"From now on, I shall cherish this life that you gave me. That you worked so hard to return."
N-no...
His promise!
-Friend, I am glad...You finally...Stopped using your power...-"Venti" gratefully said, looking pretty tired and transparent himself now, as he soon enveloped the other in a hug. -...It's alright...You are going to be just fine...With everyone here...Watching over you...-He mumbled into the other's ear in as much reassurance as he could muster, before letting go of the hug and turning to glance at the worried people gathered around. -...You will continue...Taking care of my silly friend...Wouldn't you...? -He weakly asked just to make sure, soon getting nods in reply, the confirmation making him shed tears again. -...I am glad...Truly glad...Thank...You...
He gratefully mumbled one last time, before turning to look towards Barbatos with a warm smile,
Before his human form soon disappeared, with a familiar Cecilia floating in its place,
Which dropped to the ground moments later, right in the middle of the similarly familiar flower crown...
*The same one he made for his friend when they were spending time in Whispering Woods...
...
...
His friend...
...
Was he really...?
...
...
Was he really...?!
-...V-Venti...I-I...-Barbatos couldn't help shakily say, as he tiredly took the flower into his barely solid hands, black spots starting to appear in the corners of his eyes. -...I-I just...W-wanted...Us...to...
He weakly admitted, unable to continue anymore,
As he suddenly felt so tired...
...
He just wanted to sleep...
...
So badly...
...
...
His friend...
...
He...
-VENTI!
-LORD BARBATOS, NO!
-I-IS HE OKAY?!
And more frightened yells were heard as soon as he fell unconscious,
With Rosaria soon teleporting in and catching him in her arms...
-Such a foolish Archon. Making everyone so worried. -The nun couldn't help saying with a deep sigh, as she took out a "potion" from her Vision's "Hyperscape" and soon used it on him, his state stabilizing before long. -With enough sleep and healing, he should be alright. -She soon admitted, reassuring the frightened people, who still remembered the last time he was flicking in and out. Though the fact it suddenly became sunset and a few moments ago turned into evening was slightly worrying...-...So he was truly, either unconsciously or purposely, keeping this day longer than it should be with his power...-She couldn't help sighing again, before shifting the Archon in her arms into bridal carry, standing up and starting her small trek towards the Cathedral. -...Such a foolish Archon, indeed...I thought he knew better by now...To put his own life in danger like that…