It was a week since they returned from Inazuma,
And what happened next was pretty interesting, if Venti had to admit...
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From their picnic in Wolvendom that went quite well, with everyone having a good time...
*Though he later had to placate a certain grumpy wolf, who got really miffed by the amount of humans staying in his territory...
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From the Traveler deciding it was high time to continue their travels, their next destination being Sumeru,
As he was sure to remind them of their "Alcohol Hunt™" punishment, lest they forget...
*He was still annoyed by that whole "Becoming a nun/priest=marrying the god" situation they made...
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From hearing about Dvalin's decision to teach Durin how to take on a human form...
*And considering that he himself was taught by Yae, this is definitely going to turn into the "Naked Hottie" situation again...
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And later on, from hearing about the situation in Inazuma and Ei's actions,
When she dressed up and was flirting with her people, without realizing what exactly she was doing...
*Her people were definitely wondering if Ei hit her head during the attack as it is a (drastic) personality change from before,
And apparently Yae Publishing House recently began selling the so-called "Highly Desired" photos of the occasion, which cost quite a lot...
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Not like he was one to talk though, having a whole merchandise collection of his many forms and outfits,
With Dvalin's "Dragon Baby" and "Attractive Man" merchandise just recently getting added, as well...
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Either way, quite a few things happened this last week, even if he only heard of some of them,
Like how apparently Ei finally started working towards the improvement of her people's lives,
With word going around how she passed decrees for the development of different industries...
*He couldn't help feeling glad that she was now taking more care of her people,
Hopefully in time, Inazuma and everyone within it will heal...
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Not everything that happened this last week was good, though,
As recently, for some unexplained reason, he suddenly couldn't feel Xiao anymore,
Feeling as if the Yaksha just disappeared from the face of Teyvat and even the Winds couldn't find him...
*Morax already noticed this too and began a search for him, right...?
"Of course he did, Barbatos. Don't worry.", the Winds reassured, before there was a slight pause, "But just like during those times with the Fatui (With the Cryo Archon knowing about us, it's not so surprising), the former cultists (who stole the Crazy Harbinger's inventions) and recently the Lawrences (Who might be working with someone in the shadows), it seems like something is blocking us from entering the area and finding out what is going on!", they soon added in annoyance, before a small sigh was heard and then there was silence for a few seconds again, "Sorry for reacting like that, especially when you are still summarizing what happened recently to our readers."
They soon apologized, sounding a little sheepish, before becoming quiet again,
An apology which honestly, Venti didn't know why they were voicing at all...
*Especially now, when he once again remembered where exactly he was...
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In Old Mondstadt, sitting by his friend's grave,
The others waiting at the bottom, giving him some space...
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Ever since his time in Inazuma and hearing of Makoto's return, even for a little while,
It made him wish he could see his friend again, even if for a few minutes at most...
*He wanted to talk to him, hear his voice, spend time with him and...
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But he was already long dead, wasn't he...?
And the Cecilia in his hair...
"Bye! Safe travels everyone!"
"You're not coming with us?"
"No way, if I leave this one alone it is going to take 5 minutes before he gets himself in some kind of (life-threatening) situation!
Somebody's got to keep an eye on him, so I'm staying."
It turned out to really be his dead friend...
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Just like he theorized way back then, right after the Fatui invasion on Mondstadt...
*It's as if he actually knew, just like all these times when he used his Time powers...
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There was something wrong with his memory,
How much did he actually forget...?
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No, it might not be that he forgot,
Rather, he was made to forget...
*But why and by whom...?
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And not just that, the circumstances of him becoming an Archon were pretty weird too,
And even afterwards, unknowingly easing Xiao's Karmic Debt when he was about to get consumed, befriending Dvalin at the exact moment that he did and many more coincidences that worked in his favor...
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-Were those really coincidences or someone's plan...? But why would they help me like this...? Who could it be that...? -Venti couldn't help saying aloud, as he looked towards the sky, as if waiting for some kind of answer. -...I am "the Queen", but then, who is "the King"...? Shouldn't I know them...? Why can't I remember...? Why was it necessary for me to forget and how much of my memory was actually sealed...?
"Was this person responsible both to my favorable coincidences and to my temporary(?) memory loss...?", was left unsaid,
With Venti now wondering what was actually going on with him, as well as his past, present and future(?)...
*He was still originally a Wind Spirit that by the turn of events became the Anemo Archon, right...?
Those memories were still real, weren't they…?
…
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Then wh...?
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Time
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It was Time...
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His Time power...
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Who gave it to him, this world rule breaking power...?
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This power...
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Maybe, even for a short Time, with this power...
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He could have his friend back...
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Why was he so sure...
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It would work...
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Once again...?
It was already a while since they arrived here,
And that bard was still staying at his friend's grave...
*He knew full well what loss was and how badly it could affect you,
But did that bard really need to stay with his friend for so many hours...?
Did he really forget that they had to return back to the city today...?
-He didn't fall asleep, did he...? -Diluc couldn't help wondering in slight annoyance, wondering why it was taking him so long, soon starting to get worried. -...Did something happen to him, perhaps and...?
-If anyone dares hurt him, they are dead. -Rosaria interrupted him, sounding and looking quite murderous, as she summoned her weapon. -Not only to attack an Archon, but when he is mourning no less...
"Barbatos is alright! He just fell asleep now and there is a certain situation...", the Winds soon yelled out, trying to reassure the two, before there was a slight pause, "...Don't be too surprised by what you see, alright...?"
They awkwardly continued before becoming quiet again,
Leaving the bartender and the nun to wonder what actually happened...
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A silence that didn't persist for long, as the two soon exchanged glances,
Deciding that it was best to check on Venti themselves and started their short trek...
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Soon arriving at the shocking scene,
One that left them completely speechless...
-Oh, you are finally here, just when I started worrying about what to do next. My friend seems to be deeply asleep now, not reacting to anything I say at all. -The familiar looking yet unfamiliar person soon said, an identical form lying unconsciously in his lap, his braids shining in a bright light. -This whole situation looks pretty confusing to you both, so I will try to explain what happened the best I can. -He added in a more serious voice, looking thoughtful. -...Hopefully, it would be enough to prevent the whole of Mondstadt from going into a panic...
