"Yo" Talking

'Oh' Thoughts

"Really" Inner voices

I don't know what to tell her.

We've only been together for a few months, I didn't think that she'll care this much for me…

It's heartwarming really…

This isn't the first time I've been lectured about my way of helping others often puts me in harm's way and I'm positive that it won't be the last. Heck, I've burnt down some bridges because of that.

Dammit, you stupid failure of a god! Thank the fates we didn't perish from that dragon. If you died forget this world! Forget the universe! Existence itself will be dead when you die here!

*SNAP*

Well, we can't just let people die, listen from what we've experienced these past few months we gain primordial gems when we are happy, and let's all agree deep in our core we like it when the mortals are happy. And if we are happy we gain more primordial gems, the more primordial gems the faster we regain our old power. Do you guy's see what I'm getting at?

Yes, yes, we know that, but as that creature said when we were about to get sealed away. We are as powerful as a mortal, a strong mortal granted, but still mortal we should listen to Paimon and be more cautious when we help people. Because if we perish I fear what the new version of ourselves will do with the void that is now within us.

HOLD THE FUCK ON! Why are we fucking arguing! We were sane and one for a few months! SO WHY THE FUCK HAVE WE SPLIT UP AGAIN!

We probably kept some of Lumi's light before we got separated, and just like a torch that ran out of fuel, the light that kept us sane is now empty and now here we are.

Well, at least we gained something.

What did we gain exactly?

The knowledge that we can only last for a few months without a constant purifier before we revert back to our insane minds.

Selve's hate to interrupt our insight sharing but someone has to take over our body. Granted time moves differently when we are speaking to one another within the mindscape, it still moves on in the outside world. So I suggest one of us take control of our body while we all figure out what to do.

How do we decide who takes control?

We choose someone to take control of our body, there are four of us I'm sure that we can choose who we think should control our body.

Alright, choose on 3.

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…3!

"-ther" "Aether hey!"

I snapped out of the mindscape, I was the one who was chosen to control our body.

Those bastards.

I turned my head to Amber who was looking at me worriedly, Paimon still had her little arms around me, in fact, it was tighter than before, I hesitantly raised my hand and softly rubbed her head.

This is so awkward…

I don't know what to do.

Hey! Any advice would be appreciated, unlike our sane self, I'm incompetent in social interaction.

"…."

These fuckers are letting me do all the work huh? I should have expected that.

No one spoke a word… Or I didn't speak a word, I should speak, I really should, but I don't know what to say.

"Aw how precious"

Thankfully I was saved by the fates when A voice approached us. We turned to where the voice came from, A woman approached us.

She has navy-blue hair with streaks of lighter blue, accompanied by a long lock of hair that rests over her left shoulder and cascades down to her waist. Her bangs cover the right side of her face and almost hid a plain black eyepatch.

She smiled at all of us.

"Caring and having the power to go up against a dragon, you will make one lucky girl very happy, but the question is, are you a new ally or a new storm?"

Paimon finally let go of me when she heard the woman… Well not really, she stopped hugging me but was now latched on to my arm like a koala.

"Do those things even exist in this world?"

Oh so NOW you guys wanna talk.

"..."

Creation dammit.

Amber looked at the woman with relief. "Kaeya, you've come at the right time, Aether here needs he-"

"Hold on, Amber dear. Perhaps you are forgetting to introduce us?"

Amber's rubbed her head sheepishly. "Oh right… This is Kaeya our Cavalry Captain, those two are Travelers from afar, Aether and Paimon."

Kaeya looked at us with her eyes narrowed, she turned to Amber who had both her hands behind her back and was shuffling around nervously.

Recognition then came into her eyes, she tapped her feet and Amber hands came out of her back, and onto her sides once more.

"Well um, long story short" Amber started to explain, the reason we came to Modstadt.

They couldn't have made their silent communication more obvious.

"Hey now give them some credit, If we were just actual mortal humans, they were really concealed in the way they communicated."

I said shut!

"..."

Kaeya's Pov

I saw Amber's hand signs telling me that I should be cautious around them and act as if I trust them, tapping my leg I asked her why?

"It's much better if I give my report so it will be more detailed." That is what she signed back, Amber then explained their reasons for coming to Modstadt.

To seek an Audience with the seven? Well regarding Lord Barbatos, he is already on a rough start.

No one knows what happened to her, maybe the church has an idea, last I heard of her she went to sleep and is still sleeping to this day.

"Hmm, I see well. Welcome to Modstadt then Travelers — though both of you haven't arrived on the best of times as you can tell" looking at the one called Aether I gave him a sad smile, "I too know the anguish of being separated from family. I'm curious about, the question you have for our lord. But everyone has their secrets, right?" I gave him a reassuring smile and let out a giggle.

"Don't worry dear, I shan't press you for more" He looked relieved as he appreciated my sense of privacy… Oh if only he knew my line of work, he would probably be very cautious of me.

"First and foremost, on behalf of the knights of Favonius, I would like to extend our thanks to you for the help you gave us just now." He was about to speak when Paimon the child(?) that was latched to his arm spoke before him.

"Can the knights heal him?"

Oh?

"Why what happened?" Paimon looked at Aether worriedly, who rubbed his head and stayed silent.

"He got hit by one of those things that the dragon shot, directly at his back" That… I was not about informed of that, looking at Amber she said nothing but gave a nod of confirmation.

"I-I see then, I apologize, I wasn't informed that you were injured from Stormterror's attack. Luckily the Acting Grand Master has taken an interest in meeting you and formally invites you to our headquarters, where a healer came for a visit. I'm sure she is still there, because when I left. The Grand Master asked her to stay there to tend to the injured people that will surely come there" From my offer Paimon frowned.

"But what if they were healing someone else? Yes, I want Aether to be ok, but it will be rude if we ask the healer to focus more on Aether if they were already occupied healing someone else."

"Well, thankfully only a few were injured in the attack. And most of them were scratches from tripping while running away, and don't worry, I'm sure the healer will prioritize you more, because nearly all the citizens who were already in a safe place, the healer included. Witnessed what you did. So I'm certain if they are healing someone they wouldn't mind you being healed first."

Paimon looked at me skeptically. But what I said is partially true, the ones in the shelters were only lightly injured, and the rest of the knights are looking around the city to see if anyone was seriously injured.

Hey, it wasn't a lie. No one in the shelter is seriously injured.

The walk towards the headquarters was quiet, save for Paimons constant worried quips about Aether who was walking around just fine. Well at least he hid his pain well, I give him that.

Third Person POV

Inside one of the rooms of the Favonious headquarters, a woman leaned against a table. She looked at the clock when she saw the time she walked towards the door before she could reach it she was halted by one of the two people together with her in the room.

"Jean, What the hurry? I thought we agreed to meet them here?" The now-named Jean looked at the woman in purple, who put a book back on one of the shelves in the office.

Jean looked back at one of the windows, the storm still darkened the sky.

"Reports say that Stormterror is still around the cities parameters. Once we meet, we mus-" Jean was interrupted by another voice that came from one of the seats in the office.

"Um sister sorry to interrupt but, isn't miss Lisa going to lend her hand? I'm sure with you and her along with miss Kaeya, I'm sur-no confident. I'm confident that all of you will solve the situation" Lisa let out a giggle as Jean stood there, thinking about what her sister said.

"Oh my I think you broke your sister, Barbara"

"Ah! W-wait sister I-" before Barbara could add another word the door opened and entered three individuals and one fairy entered.

"Jean, I've brought them." Kaeya reported, her lone eye looking around the room as she entered, spotting Barbara on the couch she let out a smile.

"Barbara, you're not busy are you?"

She shook her head no.

"Ah, good then, well do you mind if you heal the city's hero? Apparently, he got injured when Stormterror attacked" Hearing the words, hero and injured Barbara was already standing up from the couch, patting the place she sat on she motioned for him to sit on it.

Aether was forced to sit on the couch when Paimon began to pull his arms.

Aether(s) Pov

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! They'll get into contact with the Primordial blood!(1)

Hey! YOU BASTARDS I NEED HELP OR THESE PEOPLE WILL BE MARKED!(2)

"Switch with me…"

No need to tell me twice…

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.

.

Blinking my eyes I got used to the new illumination that was given to me. Creation is it bright… (This version of Aether is actively ignoring the storm outside)

What was I going to do again?

"SAVE THESE PEOPLE FROM THE PRIMORDIAL BLOOD!"

Ouch. Alright, alright no need to shout.

A millisecond passed, A primordial gem was consumed and the primordial blood temporarily turned into human blood.

As my blood turned to mortal blood I feel something slide down my back, before I could ponder what it was I was forced down to sit on something soft.

Huh? When did I get seated on the couch?

*GASP*

Turning my eyes back, I stared at the who had her hand to her mouth, eyes wide with horror.

"What is it bad?" I asked.

What was so worrying about these injuries? Honestly, mortals worry too much.

She blinked, A second later water began to float on her hand and she hovered it on the wounds that were left on my back.

"Hmm, feels nice.."

"Barbara, how injured is he?"

"Very bad. Most of these are fatal, and how long was he injured?"

"Around 45 minutes ago"

"Oh no… with these wounds, and the amount of blood that he has lost... I'm sorry even if I push myself to exhaustion, I won't be able to save him, it's a miracle that he is still alive"

...Heeeeh?…

Third Person Pov

"A miracle that he is alive" was the only thing Paimon heard that left Barbara's mouth.

She floated numbly, but she didn't float for too long because her body fell as her mind was overcome with grief.

She tried to hold back the tears, she really tried but they wouldn't stop.

'I'll lose him' was the only thing that came to her mind.

Everyone in the room was silent when they all heard Barbara's report, who was sweating now in how much she concentrated on healing their hero's wounds.

The silence was broken by a laugh.

"Haha. I like your funny words magic lady"

It was Aether who looked back at Barbara, his smile charming her, even though she is in full view of the gruesome sight of his injured back, she couldn't help but blush…

"Ae-Aether…" turning to look where the voice came from, it was Paimon who is WALKING towards him, well at least it could be considered a walk due to her always tripping.

When she got to him she buried her face in his leg and began to cry.

"Please don't go" was her request.

"Hey heal us and make sure to make it as naturally as possible"

'Huh, why?'

"If you don't, they'll question how we healed rapidly, if that happens there are three options that will most likely happen"

Heeeeeh?... Explain the options….

"I'll explain it when we are all together in the mindscape for now, which one of us is good at socializing"

"I'll do it"

'Ok... Switch with me then."

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.

Closing his eyes, Aether's breathing began to go slower Barbara, began to concentrate harder on her healing, praying to lord Barbatos to save the hero, while Paimon's cries grow louder.

Then as if lord Barbatos heard her prayers, his injuries began to glow, holes that showed bone closed on themselves, muscles rapidly regenerating, and skin regenerated on the muscles that were healed.

When all the holes in his back were healed Aether soon reopened his eyes, there was caution in them but also confidence.

"*huff* Sorry if I said anything out of the ordinary. I was so focused on healing myself, that my mind practically just said what it wanted to say. So if I insulted anyone when I was practically not in the right mind I apologize"

Wide-eyed, everyone stared at the hero who stood up from the couch and began stretching, making most of his joints let out popping noises.

"AH! Pl-please don't do that, you might reopen some of your wounds"

Aether turned to Barbara his gaze was looking at her with respect.

"Ah thank you um Barbara was it?" She nodded.

"I thank you for your concern, but you do not need to be concerned about the wounds, when I was born I was blessed by the gods to have extremely fast healing, As all of you have seen" Aether explained to the relief of everyone present.

All of them were relieved about their hero's healing, but one of them was both relieved and furious that her companion failed to tell her that.

"YOU JERK!"

Aether or this version of him flinched when he heard Paimon's shout, looking at the fairy he could practically see steam going out of her head.

"YOU JERK! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED PAIMON WAS!? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HER THAT YOU CAN HEAL YOURSELF?! DUMMY! MORON! NINCOMPOOP! AETHER!"

"He-hey since when was my name an insult?"

"BE QUIET! PAIMON WAS SO SCARED WHEN BARBARA SAID THAT YOU WILL DIE! WHEN SHE SAID THAT WHAT DID YOU DO!? YOU LAUGHED AND HEALED YOURSELF! YOU ARE THE BIGGEST JERK THAT HAS EVER LIVED IN TEYVAT FOR MAKING PAIMON WORRY FOR YOU SO MUCH!" Paimon's scolding lasted for 5 minutes, at the end of her scolding, Aether was sitting down at the corner of the room with a rain cloud over his head.

"Sorry" was all he can say as he received his companion's scolding. Everyone else in the room looked on with amusement or laughed wryly, the sight of the hero that drove Stormterror off, was reduced to a ball in the corner of the room. The sight was either slightly amusing or hilarious to those present in the room.

"...So I brought them here when I was informed that he was injured." Kaeya explained what happened to Jean, who took glances at the hero who was still sitting like a ball in the corner of the room, his companion floating in front of him continued her scolding.

"I see." Jean walked towards the room where Aether was taking shelter from Paimon's unending scolding.

As she got closer Paimon stopped her scolding and turned to her. She was no longer the burning avatar of fury that she was moments ago, but anyone could tell that she was still very, very PISSED.

"Um" She tested the waters first or else the fairy might explode again. "I believe I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Jean, the Acting Grandmaster of the knights of Favonius." She motioned toward the woman in purple looking on with an amused expression. "She is Lisa, our resident Librarian" She looked at the girl who was fretting over the hero. "And I'm sure you know of her, she is Barbara our deaconess and the most reliable healer Mondstadt has"

"Nice to meet you miss Jean" greeted Paimon her tone going a full 180 as she greeted the grandmaster with the sweetest tone ever.

"Paimon is the companion of this reckless heap in the corner that all of you could call your hero" There it was.

"I said I'm sorry"

"Sorry doesn't cut it. What if your healing wasn't as strong as you thought it was? Then what huh?"

"..."

Before Paimon could continue roasting the hero she was interrupted by Lisa, who giggled at the sight of how the situation turned out.

"Oh my little Paimon, you worry so much for your friend it is soo adorable"

Paimon said nothing and just gave Lisa the stink eye. Aether not hearing any of Paimons burning words stood up.

"So why did you call for me Grandmaster?"

Jean remembering why she called for Aether, Jean shook her head. After seeing the injuries herself she couldn't possibly ask him to help them. (Even though it healed)

"I was going to ask for your help regarding the attack but with the inju-" before she could finish her sentence Aether interrupted her.

"If it is regarding my injuries all of you need not worry, I am no longer injured, like I said I heal fast, and I mean REALLY fast" Aether added. Paimon crossed her arms and frowned at her companion.

"I-I see" Jean turned to Paimon.

"Um, miss Paimon what do you think?"

"Huh?" Paimon looked shocked as she was thrown in the spotlight by the question of the Grandmaster.

"You are Aether's companion, not only that, you knew him longer than us, and judging by how he acts he doesn't care for himself, it will be a problem if he hurts himself in assisting us." Paimon thought clearly about what Jean said and made her decision.

"Well, when you put it like that. Paimon thinks it's best if Aether rest first." Jean nodded at her reasoning, she and Lisa already knew what to do all they have to do is put it into action. Now what to do with Aether? She should put him in one of the rooms in order to rest, but what if things become dangerous?

"What if it takes all of you time?"

"Pardon?"

All eyes turn to Aether.

"Grandmaster if you were to join this operation what if it takes too long?" Jean looked at Aether curious at his question, she motioned him to continue.

"From your eyes, I see that you intend to personally go in this particular operation, but what if it takes too long and the dragon attacks again?" When Jean heard Aether's reasoning she felt her eyes widen.

As much as she wants to deny it all she wants, her senior was right on one thing regarding the knights who were left behind to protect the city. Most of them are either Inexperienced or incompetent, they need orders to follow, and if Stormterror does ever attack when she is out trying to solve the issue…

She shivers at what could happen.

She sighed out defeated. She turned to Paimon apologetically, who just stared at her companion with sheer and utter disbelief.

"I-I see, then I apologize miss Paimon, but I would like to request for you to allow your companion in helping us resolve the issue regarding Stormterror."

"I can make decisions for myself you know that right Grandmaster?"

"Oh I'm sure Grandmaster Jean knows, but Paimon thinks she knows that you are bad at making decisions."

"What?"

Ignoring what her companions annoyed question she began thinking about what to do. Looking around the room her eyes spotted Barbara, who was looking out the window and watching the storm that is happening outside.

"Ok Paimon made a decision, Aether will help in the mission, but only if Barbara will come with us"

Hearing her name Barbara looked back at the room, curious about why everyone was now looking at her.

Jean approached her, her eyes were filled with worry.

"Barbara, would you join the operation? As Aether explained something to me I realized that I can't go with the operation because I am needed hear in Modstadt, and Paimon said that she'll only allow Aether to go if you join them, I'm really sorry fo-" as Jean was about to apologize to her sister, again for the second time of the day. Barabara interrupted her again for the second time of the day.

"Don't worry sister I understand" Jean seeing the resolve in her sisters eyes nodded. Jean looked at the group.

"Knights of Favonious, time is against us. The storm is rampant. There is no point in maintaining a defensive position. Which is why we need to take the initiative and act before the situation escalates." Jean turned to Lisa who gave a smile. "Lisa will explain the situation so it's best for all of you to get going before things turn worse."

Information page

Primordial blood – The blood of the primordial's is very sought after by the gods for if a god or anyone that has some trance of the divine consumes it. They will gain bits of primordial power which has the power to make visible changes in the known universe. But if the primordial blood gets into contact with a mortal, the results will vary, from being completely fine, evolving to becoming a divine being, or to their minds being shattered. But all mortals will share one thing when they get into contact with the primordial blood and that is receiving the Mark of insight willingly or unwillingly.

Mark of insight – insight according to mortals is the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing. But for the gods, it is knowledge of a being getting closer to understanding the eldritch secrets. And if the mark of insight is branded on a mortal, they will receive visions of the various eldritch secrets that will shatter one's soul if they are not ready to accept what they will see in the nightmares that will surely come to them.

An: Heya I'm back for this week's update for this hot garbage. Going to be honest this was originally 10k words long, but I wasn't happy with how the longer version went, So I cut a few dialogues here and there. Completely removed a scene that involves one of the recurring groups that will always be mentioned and will make appearances in this story (Not gonna tell if they are good or bad) and a fight scene, that happened within the Aethers mind oh, and speaking of it.

Aether spilt apart! Yay! Hooray! Oh don't worry I'll bring back our sane protag boi again eventually (Probably 1 or 2 chapters and he will be whole again) but if you guys are curious about the different versions of him, they will talk to one another in the next chapter. Well, that all I can think of. Oh, and guys keep the reviews coming I like reading all of what you guys think, even a simple "Great chapter" makes my day so see ya guys next week.