Infinity often seems like a hard to grasp concept. How could there possibly be no end to something? All things ranging from fleas to stars had a life span. How could something be able to exceed the pull of reality? That's exactly what a particular blonde Traveller was thinking.
He yearned for the cycle to end. The endless cycles of the jubilant Sabzeruz festival that juxtaposed the torment and suffering he was put through day after day. Even that phrase mocked him. The days repeating themselves seemingly like clockwork. Almost as if at the fall of night, someone presses the reset button. And yet, he remembers.
No one else does. From his investigations anyhow. Despite the vast number of people in the city of Sumeru. He was unique. Even more so than usual. Even his companion Paimon was unaware of just how many times he had picked out the Sunsettia sweets for her.
He's lost track of time at this point. Who knows what cycle he's on now. All of the days merge into one so easily despite the gruelling effort to get through each day; hoping that the next will be different. The mental tear of each day has slowly worn down Aether.
At the start of the loop; he was determined, perseverant to free himself from the day's shackles. He would pose questions to people, record any abnormalities to the loop and trialled numerous strategies of escape.
Confronting the Akademiya, searching for the Dendro Archon, even leaving the city had been unsuccessful for him. He did manage to obtain small bits of information; like how the behaviour of Dunyarzad seemingly flipped at some point, and how her and the sages seem lifeless, almost robotic, like puppets connected to a string.
The Lesser Lord was no where to he seen. It would appear that this time, he was not destined to be saved by the gods. Though he attempted again and again to reach her, the Akademiya would somehow know his every move and play accordingly, he was in checkmate.
This began to take a toll on the poor boy's mental health. Reliving the same day over and over whilst being expected to keep up the joyfulness of the festival until the end of time was very draining. He slowly began to stop caring anymore and stopped trying. He wasn't a quitter or a pessimist... but his current predicament seemed to have no end.
Paimon, Dehya and Nilou were often concerned about him. But during the night, it would all be washed away, like a sandcastle being eaten by the rising tide. He even grew tired of their constant worry after he refused to cooperate in multiple festivals in a row.
He missed being able to talk to his friends without already knowing their responses before the conversation. He missed the spontaneity of his days outside of Sumeru. He missed Mondstadt, and it's residents. He missed Liyue, and it's people. And he missed his friends in Inazuma, to be honest the nation itself wasn't very appealing to him after his troubles there.
He hated the Sabzeruz festival. He felt somewhat guilty at the thought as it was the only thing that the Lesser Lord was recognised with by the people of Sumeru and even then very few even attended. But even then, it's hard not to abhor what you've likely spent the last few months of your life doing against your will.
Is he aging? Will he eventually be granted the sweet release of the reaper's scythe? Anything was better than another years worth of Sabzeruz's. He didn't know the details of the cycles. Obviously of course, he appeared to be the guinea pig after all.
He wished that he could continue his journey and reunite with his sister, Lumine. Gosh if she was looking down on him now then she would be very disappointed surely. What was the point though? Anything he did was erased the next today. He would play his pieces high and would be soon halted by the Akademiya. And when he held onto his pieces, he gained nothing.
He isn't sure why this has happened. Nor when it will end. If it ever will that is. He doesn't even know whether this is even reality anymore. He could be in Hell for all he knows. Or in a perpetual slumber. Perhaps his friends are gathered around his resting place right now. Whenever now is. Now will happen again in 24 hours anyway
Every move that he made was anticipated by the Academiya, almost as if they were able to read his subconscious. Regardless. He didn't care about the answers anymore. He had had enough.
Aether rose from his bed quietly. Careful not to wake the sleeping fairy nearby, though he had done it so much it were second nature at this point. He reached for his sword which was slanted against a cabinet and exited their Inn.
Through the dead of night, he crept through the shadows. Following the footpath towards the Akademiya building. He knew that they would be awaiting him. They always were. And they always won. But regardless he needed to blow of some steam. Today's rendition of the festival had gone relatively standard, which made it all the more irritating for the Traveller.
Alas he reached the pinnacle of Sumeru City and stared across the marble bridge towards the Corps of 30 soldiers. They stood poised with their weapons held, their intention wasn't to kill him. Only to by time for the new cycle to begin.
With a snarl he began walking forward, his sword dragging across the floor menacingly. He extended an arm towards the defenders and watched as orange rock pillars shot out of the ground around them. His sword radiated purple and he swung it towards the crowd, releasing electro projectiles in their direction. Some people dodged it. Others were less fortunate. It didn't matter anyway though. They would be fine in the morning.
A couple of soldiers suddenly charged at him, Aether raised his sword above him to block the vertical strike of a spear and kicked the offender to the floor. He dashed backwards to avoid the slash of another's sword and his sword radiated green this time, before he swiped it forward, dendro energy knocking them to the floor.
Anemo energy began to build by his hand. And he extended it towards the downed soldiers. Swirls of wind suddenly - *Beep*
Aether brought his hands to his head as he collapsed onto his knees. He knew what was happening. But he wasn't happy about it either way. Time to enjoy the Sabzeruz Festival.