What is a 'name' and what is a 'title'? To most people, a 'name' and a 'title' is a label, a form of identity to stick to a person or object. But to Tartaglia? They are a mask. A mask that he was forced to wear to fit into the role assigned to him. He has worn many names and titles in his life and each one never being his true self.
Then what exactly is the right 'name' or 'title' for him?
"I won't say that I agree with your point of view," Aether had said as the two of them sat side by side on the edge of the many cliffs of Liyue. "But I think that every mask contains a little bit of yourself. So if you ask me what exactly is the 'right' mask to wear, I would say all of them and none of them at the same time."
Tartaglia once wore the mask of Ajax, an innocent child of Snezhnaya who dreamt of exploration and adventures. The day Ajax fell into the Abyss was the day Ajax died a slow and painful death. No longer was he Ajax the Dreamer, instead, he became Ajax the insane. The peaceful daily life no longer interests him and so he sought out chaos and carnage, anything that would sate the bloodthirst he had developed from surviving the Abyss. Despite the growing dissatisfaction, Ajax tried to be the Ajax his family wanted. Even if his mind snapped and violence followed after, big brother Ajax never died. But that did not last long.
Under his father's disappointed look, Ajax was reborned into Tartaglia of the Fatui by the watchful eyes of Pulcinella, the Fifth Harbinger.
"From this day henceforth, you will discard your old self and serve as 'Tartaglia' for Her Royal Highness the Tsaritsa."
(No one noticed, as Tartaglia swore his loyalty to his country's god, that Ajax had cracked into tiny fragments, barely holding itself together. But as long as his family needed Ajax, Tartaglia would not throw that mask away.)
Tartaglia of the Fatui lived for battle and power. He drinks in it, he breathes it and he relishes it. The Fatui was everything Tartaglia had wanted. He had more power than he could have as Ajax, more battles he could live in and more than enough blood to sate his thirst. He had everything he desired and he wanted more. And if what he wanted was placed at the top of the mountain, all he had to do was to scale it. It was simply a matter of time before Tartaglia of the Fatui became 'Childe' Tartaglia, the Eleventh Harbinger.
The day Tartaglia became the Eleventh Harbinger was also the day he met the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa, face to face. He had expected her to be cold, like the icy lands that she ruled. Instead, he was met with gentle eyes beneath the cold mask that she wore. The Tsaritsa loved her people and her land but the harsh reality forced her to become what she is. And that, Tartaglia could relate. When he swore his loyalty again in front of her, this time as a Fatui Harbinger, he meant every word.
When he departed for Liyue to steal the Gnosis of the Geo Archon by his master's orders, Tartaglia had become Childe.
Meeting Zhongli was a different experience from meeting the people of Snezhnaya. For one, he does not hide away at the sight of a Fatui. And though socialising was admittedly not one of his strong points, he did not despise interacting with Zhongli.
"I don't suppose you know where Morax's personal domain is?"
"Not even the Adepti know where Morax's personal domain is."
Such a shame that the man is required for finding the strangely elusive Geo Archon, otherwise Childe would have kept his distance away from him.
(Because someday, he might end up killing someone close to him when he can no longer sate his bloodthirst.)
His subordinates think that his fondness for the man extends beyond a business relationship when one considers the expenditure of his 'business meetings'.
"Put these under business expenses."
"Sir, we can't put 'Engraved Cor Lapis Bracelet' under business expenses!"
"Just pay it off with my personal savings then."
On the day of the Rite of Descension, Childe was watching the ritual from the rooftops. The other Fatui members of his team were ready in position to execute the plan:
Step 1: Let the Geo Archon show up.
Step 2: Summon Osial.
Step 3: Beat the Geo Archon after they defeat Osial (while his team stops anyone from interfering).
Step 4: Steal the Gnosis when the Geo Archon is too tired.
The plan was foolproof, except for one tiny little problem. It was not that the Geo Archon did not show up, the Geo Archon did show up...by crashing down from the sky. On top of all that, the Geo Archon also showed up dead. Things could not possibly get worse.
When Childe met the Traveller, he should have known that it was a prelude to something more.
(It was actually the Traveller's floating companion that allowed him to identify the Traveller. After all, who else could be a golden-haired boy with a fairy for a companion who keeps fighting the Fatui in Mondstadt?)
Helping the Traveller escape from the Millelith was an easy task for him, convincing the Traveller to help (unwillingly) steal the Gnosis? That might be a little harder. It did not help that the Traveller tried to stab him the moment he asked the Traveller if he remembered La Signora. How was he to know what the harbinger did? All he knew was Signora admitting to meeting with the mysterious Traveller after she finished gloating about how easy it was to steal the Gnosis of the Anemo Archon.
"Stand still so I can kill you!"
"Get him Aether!"
The few stab wounds he had sustained while retreating to the bank was minor to the fact that he had successfully convinced the Traveller to come back to the bank with him. Childe smiled to himself, recalling how the innocent look the Traveller wore on his face quickly shifted to pure righteous anger. So it seems that even the Traveller wore masks, what exactly is the Traveller hiding under all those masks? Childe could not wait to tear them off the Traveller's face.
Back at the bank, tensions were high between the bank staff and the Traveller. It did not help at all when Childe showed up smiling while covered in injuries. It also did not help that the Traveller still had his bloodied sword out pointing at Childe. Really, all of this was a big misunderstanding and Childe could have easily resolved this without violence (ironic for him) if the Traveller would just stop making it worse by poking him in the back with his sword!
It took a while to 'convince' the Traveller that his cooperation was dire in finding out the true culprit behind the death of the Geo Archon and that in doing so, he would be able to obtain the information he needs from the Geo Archon. Childe felt a little bad for lying to the Traveller but if this is what he must do to fulfill the Tsaritsa's order to steal the Gnosis, then he would do anything.
Convincing the Traveller and his companion to leave Liyue Harbour to find the Adepti to clear their name was a little difficult but giving them a copy of the Sigil of Permission was enough to get them to leave. And without the Traveller potentially messing the Fatui plans, Childe can come up with another plan to steal the Gnosis.
"What do you mean they move the body into the Golden House?"
"That's what I heard sir. What do we do now? The Golden House is the most guarded place in Liyue!"
"I can walk over and beat everyone up?"
"Sir, I highly recommend that you not do that."
His new and improved plan does not involve beating up the guards at the Golden House but he is pretty sure that the frown on his second-in-command meant that the team disapproves of his plan but he outranks them so they could not complain. Time to get to spreading rumors around Liyue. Nothing like creating a three-way political battle between his subordinates, the Adepti and the Liyue Qixing.
"Sir, with all due respect, never become a politician."
When the Traveller returned to Liyue Harbour (earlier than Childe had expected), the Traveller had kicked the door to Northland Bank open and almost had the entire bank security attack him. Unfortunately for the Traveller, Childe was not at the bank and it was hours later when Childe came back to the scene of the Traveller trapping the bank security at a corner with Geo constructs to the cheers of his companion.
Looks like he has to up the recruit training again. It was strange though, he could have sworn that the information on the Traveller mentioned that he had an Anemo Vision. Maybe he has to up the training for everyone if his spies could send him the wrong information.
(Also, he should thank Zhongli for the Sigil of Permission. Childe wonders when the man would be free to treat him to dinner.)
After rescuing the bank staff, the Traveller explained his meeting with the Adepti. Childe listened to the Traveller and a sudden flash of idea came to him. If the Traveller has the blessing of the Adepti, why not use him to enter the Golden House? All it took for the Traveller to agree to helping was Childe explaining how the Exuvia was locked up in the Golden House and no one was allowed to approach the body.
"Give me some time. Time...to find someone."
Childe wonders if Zhongli and the Traveller would get along well.
The meeting with Zhongli and the Traveller went well. Other than the Traveller freezing in the middle of the path for no reason, Zhongli and the Traveller got along well like a house on fire. When Zhongli and the Traveller departed from Liyue Harbour to prepare for the Rite of Parting (that the Fatui funded), Childe continued preparing for the final stages of the plan. Soon, Childe can finally obtain the Gnosis for the Tsaritsa. Such a pity that he would never be able to fight the strongest Archon of the Seven.
The occasional sighting of the Traveller, his companion and Zhongli were enough to send Childe back to Liyue Harbour to ensure they had not found out about the plan (and maybe obtain more information). Fortunately, none of them are aware of it yet and Childe had even managed to obtain some scraps of information from them.
Unfortunately, Childe had to put his plans on hold as the Golden House was protected by a seal that could only be broken by an Adepti. Childe cursed the dead Geo Archon for making his mission harder than it should be.
The next time Childe saw the Traveller, he had spotted the Traveller making his way to the Golden House. The Fatui were distracting the Millelith while Zhongli was no longer accompanying the Traveller. He trailed behind the Traveller, the latter never noticing his presence. When the Traveller came and took down the final barrier that was blocking Childe from entering the domain, Childe smiled and slipped on the mask of 'Childe' Tartaglia of the Fatui Harbingers. The time for Childe, a Fatui working at the Northland Bank, has finally come to an end.
(It was just a disguise after all, he did not need the mask anymore. So why was it so hard to throw it away?)
"You've already fulfilled your task as guides, so why do you still linger here? Haven't you already seen enough trouble for today?"
(Why does he detest playing the role of the villain when it had never bothered him before?)
A villain monologue, one suited for the villain mask that he wore. On the other side rests the body of Rex Lapis and where the Gnosis lay within. And to confront him, a traveller wearing the mask of a hero.
(They were just two people with masks they never wanted to wear.)
"Oh? So you intend to fight me? Good. I won't kill you, Traveler. I'll just play along — to feel the thrill of battle!"
The two of them clashed. The hero's companion fled for safety into the air above their arena and their audience, the Exuvia, watched the battle with its dead eyes. The sound of clashing blades reverberate around the room as the hero and the villain traded blows after blows. A swipe of Hydro blade as the ground cracked to displace balance. A trail of blue left behind by an arrow of water, only for it to miss the hero as he leaped to the side. A swing of an arm, a wave of Geo constructs following the path, sending the villain gracefully into the air. Thrusting his water spear forward, the blade slid off the jade shield protecting the hero. The hero returned the favour, thrusting his silver blade forward, only for the sharp edge to miss the intended target. Tartaglia backed away from the Traveller while the Traveller drew his blade and entered a defensive stance.
Tartaglia laughed in glee. It had been so long since someone could match him blow for blow. In this battlefield, there was no need for masks. Every blade that clashed and every drop of blood spilled upon the floor was a mark of survival between the contenders. No Fatui, no Archons, no orders and no masks.
But Tartaglia was still a Fatui Harbinger and he must fulfill his duty to the Tsaritsa.
He dashed forward towards the Traveller while the Traveller's companion screamed at him to dodge. Tartaglia avoided the rocky spikes that emerged from the ground but he was caught off-guard at the blade of wind coming towards him. He twisted his body, barely avoiding the attack before kicking himself up onto the body of the late Geo Archon floating above the Traveller. The Traveller could use multiple elements, how did he get hold of a Delusion? Tartaglia filed that information away. He can interrogate the Traveller later but now, he needs to get the Gnosis and leave before the Millelith realised what he was up to. But when he reached in to grab the Gnosis, there was nothing.
The Gnosis was never here to begin with.
Tartaglia stared blankly at his hand. As he closed his fingers to form a fist, he turned his head to face the Traveller. The Traveller stared back at him, his face full of confusion. And for some inexplicable reason, Tartaglia felt angry.
"So, you played me like a fool."
"Huh?"
"You beat me to it, didn't you? Not bad! But this is going to cost you!"
Tartaglia shattered the floor with a single blow, collapsing the entire level as everyone fell to the bottom. Tartaglia landed on the marble floor, his eyes gazing down at the fallen figure of the Traveller. He took a step forward and activated his Foul Legacy Transformation. The Traveller will pay. His life will be spared but he would beg for the sweet release of death. The Traveller's companion flew in and stood between him and the Traveller, forcing Tartaglia to stop in his path. Her pleas of the Traveller's and her innocence fell on deaf's ear as Tartaglia smacked her out of the way.
"Paimon!"
The Traveller was finally standing now but his sword was shaking and his breath came out uneven. His eyes were looking at Tartaglia and his face morphed into one of horror. The Traveller should fear him and yet, Tartaglia felt that the Traveller was seeing something different. Tartaglia took a step forward and the Traveller took a step back, only to trip over a piece of debris and fall backwards onto the ground. His sword clattered onto the floor beside him but the Traveller made no move to pick it back up.
"Stop it! Stop using it! Stop using that power!"
The Traveller's horrified pleas were ignored as Tartaglia continued to approach him.
"Stop it! You're killing yourself!"
Tartaglia swung his hydro blade, sending the Traveller flying to the other side of the room despite the Jade Shield protecting him.
"Hand over the Gnosis!"
"We don't have it!"
The battle could no longer be called a battle as Tartaglia delivered a one-sided beatdown on the Traveller's shield. The Traveller was curled up inside the shield and Childe was starting to feel annoyed. Why was the Traveller not fighting anymore? Why would he not stand up?
Before Tartaglia could continue with those thoughts, the Traveller's companion flew over and placed herself between him and the Traveller once more. Tartaglia was about to send her flying again when gloved hands reached out from behind and grabbed the flying fairy. The Jade Shield was no longer active but the Traveller was still curled up on the ground hugging his companion protectively.
"We don't have the Gnosis, please believe us! Please don't hurt Paimon."
Tartaglia looked down at the Traveller, the Traveller's face was full of fear.
(A scene so familiar but with the face of one of his siblings.)
Tartaglia lost the will to continue fighting. He felt his mask slipping as he disabled his Foul Legacy Transformation. The mask of 'Childe' Tartaglia of the Fatui Harbinger was slipping away and being replaced with the mask of Childe of the Northland Bank.
He approached the Traveller, only for the Traveller to quickly backed away from him until his back hit the barrier surrounding the arena. His arms still holding his companion with a death grip. Childe stopped and stared at the fearful Traveller.
(It was understandable so why did it hurt? Why does he keep seeing them in him?)
The hero and the villain no longer wanted to continue fighting but the villain still had a task he must finish. Childe slid on the mask of the villain. He laughed, monologuing about how his plans had failed and it was time to unleash his backup plan. He summoned Osial, Overlord of the Vortex, and fled the Golden House but he could not bring himself to leave the vicinity just yet.
"Paimon, are you okay?"
"Paimon is fine! The shield protected me too!"
"Paimon, I-I think I need your help. I strained too much in that battle, I can't keep my Elemental Sight up for long."
"Don't worry! Paimon will lead the way! How long can you keep it up for?"
"A minute every three I think?"
"Oh...that's not good. Your eyes are starting to look bloodshot too."
"But we can't rest now! Not when Osial is destroying Liyue!"
Childe frowned after overhearing the exchanged words. What did the Traveller mean? It did not matter, Osial was loose which means that the Geo Archon would show up soon to defeat the ancient god. And once they have done that, Childe can swoop in and steal the Gnosis. Then, he can say goodbye to this country forever.
(Why is it that when he can finally return home, he does not want to?)
In the end, Osial was taken down by the combined efforts of the Liyue Qixing, the Adepti and the Traveller. Childe could only watch and laugh as the ancient god was dragged down into the depths of the ocean. Everything that he had did and it had all been for naught. And to top it all off, the Geo Archon had shown neither hide nor hair in the entire battle. Childe had managed to make everyone in Liyue despise the Fatui. He had the blood of the innocent stained upon his hand from bringing Osial's wrath upon Liyue. And how much of that blood was from the men he had sent to delay the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti?
But Childe still had a duty to fulfill and even if the entirety of Teyvat hated him, he would fulfill the wishes of the Tsaritsa.
Then La Signora showed up at the Northland Bank with Zhongli and all hell broke loose. Where Childe suffered and toiled to find and obtain the Gnosis, La Signora had it handed to her on a silver platter. She stole it from him and Childe was furious.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came here to collect."
It did not help at all when the Traveller showed up as well. However, where the Traveller had once directed the face of fear at Childe, he now directed the same fearful face at La Signora. Her cold voice was enough to send the Traveller into flight or fight mode. Everything was wrong about this scene. The Traveller was supposed to be strong! He could go toe-to-toe with a Fatui Harbinger! He fought a god!
Everything was wrong and Childe did not even realise when he took a step forward to stop her.
"Oh? So you did remember me? I wonder, will you scream for me again?"
"Come on now, you've already got what you want. Give the guy a break."
But his fellow Harbinger was not listening to him. (She never does.)
Childe was considering using force to stop her when Zhongli stepped in to protect the Traveller.
(He was a Harbinger. When had he become so powerless? When had he taken off the mask of 'Childe' Tartaglia of the Fatui Harbinger?)
It was immensely satisfying to see the Traveller verbally destroy the Geo Archon. And that image of the Geo Archon looking very guilty will forever be imprinted in Childe's mind.
After everyone had left, Childe returned to his humble abode. The mission was completed, there was no longer a need for him to run around Liyue looking for an Archon that was right in front of him the whole time. He left his house no sooner had he returned, unable to stand the stifling silence. He walked down the streets towards the docks, the setting sun painting the stone path orange. He looked up and found the Traveller sitting by the docks, his legs dangling over the water and his companion nowhere to be found. He approached the unsuspecting Traveller who jumped when Childe sat down beside him. The mask of Childe of the Northland Bank firmly on his face.
"Who are you?"
What a strange question that came from the Traveller's mouth.
"It's Childe, can't you tell?"
"No."
"Wait so...you-"
"I'm blind, can't you tell?"
If the Traveller was being snarky then it seems that he has recovered from his outburst at the bank. But Childe was impressed, the Traveller managed to almost fight him to a draw despite his disability.
"So you've been fighting blind this whole time?"
"Not exactly. I can use Elemental Sight to see almost everything but I strained it too much in the battle so now I can't use it for a while. At least, I hope it's for a while."
Sensing the mood starting to take a negative turn, Childe was quick to change the subject.
"I don't see the glutton you call a friend."
"I told her I wanted some time alone and gave her some mora to buy food."
The two of them (well Childe at least anyway) watched the waves lapping up at the wooden docks as the people of Liyue busied themselves with cleaning up the aftermath of the battle behind them. A few of the people had recognised Childe and gave him the stink eye but most of them ignored the two. Childe thinks ironically, that the only one who had forced him to take off his mask was the only person who would never see what his real face is like.
"I came to Liyue to look for my sister. I didn't expect to have to stop an evil god."
"If you want me to apologise, I'm not going to."
"I'm not expecting you to but next time, can you maybe summon an evil god a week after I arrive?"
"...I'll keep that in mind."
Childe could not help but feel that the Traveller would get along well with his siblings. Maybe when the Traveller comes to Snezhnaya, he could invite the Traveller to meet them.
"Aether."
"Huh?"
"Call me Aether. We both had near-death experiences and almost killed each other. I think we're past the point of 'Traveller'."
"Ajax. My real name. But don't go around calling me that, just stick to 'Childe' or 'Tartaglia'."
Childe never needed to wear a mask in front of Aether. He could be whoever he wanted to be, no roles to play, no duty to fulfill, and no need to show restraint. And that suited Childe just fine.
(When his younger brother, Teucer, showed up a few days later, Childe wished that he could go back in time to punch his past self in the face.)