Zhongli sat across the Tsaritsa.
A hefty stack of papers rested before him.
There were thousands of things written on them.
No more than a handful were not crossed out from the long hours of debate.
He was used to that sort of thing.
He was the God of contracts—
And he would do everything within his power to make it favorable for each party.
The contract before him was his last and final as the Geo Archon.
The contract to end all contracts.
The Tsaritsa knew it.
She understood the gravity of their contract.
(Maybe it was because she had only seen him during that time.)
Zhongli's face was as cold as stone, "Do we agree on these terms?"
She didn't touch the pastry that sat innocently in front of her, "I have nothing else to add."
Zhongli nodded, waving a hand in the air to dismiss the thick contract on the table.
"Then it's settled. The Gnosis will be yours to claim when the conditions are fully met."
The Geo Archon felt it.
The strong bonds of the contract had sealed itself within the Tsaritsa.
A warning to uphold their terms to the very letter.
To give Liyue the final test for their Archon to watch from afar.
It didn't matter what that entailed, really.
As long as his people prove that they could survive without him.
That was all that mattered.
"The contract is sealed," Zhongli looked at her, "…This is a heavy burden you placed upon yourself."
They both knew the power to the Gnosis so well.
Of how deep its pain and suffering dug into their bones.
Of how deep it rooted itself into their very being.
Their Gnosis came at an ugly, vulgar price.
Every loss piled and piled and piled—
It added and added and added—
To have more than one in possession was not something Zhongli would want at all.
The Gnosis granted him power, yes, but now with his duty fulfilled for thousands of years—
It was time to retire.
The Tsaritsa looked at him, "Give me time. I know just who to send, but he still needs to grow."
Zhongli smiled a bit.
Knowing that she avoided the topic.
He understood it more than anyone, really.
He didn't mind upholding his duty just a little longer.
To hold his creaking pieces together just a little longer.
To wait for the right players to enter his last act just a little longer.
"Do what you must."
He got up to leave.
Even dusted off the snow that gathered upon his lap.
A testimony of how long they debated over their terms.
"Morax."
The Tsaritsa's voice stopped him for a moment.
Her tone was hesitant, something he ever rarely saw in her.
"During that time, did you hate her for leaving?"
He knew what she asked about.
Zhongli paused to look at her.
Took in how she wanted nothing but honesty.
So, he answered her honestly— even though it dug deep into a healing scar.
"I could never blame her for leaving. Yuè and Yánshí were very dear to me. I felt her loss as if it were my own."
Zhongli remembered fondly of the time he used to tend to those two.
Always catching Yuè and Yánshí when they faltered.
Always watching over Yuè and Yánshí as they tricked Xiao into smiling.
Always chuckling when he'd spot Yuè and Yánshí napping along with Ganyu.
Zhongli remembered of the times where Yánshí created wild inventions with Cloud Retainer.
Where Yuè had gotten chased out of Mount Hulao by Mountain Shaper multiple times.
Where Yánshí and Yuè rode on Moon Carver's back through Jueyun Karst.
Zhongli remembered the pain that came with losing Yánshí.
Yánshí, the Phoenix that lived up to his name—
Down the very Geo Vision he was granted.
(By the very Celestia that tore him apart)
A rock that supported those around him.
Especially his twin.
It was a crude feeling.
Like ripping off a bandage that stuck into the flesh of a healing wound.
He remembered how Xiao had screamed at him to do something— anything.
How Ganyu pulled at his clothes in panic when she realized it, too.
How he tried to step in and stop it somehow (when really it far above his authority).
How Yuè begged him to stay out of it because "It's not your burden to uphold— it's ours and ours alone—"
(Zhongli would never forget the smile on Yánshí's face the night before.
Like he absolutely knew what would happen next.
"Watch over Yuè for me?")
Zhongli could never blame Yuè for leaving.
Even when she abandoned her title at his feet as one of his precious adepti.
(For their safety, she assured them. But Morax knew it that wasn't the real reason.)
Took up the claymore that she forged with her Phoenix's flames, and latched on her brother's Vision.
He never blamed her, only watched her from a grand distance as asked of him.
Welcomed her home every time she stepped into his lands.
"Yuè…" Zhongli started, but stopped.
He looked down below his feet.
The Tsaritsa said nothing, merely waited for him to continue.
"Yuè is here, isn't she?"
It wasn't a question.
It was a fact.
One he obviously knew.
He could feel her faint presence.
It brought up more memories he could never forget.
Of how she used to run up to him with her brother when they were so tiny.
How she used to drag him into such childish games in the moments of peace.
Who used to fly beside to him in the clear skies.
Who fought not just for his sake, but for the family she had there.
Who loved and loved and loved—
"I'm not giving her back," the Tsaritsa told him.
She refused to do so.
But Zhongli shook his head, a fond smile on his face.
"I will do no such thing," he told her, "Let her rest a while longer."
He looked far away.
Toward the direction he last felt another Phoenix.
The little Phoenix that looked so much like his mother.
"But tell me, what is her child like?" Zhongli asked, "Does he take after her?"
Because he barely caught a glimpse of the child.
A second of vibrant red within a departing train.
It pulled violently at Zhongli's curiosity.
Maybe even screamed at him to know more.
The Tsaritsa laughed from where she was.
"Morax," she began, a melancholy tone hid beneath her amusement.
"Don't you think it would be best to meet him yourself than to ask me?"
The Tsaritsa had a fair point.
Zhongli could only gain so much from her word of mouth.
His raging curiosity had tamed by only a small fraction.
But that was fine.
Zhongli still had time to wait.
He hummed, and did not dare to stop the growing smile on his face.
"I suppose I'll find out eventually then. If he's anything like Yuè I'll meet him soon enough."
._._._._._.
A threat reappeared on Mondstadt's lands.
Reports of an enraged monster attacking travelers and merchants grew into a steady pile.
And yet, by the time anyone could do anything, it was always too late.
Nothing was going right anymore.
The Knights were stretched too thin.
On top of that, more and more monsters had terrorized the land.
Hilichurls had grown braver as they set their camps closer and closer.
Some camps had Abyss Mages accompanying them.
Kaeya was quick to smite all that he came across.
His own Vision helped him more than he liked.
Grandmaster Varka was swamped.
The pile of paperwork only grew despite his diligence to the people.
Jean was overworked.
Barely left the headquarters as she placed mission after mission.
Lisa looked tired.
Long nights of research to help with the situation didn't make much of a difference.
Amber, their young little Outrider, flew the entirety of Mondstadt twice already.
Their newest recruit, Eula Lawrence, had grown rather quiet.
She was good at investigating.
Quick as well.
The Cryo Vision on her shoulder only added to her skills.
Her battle prowess and quick thinking had promoted her faster than Kaeya.
Though, she had only been around for a few months, it was strange to hear less vengeance from her.
(Kaeya swore he didn't mean to "offend" her that much to be on her list seventeen times.)
If the situation in Mondstadt grew, Kaeya wouldn't be surprised if she became a captain very soon.
"Captain Kaeya," Grandmaster Varka addressed him one day.
Kaeya tensed up when he heard the other's tone.
It wasn't often that he was addressed by his last name.
A name he added for the sake of the family that was far too kind to him.
He was handed over a small stack of papers.
The most recent report about a merchant group attacked by that odd, odd monster.
"Kaeya," The Grandmaster started suddenly, "Look at the reports and tell me what you think."
Nothing about Varka's posture, tone, or face spoke of anything reassuring.
Kaeya did as he was told, opening the files right then and there.
The survivors spoke of the monster's deformity.
How it lacked an eye and a rotting jagged gash along its side.
How it still stood on all fours with the support of its broken bat-like wings.
How it looked eerily like a fallen drake far too corrupted to be a fully grown dragon.
Kaeya swore it sounded familiar.
But he couldn't be sure until he seen it.
He looked up at the Grandmaster, swallowing the twinge of dread that stirred in his throat.
"…You think it's—"
The words were suddenly stuck in his throat.
Something close to denial threatened to flood over him.
Varka looked at him.
A smile was hard pressed on his face.
He placed a stiff hand on Kaeya's shoulder.
And one could only guess if it was meant to be assuring or grounding.
"I'll leave this case to you, Captain."
Kaeya simply stood there as the Grandmaster's steps echoed down the hall.
He wanted to burn the reports.
But alas, he gained a Cryo Vision instead.
It felt as if the papers burned his hands.
It was only when Jean appeared before him did he realize how tightly he held the reports.
"Kaeya?" Her voice was even, calm as she searched for his periwinkle eye.
Kaeya looked at her, dropping his hands with the reports crumpled under his grip.
"I have to go."
As he turned on his heel, rushing down the halls.
His steps were echoed with another.
Steps that matched his pace.
Matched his determination.
His fierceness.
And Kaeya was forever grateful.
._._._._._.
Big Brother Diluc was different now.
Teucer knew that much.
He knew it the moment he saw his big brothers.
It was funny how Big Brother Ajax had grown taller than the other.
But that "different" wasn't it at all.
Teucer noticed it during their first breakfast together after such a long time.
He noticed it when he played the rest of the day with his big brothers.
Noticed it when he got a day with just him and Big Brother Diluc.
Big Brother Diluc was quiet before.
Barely ever smiled and always looked rather lost.
Maybe even afraid.
Big Brother Diluc now was still quiet.
But he smiled more, even laughed here and there.
He didn't seem that afraid anymore.
Although, he still looked lost.
Or, maybe a little less lost.
It was like he was having a hard time deciding to eat chocolate or to drink hot chocolate.
Yet, Teucer couldn't help but think that something was bound to happen.
Something that might take Big Brother Diluc away for a long, long time.
Which was why Teucer grabbed a stack of papers and a handful of crayons.
Barged into the living room where Big Brother Diluc read, waiting for Big Brother Ajax.
And threw himself across his lap.
"Big Brother! Draw with me!"
A light laughter rang, one that sounded rather free and true.
One that made Teucer want to hear it again and again.
Big Brother Diluc smiled— a smile that Teucer loved.
A smile that made Teucer always want him to be his big brother.
Just like Big Brother Ajax with his smiles and laughs.
"Alright. What should we draw?"
His hand was so warm.
Rough with scarred burns and callouses, but gentle.
Teucer looked up, cherishing every second he had left with him.
"Mr. Cyclops!"
._._._._._.
Diluc relished the warmth that came flooding into his bones.
Was it odd for him to be so happy in this house?
To see Anthon laughing at some random joke Ajax told.
To feel Father's hand ruffle his hair when he passed by Diluc.
To sit by a window as Tonia braided his hair and tied it with ribbons.
To be dressed up in so many different outfits that piled up in Mother's closet.
(Ajax wasn't spared either. With his growth spurt, he had outgrown many of his old ones.)
To listen to Teucer run his mouth endlessly about missed adventures he had in their long absence.
Diluc looked up at the snow covered skies.
A sleeping Teucer on his lap.
Papers were scattered about.
"Mr. Cyclops" drawings were on almost every single one.
Diluc huffed in amusement.
They had one heck of a mess to clean.
Before Ajax and Father came home from fishing.
Before Mother came home from her quick errand.
Before Anthon and Tonia came home from school.
It was strange—
There was almost so much to catch up on.
Yet nothing at all.
This place was a home far from his own.
A home that welcomed him with open arms.
Diluc relished it.
It was nothing like the atmosphere of the Zapolyarny Palace.
Where the urgency to get out was no longer bearing down on him.
The very thought of his mother frozen beneath the Palace grounds had rattled him.
Made him wonder and wonder and wonder—
Why did his mother run away?
When really— she could've gone back.
She could've gone back and claimed him as hers.
Could've stolen him away and teach him so many things—
He knew nothing about being a Phoenix.
He knew nothing but the life he was so prepared to live.
To be the very Knight his father had always wanted to be.
He knew how to live a twisted lie.
And now he knew the buried truth.
Diluc tore his eyes away from the clouds.
Gently running a hand through Teucer's hair.
(It struck him quietly.
That Teucer was also living a terrible lie.
How the child knew nothing about Ajax's real work.
How the whole family worked to keep it tightly wrapped underneath a web of lies.
It was a scary thought to think of what Teucer would do if he found out the truth.
Maybe Diluc could talk to Ajax about fixing that.
To come right out and tell the honest truth—
But other than that— there was nothing else Diluc could possibly do.
It wasn't his truth to bare to Teucer.)
He sighed quietly.
Crimson eyes narrowed ruefully as he finally made up his mind.
._._._._._.
It happened rather suddenly.
A Knight came to Kaeya and Jean in the middle of their patrol.
Barely managing coherent words, "Monster! Big scary thing—"
But it was enough to get Kaeya sprinting out of Mondstadt's gates.
Jean was a few seconds behind, ordering for back up to follow them right then and there.
It was near Springvale.
Somewhere along the roads that were commonly treaded.
Trees were bent out of shape, and scratched with claw marks.
And yet.
It was over before it begun.
Whatever Kaeya mentally prepared for, it wasn't this.
Jean was there beside him.
Gripping the sleeve of his uniform like a lifeline.
Someone stood over a dead corpse of a bloodied drake.
Casually dusting off his hands as if the whole thing was nothing to him.
Blood of the drake smeared on his the edge of his coat.
Even a bit on his chin.
But what took Kaeya's attention was the mask that obscured most of his face.
Except the half grin that was visible to them.
Ruby eyes gleamed in the setting sun.
"There you are. I was beginning to wonder where the Knights were."
Kaeya felt nothing but a growing dread gnarl hungrily at his bones.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Calvary Captain Kaeya Alberich."
Kaeya felt Jean grip his sleeve harder, as if to scream a silent warning to him.
But all he could do in that pure second was force a smile.
Topped with a casual hand on his hip, "It's Calvary Captain Kaeya Ragnvindr."
The grin on Dottore's face only grew.
He jumped down to meet them at their level.
"My apologies! I'm Dottore, a member of the Fatui," the man introduced.
Even bowed his head in mock politeness.
"Now, I hope I didn't cause too much trouble ridding the Knights of a certain problem, did I?"
The grin was daring.
Something that made Kaeya confirm his dread.
Even as he finally glanced past Dottore.
To the barely recognizable mess behind him.
It was already shattering away.
Dissolving into some sort of mist like any other monster.
Kaeya didn't wretch.
But he did blanch.
It was faint—
But Kaeya spotted that rotting jagged gash.
One that was clearly caused by a severe ice.
(An injury he caused all those months ago.
Something everyone knew to be dead—
And yet it was here—
Dead— but not by Kaeya's hand.)
Something was wrong.
Very very wrong.
He quietly tugged Jean to hide her from Dottore's sight.
Internally thanking his taller height.
Somewhere behind them, he heard the reinforcements heading their way.
Where Jean whispered that the Grandmaster was at the head.
Kaeya matched Dottore's grin, placing a hand on his hip.
Daring the other just the same.
"Who knows? Maybe our problems have just begun."
._._._._._.
It was funny really.
How Ajax watched Diluc easily slip into his family.
How Ajax found himself sharing his room with the Firefly.
Just like the time he had to share with his older brother before.
Already, the Firefly had gotten used to the random chores he was randomly assigned.
Tonia had no restraint in teaching him how to cook several different fishes.
Anthon dropped random facts he learned when Ajax and Diluc were together.
Mother made them run errands together if none of his other siblings were around.
Sometimes, Father loved to wake them up early just to fish in negative temperatures.
(Of course, Diluc was very good at his element, making sure to keep them warm without melting the ice.)
Teucer loved dragging them into so many games, using every excuse to play together.
At the same time, Ajax knew that there was an odd sense of urgency in his family.
He noticed it when Anthon's tips were based on survival skills.
He noticed it when Tonia taught recipes that didn't need much ingredients.
Noticed it when Mother had been hiding away a new scarlet scarf in her shared room with Father.
Noticed it when Father made them both practice filleting fish while waiting for their catch to bite.
When Teucer jumped at every opportunity to merely spend time with Diluc and Ajax.
Hell, even Ajax hitched a spar here and there.
Because they all knew it.
They could see it in those crimson eyes.
That their Firefly wasn't here to stay.
Ajax knew that there was someone Diluc needed to go back to.
To the Calvary Captain in the Knights.
The brother Diluc refused to leave behind.
Ajax said nothing to encourage him to leave.
He knew the Firefly's decision long before they even came home.
Which was exactly why Ajax laid wide awake one night.
Diluc was beside him, curled on his side with his back facing him.
"Don't forget to visit," he spoke into the night.
Diluc huffed, clearly awake.
"As if I could," he answered back.
Then Ajax was suddenly met with vibrant crimson eyes.
Even in the darkness of his room, Ajax could see the faint smile on Diluc's face.
"One day, I'll come home with Kaeya, too."
It was a hefty promise.
One that was possible— but was it really?
It wasn't a type of promise Ajax would trust.
But when he looked at the Firefly, Ajax believed in him.
He held out a pinky.
Felt Diluc's intwine with his own.
Together, they hands swayed in the darkness.
The Snezhnayan promise recited between them.
.
.
.
.
.
.
("You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life.
You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice.
The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend.
The frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again.")
._._._._._.
Scaramouche came to him.
Dressed nothing like the Harbinger he was.
But as an Inazuman traveler who matured too quickly.
Diluc almost didn't notice him as Mother gave him a simple errand.
He appeared before Diluc like a friend.
Voice bright as he greeted him happily, "Hotaru!"
Diluc blinked at the nickname.
Not once did he remember being given that name.
(Then it struck him a second later that it was on purpose.
An Inazuman nickname was rather convincing in a certain way.)
But there wasn't a smile on Scaramouche's face.
Those lavender eyes oddly grieved.
Oddly determined.
"Do something for me, Hotaru."
And Diluc knew he couldn't refuse.
"What is it, Sca—"
Diluc couldn't finish when Scaramouche hooked an arm around his own.
"Lower your voice," the Sixth snapped quietly, "I'm risking enough already."
He dragged Diluc into the closest alley, away from prying ears and out of sight.
"Fine, I get it," Diluc lied, "What's up with the Hotaru name?"
Scaramouch rolled his eyes, "It means firefly— Now, give me your hand."
Diluc blinked, both at the meaning and the demand, and held out his hand.
(Was it strange that he found it mildly humorous how everyone seemed to be calling him that?)
The Sixth handed him nothing but a scarlet maple leaf charm.
Although reluctant as his touch lingered seconds too long.
Before he pulled away.
The metal was tarnished from old age.
Yet it only added to its beauty.
But underneath its surface felt familiar.
As if it was tampered with a Phoenix's power.
Diluc knew that it kept something dear sealed away.
When Diluc looked at Scaramouche, he almost faltered.
The other's eyes lingered on the charm.
Those sharp lavender eyes were soft for not longer for a moment.
Scaramouche shoulders straightened.
The steel in his gaze returned.
And he spoke, "I know another like you, so listen to me well."
Diluc stood there in slight awe.
Listening to the tale that spilt from the Harbinger's lips.
A tale of a Phoenix far older than the Sixth.
Of a Phoenix adorned with all seasons of maple.
Whose blade flashed to end battles within moments.
Who often danced in the winds with his faux form of freedom.
Who still smiled despite the endless troubles that hunted him constantly.
A friend that Scaramouche never failed to return to at the end of his wandering.
Of "Kaei", the guardian deity that stood beside the Raiden Shogun in the lands of Inazuma.
The tale of a patient Phoenix that clung to a useless hope to wait for someone who left him behind.
For someone who had raised him in the place of a mother torn apart from that darkness.
Scaramouche spoke about that Phoenix with an oddly familiar, yet tender voice.
Spoke about how foolish the Phoenix was with an endearing tone.
"You want me to find this Kaei?" Diluc asked at the end.
Scaramouche never dared to hold back a laugh.
It was bitter.
Crude.
Mournful.
Despite the rueful smile he stubbornly kept.
"No," the Sixth corrected, "I want you to find his grave."
Diluc felt a cold rush of horror flood his veins with realization.
The Sixth touched the red maple charm in Diluc's hands once more.
And spoke the birth name of that Phoenix with an endearing tone, "Kazuha."
The maple charm suddenly weighed heavier than his mother's claymore.
"Return Kazuha's charm for me, will you?"
Crimson bore into lavender, "Why me and not you?"
Lavender bore into crimson, "No one will wait for me anymore."
Then Scaramouche scoffed, a sound that didn't match the look of grief in his eye.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"There's no one left to unseal what remains of me."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.