The once lush countryside of Khaenri'ah had been completely destroyed by fire, metal and stone. Gradients of red, black and grey filled its ground, while corpses of metal were sprinkled all around it. Closer to the City, the environment changed dramatically as artificial shields, giant machines, lasers and proud giant walls protected the pinnacle of humankind. Giant projectiles smashed against its shields and mechanical soldiers, but while the latter crumbled, the former stood defiant against the relentless projectiles of the Geo Archon.
Morax, regardless of the volley of artillery and lasers pummeling his shields, continued to walk forward towards Khaenri'ah City. The mechanical soldiers were suppressed by his giant projectiles, which began to completely tilt the ground below them. But the lasers forced Morax to stop and amplify his shield, sometimes being pushed back by their sheer magnitude.
Suddenly and without any warning, a gale of wind surged inside the shields of the City. The mechanical soldiers were sucked against the walls, while the soldiers manning the lasers were forced to either take shelter or be thrown out as well.
The Anemo Archon descended from the skies, his pure anemo arrows crashing against the shields of the city to no avail. Then, out of the rubble, the automatons creeped out of the ground. Setting their sights over the two Archons, their light beams were unaffected by Barbatos' shredding wind. The God retreated behind Morax's shield, panting heavily.
"This is still the second worst welcome party I've ever seen," Barbatos muttered under his breath. "You're the warrior here, any brilliant idea before we die in a glorious fashion?"
Morax grunted as another shield expanded around them both. "Emergency countermeasures aren't my thing." He spawned his staff, pointing at the enemy. "That barrier is a problem. I cannot focus on attacking while being forced to protect myself. We need to disrupt it. If you can get me behind it, I will make short work of the walls and the artillery."
"Easier said than done." The bard shielded his eyes as the beams impacted Morax's shields. "Alright, Barbatos express coming right up!"
As the Anemo Archon rose far above the walls, gusts of immense strength devastated the group of automatons. The few that remained were forced to anchor themselves to the ground, unable to shoot or aim. That gap was optimally used as a ten-metre pillar aimed at the walls suddenly emerged out of thin air. Its form overflowing with Geo element, Morax jumped on top of it as Barbatos' winds engulfed it.
Acting like the pillar was a simple arrow, Barbatos shot it straight through the mighty shield of Khaenri'ah. The pillar exploded upon impact, breaking open a gap in the barrier for the two Archons. Then, Morax's shield reappeared, expanding and destroying everything in its path. After it reached a length of 100 metres, it retracted to let a storm of meteorites level the place.
After a moment of calm, the winds of the Anemo Archon elevated the rubble, using them as projectiles against any remaining artillery pieces and guarding soldiers.
"That's one entrance down." Barbatos landed next to Morax, making a conscious effort to not look at the mutilated bodies below and around the rubble.
"We'd be done if you had arrived sooner." The Geo Archon didn't hide his annoyance. "These people… their technology has advanced far that of Teyvat." He then turned to his friend. "Where have you been?"
"Hound hunting in Inazuma." Barbatos shrugged, looking at the barrier. "We should deal with whatever is fueling that shield." The bard placed a hand on Morax's chest. It glowed briefly, healing all of the Archon's minor injuries. "You'll move much faster now."
Lasers impacted Morax's shield, forcing Barbatos to fly out of the way. New waves of mechanical soldiers made their appearance, slowly moving towards the Geo Archon. As Barbatos rushed to help, flying automatons rushed at him hurling bombs and kinetic projectiles.
Judging the area too dangerous to stay together, Barbatos flew into the city to lure the flying enemies away from his old friend. That type of dragon-like automatons had some type of propulsion to move, while their wings steered their flight. Summoning his bow again, he had no time to react against the lasers of the machinery on the city streets. His wings were burned for a brief second, enough to be rushed at by the flying automatons and knocked down to the ground.
His powers stopped the fall from causing any damage, but he was now at the mercy of the mechanical soldiers. With no time to react, he summoned a stormeye the size of a building high above him, sucking up any enemy, object or structure that he attached to the ground.
Without any warning, the ground and rubble beneath them liquified. A hand bursted out of the ground before like an arrow, the Pyro Archon, Murata, erupted from the lava. She landed next to him, driving her two-handed sword into the soft ground.
"Am I late for the party?" Murata flicked her long red hair as dozens of mechanoids fell around them. "You're really shit at this whole 'fighting', did you know that? Brute strength isn't going to cut it against smarter enemies."
"Spare me the talk." Barbatos scoffed at her, though he raised his hands and applied the same blessing he used on Morax. "How did you cross the barrier?"
"Barrier?" Murata glanced up, only seeing hundreds of meteorites from Morax. "There isn't any barrier underground. Anyhow, I owe you one for that sweet little boost. You know I always prefer your very obedient attitude, little wisp." She pulled out her sword from the ground, resting it on her shoulder. "Fix the air while you're at it. It's filled with toxic fumes so intense that you've probably killed anyone in the vicinity."
"That is not me," Barbatos answered, rubbing his nose. "It smells of Khemia."
"Fine, I'll deal with the Alchemists. Try not to bite it… Though what's with that face? Not loving the revolution, little wisp?"
Murata smirked at his lack of reaction. With that a faint giggle, her hair lit up as if it was about to burst into flames. Rushing into the streets of the fallen kingdom, her scorching fire left no trace behind her.
"Just don't opt out of living!" Barbatos shouted, launching himself into the air.
More flying automatons were heading in his direction, so he made quick work of them by shooting anemo arrows before they got into range. There was no time to stop and think of any strategy. He simply flew around the city, gathering the attention of any flying enemy towards himself. If they focused on him, Barbatos believed, it would lessen the burden of any other Archon around. Barring Beelzebul, the only two obvious experienced warriors around were Murata and Morax. Barbatos palled in comparison against them, but he had plenty of experience in wars. And if anything happened to him, not many people would notice his disappearance.
That's why he didn't act immediately.
It happened in less than a heartbeat. A faint gleam in the corner of his right eye was all that alerted him of the explosion. Electro washed over him for an instant, the natural reaction of his anemo powers managing to make the pain brief. Any other being, whether mechanical, divine or biological, would experience paralysing pain immediately.
Taking advantage of the situation, Venti destroyed the surrounding automatons. And without delay, his mind kicked into a higher gear.
Did Khaenri'ah have some sort of last-ditch bomb to take them out, even if that killed their citizens? It was too reckless. They were far away, and Murata was in the opposite direction. Barbatos could see how the electro energy swirled around a specific point in the northern sector.
But something of this magnitude was far beyond anything he had seen. If there was anybody capable, it had to be either the Sovereigns of the age prior to the Archon War or the Electro Archon. But Ei would never waste energy needlessly like that. And the amount of energy was so high that it meant she was using her gnosis or something much more disturbing.
His heart sank at the realisation.
The corpses of the automatons were launched away as Barbatos flew up and rushed towards the source of the explosion. He cut right through the city, avoiding any incoming fire or traps.
Electro energy became denser and denser, whittling him down like chalk against a rugged slate. His anemo powers were too focused on speed to care about the building up of electricity in his body. Flying automatons tried to exploit this and stop him by any means. His raging winds did not care for such speedbumps.
The electricity surging through his body no longer felt like needles. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to it. Or all the electric charge was messing with his pain receptors. Either way, he used that excuse to go through even higher speeds.
Though somewhere in between he must have lost consciousness for a few long moments.
When he came back to his senses, he had crash-landed through several buildings, landing in what seemed like a destroyed plaza. Although his body still carried a substantial charge, the electricity in the air had subsided tremendously. With the source gone, however, he no longer knew where he was supposed to go. The ground of Khaenri'ah was shifting and floating, gravity barely having any pull anymore. And the air was still, not even the strongest of his winds could stir it up. Something above the strength of the Archons had appeared.
Maybe the battle had ended and Celestia had pulled the trigger. Beelzebul might have honed some incredible technique that finished all resistance. Because there was no way Baal would have come here. Even if all Archons had been summoned, Baal was a shared title… And Ei would have never let Makoto leave Inazuma. That was the deal after all.
Those thoughts kept him in check. He only had to be logical for a while, this was a warzone after all. He ambled without any purpose, following the destroyed automatons towards no place in particular.
"I should go back to Mond—"
He never finished those words. There, he saw them. In a wasteland surrounded by death and machinery, only them caught his eyes. His body instinctively flinched, stepping back and tripping over some debris.
His heart in his throat, he clutched at the burning sensation in his chest. Every breath felt heavy and prickly. Noise, thoughts and all senses suddenly ceased working properly. That heavy, dreadful sensation that too many times had afflicted him was suddenly back and worse than before. That which he had kept buried ever since the fall of Decarabian suddenly bursted out. The emotions he had kept in check by drowning them in alcohol.
Pain, guilt and regret.
"Makoto!" His voice quavering, Venti didn't even notice that he was rushing towards them.
His winds opened a path through the graveyard of machines, giving him a clear view of the tragedy. Even in the cataclysm surrounding them, Barbatos could only focus on her pale figure embraced by her sister. Makoto's lifeless body looked no different from her usual appearance. In fact, it almost looked like she was still alive, sleeping peacefully like nothing was wrong.
But whether it was Ei's profound sobbing or his divine sense, he knew for a fact that Makoto was no longer here.
The Eternity she longed after seemed so far away at that moment.
The Freedom he enjoyed became a heavy weight that dragged him down.
He didn't notice his own tears until his knees buckled in front of Ei and Makoto. The former hadn't even noticed him until then.
Ei was talking or asking something from Venti, but he could only see her lips move and quiver. She hugged her sister's body. Her eyes were red and empty as tears flowed down her cheeks, the once-proud Beelzebul's aura seemed long gone.
The same Ei who always measured her reactions around him. Who never showed any weakness. To see her completely shatter like that only brought even greater pain upon Venti.
He touched Makoto's left hand. But the coldness of it had only paralysed him in terror. No body should feel that cold, not like that, not again. Whatever slight hope he had of somehow healing Makoto disappeared into the deepest abyss of his heart.
He tried to tell talk to Ei. No words came out. His throat had seized up, unable to move or even breathe. Venti could only silently cry as he held Makoto's hand, trying to warm it up in a worthless attempt to bring her back.
There were still so many things he wanted to do with her. If only he didn't assume that she'd be like the rest of the Archons, then perhaps they'd become friends sooner. Maybe they could have changed Inazuma or Mondstadt for the better. Or perhaps the whole of Teyvat and prevent this whole invasion from starting over.
Makoto loved humanity. They were a puzzle that she enjoyed figuring out. Maybe if he had realised that she would never find the same interest in him, he would have opened up more. She'd never end up in a place like this. Just like the loss of his friend with Decarabian, it had to be his fault.
He was just grasping at straws. Nothing he could imagine made any sense. It wouldn't bring her back either way.
The roar of the collapsing reality around them managed to break his train of thought. Not only the ground, but it also seemed the fabric of reality of Khaenri'ah was starting to come apart. Celestia's power suddenly jolted through his body.
"We… have to go." Venti stood up, his legs wobbling.
Grief-stricken, Ei didn't hear him either. There was nothing that would be able to break her out of her stasis. Surrounded by destruction, she could only nestle Makoto. Agonising over her sister's death, her eyes could barely produce any more tears. In that scenario, Venti could only stand and protect her from whatever could attack.
But that thought festered in his mind.
Protect her? Protect Ei and Makoto?
That was not his job. That was not what he promised to do. He'd protect Inazuma while Ei focused on Makoto. And he'd fulfilled his end of the deal.
This was not his mistake. No, it was quite clear. He had done everything Ei had told him. There was no reason for him to feel guilty when it was all her fault. The only mistake he had committed was placing her trust in her. There was no way he would have let somebody he cared about die again.
"You…" Venti shut his mouth tight, the faintest glimmer of rationality stopping him from lashing out. "Let's go. Get up!"
In a blink, the two sisters disappeared from his sight. There was little reaction from Venti besides complete frustration as he flew up into the air and followed the faint electro trail of Makoto's body. He didn't fly for more than a few seconds before he spotted them in a random floating chunk. Parts of the Khaenri'ah barrier were scattered around, seemingly making it impossible for Ei to properly maneuver around.
"What are you doing?" Venti landed next to her. "Can't you do anything right? Give me… Pass me Makoto. I'll fly us out."
They disappeared from his view again. Venti rushed behind them, finding Ei on another floating island not very far away.
"Ei!" He forcefully grabbed her shoulder, trying to stop her from moving. "Listen to me already. I'm trying to…" The words choked on his throat as he clenched his fists. Whatever semblance of rationality he had evaporated. "Why is she here? Why is Makoto here, huh?!"
Whether there was a change in Ei's broken, sorrowful expression, Venti had lost all restraint he had held in the past few seconds.
"One thing. I only asked one damn thing from you, and what the hell do you do? Disappoint everyone with your lacklustre response! You can do nothing but fight and even with that, you continue to fail! I spent that god-awful year with you just so that I could be with Makoto. And now, why? Why is Makoto…! Makoto…!" Venti lost strength in his grasp on Ei, slumping to the ground. His eyes glued to the destroyed Khaenri'ah landscape, he continued. "I should have never trusted you. I knew I was right in keeping my distance the moment I met you. All this time sucking up for what? I should have turned those islands red at the first chance I had."
Ei didn't try to answer, either because she couldn't or wouldn't.
"What? Nothing to say for yourself? Not going to jump away again? Makoto wasn't supposed to die. Nobody had ever thought of such a scenario. If anything, do you know who should be dead, huh? That one who can't do anything but murder and kill. That worthless sister who cannot do anything but die in battle. But it looks like you can't even do that right… Even when it should have been you who was dangling in Makoto's arms, why…?" He bit his own tongue, taking a moment of respite. "Were you not holding Makoto, I would have jumped at your throat already. So why are you standing there like a fool? Get out of here before I change my mind."
Venti didn't look up or wonder what expression her face had before she disappeared in lightning. Was she sad? Angry? He didn't care anymore. In that decaying world, he curled up and waited for whatever would come. Maybe an automaton would appear. Or some type of flying dragon again. Either or, he wasn't in the mood to do anything. Neither escape nor drink to his death.
His eyes, still wet and red, opened to a white void. The blank space he had entered after touching that Sacred Tree. He had felt brave and daring before facing his memories. Not anymore.
"Oh." Venti stood up, his legs wobbling momentarily. "I'm a horrible person."
"Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong. Freedom is to take responsibility for your own actions. Did you not tell this to Ei's spawn? And not only did you do wrong, but you also ran away like you've done countless times before."
A familiar voice suddenly reverberated through the blank space. Venti turned around to see himself, dressed in the Archon garments of millennia ago. A copy of Barbatos created by the odd properties of that dimension. His eyes shone with anemo energy as he floated silently, judgingly staring at Venti.
"That's the only thing we excel at, isn't it?" The Barbatos copy continued talking, circling Venti. "To run away and avoid dealing with our problems. When the Bard gave his life for the Revolution against Decarabian, you ignored that pain. When Vennessa was stolen away by Celestia for being too successful, you stayed quiet and subservient. When Makoto was killed for daring to dream, you blamed Ei and disappeared. Everyone you love is snatched away, and you do nothing to prevent it."
Barbatos stopped in front of Venti, pulling him up to his feet.
"You keep quiet, avoiding the truth once again. Running away." The copy continued. "Even after waking up after 500 years, you continue to do the same. You fled from Mondstadt. You ignored Dvalin. Why, did you not leave behind that Astrologer too? The Merchant? That Housekeeper? Because letting them come with you would have been a reminder of all your mistakes. The mistake of losing the people you love. That Ronin and the Kitsune have to be next on the list, aren't they?"
Venti averted his eyes, prompting Barbatos to grab his face and force Venti to look at him. "You know where this is going. This whole trip from Mondstadt to Inazuma was a farce. You wasted as much time as possible to avoid the truth, and I don't mean just Makoto's death." Barbatos released Venti before throwing him to the empty floor. "You left Ei behind. Alone. In solitude for 500 years, right after the worst thing that can happen to a family. All that fun, all those fond memories, ruined because of your weakness. You could have apologised immediately, fix your mistakes while they were still hot. But you were a coward. And now the steel is cold, and it will never shift again. And worst of all, you hide yourself behind the banners of freedom, revolution and justice for all. But Barbatos died the day you met Makoto, and we both know that right now those flags are bleached and torn. You're a worthless ingrate to the very bone."
"I know that," Venti muttered, turning on the ground.
"And there it is. That's the thing I hate the most about you. You know that your acts have hurt many close friends. You say you will fix them. But all you've done is make things worse. Mondstadt has been godless for centuries, with as many issues and threats towards their independence and freedom. You act and do nothing until the last moment, always putting down the fire but never addressing the issue. That's why Mondstadt is ruled by the military. That's why Vennessa disappeared. That's why Makoto is dead. That is why Ei has turned like this. But you know that it's your fault, so it's all good, isn't it?"
Barbatos summoned a gale that pinned Venti against the white void.
"All your interventions in foreign nations, all your appeals to the Archons… As Kunikuzushi said, they were mere bandaids. Because you know that freedom is not possible as long as they exist. With Celestia gawking down at you, there will never be true freedom. Makoto understood this. She knew as well that her precious Eternity and her cherished humanity were useless as long as they existed. So she acted, alone. Because you were too ensnared by her beauty, her affable being… All lost, because you couldn't take a damn hint. She wanted your Revolution to be aimed at Celestia. And seeing your complete salivating idiocy, she was willing to do it alone. Makoto died because she dared to dream against Celestia's Principles. Because that was the right thing to do. Because she valued humanity more than any other thing, even her sister. That's why Makoto never loved you."
With an angry scowl, Barbatos walked towards Venti and stomped his foot on his chest.
"Don't you see the pattern? The Bard, Vennessa, Makoto… All of them fought and died for what they believed. Even after all those awful things you told Ei, she took the role of Baal to the best of her abilities. Everyone she loved was gone, and she still stuck true to her ideals to protect Inazuma. And you? What have you to show? A broken, drunken mess that forgot his ideals. It's better to live for a cause than to die for it, did you say that? You aren't living for any cause but spite." Barbatos removed his feet from Venti and summoned an even greater gust of wind above him. "So I will ask you a question. I will only ask it once, so pay attention."
Why did you come to Inazuma?
"You knew all this, even if you tried your best to not notice it. You knew Ei hated you. You knew that freedom and revolution were a faraway dream. And still, you chose the cries of Inazuma to be the straw that broke the camel's back." Barbatos crouched down next to Venti's head. "You could have stayed in Mondstadt. Nurture the Freedom that they fought for and protect your old friend Dvalin. Use your wisdom to create a better generation that would be better than ever, so they could prevent the mistakes of the past. But you left. So answer me. Now."
Unable to move against the endless tide, Venti could do nothing but think about the words of his alter-ego. Because why did he do it? Like Miko mentioned, he wasn't sure if everything was because of Ei, Makoto or Inazuma.
Throughout the whole trip from Mondstadt to Liyue, he had tried to avoid the issue altogether. Ignatz, Mona, Xiao, Kunikuzushi, Xiangling, Zhongli, Beidou… All of them believed his journey was for one thing or another. A mere traveller, a travelling troubadour, a naïve soul, a vengeful God or a callous Archon. Were any of their descriptions right? Was the trip meaningful at all?
"I… want to apologise," Venti said, unsure. "And stop the Vision Hunt Decree."
Barbatos cracked in laughter. "Seriously? You don't deserve forgiveness. You know that. Do you even know all the hell that has been going on for the past 500 years? This is not about Ei's tyranny. How many years have we heard the voices of the downtrodden travelling through the wind? And how many times did we act? None. Zero."
"Shut up." Venti's eyes widened as he clenched his jaw. "From Snezhnaya to Inazuma, people continue to suffer every day. But if I goad them into rebellion, then they're just being switching one God for another."
"An apple does not fall unless you shake the tree. And that's not what I asked. You cannot switch topics with me. I am you." Barbatos stood up, transforming the gusts of winds into tornados. "Answer me."
Ei, Makoto or Inazuma? What was it? What did Venti truly want? Everything? Nothing? Only one of those things? Questions, questions and questions. He awoke because he was tired of suffering alone. Because the cries of the repressed awoke him. But what was it? That answer didn't sit well with him. He could feel the wind carry so many words, so many desires that they got all muddled together. That wind from a month ago, that wind that woke him up. In there laid his answer.
Venti breathed in the wild air around the tornados. Air was the only thing that could reach the farthest point of his mind. So he just yelled the first thing that the air brought out.
"In that sorrowful wind, filled with grief, sorrow and hate, I heard Ei's voice."
A new rush of wind suddenly fought back against the tornados of Barbatos.
"After trying to keep Makoto's Inazuma for so long, she decided to follow her own path. And… as crooked and wrong as it could be, it was her choice. And so, I remembered… That's it! I want to see Ei! And make sure that Makoto never died in vain! Because you're right! God of Freedom, Revolution, Storms, Anemo…?! Since when have I cared about titles? I am the Archon who wants the people to rule themselves, free from any divine interference! That includes me, Ei, Morax… but most importantly, Celestia!"
Fighting against the eternal wind currents, Venti's knees almost buckled against the pressure of the downward winds, but he forced himself to stand up.
"I travelled through Stone Gate, to Wangshu Inn to Liyue Harbour, reminiscing about everything I've done. Barbatos, the champion of Freedom, had been lost in that sea of grief so many centuries ago. Because you are right. Makoto's lightning was so bright that I was blinded, making me push aside the true Freedom I aspired for." Venti dragged his feet, moving towards Barbatos. "But my thoughts are not controlled by regret anymore. I will not run away. Even if I will never be Ei's friend again, I will make sure she moves on. Inazuma will be free, and therefore Ei as well. And after that, she will continue Makoto's will and give humanity the chance to be blissful! Because I am Barbatos, the meddling buffoon who wants everyone to be happy and free, no matter of borders!"
"You can't depend on the man who made the mess to clean it up." The copy retorted, pushing back against Venti's winds. "You continue to neglect yourself while taking herculean tasks. You will only…"
"Neglect myself? The opposite is the issue. I thought all of this was because of me, so I tried to push away anyone who tried to help me. I believed that everything, from Makoto's death to Ei's actions, was my fault. Your wording has been very precise in that, my dear self. But that couldn't be any further from the truth." Venti approached the copy and held him firmly by the shoulders. "Ei's isolation and whatever sequels she may have are my fault. And I will make that right, even if I have to shove that Kitsune into Ei's arms. But that's my only error. Makoto was killed by Celestia, of that I'm sure. And Ei didn't throw this country into a civil war because of me."
"You're lying to yourself."
"Stop worrying." Venti hugged Barbatos. "Everything will go alright. Even if it doesn't, it won't be the end of the world."
Barbatos' form faded into the wind and was absorbed by Venti. The strong winds slowly calmed down, no longer being directed at him. With that, Venti controlled his breath and rubbed his still-wet eyes.
"Is this what you wanted, Makoto?"
Miko had silently observed Venti when he approached the Sacred Sakura. He couldn't have been out of her sight for more than a blink. But the moment he touched the bark, lightning suddenly infused his body. The gales around the Grand Shrine turned into a whirlwind around him. The cherry blossoms danced around his figure before dropping gently as the wind stopped abruptly.
Still wearing the leaf coat of the Kazemaru disguise, he flew upwards towards the skies. A few moments later, he landed in front of Miko. He threw aside the clutch he was using to seem taller, and his two hands appeared out of his coat.
"I can count to ten again." Venti removed the owl mask. "Ei is still in Ritou. Tomorrow, I will appear in Inazuma City and return all visions to their owners. The moment I use my powers to that extent, she will notice and appear either in Tenshukaku or nearby. If you don't hear from me after twelve, I probably got split in two. Now that you know this, we're accomplices. So don't let me die." Venti hovered towards the roof of the Grand Shrine. "In the meantime, I'm going to nap. Go help the Ronin, will you? Pretty please?"
Had she not trained for these situations, she would have been properly stunned. "You were an uncertain mess a few minutes ago. What happened with the Sacred Sakura?"
"Nothing that they should hear."
Venti winked at Miko while pointing at her with finger guns. She only sighed and wondered if all Archons were so hard to deal with. In but a minute, the insecure and sickly God had switched into the confident and carefree Archon that differed from her memories. Whatever the reason, fate itself had changed in front of her eyes. And the several plans she had figured out were no longer useful.