Venti teleported them to Starsnatch Cliff,
Where many Cecilias and now (also) Glaze Lilies grew...
-...This place is...-Xiao whispered in confusion upon recognizing the location, before moving to look towards the now happy Archon. -Lord Barbatos...Venti, why did you bring me here...? -He asked in even more confusion, as the Archon was now sitting on a nearby rock. -...I thought that you needed my help, so why did you...?
-To repay you for all your help, of course! -Venti interrupted him, as he summoned a familiar flute, a warm smile soon on his face now. -You might say that all you did was repay me for saving you from your Karmic Debt back then, that somehow it's still not enough. But to me, what you did helped my people and nation, which I am very grateful for. -He explained while taking the flute in his hands and inspecting it. - Truthfully, I am still shocked that after everything that happened to you, this is your greatest wish. But, if it helps you have a peace of mind and shows how grateful I am for everything you did for me and my people lately, then I am going to play for you. For as long as I can. - The Archon explained to the now shocked Yaksha, who also looked like he was getting embarrassed. -That being said, I will be glad to see you dance, Xiao!
He happily said, before processing to play the flute,
A familiar and gentle melody to them both soon filled the air...
-...I...I don't deserve such a...-Xiao mumbled in shock, overwhelmed both by the Archon's words and the nostalgic tune, the Glaze Lilies around them starting to bloom. -...I am a sinner...! I shouldn't...! -He tried to protest, but the music soon drowned out his words, making him realize that it was futile to try changing the Archon's decision. -...I accept this proposal, Venti. No, Lord Barbatos. I will be glad to dance to your music, one which you graciously decided to share with a sinner such as myself.
The Yaksha finally said in deep gratitude,
Before getting into position, summoning his mask and finally starting to dance...
*Thankful to the Archon for granting him his greatest wish and soon finding peace,
The tune of the music itself giving him a sense of freedom, calmness and belonging...
A feeling of peace which ended way too soon, even though many hours have passed since then,
Xiao was now standing between a sea of Glaze Lilies, as Venti was talking to their sudden arrival...
"Venti, I am sorry for interrupting your date," Vennessa started in an apologetic voice, both her and the Archon oblivions to the Yaksha's sudden embarrassment, "...But there is a matter in the city that requires your attention!", She explained before sighing, "It's Scaramouche, 6th of the Fatui Harbringers. He asks to speak with you and refuses to elaborate further. The others are having a hard time keeping Diluc from starting a fight with him."
There was silence for a while, as the Archon looked confused,
Wondering if he heard her right or there was something wrong with his hearing...
"Your hearing is perfectly fine, Barbatos. There is one of Tsaritsa's Harbringers in the city and he is demanding to see you, as soon as possible.", the winds told him moments later, sounding increasingly concerned, "...He and Master Diluc of the Dawn Winery look like they are going to kill each other any minute now...!"
...
That's...
...
That sounds pretty bad!
- WE SHOULD GO THERE RIGHT AWAY! -Venti yelled out in panic, before glancing towards Xiao, his expression now becoming apological. -...I am sorry Xiao, I planned to spend some more time with you, but now I have to...
-It's okay, Venti. I am not mad. -The Yaksha interrupted him, his expression grateful and warm. -On the contrary, I'm thankful to you for granting me my greatest wish and helping me relax. Thanks to the time we spend together, the vengeful voices in my head are now quiet and I can finally feel some peace.
He then explained, his words so truthful that Venti started blushing again,
As he remembered the Yaksha's extremely emotional speech to him, from a few hours ago...
-...I...Yes...I am glad that you are feeling better now Xiao...-The Archon couldn't help but awkwardly say, before coughing slightly and turning around. -...Let's just go, shall we...? The more we dawdle, the more...Huh...? -He was surprised by a few Abyss monsters appearing, who not even a few seconds later disintegrated from a ranged attack. -...Huuuuuuuuuuh…?! W-what just happened...?! -He asked moments later, looking dumbfounded at the spot where the monsters were only seconds ago. -...T-they just...! A-and a few seconds later...! W-WHAT IN CELESTIA'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE…?!
-It seems like the attack came from there. -Xiao seriously said as he pointed to the South, still alertly holding onto the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear he summoned moments ago. -And looking at it's effects, I can say for sure that it was dragon breath.
"The attack just now was actually one of Durin's, the new Dragon of the East.", the winds admitted, their voice unreadable, "After you left Dragonspine, battle nun Rosaria..."Asked" him to watch over you from afar and intervene in case something happens."
...
So, basically speaking,
Everyone got so overprotective of him that they had a literal dragon watch over his safety...
*Even though he got stronger from everyone's faith and already had escorts in the form of Liyue's Yaksha and one of the four winds...
...
That was definitely overdoing it, seriously...!
...
"But, can you really blame them, Venti...?", Vennessa told him, sounding sad and concerned, "...After everything that happened to you, the fear of you dying is extremely strong in everyone's hearts...", then she paused, before sighing deeply, "...It's basically trauma. One that is deeply engraved in many of us now. I know that you are stronger now, but the Abyss Order actively tried to kill you and almost succeeded..."
...
He knew that already,
How he knew that...
...
...
He had to be very careful to not give his people any more grief,
So that hopefully, in the future, they will be alright again...
After again being reminded that his people were extremely overprotective of him now,
Venti, together with Xiao and Vennessa soon teleported back to the city...
...
Only to hear very loud yelling from the direction of the KoF headquarters,
As a voice that sounded like Diluc's and another unfamiliar one were throwing insults at each other...
*Which were so harsh that all the children in the area had their ears covered, either by their own hands or the adults'.
...
-...What in Celestia's name...?! -Venti commented upon hearing the insults and wondering how the two still didn't kill each other, even if they were held back. Something that could change any minute now...! -...I... We should go there right now!
It didn't take them long to reach the scene, as they teleported inside of the room in a rush of adrenaline,
Noticing right away as Varka was holding the Harbinger up by the collar, while Jean was holding Diluc back,
All of them pausing in what they were doing upon noticing the arrivals, awkward silence soon enveloping the room...
-Finally you are here! -Scaramouche said moments later, still hanging above the ground. -You can let me go already, you know! Being held up like this is extremely insulting! -He yelled towards Varka moments later, who soon let him go, the Harbringer falling down hard on his ass. -You don't want to know what I would have done if I didn't need your Archon's help!
-Finally showing your true colors, you Fatui scum! -Diluc started yelling right away with a fuming expression, as he was struggling in Jean's hold, ready to pounce on the other. - If you dare do anything, then I promise to take care of you, thoroughly. I will make sure to kill you in the most painful way possible, so that not even ashes remain from your cold dead body.
-...YOU WOULD DARE?! DON'T YOU INGRATE KNOW WHO I AM?! -The Harbringer then yelled out, also fuming and it soon became a "yelling match part 2" between the two enraged men.
"...Well, at least they are not destroying Mondstadt in their rage ...?", the winds wondered aloud, trying to sound reassuring, as Varka returned to holding the Harbringer up by the collar, "They are being held back, but still...Considering how master Diluc of Dawn Winery is and how much of a jerk this 6th of the Fatui Harbringers seem to be, they are acting surprisingly civil to each other..."
...
This insult shouting match was civil...?
...
SERIOUSLY...?!
"Considering who the two participants are...", Vennessa said, as she was now sitting on the Archon's shoulder, watching the mess before her, "...I will have to agree with the winds and say that yes, they are being surprisingly civil right now."
...
Seriously...
-Shouldn't someone stop those two...? -Xiao then said, looking displeased. -...They are starting to get on my nerves...-The Yaksha admitted, his expression darkening considerably. -...At least the Fatui, no one should mind it if I murder him right here and now.
He said in all seriousness and that was the moment Venti realized he should stop this,
He was the one whom the Fatui originally wanted to speak to, right...?
-Okay, let's stop here. -The Archon said as he teleported between the two enraged men, before turning to look towards the now calmer Scaramouche. -You said that you wanted to meet me. What kind of "help" do you need from me...?
The Harbringer widely smiled at that,
Before taking out a certain chess piece and showing it to the other...
-Oh, nothing much, just need someone to use this Gnosis to reactivate all Electro Visions. -Scaramouce said with a smirk, which only grew upon seeing the Archon's now shocked expression. -...Since Kaedehara Kazuha was able to temporarily reactivate his dead friend's Vision, it stands to reason that the Anemo Archon might be able to affect the Electro Gnosis. -He explained, suddenly getting serious. -...And considering all the reports I was handed of your "situation" in the recent months, are you entirely sure that Anemo is the only power you are able to use...? -He then smiled widely upon hearing everyone's sudden gasps. -...The power of Anemo shouldn't have been enough to bring you back from the dead. There must be some other power that made that possible, isn't that right...? One that belongs to a long "forgotten" god, perhaps...?
Everyone were shocked and confused by the Harbringer's last words,
Especially the Archon whom he was just speaking to...
...
Anemo wasn't the only power he could use...?
...
So, when he revived back then,
And the instance with the Glaze Lilies...
...
"...It's because of the Equivalent Exchange.", the winds slowly explained, "When she brought you back to life 500 years ago, some of her power seemed to have gotten infused and is lying dormant inside of you ."
...
What in Celestia's name…?
...
-...I-I don't fully understand what you mean by that. But if there is a chance I might be able to reactivate all the Electro Visions, then I will gladly try. -Venti finally said, his expression serious and determined, as he took the Gnosis from the now standing Harbringer. -...Truthfully, I can't even begin to imagine how this might work out. Do I just wish for those Visions to reactivate...? Do I have to meditate instead...? Because I am not really into all that "sitting still, doing nothing" thing, you know...! Like that time when I decided to be the Acting Grandmaster instead of Jean for a week...It didn't really work out and I got kind of crazy in the end, broke a few doors, scared everyone and then…!
"Venti, calm down. You are rambling.", Vennessa interrupted him, sounding confused and slightly concerned, "...It's fine if you fail at this "Electro Visions reactivating". Because to tell you the truth, this whole idea seems utterly insane."
"Yes, it is. Logically, it should be.", the winds commented, their voice unreadable, "...But logic, as we already know, does not always seem to work. Especially for Archons."
"...So what you are saying, is that there is a chance this will actually work...?", Vennessa wondered in rising confusion, "...And this "forgotten god" that he spoke of, you know who that actually is, don't you...?"
There was silence for a few seconds after her words...
"...Yes, we do. But we can't tell you or Barbatos will know too.", the winds finally said, sounding concerned, "...Because then he would remember her, which would break the Equivalent Exchange condition and then…!"
"...What will...? Oh...", Vennessa quietly said, her voice soon also getting concerned, "...To think that I would forget about that, what a bad friend I am...Yes, it's better not to know, rather than the alternative..."
...
They did know that he could hear them, right...?
But, it still helped him not to think that this was just a waste of time...
...
Maybe, if he puts his soul into this task,
No matter how crazy it seems, he would be able to...
...
...
Bring back the physical representation of people's ambitions,
The hopes and dreams they harbor deep inside their beings...
...
Which would then continue living on,
Passing down through generations,
In the unchanging Eternity of Time...
-...Just as I thought, it seems to be working again. -Scaramouche then said, as he motioned to the now shining Gnosis. -...But rather than reactivating all those Electro Visions, it appears more like the Visions were brought back to the Time before their deactivation...-He noted before taking the Gnosis back, looking very smug with himself. -...An interesting way to use another Archon's Gnosis. This knowledge will surely help me in my own "plan"...-He mumbled shortly afterwards, as everyone else were still shocked by what just happened. -...Oh, I almost forgot. This is from one of yours or rather was from one of yours. Who knows what she actually became after these past 500 years...-The Harbringer then continued, as he gave the still shocked Archon a certain hourglass. -Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, I am sure that you know of the name...? -He asked, nodding at the now even more shocked Archon's expression. -Signora, "The moth", who turned out to be "The Crimson Witch of Flames", died for her "burning" ambition. Quite ironic, isn't it...? -He continued in intrigue, before suddenly getting a little mad. -Whatever, hopefully she won't come back again. She was so annoying, thinking that she's better than everyone else and acting all high and mighty!
The now very annoyed Harbringer continued,
Soon going into a tirade about his "associate" and what a bitch she was...
*Which the Archon wasn't listening to, at all,
As he was deep in thought about the news he was recently told.
...
So, after Rostam died,
Rosalyne, she…
*From a young maiden who loved to sing,
Who was once so bright, full of life and love...
...
She changed so much, a husk of her former self,
To think that the hateful Signora was once her...
*Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine her becoming so vengeful,
Seeing everyone who is weaker below herself...And with so much hate...
...
...
Yet, she still kept this hourglass,
As the only reminder of her dead lover.
*One he wasn't able to save...
"...Barbatos, you shouldn't blame yourself for it...At the time of his death, you were...!", the winds sadly told him, before sighing deeply, "...You couldn't have stopped his death, no matter how much you wish you did. And considering where exactly he was at the time, where even gods have died, neither could we..."
Still, him failing his people like this...
...
What does his "freedom" really amounts to,
When he is not around when it truly matters...?
...
...
But, it's in the past now, it can no longer be changed,
The only thing he can do now is try to be a better Archon, while keeping their memory alive...
*And this hourglass: "The Witch's End Time", once he repairs it, would serve as a memento of who they once were…
...
-So this is where you were, Kunikuzushi. Is the Electro Gnosis reactivated now...? -A female voice was then heard, as there was a sudden static in the air and a purple haired woman soon appeared in the room, looking towards Scaramouche who showed her the Gnosis, before spotting Venti, her expression soon turned confused. -...Barbatos, you were the one who did it...? How could that be possible?! You are still the Anemo Archon, right...?
-...Raiden?! How are you...?! -Venti asked back, also looking shocked and confused. -...Weren't you supposed to be dead?! How are you still alive now?!
-The puppet was the one who was killed, while I was stuck inside of the Plane of Euthymia. -She answered him, before looking towards the shining Electro Gnosis again. -...Barbatos, tell me, being the Anemo Archon, how did you manage to reactivate it...?
There was silence for a while, as Venti looked towards her strangely...
-Wait, hold on...! -He then said, still looking extremely confused. -What was that about a puppet...? And you were "Stuck inside of the Plane of Euthymia"...? I thought you were just brainwashed by the Abyss...?!
...
"Well, uh...It's actually "quite" complicated.", the winds awkwardly said, sounding a little confused themselves, "Based on what we heard from the Inazumian winds, it's quite a long story..."
-Heh, I didn't expect to see you back so soon. -Scaramouche then said, as he looked towards the arrival, before putting back the Electro Gnosis. -I thought you were still in the process of making yourself a new body...?
-...Why, yes, I have. Which took much longer than it would have been if I was still in possession of the Electro Gnosis...-She answered, suddenly looking a little embarrassed. -...It just so happens that there appeared a reason for me to quicken the pace.
There was silence for a few moments after her words...
-...You were bribed by desserts, weren't you...? -Venti then said, his expression slightly teasing when he saw her blush deepen, before it became serious again. -But first, what exactly happened to you and how are you still alive...?
-This talk is going to take a while, so I am leaving. There is nothing else for me to do here anyway. -Scaramouche said, as he turned around and began walking to the door. -Before I go back, just so you know...-He suddenly said upon turning his head to look towards Venti. -The Tsaritsa is still planning to get her hands on the Anemo Gnosis, but decided to give you a favor and wait until she has all the others' first, so that you still have time to become stronger. -He informed the Archon, before turning back to the door. -Considering the many times that your life was in danger during those last months and her working specifically against Celestia, she has no need for the deaths of fellow Archons.
And with that message delivered, he soon exited the room.
-I am going to make sure that the Fatui leaves the city. Don't worry, I am not going to do anything rash this time. -Diluc said moments later, before exiting the room after him.
After the confusion of what just happened wore down, the two Archons finally started with their information exchange…