There was deadly silence in the room...
-...Barbatos, so you can use Time powers due to this "Equivalent Exchange" and that's how you managed to "revive" the Electro Gnosis and Visions. -Ei mumbled moments later, looking both thoughtful and serious. -...This is also part of the reason for your survival until now. You even managed to come back to life, return from near death and be able to survive a lethal "attack" by the Abyss Order. -She then frowned, her brows furrowing considerably. -... For someone who represents Freedom, you seem to be representing Eternity better than myself, the goddess of Eternity. -She then glared slightly towards him. - It's as if you are trying to take my place, Barbatos.
-I would have to say the same to you. I can understand your loss, as we all lost someone. That is our burden as Archons. But your actions, I fail to understand them... -Venti told her, also looking thoughtful and serious, a frown starting to appear on his face. -First you created a prototype puppet whom you just let go afterwards, who joined the Fatui as a Harbringer. Second, you created a puppet in your image, one that can be easily manipulated by outside forces, to rule over Inazuma, all the while you are meditating inside the Plane of Euthymia. -He noted, his frown deepening. -Your decisions brought dire problems to every single island in Inazuma, the puppet you put in charge not having the capacity to care for any of it and those problems becoming even worse the more time went by. Then that same puppet was tricked by the Kujou Clan and the Fatui into initiating and maintaining the Vision Hunt Decree, brainwashed and used by the Abyss Order to kill those who are "unneeded to the vision of Eternity" and many more dire consequences. All the while you got stuck in your "safe space", unable to do anything as things escalated even further...-He then sighed, before looking towards her in slight rage. - For the goddess who "promised her people an unchanging Eternity", you are really bad at keeping your promise : If not for the traveler's help in the many problems of your land, Inazuma would have already been long destroyed by now.
There was some quiet after this small exchange,
The two Archons' now looking each other up and down...
-...From the very first moment I met you, I could somehow sense that we were not going to get along. -Ei commented, before sighing deeply. -But, I can understand what you mean. Destruction is the enemy of Eternity and my actions seemed to have indirectly caused just that. Especially during the last year, when the puppet was brainwashed by the Abyss Order and I found myself unable to leave the Plane of Euthymia. When I see them next, I should thank the traveler for preventing Inazuma's destruction. -She slowly admitted, looking and sounding conflicted. -... My pursuit of Eternity, was it wrong after all...? But, I can't deny that the nation is now in shambles, much of the land destroyed and many people dead or badly wounded. -She now also started looking confused. - ...But next to Eternity, human lives are already so fleeting. Whatever they die now or later, is there really any difference…? Their wellbeing and ambition, how important are they really…?
She then mumbled, looking and sounding increasingly confused, as her words soon became too quiet to hear...
"... All this time, possibly until a year and a few months ago, the Electro Archon "Baal" really thought that her decisions were right...", the winds commented, their voices unreadable, "...That as long as the nation's Eternity is maintained, nothing else actually matters...", there was a pause for a few seconds, "...Not even the lives of the Inazumian people, who see it as their home..."
...
Venti was shocked by the winds' words,
As were everyone else in the room who could hear them...
...
Pursuing an ideal was one thing...
...
But seeing it as the only thing that was important,
Building your whole life around this ideal alone...
*And even forcing others into pursuing it too...
-...The traveler was right, the Electro Archon doesn't seem like she cares much for her own people...-Jean quietly and sadly commented, thinking of how many Inazumian people must have gotten hurt and/or killed during this whole mess. -...Thinking that humans' lives are irrelevant just because of our smaller lifespans...
-...A human lifespan might be fleeting and your mortal traditions weird...-Xiao commented, looking towards Ei in disapproval. -...But I can honestly tell you that many of you deserve my respect: acknowledging your love and hard work to your respective nations, to the Seven and to each other...
"And for how much you mortals helped my saviors…", was left unsaid.
The room was then enveloped into eerie silence,
As everyone waited for the Electro Archon to come out of her musings…
-I have come to a decision. As my earlier pursuit of Eternity seemed to have failed, I will search for a better way to reach it. -Ei said a minute or two later, looking extremely serious. -It also appears that I have to take care of Inazuma's restoration, as well as the people's morale and wellbeing. And also to prepare for the arrival of the Snezhnaya's diplomats due to the matter with Signora and the previous Delusion distribution.
She thoughtfully said, realizing that there were a lot of things she had to take care of now.
Or she could leave it to the new puppet and meditate in the Plane of Euthymia again...?
...
But, it didn't go so well last time,
And now her nation's Eternity is crumbling...
...
Because of her own mistakes,
Her failure of keeping the nation Eternal,
Just the way that Makoto would have wanted...
*Whose death she couldn't get over even now,
Even 500 years later after she was killed...
...
…
Didn't many humans also lose their lives during this year and a few months...?
Didn't many of them lose their own family and friends...Just like her...?
...
...
Because of her decisions,
Just like her and her sister,
Just like her and her friends...
…
-...I should also try to make amends with everyone who suffered due to my decisions. Who also lost their families and friends, just like I have lost Makoto, Sasayuri, Chiyo and Saiguu...-She then sadly continued in dawning realization at the fact that just like her, all those humans who lost their loved ones might never get over it. As someone who shut herself after the loss of her own twin, she knew this feeling well... -...Human lives might be fleeting, but they know loss just as we do. And I am responsible for their loss. Why didn't I realize this before...? Was I so adamant about pursuing Eternity that I was blind to this...Truth...? -She continued in shock, looking extremely confused now. -... But, Eternity is...And Mortals and Immortals are...We are actually similar...? I was wrong this whole time...? But, I am the "Almighty Narukami Ogosho", there is no way that I was wrong...Right...? For a god, there is no way that I...But my earlier pursuit of Eternity failed...And...
And then she went into a long confused speech about everything,
Looking and feeling as if all she knew suddenly shattered before her...
It was a few minutes later and Ei was still standing in place,
Mumbling to herself about things like Mortals, Immortals, Eternity and about being wrong, but she couldn't be wrong, but her Eternity failed and the nation and people got hurt and they are going to grieve from loss just as she grieved for her sister and...
-Standing around here and doing nothing is a complete waste of time. Especially not for someone like her. -Xiao commented, looking towards the aforementioned Archon in annoyance. -She might as well get killed again, for all I care. Teyvat would have one less annoyance then. -He then turned to look towards Venti, his expression changing considerably, which the others noticed right away. -I will be helping out around the city. Call my name if you need anything, Venti.
He dutifully said before teleporting away,
The room was enveloped in silence for some time after his departure...
-...Well, considering that "Baal" is still having an existential crisis and it would be rude of me to suddenly leave while she is in this state...-Venti started, as he looked towards her in thought, before moving to look between Jean, Varka and Vennessa. -...We can talk about Ludi Harpastum! Gygax is going to hold the Windtrace this year and master Diluc will make sure that the drinking competition goes well~ -He continued in a more joyous voice, his eyes starting to shine now. -But, what about all those new apple dishes Grace talked about...? Are they going to be included in the festival too...?
-...Uh, yes. We planned to produce some of those dishes for the festival. -Jean answered him, a little surprised at his sudden enthusiasm. -And we also planned to create more dishes with Sunsettias, Wolfhooks and Berries. -Which they had an abundance of thanks to the nation's favorable climate...Thanks to the Archon before her. -...There are already some new recipes for drinks and desserts with those ingredien...
-You came up with recipes for new desserts?! Do you already have some of them made?! -A female voice interrupted her explanation, as Ei literally teleported into their discussion. -I will buy them all, savor their uniqueness and promptly open the "Sweets trade" between Inazuma and Mondstadt! -She declared in all seriousness, before suddenly pausing, soon starting to look a little sheepish. -...I may have forgotten to ask the Tri-Commission for Mora beforehand and might have to wait with this decision due to Yae manipulating events so that I am under "house arrest" now…! Even though I wanted to taste some new Mondstadtian desserts... -She then mumbled, before her expression turned determined, as she started to teleport away. - I will be going for now. But I will be sure to send someone to buy all of those sweets, so you better prepare a lot of them!
Was last heard as the static in the room disappeared,
Everyone standing in different states of confusion and shock at what just happened...
…
"...When it came to Eternity, Inazuma and her people, the Raiden Shogun had an existential crisis. But when it came to desserts, she became so enthusiastic..." , the winds wondered aloud moments later, "...Also...Is the "Archons being broke" becoming tradition...? Even the Geo Archon, who created Mora, has others buy things for him..."
"And the "Archons being under house arrest" also seems to be tradition." , Vennessa contributed, sounding increasingly intrigued, "Aren't you relieved that you are not the only one under "house arrest", Venti?"
She asked him in a teasing voice,
To which the Archon blinked for a few seconds...
*Wondering if she was actually teasing him just now or he heard her wrong,
The usually serious Vennessa actually had a sense of humor...?
...
But, she wasn't wrong...
-...Yes, I am actually glad that I am not the only one under "House arrest". -Venti finally admitted, his expression soon becoming sad. -...Though I do know why it's necessary. There is no telling what the Abyss Order plans to do next. Then there's the Fatui…-He quietly continued, his voice getting quieter by the last sentence. -... And then there's the guys in Celestia itself with their huge chess board called "Teyvat"...
...
This world...
*Their plaything...
Plaything...
...
Is it even real...?
Is it real...?
Is it just a prototype...?
A prototype...?
*A prototype of what...?
What is their end objective...?
…
"Barbatos, what are you suddenly...?!", the winds tried to ask in complete confusion and shock.
"Every mighty and ancient city, and every austere place of sacrifice must one day return to profundity in the earth.
All prosperity must someday end.
But this does not mean that nothing is eternal.
At the end of a cycle, the earth shall be renewed. Thus eternity is cyclical."
...
It's nature cyclical...
Cyclical...
...
"Venti...? What do you mean...?", Vennessa asked in shock, but got no reply, " You are starting to scare me...!"
Humanity thriving and prospering under Celestia's gaze,
Before it all comes to an end...
To an end...
...
The earth renewed,
And the circle begins anew...
Begins anew...
...
...
Again...
...
And again...
...
And again it goes...
...
Round and round the circle goes...
Round and round it goes...
...
No matter what they all do,
No matter how hard they work to better things...
...
*Even with tears and blood,
With tears and blood
Even while making a thousand sacrifices…
A thousand sacrifices
...
In the end,
It doesn't matter...
Doesn't matter
...
In the end,
Everything will be ERASED...
EVERYTHING will be ERASED
...
And the circle will begin anew...
Will begin anew...
...
...
To those "guys" in Celestia
...
Everything and Everyone in "Teyvat"
...
...
...
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At the time of V̶̳͚̜͔̣̺͛̾̊̇̑̓̐͘e̷̞͚̟͙̋̏̊͒͌̆̀̓̅̃͂̚͝͝͠n̶̨͎͙̯̬̳̹̭̖̯̙͙̦̪͙̓́͘͠t̷̡̝̺̣̹̬͙̐̌͜͜i̶̡͇͉̙̙̤̤͂̉̑̈̌̉̽͊̓(?) suddenly being increasingly creepy,
The citizens of Mondstadt were preparing for the "Welcome Back" party...
-...I can't help thinking that we might be going too far with this. -Diluc noted in a thoughtful voice, as he was motioning to Fritz, Ben and Magar where to adorn the many Cecillias they brought. -That stupid bard...No, Archon. We already "broke" him twice today. Organizing this "welcome back" party too, might be too much for him. -After that whole speech a few hours ago, this might just break him again...Though, it might actually help them all instead...-...But, I suppose that doing this will finally get the message that everyone here cares for him, even when he is being annoying and dramatic. And afterwards he will hopefully stop blaming himself for what the Abyss Order did. -He continued before sighing. -...Feeling guilty for those monsters' actions...I still can't understand it…
-Lord Barbatos...Venti is just way too gentle, thinking about others more than about himself. -Xiao said in a conflicted voice, as he was moving a table. -...And while this makes me want to follow and protect him that much more...I wish that he would accept any form of kindness shown towards him, without degrading himself by reminding of his "many failures"...
-...Lor...Venti seems to be doing much better at this now. Before this, especially during and after the Fatui invasion…-Sara sadly said, as she was decorating the newly brought table. -Hopefully after everyone's rousing words a few hours ago, he will drop this bad "habit" altogether.
-That's one of the reasons why we are hosting the "welcome back" party for him. -Grace added, as she was helping with the table decoration. -To make Lord Barbatos understand once and for all that we love him, are grateful for everything he did for us and don't blame him for things out of his control, especially not for what the Abyss Order did!
She loudly declared, while putting some plates on the table,
As a few feet away from them, another discussion was taking place...
-Razor thankful to Venti. Venti made Vision shine again. -Razor commented, as he was helping move the furniture. -With lighting tooth. Razor protect Lypical again!
-And he helped bring Ozzy back! Just when I thought that I would never see him again! -Fischl happily added, as she was helping him out.
-What mein Fräulein means is...Wait, what...?! -Oz started before pausing in shock, soon looking towards her with wide eyes. -...Mein Fräulein, are you feeling alright...?
He then slowly asked her, sounding a little concerned,
To which he got a small and cheery chuckle as a reply.
-Such sweet darlings~ -Lisa commented from a few feet away, as she was watching them and everyone else decorating the place. -...Everyone here is so adorable, working so hard to bring up our cute Archon's spirits~ -She then paused in thought, before taking her Vision down and looking at it for a few seconds. -...A reactivated Electro Vision. I should be able to use my powers as the "Witch of Purple Rose" again. Even if I don't have much time left, maybe a few months...? -She then sighed upon putting the Vision back. -...But, how did the cutie do it...? With what kind of forgotten power...? Why was it forgotten to begin with...? And why does it feel like this is just the start...? -She then paused, suddenly feeling weird. Like something was wrong, but she had no idea what...-...A start...? A start of what...?
"...We are not entirely sure, but it must be those "guys at Celestia" fault...", the winds commented, sounding increasingly worried, "...Barbatos suddenly got all weird and creepy and started saying some very unsettling things...!"
...
The librarian was quiet for a few seconds,
Thinking of what they just told her...
…
The cutie got "all weird and creepy"...?
He started saying some "very unsettling things"...?
*And the things he said were so unsettling, that even the winds who joined him during the Archon war got increasingly worried…?
...
...
Those "unsettling things",
What were they exactly...?