Published: 07/27/21

Act I - Chapter V

Part III

A Long Night

There was something right in sharing a comfortable silence with someone. Especially those who are close to you.

Ningguang was happily munching on her Bamboo Shoot Soup, eager at the company of whom she greatly respects. Mister Aether on the other hand was half-eating, and half-thinking on his Jewelry Soup. She wonders what caught his thoughts this time. Ningguang blushed at the thought of Mister Aether thinking on her new dress, but her rational mind told her that something solemn was with mister Aether.

The bowl of half-emptied food felt cold to her taste. Did she do something he was displeased at? Was it her clothes? No, his eyes brightened when he saw her meet up with him. Was it her recent success with old Wu? No, it shouldn't be, as Mister Aether was the one to help point her to her goals.

Ningguang felt inadequate to his presence again, just as she was at the gate. She did not know much about mister Aether, did she? But somehow, a pair of strangers bonded well than Ningguang ever imagined. Granny Chu always warned not to talk to strangers, as such things can be dangerous. Ningguang somehow met the kind stranger on a whim at a displaced beach in the middle of nowhere.

Fought a Ruin Guard, survived that encounter, joined him in going to the city, and now this, in this quiet moment between them. It wasn't normal, it is not right. And yet, she felt more comfortable around him than, if she would dare- Granny Chu, and everybody else she had encountered over the years. Most would scowl at her childish and invasive sales pitches, most would just mock her choice of clothes and wares, and most of all would never bring another given attention to an urchin like her.

But not Mister Aether. Never Mister Aether.

It was awkward, when they had first met, Ningguang might agree. He was tense, paranoid, and felt guarded around her presence. But at a moment of clarity, it wavered like the sands upon the Yaoguang Shoal, shifted upon a second. At that moment too, Ningguang never saw eyes as mesmerizing as his. Gold, yearning, and soft.

And when he had tried his best to protect her at Ningguang's blunder, he did not run, he did not flinch, and he had never wavered. Even when the Ruin Guard would stomp on him, Ninggaung knew, within her, that it was all for her sake. She did not know why, nor how would she ever care, but she did. In her moment of clarity and desperation, the gods answered her call, and she would be forever grateful.

Because without that couple of small geo constructs in the form of rocks strike at the Ruin Guard's weakpoint, she would have never met a kind and thoughtful man like Mister Aether.

At first, when he awoke from his injuries, she thought she would have been scolded for getting in the way, or worse angry at her interference and nearly getting them killed. Instead, to her surprise- and shameful delight, he had thanked her sincerely for her help. Of course, in that moment that would haunt her memories, she had blushed madly. Gods, she was as childish as people call her out for, how could she not control her emotions like most mature, and sophisticated women?

It didn't help that she had realized Ningguang had hugged him fiercely like an estranged lover gone apart for a long time. Such foolishness.

"Hey, not enjoying the food?" Aether asked, pulling the poor girl out of her reverie. He had noticed that the bowl served to little Ningguang was left untouched for a while, and saw the deliberate look on the child's face. He grew worried by the second as the girl did not responded on the first call, but sighed in relief when the second call wavered her concentration. "We can check the other stalls if you like."

Ningguang forced a smile, cursing herself within her mind. stupid stupid stupid STUPID! Curse her shameful thoughts! "E-heh, um, the soup was nice..." Fix the awkward situation, she did not. Of course, Ningguang made it worse when Mister Aether gave another kind and understanding smile.

That cursed smile.

"We can walk around the port, if you wish to take a breather." Aether felt he needed to distract himself from all his worries, at least for a while, and eating food did not quell his doubts about everything.

Ningguang nodded immediately, "Of course! I can use a breather too, i-if, um, you do not mind?" Yes! Ningguang cheered within herself, as she get to talk with mister Aether, take a lovely walk around the pier, and open their feelings of one another in the moonlight- what? NO! T-that's too risque! 'But the thought of us holding hands- aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhHHHH!'

Oblivious to the poor child's sudden bouts of consternation, Aether happily replied a firm yes. His hunger was already satiated, and wanted something else to occupy his mind.

"Ahem," the food vendor who had served their food was patiently waiting to get paid, but with the tight look on the man's face, Aether knew that the patience within was running out. Aether chuckled as he saw Ningguang eeped in surprise and hastily paid the vendor a hefty sum, for the food and a generous tip. With the vendor more than satisfied, both the man and the child set off to wander the sleepless night of Liyue Harbor.

"Was there something on your mind?" Aether asked, wondering what laden thoughts his old friend held. A child having heavy thoughts did not fit most children, but Ningguang was not most children. He trusts Ningguang to keep a level head in most things, and be decisive on her decisions. Using the Jade Chamber to defeat Osial wasn't thought on a whim, Ningguang made that hard choice without a sense of hesitation- and Aether greatly admired her for it.

Ningguang did not know if she could rebuke that same statement with mister Aether as he was distracted as well, but thought against it. He was her friend! Ningguang would never ask a blatant question towards a man like him- or just towards Aether himself. But was he really? Mister Aether was friendly, nice, considerate, and knows what she likes. But how? And why? She must know.

"Mister, at the Gates, why did you stick up for me?"

That question caught Aether off-guard, wondering why Ningguang would ask that question now. "Well, it had seemed that you needed help, was there really any reason for me not to intervene?" In his mind, not helping Ningguang was a grave offense, for him and for Ningguang's voice within him. The moment that the little girl hesitated to answer the Millelith properly, he knew he had to step in. Seeing the scared look in her eyes- something within Aether snapped.

"B-but I thought it was just to pay your debts?" Ningguang asked, astonished at Aether's straightforward answer. Was that really the reason? "Why would you even bother helping a child like me? An urchin with no Mora to her name, a pathetic girl with no business sense in selling shells instead of anything else, and a dumb country bumkin trying to fit in where she do not truly belong...!"

Aether could not handle the insults that Ningguang justifies to herself, and halted their brief walk to hug the poor child. At first, Ningguang was startled, but eased herself in at Aether's warm hug. It wasn't right, Ningguang was right that Aether had no benefit in helping her.

He remembered the tales Ningguang told him during his tenure as her bodyguard, of how she spent half-a-decade slaving away her childhood to reach where she is. Tianquan of the Qixing, the Law-Giver of Liyue, the richest woman to ever roam Teyvat, and a respected leader of a community of the most influential merchants in this world. In a sense, Aether knew, even without his help, Ningguang would've gone as high as her past counter-part. If not even higher, if the Unknown War did not ravaged the past timeline.

In a way, Aether felt guilty, that her dreams and goals was impeded by his incompetence. Ningguang should've lived her life governing Liyue, and having all the Mora in the world, instead of being butchered to a cause she never should have been fighting for. She would have enjoyed the rest of her mortal life, enjoying the things she did not in her childhood and hardships, and if she was willing, find a lover that would appreciate her tastes and ambition.

It was petty, Aether knew, that having to spoil the younger Ningguang was but a selfish wish on his part. He couldn't help it. Aether felt more than just guilty, but felt responsible for ruining her past life. These small things he did, were for his self-centered benefit and for Ningguang as well. But she wouldn't know that, Ningguang doesn't need to understand. And so, he improvises.

"There was once a woman I admire," Aether said, clinging his hands softly into her shoulders. "She was brave, smart, brilliant, shrewd, astute, and wise. Her fingers filled with all the Mora in the world, her voice commanded respect and reverence. She was on the top of the world, but she fell because of me. She is gone, because of me- she is dead... because of me. Somehow, and in some way, this woman reminds me of you."

Every word Aether conveys, Ningguang felt her soul shiver in delight. She felt an extreme sensation within her, something familiar, something nostalgic. "R-really?" Ningguang asked, feeling sheepish at the comparison with the woman mister Aether describes. T-there was no way Ningguang would ever compare to a woman like that! Rich, studious, and influencial? That's not her! It will never be her! And yet, the confidence that mister Aether displays, it felt right. "Is s-she a noble lady? Then, I would never be measured up to that standard!" It was too high! No matter what Aether says, no matter how rich she has gotten recently, she would never compare to the perfect lady that Aether depicted.

A small voice in her treasonous head tells her that she was, without doubt, jealous of that woman. A woman that caught mister Aether's reverence of all things! It was not fair! Ningguang would never match the achievements and untold beauty of the woman. She must've been a rich merchant, high up on the hierarchy, and was probably born rich. Ningguang was poor, an orphan, a street peddler trying to sell shells of all things!

"She was a country bumpkin like you."

"Huh?" What? Did Ningguang hear that right? A bumpkin like her can become like that? Someone that Mister Aether admires? Ningguang can become rich, influential, and catch the attention of a great man like Aether?! "Really?!"

Aether smirked at the reminder of a confident and laid-back Ningguang, with the whole world to her gold laden fingers. "Yes. Yes, you can."

There was stars in Ningguang's eyes, bright, and cheery. "So... there is a way." She awed at her potential prospects, of her future endeavors, and to her shame- a fantasy of Aether -she means a business negotiation with Mister Aether! H-he was quite knowledgeable...

"No matter what, as long as you work hard for it, your goals may seem ever closer than you think." Aether was sure that little Ningguang would follow the same path as her past counter part. If not, even more successful than the last, because this time, Aether was there to help her.

Another promise to keep.

Feeling great, Ningguang bounced beside mister Aether, as they continued their silent walk around the pier. The lamps across the harbor was as bright as any star in the sky, and the people are sleepless in this late hour, perusing the shops or having a quick snack like they did. She felt ever more lighter than before, her legs and feet feel great, as her new sandals fit quite nicely.

"What about you, mister Aether? What bothers you?"

Aether sighs, knowing that sooner or later, the question of what he shall do next will be addressed. "I... do not know to be honest," Aether replied, watching the many ships come and go out the harbor. Remembering what Beidou said about vision wielders, that they are the flagships among the many to lead those without it. "I was planning to leave, but where to?"

"Leave?" Ningguang was suddenly nervous as to where this conversation was going. Curse her curious tongue! "Must you really leave? Was it... because of me?"

"What? No, of course not!" Aether was appalled that Ningguang was quick to blame herself for all his troubles. "I was always planning to move on, I never meant to stay in the city." Was there really a misunderstanding? Aether was a traveler, and he must move place-to-place if he wishes to feel safe. That, and look for opportunities elsewhere, as he needed to save Teyvat. Liyue Harbor was a nice place, but having to confront Rex Lapis so early would be less beneficial.

It was best to just execute the plan a year before the start of the timeline, at least a few months when Stormterror finally appears.

For now, Aether plans to adjust himself in this era, look for more allies, allocate resources for the future conflict, and best build a foundation of power and influence. Aether learned a lot during the war, as it was not won by heroes. No, heroes are just tools, it was the resources, manpower, influence and money, alongside the help of the Archons. Aether has ten years, he'll make use every bit of it.

"I only planned to stay in the city for a day or two, then leave." There was no point in easing Ningguang in, but making her understand eases Aether's worries. "As I said, you reminded me of a dear friend of mine, and you'll do great in this city." He has no doubts that Ningguang would succeed. Heck, he even gave her a great headstart, starting capital and a business connection. With that out of the way, he needn't worry for Ningguang.

"But..." Ningguang wasn't sure of what to make of that. "Why? Why must you go? You can stay here, start a new life, a business! Please don't leave!" Please don't leave me. It went unsaid, as her ruby eyes starts to melt in sorrow. Of course, she tried to be brave, and silently wipes her tears and control her sobs.

The thought of mister Aether going away left a bitter taste in her mouth. In a day, he had left a massive impression on her, in a day, Aether gifted her useless efforts against the Ruin Guard with a ton of Mora, in a day, he had given her untold amount of opportunities by just telling her the name of ONE merchant. It wasn't fair, she cried. Her thoughts the entire day was; how was mister Aether? Do you think he will be impressed with her choice of dress? What does he like to eat? Can they hang out again?

Apparently, fate was cruel, and left Ningguang another empty hole to fill. First, her family, her sibling, her life, and now this.

This ain't fair. It never was.

Ningguang recalled what Aether said earlier, that he was never planning to stay. It hurt to see a person she admires leaves her. Sure, she was being selfish about it. Greedy even. But, in this moment, her new connections, her newly acquired wealth, her new dress, she'll throw those things away, burn it even, to just have another day with him. With Aether.

"...It's not fair," Ningguang said, still wiping out dried tears.

"No, it's not," Aether sighed. Seeing Ningguang cry was an absolute trash on his soul, but he cannot bring her into this mess Aether made. Was he even Aether anymore? The Traveler from another world, the Hero of Mondstadt, the Warrior of Liyue, the Rebel of Inazuma, the Honorary Student of Sumeru, the Champion of Flames, a proud member of the Thieves Guild, and a veteran of the Unknown War? No, he was just a lonely soul, looking for any path of redemption he can find in this unfamiliar world.

A man marooned in the wrong time, a Traveler no more.

"The world is cruel," Aether solemnly replied, placing a gentle hand on Ningguang's shoulder. The harbor seemed more quiet in that moment, every conversations hushed, every noise from the ships deafened, and every light at every lamp seemed to dim. "But hope is there, and you have to fight for it. In the past few years, I struggled, lost some friends along the way, and even accomplished my goal with the most bitter end I can ever imagined." Lumine. It had started with her, and it had ended with him. Lumine was lost, he had found her, she still died in the end, and the world was destroyed because of him.

All in all, he accomplished nothing. But yet, he still fights.

"Know this," Aether stared into her eyes, filled with sorrow yet also beneath a bellowing determination. "Just because I leave now doesn't mean I won't see you again. I'll come back, see how you are doing, promise."

"Really," she barely whispered in relief. "You won't forget about me?"

"Never," Aether grinned in delight as Ningguang brightened once more. "You're my friend remember?"

Friend? The word hurt Ningguang's feelings, but not as much as she would've normally. It was a fuzzing feeling, of relief and contentment. She wanted more, but hurled that alien feeling beneath her. "Promise?"

"I pledge with all my heart."

Another promise to keep.

"Is that him?"

Yumi wanted to punch his idiotic comrade, but held himself firm. He was a member of the Syndicate for fuck sakes! "For the last time, YES! That's our guy." Yumi did not waste an hour tailing this man, so his incompetent comrade would blow his cover.

"So, what are we waiting for? Let's jump him!" Eager. Yumi usually respects that, but this time it felt wrong to do so. The Adventurer in his sight, according to a close associate of the boss, was the man who plundered the Harbor warehouse, and butchered Milo's men like pigs to a slaughter. The image of the smiling Adventurer might haunt his dreams soon.

"Are you nuts?! Even if we are permitted to engage the bastard, I don't think we'd have the manpower necessary to do it." Sheng was very adamant on not alerting our new foe, no matter what. Yumi was many things, a crook, a talented thief, and the best person the gang has in terms of stealth talents, but a madman willing to take on an Adventurer with the capabilities to trash numerous foes was a deathwish he was not stupid enough to take.

"Aww, why not?" The man in question was a dumb bastard with the name of Lumi. And yes, they were twins. Unfortunately. "Look at him! He is just walking casually in the pier, and his only companion is a puny girl! I bet we can take 'em on. Never trust the word of an outsider like the Mist Guard."

Yumi's eyes burned in jealousy of that title. The Mist Guard were the elite forces of the Syndicate, all coming from Fontaine itself. Heck, the associate Sheng had in arms length, and the one who had witnessed the slaughter at the Harbor, was the Mist Guard himself. In a way, it was an honor for a high ranking official of the Syndicate watching over them. For Yumi though, it was a blatant insult. Especially towards his boss, Sheng, who was subservient to the bastard.

Sheng was supposed to be the boss! Not some western ninja wannabe!

"It doesn't matter, orders came from the boss anyway." That statement made Lumi silent. They all followed Sheng without doubt, as he was the Dragon of Minlin, the terror of the Golden Plains. For years, he had led the bandit clans with honor and respect. Villages once were willing to pay them bribes, and Sheng even forgives to those late in their debts, helps them solve their problems too!

Until the Syndicate came. One of their Serpents, the strongest warriors and members of the Syndicate, demanded subservience. Sheng denied. They duked it out, letting the winner have their way with the loser. At first, Sheng held on and even started to push the damned Serpent back, until the bastard pulled out a delusion! Sheng still had those scars to show for it.

Now, for the past year, they were forced to terrorize the population, demanding information and identification from every citizen in Liyue. It would have been impossible, but a Liyue Qixing member was secretly conspiring with the Syndicate! What had his home come into?

Nothing but a damn circus for those at Fontaine.

"Let's leave Lumi, there's nothing for us here," Yumi said, standing up from his crouched position on a roof. Seeing the Adventurer leave the pier with the tired child in tow, Yumi was feeling more than tired as well. "Let's report back to the boss."

"What's the plan of action then?" Lumi asked, curious to where they would start. "We're not just gonna leave him be, right?"

"Of course not," Yumi scoffed. Even if the Adventurer was a monster in combat, Sheng was a Vision user, and to his reluctance, the Mist Guard was on their side as well. With those odds against him, it would only be a matter of time until the tough bastard falls. "Not to worry, as I heard the Mist Guard suggested a course of action. That is why the boss sent me here, to confirm something."

"And that is?"

"If the child with him was important." Sheng of course wanted to deny the idea, but had no choice in the matter. If the Mist Guard wants it, he'll get it. The bastard. "The night is getting late, but what do you say on a quick snatch and grab, brother?"

The excited grin on Lumi's scarred face says it all.

Aether re-entered the Northland Bank once more with a satisfied smile on his face. He booked Ningguang to a trusted hotel he and Paimon once used to stay at. The aging owner was still there, happy to let a child rest for the night. He and Ningguang continued their stroll for a while, before he had heard her yawn. It was a happy conclusion to that conversation, but there were still things needed to discuss.

He'll meet her tomorrow, upon the same location at the pier they agreed on. Aether bid her goodnight, and left for the only place he still has to deal with.

"Mister Aether?" Aether saw the bank lady curiously waiting for him at the bank's main counter. The woman had an air of nervousness around her. That was new, Aether mused.

"Something wrong, miss?" Aether asked as a polite gesture, he was staying at the grace of the bank, might as well have a good standing between them. "Did something happen?" Aether was worried that his stuff would be stolen, but nothing of importance was really stored in the Facility. Apart from Qiqi of course, but he doubts that anyone would have been seen towing the huge thing.

"You can say that," the woman deadpanned, narrowing her eyes in annoyance. Aether approached her cautiously, especially when she gesture him to come closer to the counter.

The Fatui was something Aether trusted with a grain of salt, whilst most of them were not bad, bad eggs like Dottore, the Jester, Columbina, and La Signora were people Aether despised the most. They were sadistic, insane, greedy, and ambitious, all in order. Dottore, a person he would never get along with. He was too aloof with the lives of his subordinates, he hated creating mistakes and hurting other people for the heck of it. The man has a sick, and twisted amusement. The Jester was a mad man, which makes him the more dangerous, even when compared to a blunt weapon like Tartaglia.

It was the last two he was weary about. Columbina was a powerful mage, but was a bit unhinged in the head. Her skill with a Pyro Vision was unmatched to most mages, and coupled with a Cryo delusion, made her a living nightmare to fight with. The touch of the Flames of Coldharbour still feels itchy in Aether's back. La Signora was more of a confusing mess, as she was undoubtedly loyal to the Tsaritsa, even when compared to the reverence and worship of the Jester. But her arrogance was annoying, and even when allies, a hard person to talk to. But maybe he was just biased.

The rest of the Fatui were a hard mix overall, even Scaramouche was not bad if you get past his temper and childish attributes. It did not help when the bastard was hard-hitting too, but his personality was just easy to get by. The soldiers and warriors were actually a funny bunch. They would share jokes, make fun of one another, and even have small honest contest with one another. They were his enemies once, but watching closely, they were still human.

People with desires, good or bad, people with flaws, ideals, dreams, and fears. Just like him. Aether holds no amnesty against them, but there are just some people he won't get along with.

Aether reached the counter, and noticed a small figure next to the disgruntled woman. She was giving Aether a stink eye and demanded answers, "Can you please tell me why a child is wandering around your Facility?" It went unsaid, but Aether had a feeling the woman wanted to say more.

Qiqi. The child in question stared at him with blank eyes at a unnatural angle. Her head was too short for her to see at the top, but somehow Qiqi compensates with her dead-like figure. It was unnerving to watch. Worse, Aether has to explain why a child was locked within his Facility.

"I was just sweeping the floor before going to bed, until I heard thuds within your room. I knew you already left, but checked it out anyway. To my surprise, I saw this child walking in circles around a massive amber. Explain to me why, before I call the Millelith on you!"

Qiqi, not really giving a fuck, just keeps staring at Aether. Again, it was unnerving. But the moment between them, something within the poor child snapped. "What are your orders, Master?"

Aether dared not look the woman in the eye, lest she shower him in a look of disgust and horror. But he did, and Aether was amazed the woman just gave him a disappointed look instead.

"Uh, it's um, complicated?"

Her eyebrows reached a point Aether thought it wouldn't. Qiqi was still staring at him blankly.

Aether sighs, A long night indeed.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm not sorry for the cliffhanger.

Anyway, I hope you guys are still going strong! The conclusion of Act I is near, so hold on for the bumpy ride. I spent the last week just writing SMUT non-stop, and I seriously need some help. At least it kept me from wasting time. With this chapter done, only two more chapters to go!

Recently, there are a lot of folks demanding to skip the flashbacks. In a reader's perspective, it is kinda annoying that an author is avoiding the main story to just ponder with other things. Not enough Ningguang, not enough Beidou fluff. If this was a quick snippet for a quick dose of fluff, I wouldn't spend months painstakingly plan every scene and chapter down to a tee. But I suppose some folks can't differentiate between an epic-sized story from a quick high of a thousand words work at AO3. (No offense to those who uses Archive Of Our Own.)

So, no. But at this chapter and the next will not feature a flashback(except for the conclusion of the Huntress' tale), and I'll warn y'all now. Act III would not feature Aether in any way, as it will tell the tales of when Aether left from Mondstadt after his big 'debut'. Considering that there will be a one year time skip from Act II to IV, I decided to add more content by telling the tale of Varka's rise to prominence, Jean, Diluc, and Kaeya's induction at the Knights, and many more Mondstadt stories instead of just jumping perspective for one year in Aether's PoV.

If I did just skip one year for Aether, that would be just boring and it'll seem like I'm rushing stuff. That is terrible for an author's case, or at least for me, because skipping over what I planned for the story would just backstab my faith on my own selfish creativity.

So no, and expect more from flashbacks. I need to compensate from MiHoYo's lack of fulfilling storytelling, if not, this would not be the same fanfiction that most had liked; for it's unique storytelling and perspectives, not only for its satisfying fluff and character interactions.

Beg other authors to do that, heck, they might even do it without incentive from others.

Omake of the Week by: The Traveler - Viator

The Princess of the Abyss knew that there was something very off about her brother when one of her abyss subordinates had shown her a photograph of him all those months ago.

She knew it was risky, being closer to him like this, she would get caught.

She however didn't care, what she at the moment needed was a confirmation.

And as Lumine watched him deal with yet another hilichurl camp with ease, one where she stationed the abyss mages in the deep woods of Wolvendom, she couldn't help the gnawing curiosity to find out why her brother was the way he is right now.

The moment she saw his dull golden eyes, his tired and guilt ridden expression that was in a way reminiscent of hers, his grim and desperate determination, it made her extremely worried.

As far as she could recall, he was sealed off while she was forced to roam the wretched world of Teyvat for more than decades, planning, calculating her next move to fight against the tyrants of Celestia, so it confused her as to why he looked like he'd been through so much despite his seemingly late awakening.

She didn't see nor heard of him until recently, the numerous scattered ruin guards and her abyss minions would've informed her by then if they spotted someone who had the exact same features as her, she therefore concluded that he'd only started his journey.

Which begged the question, what caused such a drastic change in him in such a short time?

Hundreds of years may have passed since she last saw him, but she could still vividly recall that he had a soft, gentle innocence and a kind smile that she dearly misses, right before their tragic separation that had set both of them on a different path.

So to see it change into a jaded, empty husk of his former self was jarring.

'What happened to you, Aether?'

That's why she decided that she'll keep a much closer eye on him while she continued on with her plans, she made sure that any of her abyss heralds and mages wouldn't engage him in a fight that would otherwise endanger or compromise his well being, only to serve to hone his fighting prowess and to flee if it escalated too much.

Because she feared that he might get himself killed with his own recklessness and powerlessness.

She shook her head, this was no time for her second guess as to why her brother became so destructive to both himself and everything around him, and why his eyes were as hollow as hers.

What was more important was that her goals must be achieved no matter what before he spiraled down even further into the abyss, she didn't want him to end up like her.

She sucked in a breath at the thought of her brother's empty eyes, devoid of all happiness and life, she feared seeing it on him one day as he lay unmoving, dead.

Shaking her head, she rapidly blinked her eyes, realizing that she was close to shedding tears even though she assumed she was no longer capable of years ago.

Biting her lip as her gaze followed after his every movement, she let out a sigh.

At least for now, she had confirmed that he was more than capable of defending himself, she felt a little relieved that he wasn't as helpless like she initially believed him to be.

'Don't worry, brother, I promise you that I will make them pay, I will save the both of us, so please, please hold on until then.'

Walking away from the view of him fighting from where she was hidden in the distance, she then beckoned for the resting ruin guard to pick her up, sitting in its mechanical palm, she then ordered it to make way for her next destination.

She didn't realize that as she left the premises, a pair of melancholic golden orbs watched her depart.

Aether is just having a hard time, huh? Well, at least his problems would be over when he leaves Liyue, right? Right?!

Hah, no. It'll even get worse, trust me. With the way things are going, Aether really screwed up already. But no matter, he'll always get back up. A friend of mine actually said that the owner of the Pale Flame set was a member of the Fatui, but never clarified who. I believe it would be Columbina. As it is one of the few female names with the rest of the Harbingers. And you know what's interesting? This character existed during the event 500 years ago and might be alive.

My friend's theory into that was that several members of the Harbingers are immortal (or at least long-lived) and has been serving the Tsaritsa since the event with Durin and the fall of Khaenri'ah. I believe that the Jester is old as well, but still young lookin' and spry.

To be honest, the twins Yumi and Lumi belong as an OC from my friend who was adamant to add her own OCs to the mix. Expect more characters in my creation or hers in the future. The Genshin cast is already big, but considering that most are still children, I might have to compensate with OC adults for the sake of it. But whatever, I'll manage.

Expect the next chapter filled with more questions than answers;

What will Aether do with Qiqi?

Is Sheng a bad guy?

Who are the Syndicate anyway?

Where's Beidou?

Is little Ningguang safe?!

Who cares?! The truth is; you guys still need to wait.

Mwahahaha. Haaha.

Ha.

Stay tuned for more! Oh, and thanks a lot for The Traveler - Viator for making the fantastic Omake! Check out his work!