Beta Reader: Offered

ACT I - Epilogue

Part II

The ethereal glow surrounding Zhongli reminded Aether how contradicting the Geo Archon was.

Soft, luminous clouds touched his hip, but he could feel the smooth surface beneath. It was hard to describe, but it was akin to flawless marble. Aether never saw the bottom, the smoke would never fade so easily. And yet, even now, his curiosity burns.

"My domain has seen better days, forgive the slight clutter." Zhongli was ahead of him, and marched forth without delay. Aether blinked and realized how he was standing still. "Do not be afraid. This sanctuary is for my honored guests, so feel free to look around." Sharp eyes glanced his way, and Aether tried not to flinch at the sight of those familiar amber eyes. "It has been a while since any soul other than mine entered here, and I am curious on how a mortal perceives an abode of an Adepti."

Gulping down the paranoia, Aether suggested to himself not to take the bait, feeling a sort of deeper aim that Rex Lapis was fishing from him.

It was a scenic view, he would admit. A sun rising from a cloud-covered horizon, the golden leaves on stern bark that shone with life, the symbols and translucent talismans floating around which gave an ambient feeling of antiquity and ancient power. But it was so... simple.

"I doubt a mortal could comprehend," Aether said. "But I'll try to amuse you anyway." He sighed, knowing how the old Zhongli led him around with Childe's money once, letting Aether do the negotiation rather than the God of Contracts himself. It was for the sake of measuring Aether's character.

The god gave a sharp smirk. "Amuse me you say?" With a slight gesture of a finger, Aether followed the Geo Archon's request and followed closely while gazing around the domain.

By the interaction of other merchants alone, Rex Lapis could tell what kind of a person he was. That sheer accuracy of reading a personality is quite terrifying. But for a god that has made deals that could change nations, it was only normal to gauge a person's ability out of habit alone.

But what is that god aiming for exactly?

"I think it reflects a sort of peaceful nature."

Rex Lapis hummed, leading Aether to a set of stairs that led to the top top of a boulder that strutted out of the clouds. "How so?" His tall form towering over Aether, as they ascended the stairs carved flawlessly from the massive boulder. "Speak your mind, it is not every day that a soul is invited into my domain."

Aether gave a thoughtful hum. "I was just thinking of how peaceful it is... underneath the rubble and depredation of this place."

The god halted halfway the steps, giving Aether a careful look. It was jarring how a single gaze could stop Aether in his tracks so readily. The only one that was able to do that was Fischl every time she smelled the trouble Aether brought with him.. This one was more considering, more contemplative, with a much deeper concern that Aether could not decipher.

"So, you've seen it?"

Aether gave a nod, gazing carefully to the far horizon. To the naked eye, it may seem like another rock in the distance, but it was his acute sight that revealed it to be a worn down pillar. It was a ruin, nothing but a crumbling pillar that passed its prime, but a single object like it surely has lots of stories to tell.

He learned well under the tutelage of Liyue's most knowledgeable man, and Aether would be a fool to squander it.

Rex Lapis gave a smile, one that could deceive anyone. Beneath that facade, Aether was familiar with a sad tale of two souls wanting what was best for others. A tale of two wholly different individuals, each with their own strengths and flaws. Individuals who attempted to build a millennium-old legacy that would only last a century. A tragic tale that ended too quickly.

Aether then understood why a certain funeral-consultant was fond of wine alongside a certain bard. Those two were beings of clashing personalities, but all mortals and gods can still experience the same loss. No one was safe from grief, not even Aether himself.

He too, gave the old god a smile that matched his.

Amber eyes widened, but said nothing.

This time, the steps toward the top were silent. No observations, or quips. Just the loud tapping noise that each foot could bring.

"I have a feeling that you have quite the story to share," Rex Lapis remarked, as he was first to reach the top. He sensed how the traveler behind him stiffened.

"Everyone has stories to tell, but which one do you wish to endure? Love? Struggle? Triumph?" Aether closed his eyes. "Loss?"

The god was not inclined to reply, but his silence was enough for Aether to understand.

"I hope you don't mind, but there is no feast awaiting our talk." Summoning two chairs and a small round table made of stone, Rex Lapis gestured for the so-called adventurer to take a seat. Thinking there was no point in refusing, Aether nodded and took a seat opposite of what was a god and a ruler. The pinnacle of wisdom and might.

He resisted the urge to smile knowingly, having already known how modest the god that invented Mora was. Rex Lapis did not have a concept of wealth. His obscure spending was a reason why, and the tears that Aether shed while being his wallet was a testament to that fact. Mora was something equivalent to air for him. Something natural like breathing.

"How curious that a traveler of your mettle has stumbled upon an instance of Liyue's flaws." The god hummed playfully, gesturing with a free arm around him. "I was fully aware of what happened in the past few years. Having a member of the Liyue Qixing aid foreign entities to cause instability across the harbor is not hard for me to know." He sighed, the towering form of a mighty god hunching in the slightest bit.

It was daunting to look at, having a god lower their guard for a mere mortal. Aether narrowed his eyes, but nodded in agreement. There was no way in hell that a person, nevermind a member of the Qixing, would ever get away with something so dire as downplaying the safety and stability of Liyue.

"You were trying to test the capabilities of the Qixing?" Aether asked, having already thought of that. "If anything, you wish to see how it would play out." And flush out the stain that was the Qixing member that let this happen.

"I may have withdrawn most of my influence, but my watch has never faltered." Rex Lapis gave a stern gaze at the horizon, his eyes betraying his frustration. "Yes, I was letting it happen. And to say that I am disappointed would be an understatement."

Good. As much as Aether sympathized with Zhongli's tired plea of having been overworked and yearning for an end, it was much more bearable to witness an old god still keeping his contract with the Adepti and Qixing to stave off evil together. With a powerful Archon on their side, Liyue in this timeline will have the odds of survival with them.

It was a mercy, at least when Aether saw how powerless Zhongli became right before he left Liyue with Kaeya.

Seeing how hollow the supposed dead god became, Aether could not bear to witness it a a second time. Liyue would not fall, nor would any soul be hurt. Not when the oldest and wisest of the Seven Archons kept his vigilant watch over the Harbor. Not when Aether had any say in it.

"Should you really rely on mortals like this? Having a flawed system..."

Rex Lapis shook his head, "Any system will always be flawed. Even under my watch there have been moments where I lapsed in my judgment, nearly bearing ill will against the people of Liyue." The old god's heart ached, especially for a small child to be a victim of his own flaws. How could Cloud Retainer ever hope to rekindle life into that precious soul, he might never know.

Aether knew as well, even some that the god of Geo did not witness himself. He had seen many ruins, villages, and old cities torn asunder. From time, or from wrathful gods, Liyue was never truly a peaceful place. It was still a place of prosperity and its ports were open to the world. The scars were still there, to remind people that no matter how prosperous, it can change in an instant.

The Chasm.

Mingyun Village.

Even the Guili plains. Aether could still remember the ominous feelings haunting the place, its stone structures were but a reminder for the old god, and a warning for any mortal soul that wandered in it.

At that, Aether could agree that no one was perfect. Not even the gods. "Flawed or not, why are you still adamant to let things run on their own?" But Aether was not willing to let something so simple as retirement get in the way of his future.

Aether's eyes glowed with determination. This was his chance, this private moment between them would be the catalyst of whatever future Aether envisioned.

"The capital of Merchants should be led by Merchants." Rex Lapis said, pride coloring his tone. "That trend has always stayed strong in Liyue."

"Trends change I'm afraid, there's no telling what kind of trend might come next."

The god frowned. Normally, any mortal with a lick of sense would be terrified in defying a god's opinion, but Aether knew Rex Lapis was a curious being, a god that holds no grudge but rather curiosity that eats souls away.

"And what "trends" those might be?"

Aether smiled, "Fashionable trends like, the age of gods being over?"

He could not read what the god's mind was thinking, but it could be something related to having your role being meaningless. Zhongli was a figure carefully crafted by Rex Lapis, to be a new start at the end of his life. Whatever doubts he had disappeared when Aether, the Adepti, and the Qixing defeated Osial on their own. It was that same doubt which would never help in a situation of the Unknown God taking action against the people of Teyvat on whatever delusional reasons.

It took the bold actions of the Unknown God's followers in attacking the Harbor once to remind Zhongli that no one was safe from being fallible. Not even the Qixing and Adepti could fully stop that disaster.

Rex Lapis perked a stern brow, and frowned in deep thought at what the adventurer claimed. "Are mortals so set on thinking about the end of times these days?" Trends were not that deadly, were they? Surely not, but the god could never grasp the minds of mortals so easily. A certain woman came to mind, but even with all her wisdom…

The god shook his head when he heard Aether laugh, pulling him out of whatever deep thoughts he was trapped in. "That's just me." Aether said. He leaned forward to give Rex Lapis a smile. "You may never know what comes tomorrow. I certainly don't." At this point, Aether messed up the past so bad, it might as well be pointless to fix it. There was no turning back the moment he willingly took the risk to save Ningguang. To save his friend over his future, he'd do it again if there was another chance.

"I see," Rex Lapis buzzed in thought, placing a hand on his chin. "Even a god as far-reaching as I could never hold what is the future ahead of us." Amber eyes narrowed at those golden orbs, "All may be wary of what lies ahead, yet you, the one that urges, is afraid of it."

"Fear for what may come is natural for us mortals." Aether was not afraid of the future. He was afraid of what would happen if he did not do anything.

He hated this feeling, of watching everyone he cared about perishing before his eyes. Turning to dust, burning to death, or just merely watching as the light in their eyes fade. Aether took his first step, taking that damned Watch, and using it to his own whim.

Even now, sitting beside a person he could trust, Aether still hesitated. He hated the feeling of fear, the fear of not being believed. The entity before him was a god, but not a being of all-knowing. The risks he took were but lucky breaks. If he took a risk now, everything might end here.

That fear kept gnawing at him, from the roads of Mondstadt, to the shores, and finally to the docks of Liyue.

He did plan to tell everything to everyone he loved, but only after he earned their trust back. Only problem is, he went too far in the past. Ningguang, Jean, and many of his friends were still children. Zhongli did not exist, he was still a god that seemed affirmed in his duty. Venti was still long away from awakening, and Aether feared how the indomitable Shogun would react if he were to act like her friend. A friend that never existed in this new, untouched world.

He had a chance to fix it all, to reverse the time of his rise. To fix it before the fall.

Now, all Aether has are scraps to work with. Scraps he was more than happy to have anyway. He could salvage this, but according to his calculations; he has ten years to plan. Enough time to fix the future. And maybe the past as well.

There was a glint of something unrecognizable in Rex Lapis' eye. Aether always believed that the old god was an enigma, even to his peers, the other gods always seemed so unsure of what to think of him. Rex Lapis was not the only god to suffer mortal woes like loss, fear, and regret. Gods handled it differently.

Venti never took matters into his own hands unless it was necessary, and left the governance to mortals. He may use the wind to guide his people into song and legends, but never did he take an active part until that moment seemed to call for him. Aether was sure that Venti was just a lazy drunk. But he had faith that if Mondstadt was threatened, he would answer. He will make sure Venti never loses the Gnosis.

The Raiden Shogun was a different story, he had no reason to go to Inazuma. There was no civil war, no Vision-hunt decree. The urge was there, he never relent to it. Just seeing if his friends in Inazuma are alive and well for the sake of his own selfishness may make him look like a creep.

Having encountered Beidou, Jean, and Ningguang was nothing but a stupid fluke. Fate was toying with him.

This time, though, he would not play by the rules. Instead, Aether aimed to change it. What better way to mess with the timeline than having the chance to converse with a god? Apart from leaving an impression on the Knights and the people of Liyue, having the support of a god seemed like his best bet yet.

But could he do it?

It was too early to let the Geo Archon know the truth. He owed Zhongli that much, and until he found the confidence and courage, Aether could only clue the god in keeping his contracts straight.

Aether was also bothered by another thing. "What does Yanfei have to do with it?" Not that he minded the company, Aether was rather weary of letting someone close to him on his mission to save the world. Why her? And more importantly why did Rex Lapis be the catalyst of that? Aether could only trust the truth to himself and Qiqi, and having another might complicate things.

Especially one who is sharp and intelligent enough to find out what Aether is hiding.

"There are many dangers ahead," The god replied evenly. "It is only natural for the Prime Adepti to send a fellow disciple to his chosen few. Having the Divine as a companion could give you credit in many places."

That was true. Natlan was known to send its best warriors to accompany strong adventurers or foreigners along, to see their strengths and share knowledge of power and skill with each other. It was a sign that the god of war favors you. Liyue was the rare case, though.

The Adepti of Liyue were known throughout the world, but they were also known for their solitude and strict solidarity. Aether was only glad that it wasn't a true adepti like Ganyu or Xiao that Rex Lapis would dare command to accompany him. The mess of that fellowship would be awkward and weird.

But Yanfei was not as easily commanded, not even by her dad's boss. Sure, she respects his authority, but she still had her own ambitions. Her own contract, a special one from her father. Yanfei was in no obligation to follow the Geo Archon's commands, unlike Ganyu or Xiao. That is why Aether was suspicious of Rex Lapis asking or even advising Yanfei on her new path. A path where Aether was in it.

"No offense, but Yanfei isn't a true adepti. She hasn't signed a contract with you."

"Ah, but she did sign one with her father, a good friend of mine." Rex Lapis smiled. "A promise of happiness. Nothing more, nothing less. You may hide your feelings beneath the menagerie of masks, but I too sense the pain of losing someone." He perked a brow at the stiff adventurer, daring the young man to deny it.

Aether frowned. He truly did know of that contract between Yanfei and her father. He showed no signs of knowing it, but when Rex Lapis ousted him for his true feelings, Aether took a second to realize that he couldn't deny it.

"An interesting reason. I still do not get why her of all people." Aether narrowed his eyes at those amber slits. "You may have framed that as a sort of favor for her, but I know that you wish to keep an eye on me. Especially based on the trust that I am kept under watch from a half-adepti that hasn't completed her schooling." He crossed his arms, the silence between them tense.

The staring contest broke when Rex Lapis relented. "Hmm, there has been a curious shift in the wind recently."

Aether raised his brow on the god's rather vague words. "Winds change direction all the time. What's the difference in this?"

"Such winds might have reached Celestia."

His heart stilled, and the world seemed poised to fall apart. What? He wanted to gasp, to shout, and to demand what the god meant. But he couldn't. Not when Aether felt compelled to look up. Of course, they were in a domain, a dimension separate to the vast realm of Teyvat. Celestia, no matter if that disgusting thing still floats in the sky, it was not here in any account.

"W-what do you mean by that?" Aether licked his dry lips, nervous at the dreaded possibilities. Did he already fuck it up? The moment he awoke that night was the first and last straw wasn't it? Did the world react to his desperate act of changing it? Was the world of Teyvat sentient? Or was it fate? Did the world really hate him that much?

If Rex Lapis had something to drink, he might as well be taking a sip. "Nothing much. There's news on the grapevine that Barbatos, a good old friend of mine, seemed to be awakening." Amber eyes gazed towards a clueless Aether, wondering what the heck the god was talking about. "That a champion of the wind roused him from his slumber."

Huh?

Champion? He gets that whatever he did at the cliffs certainly will catch the attention of the knights. Aether also knew that if he were to mess with Mondstadt, Venti would wake early. But what the heck is this about a champion?

"Was there any commotion in Celestia?" Aether asked, dreading what was to come. "About the disturbance in Mondstadt?"

"Apart from mere whispers in contempt, no." The god shook his head. "In fact, they merely mock Barbatos to even think of having a champion whilst in his millenia-long slumber."

Aether burrowed his eyebrows thick trying to come up with whatever ideas the gods were planning. "So, there would be no action to the mortal realm?" Rex Lapis merely raised a brow, but nodded. Feeling relieved, Aether was curious to what he meant by a champion. "You mentioned a Champion, what is he?"

Rex Lapis hummed, "It seems that the mortal world has forgotten. Though I have many trusted colleagues within the Adepti of Liyue, many went their separate ways. Their contract with me only binds them if Liyue were to be in peril against the forces that seek to destroy it. In the centuries that passed, many Adepti spent every waking moment doing their own machinations. A Champion of mine could change that."

Gesturing to the endless fields of clouds in the far horizon, Aether can still spot many ruined structures far. "Your observations earlier were impressive. Those aging pillars that stuck out of the clouds are once part of a dear friend's project. She was fascinated by human determination, and the urge of doing above what they thought they could never achieve. Overcoming their limits, and ascending something akin to godhood, Champions of the Seven Archon were given the blessings from their chosen Archon as a part of their power."

"Like the Four Winds?"

The God of Contracts shook his head. "Not even the Adepti could hold a candle to whom I ever choose to become my Champion. They are a special case, a unique agent of the Archon to carry their will." Rex Lapis closed his eyes, overcoming a long scar of pain and regret. "My friend had a Champion, a strong and reliable warrior. Even when humans gifted with the Treasures of the Gods can become a Champion, she foolishly chose another god." He smirked, a sad edge carved into it, a bitter curve that Aether rarely ever saw of Zhongli. "So foolish."

Humans gifted with the Treasures of the Gods? Vision-users? Aether's heart pounded in nervousness when he heard Rex Lapis compared the ascension of a Champion from a Vision-user "akin to godhood." It eerily sounded close to being an Allogene. The chance to become a god, and ascend to Celestia. The arrogant fools Aether hunted on a nearly daily basis.

It irked him when he found out that those "gods" that populated Celestia were once human. They were twisted in their own selfish ideals of godhood. The God of Rain, the Lord of the Tower, the Prince of Flowers, and the Grand Vizier of the Stars. Titles that were worth nothing, especially when Aether took his hunts seriously.

At the end of the day, they were nothing but super-charged Vision-users with a penchant of superiority-complex.

Fake gods.

"You don't have a Champion of your own, then?" Aether asked the god. He already knew the answer, but it was only for appearance sake. Playing as the curious adventurer, Aether needed to play the role well.

Rex Lapis scoffed, "Of course not, they were never much of a necessity. My rule has had a couple of rough spots, but I never really needed a herald to my name. I did just fine on my own."

An understatement that Aether has always heard. He knew Zhongli downplayed his own strengths, even as a semi-mortal that lost his true Divine power. The Consultant was still a stern powerhouse, a rock that never seemed to flinch.

Said Consultant disappeared before Aether left Liyue for Natlan, much to a certain Funeral Director's dismay.

Zhongli disappeared from the face of the earth, never to be seen or heard from again. Aether had a feeling that he did something, alongside Venti and the Tsaritsa during the fall of Celestia. But they were only mad ravings of dying survivors of that desperate gamble. The survivors did not survive the next few days, succumbing to their injuries. Aether rarely ever heeded the ramblings of dead men.

Having Venti and Zhongli disappear, only to be told from the words of dying men that they had a part to play in assisting the Tsaritsa? How curious.

Ramblings indeed.

Aether tapped the stone surface of the table impatiently. "What does this have to do with me? And why bring Yanfei to the fold?"

"As I said, there are many dangers ahead." The god said slowly. "Whatever your journey may be, I truly believe in it. You've risked your life for one that will command Liyue's future, have you not? That bright girl you saved has a brilliant mind, a firm heart, and a strong voice." He smiled, this time a genuine shine of it returned. "I cannot really put my finger to it as to why, but I feel like we've met before." Seeing as the young man froze in fear, the god relieved the man's worries by waving what he said off. "Merely a conjecture. But the fact of the matter is, you have a young woman with a good sense of justice. There are no ulterior motives, she's merely an observer to watch over your journey."

"Am I a threat to the security of Liyue?"

The god laughed. "If you were, you wouldn't be standing in my presence alive. More importantly, Miss Yanfei accepted my request." A glimmer of amusement flickered from those amber eyes. "If anything, she accepted not because the Archon of Geo commanded her, but rather out of curiosity as well. She has the desire for what you have, but she has never attained it. You may be the answer to that desire."

"Uh, what?" Aether was confused. What did he mean by Yanfei's desires? "So, she went along because she wants what I have? Which I don't have to start with. I have no idea what you are rambling about."

Rex Lapis shook his head, "What I meant, young man, is that she trusted you to accept my proposal in the first place. The fact that she was once willing to bring you to Justice, only after learning and understanding what was happening from the brave girl, was Yanfei convinced that you can be trusted to travel along with. The curiosity and desire is but a bonus to that."

Aether was speechless. Yanfei was right that what he did was wrong, but Aether was never really one to succumb to the law easily when it did not suit his own desire to protect his family. But Rex Lapis was right, Yanfei was not one to accept a mere proposal to travel with a dangerous individual if she really saw him as one in the first place.

He knew that Yanfei would have followed procedure and handed him to the Millelith, if not for Ningguang's disapproval and Rex Lapis' assurance. Aether would never blame her for that. Sure, it would delay some of his efforts, but Aether was willing to become a criminal if he were to save his family. The world and his friends were more important than his own dignity.

"I see." Aether gazed straight at Rex Lapis' stare, and boldly asked, "Do you trust me?"

Rex Lapis shrugged, a small smile hinting at his lips. "If I don't, you would know. But enough of that. You understand that I explicitly trust your efforts, whatever they might be. In the long road ahead, I have a feeling that we will meet again. Next time, bring a rather interesting story to share, if you do not mind that is."

The God of Contracts, the Law-Giver of the Harbor, the Geo Archon, and Lord Morax of the Seven, extended a hand like Aether did earlier. A simple gesture of trust.

Aether smiled. "I'll hold you to that. You'll be hearing no trouble from me, I swear it." Yanfei would probably keep him out of it. He hoped.

Gripping the hand tight, Aether shook hands with Rex Lapis. The clouds beneath the rock ascended the platform they sat on, and the winds howled around him. "Good thing it's not a contract." Rex Lapis joked, before Aether was consumed by the clouds. A flash of brightness struck him, and he knew no more, leaving behind a lone figure at the top.

"We'll see where your road leads to, Champion of the Wind."

The dry winds struck her, but she did not relent to the force.

If anything, the struggle only made her more determined to reach her goal. Her eyes remained forward, a tunnel only visible to her senses. She cared not for any who stood in her way, not her husband, not the Doctor, and certainly not the winds. Not since she woke up, feeling alive and breathing steadily.

Not since she had the strength to cook food, make breakfast for her boys, and spar with them. Not since she saw how dumbstruck her husband was, how awed and surprised her Doctor and priestess was when she was hale and hearty. A picture perfect of health.

Not since this morning, determined to do her own chase.

To the person she owed those recent moments she would forever cherish. The feeling of feeding her children, sparring with them, and spending every moment she had with her family was amazing. Something she would never have, if not for the person she was desperately looking for.

Her savior.

That kind and determined smile, a sad smile, but one driven with a purpose. A smile worth fighting for, and a woman of her caliber had the means to keep it safe. To make his dreams real.

All she had to do was find her savior first.

Easier said than done, but her gut feeling led her here, to the stone roads that she now galloped with her trusty steed.

Warrior was a strong stallion, a rare breed from the northern plains of Snezhnaya, and one born for long and hard rides. Fortunately, as a former adventurer herself, Genevra was more than talented and determined to ride morning till now.

Even if her thighs burned and ached, she was too focused on the ride ahead to even care.

For years she had to deal with her dull legs and weak arms, a burning sensation through her limbs was not as terrible as being unable to do anything for a long time. It was worth the small pain, if for the sake of the person who gave her a second chance.

She remembered vividly, those curly golden locks with a braid so long it reached his legs, those kind and weathered golden eyes, and a tired smile. Gripping her reins tight, Genevra never felt so useless and troubled. Waking up, feeling happy with her returned strength, her happy children, and a husband that was relieved, in the later hours only did she remember why she was alive.

From a stranger that could have taken advantage of a weak woman, he instead gave her a second life. A chance that slowly felt futile. How could a prideful woman like her forget to whom that chance was possible? The gods did not answer her prayers, nor did any wise men and women. It was a stranger kind enough to save her life and give her a second shot, not when the stranger seemed to lose a second chance himself.

How many loved ones did he lose?

It was a question that burned through her mind, and for days on end, she could do nothing but wait. Waiting enough to let the questions and worry fester.

Was he alive?

Was he healthy?

Was he happy?

Genevra wanted nothing more than to drag his kind carcass home, introduce him to her husband and children, adopt him as part of the family, and she would do everything in her power, her newfound strength gifted, to save a poor soul that couldn't save himself.

Those sad, golden eyes begging for relief, for salvation and peace, yet burdened with something horrid that she couldn't understand. One thing is for sure, her savior was burdened and alone.

Something that she would do everything to fix, to mend with her family by her side.

This morning, she learned that her son was growing up as a man that will make any mother proud, especially her. Even with her harsh words, he was still too young, but she understood his intent as he was grateful as well.

Crepus was indebted, she knew, but he was more worried for her health than being grateful. She understood the meaning, for both her son and husband, still worrying about her health.

Genevra would not have been so healthy nor would be bearing her family's worry without the stranger's kindness, and as a mother and wife, she was obligated to thank her savior. To thank him for making her family worry and happy again.

She'll have to do it herself, though, as the old man that was the commander of the Outriders was too slow for her. Seeing as how they only got that far in two days, whilst she got here in mere hours, it made her even more worried.

The peaks ahead were a good sign, and Genevra felt a breath of relief. She was close to her goal. With the city a mere moments away, Genevra could feel her heart race.

Would he recognize her? Would the stranger even care?

Will she fail? No, the lady of House Ragnvindr did not yield so easily. The stranger would be dragged to her home and family, even if he were to kick and scream all the way back. It was no hard bargain for her, her strength returned, and she'd that strength to pay her debts. Genevra will make him smile, that was her promise.

The thundering of hooves echoed behind the dust cloud left in her wake. Turning her head, she spotted a lone rider struggling to catch up on Warrior. Snorting in an unlady-like manner, she doubted that the old man's horse could even dream to catch up on a monstrous breed like her Warrior. He was built for speed and battle, the stallion's endurance was unnaturally large, a peak among horses. Warrior's kind were bred to be ridden by Celestia-blessed fighters, Vision-users that can churn whole battlefields to dust. The stallion was born to fight and ride to the end.

She could not say the same for a normal breed that the Outriders use, horses built for a quick sprint and long, but slow rides. Warrior could beat them in terms of speed and strength, and Genevra has no doubts that her stallion could eat those poor colts for breakfast.

Commanding her stallion to slow down, Genevra watched amusedly as a lone rider with graying brown hair calmly approached her wild steed. The dust left in her wake would stay there for a while, forming what Genevra found familiar from the sand storms of the Duna Region of Sumeru. Regardless, she had no time to entertain an old fossil like Ignacio. Time was wasting, and her gut clenched in warning.

Genevra always trusted her gut.

"Daring to catch up, old man?" Genevra smirked when she saw the frown etched on the aged Outrider. "Tell the rest of your posse to ride as best they can, I won't stop a second time. This lady has bigger fish to fry."

"It has been a while since I tasted grilled tiger fish," the old man smiled. "And Liyue has a saying, that patience is the best way to smoke the impurities of the dish. This rush to the harbor is unbecoming of a Lady of House Ragnvindr."

She snorted, amused that the Outrider decided to play the discipline card. It might have worked when she was a young lass, getting her ass kicked around by the famed Outrider, but she was now the strongest Adventurer this side of Teyvat. No lecture from her most respected senior would dare stop her. But the sad look in his eyes said otherwise, and Genevra did not like it one bit.

Ignacio was a stern, yet temperate man, able to storm and persist anything thrown in his way. That was why she respected him so much.

"The mere moment I set foot from those mountain ranges, the Lady disappeared. I'm nothing but a humble traveler."

She had a feeling that her husband knew that nothing could stop her from leaving, Genevra was stubborn like that. Warrior was coincidentally already saddled and fed, ready for the thunderous journey south. There were days where Genevra felt that she would never be the adequate wife for a befitting and amazing man Crepus was. Yet, there was something stubborn in him insisting to wed and bed her. She couldn't say no to that confidence, and never regretted it to this day.

Genevra turned her horse around, to face the commander of the Knight's Outriders. "The authority of the Outriders ends here, old man. This land answers to others." And she had friends in high places in Liyue. "Even if you were to stop me, you'd gotta catch me first." She knew who would be the victor in that aspect.

"True, very true." The old man sighed. "Then again, even if you would reach the city in an hour, you would spend more hours looking for him." He closed his eyes, and shook his head. "It's a shame that we can't work together. Having an idea where he already is, a certain poor and lost lady would find herself too late to even look in the right place." Ignacio sighed again, his lips ready to burst into a smirk.

She knew this tactic, and it won't work. Even if he knew where her savior is, having to wait even for five minutes is gnawing at her. Her stomach clenched tighter, an ill omen to ignore.

Snarling in protest, Genevra asked, "How would you even comprehend what I want?"

It doesn't matter if he knew where the exact spot her savior was standing, Genevra wanted to do this herself. Not with her husband, not with her son, and never with a company of slow-riding Outriders on her back.

The moment she awoke in her husband's soft bed, her first thought was of her savior. A weight on her body and soul was lifted, something that no one, not even the church or medical experts could fix, was freely given to her. By a man with a sad smile, and a promise she could not understand but the mere emotions of loss and regret on his face were enough.

It was only replaced by a sad look of relief when he knew he had saved her.

She did not want any other person to save him, as selfish as it was. But Genevra was anything but a damn weak person. She was strong, and she'll prove it to her savior when, not if, she could see him again. Genevra would prove that she is willing to do anything to give back a genuine smile.

A life for a smile.

It seemed so little in value, but in her heart, Genevra knew that it was worth everything he went through. Whatever it was, she'd stand by his side to face it. Her sons and husband too. Genevra already dreamed of the day she would drag him back to her home, and that day would be today. Not even Barbatos could stop her.

The old man flinched atop his steed, "I may never begin to try and understand, but you have to remember that you are not the only one that wished to see the savior of the hour."

"Trash noblemen, you mean?" She snorted in contempt. Not that she had anything against them personally, but messing with her little Kaeya brought out a mother's instinct. He was her son too, dammit! Diluc alerted her and Crepus to such discrepancy.

Kaeya was such a sweetheart, saying that he will "handle" it. Such a good lad.

Ignacio's face turned grim, "The Gunnhildrs."

"Ah." It was quite the sight, having the Captain of the Cavalry lectured sternly the next morning by an irate child, whilst poor Varka and his men were still nursing their monstrous hungover. Her husband was not at all happy, considering how disappointed she was in learning the person who saved those poor children from those Abyssal freaks, had also disappeared under his watch. It was but another thing she was grateful for.

"What does this have to do with it?" Genevra asked, annoyed by the sudden remark of the old man. "I'm sure they're grateful, but-"

"Grateful is an understatement," Ignacio said. "Have you not heard? Lady Frederica and Seamus made up, and vowed to stay together once again."

"What?" Genevra gasped.

She and Frederica did not get along well, sure, but they were warrior kin. The one thing they genuinely bonded over was sparring. The Gunnhildr Matriarch was the strongest and most talented Knight in the Order. Before she fell ill, it was a blast facing the woman. If anything, they did not get along because of one factor.

Seamus was an old lover.

He was an old companion since they were young, and they started their career as adventurers together. It was no surprise when she and Seamus started dating and getting intimate. It ended in a bittersweet note, but one where they would cherish those young days without much resentment. Jean was like a daughter to her, and the little girl would always take her lessons of strength and stern wisdom to heart.

Something that Frederica would get salty at.

Still, she was happy for them to reunite without much hassle. Hearing their family drift apart nearly broke her heart, especially when she was too weak to pull Seamus's head from the gutter or keep Frederica from going too far.

She thought that they would most certainly go their own separate ways, yet something must've happened.

"As much as I am happy for them, what the hell does this shit have to do with it?" She was getting impatient, she had the mind to just leave this old man to the dust. What was so impertinent that she had to wait?

"Young Jean has invoked the Rite of Flowers, shocking her poor parents."

"Eh?" What? "Wha- How?! Why!?"

There was no way that Frederica would ever allow that. The Matriarch was many things, but a prideful woman she was. There was no way in the seven layers of the bloody Abyss that Frederica would ever allow that!

"How could she do that?! Her mother will never allow this!" And to whom did the young lady invoke the Rite at?

Seeing the desperate need for answers in Genevra's eyes, the old man sighed. "No, certainly not. But the young lady threatened to be disowned and be adopted by the name Pegg, or some other noble family, and if not- be a commoner instead."

Genevra was gobsmacked. To think the girl had it in her, she never would have guessed from sweet Jean. "Who- Why did she invoke this?"

"Because of your savior." Ignacio replied, deadpanned into her gaze. "Apparently, the Lady Matriarch conceded, and with the blessing of Seamus, both mother and daughter signed an oath."

"To swear on marrying her chosen partner," Genevra murmured to herself. "And no one else."

It was an old tradition nary used in modern years. To invoke the Rite of Flowers was to respect the lady's choice in a partner for life. It was a simple oath started by, unironically, the first Gunnhildr to prevent any forced marriages and incur the freedom to genuinely love someone from the holy blessing of Barbatos himself.

To invoke the Rite was a risk as well. If said lover were to perish after the Oath was made, then the invoker must never wed another under the eyes of Barbatos again. To be alone until the end of days, something the poor girl risked.

Having only two daughters, one under another name, must've pressured Frederica.

"That is why I must meet and escort the young man in question." The old man sighed, this time, a tired yet resolute one. "It is imperative for the Gunnhildr name and grace that I must accomplish this. Many are at stake, I'm afraid. It was only chance we came upon the same road, and it is best we travel alongside one another. I may have an idea where he might go, and your stubbornness might help."

"Fine," Genevra groused. "You and me only, your men must catch up on their own." She can rely on the old man's talent and experience, but greenhorns? Never, not with what was on the line.

The Outrider nodded grimly.

Both immediately rode forward, but the pace of Warrior was slow, to at least give the old man a steady chase. She hated this, but more than her pride and desire was at stake. Who knew coming home, not only she would bring her savior, but a groom for sweet Jean as well?

No matter, he deserved happiness- something that Jean would no doubt understand better.

What matters now is that Genevra succeeds in this endeavor. She wouldn't know what to do if she failed.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

There will be a part three soon. It's the final one, I swear it.