Beta Reader: Offered
ACT I - Epilogue
Part III
Beidou got to thinking.
Which was a dangerous thing, of course. The only times she got her brain juice pumping were either in her schemes or her pranks. They were brilliant, as always. It got her into deep trouble once, but she would admit that it was only partly her fault.
If anyone asked, her brothers were the masterminds.
It was not her fault Beidou could not distinguish fireworks from actual explosives. Or how admittedly gullible she was. Thinking was hard.
But at this moment, as the sun peaked above the heavens, Beidou began thinking harder than ever before.
About her family, the old man she encountered twice, and the fact that she hated bullies. Beidou did not miss the dark looks her older brothers gave, nor would she ever ignore the horror in the matron's eyes. It was heart-wrenching, watching how the bright and hopeful eyes of Little Xing and Li Hua turned moroose, and resigned.
Never did Beidou feel so genuinely hurt, not when she got beaten by the older kids down the neighborhood, nor when she got caught by the Millelith for stealing food. Her heart ached, her mind burned. Her tears fell.
After the old man left the orphanage, the silence was deafening. Many of the older kids left to work their asses off, and many of the younger kids scampered off the neighborhoods to beg or sell small wares.
Beidou should be fishing at this moment, she contemplated. Maybe it was the shock, or the anger, but her energy left her body. It was unusual, having to stare at the wall so hard it made her eyes hurt. But she felt tired. Tomorrow was a new day, and Beidou hoped that those two children would last another day. Li Hua and Xingxing did not deserve a fate so gruesome as sickness that burned you out, one that consumed your will to live.
Knowing those two, they might already be thinking about it.
Tears threatened to burst once more, but Beidou stubbornly refused to let a single one drop. Water was welling in her eyes, and her sight became weary and blurred. "No!" She refused, shouting at nothing in particular. "I'll work my ass off, I promise."
She hated this, this feeling of weakness.
It was fine if she got in trouble or got hurt, but seeing how devastated her whole family was, it was a pain that she never thought she had to go through.
Bruises were fine, bleeding was a natural thing, but to slowly die in agony? Beidou shuddered at the thought, more so when her thoughts went to the innocent souls that she adored. Li Hua was young, barely at her own age. She was strong, but Beidou knew her tough exterior was just a mask. Little Xing was worse, as the little girl was the youngest in the orphanage.
It wasn't fair!
Little Xing only arrived half-a-year ago, when her own family abandoned her. Now, the sweet little thing had to endure something so gruesome and terrible? Beidou did not believe in the gods, and maybe this was her repentance for her own childish arrogance, but was that fair?
"Stupid."
She giggled, as an ugly laugh escaped her dried throat. It was never fair, the game was rigged from the start. Was this how those two felt? This soul-crushing defeat?
No.
If anything, this only proved to make her try even harder. Sea life sounded exciting, but the stories the old sailors told her only managed to damper her thoughts about it. Monsters feasting on you and getting lost at sea, and a chance never to go home were the worst things to happen to her now. The good-mother also tried to dissuade her, but maybe this was her chance. Everyone else seemed to be caught up in their despair.
Beidou could pack her meager things and stow away on a ship!
She always planned to go sailing anyway, but the horror tales and the good-mother's warnings hindered her desires. But with the situation being grim, Beidou had no choice but to follow through with her dream of being a sailor.
She only hoped the good-mother and the rest of the orphans forgave her for her rash decision.
Hopping off her hanging cot, Beidou went to work grabbing a nearby sack. Packing was easy, but the gut feeling of guilt punched deep into her stomach. Feeling anxious, Beidou hesitantly finished packing. Her clothes, meager as they were, were a sign of the orphanage's care. She'll treasure these clothes as much as she can.
No other items made it into her burly sack, as Beidou was never one for spending Mora on useless items like toys. She grew to dislike them after finding out how strained the good-mother became when other kids began asking for toys. Beidou, instead, made simple toys out of sticks and stones to ease the burden of the good-mother.
Not many liked her work, but some children grew to love them. Little Xing and Li Hua especially.
The dark walls of the room she shared with many grew smaller, and Beidou felt a numb feeling on her back, knowing this small home she had made for herself did not feel right anymore. At least for her, as everything seemed so foreign and nostalgic. The toys she made, the rough cots laying around, it all felt so empty. Is this what it feels to grow up? Back then, she would give anything to never leave her new family.
And now, Beidou desired to do so. All for their sake as well.
She felt useless pickpocketing anyone in the streets of Liyue, or in the presence of the weary good-mother and her tired older brothers. Beidou was not as strong as them, nor was she cute and smart enough to sell meager stuff to passerbys. All in all, she was useless in both worlds, and the urge to find that purpose to help her family led her to this dilemma. With her things packed, and the sensation of nostalgia everywhere she looked.
Beidou was pale, and sick of it.
She hated this, actually thinking about this. Where would she go? How long would she be gone? Would the ship she stowed on accept her? All these thoughts kept gnawing at her, forcing her to make a choice.
With a loud rumbling, she thought that one of her brothers was still here taking a nap, but it was just her grumpy stomach. In fact, it was a hungry and grumpy stomach. Maybe she should eat something?
The good-mother should be back with something to eat, and Beidou decided that thinking was a hungry endeavor. Best fuel it for later. Tomorrow was a new chance, and her decision could wait.
Before she could stow away her things in the corner of the room, a loud explosion forced her to kneel on the floor. The following ground shake was enough to make her lay on it. It was nothing compared to the wrestling fights Beidou would join in with her brothers. In fact, she had never experienced such a tremendous force before.
Groaning in annoyance, the young girl got up on her feet quickly enough to impress a sailor, and rushed to the door of the room with her packed things in tow. It was mere instincts that led her to do so.
Her heart stopped when she saw the main room.
Everything was in chaos, as the living room was messed up with small things strewn across the floor, and the few younger children that were left behind cowered beneath a table and huddled in fear. Before she could utter a worried question, something bright flashed outside. Rushing out to see what it was, Beidou could never have believed to see it for her own eyes.
The gods descended upon the mortal realm once more, as the pillar of heaven pierced the dark clouds.
It might've been harder to see directly beneath it, but Beidou was too far to even experience what was happening. In fact, she got the best view, right outside of the outskirts were the famed Arsenal- a shipbuilding site. Her home was only a few moments away from the place, and the tower of gold and black was a sight that felt like it was from the good-mother's fairytales. Of Yakshas and gods.
Mesmerized by the sight of the divine, Beidou did not realize she was moving towards it until she felt her feet sprinting towards the light. She held in her breath, and exhaled with exuberance.
She was free.
Beidou always pretended to never care when it came to fantasy or childish stories, of heroes and the divine spirits that roam the world. Beidou had grander dreams, for a little girl like her anyway, and dreamed of becoming one of them. To be strong, to be looked up to, and to feel like she was useful and cherished by her family.
Always she was teased, always Beidou was warned, always the troublemaker that had to say apologies. Beidou the Rough Kid, the Troublemaker, the Orphan.
She wanted a new name. No, she needed the new name. Beidou wanted to be someone that everyone knows, a name that commanded precedence. A warrior, a merchant, a pirate. Anything but an orphan.
A dust cloud covered the district, and it was much harder to see the pillar around them unless the smoke dissipated. The farthest view always was the best, but she got to witness the action. The young orphan went from alley to alley, street by destroyed street, and her rush led her to the very edge of ground zero. What she saw was magnificent to the eyes, as was the transparent wall that separated her from the Arsenal and the rest of the district behind her.
Gleaming in topaz glory, the transparent shield reflected her awed face. A scrunchy kid, with short hair, her glowing crimson eyes stared back at her. This was the realm of heroes and gods.
She wanted to be part of that too.
Suddenly, a shadow danced across the broken battlefield, but the dust made it hard to distinguish the figure. It was a challenge to even squint at the image, but Beidou could tell that it was two shadows dancing- no, fighting!
Excitement threatened to burst from within, but it was curbed when she tried to move forward only for a force to halt her. It was the shield, and a moment after, she was thankful that there was.
The dance began as two shadows clash, the wind piercing the very air around them. Her breath hitched when she saw a familiar blonde scarf flow in the dusty wind, as the smoke slowly disappeared. The transparent wall around the destruction began to be more visible, but the souls within seemed more intent on the two clashing blades. Gold and Emerald. Spear and Sword. Light and Dark.
It was exactly how she imagined it. The glorious battle between something so mundane yet heavy, solved only at the clash of souls. A war between two.
The very air shifted, and Beidou found it hard to breathe. Something terrible was around, an evil that struggles to be set free. And yet something was holding it at bay as the two figures clashed.
Each hit, each strike and dodge, the smoke slowly cleared to reveal who were the true spectators here. And the two warriors that struggled for dominance.
The first figures Beidou saw made Beidou feel something akin to jealousy. There was a stern woman, with a very voluptuous figure that would make any man drool, with a sense of worry and anxiety in her orange-lavender eyes. The horn was evident, enough to catch Beidou's attention away from the clang and swish of blades. Another was much shorter, with an impressive physique, eyes locked on the two clashing blades. A formal dress, one that screamed competent and reliable, and a very revealing midriff that made the young orphan gaze for too long.
She was always laughed at for her stick-like figure, malnourished and thin. Her brothers teased her for eating too much yet not showing much change in her physique, and the good-mother always berated her after thinking that Beidou ate less. These two proved that with enough time, she only needed more time dammit, that she too could look like that.
Reminiscing about her family, Beidou snapped out of it, steeling her nerves for what was to come. After this cool fight, of course!
The second pair of figures was far from her sight, but still a prevalent view on the battlefield. One of them was of her age, and the other much younger. The one closest to Beidou's age was what her brothers would describe as pretty. Not as drop-dead gorgeous as the first two, but still a girl that Beidou could admit was attractive. This girl's existence was proof that her insistence of her future possibilities of growth was nothing but a pipe-dream, a sham. That, even if they share the same age, the young lady before her would always be ahead. Somehow, Beidou found her utterly annoying instead of attractive.
It did not help that the girl feels and looks like a rich merchant's daughter or a noble child from whatever influential family there is in Liyue. She found those types she'd disliked the most. Her dress might've been worth a year of what her brothers made!
The smaller child on the other hand was a precious thing that caught Beidou's heart. She was absolutely adorable! But the dead eyes managed to catch her off-guard. Something about that gave her the shivers. It was a wrong sight, especially for a cute kid. But it managed to instill something primal within Beidou. With her little torn white dress, and bandages, it gave the image of another fellow orphan. Would the little girl be placed in Beidou's orphanage? If so, then maybe sailing off to the unknown was not worth the idea of leaving such a precious little thing behind without big sis Beidou to look after her.
Big sis! Sister Beidou! I love you, sis.
Clenching her heart, Beidou made a resolve that if that was the case, then her selfish journey was not worth it at all.
Her soul could not handle the guilt that already piled up.
The last and final figures nearly made Beidou catch her heart from leaping from her throat. She grew up hearing the tales of the terrifying Yakshas, Beidou knew in her heart that the figure with the glowing mask was one, and their dangerous games were played with other demons. They live and die on such a deadly dance, and Beidou often wondered if there was an end, a happy end for such tortured souls? Watching how the warrior twirls his spear in the air so flawlessly made her think that she was naive. How foolish of her, there was no happy ending for souls that were fated to die with their weapons on a tight grip. The young orphan wonders if that day was today?
The partner of the Yaksha on the other hand, was a familiar man that Beidou was thankful to the gods for that the old man was merciful.
Cause the blond man certainly wasn't merciful to his foe. Sure, many would see that the beast of a Yaksha was slowly tearing him apart, his armor scratched and gleaming with crimson blood. Not too much to finish him off, but enough to shatter any idea of recovering to strike back.
It was all a blur to her.
Blood was spilt, her heart clenched. The cute little girl could actually fight! A monstrous form of combat that only spoke her prowess. Beidou was envious that a girl younger than her was more skilled and powerful. She wanted to know more, learn more. About that girl, and that old man that she encountered so many times.
Then a dragon appeared when a shadow loomed over her. The crowd awed at the creature, Beidou could only stare at it. She was more immersed in whatever was going on over the Arsenal than whatever creature this dragon was peering at over her.
An Adepti perhaps?
Unfortunately, when the fight seemed to halt all of a sudden, the dragon surged forth without any noise, and entered the shield without any problems. Well, it was a problem for her, and the rest, as the shield brightened further, making it impossible to see what was inside.
Beidou wanted to pout, but sighed when she saw the familiar uniforms of the Millelith marching through. Though, was she the only one to see that they were nervous as heck? Nope, many of the people stared in suspicion when they formed a half-circle around the shield and the ruined Arsenal.
As if they were waiting for a dangerous creature to come out.
"Alright, show's over. Disperse the crowd immediately! All medical personnel need some space and privacy to deal with the disaster." One of the Millelith sternly gazed around the crowd. "Any dissents will be dealt with swiftly."
Beidou did not argue, but she ran off, more occupied with her roaming imagination. Beidou did not see a woman and stumbled into her.
"Woah," Tianshang uttered in surprise, bumping into an excitable Beidou. "Where's the fire at, young lady? Well, there are no fires, certainly rubble for sure."
"Miss Tianshang? Aren't you supposed to be at the Pharmacy?" It was rare to see the doctor out of her store, but Beidou was more occupied in wondering where the old man disappeared. Or would go to. Beidou was talented at sniffing out problems and people given time. She had a friend who could help point her towards someone, as they have eyes and ears.
Especially at the piers.
The doctor frowned. "This place is dangerous, you shouldn't be here." Fixing her eye-glasses, and glazing her sight towards the imposing pillar of Rex Lapis, Tianshang could only ponder. "I was called here the moment an explosion rang out across the harbor. I brought medicine to help the injured victims of the blast. No one was seriously hurt, but they still require medical aid."
Beidou could only nod in agreement, on her way there, she saw many that were hurt.
Snapping her fingers, the doctor remembered something. "Oh, speaking of medicine. The Millelith confiscated the medicinals I requested long ago from the warehouse near the Arsenal, and ones that were requisitioned by those ruffians. It's the same ones that little Hua and Xing need actually, you can have this box here." She sighed in relief, "Fortunately, these boxes were outside the blast zone and Rex Lapis' shield cut the explosion off from."
"Wha-? But the goodmother said we can't afford the medicinal ones right now!"
Tiangshang's eyes gleamed in amusement and sadness. "Worry not, the adventurer brought back the box that I delivered for the goodmother with a note on it." She smirked, "With a hefty pouch of Mora."
"Mora?" Beidou's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, he left Mora?! Why?"
"The note said that he was willing to pay for the required medicines, and left a good amount just in case if it was not enough, or even if it was, then I could just add more appropriate medicines along with it." Tianshang snorted, "He is too kind, maybe he is wrong about not being able to care for the child as well. He makes a good parent."
Beidou couldn't help but hold on to that hope. "Wait, so this box here- I can take it?" This entire day felt like a nightmare turned into a dream. Any second now, and Beidou would wake up to find her treasured siblings telling her it was time for breakfast. The terrible news this morning, and the awesome battle earlier, it was all just a dream.
Tianshang hummed. "Give me a sec." Taking off her bag, she added a few more items along the box. "There was a surplus of Mora, so as a promise, I added a few more medicinal needs for the children." She smiled kindly. "And a few treats too, chocolate and candies for the bunch. Tell the goodmother not to overwork herself, yeah?"
Beidou could only nod her head numbly, watching as the piles of items were stacking on top of the already heavy-looking box.
"Beidou? There you are!" One of her older brothers approached from a thick crowd watching the spectacle above. "The goodmother sent me after she heard you ran off when the explosion happened. Are you alright?" He asked in worry, his tired and wrinkled eyes spoke how much he cared about her wellbeing. "What's this? Doctor Tianshang? Are you here to help the injured?"
Placing the final items, the doctor nodded with a bright smile on her face. "Indeed. Fortunately, since you and Beidou are here. Maybe you could help each other deliver this to the goodmother?"
"What for?" Her brother perked his brow. "We can't afford these- wait, are these chocolate? The goodmother certainly can't afford this!"
"Well..." Whilst Tianshang and her brother were sharing words, Beidou was lost in her own thoughts.
When she thought that the old man couldn't get any more awesome, he paid off the medicines they needed whilst he was kicking butt?
He was no old man, he was her Hero! A living legend that should only belong to her stories, not in this cruel world she lived in. And yet, her heart burst into excitement. This was the time to reach for her goals. If there was anyone that could help her grow strong, it was her hero.
Beidou got to thinking, and made her decision.
"-I suppose we should thank the stranger that came into our home. I wonder how we could ever repay him- Hey! Beidou, where are you going!?"
She did not listen, she did not stop. Beidou could only run forward. Her legs felt shaky, but she was free. Her family was okay, her home safe, and a debt to repay and a dream to achieve. And so, with her sack on her back, and a smile plastered on her face, she ran towards whatever destiny she dreamed of long ago.
"Oh dear. Does she know that she's going the wrong way?"
The poor man beside her could only sigh.
Aether blinked.
"Mister Aether!"
The brightness disappeared, and the world struck him with a million colors. He was back at the harbor again, turning around and gazing at the setting sun. He sighed, relaxing the guarded, tense muscles he was keeping.
He smiled as he saw Ningguang approaching him with vigor, a happy spring in her step. "Ningguang," Aether nodded. Gazing around, he did not spot a particular child with her. "Where's Qiqi?"
"Oh, she's over there." As Ningguang pointed at one of the lamp posts, Aether perked his brow when he saw Qiqi there. Standing over the edge, gazing blankly at the open sea beyond the harbor. She was still as a statue, never moving nor flinching even when the wind picked up the early noon scent.
"She's been like that since we waited here." Ningguang nodded. "The nice lady introduced us to a nice old fisherman, and he bought both of us some treats of Grilled Tiger Fish. He even knows old man Wu!"
"He does?" Aether asked, an idea popped into his mind.
"Indeed, I do." A voice behind them rasped, with a tone of amusement. "It's not everyday a friend of mine compliments young talent. This young lady certainly caught the attention of some very important people." Grey hair and a wrinkled face, with eyes of youth hidden within the visage of wisdom and aged posture. He smiled, "Ganyu was rather preoccupied with someone. Too occupied if you ask me, she still hasn't realized how oblivious she was with the looks she got." Old man Tianshu shook his head, exasperated by the Qilin's actions. "They grow up too fast. Or too slow for my mortal eyes."
Aether bowed in respect, not expecting to see him so soon. Of course, at this point Aether was rather not letting expectations drive his actions again. Varka might as well pop up in the corner, he dared fate to do so.
"You're not here to just keep an eye on those kids, are you?"
The old man laughed. "How sharp! I can see why Lord Rex Lapis was enthralled by you, and as to why a certain Secretary was a bit salty with a 'idiot-adventurer' that caused trouble in the Arsenal." Though, his weary shoulders slumped and he sighed. "Still, my lack of foresight was what let this happen in the first place. If I were keeping a vigilant watch, this little missy here wouldn't have been hurt nor would the harbor be in such an uproar."
The little girl tilted her head, her red eyes shone with curiosity towards the old man. "What do you mean? You shouldn't feel bad, Mister Aether fixed everything! And broke some too..."
Aether was about to say something, until the old man shrugged and gave him a knowing look. "Considering how this young man seems to recognize me, why don't you give the introductions instead? It would be rude to take the spotlight from youth these days, don't you think?"
He kept a wary look, but Aether understood his meaning. Still, he should have kept a blank face instead of calling him out. Aether felt like an idiot, but the conversation with Rex Lapis still shook him, and the implications that came with his actions.
"Ahem. Ningguang, this is Tianshu. The Director of Civil Affairs and a key member of the Liyue Qixing. Oh, and a fish merchant too." He kept the last part as a sort of shot at the old man. With such an intense gaze sent his way, Aether knew he was doing it right.
"A-A Qixing member!?"
It was a straightforward reaction, but what kept Aether from straying his thoughts was that the old man was giving him an unreadable look.
"Honestly, as a member of the Qixing, I could have you arrested for being part of that mess at the Arsenal."
"So, why wouldn't you?" Aether asked, not at all bothered by the withering look the old man gave. Ningguang on the other hand scooted closer to Aether, in fear of what was going on. "If you did, knowing who these kids were waiting for, why don't I sense any other Millelith in the area?"
"Oh, are you that confident?" Tianshu gave him a wide smile, one that Aether shared as well.
"Mostly." He could barely spot anything with the senses around him dulling his hearing and smell from the amount of people nearby. Anyone could take advantage of that, but the Millelith can't. In fact, he was always familiar with their line of work.
Most Millelith handbook rules of engagement in ambushing the target was to execute the plan in a sparse location, away from many people. There were no Millelith soldiers around, with the amount of people now roaming the streets after hearing their god descended from nowhere after an explosion from the Arsenal, then it means there was no ambush.
"You could have just confronted me earlier," Aether said, crossing his arms and giving the old merchant an unimpressed look. "Unless you were using these kids as bait?"
That did the trick, and whatever he says, Ningguang always took it to heart. The little girl hiding beside him now understood what Aether was saying and attempted to glare at the old man.
It certainly did work, as the old man melted in shame and was abashed with his threats. "I was not being serious! Just give this old man a break..."
Aether's lips curled into a frown, now remembering how the old man had died. It was ironic, in times of war and strife, Old Man Tianshu died peacefully in bed, alongside his weeping daughter and her children. A peaceful death, but one in terrible times. With the first of only attacks to the harbor, and the oldest member of the Qixing perishing, Liyue was at a weak spot.
But Ningguang did what she did best, rallied the people and came up with a plan immediately. With the political downfall of the Qixing delayed with her decision to only fill the empty seat of the Seven Stars when the war was over. Sadly, it seems they never had a chance. When they were not looking, and when Ningguang and Keqing were away, the Harbor city burned. As the same with Sumeru, he was not there to witness it after he left with Kaeya on their journey to meet up with Noelle. A regret still burns every time he looks around the joyous and alive Liyue around him.
Sighing, Aether gave Ningguang a reassuring look. "I was just kidding, Ningguang. He's kind of a dependable guy. Just ignore his reminiscing."
"Hey, I'm old, but not that old!" The old man tried to hide his surprise at such a detail about him with indignation.
"Really?" The girl was still giving the old merchant the stink eye. "You think so? If Mister Aether says so, then it is so!."
It was a cute sight, Ningguang so assured and nodded profusely. Still, he hesitated at this moment, as he was unsure where this was to go next. And so, Aether knelt. Slowly and assuredly, trying not to alarm the poor girl.
"I was hoping for the Secretary," Aether eyed Tianshu, "but he'll do." He nodded assuredly nonetheless. "In fact, you might be beneficial partners in the future."
"Is that so?" Tianshu carefully eyed the girl hiding behind Aether. Instead of being curious, Ningguang just glared back, and her fierce ruby eyes made him laugh. "Splendid! You, boy, certainly caught a flawless gem. If the opportunity shows itself, I'll mentor her when the day comes." Playing with his beard, Tianshu pondered the potential the little girl held. "I'd say braving the presence of an Archon and bad-mouthing one of the most dedicated legal advisers could be considered good traits for a merchant."
Aether smiled at the old man, feeling relieved that he did not have to worry about leaving Ningguang alone. Now that Tianshu himself knew of her existence, and was interested in development, her safety was assured. "I'll think you'll find her quite talented."
Ningguang blushed at the naked praise. "Mister Aether! B-but I've only made a small deal with Mister Wu, I've done nothing extravagant or anything worthy of respect."
"Wu?" Tianshu's eyes widened. "You've dealt with the stubborn fool?" Even for a retired Qixing member, old man Wu was still a skilled intelligence officer of the council. "Your headstart would have been the envy of most, that I shall admit. Talented indeed."
Aether nodded in utter seriousness.
Ningguang wanted the ground to swallow her up. "What's this all about Mister Aether?" Sure, the prospect of having a Qixing member looking after her growth sounds appealing, but after threatening Aether with her and sweet little Qiqi made her impressions on the man sour quickly.
"Worry not, boy. I've had a daughter, she'll prosper under my watch." The old man's eyes harden, promising Aether that she'll be cared for.
Aether nods appreciatively. "Thank you. How can I repay you for this?"
Ignoring the indignant squawk from Ningguang, Tainshu shook his head. "Having this treacherous conspiracy brought to light, you've done more than any of the Qixing." He gave a tired sigh, "I'd hope for the young generation to fix this mistake, but it seems that us old geezers have to pick up the pace, at least for a while."
"Mister Aether?" Ningguang asked hesitantly.
"Again, thank you." Aether will make sure he retires before the war starts. Tianshu earned it. Turning to the unsure child beside him, Aether knelt. "You'll find him annoying, sure, but you two share the same origin." He smiled, knowing how well they got along in the future.
"Oh?" Tianshu's interest grew. "I was a humble fisherman. What did you do before coming here with this young man?"
"Selling shells," Ningguang murmured shyly. "Until I met mister Aether, I was just wandering the shores to anyone that was interested. Most won't buy my wares," Her eyes grew determined, a familiar sight to Aether. "But I've learned to be stubborn, and learn the benefits of those shells to sell them better." Shifting her aching foot, already missing the sensation of sand beneath her calloused feet. But this was better, as it was a gift from Mister Aether. A new chance, a better chance than she'll ever dream of.
"What?" Tianshu gasped. "I thought you were a merchant's child that just started her journey to the mercantile business. To think you've endured much." Putting a hand on his heart, Tianshu swore earnestly. "Heed my words, for this child shall never starve, not beneath my humble blessings. She will only find prosperity."
"Good. For when I leave…"
Ningguang clutched her bag. "What do you mean? Is this...?"
"Yes, this is where we part ways." Aether sighed. "There is no easy way to say this, but the journey ahead might be long and arduous. I did promise to come back, the moment and time when I will, I can't say for sure." He ruffled her hair, giving her his best smile. "Be a brave girl, okay? When I come back, the next time I see you; you'll no longer be that girl on the beach, selling shells for a living."
Her red eyes were puffy once more. Ningguang tried her best to wipe her tears, but she couldn't let go of the bag that she treasured so much. Seeing this, Aether held the bag's weight off, and freed her arms, making sure to give her time to wipe her tears. Instead of wiping her face, Ningguang hugged him, fiercely this time and with a strength to it.
Aether smiled. Yes, she'll be safe. Tianshu promised so, and more importantly, created a vow over it. He and Rex Lapis saw the same potential within her, now Tianshu did so too. If he were to stay, it would only hinder her progress. To be the future Tianquan, the brightest and most brilliant of the Liyue Qixing. Aether must be gone from the picture, that he agreed on vehemently.
He gripped tight on the bag that he gifted, wishing it was more special than a mere accessory. Aether could have given her more, a happy future. In the end, he accepted that his second chance won't be wasted, not this time, he promised to himself.
No matter how many times the world seems to turn back time, Aether would fight tooth and nail for his friends, and he would struggle until the end.
For now, the struggle could wait, he can feel relaxed. Even for just a moment.
The urge to know everything still burned deeply, and the curiosity gnawed at him. "How's the harbor?" Aether asked nervously, "I, uh, didn't leave much of a mark, did I?"
"Everything's fine." The old Qixing hummed. "Most of the Millelith are focused on the Arsenal. They've surrounded the place, and vetted any soul that came from that place or from that district." He smirked, giving Aether a sly look. "It's a good thing that you left the place in a mysterious flash, huh?"
Aether felt his cheeks burn. "Y-yeah. No problem at all, then? Good." He did have a feeling that Rex Lapis sent him back outside of the exclusion zone. Maybe he should thank the God next time they meet, even if the old spirit did so without knowing. "Still, this makes it easier. Did Yanfei talk to you?"
"No, it was the General Secretary of ours. She's running interference." Tianshu gave a proud look. "No one would dare look in the harbor pier now. Ganyu would make sure of it."
Aether felt relieved. The moment he appeared in the mortal realm again, he was sure that the place would be crawling with Millelith. Instead, he was treated to a rather calm place. The people moved from and fro with a steady pace, as if the events an hour ago did not take place.
"Is Liyue always like this?" Aether never noticed it before. The harbor was rather easy going in the aftermath of any disaster. Well, except for the deadly skirmish the Unknown God sent. The harbor burned bright that night. It was still baffling how a disaster right under their noses went mostly ignored.
"People were hurt, yes," Tianshu nodded. "But word came through that a mysterious figure dealt with the dastardly villains and Rex Lapis himself came into the mortal realm to protect his people, even if just being an observer." The old man shrugged. "I may not truly speak for the folks in the harbor, but when your patron god came from the heavens why worry at all? Not a soul died, more importantly not a soul throughout the nation did not witness the might of Rex Lapis."
The Pillar of Light.
He couldn't deny that, and Aether knew how powerful an Archon's influence was to mortals. Just giving a shield, one that was so tall and bright, to all that could see it throughout the harbor,it carved an immediate impression to any who witnessed it.
It was one for the history books, Aether was sure of it.
"What about the gang members?"
Tianshu frowned. "What about them?"
"I knocked down a dozen members before confronting the Mist Guard." Aether sheepishly recalled. It was a dumb plan, just demanding where Ningguang was from the bosses of the Arsenal. To be fair, when his friends are hurt or in danger, all bets are off. "There was a child with them, probably a member; and Sheng too. The girl was a young ruffian, at Ningguang's age, and washing clothes last I saw her."
As part of the agreement, Aether would let Sheng go under two conditions. Work with him to deal with the Servants of the Serpents and alert the rest of Liyue to them, and when they meet again Sheng would show the two fools that did the deed of kidnapping Ningguang.
"Sheng?!" Tianshu gapsed, his eyes wide in surprise. "This is news. When the Millelith searched the premises after the departure of Rex Lapis, we did apprehend some of the gang members. But..."
Aether perked his brow.
"Sheng and the girl you described were not one of them."
So, Sheng escaped. Aether did not feel disappointed at all. In fact, he was excited for the next time they would meet again. That, and search for the folks that went through with the plan to kidnap Ningguang. He would have words, many words, that he promised.
Speaking of promises, Ningguang was tugging on his scarf. There was some hesitance in her eyes, but a gleam of a familiar burning determination shined through, reminding him that this little girl here was an old friend he missed.
She wanted another hug. Aether obliged.
Ningguang wanted to cry again.
"I know you promised, but I still feel sad." Ningguang ended the hug, which was too soon for her. "But I'll be brave." She blushed, feeling embarrassed that she cried on him again. "For you." She felt like a stupid girl, humiliating herself in his presence.
But he still smiled for her, not once ever lecturing her or scolding her. It felt nice, being treated this way. Her heart pounded in her ears, her breathing slow, as she realized what she was feeling. Seeing his golden eyes looking soft on her, his gentle lips perking whenever he was around her.
Usually, Mister Aether would frown at anything or anyone, but whenever he looked at her, it was as if he felt calm and relaxed.
Ningguang was a country bumpkin before entering the city, now she felt like a grown woman who lived in it even if only for a day. She remembered the words Mister Aether used to describe a woman he admired; rich, smart, and influential.
Tianshu calling her a child of a merchant made her realize how she was closer to realizing her desire to be respected than she thought. And to be noticed by Mister Aether, of course.
There was a time when Ningguang wanted to live rich, free from the shackles of hardship. That was the old child, the old Ningguang, wandering the shoals on her bare feet until a stranger came crashing into her life.
Now? Ningguang dreamed of a perfect woman, a figure that even Mister Aether admired and held in high regard. She wanted to strive after that, to earn that sort of admiration and to be cherished the same way. Of course, she would never take the place of that woman, but Ningguang felt the burning sensation of ambition sparking within.
What is Mora but a commodity? This… this desire was the true value. Mora was a stepping stone to her goals, nothing more. For her simple happiness, not found in Mora, but within Mister Aether's presence.
Watching as Aether gave her another comforting smile, Ningguang knew at that moment, it was that smile she would work hard to earn.
"I knew I could count on you." Aether gave her another ruffle in the hair, but she did not mind nor would she care. Etching a determined gaze, Ningguang promised to herself that he would do more than ruffling her hair one day.
"I suppose this is goodbye, Mister Aether."
It was hard to even utter that, Ningguang could admit it was a scary thought with Mister Aether gone. Her eyes did not flinch, nor did her lip tremble. She put up a brave front, for if she couldn't then what was the point of her conviction?
He gave her an unreadable look, as if seeing someone else in her form.
"Goodbye seemed so despondent." Aether smiled, one that reached his eyes, and one that strung her heartstrings so boldly. "I prefer saying that I'll see you next time."
"Y-yeah,of course!"
Damn that smile! And her fragile heart!
"Oh, would you look at that," the old man, Tianshu, remarked whilst looking at the distance. "She's here, and the little adepti brought something too. Could that be...?"
Gazing at where Aether was staring, the stupid law "student" strutted into the port, with a giant wrapped pole on her back. Huffing in annoyance, Ningguang still had not forgiven the woman for telling off Mister Aether. Just seeing her confident smile, one that was aimed at Mister Aether, got on her nerves. Ningguang's stiff and dubious nerves to be exact.
With her here, Ningguang was reminded of the fact that Mister Aether had to leave her. Now she really wanted to cry.
But Mister Aether called her a woman who'd grown, and grown women never cry. Not for another woman.
"Hey there, boss. So, where's our ride?"
"Don't call me that," Aether grunted in reply. "I just arrived, and can't make heads or tails about the ships in this pier." Many seemed sea-worthy, but the crews on those ships were missing, as if they decided to join together on shore leave. Beidou, his old Beidou, would think otherwise. There are always crew members on board, dock or not. "Did something happen?"
Yanfei and the old Qixing member shared a knowing look, and the half-adepti asked, "Haven't you heard? The entire city would be in a lock down in an hour." She grimaced, thinking how difficult that would be. "All roads leading in or out of the city are already closed, the harbor will be following soon, as the Millelith might swarm the pier in a hour or two. I had my dad rush me here when he heard the news."
Aether's eyes widened, that never happened before. In fact, this was the first time he heard that Liyue was on lockdown in such a manner.
"How bad?"
Yanfei took a glance behind her, nervous energy flaring. "Bad enough that Ganyu and some of the Adepti showed up to confront the Millelith at the main bridge. Some important travelers were even barred."
Ningguang behind him gasped in worry. The old man himself narrowed his eyes, Aether too, as they both had a feeling who was responsible for such a desperate action.
"This is serious then," Aether muttered in frustration.
The old man decided that this moment was enough for him, and marched north of the harbor. "I'll be seeing what the hell is going on out there." The old Qixing grumbled. "I have a feeling that someone in particular is responsible for this."
The old man gave Aether a strong nod, and waved away at Yanfei, before leaving with a hard stomp towards the main bridge.
Aether and Yanfei did not argue. Aether himself trusted the old man to settle this matter, or at least mitigate it. Having important visitors being barred in a merchant city might ruffle a few feathers at least for the bastard. Yanfei on the other hand wanted to help the old man, but her new duties brought her here. So, here, by this man's side shall she stay. Plus, Yanfei might have a solution to a problem plaguing them both.
"Hmm, I just remembered," Yanfei considered a past assignment. "The agency that I am interning at gave me a mediocre assignment a week ago, about the client's dispute with another pet owner regarding his cat and the neighbor's dog."
"Where are you going with this exactly?" Aether wondered what she was up to now.
"I do remember one important detail regarding their argument, that the client was in a hurry to settle the dispute as he was scheduled to leave the following week without worrying about the neighbor's dog bothering his pet cat." Yanfei's eyes widened in surprise. Snapping her fingers when she remembered, Yanfei smiled at her fortune. "There was a ship about to leave this hour, this day, in this week. And the client I had last week was the captain of that ship!"
Chuckling in amusement, Aether somehow knew Yanfei could pull it off. "I felt like I underestimated your services. Morax was right, you are worth every mora. Where is the ship now?"
"My services are exemplary," Yanfei huffed, but glowed at the praise. "If I remembered correctly…" Spotting a ship a mere few moments away, the farthest and the only ship with a busy crew, Aether knew she found their ride. "There it is! The Northern Maiden, the one and only ship bound to Snezhnaya every moon."
Yanfei smirked victoriously. "And our only ride out of here."
"Won't they stop-search the ship before they leave?" Aether perked a brow at her suggestion. As every second passed by, Aether felt the option was getting more attractive.
His new secretary shook her head, "Not if you want to piss off the owner of that ship." Yanfei frowned, "Apparently, he is a wealthy businessman and a political powerhouse of Snezhnaya. And they had a delay once, a day late. Let's just say one of the Qixing members stepped down from that bold accusation of them shipping explicit goods like Delusions, and a thorough search was made." She shuddered, remembering that case. "There were no Delusions on board, and no sane Qixing member would dare tread on the legs of the ship anymore. Let's just say the Qixing member that stepped down mysteriously disappeared after that."
Aether frowned as well, feeling agitated from the fact that he might owe that "banker" a favor. He might've hated Signora on principle alone, but that man always peeved Aether the wrong way, and the Lady was more amiable in terms of being enemies already that allied with one another. At least she was not hiding her contempt.
"I see." Aether gazed back at a nervous Ningguang, shifting her feet in irritation. "I suppose this is where we part ways." As Yanfei left him behind to talk to the captain, Aether was left with Qiqi still staring hard at the setting sun, and the company of a child that was ready to burst to tears again.
"Hmm, you know what?" Aether smiled. "I'll give you a challenge."
"Huh?" Ningguang perked her eyes at his sudden test for her. "What do you mean, Mister Aether?"
"I'll come back, sooner or later, as I promised." He held a palm out. "And when you establish a successful business anytime I drop by, I want to see you succeed." Aether winked at her, "When that day comes, I shall reward you generously." Maybe when Ningguang did, he would give the Memory of Dust to her, as he had his world's version deep within his dimensional pocket. All the knowledge and wisdom to those who scour for it, his own Ningguang certainly had a boon from it: Ancient secrets and all.
He wondered when Ningguang would find it in this world.
Not noticing her deep blush, Ningguang nodded her head in determination. "I will! When you step foot on this harbor, you will definitely hear the name Ningguang! Fierce business woman of Liyue!"
He will never doubt that. Aether expected iteven. "Repeat after me: Here, I shall flourish magnanimously." Aether placed a hand on his heart, smiling like a fool, and remembering the many times he had accompanied her- his old Ningguang -around Liyue for a time.
It was worth the embarrassment, as her ruby eyes brightened exponentially. "Here, I shall flourish magnanimously!"
Smiling one final time, Aether ruffled her hair, and waved one last goodbye. Receiving a shy and sad wave back, Aether marched ahead to follow where Yanfei bounced off to. Ningguang hesitantly stood where she was, then jogged back to the fish markets. Probably to find old man Wu, and maybe get a head start on her mission to build the foundations of her economic empire, whether Aether knew this or not.
It did not matter, as he believed wholeheartedly that she would do so without fail.
"Qiqi?"
The little zombie girl was still staring ahead, the red horizon of the ocean that awaited him and the future his friends and family died for. But the past he left was not as easy to leave behind, more so for his curious friend that too remembered.
"Are you sad Qiqi?" Aether asked, as they both watched the sun setting across the horizon. The Guyun Stone Forest looked ominously beautiful from here, a reminder, a mark of a dark past.
For both of them, the lively city was enough to remind them of their failures.
"No, just confused," Qiqi said, tilting her head at the sight. "Everything was burning, it was hot. Like the sun, Qiqi felt lost, and then it became clear again."
"Like night and day?"
Qiqi nodded her little head. "Yes, Qiqi was scared. Now, with you, Qiqi is happy again."
Aether softly smiled, "I'm sorry I left you behind. I thought- no, I truly believed you would be safe here. After the quick skirmish, I thought that the Unknown God won't strike twice and finish the job." He wrapped warm hands around her, hugging in brief despair that overcame him. "I cried. I cried when I heard that the harbor was lost. When Keqing sent a letter to me about you I-"
Qiqi placed a hand on his face. It was cold, but it was the warmest touch he had in a long time. This was different from the companionship of Ningguang, merely a stranger to a friend.
This was the bond between two survivors.
The bond between friends could be re-forged in a day, but the horrors Aether bared witness to could never be relatable to anyone else except himself. And Qiqi it seems.
"How could you remember?" Aether asked out of worry. "I thought I would be the only one that could…" This exposes a lot of risks. What if the Unknown God remembers? Considering that he did not account for Qiqi to even remotely remember the past timeline, or just the past itself, was astonishing as it was horrifying.
It seemed that he not only screwed up his time-travel, but he possibly fucked it up by bringing along others that potentially remember. His heart soured, especially at the thought of his friends remembering. His soul shattered at the implications of this mess.
"Remember?" Qiqi gave him a bewildered stare. "Qiqi is still confused. Liyue is still here, and you are here. That is all that matters to Qiqi."
"Maybe for another time," Aether muttered, seeing Yanfei waving at the other side of the harbor. "It seems that Yanfei got us a ride." He smiled at Qiqi expectantly. "Do you…? Do you wish to go on an adventure with me? I understand if you don't want to, as I already abandoned you-"
"Qiqi wants to," Qiqi firmly replied. "Qiqi loves adventures. Qiqi loves the Traveler. Qiqi does not… I want to never feel alone again." She gave him a pleading look. "Please. Not without you?"
Aether will never say no. Not since he was the one that delivered Qiqi her own cruel fate.
He was the monster that left her here in the first place, not the bastards that finally killed her. "Of course! I was just asking if you felt scared or angry."
"Angry? Why? Qiqi is not angry."
You should be. But Aether could not be vocal about it. Not yet.
"C'mon. We can't keep Yanfei waiting." Taking the zombie child's hand, Aether led them to the other side where the only ship in the harbor that had any resemblance of human traffic, was sitting, and waiting to sail in the final light of the sun.
"What's taking so long?" Yanfei asked, perking a brow for both of them. "The captain did remember me, something about my ability to find a compromise," Yanfei muttered the last part to herself. "He is willing to open the board for any willing passengers heading to Snezhnaya, no stops of course."
"Good," Aether nods. "We can get out of here anyhow." Better than facing more political trouble, and Aether really needed a breather. He thought he could find one at Liyue, but anywhere he went there's always trouble. It could potentially bring more to Yanfei's plate, and he felt bad about it.
"That reminds me," Yanfei narrowed her eyes. Extending a hand out, Yanfei gave Aether the most expectant look there was. "My first pay, please."
"Eh?"
"We certainly can't leave without paying the captain and his crew for our troubles." Gesturing with her fingers, Yanfei cheekily smiled as she extended her arm further to an open palm waiting for Mora to rain from the sky. "Consider this my first paycheck, and advance wages for my services. Now cough them up."
He took it back, whatever trouble reared its ugly head, Aether hoped it would give her headaches..
Beidou was a genius.
Or she would have been, had her stomach not rumble like a hungry beast.
"Hey- Oh, what in Celestia's name?!" Being yanked out like a fish from a barrel was an experience Beidou would not like to repeat in the future. It was degrading as it was embarrassing, especially in the presence of her hero!
A very bewildered and worried looking hero.
"What's with yer nargin', kid?" The old codger that found her grumbled, as he inspected her like inspecting a fish before gutting it. "Where 'ar ya parents? A lass like you shouldn't be here. The cap'n wouldn't like a rapscallion like you on board."
Plopping her down, Beidou huffed. "This ain't fair, old man. I thought old codgers like you would have trouble hearing."
"Wha-?! Now, look here missy…!"
Midriff-lady suddenly interrupted both of them before it could lead an old man to an early retirement. Beidou had to be confident like that. "What's going on around here?"
The would-be retiree gave Beidou the stink-eye. "Apologies for the delay, ma'am. This young'n here decided it was wise to ask an old man like me for wisdom and advice."
"Advice I don't approve," the midriff-lady deadpanned to the both of them. "Look, there's a high chance that the Millelith might forgo any courtesies if we delay any further." There was a heavy clinking on her hand, though. A very heavy-looking pouch bounced off her palm. "We don't want any more trouble than it is, would we?"
"With the gods deciding to grace us with 'er presence, the ground and sky being unsatisfied, and doing me job and getting yawped for it." The old codger cursed, like a well-trained sailor. Beidou could respect that. "I could do without the mess too, ma'am. But this young'n-" A wrinkled finger pointed her way. "-seemed stubborn as a mule. Ah know the look in her eyes, fierce and burning that one. Like thunder. There ain't no way she is moving."
The midriff-lady sighed. "Look, kid." Her teal eyes now gazed on Beidou, and she felt a bit discomforted in her stern gaze. Who was this lady? "I can appreciate a good drive, but this is serious business. Where's your parents? Certainly, they could miss you-"
"I don't have any." Not since she left the fishing village.
"Oh." There was a look that Beidou hated the most, and the pity the midriff-lady gave her was enough to get her hackles rising. Beidou was no kid, dammit. She was to be strong, not weak. "Surely, there are plenty of orphanages around here-"
"I was from one. Left them, can't let them have a burden like me."
The old codger was now changing expressions on the fly. "Now, listen here, lassy-"
"I ain't a kid!" Beidou yelled, her temper and her emotions getting the better of her. "I can handle myself. Just please let me board, I could wash, I learned how to tie a rope, and I can do some labor…"
She was an average cook, but the Abyss would rather live peacefully with the world than let her admit it.
The midriff-lady groaned in frustration. It seemed to tear her apart on what to do, but those resolved eyes were what Beidou feared the most. "Look, find another ship. Wait for tomorrow or something-"
"No!" Anything but that! This was her chance, she could learn under a hero! A legend! "Not now-! I-"
"Hmm? You look familiar." It was her hero! Though, he was giving her unreadable looks. "What are you doing here?"
"My question exactly!" The midriff-lady exclaimed. "We have no time for this, Efir. The Millelith might grow bold, or worse, HE could grow desperate."
Efir? Beidou frowned. Wasn't the guy's name Aether? Or did she misheard the midriff-lady right?
"I know, I know," Aether raised his hands in defense. "I get we're on a time frame, but she could come with us." He gave her a small smile. "Better here than anywhere right?" The guy asked her, giving her mysterious looks as if he expected her to know the answer.
Who cares?! Her face was burning red right now!
"I- Ee- Wha?" Beidou slapped her cheeks. "I mean, yeah! There's no problem! None at all." This will be so cool!
The old codger hummed. "We could use an extra hand. Xie was reported to have been sick and left behind." He gave her a knowing look, especially when he saw how red she became in her hero's presence.
Beidou gave the old man the most grateful of looks. She took it back, the old codger was cool. She would do all his chores throughout the entire journey.
The midriff-lady was still skeptical. "Are you sure? This could be considered a kidnapping… What's up with your luck, anyway?!"
Her hero merely gave a pathetic shrug. "Can't keep up with the tally, I'm afraid." Aether smirked, "Not that it could be."
Huffing, the midriff-lady gave up on that stead. Her critical eye proved true, though. "This ain't a normal ride, ya know? I had to convince my old client to give up some space for a fee. The one we discussed was only enough for you, me, and your little companion. Surely, stretching your funds would be bad." Beidou could see that this woman was a sort of advisor to the guy. Beidou was no accountant, but even numbers scare her.
"You couldn't possibly-"
Another bag of something heavy dropped into the woman's chest, as she struggled to suddenly balance herself.
"Hmm, fortunately, there was spare change." Aether smirked again, this time towards her. "Make sure to at least help around the ship. That could surely ease the captain's mind." He winked. "Say, you up for an adventure? I won't mind the extra help."
An adventure freely given by her hero? Beidou's face has a limit, but her smile surpassed all of that. And that reddening blush haunting her face. Dammit!
Boarding the ship alongside the astonished midriff-lady, Aether, and the cute kid!- was the best feeling in her life.
The sun sets, and the dawn shall rise on the morrow. Oh, and Beidou is a genius.
Genevra hated this.
"What the hell do you mean that the gates are closed?!"
"My Lady, calm down-" Oh, hell no. He made this mistake, the old man must pay for it. Genevra will not sit aside, not for his mistake. This was her own fault, actually listening to the old man. She paid the price for it.
"Dammit!" She growled furiously, making the nearby Millelith shift in nervousness. Good, she would not make it easy on anyone, especially to those that dared to block her way. "Let me speak to the Qixing, I'm sure this could be resolved."
One of the braver ones stepped forth, gulped in fear, and measly replied, "The city's gates are closed. Under the order of Lord Kai, the Qixing council will be occupied under the current situation-"
Clang. Her claymore dug beneath the earth, a furious sign of conquest from the fiery people of Natlan. "Take me to that bastard now, then."
Immediately, the reaction was a blur, as a dozen Millelith soldiers surrounded them. "Halt! Under the blessing of the Qixing, any malicious activities are to be stopped immediately." The man had an ounce of courage, and glared towards them. "You are outnumbered a dozen to one, fighting would be futile."
The old man sighed beside her, knowing full well how this was a diplomatic disaster.
Genevra, on the other hand, smirked. "Want to test those odds?" Gripping the handle of her entombed blade, her burning eyes gazed around her numerous prey. "I've faced a dozen Ruin Guards before, a good warm up sounds to be enough for the lot of you."
As the Millelith bristled at her quip, and before things could go downhill, a stern voice halted any idea of violence.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Another old geezer showed up behind the Millelith, a familiar sight to behold. At least for the old man Ignacio. Genevra couldn't give a shit.
The same Millelith gawked behind him in shock, "Lord Tianshu! Stay back-"
"Do you want to die, boy?" The old geezer asked gravely. "Such a promising career ended in a swift strike. What a shame." He shook his head in vain. "There's no point in struggling, or trying. This woman here can slice through all of you like a well-baked Mooncake. Best spare the rest of us the embarrassment."
"But-! My Lord! Lord Kai-"
Tianshu did not let him finish. "A fool and a dead man after this, that I promise you. The rest of the Adepti have already headed towards the High Pavilion to seek Lord Kai's excuses before divine justice would befall him." He glared at the boy, daring him to argue around the rest of his petrified comrades. "Would a true son of Liyue dare disobey Rex Lapis' will? Would all of you?!"
Genevra wanted to be impressed, but at this moment, she wasted more time breathing in her life.
It worked well, especially when many of the Millelith dropped their stances. The man hesitated, but did so as well, but in a way that tasted terrible in his mouth. "Yes, My Lord." He saluted with his spear. "But visitors like them cannot enter the city, as they have insulted our pride."
"Cry about it." Genevra mocked.
The old man hissed, "My Lady, now is not the time. Waste not on their attempts, as we might be too late already."
No. Genevra refused such defeat, not with what's at stake. Not saying anything back, she could only scoff.
"These are important guests, even if they are rude." The old geezer sent her knowing looks. "To deny them is to deny their sovereignty. Let them in."
Making their way to the sea of spectators and guards, the Lady of House Ragnvindr and the Captain of the Outriders finally crossed the bridge. Genevra was about to sprint ahead, but an aged body got in her way. Again.
What's up with these old folks?
"Old friend, let her through," Ignacio begged, dragging the Qixing member aside and away from her death glare. "I'll explain everything."
"No need," the old geezer grunted. "He already left."
What?
Ignacio gasped, not noticing how the air left her own lungs, "How? Did you meet him?"
"Unfortunately, but the ship he was on already left. Look over there." A massive ship, the only one on the bay, slowly heads towards the far horizon. "Rex Lapis has notified me that strangers entered his land with a strong desire to find a certain adventurer." The old geezer shrugged helplessly. "The ship had already left when I interrupted that embarrassing swaray. I have half the mind to discipline those troops-"
"My Lady," Ignacio asked in concern. "Are you well?"
She failed, again. Genevra was not strong enough. Fast enough.
Genevra hated this. Feeling alive, she thought she would be happy. Instead, in this moment, all she could do was watch the ship on the fading horizon and heave miserably.
Not since she heard the news of her cruel fate in sickness, Genevra wept.
THE AUTHOR'S NOTES
Liyue Arc - ACT I - First Step
...is finally complete.
It has been a long while, and I hope my readers haven't been too impatient with the wait. The plan was already set, as the chapter was meant to be uploaded last June. But life has been hard lately.
Consensus was for me to live on my own without any problems, but my future is still in the hands of my parents. With their financial situation worsening, I have to backpedal most of my hobbies for the past thirty days. And yes, I've counted. My education will halt this school year, and now I have a second part-time job just in hopes of paying the tuition next school year on my own.
Now, that is no excuse, but I had hope for the first week to go easy and acclimate to the new situation and continue with my writing schedule. Instead, I was swamped with too much work. I couldn't even write a proper sentence when I came home from work. Too tired to even process my imagination and creativity.
Worse still, I lost a pivotal scene between Aether and Yanfei. Now that I had bought a new laptop months prior, I thought it best to rush the transfer of data and files to the new laptop. One of my cousins kept pestering me regarding his need for a hard-drive. I had an old model, one that was trusty and kept my drafts safe. Until I thought that I had transferred everything safely and burned the drive empty. Weeks into June, I was scratching my head and wondering where the majority of the scenes I drafted disappeared to. I might not have realized how futile my search was, thinking it was on my phone or my dad's laptop that I sometimes use to write these fics. I couldn't find them. That is until I saw many of the pictures from my former hard-drive to the new laptop missing a few images. Folders even went missing. It was until I realized how late or fruitless my scurrying about was.
It was a darn shame too, as it built up Aether's and Yanfei's relationship at that moment, the beginning of a fruitful friendship that will be tested in the years to come. I wouldn't dare replicate it, as I barely remembered how the scene was drafted. Though, I do remember how heavy the scene's impact was on me. And could have been for my readers too.
Apart from that mishap, there was a gaping hole in the middle of the chapter. And I felt bad that I couldn't fix it. I also felt that Genevra's story was a bit rushed, but I couldn't help but feel like I was running out of time.
My plans for the next weeks or so is to update and combine the many chapters in the Liyue Arc and ACT I of OCF. With the help of my new Beta Reader, the process will be swift. An update every week or two, until we can reach the Epilogue chapters.
Need not worry about my own problems, as they are my own responsibility. The situation might change in the coming days, or maybe not, but I will keep holding to that faith.
Next up:
Snezhnaya Arc - ACT II - Queen's Gambit
Mondstadt's Characters Arc - ACT III - Turbulent Winds (Interlude Chapters - One Year Time Skip)
Aether's Rise Arc - ACT IV - Whispers in the Dark (a mix of Snezhnaya and Sumeru chapters)
Mondstadt Arc - ACT V - Homecoming
I'll also be updating the rest of my minor stories when I have time. I hope so, as it has been months for most of them. I also came back playing Genshin again, as I can't concentrate on writing whilst on duty, but I could certainly spend some minutes on the game while working. Can't wait on the new 3.0 update. Sumeru looks awesome.
Give me your thoughts, as I missed your opinions. My readers' thoughts are my food pellet for inspiration after all. My muse has been avoiding me lately.
The wet-cobbled streets beneath white-marble towers in the moonlight, overshadowing the billowing smoke, lies a small alley. Even amongst the glimmering towers that resembled pillars towards the heavens, the sick and twisted truth of the city that was unironically known for its justice made itself known upon a mirrored reality.
A city split in two.
The first, and well-known image throughout the world, were its eternal gardens and untainted towers. The second, and its most infamous, the dark factories that are beneath the city itself and into the river that might look clean, but was mixed with the tears and blood of orphans that slaved throughout its rusted halls.
My, what a city indeed.
If there was anything that Anton loved apart from his cheesecakes were the senses of irony around him. It proved to be an entertaining aspect of his life. Since it was filled with glamor-crusted colors and bloodshed, a tiny hobby of finding something worthwhile to observe with mirth proved ideal.
Still, he was a professional, and his kind tended to keep appearances at the maximum.
He was the gentleman thief of Fontaine, after all. A title that lasted throughout the centuries since the legendary Arsene Bloodrose stole his way into fame and the hearts of many. Including his.
With gentle steps, the tapping of sewage water beneath him made his pace go a little faster. He hated that he agreed to meet in a place like this, deep in the shadows and steam.
A figure entered the dark alleyway, with a stark-white suit and top-hat, his face covered by a luxurious parasol. The footsteps slipping into the wet and soggy street, echoing a tapping noise upon every step that he took.
With the name of LeBlanc, he created a legacy on his own.
He was well-known for his hospitality for his clients and enemies. Treating them to the most expensive locales and luxuries.
Instead of building up his fledgling criminal empire, he had obligations to meet the madmen that seemed intent on being disillusioned into thinking that they owned the place. Obviously, they may be the most powerful and oldest factions within the Underground, but there was something off about them.
Aside from absurd rumors, the Serpent has the most skilled and devoted fighters.
Not even the Azure Guard, the prime constables of the law, messed with them. Even if that obnoxious brat with a sense of blind justice did try to fight the Serpents and won, they still escaped justice. Ah, the wonders of bribery and corruption. How quaint.
Halting his footsteps, LeBlanc noticed this private area was not so private after all.
He sighed and lowered his parasol, revealing his face to show an expression of foreseeing this. Luscious red hair, and the most gleaming lavender eyes. It could make any woman swoon.
Unfortunately, tonight at least, the woman scrambling towards him barely swooned at all. More preoccupied with the fear that seemed to shadow her erratic movements. Spotting a gentleman at the middle of the outpour of rain, she smiled graciously and approached him with a sense of uncertainty.
Of course, as a gentleman, he was to treat her with respect.
"My lady, what seems to be the matter? You shouldn't roam about this late at night."
She was young, and her lithe features helped with her simple outfit. Must be a poor girl from the farmsteads or the outskirts towns doing business in the city. A shame, he could've enjoyed such nice company.
"Please," she cried. "H-help me. There's a monster following me!"
Gentle brows perked upwards. "May I ask what made you so fiercely afraid, my lady?" He gave her his best smile, to reassure her spirits. It had seemed to work well, her skittering stopped, and he could sense her heart-beat calm down. "I'm afraid it must've been the shadows. The factories still burn fuel at this time, and the machinery might have helped conjure the image on your mind. It's all the norm, my lady. Do not be ashamed of such things. Fear is a part of us humans."
"I see." While still nervous, her smile aimed towards him made his heart ache in guilt. "I'm grateful, good sir. A girl like me really shouldn't be out late at night, but my uncle forgot his pocket watch at the shop and-"
Hushing the young woman with a gloved-finger on her soft lips, LeBlanc nodded at her explanation and panicked response. "There's no need to tell me, I understand. Now, why don't you go along this way." Gesturing behind him, the way he came from to meet his obligations was dark and filled with smoke, but it seemed to brighten up the woman. "It might be best to travel in lighter areas, and safer that way."
"Thank you." She blushed, as she bowed at him before stepping forward. Watching as the woman left, he was sure to close his eyes to what was to happen. Instead, he was surprised when she called out to him, half-way into the dark alley.
"Why-why don't you escort me to my apartment? I-I'm sure I could thank your generous actions tonight." She looked back at him, fixing her hair behind her ear.
"A kind gesture," he smiled. "But wasted on a man like me. I'm afraid that I have urgent business tonight. A friend of mine would be disappointed if I don't show."
"Oh." The downfallen expression certainly made him regret it. But it was for the best. "I suppose, could I know your name? I can tell you mine. I'm-"
A hand raised stopped her voice, and LeBlanc frowned. "There's no need. Step into the alley, and it'll all be over."
"I mean, of course! I just wanna-" The woman could not finish her hopeful sentence before she felt choking on something. "I- hrk!" A flood of red gushed out of her throat, seamlessly dropping into the wet cobbled floor of the alley.
She was still alive, he lamented. Looking behind the girl, a figure in black drapes was ominously standing behind her. "You were too slow." A voice gasped towards him. The girl, who was clutching her throat, widened her eyes as she fell on her knees, and soaking her skirt with her blood mixed into the mud and rain. "I was getting impatient."
"With the meeting? Or your recent prey?" LeBlanc mocked the masked figure, looking away from the scene and ignoring the gurgling cries of the poor girl. "I was about to finish it, until your grubby little cultish hands got a bit excited. How unruly, at least do it somewhere or before we meet."
"I did," shrugged the masked figure. "A dozen ones. I got a little impatient waiting on you, and decided to tail this little lamb. That is, until you decided to play prince charming." He knew beneath that mask, the sicko was actually smiling. "How did that work for you?"
If there were any words to describe this monster garbed in darkness, LeBlanc would have been a well-known writer instead, considering the amount of it. He was wearing a bone-like mask, with only one slit to the right, leaving the other side smooth. It was sharp, the features of the mask could agree, and it fit well with the dark coat.
It was as if the doctor of death came knocking by.
"I wouldn't know." Wrinkling his nose, LeBlanc stared back at the wrangling figure beneath the masked figure. He regretted that curiosity.
She was still struggling, twisting her body tightly, and choking her neck, in an effort to stop the fountain of blood that was pouring out.
"How uncouth." He still wondered why he, and the rest of the underworld, still let those disgusting cults roam the beautiful streets of Fontaine. The erratic woman on the ground might have been a clue as to why. His instincts told him that he is still alive, and not dead because he did offend the other monster in the alleyway. Not yet, anyway.
"Must you really prolong their suffering?" The twisting and gurgling was enough, and he looked away.
"The question is, why should I?" To his horror, instead of finishing her off, the sicko just sat on his heels and closely observed the dying woman. "It's quite fascinating. You should try it sometimes."
Ignoring the gut feeling within, he replied tersely. "Do you enjoy the suffering of others that much?"
"Eh, not really." Shrugging helplessly, the masked figure watched closely as the struggle was waning down. "It is not the pain, nor the noise of suffering that catches my attention, but the cries for help- for salvation."
The gurgling stopped too, but LeBlanc did not dare look back. "Why so?" He asked, to distract his mind, and his heart on something else. He soon regretted asking.
"All human beings suffer," the masked man gestured towards the motionless girl. "Like an animal bleeding out, it will continue to live and fight, but only during its final moments could it only wait as the darkness slowly seeps in." The girl finally let go of her throat, her bloodied hands falling to her sides. "It is only then they realize the truth. That their whole lives could have meant something, and they wished for an answer."
Silence.
Not even the rain trickling down on them did make any noise.
"So, why did you wish to meet?" His tone was as blank as his name. "Why now?"
The mask figured rose behind him. "It is time. The next Calling of Council, the meeting between the lords of the underworld throughout Teyvat, we wish to merely attend."
Just hearing those words, LeBlanc paled. "What?"
That's impossible. There was no way that those freaks would want a seat on the council, as they certainly could attain it. They have a resident from Celestia supporting them, after all. The rest of the criminal underworld is rather filled with mortal ideals. If a goddess were to take part in the dark politics that haunt this city, then it changes the game entirely.
His voice hitched, as LeBlanc realized the size of the matter. "I thought you were against meeting "heretics" and decry the call? I thought your mistress' pride dismisses the notion of us weaklings?"
He despised the gods, and now an arrogant whore of Celestia's gilded doors decided to play a mortal's game? He bit his delicate lips, wondering why such a thing happened.
"Things change." The masked man said. "The wind blows north, for now. But when it comes south, the Serpents must be ready." The only open slit to one side of the mask glowed ominously, his reptile iris narrowed dangerously. "And so must the other lords and ladies of the Midnight Court. Unless they too fall to the wind."
"The wind?" LeBlanc asked. "What does the air have to do with this?"
The masked man shook his head, and tsked at the lack of foresight the so-called Gentleman thief of Fontaine had. "Have you not heard? A Champion of Barbatos has arisen in Mondstadt. Its valleys and hills awake with strong breeze once more."
"The Anemo Archon? You and your goddess ain't starting a war are you?" Conflicts were bad business, unless you were a weapons merchant, then profit in strife was their deal. Not his. Or many of the more well-founded, but old, established crime families that made up the Syndicate.
Still, a war between gods were only stories, and he prefered that they stay that way. He shuddered, the cold rain and pale winds seemed to only make his spine tingle.
"Hmm," the masked individual hummed. "What about the incident at Liyue?"
"Ah, now that I've heard off." It was not hard to, as the diplomats from Liyue brought forth a worrying case against the many factions within the underworld. Fontaine of course ignored this and stated that their fair and beautiful country never housed this so-called Syndicate. The fact that the Liyue diplomats specifically called out a name that was well-known throughout the city, made many within the Syndicate worry and the blame game started.
Lower gangs not part of the Syndicate even were blamed, and violence was starting to brew. The fools that were caught within the Golden Harbor were still not revealed.
"Again, why me? Or why the Council?" There were over a hundred families and gangs within the Syndicate, talented individuals that worked alone like him were a rare case invited to the Midnight Council. A special group within the Syndicate that is the highest authority that governs over the underworld. "I have no idea who was the idiot that started the mess. Certainly the council as well, much to their frustration."
"Good." The masked individual hissed, pleased with something he said. "We need a professional to... personally teach our troops with your skills. Compensation is of course within par for the course, and your devotion will be rewarded greatly."
"I'll think about it." Muttering that he no doubt would reject it, later and not in the presence of this terrifying man. Compared to his insane colleagues, this individual was a sociopath that knows what he wants. The most dangerous ones yet.
He was prepared to hastily leave, but the masked man called out again. "Have you heard about those twins?" The odd tone of the masked man was curious.
"You mean those bunch of scurrying rats?" LeBlanc scowled, remembering those twins that recently made a name for themselves. "Jumping over rooftops and performing like minstrels desperate for attention? What a joke. They're no threat." He looked back, eyes gleaming with jealousy. "A bunch of trouble-making kids are nothing towards us adults after all."
"We'll see." The masked man laughed. "Interesting individuals, indeed. A fine collection to Her Holiness' collection. They are far more than what they seem. I know so."
"As you say." With a gracious strut out of the alley, LeBlanc opened his parasol once more. Ignoring the figure behind, the Gentleman thief fled with grace. "I wouldn't know, as I never care."
The night seemed to drag on, the stars hidden from the thundering rain. Even still, the masked figure stared above, enlightened by the truth he had witnessed years ago. It did not matter if the ignorant never believed until they have seen it, the truth was hidden after all. Only those that seek them, that strive for them, shall be enlightened.
"The World Serpent knows all."
Yeah, he works with nutjobs. He needed a drink.