4th of the 12th Cycle
Aether mindlessly stared up at the cold stone ceiling above him.
He was in a small cell, around five by eight cubits with a height barely high enough to allow him to stand upright. Surrounded around him were four stone brick walls, with a single hardwood door embedded in one of the walls. The floor was of smooth stone, and all in all, surprisingly clean.
Deep in the bowels of the Great Keep, there were no windows nor any ventilation grates - so despite the well hygiene the air was thick and stale. There were no light sources save for a single candle and holder in the corner of the room. At the start of every new day - and thanks to his otherworldly qualities he was able to ascertain time accurately despite lack of access to the sky - his guards would bring him a meal to break his fast, as well as a new candle.
Save for that, the cell that made his temporary abode was positively barren, there was no furniture - no bed - only a wooden pail in the corner meant for him to excrete in. Except, Aether had no need to do so, so long as he did not consume physical food.
Thus, to save at least some of his dignity, he always left the food brought to him uneaten - at first to the worry of his caretakers, but they soon realised he was not as human as they thought.
Aether knew that he could surely escape from his captivity, even despite his sealed powers he was still strong enough to break through the hardwood door of his cell and fight through all the guardsmen. But he did not, and would not unless he was given no other choice. He was not a particularly petty man, but it still left a foul taste in his mouth being 'betrayed' by the people he saved.
So if he were to escape, then he ought to have it done moments before his execution - just to show just how out of reach he truly was to mere mortals.
Nevertheless, he knew he was a more fortunate prisoner. Many of the knights were noble scions, aristocratic second and third sons and daughters who joined the Order to give their lives some worth. These nobles held a more reserved view of the Church of Favonius compared to the smallfolk, so they treated him well - giving him acceptable food and a clean cell.
Other than that, his time in prison has been positively mind-numbing. There was nothing to see or do in his barren cell, there was no light save for a single woeful candle, and since he was surrounded on all sides by stone walls - with an opaque wooden door - there was even nothing to hear. The most he could make out - even with his inhuman ears - was the faint muttering of the guards stationed outside his cell.
Which was why he was caught off-guard when the door suddenly creaked open, allowing light to flood into his cell. Aether squinted his eyes at the sudden onrush of brightness, pushing himself off the cold floor into a cross-legged sitting position.
"-for a moment, dame."
"Yes, thank you."
"Ah… a welcome surprise," he aired.
"I'm here to bring you to the trial," Amber informed him, "It will be a public affair, in the Favonius Cathedral."
"I don't suppose I will be having a fair trial?"
"No, you will not," she admitted, "With the Church and civilian authorities on the same side, well…"
Aether sighed heavily, it was to be expected.
"Your Grandmaster told me to trust her, what can I do except do so?"
Amber shifted on her feet, her face morphing into an unsure expression that Aether decided he did not like the look off. She turned around and closed the cell door before replying, as if afraid the guards outside would hear her.
"Nobody denies the Grandmaster is an honourable person, we owe you a great debt, and she has taken it upon herself to repay it."
"But…?"
The outrider wetted her lips nervously, before continuing.
"But she is a Gunnhildr," she said, as if it explained everything, "Do you know the words of the Gunnhildr Clan? 'For Mondstadt, as always.' She will try her best to vindicate you, but remember that if the trial becomes too far gone, then she will put nothing- nothing above the well-being of Mondstadt."
"Even if I must become the sacrificial lamb."
"Yeah," she agreed, before continuing in a more uplifting tone, "But I don't think you need to worry - the Grandmaster wouldn't tell me her plan, but she seems confident."
"I did not make her out to be a plotter."
"She's a noble, all nobles are plotters," Amber laughed, "In time she will inherit Windrise, the second largest city this side of the realm - and she is also the successor of Grandmaster Varka. She will have many enemies, and honour will not save you from a knife in the dark."
Before anything more could be spoken, they were interrupted by the guards outside banging against the door - signalling that their time was up. Amber turned her head around to face the door, before bringing her gaze back to him.
"Get up and turn around."
Aether obliged, slowly rising to his feet and turning on his heel - to feel Amber seize his arms and chain them together behind his back with manacles. Then, he heard the door creak open, and he was pushed outside, into the prison hall.
The two guards outside his cell flanked behind him as Amber took point, creating a sort of triangle formation with him in the centre. As he was marched up to the stairs, Aether took a glance around, seeing many more cells marked by hardwood doors. Other inmates were banging against their cell doors, shouting words of encouragement and good luck.
Neither Amber nor any of the guards made a move to quiet them.
They climbed the stairs, and just as Amber pushed open the dungeon's exit door, the guards behind him suddenly shoved a sack over his head. For the next few minutes, all he saw was inky blackness, feeling the guards hands on his arms guiding him through the labyrinthine basement of the Great Keep.
After some time of being pushed around, Aether heard the sound of a gate groaning as it was opened - and for the first time in a sennight, he felt the warmth of the Sun blessing his skin. Then, the sack over his head was wrenched off - and he was blinded by the brilliant glare of the Sun.
Blinking white spots out of his eyes, Aether spotted a simple wooden carriage in front of the Great Keep - pulled by a single horse. The coachman was already waiting, and there was a platoon of knights surrounding the carriage to escort it up to the Cathedral.
Aether took his cue, and strode forwards on his own volition - climbing into the carriage, and one of the guards shut the door behind him. After a brief pause, the coach lurched forwards as he heard the distinctive crack of reins.
He slowly breathed out and leaned into his seat as the carriage clacked down the road, letting the tension drain out of him. After minutes of sitting still in a dim coach however, his nerves began to fray. He shifted in his seat, curiosity taking over him as he leaned over to the drawn curtains and pushed them aside, peeking out of the carriage.
The platoon of knights were escorting him in formation, silent and stoic as they marched in perfect rhythm - shields and spears shining in the Sun. Civilians lined the road, watching the procession with mixed emotions - he noticed some were holding stones and fruits, but none dared throw them for fear of the knights.
Letting the curtains fall back, Aether felt the carriage tilt as it travelled up an incline - forcing him to lean backwards. Then, the ground levelled up and after a juncture, the coach slowed to a halt.
The door was opened, and Aether stepped out of the carriage to behold the seat of the Church, the Favonius Cathedral. The grandiose structure towered over him like a giant, its sharp edges and pointed towers piercing the skies imposing down on him as if he were an ant in its shadows.
Its gargantuan bronze doors yawned open like the maw of a beast.
Aether started walking, climbing up the long flight of stairs leading up to the entrance - then he crossed the threshold in the opulent interior under the gaze of what seemed like the entire population of Mondstadt.
The interior of the Cathedral was a work of art. Three massive chandeliers hung from the frescoed ceiling - which depicted the many legends of the Anemo Archon, most prominently the Long March, when the god led his people from the ruins of the Tower to their new homeland on the banks of Cider Lake.
Sculpted marble columns lined the sides of the hall, running from the entrance all the way to the podium at the far end - where a massive organ was built into the wall above the raised platform. Gorgeous stained glass windows adorned the flanking walls behind the columns, dyeing the sunlight streaming into the grand hall in a myriad of vibrant colours.
There were two rows of pews flanking the main avenue, counting to over a hundred benches in total - all of them filled to the brim with spectators and juries. He heard the whispers and murmurs as he walked past them, unfeeling even as they stared at him with judging eyes.
Atop the pulpit, just before the organ, were five thrones - seated by the judges.
In the centre, he spotted the luxurious white-red robes of a cardinal - Cardinal Calvin, if he were to guess. He also noticed two other cardinals participating as judges. In the fourth seat was the acting Grandmaster, Jean Gunnhildr - and finally there was the most powerful lord in the city, Diluc Ragnvindr.
From the outset, he has already lost the trial, as the panel was stacked against him.
Expressing nothing, Aether kept his head held high as he climbed on to the podium placed in the centre of the grand hall - right in between the first rows of pews, where he saw many nobles of Mondstadt were sitting.
When he settled down, Cardinal Calvin rose from his seat - and the entire hall quietened.
"This trial has begun!" the man called, "Aether, of no clan, do you pledge before the grace of Lord Barbatos that your every utterance shall be truthful and devoid of lies?"
"I do."
"Plaintiff, you may take the stand."
Aether watched as a thin man dressed in church robes stepped into another dais placed just in front of the gallery, facing the pews.
"I, Archbishop Joseph Wendel, on behalf of the Church of Favonius and People of Mondstadt - accuse the defendant, Aether of no clan, of committing the crime of high blasphemy."
"And what is the cause for this charge?"
The man cleared his throat, "On the Eighth Day of the Tenth Moon in the Year of our Lord Twenty-Five Hundred Eighty-Three, Aether of no clan had committed high blasphemy by inflicting grievous injury on the Dragon of the East."
"Thank you. Master Aether, how do you plead?"
Aether did not respond at first, instead looking up at the pulpit to meet the eyes of Jean Gunnhildr. She stared at him, and tilted her head.
"Your Eminence, I must protest against these charges for lack of-"
"Master Aether, how do you plead?"
Aether cursed underneath his breath.
"I plead guilty, your eminence."
"Admission of guilt has been received," the archbishop spoke, "I request a motion to convict."
"Request received. What is the Will of the People?"
The jury broke into a raucous cheer, shouting 'aye!' at the top of their lungs, filling the grand chamber. Despite this, Aether could hear some 'nay!' mixed into the chorus of voices, but they were too drowned out for any ordinary human to hear. Curiously, Aether noticed that none of the nobles in the front seats voiced anything, and that all the shouts came from the commoners in the rear rows.
"By overwhelming majority, the motion-"
"Motion denied."
The Grandmaster's voice struck down on the jury like a crack of thunder, voice clear as a cloudless sky - silencing them all in two words.
"Grandmaster Gunnhildr-"
"Motion denied," Lord Ragnvindr spoke, leaning against his fist.
Cardinal Calvin's face twisted in distaste, but since this was a 'fair' trial, he was forced to play the impartial judge.
"...Two of five judges oppose the motion. Motion denied."
Aether had to admit, he had thought there needed to be a majority consensus within the judge panel to form a decision. Well, it was to be expected - what did he know of the Mondstadter law? If it only took two judges to oppose any motion, then all the better for him.
"Master Aether, you may state your defense."
"...Thank you, your eminence," Aether breathed in, "The good archbishop had refrained from stating the reason I committed the act - which is to say, I was acting in the defense of Mondstadt."
"Objection, irrelevance."
"What is the will of the panel?"
The Grandmaster and Lord Ragnvindr both called out 'nay,' but the other two cardinals matched them by calling 'aye.' Aether already knew where this was going.
"Aye," Cardinal Calvin said with a pleased smile, "By majority vote, the objection passes."
Aether watched as the Grandmaster pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Lord Ragnvindr rubbed his temples, before finally speaking.
"Motion to dismiss trial."
"...Pardon?"
The lord repeated himself, "Motion to dismiss trial."
Cardinal Calvin bore an incredulous expression, as if unable to comprehend what he was hearing.
"My lord, this is-"
"This is unprecedented," the lord interrupted, "We do not have the authority to hold a trial on behalf of the Four Winds."
"Aye!" one of the lords seated besides Aether called, "If the Lord truly sees this as an affront, then I imagine he would come down and punish the man personally!"
Several of the nobles voiced their agreement, to jeers and shouts from the commoners in the back.
"Lord Humbert!" the cardinal reprimanded, "While you may be correct, Lord Barbatos has trusted us to govern ourselves. As acting in place of the Cardinal of Daybreak, I hold the highest authority in regards to the Lord's-"
"But you are not the Cardinal of Daybreak."
The entire cathedral fell silent again, and the cardinal swivelled around to see who had spoken so boldly - only to realise it was the Grandmaster herself, staring at him coldly from her seat.
"Grandmaster-"
"Sit down, cardinal."
The cardinal looked down at his feet, as if just realising he was standing up. Pressing his lips together, the cardinal turned back to the Grandmaster as if to scold her.
"My lady-"
"Recall my chivalric title, cardinal," she interrupted again.
The man's face morphed into a puzzled look, "You are… the Lionfang Knight."
"I am the Lionfang Knight," she agreed, emerald eyes flashing dangerously, "And do you know what that means?"
Noticeably, understanding slowly dawned on the cardinal - his eyes widened, and the man wetted his lips nervously.
"It means- it means that you are the Lion of the South..."
The Grandmaster raised an eyebrow.
"One of the Four Winds," the cardinal finished, as if it pained him to speak the words.
"Know your place, cardinal," the Lion of the South said lowly, "Now, sit down."
The cardinal sat down.
The Grandmaster clapped her hands, the sound loud and sharp, reverberating throughout the cathedral - and everyone jolted, as if a bolt of lightning had run through them.
"I suggest," she spoke, addressing the entire hall, "That we leave the verdict up to the Dragon of the East itself. There is no argument that the dragon is Lord Barbatos' closest servant - if the dragon finds the man guilty, then may he submit to divine justice."
"However!" she raised her voice, "If the dragon finds him innocent, then may he be vindicated in the eyes of god and man!"
There was a brief quiet as she allowed everyone to muse over her words. Then, Lord Ragnvindr repeated his words for the third time.
"Motion to dismiss trial. What is the Will of the People?"
"Aye!" Lord Humbert was the first to call, soon followed by his peers.
The wave of consensus continued past the nobles and into the commonfolk, as they were convinced by the Grandmaster's words. Soon, the entire hall was shouting 'aye!'
"Your Eminence?" the archbishop questioned.
Cardinal Calvin looked as if he was forced to squeeze every last drop out of a rotten sunsettia.
It was a masterful stroke of diplomacy, Aether had to agree. By reminding everyone that she was the Lion of the South, she had set her authority in stone, proclaiming she was ranked higher than the cardinal by ordering him to take his seat. Then, as one of the Four Winds, she suggested that it would be the Dragon of the East who should be his judge - a most sensible request.
Now, with one of the Four Winds, the aristocracy and the smallfolk stacked against him, Cardinal Calvin - no - the entire Church was backed into a corner. They could not feasibly protest against the Lion of the South's decision without being viewed as impious - or at worst, as heretics.
The only problem was, that didn't solve Aether's issue of being on trial in any way. No, he reckoned his position was now worse than ever. If the people of Mondstadt hated him for harming the dragon, what would the dragon itself think? He might as well already be dead.
Aether did not know what her plan was, but he decided the threat of execution later rather than sooner was a benefit to his health nonetheless.
Finally, the cardinal spoke.
"By overwhelming majority, the motion passes. Trial dismissed."
"Knights," the Grandmaster called, "Bring Master Aether back to his cell!"
As the knights came forward and began to march him out of the hall, Aether could faintly hear the Grandmaster and Cardinal Calvin conversing to each other atop the stage.
"I trust that you will organise the expedition?" the cardinal asked.
"You may send some men to serve as witnesses, if you so wish."
"...Very well."
As he stepped out of the cathedral, Aether lowered his head to shield his eyes from the Sun's harsh glare. The carriage that brought him was still waiting at the bottom of the stairs, along with what might as well be the entire population of Mondstadt - all eager and clamouring to hear the verdict.
Aether was not sad to disappoint them.
As he walked down the stairs, he met the gazes of many people. Men and women, some stared with pity, most with hatred and judgement. He saw children, looking on at the procession in curiosity.
But the figure that caught his attention the most was a young person, short in stature. They had a childish face and androgynous form, and Aether could not tell their gender. They were holding a silver harp, staring directly at him with verdant eyes lit with emerald flame.
Aether met their gaze, and saw power.
Visions of men and women dressed luxuriously, laughing as they held wine glasses, slaves at their feet. They died horribly, wind spirits tore at them, ripping their clothes from their skin, then flesh from their bones. He saw entire mountain ranges cleaved apart by massive otherworldly storms, torn from the bedrock as if they were weeds in a garden.
He saw an empire in flames under a crimson sky - a scene borne of the deepest pits of hell - and watched as a legion of a thousand angels rained damnation upon them.
All in the eyes of a single human.
No, not a human.
A god.
Rewritten on 7/6/2022