2nd of the 1st Cycle
The sable Sky was lit with the light of countless pearls.
With the storm lifted, the Moon's celestial carriage could be seen drifting overhead. The sounds of life filled the world, the birds singing their twilight calls, the crickets filling the silence with their ambience.
Life had returned to the bleak, isolated kingdom that was the Tower.
And yet, despite the sizable base camp of the expedition, there was so little noise that from afar it might seem that the encampment had been abandoned. Truths and lies had been revealed, ancient secrets not fit for mortal eyes and ears.
Realities had been shaken, world-views fractured, and now none knows what to believe. In the silence of man, they mourned the dead, and came to terms with their own beliefs.
The fire came to light up the night, to warm air that was more accustomed to the winter chill. It lit each face and they felt the heat go to their core. The crackle of the pyre was all that could be heard, a natural music in the sable night. Flames sent red sparks dancing into the breeze.
The smoke twirled heavenwards, lifting the souls of the dead to join those who came before - to wander for the rest of eternity, dancing freely on a thousand winds.
And when it was all over, they retreated back to their own little quarters - and conversation slowly returned once more.
Newly vindicated, Aether still couldn't help but rub his wrists, feeling the phantom weight of heavy manacles upon them. Sitting down by a campfire, Jean, Johann, and Lisa joined him.
As Jean slowly roasted venison on the spit, there was a silence - one which he was forced to break.
"My apologies for your loss," he offered to Johann, "I am sure your brothers never expected the fate which befell them."
"They died seeing a divine truth," the church man returned, "I do not doubt there is no better way for them to go."
Another silence fell upon them. What could Aether possibly respond with? He may not be mortal, but he had walked countless stars before Teyvat, he knew of propriety - even if he was still unfamiliar.
Jean paused from prodding the fire, "I'll have to explain the deaths of those knights as well… what am I to say?"
"They fell to a curse in the Tower," Lisa offered, "It is not completely untrue, nor will it be unexpected."
"..."
"Or…" the witch eyed the knight, "Do you intend to reveal the truth?"
Jean barked a dry laugh, "You think they can handle the truth? No, we have enough problems already."
"I am obligated to inform my superiors nonetheless…" Johann whispered.
The Grandmaster sighed, and closed her eyes tiredly.
"At least hold on until after all of this?"
"...Of course."
As the knight and the bishop leaned in to discuss their future actions, and the future of their organisations, Lisa pulled him to her side as she plucked a stick of venison from the fire.
"I found out why the Tower, or the bard, has a heartbeat," she told him as she twirled her stick.
Aether leaned in curiosity, "So?"
"Quite simple, actually," she laughed lightly, "The bard thinks he's still human, and thus thinks he has a heartbeat."
"So what we heard were just his thoughts? That feels… inadequate."
"No, it is quite incredible, actually. For us to be able to hear his thoughts, it possibly means that the bard has completely saturated the Tower with his presence. There is essentially no difference between the bard and the Tower now."
"I see," he hummed, "It could also explain why we were able to see his memories."
"That's right. Think about it, imagine the power a mere mortal soul must have to possess the Tower. It is essentially proven that the soul weighs twenty-one grams, but is that really true?"
"I must admit, I did not think this circle of thought was of your speciality."
"Oh, it is not!" the witch laughed, "But it is still so curious, no?"
They continue to talk into the night, finding comfort in new knowledge and curiosities learned. Aether had to admit, he had expected to find conversation with Lisa so amiable - they had vastly different characters after all.
But, to his pleasant surprise, their circles of thought appeared to mix well. They covered each other's bases - his knowledge of miracles and divinity with her knowledge is sorcery and thaumaturgy. Together, he had no doubt that great discoveries could be found.
After all, he was a celestial outlander harbouring knowledge no mortal in Teyvat could fathom - and she was the Purple Witch, one of the greatest sorcerers on the continent.
It was likely Lisa knew this too, for she offered for him to join her as a partner.
Of course, he politely declined. Aether was a starwalker, while a few decades of waiting for her to die and move on was insignificant at best, he still had an objective to carry out. Which was to unseal his powers first, and find his sister second.
Maybe in the future, when he has naught left of import, he could enjoy himself in this new reality.
Until it was time for him to leave again, of course.
Aether tore himself away from his musings when he heard footsteps coming up behind him, and swivelled his head around to see Amber approaching them.
"Lisa," she called, "Your mages are calling for you."
He shared a glance with the witch, before rising to his feet.
"Appears it's about time," he mumbled, before calling out to Jean, "Will you accompany us?"
The Grandmaster stared up at them, before shaking her head.
Lisa sighed, before groaning as she stood up.
"Haven't walked this much since my fieldwork back in the Academia," she muttered under her breath.
As they made their way through the camp, Aether saw many knights and squires huddled around fires - tending to large pots of stew and carved meats. There were pages tending to the horses and mages practising their spells in the open air.
Fireflies twinkled in the darkness, their luminous glow shining upon the landscape shrouded in shadows.
"What are you even up to?" Amber asked as they walked.
"Mm," Lisa hummed, "Breaking someone out of prison, something like that?"
"What?"
"What?"
Amber released an explosive sigh, before shutting her mouth with a click. Clearly, she was tired of the witch's antics - which was ironic, because the outrider was as much a colourful character as the witch.
Finally crossing the bridge, Aether spotted a crowd of mages gathering around the gate. Wardstones had been raised in a semi-circular formation, with the gate being the straight edge. Inside the boundary, Amos stood with her arms crossed, engaging in a staring contest with the mages.
When the fair archer spotted them approaching she exclaimed.
"Ah, thee seems like a person who is't know what is happening! Now bid me, what is happening?"
Her answer came in the form of a god falling out of the Sky. Barbatos landed with a gale at his back, six pinioned wings splayed like a pure white cloak around his form. The force at which he landed prompted a great dust cloud to be kicked into the air, as the ancient stone beneath his feet cracked.
"Thee…" Amos' eyes narrowed, "Has't thee come to gloat? I shall not hear it!"
"I did not do this to you, Amos," Barbatos said lightly.
"If not thee then who is't?" she scoffed.
"Decarabia."
Amos jerked, "Lies! Wherefore wouldst he-"
"Because he loved you so, why else?" Barbatos interrupted, "He thought faux-immortality was a gift, even if it meant imprisoning you in stone. Even to the end, he could not fathom the reason we rebelled in the first place."
"I- what!?" the fair archer stared down at her chest, where the broken spear pierced through her heart.
She gingerly pulled out the spearhead and tossed it to the ground, only for nothing to occur. Her heart still bled, and she was still trapped in time and sealed in stone.
"The spear has already cursed your soul," the wind god said softly, "As it had the bard."
"The bard…?"
Barbatos lifted up his arm, and Aether realised the god was holding a bird's cage - one with no bird within. Instead, there were miniscule, nearly imperceptible motes of light - like tiny fireflies - drifting about.
thud–thud
The air vibrated, as if they were in a box and someone was smashing their fist on the outside. Amos flinched at the sight, but before she could say anything, Barbatos opened the cage's door and they all watched as the lights flew out before dispersing into the breeze.
"He has chosen to go free," the God of Freedom told her, "Now, it is your choice as well."
Suddenly, Amos looked nervous, as if the thought of death had not crossed her mind once in the entirety of three millennia in which she had been sealed. She backtracked, so far that she hit the gate and was semi-absorbed into it.
"A-Afterlife… what is the afterlife like?"
Lisa unconsciously leaned in to hear if Barbatos would answer - and she was not alone, the mages listening in also stared intensely, and Aether had to admit he was curious to this realm's manner of afterlife.
Barbatos shrugged, "Freedom, I suppose. The Land of Rock buries their dead, the Land of Thunder and Fire burns them, the Land of Water feeds its fishes with them. Here and now, in the Land of Wind, the dead are set free to roam amongst the wind."
"...And what doest yond mean?"
"Your soul would be free," the god smiled, "Every nation has their own heaven and hell, the Land of Wind has neither, I allow the dead to drift among the winds for as long as they wish. If you have decided to have enough of an eternity wandering, then travel to another nation - their god will send you to their afterlife."
"..."
"Or…" Barbatos pointed to the night sky above, "You can go up there, and live among the stars. Back before the Archons, that was where all the dead go, even deities. It would be a treacherous journey, and if you fail - as most do - your soul will be damned to oblivion. But if you decide to take the risk…"
He shrugged, wings ruffling.
"I am the God of Freedom, who am I to stop you? In the Land of Wind, all are free, even in death."
"That-" Amos paused, musing, "That doest not sound so lacking. If't be true the afterlife is so… pleasant… wherefore doth people live at all?"
Barbatos' eyes shone with a mischievous light, "Old Ronove would dislike it if I revealed that."
"Ronove?"
"The Lord of Death," he clarified.
"Oh…" Amos muttered, before finally saying, "Oh, well. I accept, then."
Barbatos nodded, and stepped back.
"Lady Lisa," he nodded to her.
Lisa looked down, closing her eyes. When she raised her head back up, she met Amos' gaze, and asked a soundless question he could not discern. Seemingly nodding in acceptance at the fair archer's wordless answer, she nodded and spoke.
"Mages," she ordered, "Begin the ritual - hold tight Lady Amos, we're getting you out of there."
"...Pardon?"
The wardstones roared to life, blue energy coursing through the rough stones carved with symbols of power. A translucent shield of energy burst forth, enveloping Amos and the gate in it - a bounded field.
Then, the Purple Witch raised a hand to the Sky, an orb of crackling violet Electro in her grasp. Aether felt a tingling sensation run across his skin, and felt his hairs stand on end. Staring upwards, he watched in abject awe as massive rolling storm clouds gathered under the clear night Sky - an inevitable tide of booming thunder. The heavens were dyed a deep purple, illuminated by the gleaming purpure Moon.
Aether tasted blood on his tongue, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The clouds have completely covered the Sky and horizon, now, so thick and heavy not even the glow of the Moon could be discerned, let alone the stars. It was as if someone had dropped a blanket over reality.
A massive streak of lightning descended from the Sky, crackling into Lisa's outstretched hand and feeding the orb of Electro.
"Stand back!" she roared.
Tendrils of lightning sparked forth, creating arcs of violet brilliance that extended from her palm and danced in the air - ripping dirt and stone from the ground. Aether had to hurriedly leap away, lest he be shocked. Then, more lightning descended, all cracking into the witch's hand - forming the illusion of a gargantuan tree of lightning that started at the witch and branched out endlessly into the heavens above. Thunder boomed, hundreds upon thousands as lightning constantly flashed and thunder followed.
It was blinding, deafening, it overwhelmed each and every one of his senses.
So this is the Purple Witch.
Lisa closed her fist, and the light-works all disappeared in a flash. There was a lingering silence - complete and total silence. So silent that Aether realised he could hear every beat of his two hearts, he could even hear the sound of blood rushing through his veins and nerves sparking in his head. He could hear every detail of his lungs shrinking and expanding in breath.
"I suggest," Lisa said softly, yet loud enough to seem like a roar, "That you cover your eyes."
Aether did not hesitate to follow her advice. Immediately, he shut his eyes tight and brought both of his arms over his face to block out every bit of light - there was a pitch black darkness.
Which was torn away by the blinding light of the largest lightning strike he could ever fathom. It was so bright his eyes burned, he could see through his eyelids, his arms - he could see every bone in his arms, every vein and every nerve. He could see everyone standing around him, or more accurately, he could see the skeletons of everyone standing around him. He could see what Barbatos truly was - a formless mass of energy inhabiting the corpse of a boy.
And the lightning strike itself, it was colossal - as thick as an oak tree and blinding purple. If Aether had not known better, he would've thought a god was smiting some poor soul - but no, this was all the works of a mortal.
A single witch.
And then, the thunder followed. His ears popped, maybe even bled, as he was thrown off his feet - all of them were. It was all over in a fraction of a moment.
Aether picked himself up, groaning as he staggered to his feet - patting off his smoking outfit.
Raising his head wearily, he spotted Amos lying face down on the stone, steam wafting off her body. To his right, there was a great white orb - and after blinking away the blurriness, he realised it was Barbatos, who had wrapped himself into a cocoon with his wings.
The cocoon slowly opened, wings unravelling to reveal the god's bard form in the centre.
Barbatos slowly started forwards, lowering himself to grab Amos' fallen form by her shoulders and lift her to her knees. The fair archer hacked out a cough, before wearily speaking.
"W-What…?"
"You have been unsealed from the gate," Barbatos told her, "Now I must unchain you."
The god pulled out a long dagger with a curved blade, vaguely in the shape of a skinning knife. The blade was a dull, glossy silver with small, imperceptible runes carved into the spine. Without ceremony, he plunged the dagger into Amos' already open heart.
Almost instantly, the fair archer began ageing. Her smooth, flowing white fair grew stringy and brittle. Wrinkles and blemishes formed on her fair skin, and her prismatic eyes grew dull. Once trapped in time, the beautiful young lady aged three-thousand years in a moment, her flesh grew black and rotted, revealing stark white bone underneath.
Then her bones started crumbling to dust, and the dust was swept away by the wind.
There was nothing left, save for a faint whisper on the breeze.
"Thank… you…"
As the last mortal remnants of ancient history were set free, Barbatos turned to leave, his wings poised. But then, in a rare act of boldness, Lisa stepped forwards to grab him by the shoulder. The god paused, slowly looking backwards with a face of asking.
"I would like to ask - if it is allowed," Lisa asked softly, "The reason why afterlives were only formed after the Archon Wars was over."
"Careful there," Barbatos smiled easily, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "Some questions are not meant to be asked."
"I need to know," the witch insisted.
Barbatos raised an eyebrow in response, before noticing something on Lisa's face that Aether didn't catch - mostly due to the fact that she was facing away from him. The god sighed, before jerking his head in the direction of the mages that were trying to be inconspicuous while listening in.
"You lot," she ordered, "Leave us."
The mages looked just about to protest, but a firm look later, and they were walking away, obviously downtrodden. Aether meanwhile, made no act to move, and while the god surely noticed - curiously, he did not mention it.
Barbatos slowly pried Lisa's hand away from his shoulder, before speaking.
"In the waning years of the Archon Wars, there were very little active gods left on Teyvat. This meant each remaining god had a larger portion of mortals to rule over - more total belief in each god," he explained, "And naturally, these mortals would believe in an afterlife as well, so it was a natural consequence that afterlives were formed to retain these beliefs."
"So these afterlives… were essentially a divine marketing tool?"
"Oh, most definitely," he laughed, "Did you know Inazuma was one of the last places to end their wars? A bloody realm, that, even now they are at war!"
"Yes…?" Lisa looked confused, "But what does that have to do-"
"Liyue and Natlan were equally as warlike, but they had something Inazuma did not, and that was a great population. In Inazuma, population was limited, and with every campaign, more and more mortals died - which meant less and less belief - and less powerful gods."
"So the gods of Inazuma created an afterlife to retain that belief?"
"That's right, because even the dead can worship gods," he answered, "Baal, the Lord of Storms, was the first to create one. Then her rival, Orobas, followed soon after. This meant the Archon Wars in Inazuma dragged on even decades after those on the mainland ended."
"So seeing the effectiveness of afterlives, the Archons on the mainland adopted the strategy soon after," Lisa summarised.
"There you go," he made a show of praising her, "Now if that's all…"
"Ah- yes, thank you for enlightening me, my lord."
"No need for that," he waved off, "If Ronove smites you for knowing, remember that we did not have this conversation."
After offering an non-reassuring smile, the Lord of Wind launched himself into the air - losing his form and dispersing into the winds.
Aether strode up beside Lisa, "Why are you so curious about death?"
The witch side-eyed him, "Hmm, do you think I'd just tell you?"
"Well, no, but-"
"How about this, I'll tell you if you agree to be my assistant for the next-"
"I'll have to decline," he interrupted, raising a hand to stop her.
Lisa laughed, turning away and walking back to the camp, "I thought so."
Aether watched her back until she was just a faint silhouette in the darkness, before turning back to the gate. The witch's spell had burned a massive runic circle into the stone, one which he could not decrypt - but it looked interesting nonetheless.
From the corner of his eye, he caught something glinting in the darkness.
He bent down, scooping the object off the floor - and in his hand was the golden spearhead which had cursed both the archer and the bard.
Aether stared at the artefact for a long moment.
He looked around to ensure no one was watching him, before ripping off a portion of his cloak and wrapping it around the spearhead, before stowing it away.
Sighing, he turned around and began making his way back to the camp.
14th of the 1st Cycle
The return march was largely uneventful.
Whether it be by luck, or by grace of the wind god, the snowfall was light and the weather pleasant. A dove flew ahead under the wintry Sun as heavenly snow-crystals fell to the earth, refracting sunlight into glittering rays.
As the crested a small hill, the faded red walls of Dawnton entered their view, banners of the soaring falcon fluttering comfortably in the breeze. There was a thought across the expedition, Aether could tell, a tension - a held breath as they approached the city's western gate.
Was it truly over?
As their path merged with the Stone Road, the caravans travelling to and from Liyue halted to allow an unobstructed passage. There was a long queue before the western gate which caught his attention. When they left Dawnton, security was lax, and most travellers were allowed in and out without much inspection.
Now though, there was an entire platoon of Ragnvindr household guards stationed in front of the gatehouse, and every trade wagon and carriage entering the city were thoroughly checked - slowing down the entire road. A horn was blown from the walls of Dawnton, long and deep.
Hastily, the guardsmen forced the queuing travellers to move to the side of the road - and the marching column passed through the now empty space where the road was once packed. The Grandmaster nodded to the head guardsmen, who saluted back and beckoned his subordinates to let them through.
Not a word was spoken as they passed through the gatehouse, under the raised portcullis. When the last knight finally crossed the threshold, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
It was over now. Now, they could rest.
Aether heard the commotion started back up behind them as they continued up the hill to Castle Dawnlight.
At the gates of the castle, Lord Ragnvindr and a small retinue were waiting for them - all bearing serious faces.
"All knights, dismissed," the Grandmaster ordered, before offering a small smile, "Take this time to cool your blood. We will be leaving in three days."
There was a chorus of affirmatives, before the column dispersed into a hundred groups. Some made a beeline to the castle, others moved into the city. Seeing this, Jean turned away and cantered up to Lord Ragnvinder, a question on her face.
"What is the issue, my lord?"
"I find myself needing your knights."
"A serious issue indeed, for you to request help from me," Jean said, "Shall we continue in your office?"
"Yes," he nodded, "Dame Amber, Lady Lisa - and you as well Master Aether, you will want to hear this."
He led them into the castle soon after, and Aether found the keep rather barren. Like the Great Keep in Mondstadt, Castle Dawnlight was built to be practical. It was granted, given the importance of the castle's strategic value.
Thick stone walls with high, arched ceiling hallways dominated much of the base floor - as if the purpose was to create a confusing maze for would-be invaders to lose themselves in. The walls were pockmarked by dozens of little holes and the roof had wooden trapdoors scattered about - arrowslits and murderholes, Aether realised starkly.
The first Ragnvindr had built the entire ground floor of Castle Dawnlight to be a single massive gatehouse. And indeed, with that in mind, Aether could swear he saw many archways that were the perfect place for a portcullis to drop from above. There were odd, empty chambers with two archways exits but no gates, long hallways with no rooms on either side.
No army would get past the first floor, for it was the most elaborate and expensive slaughterhouse ever designed and built.
And it was all proven to him when they arrived at the entrance to the second floor - a gated winch lift. The elevator travelled through a vertical stone corridor, where above was a murderhole, and when it reached the top their exit was barred by a thick cast iron gate.
The guardsmen on the other side noticed their arrival and raised the portcullis, allowing them to enter the floor;
Which was much more lived-in, admittedly. Unlike the stark ground floor, the walls were covered in polished planks of spruce, and golden lamps hung from the ceiling. Paintings of past Ragnvindrs adorned the walls, their eyes seemingly following them as they passed by.
Lord Ragnvindr's office was a vast, tastefully decorated chamber. There was a great oak desk in the centre, with an arched windown behind to let natural light in. Torches illuminated the room with a warm glow, hung from hardwood walls. Aether also spotted numerous paintings of falcons on the walls, placed intermittently - though he never took Lord Ragnvindr for a painter.
The red-haired man strode ahead before turning around, addressing him.
"Master Aether, am I correct to assume you will be leaving for Liyue from here?"
"That is correct."
"I assumed as much, and so you will need to hear this."
"So?" Jean asked, "What is the issue?"
"I will be blunt," the lord replied, "The Fatui have turned to banditry, and are now plaguing the trade routes."
Lisa shook her head in exasperation, walking to a nearby chair and lounging on it.
"Pardon?" the Grandmaster asked incredulously, "We expelled them, why would they-"
"Mondstadt expelled them, yes. And being good allies, Dawnton and Windrise followed suit. But now the Fatui are harassing our convoys, and I don't have enough men to patrol the entire region."
"That is an act of war!" Amber cried, "Are they also attacking Liyuean caravans!?"
"No, they aren't that foolish," he grumbled, "Only Windic merchants are being harassed. They must think that without Varka, we are headless chickens."
"Of course," Lisa drawled, "What do they know of us? Wasn't that why they were evicted in the first place?"
"Even then, it makes little sense," Jean furrowed her brows, "They must know that Snezhnaya imports nearly thirty percent of their grain from the Union, nearly fifteen percent from Windrise alone. If we stop exporting our grain, they will starve."
"Well, they import just as much from Fontaine, right?" Amber asked.
"Fontaine!" Lisa giggled, "I've seen some of Fontaine's tariffs, Zapolyarny must want to go bankrupt!"
Lord Ragnvindr nodded in agreement, "This cannot be the work of Zapolyarny Palace, but instead of the Harbinger in charge of Fatui affairs here."
"Harbinger?" Aether asked.
Four pairs of eyes snapped towards him, as if just realising he was still there.
"Harbingers are… important military, economic and political figures in Snezhnaya," Amber clarified, "They basically rule the country in the Tsaritsa's name."
"Ah… I see," Aether stared at them, and they stared back.
Well, he knew when he was not welcome.
He bowed to all of them, "Thank you for the warning, my lord, I will keep that in mind as I travel south."
"What?" Amber cried in alarm, "You are leaving immediately!?"
"Well, I wouldn't want to impose…"
"Best leave now before all the roads close due to the Fatui," Lord Ragnvindr nodded, before calling to the door, "Reiner, prepare Master Aether the best steed we have, and saddle it with enough supplies to get to Wangshu!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Hey, hey!" the outrider cried, "Make sure you come visit in the future! Especially for one of our festivals!"
"Indeed," Jean smiled, "It is a shame you had a less than pleasant stay in Mondstadt. If you come again, you will find open gates and lit hearths awaiting you."
Lisa lazily waved, "I had an enjoyable time, dear. It was a pleasure to have another intelligent mind in these parts - I could feel myself losing my intellect the more I am surrounded by these bucketheads knights."
"Of course, I will most certainly come by again," Aether bid farewell as he turned for the door, "But for now I must continue on my path."
"May the winds guide you, traveller."
Aether left the office to find a man, likely Reiner, outside and waiting for him. Reiner escorted him to the stables where several pages were preparing his horse. In the meantime, he decided to ask a few questions.
"Is the Stone Road the fastest way to Liyue?"
"Oh yes, safest too - or used to be," the attendant answered, "Bandits like the Fatui will only pose an issue until you reach the Stone Gate, a great fortress that serves as the entrance into the Republic. From there, just follow the road south and Liyue City will be at the end."
"Any advice?"
"Hmm," the man brushed his chin, "I suggest you join a caravan if you can, much safer to travel in numbers. Though, the Millelith keeps a tight grip on the trade routes, so there wouldn't be much of bandits or hilichurls in your way anyway."
"I see, thank you."
"Milord, your horse is ready!" the page called.
Aether looked up to see a young man pulling the horse's reins - a Windrise bred courser, one of the best breeds - to him. He gratefully accepted the reins and swung himself onto the saddle, shifted into a comfortable place.
He waved farewell to Reiner, before flicking the reins and starting forwards. Travelling through the city, he saw that the new Fatui threat had slowed down trade some, with less stalls and businesses than before - but not enough to quieten the bustle in the city. Some people who recognised him waved, to which he returned the gesture.
Aether passed under the western gate, nodding to the guardsmen stationed there - and trotted out to see the queue of wagons still growing. Moving closer to one of them, a Liyuean styled carriage, he found the coachman and approached.
"Hail!" he called, "Why do so many still come north even in winter?"
The coachman's head swivelled to him with wide eyes, clearly surprised he could understand what Aether was saying.
"Uh- to wait out the winter."
"You wait out the winter in Dawnton?"
"Yes. The Land of Wind is fertile, and the Land of Rock is not," he explained, "The moment the snow thaws, we head north to buy grain from Mondstadt and Windrise, then go back south to sell it in Liyue."
"Ah, so you come here to be ahead of the rest."
The man smiled, "Yes. After winter, the first catch of the year is always most expensive - meat, fish, grain - especially grain."
Aether bowed his head in thanks.
Departing, he joined the column leaving the city - which was even larger than the column entering the city - and continued down the road. All those around him were likely travelling south to escape the cold, while he was simply a fool choosing the worst season to travel. Aether chuckled under his breath at that thought. He breathed out, mist escaping his mouth, joining the fresh falling snow.
With the Sun ahead of him, Aether set his sights on the horizon.
There was still a longer way to go.
END OF ACT I: PRELUDING LIGHTS
Author's Note:
That's it for Act I, hope you enjoyed. Might be a bit confusing, but that's just how I write. Remember, this is an exercise in worldbuilding for me, so I'll put that first over characters and other stuff. That doesn't mean I do not focus on characters however, if you read closely you might find some eggs here and there about the characters relating to their character stories in-game.
From here on out, I will be updating chapter by chapter. Hope you all enjoyed reading, thanks for bearing with me. Leave a review telling me what you think.
Rewritten on 14/6/2022