16th of the 2nd Cycle
That morning, Aether woke up early in an attempt to escape Mona before she realised.
Unfortunately, she was somehow roused from her bed mere moments after Aether did so - swinging her legs off and standing up as if there was nothing amiss. He didn't quite know what to make of it - if it was mere unfortunate coincidence or some manner of sorcery he could not perceive.
Inwardly giving up, Aether silently left the wayhouse to check on his horse before washing his face with a bucket of water. The mountain air was chilly, but not unmanageable - so as he slowly allowed the murkiness to drain out of him, he took his time admiring the magnificent view of Liyue Harbour and the Sea of Clouds.
After fully waking up, he returned back inside the wayhouse to see Mona dressed in an odd, tight clothing. It was clearly specially-crafted, masterfully weaved of some exotic fabric in blues with gold trim.
"What in seven hells are you wearing?"
She turned around to stare at him, before placing her hands on her hips.
"Well," she sniffed, "I have a Hydro Vision, and I am primarily a hydromancer - so doesn't it make sense that I must wear water-resistant clothing?"
"...Please don't tell me you're wearing that outside."
Mona gave him a flat stare before walking past him to the hooks, snatching off a long blue-black coat and draping it over her shoulders and buttoning the front - before taking the witch hat and fitting it to her head. Then, she raised an eyebrow.
"It's cold outside, did you know?"
Aether pinched the bridge of his nose, before gently pushing her aside and taking his own cloak from the hooks.
"Of course, of course."
Not long after, they were back on the road, making good progress down the mountainside. As they proceeded, Mona brought her horse beside his - deciding to make conversation.
"What are you going to Liyue Harbour for?"
Aether shrugged, "Witness the Rite of Descension first, then see if I can find my sister."
"Then see if you can find your sister? Is she not important to you?"
"She's the most important person to me," he replied, "But she can take care of herself, I'm really just doing this so she won't harp on me when we reunite."
"You're a terrible brother."
"I do try," he smiled halfedly.
"So…" she drawled, "After that, are you returning to-"
"Definitely not," he interrupted, "From here I'm catching a ride to Inazuma."
"The Shogunate?" she asked in surprise, "Do you have a death wish?"
Aether paused for a moment, rolling the question over in his head.
"No," he finally decided, "Why?"
"The Shogun had enforced the Sakoku Decree a while back, no one is getting in or out of Inazuma - not with that storm surrounding the entire nation."
"..."
Storm, he thought exasperatedly, again? What was it with gods and storms?
"I will assume," he mused, "That there will be no ship going to the Shogunate in Liyue."
"Aside from some mad smugglers?" Mona shook her head, "You won't find any - best chance you have is to buy your own ship."
"I don't have the mora for that."
"Tough."
Aether remained silent as they approached the great bridge spanning the Feiyun Sound. As they crossed, the black Sky slowly began to lighten as the Sun finally peeked over the towering mountains in the east - allowing him to catch a better sight of the entrance to Liyue Harbour.
It sat on the end of the bridge, a colossal gateway arch known as a paifang - two stone pillars rising out of the earth and topped by red-painted wooden beams and an intricately decorated roof. The stone pillars were carved with depictions of mythical beasts, a wood-carved serpentine dragon topped the red-tiled roof - and masterful calligraphy drawn over the wooden beams.
There was a squad of Millelith guards standing under the gate, leaning against the pillars disinterestedly - but snapped to attention when they noticed them approaching.
One of the guards approached them, stowing his spear on his back and beckoning them forward. As they were directly under the gate, the guards stopped them.
"Purpose?" the man asked Aether.
"Visiting," he replied as he shuffled through his pack, looking for the letter Lord Ragnvindr gave him - before realising it was left in his old pack.
Discarding that, he finally took out the jade seal Jinpeng handed him, showing it to the guard - who took it and inspected the block.
"What is this?" the guard asked.
Aether paused, before realising that Jinpeng specifically told him to hand it to the Qixing - as the commonfolk likely wouldn't recognise it, nor even realise that that yakshas were more than mere stories.
"Show it to your superior," Aether tried.
The guard stared up at him, but after Aether encouraged him by giving a sharp nod, the man sighed and walked off with the block in hand.
"What was that?" Mona leaned over and asked him.
"Just wait."
A few moments later, the guard returned to them - followed by another Millelith, one higher ranked considering the decorations on his armour. The head guard was holding the seal reverently with two hands, and bowed as he offered the block up to Aether. He retrieved the seal gratefully.
"My apologies for holding you back, sir," the head guard apologised, and the lesser guard bowed - likely informed the significance of the seal, "Welcome to Liyue Harbour!"
"Thank you," Aether slightly bowed his head in response, "My companion here is also with me."
"Of course - miss?"
Mona retrieved a medallion from the inside of her coat, showing it to the guards. Aether leaned over to catch a glimpse of the medallion, but was only able to make out a faint hexagon carved on it. He was able to see the guards' eyes widen fractionally, however, and raised an eyebrow - for it meant Mona was a more important figure than he thought.
"Welcome to Liyue Harbour, miss!"
She nodded in response, and they spurred on their horses and entered the city. Liyue Harbour was originally founded on an islet in the bay known as Chihu Rock - but has since expanded onto the mainland due to the ever expanding population, with a new city centre in Feiyun Slope.
From the northern gate, they were greeted with the bustling streets of Feiyun Slope. This was Mondstadt's upper city equivalent in Liyue Harbour, except those who lived here were not born of blue blood and noble bloodlines - no, they were merchants and traders who made it to the top through their own efforts, sweat and tears.
Feiyun Slope was bright and well-lit, with clean cobbled streets and a joyous atmosphere lingering in the air. When most people think of Liyue Harbour, they envision the prosperity of Feiyun Slope - the well-established stalls and shops harbouring wonders on their shelves. The bustling streets filled with bystanders and rushing carriages, the noisy crowds, and the enticing smells and scents of luxurious food from the most prominent eateries.
Here, the lights are bright and never go out.
"Well, where to now?" Mona asked.
"Do you know when the Rite begins?"
"On the morrow," she replied, "If my memory serves me right."
"Then let's go get luncheon, before asking around for a ship to the Shogunate."
"I already told you," Mona sighed, "There is little chance-"
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try."
They were interrupted by a speeding carriage, and quickly moved their horses out of the way to the angered shouts of the coachman - nearly hitting some nearby pedestrians. Apologising profusely, they hastily made their way to a less crowded area - to a large, open plaza where dozens of street stalls were set up with hawkers calling and plying their trades.
To their right was a large building, which Aether recognised as the Feiyun Commerce Guild, and to their left was a massive staircase called the Scarlet Steps leading down the slope - towards the Military Wharf. A massive closed harbour flanked by two towers - which had a chain net able to be raised out of the sea to block passage - the Military Wharf was home to the grand fleet of the Republic.
Since Liyue Harbour was protected from land by mountains, that left only the sea as the most apparent threat of invasion. Thus, Qixings from generations past had continued to build up and modernise the ever expanding fleet, with the Military Wharf home to some of the best shipwrights on the continent.
"Best we head to Chihu Rock," Mona told him after looking around, "Not like we can afford anything they're selling here - and all the commercial wharfs are at the Rock anyway."
With that, they hastily rode down the main road, soon crossing the stone bridge over onto Chihu Rock. The moment they set foot on the island, it was as if they stepped into a completely different city.
Whereas Feiyun Slope smelled of flowery perfumes, Chihu Rock smelled of a cacophony of damp wood, sea salt, fish, and a hundred different street foods clashing together. Much lower to the sea, the cobbled roads were always wet and slippery from sea spray - and whereas Feiyun Slope was neatly organised and quartered, the Rock was a mess of wynds, crisscrossing alleys, narrow streets and markets.
There were thousands of street stalls lining the roads, selling all manner of goods - food, clothes, trinkets and jewellery, toys, fresh produce and seafood - everything under the Sun. Feiyun Slope was refined - but this was the beating heart of Liyue Harbour that pumps vitality into all of the Republic.
When a thousand ships lay anchor in Liyue Harbour, they lay anchor here, in the two ports located at Chihu Rock - Hukou Port, where only Liyuean vessels can dock, and the Golden Port, where all mercantile ships came and went. Unlike what the names would suggest, the Golden Port was rougher, dirtier and noisier than Hukou Port.
After finding a suitable inn and reserving a room, they left their horses at the in-built stables and left to find food. They quickly came across the Third-Round Knockout, right by the main plaza, and settled in for luncheon.
Soon enough, a waitress came to ask for their order.
"Give me what you recommend for this time, please," Aether told her.
"And you, miss?" the waitress asked Mona.
"The same as him," she replied.
In response, the waitress just stared at her with a confused smile - blinking several times.
"...Pardon."
"I want the same as his," Mona pointed at him, repeating herself.
"...The same… as his food?" the waitress asked again, pointing at him.
"...?"
"Yes, yes," Aether cut in, "She wants what I'm having, thank you."
"Oh, my apologies - of course," the waitress smiled, before asking Mona - "You're from Fontaine, right?"
"...Fontaine…?"
"She's asking you if you're from Fontaine."
"Oh, yes I am!" Mona's eyes widened, "How did you know?"
It was clear to him that the waitress did not fully understand what Mona was saying, but got the gist of it from her tone and reaction. So instead of talking to her, the waitress addressed him instead.
"I think the lady is speaking in Chamao-hua," she told him, "That's spoken near the border with Fontaine - in Qingce and Qiaoying. In the coastal areas, we speak Yushe-hua."
"Oh, I see," Aether smiled apologetically, "Pardon us."
After the waitress smiled and left, Mona turned to him.
"What did she say?"
"You were speaking the wrong language," he told her amusedly.
"Oh, wrong dialect huh?"
"Yeah-" Aether was interrupted when two waiters came by and began laying out silverware on the table - forcing him to lean back so he wouldn't obstruct their work.
Fine porcelain bowls and plates were laid out, with a steaming cup of tea. Then, they placed the cutlery - a pair of chopsticks and a porcelain soup spoon - wrapped in a warm, wet towel on the table.
"So," he asked after they left, "Enlightenme, how did you divine my appearance before you?"
"I didn't divine you," she corrected, "I divined me, and found you."
"Every sapient being in Teyvat is born under a constellation in the Sky," she continued, "They are the story books of your life - your fate, your destiny, it has all been pre-written."
"Not in the Sky," Aether mildly corrected.
"Pardon?"
"What, you think every insignificant mortal in this realm deserves a place among the stars?" he asked, "What makes Teyvat so special compared to hundreds of other realms?"
Mona stared at him incredulously, as if he had grown a second head - then her eyes widened, as if realising something she had missed. Then, her eyes narrowed into sharp slits, boring into him.
"So you're saying… that Teyvat has a-"
"I never said anything," he interrupted her, "If you truly are an astrologist, you can prove your hypothesis yourself."
There was a pause as none of them spoke - and in that time the waitress returned with a pork claypot, a large pot of jewellery soup, and two bowls of rice. Aether thanked her before taking the ladle and filling his empty bowl with soup.
"Well… I suppose so," Mona slowly said as she took some pork and put it in her rice, "As I was saying - as an astrologist, I can read these constellations."
"But not well."
"Most definitely not," she spoke after chewing, "For an accurate divination, I need to be familiar with the person and familiar with their constellation - else I'll be reading a summary, or more likely just a few words at best."
"You're a fool, you know that?"
Mona shrugged, "I knew what I was getting into when I took up astrology."
Aether shook his head in exasperation. There was a saying - 'ignorance is bliss' - and that is most true when it came to fate. An ignorant mortal would go about their lives, living it as fate told them to - but the moment they knew of their fate, then they must do everything in their power to follow it. Because this was a one-way street, and the moment you step off the path laid out before you, then well, you're on your own.
You'll end up swimming in a dark sea not knowing which way was up, constantly drowning but never dying because your death is now completely up in the air. Barbatos once spoke of the dead living among the stars - in their constellations - but those who defy their fates no longer have any constellation to return to, and will be trapped in a state of oblivion for the rest of their nonexistence.
What comes from the sea will always return to the sea - that applies to the watery depths, yes, but it does apply to the endless sea of void above. As a starspawn, Aether had his own constellation - one which he was born from and will return to after his death - his fate was fluid, because he was the master of his own stars.
But Teyvatians? Their constellations were false, faux-stars inlaid a False Sky. The moment they diverge from their own fate, their constellations would wink out of existence.
"In any case," Mona continued, "I only know that you will be with me at the gates of Mondstadt - nothing more. So as long as I follow that… I should be fine!"
"You treat fate as if it's a rulebook filled with loopholes," he told her, "And I am unsure of whether to be impressed or insulted."
"Insulted?"
"Mm, Fate is my aunt, after all."
"Talk about a dysfunctional family."
16th of the 2nd Cycle
"Hah! No one here will be willing to take you to Inazuma, boy!"
"I figured."
Waving farewell to the old captain - the fifth captain he'd met - Aether shook his head as he made his way back to the meeting point he and Mona had agreed upon beforehand. Running a hand through his hair, he realised Mona was decidedly correct about the fact that there was no vessel going to Inazuma at this time.
As he continued to deliberate over ideas on how to cross the Great Sea in his head, he noticed Mona was already waiting for him near a stack of crates - with a girl by her side.
"Who's this?"
"Ah, you've returned," she said with a knowing look, "So? Was I correct, or was I correct?"
"You were correct," he agreed, "Who is this?"
"This is Atsuko - an Inazuman," she introduced, "She has been living in Liyue Harbour for some time, and has learned the language."
Atsuko was a young miss with ebony hair tied back in a bob - she had a pale face once, perhaps, but now her skin was darkened from all her days under the Sun. She bowed to him in greeting.
"I'm Atsuko, nice to meet you."
"Aether," he returned, "Likewise. How did you cross the sea?"
"It was back during the early days of the Sakoku Decree," she explained, "Back when no one knew what to make of it. Because of that, smuggling was common, and I managed to buy passage on one of the ships."
"Is that ship still around?"
Atsuko tilted her head, "I haven't a clue, but I doubt it. These times aren't the same as before, no one dares cross the Kamikaze now, it's too risky."
"Kamikaze?"
"Ah- that's what we call it," she scratched the back of her head sheepishly, "Kamikaze - the Divine Winds."
"Alright, I see," he smiled, hiding his thoughts, "Thank you for the information."
"No no," she waved her hands, "I'm sorry I wasn't of any help…"
Mona silently shook her head, before conveying an inquisitive look.
"So, what is your plan now?"
Aether turned around to look back at the Golden Harbour, where hundreds of ships were continuously moving in and out. It was as if he was watching a never ending hourglass, where the ships were individual grains of sand, dropping from the sea to take port - but only to disperse back into the ocean horizon once more.
If Chihu Rock was the ever-pulsating heart of the Republic, then the ships were its lifeblood. Endless in their number, neverending in their flow.
"Well, we'll simply have to acquire a vessel of our own, no?"
"Forgive me," Atsuko hesitantly spoke up, "But I don't think you'll be able to purchase any ship large enough to brave the Divine Winds, they are terribly expensive. Not to mention, you also need to find and hire a willing crew."
Aether did not deign to reply, not for a long while. So after some time, Mona seemed to have had enough of his silence - taking Atsuko by the arm and dragging her away.
"Continue concocting whatever schemes you have," she told him, "Atsuko, you're coming with me!"
"P-Pardon? Why?"
"I don't know the Inazuman language, I need you to teach me."
"I-I don't think you can learn Inazuma-go in such a short period of time!"
"I know," Mona smiled cunningly, "Which is why I created a translation algorithm with my Vision, I just need you to fill in the blanks…"
As their voices faded away, all Aether could think of was - Visions work like that too? He supposed the explanation that Visions was fueled by sheer will was true in some sense of that. Shaking his head, he turned around and began walking in the other direction, towards the main plaza - and then crossing the bridge to Feiyun Slope.
Walking down the cobbled roads alone, Aether marvelled at the buildings rising on either side of him - all gleaming with wealth and splendour, first floors built of smooth stone seeming hewn of the mountain without cutting, and the upper floors built of stacked wood. Lines crossed overhead, tied from rooftop to rooftop - carrying flags, banners and paper lanterns.
He was surrounded by wealth and influence - wealth and influence he needed to acquire a ship and crew.
"Pardon us sir, but you seem to be troubled somewhat."
Aether was snapped out of his thoughts by a trio of people - two young men dressed in opulent yet elegant clothing, one in blue with a feminine face, the other in white - bearing a longsword sheathed on his back. The third was a young lady with blossom-shaped pupils and draping brown hair tied in two tails.
"Well, I suppose I am quite troubled," he decided to humour them, "My name is Aether."
"My family name is Xu, given name Xingqiu," the blue-dressed boy greeted, "It's a pleasure."
"Ling Chongyun," was all the boy in white said to introduce himself, his piercing ice blue gaze striking at something deep within Aether.
He subtly shifted away from the boy, feeling somewhat uneasy around the energy he gave off. Maybe it was the chill always lingering around him, or maybe it was the strange pressure that made it hard for Aether to breathe. Whatever the case, he knew that the boy meant trouble for him.
But it was the strange girl with blossom-shaped irises that made him the most uneasy, for though she wore a pleasant smile the stench of death crawled over her skin. And so while he waited for her to introduce herself, all she did was stare unwaveringly.
"Hey… hey Hu Tao!" Xingqiu poked her, "You're being rude!"
"Huh… oh!" she suddenly jerked, shaking her head, "My family name is Hu, given name Tao! Nice to meet you!"
"Likewise, how can I help you?"
"Oh no," Xingqiu waved his hand, "How can we help you?"
Aether mused over whether he could trust them - but then noticed the Visions hanging off their clothing, glinting inconspicuously in the shade of buildings. He supposed there was no harm in telling them - as long as he doesn't leave this conversation with another debt owed, then he would consider it harmless, at least.
"I am searching for a ship that will take me to Inazuma," he admitted, "Though I can find none - which leads me here, attempting to acquire both a ship and crew that will take me there."
"From nothing?" Xingqiu asked, "That will take a lot of money and influence, you know? The ship is easy, but you can't just form a crew from nowhere."
"I know, but I doubt any large organisation will be willing to sponsor such a trip."
The young man scratched his chin, deep in thought - while the ice-eyed man continued to look disinterestedly around. Before Xingqiu could speak again, however, Hu Tao shoved a hand over his mouth.
"I have an idea," she grinned.
"Well, I'm all ears."
"The Rite of Descension is tomorrow, and the Lady Tianquan is officiating the ceremony," she explained, "It's the best chance you have to seek her audience, and convince her to sponsor you."
"I feel as if that is much easier said than done."
Hu Tao's grin widened, "Pao Zhuan Yin Yu."
Aether paused, mulling over the words in his head but not quite understanding them. Some sort of saying, perhaps, that he was not familiar with.
Xingqiu cleared his throat, "She's telling you to use the Seventeenth Stratagem - Toss a brick to lure jade."
He stared at the young man, before his eyes widened in understanding. Oh yes, that could work indeed - and he already had his brick; Mona.
Aether put his hands together and bowed in gratitude, following the Liyuean custom - only for Xingqiu to grab him by the arms and lift him back up.
"No need for that!" he laughed, "We were just helping."
"I thank you nonetheless," Aether returned, "Will you be present at the Rite?"
"I will be," Xingqiu replied, "And so will Hu Tao. Rex Lapis is going to foretell the coming business year, and the both of us will need to be ready for it. Chongyun, are you coming?"
"Nope."
Aether had already bid them farewell - though Xingqiu and Chongyun didn't seem to notice, bickering with each other, for only Hu Tao waved goodbye. As he began making his way back to the inn, his head was embroiled in a dozen ideas coming together and falling apart.
Toss a brick to lure jade. Yes, if he could convince Mona to sell her skills in thaumaturgy and astrology to the Qixing - which will be hard, considering she has a discipline not to - then, they may be able to gain the Qixing's, or at least the Lady Tianquan's sponsorship.
Oh yes, it was indeed coming together quite well - but first, he had to convince the brick.
Rewritten on 25/6/2022