It was now complete and utter silence,
As Venti felt himself processing what he just heard...
...
Collei was kidnapped by the Fatui "off screen"...?
Not only that, but by an insane Harbringer's minions, no less...?
*And the same one who had her forcibly used as a test subject before...?
...
"I wish I was wrong and Collei actually got lost somewhere in the forest, but I asked Tighnari again and again to tell me it wasn't true and...!", the Traveler explained in panic and worry, their words soon getting cut off, "...They have her now, in their grasp...Free to do whatever they want to her...And based on what we found out from reading Azar's files, if we don't find her in time she might actually die...! If we don't do anything, she is going to die, Venti! SHE IS GOING TO DIE!"
They continued in rising panic, one which was becoming stronger and stronger by the second,
Before it was suddenly silent, with sobbing noises before long being heard...
...
"It would be best if I explain what happened, Lord Barbatos. The Traveler is currently not in the best mental state to tell you anything.", Xiao's worried voice was soon heard, followed by a sad sigh, "It would be best to start the retelling from the beginning: After our call last time and seeing as Lord Atharva's "quest" was taking a while, the Traveler decided it was about time to visit Gandharva Ville and suggested I come along with them. After buying some gifts, we teleported to the place and right away I could feel that something was wrong. The Traveler, they soon inquired about what happened and when they did...", he started the retelling, pausing for a few seconds as the sobs suddenly got louder, "...From what I understood, Collei was once a test subject at one of Ill Dottore's facilities and was deemed a "failed experiment", since she couldn't show the results that the mad doctor wanted to see. Except she was actually a "successful one", though it took the disgusting Fatui time to find out about: the Archon residue sealed inside of her body. Now the Fatui's plan is to forcefully draw that power out and use it for their own gain, without any care for what happens to her once the deed is done.", he continued with some disgust in his voice, with it intensifying as he was talking about the Fatui in question, "This "Second of the Eleven Fatui Harbringers, Il Dottore" truly has no regard for human life!", he yelled out in rage, without a doubt pissed, before there were a few seconds of silence, "...I apologize for my sudden outburst. I shall continue the retelling.", he soon added, before there were a few more seconds of silence, "...Still feeling unsure about what to do, we soon teleported back to Sumeru and contacted Lord Kusanali."
"...When I heard what happened to Collei, I couldn't help feeling like I failed again...", Nahida soon sadly and guilt-strikingly mumbled, before there was a small pause, "...That's when Samir contacted me about the progress of his own task and shared the coordinates of the Ayn Al-Ahmar clan's hideout. It didn't take us long to arrive here and look through the previously stolen documents, soon finding out the reason for Collei's sudden kidnapping.", she started the retelling, still sounding guilt-stricken, "The Samsara itself was being held precisely to harvest a big amount of energy from everyone's dreams. Since we managed to end it in time, the energy harvested was not enough for the Sages' and their Fatui allies' plans. As such they started going for different "sources of power" they could make use of instead...", her words suddenly broke off, before there was a long and worrying pause, "...If only I was a better Archon and took care of things 500 years ago, none of this would have happened. Not the Samsara and Collei's kidnapping and not even all those long years since then, when the "replacements..."..."
"You were a recently born god at the time, you told me this yourself. Back then, you still didn't know the ugly side of humanity.", Samir interrupted her guilt stricken words, trying to sound as reassuring as possible, "Traveler, I just finished writing down all the info I know of the Great Red Sand. I made sure to include detailed instructions about each "secret location", such as the Eternal Oasis...", his voice got sadder by the last 2 words, before there was a small pause, "...I would argue against visiting the "Desert of Hadramaveth" for the time being, since you would undoubtedly get yourself killed.", he warned, his voice deadly serious and also slightly cold, "Now then, I think I should explain what the Sages plan for all this harvested energy is: they plan to create themselves a god, using a certain "Deserter Harbringer" (who I am certain you already know, Venti) to do so. Azar and those other 3 Sages, they know that they can't truly manipulate me, so they are searching for someone they can...", he added with a small chuckle, before there was a small pause, "...Though simply creating themselves a god, using such dubious and not fully thought off methods, no less, ones which turned most of Sumeru city against them, might not be their end goal…", he suddenly added in thoughtfulness, as well as suspicion, before there was a small pause, "But it would be best to do things at a gradual pace, so the issue of the Sages' true plan should be left for a later discussion. You are still planning to search for and save Collei, aren't you, Traveler...?"
"...That's the plan. Thank you for the instructions, Rhadames, they are going to be a big help.", the Traveler admitted, sounding both grateful and thoughtful, "...Venti, could you help pinpoint Collei's approximate location with the Winds...? That would really help us save her that much faster."
They continued, sounding mostly calm,
Yet there was still a tint of desperation in their voice...
*One which Venti couldn't help but notice...
-I don't mind checking it out for you, Traveler. -He soon reassuringly said, before pausing for a few seconds, as a thought struck him. -But Traveler, are you going to be okay...? You are not planning to go all by yourself, are you...?
"Nope! Paimon is going to be with the Traveler at all times so they wouldn't suddenly disappear again!", the Pixie answered, sounding quite proud of herself, "Cyno also promised to join and already got an "okay" from the Sages. He actually lied to them, telling them that he was going to find the ones responsible for the earlier attack! Xiao also agreed to be the "go between" our groups, promising to come as soon as we called his name! The Traveler already agreed to make him a BUUUUUUUNCH of Almond Tofu as repayment!", she recalled, before there was a small pause, "...Alhaitham, are you also going to join us...?"
"...Oh, you were saying…?", was soon heard in reply, before there was a small pause, "...I fail to understand your sudden and frankly intelligence-lacking question. Did I not tell you before that I do not take on tasks that are either too energy consuming or outright bothersome? Remaining here in Port Ormos and helping understand the Sages' next actions would be a better use of my time and wisdom."
"...Y-you arrogant smug looking jerk...!", Paimon suddenly yelled out, sounding annoyed.
What followed was a small "arguing match" between the two,
With the Pixie throwing insults at him and the scribe throwing them right back at her...
...
"Venti, can I have a word with you? In a more private location, preferably.", Samir suddenly said, sounding both serious and calm, "...It should be fine if I borrow the device for a while, yes...?", he soon asked, before there was a short pause, "Thank you.", he gratefully said, before there was a small pause again, "...Now then Venti, do you mind having a small chat with me...? I might not have another chance to do this."
In the end, Venti accepted Samir's offer,
And waited until the other moved to a secluded room...
...
"Thank you for waiting. Now then, where should I start...?", was heard soon enough, Samir's voice sounding pretty thoughtful, "Before I do, you must know that this information should not be shared with anyone, lest THEY notice. And the reason I decided it would be safe to share it with you, is due to you being able to use the same Time power that SHE did. I wouldn't even be surprised if you two are actually related.", he admitted, sounding dead serious, before there was a small pause, "This story starts approximately 247 years ago, when SHE appeared before me in the darkness. At that time, the Akademiya has already fully taken over Sumeru, yet I didn't know of it until later.", he started the retelling, his voice soon becoming nostalgic, "SHE told me of Sumeru's state at the time and the Sages' betrayal. SHE also informed me how THEY are pissed about how THEIR "ruling system" was being disrespected and are planning to destroy the nation and start anew. That was also when SHE proposed me a deal, one I readily agreed to once I heard it's terms.", there was a small pause, "I can't disclose the terms of out contract, yet I can admit this: what SHE asked me to do, it was both a way to help Nahida and Sumeru...And an opportunity at redemption. Once this task is done, there would be no reason for me to stay here anymore. Yes, my "rebirth" is indeed conditioned.", he quietly admitted, before there was another small pause, "...But once my "quest" is fulfilled, there wouldn't really be any reason for me to stay anyway, right...? After what I did to Rukkhadevata, Nabu Malikata and the people of Sumeru, both from the Desert and from the Rainforest regions...When the Traveler finds out the truth, my past buried in the sands, would they keep acting towards me the same as before...? Would anyone, really...? Even Nahida would become enraged once she hears of my sins..."
He sadly and guilt-strikingly added, before there was a long pause,
The words making Venti wonder what exactly it was that he did in the past...
...
And yet...
-The Traveler is not someone who would jump to conclusions before hearing the whole story. Surely, if you explain the whole story, they would understand. -Venti decided to reassure the other, hoping that this will help him feel at least a little better. -...As for everyone else, surely, they too would understand. Nahida will also forgive you.
He added for good measure, getting silence in reply,
Before a deep sigh was heard...
"...I would have liked to believe that you are right, but what I did can't be simply forgiven. Because of my foolish and thoughtless actions, my reckless pursuit of (Forbidden) Knowledge, many people suffered and some even died!", Samir admitted in sadness and guilt, even yelling out at the end, before there was a short pause, "...I should continue with the retelling...", he soon added in that same sad and guilt stricken voice, thought quitter, before there was another short pause, "SHE knew I would agree to the contract and so SHE first informed informed me that Sumeru should be safe for the time being as THEY surely found my "reincarnation" amusing enough to "sit back" and wait and see what happens. SHE also told me that my escort has almost arrived and reassured me that doing what I can should be enough, a "special person" should arrive to help Sumeru in the future. I believe the "special person" SHE spoke of is the Traveler, as they don't feel like anyone from Teyvat. They are actually from another world, aren't they...?", he continued with this, his voice now thoughtful, "My escort turned out to be a former Vahumana(Aetiology) Grand Sage of the time, along with 2 of his closest aides. Apparently SHE informed him of my "return", telling him about it numerous times, during the day and night. SHE was so persistent that in the end he agreed to listen to HER.", he added in some amusement, even chuckling at the end, before there was a short pause once again, "Since he was a former Grand Sage, he knew full well what the Akademiya was doing all this time and the fact that it was wrong. Yet, not only was he soon about to get replaced, the other Sages were opposed to a change. There was nothing much he could do at that point. And that's when he was told about me, a "former friend of Lord Rukkhadevata", who can surely help...Even though by this point I would be surprised if she even saw me as just some random acquaintance...", he added in some guilt, before there was another short pause once more, "...He explained more about the current state of Sumeru and got me up to date about everything that happened since my death and until that point. Such as the fact that during these years, ever since the end of the Cataclysm, there was always a "Lord Atharva" in Sumeru: numerous elemental hosts that were found and used by the Akademiya in order to hold the Dendro Gnosis and make sure the Akasha System keeps running. All of them sooner or later dying from it's sheer power input (Managing to live for 84 years at most, as I was informed) and having to be replaced by another "Lord Atharva" to keep the illusion that the Akademiya was acting in accordance to the Dendro Archon's wishes."
-...Wait, so does that mean that all this time, for 500 years, many were secretly sacrificed...? Just how many did the Akademiya bring to their deaths...?! -Venti couldn't help but ask aloud, getting pretty worried, before he suddenly paused upon realizing something. -...Didn't you say that you got reincarnated 247 years ago...?
"I did say that, yes. And I can understand why you might be confused. It appears that the Dendro Gnosis doesn't have the same toll for myself.", Samir admitted, before there was a small pause, "It might be due to me being stronger than them and the fact that I still get Faith energy from those who believe in my "past life". Or it might be because THEY approve of me being an Archon, even if a temporary one...THEY did ask me to be an Archon in the past, yet I refused. So could it be that the past "replacements" ultimately died because they didn't get THEIR approval...?", he thoughtfully mumbled, before there was another small pause, "...And after I came to "hold" the Dendro Gnosis, some flora and fauna in the desert started acting pretty weird, animated even. Just like the time when the group from Mondstadt was here, traveling through Sumeru and yet mostly going unnoticed.", he suddenly said, sounding thoughtful and slightly suspicious, "...It felt as if your people were in a different "timeframe" than anyone else, really easy to miss to the mortal eye and slightly harder to for anyone else, as if they were unconsciously hiding from prying eyes. It was actually your Time power, wasn't it, Venti...? An old power which came from HER, one that many would seek once they realize you can use it, be it the Sages, the Fatui, the Abyss Order and even those much stronger. You should be really careful about where and when you use it, Venti."
He warned soon enough, sounding both serious and very stern,
So much so that Venti realized this was a warning he should definitely heed...
*And yet, if worse come to worst, he knew he would use this power without a second thought,
If anyone he loves and cares about were to be badly hurt or worse, he would gladly use it in order to save...
"You are still going to use it in order to help others, aren't you...?", Samir suddenly said, sounding a little suspicious, before a sigh was heard, "...Why are so many people I know/knew just so selfless...?", he mumbled, before there was a small pause, "...Continuing from where I slightly trailed off before, the Sage was the one who brought me to Nahida's confinement in the Sanctuary of Surasthana. I actually lied about being unable to free her from her confinement and it's due to the dangerous "additions" made to the meditation chamber itself.", he admitted, starting to sound pretty grave, "Were I to try to free her, without taking any precautions beforehand, it would forcibly draw all of her Dendro Energy out, the huge amount of it creating an explosion big enough to destroy the Sanctuary of Surastana and the whole city together with it. Both her and everyone in Sumeru city will surely die. You understand why I decided not to tell anyone about it, lest the news get to her, yes...?", he continued, his voice getting sad now, "...She is already blaming herself for how the Sages turned out, thinking herself a complete failure, saying that since she is the Dendro Archon, she could have prevented this. It doesn't help that they kept telling her she is completely useless right after finding her, soon imprisoning and them replacing her. Then there's all the people the Akademiya and its Sages hurt since then, as well as the whole "Sabzeruz festival" situation and the Samsara...I didn't have the heart to tell her that the Sages, who are supposed to be her people, seem to hate her even more than initially though...Even though we are friends now, I can't help but pity her situation...", he sadly admitted, before deeply sighing, "...And I can understand they are still sad about Rukkhadevata's death, I am too, but this is really going too far. I would rather those assholes just drop dead already, but Nahida is way too merciful and wouldn't want that!", he added in some more sadness, as well as rising annoyance, before there was a long and concerning pause, "...Venti, you remember a certain potion I sent you before on your "order", yes...? How about you do me a favor, as well...? I heard about those "Sigils of Permission" you are able to make and would like 100 of them delivered here as soon as possible.", he suddenly said, his voice unreadable, before there was a short pause, "...Although, just to be on the safe side, make it 200 instead. Somehow, I am going to make it work...", he soon mumbled, sounding thoughtful, "...Maybe I could even have Alhaitham help out...? He is pretty good at electronics and did promise to help out in exchange for knowledge..."
He continued to mumble further,
Seemingly ignoring the fact he was still "holding the call"...
...
Venti couldn't truly blame him for this, though,
As he soon realized what the other god wanted to use those sigils for:
He knew of his Time power and wanted to use this fact in order to free Nahida from her confinement,
Which was a risky plan, but a much needed one if she was ever to be able to see the world with her own eyes...
...
Now Venti also knew that Azar and the other 3 Sages were even worse than he thought before...
*And their predecessors of 500 years ago might have been even more so, if that was even possible...