Aether

I hit the dummy again, and again and again, each swing sending vibrations through my body. I grip my sword tightly and take another swing, and this time the dummy falls off it's wood and onto the cobble stone ground.

I take deep breaths in and focus on another dummy that is stuffed with hay and made out of wood. I take a huge and heavy swing at it this time, using what strength I still have left and with one clean strike, the splits in half and falls to the ground.

"Aether, are you afraid of using your powers." Master Jean asks with authority.

I turn towards her and see her arms are folded and she's leaning slightly on one leg, more than the other. Her piercing grey blue eyes look as though they getting tired and frustrated at this point.

"Anemo is nothing to be afraid of. The wind itself can be a great alley when it comes to battle, and the great thing is, it mixes very well with the other elements" I nod my head at her, but even I know, she thinks I'm not soaking it all in.

"This time Aether, stand back and use your powers to strike the dummy with your elemental power. Remember use your powers, like you use your sword, as an extension to yourself." She relaxes and leans against the wall of the school.

I take a step back, and focus on the dummy that is still standing. I close my eyes and take a deep breathe. Thinking back on what Venti had told me about the wind, and using it as a guide in fighting but I first had to feel it.

I jump up and can feel the wind gathering around me, I spin my body, making a tornado and then I slash my sword pushing it toward the dummy. It comes up from the ground, and lands with a quiet thud, on the ground.

I look at Master Jean and maybe she's proud, maybe she's relieved or maybe she feels like she can finally get back to do what she was doing before I had to take the extra lesson with her on sword fighting with elemental power.

"I know it's getting late Aether, but I need you to practice more with your elemental power. Go out on a patrol and clear two camps, when your done, you may then turn in for the night."

"Master Jean, I have other stuff I need to get done. I still have alchemy to try and complete not to mention I still need to study and read up on my other classes"

"You'll have to do it either when you get back or stay up all night like I do in some cases. The headmaster said you needed these extra combat classes, don't argue with me anymore, go out and use the elemental power!" She sternly tells me, before waking away.

I grunt in frustration and think about how to clear my schedule for patrols now, on top of everything else. I can understand why Master Jean wants me to take this opportunity to hone my skills, but I also feel as though I'm falling behind in my other classes.

Before heading out, I stop at a little cafe and get a bite to eat, to see if it'll help bring my energy back. It's only two camps and who knows, if the clouds keep gathering , it'll be good to see how anemo mixes well with other elements like Master Jean was saying.

As I eat, I pull out my phone and see if I have gotten any new emails on assignments or to see if I can finish the latest chapter on the history of Teyvet. I remember reading about how there are 7 Archons and each had an element, and how they had all fought in this power struggle for 7 Devine seats in Celestia.

"Is this seat taken?" I'd know my sister's voice form anywhere, and when I look up at her she looks just as tired as I feel.

"Did you also get assigned to do extra stuff tonight" I say letting out a small chuckle.

"Ugh, yes" she rolls her eyes and takes a seat next to me. "I don't know how she does it. Keep order, run classes, mark grades, help run an entire school. I know we started late, but these extra assignments are starting to take a toll on me for sure." She lays her head down on her arms and I can hear her taking deep breaths.

"Wanna join me tonight then?" She peeks up a little at me as if I just read her mind. "Grab a bite and then we'll head out"
—
The moonlight over our heads shone dimly over our heads. The heavy clouds were blocking out the moons glow as we traveled around Mondstat, looking for camps.

Lumine caught me up that Master Jean wanted her to clear out 2 bandit camps, so we decided to try and find the two camps, Master Jean was talking about.

I'm sure we've past a few but I think like me, Lumine wanted to just be out of Mondstat and away from duties. Her like me, probably just needed some air, and not want to look at one more book, one more text, one more assignment.

Lumine and I are starting at a new school that had started about 3 months ago. We were told before we come, to harness our elemental powers and make sure we can at least control them.

We came to this school, mainly because that's where our travels have lead us. Most people here, have some sort of power, with an element. It's like a blessing from the gods for doing something heroic, close to death, putting yourself in danger. The ones with this power, we've met so far, have been using it for good and to fight the threats that are in this world.

I remember my mom, always telling me how when evil is in the world, good will rise up and try to stop it. Yet, she added, sometimes people become evil, or mean, or vile because of something that happened in their past. Before you raise your sword at them, ask them why they got this way, and then be the judge. Will you let them go? Or will you take matters into your own hands?

Lumine and I aren't from this world, yet we first came here because it was our mom's mission first to hunt down the Yaksha along with others and bring them back to our home. The day our mother's corpse came back, they told us she was fighting a terrible monster and that's what had killed her. They didn't even need to tell me what kind of monster, I already knew.

We stayed here being raised by the knights who guard and protect Mondstat. We saw Master Jean become the acting grand master as well as assistant headmaster of the school we attend now, that is basically a pre-requisite for the school we're headed too.

The stronger we get, the better we'll be equipped for taking on such a dangerous threat. The Yaksha were once deity's that were worshiped and praised. But they let power get to their heads and they started killing man kind, due to the powers they had inflicted on them.

The Yaksha betrayed their people and for it, they became scary beasts that would kill or eat people through the lands they inhabited. The Yaksha we're getting so dangerous, it is said, the Gods themselves had to lock them away, in darkness, forever hearing screams of their victims and being in binds that hurt their very being.

Five had escaped and so far only two have been pronounced dead. The fire Yaksha was killed (at least speculated to be killed) by her own kind. Apparently according to some the Yaksha began to turn on each other and began to kill one another, but only killing the fire one, at least according to rumors. It's also said the water Yaksha died of her wounds and has not been seen since a fight between her and the Geo Yaksha. The Geo, lightening and anemo Yaksha have gone missing and have disappeared completely. Who knows all five could still be alive roaming this world and having little to no mercy on anyone.

Now that Lumine and I have come of age, we are able to hunt them down and bring them back. When our mom was alive, they wanted them back alive as well, so they could suffer in torture for their evil doings.

"Aether I am getting so tired" Lumine interrupts my thoughts and turns to me. "Have you noticed every camp we've come across has either been cleared or all left for dead?"

Before I respond, a shadow figure leaps from the cliff side we're exploring. They have their weapon raised behind their back and comes down swing fast at Lumine, but I use the wind and push myself in front of her and block their attack, with my sword.

He has red mist and black shadows all around him, and all I see are their bright blue glowing eyes. I push him off with my foot and they back fall back a little. He rushes towards me again and I block him but can feel my footing slip, and almost tripping over them.

He takes advantage of my poor footwork and kicks at my feet. I feel my feet leave the ground and suddenly I'm on my side looking at the grass. I see him raise his weapon and start to bring it down but I roll to my side, and feel his weapon scratch my cheek.

As he draws it back to him, I feel the sharp sting on my cheek and can feel the warm blood oozing from it. He goes in again, and I push foreword with my sword, he blocks with his weapon and I can feel my entire body shake as our weapons meet.

I grunt trying to block him, but he pushes against me har switch his weapon. He takes a swing and I jump to miss it, I jump just high enough to make a tornado towards him.

"Disappear!"

"Aether!" Lumine shouts and shoves the person aside.

"I'm fine" I say as I try and land near her. We stand back to back her and my sword facing the being we've come across.

He stand's before us in a ready stance. Their weapon is a polearm, from the spiked tip we can see and with how thin their weapon looks. He has shadows casted all around him, and all we can make out is their light glowing turquoise eyes.

"This guy isn't normal" I tell Lumine trying to remain calm.

"So, you feel it too?" She tells me with a little hesitation in her voice.

This feeling he is giving off, is cold, dark and unwelcoming. His presence feels as though, he could kill just by being in the same room as someone. The shadows he casts have a black and red hue to them, and it feels as though he is using those, as a way to conceal themselves.

"Lumine, you don't think" thunder sounds in the distance

"No" she cuts me off instantly.

"Enough standing around then, let's take him" without thinking I rush foreword towards them and try to hit them straight on.

They hold their weapon in front of them, blocking my attack, with my free arm, I hold my hand in front of their face and create a quick gust of wind in their face.

"WINDBALDE" I shout.

A ball of wind with a few bursts of blades comes from my hand and starts to cut away at him. He jumps back, kicking under my chin in the process.

I grunt and fall back, but catch myself. Lumine comes in fast and crosses her sword with him. I get up as fast as I can and come from behind him, as if reading my mind, Lumine jumps up and spins and I do the same, creating a tornado with our spin and slash our swords forward making both of our tornados go towards the person standing before us.

Just as our tornados start to close in on him, a huge lightning strike from the sky comes crashing down on all three of us and sends us flying back.

I land on the ground with a pretty hard thud and can feel my head ringing. Rain starts to fall heavy and a thick fog surrounds me. I try to get up best I can, but can feel my body wobble as I do. I put my hand on my head and shake it trying to get the ringing and numbness out of my head.

After the lightening strike, rain pours down in thick droplets and the wind is making it feel like tiny knives hitting my skin. The lightning is loud and when thunder sounds it shakes the very earth. My ears ring numb with all the sound that's going on around me and my body begins to feel numb, with how cold the wind is making everything.

Lightening, rain and wind surrounds me as if I'm in the eye of a story. My hair whipping so hard, I feel the braid come out and my hair is now whipping all over my face.

I have to find Lumine I think to myself. I can feel a heavy wind hit me and I feel myself getting blown back, with how harsh the wind is blowing.

"Lumine!" I shout as loud as I can.

"Aether..." I hear a voice in the distance.

"Can you hear me?" I shout as loud as I can, but my voice feels like it's drowned out by the lightening and the winds.

"Aether..." the voice says again and it's not my sisters but someone else's voice. A female voice that sounds sad yet hopeful

"Whose there?!" I shout into the darkness. The wind whips at my face and I feel like my voice is straining at this point, yelling for Lumine.

I feel something touch my shoulder and turn around fast, seeing an empty view, all has gone quiet and it's an eerie quiet. The storm seems to have ceased and as I look around it's nothing but fog on the ground and the skies a dark grey. I move my feet and can feel water around my feet. I also hear water dripping in the background.

I look around some more and then I feel someone behind me and see a woman with fiery red hair standing with her back to me. I slowly turn and face her full on and I have my sword drawn at my side. She turns to me quickly and grabs my both my wrists tightly. Her hair covers her eyes but she leans in close to me, our noses inches from each other.

"Save him, promise me, you'll save him."

"Save...who...?"

When she uncovers her face, my eyes go wide with horror. Her eyes are sunken black holes with blood coming from them. She grabs onto my wrists tighter and comes closer to me. When she opens her mouth blood starts to come out of it like a waterfall.

"Tell me you'll save him!" She screeches loudly in my ear. "Promise me! YOU WILL SAVE HIM!" She screams and brings her hands to my face, I feel her claw my cheek and I push away from her.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" I shout and a clap of thunder brings me back to reality.

The storm seems as though it's getting worse with how intense the wind and lightning are getting. I make a fist with my hand and hold it in front of my face, as I try and walk against the wind and rain. The rain feels as though it's cutting my skin with how hard its blowing against me.

"WHERE ARE YOU ALATUS?!" A booming voice as loud as lightening says from behind me and I stop dead in my tracks at the sound of that name. I turn around slowly and see huge grey lightening clouds coming towards me with lightening coming out of it every which way. "Who the fuck are you? GET LOST KID!"

As if time has slowed, the lightening casts shadows on the clouds around me, and I see something standing in front of me with four arms stretching out and hitting the ground, making it shake with lightening and thunder.

I fall to the ground and am too shocked to speak or move. I can feel my body shaking, as I see two arms on his back raise up and create a lightening rod of purple hues. He aims at me and I hold my arms in front of my face and curl up in ball.

Am I going to die?! I think to myself I close my eyes tightly. Lumine...forgive me, I couldn't keep my promise after all...I can feel the heat of the bolt coming down on me. Promise me Lumine, you'll keep going...

"LUMINE!" I shout as loud as I can and I can feel the tiny sparks from the bolt as it closes in on me. I brace myself for the end, until I hear a loud bang as though something stopped the bolt from crashing down on me.

I look up and through all the light the lightening is giving off, I see someone standing in front of me. His hair blowing fiercely in the wind and he holds his weapon between the bolt and me. It's here I find my courage again, I jump as high as I can and swing a gust of air to help the stranger out.

"DISAPPEAR!" I shout and send the tornado towards him. The one who was blocking the bolt moves as fast as he can and let's my attack hit. I go flying back and hit the ground hard, knocking the air out of me, I can hear my ears ringing and feel like my body is numb.

The night sky...looks clear...did the storm clear up. The stars shine so brightly in the dark, I almost forget how beautiful they look. The wind feels like it's calming down, the rain isn't as heavy as it was and is starting to feel lighter and softer, the thunder and lightening sound as though it's passing on and going it's own way.

"AETHER!" Lumine screams, I turn my head just a little but lay on the ground as she comes running towards me fast.

I can see tears flowing down her face as she kneels next to me and touches my hair softly. I sit up with her help and feel the soreness in my body and grunt as I get up. She hugs me tightly and I hug her back just as tight. I can hear her sobbing into my shoulder trying to choke words out.

"I-I heard a loud bang and then saw Lightening and heard you scream my name. Oh Aether I thought I lost you. You can't leave...you...you..." I hush her quietly as she sobs.

"I'm so sorry Lumine, I got scared, I saw something in that storm and it almost killed me until someone showed up and stopped it, inches away from me. I helped them out, hence how I got here." She let's go of me and kneels next to me wiping her eyes.

"That storm came out of now where. I saw someone as well, with horns and whatever presence they were giving off was cold and I felt like I was facing death itself."

I don't tell her about the word vision I had or whatever happened with that woman. I can still see her face, the blood, the screams, I honestly felt like I was in a nightmare and just woke up from it.

"Your face is pretty messed up. I know you got cut from that guy ealier but what gave those three cuts on your face." I can feel my eyes go wide as I reach up and touch my face.

Was...that...not...a...dream...

"Um. I guess it could have been from the lightening or rain maybe even the wind." I try to sound convincing, but how do I tell her what really happened for a moment?

Lumine helps me my feet, and I can see tiny cuts on her hands and face, guess the storm really messed both of us up. I wonder what Master Jean will say when we tell her about this night. Though that name, that man said...should I tell Lumine, we were in the company for two Yaksha.

"Come on, let's go home." I put my hand on her shoulder and together we start walking home under the light of the moon and stars.

As we begin to walk, I suddenly find myself tripping over something that's laying on the ground. I hear grunts coming from them, we both turn around and see a body laying on the ground. Their weapon laying next to them, a jaded spear that glows a beautiful mint green in the moonlight.

"Lumine, I think this might be the person who saved me." I say as I kneel down beside him.

I flip him over gently and take my phone out of my pocket and turn the flashlight setting on. I look and see he's got a cut on his side that's bleeding pretty badly, but it's not to deep we need to run to Mondstat and find a healer. I few stitches should do it and he's be fine.

I look at him and see his hair is a dark green mixed with light green highlights. His skin is fair and gives off a soft glow.

I bend down next to his mouth and listen for any breathing, it sounds steady for now but also like he's in pain and trying to suppress it. The Moonlight highlights his features and it looks as though his skin is smooth and soft. He's also shivering from the cold or maybe from getting caught in the storm. I slowly run him over and as the moon shines on him, I can see a cut on his side, but it's not too deep, a wound that looks like it could close on its own, just needs some patching up work.

As he lays on his back, I look at his eyes and they almost seem to be in pain even when they are closed. Could it be from the wound? The strange storm that came out of no where? Is the cold causing him to be in pain? I wonder what color his eyes are going to be when he opens them.

"Lumine we need to get him back to Mondstat" I tell her.

"Aether we don't even know this guy and what kind of storm was that? Also I thought I was witnessing a fight between two beings." Lumine's voice shakes and I can tell whatever she saw or heard scared her.

"This guy is probably the one who saved me, I gotta owe him for something." She folds her arms and shakes her head at me.

"Fine, let's head back with him and I'll help you patch him up. " she says with a groan, but she knows I won't leave anyone behind, especially if they have helped us.

Lumine helps me get him on my back and I carry him like I'm giving him a piggy back ride. My arms underneath his legs and his arms resting on my shoulders. He groans a little from the pain he's feeling on his side.

"Sorry." I tell him quietly. "But your wounded, so we're gonna take you back to our place and patch you up." I don't know if he heard anything I just said but I feel him relax on me, as if he feels comforted by my words.

When I make it back to our little place, Lumine goes to the sink, grabs a bowl and start to fill it with hot water. I head to my room and set him down on the bed. I hear him let out a sigh as I gently lay him down on my bed.

I go to find out first aid kit, that we have stored in the bathroom. I look through it and find the alcohol wipes, I also find out surgical set and remember Master Jean teaching us the basic of stitching and how to cauterize a wound and other first aid things before calling for a healer.

I rush back to his side and see Lumine is already cleaning the blood away with the water and I can see his face tighten in pain. She gently dads at the spot with the rag and rinses it out in the water.

"I'll get a fire going to want the house for the rest of the night and then I'm headed to bed, I really need to rest before we head out in three days and report what we can to Master Jean."

I stand there star struck remember we attend our first day of college at that new school in about three days time. I tell Lumine thank you and tell her I'll just crash on the couch for the night. I shut the door so if he does wake and scream it won't bother her much, but I know she'll hear it, I just hope she sleeps through so she can be rested for tomorrow.

I sit down next to him and get the kit ready. I open all the bandages I will need and get the wipes ready. I put gloves on, and swipe at the wound with the alcohol wipe to try and make it numb but I know he'll still feel it.

"Sorry." I say in a whisper and when the suture needle goes through his skin, he sits up and helps in pain.

He looks at me with angry eyes and raises his fist to go to punch me. I brown my head and close my eyes tightly readying myself for the blow but when it doesn't come I look and his fist is only a few inches away from my face.

When I open my eyes, I see yellow eyes like a sunflower or like melted honey, and I am lost in how beautiful they are, I forget how to speak. I put my hand gently on his and lower his fist to get a look at him. I drink in his looks as he breaths heavy and I can't take my eyes off of him. He is an absolutely beautiful being.

"Uh, uh oh! I'm sorry! My sister and I found you and we saw you had a wounded and wanted to patch you up. I'm sorry it hurts but if I can get this done, then the bleeding will stop and you wouldn't have to worry about it getting worse or getting cut deeper." I tell him as I give a smile.

He doesn't say anything but simple lays back down. I take my hand off of his but he grabs it and holds on to it tightly. I lay my hand down by his side and begin where I left off. He grunts here and there but keeps quiet.

Once I finish the stitching, I cover the wound with the bandages and patch it nicely. I look back at him and he's fallen back asleep. I clean up quietly and just as I'm about to head off, he grabs my hand gently again. I look back at him and see his tired eyes are heavy with sleep, yes in a gruff and sleepy voice he says to me

"Please stay...please..." his voice trails off and he's passed out again. I put the kit down on my bedside table, head out to the couch to grab a pillow and blanket and return by his side. I lay on the floor next to my bed and drift off to sleep.

Xiao-the morning after

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"Then maybe you should have been better...

"What kind of music do you think he likes" a calm male voice says.

"CURSE YOU!" They have no idea...

"Seriously?" That one belongs to a female where am I?

"I HOPE YOU ROT!" I already am...

"I was told sometimes music can wake people up." Says the male voice with a chuckle in his voice.

"IT HURTS! PLEASE GET IT OVER WITH" I always found it funny, how they begged for mercy...

"Did Venti tell you that?" The female voice replies in a sassy tone, I think she's leaving the room, as I hear footsteps wandering off.

So many screams...so much pain...sometimes it's all too much...

"Actually, I think he coming too finally." Am I with humans...

"YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING YOU GOT"

I blink my heavy eyes, the room I'm in looks so bright, it's making it hard to fully open my eyes. I move my head a little to avoid the light coming into my eyes. This time I focus my eyes, I see a face.

Hair as gold as the sun, it almost looks as though the sun itself kissed it. Skin is light and fair, it's looks as if the tiniest fall could break him. His eyes though, are what draws me to open my eyes more and look at him. His eyes are gold and shines in the morning light as he smiles at me. His fingers feel so soft against my skin, I'm so taken in by his appearance I didn't even realize he was gently touching my cheek.

"Hey Lumine! He's awake!" He says turning his head away from me, his hand leaves my cheek and I almost pull it back but restrain myself.

He turns back towards me, and there is no doubt in my mind, it's him, I'd know his presence anywhere. The way my heart quickens, and my chest tightens...what was this feeling he said was...

"We'll meet...again..." his words echo in my head, as they always do.

Aether...

He takes my hand in his and says "hello, my name is Aether, and it's wonderful to meet you." The way he smiles at me, could melt away any dark days from before, that's how warm it is.

I slip my hand from his slowly, and look away up at the ceiling. "I'm Xiao" I hear myself say in a groggy raspy voice, and close my eyes thinking it's only a dream...