Sleep is a vital part of human life. It allows us all to rest and recuperate before another day of work and hardship. Dreams often fill in the empty spaces that sleep leaves in the brain; they have a positive aura, many marvel at the mind's ability to generate these fictitious scenario's all at the power of our imagination. Perhaps even a couple would wish to collect this energy for themselves...
But whilst dreams give the impression that sleep is a wholly positive thing, it takes away from it and facades it's negatives. The Nightmares, that haunt people and feast off of their fears. It leaves you vulnerable, your conscience susceptible to infiltration, and your body left unprotected. Perhaps even have your mind harvested. Maybe that was why the people of Sumeru do not dream..
"That was quite the performance, I would almost go as far as to say that you are just as cruel as me."
The Balladeer. Such an insensitive being. Aether opened his eyes briskly, expecting to be met with the side of the Akademiya; however all that greeted him was nothing. Nothingness. He was enlightened with the blackness of the void, the emptiness consuming him. A hazy figure, tinted purple, slowly approached him. Although they appeared hazy, Aether knew it was him.
"Welcome to your conscience Aether." He began, using his arms to display the area. "It's rather dull, don't you think? You should organise it more." His calm and eerie voice taunting him to no end.
Aether's eyebrows furrowed and he leaked a low snarl.
"What do you want?" He hissed, his voice laced with hatred and distaste. The question sounding more akin to a threat.
The Fatui Harbinger rolled his eyes.
"Why must I require something of you in order to engage in a conversation? I simply came to watch the show. You know how a lion likes to play with it's food..."
Aether could hear the words echoing in his subconscious. He could feel his mind being puppeteered by the strings that Scaramouche had tied to him. All of those meaningless days and nights spent within the grasp of the Samsara, all of the pointless hours wasted celebrating the Sabzeruz festival. All of it engulfed him with affliction and abhorrence.
"Why me?"
Why him? Why was it always him? All he ever wanted was to relocate his lost sibling. Before he began to be roped up in this world's predicaments and mysteries. Though his time in Teyvat has been short, he nevertheless carried the burden of his feats.
The Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, Slayer of Stormterror, Defeater of the 11th and 8th Fatui Harbingers, Vanquisher of Osial, and conqueror of the God of Electro.
He was aware that he was different; he didn't belong here after all. Although the weight of his peers' expectations and the constant pressure that he was put under dragged him down considerably.
"Please, spare me your woes traveller. You and I both know how special you are." Was the cool response he was rewarded with. Even still Aether didn't want to accept it as such. He couldn't formulate any words, only staring at the figure in front of him with a piercing glare.
"I suppose you have your questions about all of this; and in due time, all shall be revealed." Scaramouche told him. "Nothing that you can do now can interfere with my birth as a god." He continued on.
Aether eyed him quizzically at the statement. The Balladeer? Become a God? What did that mean for the Lesser Lord Kusanali? Surely she wouldn't condone this, and as such, what did that imply was happening to her?
Scaramouche could see the confusion on his nemesis' face and let out hollow chuckle. "The inauguration of Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal, as your; 'friend' would put it" He revealed.
Dunyarzad.
"What did you do to her?!" Aether snarled, restraining himself from charging at the Balladeer, clenching his fists tight, and turning his knuckles white.
"What did I do? Shouldn't it be me asking you that question? Or I suppose her corpse is a satisfactory answer." Scaramouche retorted in an attempt to rile up the golden boy.
"You're vile." Was all that the Traveller could muster in retaliation.
"Oh how I love to hear that you feel that way." The Harbinger responded mockingly, "But it is an honour for you to stand before, and speak with me. And as such, I'm willing to give you a piece of advice." He continued, approaching Aether until they were a ruler's length apart. His gaze piercing through Aether's soul through his own eyes.
"Don't try to play the hero for once, and don't try to interfere with the business of a God."
With that closing statement, aethers mind went blank and his vision left him.
'Don't try to play the hero'. Did he have any idea how tired he was of being said hero all the time? He wasn't the Traveller that slayed dragons anymore, and he no longer was the outlander that defeated God's. He was the shell of his former persona, the once adventuring saviour of the land worn down to this more careless husk of a human.
Upon opening his eyes again, Aether found himself again on the grassy patch besides the towering Akademiya building. Clearly a lot of time had apparently passed as the once clear azure skies were pitch black, dotted with shimmering white stars. He would have believed himself to have been undisturbed during this time, if it had not been for the childlike figure sat besides him, fiddling awkwardly with her dress.
Speaking of which, her garments, and more so her appearance in general was far more elegant and sophisticated than what he would expect of a child. She wore a white dress with gold accents and deep green patterns. On her wrist was a golden bracelet of sorts and her snow white hair was decorated with leafy pendants.
The girl in question must have noticed his staring and turned her head to face him. Her large green orbs lighting up slightly as she saw him.
"Ah! You're finally awake! Pardon my sudden intrusion, but I come here to help in one's time of need." The girl explained, now standing up after picking herself up off of the floor, her childlike stature evident in her height.
"And who are you?" aether questioned, still unsure as to the identity of the girl.
"You would know me as Lesser Lord Kusanali , but moving forward, you can refer to me as Nahida." Was Nahida's answer, striking a superhero pose.
This was the Archon of Sumeru? The God of Wisdom? Give him strength. If this child was all that there was in order to save him then Scaramouche might as well plan his funeral now. He'd have to bet on Paimon being some sort of deity at this rate.
Nahida could sense the judgement from the Traveller and quickly moved to elaborate further.
"I know I know. I'm aware that I'm hardly the most imposing figure ever. But as the God of Wisdom, it is my duty to protect the citizens of Sumeru, and as you are Sumeru's guest; yourself included." She declared, extending a hand out towards him.
Aether shook is head slightly, ignoring her offer of assistance and stood up by his own means and brushing himself off.
"Well you sure took your sweet time, God of Wisdom. The other cycles didn't suit your fancy?" He asked, sarcasm very evident in his voice as he slowly began to walk away from Nahida.
Where was he going? Who knows. Who cares? This cycle would soon reach its conclusion and he'll be back at square one. Although he appreciated the Dendro Archon suddenly materialising here, he felt as though it were too late.
"W-wait!" Nahida cried, clutching onto Aether's free arm to stop him from continuing onwards. The boy in question shaking her off and turning around to look down at her.
"Look, I know how you must be feeling; and I'm aware that my arrival is pretty late. But if you want a chance of getting out of here, then I'm your best shot."
Aether still seemed unsure. Nahida had not elaborated on very much at all and expects him to blindly follow?
"Just meet me behind the farms to the northeast of the city tomorrow. Here is far too dangerous. All shall be explained then." She instructed him.
"Why not now?" Aether asked but quickly found his answer as a familiar sharp ringing echoed through his mind. He instinctively brought his hands to his head and buckled over slightly.
He could see Nahida smiling apologetically before his vision began to blur and his world start to spin.
The soft words of "See you tomorrow traveller." Being the last thing he heard before blacking out.
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Author note:
Apologies for the long delay, I've been occupied with examinations and procrastination in general.
Originally, my plan was for this to be a 4 chapter story. Although as I was writing this I realised if I included all of what I wanted to include before chapter 4 here then it may become too long for my liking. I also haven't updated in ages so I kind of wanted something out fairly soon.
As a result this chapter may be shorter than ideal as it's been halved for convenience.
Thank you for your patience.