P4: The awaiting future
Amidst their trials, tribulations, and the weight of their duties, they had found the answer to a profound question that had lingered in their hearts.
Today was the day Aether and Paimon began embarking on their journey from Liyue to Inazuma.
The morning sun hung high in the sky, casting a radiant glow over the expansive ocean. Beidou's Crux fleet was anchored at the Liyue harbor, poised for its upcoming voyage. Supplies had been meticulously loaded onto the ship, including crates of food, barrels of fresh water, and various other essentials neatly stowed in the storage compartments. Sails had been checked and tightened, and the crew carried out their last-minute checks with practiced efficiency.
Everything was ready for departure, and the sea beckoned with the promise of new horizons. All that was lacking was the signal to set sail.
Yet, there was an unspoken reason, a lingering feeling that kept the Traveler grounded, tugging at his heartstrings.
Sensing something within him, Beidou decided to approach and offer words of reassurance. "Alright, just give the word when you're ready. The sea's calm today; it'll be a smooth journey to Inazuma."
"Thank you, Beidou." Aether replied with a smile before finding a spot on the deck of the ship.
His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, watching the glistening waters of the Harbor. Despite the favorable weather, a tangible sense of hope and uncertainty lingered in the air. Aether understood that he needed to wait a bit longer for an answer setting off on this new chapter of his journey.
Yujin Terrance
Ganyu's footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor followed her customary routine, clutching the meticulously prepared documents in her hand. Her knock on the door to Ningguang's office was as rhythmic as it had been countless times before. However, the response she received was far from routine; the door swung open to reveal Ningguang and Keqing, their expressions a perplexing mix of surprise and concern.
A furrow formed on Ganyu's brow as she peered at them, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting her confusion. "Am I having something on my face...?" Her gaze darted instinctively towards a gilded mirror positioned nearby, the glass pristine, ready to reveal any imperfection.
"Why are you still here?" Ningguang asked, her gaze fixed on Ganyu with a touch of disappointment, as if she had expected her to be at that place already. "Aren't you supposed to meet the Traveler at the dock right now?"
Ganyu hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Keqing took a firmer approach, gripped Ganyu's shoulders and locked eyes with her and continued. "You truly care for him, don't you?"
Although Ganyu wanted to answer immediately, an inexplicable fear held her back. Still, she managed to speak the words that had been hiding deep within her heart. "Yes... I do care for him."
Keqing's frustration reached its peak. She lowered her voice but still conveyed the gravity of the situation. "Well then, what are you waiting for!? Go and tell him now! I would go if I were you."
"But he will go on a long journey... I don't know if he will come back or not..."
"BUT HE CARE ABOUT YOU THE MOST!" Keqing exclaimed with exasperation and disbelief. "Are you going to leave him suffering by waiting for your answer!?"
Keqing's words struck a chord within Ganyu, making her contemplate the situation. If she allowed him to leave without an answer, she might never have the chance to express her feelings. But the harsh reality was that they were bound by their duties. Ganyu had to stay in Liyue to help rebuild her homeland, fulfilling the contract she had made with Rex Lapis. Aether, on the other hand, had his own journey, searching for his lost sister and uncovering the mysteries of Teyvat. They couldn't both stay and go together; their paths had diverged from the very beginning.
Deep down, Ganyu recognized that everything was not alright. She had devoted herself to her people, emulating Rex Lapis in his selfless dedication. While she remained committed to her duty, she knew that she too deserved to carve out something for her own happiness, just as he had. How could she truly help others if she couldn't discover happiness for herself, even if only for this one precious moment?
It was time to act…to hold onto her own happiness.
Ganyu's memory fell upon the well-wrapped box that held the seeds, destined to decorate his Serenitea Pot, a thoughtful gift she had prepared for him. It remained untouched on her desk, a silent reminder of the choice she had yet to make.
She still had one final chance to set things right, and she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip away.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ganyu snatched the box and rushed out of the room without uttering a word to Ningguang or Keqing. They understood her feelings all too well.
Please, just wait a little longer." Ganyu whispered to herself. Using her adepti powers, she effortlessly leaped from one rooftop to another, bounding across the buildings with determination to reach him as swiftly as possible.
Aether remained at the dock, lost in thought, waiting anxiously for her answer. He was immersed in a whirlwind of emotions and hopes, yearning for an answer that would satisfy the longing in his heart.
The wait felt interminable, stretching on like centuries, epochs, eons... for Aether, it was as if he had been waiting for an eternity. Hope, once burning brightly, gradually waned, akin to a dimming ember on a dark, desolate night. In Ganyu, he had sought the solace of companionship, a kindred spirit who might comprehend the profound loneliness that often enveloped him in this unfamiliar world. But as the moments stretched into what felt like an endless void, his optimism began to wither, and the dread of his hopes fading away, leaving behind yet another unseen wound in his heart, grew steadily.
Regret weighed heavily on his mind. He wished he could turn back time and accept Ganyu's offer without hesitation. The opportunity for companionship had been right there in front of him, and he had declined it. It felt like a missed chance, and the realization stung.
"Maybe she won't come after all..." Aether muttered and turned to Beidou "We should go now." He seemed ready to leave, ignoring Paimon's protests urging him to wait a bit longer.
Before Aether could turn away and tell Beidou, an urgent voice pierced the gentle sea breeze. The distant sound of hurried footsteps accompanied it, growing louder and more distinct with every passing second.
"Wait!"
The familiar voice, tinged with desperation, echoed across the docks, causing him to halt instantly. A surge of hope welled up within him as he quickly turned in the direction of the call.
Aether's heart leaped as he saw Ganyu rushing toward him, and she went straight into his arms. Surprise and confusion flashed across his face as she embraced him tightly.
"Ganyu! What are you doing here?" Aether asked.
"I forgot to give you this." Ganyu replied nervously as she handed him a small box.
Aether accepted the box, still feeling bewildered by her sudden appearance.
"This is the flower seed you need for the teapot." Ganyu explained. "I hope it's enough..."
Aether nodded in understanding, but before he could speak, he felt another warmth envelop him. This time, the hug held a deeper, more profound emotion, one that neither of them wanted to let go of.
"And one more thing..." Ganyu began, her voice trembling slightly with vulnerability. "I know this is stupid and selfish... but I want you to be with me no matter what. Whenever the time comes, and should you need me, I will give it every ounce of my strength. I don't know why, but I want to be with you, and I'm scared of losing you."
Her confession was raw and heartfelt. Even if she hadn't fully understood her true feelings for him yet, Ganyu had laid her emotions bare. She didn't want to be left pondering 'what might have been' and was determined to find clarity.
Aether then returned her hug, holding her close as he felt her tears against his chest.
"Thank you, Ganyu," Aether whispered, his voice filled with gratitude. "I believe we will find our own answers. Until then, I will return when things are settled, I promise."
Aether handed Ganyu a Realm Dispatch, a symbol of their connection. "I know I've given this to a lot of people, but this realm is for us only. We will meet in there, and I will try to visit you when I can." He made a promise gesture and pointed to his heart. "We will always be together... in our hearts."
Ganyu could only manage a soft "Umm..." as she held him tightly, her emotions overwhelming her.
Beidou and the fairy watched, they noticed something peculiar. The clear blue sky began to grow cloudy and slightly dark, and raindrops started to fall, albeit not heavily. It was a brief and unexpected shower, but it mirrored the complex emotions and feelings that Aether and Ganyu shared at that moment.
"That's strange...the city has never had a single rain before" Beidou wondered, eyes still looking at those two.
Perhaps even the Archons bore witness to their profound commitment, resonating with their ephemeral moment of connection.
Moments later, the thick clouds began to part, revealing a vast expanse of blue. The once obscured sun now bathed the city in its golden embrace. Its rays, warm and comforting, painted every corner of Liyue Harbor in a brilliant hue. The gentle breeze that followed playfully lifted banners and ruffled clothes, whispering tales of love and promises to all who would listen. The abrupt transition from rain to sunshine felt almost miraculous, a reflection of the emotional journey Aether and Ganyu had just traversed. It was as if nature itself wanted to remind them that after every storm, there's always a radiant dawn waiting.
Perched atop a secluded vantage point, the Qixing and the Adepti gazed down at the scene below. The distant view of Aether and Ganyu, set against the backdrop of the resplendent city, gave them a picturesque yet discreet perspective.
"It's about time." Cloud Retainer said, her voice holding a rare hint of satisfaction.
The vigilant Yaksha remained silent, but a slight sense of contentment seemed to have settled over him. Seeing his disciple find such happiness had touched even his usually stoic heart.
"They took their sweet time, didn't they." Keqing said.
Ningguang smiled fondly at the scene before turning her attention to Keqing. "True. Ganyu needed this. It's heartwarming to see her find someone she can lean on after all these years. And also…" The Tianquan continued, chuckling, "Speaking of heartwarming, have you heard about the new line of jewelry that's just been launched?"
Keqing's eyes narrowed playfully. "You better not be thinking of buying out the entire collection again, Ningguang. The last time you did that, half of Liyue was in an uproar!"
"Well, I make no promises. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" Ningguang chuckled mischievously.
While Ningguang and Keqing continued their lighthearted argument about shopping, Ganyu remained anchored to the spot, her gaze fixed intently on the departing Crux fleet. Her elegant silhouette stood firm against the backdrop of the sprawling sea, her graceful figure almost appearing like a painted image as the breeze gently ruffled her long, blue hair.
She kept her gaze locked onto the distant ship until it was nothing but a speck on the horizon, merging with the azure vastness of the sky. Her hands, clasped together, slowly dropped to her sides as she whispered.
"Goodbye, Aether... we will see each other soon."
Ganyu, a beautiful blend of human and adepti bloodlines, had spent her existence caught in the divide between two worlds. Despite possessing the strength and longevity of the adepti, the human part of her yearned for connection and understanding. Throughout her long life, she had struggled to find her place amongst the humans of Teyvat and the celestial world of the adepti. It was a lonely existence, punctuated by brief moments of camaraderie and longer spells of introspection.
On the other hand, Aether was an interstellar traveler, a soul displaced from his home, always on the lookout for his lost sister, Lumine. His journey through the realms had introduced him to numerous faces, each with a story of their own. Despite these numerous connections, deep inside, he felt like an eternal outsider—a traveler who did not truly belong anywhere. That was until fate entwined his path with Ganyu's.
Their stories were starkly different, yet eerily parallel. Both were finding—searching for a place, a moment, a person to call their own. In each other, they found comfort, understanding, and a shared sense of displacement. It was as if the cosmos had conspired to bring these two wandering souls together, showing them that sometimes, home isn't just a place but a feeling, and love could be the compass guiding them towards it.
Trial of feeling: Completed
This chapter seems shorter than I expected, but oh well... I think it's good enough.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I'm glad I've finished this story after almost two years xD
Until next time~