Slight Warning: May not be entirely lore accurate to cannon.
Genshin Impact is owned by Hoyoverse. I own nothing but this here story.
Enjoy!
YOUNG GOD
The downfall of Decarabian had finally came, the freedom that the people so yearned had been tasted at last. The barriers have fallen, the great looming storm was no more. All cheered and rejoiced, vowing to forever mark this victory in both stone and wind so that their descendants will forever remember about this glorious event.
Alas though, all such merriments were not to last. For the powers that be will never let this people liberated from the clutches of the divine. The fall of one god arise the birth of another. Descending from the land of heroes, a most marvelous winged being had come down to greet them.
His presence was glorious, his sight was beautiful and mesmerizing to behold. The winds themselves came to a steel, as if bowing down, recognizing the arrival of their new deity.
But, instead of awe, the people responded with distain.
Rocks, sticks and arrows were thrown at this new divinity. Anger and foul curses exiting through their breaths. Fingers were pointed, shouts were heard.
"Leave. We do not need a new god."
"We bow down to your tyranny no more!"
It was because of this hostility that the god was forced to flee. Leaving behind the city he had sworn to protect.
That was the tale of how I arrived here. A bit bruised and cut but not anything too serious. As a god, this was not but a mere hindrance. A minor set back due to not being all too used with my new powers yet.
Sigh.
It seems that Mondstadt truly didn't take a liking to me. I guess that is to be expected, I suppose. After being under subjugation for so long by one divinity, it would only be natural that they would detest the sight of another. Especially when this other had just so suddenly landed and announced that it is he who was chosen to be their new ruler.
Hehe. Sigh.
I kneeled to my knees as I gazed at my own reflection. The pool of water revealing to me my appearance. I held my face carefully, scanning to find if there was any chance that this was a deception, an illusion given to me by a being of ill will.
Stifling a laugh, I muttered to myself, "I really do look like him."
A tear almost fell from my eye. Everything that had just transpired in a span of a day finally getting to me. We've defeated the tyrant. We've torn down the walls. We've freed our nation. But at what cause?
All he ever wanted was to see the birds in flight, yet fate proved to be so cruel. The hurricane had seceded, he saw his first glimpse, yet one shot with some arrows and his dreams were stolen just when it was at his reach.
A tragic end to such an innocent soul. Ironic how great the price of freedom would be.
"See the world on my behalf…To the heavens may you fly…"
And so I did. I took his form in the hopes that maybe, through my eyes in the image of his, he would be able to enjoy and taste freely all the pleasures in life.
Though I knew this was mere wishful thinking.
How was it that a god could not fulfill the prayers of his closest friend? How was it that such a simple wish would be so difficult to achieve?
I wrapped my wings around myself, still having to get used to them, but finding them rather comfortable. They felt like I was being wrapped around by his palms again, I felt safe.
Being in this new body honestly feels like a new experience. Everything is smaller compared to how I used to see them. This hands, this thing called mouth.
I was fascinated as how my fingers moved to my will. Playing with them just to muse myself. I recall on how he used to employ his fingers in order to create music, and then I wondered if I could do that too.
I reached for my hair. Looking at them through the pool. For some reason, I can't seem to get rid of these bluish-green locks. Perhaps they were the manifestation of my brand new divine nature as a being.
Then my palms fell to the grass. Realization hitting me like sand to the eye. I knew this when I made that deal. But I failed to anticipate how hard this could actually be. Mondstadt. The city that fought tooth and nail to be unshackled. What would happen to them if I can't-
Suddenly, I ceased from my brooding thoughts. The winds. I can't well describe it, but they alerted me of an approaching presence.
I jerked. Spinning myself to look behind me. There, I was met by a man. A commanding figure that demanded for domination. He wore the most elegant of cloths, weaved from the most riches of materials. His eyes were like that of a reptile. Making me think if he was one of those vishap people that I heard before I ever had myself caught in Decarabian's cyclone.
I backed off, preparing myself for a sudden confrontation. I was ready - well I pretended that I was. I wasn't a god for long yet, but I wanted to make myself seem intimidating in the hopes he would leave.
Abruptly, in a fashion I can't quite explain in clear detail, information flooded into my mind. Visions of events flashing and going away like the breeze that passes at one moment before egressing the next. I don't know why, but it was as if like the winds itself had sang to me. Singing to me about his ballad, his hymns, his journey, his history. His song.
That was when I knew that this man was no ordinary person. He was ancient. A being far older than myself. A witness to events I could only just now grasp the surface of. He was a god. An old god. A god who has seen more births and deaths than I can ever imagine.
He was a deity, much like myself, much like Decarabian. However, unlike the former tyrant, this one, he ruled not just an aspect, not just a thing, a place or a concept. He ruled over an entire element. And that was when I knew I had to raise my guard.
I was now at the presence of the legendary Lord of Geo.
Morax.
He walked closer, so I spread my wings to make myself look bigger. But to my astonishment, he didn't approach me. Instead, he just went for the bush which grew near where I sojourned. Picking some of the berries that it produced.
"Do not need to fret yourself." He finally spoke. His voice was deep, yet surprisingly gentle. "I'm not here for a fight."
I didn't know if whether I should trust him or not, but I was already so exhausted that I decided to take his word for it. I flew, heading to a nearby stump where I sat. A part of me though still kept guard, just in case.
I kept my eyes on him. Analyzing to see if he would betray his own tongue. Scanning his action for anything that can earn for me to either attack or retreat.
Strangely or not so strangely, he wasn't. He only did as he said. And that was to not fight.
As he plucked berries and placed them into the straw basket he carried, his dragon-like eyes drew themselves towards me.
I readied once more.
"Where are your people? If I may ask?"
I calmed. He wasn't attacking, yet.
I took a deep breath. Unsure as to what to say or if I should even respond.
Do I even have a people? I asked myself. Should Mondstadters really be considered as my followers? I agreed to be their god to protect them. To prevent their nation from collapsing due to either divine or none-divine hands. I was aware what I signed up for, but to be compared to other gods with their people, it still somewhat didn't sit well with me.
But eventually, I decided to agree in his small talk.
"I… my people are where I left them. Their doing well. Even without me. I just decided to leave them for a while, that's all."
"Ah." He exclaimed. "Well then, you and me both. Though I still do have a few eyes I entrusted just to be safe. Tell me young god, is it your first time in these parts?"
I scurried my gaze to around me. Was it really my first time being here? Before then, I was merely passing through places without much thought or remembrance. My only will was to only come and go like the refreshing breeze. It was only when I met him did I truly learn how to live. The importance of having meaning, value and purpose.
Though I will admit, what I would give just to return to such simpler times right now.
"I believe so." I replied.
He nodded. "If that is the case then, heed my advice. It's dangerous to be sojourning around here. You should head back to your people before others would come and claim them as their own. This place is a battle ground for dominance. Gods would fight with each other to see on whom could reign supreme over all. Only recently has it become quiet. So I'm cherishing it. You're lucky that I found you while I'm in a good mood. Otherwise, I would have mistaken you as another rival."
I gulped. Flinching. I knew exactly what he meant. I heard his 'song', I knew that despite his well-mannered demeanor, this deity is also a divine warrior who was both tactical and ruthless in combat. In other words, he wasn't one to mess around with.
I could only thank mother that this guy was not in the energy for a confrontation.
"The Archon War, is still not done?" I questioned.
He was puzzled at my inquiry.
I knew of the existence of this senseless war. It was through its turmoil that I even got captured by Mondstadt's wall of storm. I believe on how I could recall of everything just being so confusing.
"Of course it's not done." He answered. As if my question was the most absurd thing he had ever heard of. "Many still lose their lives for their visions to be fulfilled. For their ideals to be realized. Where were you all this time?"
My tongue was tied. I feel as if I had offended him in some way. I didn't say a word. Instead, I only pointed at a certain area. A cold barren wasteland that only the most hardy of creatures would ever call home.
At my gesture, his eyelids quickly widened.
"Only two divinities dare to make that place their domain. And you don't look like either one of them. Unless…"
He appeared to have been forming his speculation. So I confirmed his theory.
"Lord Decarabian is now dead. The walls of Mondstadt are gone. His people are now under my governance."
"You usurped him?"
"It wasn't I who over threw the tyrant king, it was a revolution made by the strength of mankind. Forming together to take down a god. I was merely there to aid, but I doubt I did much. I only received this amount of power since recently."
He was astonished by my tale.
"Then, that should mean-"
"I wasn't born as a god. I was merely the eyes of one. I don't know if whether she still sees the world through me. Or if she respects my new status to allow me to be my own being. Either way, I'm not like you. I was only gifted with divinity. I was only made to become as the anemo archon upon receiving my gnosis. I was only given a throne and a crown. But compared to you, I'm probably just an underdog who got lucky. Though I'm not certain if whether I should call my fate as luck.
"You became a god." He spoke slowly, as if he was inspecting his own sentence. "Should that mean-" He looked towards the sky. Towards a city which floated like the moon above. "-that you 'saw'?"
I shivered. The memories of Celestia resurfacing. "Yes." I told him. "It's not quite like as I was expecting. I can see why you and so many others would decide to live here instead."
He chuckled at my exchange. "Well, you wouldn't be the first." Then he grimaced. "And you certainly wouldn't be the last."
As he came to pluck the last of those yellow colored berries from out of the grasp of that plant and into his possessions, Morax then came and walked closer to where I was.
"Well, young god. It was nice meeting you. To share on some idle conversation with an unmalicious stranger is quite a seldom pleasure nowadays, you know? Congratulations on confirming your position as an archon. May our paths meet once again."
I wasn't looking up, my eyes were still cast downward as my knees supported my head. But I could sense him about to depart. Without knowing it, a question sprout from my mouth.
"How… can I become a god?"
He ceased. Turning around, potentially to look at me.
"Aren't you already one right now?" I discern his teasing tone. However, I wasn't feeling to play games with anyone. Not at this moment, at least.
"No…" I could feel myself about to give in. That sooner or later, I was about to lose it. That another wave of tears will be released from my eyes. I greeted my teeth, my body was shaking.
It was then suddenly that it dawned on me on just how heavy my burdens will be. Just how important my responsibilities will be. It was as if that I could no longer imagine any scenarios for the future. That all that will be there by the end, was nothing that could be considered good.
Mondstadt. The nation that I have sworn an oath to the heavens that I would protect. That I promised would never be seated by a tyrant… what would happen to it, if I…
"Do you have any ideals?"
I stopped. Wiping away some of the tears in my face. I should really have to get used to the soreness they would leave to my eyes.
"I… Ideals?"
I saw him nod. I saw him as he gradually returned closer to my proximity.
"An ideal is what you envision for your people to be like in the future. It is the piece of you that you share with your people, a shared dream for a shared tomorrow. It is the guiding principle that would aid you in guiding forward all those who have placed their faith in you. What your ideal will be, shall be the very foundation that which your nation stands upon. The invisible force that binds them and you together. What you expect your people will be, shall be the ideal you have set to lead them with."
But I don't wish to expect them to be anything but themselves…
"So, what your saying is that, I need an ideal to properly lead my nation." I silenced myself for a couple of seconds. Contemplating. Meditating. "But… what should my ideal be?"
He chuckled at my inquiry.
"That, depends on you, young god. If I were to impart my own ideals unto you, and you find that you don't agree but think I'm right, then it would be as if like it is I who rules over your people and not you, no?"
Well, he did have a point there.
"Must all gods have ideals?"
"Well… it is not as if they must have to. More like it simply something that comes natural with the role we play."
I still wasn't sure about this whole 'having an ideal concept', however, if that must be the case…
"Alright. I get it. I need an ideal, to be a proper god for Mondstadt. And, once I figure that out, should that mean that I would be able to manage them correctly?"
He put one of his hands and a finger under his chin. As if he were contemplating something rather deep.
"Well… it's a start. But the most important thing to have is, belief. Belief is where gods draw their strengths from. We're already quite a force on our own, but belief can allow us to surpass our regular limitations, allowing us to perform that which we cannot regularly do alone. Faith strengthens the strong. Making us stronger for the times that may come. Belief shall be your strength young god, so begin with it. Possess faith in yourself first and foremost. All shall fall into order soon after."
I was taking in what he was saying. Mentally noting the words of an experienced deity. I still had a lot of questions to ask him. I want to be a god. A god worthy for the people who longed yearned for freedom. I also had to ask myself as well. About what my ideal should be like. I was so emersed in my thoughts that I instantly stiffened when I felt a hand reached to gently scruff at my hair.
"Eager, aren't we? Haha. That's good. Possessing determination only means that you are at the right tract in your new role."
He was kinda annoying…
"But cast your troubles aside for now."
He finally released his palm.
"I can tell that you have been through a lot. Witnessing the death of a god. Ascending into godhood yourself. Beholding the city in the sky. Seeing a revolution with your own two eyes. Probably, even so much more. So many things. Even to the divine, such stress shall serve no good for one's own being. Ease now. For the storm has finally passed."
Realization hit me the second he spoke those words. It was like all the tension which was previously brewing inside of me was slowly dissipating. I was still mourning for those who lost. I was still frightened for what's to come. But his words rang true. The storm indeed had passed. And it would not harm anyone, anymore. Not on my watch. There was no need to be so weary or urgent for the future. All was well. Was this the breeze of hope that I used to bring for everyone?
Suddenly, as I thought of this, said breeze came and brought with it sands, no dust. But, they had no breeze with them though, it was as if they were coming to my line of sight within their own volition.
Morax appeared to have noticed this prospect too. However, his reaction was one of positivity. He smiled at the trail of dust that were coming from the forest.
"I believe it is time for I to take my leave." He said. He then made his steps, and I watched him as he left. But just before he was about to disappear through the foliage of the trees, he stopped. Facing me once more.
"Why don't you join us." He suggested. "You did say your people were alright, right? We're having Osmanthus wine tonight."
An awkward silence enveloped us for a second.
"You do drink wine, correct?"
I ceased from moving. Then attempted to explain.
"I have heard of such beverages before." I admitted to him. "But… I'm afraid I have yet to taste what real wine is like. The ones prepared in Mondstadt were counterfeits as Decarabian banned them within city areas."
Yes. That was true. And, to what I've gathered. I think it was because they were supposed to cause some kind of, intoxication?
"Ah. Well then, now is a good time as any to try one, don't you say?"
I thought about it. On the one hand, I should really head back to check on my people, but on the other, I recalled all those times when he told me about seeing the outside world. Having the opportunity to taste what real wine is like just happens to be a part of his list to do.
My heart then grieved for him once more. But then later I smiled. If drinking wine was something he wanted, then might as well see if drinking them would bring him some peace.
After all, what harm could a few cups possibly inflict?
I accepted his offer, and I flew to join him.
"By the way, I believe I never caught your name?"
My name? Oh, that's right. I guess I still haven't introduced myself.
I opened my mouth to say my reply.
"L-Lord Barbatos?"
I opened my eyes, fortuitously being dragged away from reminiscing old memories, with my fingers ceasing to strum the strings of my lyre. My green eyes darted to the person who called me by my true name, and there I saw a young girl with a leaf on her head, looking at me with puzzlement in her face.
"You…still haven't told me. About, what I need, to be a better god."
My lips curved into a smile. Buer must have had a rather bad day, considering as the winds sang of her battle against one of the Dragon Sovereigns just a few days ago. She had to pray to the other elements for guidance. So, I came. As the winds was always swiftest in delivering messages.
I can understand her inner conflict. Her unsurety to lead an entire nation on her own after realizing on how relatively powerless she was. It was something I had to face with too back when I started out in this career.
I smiled in contentment. Somewhat amazed on how this small child that I was currently chatting with had once been an archon whose wisdom and strength earned her the respect of even the other Six. It was almost like she and Buer were entirely separate people. But I refrained on my laughter.
"Hasn't my song already told you my answer?" I told with a melodious voice.
She though appeared embarrassed. Casting her gaze away, scratching the side of her head. "I…I'm not all too well versed when it comes to understanding songs. Especially those without lyrics."
I chortled at her reply. Of course she wouldn't. Even for a being who could peer through dreams, only the most talented of bards could understand such an artistic language.
"Then, perhaps its best that we try this again, this time through words that you understand. Alright, Buer?"
She nodded quick. Like an impatient little girl. Like someone who was waiting in line for so long in order to receive some limited edition product was finally done with their hours of torment.
I could feel a smile creeping on my lips. Thinking to myself on how I used to be like her. Young. Eager. She'll grow out of it eventually. Eventually, once she had matured enough in this role, she would realize that being perfect and having such an unconceivable burdening amounts of standards on one's own shoulders wasn't necessary for a deity. And, when that time comes, she would realize on what truly matters.
I looked to in front of me. Seeing the view of Sumeru city and the hustle and bustle of her people beneath evening skies. Each one of them, having smiles on their faces, content with the lives they live in. I raised my vision to look at the moon, gazing at it as I was once again reminded me of one particular night.
"Tell me, Buer. Do you know the meaning of what an ideal is?"
Author's Note: A big thank you to all who have taken the time to read this story to the end. As you can see, this is my second attempt at making a tale with a First-person point-of-view. So in some ways, I mostly came borrow some aspects from their in order to create this one whilst still making sure that it stands on its own.
What inspired me to write this tale was from a bunch separate but somewhat interconnected occasions. The first was when I was first still fresh into the Genshin fandom (I just started this year), and discovered about on how the fans would refer to Zhongli as "Papa Zhongli." Just having met him in his Archon quest, I would slowly begin to learn on just why he was affectionate and at times jokingly given such a title. And it was because of how much he would stand as a father figure to nearly almost every character. There were even some that I found where he acted as father figure to the Traveller. And I thought this to be very cute. Considering as the Traveller who now only has their lost sibling probably desperately is in need of some family-type love.
The second came from when I began speculating on just how old Venti is. For the longest time, I didn't really think much about this. But then when it finally sank on me that Ei and Makoto were twins, and thus share the same age (I know, I'm done), I started to wonder on whether the initial concept of Venti being the second oldest was correct. Like, I'm aware that his one of the only two final remaining members of the original Seven, and there's also that whole thing with the anemo hyposthesis, but should that really mean that he is the second oldest when Makoto co-ruled Inazuma with Ei? I just don't know. I tried checking on this once, but I always get conflicting results, probably meaning that everyone but Hoyoverse actually knows. Regardless, it became somewhat as an exciting rabbit hole for me. And now, I just like to imagine of Venti being the youngest of the original Seven, with everyone of them back then treating him like a kid. Probably around or near the same age as Furina who wasn't seated as an archon then, but still an immortal being to at least have lived to see those days (How dare this foul-smelling drunkard get a seat from Celestia! What makes him better than me?!).
Any way, after thinking of this, I then desperately wanted to check if there were any works of Papa Zhongli being a father figure to Venti. Turns out, there's none, at least as far as I can find. Thus, to quench myself, I made this whole tale. Just for the fun of it, haha.
Some other inspirations from this works are "Where the wind rests" by Lokisdottir which somewhat hinted that Venti once went to Morax for advice, and "Windwheel Aster: Adored by the wind" by Imagination4444 which briefly suggests that Venti was hated by the people of Old Mondstadt due to appearing just after Decarabian's fall. Both of which possess interesting premises, and you yourself can check on their said works on A03 if you want. In fact, you can even find them by simply writing "Venti as Barbatos" and then you can help yourselves by scrolling.
I guess in some ways, my brain just merged them together without me realizing it, and then I came to consciously add a bit of my own original concepts, fueled with my wish to see a Zhongli as Venti's father figure kind of story, and Wala!
Anyway, I do hope that you all have a great rest of your day/night, wherever you are in the world. Bye!