Surrounded in his room by pictures of his many friends, Aether bent over the red cedar disk. His pencil blazed across the notebook's final page. He wrote:
123. Gaming wants to make a living as a wusho dancer. Introducing him to Yun Jin and Nilou gave him new opportunities to perform, garnering national acclaim.
124. Nahida has been isolated for centuries, unable to interact with the world. Asked Itto to take her on a playdate. She had fun playing with beetles and got to be a kid for once.
125. Kaveh is tight for cash. Offered Dori to introduce her to Ningguang for joint business operations, on the conditions she recommend Kaveh for Liyue architectural projects. Kaveh now has a steady cash flow and is working to pay off his debts.
His hand cramped. He'd been writing so long his palm had been stained lead gray.
126. Got Kazuha and Sara to sit down and have a heart-to-heart about his friend. Kazuha is still sad, but says he has closure.
127. Diluc is upset over his dad's demise. Connected him to Navia, who shares similar loss. The two are now pen pals.
128. Overworked Jean. I act as her substitute twice a week. The time off seems to be helping her somewhat. Ganyu has been helpful guiding me on secretarial management.
Still, he wrote, driven by fierce inner need.
129. Lisa has a curse. Nahida is still searching Irminsul for a possible cure. Optimistic about results.
130. Xiao's karmic debt. I have been training my purification powers. In time, hope to heal him.
131. Faruzan misses all her family and friends. I'm tracking down any mementos they left behind and returning them to her.
That was it. Cradling his sore hand, Aether tipped his head up to the ceiling. At last, his thoughts caught up to him.
All his life, Aether had traveled countless worlds with his sister. They never stayed in one place for long, not nearly as long as he ended up in Teyvat. Between searching for his sister, he'd made so many friends across the nations. Someday he might leave with his sister. Before that day came, he wanted to help all his friends. He wanted to know they would all be fine even after he left.
So, he'd busied himself helping each one. Each name he put down set him at ease. For a time, he could even forget Lumine…well, no, he never would. But he could put aside the grief momentarily.
But it seemed that moment was all too brief.
If only he'd protected Lumine from that goddess. If only he had stopped that goddess back then. If only they'd never come to this world. If only… if only…if only. All those "if only"s…
The door creaked open. A rotund blue face peaked inside.
"You're still awake," said Tubby. "This isn't healthy."
"Just a bit longer," he replied.
With a sigh, the Adeptus let him be. Tubby worried about him, just like Paimon, but they both knew he needed this.
Aether opened the notebook to a new page.
132. Furina.
Furina—Gods, where did he even begin with her problems? Putting on a false performance for centuries to save her people, watching friends pass away and having no one to confide in as she suffered alone. He couldn't give back what she'd lost.
He left some space, resolving to return to her later.
133. Ei
Of all the people he met, Ei's loss resonated with him the most. Watching her friends and her sister perish, unable to protect what she loved most…
How did he help her? Could he?
Grief wasn't something you could just wipe away. It stayed with you, even as you went on living. The best anyone could do—he had found—was to fill their life with new purpose. For him, that was helping his friends. They certainly filled that void in his heart.
Friends…he bolted up excited. That was it! That was the solution!
"I'm not sure I understand your request, Aether. You want me to visit with the former Hydro Archon?"
Ei could split islands, battle her own puppet for 500 years, but social interaction truly made her uneasy.
"Listen Ei, she's been through a lot. I think meeting you could give her some perspective."
"I am hardly a counselor. I locked myself away for centuries to escape heartbreak."
"Didn't you say that you wanted to change? That you need to change for Inazuma today?"
Ei sighed. Frustrating how this man could use her own words against her.
"Besides," he said, "there will be desserts."
"You think I can be bought?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "It'll take more than dango to bribe me."
"How about chocolate mousse? Candied nuts from Sumeru?"
That did it. Ei sighed. "Very well. Set up the date."
"You can't be serious," said Furina. "The Electro Archon? I'm not an Archon, I never was! I'm just a pretender."
"But Furina…"
"No way. I can't do it."
"Furina, don't you want to take the first step forward? You've been through so much. Believe it or not, Ei is one of the only people who could understand you."
"I don't know…"
"Just think about it. Please? At the very least, it could give you some ideas for your next play."
Furina shook her head. Thankfully, he had prepared for this. Aether let out a dramatic sigh.
"I guess I'll have to eat all that dessert I made myself…"
"Dessert?" Furina's eyes glistened. She cleared her throat, assuming an air of dignity. "I suppose Inazuma culture could make for a unique setting. Perhaps…very well. I will attend."
That was how the two women ended up sitting at a table sharing tea.
It took every ounce of self-control Furina had to contain her tears. The Knave, who haunted her nightmares, was a kitten next to the Electro Archon. This woman radiated power—she was power. Standing before her was like standing before a hurricane. Furina didn't dare meet her eyes, fearing she'd be struck down for impudence.
On the other hand, Ei had no idea what to say. She didn't know a thing about modern Fontaine culture. What if she said something offensive by accident? The Hydro Archon seemed like such a well-to-do, sophisticated lady. Flawless makeup, perfectly tailored clothes, and a dapper hat. Next to her, Ei felt like a filthy mutt trying to pass as a poodle. It didn't help that the Hydro Archon wouldn't even look her in the eye. It seemed she'd been rejected before uttering a word.
Tubby emerged pushing a tray cart of sweets. She placed heaps of tricolored dango, chocolate mousse, and sweet cakes before them.
Both women salivated, but stayed their hands. Reaching out so greedily might seem an affront to their companion.
"Um…" "I…" They spoke at the same time.
"Sorry." "My apologies."
Both flushed. Furina folded her hands.
"Would you like to speak first, almighty archon?"
"You may, should you wish it. And please, you may call me Ei."
"Oh, um… well, then… Ei?" she tested out the name like one might test putting their hand inside a lion's jaw. "Do you… like desserts?"
"Very much. Do you?"
"Yes, indeed."
It was the most either had said since they sat down.
"May I… try that mousse?" asked Ei.
Furina passed her the plate.
There were only forks and spoons. Ei wanted to ask for chopsticks but worried that might breach some unspoken rule of decorum. She fiddled with the utensils, trying to make sense of them. She felt so embarrassed. Inside, she could only wonder how foolish she seemed to the Hydro Archon.
Furina shivered when Ei grasped the fork like a pitchfork. Furina could only wonder if the Archon was counting all the ways she might skewer her guest?
"Furina? Perhaps you would like to try some dessert yourself?"
Furina took that as a veiled threat: Eat your last meal. Demurely, she grabbed a stick of dango, but did not dare eat before the Archon.
Ei had hoped Furina would take the mousse, so she could've seen how one holds a fork. Perhaps, once she finished the dango, Furina would take the mousse. Then Ei could see how one held a fork.
Except Furina wasn't eating. She quivered, eyes locked on her dango. Ei wondered if she'd committed some offense. Was that why Furina wouldn't look at her? Had she held the fork in some offensive manner?
Furina was close to fainting when Ei reversed her grip, holding her fork underhanded like a dagger. She was going to die here. The Electro Archon would destroy her the second she blinked. It all seemed so unfair she wanted to cry.
Ei panicked when Furina's eyes grew damp. Oh no. She must have really messed up somehow.
"Sorry." "Please forgive me!"
They regarded each other.
"Um, how about we just eat?" suggested Ei. She jabbed the mousse.
Electro and Hydro Archon brought the desserts to their mouths. They took one bite. Both hummed their delight.
"I must say, Fontaine desserts are quite delicious."
"And this dango is wonderful! Do you eat this everyday?"
"Most every day. Sometimes we mix it with milk to make this scrumptious soup."
"Ooo, that sounds delicious! I simply must try that."
"I'm told the recipe is easy enough to make, if you're interested."
"Ah no, honestly I don't do much cooking. Not my forte, I'm ashamed to admit."
"That's hardly a cause for shame. I cannot cook whatsoever. Last time I tried, I poisoned half the nation."
Furina laughed. She got a little nervous when Ei did not. Luckily, Ei chose then to change the subject. "Aether mentioned you were interested in my nation's culture. What questions do you have?"
Despite her posh appearance, the former Hydro Archon was quite humble. Rather than boast of her high tastes and refined culture, she seemed more interested in getting to know Ei. Furina asked all sorts of questions about the Inazuma of the past and the nation's the cultural traditions.
At some point, Furina began scrawling into a notepad. Her face scrunched as she transcribed Ei's retelling of her clash with Orobashi.
But what truly touched Ei was Furina's lack of judgement. She'd expected this archon to look down on her, both for her lack of etiquette and for her role in nearly destroying her own nation. Instead, Furina just wanted to know more about her.
Furina clung onto every word Ei spoke. She'd read so many stories about the legendary samurai and kagemushi, but it didn't begin to compare with the archon's firsthand account. Already, her mind buzzed with ideas for her newest play set in the Land of Eternity.
Especially nice though was that the Shogun, despite her fierce reputation, was truly amicable. Every question posed she answered with patience. And the way she smiled whenever she savored a dango was beyond cute.
Most of her life, Furina thought the archons were supposed to be these almighty, flawless leaders. That's what she pretended to be for so long. An exhausting masquerade that hid her true self. Turned out, archons were just people. Sure, Ei was powerful, but she was more than that: well-spoken, introspective, and a fellow lover of sweets.
"And that was how I mastered the Muso-no-hitotachi. Well, I feel I have rambled on a bit. I'm sure you, as an archon, have your own experiences running your nation."
Furina suddenly wilted. Enthusiasm poured out of her like helium escaping a balloon.
"Is something the matter?" asked the Electro Archon.
Furina bit her lip. "Um…well, it's just…you know I'm not really an Archon. I never was. Next to you, I feel so fake."
"You are more than worthy to be called archon," said Ei without hesitation. "Aether told me about your sacrifice. 500 years you remained strong for your people. Your willpower eclipses that of the gods."
"Oh." Furina was taken aback. This woman respected her? This woman who could cut off Inazuma in a storm, who slew monsters, who fought the Raiden Shogun for 500 years? She fidgeted.
"You are far stronger than I," continued Ei. "Faced with loss, I isolated myself from the world and caused my nation great harm. Were you in my position back then, I have no doubt you would have protected the nation."
"Don't be so hard on yourself," said Furina. "I always kept people at a distance. Sure losing them hurt, but I never lost a sister or all my close friends. Plus, you fought in that horrible Archon's War. You must've been traumatized."
"It does not excuse my failure."
Furina reached over, clasping the Shogun's hand. "Look, let's just agree that we both had it rough. And maybe…we should try looking to the future."
Ei permitted a smile to cross her face.
The two women continued dining and speaking. They discussed everything from their favorite treats to the difficulties of archonhood. Eventually, the subject turned to the reason why they were both here: a certain blonde-haired traveler who promised them sweets.
"Truthfully," said Ei, "I'm glad Aether convinced me to attend. I think this has been insightful."
"Yeah, definitely. Speaking of, how'd you meet Aether?"
"Admittedly, I…tried to kill him. Hmm? You don't seem surprised."
"Well, that does explain why he was ready to fight me when he arrived in Fontaine. Anyways, you were saying?"
Ei told the story how they first met as enemies and gradually became friends. Furina could tell how much she cared for him. Then, Furina told her story, how after everything she'd been through, Aether convinced her to return to the stage. The Electro Archon saw her admiration of the young man was all too apparent.
Ei said, "He showed me how I could be a better Archon, a better person. One day, I hope to repay him for everything."
"Me too," said Furina absentmindedly. "When I felt useless, he helped me find my purpose. I wish I could do something for him too."
At that moment, Tubby floated into the room. As she took away the dirty plates, the Adeptus placed something on the table; a leatherbound journal. Curious, they took a peek. It didn't take long to realize what this journal was.
When Tubby returned with a fresh tray of candied nuts, Ei asked, "Why show us this?"
"All this," said the Adeptus, "because he's hurting. Aether will never admit it, but he needs help too."
Tubby hoisted up another dirty plate and departed. In the silence, Ei and Furina studied the journal. There had to be hundreds of pages. It was practically a cry for help.
Furina swallowed. "What can we do?"
"I have an idea," said Ei.
"Hmm?"
The Electro Archon blushed. "W-well, I mean…we both owe him a debt of gratitude. And we are both…women."
Now Furina went red. What the archon was proposing…nothing short of scandalous! No self-respecting person could ever stoop to such debauchery.
Furina cleared her throat and said, "Let's do it."
Today had been depleting. That was the only word for it: depleting. Daily Commissions followed by a Spiral Abyss run, followed by a quest that involved rifthound extermination, and then investigating another lead into his sister. That of course, had been a bust. The strange yellow haired girl wreaking havoc in the hillside was just Klee. Naturally, he had to chase down the fish blasting pyromaniac.
He hurt. Body and soul. The jobs were hard and his one hope had been dashed. Honestly, he was so exhausted he wasn't sure if he had the strength to fall asleep.
He stumbled inside the manor. A wondrous scent filled the foyer: freshly cooked sticky honey roast and sweet madame, a trickling chocolate fountain. His tummy growled, making him realize he was hungry.
Just then, two beautiful women came from opposite wings, dressed in maid outfits. Together they said, "Welcome home," and gave elaborate bows.
As an adventurer, he was used to dealing with the unexpected, but this was something beyond the unexpected.
Furina wore a mini-skirt, flaunting her wondrous lithe legs. The upper portion of her outfit had a slit down the middle, exposing her belly down to that cute little belly button. The slit permitted him the barest glimpse of her underboobs. That confirmed his suspicion that she wasn't wearing a bra.
On the other hand, Ei wore a frilly shouldered outfit. As she sauntered over, she gave a little twirl. The back of her outfit had a long, long slit that trailed all the way to the uppermost swell of her butt. That confirmed his suspicion that she wasn't wearing underwear.
"You've been working so hard," said Furina. "Doing so much for us."
"So tonight," chimed Ei in a singsong tone, "We're taking care of you, darling."
Ei pressed her chest against his arm, while Furina hugged his arm so tight she was practically wearing him. At once, they brought their lips to his cheeks, and all capacity for rational thought fled his brain.
The two guided him to the dinner table. As Ei cut up the sweet madame, Furina sat in his lap. Arms slung around his neck, Furina pressed her body tightly into his. The swell of her breast against his chest, the adorable butt that she accidentally(?) kept gyrating on his thigh—she drove him mad with all the teasing. Her lips, glossed with a blue lipstick, came to his ear.
"Aether," she said. "I really like you. Can I…have my way with you?"
He nodded. Immediately, she giggled. Furina planted a line of wet kisses across his jawbone. Her flawless skin was electric against his, her lips were intoxicating. He so badly wanted to kiss her, but then Ei said, "Open up, darling."
She brought the sweet madame to his mouth. Her fingertips brushed down the fork, stroking his upper lip. With the other hand, she traced the contours of his abbs leaving a trail of goosebumps.
As one women fed him while groping his stomach, the other got frisky. Furina's tongue penetrated his ear, licking every crevasse, as her front teeth nibbled his earlobe.
Ei dipped two fingers into the chocolate fountain. Brown goop trailed from her skin, tantalizing. Then she brought those chocolate-coated fingers to his mouth. Aether sucked those fingers for all he was worth. Ei bobbed those fingers back and forth in slow, rhythmic motions. It was like a sweet mouth massage in heaven.
But then Ei brought him to a plane even higher than heaven, as she took his hand and laid it palm-flat across her breast. Beneath that thin uniform, the perk of very erect nipples brushed his palm.
"You do this to me, Aether," said Ei. "May I also have my way with you?"
Her fingers in his mouth, he could only nod. Ei grabbed his other hand laying it upon her second breast. Aether took over. Pinching her nipples beneath the fabric, he rolled those wondrous mounds in palms.
Then he looked up at her, the question plain on his face. She nodded. Needing no other invitation, he pulled down her top. They were perfectly shaped melons, with pink areolas that rounded into tips. Even though he'd seen her draw a deadly sword from these things (or maybe because he'd seen that) he was so enthralled.
He squeezed them, savoring the way they jiggled. Ei bit her lip. Before long, she gave up the act and let out her moans. Every little whimper he pried from those purple-coated lips only drove him onward.
At last, Ei let out an orgasmic moan. She fell back on the table, back arching as she spurted.
Before he could feel too proud, Furina's hand slipped beneath his waistband. In a split second, he became the moaner. Her hand slid along the length of his shaft. A cheeky finger poked at his urethra, like some worm trying to wriggle itself inside.
"Furina, w-wait, I'm going to…"
The former hydro archon whistled. Ei sprung from the table, unbuckled his belt, and yanked down his pants. Not one for ceremony, the electro archon ripped off his underwear. His tent shot up, freed from its prison.
The two women grinned, taking in their handiwork.
Then Furina grabbed his face and stuffed her tongue down his throat. All the while she grinded her now wet womanhood against his bare thigh. Ei seized the hem of his shirt, working it up and off. The electro archon smirked, "Payback time." She pinched his nipples, twisting them, licking them.
"Girls, if you keep this up…"
Ei hoisted him, and Furina still in his lap, into a bridal carry position. She quickly strode to the bedroom, locked the door, and deposited the traveler and Furina on the bed. During all this, Furina kept Fontaine-kissing him.
She moved from his lap, giving Ei ample room to do her work. The Electro Archon grabbed her breasts and sandwiched his cock. He couldn't help bucking his hips into her cleavage.
Meanwhile, Furina beckoned his hand up her leg to the source of her arousal. Her whimpers soon joined his as his fingers worked their magic.
Now, Ei made her move. The fingers that moments ago had been dipped in chocolate wound their way into his asshole. They stroked his prostate, in a sort of beckoning motion. At the same moment, she switched from her breasts to her mouth. Hot, warm breath poured across his cock. His legs thrashed helplessly as Ei utterly dominated him.
Furina orgasmed, but even amidst pouring her juices into his palm, she never once stopped making out with him. All the while, Ei brought him closer and closer until at last, he spurted. The heavy load dribbled down Ei's throat. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she swallowed.
Even then Furina kept making out with him. The girl had absurd willpower. And she tasted so good. He loved wrestling her tongue into submission, tasting the sweets along its sopping wet length.
As Furina made out with him, Ei ripped off her uniform. Her body was muscular and yet so elegant. Chiseled abbs honed from a lifetime of training, coupled with a flawless complexion made for a perfect combination.
Now Furina paused for breath, giving Aether a chance to speak. He took in Ei's violet eyes, gazing down on him. The sheer love he saw reflected in her gaze made him tear up a bit. To think, someone could even look at him like this. It filled a part of his soul he never realized was empty.
Then he looked at Furina. Her heterochromatic eyes were sapphires glimmering with pure adoration. In full view, she slipped off her maid's outfit. Every part from her thighs to her deceptively broad shoulders captivated him. She shimmied a little, flaunting the full extent of her body. It felt less lewd and more confessional, like she needed him to understand the depths of her affections.
"Aether," she said. "You've saved us both."
Ei stroked his cheek. "Therefore, please, let us help you for a change."
He sat up, grasping both their hands and bringing them to his lips.
"Take good care of me, please."
With that, Ei pushed him back down. Furina mounted his face, Ei his hips. He tasted the moist folds of the former hydro archon. Then, the electro archon guided his cock to her entrance.
As a beam of moonlight flickered through the blinds, Aether woke up with two goddesses snoring beside him.
Furina slept cradling his left arm like a teddy bear to her chest. Her thigh touched the length of his limp cock, her leg entwined with his. Occasionally, her smooth skin brushed against his cock, which sent a shiver of excitement up his spine. He wished he could get hard again for her.
Furina's snores were dispersed by a giggle.
"Oh, Aether~" she cooed. "So bad."
Then a little drool pooled down her lips. Honestly, he found it so adorable.
On his right, Ei's lips hung inches from his ears, whispering sweet nothings in her sleep.
"Aether," she sighed. "I want…children."
Her arm draped across his chest to his shoulder, drawing her breasts against his ribs. She held him protectively, like she would safeguard him from any threat.
He took in these two women. Ei, who had suffered so much loss and war, and Furina, who had suffered so much for her people, were both smiling.
He'd hoped to make Teyvatt a better place if he ever did leave it. He wanted everyone he met to move past their pains and trauma. He wanted to save them. In all his time here, he never considered they might save him instead.
Aether gently planted kisses on the foreheads of his saviors. "Thank you," he whispered, before drifting back into a peaceful slumber.