Hello everyone, I'm sending you this new chapter as a year-end gift.
In this chapter you will see a lot of characters, especially the Archons and what Aether means to them, and some of them don't accept the turn of events as well as they show.
Anyway, happy reading and I wish you all a happy new year 2024!
Ayaka had returned to the port of Ritou when the sun went down, and Yae Miko was waiting for her, taking the reactions Thoma may have had, and the young woman replied that even if he was surprised by this information, he would keep the secret and only tell Ayato when he returned, and that he hoped wholeheartedly that the Traveler would be well and that Ayaka would have no worries to manage outside Inazuma. The butler of the Kamisato clan would have liked to be able to join them to protect Ayaka and allow her to meet Aether, but he had things to do in Inazuma, they could not be two to leave, and he knew how important it was for the heron princess to go and see him again, so he made no objection.
As for what Yae Miko did before they started leaving when the sky was in a midnight blue colour, she explained to Beidou the reason for her visit, as well as to Kazuha, and why she wanted to take the fastest route to the port of Liyue. After hearing a summary of what Yae Miko said to Ayaka, the captain of the Crux understood the situation, and accepted er request. It turned out that Beidou and Kazuha were just as concerned about the problem now that they knew what it was, and took care not to talk about it to the other crew members, believing that it was not necessary because they understood the challenge of making sure that few people did not know this, for fear that bad people could benefit from it. Moreover, the pirate and the Inazumian wanderer had offered to come with them, which did not bother them because they had that he could be of great help knowing that Inazuma's two women did not know Liyue very well.
Throughout the crossing, the young heiress of the Kamisato clan did not say much, and wore a fairly serious face, and when someone called her to talk to her or to ask her if she was allied well, she replied with a false little smile, which everyone had noticed. Even Yae didn't dare to tease her too much at that moment, she understood that it was neither the place nor the moment, even if she wanted to help her feel better mentally. The kitsune had told Kazuha and Beidou about the relationship she had with the blonde-haired man, and both understood from these explanations why she had been severely affected by this news.
Ayaka spent her day, or rather the evening looked at the shore, the waves sweeping on the boat, hoping to see Liyue's lights as soon as possible, while she squeezed her hand close to her chest, hoping for the best.
In Mondstadt, while it was the middle of the night, two hours after the quick conversation between Amber and Aether, the Pyro archer really lost her calm, getting angry and worried more strongly than at the beginning of the day. She had explained some information about Aether's condition to others, without mention her private conversations with him, because she respected the fact that he confessed and so did she, and she considered this as secrets, just like him.
"Aether, if you hear me, please stop playing and come talk to me, I'm begging you!"
"Amber, it's useless. Even if Aether heard you, do you really think he would appear as if by magic?"
"No, Eula, I wouldn't give up! I just want to find him! " Amber began to sob, losing her means, while Eula was tapping her back to comfort her.
"Amber, listen, it's better to stop there for the moment." said Diluc calmly.
"For once, I agree with Diluc, you took us in panic so far. I too want to find him, but we got scattered in panic." explained Kaeya, who, like everyone else, tried to reason with her.
"But..."
"We are in the middle of the night, in the middle of the forest. There is no light and we didn't take supplies because we followed you." added the Acting Grand Master, something that Amber hadn't been keen on.
"You say it's my fault?! " began to shout Amber at Jean, under the exclamation of everyone, who did not recognize the young woman's behavior, as opposed to her joyful attitude.
"No, of course not, you were panicked and then..."
"So never say that again, if you don't want to look for it, it's your problem! I didn't ask you to come with me, but if you care about him, don't tell me that what I did during that day was useless! "
Amber was blowing loudly, trying to regain her calm, while the others felt a little guilty for questioning her when she just wanted to help her dearest friend. Everyone was looking to the ground, before Diluc stepped forward to express the substance of his thought and the plan to follow from now on.
"Amber, excuse me for making you think that, and I say it sincerely. However, I was not saying that research should be stopped, I say that it is over for today. I think we are all tired of having heard the news, and this research on the job has exhausted us mentally and physically, especially you who were very affected. I think we all know that your relationship with him is close, and it's normal for you to have this kind of behavior, but you've asked all passers-by since we left the city, all this to have only negative answers. We would need a better approach than this one if we want to find it. "
Amber listened carefully to his words, and she knew that what he said was true, after all, Diluc was known for his frankness and rationality. But part of her did not want to stop, because she knew that every second he spent took her away from him. However, she had to face reality, and she knew that it was better to go back for now.
"... You're right...but... It makes me so drunk to let him wander without comfort..."
"It's true, after all, I consider him a great friend too, and if he goes so badly would only be bad for him and for us. However, it is better to eat and rest, and then return to Mondstadt with a calmer mind before really thinking about where he could go, while checking at the key places where he could leave. In addition, if we could find Paimon, it would be nice, because at the latest news on the letter, Aether is now alone. There is my mansion one kilometer from here, we can go there and sleep a little. "
Amber looked around and saw everyone who nodded with Diluc, so she accepted this decision, hoping that she could find sleep.
"I understand, if you all agree, I'm not going to oppose it... But I warn you, from tomorrow, we will return to the city, and we will do everything to see him again."
"Don't worry for that Amber, I swear on my role as Grand Master that I will do everything in my power to find him, and don't think that you are the only one to worry about him, me too, and all of us, we only wish the best for him." added Jean, trying to comfort the Outrider.
"Thank you, Jean."
"You're welcome. Well, on that, let's go and hope that the Anemo Archon gives us his help."
"You're right."
It was after this grueling day for all of them that they went to the Dawn Winery, hoping to be in shape for the next day, and think about how they could put it back on the right track.
As dawn showed the tip of his nose, Aether had now arrived in Mondstadt, always suspicious of anyone who could recognize him because the city was quite small and he knew most of the inhabitants. He was happy that almost no one paid attention to him on the way, and that there was almost no one in town at this time. He was exhausted from having taken such a long walk without having eaten enough and wanted only one thing, to sleep peacefully after a good meal.
From there, and since the forge was not far from the entrance to the city, he left to ask for the manufacture of a new weapon, with a little more resistance to elemental attacks and which would last better over time. Since the weapon he had asked for would take little time, or two days according to the blacksmith, he had taken advantage of the time he was going to use to rest for the advance of his new sword.
When this was finished, he left for the Good Hunter, or he knew that Sara, the restorer, recognized him if he showed his face, so he slightly changed the tone of his voice and paid attention to the slightest fact and gesture he made before asking for a few dishes, pressing on the fact that he was hungry.
A little later, after eating, he left for a local inn to book a room, feeling his eyelids wanting to close from one minute to the next. When he entered it, he plunged into his bed on his back, the energy he had used during all these previous restless fights, mixed with the confrontation with Xiao and these long hours of walking through half the region meant that he did not have enough stamina at the moment. He took off his cape and said to himself that he was going to take a shower after sleeping a few hours, then he went to get the equipment he would need later.
"Two days gives me plenty of time to prepare... After that, no more stop, and I hope I won't be bothered anymore..." he murmured to himself before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
"I think we arrived soon."
"Indeed, Collei, Mondstadt is not very far away."
Tighnari had decided on the route to follow during the trip, when they left Sumeru, Cyno had proposed to start investigating Liyue, but Tighnari knew that it would be too complex to perform, since no precise geographical indication is mentioned in the letter. In addition, Liyue is a territory too much big for only the three of them, and given how Aether's behavior was mentioned, he knew that the Traveler was probably no longer in Liyue.
The ranger had therefore advised his companions to take the usual route to Mondstadt in order to ask for help from the people he already knew. According to him, he thought that the letter could not be delivered except to Sumeru, and that it had at least been addressed to the other nations who had already met the Traveler, because they knew that he knew them, especially since their last trip to the land of the Anemo Archon. However, even if this is not the case, they would explain the situation to the Knights of Favonius, and they knew that they would not refuse help, simply because they too would never leave Aether in this state.
At the moment they were travelling in a carriage, which was going much faster than on foot, and in a day and a half, asking the driver to go fast enough, they arrived not far from the city of Mondstadt, near Springvale, and hoped to find answers as soon as possible. However, Cyno has a few questions when he meets the blonde-haired outlander.
"Have you ever thought about how to analyse the problem if we ever met it by chance?"
"Don't worry about that. Aether just needs to have the ideas in place." answered Tighnari.
"You act like a psychologist."
"No, I'm trying to visualise all our options."
"If you say so, in any case, it's good that Collei came, you see that there were no problems, especially if it's to return to Mondstadt."
"We were just lucky not to have had a dangerous route."
"Don't lie, I know that you also chose this option to go see the Order of Favonius so as not to have to monitor Collei too much, knowing that she will be surrounded by Amber and the others."
"Shh, don't say that out loud! " whispered Tighnari, putting his hand on Cyno's mouth, feel happy that Collei did not pay attention to their conversation and watched the landscape pass in front of her eyes.
"I understood." replied Cyno, removing the hand that taped his mouth.
"I hope so. I know it's not very good, but you might as well kill two birds with one stone."
"You have to learn to leave her alone. If you leave her unattended, she won't faint or worse. And then, I think she has proven enough that she can manage on her own."
"I know... I know... Can't wait for us to finish this trip quickly enough, so that we can start to really find him." sighed the Dendro forest ranger.
The other archons, as well as Hu Tao and Paimon had already been looking for clues for almost two days already, and they had no ideas yet about where it could be. Since they had seen the massacre in the north of Liyue, they were all a little upset, and even if the relations between them have been improved since Nahida's implosion about her remarks, she, as everyone else had at one time or another of the day a moment alone to refocus on themselves and be a little alone, they all felt a little bad, and this feeling did not want to leave, no matter how many times they said it would be better than before.
Currently, they didn't really know what to do, and it turned out that even Nahida couldn't think properly, so they were going around in circles, almost waiting for Aether to arrive as if by magic. They were not very far from the border between Liyue and Mondstadt, like Yelan and Xiao before them, and did not know whether to go to Mondstadt or continue the search in the perimeter, because it could just as well give them a false lead.
At one point, while they were having breakfast in their makeshift camp, they were thinking about how they would talk to Aether, and also how he would react to the fact that the four Archons were now in front of him. Paimon had told them that he was really grateful for Nahida's help, even minimal, for his sister's search, to her greatest surprise, who was glad that Aether was not too angry with her after her fraudulent attempt to save her country before he arrived. Of course, she had told this when Hu Tao was sleeping, and that they were all already up at dawn, because not all could sleep too much, to avoid the mention that they were Archons.
Since Hu Tao was with them, their mental was a little better, because she was trying to brighten up the atmosphere, even if she couldn't forget the events she had heard too much either. Moreover, she had told how she had found herself listening to their conversation, and no one had resented her, especially Zhongli, who should have explained to her that he was not going to be present for a while.
While they all had a cup of coffee, they said with an open heart their thoughts about their relationship with the Traveler and what they thought, with Zhongli who spoke first:
"So, what do you say to Aether when the time comes? "
No one wanted to start, but Zhongli wanted to start this conversation to avoid this lifeless spiral in which they were all, and to allow them to be able to relieve their hearts, at least temporarily, so he himself began to answer this question:
"Well, I propose to start, just to allow you to better understand what I feel." he said, sipping a sip of his tea, looking at the sky for a few moments before redirecting his gaze to others.
"I think that first of all, I would express my sincere gratitude to him for helping this nation to develop and be able to grow and allow a better future, but I think it turns out that this is the case for your respective nations, so I think it is obvious that this is obvious. But, I would like to thank him personally, because I have lost many friends on the way over the years, and I would not want to lose someone precious in my turn. "
Morax knew what he was saying, and really thought so, and he was careful not to include the points where he was the Geo Archon, taking care to make sentences with a rather fuzzy turn, like the previous one where he mentioned Ghizong without saying it explicitly.
"I think I did not do what I could not to recognize or his distress, and at the time, for personal reasons, I had rejected the meagre indications I had at my disposal to help him, because of a contract I had made before. You know how Liyue works, so I don't explain more... Still, Aether does not deserve all this, and I would like to tell him that in the future, if he needs me in any way, he can always call me, and I would come automatically, instead of spending my time drinking tea and listening to stories. "
Zhongli ends his sentence not without a little touch of bitterness, finally understanding that he had not made enough effort. But another voice spoke before he could think of anything else.
"I guess I'll continue."
"Nahida?"
"Yes, I think I would have a lot to say to him. Knowing that he still accepts me as a friend would be the greatest gift he could give me. I had no friends at the time, I just watched the world alone. But he reached out to me, and helped me socialise, he taught me so many things in such a short time, to the point that I am eternally grateful to him. According to what he told me, the person I took under my supervision, you know him Paimon, is the Wanderer, had been a bad person after the past according to him. He was not very recommendable and used his power to do evil, and moreover, it turns out that he was involved in one of the deaths of one of Aether's close friends. But he forgave him, and allowed him to be a better person despite his more than ruthless character. I don't think anyone would have accepted so easily, except him."
Nahida took her breath for a few seconds, the emotions returning to her face, she tried more or less to be calm, then continued:
"I would like to thank him for that, for saving me too, it's a story for another time, but let's say he never left me alone. I want him to be healthy, I wouldn't want him to arrive in such a catastrophic mental and physical state in front of his sister, what would she say? She would have a tooth against us, that would be certain, and towards Teyvat in general, and I would perfectly understand that she wanted to destroy the world that put her brother in this state... And finally, I will tell him that even if he does not forgive us, he should know that whatever happens, I will now watch over him, and I will give him all my blessing and the possible help I can give him. He needs to hear this, that he deserves it, because after all he has done, if he has no help to finish his journey, who will do it? In any case, this could be the last words I would say to him, so I would like him to know that I was happy with him and that whatever he decides to do, I want to support him until the end..." ends Nahida with a few tears running down her cheek, which she wiped away very quickly, not wanting to be yet emotional.
Nahida tried to regain her calm by breathing more or less hard, while Ei had come to comfort her by putting a hand on her back and gently caressing her, while the other Archons, Hu Tao and Paimon, no longer even dared to look the Dendro Archon in the eyes, because they more or less understood what she felt. They all looked to the ground until the Electro Archon spoke, also wanting to express themselves on this subject.
"Well, I think it's my turn... For me, first of all, I would like to tell him that I am sorry for all the harm that was caused to him by me, even indirectly. I had fought against him from the start without understanding or trying to listen to anything, because I didn't want to change my narrow way of thinking... Then, I would like to explain to him how valuable his help has been for Inazuma, but also and especially for me. Before his arrival, I remained cloistered in my personal space because I refused any external contact, and I think it was due to the death of my sister, I was so afraid of losing anyone I loved, that I did not want to suffer again... But he happened, and he showed me that it was not the right solution, and more or less changed my way of thinking, and for the better. I would never forget those moments I spent with him, he made me discover things I was almost no longer used to, such as the simple fact of eating sweets... It's true that it looks harmless, but I really liked all his little attentions towards me, and he had no grudges towards me, even after everything I did to him, and just for that, I would like to say thank you to him... I just hope it's not too late, because I miss him terribly... "
Ei finished her monologue not without emotions, while everyone realized the impact that the blonde-haired Outlander had in her life, and the Archons obviously understood the allusion to the fact that she was stuck in the Plane of Euthymia. He had known the purple-haired woman shortly after her sister's death, and knew that she had lost much of her happiness, and had entered a kind of depression, and their new encounter showed how one person had changed this cold woman into a fairly emotional person who sometimes acted like a little girl.
After a few moments of silence, Hu Tao, after a brief moment of hesitation, spoke again.
"I think I will also say what I think, then, if no one wants to talk."
"Director? I thought you would have nothing to say since you always say what you think out loud."
"Indeed, but that doesn't mean that's all I think, even a person like me also has a few secrets, and since everyone makes an effort to show their emotions, I don't see why I won't do..."
"I guess you're right, very well, so we're listening to you."
"Thank you, Zhongli. "
Hu Tao breathed a good blow, then wore a face that was much more serious than she usually did, and Zhongli as Paimon had noticed.
"Where to start... It's true that unlike you, I can't say that Aether helped me in any way, as Ei or Nahida said before, or even you Zhongli, so it's true that my reasons can be a little superficial and shaky since compared to me, it's as if you had a debt to him. I mean, I don't want you to think that I think you do this only to reciprocate, I know you are all good friends and I was able to see it, even by spending a little time with you. I don't judge you, and I find it quite honorable. But I want to help him, because he is one of my best friends, and I would never leave trusted people in embarrassment or distress... And also, I think he has done a lot for me, even if it seems harmless to him and to you if I told you. "
The 77th director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor intertwined her hands and laid her elbows on her thighs, while looking at the ground, trying to hide her growing grief, then continued her monologue, under the attentive eyes of all.
"I mean, my behavior is quite eccentric, and I know it... Some have called me crazy, others weird or idiot, especially since the contrast between my personality and the job I do has earned me some suspicions. After all, for most people, who is exciting to bury the deads?... When people talk to me, most of them try to support my behavior, with some exceptions. But when I met Aether, it was very different, even if he was quite surprised at first, he never showed me any signs of disgust, and he appreciated me as I am. And he wasn't trying to lie, I saw him, he really appreciated my personality, while at the moment, and with his condition, I think I must be the type of person he hates the most... "
She passed a hand over his face, rubbing her eyes before he began to evacuate tears, so she began to put on.
"But I spent good company with him, he even participated in my delusions and jokes, even if they were stupid... He laughed with me, and even told me that in some aspects I reminded him of someone he appreciated a lot, and he was the only person I could have fun with like that, be so relaxed... Of course friends like Xiangling, Chongyun or Xinqiu are precious to me, I don't forget them and I appreciate them greatly, but I knew that they were not particularly receptive to my delusions, and that's normal, it can't please everyone, and I think it wasn't the part of me they wanted to see the most... But I had the impression that with Aether, he wasn't pretending, if something went wrong, he told me, especially when I was going a little too far, but at least I was having fun, and I don't want to lose someone like that, especially since he doesn't deserve it, after all, all he wants is to find his sister,... It's not saving a nation or helping someone get out of a depression like you, but as he once told me, "It's ain't much but it's honest work.", and that's what I want to believe because Aether deserves to rest, and in the future, I'll pay more attention to him, as he did for me... "
No one expected that a person like her could have this kind of problem, and Zhongli was a little angry against himself, after all this time he knew her, for not having paid attention to this kind of details. And even Paimon found herself quite disturbed by this information, and she did not think that Aether meant so much to her. As for the other Archons, even if he had only known the young woman for three days, they had been able to determine her way of being quite extroverted, and seeing her confess in this way was quite touching and sad.
While everyone was hesitant to say anything, Paimon spoke to say something quite unexpected.
"Hu Tao, you know, Paimon has always appreciated you from the beginning and has never hated you. "
Hu Tao raised her face and looked at her eyes of the little fairy, to discern whether it was pity or not, but Paimon did not have the heart to lie or say anything offensive.
"It's true that Paimon doesn't show it, but Paimon thinks you're a good person and a good friend. It's impressive to keep smiling with such an obscure job, and you have a contagious smile. Also, Paimon thinks that no one around you thinks that of you."
"It's true, Director, Paimon is right. At no time did I think that what you were doing was problematic. It's true that your behavior is surprising, but after all, that's what makes your charm."
"You... Do you both really think so? You don't say that to please or console me?"
"No, and ask them, they've only known you for a very short time, but they already consider you as a friend, don't you?" said the little fairy, looking at the other Archons, who nodded.
"You see, at no time here would a person denigrate you. I know it may seem strange since I'm the one who says that, but, Director, don't think about the past. You said it yourself, you have friends who matter to you, and this is reciprocal, and then, I don't think Aether hates you, neither now nor later, and in no way would he want you to dwell on your past problems." added the Geo Archon.
"Zhongli is right, we are here. Paimon never abandons a friend, no matter how much food I can be given... But more seriously, Hu Tao, Paimon is happy to be your friend and to have known you." she says with her arms crossed behind her back and her characteristic smile.
"Paimon..."
Hu Tao got up and approached the fairy, before hugging her by surprise deeply, under the surprised eyes of everyone, including Paimon, but returned the embrace with pleasure.
"Thank you... I needed to hear these words..."
"... You're welcome... Paimon doesn't like to see the people she likes to suffer... "
After the brunette had finished hugging the little girl, she began to smile again as she did as normal, while Zhongli sighed with relief.
"It seems that you have returned to your usual state, Director."
"Yes, you're right, now that I've talked about it, it's much better. And even if I still can't believe it, but I thank you once again Paimon. To think that she is the one who would cheer me up, we will have seen everything..."
"Hey!"
"I'm teasing you..."
"I confirm, she's back. However, she is right on one point." declared Zhongli.
"Which one" asked Nahida, who was still with Ei.
"Paimon had more courage than all of us. After all these events, she may have had the strength to ask for help and not to languish, and in addition to that, she still has the strength to fight and relieve the ills of others."
"You're right, Zhongli."
"Paimon deserves a little recognition for this. I understand why Aether said several times that even if you bothered him a few times, he didn't imagine traveling without you."
"Did... Did he really say that?" asked Paimon, touched by these words.
"Yes... In fact, he told me never to tell you, but he appreciates you much more than he shows it, and that even though he still hadn't found his little sister, he found another one along the way. In any case, he is right and everyone here too, I think that if you weren't there, we wouldn't be where we are. "
Paimon did not expect so many compliments from everyone, but was delighted to hear praise that she had hardly ever had since her trip with Aether. She could not help blushing under all the compliments and smiling with full teeth, sincerely happy to see that she can make a contribution and that she is appreciated by all, not only considered as an "emergency food". All this, in addition to the fact that she knew that Aether had always had great confidence in her, is enough to give her energy and continue the quest for which they had all joined.
"Thank you all! Paimon will do her best in the future!"
While everyone regained a little hope, especially Hu Tao and Paimon, and managed to sketch a smile, there was one who had hardly spoken since the beginning, contrasting with the fact that he usually made noise to attract attention, and Nahida had noticed it, and she approached him.
"Venti? Are you going to be okay? You didn't talk much... Do you want to talk too? I'm not forcing you, if you don't want to, it doesn't matter. "
Venti was not too much on his plate, but for the last two days, he felt like he was going around, and he was thinking about everything that had happened before. But he tried to talk, thinking that maybe he would be better. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out, almost as if he were blocked, before understanding that he was already sobbing. He was tired of this, tired of crying, of seeing his friends crying and he felt that Aether was also crying from the inside, according to the calls of the wind. He knew that shedding tears would be useless, but he did not stop, he struck the stone on which he was also with his fist, making him draw attention to him.
"Why? Why did we get there? It's not fair that he is the one who suffers... "
Nahida knew that the bard had a lot on his heart and that he probably hoped to apologize when the time came.