Chapter Text
Contrary to his sister's belief, Aether was not stupid. Or, at least he was not foolish enough to believe that the tavern owner—Diluc, 'allowed' him to stay here out of the goodness of his heart. Even if he recognised Aether as Lumine's brother, no one would be dumb enough to let a stranger wander around their city without supervision.
Aether almost sighed, he wouldn't doubt the reason why they brought him here was exactly because of that. He was untrustworthy. Ah, well. At least they didn't bring him into interrogation the first thing he woke up, for that, Aether was grateful. Grateful for Mondstadt's negligence on its own safety and their lack of subtlety. Was this what they meant when they said Mondstadt was the city of freedom? How… feeble. Not that he was complaining.
As promised, Aether was let go after that little less than pleasant conversation to see Lumine—his sister. The door opposite to his couldn't be far enough.
With each drag of his feet, Aether's frown deepened. This was…easy, too easy, in fact. They had willingly let him go after the show he put on with Dvalin—and the fact that the green bard didn't seem the least bothered after he practically performed an attempted murder on him. (An attempted murder that didn't appear to have effect on him, but it was the thought that counted. At least, Aether thought mortals didn't appreciate the thought of being murdered. Though maybe he was wrong, perhaps mortals were weirder than he initially thought.) Nevertheless, something didn't seem right.
Either that, or the people in Mondstadt were really stupid.
At the end, it didn't matter. If it were a trap of some sort, he'd be able to get out in less than a minute. If it weren't, well. He'd get to see Lumine again.
With a purse of his lips, Aether pushed the door open.
…
it appeared that the people in Mondstadt really were fools.
There, in the center of the bed not unsimilar to his—laid his sister. After centuries upon centuries of fading memories and dreams that lingered in his mind after waking, she was there. Lumine was here.
Aether stayed still as a statue, eyes glued to her—his chest heavy and breathing labored. There was a part of him that willed him to take her back, to hide her from the world, to take her back to his side where she belonged. Not here, not in this unruly bed made by mere mortals.
" Lumine. "
His voice, soft as the wind chimes they had hanging on their childhood home, was carried away by the cold wind. Forcing his legs to move, Aether moved closer to where she was. His breath catching in his throat at the sight of his sister.
Lumine. Everything about her was the exact same. His dear sister, with her light blond hair blowing against the cruel wind. His sister, with her blue dress that they had sewn together during their birthday. His sister was here, alive and breathing.
" Lumine. " He said again, his voice breaking at the end. No—the Abyss Prince shouldn't be here, the Abyss Prince had better control than that. Aether—the Abyss Prince didn't care about anything, the Abyss Prince only had one goal in mind, and he wasn't one for distractions.
The Abyss Prince had a duty to perform, and Aether—Aether was a pathetic mess, suffocating in his grief and yearning. Aether had lived centuries long, and yet, the torment in his heart was the most agonizing pain he had ever felt. He had been fine before, but now? Now that Lumine was less than a breath away, he wanted nothing more than to whisk her away, far beyond where even Celestia could reach. He wanted to be one with the stars, just as they were once before.
But, alas. The Abyss Prince had a duty to perform, the stars would have to wait.
Closing his eyes, Aether wrenched himself away from Lumine and made his way towards the door while ignoring the painful twist in his heart as he did. Knowing fully well that if he so as dared to look back, he wouldn't be able to leave the second time.
Stars… they lived for billions of years. Yet one day, they too would burn out. It was never a matter of if, but a matter of when.
Aether only hoped he would make it in time.
-
Know your surroundings, know your enemies, then strike when the timing is right.
Aether blinked in annoyance as a peck of dust flew right into his left eye. Ah, well. The weather was indirectly his fault, he was beginning to understand why the streets of Mondstadt were so empty now—except for the dozens of knights on patrol, with more than half of them appearing as though they would fall over due to exhaustion at any second.
If Aether had any less self control, he would've gaped like a fish freshly out of water. Were these mortals the supposed the protectors of Mondstadt? Why did they even bother with corrupting a dragon when they could've easily done less at the first place? Ah, the Abyss Prince was starting to get a headache. Inadequate, weak mortals. If any of his knights were in any state similar to them, their heads would've been separated from their bodies long before they could even blink in surprise.
Of course, all of this could be sourced back to the Anemo Archon. The supposed leader of Mondstadt, rumored to have disappeared long ago. Irresponsible, one of the reasons as to why Aether wanted them gone. They were puppets of Celestia, ones with far too much power in their hands. And to use it this recklessly? He almost laughed.
The Abyss Prince witnessed the rise and fall of countless nations, one of his own being destroyed by Celestia for existing without an Archon residing over them as punishment. His eyes darkened, Archons were the spying glass for Celestia, their way of having control over the world.
To get rid of their masters, one would have to get pass their guard dogs first.
Ah, but that wasn't the issue he should be thinking of as of his current situation. For now, Aether had to blend in to avoid further suspicion. Ensuring the missions success was his first priority, he had to somehow get in contact with the Abyss Order again without giving his identity away to the people in Mondstadt. Not to mention the pairs of eyes following him everywhere, he had to get rid of that too.
Know your surroundings, know your enemies, then strike when the timing is right.
Know your enemies. Aether had to gain their trust and respect in one way or another. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for him, he had a conversation with the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt due in a few minutes. And if he wanted to succeed, he needed a plan—and fast.
Dull eyes trailed towards the knights of Favonius once more, Aether tilted his head in contemplation.
-
" Aether. We've heard a lot about you, please. Do take a seat. "
Upon entering the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, Aether was quickly greeted by the Acting Grand Master who stood tall and imposing. Smiling yet frowning slightly as if trying to assess him with just a mere look. Aether returned the gesture with a polite smile of his own and a curt nod before doing as told.
" Correct me if I'm wrong, " Aether started with another respectful nod. " but I'm assuming you wanted to discuss the situation regarding that day with Stormterror? "
The Acting Grand Master frowned, pursing her lips. Ah, perhaps it was the wrong thing to say right off the bat.
" You are somewhat correct. However, what I mostly wanted to discuss with you today is your rather…unexpected arrival. " said Jean. She sighed, " While Mondstadt is usually welcome to visitors, needless to say this is not exactly the best timing. "
Aether nodded, " I understand. "
" There is a great danger threatening all of Mondstadt, and—while this is a big thing to ask of you, I… I don't think we have much less of a choice. " Her gaze landed on his, brimming with determination. " So, please. I ask of you for your assistance in defeating this threat for the protection of Mondstadt. Compensation will be awarded, of course. As well as any requests you may have. I… you are our last hope in saving our city. Please, consider it. "
Aether blinked. Well… that wasn't what he was expecting. The Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt, begging for his help to save her people. That was certainly something. She wanted his help in defeating the threat he put there in the first place—without knowing that it was him. If he wanted to gain the trust of people in Mondstadt, this would provide the perfect opportunity. However, it also meant sabotaging his own mission in the Abyss Order. If he refused now, who was to say she wouldn't grow suspicious of him and order more people to spy on him? Who was to say she wouldn't eventually figure out that he was the Abyss Prince and declare war? And Lumine, she was almost as powerful as him—probably even more so, if his memory didn't fail him. If she was with them, she could easily defeat Stormterror—or, well. Die trying to, not that Aether would let her for obvious reasons. If she woke up anytime soon, it would interfere with his plans. The goal was to destroy Mondstadt, but was it really worth the risk of his identity as the Abyss Prince being revealed? Was it worth the risk of failure?
No. There were too many unpredictable outcomes. If he refused her request now, there would possibly be more trouble for them in the long term. At least, if he accepted—he would have more time to plan, to prepare. He could infiltrate them from the inside, of course—there were risks of him being exposed. But compared to the other option, this one was more stable, more predictable.
With the decision in mind, Aether brought his gaze back up to the Acting Grand Master.
" I have one condition to this arrangement. "
As if expecting this, Jean nodded her head. " Of course. "
" I wish to become one of the Knights of Favonius. "