Chapter Text
Many months had passed since the hunt for the Snowboar King. Winter had come and gone, and most of the last snowfall had melted away.
Life was roused by the sun’s warmth from a season-long slumber. Spring’s green fingers crept up and out, painting the world with its life-giving hue.
At the sight of the viridescence, Ajax couldn’t help but be reminded of Lu.
He’d grown quite fond of her as the months passed. Their bond had grown stronger with each shared pursuit of game. Her quiet strength and profound connection to the natural world fascinated him, drawing him ever closer to her. He was captivated by her cadence, and how when she laughed, the forest seemed to join her. In her company he found solace, a sense of belonging he’d never experienced with a person.
And of course, she was beautiful. He wouldn’t deny that.
White-blonde hair kissed by rays of sunshine, eyes that reminded him of the richest mead, and a smile that would make his heart skip beats.
Last season’s leaves crunched beneath his boots as he approached Mondstadt. The thought of seeing her again made his chest swell with hope.
A man draped in a tabard and royal capes approached him. “Hello young man! You seem like you’ve come from afar!”
Ajax nodded. “I have.”
“Then maybe I can interest you in a challenge!”
He was intrigued by the prospect. “What’s this challenge you speak of?”
“Why, a race, of course!”
“Against who?”
“Miss Lumine!”
He would be racing a woman? “Lumine? Who’s Lumine?”
The herald handed him a piece of parchment paper. On it was a portrait of a woman with a near-identical face to Lu.
“Lumine, a beloved maiden of the court of Mondstadt.”
He blinked. Once, twice. Again.
It was her.
She’d become more beautiful over time as they met. The choppy blonde hair that had once framed her face had grown past her shoulder blades. Her eyes of liquid gold held the same irresistible, magnetic allure. And her smile, radiant like the morning sun, could light up even the darkest of corners of any man’s soul.
“Hello? Sir? Did you get what I was saying?”
The voice startled him. “Huh? Oh, no.”
“Well, Miss Lumine is a swift runner. Many say she’s faster than a wild stag.”
“I see. What do I get if I win the race?”
“You’ll have her hand in marriage.”
He wanted to keel over then and there. He’d be able to marry her if he won… yet a warning bell went off in the back of his mind.
“Has anyone managed to beat her so far?”
“Not yet! But maybe you can.” The herald encouraged.
“What happens if I lose?”
“Then… you die!”
Ajax’s eyes grew to the size of saucers. “What?”
“Yep! By order of her brother, anyone who loses will be put to death!”
“How many have raced her already?”
“I’d say at least thirty men.”
“Thirty!?”
“Yes, and they all paid their price.”
Ajax thought to himself for a moment. Was this woman worth the price of his life if he lost?
No, he wouldn’t lose. He was fast, faster than her. The only issue was that he was unable to maintain his speed for a considerable length of time.
He could plan ahead, though. Surely there were no rules about a contender being unable to seek help from the divine Archons above…
A smile crept up his face. “Very well. I will accept this challenge.”
“Wonderful. Be in the city at high noon within a fortnight’s time.”
The herald went on his way, and the retired Harbinger already had a plan.
Ajax had crossed through the taigas of Snezhnaya to get to her temple. The grounds of worship for his Archon were nestled in a thick pine forest, their needles blanketed with snow.
He walked under a towering roof, past rows of carved ivory columns. Offerings of evergreen branches and winter fruits filled the sanctuary with a crisp, pleasant aroma. A small hearth in the temple’s center was tended to by a maiden, who retreated behind a statue upon the sound of his footsteps. He walked around the orange flames, and approached the statue of his Tsaritsa.
In a block of fine marble, her features were carved to reflect a goddess that was warm and full of love for her people. At least, that was what everyone thought. In contrast, her stony gaze was colder than the element over which she held domain.
He took out a can of solid perfume, purchased from a shop in Liyue. He knelt down, leaving the offering in between her feet.
“Ah, Tartaglia,” a disembodied voice spoke. “My most loyal knight. You have not set foot in our homeland in a long time.”
“I apologize, your Majesty.” He bowed his head.
A light chuckle. “No need for that. I take it you are here because you’re seeking my help?”
“Yes. I’m in need of your guidance.”
“Speak your troubles.”
A small smile crept up his lips. “There is a maiden who has captured my heart.”
From behind him, the fire’s warmth grew stronger. “Ah, I see. She must be a lovely young woman.”
“She is. I think she likes me too. However, that’s not the issue. She’s challenging other suitors to a running race, promising to marry the man who beats her. However, no one has won against her yet, and her brother is putting the men who lose to death.”
“Ah, I am aware of the woman you speak of. Her prophecy, it is… grim.”
“How so?”
“I cannot say. As an Archon, I am privy to the words of the oracles, but such prophecies are between them and mortals alone. But prophecies can always change." A beat of silence. “What a predicament this is. You are certain she is the one you want. I can feel that love has entangled itself in your heart.”
“Indeed it has. She is the one who has spun that web.”
“Very well. Since you cannot win the race with speed and endurance alone, you should take the approach of cunning. Look behind my statue, and you will find three sunsettias. Use these wisely, and you will win the race.”
“How so? Do I just eat them?”
“No.” She chuckled. “Your mortal body will be unable to eat these and survive. The sunsettias are made of solid gold, picked from Murata’s fruit trees. Use them to distract her while she is running, but don't use them all right away."
Ajax nodded in understanding. "Thank you, your Majesty."
"Now go. Be wise, and trust in your ability, young Tartaglia."
And away he went, back to Mondstadt.
The noontime sun was sweltering in the court of Mondstadt, but it wasn't so bad at the edge of the forest, where Ajax would be racing Lumine.
"Are you two ready?" The herald announced.
The two runners exchanged a look. Lumine's gaze was fond, yet sad. "Good luck, Ajax."
"Good luck to you too."
They both looked at the herald and said, "ready!"
He held a flag high. "Take your mark."
The air around them grew quiet as they took their positions. Ajax took a long, steady breath.
“Go!”
The two of them took off.
Ajax quickly took the lead, having started with a large stride in his step.
He maintained the front for a while, with Lumine keeping a steady pace behind him. He knew he would be unable to keep this speed, and he knew better than to look back at his opponent when running, so he held his head high and enjoyed the breeze in his face.
Then, a sliver of fatigue came over him. Within moments, Lumine was now ahead of him, the wind at her back as she took the lead.
At this second in time, a wave of certainty rushed into his gut, and he knew it was time to use the Tsaritsa's gifts.
So he reached into his pocket and took out the first golden sunsettia. The glimmer of it caught Lumine's attention as it dropped from his hand and rolled onto the path. Being genuinely impressed by such a rare and beautiful object, she stopped right in her tracks, bending down to pick it up.
Ajax saw her do this from the corner of his eye, and he used this opportunity to put some distance between him and the girl.
Not even a few moments later, she was back at his side again, with the sunsettia in hand. She gained speed again, quicker than an arrow released from a bow. But just as Lumine was about to overtake him for the second time, the gut feeling returned.
And Ajax dropped the second golden sunsettia.
It fell and skittered off into the bushes by the path. Once again, Lumine strayed from her path to snatch the fruit, and Ajax sped on.
It took her a bit longer to catch up with him again, holding both sunsettias in one hand.
The finish line was just ahead. Their strides were the same, their steps were matched. Ajax knew she was just keeping pace with him for now. He gave her a look, and golden eyes met his. She gave him a fierce smile, and gained speed.
The gut feeling was the strongest it had ever been, and Ajax took out the third sunsettia. This time, he threw it hard, watching it arc into the thicket of bushes.
He watched as her resolve was tested. He knew she was allured by the gleaming fruit, but she clenched her jaw, refusing to yield. With every ounce of willpower, she pushed herself forward, determined not to fall for the same trick again.
Yet, despite her efforts, the temptation was overwhelming. The glittering of the golden sunsettia taunted her, and in a split second of hesitation, Lumine's pace faltered, and Ajax surged ahead. He crossed the finish line, his victory assured as he left Lumine trailing behind.
"I won!" Ajax cried out, pumping his fists in the air. Having fatigued his legs, he collapsed to his knees as the crowd at the end of the path cheered.
He looked over at Lumine, whose hands rested on the back of her head as she took in large breaths.
"Ajax, Eleventh Harbinger of the Cryo Archon." A voice called out. His attention turned to a young man with the same sharp gaze as the girl next to him. His hair of spun gold was braided behind his back. He knew who he was, yet his name was lost on the Harbinger.
"Sir." He lowered his head in a sign of respect for the titled man.
"You have beaten my sister in a race. Though I noticed you used fruit to trick her."
"I—"
"I did not state that there was a rule against using divine intervention in the race to aid in your victory. Because of my lack of consideration for this aspect, I shall give you the victory."
Ajax nodded. "Of course. Thank you."
Lumine tackled him from behind and they both fell to the ground. She hugged him as she laughed, elated to be marrying the man she'd hunted the Snowboar King with all those months ago.
By the end of the month, Ajax and Lumine were married in the Church of Favonius. They retreated into the woods of Snezhnaya for their honeymoon, and built a cabin together, signaling the start of their life there.
And all was well.
"Wait..." Zorya hesitated. "So that woman was Mom?"
"Mhm." Ajax nodded. "That was your mother."
"Wow," Atlas said. "So that's how you managed to get someone like Mom."
The dad chuckled. "That's right. Now it's time for bed, you three."
"What? No!"
"Shh! Anatoly is asleep already, so be quiet."
Ajax got up from where he sat, and stood in the doorframe.
"You three need to sleep. It's already late."
"But I want to see Mom!"
He chuckled. "You'll see her in the morning, I promise. Now, Atlas, Eosphoria—"
"It's Zorya!"
"Okay, okay, fine. Atlas, Zorya, and Hesperia, my children, good night."
All three children said "good night, Dad" as he turned out their light and closed the door behind him.
He walked out into the living room of their cabin and peered out the window.
The world looked glorious in the snow. A blanket of pure white, illuminated by the half moon. It looked even more beautiful with his wife in the foreground, striding through the clearing before going through their front door.
"Ajax!"
"Hello, my dear." He peeked out the window, and noticed a large reindeer carcass on his porch. "What's that for?"
"Your offering to the Tsaritsa, to thank her for bringing us together, and for the healthy babies." She kissed his cheek, which made him smile.
"Ah, right."
After their race, Ajax decided to give his Tsaritsa monthly offerings as thanks for her helping hand in getting him and Lumine together. These would last until the rest of his life, but for Lumine, anything was worth it.