Chapter Text
It had been about three weeks since Aether had been injured and his wounds were much better. Only needing some simple bandages to cover them rather than the full chest wrappings that he had at the beginning, and he was (to put it simply) dying to get out of the Inn. Baizhu had left quite a while ago with strict instructions on how to care for his wounds. He had followed the instructions to a t much to his annoyance at times. He wanted to get back on the road, doing his commissions, and looking for his sister. Being forced to stay in one place by the whole of Wangshu Inn was starting to chip away at his usually friendly demeanor.
But after much anticipation, today was the day! Baizhu had said three weeks and after today that sentence was over. He finally put on his cape and scarf and fastened his armor with a new sense of excitement. Paimon chatted happily beside him he was thinking that the closed in nature of the situation was starting to get to her too.
“Are you excited to start on your journey again?” She asked
“More than ever.” Aether replied with a grin.
“We should probably get a really big thank you gift for everyone at the Wangshu Inn though. They really helped us.” Paimon suggested.
“We will, but first I just want to get out of here.”
“Mhmm!” Paimon agreed with a smile and nod.
Aether scooped up the last of his things stowing them away and started to head towards the door for his room.
They traveled down the stairs and thanked Verr Goldet greatly, promising to return soon to truly express their appreciation. As Paimon waved goodbye and started to head toward the exit Aether paused and looked up towards the top balcony. He doubted Xiao was there at this time he probably had a lot of important adeptal missions to deal with and Aether did not want to disturb him with such a trivial matter as him leaving.
“Uh, Boss, could you- “
“I’ll tell him you said goodbye.” She said simply watching his reaction carefully.
Aether was stunned for a moment and then nodded with a smile, “Thank you.”
With that little comfort Aether jogged to catch up with Paimon.
“Do you want to take the elevator or the stairs?” Paimon asked.
“Neither.” He grinned and took a running leap off the edge of the platform and falling through the air loving the wind rushing past his face before he summoned his glider and started to glide down to the solid earth.
“You know, maybe Dr. Baizhu was right.” Paimon said
“About what?” he asked as he landed.
“You are really reckless.” Paimon said seriously and that sent Aether into a fit of laughter.
~~~
They continued down the path for a little bit before Paimon seemed to notice something or rather someone on the path past a small hill that obscured Aether’s vision, “Uh oh.”
“What is it? Hilichurls? Treasure Hoarders?” Aether said unsheathing his sword and continuing to approach with more caution.
“Paimon will let you handle this one.” She said and disappeared with a glisten of stars.
Before Aether could inquire more a brief gust of wind flew past them and then suddenly Xiao was there his arms crossed and looking at Aether unamused. As soon as Aether registered something in front of him, he didn’t stop to process what or who it was and swung his sword on instinct.
Xiao blocked the sword easily with his spear with not even a flinch, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Aether blinked and tensed as he realized what he had just done and disengaged immediately, “I’m so sorry Xiao! I-I didn’t expect you.”
As Aether’s sword went away so did Xiao’s spear.
Xiao looked at him expectantly and then it clicked what he had asked him.
“Oh! Well, Baizhu said I only had to rest for three weeks and so now I’m back on my journey.”
Xiao crossed his arms again, “No.”
Aether chuckled at that and then stopped abruptly when he realized the adeptus was not joking, “Xiao I am already mostly healed, and I have been wasting enough time at the Inn. I need to get back on my journey”
“No, not until you can prove to me that you can defend yourself well enough.” Xiao said and Aether had the mind to be offended by that statement.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You have been out of commission for three weeks that is plenty of time for you to get out of practice and sloppy” Xiao said harshly.
“Sloppy?” Aether asked scandalized
“Yes.” He said simply.
“No I’m perfectly fine. I’m a good fighter you’ve said so yourself.”
Xiao did not budge.
“Fine prove it.”
“What?” Aether said once again taken aback by the adeptus’s words and actions.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Xiao said and backed up slightly uncrossing his arms and leaving his chest wide open.
“I’m not going to attack you.”
“This is a spare, not an attack, and trust me I’ll be fine.”
The hidden challenge of ‘you however will not be’ hung there in the wind unsaid but certainly intended. What was all this about? Usually, Xiao was completely uninvolved in Aether’s adventuring affairs why was he being so critical now?
Aether unsheathed his sword again and slowly tried to step forward and then make a quick swipe at him and the adeptus deflected the attack again with his spear. He side stepped out of the way while Aether stumbled forward and gently swatted at Aether’s shoulder with the butt of the spear.
“Clumsy.” He remarked.
That set a fire in Aether, and he quickly whipped around and lunged at him. Xiao again dodged the attack easily and hit the Traveler with the end of his spear.
“Predictable.” He said.
Aether huffed at that and turned back towards Xiao trying to reign in his mounting frustration.
“Why are you doing this?” He asked and aimed a downward strike at him, Xiao caught the attack with the shaft of the spear locking Aether’s sword in the metal.
“I want you to prove that you are capable.” He said simply and with a hard shove pushed Aether back.
“You know that I am.” Aether said charging at him again and slashed at him twice.
Xiao knocked his sword away on the first swing and dashed passed him with anemo on the second. He swung his spear at Aether’s feet knocking him to the ground.
“Not from the display I’m seeing.”
“What is your problem?” Aether said getting to his feet and rounding on Xiao not even trying to swing at him, “Is this because you don’t trust me?”
Xiao froze at that, that was the farthest thing from the truth. But how was he supposed to explain that he was worried. He wasn’t expecting Aether to get so upset about Xiao challenging him, but it appears he miscalculated.
“No I trust you. I just…” he trailed off unable to come up with the words he wanted to.
“Just what? Want me to stay at the inn? Want me to forget about my promises to Mondstadt and Liyue? Want me to forget about my mission to find my sister? Just what Xiao?” Aether asked desperate to understand but increasing frustration and confusion buried in his chest.
It was Xiao’s turn to look hurt or in his case just very annoyed, “What are you talking about? Of course not. If we’re on the topic of trust, do you not trust me?”
“Of course I do why would you ask that?” Aether said strain creeping into his voice.
“Because you never call for me. You would rather die than ask for my aid when I have proved myself repeatedly to be a valuable weapon and ally.” Xiao said point blank and the truth of it stung. It stung so bad in fact that Xiao looked away from Aether.
‘You would rather die than ask for my aid’ those words rung through Aether’s mind, and it really struck something in him and made him realize what all of this was about.
“Xiao… I’m sorry I worried you so much.” He said simply, “And you are a very valuable ally but me not calling for your help was never a reflection on you or my trust of you. I’m just… stubborn as Paimon would say. And I always feel like if I ask for help it’s a sign of weakness in myself.”
Xiao studied him as Aether said this, he hadn’t thought of it as something Aether might be too self-conscious to do. Most people would jump for joy having the contract that he and Aether did but for Aether it was a contract that required him to suspend his pride in order to fulfill.
“I see.” Xiao said softly still not quite able to meet his eyes, “Well you are many things Aether but weak is not one of them.
The tension from earlier was starting to subside but in its place was a new found awkwardness that Xiao was accustomed to in most peoples’ company but it was new with Aether and that made his chest ache for some reason.
Aether on the other hand was smiling kindly at Xiao at his encouragement, and as he went to thank him for the compliment Xiao disappeared in a wisp of black smoke and emerald glints of anemo.
“Wait!” He said reaching out of instinct, but he knew it was too late.
Aether felt his stomach drop, he still wanted to talk to him. Maybe offer to alleviate some of his worry by offering for Xiao to join them for a few days. He was staying in Liyue for a bit longer after all.
The little chime signaling Paimon’s return sounded.
“Is the fighting over?”
“Yeah.” Aether said and sheathed his sword before starting to move on. His footfalls a bit heavier and more dragged than before.
~~~
It had been a couple of days since that tense interaction and as Aether and Paimon made his way down to Liyue he had been lucky to not come across too many obstacles just a few hilichurls here and there. When they got to the city Aether went around to the different stalls and quest boards to see what he could help with.
To his shock there was nothing. Well not nothing but nothing that involved fighting or traveling really. All the remaining commissions were about collecting materials and delivering messages. It was…bizarre to put it lightly.
“Traveler!” A welcoming voice called to him.
It was Lan.
Aether waved and Paimon went over to greet her with a big smile, “Hi Lan! Paimon noticed that a lot of your commissions seem to have been taken care of.”
She nodded, “Yup they sure have. We’ve had a lot of new adventurers that have come out to help since word spread about you being unavailable for some time. Some older adventurers and some new faces too. It’s really heartwarming actually.”
Aether seemed surprised by that, “Wait people new about me getting injured.”
“In simple terms yes. But they didn’t know by what. The running narrative was that you had been attack by a bunch of abyss mages and ruin guards.” Lan said with her finger tapping her chin, “But I sense that, that was not the case.”
“Uh no.” Paimon said, “Where did they get a story like that?”
“I’m not sure but no matter. You are back now, and we are happy to see you.” Lan said with a smile.
Aether nodded, “Okay well keep me informed if anything big comes up I will happily take it.”
Lan nodded and gave them a wave goodbye as the Traveler and Paimon walked away.
“Well that was strange.” Paimon commented.
“Yeah it was, but I’m sure we can still be of service somewhere.”
“Oh oh! Paimon has an idea! Maybe we can see Dr. Baizhu and offer to help him collect some herbs as a thanks for helping you out!” Paimon said clapping her hands together to emphasize her plan.
“You know that sounds like a great idea.” Aether nodded and started towards the Pharmacy. They stopped by some of the vendors and shops on their way through the city restocking on their supplies.
As they got to the Pharmacy and climbed the ridiculous number of stairs to get to the front door, they weren’t exactly surprised to see that the Pharmacist and Qiqi were both out. They had someone else there in their place to take care of the place.
“Hello! Do you have a prescription?” The gentleman behind the counter asked.
“Oh no we just wanted to stop by and talk to Dr. Baizhu.” Aether replied, “We can stop by another time.”
“Wait you’re the traveler, right?”
“Yes.”
“Dr. Baizhu left a note for you.” He said reaching under the desk and producing a green envelope with a windwheel aster stamped on the front.
“He left in quite a hurry earlier and said that this was an urgent matter that he needed your help with.”
Aether perked up at that and took the envelope popping the seal on the front.
“An urgent matter? Is Dr. Baizhu okay?” Paimon asked
“Oh he is fine. He left quickly with Qiqi after a gentleman from the funeral parlor met with him.”
Paimon and Aether looked to each other knowingly, “Was it Zhongli.”
“Oh yes that was his name, it slipped my mind.”
“Is he okay?” Paimon asked.
“To be honest I don’t know. I try not to pry into other people’s business if it doesn’t concern me.” He said crossing his arms pointedly.
Aether caught the implication and had the grace to look a bit guilty, “Sorry they are both just dear friends of ours.”
The stand in pharmacist nodded and sighed, “All I know is that he was asking about a painkiller.”
Aether’s brow furrowed at that, why would an archon former or not need painkillers? Paimon seemed to be thinking much the same. He turned his attention to the letter again and pulled out the paper that was neatly folded in the envelope. The writing on the paper was neat yet looked rushed it gave a brief well wishes and then jumped into a commission. The letter requested that he go to Mondstadt urgently and collect as many Philanemo Mushrooms and Cecilias as possible and bring them to Wangshu Inn as soon as possible. That piqued his interest why the urgency? And why not just gather them while he was out collecting herbs? There was no explanation at all just a hope that Aether would complete his request.
Paimon read the note over his shoulder and shrugged, “Well Paimon guesses we are off to Mondstadt then.”
Aether nodded and looked to the pharmacist, “Thank you for the letter. If you see Zhongli again let him know I need to talk to him.”
The pharmacist nodded and waved goodbye to them. Paimon floated ahead of Aether and tilted her head in question, “What do you think all of that was about?”
“I-I have no clue. But we have a commission so let’s try to get to Mondstadt as quickly as possible.”
~~~
The fastest route back to Mondstadt was back the way they came past Wangshu Inn and then skirting around the base of Dragonspine, but this journey felt different from other commissions. The journey up towards Wangshu Inn was rife with enemies at every turn, but as soon as they entered the plains around inn it became distinctly barren. The plains were life-less not a single hilichurl camp or bouncing slime anywhere in sight and the air was heavy. The very wind that rushed through the grasses felt suffocating.
“Paimon doesn’t like this. Where is everything? It’s not usually this quiet.”
“Maybe Xiao took care of a lot of the monsters around here recently.” Aether said quietly also feeling unease seep into his bones, “I think the mystery behind the commission is just putting us a bit on edge. We’ll be back here soon once we have everything and I’m sure it will be fine.”
Paimon nodded sincerely hoping her friend was right. They continued in silence the tension not really subsiding as they left the edges of Liyue behind for the land of freedom ahead of them. Off to their right laid Dragonspine and the sight of it alone made Aether tense up a bit. He knew the whole ordeal was a freak circumstance he had sustained and fought worse, but he had been taken so off guard in that instance that he was a bit disappointed in himself. Paimon noticed her companion’s far away gaze and how he was unconsciously holding his side where the bandages still lay.
She floated over to him and patted his head, “Don’t worry Aether, soon we’ll be in Mondstadt, and we can have a bunch of honey sticky roast!” She grinned and laughed lightly pulling Aether out of his head. He was thankful for her and her pretty keen observation skills it made the journey less difficult.
“Yeah, I still owe you, but we have to get the philanemo mushrooms and cecilias first, okay?” He said dropping his hand back to his side.
Paimon nodded, “mhmm! Paimon can already taste it now!”
They continued chatting about anything and everything just to fill the quiet and ease the tension in the air. The duo first stopped in Springvale and picked every philanemo mushroom they could find and said hi to several of the citizens there some of them even asking how he was healing up. Word traveled fast around Teyvat apparently. Luckily, they ended up with a decent amount before they went towards Starsnatch Cliff for the cecilias. They cleared out the couple of hilichurls camps in their way and started up the slope. When they reached about halfway up, they heard a gentle song drifting down to them from an unknown source. Then the person came into view. Venti. With his ever-present lyre and green cape and cap.
“Tone Deaf Bard!” Paimon called up to him waving, “Hi!”
Venti paused in his playing and turned to them with a bright smile, “Well if it isn’t the traveler and Paimon. It’s good to see you two. What brings you to my solo concert? I hope you brought some wine to share.”
“Not this time.” Aether said, “We just came to collect some supplies for Dr. Baizhu.”
Venti looked at all the cecilias in his arms and sighed, “And here I thought our dear warrior was being a romantic. Finally found someone that swept you off your feet.”
Aether sputtered at that, “Oh no.” He said with a laugh a light pink tint on his cheeks.
Venti sighed and put a big smile on, “Well a bard can dream.”
He paused a moment and willed his lyre away.
“So what does Baizhu need all the cecilias for?” Venti asked.
“I’m not sure but he seemed pretty urgent, and we are supposed to meet him at Wangshu Inn.” Aether said with a shrug as he started to put the cecilias safely away.
Venti’s cheery smile dropped at that and he turned back to look out over the cliff, “That explains a lot actually.”
“What do you mean?” Paimon asked floating forward a bit.
Venti turned back to them with a softer smile, “It’s nothing, I’m just glad you are helping him.”
That didn’t sit well with Aether, “Venti if you know something important about what’s going on please tell us.”
Paimon nodded crossing her arms.
Venti’s smile dropped again and he sighed, “About a week ago I noticed a dark energy coming from the direction of Liyue. I wasn’t sure what it was at first but then I remembered a presence very similar way back when from a young adeptus. At the time I had helped him manage to sever the dark ties to his soul and granted him freedom much as I did for Dvalin so long ago. But it seems those ties have returned to grapple with his soul.” Venti explained with his poetic flair.
“So you’re saying there is an adeptus that is being corrupted like how Dvalin was?” Paimon said with a squeak.
Venti laughed humorously, “Not quite. I’m afraid this corruption is not the work of the Abyss Order but instead of some ancient gods that predate this continent.”
“Xiao, that’s who you’re talking about isn’t it?” Aether said a heavy weight in his chest.
“You’re a sharp one traveler. Yes, it seems our dear Conqueror of Demons has more to fight but this time his enemies aren’t ones that can be beat with a blade.” Venti said softly looking out across the windy plain, “I’m glad you are helping him this time around. I don’t believe I would have been much help. This time seems far more intense than last time.”
“If he was in trouble why didn’t he ask for help especially from you since you helped him last time?”
“Aether…” Venti started and that made the traveler stop his next string of words, “You must understand. The battle that Xiao is fighting is one he has fought alone his entire existence. Asking for help also puts others at risk. When I helped him last time, I disappeared from the land for several decades just to deal with the corruption it had inflicted on me.”
Aether grew very quiet at that, he hadn’t realized the depth of Xiao’s pain and suffering.
“Poor Xiao.” Paimon said softly much like she had when they first learned of the yakshas’ fate.
“Maybe you can help more than I could. Perhaps you could completely dissolve the ties that seek to keep him burdened with his past.” Venti said looking a bit downcast before smiling again, “I’m glad Dr. Baizhu thought of you to help.”
Paimon looked at the former archon with a sympathetic gaze, “You really care about him, don’t you?”
Venti’s brow furrowed at that, “Well of course he’s one of my anemo users. I am worried for his well-being.”
Aether chewed the inside of his cheek and sighed, “Of course I’ll- we’ll do everything we can to try and help him.”
Venti nodded and smiled as usual, “I know you will. When this is all over you should try to bring him back to Mondstadt it’s been quite a long time since he has been in the City of Freedom.”
Aether nodded, “We should try to get this to Dr. Baizhu as soon as possible.”
Venti looked back out across the skies, “The sun is setting it won’t be safe to travel at night especially with the Xiao being indisposed.”
Aether watched the horizon back towards Mondstadt, “Perhaps you’re right, I did promise Paimon some sticky honey roast as well.”
“You remembered!” Paimon said excitedly and turned to the former archon, “You should join us.”
“I am flattered but maybe next time. I must do a couple of things this evening.” He replied and did a bow with a flourish of his hat, ever the performer, “With that my friends I will see you the next time your journey guides you back.”
And in a wisp of anemo power he was gone with the wind. Aether let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and turned back to the city.
“We’ll set out first thing in the morning.” He said to Paimon and started the trek down the hill.
“Hey at least we get good food and a warm bed for tonight.” Paimon said with a grin, “And we will get this all sorted out tomorrow, I’m sure.”
Aether nodded and gave her a small smile in reassurance but the heavy weight in his chest grew heavier. Now that he knew why the energy around Wangshu Inn felt so heavy and dark he felt guilty for not checking when they were there.
“I just don’t understand why he didn’t say anything…” Aether said more just as a general open concern.
Paimon paused in her excitement about the food and floated in front of Aether with her little fists on her hips, “Didn’t you tell Xiao it’s hard for you to ask for help, maybe he’s the same way.”
Aether hadn’t thought of it that way, “Maybe you’re right.”
“But more of a reason to help out.” Paimon said, “Anyway what was Paimon saying?”
“Something about sticky honey roast?” Aether suggested.
“Paimon remembers now!” She said clapping her hands together.
They continued that way until they got into Mondstadt and got their food for the evening. After being sated they made their way to one of the inns and got their room for the night. Paimon wished Aether a good night and disappeared into a flash of star dust. Aether on the other hand laid awake his thoughts a tumultuous swirl of concern and confusion. How was he going to help when he still had so little knowledge about what was happening? Worse yet he was most worried about what would happen if he failed. Would he loose Xiao? After everything that happened this last month, he didn’t want to even consider that option. After nearly two hours of nonstop worries Aether finally drifted to sleep.
~~~
It all felt like a haze, they arrived at Wangshu Inn and met up with Baizhu just as he instructed. The air around the inn and the land surrounding it felt heavy and suffocating like the wind was trying to snatch the breath from his lungs.
“All I need you to do Aether is get this in there to Adeptus Xiao. From there he knows what he needs to do.” Baizhu instructed calmly as he handed over a vial with a bright purple liquid in it.
“Are you sure that’s going to be enough?” Aether questions holding onto the little vial in his hands like a lifeline, and Baizhu nodded.
Aether chewed the inside of his cheek again and nodded. He took a deep breath and went towards the inn. As he got closer stronger gusts of wind met him to halt his progress it was very similar to the wind barrier, he experienced in Stormterror’s Lair.
When he got into the actual inn it was deserted not a single soul was left anywhere near the building and the pressure of the wind made his ears pop.
“Leave…” the wind growled in agony.
It wasn’t a voice of intimidation it was a plead. To stay away to save himself.
‘No’ Aether mentally challenged and pushed on. He climbed the stairs while the wind lashed and pushed at him. When he got to the top of the stair that let out on the top terrace a loud screech of sorrow and rage surrounded him and begged for him to “Turn back!” “Stay away” “Forget about me”. Mantras of pain and almost like a plead for death to come swifter.
Aether pushed against the wind to get to the eye of the storm that raged around them. He pushed back against the gales with his own anemo powers that he carefully used to shield his body from the worst of it making the opposing anemo gusts navigate around him rather than blowing him off course. After what felt like a couple hours Aether broke through the thickest part of the wind and landed in front of a huddled figure on the floorboards. His arms shielded his face against the floor and his back was arched to the sky. Trying to make himself as small as possible, wishing he would just get swept up in the wind and carried away.
“Xiao!” Aether said crawling closer to him and gently laying a hand on his shoulder.
Xiao flinched under his touch and Aether pulled away, but even after flinching Xiao did not lift his face from the shelter of his arms.
“I have something that can help you. Please just let me help!”
The adeptus bristled at that launching himself forward to push Aether away. His mask was covering his face and the anemo energy that spiraled around him looked deadly.
“Xiao please, I know you’re hurting. I’m sorry…”
“Shut it!” Xiao said firmly not wanting to hear his pity, “This is my fate. Please don’t be another causality in my wake.”
Aether went on defense holding his hands up to show he was no threat he only wanted to help.
“Xiao what’s going on?”
“It’s none of your concern just go! Before…”
“Before what? Before you lose control? Before you die?” Aether said slowly moving forward, “I’m sorry but that’s not happening.”
“You can’t help me! It will only hurt you in the long run.”
“You don’t know that!”
“I do it happens with everyone that tries to help me.”
“What? They get corrupted. Like Barbatos, I’m not like the archons or the adepti, I have faced corruption, destruction, and the abyss itself so please, Xiao, let me help you! I need you to trust me.”
Xiao went very still the swirls of the wind circulating faster his shoulders shaking from restraint and pain but the voice that came out was very level and… resigned, “You trust me don’t you Aether?”
“Of course… why- “
“Then promise me this. When you wake up you will stay away.”
“Xiao what?”
~~~
Then Aether woke up sitting straight up in his bed back at the inn in Mondstadt breathing heavily, tear tracks on his cheeks, and his hand clenching the bed sheets till his knuckles turned white. It was only in the wee hours of the morning, but Aether couldn’t stand to stay in place anymore.
“Paimon we need to go.” He said to the open air, but he knew she had heard him.
He scrubbed the tears off his cheeks and rapidly went around the room gathering his things.
Paimon appeared with a little yawn, “Isn’t it still too early?”
“No we need to go now.” Aether said briskly and his tone alone alerted her that something was seriously wrong.
“Aether what happened?” She asked floating in front of him to try and get his attention and pull him out of the mad dash he was in.
“I-I can’t explain not right now… but please we need to get to Wangshu Inn immediately.” Aether took a deep breath, but she could read the concern and anxiety that lingered in his eyes.
“Okay okay, let’s go! Paimon’s sure if we are quick, we can make it there before the sun has fully risen.”
“Thank you Paimon.” Aether said and threw on his scarf before heading out the door with her in tow.