Chapter Text
There are things that remain unknown.
They will always be a mystery no matter who dares unravel the strings.
It is the will of the universe.
~~~~~
Childe had always loved the freedom he got from being a member of the Fatui. He was free to act how he wanted — a lie he told himself — and could do as he wished.
He learned the hard way that there were still restrictions, that he was just another dog chained to the will of a god. Decorating his throat was an ornate collar, tightening at the slightest infraction. Running the risk that each breath could have been his last. His chain was just a pretty little thing that could fool others around him.
Freedom? What a joke.
It was just an illusion granted by his Archon.
For the most part, Childe was fine with deluding himself, he was starting to grow apathetic to what he had mistakenly signed himself up for.
Perhaps he shouldn't have rushed into joining just so he could see her again. There was no guarantee that the Fatui held the methods but like a fool, he thought nothing of it.
Though it wasn’t all bad, after all he got to keep his family safe and was able to indulge in numerous battles. Maybe when he was a young boy he had a gentle soul that could not even fathom raising a fist to others, but that thought would forever lay dead in his youth along with the countless he had killed.
There was something that always drove him to fight. If he found himself bored, it was safe to say he was deprived of spilling blood.
His past, present, and future would always run parallel to one another, never once would they ever intersect.
They would not dare to.
There were different types of battles Childe faced, the more dangerous the more enticing they became to him. Perhaps he was truly on the path of losing his mind as he lost himself to his desire for a good fight. To dance with death, well it was an honor of his.
Occasionally, his status as a Fatui member was good for a random brawl. Not everyone feared the Fatui, some just despised the very ground they walked upon and cursed them if they found the opportunity to.
The Fatui may be diplomats but it was all a cover, they were not good people, not in the slightest. After all, one cannot be a weapon wielded by a god and walk away without their hands stained red.
As the eleventh Harbinger to the Fatui, Childe was considered the troublemaker - rightfully so - and consequently, he was often sent out on missions to faraway lands. Not that Childe would object because he hated the methods the Fatui utilized.
They were deceptive and manipulative, like their Archon, and he despised it.
His most recent travel, was that of Liyue. One of the more scenic countries he had the pleasure of being able to explore. Compared to Snezhnaya, Liyue appeared as a paradise filled with countless flora. Though the beaches were probably his favorite spot.
Staring out at sea when the only company is the stars above brought him peace that even a victorious battle could not.
The time spent in Liyue had been a brief respite if not a bit boring for Childe’s tastes. There's only so many monsters one can hunt down before they all start to blend.
To his utter disappointment the Liyuen people did not even dare to pick a fight with him. With the opening of the Northland Bank many were apprehensive of instigating any trouble of those that had control of their assets. Smart of them, but how boring.
Childe’s interest only began to pique when talk of a ceremony arose. The Fatui had mentioned it was important to Liyue but other than that there wasn't much else he recalled.
A few days before the ceremony, Childe decided that he should learn a bit more of Liyue’s customs. Ultimately, he was a guest, and it would be impertinent of him to remain ignorant for such a grand event.
The Rite of Descension, as the locals called it, was an annual occurrence. Their god, Rex Lapis - the geo archon - would grace Liyue with a prophecy that would guide them for the following year. As the days grew nearer to the rite, people began to flock from all over to view Liyue’s illustrious god even if only for a few moments.
When the day arrived, Childe found himself immersed with the rite. It really was something worth watching, he could now understand why people spoke so reverently of it. They did not take it lightly and instead stood proud in their god, after all that god of theirs had been by their side for so long.
Prayers were made by locals and foreigners all the same. Children ran around giggling and exclaiming their excitement for the new year. Even the guards could be seen to wear a small smile.
When the time for the rite to begin grew nearer, the children fell quiet and ran back to their respective parents sides. The guards once more grew serious and wore a stern expression, one that promised retribution if you dared interrupt such an event.
The officials settled amongst themselves and began to stand in their formations to present a united front for Liyue. The rite had been going smoothly under the leadership of Ningguang, the Tianquan of Liyue Qixing, until Rex Lapis was summoned.
The dragon's mighty form had crashed into the center of the gathering, their body tossed and twisted in an unfathomable position. Their scales bloodied and torn. Their eyes lacked the usual golden hue. Liyue’s revered god now laid dead for all its people to witness.
It was not every day one witnessed the fall of a god. It was a pity, but oh how this excited him. Finally, something worth his attention.
Immediately people threw themselves into a frenzy, panicked and horrified at the sight of their fallen god. The officials had frozen for a second before they yelled for the guards and cried out orders that no one was to leave.
Some of Liyue's people stood shook still, the only hint of expression lied in their widened eyes and hand covered mouths. Little children tugged on their parents arms asking what happened. Those same parents shushed the children and whispered amongst themselves. Elders collapsed in fear and murmured that the end was near, that it was a sign they should not take lightly.
Truly a magnificent sight to behold he thought.
Hidden up amongst the trees, Childe was able to see it all unfold. How the people froze. How they reacted. How they were then questioned for being a possible murderer of their beloved god. How a tiny blonde and her even smaller companion tried to sneak away to avoid interrogation. It was amusing to say the least.
He recognized the blonde and her floating companion, they had just made their way from the neighboring country, Mondstadt.
The blonde, a proclaimed hero and honorary knight of said country had left once the Storm Terror issue subsided. Childe had heard through the grapevine of the fierce blonde. Even the Fatui seemed wary of just who she was and whether she would pose a problem later on.
Intrigued, Childe had snuck over occasionally to catch sight of her. He had seen the way she fought, how she put her all in every single battle no matter the opponent. How gracefully she flitted around swinging her sword and using her god given power. An Anemo vision, how fitting. She fought without mercy but resembled a fairy in her movements. A delicate looking lady who could be just as dangerous and deadly.
He was already burning with curiosity of just who this girl was when he caught glimpses of her. And now seeing her in Liyue, well now he had to know.
A strange thing she was, just why was she avoiding the guards so brazenly?
He knew she was innocent, so her unease was uncalled for. Perhaps she was hiding something else then?
Oh, well if that were the case hiding in the trees wouldn't do, would it?
Right as he was going to make his way down, the girl made herself known.
A costly accident had he not been there.
Jumping down from his spot and startling everyone, he quickly wiped the floor with the Liyue guards.
He turned towards the two, “Come with me.”
To his surprise they did follow him. Ah, it appears fortune indeed favors the bold.