Chapter Text
Rex Lapis stands before him, tall and imposing. Childe heard stories about the Archon - the strongest, oldest Archon there ever was. It should have been obvious that the Losbelt in Liyue would revolve around him.
Still, it's a surprise to meet a God- how can it not be? Childe long since missed the era of the Archons - assassinated long before he was alive.
Looking at the gigantic Archon sitting on his throne Childe can't fathom how that ever happened.
Morax is oozing power - it's difficult to even stand upright at first. However, Childe isn't the strongest Crypter for nothing.
Rex Lapis silent after the explanation about the Tree of Emptiness. He's watching Childe silently with his glowing sharp eyes.
Childe can't describe the emotion in Morax’s eyes. It's intense, almost crushing.
Then, Morax speaks. "Crypter Tartaglia, what do you wish to accomplish in such a place as this?"
"I'm not like the other Crypters. I don't care for mind games and I hate lying." Childe decides to be honest - this is the Lostbelt King after all. Best not to anger him. "What I crave is battle- ways to get stronger. I don't care how. This Lostbelt will help me with that."
"You crave power but you haven't summoned these… servants yet." There is a slight flicker of interest on Rex Lapis’s face. "Why is that? Is power all you seek?"
"Figured it's rude to summon without permission." That and Childe hates preparing magic rituals. He was procrastinating.
As for the second question. "...No, power isn't everything."
"Oh?" The interested glimmer in Morax's eyes grows. "What else then?"
"...There is something I seek. Something has been drawing me to Liyue all my life." The first time Tartaglia had entered the country, it felt like coming home.
Everything had been so hauntingly familiar. It felt right to be there.
Except it always felt like one thing was missing and Childe has no idea what it could be. It's like something has his heart in an iron grip, squeezing squeezing squeezing squeezing-
"I want to find it."
"What is it that you seek?" Rex Lapis’ eyes are cold - but there is something shimmering in their depth. It almost seems like… hope.
"I don't know."
"...Very well." Morax closes his eyes and in the next moment, he matches Childe's height. He places his hand on Childe's cheek, cupping it gently.
Childe freezes.
"We will work together from now on, Crypter Tartaglia." Rex Lapis' hand is warm. "You may summon your servant, but first we must form a contract." He removes his hand, the movement controlled but quick.
Rex Lapis is the God of Contracts. Of course, he would ask for one. "Which would be?"
"I will help you reach your goals as long as you help me reach mine. We will be equals." There is finality in Morax's tone. He will not budge on this.
"Sounds like a good deal to me." Childe wasn't keen on getting on his knees for a God anyway. "Let's seal this contract then."
They shake hands - the moment he touches Rex Lapis’s hand he feels a strange feeling in his chest. It aches for something he can't identify.
Perhaps this is a side effect of agreeing to a contract from the God of Contracts himself?
"Wonderful." Rex Lapis doesn't let go of his hand, his grip firm. "You may call me Zhongli in private then."
"Zhongli?" Childe questions, perplexed. "I wasn't aware that that was one of your names."
"Just a name from another time, long since put to rest." Zhongli looks far away at that moment, his grip on Childe's hand tightening painfully.
Chide gets the sense that the name is something private- something important. "Alright, Zhongli it is. You can call me Ajax in private." It seems like a fair trade.
The Archon goes silent for a long moment, but the tight hold on Childe's hand is unwavering.
"... Of course, Ajax. It will be a pleasure working with you." Zhongli lets go of his hand and Ajax feels complete.
Crypter Tartaglia stands before him, a spitting image of his Ajax. A spitting image of the man he loved - of the man he killed with his own hands.
The man that’s staring at him now, beautiful, vibrant, and alive .
Rex Lapis needs a moment to breathe.
The Crypter before him looks at him without recognition, without any hint of knowing who Zhongli was to him at all.
Then the Crypter explains what a Lostbelt is and all falls into place.
That Tartaglia- he’s from Proper Human History. The history where Rex Lapis died- the history where Ajax’s blood never stained Zhongli’s hands.
This Childe is not the one that invited him out to meals; for drinks. This Childe is not the one that made him want to be mortal.
But this Childe is alive and breathing. He stands there, looking perfectly healthy.
Rex Lapis can’t look away. "Crypter Tartaglia, what do you wish to accomplish in such a place as this?"
The Crypters answer could have come from his Ajax’s mouth.
"I'm not like the other Crypters. I don't care for mind games and I hate lying. What I crave is battle- ways to get stronger. I don't care how. This Lostbelt will help me with that." Childe’s eyes shine with a battle-hungry glint. It’s almost reassuring that they share that trait - or almost horrifying.
"You crave power but you haven't summoned these… servants yet. Why is that? Is power all you seek?" The concept of servants is an intriguing one to Rex Lapis. Fallen Heroes of ages long passed. Who would Childe summon? Certainly someone just as hungry for battle as he is, Zhongli is sure.
Childe’s answer is unlike what he expected though. “Something has been drawing me to Liyue all my life." The man in front of him explains, looking strangely lost. “I want to find it.”
That’s…
Could it be that this Crypter - this Tartaglia - is some kind of reincarnation of Ajax? Of the one that succeeded in killing him in Proper Human History?
The thought is almost too much to bear. Zhongli wants to reach out and hold Childe in his arms. He wants to protect him from all harm, he wants to hold him close. He desperately wants to have Ajax in his arms again. He wants to kiss him, feel that he’s alive, that he’s alright…
But this is not his Ajax.
"What is it that you seek?" Rex Lapis asks, the question falling heavily from his lips. How much does this Tartaglia now? How aware is he?
Childe’s answer comes out slow, hesitant, but truthful. “I don’t know.” The confused longing in his face squeezes Rex Lapis’ heart, claws at it.
“...Very well.” He shouldn’t do this - he is Morax, the last Archon. He is Rex Lapis, the King of this Lostbelt. He is…
Rex Lapis shrinks to Tartaglia’s size and cups his cheek tenderly. Childe’s skin is so warm, so tender.
He is Zhongli, who so desperately wishes to be able to touch his beloved again.
He only recognizes how confusing his actions have to be when the Crypter freezes, his eyes visibly confused.
Zhongli’s heart drops into the pit of his stomach, crushed with guilt and despair.
This is not his Ajax.
"We will work together from now on, Crypter Tartaglia." Rex Lapis’s voice comes out steady, not hinting at the torment he feels. "You may summon your servant, but first we must form a contract." He removes his hand, the movement controlled but quick.
This is not his Ajax.
"I will help you reach your goals as long as you help me reach mine. We will be equals." That’s the only way he will work with the Crypters. Even if this Tartaglia isn’t the one he came to know, having him listen to Morax’s orders without question feels like spitting on his grave.
They seal the contract, Childe looking satisfied, but hesitant. He has no reason to believe Rex Lapis’s words to be true.
They shake hands and Zhongli’s heart aches. He doesn’t want to let go. "Wonderful. You may call me Zhongli in private then." The words flow out of his mouth before he can fully consider them. He doesn’t regret them, even if it will bring him pain.
Ajax has known him as Zhongli - another Tartaglia not even knowing that name feels like blasphemy.
"Alright, Zhongli it is. You can call me Ajax in private." Childe looks cheerful, but his eyes are the same as his Ajax.
The words hit Zhongli like a slap to the face. He needs a moment to think, he needs to be alone.
Rex Lapis answers steadily. "... Of course, Ajax. It will be a pleasure working with you.” Letting go of Childe’s hand is painful. Leaving the room is unacceptable.
He stays with Ajax as something inside him breaks all over again.