Chapter Text
There was a point in time where Teyvat drowned in the screams of agony of its people.
War was waging in all of its nation. Peace was nothing but a fleeting dream and many lost irreplaceable things throughout the journey to said peace. Many thirst for power to the point that they’re willing to sacrifice the innocent. Some chose to isolate their people, which then led to their own destruction. Some were betrayed by the people they loved so much, having their heart pierced with the same sword they wished they would be protected with.
That time was a never ending nightmare that no one wished to relive.
Alas, there was no storm that continued to wreak havoc till the end of time. Even the personification of the storm himself fell down.
And as the last of the chosen seven took his seat, Teyvat finally got the peace it coveted for so long.
There was something magical about seeing that first sunrise of the new era. He remembered it clear as day. As the seven of them stood on the edge of Celestia and stared at the rising sun Morax felt the wind brush his cheeks and enveloped him with a sense of comfort he hadn’t felt in so long. His eyes were immediately drawn to its source and realization dawned on him that he wasn’t the only one that felt such a sensation as they were all looking at the same person.
Barbatos…
His smile was the only thing visible underneath his hood, his great wings folded to his side. The peculiar God was not looking back at them but instead his eyes were trained on the horizon. “I will not rule over Mondstadt,” he boldly declared. One would’ve thought he was merely joking. The idea was absurd for the Archons existed to rule over their people. But while Barbatos was many things, he was not a liar. (For the most part anyway.)
“My people shall know the true meaning of Freedom,” he continued. “And they will not learn so with me constantly breathing on their necks, would they?”
Ah, what a strange little thing he was, that Barbatos. Morax then thought. He was the youngest among them and the last to take his seat, but he was also the boldest. Barbatos spoke in a manner of regality and confidence of someone who had lived for a millenia.
Among the stunned seven, only the Electro Archon was able to recover fast and ask him a couple of questions. “But wouldn’t that make you the weakest among us? How do you expect to channel your full power without the aid of your people?”
Smiling, the God merely shrugged. “Who knows? Perhaps I’ll find a way somehow.” He made his way forward to the edge of the cliff. “The time Mondstadt spent under the cage of Decarabian’s storm is over. My people are now free to spread their wings and soar the sky above. They will be allowed to build the new Mondstadt in however way they please.”
This time it was the Cryo Archon who voiced out their concern. “Are you not afraid they would take advantage of your weak disposition and betray you? To give humans so much freedom is absurd and nothing but a recipe for disaster.” It was a valid statement. Humans betraying their Gods was not unheard of. Many of them have encountered Gods who faced their death in the hands of their own followers, Morax especially.
Yet the idea of Mondstadt turning their back against him didn’t seem to bother Barbatos. Instead he let out a carefree laugh. “That is indeed plausible. But oh well, when that time comes I will handle it.”
No one said it out loud but they all thought he was crazy. How can someone be so lax after witnessing a devastating war? How can one still smile in the way he does even after losing so much? He must’ve lost something over the course of the war, right? They all did. It would not make sense for Barbatos to be the exception.
But then a thought crossed the Geo Archon’s mind.
Maybe it’s precisely that he’d lost so much to the war that he was like that. Whatever it was that the Anemo Archon faced in his journey shaped him to the way he was now. And although he might not voice it out, Morax had a growing respect toward his fellow Archon for only those whose hearts that are made of steel can smile so grandly after a great tragedy.
The other Archons tried to dissuade Barbatos, giving him plenty of dark outcomes (most of which ends up with him dying). Only Morax stayed on his spot and watched the scene from afar. He knew there was no changing the wind God’s mind. Once upon a time, he knew someone who was very much like Barbatos, wild, stubborn and untamed. And convincing people like them to not do one thing will only fuel their want to do it more.
“Morax, please tell this fool that he’s making the biggest mistake of his life!” called the Pyro Archon.
The Geo Archon understood what they were trying to do. They were hopeful that there could be a chance that Barbatos would listen to the eldest of the group. Most of them sought his guidance multiple times even during the war. Unfortunately for them, Morax was more than willing to let him do whatever he pleases.
“The Archons are free to lead their nation however they please.” He spoke. “If Barbatos wishes to not do so, then who are we to tell him otherwise?”
All Morax did was voice out his opinion. Unbeknownst to him, it was due to his words that months from now Barbatos would choose to seek him out first among the Archons. That hearing someone not disagree with him, the eldest of them nonetheless, really made him happy.
Laughing joyfully, the young God spread his wings and floated in the air. “The gentleman has spoken.” He giggled. “Rest assured, my fellow Archons. I know that you’re only looking after me but while I may be the youngest in this bunch, I am also not naive. I know and understand the possible consequences of the path I’m about to make. I understand the full extent of human greed. To most of you what I’m about to do is stupid.”
“But I believe Mondstadt is a nation that would thrive further without a ruler. No one in Teyvat understands the true agony of being bound by seemingly unbreakable chains than those born in Mondstadt. It is due to this that I know they will not repeat the same mistakes that Decarabian did.” He told them.
“If they do, well…” Barbatos paused then grinned mischievously. “Using this thing once in a while wouldn’t hurt, would it?” he said as he summoned his Gnosis in his hand.
This earned him a bunch of exasperated sighs from the others, while Morax simply diverted his attention from Barbatos to the horizon down below. “Fine, but don’t come crying to any of us when your people do end up bullying you.” Spoke the Pyro Archon with a huff.
The Anemo Archon simply laughed heartily at this. He told his fellow God that he’ll try not to and Morax couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing them banter freely like this solidified that peace was finally attained. In the age of war, laughing without a care with friends was a luxury few could afford. There was always that foreboding feeling that one would lose them once an enemy attacks. But the unpleasant feeling was now gone and was replaced by something lighthearted and warm.
Morax didn’t even realize he was staring at the Barbatos until the latter turned his attention to him. A gust of wind knocked down his fellow Archon’s hood and for the first time, he had a clear look at his face.
Barbatos was beautiful, there was no denying that. His eyes were that of an aquatic color, his hair soft and swayed with every move, and his lips were very reminiscent of a peach blossom on one spring day. Yet he was even more beautiful when a smile slowly grazed his lips and directed it at Morax.
The feeling it gave him was not like those described by poets in their stories. It didn’t knock him off his feet nor did it make his heart race. He also did not get flustered being subjected to it. Rather, it was one of those things that calmed anyone that sees it. And to the Geo Archon, that was a lot better than anything told by the countless stories in Liyue.
Morax tipped his head before returning the smile with his own, and was pleasantly rewarded by a soft touch of the wind to his cheeks.
The seven of them departed from Celestia on positive notes, each ready to build their nation in the best possible way they could.
Morax in particular devoted his waking hours in building Liyue Harbor as the new center of commerce in Teyvat. He implemented mora as the new currency for trade and kept a watchful eye on every contract that was being made, always making sure that those who dare break them will suffer the wrath of the rock.
He had no time for leisures and frankly, he thought his fellow archons were in the same state. Building a nation from the ruins of the war was no easy feat. Not only did it require manpower and resources, the collective efforts of the nation’s Archons and its people were needed as well. If one were to not do the workload given to them then the foundation would fall down and all their efforts will be in vain.
Everyday he walked in the streets of Liyue Harbor and made sure that everyone was faring well. He’d speak with the newly established Qixing about future plans and the pros and cons of implementing new rituals to help him guide his people efficiently, as well as ways in keeping old traditions like the lantern festival alive in this new era.
The Geo Archon frankly has no time to rest. His time was occupied in ways he could better the new Liyue and not once did he stop and think, maybe a short tea break would do him good. He used to have someone who reminded him to take a break, but with that person no longer by side Morax was left to his own devices and devoted his entire being to Liyue without any rest. And perhaps he chose to drown himself with so much work just so his mind would not drift back to the memory of that person.
Either way, Morax expected for this routine of his to continue nonstop until the end of the year.
That’s until one fateful day.
Per usual, he was walking in the streets of Liyue Harbor and overseeing everything when he felt some sort of disturbance coming closer. Morax was immediately on guard and quickly ran outside of the harbor to confront it. But his initial alertness was replaced with concern when he finally recognized the sudden visitor.
Various questions ran through his mind as he made his way to the highest peak near the harbor. Why was Barbatos here? Did the people of Mondstadt really revolt against their Archon? Even if that’s the case, it was way too fast. The loss of trust and love for a God does not happen overnight. The process was comparable to that of being poisoned. When dissatisfied with how their God is leading them, mortals start to plant doubt within their hearts and that doubt is what drives them to abandon their faith and kill their once beloved God.
Morax dreads that might be the case. That’s what happened with the God of Salt and to an extent, the old Mondstadt as well.
The Geo Archon prepared himself for the worst when he finally reached his destination. What he did not prepare for was for something bundled in cloth being thrown at him. Morax effortlessly caught it and upon unwrapping the package, he was even more confused.
“Here’s some wine from Mondstadt.” Spoke Barbatos as he got closer, his wings spread and the hood of his Archon clothes pulled down. He still looked the way he did when he bid them goodbye first and left Celestia. “Care for a taste?” There was a grin on his face reminiscent of the one he wore when he declared that he wouldn’t rule over Mondstadt.
“You… You came here just to deliver this?” He was at a loss for words. Asking someone to deliver it was one thing, coming over unannounced was another.
Though he said he was not going to rule over his nation, surely he has other duties to attend to, right? Now was not the time to leisurely walk, or in his case fly, on a different nation to hand their Archon a single bottle of wine.
“Yep!” Barbatos either didn’t notice the perplexed expression on Morax’s face or simply chose to ignore it. “It was hard sneaking it behind Gunnhildr but I managed somehow. Can you believe that she’s banning me from drinking wine for a month? She’s so mean!”
Ah, not only was he neglecting his duties as an Archon but he was also giving those who shouldered his responsibilities a hard time. Morax contemplated throwing him back to Mondstadt.
“Ooh! Is that Liyue Harbor?” Barbatos exclaimed as he flew past Morax. “It looks grand! I heard a lot of good things from the merchants who’ve traded there. They said something about big boats docking there everyday, it made me curious!”
The Geo Archon let out a drawn out sigh. From the looks of it, Barbatos was only here to play and unfortunately, he had no time for that. There was too much workload in his sleeve that he could just not abandon. Rather, if he wanted to invite Morax for a drink he should’ve sent a notice of sorts months prior so he could squeeze it in his busy schedule.
“Barbatos,” he started. “I am assuming that handing me this wine meant you’re inviting me for a drink? If so, I have to decline your offer. I have a lot of matters to attend to and I have no time to spare as of the moment. But if you’d be willing to wait for a couple of months, I would arrange for a day where we could sit down and drink.”
He was half expecting for Barbatos to pout or at least look disappointed, but instead the Anemo Archon smiled knowingly at him. “Say Morax,” he said. “When was the last time you took a break?”
Morax did not expect that question. He could only blink, and think before realization dawned on him that he could not remember the last time he rested. But does it really matter? He was the Geo Archon and rest does not mean much to someone like him.
“It’s been so long, huh?” Barbatos asked with that same knowing grin while Morax simply kept quiet. “It’s fine, isn’t it? Working hard is admirable and all, but taking a short rest would not hurt. Even those born of divinity grow weary if all they do is work.”
Morax couldn’t say anything not because he was at a loss for words but rather the words spoken by Barbatos were familiar. Someone told him the same thing before, didn’t they? He never thought he’d hear it again. No one in the current Liyue was bold enough to chastise the Geo for his ways in handling affairs. Somehow it was nostalgic in a very melancholic way.
“But if you really don’t want to humour me with this, then at least give me the permission to explore the harbor.” he added as he once again turned his attention to the said harbor. Unknown to Morax, this was one of the ways Barbatos tricked people to do his bidding.
So when the Geo Archon called out to him to wait, he bit his lip to stop the victorious smile that’s about to erupt on his face.
“Alright,” Morax sighed and hoped that he was not making a mistake here. “Just this once I will humor you. But next time do send someone to inform me of your visits so I can at least prepare.”
Laughing heartily, Barbatos says a “I’ll keep that in mind,” before grabbing the other’s hand and drags him to the direction of the harbor.
Barbatos never did send any notice whenever he came to visit. He would just miraculously appear almost everyday and ask Morax plenty of questions about Liyue. The God always seemed to have different inquiries and Morax was more than willing to answer all of them. Before he knew it Barbatos became a part of his routine and back then, he was not sure if that was a good thing.