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"Do you have some spare time…? There are some things I'd like to ask you, that maybe could help me figure myself out."
You hadn't intended to seem as ominous as you came out, but the dragon was nonetheless okay spending their time with you if the smile on her face was any indication, meeting you promptly at sunset on the balcony of Wangshu Inn. As a way of payment you spent the last hour in the kitchen with Smiley Yanxiao’s permission preparing a slight meal for the upcoming gathering. In hand you carried a platter up the winding staircase; a teapot with a set of cups, snacks, and Almond Tofu to appease the Yaksha for once again stealing their private space. Deep down you know he didn't mind, but accepted the offering of food regardless.
Xiao had only come down from his perch on the roof to grab his plate before retreating back when you arrived with the platter, observing quietly outside of the soft hums of enjoying his meal. Taking a seat on the opposite side of the table you poured yourself and your guest a cup of tea, placing the cup in front of her before getting comfortable. Aki let out a quiet thanks before grasping the cup to bring up to her lips, letting out a breathy sigh afterwards. You couldn’t hold back the small smile you had as she started to enjoy the beverage.
"So, what would you like to ask of me?" She began gently.
"Yes… I'd like to first know if you have an idea of my twins location…" You replied calmly, feeling yourself grow anxious. "Any information is helpful."
"That I cannot say for certain." She frowned, her finger tapping the cup gently. "Millions of souls have existed since the cataclysm, the day I felt your presence… both of you, I am not easily able to pinpoint their location in this current state."
"I-I see…" you choked slightly, your hands grasping the cup tightly.
"That said…" She trailed off, her eyes downcast to the liquid contents of the cup. "The celestial presence has always been there, I have constantly felt it since. Very faint, far away, but exists. Like at your fingertips and the tip of your tongue do they barely sit out of reach."
Your eyes lit up as gold stared into gold, unbeknownst to you a smile crossing your features despite the dewy look of your eyes. The dragon returned a smile to you, taking another sip of tea with a gentle hum.
"I get a feeling that they are on a journey of their own, whether it's finding you or following their heart. Your paths will cross eventually. None has ever soared with celestial wings outside of the Archon's, which makes me think they are still discovering a means of obtaining their power."
"Thank you…" You breathed with relief, pressing a hand over your heart. It felt like a weight had been lifted from your shoulders, that you had been holding your breath for so long.
Silence fell between you as you watched her grab a bun for herself, taking a small bite to only look at it questionably. A quiet chuckle escaped your lips as you followed suit to eat one for yourself. Gently nibbling on the silky bun you savored the flavors of stewed meat and vegetables that hit your tongue, the delicate flavor melding wonderfully with one another. It didn't take long for you to finish your portion, only noticing afterwards that your company was watching you with curiosity.
"Your next question?" She asked warmly.
"A-Ah yes." You began hesitantly with flushed cheeks as you reached for your bag, digging around momentarily before pulling out a piece of crystallized blood from one of the pouches.
A gasp was heard from across the table as you pressed the object to the center, bringing your eyes back up to the dragon. Her own were widened ever so slightly, brows raised and pupils dilated. This was the first time you had ever seen the facade of hers drop, she had always had a gentle yet stern mask.
"I can sense it, Dvalin?" She asked.
"How did you know?" You replied back, tilting your head slightly as strands of gold attempted to block your vision.
"He too was made of elemental energy, albeit weaker. To speak simply… we were created in the same way." She frowned at the corrupted item, crossing her arms over her chest. "It reeks of the Abyss... I cannot touch it in fear of my own corruption."
"Allow me…" You murmured as you grasp the object, feeling the foreign hidden powers within you channel into the object. With a soft warm glow the corruption slowly disappeared, leaving just a crystal clear fragment.
Aki gasped loudly as her hands came down on the table, words caught in her throat as she observed closely. "How…"
"I am not sure, but I can interact with anything corrupted without fear… and cleanse it." You sighed as you placed the object down. A part of you wanted to mention the corruption of the blade that Albedo had given you, of Durin and the remains in Dragonspine. Unsure of the confidentiality on the matter you instead pressed your lips into a thin line.
"Nothing in the thousands of years have I seen such magic…" Aki coughed slightly as she sat back in her seat, tilting her head up to look through the leaves of the tree. A toothy grin spread across her features as a chuckle left her lips. "Fascinating!"
With widened eyes you turned your attention back to her; you saw a mischievous glint in her eyes before it flickered away, her attention fully returning to her cup to sip from. Whatever they were feeling… thinking… they stored it away and switched moods.
"If your question is about how you got that power, I can't answer it… I simply do not know the answer. However it is obviously not of Teyvat, but rather the power I feel from envoys of Celestia… Didn't think you had divine powers such as that, traveler." She waved her hand casually before reaching down for another bun.
"Do you think…? All I have ever known was traveling worlds with my twin." You frowned slightly, never once having stepped foot in Celestia you didn't feel more divine than an Archon. Although you knew you are not the mortal that everyone claims to believe, you definitely felt closer to that than a god.
"It is my guess, rather my gut feeling. Something that can cleanse the taint that is the Abyss could only point towards that, otherwise they wouldn't have been a problem for hundreds of years." She merely shrugged, taking a large bite out of her food and letting out a happy sigh at the flavor. “Mind if I go into some story telling? I promise it’ll be short.”
“Go ahead.” You nodded.
“After the Archon War, the world experienced another tragic event as the kingdom of Khaenri'ah fell. It was a cataclysm where monsters, demons and shadowy apparitions plagued the land. However it was never contained in that kingdom, no… it continued onward to the rest of Teyvat. The destruction that it brought was unimaginable as I saw it with my own two eyes… and on that day, I had chanced upon seeing you both soar across the sky.” She spoke softly as if she was reminiscing, her golden eyes glimmering ever so slightly.
Although your memory was foggy during that period of time, you vaguely remembered a world in chaos that you chanced in seeing before attempting to depart.
“I thought that it was a sign of things to come, such as when the envoys first graced Teyvat after the first cataclysm. At that time, we let them do what they needed to restore the world… and so I returned back to my island thinking the same thing. I suppose I’m not entirely wrong considering that the events during such time did not last long and the world recovered. And… not to mention, you did save Mondstat and Liyue.”
“You’re too kind.” You chuckled slightly.
“I speak only with sincerity.” She smiled. “Where I am getting at with this is that you and your twin must be extraordinary considering the events that I witnessed and heard of. So it does not surprise me that you also happen to have… extraordinary powers. I know that you two will meet again.”
“I… really appreciate the kind words... It means a lot.”
“Anytime.”