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''If you'll indulge me, I'm quite curious as to what made you say yes.'' Morax's deep, soulful timbre roused Barbatos from his slightly buzzed stupor. He collected his thoughts for a moment.
Why did he say yes?
In the farthest reaches of his mind, Venti began to search for a meaningful answer to give his old friend.
Old names and faces surfaced, and the pain of the past dredged up. The smile of an old companion, kind and gentle; a soul who was brave, bold and without a shred of selfishness. A boy who had yet to reach his prime and had never once seen the true sky. He was reckless and desperate, often spending his days at the barrier created by the vicious storms conjured by their tyrant. The young Bard would sit beside the raging winds and play a tune, occasionally stopping to prod at the tempest with a stick. This, of course, would only result in said stick being violently tossed about in the cutting gales and lost to the winds. The boy would sigh, eyes full of pain. It was his music that first enticed Venti to approach him. His mournful, lonesome melody called out to the little wind spirit, resonating with him.
''Oh! Hello. I've seen some interesting creatures by the barrier, but never anything like you.'' He had said, voice soft as if he was scared to frighten the little spirit. Venti simply perched upon his shoulder, transfixed by the Lyre he held. ''What, this? A music lover, are you? Then allow me to play a tune or two.''
Charmed by his rhymes, the spirit stayed by his side. Days bled into months.
''Barbatos...I wish more than anything to not be trapped. Freedom....it's a gift. Don't take it for granted.'' The bard had said while he was along the walls one morning, the spirit perched comfortably on his shoulder.
Venti didn't. Not even when the fires of revolution came and his young bard was lost in the chaos of war. He remembered his words even as he ascended and received his godly abilities. Barbatos took on the face of his friend, so that he might always know freedom.
Mondstadt changed, the world changed. Venti came to learn more and more about freedom, and those who longed for it.
Yet...he began to wonder if he demanded his citizens live freely....was he any better then the God of Storms who came before him? Fear seized his heart at the thought. So it was that he desired to live with his people as an ordinary citizen, helping only when necessary. He loved his city...Barbatos loved his people. He would do anything to protect them, even if it meant standing aside. Of course, there were times when such an approach simply wouldn't do. Then, he acted with all haste before gracefully stepping aside to let Mondstadt's people shine. They were resilient...fierce as the very winds that had made him. A God, he may be. But he was simply there to help should they need him...never to rule. They were their own people; and a people he couldn't be more proud of. Although, Venti knew what people outside Mondstadt thought of Barbatos. Absent. Negligent. Mondstadt, the Godless City. Even his fellow Archons would say the same. But he knew better. This was the dream he had for his people; to live freely. Freedom was more then doing whatever you wanted whenever convenient, and it oftentimes didn't come for free. He couldn't expect the other Archons to understand his way of thinking...after all, how would he begin to explain just how much his first friend's resilience and desperation had left an imprint on his soul? They would never fully understand him, and he accepted this a long time ago.
At least, that was what he told himself. Venti spent many sleepless nights wondering if his course of action was right. He agonized over it for years....until he met another friendly face.
Aether was unusual and curious. Venti found him fascinating. Truly, there were no limits to his kindness...much like an old friend. He was a traveler; something the wind God had always been enamored by. Sometimes, the blonde was just too smart for his own good. He could guess things about Venti that he had long kept hidden. Within Aether, he was surprised to find another kindred soul...that was why it was so hard to see him leave for other nations. The loneliness that set in upon his absence was unbearable. Traveling with Aether for even a moment had been the most fun he'd had in ages. During those little adventures, Venti didn't feel like Barbatos anymore. He was just...Venti. A simple bard with an unusual power, who had many friends and loved to travel. What greater freedom was there?
And that was it. Venti stared down at the wine in his glass for a moment longer before setting it aside and glancing up at Morax. Now Zhongli, living as a mortal.
''I love my city, but it doesn't need me anymore. Mondstadt's problems will be their problems, unless something catastrophic happens. I don't want to rule or govern them...that goes against everything that I am. Everything I promised I would be. I said yes, because...'' Venti glances down at the table, eyes touchingly fond.
He remembers that day so clearly. It was bright and beautiful, the breeze light and carrying the scent of Cecilias to him. Venti had been laying under the tree at Windrise, caught up in his thoughts.
''Venti! There you are.'' Aether's voice made him sit up quickly, glancing around. The Traveler was out of breath, bending forward to get air in his lungs.
''Ah, if it isn't my dearest friend. Tell me, have you yet reached journey's end?'' Venti beamed, aqua eyes carrying just a tiny sparkle of mischief.
''No..! Not at all. I visited Liyue, as you said. I know I saw you during the Windblume Festival, and I tried to, I...I wanted to talk to you, then. But things were so busy...''
''What's gotten you all tongue tied, warrior? And where is that floating child, anyway?'' Venti peered around for Paimon suspiciously.
''I sent her off to fetch some apples.''
''Using that old trick? I'm flattered you remember.'' The bard rose to his feet with a smile.
''Venti, I know you're the God of Mondstadt. You have responsibilities here, and people to look after,'' Barbatos was moved into silence, his eyes transfixed upon the traveler before him, ''so, you don't have to answer this right away. If you aren't comfortable, you don't have to answer at all. I...I was wondering if you'd want to come with me. I'll be leaving for Inazuma soon, and I...well, I wanted you to be there, too.''
The question was simple. But it rocked the other man to his core. Venti almost had to sit back down, shock swelling in his chest.
''Me? You want... me to come with you?''
''Yes! You're...well, important to me. And I haven't forgotten our last talk about freedom, and your friend from Old Mondstadt.''
''Yes,'' It was whispered upon the winds, the answer written in Venti's heart, ''take me with you.''
Aether's surprise was apparent within seconds, and then a bright smile spread across his face and Venti found heat rising to his cheeks. That was such an impulsive answer...and he knew it. But...it was worth it to see such joy on Aether's face.
In the present, Venti was smiling just as bright as he looked up at Morax, ''I said yes because this is my freedom. Someone I love once longed to see the world....it's been a dream of mine ever since. Now, wherever I go, he can see the world through my eyes.''
There were a few beats of silence, and then Morax returned his smile.
''I see. As young as you still are, you have grown much. Take the rest you so desire. See the world, and experience it alongside him.''
''I know it's probably a selfish thing to do, as an Archon. But I don't want to live my life in a cage. Of course, should they need me, I will return to them with all the force of The Thousand Winds. Mondstadt will always be my home, and its people precious to me...if their futures are in danger, I will come home. But I want this... ''
''When your duties are fulfilled, retirement is more than acceptable. If your city is capable without you...then I believe there is no point in shouldering such a burden anymore.''
''I know you're right. I think I'll always worry. But when he asked me to come with him...'' Venti's eyes swam with tears of joy, ''well...it reminded me of someone else I stayed with. I haven't been so happy in a long time. Thank you for understanding.''
''No one understands more than I. Once I knew my people could stand on their own two feet without me, I came to walk beside them, as well. All of that power...all of the loss and pain. It's too much for any soul to bear. It erodes one like no other. Aether does have a certain way about him, doesn't he? To ease that suffering. I can see how it lifts the weight upon your wings, so to speak. So, Barbatos...if this is to be our last time together as we are, shall we have one more drink?''
''I thought you'd never ask! Oh, and by the way,'' the playful God drained the remnants of his last drink before offering him the glass to fill, ''It's Venti now.''
''Venti. Then, if you don't mind calling me, 'Zhongli'?''
''Zhongli...a nice name.'' Venti smiles before taking his last full glass and savoring each drop. The two old Gods carried away for hours until finally, Venti returned to Aether, his mind finally at ease before a new era of his life would begin.