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"Alright, we're here." Lumine announced, stopping the car's engine and pulling out the keys after carefully parking it. Aether, sitting at the front seat, plugged out his earphones and took a sneak over the car's window. "Well, it's not so different with our old house in Mondstadt I guess." He commented before finally getting off.
"Yeah right." His twin answered, now assisting their grandmother out of the car. "Ah, it's been a really long time since I was back here" their grandmother shared, a smile in her face. "And look, the house still look the same from 40 years ago when I left to Mondstadt."
"This is from your mother right, granny?" Lumine asked, the three of them now staring at the perfectly preserved Liyuean house. "It was, which was also passed down from her parents."
"So like, this house has been around for centuries now?" Aether chided.
"One of the oldest buildings that still in Liyue, indeed." Lumine added with a scoff.
"Hey, ever wonder how much it would cost if we sell it?" Aether whispered to his sister which earned him a frown. "It's part of our family's legacy, you idiot." she hissed, leaving her brother to assist their grandmother inside the house.
"I was joking, jeez." Turning around, he went to open the car's trunk, lifting a box filled with his other things that he plans on adding in their new home since most of their furnitures and things from their old house in Mondstadt arrived and was settled a day earlier than them. Aether was about to close the trunk when he suddenly felt chills creeping up his spine. He jolted and almost dropped his box.
That wasn't the first time, but that kind of feeling, it was something he last felt almost a decade ago.
He reached out for his earring hanging on his left ear, rubbing small circles in attempt to calm his nerve like he always do and surveyed his surroundings. Nothing much can be seen other than houses in few distances apart from each other.
"Hey princess, who are you waiting for?" Lumine yelled from the other side of the gate which immediately caught his attention. He closed the car's trunk, carrying his box as he ushered his steps towards his sister. "I'm having creeps." he whispered, almost intentionally not wanting to tell his twin.
"What?"
"Nothing!" he lied, entering the house while leaving his sister outside to close the gate.
Unbeknownst to them, a shadow looms not far away from them, waiting.
Aether caught his grandmother sticking a familiar paper near their window. He looked around and noticed similar papers are already placed, mostly near openings like windows and doors again
It's a protection talisman, that's what she said. To drive off evil spirits and such.
"Is it just me or granny put more talisman here than the one in Mondstadt?" Aether phrased as soon as he heared his sister entering the house. "Surprise, there's more of that scattered on the fences outside. So much for driving away demons." His sister jested.
"Yet still, a devil is standing next to me — OW!"
Aether yelped in pain after receiving a strong kick on his knee. His whine soon turned into a small cackle knowing he successfully annoyed his sister again.
"Settle now children. I don't want the two of you breaking anything the first day here because of your little fights." Their grandmother interjected. "And hurry up with your things, Aether. Help me on making the food for tonight."
"Wait, grandma. I can't, my friends planned a quick tour for me today around Liyue, remember. I told you that beforehand. Besides, I bet there's not a lot of food in in the storage anyway." He said.
"Oh fine, alright." Aether slightly beamed in that response.
"How about you sis? Wanna come?" He offered to his sister. "No thanks, Aeth. I think I need to take a nap."
"'Kay, I'll bring food then." Aether went on to his room which was easy to find. His bed, wardrobe and table are all in there, save for his other things that he insists to be left alone in boxes. He piles the box into the others after carefully checking it's content. Once he's done, he snatch his phone from his pocket and realized he received a message from his friends that they are already in their way to fetch him for their quick tour. He beamed and then decided to respond a short reply. He slipped his phone back into his pockets when he caught from his peripherals another talisman sticked above his window.
His eyebrows furrowed, a slight annoyance in his face. Before he realizes it, he pulled a chair and brought it with him towards the window. He climbed upon and reached out for the paper and without any hesitation, he swiftly removed it.
He climbed down and sat, bringing the paper closer to his face to inspect it. From it's yellowish color, it can be derived that it's old, probably more than a decade, he thought. Although it can also be an artificial color, who knows where his grandma gets this stuff.
The words inscribed to it are written in Liyuean, Old Liyuean. He may not be very versed with the language but he can tell what's written are characters used in the past liyue although you can find some similarities with the present one.
Staring more at it, he reminisced his memories back on Mondstadt.
His life was not so normal like one would expect. Their parents died before they first opened their eyes into the world. It was their grandmother and uncle who took the role as their guardian.
And unlike his sister, Aether was said to be born with a weak body. He remembered his grandmother once told him that he almost doesn't have a heartbeat when he came out of his mother's womb. In some cases surrounding his early childhood, he would cough heavily and had a hard time breathing until his legs would go weak that he can no longer stand on them. He was bedridden for a time, plague by fevers in varying levels.
And because of his health, he was enclosed inside the premises of their home and was only allowed to play on their courtyard surrounded by a wall. And while Lumine attended a normal school, he had no choice but to be home schooled instead. The friends he only have that time are Lumine's who would visit at times to hang out or do school projects.
He lived 17 years of his life in that way. And its impossible to not feel jealous of his twin, although it never turned into anger even in the slightest. Not even towards his legal guardians.
It was for his own good. His grandmother told him. And he believed it.
Although he jest, that all his anger for being sheltered went towards those pesky talisman sticked around their house. He and his twin describes their grandmother as a very superstitious one, quite opposite to their uncle. So she have those rectangular papers placed in almost every corner of the room. And to qoute her, it was to protect them from evil spirits.
The twins doesn't believed her but they let her be and just went with it. And Aether was proud he was able to hold back his annoyance on those talismans.
He admits being so intimadated and like sufforcated by looking at it when he was young. But never attempted to removed any of them until now.
"I got nothing to lose anyway if I take one out."
Aether broke from his trance when he heard a car beeping outside. It should be Xingqui's car. He crumpled the yellowed paper in his hand and tossed it to his trash can. He grabbed what he needed before exiting his room.
"Gotta go now, bye gramps!" he bid them a quick farewell, immediately going out of their house.
"Don't stay late, young man." His grandmother demanded.
"Will do!" Aether shouted back, head peeking out his friend's car window. The car soon trailed off until it was out of her eyeshot.
The old lady was about to close the door of their house when suddenly a strong cold wind blew. Her eyes widened and she froze from where she is standing.
He found them, that fast.
Lumine walked in just in time to see her grandma frozen still, looking a little pale. A worried expression immediately washed over her face.
"Grandma, is everything okay?" She hurried to her side, placing her hands on the elderly's arms for support.
It took seconds for the old lady to open her mouth and look at her granddaughter. "Ready the tea set, we have a guest coming." Is all that she said.
Lumine furrowed her brows with that statement. "Like today? Who would it be?" She raised her head to look outside of their house.
Lumine got no answers from her grandmother as she just walked through past her, leaving her confused.
-----
"Here we are!" Hu Tao chimed with full of enthusiasm. "Aether, I officially welcome you to Chihu Rock's pride and joy, the Wanmin Restaurant." she declared, even adding a bow with hand gestures. In front of them now is a humble Liyuean restaurant owned by one of his family's friend, Wanmin Restaurant.
"Wow, it's so much better seeing it personally now than looking at pictures." he excitedly commented.
"It's definitely a modest one compared to the renowned Xinyue Kiosk and Yuihei Pavilion, but trust me my liege, the food here is so much better." Xingqui on his side, added.
"We've told that to him many times already." Chongyun on his other side, butted in. Aether only left out a chuckle. Well, it is really true that they already told him about this place so many times way back when they met online and by coincidence became classmates when the three of them attended to his school as exchange students.
Suddenly the door of the restaurant opened then came out another girl with a bob cut hair. Her faced lightened up on joy upon seeing the four of them.
"Oh my gosh! AETHER YOU'RE REALLY HERE!" she squealed, instantly giving him a hug in which Aether also happily hugged back. "I was really excited to finally have you here. I even finished my cooking research on Sumeru earlier than planned to make sure I'd be here."
"Aww, I feel very welcomed, my heart's gonna burst." Aether gestured like he was having an heart attack which they all laughed. Xiangling is another friend of his from Liyue. Unlike Xingqui, Chongyun and Hu Tao whom he met online and became his classmates, he met Xiangling during a cooking competition on Mondstadt and it was the three who introduced him to her. And in the very same day, Aether out of nowhere became an assistant chef to the Liyuean gal and even won the championship.
They instantly became friends, being so much comfortable with each other and started to keep in touch even after Xiangling already left Mondstadt. Xiangling also travels a lot in different nations to add to her cooking skills, hence Aether and her can't met physically as much as the others. Recently she'd been to Sumeru to learn about their spices, only coming back to Liyue as she insist to personally welcome him to her motherland. "Well, what are we waiting for? The food won't come floating towards us outside the restaurant." they all giggled with Aether's remarks and proceeded to enter the establishment. Aether never felt so excited to eat a dish similar to the moment he stepped inside. Xiangling swore she heard four stomachs grumbled which made her giddy inside. The anticipation is over the roof despite the three has already been to the establishment many times before. They went to their reserved table since the restaurant is always packed with people. Courtesy of the descendant of the prominent family of Guhua's and the future owner of the restaurant itself, Aether, Hu Tao and Chongyun did not need to spend a single mora or even look up the menu as several plates of different dishes are now being placed to their table. Aether spent a good amount of seconds to thank whoever god there is that blessed him to be one of the luckiest person in the world. And together they shared the most delicious food they have ever ate in their entire life. And although they planned to visit other places in Liyue Harbor today, Aether doesn't mind spending the rest of the day feasting and praising the food. ------ Aether has no idea what hour nor how many plates and bowls of food they have already eaten. He can't remember clearly as the food would always tempt him to want and eat more. He swears he haven't eaten this huge before. But there they are, relishing and enjoying the dessert. "How I wish your family would build other branches of your restaurant. This should be in the SteamBird! The whole Teyvat deserves to know you guys are serving food fitted for a God's banquet." Aether commented before munching to his dessert. Xiangling only giggled. "Speaking of Gods, I heard that the annual festival of celebrating Rex Lapis' Rite of Descension as well as The Rite of Parting will be celebrated consecutively with the Lantern Rite next year." Xingqui shared catching everyone's attention. "Oh, why so?" Hu Tao inquired. The blunnett only shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows, they planned it to be a month long celebration. It's still early September and the celebration will be on February next year but the workload and preparations for it are now starting to pile up." "What's that all about? I'm only familiar with the Lantern Rite." Aether finally butted in. "The Lantern Rite as you already know is a festival celebration where we would release Xiao and Mingxiao lanterns into the night skies. The Rite of Descension and Parting however are two different events reserved to commemorate Rex Lapis' descension on Liyue to grant knowledge and protection around a millennium ago and to solemnize his death, respectively." Chongyun answered."They are months apart from each other but the religious sector of the Qixing agreed to celebrate it all together in a month." "Wouldn't that mean Liyue would be packed with people all around teyvat? All month long?!" Hu Tao exclaimed. "That's for sure, many merchants, performers and tourist would flock and take advantage of the huge event." "Which only means, the amount of workload would surpass celestia again." Xingqui's cries and groans echoed around their table. "Is this Rex Lapis you guys are talking about the foremost god that Liyuean people worships?" the blonde asked again. "He is! Although there are several gods and deities aside from Rex Lapis, he stands above all of them. Liyue is Liyue because of him. Records tells Liyue would have been ingulfed in sea water if it's not because of him. He also saved Liyue many times from different catastrophes and blessed it with rich minerals and other resources." "By catastrophes, you mean...?" "The famous ones, the sea serpents Osial and Beisht, the earth dragon Azhdaha and the demon that wiped out the entire village in wuwang hill in a single night, that place is literally engulfed in a fog until now and is famous for several ghost sightings." "A demon that wiped out a whole village?..." "Ae, aren't your grandmother a Liyuean? Didn't she tell you anything about it?" "Hmm, not really. Now that you've mentioned, it's a true wonder she never told me anything about him even though she's practically over superstitious. Not even the god, Barbatos, in Mondstadt." "Superstitious as how?" "Superstitious as like his grandmother and uncle ended up sheltering him from the world. With protection talisman all over their place to protect him from evil spirits that they believed is causing his weak constitution." Xingqui joked, motioning his hands in the air. They lightly laughed. "Now that's really weird." "Maybe it's because of my uncle? I remember him technically being like an atheist or some sorts. He doesn't believe or would want to relay on supernatural beings." Aether shrugged his shoulders. "And yet he agreed with your grandmother." "Your family is weird." "Can't disagree with that." Suddenly, Aether felt his phone vibrate from his pocket. He took it out and a text message from his twin flashed through the screen. "Granny reminds you to not stay late." "Also, she said there will be guest. I think you should be here." Ah, just in time. They already finished all their food and probably tried all the dishes in the menu (although Chongyun refused to eat the ones with jueyun chilis and it's a miracle that Xingqui, Hu Tao and Xiangling didn't set up a prank on him by tricking him into eating those). "Ah, I would've loved to stay a little longer like taking a stroll around the harbor but I needed to go home now." "Oh sure, that's alright. Wait, I'll packed you some foods, bring it to them. It's still on the house. "No, I'll pay for it, we literally had a feast just now, free of charge." "My liege, there's nothing to worry about that now. I've already paid it in full." "Plus, I insist too." He glanced towards Hu Tao and Chongyun who gave him a thumbs up and a face that would say "just take it man". Aether smiled. "Well, don't blame me if get used on you two treating and pampering me." They heartily laughed. "Rest assured that we won't." Xiangling went inside the kitchen for a while. Not to long, she came back with a food bag with some of the dishes that they ate. After that, Aether finally bids farewell to Xiangling and Hu Tao. Hu Tao and Xiangling would love to accompany Aether back to Qingce Village but there's still a lot of customers especially now that dinner is approaching. Hu Tao on the other hand, is also suddenly called to their family's business office. Aether now rode into Xingqui's car with him in the back seat and Chongyun on the shotgun seat. Aether waves his hands to his friends until they disappeared from his sight. A smile across his face as he heaved a sigh and slumped in his seat, looking outside the car's window, eyeing the bright and lively Liyue Harbor slowly being swallowed with orange tint that the dusk brings. The car stopped as the traffic light gleamed red. Aether leaned his head in the glass window when he suddenly noticed a man across the street, in old liyue robes and umbrella. Chills ran down his spines, he felt weird. The suspicious man was about to raise his umbrella but Aether was quick to avert his gaze away. It was as if he knew he was looking at him. Fortunately for him, the traffic light finally turned green and car started to move again. In the distance, thunder roared in the darkening skies.
Lumine looked over their window, seemingly waiting for someone. Either his brother or this mysterious guest her grandmother is talking about. "Any replies from Aether?" Granny Rouxin called her attention. "He texted back, he said they're on their way back, with a take out food."
She only heard her grandmother hummed. She sat down on their sofa and wrapped herself with her coat. Lumine can still see the nervous expression on the elderly's face. She's been like that when she mentioned about this guest.
She slumped her head a rested it in her palms. "Granny, are you sure the guest will still come? It's dark now and raining heavily, maybe they—"
"He will come. He won't waste a time." her grandmother cut her off, surprised by it, her worry now starting to grow. She had a bad feeling. And she's rarely wrong.
She opted to open her phone to message her girlfriend, Ayaka, to soothe her worries when a loud thunder echoed in the whole village and both women jolted from their seats. She dropped her phone in shock and was about to picked it up when the lights of their living room suddenly flickered. She gulped.
Adding to their anxiety, the doorbell suddenly rang. Lumine peered over the window but didn't see Xingqui's car. It's not Aether.
Instead, what she can see was only an umbrella, shielding the person on it from the merciless rain. She inhaled deeply.
"I guess this is the guest you are expecting, grandma?" She asked. Granny Rouxin gave her a shaky nod.
Lumine opened the main door of their house, popping her umbrella before making her way towards the gate.
She carefully opened it. And as it swung open, a tall man is what welcomed her sight. He was wearing a simple brown polo ,and black vest and pants. He has dark brown hair with amber highlight on its tips, his rattail hair flowing behind him. And a face of a dignified man, his gold amber eyes with slightly slitted pupils met hers. She hitched a breath.
This man...
This aura...
Felt like not a human at all!
The blonde was taken by so much surprised that she failed to noticed the almost identical expression as her is painted across the face of the man looming her.
His lips slightly parted as if he wanted to say something. But he chose to shut it close, squeezing the umbrella's handle instead.
"Y-you must be the one my grandmother is expecting. T-thank you for coming, please do come in." Lumine finally breaking off from her shock spoke and given a way to him.
He gestured a slight bow and entered. Lumine proceeded to lead him towards the main door. As they walked, the man surveyed the surroundings.
"Talismans"
Lumine opened the door as both of them shut their umbrellas off. He finally stepped inside the house and upon doing so, he observed more talismans are placed inside.
He then placed his attention to the elderly woman infront of him.
"Welcome, My—"
"Zhongli." He said firmly, the grandmother gave him a look of confusion.
"I go by Zhongli. Call me by this name." He repeated, the old woman dare not to question.
"Welcome, Mr. Zhongli. This is my granddaughter, Lumine," the young woman made a slight bow, "And thank you for coming, please come this way, we've prepared a tea."
Zhongli was silent. Instead his eyes landed on a picture frame placed on top of a drawer. He narrowed his eyes and walked closer, inspecting the picture.
With shaking hands, he slowly reached out to it and brought it closer to him.
His golden eyes similar to the colors of a cor lapis, focused on a single face.
He will never forget this face. The time might have affected and changed a part of his appearance, but the face, the face and soul remains the same.
He looked over the girl standing behind her grandmother.
Those faces...
The faces of whom he failed to protect.
Zhongli was so engrossed with reminiscing a memory that he failed to noticed the beeping of a car and the unlocking and closing of the gate.
And that is why, it completely took him aback when the main door suddenly opened, revealing a person with a similar face to the girl who welcomed her at the gate. But this person...this person reminds him and carries the image...of the very same person he failed the most. All despite his capabilities.
"I'm home! And I brought some din...ner." a second pause at the end of Aether's sentence when he locked eyes with the tall stranger.
And within that, a mixed of emotions reflected upon the guest's face. And what surprises Aether more is why, despite not knowing the man, he felt a tinge of familiarity and sadness somehow.
"Aether." the blonde young man woke up from his little trance when he heard his grandmother called him.
"This is Zhongli, our guest. Zhongli, this is my grandson, Aether."
"Erm, n-nice to meet you, sir." Aether bowed his head as sign of courtesy.
Zhongli tried hard to compose himself and reciprocate the greeting.
Following that meeting, they proceeded to the tea room. The twins settled infront of the guest across the table while their grandmother was at the head.
It was Aether who took the initiative to pour everyone tea, although he slightly thinks this is not the appropriate time to drink tea but who is he to say anyway.
Zhongli thanked him and picked up his cup. He inhaled the aroma of it before taking a sip then placing it back on the saucer. All the while, the other three persons at the table are feeling not so comfortable and is holding their breath. Zhongli sensed this and cleared his throat.
"The circumstances at hand has become more unexpected than I thought," he started. "Although, I completely understand your actions and decisions you've made so far, Madame Rouxin. For the past 19 years and to this day. It would've not be easy for me too if I were in your place." Zhongli looked at Granny Rouxin with a soft expression. While the latter, had her head looked down, holding down a pained expression to paint across her face as to not worry her beloved grandchildren. "I am ever grateful for your kindness, Mr. Zhongli." she replied.
This planted the seed of confusion for the twins which even fueled their anxiety. But they stayed silent and continued to listen, their hands on top of each other to provide comfort under the table.
"Have you explained it to them already?" the brunnet asked again.
"No, I haven't. Atleast, not completely. I doubt they believed me. And I don't have the strength to." Rouxin's voice almost wavered. "I'll be leaving everything to you, Sir."
Zhongli heaved a sigh. "Very well, you can now hand them to us, we will take care of—"
"Wai-wai-wait, what do you mean "hand them to us"?!" Aether interjected in surprise, standing up from his seat
"Granny, what's happening?" Lumine questioned her grandmother.
"Honey, it's alright, everythings fine. Aether please calm down, dear." the old woman tried to soothe them.
"Then atleast tell us what's going on." Aether doesn't understand. Both the situation and what the hell is he feeling. He felt even more anxious than moments ago, he can feel his body trembling...trembling from fear,
extreme fear.
Like a prey cornered by a predator. Fearing for its life.
His breaths suddenly went ragged, beads of sweat forming above his forehead.
Zhongli immediately noticed the sudden change. He slowly stood up from his seat, motioning his hands in an act to soothe the anxious boy.
"Please calm down, Aether." he spoke softly as to not alert him further. "You need not fear, I'm only trying to help—"
"Lies."
A whisper.
"He's not trying to help you."
Another one.
"Run, Aether."
Why?
"He's going to KILL you."
"Are you...going to kill me?"
Silence.
Everyone's eyes widened from what Aether spoke. They froze, not until Zhongli was able to let out a few words after being taken by a total surprise.
"You can hear him?"
Suddenly, a shadow engulfed them in a matter of miliseconds before a striking gold light followed it. Then there was a blast, an energy explosion. Aether felt his body getting thrown by it and hitting his back onto a hard structure before totally blacking out.