Chapter Text

My first story is about childhood friends... However, childhood friends mean something different when you believe you're the sole survivor of a fallen nation.

This is the story of...

One...

One dream...

One moment...

The number one is such a momentous number. Do you know why? Allow me to tell you a story of one.

One human...

One... not so human...

One tale...

Ah... Yes. One tale. One that begins with tragedy.

~~~

One Year Until Tragedy

A little girl observed her surroundings, searching for guards that patrolled the palace grounds. Once deciding the path was clear, she moved the blonde strands of her hair over her shoulders. The open back of her dress revealed something unusual for a child to have, a tattoo of a pair of wings.

The wings peeled off her back, turning transparent and shimmering violet before flying up along one of the palace walls to one of the many windows. Of course, she could get into serious trouble for breaking into the royal grounds, but that didn't stop the child from continuously trespassing to visit him. The girl peeked through the window before lightly knocking.

After a moment, the drapes that kept the room sealed away opened, revealing a boy similar in age to the young girl. His mismatched eyes widened with joy at the sight of his friend.

"Elara!" The boy beamed at her.

"Come on, my prince. I'm getting tired. My wings aren't strong enough to fly for a long time yet." Elara whined.

The prince's cheeks heated at the nickname she always called him before climbing out the window. He handed her a rope he crafted out of bed sheets, and Elara flew to the palace's roof, tying the rope around one of the chimneys before returning to her prince. She stayed by his side to ensure he didn't fall.

As the children sat on the roof, the prince's hands gently caressed the girl's wings, admiring them in wonder. Sure he's seen fairies around Khaenri'ah before, but Elara was the only one he knew personally. Her wings were transparent, but they shimmered brighter than that of the most polished jewels. They were the exact color and shape of Electro Crystalfly wings. The same violet color as Elara's star-shaped irises... the sole indication that they were born in the nation without a god.

Fairies themselves were marvelous. Years ago, the species of fairies were created through mutation. A combination of human DNA and DNA of a Crystalfly by a researcher named Rhinedottir. Crystalflies were elemental particles that became so potent that they came to life. So due to having a mixed DNA with them, fairies shared the elemental power of their Crystalfly DNA. So for Elara, who inherited Electro Crystalfly wings, she could manipulate Electro.

Now, fairies such as Elara walked or flew through the streets of Khaenri'ah as natives to the nation without a god.

"They've gotten bigger." He stated.

"Well, of course they have. I'm still growing!" Elara laughed. "One day, Kae, they'll be big enough for me to carry both of us!"

"Both of us? You mean I can fly with you?!" Kae, or rather, Kaeya, excitedly asked.

"Yea! We can fly wherever we want!"

"Wherever...?" Kaeya thought to himself before looking at the tower that stood tallest in the middle of the kingdom. "You think we can see the sun?" He asked.

Elara looked at the same tower. At the top was a light source, similar to one in that of a parallel nation, which provided light to indicate it was daytime. When turned off, it told the citizens of Khaenri'ah it was night.

"I don't see why not." She smiled. "Do you think the sun is brighter than The Tower?"

"Maybe? From the books I've read, they say it's supposed to be warm and bright."

"Warm too?" Elara looked back at him, amazed.

"Yeah! I mean, at least that's what the books say."

"Well... We can fly there together one day and see for ourselves." She beamed at the boy, wings fluttering behind her to show her joy.

Kaeya smiled back at her. He was looking forward to it.

One Month Until Tragedy

"El... You know it was dangerous for you to come today. My father has invited a bunch of nobles, so there are more guards than normal...." Kaeya sighed.

The children sat on the roof as they usually did. However, this time, Elara beamed at him as she reached into the pocket of her dress to pull out a small box.

"I know, but... but I had to give you this today!"

The prince hesitantly took the box from his friend, gold and blue iris staring at her with confusion before looking down to open the gift.

"Happy birthday, my prince." She smiled gently at him.

Kaeya continued to stare at the gift in awe... It was an earring. The blue gem matched his hair and one of his eyes with a golden outline. Elara stared at him, excitement making up her features.

"El... It's amazing," He smiled at her before a question popped into his mind. "Wait, how did you afford this? You didn't... steal this, did you?"

"Hey!" She shoved his shoulder. "I'll have you know, your highness , that I've been saving up my pocket money so I could get you a present today." She crossed her arms with a huff, offended.

Kaeya's family was of royal blood; however, Elara was a little girl with no family name nor a family to her name. She survived in the streets of Khaenri'ah doing small delivery jobs from merchants. So the fact that she afforded it all on her own made it even more special to him... it also filled him with a slight sense of guilt.

"El... I love it. I wish you would save your money for yourself, though... You need to eat."

"I have enough for myself. Besides," She reached over and took the earring from the box. "I wanted to get something for my best friend on his birthday."

Elara leaned over to her friend and put in his earring for him, causing a red tint on the prince's face. Afterward, she leaned back and admired how her gift matched him so well. However, the elegance of the suit he wore made the smile fade from her face.

"I'm... sorry I couldn't afford anything nicer...."

"Don't say that. This is the best gift I've gotten today!" He beamed at her.

"I'm sure the nobles got you fancier things." Elara pouted.

"No," Kaeya rolled his eyes. "The nobles got me things they knew would please my father. Trust me... yours is my favorite." He smiled.

This time it was the girl's turn to have a tint of pink on her cheeks as she smiled brightly at him.

One Week Until Tragedy

"Kaeya meet, Lady Nevaeh."

The king introduced his son to a girl around the same age. Nevaeh curtsied before the prince while he hesitantly bowed back.

"Greetings, your highness." She smiled at him, her raven hair pulled back perfectly, allowing her features to shine beautifully.

"Greetings, Lady Nevaeh." He replied.

"We'll leave you to speak. Your Highness, may I have a word?" The nobleman spoke before leaving with Kaeya's father.

"So, Lady Nevaeh... What brings you and your father here today?" The prince asked, though he already knew the answer.

"My father says the king wants to see how we get along, your highness." She said innocently.

Kaeya was filled with annoyance, though it didn't show on his face. His father brought nobles over often. Bringing their daughters with them to see if they would 'get along'. His father often explained to Kaeya that he would have to choose a partner soon because he would take his place one day. However, Kaeya didn't understand why he had to choose a partner so soon. He was just a boy and didn't wish to be engaged to someone he barely knew at such a young age.

The king also told him that Kaeya should consider himself lucky that he is allowing him to choose his partner. If the queen didn't protest, he would've already had him set to be in an arranged marriage.

"I see." The prince finally responded.

The more time the young prince spent with the girl, the more he despised her. She spoke of the way she treated her servants. Just this morning, she had fired one of them for simply dropping her favorite stuffed animal in the dirt.

"It was awful, your highness. She honestly dared to say she could just wash it. Can you believe that?" Nevaeh giggled.

"Why is that so bad?" Kaeya asked genuinely, making the girl gasp.

"Prince Kaeya, Surely you understand it wasn't just about the dirt. It was disrespectful. My father says that people who disrespect us are but dirt beneath our shoes. The same with those hideous creations."

"Hideous creations?"

"Yes. Don't you know, your highness? The ones created by that alchemist. The Riftwolves, that dragon, and the fairies. My father says that he believes that they're going to bring havoc to Khaenri'ah."

Immediately, Kaeya was offended, and this time his distaste for the girl and her family's opinion showed on his face.

"Well, I think your father is wrong. And apologies for my rudeness, but if you share those same ideals as him, I think it's best we end our conversation here." The prince politely bowed before leaving Nevaeh to stand alone in the ballroom, staring at the prince's back in disbelief.

Kaeya ran to his room, locking it behind him. A knock on his window sweetened his once sour mood. He rushed to his window, pulling the drapes apart to see a pair of amethyst-colored eyes that waited patiently with a sense of eagerness. However, his smile disappeared when noticing the bruise on her cheek.

"What happened?" His hand quickly went to his friend's cheek, but she gently moved her face away.

"It's nothing really, don't worry." She smiled.

Yet, worry was all Kaeya could do as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the roof. But no matter how much he begged his friend to explain what happened, she wouldn't. She refused to tell him about how she struggled to find work due to the fear that fills people's eyes when they see her wings. Or the way people threw stones at her to drive her away. So instead, she switched the topic when she noticed he was wearing one of his nicer attires.

At this, Kaeya dramatically sighed before crossing his arm with a huff and explaining his day to her. Elara listened with amusement at how he dealt with snobby nobles. Finally, he ended his rant with a sigh.

"I don't understand why I have to marry a noble at all. They're all mean." He pouted.

"Because nobles are special people, your highness ." She dramatically faked a curtsy from her sitting position.

"Don't call me that," He lightly shoved her shoulder as she laughed. "And who says they're special? I think I'd rather just marry you when we grow up." He huffed once more; at this, the laughing stopped.

"You mean that?" Elara asked hopefully.

"Well, yeah," Kaeya blushed, realizing his words. "You're my best friend, and you're not mean."

"But I'm not a noble... I'm also a fairy."

"So what? You may not be a noble, but I think you're special! And so what if you're a fairy? I think your wings are really pretty!" He's to his feet in seconds, making the girl's eyes widen in surprise. "When I'm king, I can do whatever I want, right? So my first thing I'll do is marry you!" He declares to her.

Elara's wings fluttered in excitement before jumping to her feet, smiling brightly at her friend.

"Okay! When we grow up, we'll get married! And- And I'll be your queen!"

The girl's wings fluttered so quickly that she didn't even notice she started to float just above the ground.

"Does that mean I can call you my princess since you already call me your prince?" Kaeya laughed giddily.

"We're not married yet, silly." Elara's giggle made the prince's heart flutter just as fast as the girl's wings.

"Well, no, but my mother says that when you promise to marry someone, that means you're engaged... I think that's what she said, anyway... but that means we're engaged, then that means you're my princess! ... I think." He says that last part to himself.

"Okay then, my prince. I guess I'm your princess then!" Elara giggled before flying circles around him excitedly.

The sound of giggles from pure-hearted children... and the hope of an even more pure-hearted promise filled the rest of the night.

One Day Until Tragedy

People gathered in a crowd in the town square. Some were angry, while others seemed more worried. One thing the public had in common though, was they were all afraid.

"My people!" The king announced. "I understand your fears."

The king continued to address his people while the prince stood dutifully at his side. However, the boy's eyes scanned the crowd looking for his princess amongst the sea of people. Eventually, he caught sight of a familiar head of blonde hair, doing her best not to draw any attention to herself in the back.

When Kaeya's eyes met Elara's, she smiled meekly at him, but the king's voice caught both children's attention.

"Creations from Khaenri'ah have been released into the mainland, but I assure you there is nothing to be concerned with. These creations were made by our own Rhinedottir, and thus they are here to protect us. And the fairies walk among us as peaceful citizens."

The crowd seems to settle down... until one person yells.

"Protect us? That dragon wreaked havoc on the city of freedom! The Riftwolves have claws that can take us apart in one swoop! And how long until something happens with the fairies before they use their power against us?!"

The public began to nod their head as they all started getting worked up again. The royal guard readied their weapons as the crowd became more unruly by the second.

"Wait, aren't you a fairy?!" A woman screamed at a man in the crowd who wore a cape that covered his back.

"N-No, ma'am." He said nervously.

"Take off your cape then!" Another citizen yelled.

When he refused, someone came up from behind the man, seizing his cape from him, revealing the tattoo of a pair of wings on his bare back.

"H-He is! He's a fairy!" The woman screamed in fear.

The king attempted to get his people to calm themselves, but the public was deaf to their fear. It wasn't until people began to attack the fairy did a riot break out. Anyone wearing something that covered their back was accused of being a fairy.

Kaeya's eyes frantically searched the crowd until he finally spotted Elara, cowering in fear at how people surrounded her. Instead of accusing her, there were merchants around that admitted to hiring her in the past and confirmed that she was, in fact, a fairy.

The prince attempted to run in her direction, but he was grabbed by one of the royal guards.

"No, your highness!" The man shouted at him. "We must leave!" He said, throwing him over his shoulder and running away.

"No! She needs help! I have to help her!" The prince pounded on the knight's back, but it was to no avail.

Kaeya waited impatiently in his room, hugging his pillow to his chest as he stared at his window. He waited for the knock that would indicate she was okay, the knock from Elara. However, hours passed into the night, and the prince was only met with silence; eventually, his eyes fluttered shut.

A loud noise caused the prince's eyes to snap open. It sounded more like something hit his window than the gentle knock he had expected. 

"Kaeya, please open the window!" Elara's voice sounded strained.

After opening the drapes, he was taken aback by the way Elara barely stayed afloat in the air. Her wings almost gave out entirely until Kaeya's hands quickly grabbed hers, pulling her into his room with a loud thud.

The prince was horrified once he was able to look at her properly. Bruises marked random parts of her body, and blood dripped from her head... She was beaten and tired.

"El? Are you okay?" Kaeya asked, concern filling his voice.

Elara was about to respond before being cut off by the door flying open.

"Prince Kaeya, are you alright?! I heard a noise–" A maid rushed in.

The servant assigned to Kaeya immediately halted her voice. Her eyes locked onto the teary-eyed fairy that lay in pain on the floor of the prince's room. Kaeya's eyes widened before jumping in front of his friend to protect her.

"No, no, please! She's my friend! Please don't hurt her or tell anyone! She needs help!" Kaeya pleaded, tears filling his own eyes.

The woman quickly closed the door before rushing over to the prince, shushing his concerns.

"Shush, shush, shush. It's okay, your highness. I won't hurt her. I'll get some medicine for her and be right back, okay?"

Kaeya nodded hesitantly before she left.

He looked back at his friend, who cried on his floor, before speaking to her again.

"El, can you walk? You can lay on my bed instead of the floor."

Elara nodded weakly before clumsily trying to stand. The boy was at her side instantly, putting her arm around his neck, and helping her to his bed... her wings flattening into their tattoo form on her back.

Kaeya helped her lay down before the maid from before returned.

"Here, your highness. Allow me to clean her up."

Kaeya reluctantly moved out of the way, letting the woman sit next to Elara. The maid couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl... After all, she was just a girl. Despite people's fears, what would compel someone to hurt a child?

"You're... not afraid of me?" Elara said through sniffles.

"Of course not, dear... You're just a child." The woman said honestly.

"Is she going to be alright, Shina?" Kaeya asked the maid.

"Yes, she'll be alright. She just needs rest, your highness."

After Shina finished cleaning up the girl, she informed the prince he should let her stay for the night to rest. Due to Shina being the maid assigned to the young prince, she is the only one that checks in with him, even in the morning. So, it would be safe for her to stay in Kaeya's room without anyone knowing. The woman bid the children goodnight before leaving them alone.

Kaeya climbed into bed with his friend, covering her adequately with the blankets simultaneously. The children stared at each other through the dark for a moment before Elara spoke.

"Thank you for letting me stay, my prince." She smiled tiredly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help earlier... I saw you, but I couldn't reach you."

"It's okay, Kae... You have to protect yourself first. You're more important than I am."

"That's not true!" Kaeya whispered to her.

"Yes, it is, your highness. But that's okay."

"I... I won't let them hurt you again, princess."

That was the last thing Elara heard before drifting off to sleep... Her prince followed suit not long after.

One Minute Until Tragedy

Soft snores filled the prince's room. As two children peacefully slept, they were completely unaware of the dangers brewing just outside the city walls and the panic that spread through the royal guards as they hurriedly prepared the field tillers to fight. The royal guard knew they would need all the help they could get. After all... what were humans compared to gods?

A large explosion woke both children up from their sleep with a scream.

"Kae?! What was that?" Elara asked, panic filling her voice.

"I don't know!" Kaeya responded.

Silence fell over the room as they waited for any other sounds. Sure enough, after a few moments, several more explosions could be heard shaking the castle.

Kaeya hopped out of bed, drew the drapes, and was horrified at the red hue that instantly filled the room. Khaenri'ah was set ablaze, and the ground shook as large red and black blocks flew toward the city. Elara joined her prince's side, mouth agape at the sight.

Suddenly, the door burst open, making the children turn to see a panicked Shina.

"Your highness! Please step away from the window!" Shina ran toward the window and closed the drapes before handing Elara a cloak.

"Here. Put this on. We need to leave, but we can't have anyone seeing your tattoos."

"Where are we going?" Elara asked as she draped the cloak around her shoulders.

"We need to get Kaeya to his father, who's in a safe room." She told them both as they ran for the exit. "Then you and I will have to find somewhere safe to hide."

At this, Kaeya skidded to a halt.

"What? No! I want Elara to stay with me. You both can stay with my family and me in the safe room!"

"Your highness..."

"Kae," Elara cut off Shina's words as she grasped her friend's shoulders with both hands. "We... I can't go with you. Remember what I said. Your family is more important than me."

"No!" Tears flooded Kaeya's eyes. "No! I won't go without you! You're just important as I am! Please..." Please don't leave me alone. He wanted to say.

"It'll be okay, my prince."

Despite the fear that filled the girl's heart, she still reassured Kaeya. Eventually, she was able to get him to move from his spot.

However, tears continued to blur his mismatched eyes as the three ran through the palace together, Dodging and weaving as the castle crumbled to pieces. Then, suddenly, another explosion sent the three flying, the ceiling crumbling in on them.

Kaeya coughed as the dust around them settled. He was lucky enough not to get buried... However, panic filled him as he looked around for the other two and failed to see Shina or the familiar blonde head of hair he was so fond of.

He frantically searched the rubble, shouting both their names. Finally, he moved a stone and screamed, falling back. A hand lay in a pool of blood underneath a large boulder. It was Shina. He was sure of it.

Willing himself to get up, he continued to scream Elara's name as he looked for his friend... but as his throat began to raw, he began to lose hope until a hand grasped his ankle.

When he looked down, he saw the small hand of Elara reaching through a hole in the rubble. Dropping to his stomach, the prince peered through the hole to see Elara coughing in the dust.

"El! Are you okay?!"

"I... I think so." She coughed.

"Hang on! I'll get you out of there!"

Kaeya moved as many of the rocks as he could before reaching for her hand again. She grunted in pain as he attempted to pull her from the rubble.

Another explosion froze Kaeya in his tracks. This one came from within the castle. He returned to trying to pull his friend from the rubble as people ran in all directions, screaming the same thing.

"They're in the castle!"

"They made it in! Go!"

However, the prince ignored the screams and focused on his friend. Elara was halfway out before she got stuck again. Kaeya started removing more stones before the young fairy grabbed his attention.

"Kae..." She said, knowing what had to be done.

Kaeya ignored her, shaking his head as tears rose in his eyes while he continued moving the stones.

"Kae, please..."

He ignored her again.

"KAEYA!"

A sob escaped his throat at her voice. He knew what she was going to tell him, and he wanted to say to her that he could do it, that he could save her. However, the stones piled on her seemed endless, and much of them were too heavy for him to move.

Another sob left him as he kneeled beside her, grasping her hand.

"Kae... You need to go. Get to your father." Elara told him through tear-filled eyes.

"N-No. I'll stay with you." He wept.

"No, my prince," Elara smiled at him. "You have to go. You have to live. You're special, Kaeya... and not just because you're a prince, but because you looked at me and saw a friend, not an orphan. You looked at me and told me you thought my wings were pretty, despite the way people hated them. You looked at me as your princess despite me not being a noble." By this point, the two children sobbed together as they knew this was Elara's final goodbye, but she continued anyway. "So, please. Go. Live. Live for both of us."

"But-"

"Go." Elara cut him off.

"But-"

"GO!"

Elara pushed his hand away from her. Kaeya stood and stared down at her. The blonde strands spread out on the marble floors of the ballroom as she looked up at him. However, he couldn't bring himself to move.

"Kaeya, go! Go now!" She screamed.

The prince stumbled but began to sprint away, hearing her last words as he left her.

"Goodbye, my prince..." Elara sobbed.

As Kaeya rounded a corner, he heard footsteps back where he had left Elara. He spun around to see a being he's never seen before, spotting his friend beneath the rubble. He couldn't see Elara anymore, but he knew the being spotted his friend beneath the debris from the way the woman walked toward the pile of stones, violet braid flowing as she walked.

Kaeya felt a scream get caught in his throat as she lifted a sword. The woman's eyes darted the young prince's way as if knowing she was being watched, to which he hid behind a wall.

Elara's scream filled the hall before it was silenced. Kaeya held his hands over his mouth as he sobbed.

"Go. Live. Live for both of us."

His friend's words rang in his head. Kaeya's hand rose to grasp the earring gifted to him, and somehow found the strength to pick himself off the floor, running to where he knew his father would be.

Kaeya burst into the safe room where The King held a woman's hand as she lay dying on a cot. A large gash spread across her torso, and blood stained the elegant royal blue dress she wore.

"Mama?" His voice cracked as he ran over to his parents.

Joining his father's side, The Queen let go of his hand and placed her hand on Kaeya's cheek instead as she tried to stop the cries of her beloved son.

"Shhh..." She cooed. "It's okay."

"Mama..." Kaeya continued to sob.

"You'll be okay... I know how tough you are. Survive for me, okay?"

Kaeya nodded, promising her the way he did for his friend that he would make it. The boy's heart dropped when his mother's hand went limp in his.

"Mama?!" He shook her, but the lifeless look in The Queen's eyes told him she wouldn't be able to hold his hand again.

Suddenly, a blinding light caused the king and prince to cover their eyes. A portal appeared in the palace safe room. Kaeya peeked through his fingers to see a divine being walk through it.

The king grabbed Kaeya and pulled him behind him, protecting him from the god.

"I don't have much time-" The being paused before laughing. "That's ironic, isn't it? God of time doesn't have much time."

"The God of Time?" The King asked.

"Yes. I have a plan. What's happening to your city is something I disagree with. So I have come with a plan." The being states. "I can send one of you forward to a different time. A time when things can be different. I cannot say more than that. Otherwise, the future I've seen will not become true."

Another portal opened, revealing a dark and rainy road. When the god looked back, he made eye contact with the young prince, who shook in fear.

"It has to be you, little prince." He spoke.

"What? No! I-I can't!" Kaeya sobbed.

"Why can't I go?" The King asked.

"I only have the power to send one... Unfortunately, that means the other must stay here in Khaenri'ah...."

Kaeya's sobs only increased at that. He understood what that meant. The one who stayed... would be sentenced to death.

The King kneeled before his son and held onto his shoulders.

"My son..."

"Papa... No." Not you too.

"You have to do this, Kaeya." He told him.

Kaeya hesitated but was lightly pushed toward the portal by his father. The prince looked up at the being, tears filling his eyes.

"Here..." The god handed Kaeya an eyepatch before the boy gave him a questioning look.

"The gods know that the prince of Khaenri'ah has a golden eye. So you must hide it, and you mustn't tell anyone of it, do you understand?"

Kaeya nodded weakly before covering his golden eye, leaving the blue one for the world to see.

"You will be sent to a specific city. This is very important to remember, little prince. Join the knights, learn of their strengths and weaknesses... and never draw upon the god's gaze."

Kaeya nodded numbly in understanding before he looked back at his father, who teared up as he watched his son hesitate before entering the portal.

"Go, my son... This is your chance. You are our last hope."

The prince looked back at the portal, holding his breath as he walked through.

Lightning struck, and the little prince cowered in fear, never having seen lightning before. He whipped his head back at the portal, catching the last glimpse of his father before the portal disappeared.

Kaeya looked around frantically. He was alone, cold, and frightened. In the distance, he saw a sign and decided to trek toward it.

"Dawn... Winery." He read aloud.

The prince sat next to the sign, hoping to take some sort of cover from the water that fell violently from the sky.

Rain... That's what Elara said it was called when water fell from the sky.

"Diluc! Come inside, or you'll catch a cold!"

Kaeya peered around the sign at the sound of an unknown voice cutting through the storm. A little boy with fiery red hair ran to pick up a sword much larger than him.

"I had to get my sword, Papa! I don't want it to rust!" The boy yelled back to his father.

The prince looked past the boy to see a man with similar features standing in the mansion's doorway. As soon as Kaeya tried to get a better look at the pair, the man at the door noticed a figure at the far end of his property.

"Who's out there?" The man yelled, bringing his son behind him as soon as the boy made it back.

Kaeya felt his heart pound in his chest, quickly hiding behind the sign once more.

"Diluc," The man looked at his son. "Head inside and ask Adeline to run you a bath. I don't want you getting sick." He ruffled the wet hair of his son before stepping out into the rain with a lantern.

Kaeya shook from his place behind the sign. A mixture of fear and cold as he sobbed quietly to himself. The boy's blue eye widened as he saw the light come closer.

"Hello?"

The boy's head snapped up, eye meeting with the man from before. Kaeya jumped from his spot, pushing himself away from the stranger.

"Hey, hey. It's alright. I won't hurt you." The man kneeled in his spot, not making an attempt to get closer to the frightened child.

Kaeya did not attempt to move and just stared back at the man.

"My name is Crepus Ragnvindr. This is my house where I live with my son. Can you tell me your name?"

"...Kaeya Alberich." The boy's voice was raw when he spoke. His throat was numb from the night he had just had.

"Well, Kaeya. Where's your family? Can you tell me why you're out here all alone?"

Tears fell down the boy's cheeks, hidden in the rain. He stared back at Crepus, unsure how to answer him.

Master Crepus could see the look in his eye. He knew that the boy probably wouldn't tell him. So instead, he reached out his hand to him.

"Can you come here, Kaeya? It's alright. I just want to make sure you are uninjured."

The boy hesitantly stood and walked over to him. Crepus searched the boy for injuries, only seeing minor scrapes and bruises before his sight landed on his eyepatch. He reached up to remove it to see if there was a significant injury, but Kaeya's hands went over it instantly.

"No!" The boy screamed at him, causing Master Crepus to retract his hand quickly.

"Alright. I won't touch it. My apologies. I must ask if it's an injury. Does it hurt?"

The boy simply shook his head.

"Alright... Kaeya. Would you like to come inside? It isn't safe to be out here on your own. If you would like, you may stay here until your family comes to get you."

Kaeya hesitated before nodding his head and taking the hand offered to him. Master Crepus lead the boy into the mansion, unknowing of the importance of this one little boy.

~~~

"Do you see?" Venti smiles. "Are you beginning to see the importance of the number one?"

One...

One dream... of seeing the sun.

One moment... was all it took to destroy that dream.

Don't worry, dearest traveler. The children's tale doesn't end here. Neither does the importance of one .

One human... a prince with the weight of his nation on his shoulders.

One... not so human... a fairy who was cursed simply for being born.

One tale... that began with tragedy.

Yes... This tale might've started with tragedy, but there's still more tale to be told. Allow me to continue... Several hundred years later...