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Arrows flew across the damp bloody sky.
War.
Blood.
Pain.
Regret.
The unforgettable wails of sorrow filled the cold air, blood burned Barbatos ears.
He had to be determined, but how could he?
There was no escape from this cruel reality,
His eyes widened as he looked around, nowhere to be found was any signs of life, flames engulfing the area, his heart steadied as he saw some rebels arising from the ashes, spirits still alive.
But he started panicking more as his friend, that bard... was nowhere to be found
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Barbatos sat over a small rock, stretching his small arms into the warm air.
It was a sunny day, and all he wanted to do was sleep on a warm rock.
But he was quite hungry, perhaps he could eat some berries?
He glanced around, barley lifting his heavy head.
his mouth widened in shock when he saw a garden, full of different fruits and vegetables, he flew over quickly, his mouth watering.
Before he could even get his fingers on one of the tasty eggplants- he heard a strange yet melodic noise.
His curiosity grew, as he flew through the open window, he could smell something even more delicious,
he looked around, the delicate strumming of a lyre was playing, a bard?
A mortal, was sitting on the hard floor, lyre in hand, humming to the song he was playing.
Interest peaked Barbatos mind, the boy had obviously not noticed him, Barbatos flew near the mortals hand.
The Boy had jump back startled, the wispy touch of Barbatos was shocking.
Surprisingly, The Mortal didn't shoo barbatos away, or run away, he was Interested?
"And who are you?" he said, in a calming tone, smiling at barbatos
Barbatos felt a rush of joy, but brushed it off
"Im uh... Barbatos!" he said, with glee.
"Well then, would you like to listen to my tune? Hehe!~" the boy said, pointing to his lyre.
The rest of the coincidental day was spent with Barbatos rested near that bard, as he played beautiful tunes in the heat of that summer day.
It is sad to see how things change, how time passes by so quickly, it feels like the world crumbles beneath your very own body.
People change too.
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Barbatos glanced around anxiously, the terrible war was still going on, flashbacks of memories with him flashed into his mind, Oh how he wished he was sitting in his lap, in the trees,
But he had grown, he was proud of him, he wasnt that same boy he met that one summer day, where they quickly became friends.
Back into reality, Everything was calming down, but nowhere to be seen was the bard, Barbatos hadn't even known his name, or remembered it, but it didn't matter, as their friendship held strong.
Decarabian had fallen, they had won the war!
But at what cost?
Barbatos had not found the bard, and he was worrying more every second.
He flew around, he stumbled upon a few dead bodies, pain flooded his heart, these poor soldiers, he would always respect their dedication to this agony of a war, he flinched at how many souls had been lost..
His eyes widened when he found the bard, who was bleeding out, a arrow stabbed through his chest.
He was so young,
This couldnt be real.
Why did this have to happen.
The sorrow filled Barbatos heart, He had to live, as he'd have many years ahead of him, many dreams!
But, that wasnt happening.
"Ah, Barbatos." The bard said, his voice rasping, he let out a exhausted cough
"I don't think im making it, Your going to have to go without me." he exclaimed hoarsely, he forced a smile, as a tear fell down his cold cheek.
"You don't have to die, we can, heal you! please don't go, I want you to stay!" Barbatos choked, pleading his friend would not leave. Nothing would be important in this world if he had to leave.
"Please don't cry, I didn't mean to make you cry." The bard sighed, his voice dozing off.
"I have to leave, for it is my only way to be free, Barbatos." his voice trailed off as if he were already parting ways with Barbatos
"Please just promise me something.. That you will carry on from this, move on, please don't let my death to cause you troubles, Barbatos."
His eyes closed as he sat there, emotionless, as his breathing stopped, Barbatos just stared, he was aghast, he didn't know how he could keep his promise, his tears dropped onto the bards body.
Barbatos was bleeding eternally.
Decarabian had fallen, but nothing would change, evil would still purge teyvat, and too many lives would die in this never ending war.
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Venti woke up, he was panting, sweat running down his forehead, he broke down.
Those awful memories, he couldnt bare it, the faces of those deceased. staring down at him
I cant keep my promise, im sorry. He thought as he put his hands in his face, bawling his eyes out,
All these years have passed, as a ached trying not to let your painful death sorrow me, but I can t keep my promise.
It was the night he visited the bards grave, every year he visited, he never broke his promise back then, but something else was also bothering him.
He felt affection for another person, but knew that he could never return Venti's love.
He steadied his breathing, as he sat beneath a apple tree, most days, he would sleep under trees or find a place to stay, this was different,
he was way too tired to move from his spot, so he sat under the same tree he sat with the bard decades ago.
"Im sorry." he mumbled every time a teardrop fell, but something startled him, a rustling from behind him.
He glanced behind him to see a familiar adeptus behind his tree.
He quickly wiped his tears, though his eyes were still puffy, not too red, he hoped it wasnt too noticeable, he didn't want Xiao to see him crying.
"Oh, Hi Xiao." he sniffed, "What are you doing here at this time?" he said forcing his hoarse voice to sound monotone, yet his voice still cracked.
"What are you doing? Don't bard's like you sleep during this hour?" Xiao replied coldly, staring at the ground. He quickly glanced at Venti's eyes, and furrowed his eyebrows in worry
Venti noticed the reaction that Xiao made when he stared at him, Xiao was always a worrier, thats one thing he loved about him.
Shit.
Venti quickly looked away, crossing his arms, and resting them on his legs, curling up into a ball
Xiao kneeled down to venti's level and put his hand on his cheek, tugging it slightly so that Venti was staring at him, "Please talk to me, tell me whats wrong." Xiao said gently
Venti lost it there, his eyes filled with salty tears, and his lip started trembling, Xiao wrapped his arms around Venti
A sudden warmth and comfort filled Venti's heart, he felt free, is this what Xiao felt when he had saved him, oh so many eons ago?
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As Venti rested his head against Xiao, he felt a familiar feeling in his heart a rush of joy, he smiled, he felt safe.
"Im sorry for what you went through Venti, I hope your okay now." "I know its tough dealing with loss." Xiao said, Venti knew that he was referring to the other yaksha.
"Past is past, and I know that sometimes it can be sad, but we should look to the future." Xiao said encouragingly, smiling.
Venti glanced back at Xiao, moonlight shining over him. Perhaps this was what the bard meant, Carry on, maybe he kept his promise after all.
"You're very beautiful Venti," Xiao commented, softly.
Venti felt his cheeks burn up, ah, affection.
"I adore you Xiao."