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The sight of the gentle sea before him feels comforting.
Back in Inazuma, standing by the shoreline only served as a reminder of everything he came to despise. Watching the sea toss and turn in hostile waves while a curtain of lightning stubbornly refused to cease its torture, as well as the horrified tremors that shook the ground beneath him whenever the looming purple hue of the sky released an earth-shattering strike accompanied by needle-like drops of cold rain…
Strangely enough, he ’d feel a strong ache in his chest. At first he thought it was a consequence of copying the motions of breathing – compressing and expanding his chest in a defined rhythm over and over again. However, the feeling wouldn’t go away even after standing still for a considerate amount of time. Standing in the middle of a downpour surrounded by nothing but trees and the occasional monster, he realized it must be something akin to what humans call ‘emotions’.
In order to prove this he set off to Narukami Island where Inazuma City stands. After all, there’s no better way to figure out a human phenomenon than observing it directly.
And observe he did. He walked the city streets day and night, eyes curious and hands eager as he approached every new sight with the curiosity of a small child. It didn’t take long for him to be noticed, though. He hadn’t noticed at the time, but his ripped, dirty clothes, messy hair and frenzied wander made him stick out a little too much amongst the busy city streets.
A single human teen with kind eyes and gentle smile asked him if he was ok. Not knowing what ‘ok’ meant, he could only stare back at him. Before he knows it, he ’s being dragged into a house, taught how to work a bath, given a clean set of clothes and warm food. The humans come to the conclusion that he ’s yet another orphan rummaging through the streets to survive – and, really, where’s the lie on that?
They take him in, teach him the art of smithery and provide every bit of human knowledge he craves. He rather quickly comes to realize that he ’s happy. His chest feels warm, and even though the small pulses coursing through his body aren’t the same as blood coursing through veins, he thinks those are nothing but insignificant differences.
Truly, he believed he didn’t need to be human to live amongst them. There are, after all, many youkai and tengu descendants living within city gates, and not once has he been able to spot any significant traits that would prevent them from meddling with humans.
It was very comforting.
So much so, that one day he decided to open his heart. He met that same young man that rescued him from the streets what felt like a lifetime ago, looked him in the eye and told him about his mother and the reason for his creation.
Slowly, the kind light dissipated from the man’s eyes, replaced by fearful coldness. A shiver ran up his spine, and a wave of new emotions reared their heads in.
Dread. Fear. Betrayal. Rage.
He was told to leave, to get out of the house, the city, before the Tenryou Commission comes and deals with him .
Because there must be a reason why the archon herself rejected him .
And so he ran as far away as his legs would take him. Days went by without a speck of rest until finally, finally, his body shut down. He was so tired, so hurt, he couldn’t comprehend it. He gave up – on himself , on life – and just laid there until his world turned dark.
He doesn’t know how long he lays unconscious for, but by the time he wakes up he ’s laying on a soft, dry bed. He looks over to see a small child leaning over a makeshift stove in the middle of the shabby room.
The boy is yet another orphaned child. His parents had recently succumbed to an illness that he himself was clearly suffering from. He was small, frail and pale. His tiny body shook violently with coughs, and shivered at the slight gust of wind that got through the small dents in the wooden walls of the modest cabin.
And yet, the child still found it in himself to smile, saying things like:
“Look at all the lavender melons on that tree! The archon herself must be looking out for us.”
“There have been many thunderstorms lately, her excellency must be very happy lately!”
“My mom used to say that whenever Naku weeds grow near our veggies it means the archon wants us to make an offering to her.”
Having learned from previous experience he refused to tell the child the truth – that the archon he so loved had abandoned him . Instead, he eagerly did what he could to help the child. He would set off on long, difficult expeditions looking for supplies in the desolate, storm-plagued wilderness before eagerly coming back and sharing his spoils with his friend.
Once again, his life found a rhythm. The spark of happiness lit him from the inside, making him feel warm and safe. This must be what hope feels like .
And once again, it did not last long.
On a fateful night, he returned from a particularly successful expedition to find his friend dead, clutching one of his straw hats between delicate fingers.
He did not wait for him .
Unable to stand the sight much longer, he bursts out of the cottage. It’s raining. Thunder roars above him, shaking the ground. The hair at the back of his neck stands, and a surge of energy propels him several feet in the air, painfully crashing back down on the ground. It takes him a minute to realize he ’s been struck by lightning.
Another wave of pain, this one bitter and ugly and way, way worse than anything he ’s ever felt before. He screams.
Reaching into his chest, he digs deep until he finds his heart, and clutching it tightly he pulls it out. The thunder and lightning around him intensifies for a few seconds.
Closing his eyes, heart clutched in hand, he sits still for a while.
But the feeling never goes away.
After hastily burying his friend, he leaves. He doesn’t know where he ’s going, but he knows he has to get away from her. Eventually he arrives at another land and meets yet another human. Except this one is different. There is no warmth in his eyes, nothing that would indicate any sort of human expectation. Their interactions are cold and detached. Somehow, this man knows what he is, and he doesn’t run away. Instead, he offers his help. A promise of revenge, power, and an escape from human emotions.
And he eagerly accepts.
Now, years later, it all seems like a distant nightmare.
As he sits on a deck in Port Ormos, he can’t help but close his eyes and give in to all sensations around him – the cold bite of the salty water surrounding his bare feet, the sturdiness of the sun-warmed wood beneath him , the ocean breeze tussling his dark locks – he remembers the sensation as what humans call ‘peace’.
It may be a little different from how he ’d felt watching dark chunks of iron melting down or sorting through sweet flowers by a cliff, but he still recognizes the sensation well enough. Unconsciously, his hand drifts towards his empty chest.
Another new emotion he ’s been feeling quite a lot lately – regret.
If he hadn’t ripped out his heart back then…
He doesn’t know how long he sits there, but by the time he opens his eyes again, the sun is setting. He hesitates for a second before standing up, shoes in hand, and makes his way past the docks into the city streets. The humans around him don’t seem to pay him much mind, occasionally exchanging pleasant greetings and small smiles before returning to their own business. They don’t avert their eyes in fear, or throw rocks and sticks at him , much less spew venom in the form of words. They mostly keep to their business – they treat him like he ’s just another human – and it’s all thanks to her.
When he reaches the small house in the outskirts of the city, she’s already waiting for him . Old habits die hard, so he throws a mocking smirk her way.
“What? Didn’t think I’d come back?”
Nahida just smiles warmly at him . “Not at all. I just thought I’d drop by and ask about your day, that’s all.”
He stares at her for a second, clearing his suspicions before walking past her into the small kitchen. He sorted through the array of colorful fruits before settling on a sunsettia. He held it between his hands and took a bite.
Wiping the small trickle of juice from his chin, he shrugs. “t’was fine, I guess.” He takes another bite of the fruit before speaking again. “What about you? Have you figured out how to make me a heart?”
Nahida makes her way to the kitchen and grabs a bright red apple for herself. “I have some ideas, but…”
“But?”
“I’m still thinking about it.” She takes a small, curious bite of her apple. “Tomorrow I’m meeting with the Traveler and Paimon, so I wanted to ask if you wanted to come with me.”
“Why would I want to see those guys?”
“Maybe he can give us some ideas for your heart. They’ve traveled to many places before, plus I hear they are well acquainted with the Raiden Shogun.”
He hesitates for a second before sighing. “Fine, whatever.”
They stand there, eating in silence for a bit.
“Did you know fruits like these used to be way more sour?”
He frowns. “How so?”
“The process of selectively breeding fruits and vegetables like these is a long one. Sunsettias like the one you’re eating used to be smaller, too. Just tiny little yellow things the size of my hand.” She holds out a small child-sized hand to demonstrate. “Way harder to bite into, too.”
“Then how the hell did humans figure this out?” he asks, scowling at the half-eaten fruit.
“They noticed that the fruits tasted slightly different, even though they were provided by the same tree. They compared factors like color, flavor and ripeness and figured out which seeds to plant to make the better fruits. Eventually, they became what we’re enjoying right now. Isn’t that amazing?”
He examines the fruit closely, taking another bite to really examine the flavor. It’s sweet, with just a hit on sourness.
“I suppose so.”
The next day, he awoke to loud banging on the door to his cottage. He groans, rubbing sleep off his eyes before kicking off his blanket. The loud knocking continues as he takes his time sorting his clothes and brushing his teeth before finally opening the door. An angry Paimon and annoyed Aether greet him .
“Took you long enough!” Paimon squeaks. “Seriously! Nahida told you we were meeting early so we could have breakfast before setting out to Sumeru City!”
He rolls his eyes. “I got up, didn’t I? Besides, who are you to ask something as trivial as waking up earlier than usual?! You should be happy I even agreed to join you.”
Aether sighs. “Alright you two, stop fighting.”
“But-”
“But nothing, Paimon. Come on, you must be hungry if you're ready to fight him already.”
“Hungry? I’m starving! And who’s fault would that be?!”
It takes every ounce of patience he has left in him not to physically shut Paimon up as they walk across Por Ormos into a small restaurant where they’re met with one of the most delightful scents he ’s ever smelt. They walk inside to find Nahida already sitting at one of the tables. As soon as she spots them she waves and smiles warmly at her friends.
After a rather gluttonous breakfast they begin their long walk to Sumeru City.
He sighs. “So? Why are we heading to Sumeru City?”
Aether grins. “A good friend from Mondstadt is visiting the Akademya for a research project.”
“They’re a student or something?”
“No, he’s just the head Alchemist for the Knights of Favonius.” Paimon says, clearly uselessly bragging about their powerful connections.
Wait. The head alchemist… Ah. So this is the guy that might help him get a new heart. Good.
Paimon, “If we hurry up we might get there in time for some snacks at the Grand Bazaar!”
Aether chuckles. “Seriously? We just had breakfast.”
“But the Grand Bazaar snacks are so yummy!”
Nahida gently nudges his side. “Have you ever had any snacks from the Grand Bazaar?”
He shakes his head. “Never really felt the need to indulge in something as human as food.”
Paimon snorts. “That explains why you’re so stuck up!”
“Excuse me?!”
“Paimon always feels sad whenever she sees people enjoying yummy food without her, so you must’ve felt very sad all the time, right?”
“...”
Nahida reaches up and squeezes his hand. “There’s no need for you to hold yourself back anymore. As long as you have the mora for it you can enjoy whichever yummy food you want.”
“And if you don’t have any mora, you can always enjoy wild fruits and veggies, and even learn some recipes and become a master chef by your own right!” Aether says, stretching his arms into the sky as if his experiences with poverty were nothing but exciting opportunities.
Humans really are weird.
“Oh? So you think I can’t cook’”
“You can?!” Paimon turns her head towards him so fast he wonders how her neck is still functional.
“I haven’t always been a power-hungry criminal.”
Silence.
“Well, everyone has a soft side, right?” Paimon timidly says, struggling to erase the awkward energy that had suddenly built up around them.
It works.
Nahida giggles. “You’ll have to cook us something sometime then.”
Somewhere deep inside him , a warm feeling blooms.
Before he knows it they’re entering the gates to Sumeru City. The streets here are even busier than in Port Ormos – the ocean breeze replaced by a gentle wave of spices and incense, and the humans wore clothes more fitting to city life than that of a naval port.
They make their way down towards the Grand Bazaar, where they’re greeted by cheerful music and a rather sweet smell.
“Oh please please tell Paimon there’s still snacks left.” She murmurs as she scurries away towards a stall, Aether following closely behind. Nahida pulls at his hand again.
“You really think we can trust this guy to help?” He asks.
“He’s in Sumeru to gather some materials, as well as to give a masterclass in the Academya. According to Aether he’s very kind and approachable, though still a scholar. That aside, he’s also an artificial human.”
“Hah?!”
“He was created by Gold, the legendary alchemist. I hear he’s been working for the Knights of Favonius for a few years now. He’s very trusted by the people, and he even has an adorable adoptive little sister he’s always taking care of. In short, I think he’ll be a good guide for you now that you’ve decided to live amongst humans.”
Of course he knew there were others ‘like’ him – artificial humans created for different selfish purposes. Abandoned by their creator, left to fend for themselves as an outsider in a strange world. But even as a Fatui Harbinger he never took the privilege of actually meeting one of them. Back then, he ’d thought it would be useless because even as artificial humans, none of them were created by an archon.
Now, though, he realizes he was just scared.
This will be his first time meeting someone like him, and a new feeling arises – he’s nervous. What if, even as a fellow artificial human, he can’t be helped? What if what he seeks truly is impossible to achieve for someone – something – like him. What if-
He ’s pulled out of his dangerous thoughts by a small nudge on his shoulder.
“We got you a little something. Paimon wants to apologize for being mean earlier… even if you’ve been way meaner in the past! Paimon can tell you’re trying to change so here, enjoy a delicious snack!”
He looks down at the steaming bun-like thing. A sweet smell fills his nostrils, and without a second thought he takes a bite.
Delicious.
“...a ‘thank you’ would be nice, you know?” Aether says.
He rolls his eyes, but still, in the smallest voice possible, he says it.
“Thanks.”
It’s been a long time since the word escaped his lips, but man, it feels good.
He gets a couple more minutes to enjoy what’s left of his snack before a blonde man approaches them.
Immediately, he can tell it’s him. There’s a strange aura surrounding him that tells you there’s something about him. It’s not scary, or threatening, it’s just a hint of something. A strange power hidden deep within him, separate from the vision hanging by his chest under that peculiar scar.
The man looks at him in a way that mirrors his own stare – calm, analytical, curious. They must stand like that for an awkward length of time because suddenly two throats are being simultaneously cleared beside them.
“Albedo! It’s so good to see you!”
The man breaks his eye contact with him but keeps that calm, analytical face – perhaps that’s just his normal face.
“Aether, Paimon. It’s been a while.”
“How’s everything in Mondstadt? Where’s Klee?”
“Everything’s fine, busy as usual. Klee… well, she went a little overboard with her jumpy dumpty’s around Cider Lake and now fish refuse to go anywhere near the city so she’s being punished by Jean. A shame, really, she was so excited to come see you.”
Paimon pouts. “Awww that’s a shame. We should get her some souvenirs before you go back home!”
“Sure.”
Nahida giggles. “Sounds like your little sister’s quite the handful.”
Albedo looks down at her apologetically. “She is. Excuse my rudeness. I’m Albedo, Chief Alchemist and Captain of the Investigation Team of the Knights of Favonius.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m the Dendro Archon, but you can just call me Nahida.”
They shook hands. Then, the man turns to him . “You must be the Kunikuzushi.”
“Don’t call me that.” He blurts out.
Albedo frowns slightly. “What should I call you then?”
“...I don’t have a name yet. Just call me whatever you want except for that. ”
Albedo looks at him for a second before shrugging. “Sure.”
“A- anyways! Albedo! Your masterclass is in three days right?”
“Yeah. I wanted to get here early so I could get everything ready.”
“Does that mean you have the whole day free today?” Aether asks excitedly.
“That’s right. Miss Lisa told me about a lot of places here in Sumeru City, so I’d like to check them all out.”
“Then let’s get going! We-”
“Lesser Lord Kusanali! Traveler! Paimon!” A voice calls out.
They all turn to see a red-headed girl in a flashy costume sprinting towards them with a rather anxious look on her face.
“Nilou! What's wrong?” Paimon asks.
“This is terrible! We were preparing the stage for a new performance but one of the new recruits just received a pyro vision so long story short, the whole stage caught fire and I had to use hydro to put it down and now all the props are ruined! The director already canceled all of today’s performances, but what about tomorrow?! The show is already sold out and we can’t just disappoint our loyal customers like this! What am I supposed to do?”
Aether holds out his hands. “Woah, Nilou, calm down! Don’t worry, we’ll figure out how to help you. Hey, I’m sure Dory must have a good deal on props, right? Let’s go pay her a visit and-”
“Wait, Aether! What about Albedo? We were supposed to show him around the city today.”
“Oh no.” Nilou says, turning to the other two men apologetically. “I’m so sorry. I- It’s ok! I’ll go to the Adventurer's Guild and put up a commission. You shouldn’t neglect your friends for this.”
“It’s ok,” Nahida says. “I can be today’s tour guide. Traveler, Paimon, help Nilou prepare the show.”
“Are you sure about this?” Aether asks.
“Of course.”
Aether sighs. “I’m sorry, Albedo.”
Albedo smiles softly at his friend. “Don’t be. It’s truly admirable that you’re so willing to help those in need. Besides, I’m planning on staying for a whole week so we’ll have plenty of chances to meet up.”
“I promise we’ll make it up to you.”
“Thanks, Aether. Go help your friend.”
With that, he and Paimon get lost in the crowd of the Grand Bazaar.
“Well, where shall we go first?” Nahida asks, looking up at both men. “Oh! I know. Mr. Albedo is here looking for new materials, correct? Treasures Street is just around the corner.”
Albedo nods, and they slowly make their way towards the busy street. Thankfully, it’s not as crowded at this time of day, so they can comfortably stroll through the street without bumping elbows with unsuspecting customers. Unfortunately, Nahida’s presence attracts more attention than either men would like.
“Lesser Lord Kussanali! Over here! Please try some of my spices!”
“Dear Archon! Here, have some fresh flowers on the house!”
“Please, you have to try my specialty coffee grains! Only the highest quality for our Archon.”
Nahida smiles kindly, accepting all offers and sharing them with her companions. Albedo grabs a handful of sumeru rose seeds and shows them to him .
“I take it you’re familiar with the art of Alchemy.” he says.
He nods. “Of course I am.”
Albedo forms a light fist, seeds nestled inside. “I specialize in bio-alchemy – the study of life. See, every single life form in Teyvat is connected. For example, these sumeru rose seeds can blum into any flower imaginable once you find what links them together.” A small light flickers in his palm, and as his fingers extend, a small flower makes itself shown. “This is a Cecilia, a flower endemic to Mondstadt. It looks different to a sumeru rose, and yet they both share biological similarities.” He hands the flower to him.
He looks at it from every angle, examining the soft, white petals, the sturdy green stem, the yellow pollinated core. He remembers distantly seeing these flowers in Mondstadt, but he never cared to so much as to step on them whenever he saw them – just as he did with any form of ‘inferior’ life forms he ’d encounter.
Of course, none of this information is new to him . Being the creation of an Archon, as well as having held a high rank in an organization like the Fatui made him privy to information that most can’t even begin to imagine could be out there. However, there’s a huge difference between knowing something logically and actually seeing it for himself.
Of course flowers share characteristics, that’s what makes them flowers. It’s like humans, they’re all different shapes and sizes, and yet they’re still humans. Albedo using flower seeds to create a different kind of flower is nothing impressive, however…
“...can you make Naku weeds?” He asks, taking a sniff of the petals.
He sneezes.
Another soft light emanates from the blond man’s palm, and the purple flower slowly appears. He hands it over to him . “Naku weeds possess healing properties, and they tend to be easy to cultivate.”
He holds the delicate stem between his fingers, thinking of his previous lives. He had been more than familiar with their properties, and for a while now he had never been able to even think of them without an uncontrollable rage bubbling in the pit of his stomach. Now, though, he can hold it, smell its familiar scent, and even admire its delicate beauty up close.
“Way too easy. Farmers in Inazuma don’t find it worth taking care of the crops since one can just take a stroll in the wilderness and find their fill. They’re quite cheap too so only those desperate for mora bother trying to sell them.”
Albedo humms. “Yes, I suppose it makes sense. What a shame, I’ve always found Naku weeds aesthetically pleasing for such an invasive form of life.”
The day goes by fast. Their constant bouncing around from place to place leaves them completely exhausted, though, so by the time they reach Puspa Cafe, they all but collapse on the sturdy wooden seats. Nahida signals the waiter and they each order a drink and something to fill their stomachs.
Lately, he ’s been enjoying rather strong tastes, and coffee is no different. He takes careful sips of his cup, careful not to burn himself . Nahida can only giggle while signaling a waiter to bring him another cup. Albedo on the other hand just traces his fingers through the ornate cup, admiring the golden details on it.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t the best tour guide,” Nahida says. “Let me make it up to you with this meal.”
Albedo frowns. “There’s no need. The tour was quite fun, I got to experience everything Miss Lisa told me about Sumeru City with the Archon herself – I even made a new friend.” He turns to him and for the first time his lips twitch upward slightly in what looks to be a small yet genuine smile. “It’s quite difficult to find other fellow artificial humans in Teyvat, let alone someone as interesting as you.”
“I’m your… friend? Huh? We just met.”
“We’ve had some enjoyable conversations throughout the day, plus you helped me select materials earlier. I think that qualifies us as friends now.”
He looks down at his steaming coffee. “Then, if we’re friends, I can ask you to do something for me.”
Albedo nods. “Sure, as long as it's within my capabilities.”
“I want a new heart.”
Albedo can only blink at him.
Nahida taps his hand, sighing. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
He sighs, takes a deep breath, and tells this new friend his story. From being created and abandoned, betrayed over and over again, giving up on humans, on Gods, on himself, and most recently, finding himself once more.
“I want to make my own life,” he says. “I want to experience the world like humans do – eat, sleep, work, feel. Everything. So, I need a new heart, something different from what she gave me so I don’t fail again.”
Albedo takes a few minutes to process what he’s just been told. He sips on his coffee until it’s halfway done, then sets the still-steaming cup back down. He looks across the table to him with open, kind eyes, and speaks.
“You and I are more similar than I first thought,” he begins. “My first memories are from exploring domains with my master – my mother. She was strict, always threatening to abandon me if I didn’t meet her expectations, and I always tried to do my best to please her. Even so, she was kind. One day, after we got done exploring a certain domain, I awoke to a note from her. She was gone, and I was left to follow her last order. I met with her dear friend, Alice, and she became my new caretaker. As per my master’s orders, she deemed it fit I join the Knights of Favonius, and since then I’ve been working for them. Alice became my new family, together with her daughter Klee. I look after her whenever Alice is out on an adventure. All of that whilst still attempting to fulfill my master’s last order.”
“She abandoned you,” he says. “She left you to fend for yourself and you’re still following her orders?”
Albedo sighs. “She didn’t abandon me. She left me in the care of her good friend, my new family. If she had truly abandoned me then she wouldn’t have bothered leaving a note.”
“Then what about that order? What’s so important that you’re still working on it even though it’s been years since she left you?”
A small, bitter smile covers the blond’s lips. “To find the truth of this world.”
He snickers. “That’s ridiculous! Something as impossible as that-”
“I know.” Albedo interrupts him. “I’ve thought about it many times before. Such an impossible task surely means i’ll never fulfill her final order, so i’ll never get to see my master again. But, something like that… it just doesn’t seem like her. My master was cold, and strict, but she always had a reason for everything. Maybe, this final task was for myself. She knew an artificial human like me who’s lived most of his life in seclusion would have a hard time adapting to the human world, so maybe she gave me this task to have something to dedicate my time and talent to. Maybe the answer to her task is much simpler than it seems. Maybe… maybe she just wanted me to be happy. Independent. Free.”
He sighs, long and hard. His eyes drift off to the corner of the room, clearly lost in thought.
“If she had truly abandoned me, then I would have shared a similar fate to my siblings.”
This last sentence has him leaning over the table. “Siblings?”
Albedo’s bitter smile dissolves into a sad frown. “I wasn’t my master’s first nor last creation. For example, my brother’s body is the reason why Dragonspine exists in Mondstadt. Every single one of them succumbed to madness brought in by unstable power, and lack of self-control. Out of everyone, I was the only one capable of controlling the power within myself, hence why she kept me as her student and assistant for so long.”
“She abandoned them,” he insists.
“No,” Albedo shakes his head. “When I was with her, she did everything she could to stabilize them. Even went as far as eliminating them herself once she deemed them a danger to Teyvat. Rhinedottir never turned her back on her creations.”
“...then you lied. We’re not similar at all.”
Albedo sighs. “I don’t know the exact circumstances of your creation, but I don’t think the electro Archon had the intention to abandon you.” He glares at him, but Albedo holds his hand up indicating he’ll explain himself. “The electro Archon went through a lot of difficulties after the Archon war and the Khaenri’ah disaster. She went on to do what she thought fit her duties as an Archon and, well, in my opinion, since you weren’t what she was looking for and she had no other use for you, she decided to set you free in Teyvat. She trusted you not to be a threat to her people, instead she wanted you to join them, to enjoy life as a citizen of Inazuma. Why else would she just let you go like that, alive and with a fraction of her power in your hands?”
It hits him like a ton of bricks. Of course, this same thought has been circling around the depths of his mind for a really, really long time but he’s always been too afraid to acknowledge it. What if he’s wrong? What if he begins to feel useless, grateful to the one responsible for all his misfortune? What if the one truly responsible is himself?
What if…
“Either way, maybe it doesn't even matter,” Albedo continues. “Neither of our creators are here with us anymore, nor is there truly hope that they’ll be back by our side any time soon. So, for now, what is important is that we fulfill the duties we’ve chosen for ourselves. I am the head Alchemist and Captain of the Investigation Team for the Knights of Favonius. I’m also Klee's older brother. I’m Aether and Paimon’s friend. I’m your friend. I have my master’s order. That’s more than enough for me.”
“As for you, I believe it’s important you find a purpose for yourself – a metaphorical heart if you will. Think, what do you truly want to do with your life? How do you plan to live amongst humans? How are you going to make yourself happy?”
The rest of their dinner goes by in heavy silence.
That night, he lays in bed unable to sleep. The gentle sounds of nature seep through his window, calming his racing thoughts. He gently raises his hands before his eyes and stares at the soft, pale, moonlit skin. A brief image of the same hands, now covered in calluses and burns flickers by. Then again, covered in dirt and dew. Again, covered in blood.
Tears soak the sides of his head and the soft pillow below him . He ’s shaking. A horrible feeling sends shivers up his spine, and he feels cold despite the humid hot weather of Sumeru City.
Then just as it came, it left. A new, overwhelming calm engulfs him. He feels lighter. Like all the weight that had been bestowed upon his shoulders throughout his life is suddenly being lifted. For the first time in his life, he can breathe.
Ah, he really wants to be happy.
A warmth spreads through his chest. Then a thump. And another. And another.
Thump thump thump.
Like little drops of water descending from the ceiling after a heavy rain. It drips onto his chest and spreads to the very tips of his fingers and toes. It’s soothing, achingly familiar.
Like a heart beating steadily in his chest.
They meet up for breakfast early in the morning. He did not get a single blink of sleep, but he doesn’t feel tired. No, he feels giddy, eager. He bounces on the tips of his toes as he makes his way to the restaurant where Nahida, Albedo, Aether and Paimon are already sitting enjoying a cheerful conversation. As soon as their eyes meet him , their yaws drop.
He ’s a mess – hair tousled in every direction, dark bags under his eyes, and a silly grin on his pale face.
Albedo smiles knowingly at him .
“You thought about yesterday’s conversation?”
He nodds. “Yeah, you were right. I don’t need to make myself a new heart to be happy again. I just have to do whatever I wanna do.”
Paimon groans. “Ugh, Paimon feels like she missed something very important here.”
Aether just shrugs, intently following the conversation.
Nahida giggles. “Oh! And what might that be?”
“I want to be an independent adventurer.” He proclaims. “There’s so much I don’t know about Teyvat, I want to travel all around to figure out what I really want to do with my life.”
“So, you want to become a wanderer?” Albedo asks.
“Wanderer… yes. You shall refer to me as such from now on.”
Suddenly, the table before them begins shaking.
“WAH! An earthquake?!” Paimon cries out.
“The ground isn’t shaking,” Albedo points out.
A bright, blinding light erupts from the Wanderer’s plate, making everyone in the restaurant turn their attention to him.
There, sitting where his breakfast laid just a second ago, is an anemo vision. Everyone at the table is left speechless as the Wanderer gently picks up the bright crystal. He examines it for a few seconds, a wild grin plastered on his face.
“It seems you’ve found your heart,” Nahida says. “I’m happy for you, Wanderer.”
Months later, he sits at the top of Mt. Tianheng overlooking Liyue Harbor, bamboo flute in hand. His vision shines brightly from its place hanging over the left side of his chest.
Thanks to the power of anemo, it’s been rather easy to climb Liyue’s famous mountains, so he supposes the countless times that same power has blown his hat right off his head can be overlooked.
He hears steps behind him, and soon enough a voice rings out. “Excuse me, I don’t seem to recognize you, are you a tourist or a businessman?”
He turns to see a man wearing a Milelith uniform, clutching a polearm by his side. He smiles politely at him and says, “I’m just a wanderer passing by.”
The man, satisfied with his answer, leaves as fast as he arrived.
Indeed, he is a wanderer - a man that wanders and wonders at the world before him, observing and searching and learning and reaching out further and further to sate his hunger for that which he wants to achieve.
And yet, above all, he’s happy.