Chapter Text
He gazed up at the sky, it was blue… there were clouds.
“Aether, you’re here.” A voice said.
The voice snapped Aether out of his trance and instead made him recall the recent past events.
———
“The Balladeer has already… already become a god…?”
———
“This is supposed to be a battle between gods, yet you choose to hide behind a mortal.”
———
“We just concluded the 168th loop.”
———
“You cant even defeat me in a dream.”
———
“Heh… Are you done with your tricks?”
———
“The First Sage of Buer”
———
“Anything but the Gnosis…!”
———
“I’ll never go back!”
———
“This is the last memory… Of my predecessor.”
———
A tap on his shoulder snapped him out of his trip down memory lane.
“Aether? What’s on your mind for you to be spacing out?” Said the oh-so-familiar voice.
Aether turned around and was met with the sight of Nahida, the dendro Archon.
“I’m just… thinking.” Was his response, “About what’s been going on… things like that”
“I understand, it’s been on my mind a lot recently as well.” She replied with a soft voice, “But don’t worry, Aether, it’s over now.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” he replied whilst letting out a sigh.
“Well then, shall we get going?” She asked.
“Get going?” Repeated Aether.
“Well, if you’re here it means you probably came to see… him, right?” She asked, “Then follow me, we were about to begin discussing what we should do with him.”
Aether let out a sigh as Nahida turned around and began to walk away, leaving him in her wake. Aether quickly got himself together and started to follow her. Soon enough they reached their destination, Nahida pushed open the door standing in front of them and held it open for Aether to walk inside, as soon as he did an audible sigh was let out from someone in the room.
"And now he's here... Is this place open to just anyone?" Said a sarcastic and dreary voice.
Aether stood still for a moment before letting out a sigh of his own, he then forced a light smile on his face and turned to face the owner of the voice, and when he did, "Hello, Balladeer..."
Scaramouche easily noticed the forced smile and the hint of malice in Aether's voice making him break out into a grin. Aether sighed internally and then took in the contents of the room and the people in it. The room was filled with familiar faces, not one person there was someone he hadn't previously met.
Whilst looking around Aether met eyes with Cyno who nodded at him, Aether, of course, nodded back in recognition. He then caught the gaze of Dehya who began to walk over to him. As she walked over he also took notice of Al-Haithem who was gazing down at Scaramouche who, open further inspection, had his hands bound with rope, Aether suspected they hadn't taken further measures due to the combined strength of everyone in the room being quite enough to suppress Scaramouche at any signs ofdefiance.
"Aether," Said the voice of Dehya, "We were talking about what to do with him. We were originally going to throw him in jail, but..."
"But a regular jail would never be enough to hold him." Finished Al-Haithem, "And of course, we could just seal him, but-"
"We talked about this, being sealed off by yourself is awful, nobody should have to go through that." Interrupted Nahida, her eyebrows furrowed slightly and her voice somewhat harsh.
"Yes, and so we've come to an impasse, we can't seem to agree on what to do exactly." Said Cyno finally.
They all fell into silence and after a few moments Scaramouche kicks back in his chair, twisting his legs to put his feet onto the table in front of him.
Scaramouche audibly sighed as he leant back and began to stare at the ceiling as he spoke, “There’s no need for you all to think so hard about this. Here’s an idea, why don’t you just let me go?” He tried, a smile gracing his features.
Everyone chose to ignore him, but Aether couldn’t help the slight grimace from flashing across his features breifly, he quickly donned a neutral expression again but when he glanced at the one who spoke he caught Scaramouche looking at him, a smirk once again on his face.
”No good?” He asked into the silence of the room, clearly not expecting a response.
To his surprise, someone did indeed break the silence, but the repsonse was as bland as he had expected.
“Of course not, after all, judgment must come to pass.” Spoke out Cyno.
Scaramouche’s response was only a light chuckle as he leaned back again in the chair a carefree look adorned on his features.
“Then… what if I take him with me?” Voiced Aether as his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Everyone seemed surprised by what was said, evident by the looks of confusion and bewildered looks on his companions faces, but the one with the most surprised demeanour was Scaramouche.
He’d taken his feet off the table and had leaned forward once more, his face filled with nothing but confusion and shock as he stared at Aether. Slowly, a smile appeared on his face, one of bewilderment and disbelief as he started to laugh unbelievingly.
The simple word that followed, however, quickly wiped the smile from Scara’s face, “Well?” Asked Aether.
“You cant be serious…!” Cried out Dehya in clear opposition.
“And if I am…?” Aether asked hesitantly, as he began to fiddle with the handmade sword tassel he’d received from his sister, Lumine, years ago, from before they’d come to this world.
“Think about all that he’s done…! Aether! Think about this logically…!” Pleaded Dehya, hints of desperation breaking through her usually calm demeanour.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea, perse.” Interjected Nahida, causing everyone’s gazes to be redirected to her.
“You too?” Asked Dehya, a mix of bewilderment and pleading on her face.
“Well we’ve already agreed that we would be unable to keep him locked up in a regular cell.“ She repeated, her eyebrows then furrowed ever so slightly, a look of pity flashing across her face for just a brief moment, ”This opportunity might also do him some good.”
“Might do me some good? You’ve got to be kidding…! I‘d rather drop dead-“ Cried out Scara in absolute opposition.
“No need to worry, that can also be arranged.” Said Cyno finally, the look on his face positively terrifying.
Scara could feel holes boring into his skin from the intensity of Cyno’s gaze. His glacial-like stare causing Scara to feel chills run down his spine.
“Well, Aether’s idea may not be completely nonsensical,” Added Al-Haithem after his long silence and after having a long time to think, “If we work out some of the more pressing concerns regarding this suggestion we may be able to get this to work out…” He mumbled as he tapped his finger against his thigh repeatedly.
“So it’s settled then,” Stated Aether in a quizzical tone, “I’ll be taking him with me after we settle any concerns about this…”
“No, this is most definitely not settled…!” Exclaimed Dehya. “You’re not listening to me at all! I told you that it’s not a good idea, he’s dangerous, he’s a criminal, there’s no way he won’t backstab you! We can’t trust him!”
“Dehya, don’t you trust me?” Aether asked, his face full of confidence.
“Well, of course I do, but…” She trailed off. “Fine, but you have to remember to come to me if he ever causes you any trouble.”
Aether looked at Dehya with a gaze full of gratitude, he then turned to look at Cyno with a slight pleading look on his face.
Cyno locked eyes with him but soon enough he turned away with a sigh, “Alright, alright…” He then turned to look at Scara and said threateningly, “But if you ever step out of line you’ll have to face my judgement.”
Scara just looked around the room in utter shock, not quite understanding the situation.
Once he’d grasped the idea of what was going on he exclaimed, “You can’t be serious! You’re all out of your minds!” He turned to Nahida and continued, “You, Buer! You’re the god of wisdom, where’s all that supposed wisdom gone?! To be making decisions like this?!”
Aether sighed and turned to Nahida himself, “Well, by when do you think all the proceedings will be dealt with?” He asked calmly.
Whisly Aether and the others were discussing the official details Scara took the time to take in what would be a deep breath, that is, if he could breathe, and calmed himself slightly.
After the official matters had been properly discussed Aether turned to face Scaramouche once more.
“You want me to go with you?” He asked, a bewildered look on his face as he began to laugh, “Hahaha… you must be out of your mind.” His expression then hardened and a scowl appeared on his features, “Why would I ever want to go anywhere with you?”
“Well, it’s either come with me, or stay here locked up for the rest of your days. Is coming with me really the worst option you have?” Aether asked, his eyebrows furrowed as a sigh threatened to escape his lips.
Scaramouche’s own eyebrows began to furrow too as he quickly glanced around his surroundings. He begrdgingly accepted that Aether was right, not that he’d ever be able to voice such a thought.
After a couple moments of silence Aether spoke up, “Well, I’m guessing you’ve made your choice…”
To that Scara nodded hesitantly whilst remaining silent, the scowl on his face only growing.
Aether smiled as the sigh which had been caught at the back of his throat this entire time was finally let out. He then turned to Nahida and they began to discuss the complications and matters that needed to be dealt with to enable Scaramouche’s release.