Chapter Text
The rain shuts down the remains of the fire. The water cleans the blood, red predominant over gold, and carries it away. It falls upon the new and free citizens from Mondstadt, who seek refuge into the houses that are still up and under the debris.
People talk. Their language is the only one he had learned this time, so he can understand what they say, and overall what they feel. And they have fears. They are lost.
The most popular question is: what now?
Yes, they won. Yes, they are now free. But freedom has a cost, and Decarabian wasn't now the problem. Without an only enemy target, those who were against the rebellion start to arise as the cold starts to reach the destroyed city, now without the protection of the storm walls. The tension, slowly, grows.
"You see? This is what your rebellion costs!" A man in the rain stands up, showing the remnants of what has been a small tent before. "This is why I have never been on your side! What are we going to do now, without a god to protect us? We are at war! We need protection or else we will die in the divine battles!"
"So you preferred that?" Gunnhildr's priestess stands up. "You wanted to be under a god's feet, without doing anything other than your boring routine and never having the possibility to have dreams?"
"I may have been bored, but I had a home. What do you have now? Dreams don't feed us, girl."
"We were the reason for this city to build up to begin with. If our ancestors could, we can too."
"Our ancestors had the protection of the divine! Now what do we have?"
"Ourselves!" Another man stands with the girl.
"Ridiculous!" Two women say, standing up too.
"You are free to leave if you don't agree. There are more people around the world. That is what freedom means." The blond priestess says.
"Enough." The red haired warrior interrupts. "We won't do anything by discussing this between us now. Let's first do a refuge and fire for the kids and pregnant women. Afterward, we will seek food, how does that sound?"
The ones that stood up looked between them, but agreed. After all, the warrior showed enough ability to take down a huge number of enemies, and they have for him an utmost respect even if he's a wanderer.
The humans start to move, and the spirit sees how they help each other. But still, the man and woman who were discussing are having their reticence to collaborate with the other. It's unavoidable that each one has their own way of thinking, the freedom of speech not only brings agreements, but also disputes.
This was taught to the wind spirit by a young boy who, besides his short age, had clear too many things. What would he have done in this situation?
"Wind spirit." The blond priestess approaches. "Are you okay? I don't know what spirits eat… I think you like apples? I saw him giving you one once. Do you know where is he, by the way? I can't find him."
He… he is not more with them. But wind spirits do not talk, so, not giving a reply, just accepts the apple and starts eating it. Not that the spirit is hungry, but the priestess… she always has given the same aura of kindness he had.
"You know something?" She looks at the red haired man, who sighs and shakes his head. "Oh, no… I'm sorry, little one."
She pats the spirit, and she leaves the apple and the little being over a broken tent. Then she goes back to help. Probably, she doesn't want to be heard if she cries.
She always shows her kind face, even if she's hurt. When she knew about Amos' death, she stood still, but the wind was everywhere, and they talked about her hidden cries.
Once the apple is completely eaten, the rain is over. Then, the wind blows to the nearest forest. Humans have what they want, now they are free… But the spirit can't help to wonder how much that freedom will last if things keep going like recently. The fear of the future… it's understandable how they feel, but the wind spirit is unable to help them in any more way than the already done.
In a matter of fact, the wind bears the same question: what now? The bard wanted to travel, but now he's gone, and what can a wind spirit do between humans? Not like the powers of a little being are helpful at all…
"Spirit of the wind, you who had taken down a god."
A voice resounds, but looking around, anyone can be seen. That voice comes directly from…
The gaze is directed to the sky. There, alongside the moon, there's a light which increases more and more. A white ball of light, similar to a star, is in front of the spirit, scaring animals around.
"Don't be afraid. We do not intend to harm you."
"You can… understand me?"
The spirit is not talking, but that voice doesn't come from the outside either. It's inside, like…
"Yes. We are not humans, we do not need language to communicate with elemental beings."
"What are you?"
It is only a thing they can be. Celestia. The supreme gods. Those who are above everyone and everything.
"You know the answer perfectly. Now you have to give us yours."
"What do you want?"
"You have made a god fall. The one fitting for the seat, Boreas, has renounced it. Therefore, you are the next."
The next? The next… what?
"I didn't do anything. It was human making, I just was there and helped. My friend made a revolution. Amos threw the arrow. I haven't done anything."
"You're the one chosen, wind spirit. You should make a decision now. Do you want to be a god to rule over humans, or you don't?"
Rule. What an awful word.
And so undeserved, the spirit thinks. There are people who deserve it more. Back in Mondstadt there are two of them right now.
But if not the wind spirit, who?
These gods offered Boreas, who at all lights didn't know how to care for humans, the reason for the storm barrier of Decarabian. The reasons for Boreas to decline? Who knows. But it can't be said he would have been a good leader to take care of them, and maybe even the Wolf King was aware of that.
The best… the best is dead. The second best, too. And even though there are humans far better than a wind spirit who is still learning about them, if the answer is a decline… Who is next on the list? Not a human, that's for sure. They have contacted elemental beings. They don't trust humans to rule themselves.
Do they have a point? The spirit doesn't know. But this can be an opportunity.
This may be a chance to fulfill that promise. His desire. To make those citizens truly free for the rest of their lives, and for the future generations after them.
But, will Celestia let the wind, always free, rule at pleasure?
(The dislike of that word perseveres. It's not necessary for some to have more power than others. That only brings tragedies
But there's no option left.)
"I agree… but I want to put conditions on how I do it."
"You can rule however you want. There's just something you need to know. We will grant you a method of communication and power, a gnosis. This power will be greater depending on how strong is your rule with your people"
"I agree." The spirit states again. "But as I said, I will have my conditions."
A bright, green light appears in front of him. It takes a shape, and then it hits the elemental being with the force of a thousand rocks. Inside, feeling an unusual power, like a source of energy has been implemented inside, the spirit is scared of what that power can do if it falls into the wrong hands.
"This is your heart. You may take care of it." They say. "Now, Anemo Archon Barbatos…"
Barbatos?
That's not the name he chose.
"Which is your ideal?"
Ideal?
What's an ideal?
Fly, fly away, like a bird in the sky.
His voice could be heard in the light breeze amidst the forest, like the wind carries his memory. But his eyes are nowhere to be seen. His smile disappeared, and only his dream remains.
"What do you mean by ideal?"
"It will be the principle of your people. Under your ideal, you may guide them."
The spirit doesn't know. Everything was because of him, he, who shared with a wisp of wind his dream and then everything was just to protect what he fought and died for. For him. For Amos. For the people lost and scared that don't see more than darkness in their future.
"It can be anything I want?"
"Exactly."
Will a little wisp be appropriate to guarantee the people of Mondstadt? Will a recognition of Celestia be enough to convince them of his ideal? The wind arose around. Will a spirit be enough to convince humans to work along for their ideal of freedom?
“Have you decided then?”
“Yes.”
The wind spirit doesn’t ask for any of this. Unknowing how the future will be, the only option is to do the best for Mondstadt. For all the fallen. This is not a self ideal, but the one they have fought for.
“My ideal is freedom.”
“Freedom? Are you aware of what you have been told about your gnosis?”
“Yes, and I’m aware that you told me it can be whatever I want.”
“Fair enough then, Barbatos. You are by now on the Anemo Archon of freedom. May you guide your people until the wind stops blowing.”
The light gets brighter, and the spirit is forced to look away. After that, the light is over and the loneliness comes again, with the wind and the forest as the only company.
Going to a nearby lake, where the moon shines over the water, the reflection of a spirit of wind, one that now has a great power and has no idea how to deal with it, can be seen.
If only he were there… The spirit missed him, so, so much, and fears the day everyone forgets what he looked like. How his voice was. Only if his face could be seen again, just one more time…
A strong wind started to surround the lake, and a light made him look away again, and then water could be felt on his… skin?
See the world on my behalf.
The spirit looks around, and notices the lack of air below him, instead there's water. Looking at the reflection again, there's no more spirit, but a young boy. Human features could be seen: hands, feet, legs… And a face. And his image in the water. It's his friend's features, slightly changed, the color of eyes not blue but green, and the end of the braids are colored too. But he's so similar…
When a hand tries to touch him, the image wavers. Obviously, it wasn't him. It was just an illusion.
But it should have been like this. He should have been the one receiving the recognition. He should have been the one to see with his own eyes how beautiful and vast the world is.
He should have had his own wings to fly.
"But if I can do something..." He says, to the reflection that can't hear his words. "Then I'll make sure your ideal won't be forgotten."
To the heavens may you fly.
He extends the white wings that are on his back, unable to walk but not to fly. He had to adapt himself. He is now a god, an archon. He has now the power to help people, the one he lacked before. He flew to Mondstadt again, where people looked at him with a mixture of emotions. Some with fear, others with admiration, others like they're looking at a ghost, but all with surprise.
"People of Mondstadt." He says, arriving in one of the tallest destroyed buildings. "I am Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, and for now on, the god in charge of your protection."
The reactions didn't wait. Some were happy, some were reticent.
"And how do we know you're not going to be a tyrant?" A man says, pointing at him with his sword.
Barbatos smiles and descends to his level.
"I won't. Believe it or not, I learned too much out of this revolution, and I guarantee no god will rule again over your freedom. That's the name Celestia itself gave me: the archon of freedom."
People look at him, and some do with disbelief, others do with the opportunity they have been waiting for. His wings flutter a little, and the wind revolves around him. He, who used to be in the flow of the thousand winds, now has the power to control them. And these people have the decision on their hands, to accept him or reject him.
"Isn't he so similar to that bard?" A voice said. It was a woman, he knows her. She had a small tent with fruits, where his friend used to buy apples for him. "I knew that kid. You're not only similar, but almost a replica."
He smiles, and lets a breeze run around her. When in his elemental form, he had that power, it was small, but he used to do it around those who were kind to him and his friend. Therefore, she recognizes him and his expression changes to a surprise.
Then, she steps forward from the small circle formed around him.
"I believe him. Didn't you want protection? There you have. He's even giving us the power of decision, don't you think that if he was a cruel god, he would impose himself like the other one?"
"But how can we trust him? He's a god! He can break his promises as easily as he says them." A man criticizes.
"I won't force you to accept me." He says, smiling. "I will only rule if the majority of you let me."
And again, the discussion starts. From the crowd, a red haired man approaches him.
"You're the spirit, aren't you?" Barbatos nods, and the expression of the wanderer gets more serious. "Why are you doing this? Did you help because of this?"
"What? No! That's not the reason. I… I didn't even know I would be contacted by Celestia. What's more, Boreas was going to be the next archon… but he didn't want to. And if it wasn't me, it could be anyone outside Mondstadt."
"So you decided you would be the least bad of them?"
"I don't pretend to rule like Decarabian did… In fact, not rule at all… But it's true that we are at war, and humans can beat one god, but not a hundred. And if I've been granted the power to do so, I will defend them with everything I have."
"I can't say I agree with your decision… But it's not like I have to choose."
"I understand if you don't agree. That is freedom, right? That's why I said I will only rule with the approbation of the majority." He puts a hand over the warrior. "You have helped so much, even if this wasn't your battle to begin with. And I may not understand humanity, I'm a spirit of wind after all, but I can say you are a good person."
The wanderer doesn't reply. He just looks to another side.
"Can… can you help me…?" He feels someone that pulls his white robes. He looks below, and he sees a little blond girl with teary eyes.
"Are you okay? What do you need, little one?" He kneels over the ground, looking at her in her eye level.
"You're strong, right?" He nods. "Please help us… No one hears me, but my brother…"
She cries louder. The people suddenly shut and looked at them again. Then, someone recognized that girl and the rumors started to extend.
He got to understand the girl's parents were against the rebellion, and that they weren't the kindest people there. His father was one of the guards that opposed them. If that's the case, her parents…
"She doesn't deserve any help!" One shouted, and then a discussion started again.
"Please… my brother… he's trapped…" She cries. "I tried to… but I can't… and that good girl neither…"
He looks at her hands. They're in blood, red as apples. It wasn't a good color on her hands.
"Fine, I will help you. But you have to give me something in return."
The crowd shuts again to hear what he's asking for. He smiles.
"But I don't…" She starts, and he pats her head.
"You have to give me a smile, okay? Little sweet children like you shouldn't have that sad face."
Do you know what's the best of music, little friend? That it has the power to make everyone smile.
The newborn god can't make music, but he can help to make someone smile. And he considers it a victory when her eyes get bright as she jumps to give him a hug. He's not used to hugs, less that sudden, so he falls back.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He laughs and strokes her hair.
"It's okay, now show me where your brother is."
She separates and nods. Then, he stood up with the help of his wings, and knowing he wouldn't be able to use his legs, he went flying all the way, with people following him as if he was a guide.
"Here…" She says, showing a pile of stones. In a hole, almost in an impossible equilibrium, one can see the face of a blonde kid, slightly older than his sister. "Al! Someone came to save you! He says he's a god!" She screams.
"A god…?" The voice sounds surprised, and looks at him. "But our god is dead, Lia…"
"It's a new one!"
He approaches the place the kid is trapped in, and smiles at him.
"Don't be afraid. I will help you."
The child looks at him with mistrust, and it's not like he doesn't understand him. After all, all he has heard is contradictions between gods and humans.
"You'll be okay." The priestess of the Gunnhildr clan smiles at him, and then he seems to calm down.
Lia runs to her, and she holds her, looking at him with piercing attention. Everyone is looking while he tries to gather some of the power he has been granted.
"Close your eyes."
He blows softly, and the rocks over the kid practically reduces to fine gravel, almost dust. He is surprised. He just wanted to move the stones, not destroy them.
Good thing he didn't intend to break them, because he didn't know he had such a power. If only it can be taken back in time, to protect a certain someone…
When the rain of dust stops, the kid stands up. Dirt and with a pale color since he has not been eating well, but he's okay. Some of the people start to clap as the girl reunites with her brother, while others bicker and look away.
"Thank you so much!" She says, and her brother nods.
"I'm grateful too. Thank you." Besides his appearance, he seems to be so mature for his age.
"You're welcome." He smiles.
"Lord Barbatos."
He turns around. It is strange to hear that name, and more to hear that way to call him. But he's a god now, and he guesses he has to get used to it.
He meets a woman with light blue hair and piercing blue eyes. He knows her. It's from the Lawrence Clan, one composed of primarily hunters that helped back in the final stages of the rebellion.
"I am Venerare, head of Lawrence Clan. I have been chosen to represent the decision of the people of Mondstadt, and we agree to recognize you as our God as long as you keep your promise of freedom." She extends a hand.
He looks around. People start to nod, their eyes having that light they have lost in the aftermath of the war. They are choosing him. Trusting him as someone who would really guarantee that freedom they have fought for.
"I promise I won't disappoint you."
He holds her hand, and everyone celebrates as they witness the beginning of a new era for Mondstadt.