Chapter Text
It was Saturday evening where the Sakura were starting to bloom while Yae Miko walked down the streets of Inazuma on her way to Komore Teahouse. “I will take a final look over on Monday now can you please let me enjoy my weekend?” She spoke into the phone while opening the door to the teahouse getting a greeting from Taroumaru, Miko’s lip formed into a smile with her hand stretching to caress the Shino. “Oh, Tarou always good to see you” She cooed at him while pulling out the seat across from him. “My usual Tarou but make it double if you could.”
“Coming right up Miss Yae!” A voice behind Tarou shouted out, Miko took in her surroundings noticing that the Teahouse was quite packed for a Saturday evening considering it to be the time where people would rather eat dinner than eat at a teahouse. “Ah I see you’ve noticed the larger crowd today huh?” The voice questioned again Miko turned to blonde gentleman with piercing green eyes and an easy smile. “Yes, Thoma I suppose it is good for business though.” Thoma chuckled “Yah well you know with Esports Championship taking place this weekend I suggested for us to broadcast it that way people can come in watch and eat, a win-win for everyone.”
Miko hummed a response focusing now on the tv mounted behind Thoma that was indeed broadcasting this tournament. “Never quite understood what was so fascinating about video games but I supo-“her voice faded as the camera on the championship switched to the players it first went to the team on the right who if she was reading right were known as the ‘Fatui Harbingers’.
“We’ve got renowned Champion Scaramouche on the Fatui team being their main dps it seems he is quite so far carrying them preventing the enemy team from taking the point” the announcer was heard through the speakers the camera focused on a young man with deep violet hair and indigo eyes just to match, his lips moving onto the mike that was over his head. “Here’s your usual fried tofu Miss Yae with your matcha tea.” Thoma placed both the plate and drink Infront of Miko, he noticed her eyes following the TV. A smirk raised onto his lips as he glanced to the TV as well. “Didn’t catch you to be the person to enjoy this kind of shows.”
Miko’s fox ears twitched at Thoma’s comment, her indigo eyes glancing at him. Is that really Kuni? Well, I suppose as long as he’s not planning a downfall he can do as he pleases. “Oh well I must say it is quite an eye catcher and entertaining.” She replied bringing a piece of tofu to her mouth, a pleased hum escaped her lips. “Oh, Thoma compliments to the chef!”
Thoma was just about to give her a response when yet again the announcer on the TV seemed to have gotten louder. “OH!!! And just when the Fatui were about to gain the point here comes Beelzebul swiping into contest activating her ultimate with the help of Morax grouping them all up with his gravity surge as well!!!AND IT’S A TEAM KIL!!! The rookies known as ‘The Archons’ have truly taken the win from the Fatui bringing this game to a tied scored leading to a last round! Oh, so close for the Fatui to earning their 3rd championship title!” Thoma noted how Miko’s chewing had stopped, her ears flicked back, and eyes widen, he turned to the TV to note what caused her reaction.
The camera was showing how team playing against the Fatui’s have managed to flip the tide, with them gaining control of point, winning that round showing the tally of being 1:1. While the announcer was blabbering about the show stopping play the camera flipped back to the team on the left first focusing on an man with long black hair that looked soft to the touch with light brown tips framing his face enhancing his molten gold eyes, his gamertag being captioned just below him ‘Morax’. Zhongli?
But when Miko’s breath truly escaped was when the camera focused on the person who made the team kill, her gamertag ‘Beelzebul’ captioning below her as the camera took her all in. Now who’s to blame them? She truly was an eye stopping beauty, and Miko would know. This Beelzebul had violet hair braided back that Miko knew just ended in a lighter shade of purple almost pink, with bangs framing her deep purple eyes the beauty mark just below her right eye truly adding to her beauty “Ei...” the whispered name escaped Miko’s lips as she took in the appearance of her beloved from centuries ago.
“Miss Yae?” Thoma softly questioned bringing his hand atop of Miko’s resting one on the bar. Miko turned to Thoma the softness being replaced with her usual playfulness.
“These Archons really something huh? Think so highly of themselves they take such a name.” She responded back, ignoring Thoma’s concern on her reaction. He knew of an…ex of Miko who really left a print on her, he knew her name so she imagined he could connect the dots if he chose but what she liked of him is that he wouldn’t bring it up to her without her mentioning it at first. Thoma gave her a soft smile before glancing back at the TV. “Yah they really did just pop out of nowhere, they first signed up for the tournament no one really thought they would make it far with there being such bigger names. But there they’re fighting in the finals with the giants of the world.”
Miko hummed a response as the camera went down the Archons table showing even more familiar faces, Venti of course he would be part of this, Nahida as well? And is that Tsarista? I do wonder who came up with this idea it couldn’t have been Ei could it? Though I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. “What do you know of them?” Miko questioned her amethyst eyes shifting back to Thoma’s emerald ones.
Thoma raised his eyebrows but didn’t question her instead gave her what he knew. “Well, I know just as mentioned that they first signed up for the first tournament, at first people thought it was a joke of a group what with their name being the Archons. But as they kept winning, they grew onto the people, though I would say their looks greatly helped in that category too.” He chuckled before continuing. “Though if you’re asking about the players there’s not much on the web about them other than their alias of being the Archons names, but if you ask their fanbase they would tell you that they’re the archons of before who’ve emerged again but this time to be gods of video games or whatever they pursue.” Miko’s eyebrows raised, and her ears flicked at the mention of them being the archons. Oh, if they only knew how true their theories are.
“They have caused quite a stir I would say in the gaming industry, I’m surprised you’re not going to the afterparty Miss Yae what with you being CEO and with how it’s going your publishing house can get the first interview of the Archons.” Thoma chimed in, his attention going back to the gaming broadcast. Miko’s attention went elsewhere by what Thoma said, she probably does have an invitation to this afterparty to do as he said interview the winner but knowing her, she disregarded it when brought up by her assistant. She took out her phone and started a message to said assistant.
Yae Miko: Sara did we happen to have gotten an invite to an esports afterparty?
While the message was sent her eyes went back to the screen focusing on the game as the Archons team was now in control of the last point with 80% ticking upwards, her phone buzzed as they were fighting off the fatui trying to contest the point.
Sara Kujo: Yes Lady Yae, I did mention it but you just waved your hand and commented ‘I have no time for video games’ so I was going to go in your stead.
Miko let a smirk develop onto her lips as she read the message, ah the Kujo Clan’s Tengu warrior never disappointed her she did wonder though if she knew who these team consisted of.
Yae Miko: Well do come by the Komore Teahouse on your way over and pick me up. This broadcast has indeed caught my attention and I wish to go.
Sara Kujo: As you wish I shall be there in 10.
“And it looks like we have a new champion this year! The Archons really outdid themselves besting the Fatui in such split seconds! Oh, don’t look so glum Scara you’ll be able to go up against them in the next season! Ladies and gentlemen give a round applause to THE ARCHONS!” Yae Miko’s ears perked up slightly at the mention of the winners and she couldn’t help but allow a smirk. “Keep the change Thoma, and I’ll catch up with you on tonight’s adventures.”
-----
Raiden Ei stood from her desktop and made her rounds to hug her friends, each one reciprocated the hug. With Venti commenting “Now now Beelzebul do you think she who shall not be named has watched this?” His eyebrows wiggling at the mention of who shall not be named.
Her eyes rolled as she nudged his head. “Please Venti if she didn’t, I don’t know how else to get her attention.” Zhongli looked over at the two, “Well you could’ve went to her house not like it has changed or you know reached out by phone, social media, send some flowers so many choices my friend.”
Venti let out a chuckle, “He has a point my dear Beelzebul, but we all know you’re not the one to go the simplest route. Who wants to wager a bottle of great Dandelion Wine that she will be at the afterparty?” A snort was followed by the question, “What matters if we wager a bottle, you will be drinking more than that tonight Barbatos.” Tsaritsa commented the obvious.
Nahida nodded “Yes that is true it matters not but it is a fun gamble. I say she will be there.” Placing her bet Zhongli went against it, “If I were her, I would not go.” Venti voted yes, as did Tsaritsa, before Ei could comment on their silly wager they were interrupted by the announcer.
“Now dear Archons please come up and dismiss the Fatui and claim your trophy!” Both teams lined up across the stage with Ei leading hers and Scaramouche leading his. As they came to a head Scara was the first to speak, “Well, well I never would’ve thought you old geezers could’ve have achieved this. I might’ve to one vs one you dear Beelzebub and a rematch against the old Archons as well.” He smirked as his hand outstretched to shake Ei’s.
“I will gladly take your offer on that Scaramouche just give me a time and date; we shall be there.” Ei gave him a small smile as her purple eyes lightened to a lilac color for a brief second resulting in Scaramouche letting out a chuckle and a shake of his head before starting the line down to her teammates.
The Archons were soon the only team on the platform along with the announcer who went on a tirade about their performance on the game. While this went on Ei glanced at the camera pointed to them, gave a small smirk and let her eyes make contact hoping that it will reach to a certain someone. Though at the same time she couldn’t help but think of all the possible ways this could go sideways.
----
Yae Miko walked through the entrance that was lead here through a red carpet, massaging her temples before coming to a halt with Sara. “Dear Sara please assure me this will be a hit.” Sara’s golden eyes looked around the low dimmed hall, landing on some recognizable faces. A pair of Qulin horns standing next to a pair of space buns in the shade of a light purple, jumping to a pair with dark red hair and navy-blue hair and lastly landing on a trio with 2 shades of green hair with hair the color of clouds.
Her eyebrows knitted together wondering why all these prestigious people were here for a messily afterparty of a video game championship. “Yes Lady Yae, everyone is going ballistic over this group known as the Archons it has taken over the web by storm. And tonight, is the chance to get an interview with them and give people the information they want.” Sara informed Miko while her eyes were scanning the crowd before landing on a slight elevated platform. “Ah yes, the scoop that will appease the people. Now why do you think all of them are here hm?” She questioned as her eyes returned to Sara to read her expression, she herself of course knew why they were here.
Sara once more gave a glance over the three parties before glancing back down to Miko, “It could be this party has some prestigious members that has led them to be here.” She concluded to that response Miko’s lips raised to a smirk well she’s not slow I’ll give her that. “Good thinking my little bird, now what do you say about taking advantage of what they have to offer starting off with the food I do hope they have fried tofu.”
----
“Ah! That hit the spot!” Venti gasped as he slammed down the shot glass in their dressing room. Zhongli could only take a sip of his osmanthus wine while watching Venti pour out another shot, “I never could figure out what you like so much about that tequila.”
Venti let out a chuckle as he topped up his shot glass before he could think about taking it he considered to line up 4 more glasses for his dear archons. “Well mister Rex Lapis how about you give it a whirl before going out there yah? Could make you loosen up and increase your chances with that ginger Fatui.” As he said the last sentence with a wiggle of his eyebrows followed by Zhongli coughing up his wine.
“I’ve heard that Ajax is quite a catch, and if I do say so myself, he kept stealing glances at our dear Morax at the game.” Tsaritsa chimed into their convo as she came to a stop a bit to the side as Venti topped the last shot glass. Zhongli’s gold eyes glanced to the snow-colored hair archon before returning his attention to Venti straightening up. “Well, I don’t even know if I--.”
“Oh, please Zhongli! You’re everyone type and if you weren’t you, are the exception! Now please down the shot for you to get laid for the first time in eons old man!” Venti grinned as he waved over at the 5 shots filled to the brim with tequila.
Nahida walked over and looked at the 5 shots, “Now Venti you know I don’t drink.” She pouted her emerald eyes meeting Venti’s aqua green ones. “Hehe well of course dear Nahida yours isn’t tequila it is actually sprite so you’re free to join into the cheers!” Upon closer inspection she did notice the last one had the carbonated bubbles floating up to the surface, a soft smile graced her face as she took it into her hands.
“They’re asking if we’re ready to come out for our entrance, oh what do we have here?” Ei came to a halt in between Tsaritsa and Nahida in front of the now 4 lined up tequila shots. “Mister Barbatos here wants us to take a join shot to loosen us up.” Zhongli informed with eyebrows raised as if to say can you believe this?
“Well duh! Tequila hits just the spot! It warms you up just before letting you lose, and I daresay we all need it for what’s to come especially our dear Ei here.” Venti brought up as he passed around the shots with a smirk on his lips. “Now on the count of 3 we all drink it down and shout oh Barbatos! 1….2….3! OH BARBATOS!” And with that everyone drank their portion as some made a grimace as the alcohol made its way to their system and others were fine as nothing happened. “Ah man that sure hit the spot huh guys?” Venti asked as he looked around to all his fellow archons a giggle escaping his lips.
“Venti…” Ei placed a hand upon his head, “Don’t take it too far out there but also… Go loud.” Her eyes met his as gave each other a smile.