Chapter Text
“How interesting.
Humans surely are very interesting.”
The night breeze carried the salty scent of the nearby sea to the peaks of the mountains, tickling his cheeks. If asked, he much preferred this lull and the sound of owls to the drunks of Mondstadt with their off-key singing. Fontaine really had a touch of lightness, despite the history buried deep within Elynas, which is where they were now. Silence was a blessing that the streets of a nation unconcerned with wars, trials or thesis lacked so much. Of course, if there was silence in the first place.
“Screaming at the top of their lungs, losing lucidity, sacrificing themselves for what not even time will take, reaching the ability to change their own reality, just by visualizing a scenario of losing what is most precious to them. They beg for more time. Arrive on time. Go back in time. How pitiful, don't you think?"
Time.
Humans have a relatively short lifespan. Time is precious to them, it is counted, precise. Unlike the immortals of this world, humans have an extreme appreciation for the concept of time, some call it a gift, others a curse, knowing that at any moment, eventualities would take away their freedom, their experiences, wanderings, stories. Adventurers and wanderers, in their majority, used to last even less due to the high risks and countless dangers they ran into, many were not even prepared for the accidents that destiny awaited for them. Such a chance unfolded just a few meters below them. It’s what started this whole conversation in the first place.
"Don’t you think?" repeated the older divinity at his side, with a curious look at the events that were unfolding near the foot of the mountain.
“That’s because they know that time, in conjunction with fate, is inevitable. All humans despair when faced with death.” He answered with a sigh, watching with a sad look in his eyes, knowing there's no going back for those lovers. History cannot easily be changed in Teyvat, no matter how hard you try.
“Well, isn't this supposed to be just for humans? Time matters to humans as they know they won't have it forever. That is not a human, nor is it a god, or a divine spirit, and certainly doesn’t look like any of the Inazuma youkais.” A mocking laugh was heard by the two observers on the top of the mountain, noisy enough to scare the fauna around. “Hmm, how curious.”
The youngest realizes, out of the corner of his eye, that there isn't an ounce of compassion escaping this god, just pure intrigue. This is how things work with his creator. It's impossible to say if this is just the nature of her eccentric personality or the lack of coexistence with mortals, it certainly has nothing to do with her divinity, as he knows well that even gods can feel. Thinking about it even makes him want to take her to the noisy streets of the windy city, who knows? With a good drink along with the company of drunkards at a table in that tavern, maybe then she would understand what it is like. No, this is an inappropriate time for that thought. How ironic, the pot calling the kettle black.
“I don't think we can do anything about it other than pay the appropriate condolences. You know, not only humans get this ability to suffer for their loved ones, even more so when what is most precious to an immortal is a...” He swallows hard, unable to go on without having that feeling again.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” The smile fades from her face, but the amusement in her eyes makes it clear that things are far from over with just silent condolences from a faraway location for a grieving child. This is not good. “That puppet…praying to a forgotten god with such fervor. I can hear him clearly.” Surprise crosses the god's gaze, as well as his own as he turns suddenly to find Ei's Prototype looking directly at them, even from the distance he is. How... How did he detect them?
"He.... is praying for you" He watches as the being before him bows and a sly smile comes across her face, as if realization suddenly hit in that instant, a realization that, in the face of despair, ignorance will win. A perfect puppet to serve as entertainment for a god of false compassion forgotten by all. “We should lea-”
“If such a faithful servant requires my presence while staring straight at me with eyes full of hate and woe, why should I ignore it? Am I not a God?” Damn it. He can't stay and risk being recognized, but he knows that if he goes, he won't be able to undo events either. “There is nothing for you here, little one, go away! I don't know what you think of me, but I’ll just listen to his yearnings and honor him, if he so wishes. Sounds fair to you”?
But it didn't. Knowing that the oldest gods would never give a favor for free, it doesn't seem fair at all. He could say that, but when the wind ceased, and the sea's waves stopped lapping the shore, and the stars stopped twinkling, and, at last, everything was silent for too long to be considered comforting, he knew it was too late to avoid whatever comes next.
This couldn't be happening. It must be a nightmare. Yes, that's it. They probably found some kind of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Or maybe... maybe the aranaras put him in a dream when they realized the fight with those thieves was getting too violent. Yes, that had to be it. He had to agree that those little lettuces could be pretty inconvenient, if peace was disturbed.
Because there is no way Kaedehara Kazuha would be dead in his arms with a spear driven into his stomach. Not after Kunikuzushi jumped in front of him to take an arrow in his place. Maybe the arrows were poisoned, which allows him to see that not only the arrow hit him, but also that damn spear pierced both of them.
What a joke to be in such a situation. It must be a joke, right? But the wanderer knew very well that hallucinogenic mushrooms did not grow in this part of Fontaine, nor did aranaras act outside of Sumeru, not even the pain of the wound and that exorbitant amount of blood of his own, his lover and all the thieves who surrounded them earlier, covering both him and the motionless samurai could be a figment of the imagination. No, it was real. Too real.
"No, no, no, no, no! You promised it wouldn't end up like this. DON'T YOU DARE, KAZUHA. DON'T YOU DARE, NOT HERE, NOT NOW. DO YOU HEAR ME? Please, not again. I can't lose again, please, please not you. Please Kazuha... Say something. Anything , just... just any movement... Kazuha, please." Tears were now falling nonstop on Kunikuzushi's face, but it didn't come close to easing the tightness and agony he felt in his chest. As if he were drowning, knowing he could never die, unable to stop the water from invading his lungs. As if the sensation was repeated for all eternity in every second.
The notion of eternity was something Kunikuzushi had been taught long ago. In fact, that was the first thing he learned from absorbing his creator's ideals. It was also the concept he hated the most. The whole idea of immutability, or the thought of ambitions serving as a catalyst towards suffering, resulting in the disharmony of such eternity. All of that was bullshit to him. If changes didn't happen, if everything was immutable the way Inazuma's archon wants so much, then perhaps he would still be stuck in that domain, never having known everything about the world, about Tatarasuna, the Fatui, or Kazuha. Kazuha. His beloved, incomparable, priceless, worshiped Kazuha. The one who loved him first, who provided the heart Kunikuzushi was missing, a happiness so extraordinary he didn't even know it was possible. A lifetime of promises he didn't earn. The life he took. Which, because of him, is now forever gone. If eternity promised by Raiden Shogun were true, Kazuha wouldn't be so cold here in this place. It's his fault alone, he should have never asked Kazuha to visit Fontaine. Kazuha is the one who always chose their routes during trips. Why did he have to mention Elynas' mountains? Why? Why? It's all his fault, his fault. His. Fault .
A deep scream escapes his throat as hatred mixes with panic followed by a manic laughter at the realization of a world without Kazuha. A hatred of everything that exists, of himself, of fate and time. Time…
"Please, please bring him back. I need more time, he needs more. It's not enough... His life still wasn't enough. This is not right. It's my fault please, please, let me go back. If eternity can be concretized, gods above, let it be with him, for a moment, I must…" His gaze lifts to the heavens, and there's the sensation, almost imperceptible, of the wind blowing across the puppet's wet face, like a caress of mourning. The slow sway of the blades of grass at his feet indicates that he is being watched. And despite not having his lover's sensibility, he can also taste the mischief and amusement in the face of his misfortune in the same breeze, laughing at his misery. Hate floods Kunikuzushi's entire system as he makes eye contact with a distinguished figure accompanied by a much smaller one at their side at the top of the mountain. He knows he has been noticed, now he needs to bring them over here.
Without warning, everything around him suddenly stops. As if it was frozen, no longer under the laws of time. Or maybe time is running out for all other things, except for him. A wanderer outside the known world, and universal laws no longer apply to him… Something is definitely wrong. And he fears he has attracted power far greater than he can handle.
"Well, well. I must tell you, little branch of the wind. Your chance has gained an observer and your plea has been heard in the heavens above Teyvat. I see here that the undeniable misfortune of fate has befallen you." An eccentric and clearly not human being crouched down in the line of Kunikuzushi's gaze, wiping one of the tears that still fell. "But I suppose even fate meets time once every millennium. What deep desire dwells in your hearts, my child, after hearing these words?"