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It was in the middle of the night when Aether slipped away from the residence camp.
Sleep evaded him and he knew by the ninth time he flipped over that he wasn’t going to rest for the night. So he simply decided to leave his tent, take a walk, and try to clear the fuzzy feelings nipping at his thoughts.
Though, that was easier said than done.
The moon was hidden behind the dark clouds in the sky (Gorou said something about there being a weird phenomenon on the island) so the only light was the lanterns that line this section of the island. He was glad it wasn’t storming at this moment since the rain would have been annoying and the thunder…
He was never afraid of thunder or lightning before, but now his body jumps every time he hears it (which was every few seconds) and his heart starts racing in his chest. Anxious thoughts invaded his mind, briefly wondering if this was the moment he’ll be struck down for good. Not to mention everything was making his head pound like someone was beating it like a drum.
Basically, he’s been on edge for the past few days.
Aether trudged down towards the beach, following the lanterns as his body was aching and burning in pain. The numerous days of fighting were already wearing him down. Yet, there were more battles to fight the next day, then the day after, and the day after. Aether couldn’t stop fighting even if he wanted to.
Battle after battle… What was even the purpose anymore?
The blonde could barely breathe with the bandages wrapped around his middle, covering the lightning scars he’d received from his duel with the Shogun. It was a brutal experience. The feeling of dread slowly creeped up in his throat, slowly suffocating him as he tried to defend himself from the Archon’s wrath. The glare in her violet eyes showed no mercy and if Thoma wasn’t there, he would have been a dead man.
He snorted depressingly to himself. He would have rather been a dead man.
Instead of death, he was ‘gifted’ with lightning burns all over his back. These burns were different from normal lighting burns gained from being struck during a storm- no, it was ten times worse. The branches were a deep purple and it got worse as it traveled to the source at the center of his back.
The source was an eye shape mark (Thoma had called it the Divine Stormy Eye) that glowed faintly on his back. He could guess that it didn’t look pretty according to Paimon, who freaked out the moment she saw it, and Thoma, whose face turned as pale as a bedsheet.
It was the main source of his pain - the sensation similar to that of being slowly fried from the inside out. Eating away at his strength every passing moment.
The statue of the seven he stopped at while he was fleeing eases a little bit of his pain, but it can only do so much. Even with the slight healing, he could barely use his sword which irritated him to no end. His muscles were failing him- shooting sharp tingles through his arm after just a few swings. How was he supposed to defend himself in this state? It made him feel weak, helpless.
Just like he was when that god imprisoned him and stole his sister.
Just like he was when Lumine left him.
Bitterness and irritation swirled in his mind as the dirt transitioned into sand underneath his feet. The beach was empty with no soul in sight, which he was thankful for. He just wanted to be alone. The last thing he needed was to run into one of the soldiers on night watch and having to put up the facade of everything being okay. He wasn’t and gods he was so tired. The sounds of the crashing waves were enough to keep him company.
Smelling the salty scent of the ocean, he trudged sluggishly to a log that sat idle on the shore. He sighed to himself as his golden eyes gaze over the ocean - the sea appearing to be a dark inky void in the dead of night. The beach had become a place of reflection for him - a safe haven from the peering eyes of the world. His journey had started on that fateful beach in Mondstadt after all (he had hid on it for gods know how long) but he had come so far in the past year and had nothing to show for it.
Yes, he had saved two nations from disaster and yes, he had met the Anemo, Geo and now the Electro Archon. Though, his two main goals were still unfulfilled. He didn’t know who the unknown god was and Lumine—
Tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he rubbed them back with the palm of his hand. He would have thought she would have been happy or relieved that he was alive. They had finally found each other after gods know how many years of separation but no, Lumine barely paid him any attention. Dainsleif was more important than him apparently.
It wasn’t fair.
She had chosen the abyss, her stupid war against destiny, over him. He didn’t understand and there were so many questions he wanted to ask. The ache in the heart had intensified ever since that moment.
Usually, he could tell what she was thinking— he was her best friend and her brother— they were always close with each other. Always had each other’s backs. Though, at that moment he stared at the ghost of his sister. The stranger with her face telling him to continue his journey across Teyvat.
He only wanted to find her and go home.
Among the bitterness, anger and exhaustion that coursed through his body there was also a sense of numbness and loneliness. Yes he had made all sorts of allies and friends so far, but only two could temporarily fill that void in his heart. He could trust no one else with his truth as he suppresses it - lying to the world.
He could only bottle up so much before reaching his breaking point and damn he was getting close to it.
Aether sighs as he brings his knees closer to his chest. His golden eyes were still staring at the ocean as if the back and forth of the tides were singing a song - at least it brought him some comfort in this madness. The wind around him blew gently, a soft soothing breeze that caressed him and sounded faintly like wind chimes.
Suddenly, a white blob flew at him. Aether’s tired eyes widened as he stumbled off the log, trying to avoid being struck by whatever the thing was. The sharp pain in his back screamed at him for that sudden movement, but he tried his best to ignore it. His face twisted into a wince as he pulled out his sword and shifted into a sloppy defense stance. His eyes fluttered around, trying to see any enemies that had come to ambush him.
“Is that how you greet a dear friend, honorary knight?”
Confusion crossed his mind at the words and he swore he heard a light giggle drifting on the wind. The white thing floated near him again, but this time he was able to get a good glimpse at it. It was like a small spirit, an adorable little thing about the size of his hand. A white hood made up most of its body and was decorated with blue designs. Aether couldn’t see its face but only its glowing eyes that twinkle happily at him.
This was a wind wisp right? He had read about it in a few Mondstadt books but—
Wait.
“Venti?” He questions and the wisp twirls in happiness.
“Indeed! The one and only, Venti the bard- though in my original form.” His voice was much higher pitched than in his human form. When he spoke it also seemed distant yet close at the same time, as if the sound of his voice was traveling on the wind.
Aether quickly put his sword away, relaxing tense muscles, and shifted into his natural standing position- well the best he could manage with the sharp pain. He cupped his hands together and held them out for Venti to rest on. Wind wisp Venti gladly floated down in his hands and landed softly (he was as light as a feather) on his open palms.
“But how— why are you here? Did something happen?” Aether asked worriedly.
If something happened to Mondstadt, to his friends… he wouldn’t know how to react. Probably a meltdown.
“Everything is perfectly fine. Mondstadt is as safe as ever, especially after a certain hero’s adventures. Can I not just visit my warrior when I want to?” He tilted his head cutely.
“You can but—“ He glanced up at the sky worriedly, flinching slightly at the sound of the thunder in the distance, “You shouldn’t be here Venti, not now at least.”
“Aww why not?”
Aether could practically imagine the pout Venti would have on his face.
“Because of the electro archon.”
“Ah you’re worried about the Shogun?” Venti says nonchalantly.
“Yes, I am worried about her. I wouldn’t want you to be a target of her wrath, with you being here she might sense your presence as a threat.”
If she learned that the god of freedom was here out of all times, during such a rebellion that divided the country, she might not hesitate in striking Venti down in the name of eternity. Venti had said himself that he was the weakest among the seven, if she found him… he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Don’t fret, she wouldn’t hurt one of her fellow archons, especially when I’m not allowed to meddle in other nation’s affairs to begin with. Though, there’s no rule against visiting! Besides that is specifically why I chose this form, how can someone hurt an adorable wind wisp like me.” Venti fluttered his glowing eyes, trying to make himself look cuter in his form.
Aether couldn’t stop the snort from escaping his lips (it did make his chest hurt), “I mean… you are kinda cute like this.”
“Right?” Venti made his point by twirling over his hands in a small burst of Anemo before resting once more, “I appreciate the compliment!”
Such a dork the bard was. Though he had to admit, his appearance was a refreshing one.
A small smile grew on his lips before his expression quickly twisted into confusion, “How did you get here and find me exactly?”
“I used the power of a thousand winds! Though, even with my power, it was rough trying to fly through that storm. I nearly got struck a few times too; no wonder travel is limited in Inazuma. I swear Beelzebub has auto-targeting on that thing.” He can hear the pouty grumble in the god’s tone, “Anyways, I managed to track you by following the sweet sound of revolution!”
“You cheated using the winds didn’t you”
“Ehe~”
Venti’s giggles were melodic and it was a sound that made him feel a bit better.
“Anyways, now that I’m here. Tell me about your journey so far? It’s been a while since we last spoke and a bard such as I had to write your tale into songs!”
So Aether did. He told the god about the fighting tournament in Liyue and how he won, explained Kazuha’s quest to light up his dead friend’s vision once again, spoke about his brief time on the Crux as they sailed to Inazuma. He told him about his first impression of the land of eternity, about Thoma (Venti eyes perked up curiously at that) and the corruption of the tri-commission, about Ayaka showing him the horrors of the vision hunt decree.
His voice began to waver however when he talked about…meeting the electro archon for the first time and the fight that almost cost him his life. Venti listened quietly and never interrupted the blonde’s rambling, even when he started to shake as he relayed the deadly fight with the shogun with vague details. It was only when he was done, Venti spoke up.
“Aether,” He floated up so that he could be at the same level as his eyes, the bubbly nature disappearing, “How are you feeling, truly? You must not be ok, especially after everything you’ve experienced. You can tell me the truth.”
“I—“ He swallowed and he could feel a lump in his throat. He never had someone that asked him how he felt - at least not in a long long time. Everyone just expects him to be fine, to continue pushing on like the pain didn’t matter. But it did and it cut deep, “I’m just so.. tired and lost. It hurts, everything hurts so much.”
Tears pricked at his eyes again as the physical and emotional pain he’s been suppressing for months rises again in his chest. It was like a powerful storm that threatened to wash him away. He quickly closed his eyes, letting his head droop. He wasn’t going to cry, he wasn’t going to cry, he wasn’t going to cry—
“Oh my dearest companion,” Aether felt the wind pick up and swirl around him like a comforting embrace. In a flash of light, he sensed a larger presence standing in front of him, “I’m right here.”
Warm hands hold his face in a gentle caress and he opens his eyes to gaze at Venti now in his normal (human) form. The bard had a comforting yet serious expression (a look that says the bard was in Barbatos mode) while all sorts of emotions swirled in his teal eyes. His gaze trailed down and landed on the bandages around his midsection. It was clear that the bard had been sensing something.
“I’m going to move my hand to your back, is that okay? I want to try something.”
Aether nodded wordlessly. He trusted Venti. He trusted him with his life in fact. The bard had only his best interests in mind (though the shenanigans Venti drags him through are questionable) and wouldn’t hurt him on purpose. Still, his body tensed up automatically, just like it always did when someone tries to touch the stormy eye or the burns on his back.
Venti removed one hand from his face and slowly moved it to Aether’s back. The other hand remained, rubbing comforting circles into his cheek to get him to relax. The god let his fingers glide down his back in a slow pace and a light pressure.
“My poor star,” He whispered softly, brows furrowed. His touch continued to travel down until it reached the middle of his back, exactly where the stormy eye was. He could feel the extreme amount of electro energy flowing through the mark.
“She really did a number on you. I can feel her power overwhelming you, draining your energy.”
“Nothing seems to help…” He muttered weakly.
Even the best doctor the rebellion had was lost at how to treat his… god-given aliment. General Gorou did say that maybe the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island could help since she was skilled in healing but he had a feeling that even her skills wouldn’t be enough to make a difference.
“Well, I think I have an idea. I do not have the power to remove another God’s divine mark but I can counter it with my own power. Just like before I will channel anemo energy through you. It won’t hurt, I promise.” Venti murmured, his voice was soft and it felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket of safety.
Aether noticed the god glancing at him as he waited for his approval of the idea. He nodded again and breathed a soft ‘Okay.’
Venti smiled at him, one of reassurance, before he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, “Just relax for me, I will be quick.”
Aether watches as the tips of Venti’s hair start glowing tealish blue as the god channels his power. He started muttering something underneath his breath in a language he couldn’t understand, but sounded ancient. The light breeze immediately picked up as it swirled around them gently- as if reacting to the Anemo god’s words.
The blonde tenses slightly before relaxing as the anemo energy courses through his body. It soothes most of the electrifying pain he was feeling from the Shogun’s stormy eye as if Venti was healing him or at least easing his pain away.
He was able to take the first deep breath he hadn’t had in days.
“I didn’t know you could do this..”
“Are you surprised?” Venti's eyes fluttered open as he gave the blonde a teasing smile.
“Kinda. I didn’t think you would have a strong affinity for it but, then again, you did do something similar to Dvalin.”
“What kind of god would I be if I didn’t have some healing abilities..” He snorts before sighing softly, “Though you are correct that I don’t specialize in it. If I still had my gnosis, I would have been able to heal you completely but…”
“It’s enough, you’re already given me so much.'' Aether says and his words were completely sincere. He appreciated all that Venti had done for him.
Venti had given him a new home in his nation, Mondstadt welcoming him with open arms even though he was clearly an outlander. He had let him draw power from the Statue and use Anemo freely without consequence. The bard was fun, caring, and never failed at cheering him up. At the end of the day, Venti was always there to support him just like he was doing now.
“And you deserve so much more! What am I going to do with such a humble hero?” He sighs loudly and Aether smiles softly at his dramatics.
A moment later, the wind died down around them and the glowing hair slowly dimmed back to its normal color. Warm hands leave his skin and Venti pulls back, standing in front of him with a bright smile on his face. Aether testingly twisted his midsection from one side to the other - a faint ache was present but nevertheless felt so much better than before.
“Thank you, it feels better.”
Teal eyes watches his movements carefully before nodding in satisfaction. The bard plopped down onto the bench with a soft oof next to Aether saying something about all in a day’s work. The traveler was feeling okay, finally finding relief after so much pain these past few days. He could feel the mark’s soothing anemo energy flow over him like a gentle caress and, if he concentrated, he could still feel the ghost of the god’s hands on his back.
He was still far from feeling his best but having the bard here, it helped.
“You mentioned feeling lost earlier,” Venti spoke up again, “Many people may feel lost at times. After all, it's impossible for everything to happen according to your own wishes. At a time like this, ask yourself what the most important thing is.”
“It-“ The blonde’s voice waived as his hands curled into fist in his lap, “It was finding my sister but…”
“But?”
Aether remained silent, his expression dropping as he stared at the ground. The traveler didn’t trust his voice to continue - to speak out loud that his sister left him behind. It would just confirm that it indeed happened; it was a reality that he wasn’t ready to face. Venti, noticing the pause, could fill in the blanks of what his warrior wanted to say.
“You found her, didn’t you?” Venti frowned in realization as he tore his gaze away from the horizon.
Aether mutters in defeat, “Yes.”
The blonde looks away from the bard’s teal eyes and Venti hums in thought. He then scooted a little closer to Aether and nudged their shoulders together, as if to say look at me.
“Say, did you remember what I said before you left Mondstadt that first time? After saving Dvalin?”
Aether took a second to think of the memory, “That my journey has meaning?”
“Correct, but you have forgotten that the destination is not everything. Reuniting with your sister is important, but don’t let that goal prevent you from fully experiencing your journey through Teyvat. The people you meet, the lessons you learn, the stories told - it will help you understand this world in the end. So, my precious windborne traveler, don’t rush.”
He took a deep breath as the god’s words sunk in. He couldn’t help but be reminded of what Lumine told him a few weeks ago, her words ringing in his head once again. ‘I have already traveled through this world once. Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world. So we'll meet again. Though we need not rush, brother. I have more than enough time to wait for you.’
He turned his gaze up to the dark sky covered in clouds, he wondered where she was now. Were they looking at the same sky? Did she still think of him? Miss him as much as he misses her? Aether sighed with his features shifting to contemplation.
“She said the same thing too when I found her, about continuing my journey. We’ve been separated for so long and we were finally reunited, but she was so… stubborn. I didn’t know what she was thinking for the first time and that scared me.”
He continued as he looked back to Venti, “But you’re right. I think…I think she wanted me to learn more about this world, to discover what she had. I have to accept and hope that she’ll be waiting for me at the end of the road.”
Venti gave him a wise smile as his windblume had finally found the light at the end of the tunnel. He knew that the traveler just needed a little push back in the right direction, a shoulder to lean on in hard times. Aether has a long journey ahead of him and the bard knew it was far from over. However, as long as there’s wind, Venti shall guide him.
The god lifted his hand to ruffle the traveler’s hair playfully and ignore the brief noise of complaint he got in return.
“It seems like you know what to do.” Venti’s tone was firm but satisfied with a smile spreading on his lips, “Keep your head up high Aether. Even if life's all in a jumble right now, you can sort it out as long as there's a whisper of the wind.”
Aether smoothed his hair and nudged the bard back with his shoulders. As soon as his hair was back to being decent, he sighs, “You know, your serious face… it’s a rare sight”
“Eh-hehe.. is it?” Venti laughed as his face melted back into his carefree expression.
“It’s nice though, I like it. But.. thanks Venti, I really needed this. Truly.”
“Don’t mention it!” He beams, leaning his head on the blonde’s shoulder, “Well.. actually you could show your thanks with a bottle of dandelion wine~”
Aether rolled his eyes playfully as the bard winked, but rested his head on top of Venti’s, “As soon as I get back to Mondstadt, I will.”
“Perfect, it'll be a cause of celebration! The hotshot knight of Mondstadt, the savior of Liyue and the soon to be hero of Inazuma returns to town. I’ll even prepare a new ballad!”
As the two continue to chat about anything and everything in the dead of night, Aether felt a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. It felt good to be able to share how he actually feels, for someone to listen to him and help him. Venti’s advice had rekindled his sense of purpose that he thought had faded away all those weeks ago. He was glad that he had the bard by his side and the bright smile Venti flashed him as their hands were on top of each other filled his aching heart.
He may not have full confidence in their stand against the Shogun or any control in the whole rebellion situation at hand, but with the people that supported him he will survive. He always did.
Besides, he had his wind to guide him after all.