Chapter Text
Nothing good ever happens in the rain. That's a lesson everyone learns the hard way.
The guard has been wandering aimlessly for too long now. However long was an answer even the gods couldn't bless you with. A few hours? A few days? Hell, it could've been months. But something was deathly amiss, that was definite.
Thunder roared in the night sky, snapping them back into reality. Closing their eyes now could be devastating. To get lost when you're this far gone is a faith worse than death. It was so quiet, for a moment they almost let their guard down before another crash of lightning shook them awake.
Each heartbeat sent a shock of agony down their spine. Each clash of thunder knocked their balance into a spiral. Each step sent them deeper into the dark.
And for hours that's how it was; traveling further and further into the unknown. The storm managed to only get worse. It was... tiresome. They've learned to ignore the howling winds and the furious bolts of lightning, but it was impossible to forget about just how tired they were. Walking obliviously clearly wasn't helping, but there were no other options... except...
Their knees gave up and the winds slammed the guard face-first into the earth below. The taste of mud filled their mouth and covered their eyes. For a moment, they just laid there. It was impossible to deny that they were lost, but they have yet to lose hope.
Stained and hurting, they forced themself into a kneeling position. They let their hands drop back into the soaked land one last time before putting them together.
"I beg of you," he choked "Hear me out for one last time." As if in response to the old guard's prayers, the winds quieted. The gods were listening.
They bit their tongue, holding back a chuckle. Oh, how desperation can bring out the worst in people. Still, what more was there to do? This was their only chance. "Please. All I ask for is a chance of salvation. Nothing more."
The storm paused and the world quieted down. Did the gods truly answer the prayer of a sinner?
Silence.
It was silent for far too long. It was bad kind of silence, too. The kind where your mind drifts away, revealing the worst parts of a version of yourself you long thought to have buried.
The ground beneath them had long disappeared, alongside the forest they previously were traveling in. The air around them was cool, and not a single hint of a storm was found in the abyss.
What broke the silence next was not the storm.
"Dain? Dain!" Someone plopped themself onto the guard's left boot. "Are you in there? Dain!"
Dain blinked in an attempt to adjust their eyes to the now brightly lit road, only to find they were already adjusted. Stores, hotels, restaurants, and travelers covered every corner of the square. It was a busy time of year, and everyone was out enjoying themselves.
"I'm down here!"
Dain whipped their head around to meet the diamond eyes of a youngster. His skin was a sweet caramel and his hair was a faded aqua. They gave the kid a warm grin. "Vayura. Hello, Prince Vayura."
The little one smiled gleefully and hopped off their leg. "Mom was busy, so I went to find you!" Vayura awkwardly kicked his foot on a rock before continuing, "Is it okay if we can play a little? Just a little bit!"
"Of course, but don't dump a bucket of ice on me this time, you silly monster," Dain replied while rolling their only eye playfully. Where was their other eye?
Vayura's face instantly lit up. "I promise I won't, Mx! Pinky promise!"
"Hmm, intriguing, but dare I say I cannot recall a time where you have kept a pinky promise." Dain teased and chuckled as they watched the young Prince kick their feet into the dirt angrily. And almost instantly they regret pushing their fun as Vayura used his dangerously cute puppy eyes on the royal guard. "Alright, alright. Fine. Come inside."
In a blink of an eye, the tiny Prince disappeared and had already begun making his way back home. The street behind them led up to the North Palace's front entrance, currently under the rule of the Alberich family. It's a few minutes walk, but that was no problem. If Vayura got tired, he could always earn a piggy back ride from Dain.
Dain turned to meet the giggly face of little Vayura, only to be with a gust of wind. The Prince faded into thin air.
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500 years. It's been 500 years.
They close their eye for a second before reopening it again, staring into the depths of the abyss - into the depths what used to be their home. Home... can't wait any longer. This is their only chance to bloom anew.
Dainsleif crooks their back towards the man, taking in his figure. Long, dark, aqua locs flowed down and around his shoulders, entangled with a piece jewelry here and there. His clothes were unheard of. His top was a sleeveless turtle neck, ending a few inches above his belly button. A loose jacket was worn - unbuttoned and slipping from his shoulder. The back of the jacket split into five even pieces; each representing a feather of some kind of bird. At the very end of it, small diamond-shaped eyes floated and beamed brightly. They were detached from the rest of the jacket, yet remained close as if they were connected.
His eyes burned with a crimson red, a star locked within them. A glance through it would show you their world - or at least what was left of it; Pain, agony, and a thirst for revenge. And that star is what started it all; burning bright and oh, so beautifully.
The scent of smoke was suffocating and nostalgic, constantly overwhelming them with memories of the past. The palace gates, the royal throne, the townspeople. It was not comforting; not in the slightest. Shit, they were losing touch again. They desperately clawed at the air, but reality slipped between the cracks of their fingers like water. It was no use, they're probably long gone again.
Dainsleif shook the memories away, focusing on the topic at hand. "Vayura," they whispered, barely audible.
Vayura remained unresponsive for a moment, as he always does. He considers every possible choice before finally landing on one. Sometimes, he does not reply at all. Not that Dainsleif minds, of course. It's hard to find a friend this deep in the abyss. Just having someone listen to you is enough. His silence can be quite comforting, actually. It's the good type of silence.
For a long moment, there was no response. The crackle from old stones or hissing from dying fires broke the silence every now and then. Even centuries after their home's destruction, the devastation remains. A sin they all will carry for the rest of their eternal lives.
Vayura stretched and cocked his head, dangling his hair over the edge. "Do you have any other ideas, Dain?"
Dainsleif blinked, completely forgetting the existence of his old friend momentarily. They stared back into the abyss, breathing in the distasteful smoke. Perhaps it's better to make such a big decision above ground where the air is fresh and the breeze is warm to get into the right mindset, but this is not the time to attract the Heavens' attention. That world is under constant moderation of the Seven, and this is a topic best discussed with privacy. "No, sir."
"Well, it's settled then."
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Dark and gloomy trees wept over head, their filling leaves protecting critters from the rain above. They danced in sync as the howling winds picked up. Rain occasionally broke through gaps of leaves, pouring onto the earth.
It was late in the evening, the sun just disappearing over the horizon. A short-lived golden glare painted the clouds. The land was kissed by the sun's final breaths as it fell underneath the scorching mountains in the distance.
So this was the land favored by the Gods.
Kaeya was wide-eyed, taking in the new land. Colors he never could have dreamed of conquered every inch of this world. It was scary yet alluring.
Off to the side, Kaeya has a little hole dug filled with a collection of exquisite plants and rocks he found along the journey. The world was deathly interesting, and Kaeya wanted to know everything about it. Unfortunately, it won't be long before morning comes; they have to act fast. There's no time for childish games.
"Hurry," called a familiar voice in his home language "You're falling behind."
In the lead was a tall, hooded figure. Aqua locs were tucked behind his ears and draped down his shoulder. Jewelry was scattered almost randomly in each strand, sort of like a ring or a hair tie. Crimson star patterns rained down his cheek from underneath his eyes.
Every inch of his father, Vayura Alberich, screamed Khaen'riahn. Thankfully, they've been long forgotten by the currents of history. Teyvat won't remember their kind, so there's no need to worry about being recognized. But the Heavens forever will.
"Sorry, father." Kaeya quickly plopped the rest of his collection into the hole, not wanting to keep him waiting.
He weakly tugged at the scraps of clothing on his right eye. It's completely wet and super uncomfortable, but he's not allowed to take it off. That eye will stay forever covered.
Hand in hand, they continued down the path. He slowly followed in his father's trails, his weak and overworked legs wanting to give up after every step. No one said a word for the rest of the trip. The silence was awkward, but welcome.
When dawn comes, Kaeya will be rehomed. Everything of the past will be forgotten as he begins a new life. Something no other Khaenri'ahn has been blessed with before.
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"Head down, stop wandering about," instructed his father in their native tongue, wiping a stain off his cloth.
Kaeya could barely refrain himself from giggling. He found his first creature in Teyvat not too long ago and proudly presented it to his father. The green slimy beast hopped out of his hand and landed onto Vayura's shoulders, where it proceeded to piss all over on his already drenched hood. Now he was in an even pissier mood.
"As you wish, Father."
Vayura glared down at him with his crimson eyes, but nonetheless accepted the apology and continued onward. "We are approaching Mondstadt. Do you remember how to speak their native language?"
Of course he did. Kaeya's been practicing it ever since he was destined this fate by the Bough Keeper - so basically all of his life. This obviously was a poor attempt at switching the conversation from his disgusting peepee stain to something else, but he went along with it.
"Yessir!" Kaeya answered in Mondstadtian, giggling at how stupid his accent clashed with the language. His roar of laughter was cut off when his stomach rubbled, reminding him of how he hasn't eaten in a long while. Ouch, that also reminded him of how badly his legs ached. And his head. And his throat - oh, well, just about how everything ached.
Vayura must've picked up on Kaeya's condition, because he crouched down and adjusted the piece of cloth covering his right eye. It was soggy, but they didn't bring any backups so he just had to deal with it. They weren't expecting rain to begin with.
"Good," he sighed. "But you'll definitely need to practice it more."
With a snap of his fingers, Vayura cleared the path ahead of them to reveal a dirt road. The road was filled with tire marks, horse prints, and lost baggages. Obviously, it has seen better days. Other than that, there was nothing special about it.
Kaeya stared at him, awaiting instructions.
"We're South-West of Springvale, therefore, North-East of the Dawn Winery." His dad reached his hand out towards the night sky, blocking the moonlight. "In a few hours, Master Crepus Ragnvindr of the Dawn Winery will arrive with a carriage. It shouldn't be too packed, because he just restocked the tavern with it."
A long silence followed. Kaeya damn well knew what was about to happen, but he couldn't bring himself to fully believing it. Vayura knew it all too well too, yet he stood by his son's side a moment longer.
"Dad?"
Vayura did not respond at first. He was staring off into the distance towards where they came from. The expression on his face was unreadable as it was mostly covered by his hood and hidden in the dark of the night.
He finally turned towards Kaeya and laid his hands on his son's shoulders for the very last time. They stared at one another for what felt like forever.
"This is your last chance." The grip on his shoulders tightened. "You're our last hope."
What expression was on his face? Was he angry? Was he... hopeful? But the burden of the situation had finally struck Kaeya, leaving him dumb-founded in the rain. You're our last hope.
Originally, he didn't take his position very seriously. It just felt like a trip in a new world exploring things unheard of in Khaenri'ah. All of the colors, the feelings, the animals, the plants, and everything was just so different that it distracted Kaeya from the situation at hand.
The first time he remembers being scared at it was how his mother reacted when she first heard of it. The horror and fury on her face was painfully obvious. She spit every curse she knew at the hierarchy and positioned herself in front of her son. Kaeya, young and horrified, watched from behind her as the Peacekeepers excused her from the room.
But now, there was no turning back. Khaenri'ah has been waiting for this opportunity for centuries. He's already been positioned and the plan is almost complete.
"You guy's will come back for me," Kaeya choked. He hadn't even realize he was holding back a sob. "Right?"
Vayura hesitated in the clearing. The moonlight illuminated the Khaenri'ahn markings on the back of his hood. Each pattern represented something to do with the stars or the royal families. Another few moments were lost as they stood in silence, the only noise coming from the soft rain.
Without a second glance, his father headed back towards the shrubbery and disappeared with in the rain.
This won't be the first time Kaeya loses family to the rain.
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You're our last hope.
Kaeya jolted awake from the log he was laying on, turning his attention to the cracking of sticks and lost goods. He squinted his eye in a half-attempt to wake up and a half-attempt to not having to fully open them.
In the distance, a massive crate pulled by far too many horses entered his field of view. It was decorated by tons of unrecognizable patterns and some sort of guards. In fact, it seemed as if the crate was... slowing down. They've noticed him.
Panicking, Kaeya hid behind the log, unsure of what to do. Was it the right crate? Will this even work? His mind was rushing. This is the most fear he's felt in his entire life. Right here, right now determines Khaenri'ah's fate, and Kaeya's dead meat if he messes it up. If he fails here he doesn't just fail himself or his father, he fails the entirety of his nation.
Some muffled footprints approach before pausing. They exchange some conversation - that Kaeya is far too tired to hear - between continuing. His curiosity takes the best of him and he spares himself a tiny peak before almost shrieking.
An old red-haired man stood next to the log. His fiery hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he desperately needs to shave. He wore a tux with a white vest over it, but somehow that basic attire looked expensive.
"Hello," gleamed the man.
Kaeya just stared at him completely horrified. He really wants his dad right now.
"Uhm," he looked around before meeting Kaeya's gaze again. "Where are your parents?" Either dead or about to be.
He shrugged. Truth be told, he didn't want to deal with the man right now. He was far too tired and hungry to care about anything. Instead, when the man adverted his direction to the guards surrounding the cart, Kaeya rolled into a more comfortable position on his log and dozed off. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with this. Every part of him ached and he just wanted to go home. Was he ever going home?
"Kid, please. You need to tell us something." Kaeya turned around as the man attempted to lay a hand on him, which he successfully dodged. He gave him a look before eyeing the guards again, shrugging. "It's raining in the middle of the night, you're bound to catch a cold." The man added softly. "Can you at least point us in a general location of where your parents could've gone?" Kaeya lazily shrugs and shakes his head again.