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Teucer sprinted across the snow-covered yard, his boots crunching against the frost as he raced toward the familiar figure at the gate. He was taller than Teucer remembered, and his coat seemed to have darker patches of travel dust along the edges, but his big brother’s smile was as warm as ever, and that was all that mattered.
“Brother!” Teucer’s shout echoed through the stillness of the morning, and he laughed as Ajax lifted him up, swinging him in a wide arc before setting him down gently.
"Look at you, Teucer! Have you been eating well? Getting stronger, I see!" Ajax’s voice was full of the same playful energy Teucer adored, and the boy grinned up at him, puffing his chest proudly.
"I’m going to be as strong as you one day, Brother!" Teucer declared, a familiar promise that he’d made a hundred times before.
Ajax’s hand rested on his head for a moment, ruffling his hair. "Of course you will," he replied softly.
There was something else in his eyes, something Teucer couldn’t quite place, but it disappeared as Ajax reached into his coat pocket.
"I brought a friend with me this time," he announced with a sly grin, stepping back to reveal something large, half-hidden behind him. It was round and metallic, and towering over Ajax even when it was stooped down.
Teucer’s eyes grew wide with excitement as he realized what it was. "Mr. Cyclops!" he gasped, running over to touch the deactivated Ruin Guard. The machine's metallic surface was cold under his hands, but it didn't matter. His brother had brought it for him.
“I thought Mr. Cyclops might be lonely,” Ajax said with a laugh, his voice carrying the warmth of a shared joke. “So I brought him all the way from Fontaine, just for you.”
As Teucer was lost in his excitement, his family lingered by the doorway.
“Ajax… you’re… you’re really here,” his mother whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She pressed a hand to her lips, trying to hold back whatever emotion was welling up inside her.
His father tightened his arm around her shoulders, his own voice soft but warm. “It’s been a while, son. You… look well.”
One of Teucer’s older brothers, Anthon, gave a small smile. “Yeah, it’s good to see you, Ajax. Really good. We didn’t think… we didn’t expect you today.”
Ajax’s gaze flicked to each of them, his smile gentle and understanding. “I wanted to surprise you all. Figured it was time for a proper visit, right?”
His sister Tonia’s eyes shone as she took a step forward, a tentative smile breaking across her face. “Brother, I— It’s… it’s wonderful you’re here. Teucer’s been waiting, you know.” She let out a soft, almost shaky laugh.
Their mother finally managed to find her voice, her hand reaching out as if to touch Ajax but stopping just short. “It’s like you just… walked out of a dream,” she said, almost as if speaking to herself.
Ajax’s gaze softened, and he inclined his head. “I missed all of you, too. I’m here now.”
Dinner that night was lively, with Teucer chattering excitedly and the rest of the family’s laughter echoing through the warm kitchen. The smell of roasted fish and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the faint chill that seeped in from outside. His big brother was back, and it felt like no one wanted to waste a single moment.
Teucer took a big bite of his fish and looked up at his brother, his eyes shining with curiosity. “So, Brother,” he said through a mouthful, “what have you been doing in Fontaine? Did you get to sell lots of toys there?”
Ajax paused, his smile flickering just slightly, and before he could answer, Tonia leaned over, nudging Teucer with a grin. “Oh, Teucer, you wouldn’t believe it! In his letters, Ajax said he’s been selling toys to the Hydro Archon herself—Lady Furina!”
Teucer’s eyes went wide with amazement. “To the Hydro Archon? Really?” He could hardly imagine it, his big brother meeting an Archon face to face just to sell toys.
Ajax chuckled softly, nodding. “Oh, that’s right. Lady Furina was quite interested in Mr. Cyclops and all the other toys. You know how powerful people like her are; they like anything that brings joy, even something as small as a toy.”
Teucer leaned forward, utterly captivated, his imagination running wild. He could see it now: his brother standing before the grand Hydro Archon, holding a Mr. Cyclops figure with pride.
“And the Chief Justice!” Tonia added, laughing. “Ajax even mentioned him in one of his letters. Imagine, Teucer! Your brother selling toys to the Chief Justice of Fontaine himself.”
Teucer looked at Ajax with awe. “You even met the Chief Justice?”
Ajax’s smile turned gentle, as if he was remembering something distant and bittersweet. “Ah, yes… Neuvillette. A quiet man, very dignified. I think he appreciated the toys more than he let on. He was… how should I put it?” he paused, glancing at Teucer’s parents, who watched him with soft expressions, listening quietly. “He seemed to need a little reminder of simpler joys. Even a Chief Justice can get overwhelmed, I suppose.”
Teucer grinned, his admiration for his brother growing with each word. “And then what happened? Did you sell more toys?”
“Oh, there was… quite a bit more to it than that.” Ajax’s smile turned slightly mischievous. “You see, there was this other toy seller, and he brought in this massive, new ‘toy’—something Fontaine had never seen before. A huge, ferocious Narwhal. Bigger than any toy I’d ever made. It was blue and had this sharp horn, like an icicle, and it was scaring everyone.”
Teucer’s eyes went wide as he imagined this monstrous Narwhal, prowling through Fontaine and frightening the people.
“It was taking over the whole market,” Ajax continued, his tone playfully dramatic. “I couldn’t sell a single Mr. Cyclops with that thing around. It was all people talked about. So I had to do something, right?”
Teucer nodded fervently, completely enthralled by the story. “Of course! You had to protect the toy market!”
Ajax laughed, glancing briefly at his family, who exchanged looks of quiet understanding. “Exactly. So I went to the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide—the big prison in Fontaine, run by a man named Wriothesley. Word was that this Narwhal ‘toy’ was causing chaos, even down in the prison, and I figured that maybe he’d want a little help dealing with it.”
“You… you went to the prison?” Teucer asked, equal parts amazed and horrified. “What did you do there?”
Ajax’s smile softened, and he gave a slight shrug, as though it was nothing at all. “Let’s just say I had a… business meeting with the Duke. Sold him a few toys for the inmates to keep them entertained. You know, even in prison, people need something to cheer them up. But then I had to make a deal to take care of that Narwhal problem.”
His mother’s face grew somber as she listened, her gaze flickering between her son and the rest of the family, but Teucer was too engrossed to notice.
Ajax continued, his voice taking on a calm, almost nostalgic tone. “So, I set out to stop that Narwhal from taking over the whole toy market in Fontaine. It was a tough battle—Narwhals are tricky beasts, you know. But in the end… I managed to take it down and keep everyone safe. That Narwhal won’t be scaring anyone anymore.”
Teucer’s heart swelled with pride as he imagined his brother’s bravery, standing up to a giant, terrifying Narwhal to protect the toy market and everyone in Fontaine. “You’re the best, Ajax! I knew you’d be strong enough!”
Ajax reached across the table, ruffling Teucer’s hair with a gentle smile. “Well, I couldn’t let a big, scary ‘toy’ like that run wild, could I? Someone had to put a stop to it.”
The rest of the family remained quiet, their expressions unreadable to Teucer, but he didn’t dwell on it. He was too wrapped up in his brother’s adventure, too proud to notice the quiet glances his parents exchanged or the way Tonia looked down at her plate, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the table.
The next morning, Teucer bounded downstairs, eager to find Ajax and continue their adventures. He spotted his brother sitting at the table, sipping tea and gazing out the window, deep in thought. The way he held the teacup seemed a bit strange—too careful, too precise—but Teucer dismissed it as just one of Ajax’s many quirks from his travels.
"Brother!" Teucer called out, practically bouncing over to him. "Can we play with Mr. Cyclops today? I want to show him to all my friends!"
Ajax—no, his big brother—turned to him with a small smile that was both warm and, for a moment, distant. "Of course, Teucer," he replied, his voice measured and calm. "It would be most agreeable to accompany you."
Teucer blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Uh… accompany me? You mean come with me, right?"
Ajax’s eyes widened slightly, and he let out a chuckle, a little too forced but still familiar enough for Teucer to feel reassured. "Yes, yes, that’s what I meant. Sorry, I… picked up some strange ways of speaking in Fontaine. It rubs off on you after a while."
Teucer giggled, shrugging it off. "Well, don’t talk like that around my friends! They might think you’re a noble or something!"
Ajax laughed softly, nodding. "Right. I’ll… be more careful."
They spent the morning together, and although Ajax seemed quieter than usual, Teucer was too caught up in the thrill of his brother’s return to think much of it. After lunch, Ajax suggested they go for a walk, and they made their way toward the frozen river just outside the village.
As they reached the riverbank, Ajax stopped, his gaze fixed on the ice that stretched out in a shimmering expanse. He stood there, unmoving, his hands clasped behind his back. His posture seemed unusually rigid, as though he were holding something in, something heavy that he couldn’t quite shake.
Teucer looked up at him, frowning slightly. "Brother, are you okay? You look… sad."
Ajax blinked, his expression softening, and he knelt down to Teucer’s level. "Sad?" he repeated, as if testing the word. "Perhaps… I am just thinking about things that happened in Fontaine."
Teucer stepped closer, reaching out to pat his brother’s shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "Don’t be sad, Brother! You’re home now, and you have me, and Tonia, and Mom, and everyone!"
Ajax smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He looked down at Teucer, and for a split second, there was something different there—something about his gaze that Teucer couldn’t place. It was almost like his eyes had shifted, just slightly, losing that familiar warmth, and Teucer felt a strange chill run down his spine.
"Your eyes…" Teucer murmured, squinting at him. "They… looked different for a second."
Ajax’s face grew tense, his smile faltering as he quickly averted his gaze. "Oh? Well, perhaps it’s the light," he replied, sounding just a little uncomfortable. "Or… maybe it’s just because I’ve been away for so long. My travels must’ve changed me in ways I didn’t notice."
Teucer considered this for a moment, then shrugged, deciding it wasn’t worth worrying over. After all, his brother was here, and that was what mattered.
He tugged on Ajax’s coat, grinning up at him. "Come on, let’s go play on the ice! You can show me some moves, like when you used to slide across the frozen ponds back home!"
Ajax hesitated, glancing back at the frozen river, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Teucer thought he saw that strange sadness return, but then Ajax smiled, this time a little brighter, and nodded.
"Alright, Teucer," he said, his voice softer, more like the big brother Teucer remembered. "Let’s make the most of today."
It was late in the afternoon, the sky casting a warm golden glow over their little home, the last light of the day filtering through the windows. Teucer was sitting in the corner, fiddling with his new Mr. Cyclops toy while pretending not to eavesdrop on the quiet conversation happening by the door.
Tonia stood with Ajax, her hands clutched together as she looked at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. Teucer couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his sister look so… fragile. She reached out, hesitating before finally asking, her voice barely above a whisper, “Could I… could I hug you?”
There was something about the way she asked, like she was afraid he might disappear if she reached out. Teucer frowned, not understanding why she sounded so desperate, so shaky. But then Ajax’s familiar, warm chuckle filled the room, and Teucer relaxed, letting the sound wash over him like it always did.
“Of course, Tonia,” Ajax said softly, his voice calm and soothing. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as if he were trying to shield her from some invisible storm. “You don’t have to ask.”
Tonia clung to him, her shoulders shaking, and Teucer noticed that she was crying now, silent tears trailing down her cheeks. She looked up at him, trying to smile, but her lips trembled, and she whispered, “Thank you… for doing this. For Teucer. You… you didn’t have to, but you did.”
Ajax just smiled, a soft, almost bittersweet smile, and brushed a stray tear from her cheek. “I made a promise, didn’t I?” he murmured, his voice a little rougher than usual. “A pinky promise. And we both know those can’t be broken.”
Teucer’s heart swelled with pride at the mention of their promise. Ajax had come back, just like he said he would. And as far as Teucer was concerned, that was all that mattered. But there was something about the way Tonia looked at Ajax, a kind of sadness that confused him. Why was she so upset when Ajax was right here?
Before he could make sense of it, Tonia suddenly glanced over and noticed him watching. Her eyes widened, and she quickly wiped her tears, trying to smile as if nothing had happened.
“Oh, Teucer!” she said, her voice a little too bright, a little forced. “How long have you been sitting there?”
Teucer blinked, shrugging. “I was just playing with Mr. Cyclops,” he said innocently, tilting his head. “Why are you crying, Tonia?”
She froze, her eyes darting to Ajax for a moment. He chuckled again, reaching down to ruffle Teucer’s hair, his hand warm and reassuring.
“Tonia’s just being sentimental,” Ajax said, his tone light and playful. “She’s always getting emotional about little things.”
Tonia managed a laugh, although it sounded more like a choked sob, and she squeezed Ajax’s hand one last time before letting go. “Yes, that’s it,” she agreed quickly, nodding. “I’m just… happy you’re home, Ajax. That’s all.”
Teucer grinned, not questioning it further. He was happy too, more than happy. His big brother was home, and everything was perfect.
On the third morning, Teucer was practically buzzing with excitement. He tugged on Ajax’s coat, his eyes shining with eagerness. "Brother! Can we go to the city today? I heard they’ve got all kinds of new toys there!"
Normally, Ajax would have laughed, ruffled his hair, and agreed in a heartbeat. He was always the first to spoil Teucer, buying him the newest and best toys whenever they went to the city. But this time, Ajax hesitated, his smile wavering slightly.
"Ah… I don’t think that’s a good idea, Teucer," he said, his voice softer than usual.
Teucer blinked, taken aback. "What? Why not? You’re back, and you always promised we’d go to the city together!" He tried to hide the disappointment creeping into his voice, but he couldn’t help it. Ajax loved taking him to the city—it was one of the things Teucer looked forward to the most when his brother came home.
Ajax chuckled, though it didn’t have the usual warmth. "It’s just… I’ve been traveling a lot, and, well, I don’t want people recognizing me. You know how they can be." He waved his hand dismissively, but his eyes darted away, avoiding Teucer’s gaze.
Teucer frowned, tilting his head. "Recognizing you? But you’re just a toy seller, right? Why would they care?"
Ajax’s smile faltered again, and for a moment, he looked almost… uncomfortable. "It’s complicated," he replied, his voice hesitant. "Fontaine’s been… a bit chaotic, and, well, it’s better if I stay out of sight. Just for now."
Teucer crossed his arms, feeling a strange unease settling over him. "But… you’re always taking me to the city. You don’t mind people there. You even sell toys to them! Isn’t that your job?"
Ajax’s gaze shifted, his expression briefly distant, as if he were wrestling with something he couldn’t put into words. "I know, Teucer," he said softly, finally meeting his eyes. "But this time… it’s different."
Teucer opened his mouth to argue, to ask why, but something in his brother’s eyes stopped him. There was a sadness there, a quiet, lingering heaviness that he didn’t understand. Still, he couldn’t shake the odd feeling that something wasn’t right.
"Different how?" he pressed, his voice quieter now, uncertain.
Ajax paused, his face tightening ever so slightly. "Just… trust me on this one, Teucer. We’ll go to the city another time, okay?"
Teucer nodded slowly, even though his heart felt heavy. "Okay…" he murmured, glancing down. "But you’ll come with me next time, right? You always do."
Ajax reached out, placing a hand on Teucer’s shoulder, squeezing gently. "I will," he promised, but there was a strange sadness in his voice, something that felt like a shadow creeping into the words. "Next time, we’ll go. Just… not today."
Teucer nodded again, forcing himself to smile. But as Ajax pulled away and turned back toward the house, Teucer’s mind kept racing. His brother’s excuse didn’t make sense, and the way he was acting… it wasn’t like him at all.
And for the first time, a small, unsettling thought crept into Teucer’s heart—one he couldn’t ignore, no matter how much he tried. Something wasn’t right with Ajax. Something he didn’t understand but could feel, like an invisible weight pressing down, making everything just a little too quiet, a little too strange.
But he shook the thought away, determined to believe that his big brother had a reason, that everything was still the way it was supposed to be.
Teucer watched from the window, curiosity gnawing at him as he saw Ajax slip out of the house, a hood drawn over his head. He knew his brother had said he didn’t want to go to the city, yet here he was, sneaking out as if he didn’t want anyone to see him. His heart thudded with a strange mixture of excitement and dread. Why wouldn’t Ajax let him come along? Where was he going?
The house was empty; his family had all left for work, leaving Teucer alone. Without a second thought, he grabbed his coat and quietly slipped out the door, following the distant figure of his brother down the snow-dusted path.
The city felt different today. As he drew closer, he noticed every shop was closed, their doors shut tight, and the windows dark. The air was thick with a somber weight that pressed down on him, stifling the usual lively atmosphere. People walked with heads bowed, their expressions grim, and the streets were unusually quiet, save for the occasional murmur. Teucer’s heart tightened as he weaved through the crowd, struggling to keep Ajax in sight.
Eventually, he saw a large crowd gathering near Zapolyarny Palace. It was strange; he’d never seen so many people gathered like this before. He squinted, spotting the familiar figure of his brother in the distance, making his way toward the center of the crowd. Teucer picked up his pace, curiosity now mixed with a creeping sense of unease.
As he approached, Teucer noticed an elevated platform where an old man stood, his face worn with age and sadness. Beside him were scary people who looked powerful and intimidating, their expressions hard and stoic. Teucer’s stomach twisted as he realized they were all gathered around… a casket, draped with the vibrant colors of the Fatui.
Confused, Teucer glanced around, his gaze catching on the faces of those in the crowd. Some had tears streaming down their cheeks; others stood with their hats clutched to their chests, silent and respectful. His heart pounded faster, and he pushed forward, slipping between people until he could hear the old man’s voice as he addressed the gathering.
"We are gathered here today to honor the memory of a hero," the old man’s voice trembled slightly, a reverence and sorrow lacing his tone. "A man who, despite his flaws, fought for all of us. Tartaglia, Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, gave his life to protect the people of Fontaine. He faced the All-Devouring Narwhal with courage and strength, knowing the price he might pay."
Teucer froze, his mind reeling. Tartaglia? Who was that? And the Narwhal… he thought it was just a toy, a story his brother had told him to make Fontaine sound more exciting. How could it be something that… devoured everything? He stared, feeling the edges of his reality fraying, his heart beating wildly as the old man continued.
"Today, we remember Tartaglia not as a Harbinger, but as a man who stood between Teyvat and its destruction. He fought until his last breath to save us all, and for that, we owe him a debt we can never repay."
The words washed over Teucer, each one sinking deeper, but they didn’t make sense. They couldn’t. His brother had always talked about the Narwhal as if it were just part of a grand adventure, another story to make Teucer laugh. But here, people were talking about it as if it were real—something dangerous, something that could take a person’s life.
He felt a chill creep up his spine as he watched the old man bow his head, his voice thick with grief. “May he rest in peace, and may his bravery be remembered for generations.”
Teucer’s mind raced, trying to piece together what he was hearing, but nothing fit. He stared at the casket, his heart pounding painfully, until a thought he couldn’t ignore slipped into his mind—a terrifying, impossible thought. But it couldn’t be. It just couldn’t.
Almost without realizing it, he took a step forward, then another, until he was close enough to reach out. His hand trembled as he tapped on the figure standing in front of him—the man in the hood. “Brother?”
The figure turned, and Teucer’s breath caught in his throat. The man who faced him wasn’t his brother. He wore Ajax’s clothes, and his face was so familiar, but… his eyes. They weren’t blue.
Instead, they glowed a warm, sorrowful gold, like molten amber in the fading light.
The man—Ajax? No, not Ajax—looked at him with a strange mixture of sadness and regret. “Teucer…” he said softly, his voice carrying an ache Teucer didn’t understand.
Teucer stumbled back, his heart hammering as his mind tried to reconcile the impossible. He looked into those unfamiliar eyes, his chest tightening, his breath shallow. "You’re… you’re not…"
The man—a stranger with his brother’s face—reached out as if to comfort him, but Teucer took another step back, his vision blurring as tears filled his eyes.
"I… I don’t understand," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the silence that seemed to engulf him.
The man said nothing, his gaze filled with an unspeakable sorrow, as if he held the weight of Teucer’s confusion, his grief, his shattered hope. And in that silence, Teucer felt the cold, hollow truth sink deep into his heart.
But he couldn’t accept it. He didn’t want to.