Chapter Text
The ones with earth Quirks noticed first. The earth felt different as if there was a sovereign of earth around.
There was not a Quirk that was strong enough to do that on record.
The ones with wind Quirks were next. The ever changing and unpredictable wind suddenly went still and fled like a child being scolded. The wind users were curious as to the change but the wind only whistled ‘Stronger is here!’, then left the ones who called for them.
No Quirk on record could make the wind still.
It was the same for those with electricity, nature, water, fire, and ice Quirks too.
For some reason, earth and water Quirks were more affected than the rest.
***
The phenomenons lasted for seven days.
The entities came the following seven.
The ones who claimed they could control what many can already control. The ones who called themselves Archons. The ones who claimed to begods.
There were seven of them, each representing a day when a whole group of similar Quirks felt something shift in their power.
The Geo God represents what happened on the first day. Earth Quirks not coming to the user's call, for the earth itself was shifting with the new energy that the god had brought. Earthquakes were happening all over the world. Some were near fault lines, but others were so far out it was a wonder as to how they had one. Rocks then started to shoot up from the ground. They littered any surface they could and some even had started to glow. (Morax would later explain that the blue ones were Noctilucous Jade while the gold ones were Cor Lapis.) Scientists scrambled to find any sensible conclusions as to why this was happening but could not find one. The earth Quirks and Geo God finally resonated with the earth on the second day. People breathed easier as they saw the damage done by the earthquakes had been patched up. However, once everything calmed down it seemed the wind Quirks were going to have a phenomenon of their own.
The Anemo God is who represents day two of the phenomenons.
The winds had a personality of its own, and would only listen in dire situations. It would save those in need and guide those who could be saved into the light, while the souls of the dead were escorted to their proper places. The winds did this and so much more without the majority of the population knowing. The only ones who knew were the animals, those with wind Quirks, and Barbatos.
Much like its caretaker, the winds were also a playful thing. It was always messing with people’s hair and making people think there was a storm coming. The ones with wind Quirks were not affected as badly as the rest, because the winds could sense that something was within those with wind Quirks.(The winds would later get too curious and ask their caretaker. Barbatos would laugh and tell the winds it is this world's version of a vision. He went on and further explained it but like most important conversations, it was lost to the wind.)
The winds soon learned that the mortals of this world had different levels of control. The winds did not know how to trickle their power into the more inexperienced ones and gave too much power to the more experienced ones. With the winds getting more confused, the wind decided to reveal itself. Once the wind revealed itself, it was as if time had stopped. (It may have been, because this is one of the keepers of time we are talking about). The power of the winds and wind connected and then, time unfroze.
The Winds of the Old had mixed with the Wind of the New. Together, along with the help of the Anemo Archon, the wind and the winds soon sorted out the mess they had made. The winds explained how they were used to everyone having the same level of power and the wind explained how they were used to everyone having a different scale in power. To help combat this problem, the Anemo Archon decided that the winds and the wind would merge only when he used the power of anemo and that he would only use the wind if they were comfortable with it. The wind and the winds happily danced around him once he said that. He also told his children that only he was to use their power. The winds were very happy to hear this because they did not feel like trying to power scale (properly) for the mortals of this world.
To help differentiate between the two, the Anemo Archon infused his power into the winds. To the blind eye the winds and the wind looked exactly the same. To the rest of the Archon’s and anyone with a wind Quirk, they could see the difference between the two. The wind looked white and almost invisible; the winds had turquoise streaks in it and those streaks would glow every now and then. By time the third day rolled around the wind, the winds, and the Anemo Archon had sorted out who got to use what and at what time.
By the time they had finished the Geo Archon had found the Anemo Archon, who let out a sigh when he felt the Geo Archons tail wrap around his waist. He then let out a yelp when the Geo Archon dragged him out of the sky and onto a beach. It seems the old blockhead’s instincts finally won for a change, the Anemo Archon thought, as the other Archon moved so that the Anemo Archon had to sit in the Geo Archon's lap.
It was later into the third day when the Electro Archon appeared.
The sky turned purple and storm clouds gathered all over the world. Purple electricity could be seen in the ocean, and there at the center of a tornado was the Electro Archon. However, the Electro Archon had yet to realize that the storm in front of her was not from Seirai Island but rather her own.
Sensing that the Electro Archon had not yet figured out this was her doing, the Geo Archon put up a shield to protect the people while the Anemo Archon disbanded the tornado. Once they were done the Electro Archon dispelled the rest finally realising that it was her storm. She then teleported from the sky to the two cuddling Archons. When she got the approval from the Geo Archon to approach, she hugged them like they were going to leave her if she let go. The Geo Archon ran a hand through her hair and the Anemo Archon, who had wiggled himself free and moved to lean on the right side of the Geo Archon, wrapped his wings around them. It was not too long after that did the purr of the dragon start, followed by the whistle of the wind and the static of electricity dancing around the three Archons.
While the Archons were happy to be reunited, the electric Quirks were suffering. High voltage released across all their bodies spreading out to other areas and powerlines, outlets, and anything that could conduct electricity. Screams rang out as electric Quirk users were burned and healed with the electricity in the air. People rushed to help them, but they quickly realized that there was nothing they could do. Later a major power outage spread through the whole world. When governments of the world investigated further the cause was credited to the Electro Archon and the Quirk users who lost control of their powers.1It was not long before people started to catch on to the pattern. If their predictions are correct then the next “god” to appear will be the nature god.
The Dendro Archon had ended up in a flower patch near a beach. At first she was confused, but after talking to the flowers the Dendro Archon soon realized she was not in her world. The next thing she knew a sharp pain shot up her spine. Her powers were going haywire as they and the world were trying to resonate with each other. At the same time all the plants simultaneously died. It took a while but once the two energies resonate all the plants come back to life. This phenomenon was known as “The Plant Disease” for scientists could not explain why all the plants died and came back to life in 24 hours.
However, the Quirk users would have a different perspective on this situation. For some, it felt as if a piece of them was missing. Others felt like they died and came back to life. Between all of the nature Quirk users, the ones who felt the most pain were the ones who could control nature. For them it was like going through rebirth: dying then coming back to life anew. No one knew what happened until days later, when the Dendro Archon revealed and explained herself with the rest of the Archons. The fourth day was over but Quirk and non Quirk users were about to be in for a surprise.
The former Hydro Archon appeared right in the middle of the largest rainstorm Japan had ever seen. A rescue team found her and tried to rescue her, but when they got close the water repelled them. Another rescue team found a giant blue fish not far from her. As soon as the rescue team tried to touch the fish a blinding blue light surrounded both the fish and the former Hydro Archon. At the same time they disappeared, water Quirk users instinctively became scared of something. No one knew what it was, but ask anyone with a water Quirk and they will tell you, “It was like an animal instinct activated. Something told me not to try to manipulate the water” and then they refuse to talk to you. It was also noted that water Quirk users did not have trouble with their Quirk, much like the earth and some wind users.
***
Morax was the first to notice the duo, who had come right near the beach all the Archons were currently at. Buer told them to meet here since it was the closest spot between all three groups. “It seems like the Hydro Archon and Hydro Sovereign have decided to join us.” Morax said it with such a neutral voice, Barbatos almost missed the slight tremble when Morax said Hydro Sovereign. “I’m sure it will be fine, Morax. They’re in the same boat as the rest of us.” Barbatos tried to reassure the older dragon. “Then let us hope that it is enough for Neuvillette to hear my explanation.” By the tone Morax spoke, Barbatos could tell that Morax was preparing for the worst. Gods of this world if you exist please don’t let there be a war. Barbatos thought as Furina and Neuvillette walked closer and closer to the other Archons.
When Neuvillette and Furina made it to the beach, there was no hostility shown on the Hydro Sovereign’s face. “I understand that the Traveler has told you I wish to judge you for your actions. That day is not today however. I have realized the same thing you have.” When Neuvillette finished Morax and Barbatos felt like a small weight had been lifted from their shoulders. “Then let us wait for the Pyro and Cyro Archons. When they arrive we can assess how this world pulled all of us here.” Morax spoke feeling lighter than he was a second ago. His hand still moved reflexively but only Barbatos could tell what he almost summoned.2 “The winds tell me that the Pyro Archon should be here tomorrow and the Cryo Archon the day after tomorrow.” Barbatos informed the group. “Then let us wait for them. In the meantime I want to explore this world.” Buer said with a childlike wonder. “May I go with you?” Furina spoke with a timid voice. “Of course! The more the merrier.” The two youngest then went off to explore the world leaving the older gods and Sovereigns to talk.
“Will you two be alright?” Beelzebub addressed Morax and Barbatos, as soon as the two youngest were far enough away that they would not hear her. The two in question looked at each other. Barbatos gave Morax an encouraging smile. Morax’s eyes sharpened at the action. Letting out a sigh he turned to Beelzebub. “We will figure it out. You will be affected too. Do not forget that just because you are born of lightning does not automatically make you impure.” Morax’s face softened when he spoke next. “You are just as pure as me, Barbatos, and Neuvillette. Never look down on how you were formed, Ei.” With those words Morax looked at Barbatos and with a nod from the shorter, the two teleported in golden and teal lights.
“If I may, what does being pure have to do in this situation?” Neuvillette asked Beelzebub, who let out a huff before moving to look at the ocean. “The Original Seven only used their gnosis’ as a way of communication to Celestia. They did not need them for more power like the New Five did. The simple reason is that they were born from the purest part of their element. Barbatos was born from the purest wind, Morax from the purest piece of Cor Lapis, and myself from the purest strike of lightning.” Beelzebub explained to the Hydro Sovereign. “I see. So they went to find a spot to help with the pure side of their being.” Neuvillette suddenly knew why sometimes he sought out one of the more pure waterways in Fontaine. “I am sorry if this is an invasive question, but why have you not sought out a pure source of lightning?” Beelzebub let out a hollow laugh. “Lightning is already impure because it requires Anemo and Hydro for its formation. I do not need to seek out a source, I merely go to the purest source.” Beelzebub turned around and faced Neuvillette for the first time since this conversation started. “When I was younger, I was close with Egiria. One day, my sister brought me to an Archon meeting. It was there that I met Morax and Barbatos along with the rest of the Original Seven. Instincts told me to trust Barbatos but be weary of Morax. After the events of the Cataclysm a part of me said that I lost my family and another part told me to seek them out. I ended up on the border of Mondstadt and Liyue.” Beelzebub let out a bittersweet chuckle at the memory.3
“I have a special bond with them, Hydro Sovereign. It is similar to the one you have with Furina.” Neuvillette nodded in understanding. “Thank you for answering my question Beelzebub. May we meet again in two day’s time.” “Yes we shall meet then.” Neuvillette started walking the way Furina and Buer took off a while ago while Beelzebub teleported in purple light to her adoptive parents.
***
The sun had set for the fifth day and as it rose for the sixth people knew they had to prepare.
Fire users were asked to gather in specific spots to help keep damage to a minimum. It was a good thing too, for the fire Quirks would have a violent reaction.
The Pyro Archon appeared in a blazing fireball across the mid morning sky. As Morax and Barbatos watched the fireball they could both tell what it was. The fireball was not the Pyro Archon rather it was an attack of hers. Morax put a shield around it and brought it to the place he and Barbatos were sitting. Morax then put the shielded fireball in his inventory for when they would all gather on the eight day.
While the Pyro Archons powers were contained the same could not be said for those with fire Quirks. Buildings burned as screams filled the air. Places around the world were a mess of orange, red, and yellow. Screams filled the air as fire Quirk users burned, because unlike electro there was no healing, not yet at least. By the time the fire Quirk users could control their power again the sun had begun to set as the fire users were rushed off to the hospitals for burns to be treated. (None died, for the Pyro Archon helped control how hot the fire burned before the two eldest captured her.)
Later that night, doctors would come to find all the fire Quirk users healed. All personnel were discovered with three things: a bottle of water, a dandelion, and a smooth yellow-golden rock.
By the time the seventh and last day came people were preparing for just about anything. If one were to look at the state of any city they would think the city is preparing for an early winter snowstorm. However when the Cyro Archon came the only way people knew was if an ice Quirk user was near.
***
The Cyro Archon came so silently that even Buer almost missed it. Her power signature was so weak because it wasn’t even her that showed up. What showed up was a single snowflake that flew in the breeze. Barbatos heard both the winds and the wind trying to talk to it. He chuckled before telling them to bring the snowflake to him. The winds then put it gently in Barbatos’ waiting hand. Barbatos then had Morax put a shield around it so it wouldn’t break. He then took the encompassed snowflake and put it in his storage.
“It seems that all the Archons are here. I shall build a meeting spot if you will gather the rest.” Morax could tell his companion was thinking of something with the expectant way Barbatos was looking at him. With a defeated sigh he added on, “I’ll give you some of this world’s wine. Now go.” “Ehe I wouldn’t want a mountain thrown on me would I? I’ll be back and you better give me that wine!” With those parting words Barbatos spread his wings to go find the rest of the seven and the Hydro Sovereign.
***
When there was no giant snow storm or extremely cold temperatures people started to rejoice. However that rejoice was short lived when ice Quirks started to freeze the land. They aimed their powers high into the sky creating snowflakes all around the area. When the snowflakes hit the ground huge ice sculptures shot out from where they landed. No one could thaw them. Ice users were taken to the same hospital fire users were at. The ice users were placed in the same rooms as fire users so that both elements could help the other regulate their temperature.
***
As the sun went down, high in the clouds, away from prying eyes, there was a table set for eight. A god was seated at the round table sipping Osmanthus Wine while preparing sweets, a wine from somewhere called Germany, history books about the world, and finding the purest water he could.