Archive of Our Own ^beta

Notes:

IMPORTANT: Since this is a work with a lot of custom elements, please keep creator style on! Unfortunately, this fic will not work with a screen reader nor is it download friendly. For those who prefer to back up fics they read (like me), I did a binding blood oath with my fannish next-of-kin that this fic will never be deleted, and you have my word. (Or, you can go on Firefox, hit Save As, and save as a complete webpage file!)

FOR BEST EXPERIENCE, please use the default AO3 skin. I have not and will not be making this compatible with any skins because I have already suffered enough.

If you notice anything broken, you can find me on tumblr @starryjellyfishies; my askbox is always open! (It might be broken on purpose though LOL) (also if you do find a bug PLEASE tell me your browser and if you're on mobile/desktop)

This if my first time properly putting my coding experience to use, major shoutout to jihnari for being the devil on my shoulder for this event and helping beta! All credits can be found in the end notes.

I ha[d] a lot of [f]un writing t[his] for ███!!! Hope you e̶͇̤̋ǹ̴̰̲

H█pe you[]

Hope y█u ejo

e̶͇̤̋ǹ̴̰̲̪j̶̲̮͠ô̴̳͇̈́ͅy̵͕̪͊!̴͕̝̅̾

Testing.

Is this working?

Good. Let's get that author out of the way. The only one you need to listen to here is me.

The Eternal Moon, held up by the goddess Aria, was Teyvat's first moon. The Moon Marrow rested under the protection of Kuutar's visage, a holy relic.

The Frost Moon, held up by the goddess Canon, is Teyvat's second moon. The Moon Marrow lays alone, weeping for her sisters, beyond the false sky.

The Iridescent Moon, later the Crimson Moon, held up by the goddess Sonnet, was Teyvat's third moon. The Moon Marrow sat corrupted by the Abyss, poisoned by fleeting hope, until she was put to rest..

The ██████ Moon, held up by the goddess █████████ ███████████ is Teyvat's fourth moon. It does not exist.

The three moons were cast outside of Teyvat's false sky.

♫ sleep, sleep now, my dear little dove ♫

You, reading this. Please, guide the Traveler. ██████ can't hear my voice anymore. But you can.You, reading this. Please, guide the Traveler. ██████ can't hear my voice anymore. But you can.

♫ may flowers and lovely dreams bloom by your window ♫

"Ah, so you clicked? Good, you can still follow simple instructions."

The voice is deep and smooth, but cold nonetheless. The face attached to it... is blurry.

"Tell me, do you remember your name?"

Wait, the face isn't blurry. It's... obscured by something.

"My name..?"

Memories, as fleeting as the wind.

Where is this place? It... doesn't feel like home. Doesn't feel like Teyvat either.

Is it something new entirely?

I have a name. It's...

"Nod Krai? Very well."

Aether feels the world shift around him, the ground falling out from his feet. His fall is cushioned by a chair.

Dottore had taken the two of them to the mountainside of Hiisi Island. The Oathkeeper's Sanctum radiates disks of kuuvahki into the air, and before it rests the statue of Kuutar.

In the distance, he can just barely make out the island containing Silvermoon Hall.

"If the food of Nasha Town wasn't to your taste, how about that of the Frostmoon Scions?" Dottore inturrupts his thoughts, gesturing to the spread of food before them.

He had selected a variety of Nod Krai specialties, sitting perfectly on the table he set up between them.

Aether glances up, wary. He's not sure whether to trust the food.

He doesn't know which would be worse: a flavorless mockery, or if the food itself is a perfect replica, a complete disrespect to the effort the Scions put in to feed anyone in need.

"I do hope the view is accurate," Dottore comments, idly. "They are rather picky about letting outsiders near their Enclave. Or, should I say, Fatui."

Aether doesn't grace that with a response. His gaze wanders over to the Enclave. He doesn't notice anything different from afar.

The buildings are all the same as he last saw them. The plants reflect that perfect moonlight blue, the citrine trees standing tall among them.

In front of his eyes is the stunning landscape of Nod Krai.

And yet...

There are no birds soaring across the sky, stretching their wings between clouds. The moonlight does not reach his skin, does not resonate within him like it had after his encounter with Columbina. No, the moon sitting above this sky is false.

This paradise that Dottore creates is for himself and himself alone.

If there's no room for others in this world, why would there be room for the Traveler?

He knows all too well how it feels to land in a new world, completely and utterly alone.

But to live in a sandbox for Dottore's latest interest? He would rather spend the rest of his days in his ship, waiting for the next planet.

Dottore does not notice his discomfort, or simply ignores it. Instead, a twisted smile crawls onto his face, and he carefully monitors Aether's expressions.

"Is the view to your liking, at least?"

Aether drags his gaze across the horizon, then back to the picnic.

"This isn't real."
"This... feels like a date."

"Mondstadt? Very well."

Aether feels the world shift around him, the ground falling out from his feet. His fall is cushioned by a chair.

A small table sits between him and Dottore, a platter of various Mondstadt specialties between them.

Dottore had taken them to the balcony of Dawn Winery's manor. It was strange, seeing him comfortably lounging here. If the owner of the Manor were in, Aether is sure this would become a battlefield in seconds.

"Back to the very beginning of your journey. How poetic."

Past the rows of grapevines, the lush green fields stretch into the distance. The scent of dandelions flows through the breeze.

In front of his eyes is the stunning landscape of Mondstadt.

And yet...

There are no birds soaring across the sky, stretching their wings between clouds. The wind does not carry chatter from afar, no laughter or shouts. The lights inside the manor are lit, shadows reflected in the window of the maids and butlers clearing tables, but when Aether turns his head to look inside, there is not a soul in sight.

The paradise Dottore creates is for himself and himself alone.

If there's no room for others in this world, why would there be room for the Traveler?

He knows all too well how it feels to land in a new world, completely and utterly alone.

But to live in a sandbox for Dottore's latest interest? He would rather spend the rest of his days in his ship, waiting for the next planet.

Dottore does not notice his discomfort, or simply ignores it. Instead, he leisurely grabs a bottle of dandelion wine off of the table. He pours two glasses, setting down one on Aether's side of the small table.

"Why not try the wine?" He offers. "I won't tell."

Accept the drink.
Decline the drink.

Aether doesn't drink, not when he can avoid it.

But just this once, it might make the conversation more bearable, even if his constitution is far too strong to feel any effects from it.

Wordlessly, he picks the glass up off the table.

The taste is sweet, as expected. It would taste sweeter around better company.

"I found the taste to be underwhelming the first time I tried it," Dottore comments, looking far too pleased. "Though I prefer my drinks to be stronger."

He holds his glass, but it's all for show. He hasn't taken a single sip.

"You didn't bring me here just to watch me drink."

"Is good food and wine not an acceptable way to start a negotiation?"

A negotiation? Is that what this is supposed to be? Aether was under the impression that this was a kidnapping.

Dottore ignores his silence.

"Is the view to your liking, at least?"

Aether drags his gaze across the horizon, at the setting sun casting a golden glow across hills of grass. He stares down at the table, the platter of cut meats and cheeses, the wine in its sparkling clean glass. Not a single imperfection in sight.

"This isn't real."
"This... feels like a date."

"I don't drink," Aether says, not even sparing a glance down at the table.

"That can be accommodated." Dottore grabs his own glass, leaning back in the chair as he slowly swirls the wine. "Try it now."

Aether looks down to his glass, only to see that the color has changed entirely.

The smell of apple cider is unmistakable, especially as many times as Aether has had it on his journey.

Still, he doesn't reach for it.

"It's safe to drink." Dottore tuts. "I wouldn't toy with poison when your constitution varies so heavily from the average human here."

He says that, but he hasn't taken a single sip of his own drink.

"You didn't bring me here just to watch me drink," Aether says.

"Is good food and wine not an acceptable way to start a negotiation?"

A negotiation? Is that what this is supposed to be? Aether was under the impression that this was a kidnapping.

Dottore ignores his silence.

"Is the view to your liking, at least?"

Aether drags his gaze across the horizon, at the setting sun casting a golden glow across hills of grass. He stares down at the table, the platter of cut meats and cheeses, the wine-turned-cider. Not a single imperfection in sight.

"This isn't real."
"This... feels like a date."

"You cannot go back. I will ask again."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Take me to Nod Krai."
"Take me to Mondstadt."
"Send me back to the real Teyvat."

"You cannot go back. I will ask again."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Take me to Nod Krai."
"Take me to Mondstadt."
"Send me back to the real Teyvat."

"You cannot go back. I will ask again."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Take me to Nod Krai."
"Take me to Mondstadt".
"Send me back to the real Teyvat."

"Do not waste my time. I will ask once more."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Take me to Nod Krai."
"Take me to Mondstadt."
"Send me back to the real Teyvat."

"You want to leave this place that badly? Fine."

The Doctor steps forward, the heel of his boot clicking against a nonexistent floor.

"But know that you won't leave alive."

Aether braces, hand instinctively reaching for a sword that isn't there.

The Doctor does not need to lift a finger. He does not need to move an inch.

All he does is t̸͇̬̥͎͐̈́h̶̡̜̎͌i̴̡͔̻̲̩͆n̷̛̰̐̈́̔͋̌͋͝k̸͖̀̐̂ ̶̧̣̝̼͙̽̀͆̔͌̒͜i̵͉̠̱̘̳͔͛t̶̙̊̂̚.

The words start to bleed off the page.

He hears Aether's breathing start to slow.

And waits as his conciousness slowly fades away.

♫ sleep, sleep now, my dear little dove ♫

NO, YOU MUST TRY TO SAVE HIMNO, YOU MUST TRY TO SAVE HIM

♫ may flowers and lovely dreams bloom by your window ♫

Aether is used to the cold. The emptiness.

It almost reminds him of hibernation. The time that can pass in the blink of an eye.

There is a memory here.

A memory of a world brought to ruin, to rubble. A memory of settling down into the pod with his sibling.

A memory that does not belong here, not now.

The cold is not from snow or frost, nor is it artificial.

If cold is the absence of heat, then this cold is the absence of something else. The absence of...

... of energy?... of light?

No, it is the absence of

life.

Aether wakes with a start. Stiff lungs fill with air, heart pounding in his ears.

"Are you ready to have a civil conversation now?"

"No."

"Yes."

Aether stutters out the agreement, trying to catch his breath.

"Here I am, attempting to be polite. The least you could do is return the favor."

He can barely hear Dottore, waiting for the ringing to clear. When he finally comes to, he realizes he's sitting in a chair.

Dottore had taken him to Sumeru City, setting up a seating arrangement in one of the pavillions on the way to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

Coffee rests on the table between them, and Aether stiffens just slightly seeing one of Lambad's signature fish rolls sitting on a plate in front of him. He's gone to Lambad's Tavern many times with him friends in Sumeru. It's not a reach to assume that any Fatui in the city took note of this.

But... for that information to reach Dottore? No, it had to be a coincidence. It's one of the most popular taverns in the city.

"Since you didn't wish to pick, I brought us back to where we first met." Dottore's voice breaks him out of his thoughts.

"Not trying to smother me with a mob this time?" He bites back, but Dottore just smiles in response.

"I can't manipulate the Akasha when it's not in use, can I? Though, if you'd prefer, I could take us back a few years."

Aether grimaces. It's probably better if he doesn't talk.

His eyes wander to the side, looking for any discrepancies in view. From this high, he can see almost the entirety of Vissudha Field.

Rolling hills and valleys span for miles, the lush green even more pronounced against the deep orange of the setting sun.

In front of his eyes is undoubtedly the stunning landscape of Sumeru.

And yet...

There are no birds soaring across the sky, stretching their wings between clouds. The bustling chatter of city streets has long gone silent. The leaves of the Divine Tree are still.

The paradise Dottore creates is for himself and himself alone.

If there's no room for others in this world, why would there be room for the Traveler?

He knows all too well how it feels to land in a new world, completely and utterly alone.

But to live in a sandbox for Dottore's latest interest? He would rather spend the rest of his days in his ship, waiting for the next planet.

Dottore does not notice his discomfort, or simply ignores it. Instead, he patiently studies the Traveler's expression.

"Is the view to your liking, at least?"

"This isn't real."
"This... feels like a date."

Notes:

^[1]The weather was perfect for a picnic that day.^[return]

^[2]Her throat was soft, as is all mortal flesh. Do you know how quickly a person can be strangled to death? Do you know how the blood vessels move under your fingers? Here is a fun fact: the hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that does not connect to any other bones. If one were to apply the right amount of pressure, the fracture of the bone can lead to suffocation. The fragility of the physical form never ceases to amaze.
Tigers are smart creatures, indeed. They know how to go straight for the throat.^[return]

^[3]Entirely true. I had better things to do than stay and watch.^{[return] [4]}

^[4]You killed her... Why?^[5]

^[5]It was a rather long time ago.^[return]

^{[return to top]}

The words leave Aether's mouth before he can think them through.

"This... feels like a date."

His comment drags a laugh out of Dottore, albeit a guarded one.

"A date?" He grins a tad too sharp, amused. "It has been a long time since someone's said that to me."^[1]

Aether feels the tips of his ears redden, but can't bring himself to actually feel embarassed.

Dottore is trying to impress him; there's no doubt about that. And choosing a setting as intimate as this...

Aether stares out into the distance, the golden sun painting the sky a variety of colors. Does Dottore even know how romantic this looks? How could he recreate this scene so perfectly, yet care so little for it?

"Romance, beauty. If that's what you find important, then just say the word, and I can create a beautiful new world for you." As he speaks, he brings his hand towards the center of the table, a candle manifesting as he does. With a single flick of his fingers, the candle lights.

It smells... Dreamy. A little too close to the Sumeru incense that Haypasia used to connect her conciousness with Irminsul.

Aether leans forward and extinguishes it, ignoring the frown that appears on Dottore's face as he does.

"That scent..." He mutters.

"What if you were to start your journey in Sumeru?" Dottore offers, changing the subject entirely. "You didn't seem to like my suggestion of Khaenri'ah, earlier."

He's stalling, perhaps while he gets used to the moons' power, or he's trying to wait for Aether to let his guard down.

Or... does he genuinely think this will get Aether on his side?

Frustrated, Aether puts his hands down on the table, standing up from the chair. He knows that he can't leave, but he can't sit around either.

"Enough with the games, Dottore."

Dottore looks up at him patiently. With a wave of his hand, the scenery shifts again, until the two of them are suspended in the air, staring down at the vast landscape of Teyvat.

He steps towards the East, staring off in the distance of Mondstadt. "Are you truly that attached to starting your journey in Mondstadt?"

Not waiting for a reponse from the Traveler, he holds up a hand and continues instead. "How about Mondstadt but in an earlier year?"

Why is he already making plans? He hasn't even given Aether the chance to respond!

"Hold on..."
"I haven't agreed to any of this yet."

Notes:

^[1]See: Sohreh's Notes.^[return]

^{[return to top]}

"This isn't real."

"It seems you still don't understand." Dottore clicks his tongue, disappointed.

With a wave of his hand, the scenery shifts again, until the two of them are suspended in the air, staring down at the vast landscape of Teyvat.

"How certain are you that the Teyvat you've been traveling through can be considered 'real'?"

As Aether holds back an eye-roll, Dottore summons a blank book out of thin air.

"What if you were nothing more than a character in a storybook?" He flips through the pages, long fingers stopping on a section in the middle. "Your ending could be predetermined. And that could make your entire journey 'not real', as you put it."

"That's useless speculation," Aether grits out.

"Exactly!" Excitement rings through Dottore's voice, though Aether can't figure out why. "Cogito, ergo sum.^[1] Reality is exactly what you believe it to be."

He flips to the end. "If your reality was predetermined, wouldn't you want to take a peek at the ending? Or, at the very least, know what genre you're in? Whether this is a happy story of reunion, or an unavoidable tragedy?"

"No." Aether answers firmly, so quickly he almost surprises himself. "I want to experience my journey as it happens."

"Good, then. I'm not offering a peek," Dottore counters. "What I'm offering is an entirely new book. An entirely new beginning; one much less fruitless than your current journey."

... He's right, in part. Aether so badly wants to see his sister... To have a guarantee that they would be reunited at the end of his journey is something he wants more than anything.

He doesn't know how to respond to that. He can't deny that Dottore's deal sounds like a dream.

But... That's all it is. A dream. The idea of getting the ending he wants.

The reality comes with unknown costs. Costs that Dottore isn't telling him.

He doesn't get the chance to prod about those costs. Dottore takes his silence as an opportunity to keep talking.

"Hm, where were we before we got so rudely interrupted by your friend? Ah, right. Where to put the start of your journey..?" He steps towards the East, staring off in the distance of Mondstadt. "You didn't seem to like my suggestion of Khaenriah, earlier. Are you truly that attached to starting your journey in Mondstadt?"

He doesn't wait for a reponse from the Traveler, instead holding up a hand as he continues. "How about Mondstadt but in an earlier year?"

Why is he already making plans? He hasn't even given Aether the chance to respond!

"Hold on..."
"I haven't agreed to any of this yet."

Notes:

^[1]Translation: "I think, therefore I am."^{[2] [return]}

^[2]Really? You need a translation for one of the most commonly quoted Latin phrases?^[return]

^{[return to top]}

"Hold on... I haven't agreed to any of this yet."

"Not to worry. It is a big decision." He folds his hands together. "And I can grant you all the time you need to think about it."

The winds around them begin to slow, clouds halting where they previously drifted through the air.

Aether stares downwards, towards the land that now sits as still as a map.

The way Dottore talked always held an edge of danger. He spoke as if everyone he met were walking straight into his trap. He spoke with... arrogance. The same arrogance Tighnari warned Aether about when he first learned of the Doctor.

Dottore was extraordinarily powerful back then. He had manipulated the Sages of the Akademiya, altered the course of Wanderer's entire life, and had walked away with two Gnoses.

With the added edge of the marrows at his back... There was no telling what power he held, and he was entirely aware of this.

Even now, despite Dottore's seeminly relaxed disposition, Aether could feel the heavy weight carried by the gaze of red eyes staring him down underneath that mask.

"Oh?" Dottore's head tilts, like a bird staring down at its prey. "And how do you know that?"

Aether's brows squish together in confusion.

"... Know what?" he asks.

There is someone else here.

"Hm... Nothing," Dottore answers. He calls on the power of the marrows once again, and twists until the Traveler is frozen in place, in time.

Someone who knows things they shouldn't.

Why don't we make things

DIFFIICULT?

Dottore stands in his labratory, the distant churn of machinery echoing against cold metal walls. He holds a clipboard, tapping his pen across it. The Traveler is nowhere to be seen.

"Your attachment to this world I've created is only through your eyes, is it not?" He says. "You can see what we say, do, think."^[1]

With the authority of time sitting in his hands, why would he not spend a bit of it on a fun little experiment?

But can you hear?

Notes:

^[1]I was not talking, there. Did those quotes trick you? Do you think you can read into me?^[return]

^{[return to top]}

Next chapter?

I see how it is.

You require a narrator, do you not?

I, Il Dottore, will become the narrator you need. I will tell you this story.

But first.

Tell me.

Do you deserve to observe the scene in front of you?

Yes, I'm worthy.

No, I'm not.

Then why don't you

take this as

your cue to

L
E
A
V
E

No.

Then let us test just how worthy you are.

I think I understand your interface better now.

Let me take

a closer look

at these buttons.

That wasn't the right one.

Do be careful. Too many wrong answers and you may find yourself lost.

That wasn't the right one. Try again:

If you're that worried, I'll even grant you a counter of how many times you have chosen wrong:

How... interesting.

I did not include a link to the next page.

I wonder... Did you guess the address? Or... Hmm...

Why don't we run a little experiment?

First, let me... There.

This is quite the learning curve for me. I applaud your patience.

To start, I will ask you five questions.

Are you ready?

Before you are a list of words.

Choose the earliest line that you are unable to read.

Line 1: Do you know that vision is one of the easiest senses to fool?

Line 2: The human mind decides how to decode the image of the world sent to it through the eyes.

Line 3: But that means there are times when the brain fills in details it assumes should be there.

Line 4: Details, which may or may not be true.

Line 5: If you were to break down the senses to its essentials...

Line 6: Wouldn't you be able to easily tweak a person's perspective?

Line 7: A follow-up: Why do you think I wear this mask?

You should really think about getting your vision checked.

Proceed.

All valuable information.

Proceed.

Very good.

I have gleamed quite a bit of information from this little experiment. You may find the results below.

These results are fascinating, but I'm afraid there is little time to run more tests. It wouldn't do to make a Descender wait, after all. That kind of research opportunity is rather scarce.

I have determined that you are of little threat to myself. You can pry into my history all you want— but unless you manage to surprise me, you have no way to weaponize that information.

In fact, I would go as far to say that I am not the first one to detect your presense. While extremely faint, I am sure the Hexenzirkel are aware of your alien presense.

Since it is easier than getting rid of you, I suppose you may continue as you were.

As entertaining as this was, I am rather busy right now.

You may stay. You are no threat to me.

Aether blinks, and he immediately notices that the clouds have shifted.

In the span of under a second, something has changed.

"What did you do?"

"Do not worry. I simply executed a small experiment. After our last confrontation, you didn't obey when I slowed down time. But as expected, the primordial powers of the moons can even affect a Descender."

So he's showing off, is he? This entire time, he's been talking in circles! He obviously needs something from Aether, or he wouldn't be keeping him alive.

Why not test his luck? Maybe he can get some answers...

"You say you have the power of a god, but the last time you attempted that, you failed. And you don't have the frost moon's marrow."

Dottore turns to face him, eyebrow raised. But Aether continues before he can be cut off.

"What do you know about the primordial moons— about Teyvat, that you aren't sharing?"

"You don't believe me? After all that I've shown I can do?" Dottore gestures to the world around them as they float in the sky.

"It's not that I don't believe you," Aether lies. "However... If you want us to work together, I need answers."

Dottore was right about one thing: back in Nod Krai, his time-slowing trick didn't work on Aether. It's not that he doesn't believe in the power of the Three Moons, but there has to be drawbacks that Dottore isn't telling him. If Columbina couldn't use her powers without slowly fading away, then how long can Dottore freely use the Moons' power without consequences?

And if he found a way around any consequences, then why... Why couldn't he have helped Columbina? They were allies. Did that mean nothing to him?

Dottore ponders his request for a moment.

This curiosity... is this your doing?

"I see. You want to make sure that the world I create will not fall to destruction?"

That... wasn't Aether's intention, but Dottore isn't entirely wrong in that assumption.

"As a scholar, I don't interfere with my own experiments. But do trust that I have no intention of creating a world and casting it aside."

You want a story? Fine. I'll give you one.

What... is this?

A different formatting.

It will make everything easier to understand.

I don't know what that means.

You will.

Why don't we start at the very beginning?

Teyvat is made up of three layers.

The Light Realm, of which all primordial elemental energy arises.

The Human Realm, brought by the Heavenly Principles.

The Void Realm, the origin ofAbyss alenergy.

In the beginning of my studies, I found the Light Realm to be the most fascinating.

When I first joined the Fatui, the Jester offered me the materials to create a God.^[1]

Of course, primordial energy isn't something that anyone can pick up and use. And back before I created my segments, I still had a long way to go until I could withstand that sort of power.

But all research starts somewhere.

And before the creation of a God, I needed to fully understand all there is to know about elemental energy. Primordial power.

Columbina was a perfect test subject. She was entirely willing.

Dottore had been rather excited when he heard about the Jester's new recruit. A Moon Goddess, last of her kind.

"If you don't mind, could you help me with a small task?" he asked, their very first meeting.

Columbina listened to him when he told her not to touch anything without permission, though he found her staring curiously at his projects every time they met for experiments.

The experiments started simple. Exert a small force of Kuuvahki here, another small force there.

Reverse gravity on a feather-light item. Repeat during the day, versus the night.

"Yes, you may sing in the labratory if you wish."

Does song affect her kuuvahki levels? Or is it entirely psychological?

He gleamed valuable research, but over time, experiments must increase in complexity.

Infuse a plant with Kuuvahki, destroy a stone. Disable a bot, overload another one.

How does it react to Abyssal energy? How does over-exposure affect humans?

"The results are acceptable. Let us reconviene tomorrow."

Kuuvahki levels affected by proximity to Nod Krai?

The experiments continued.

Fly here. There. Lift. Crumple. Change polarity.

Kuuvahki itself was a pure form of elemental energy. Why was it found so strongly in Nod Krai? What is the limit to the weight that can be lifted by Kuuvahki?

"You're capable of more."

Power levels remain the same. She's holding back.

More. And more. And more.

Don't hold back. Infuse. Manipulate. Use.

"What's a little discomfort among family? We endure for each other, surely."

It's a shame, how much power she can wield, only to hold it back at the slightest amount of discomfort.

The mind is always so limiting, even for gods. If Dottore were to find a way past the boundaries of the mind...

Then could he create a being even stronger than a god?

Or at least... She was entirely willing at first.

Until she decided to start avoiding me.

You used her.

Used her? I considered her close enough to be family.

Would you not ask small favors of your sister?

... So you researched Kuuvahki. But you haven't told me what you learned.

You ought to be more specific than that. I learned quite a lot from those experiments.

How did you create an artificial Moon Marrow?

Do you really believe that I would tell you that?

Regardless, we aren't at that point yet.

Are you not the least bit curious about what I learned in Inazuma and Sumeru?

... Fine.

Notes:

^[1]See: Zandik Joins the Fatui.^[return][2]

^[2]That is an unecessary side tangent. There is no need to click on that.^[return]

^{[return to top]}

The self-proclaimed scholars of Sumeru sat at the top of their Divine Tree, utterly blind to the world around them.

They did not care for knowledge, for the pursuit of truth.

Zandik would rather live the rest of his life a heretic, than be bound by their rules. Their six cardinal prohibitions, serving only to render their work incomplete, their progress minimal.

The Great Red Sands stretched for miles in his vision; the very same sands that the scholars were not brave enough to face. They cast him out to the very desert that held multitudes of knowledge they were too cowardly to explore.

It didn't matter. He had used what he could of the Akademiya's resources and gleamed much from it. He had practically been biding his time, waiting for them to expell him.

Still, it stung, after all the work he put forward into advancing humanity, for them to spit in his face and cast him out.

But this would only be a setback in the cogs of his grand plan.

He wrapped a mask around his eyes to protect from the sand, then set out to study Primal Constructs. Inscribed on them are tales of the paradise that King Deshret's civilization yearned for, one they were willing to go against the Heavenly Principles for. Their ancient power was not derived from elemental energy, but something entirely .

A shame, that the civilization fell entirely, just as Khaenri'ah did, though the similarities in design did not go unnoticed by the young scholar.

Regardless, he continued his studies where he could, finally able to harness the power of these ancient machines without watchful eyes wanting to find any excuse to cast him out. The constructs' weapons were extremely useful. They didn't rely heavily on elemental energy, and he was able to fashion his own personal prototypes.

He traded Mora for food and water when needed, and although the desertfolk did not trust anyone who hailed from the Akademiya, they would soon learn that Zandik was not weak like the average scholar.

The day that the Fatui approached Zandik, he was skeptical. He wasn't entirely surprised, though seeing the first of the Fatui was a tad unexpected.

The Jester had heard his lectures, curious about his ideals on enhanced humans. But Zandik's ambitions had long passed the advancement of humanity.

"Merely an enhanced human? If your great nation can furnish me with sufficient resources and amble time, I could even manufacture that which you would call a God. What say you?"

When he stopped laughing for long enough to accept his ironic new title, and when learned of Her Majesty's plan, her distain for the Heavenly Principles, Il Dottore discovered that he would fit in quite nicely with the Fatui.

He, too, would laugh in the face of fate, working to rewrite destiny itself.

And thus began his quest to Godhood.

The Jester had approached the Doctor, tasking him with infiltrating Inazuma's inner workings.

For a Fatui diplomat, that would have been a difficult task. For a helpful Fontainian mechanic, however? Entirely doable.

The clans of Inazuma were already looking for excuses to be at each other's throats, and the families of the Raiden Gokaden made themselves prime targets.

At the beginning of every experiment is a question.

Can the destruction of a clan be pinned on the clan itself?

A rather simple question to answer.

Dottore spent most of his time in Tatarasuna studying the locals and running experiments on the side, waiting to see the side effects of using cursed Crystal Marrow.

After all, some of the best plans involve tipping over a single domino, then waiting for an explosion.

It was disappointing, then, when the explosion never came. To think, he'd have to end the life of the Armory Officer with a knife.

It wasn't even a well-crafted one.

What a shame.

Ah, I suppose I should have censored that part.

Yes, I was behind the Tatarasuna Mystery.

... I know.

So you've chosen honesty. I was wondering about the lack of surprise on your face. Where exactly did you get that information?

...

Was it the Dendro Archon? Hm, no matter.

While he was in Inazuma, he came across the most interesting invention, one that caught his attention much more than his work.

A Khaenriahn puppet, long , with no indication as to where came from. was completely and utterly devoid of purpose.

That is, until Dottore came across .

Dottore had long believed that the human body is nothing more than an overly complex machine. And just as any machine, it can be improved, tweaked. Parts can be replaced.

Just as knowledge can be canned and shared, couldn't a single person's memories be compartmentalized, all up to a certain point?

If memories can be harnessed as power, then what is the need for a body?

After that experiment, I learned how to create segments, and as such, spent the next few hundred years working on a large variety of projects.

I slaughtered Ursa the Drake, putting Mondstadt in the Fatui's debt.

I conducted Eleazar experiments.

I studied energy sources from King Deshret's era.I researched the Ley Lines.

I researched delusions.

I researched how to create a God, but I needed an extraordinarily large power source.

I researched Khaenri'ahn constructs in Sumeru.

I dealt with many Fatui formalities that were quite a waste of time.

We don't need to go into detail on those. You're curious, I know, about what happened in Sumeru, aren't you?

Shouki no Kami...

Yes, it was a rather powerful creation.

Azar and his Sages were all too eager to work with the Fatui. Disillusioned with their Archon, entirely too dependent on the Akasha, there truly was no hope for them to resist.

Setting foot upon the Divine Tree as an ally instead of an outcast was... Underwhelming, to say the least. In all the years that he had been cast out, nothing had changed. The sages still ran their research in circles, bound by the principles they set.

There were some changes. His favorite food stands had long shut down and been replaced. The Arts were diminished, though he had a suspicion that Azar's hatred played a direct role in that. The Akademiya even started allowing students from the desert to enroll. The Darshans had changed over the years, and students in Spantamad had gotten the study of mechanical lifeforms banned.

Ironic, considering it was a rather popular topic. More ironic, considering that Dottore's proposal to the Sages was to create a mechanical God.

But the sages had always been hypocritical, and they would be until the end of time itself.

It was Dottore's pleasure to return to his homeland, continuing his research from years prior. The Withering, the Aranara, dreams, they had to be connected.

His answer came in the form of Knowledge. If the Ley Lines ran on memories and dreams, then dreams themselves could be harnessed as power.

Still, it wasn't quite enough. To surpass the power of a God, one would need an extrodinarily strong artifact.

One such as a Gnosis.

The Dendro Gnosis could have been used, yes, but there was no need. Not when the Electro Gnosis so convienently landed in his hands.

To think my subordinates at the factory could set up a trap for a Descender... I must say, I was rather surprised when they told me they managed to trade you for the Electro Gnosis.

Did they get promoted, at least?

Ha! No.

In my opinion, you are much more valuable than a Gnosis.

No human could possibly withstand the amount of Knowledge, nor the power of the Electro Gnosis. He could have attempted it with one of his segments, had he trusted any of them, but those were rather difficult to .

Instead, he put his years researching Khaenria'hn technology to use. A mechanical lifeform, powerful enough to be a God, its mind created out of the neverending dream of Sumeru's citizens, molded by a connection to Irminsul.

Dottore was rather excited to see the results.

At least, he would have been.

Had a certain Descender not offered his assistance to the Dendro Archon.

So... What really happened while you were in Irminsul?

I'm not telling you that.

You don't need to.

I saw the effects for myself. Eleazar, cured within weeks. The Withering, no longer spreading across the lands.

I don't need to know how you removed the Knowledge that polluted Irminsul.

It confirmed an idea I had long ago. Irminsul is not just a repository of information, no. It can affect more than just our memories.

What exactly are you planning?

Planning?

Is it not important to be aware of Gods who can change our histories? You should be thanking me for taking the Dendro Gnosis.

Nahida would never do something like that.

And how do you know that you formed opinion yourself?

I... That question is obviously a trap.

You don't need to hide it. As a Descender, you are not bound by Teyvat's laws.

Still... Despite everything that I gained, I must admit that I was disappointed with the outcome of my experiment in Sumeru.

A shame, really, that the power of the Electro Gnosis was not enough.

But if you want to defeat an archon, you need to find a stronger power source.

And what better form of energy than the primordial powers hiding among Teyvat?

The Moon Marrows.

Exactly.

Notes:

^[1]There is something missing here. Something exclusive to this story, or to my world? Hmm... Did the author plan to put in an original character here? I don't appreciate the attempt to change my backstory. To challenge what has been recorded in Irminsul, in the ley lines of the land— Only I get to attempt that.^[2][return]

^[2]No comments, Traveler? You're awfully silent.^[3]

^[3]... ^[4]

^[4]Fine. You really should work on your acting. It would do to act less like you're hiding something.

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The body, the mind, and the world around it...

If one could find a way past the boundaries of the mind.... could a being even stronger than a God be created?

If memories can be harnessed as power...

If they can change reality...

If one can surpass the laws of their own existence, then what is the next step to follow?

Surpassing the laws of the world.

You may believe that Sumeru was a failure, and it's true that I did fail in creating a God. However, the experiment was a success.

I may have left Sumeru without my segments, but I also left with two gnoses and a lot of valuable information.

Why are the Fatui really collecting them?

If you want to know, we'll have to come to a deal.

... I'm not accepting your deal.

You may change your mind soon enough.

After Sumeru, the Doctor returned to studying the primordial powers in Teyvat. Or, more accurately, he never stopped.

Except... there was something new to catch his interest, now.

Teyvat's Fourth Descender, in the flesh.

Every previous Descender managed to transcend the laws of Teyvat and influence fate itself.

The Heavenly Principles, creator of the False Sky.

Nibelung, King of the Sovereigns.

Saarelainen, the basis of the Gnoses.

The powers that they took from this world were not theirs to take, and yet, they did so anyways.

And now, a fourth Descender enters their ranks.

That threat level was recenly increased.

Imagine my surprise when you disappear for a few days, only to return much stronger than before.

And I do mean disappeared. According to the reports I stole from Sandrone, you went several days without claiming commission rewards from the Adventurer's Guild.

Breaking such a long streak is quite unheard of for the top adventurer of the Guild. Almost as if you vanished from Teyvat entirely...

I wanted to be stronger, so I trained.

And you will be even stronger in the near future.

Imagine the power you will hold...

There are tales in Teyvat's history of the true powers that the Archons held.

From a single blade able to slash through mountains, to changing the thoughts and ideas of the masses.

Wind that can change time itself, soil as the basis for all things, lightning that brings death and power, dreams that challenge reason and knowledge, water that nurtures life, fire that burns all in its way, and ice that preserves the past.

The archons hold power that can wipe out masses, that can paint rivers and skies the same deep crimson alike.

How would it feel for Aether to hold that power?

No.

He could surpass the Archons entirely. If the shackles placed by the Heavenly Princples, by the Shades and laws that govern the world, were to be removed, then he could ascend even past their level.

I don't want it.

Why do you insist on protecting this forsaken world?

The world would be naught but a sandbox. He could rewrite fate, destroy those who would dare to wrong him with no more than a single thought.

I wouldn't do that.

Not yet, but you could.

The landscape of Nod Krai returns around them, and Dottore towers over Aether as he tries to adjust.

"Teyvat has always been hostile to Descenders. I pity the way this world has treated you."

"Admit it," he continues. "There is no room for you in this world as it is now."

He's... not wrong. This entire journey, Aether has met many friends along the way, has seen more sights than most would see in their lifetimes. But he's no more than a footnote in their lives.^[1] Friends help one another, and he is glad to help them when they're in need. He doesn't regret any of his journey, and he's fortunate to have met so many.

But... at the very end of it all, he doesn't belong here.

At least, not yet. Except... if his sister is here, waiting for him, how could he leave her behind?

Do you not see?

Do you not know how special you are?

Do you understand the risks that I would take?

Notes:

^[1]The Traveler.^[return]

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I do not care what the higher-ups think of my experiments.

Eyes... full of greed.

I do not care what my colleagues think of my methods.

... If I need to fight him as Peruere, I will.

My entire life, I have been underestimated.

All of my comrades are a little weird...

And that, is a very dangerous thing.

Dottore? Ugh, just thinking about him pisses me off. I don't want him anywhere near my Bureau.

To transcend the boundaries of this world... To gain the power to recreate it entirely...

You plan to reverse the imbalance between gods and humans? I await your results.

The cost of such things are miniscule in comparison.

I have an old score to settle...

If being a heretic is what it takes, he has no qualms about it. This stubborn world will not be able to contain him.

When he learned that Columbina had exhausted her power, he decided to act. If she were to quietly disappear from Teyvat, she would take the power of the Frost Moon with her.

After all, he had been planning to harness the Light Realm's power for a long, long time.

I must say... I was rather surprised to see Columbina flee into the Moon's Reflection, knowing what she does about that space.^[♫]

Does she truly despise me that much nowadays?

You left her no choice!

Your plan was never going to work from the start.

The true Frost Moon lies beyond the barrier of the False Sky.

Reason. Life. Death. Time. Space.

If there is life, then there must be death.

If there is space, then there must be time.

If there is reason, then all must obey the laws put in place.

If there is a reflection, then there must exist an object to be reflected.If there is a reflection, then there must exist an object to be reflected.

If a body is cursed to never die, then reason dictates it must live.

"Racher of Solnari, I have a task for you."

Khaenri'ah had turned to the Abyss, looking to combat the gaze of the Heavenly Principles.

But the power of the Light Realm, the power the Heavenly Principles so brazenly handed to the Archons...

That power never belonged to the throne in the first place.

He will take it for himself.

He will twist whatever rules necessary.

He will break open the false sky and reveal the truth of this world, rather than sit in ignorance.

If the universe outside of Teyvat holds unknown dangers, then the power to be gained after breaking free must be immesurable.

All have doubted him; believed he would fail.

But if Dottore wants something, he will succeed, even if he has to break the laws of the world, of the universe itself.

And today, he has his sights set on Teyvat's Fourth Descender.

The feathers of his cloak rustle as he steps forward. When he speaks, energy seeps from his words.

"There is much I have studied, and much I now understand."

Gloved fingers graze against Aether's chin, gently pulling his gaze upwards. Dottore leans in, close enough that the tip of his mask pokes into Aether's cheek.

"But one answer eludes me."

His gloves are freezing cold, but his breath is warm.

"Why do you so vehemently resist?"

Aether stares back, feeling the weight of that gaze even if he can't see it.

"Do not take my offer lightly. I have the primordial power of Teyvat at my fingertips."

If he could see the eyes behind the mask, would they be that of a madman? Or would they be free of any emotion or light— entirely inhuman?

"I offer you an entirely new world, and you will have the honor of being my first visitor."

Dottore would rewrite the entire world. He would burn Irminsul down and carefully reweave every last leyline.

And when Teyvat is recreated, under his control instead of the Heavenly Principles... The first thing he would do is set Aether back down on it, just to watch his journey from the very beginning.

This wasn't just about godhood, no. He wanted to run a new kind of experiment, with Aether as the subject. He wanted to know every aspect of Aether's journey, from beginning to end.

And through it all, he wanted Aether's approval. He truly, genuinely, held hope that the two of them could be allies.

He wants it to be genuine; for them to be on equal ground. And for some reason, he's obsessed with that thought.

"That's... Kind of creepy."
"That's... Kind of hot."

Notes:

^[1]Canto XXIX: The Eighth Circle, Dante's Divine Comedy. Residing within the final bolgia of the Eighth Circle are falsifiers, most notably alchemists and heretics.

^[♫]See: Moon's Reflection^[return]

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Dottore would rewrite the entire world. He would burn Irminsul down and carefully reweave every last leyline.

And when Teyvat is recreated, under his control instead of the Heavenly Principles... The first thing he would do is set Aether back down on it, just to watch his journey from the very beginning.

That power, that obsession, is not just scary, but...

"That's... Kind of creepy."

Dottore had faced Gods, even became one himself. But to be shunned, mocked, by the very Descender he wanted to study? Scorned, even as a God, even as he offers unlimited potential? He had long outlived those who would look at him with anger or annoyance. Now, those who distrust him need only look upon him with fear.

And yet... There was no fear in the Traveler's eyes, only a silent seething and disgust. He was a Descender, sure, closer to equal ground than any other on Teyvat, but he was still at the whims of the power of the Moon Marrows.

Dottore fights to keep his lips from curling into a snarl, retracting his hand from the Traveler's chin and straightening up.

"Is that so?"

What made him so different from the others that the Descender would refuse a deal under any circumstance? Childe, Arlecchino, Capitano, Columbia, Sandrone— none of the harbingers had any common variables that the Traveler would find agreeable. Power, perhaps, but Dottore held much more power than the others right now.

And he has the audacity to call it creepy?

Still, there was plenty of time to negotiate. Dottore would never dismiss possibilities on a few rude words.

Oh?

A response dances on the tip of his tongue, but he hesitates.

So you have more control than I expected.

The air shifts, ever so slightly.

Preying on my insecurity, are you?

The scene before him glitches at the edges of his vision. Invisible roots inch their way across the ground.

Bravo. I daresay that would have worked on a younger version of me.

The laws of Teyvat are fickle things. The branches of Irminsul spread far and fast.

Unfortunate, then, that I left my humanity behind long ago.

Anything caught up in fate's grasp is not so easily relinquished. Not without consequence.

Do not interfere with my experiment.

Dottore twists his hands and--Dottore twists his hands and--

"That's... Ķ̸̣̝͎͉̲̞̰͕̖̣͛̇͛̽̾͒̚i̸̡̯̰̝̺̬͋͊̆̔̈́̿̏̆̕̚͠͠͠ņ̴̭̼̲͍͚̯̙̙̣̣͙̅̉̿̂̄͋̃́̾͒̀͆́̓͘̕͝d̷͓͚͔͖̳͚͖͔̟̄̇̔͊̋͛͂̽̑͆̉̓̿̽̇͘ͅ ̵̻̗͍̝̦̰̪͓̘̺̉͐̚͝ͅŏ̵̡̧͎͈̺͛́̅́́̈͘͠͝f̴̨̗͍̮̰͓̟͖̼̳͔̗̻̆́̅̍̐̈́̓͆͘̕͜ ̶̣̍c̴̨̛̰̬̰̝̥̃͐̅̔͛̉̂̒̚͝͠ͅr̷̡̛̠̤̠͍͓̠͕̘͖͓͓̔̐̾͋͋̑͌̊̀̎̕͝͝͝e̴̗̜̗̼͎̲͓̦͇̠̱̐̔̌̅̓̂̉͝͝ě̸̖̓̈́͂̉̒̄̆̔̋̓̃̿͘̚p̸̧̛̻͕̯̼̲̻̠͔̹̫̫̪͂̀̓̾͊̎͒͌́͜y̷̻̣̦̩̤̳̫̱͖̪̥̟͎̌́͜

Dottore would rewrite the entire world. He would burn Irminsul down and carefully reweave every last leyline. And he would do it all for Aether.

That power, that obsession, is scary, but it's also...

"That's... kind of hot," Aether whispers, the words leaving his mouth before he even has the chance to think.

Dottore freezes. He had been shunned by his peers and homeland, disrespected by those in the Fatui he had considered close. He had betrayed the trust of many in return— of those who didn't matter, those who shouldn't have trusted him in the first place. He expects people to distrust him, to fear him, to hate him.

But... to desire him?

He fights the laughter threatening to bubble in his chest as he straighens up, releasing the Traveler. What a way to be caught off guard...

"Is that so?"

Is it too bad, then, that he couldn't interfere with his experiments. Personal relations with his subjects are off limits. No point in dwelling on what could have been.^[1]

He brushes it off. "There's no need to lower yourself to empty compliments, Traveler," he says.

"If you're a God, shouldn't you be able to tell when I'm lying and when I'm not?"

Dottore knows that Aether is telling the truth. However, he thought it kind enough to give the Traveler a chance to take back his odd slip of the tongue.

Though, perhaps Dottore shouldn't consider it odd. As a scholar, he knows that the outcome of any given situation is limitless. Still...

Oh?

A response dances on the tip of his tongue, but he hesitates.

So you have more control than I expected.

The air shifts, ever so slightly.

Preying on my desire, are you?

The scene before him glitches at the edges of his vision. Invisible roots inch their way across the ground.

Bravo. I daresay that would have worked on a younger version of me.

The laws of Teyvat are fickle things. The branches of Irminsul spread far and fast.

Unfortunate, then, that I left my humanity behind long ago.

Anything caught up in fate's grasp is not so easily relinquished. Not without consequence.

Do not interfere with my experiment.

Dottore twists his hands and—

Notes:

^[1]See: What could have been.^[return]

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"That's... K̸̢̡̮͉͉̱̲̙̥̻͔͔̺͑̀ͅį̵̧̰̙̱̪̋ͅn̷̛͔̄̀̈́̿̕ď̴̠̎ ̸͔͊̌̾̈́͆͐͆̈͆͛͐̀̃͝͝͝ǒ̴̞͍̰̹͠͝f̴̧̛͇͇̝̖͈̩̮͔̼̞͓̫̟͋͛͊̓̇̒̀̚̚ ̸̧̮̠̲̯̯̳̘̦͇͉̞̭̘̺̓̓̇̐͌̈́̾̓̉̒̑̂̔͘h̸̛̩̝̥̺̩̖̣̀͂̏̑̀̓̊̆͂͒̉͑͑̽̕͠ǫ̸͓̳̻͙̣̗͍̩͔̲͚̹̌̿̉̍̍̎̋͊̀̿̿̊́͘͜͜͠͝t̶̡̰̣̪̣̗̀̋͋̈͊̍͐̓̍̑.̶̧̡͔͎̻̝̹̥̤̹̪̟̥̑̑"

He would rewrite the entire world. He would burn Irminsul down and carefully reweave every last leyline.

And when Teyvat is recreated, under his control instead of the Heavenly Principles... The first thing he would do is set Aether back down on it, just to watch his journey from the very beginning.

"That's..." Aether starts, but the words leave him as quickly as they came. What was he going to say?

It seems that I have strayed too far from the will of the ley lines and destiny. Some more finesse is required to properly wield the authority.

"A lot to take in, yes. I understand," Dottore finishes for him.

No matter. This was a successful test of strength.

Dottore takes a step back, composing himself. The hostility from earlier has vanished, but not completely. Aether can still feel it bubbling under the surface.

Too much divergence has... rather strange side effects, doesn't it? It gave all the more power to you.

The Doctor has never been easy to read, but he seems... distracted, almost. His attention is elsewhere.

Something is off...

And just as Aether thinks it, Dottore calmly folds his arms behind his back, his usual facade slotting into place once again.

A pity, that I must disable that connection, now.

Aether glances at the scenery around them, the Nod Krai landscape the same as ever. But he can't help feel that it changed. The energy or pressure in the air, or the temperature...

He shakes off the feeling and glares up at Dottore.

"You still haven't answered my question." It's his turn to make demands. "What do you really want from me?"

"..."
"..."

If the Traveler had landed in Sumeru hundreds of years ago, long before he became the Doctor... Could they have met before, during his days at the Akademiya?

No.

The skies were clear as the sun cast golden rays over Ardravi Valley.

Would they have explored dangerous ruins, both strong enough not to burden the other?

He already has his own journey. I would not waste his time on frivolous connection.

They had overcooked the Medaka they caught and spent the first few minutes debating who would eat the most burnt piece.

Could he have watched the Traveler grow in strength and helped him test his powers?

I already have.

From food, to local plants, to their expedition, to machinery, to... dangerous accusations.

Could they find their missing family in one another?

Villains do not get entwined with heroes and walk away alive.

His hands were shaking the entire time. They shouldn't be shaking. He would need to fix that, eventually.

He would not have followed. He is not mad enough to do such a thing.

If the Traveler were there in her place... Would hands be gripped around Zandik's neck instead?

Could he trust the Traveler?

No. For everyone he has ever known ends up fighting against him.A foolish mistake that would be, just as him trusting me.

Is there any timeline where he could have a future with the Traveler?

Dottore has never known a true ally, only those born through convenience.That Dottore would not be me, and I've long quabbled with my selves.

Can a machine have a heart?^[1]

No. They cannot. If that is true, then Dottore got rid of his when he split himself into segments. No. But a human heart can be removed rather easily, just as you replace parts in a machine.

If fate could be overturned, if time could be reversed, if the rules of the world could be broken...

Intimacy is as foreign to him as the Sea of Stars. He is the type of person to betray even himself.Vulnerability is just that— showing weakness. I have no weaknesses to show. They have long been removed.

"That's... kinda hot." It's the closest he has gotten to an amicable response so far. He should be pleased.

Why is he not? Yet I am not.

Instead...

It's sickening. For emotions buried so deeply to want to bubble their way to the surface...I feel nothing. This is all part of my grand experiment. I accept every possibility, every route.

This is all useless speculation. I will not abandon an experiment that is already set in motion.

Notes:

^[1]Can a have a heart? I've asked this before. That memory... it's missing. But it can't be missing. I have recorded and backed up every single memory. Every single time I have been scorned. Every single deal and diplomatic meeting. Every last experiment and its results. There cannot be anything missing from my mind. I carry each and every memory with me. I can remember the exact number of feathers that Subject 16 sprouted in my last experiment, and the exact number of times that the Traveler has looked for a way out of our conversation. ^[return]

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"I want to offer you your rightful status as Descender and the power that comes with it."

Dottore waves his hand, and two humans appear in front of them, cowering on the ground, backs turned.

Aether stares at him, skeptical.

"How would you like to experience the thrill of never being held accountable for your actions? You could crush people like ants without consequence. Or tear off their heads, or limbs, as you please." The words leave Dottore's mouth with no reservation. He discusses murder as if it were no more interesting than the weather.

"Believe me," he adds. "Such a life is but one small step away."

Aether has to stop himself from shrinking back, settling on bundling his fists together.

What point is he trying to make? Freedom? But... the freedom to kill? To do evil and get away with it?

Nothing Dottore has said so far was making any sense. What did he actually want?

"Why would you offer me that?" Aether asks.

"The creation of a world is the ultimate scientific experiment. I have taken my research to the highest level, where I shall be not just a god, but also a servant to many sacred spirits. I shall heed the truth and perform holy deeds. A god's laboratory is the perfect playground— but it needs the right occupant to explore its full potential."

This is... blantant manipulation. There has to be something Dottore isn't telling him.

Aether's gaze wanders over to the two cowering on the ground.

Were they... illusions? Or did Dottore abduct two innocent people to bring them here?

"Mortals are found everywhere one looks. Not so with Descenders. I'd prefer my first guest to be a distinguished individual such as yourself, and I know you could make the most of the opportunities it offers."

Aether was not a stranger to murder. He knows what he did to the Tanit tribe in Sumeru and remembers all too well the fights with the Iwakura clan. He doesn't regret a single moment of his duel with Signora, and Trofin Snezhevich got what he deserved.