Chapter Text
A pleasant spring breeze blew across the rolling hills and soft grasses surrounding the city of freedom. The sun shone down from a blue sky full of wispy, white clouds. The cliff would have normally been a nice spot for a lounge, to enjoy the warm sun, fine weather, and charming view. However, today the peaceful setting was disturbed by the ruckus of weaponry clanging and the laughter of abyssal creatures, the pleasant air charged with the tingling elemental energies of visions and darker magics alike. A giggling trio of abyss mages tarnished the landscape, pyro, cryo, and hydro mages left abused land in their wake and had been threatening anyone traveling along the nearby road. A commission to deal with the nasty trio had been posted and had been accepted readily by the honorary knight and his fairy companion.
Aether had requested the assistance of the ever-plucky Outrider and the Calvary Captain for the job. At present, Aether and Kaeya were side by side, squaring off against the hydro and pyro mages, who Amber held the cyro mage at a distance with fiery arrows and a wandering baron bunny keeping the mages from wandering too near the road. The hydro mage was quickly beginning to falter under the icy onslaught of Kaeya’s cryo blasts and quick sword work, trying to make some distance between itself and the Captain, as it’s shield shattered. Aether spared a quick glance to the side, watching as Kaeya froze the mage as it tried to evade and brought his sword down upon it I quick succession to end it’s fight. The traveler’s gold eyes quickly flicked back though to the pyro mage chortling in front of him, it’s shield glowing a warm orange as it lifted it’s arms to begin summoning mage. A flaming blast flew past him as he dodged to the side just in time to see the cryo mage coming straight at him, having teleported to avoid Amber’s long-distance shots. Amber had ceased shooting off her arrows as the mage she was targeting teleported and she had to watch in alarm as it approached Aether, unable to fire into the tight knit group for fear of hitting one of her companions.
Aether’s eyes widened as he attempted to correct his momentum to avoid the mage, but everything was occurring within seconds. But seconds is all Kaeya needed, built for dexterity and speed, the captain seemed to appear out of thin air to land a flurry of graceful sword work into the side of the distracted mage, sending it sprawling away from Aether and allowing the blonde time to find his footing. “Thanks Kaeya.” He managed to breath out, in a moment of relief. The relief was short lived though, with their focus on the cryo mage that had made a nuisance of itself, Aether had taken his eyes of the pyro mage, which had given itself some distance and was chanting and working a spell into being. Kaeya was still slicing away at the cryo mage, steadily pushing it back to give Amber the room she needed to wear it down with her fire arrows once more.
Aether watched with confusion as the mage summoned a strange grey magic around itself, the color seemingly glowing bright and also sucking up any color around it in a hazy display. The mage turned it’s attention to the navy haired fighter’s back that was to it, while he helped wear down the other mage. Snapping into action, Aether shot forward to try and close the distance between himself and the pyro mage before it shot whatever spell it was brewing, while also shouting a warning to Kaeya, but unlike the agile Captain, Aether couldn’t act quick enough. His eyes followed the odd greyish spell orb as it zoomed straight into Kaeya’s back, forcing cryo user forward, spearing the other mage on the end of his in-motion sword and ending it’s life. Kaeya gave a startled cry before crumbling forward, sword disappearing into ether and his form unmoving from afar. “Kaeya!” Amber hollered, sprinting forward to the aid of the downed man. Aether meanwhile had reached the final mage and with an angered shout shot the power of anemo straight through it, sending it spiraling into the air only to land with a solid thump and slowly evaporate away in it’s sad demise. Aether turned away from the sight and panting, ran over to where Amber was watching a thankfully moving Kaeya get himself into a sitting position.
“Kaeya, are you alright?” Aether breathed, getting closer and crouching beside Amber where she was positioned at Kaeya’s shoulder her hands hovering in case the man needed extra support. Aether looked over Kaeya’s shoulder at his back, where the spell had struck and saw that the clothing was completely unmarred, the clothes ruffled from fighting, but not damaged in anyway. Kaeya nodded, running a hand through his glossy navy bangs and rolling his shoulders to gauge any pulls or strains.
“Perfectly fine, what did it hit me with?” The Captain asked, confusion lacing his voice as he felt no pain and despite feeling a hum of elemental energy buzzing through him, felt no notable changes. He gave Amber a nod and she backed up before standing, Aether following suit, and Kaeya as well. He didn’t feel any pain as he stood, brushing himself off, but the strange buzz of energy shivered just under the surface of his skin.
“I’m…I’m not sure, I didn’t recognize the spell that mage performed, and it didn’t look like a regular elemental attack. Paimon do you know what kind of magic that was?” The Traveler turned towards his floating companion.
The fairy for her part shrugged her tiny shoulders in confusion. “Paimon isn’t sure, it didn’t look like any pyro magic Paimon has ever seen.” She responded, bringing her fist to her chin in a thinking position that Aether was sure she had picked up from their time in Liyue with Zhongli. “Oh! Why don’t you try using your elemental sight to check for traces of elemental energy!” The little fair snapped her fingers.
Aether nodded and turned his gaze to Kaeya, honing his senses to shift his gaze. He looked at Kaeya, prepared to circle around and look at his back for a trace, but found he didn’t have to as he could see a white glow of elemental energy steadily spreading and thrumming along every inch of Kaeya’s person. Aether’s eyes went wide as he gaped, watching as Kaeya’s form glowed and pulsed with an energy Aether didn’t recognize, but somehow felt familiar deep within, though he couldn’t determine why. Aether watched as the brightest glow seemed to be shining from where Kaeya’s eyes would be, glittering like gemstones winking under firelight. Of course, while Aether was busy gawking at the glowing energy, his travelling troupe who were not gifted with the same ability, watching in increasing concern as the blonde’s wide eyes were fixed on Kaeya’s form and his mouth fell open slightly. Kaeya and Amber shared a quick look before looking towards Paimon to see if this was a normal reaction when using his elemental sight.
Paimon shook her head in the negative and without any other considerations tugged on Aether’s braid with a sharp, “Well? What do see? Paimon wants to know!” Aether was shaken out of his stupor when he felt a tug on his braid and heard a shrill voice in his ear. He blinked a few times, before refocusing back on the small group before him, remembering that he should probably tell them what he saw and they should probably get Kaeya looked at to find out what the hell that shining energy is and if they should be worried. Aether looked to Kaeya and the cryo user didn’t seem to be experiencing any negative side effects, but Aether had a feeling in his gut that there was more at work here.
“Kaeya…there’s an energy…all over you, but it isn’t regular elemental energy. I don’t know what it is. I think we should have Lisa take a look or maybe Albedo? Are you sure you feel okay?” Aether said, unsure of how to explain what was happening that only he could see out of their group. Amber’s eyes were wide and worried, shooting concerned glances at her Captain while Aether explained and Paimon was curiously circling Kaeya as though that may help the fairy see anything amiss. Kaeya for the most part was the least concerned looking out of the group, a curious glint to his pretty eye, and a considering hum was his initial response as though he was rather happier to see how things play out in lieu of going to the librarian or alchemist for a once over.
“I think it’s for the best if you let--!” Aether began to speak, stepping forward to lay a hand on Kaeya’s shoulder and a violent spark of energy audibly crackled where his hand met Kaeya’s should with a merry little popping noise and a small gust of wind. Aether yanked his hand back, startled as he felt a rush of anemo energy tingle from the point of connection. Aether’s eyes snapped to Kaeya who gave a breathy gasp of what might be pain. The navy haired man jerked forward, pressing his hands over his eyes and forehead as though struck by a headache.
“Kaeya! What happened? What’s wrong?” Amber gasped in alarm, she and Aether both moved toward Kaeya’s hunched form, but jolted with a start, recalling how Aether’s touch just moments earlier caused the current situation. “Kaeya can you hear me, what’s wrong?” Aether asked, hovering along with Amber in want to help, but unwilling to cause Kaeya any further distress, keeping themselves ready to catch him should he topple over.
Kaeya breathed sharp, quick little gasps for a few more seconds before feeling the pressure that had throbbed behind his eyes subside. His head felt a little dizzy and that strange energy under the surface of his skin buzzed and felt almost like when lightning was about to strike, and you were too near. He felt a strange lightness to his movements, almost like a mischievous little breeze was flowing through his veins. It was odd considering, usually he felt the cool, but pleasant and quick energy of cryo thrumming through him. It was something to ponder on later though, right now he would assure his companions that the headrush had passed and he was alright. Letting out one last breath from his hunched over position, Kaeya lowered his hands and uncurled himself to stand up tall once more.
Kaeya turned his face to look at the other three, ready to assure them that things for the most part seemed back to rights. However, as he took in their faces he watched as all three of their eyes went wide and in succession Paimon gave a cry of surprise, Amber gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth, and Aether looked directly in Kaeya’s eyes with a sense of wonder and concern.
“Is there something wrong with my face?” Kaeya questioned the sudden change in their demeanor, quickly brushing his fingers over his eyepatch to confirm that yes it was still there and affixed in place, so that wasn’t the issue (thank Celestia, he thought). So then what? Kaeya shot a questioning look directly at Aether. The blonder shook his head, blinked a few more times to be sure, and opened his mouth to speak.
“Your eye is green.” Aether said, still captivated by the now minty green iris of Kaeya’s eye, still featuring a fetching little star shaped pupil in the middle. Amber and Paimon remained silently gaping, still taking in the sight of the now green-eyed Captain.
“That’s rather peculiar.” Kaeya hummed, seemingly unaffected by the stupor of the change. Aether was considering either the cryo user was really that good of an actor or maybe the oddness of the situation hadn’t really settled in yet. Either way, it was something that Aether would rather they get back to Mondstat to investigate the situation sooner rather than later, the Captain appeared unmarred otherwise, so getting moving seemed like the right choice.
“We should really head back and ask Lisa or Albedo about this…” Amber tentatively said, finally regaining the ability to speak.
“Paimon has never seen anyone’s eyes change color like that! Aether is anything different if you look with elemental sight?” The fairy was quick to ask, getting up close into Kaeya’s personal space to look into his now minty green eye, which had the man shuffling backwards slightly to remain a short distance from the nosy fairy.
Aether gave a hum signaling he’d take another look before focusing in on the Captain once again. The blonde was immediately startled when that same odd white energy buzzed around Kaeya’s form, but now where his eye would be was a soft green point and lazy twirls of anemo energy radiated from Kaeya’s form now. Oddly, his other eye gave no energy, making the blonde wonder if Kaeya truly had lost the eye or if something else was afoot, but he’d worry on that later. Aether noted the usual icy blue cryo energy that typically surrounding Kaeya like a gentle icy mist was sweeping along with the green anemo energy as well, tangling the soft green and icy blues together in a pretty swirl. From what Aether’s elemental gaze could decipher, there were two elemental energy traces lingering on Kaeya and one undetermined energy covering him. Aether’s head was starting to hurt, what the hell was going on, what did that mage hit him with?
The Traveler refocused back on the other three with him, watching as Amber and Paimon were both now peeking into Kaeya’s face to see that lovely eye now washed in soft green, looking rather still unfairly pretty, nestled among thick, long lashes and still working with Kaeya’s beautiful features. Aether was convinced that Kaeya’s entire self could change minty green and he’d still be dazzlingly lovely. But he was digressing, something was wrong and here they all were dumbstruck by Kaeya’s charming looks.
“Kaeya…can you use your vision?” Aether tentatively questioned, unsure if there might be an elemental reaction given the anemo energy he saw swirling around the Captain. Kaeya gave Aether a curious stare with that newly soft green eye, before raising his hand to summon a little burst of cryo. Except, instead of just a little burst of snowflakes, an icy blue and green energized breeze shot forth, sending the little snowflakes into a swirling frenzy away from Kaeya’s palm.
“Two elements?!” Paimon shouted in surprise, head jerking up to follow the snowflakes that had been shot above their heads courtesy of the anemo energy carrying them. Amber gave a surprised gasp as well, as her and Aether’s gazes were swapping between Kaeya’s open palm, the dissipating mini snow-vortex, and the Captain’s widen green eye. Kaeya watched in fascination, alarm, confusion, and a whole flux of emotions as his cryo-made snowflakes were spirited away by a merry spring of anemo energy that had come from him as well. He’d felt his vision activate when he used his cryo powers, letting the ice flow through him as he willed it, but when he’d directed it, he’d felt a chilly, wispy burst of the wind as it activated when his own energy burst forth. He couldn’t exert his will on the anemo energy perse like he did with his cryo, but he could guide the mix to create the elemental reaction in his palm before sending the gust and snowflakes into their spiral upwards. How interesting.
“I think we need some guidance on this…” Aether said, watching as Kaeya’s sharp gaze observed what just happened and he could swear he could he that brilliant mind planning three steps ahead already, formulating and considering, thoughts racing ahead and leaving everyone in the dust. But for as smart and cunning as Kaeya may be, understanding this odd elemental conundrum would require some additional help in the form of their local chief alchemist. “Let’s head back to Mond, we’ve finished up here anyway.” Aether suggested, gathering his wits and ready to safely guide everyone back, hopefully incident free from there.
The rest of the party nodded in acquiesce, both eager to get back for some food and rest and to try and figure out just what was going on with their dear Calvary Captain. The trip back to Mondstat was relatively quiet and uneventful, with the sun trekking nearer to the horizon and the sky turning ever closer to dusk, the party saw the stone bridge into the city. The group drew closer to the bridge, scaring away the birds that typically lazed about on the cobblestone.
“Oh, I need to report into Grandmaster Jean! Captain, should I tell her you’re going to see Albedo?” The peppy Outrider questioned, already winding up to take off to the headquarters to report in. Aether and Kaeya paused in their steps, Kaeya keeping his gaze shuddered to try and draw the least amount of attention to his situation at the moment, while Aether bit his lip. What should they tell Jean? Kaeya wasn’t harmed, but he wasn’t okay either, they didn’t know what was going on with him.
“Ah, just let Jean know I’ll be in to see her myself later, I’ll visit our dear alchemist first.” Kaeya responded with an upturn of the corner of his lips, his soft green eye sparkling in the fading light. It threw Amber off slightly, seeing that lush green eye instead of the usual starry sky eye of her Captain, she hesitantly nodded before splitting from the group.
“Paimon is hungry! Let’s get some sticky honey roast before we see Albedo!” The fairy wriggled in the air, hungry eyes looking towards the food stands not far from, where they stood near the entrance to the city. Aether resisted rolling his eyes at her antics. “We should get Kaeya checked out first…” He said, nervous to let this linger any longer without some possible guidance on the effects of whatever that spell was. Aether nabbed the fairy before she could float any further and corralled Kaeya forward towards the goal without waiting for input from either of his remaining companions.
In short time, they were entering Albedo and Sucrose’s workspace, taking in the odd containers full of varying items and vials of glowing liquids. Aether quickly spotted Albedo scrawling notes in a ledger at a nearby workbench. The alchemist’s blue gaze rose as they drew closer, considering gaze landing on Aether as he approached. The alchemist then noticed the Calvary Captain following up behind the Traveler and as Kaeya turned his head forward, Albedo’s observant gaze immediately locked onto the navy haired man’s face. Particularly, that now mint green eye with a star shaped pupil that met Albedo’s own eyes. The alchemist bore his gaze at Kaeya, taking in that soft, familiar green that was the hallmark color of anemo and most certainly not the color or even element ever associated with the Calvary Captain. Albedo stood quickly and without a word, he breezed past the Traveler and invaded Kaeya’s personal space without preamble to look closer at that eye and as he drew nearer, he felt not only the cold hum of cryo energy that Kaeya emanated, but the jaunty and light energy associated with the winds of the anemo element. Kaeya’s green eye looked at Albedo as he approached, unreadable as ever despite the color change, for a few seconds the two stood considering one another in a silent staring match.
“Tell me everything of what happened, leave no detail unmentioned.” The alchemist said, abruptly ending the staring contest and sweeping his arm in a lazy gesture for the two to sit before him. The two took a seat before Albedo and between Paimon and Aether, the series of events from their perspective was laid out for the alchemist’s consideration. The light blonde hummed in thought, scrawling notes down on a stray piece of parchment as the two wrapped up the events of the afternoon. “So the spell struck, your elemental sight saw some effect take place and you saw only the spell’s effects initially? The additional energy traces did not appear until after you had touched him, when you felt that spark? What did the spark feel like to each of you? Did the change in eye color happen instantaneously? Traveler has your elemental energy been effected?” Albedo began shooting rapid fire questions are the two, swapping more and more inquiries in each of their directions.
“Ugh, Paimon’s head is spinning.” The fairy griped from where she hovered near Aether’s shoulder, trying to keep up with Albedo’s endless questioning. Aether and Kaeya attempted to keep up with answering, each giving accounts where they could. At some point the spare papers Albedo had begun writing on were cramped with notes and thoughts, the lines of text running down the margins of the papers. “I’d like to run some experiments on you both, follow me.” The alchemist got up, bringing the papers with him and calling for Sucrose, completely leaving Kaeya and Aether where they sat in his pursuit.
Aether used puppy-dog eyes and the promise of a dinner at Good Hunter with the commission money to rope Kaeya into staying to hear out Albedo and Sucrose’s thoughts and the keep Paimon’s whining to a minimum. The sun slowly sank beneath the horizon and the night turned navy blue and dotted with stars as Albedo ran tests and took notes on Kaeya, Aether, and both throughout the next hour or so.
“Paimon is starvingggg--!” She groaned out, unable to take the torment of only thinking about dinner any longer. Aether had to agree at this point, his stomach no longer able to keep quiet as the evening wore on, lunch feeling like it was so many hours ago. Aether turned his honey gaze to the two scientists, who were currently tasking Kaeya with blowing a windwheel aster into motion while also leaving frost on its petals and observing the results. Albedo’s gaze flickered over to the Traveler and his floating companion and then took in the growing weariness he could see just barely showing in the Captain’s features as well. Perhaps additional testing is best left when the subjects are in better spirits.
“Very well then, I’ll ask for only one last test and then Sucrose and I will review the data we’ve collected.” Albedo gave in, noting the relief on the trio’s faces. He turned a stern gaze back to Kaeya, focusing on him intently, but he directed his speech at his assistant. “Sucrose, please make direct contact with the Captain.” He instructed. Aether sat up straight and suddenly very alert. “But…” he was silenced by Albedo raising his hand and nodding at Sucrose to proceed. With a soft blush on her cheeks, the demure woman raised her hand and moved towards Kaeya’s shoulder hesitantly. Kaeya’s newly green eye followed the path of her approaching hand, minutely tensing in preparation for the same effect that had occurred when Aether had made contact. Sucrose’s hand landed on his shoulder, everyone’s breathing paused in anticipation.