Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Fear not dear child, for a second chance shall bestow upon your soul, a restart for you to begin anew…."

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It was dark…. and then….. everything fades

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"—ello?! Hey kid, can you hear me?!? Are you dead? Oh my god, is this a corpse?!"

A voice rings in his head, causing a mild migraine to erupt.

Everything feels…..off and the noisy stranger isn't doing him any favors with the loudness, not knowing what's going on the male tries to pry his eyes open, hissing when bright light cascades onto his vision.

Someone is next to his lying form, kneeling with their eyes colour with worry a rather odd sight although he's not sure why that is. First he sees red and brown, and the deep worried orbs of a foreign looking person that he knows not.

"Thank Barbatos! You gave me quite the scare there kid, are you alright? What are you doing all alone all the way out here, those aren't local looking clothes, are you a traveller?" The person inquires, hands hastily reaching out to help him sit.

He shakes his head, trying to clear the fuzziness and mush of blur in his mind.

Blinking, he could see that he's outdoors, surrounded by lush green wilderness of trees, rocks and untouched land. His clothes feel dirty and grimy on him and so is the soil all over his body, green messy hair tangled and matted with mud and dirt.

The boy coughs out loud suddenly, hacking out air from the way his throat is dry and scratchy and he feels like he could throw up at any moment's notice despite knowing there's nothing in him to purge. His hands tremble while gripping onto his soiled clothes, he feels horrendously sick.

The person next to him grows more worried but soon perks up with a small Yelp, "Oh yeah, here, drink this, it should help." He couldn't actually bring himself to raise his head and look at them, everything hurt too much for that.

But something is suddenly pressed to his lips, a cylindrical shape object and he could feel fingers slightly tugging his head backwards to guide him to drink it. Not having any energy to think or reject the sudden intrusion, he allowed his head to be tilted back and feel a cold liquid slowly trail down his throat.

The male finding himself unable to regret it, the effect is immediate as he could feel the heaviness in his head slowly disperse along with the ache that he feels all over him. 

"W….wh….what?" His raspy voice croaks, barely opened eyes blinking hard to try and stay awake.

The pain is no longer so terrible but his energy still remains nonexistent, on top of the soothing feeling whatever that was given to him, the lack of stinging ache is slowly inviting him once more into slumber.

"Woah woah, wait wait, kid don't fall asleep on me now!" The voice panickedly rambles, the hands holding him up slightly shaking his weak lithe frame.

The boy would comply with her wishes, but he just feels so drained, like life is zapped out of him after being used to dealing with the pain from the sickness before. He droops, but try as he might, he couldn't stay awake any longer than he'd like to.

The person's voice is getting muddled and loopy by the minute, words starting to sound slurry like he's underwater. 

"Kid—wai—name?!"

He could make out a single word, the word name demanding said detail from him, and they were so nice to help take away the pain, he could at least give them that right?

He thinks, thinks harder and some more and comes to realize that he…..does not remember his full name, only a singular word standing out to him and the boy wills all of him that's left to say the name out loud.

"Name…..Iz…Izuku…"

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Chapter Text

Jean isn't sure how she's doing it, just months ago the outrider heads out and conveniently returns with a peculiar traveler with an even more strange companion, and said traveler happened to have skills that match that of a Favonious Knight of high caliber and played a huge role in dealing with Dvalin.

And now once again, the pyro archer returns to Mondstadt capital, racing through the streets and barging into the Cathedral screeching desperately with urgency for a healer and on her back is a lump of brown and green, unconscious but very clearly is a living being.

Where in Teyvat is she finding these strange people?! Jean even wonders if this is going to be a seasonal occasion with how often she found strays in her patrols.

Her sister Barbara nearly had a heart attack at the commotion but moved quickly to help with the poor teen Amber had fished out from the woods. The poor thing is unconscious and caked in dirt, too light and clearly in need of several things like warm meals and and a good wash.

As all strange travelers' business goes, Jean is informed of this news and herself with her cavalry captain are headed towards the place to see the mess.

Apparently the child looks worse for wear, clothes covered in dirt and while there are no visible injuries, is not in the best state of health.

Barbara informs them that the teen is somewhat dehydrated and malnourished on top of a fever that's slowly breaking from Amber's quick thinking of giving him a healing potion, she has someone change his attire and wash off the dirt as best as they can off him and the boy barely stirred throughout the whole process.

The three Knights let the boy continue on in his slumber once he's cleaned and Barbara gives them the clear that he'll wake up in a couple hours, now discussing just what in the world is it this time and how do they deal with it.

"He's not a local here for sure, though….. he's got an Inazuma sort of face eh?" Kaeya comments, once they're back at the Knights of Favonious headquarters, recalling the glimpse he had on the teen.

The Acting Grandmaster has sent the city's librarian to check the records with their Adventure Guild to see if there's any Izuku in the registry, even going as far as to mail an inquiry at their branch in Inazuma just to be safe.

It's hard to not notice the distinguishing features once you're familiar with interacting with travelers and citizens alike from the other nations. 

Amber nods in agreement to the blue haired male, "Now that you mentioned that, he sure does! And his name sounds like an Inazuman local too, Izuku, he manages to say that much before passing out on me." She relays, sagging down on a chair with relief now that the matter is somewhat taken care of.

Jean sighs, expression frowning because it's possible that the boy might be an Inazuma's traveler who got lost on the way to Mondstadt but his clothes are nothing like the people of that nation wears.

It's far too light and simple for a traveller and he's got nothing on him, literally, not a weapon or loot or anything at all on his person.

"Do you think he was attacked and robbed on his way here? He had nothing on him…. " She voices her thoughts, but the three are startled upon the door opening and a lady in purple comes strolling in.

Her own face sporting a half hearted smile, "There isn't a single traveler with the name Izuku in the registry. They even note that there isn't any traveler his age with that appearance, unless the boy is older than he looks though I doubt that." She explains to them, causing a sudden tense silence to fall over the individuals in the room.

"Geez where are all these mysterious travelers coming from?" Kaeya mumbles, the man is first and foremost concerned for his nation's safety and the ambiguity of these travelers isn't helping his case.

The blonde traveler at least showed his proof of where his heart lies with the kindness he shows and the courageous drive to help even when he has no ties to Mondstadt. But just because one of them is chivalrous and trustworthy, does not mean all of them are.

Kaeya can't help but be guarded, knowing more than anyone how appearances can always be deceiving of their true nature.

Jean sensed her cavalry captain's suspicion, and while she might have chasted him for thinking so poorly of a boy no older than 13, she also knows it's important they don't let their guard down.

Until Izuku, although in his current weak state, is proven to not be a threat, they will treat him accordingly.

That being said, they would be cautious until they learn more about the boy once he wakes up and work with things from there.

"His clothes are weird though! I've never seen such simple clothing…" Amber adds on as a final thought, Lisa hums and turns to the woman in charge, "Say Master Jean, what if he's really just an innocent passerby that is unfortunate to be in this situation?" 

The blonde exhales at the valid question, "Then we'll do our best and extend help however he needs it. Hopefully, things go much more smoothly soon as the knights are still tied up with clearing Hilichurls camps ...."

Kaeya snorts out amusedly and earns a glare from his superior, "Seriously, you're only jinxing yourself with that." The other room occupants only joined in after him with their own giggles.

Blushing red, the Acting Grandmaster huffs and shoos them away to their duties, she has her own workload waiting for her in her office as well that's going to kill her first if the Knights under her commad doesn't, whichever comes first.

Sitting in her chair, the woman holds her hand together and sighs, muttering a small prayer towards the nation's Archon to give her a break and ease the burdens on her shoulders.

"Lord Barbatos, please tell me where have I gone wrong? Why do these things keep happening? Please lead me to the answers dear lord…" her voice wishes and like a reply to her prayer, the winds outside her window rattles against the glass and wooden pane.

It howls and blows, the frame letting out small creaking noises along the obvious gust of wild wind smacking it, it speaks to her as if the lord had heard her prayer and instantly decided that the answer is hers to have.

Though Jean stares, the frowning creases on her face deepening with each rattle and whisper, wondering to herself what sort of sign is that because honest to Archon, she can't even begin to fathom what it means.

And why, on Barbatos's name does she feel like it's a warning more than an answer? 

Jean isn't sure how long she had been contemplating but it must've been long enough that once the knocking on her door snaps her out of her stupor, the woman almost calls out her weapon out of instinct.

The blonde shakes away her thoughts and answers the door, Amber's concerned eyes greeting her own and she immediately knows something is up.

The outrider may range from worry to enthusiastically concerned from time to time for the people she dutifully serve but never has the older woman seen her knight so conflicted and nervous, and she guesses that it's the work of a certain teen male in their temporary custody.

"What is it Amber?" Jean queries although is already on her feet and inching towards the door, following the girl out as they make their way towards the Cathedral quarters where the boy is kept under watch.

The girl narrows her lips, radiating uneasiness all over while she thought of the best way to convey the newest update on their green haired possible Inazuman traveler, the girl bite down on her lips but bravely says it anyway while looking very certain Jean isn't going to like what she hears.

"He woke up half an hour ago, and Kaeya decided to interrogate him once he's coherent….. I'd have someone get you at once but.... I got worried and.....forgot" she starts off, and this made the Acting Grandmaster quirk a questioning eyebrow.

Nothing to note off, Kaeya is one to act on his own anyway if he feels not any need to report to her and Jean isn't sure why that's a problem…..yet.

Because obviously something went wrong there, Amber wouldn't be half as fidgety with anxiousness otherwise with the full trust she has in the cavalry captain.

And something—Maybe it's Barbatos again, warning her—tells Jean, it is not going to be easy or pretty.

Well, that comes with the job she supposed, she beckons the archer to continue.

"So um, the kid is like, super jumpy and stuff and possibly traumatized someway and Kaeya sort of……made it worse when he went a bit overboard with him because he wasn't answering any questions and claimed he doesn't remember anything at all other than his name. And now the kid sort of shuts down and won't respond to anyone……. As in, he's not eating or drinking what he's given and is likely dissociating amongst other things so yeah…!"

Jean's footsteps come to a screeching halt, her face must look ridiculous with gawking or angry from the way the pyro archer scoots away, taking a few steps away from her, at least she understands the nervousness now.

Right, she fails to calculate that her cavalry captain may not be the best to deal with possible mentally fragile individuals.

Dear celestial, why do things are getting more difficult for her?

Jean groans, face burying into the palm of her hands and begins marching up to the venue with renewed level of done. Amber tailing her with each step, she feels rather apologetic having not immediately alerted her superior first.

The Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius heads towards the room, a lecture on her lips and her annoyance growing to a full cowl because she now hears a faint buzzing of arguing the closer she approaches the room, two voices she's very familiar with.

She'll question why on Teyvat is the head of the Ragnvindr House, Diluc here later once she sort out her own knight and figure out what do they do now that the assumed young traveler turned into a spooked traumatized teenager with no recollection of his memories other than his name—

'Wait—hold on, he what?'  her train of thoughts cease as if it hit a wall.

So engulfed in her irritation and already doing minor planning on mandatory extra trauma victims handling training, the predicament they're in with the boy, the most major one being his supposed extreme amnesia, was completely skimmed over by her.

The blonde woman whips her head at the pyro archer clad in red, "He doesn't remember anything? Just his name? Not even his age or his origin?" eyes wide with shock and gut already piling with dread, she awaits the girl's reply.

Amber tucks a stray bang behind her ear, avoiding Jean's demanding piercing gaze, but Kaeya answers the question for her once he manages to break away from the verbal throwdown he has with the Tavern owner, the man looks anything but pleased.

Not that he ever wore any other expression these days.

"I don't know how honest he is or if he's putting on an act—"

Amber then snaps her head up and glares at him furiously, "He was confused, sobbing and choking through his words! Swearing up and down that he wasn't lying, you honestly can't think that is an act?!" 

And maybe it's the round bright orbs of emerald shimmering with tears and pure fear , the way the already small framed boy curled up on himself to appear smaller as if he was expecting Kaeya to attack him for speaking.

How his voice is dripping with terror and frustration when he couldn't answer any of the male's questions, puzzled, maybe even mad at himself and only to grow even more terrified that he's missing pieces of information of himself that he should know.

And the more Kaeya forces him to think of those personal information, the more he realizes he can't remember any of them and it scares the living crap out of him because he should know still so he can't remember.

Zoning out and being lost in his own mind probably searching for answers he can't recall and eventually stops responding altogether, remaining as a small lump of blanket in the corner for the room and couldn't be coaxed to try eating or drinking even with Barbara's gentle voice pleading him, he's even scared of Barbara.

Amber knows in her heart, nothing that heartbreaking could be an act, and it pains her to know there's nothing she could do to help the poor boy. She could only imagine the disarray state he's in, not knowing anything around him and in a foreign place he couldn't remember coming to.

The haze of confusion and fear he's trapped in.

Kaeya at least has the decency to look guilty for his actions, but doesn't take back his words nonetheless. "Well, can't blame him, his heart perhaps is too cold to understand emotions that well." Diluc snarks, earning a pointed scowl from said male.

"Enough, stop acting like children for Seven's sake, there's a hurting child in need of our care." Jean scolds them sternly, crossing her arms with an exhale.

The three individuals before her look away shamefully like children being told off, it's never a good feeling to be on the receiving end of her Disappointed Glare™, Barbara suddenly appears out of the room door, the healer and deaconess of the Favonian Church looks distraught beyond words.

"I'm so so sorry, but…. he… he is even scared of me….. I can't get him to take medicine or eat at all." She informs them, disappointment fills her soft voice while looking down at the tray of soup and medicine in her hands. 

She is a healer and a Deaconess of the Church of Favonious, being scared of is something she would assume to be impossible because how can anyone be terrified of her?! The nun wails as she mumble a prayer to Barbatos.

Now the knights and Diluc are rightfully concerned, Jean especially is beginning to worry on how they're going to interact with the boy.

It'll be hard to help him get home to his family if he couldn't remember anything, even harder if he's not willing to talk to them at all, though Kaeya might have done more damage than he initially thought.

"I have……. an idea."

Amber suddenly speaks up, finger snapping with eureka, "But none of you might like it, or approve but it's our best bet right now since he doesn't trust us at all." She adds at the end, though still smirking determinedly.

Jean, Diluc, Barbara and even Kaeya who likes unexpected choices think she is absolutely right, because that smirk is alarmingly suspicious and they can't afford to mess up a second time with the traumatized teen.

"We need a kid to help out."

They immediately pale at the suggestion, protests already on the tip of their tongues because that is a horrible idea because only one kid comes into mind right now. The one and only kid affliated with the Knights of Favonious.

And throwing her at the boy sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

"You can't mean to chuck Klee at him? The girl would freak him out even more!" Kaeya retorts, as much as he adores the little spark knight, she is loud and this boy is jumpy.

Those combinations do not go together.

Amber holds up her hand, "Wait, hear me out! He doesn't trust us right? And what are we? Adults. And if he's not a traveller, what would urge a kid like him to leave home on his own and travel so far away with no means of protecting himself and is…..like that? Perhaps….his home life isn't so good and what would cause that? Adults."

She breathes in, letting them take in the half baked theory before continuing, "I'm thinking, maybe….. he is scared of adults but maybe, maybe he is okay with other kids. We could tell Klee to be gentle and careful, she may be young but her emotional intelligence is far higher than Kaeya's."

Mentioned man gawks bewilderedly at the claim while Diluc lowers his head to hide a chuckle, Kaeya doesn't even fight on it because.....it's true.

Jean let the words ponder over her, those are some bold assumptions string together but not entirely farfetched. Even Barbara looks half convinced, the other two men are still unsure however it's not like they got many options.

"I suppose, we could try, if it doesn't work we're back at square one, if it does then we'll actually get somewhere with this." She remarks thoughtfully, "Alright, Kaeya can you go get Klee? She should be with Albedo right now…"

Hopefully, the little girl could work some magic with the boy for them.

In one world, a lost life is mourned.

In another world, a new life begins.

At the same time that day when the outrider found and brought back a mysterious teen traveler, just outside, on the outskirts of the city of freedom, a bard clad in green and white shudders when something intrudes into his field of senses.

The Anemo Archon has a versed grip on his elemental energy sensing ability that spreads out across his territory despite the many years he lay asleep, and so while he skips along the grassy fields strumming and humming a random tune, the god is thrown off when he feels it.

Something dense had entered his land, a mass of compressed unknown energy landing right smack on his radar and really had him jumping on his feet, it's definitely huge although the contained way it's molded is odd to say the least.

Whatever it is, it's not a fellow Archon the wind sprite concludes, the energy is different, powerful, heavy and far condensed that it's like the power of all elements are squashed together and chained down, it nearly makes him want to vomit because that's horrid. 

It's nothing like Barbatos has ever felt or known in his thousands of years of existence, and even there the Archon admits, he knows and seen a lot. 

His land particularly wasn't visited by any other gods in ages as well—Meanies they are, especially Morax and here Barbatos thought they had something special—and usually a heads up is given if another Archon are to enter another's territory.

To avoid sudden misunderstandings that could lead to feuds and wars that can raze nations down to the ground and into nothing, typical standard god-like stuff, the usual.

Now, just because he's not active per se with his Archon duties doesn't mean he's entirely neglectful of it. Barbatos, as the god of freedom believes he's just doing his thing by granting his people freedom to rule over themselves, and so far they're doing just fine without him stepping in.

But Barbatos would protect his people when situation calls for it and will not stand for any huge unknown force that dares to disrupt the peace and freedom of his nation, and that mass energy although chained buzz on his human-like form skin with trouble.

As Venti, he strode into the city with a skip in his steps, citizens around unknowing, waving at him friendly and unassuming that he's their god on a mission to track down a possible threat that could level the city if they wish to, his first actual Archon duty investigation in years.

Now if the situation is any less concerning the safety of his people, Venti would even consider this entertaining.

The bard is following where the mass of energy is located, it really bolts down on his energy senses radar and is extremely hard to miss for someone of divine being like him that he almost wonders if this thing wants to purposely be caught or something.

Soon the whispers of his winds came singing to him, carrying a message of prayer from a certain blonde Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonious.

And Venti listens, he learns from the whispers of his breezes and hums with curiosity though he no longer feels the need to urgently remove the source of suspicious energy.

Another mysterious traveler arrived and it's a teen boy this time around, still, the knights might not be aware of his powers so Venti sends a warning gust her way anyway as a reminder to thread carefully.

It's a wonder because there's no such disturbance when Aether arrived, and while Venti does feel the blonde boy's unusual energy eventually, it's only because he was nearer to him and thus could feel the presence of the weird elemental energy from him. 

But this one, his energy although condensed is tremendous and can be felt from miles away, it speaks dangerous although Venti decides to put that assumption on the back burner and see how things play out with the knights first.

If the worst comes to arise, he'll just wind vortex the thing out of existence, no biggie.

Venti springs himself on top of his statue at the city capital, sitting on the very palms of the hands, his fingers strumming his lyre aimlessly as the Anemo Archon entertains the possibilities in his head and listening to the tales whispered in the blowing zephyrs.

"My my, I do wonder what brings you here…… it looks like the Celestial has plans for you little youngling." He mutters to himself, wondering if there's a way for him to meet the boy right away without appearing suspicious.

After all, how can one not be curious of a mortal—or possible newborn divinity— who seems to be favored by the Celestials themselves?

Chapter Text

Izuku hands are on his face, pressed hard as if trying to suffocate himself although all he wishes is to clear the mauled mess in his head, skin over his lips to muffle any sound, his laboured breathing loud and breathy even through the blanket covering him. 

The boy is shaking, eyes blinking and flinching each time a jab of pain shoots through his head at any attempt made to recall anything. 

It was awfully terrifying on its own to wake up in a foreign place, and that eye patch man had been so insistent that he's lying. It frustrates him so much as the headaches he feels, his voice thundering with force, not loud but bold in a way that makes his skin crawl with the need to run.

His instincts scream danger, danger means pain and pain……. He's just in too much pain even now to think more of it. 

The onslaught of questions left his lips that made Izuku tremble with sheer horror, because why doesn't he know? 

Why can't he remember such basic facts about himself?

"What's your name?"

"I-Izuku"

"Where did you hail from?"

"I….I don't know."

"How old are you?"

"I… don't…..know."

"Why are you here?"

"I…"

It sets him on edge with panic, if he could recall that the sky is blue and he's sitting on a bed, he needs oxygen to breathe and they're talking in……

So he doesn't remember what this language is called either but he knows it, understands it and speaks it, a language he's fluent in at a young age after his own mother tongue that he can't remember what it's called. How does one speak a language he knows not the name of?

Why can't he remember anything about him? Why is he forgetting such…... specific details, as if certain parts of him are picked and taken away selectively. It's jarring and terrifying because had someone done something to him?

And each time he tries to remember, scourging the storm in his head for memories, sharp pain greets him, wrecking through his consciousness like a shattering earthquake. 

It hurts, it hurts so much to remember almost like that's all there is to remember, pain.

And with pain accompanies an odd wisp of longing, an invisible burden laying on his shoulders along with rattles of fear shaking his bones.

It's not pleasant to try and remember. 

He feels wet tears on his cheeks, hoarse voice clogged with choking and his hurting head is getting worse. Words are slipping past his lips, possibly pathetic wails of a frightened lost boy but he's no longer lucid enough to even register the words that he's voicing.

And in the midst of working himself up into a self induced panic attack, the boy could physically feel the temperature in the room dropping sending chills all over him, and for some reason it's terrifying but weirdly grounding.

It's probably not as drastically noticeable but Izuku himself is mostly skin and bones at the moment, but he doesn't mind the coldness, it's oddly grounding more than anything because…... because coldness somehow feels okay, the weird blanks in his memory are tied with emotions they carry that he could still feel.

Coldness is fine, perhaps his forgotten home is a place of cold climate.

But the presence of that man is not, especially from the wary impending look on the stranger's face.

Body heat is a work in progress for his system, it's not cold enough to be harmful but it's also an act of intimidation, and no doubt the blue haired man is causing it if that icy glare is any indicator. 

Tall, scowling and reeking off a feeling of a looming threat with that sudden smirk he wears that looks almost coy and Izuku just knows he has to bolt.

He can't deal with this, doesn't want to, he doesn't even recognize the man nor does the clothes he wore look anything like….. whatever an authority figure is called.

Fear sparks under his skin and like instinct, the boy feels it course all over him and pushes him up to his knees with what little strength he has in his weak still healing body.

Grabbing the blanket he plunges off the bed in a roll and tumble, swiftly with an odd muscle memory and practiced expertise that he's very sure he doesn't remember having as well. 

The man jerks into a standby stance, a sword manifesting in his hand ready for an attack, but he must've back down when all Izuku did is find the furthest corner and curls on himself there and he hears no more heavy footsteps that would follow by such heavy looking boots.

The heavy blanket covers him like a shield, holding him down from spiraling further into his hyperventilating. Fading in and out between hyper aware of all the ongoing sounds around him and not hearing or feeling anything at all.

It's dizzy, scary and Izuku is still very much sobbing through the ordeal, mind buzzed with confusion that's slowly morphing into stress from all the raging headaches.

What's going on? Where is he? What happened? How is he here? Why is everything hurting so much? Why is he selectively remembering and forgetting parts of his life?

The questions breeze in his head, and he wails, why can't he remember?

Footsteps barge into the room, Izuku counts too many to be a singular person. But he couldn't stop himself from flinching at the door being slammed open, recoiling at the loud noise. 

"Master Di—?! Hey ouch!" 

He hears the man from before hisses, screeches of shoes and boots against the room's tiles ranging from heavy stomping and soft pattering.

"Hello? Little boy?" A much gentler, feminine voice calls out to him.

But he can't respond, too afraid, too tired.

Yet she continues to coax him, softly like a melody that Izuku almost thinks there's something in her voice that's making him calm down considerably. Yet he hides, unwilling to face yet another stranger who he doesn't know if they too are posing a facade for him.

A sigh came, "You are hurting right now, can I give you some medicine to make it better?" She sounds worried, even desperate and the sound of something metallic being placed on the floor only made Izuku flinch harder.

His heart hammering in his chest, the lodged fear from before barely dissipated. And he knows, he can't trust her, can't trust anyone because….. because people don't help him.

Especially adults.

They just don't and Izuku knew somewhere in his heart that it's true. How or why he can't entertain, but it's a truth he made peace with.

A small faint gasp, and her voice turns a tone more serious, "I promise, on lord Barbatos name, my blessed vision and my life that I won't hurt you. And as long as you're in my care, no harm will come to you."

And as determined or such conviction it rings, Izuku still couldn't bring himself to react or move. He doesn't know this person, as nice as she may be, what is there to say there isn't a motive to her kindness.

It's disconcerting for himself, half lidded with exhaustion and the other half in fear or anxiety, and the only thing he could feel towards the strangers around him is distrust.

"Please come out? Just some medicine and water...and a bit of mint soup?" She pleads this time, sounding hopeless with her attempts.

And when Izuku doesn't budge from the nestled bundle of a blanket, the female stranger exhales loudly with some sort of disappointment.

A clink of metallic again, the ringing continues on in his head "I'm going to leave the water and soup here, and if you're feeling a bit better, we can try again with the medicine later?"

Izuku doesn't answer her, why should he? How can he? When he couldn't answer himself.

The knights are trying their best to relay the situation to their youngest ward, the blonde girl had been excited to know she's being given an actual knightly assignment that does not equate to her being an errand girl.

Don't get her wrong, she doesn't mind running the errands she's told to but even those get boring. And a boring Klee gets ideas, and most of the time those ideas may as well one day cause an international incident between nations if she's any more careless.

"So…..you guys want Klee to talk to the scared boy? Why is he scared?" She asks thoughtfully, hand on her chin, little fingers drumming as she thinks.

She needs to know that so she can avoid accidentally scaring the boy, that'll be a bad way to make a friend and Klee is very certain she's going to be great friends with their mystery rescuee.

And the adults shouldn't be surprised that's her first question, they really shouldn't be surprised she has any at all. Klee takes after Albedo and Alice like that, always questioning and asking what isn't known till a clear picture is formed.

While Klee is young, and maybe quite innocent, she always showed a great understanding of reading and dealing with emotions and bonds between people.

She often calls the emotionally repressed and difficult adults around her—and this wholeheartedly is directed at a pair of red and blue brothers—weird and stupid when it all just sounds and come so easily to her. 

If her alchemist brother is book smart, then the little sister is definitely people smart.

Amber crouches down, a sad smile on her lips, "We're….. um......someone grownup might have hurt him…. probably so he's scared of us because we're grownups. But you're little, he might talk to you. So you have to be gentle and careful, okay?" She tells the girl.

Klee listens, her young face adorned with wonder as information is given.

Somehow it angered her to know the boy is hurt, Klee has seen hurt, rarely, and for all it's worth she is glad that's the case. 

And Klee doesn't like what hurt looks like.

"Humph! That's mean! Okay Klee will go see if the boy is alright, and explain that it's alright!! The knights will protect and take care of him now too like they take care of Klee!" She proclaims earnestly, determined to do her best on this mission.

Amber, Jean and Kaeya watch as she skips her way into the room, the door closing moments later with a clank. They're worried but Klee is their best shot at this and they'll have to be patient while the girl works her magic.

"Where's Master Diluc?" Jean questions, finally realizing their local tavern owner is no longer around. He must've left when she went to check in with her sister about the boy 

"He went back." Kaeya supplies nonchalantly, as always with being at odds with that adoptive brother of his.

"He's definitely from Inazuma or at least, his origins are." He continues to add, both Amber and Jean look his way in interest.

"You think so? How come?" The Acting Grandmaster inquires curiously.

Kaeya hums, "He was mumbling in his panic, altering between Teyvian and Nihonzu. I can't understand it myself but I definitely recognize the language. His Teyvian has that typical Inazuma sort of accent too."

"But isn't Inazuma in a lockdown right now?" Amber brings up, no one should be able to easily enter and leave in their situation and it didn't look like Izuku had been out on his own for long.

Kaeya nods with acknowledgment, "Yes…..but like I said, could just be his origins and his family resides somewhere else." It's a theory, possibly the only roots of leads they have to work with for now.

Jean sighs, "Do you think this will work?" Turning to face the outrider as she voices her worries.

First a girl wishing for freedom to be freed from her pain, then a traveler seeking a missing sister who became the hero of Mondstadt the same week he arrived, and now an amnesiac boy who might be an abused runaway.

Amber sure has her ways with finding lost strays to help, "Klee is adorable, sure it will!" And it's not that Jean could blame her, it all always works well in the end.

When Klee enters the room, she puts on her best smile and looks for the boy, "Hello there! Huh? What are you doing way over there?" her face quickly frowns with worry, not missing the empty bed and lump of blanket in the corner.

The girl slowly makes her way across the room with her footsteps making pit-a-pat noises, the kid she's supposed to help still hasn't shown himself to her, buried under the cloth but her ears twitch at the sound of heavy breathing.

Was he scared of her too? The spark knight moves closer, carefully as she was told and for Klee who always likes to make big loud noises with her explosives, this is a bit difficult but she’ll do her best.

She could hear him still, and the food Miss Barbara left was untouched next to him, "Are you okay? Did something scare you? Klee does that too sometimes when the storms get loud at night." She crouches down to her knees and sits there near him.

Truthfully she's never met someone so timid and frightened, but from the size of the lump Klee is sure the boy is bigger than her and possibly older as well if only by a small margin.

The bundle of blankets shifts and a faint voice speaks to her,  "W...who?" Klee is surprised to hear such a small voice, she's never heard anyone sound so small and scared.

And Klee decides she doesn’t like it one bit.

She remembers what Amber told her, how the boy is hurt , that won't do.

"Oh hello! I'm Spark Knight Klee of the Knights of Favonious!!" She introduces herself, using the knightly voice and tone that she often hears Kaeya and Jean use. "Well, Klee Aldergrove but everyone calls me Klee! I want to help you."  

She wants to help, maybe the boy would even be friends with her and they can play together. Klee could play with him when Albedo is busy and they can go fish blasting together, Razor, Bennett and Diona would surely welcome him as their friend too.

Ever since Klee is little, she's known the land she lives in to always have people, young and old smiling and freely be happy.

Frowns and down days are unavoidable, but never like what she sees in the green haired boy.

Sadness and hardships are no stranger, that much the girl knows from the songs of history and past tales Venti the bard would often sing. And while she doesn't fully understand them half the time, she knows people sometimes get hurt really bad.

Kaeya once said that a different kind of hurt sometimes leaves scars that can't be seen, Klee wonders if he has any scars like that. 

But what is hurt can be helped to heal, that's what her mom used to tell her.

Albedo too was hurt once upon a time, too long ago and she was far too young to remember what it was like, but he's better now, he healed.

Her mom helped Albedo, Klee would do her best to help this boy the same way!

The girl is delighted when fingers clutch at the end of the blanket, slowly tugging down just enough for a freckled face to peek at her. Klee could only see his green eyes and bushy green hair but she's already so happy.

He looks very different from the people on Mondstadt, and she's never seen someone with such green hair.

Briefly, the girl even wonders if his hair is a leafy bush.

"Wow you have pretty green hair! It looks floofy!" she remarks with a clap, it's like a berry bush and the little blonde wonders if he would let her put flowers in his hair once they're friends.

The boy's eyes lingers on her, and he just looks so…distant, it traces from her hands to her hat, and somehow it eases him up a little more to let his blanket slip off completely so it's no longer covering his face.

And wow, he looks worse than Bennett running into Hillichurls weaponless. And that's saying a lot.

The boy is hesitant but willing and that’s good enough for her. 

Klee is sure he's about a year or two older than her and possibly just a teeny bit older than Diona but his face is oddly pale and sickly, hollowed cheeks and tired wary eyes—strange, they remind her of Jean's when she works too much—staring back at her.

The spark knight waves at him in a friendly manner with a beaming smile, gloved hands up to show she means no harm because the girl is very certain she's seen Razor do that to frightened animals before.

And this greenie boy looks every bit as much like one.

And the boy tilts his head to the side, "You're…...small," he says something that she couldn't understand, looking at her with a new curiosity but guarded still.

At the usage of a different language, the spark knight mirrors his head tilt with her own confusion, "Eh, what are you saying? Klee doesn't understand that language." She feels as though she heard of it before but doesn't remember it well enough.

The boy stays silent after that, his pretty green eyes turning soft when he looks at the little girl, his defensive guard slowly coming undone from her welcoming presence. 

Izuku was very surprised and even shaken out of his stupor when he heard the young voice, that surprise soon turned into confusion for what is a child doing here? Did they wander in by mistake?

With bigger priorities suddenly hit him, he’s a stranger and they shouldn’t just go around greeting strangers because that’s dangerous. And with curiosity and concern, he poke his eyes out and internally froze at the sight of a little girl in red sitting there. 

Light red orbs looking up at him with her lips tugged in a smile, slightly pointy ears perking up at his response, her voice ringing with pure innocence as she spoke. Her outfit looks like a uniform of some sort, the little girl's appearance makes his insides feel warm with comfort, and a tint of nostalgia.

Izuku breathes out, body relaxing. A little child couldn't hurt him, she sounds way too sweet and nice anyway.

Though her caretakers should really come to collect her, he means no harm but what's to say another stranger is the same? They shouldn’t let her practice such habits. 

"You are small." 

He repeats in the language she's speaking, and watches as her eyes lit up from the interaction. Other than her red dress, she looks to be carrying a backpack with a doll dangling by the side. 

Izuku has to admit, the little girl is a cute sight for sore eyes. And by extension, the best distraction from the disarray state of his mind.

Klee is her name, and those ears…… those are not a common thing right? 

Izuku doesn't know if he's known anyone with such features, or if that’s the norm around here but he doesn't feel weirded out by it so he supposed that's as normal as it could get.

The girl giggles, carefree and bright and so so frightfully young and unknowing that it almost scares him….. why is that?

A foreign urge to cling and protect greets him. Such a pure display of innocence, a true child that knows not any horror and Izuku wants more than anything to preserve it, to protect it. From what? He knows not but he doesn't want….

And why and where exactly is that thought process heading, he would not question or dwell any further.

"Klee is eight! How old are you?" She asks him, eager and sweet with that beaming sunshine of a smile.

Though Izuku could only look away with a frown at the question he doesn't have the answer to, and here he thought of not disappointing her.

Swallowing a gulp, he answers "I…..I don't know." Surely he's somewhere in the teens, but he doesn't want to lie to the child. The thought just feels wrong to do so.

Yet instead of being disappointed, she nods her head in understanding, blonde pigtails bopping with each nod,  "Oh that's okay! Sometimes numbers get hard and Klee forgets too hehe." An embarrassed red hue flush on her cheeks at the admittance.

Ah, adorable!

It made Izuku stare, and a surge of fondness bloom in his chest more than ever, although it really may be her innocence and genuine childlike antics that prod her to think that's what it is for him, he can't bring himself to correct her.

What a pure little girl, but alas she must know a thing or two about this location, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to ask, he could hardly bring himself to speak anymore to those adults in unusual outfits.

Grown-ups who pretend to care are the worst and although he can't recall the exact events, the feelings are present as ever.

To place trust in an adult is to throw himself into open flames willingly….. It's jarring to feel and react the way he does despite not knowing why.

The severe distrust is concerning, in fact, lots of those lost memories seem to have negative emotions attached to them. 

A child like her may not hurt him in such a way, too honest and far too innocent to be cunning.

But Izuku knows better than to lay his baggage on a kid, a few simple basic questions shouldn't burden her too much right?

"Where….where am I?" He braves himself to throw out his own query, the girl looks surprised at this but answers him anyway.

"We are in Mondstadt! The city of freedom!" She replies enthusiastically, her hands thrown up with grand gestures. She must really love her city from the looks of it.

Now if only Izuku could recall where and what country is that, "I don't know where….. that is." he replies softly, biting down a hiss of pain while instantly regretting trying to remember.

Even the geography of the globe is a mush of messy and blurry images in his head, Izuku can't recall names of countries or continents, let alone a particular city.

"In Teyvat of course!"

Izuku doesn't know that either, nothing is ringing bells, nothing is making sense . Izuku wishes to crawl back into the blanket and weep away into the darkness of unconsciousness, passing out sounds very appealing right now.

Klee must've noticed his distress because she's suddenly talking about something else, "Do you have a family? Klee has mommy and big brother Albedo, Kaeya, Barbara, Master Jean, Bennett ...." The little one continues listing off names that Izuku doesn't recognize.

Even trailing off to add little note-like remarks such as how there's a famous bard—Izuku wasn't sure what that word meant just yet—Venti that he needs to meet, her wolf boy friend, Razor who claim her to be his.....lupical? What even is that?

And she has a friend named Qiqi in some place called Luyue? Laiyui? Liyue? The pronunciation is lost on him, and how there's a traveler friend of hers named Aether staying there as well and said traveler is on a search for a lost twin.

And it's getting progressively more confusing when odd words such as knight, vision and random names of odd items are thrown around.

Izuku understands she wants to help him get his mind off the thing worrying him, but it really is only making him more frustrated and terrified.

Alas, he could answer the initial question. But Izuku still doesn't have the means to answer it, "I...I don't know….I can't remember." He tells her again, passively wondering how much longer till she gets sick of that same excuse and leaves him.

Just as how he's getting sick of himself from not being able to find a different reasoning.

She wouldn't be the first, nor would she be the last, even if he couldn't remember who had been the first.

Izuku isn't sure why he's against the idea of Klee leaving him alone—He's so exhausted from always feeling alone—hadn't that been what he wanted mere moments ago when he hadn't known her name? 

It's not like he knows this child personally but she's the only welcoming presence so far since he woke up that doesn't make him want to recoil at each word she spoke and  bolt. 

It's nice, like a comforting company…..maybe she reminds him of someone dear he can't remember?

Sniffling, Izuku wipes his nose and his leaking eyes, "I'm... I'm sorry, I shouldn't…." it's just that, the emotions are overwhelming and confusing when there’s no memories attached to it. How can he recall how it felt but not the memory itself? 

And it leads to him now, pathetically crying before a child. Izuku tries to muffle the noises, hoisting his hands to his face to hide himself, the hopelessness coming back to haunt him.

The boy clenches his teeth, he doesn’t want to have a breakdown in front of Klee.

But something gentle is pressed to his cheek, soft and harmless, "It's okay, you can cry. Klee cries sometimes too when she feels really bad, it's okay." Klee is much closer now, on her hand is a handkerchief that she's pressing on his cheeks where the tears would've dropped down his chin.

Her voice is soft unlike the bright eagerness form before, it's gentle and warm with comfort. Izuku might as well hate himself even more for letting a child feel responsible to comfort him through his bullshit but he only sobs harder.

He welcomes her careful touch and allows himself to breathe.

A gentle breeze blows in the room, lightly tousling his green hair, the girl smiles and beckons at the breeze,  "Even lord Barbatos wants to tell you it's okay! See?" 

Izuku isn't sure what she meant by a Lord Barbatos , too submerged in his emotions to think. But the wind is nice, cool and soothing as it caresses his face and tickles his skin.

For a second, Izuku thought he was imagining but a faint murmur echoes ever so lightly in his ear.

"Rest now child, leave the hardships in the past. May this world be kinder to you than the last."

Izuku exhales, he feels light.

Chapter Text

For a while, the two remain quiet while Izuku calms down from crying out his frustration. Only when the choked sobs come to a stop does Klee finally tap his cheeks, motioning him to look up at her.

"Feeling better?" She asks, her small hands gently wiping away his tears with her handkerchief. Mimicking the exact way her mom would do for her. 

Izuku sniffles but nods at her question, "Yes….thank you." He sounds awfully shy now, embarrassed about needing to be consoled by someone so much younger.

Klee hums, stepping back to give him space, "Mmmhh, Klee knows crying can feel good sometimes, Klee doesn't like it though but you seemed to!" Indeed, she rarely cries, but she always has her family with her if she does.

They always assure her that it's okay to cry sometimes and that she can always cry if she feels the need to. Klee would do the same for Izuku, especially since he looks much more relaxed after crying.

"You are very smart and brave Klee." The boy tells her thoughtfully while still recollecting his composure.

The girl beams back at him, "That's because Klee is a knight! A good knight must be brave to help and smart to solve problems, it's what big brother Kaeya would say!"

Izuku quirks an eyebrow at the name, "Big brother......Kaeya?" He questions, the pronunciation a bit lost on his lips; he waits for her to continue.

"Yup! He's tall and blue, he has a cryo vision—the ice one!—he feels cold all the time to hug but he's fun and let's Klee go fish blasting sometimes and not tell Master Jean. " She rambles excitedly, sounding very fond of this person.

But Izuku's breath hitches; he remembers the cold stare, the coy smirk, the very blue colour scheme of a person that intruded on him, "That…...was your brother? With the….. eye patch? Blue hair?" He hopes he doesn't sound too spooked by the image of that man and such a sweet little girl.

Siblings? Really? But Izuku supposes the man may react the way he did because Izuku is an unknown, and it's always best to be guarded around unknowns.

Klee nods, enthusiastic that Izuku is familiar with the person in question, "Oh you met him?" She supposed he did since Kaeya was out there just now, but Izuku's voice sounded a pitch higher at that.

The greenette looked at her with utmost conflict, not knowing how to word things out without offending her for spewing not nice things about her alleged brother. Klee babbles on, unaware, spouting one thing after another before remembering Izuku hasn't said anything.

She looks up at him expectantly, " He …... he's….. scary." Izuku finally settles, a dreadful feeling bubbling in the pit of his stomach from wondering how the little girl would react to that. 

Klee frowns, and he gulps, "Eh, scary? Big brother Kaeya can be like that sometimes, the bad guys are always scared of him like that, but he won't hurt us. He's nice; he even draws with Klee sometimes!" She nods with understanding, not at all offended.

Okay, that Izuku wasn't expecting; not sure if he could picture it either. The big man with the eye patch drawing with an adorable little girl, but she's been honest so far, and it really is just a first impression, and maybe they just….got off on the wrong foot in the high of things. 

Izuku doesn't know him personally, but Klee seems to do so, and if she says so, it won't hurt to take the child's word for it, would it?

"He doesn't….. he ….he won't hurt….?" His throat feels tight, not daring to actually say the full sentence.

Klee quickly gasps and furiously shakes her head, still not angered or offended, "Of course not! Klee loves big brother Kaeya, and he loves me too! Big brother Kaeya is super duper nice……." 

But she paused, eyebrows knit together as if a sudden thought came to her.

"Did he say something to you?" She asks, the red orbs of her eyes glimmering with concern. 

Izuku freezes.

There's no accusation or anger, just worry, for whom, however, is still unclear.

There's no twisting the take, so Izuku honestly nods, "He....was being mean….. and scary." He grimaces, already starting to regret his word choice.

For a moment, Izuku thought she might lash out at him for implying her brother was in the wrong with how much her face was puffing up with annoyance; she exhaled with exasperation, mumbling something in a foreign language Izuku couldn't quite catch.

"Oh well…. did he hurt you?" 

Izuku, stunned at her following query, shakes his head in declination, "No…...but he scares me…. and made things cold..."

The girl cups her face in her hands, face serious in contemplation about what she's being told and processing her next course of action in her head. It's still adorable as ever; at least she's not mad at him…. yet?

How is she not mad or yelling or telling him off him yet? Why is he expecting her to get mad at him?

Two gloved hands clasp together, and she breathes in deeply after concluding, "Klee sees…… okay! How about, if he says sorry, could you give him another chance? Klee is very sure he didn't mean to scare you. It's a mis…. misunderstanding…?"

She sounds earnest, very sure in her words and must have been really close to that Kaeya person— she did call him her brother— and although Izuku doesn't understand why he would try to even talk to the man after that or why Klee wants them to get along, he can't exactly say no to the pleading face before him.

It's adorable, ruby orbs twinkling with hopeful innocence, and nostalgic all the same….. they're oddly….. familiar , would be a word.

The freckled boy sighs, "......does he really…. won't hurt me? He isn't too happy just now because I….. can't answer him." Klee viciously bops her head, even jumping in place to assure him that she's telling the truth.

"Nope! No one would as long as Klee is here, and if they do…...Klee will blow them up herself! Humph!"

Izuku won't even begin to decipher what could've she meant by blow them up, but the little remark has his chest tingle with glee and makes him burst into giggles. He doesn't know why but the thought of the little blonde girl in red with those ruby eyes blowing up things with explosives makes him feel warm inside.

Nostalgic, what a weird feeling to feel around a girl he's certain he's only meeting now.

"Thank you Klee, you're a very kind little knight." He tells the girl, hesitantly reaching out to pat her head fondly.  

Klee enjoys it immensely, giggling at the gesture, "You're welcome—EH?! Klee doesn't know your name yet?!'' The sudden realization made her whine, lips pouting at Izuku.

Something inside him burst with fondness, "My name is Izuku. Nice to meet you, little knight." he tells her; the girl takes a few moments to repeat the name on her lips, practicing till she gets the pronunciation as accurately as possible. 

“Izuku.....Izuku...Izuku!” she calls his name over and over again while wearing that sweet smile, "Hehe, come on! You shouldn't be on the floor when you're sick, silly Izuku!" she tugs his shirt, beckoning him to get up to his feet.

The two moved to sit on the bed; this time Klee did most of the talking as she recounted everything from the day’s activities to the new formula of bombs she made— so that wasn't an exaggeration, and should he be worried? —a sketchpad out on her hand where she wrote her notes, showing them to Izuku, who listens to her with interest while sipping some of the soup left by the deaconess.

For some bizarre reason, he could actually understand the child’s rambling, even if she replaced the obvious complicated terms of the items in her bomb experiments and formulas with childish terms. 

He's not even going to begin how and why a little child is experimenting with explosives in the first place.

Although the repetitive mentioning of pyro enhancements and pyro charge assist here and there in varying sorts of misspelling does confuse him. 

He briefly wonders what that means, and somehow as the thought is processed, his eyes are drawn to the fiery red gem strapped to her backpack.

Its fire emblem shimmers every now and then, glinting ever so lightly just like that gem the other guy, Kaeya, had worn.

But Kaeya’s had been light blue, he’s sure of that, with an emblem of a snowflake. Izuku wonders if it's somehow a tool that can channel certain elemental abilities, the thought of such a feat is quite fascinating.

He wonders what they're made of to give such a shine and glow.

However, they are shortly interrupted by a newcomer, the door creaking open ever so lightly, “Amber! I was just telling Izuku about how me and Diona saved Bennet that one time a hydro slime caught him!” Klee greets the brown-haired girl with familiarity. 

Dressed in an almost all-red getup like Klee, her hair is tucked back by a bandana that stands straight up like bunny ears, even sporting a similar crimson gem dangling by her hips. 

The boy briefly wonders if they're siblings as well.

She, on one hand, seems pleased to see Izuku more relaxed with Klee’s company, even going as far as not actually entering the room, only hanging by the door. The female knight offers him a small wave and a nervous grin, hesitant to enter.

Izuku is grateful that she just didn't decide to barge in. She does look familiar too, now that he’s not panicking about whether or not she'll be a threat to him and the little girl with him.

Remembering something, now that's something he couldn't do well mere minutes ago, and yet this young lady is awfully jabbing at his mind to recall.

Oh

"Hey there, I'm Amber, Amber Holt…… do you remember me?" She introduced herself, a kind smile on her face. Izuku remembers, especially now that he heard her voice.

"You found me…..I think." He could barely recall those moments, didn't think he was any near conscious to actually remember what he saw, but her voice was distinct in his head.

She found him and got him help; Izuku faintly felt the tight knot in his chest release, and the girl too, looked thrilled that he could recognize her. When Izuku returns her smile with his own, finally she slowly makes her way over to him and Klee.

"Ah, I'm glad you remembered! How are you feeling?" She asks, "Better! Izuku and Klee are talking about maybe making Klee's explosions bigger!" The little girl answers for him eagerly, shoving her book up for Amber to see.

Izuku chuckles, patting her head fondly once more, "Okay….I guess." He replies, yet can't actually bring himself to look her in the eye.

Amber claps her hand together and nods, then she pulls out a small vial out of nowhere to hand it to him, "Good good, so um, Barbara wanted to have you take this medicine, it'll help with your sickness…...so would you…"

The vial sparkles blue, but all in all, does not look suspicious…... Izuku could somewhat remember her making him take something liquidy while disoriented as well. It instantly made him feel better, so perhaps this is the same thing.

"Okay." Izuku receives the medicine, popping the cap off and downing it. Better make it fast before he has time to be anxious and has second thoughts.

Amber beams, pleased with his cooperation, "Alright, now I'm just gonna…." But she gasps all of a sudden and oddly jumps to stand straight on her feet, posture tense and serious.

And then, the young lady in red gets down on her knees with her head lowered in a bow, a gesture of apology he recognizes. It made the boy immediately flustered while Klee looked on with curious confusion.

"On behalf of the Knights of Favonious, I, outrider Amber Holt, humbly apologize for the crass way my comrade and superior treated you priorly. We hope you could forgive us for the blatant dismiss of your wellbeing and on lord Barbatos's name, I swear, from now onwards we only truly wish to extend help towards you and we hope you may give us a chance to prove that and allow us to help you…."

It's in that other language, the one he's more in tune with to converse in and is likely his mother tongue with how much easier he understands her words. The girl recites each word as if she practiced it repeatedly, each syllable loud and clear with near-perfect pronunciations. 

She must not be able to actually communicate using the language, and yet….

Izuku raises both of his hands and frantically beckons her to rise, face burning, and even the tip of his ears feel steamy, " Oh….u-uh...erm... that's ….t-that's fine. You don't have to…." He's genuinely bewildered to see her go to such lengths to apologize.

It's really not a need for her to do so.

It warmed his heart as much as it puzzled him; she hops back on her feet with a grin, "We insist Izuku, what knights would we be if we couldn't even help a single child in need?" Eyes determined, her red gem glowed lightly, and maybe Izuku could see embers flickering in those orbs.

The same sort of strong emotions he saw in the eyes of the blonde girl next to him when she spoke of her bomb experiments and details. They're both very passionate people, yet not siblings as Klee did not refer to her as 'big sister' as she did with Kaeya.

Klee takes that as her cue to chime in, "Yes! We're going to help you!" 

Izuku nods, sheepish as he is speechless on what to even say, "Thank you, really, this is very….kind of you. But…." his lips quiver; why would they try so hard to help?

It just feels so out of place to be helped like this. Every part of him is nagging to dig deep and find out the hidden motives, yet one look at their gazes, burning with unbridled drive, he knows they're both genuine. 

That they truly cared.

But with how he is, he is unable to remember anything, not a single currency to his name or identification or anything at hand. Wouldn't helping him make things difficult for them? Why would they…...help him if so? He couldn't repay them in any way, even if he wanted to.

"I….I don't even remember if I….had a home to return to…..or how….or why I got here….I don't know anything…." He mutters, low and helpless. It frightened him more when he couldn't just remember; he couldn't even long for home.

What is there to long for if you don't remember anything? There's….no sort of emotion to miss whatever he has forgotten, and it terrifies him whenever he's reminded of that.

Yes, some things, random things trigger random emotions associated with said things but thinking of his home….. he feels nothing. 

And isn't that terrifying?

Amber hums but doesn't appear to be even the slightest bit worried by that, "That's…...a bit more complicated but we can make it work! Believe me, this right here? Not my first rodeo really."

Well, that is…. unexpected. 

Izuku raises a questioning eyebrow at her, "Is this….a normal occurrence?" It'll make everything less….scary, perhaps, but surely such bizarre events aren't a norm.

She laughs; he probably made a weird face at her remark, "I wouldn't say normal, but it happened twice already so what's one more right?" She informs him, and that's fair enough, he supposed; both incidents must've turned out well if she's not even worried.

"Klee….. doesn't understand?" And she's not at all alone in that, Izuku chuckles.

"So…..will I…..just stay here?" He asks; the room is rather cozy now that he's not too tense. He doesn't mind if he were to stay here for the time being.

"If you prefer, we'll discuss your living arrangements in detail later along with any possible way to find any clues or ties that would point your way home. I'm sure your family is worried and misses you dearly….." Amber's voice trails off in a weird manner; her voice sounds almost…. concerned about that last part.

Klee jumps to her feet, "Can Klee help too?!" She's more than ready to play her part in this grand scheme of things; she's getting a new friend out of it after all.

Amber giggles; their spark knight never fails to warm the hearts of those around her, "Of course, you can keep Izuku company and be his friend so he won't get lonely." And she knows that Klee would be vital to helping Izuku adjust.

The boy, however, realizes a particular detail, "About that….. discussion…..will…..will that man be there?" He can't help but still feel wary; certain feelings just don't go away.

Nervous, Amber rubbed her nape while trying to best explain things, "Err….. he's actually one of our cavalry captains and this is sorta his thing as well, I promise you he'll act accordingly this time, and would be apologizing in person to you as well."

Izuku immediately shakes his head, " No that …. that's not needed. I'm fine, I don't wanna be more of…..a bother than I already am." His mouth supplies, like a trained response.

Amber frowns at his worrying wording but dismisses it for now, "You're not kiddo, we're just doing our job." She assures him.

"You don't remember your age right? Do you have an estimation perhaps? We're hoping to narrow down with that through any missing person reports from all seven nations." She questions instead, getting his mind off the previous topic.

"Um yes I don't but….I suppose I'm 15 give or take, might be a year older or younger than that..." He claims and stares owlishly at the Outrider's baffled face.

"15? Really?" She wonders out loud as if she can't believe it herself. Odd of her since Klee claimed to be nine while looking no older than five at most.

Izuku bit his lips, "Why?"

It must've been obvious from that remark that it made him uncomfortable because Amber is back to her sheepish grin, "It's just, sorry, you're…. you're small. I was so sure you'd be….13 or maybe even 12 I guess?"

Izuku almost chokes on air; that's…….a first.

"Er…...it does feel weird but I felt….I must have always been this way?" He tries to reason, still unable to wrap his head around her, thinking he's that young.

He's not actually that young is he?

Amber nods, "Right, okay, thanks. That's all I need to know for now, I'll fetch you for the meeting tomorrow. For now, rest up Izuku and simply focus on your recovery." She wishes him, beckoning Klee to come with her.

The girl, too, must've remembered she had other things to do because she immediately rushed out of the room in a flash of red; Izuku was a bit saddened she had to leave; he loved her company.

"I'm really not that sick…. It's really not a big deal I'm fine." He tries to tell the knight, but Amber isn't hearing it.

"Nuh uh, recovering takes a lot of energy especially from growing boys like you." She tells him, and points at the items in the room, "Barbara, the deaconess from before, told me to inform you that there's spare clothes in the box there, and she'll come in to give you your dinner and medicine later, don't be shy to call them if you need anything else."

So the blonde girl from before is a deaconess. Does that mean he's currently in a church of some kind? 

Izuku doesn't get to think any further because Amber is leaving, and he has to say some words of gratitude for all she has already done for him.

"Thank you, for your hospitality…. Sorry that this is...so sudden." He voices out, less raspy and firmer.

Izuku gets a smile in return, "It's nothing kiddo, it's the least we could do for you…. I'll be going now."

"Wait!"

The outrider pauses, looking back at him questioningly; Izuku blushes embarrassedly, "Um Miss Holt….is Klee…? Will she….I just….. I like her company…." 

Amber, who is very aware of the effects of Klee's friendliness has on others, nods amusedly, "I'll be sure to tell her that and see if she's allowed to drop by. And please, just call me Amber!" 

That's another one wrapped around the little Spark knight finger.

Izuku mutters a thanks and sees her off; now alone, he lets himself fall back into the bed with a long deep exhale.

"What's happening and is going on with me?"

The next day starts with Izuku jolting awake from a restless sleep, the skies outside still dark and the room ghastly cold despite the extra jacket he's given to wear. 

He slaps himself a few times for being ridiculous and decides to just lay awake in bed and waits for the sun to rise. Today would be the day that marks his second day here, and still nothing from his blank memories.

And today would also be when he talks with the other knights about what they will do with him. The thought made him shudder with anxiety; Izuku pushed it away because he really didn't need it right now, or ever.

After greeting the deaconess who brought him clothes, medicine and breakfast and is left to his own devices till Amber fetches him, Izuku gets to work to prepare himself. He finishes the soup and bread along with the medicine and looks over at the outfit of the day that he's given to wear.

They provided him with a simple, loose-fitting, white-sleeved button-up, a green vest-like item, dark green shorts, a brown cloak, some black socks, and tall, brown boots. 

Izuku is also given a pair of red flower clips that the blonde girl, Barbara, informs him Klee wanted him to have. He couldn't just not wear it, so Izuku grabbed a comb, attempted to tame his wild hair and clipped on the accessories.

Taking a glance at himself in the mirror, Izuku can't help but feel…... different….as if his look is entirely new from anything he's ever worn. 

Like a new version of himself.

Soon enough, Amber is rapping at his door excitedly, and she greets him good morning with a huge beaming smile while complimenting how he looks great in good old Mondstadter fashion. 

However, it's when the girl pulls him outside that he realizes he's never actually left the room and every step through the cathedral is filled with Izuku gawking with awe.

The high ceilings place looks amazing with the glass stain windows depicting stories of Mondstadt history, the place is beautiful beyond words that he keeps glancing around to take in the sight but it's stepping outside that takes his breath away.

Skin suddenly fizzled from the light touches of the wind, a faint buzz of energy drumming underneath his skin with each blowing breeze that grazed him, energy that he could almost feel and touch and it's everywhere.

There's just something airy and light about stepping out of the building and into the open as if Izuku could be carried away by the wind if he walks on with how light he feels, but it's somehow not something that stirs worry in him, the air that greets him is almost like it's welcoming his arrival.

It feels…..free.

They walk down the stairs of the cathedral, Izuku still gawking at how amazing everything is around him. There's a huge statue in the middle of the plaza, one of a winged figure with their hand out and beyond that is the outlook of the entire city. 

Izuku finds himself moving towards it with newfound curiosity, to see the vast place that looks so beautiful, no longer fearing what danger lies ahead and upon seeing the scenery he almost stops breathing. 

For once, Izuku could forget his confusion and fears and all the pain that lingers with his stolen memories, nothing more on his mind than awe at the wondrous sight to behold that is Mondstadt, the city of freedom. 

From the architecture to the landscape, from each red and brown roof to the windmills, the stoned walls that climb high surrounding the town, and the way the streets are stretched out downwards. 

Lushes of green in every crook and corner, flowers and fresh air along with the sight of people propelling themselves off the edges only for winged mechanicals to pop up on their backs, guiding them down with the wind that blows.

Colors of life, joy and laughter can be seen from every corner, children running and playing, and adults with their tasks. It's a breathtaking picture, one that is peaceful and free.

"Woah…." He mumbles under his breath, the wind once again blowing and making his cloak billowing behind him and his hair tousled.

The boy doesn't even notice that the outrider is grinning at him from behind, happy to see the sparkle of youth shine in his eyes at discovering the beauty of her city for the first time.

"Oh, you've never been to Mondstadt have you? Well, welcome to Mondstadt! The City of Wind Dandelion and Freedom!"

"It's….so beautiful…." The boy comments, a small smile on his lips while he gazes around, like a child who found treasure for the first time in his life.

Amber chuckles, "Klee and her friends can take you on a tour later if you'd like?" and the boy all but brightens up further from her suggestion before quickly returning back to his previously shy demeanor.

Izuku nods at her and fixes his hair, the wind blows a lot in this city. 

"Great, come on now. To the knights of Favonius headquarters, this way." She leads him down the stairs, giggling some more to herself when he keeps gawking at passing-by wind gliders.

Amber really thinks it's a lot of progress from yesterday's very reluctant and less responsive self, watching Izuku even for a short moment, she just knows he doesn't deserve whatever pain he carries.

She saw it yesterday, in his posture, his heavy gaze and his flighty mannerisms. Acting like his existence isn't worth the trouble, unused to apologies given to him, a hardened soul that knows pain.

The girl sighs to herself but shakes her head, now more determined than ever, Izuku should always wear that happy smile, and Amber will make damn sure he does.

The wind that rustles her hair seems to agree with her on that as well.

'We'll definitely help you. ' Amber thought while humming a tune, leading him to the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

Chapter Text

"Master Jean, I brought him!"

The building is fancy, tall and just nearby the cathedral while still situated somewhere just near enough to be the center of the city. A good location for a place where the supposed peacekeepers of said leaderless nation are stationed.

Amber revealed that little detail in their commute over, Mondstadt as in the entire region and nation itself does not have a single primary leader which leads to their more or less small circle-ish chain of command when it comes to governing the land.

Surprisingly, no Mondstadt born citizen is against that, something about that sort of freedom is more or less a blessing from their archon. 

Right, gods are a real deal here. 

Like some of them actually bothered to coexist with the likes of mortals they watch over. Amber rambles quite a lot in their short walk, Izuku doesn't mind though, it's nice that she's easily filling whatever silence is hanging between them.

Walking outside is a blessing, with the feel of wind and fresh air breathing into his lungs with each step.

Now however, Izuku wants nothing more than to crawl into some ditch and hide. The Acting Grandmaster's office is truly grand, with the mahogany furniture, walls of books and a number of intimidating looking adults, Izuku has to will his legs to not bolt out at first given chance.

Too many eyes on him, too much attention and it's very uncomfortable. The Kaeya person from before stood on an elevated platform along with a woman in purple, a blonde woman stands in the middle of the room, and despite the obvious signs of fatigue on her face, she still wears a smile for Izuku.

Amber encouragingly beckons him to step forward, the woman must be her superior, "Ah, Izuku, we haven't met but I'm Jean Gunnhildr, the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. Once again, I apologize for my Cavalry Captain's rude approach yesterday…"

Said captain is quick to avert his gaze at the recall of his mistake, but he appears to be either embarrassed or upset that it was the first thing brought up, the lady next to him rolls her eyes with a sigh.

Izuku quickly shakes his head, "No no it's fine, I'm….. I'm not hurt…? It's alright." He assures them, cringing lightly when he couldn't find it in him to hide his anxiousness.

Kaeya grins, slowly making his way down from the platform, "See Jean, no harm done. I'm sorry about yesterday kiddo, gotta be cautious and all that you know? I'm Kaeya Alberich, a cavalry captain with no cavalry to lead."

The boy is sure the last part is an attempt at a joke, though he fails to really understand the humorous part of it. He could even hear Amber's own muffled groan at it, Jean just looks very apologetic.

Izuku slowly nods, "I suppose…." Feet subconsciously taking a step back just to put a little more distance between them, Kaeya takes this as a sign to not advance any nearer.

The other lady however, makes her way over to the Acting Grandmaster's side, his eyes trail to the gemstone necklace around her neck, it’s just as the one Amber, Klee and Kaeya has on them except its purple and the symbol is indistinguishable for him to what it would indicate. 

"And I'm Lisa Minci, the librarian here, my you're quite the cutie! Are you sure you're fifteen?" Her comments completely throw him off as he drowns in instant bashfulness.

She clearly only meant to tease, tone playful and light to ease his anxiety ridden self but it doesn't make it any less embarrassing, "Uh….um...more or less….?" He mutters back, Lisa giggling into her hand at the redness on his face.

"Lisa...." Jean bemoans, looking more and more apologetic by the minute. She turns her body slightly to palm her face only to reveal that she too has a crystal like that of her own strapped to her belt, one that gleams in teal with a symbol of a pair of wings.

Does everyone have it? He doesn’t know nor remember if he does as well. It’s really not giving him the idea of a common accessory, or tool, didn’t Kaeya use it to channel coldness?

Amber quickly steps forward to take charge, "Okay, now that we're here and you're feeling better we can discuss ways to help get you home…. though…. is it erm …." she stumbles on her words, throwing Izuku an odd look.

The same one she gave him yesterday when she spoke of his family, her face lingered from reluctance and worry that he couldn’t pinpoint as to why that is. Even the room seems to somber at the topic brought up, Kaeya and Lisa significantly stiffen.

Jean sighs, the woman leveling him a calm yet conflicted gaze, "This might sound a bit invasive but we're knights and your safety is our priority here, do you happen to remember how or why you're in the wilderness on your own?"

Izuku slowly shakes his head, everything before that very point is dark and unknown in his head aside the mismatched residuals of emotions lingering in the blanks, "No…...I don't…..." he answers with a whisper, the atmosphere is really setting him off.

Why are they so hesitant? Amber takes a deep breath from next to him before lowering her head, her eyes soft with concern, "Are you, well, are you safe at home?" she asks and almost has him choking on air.

"W-what? What do you m-mean?" he stammers, the implication is quite severe. 

His mind scrambles to think what would give them that idea of his homelife, it doesn’t sound……entirely wrong frankly but also not right either, his gut telling him so even if he can’t remember. 

Amber definitely looks nervous now, especially with Izuku suddenly reacting like a spooked hurt critter, "Izuku, the healers um, they found quite the concerning number of scars on you, especially on your arms…… old scars." she had been mortified when Barbara had told her.

Izuku distinctly remembers the numerous scars that travel up both of his arms, even the horrid way the scarring on his right hand is, “Oh…..." he certainly did not pay them any mind, as if they weren’t out of place or odd to him.

But now that they mention it, he…… doesn’t know how he got them.

Lisa nods, "Yes, that, we can't just send you home if…... if home isn't safe for you. Is someone hurting you dear?" Her voice is much gentler, yet Izuku can tell from her tensed shoulder she’s not too fond of the idea of him being hurt in his home.

The freckled boy shakes his head once more, "N-no…... I... don't think so. I don't remember…...how I-I got them either…." frantically he exclaims, it does not ease the worry any of the adults in the room are radiating.

Why are they so worried?

Jean hums thoughtfully before nodding her head, "Okay, that's fine. We haven't really made much progress with searching for your family or home as well. Are we right to assume you to be of Inazuma origin?" 

Izuku blushes, the word or name not at all familiar, "I'm... I'm sorry, what?" 

Kaeya chuckles, "Oh…...or is that something you forgot as well? Wow, that's one heck of an amnesia." he comments, a sharp eye eyeing the boy with a raised eyebrow.

Izuku feels shivers under his gaze, “I…... I'm sorry...I…." 

In one swift motion, Lisa grabs a stack of papers from the table near her and all but smacks it onto Kaeya’s face.

"It's fine Izuku dear, we actually have some for the healers and researchers to look into your memory condition. For it to be tampered so specifically….it must've been some sort of magic." she continues to smile warmly at him.

Jean sighs yet again while Amber is muffling her giggles.

The man huffs, crossed arms released to collect the fallen papers, "What do you know or remember right now?" he asks while his hands are busy.

Izuku let his gaze fall to the floor, mind racking for all the information he could still recall, "Um well, I'm Izuku…. can't remember…. last name…. Uh, I'm a boy and I can speak two languages…. though…. I don't remember…...what they're called…." he cringes at his own sentences, none of it sounds logical or believable. 

"Really? That's so…... peculiar, I've never heard of such a condition…." Jean remarks, fingers on her chin, deep in thought while Lisa’s face hardens as if she is trying to recall information herself.

"The one you're using now is Teyvian, it's the common language of sorts used in all nations of Teyvat. The other one I heard you speak is Nihonzu, the local language of a nation in the south east and an ocean away from here." Amber provides for him. "Mondstadt mainly uses Teyvian too! So you don't have to worry about learning Mondt, our local language, to communicate here."

Hearing that made him exhale with relief, it would be very difficult if there’s going to be a language barrier on top of everything else, "Oh I see.... thanks. I also know some general things…...but…... there's still blanks…. here and there. Like I know you guys are…. the authority figures here but…. I didn't know you're called knights…."

"That won't be a problem dear, you can come visit the library anytime to read up things and you can always come to me for anything you don't understand." Lisa chuckles, reaching forward to pat his head. 

Izuku goes completely stiff at the sudden touch, eyes wide with his mouth hanging agape. Lisa, seeing this, immediately retracts her hand with a mumble of apology.

But his body relaxes seconds later, it’s not bad, he was just…. surprised.

They continue to talk and discuss matters such as how Izuku will be living in the knights’ quarters near Amber’s room, getting lessons regarding the general knowledge of Teyvat with Lisa and how he’s allowed to train with the knights-in-training if he wishes to, Kaeya looked eager for that.

As for reimbursement for their help, Izuku actually managed to let out a small protest when they told him it’ll be alright and that he owes the knights nothing in return. He most certainly isn’t going to freeload while he’s here, that’s just outrageous, Izuku wouldn’t allow it. 

And since it's the first time they see him so eager and talking, they don’t want to snuff out the show of spirit he has now that he’s actually showing it.

So, they compromised, Izuku can help do chores or any work needed to be done around the Cathedral and babysit Klee in exchange for their assistance in helping him find his way home. 

Not that there’ll be much work or chore to do anyway, Noelle is far too diligent, but Izuku doesn’t need to know that.

"It appears we can't do much at the moment unless you start to remember anything…." Kaeya remarks once they’re finally done with the discussion, truth to be told, the kid is actually growing on him.

It's hard not to, with big sparkly eyes that look so used to hurting, the shy way he would blush and stutter, afraid yet wish to open up and try to trust.

Izuku reminds him so much of himself and Kaeya hates it, he’s far too much like him that night in the rain left by his father in a sickly state.

The hesitant and conditioned instincts to be guarded and untrusting, only for it all to uncurl at the first gesture of kindness, this kid is like a mirror image of himself from that night.

And Kaeya hates that, because he was sent here to be a spy. 

(Although years passed and he’ll never be able to betray the land of the people who showed him kindness he never knew of, he can’t quite admit he’ll be able to betray his homeland either.)

He doesn’t want to think maliciously of the boy, Izuku does genuinely look and sounded as if he doesn’t know anything.

And yet, Kaeya is aware of a certain type of actor, the kind to make themself appear bad at lying when they’re the most cunning of them all.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause so much trouble…." he hears the boy mouthing again to Jean, posture much more relaxed than when they started yet still keeping a firm distance away from the woman.

It seems he trusts them enough not to be a threat to him, that’s progress on their part.

"No no no it's not your fault!" Amber chimes, a beaming smile as usual on her face.

The outrider obviously is already attached and protective of the boy, but that’s a given since she did rescue him.

Kaeya is certain Izuku is another Collei for her to dote on like a little sibling, something she can’t quite do with their esteemed honorary knight of a traveler, the two’s similarity in appearance is kind of uncanny too.

‘Who knows, they might even be siblings, those two’ he humors himself; the girl only had been keeping in contact with Amber, it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask. 

However, if they are siblings……. It wouldn’t be too good of a turn out then, Kaeya especially remembers what went down when she was around. It wasn’t her fault and she’s as much a victim to the situation that didn’t do her favors but it still got ugly for a bit. 

But at least they’ll have a clear idea of what’s going on.

"Amber is right Izuku, this is just an unfortunate incident for you. Don't be too hard on yourself." Jean assures him, "The knights will do our best…." 

With all the anomaly around the boy, Kaeya wonders what sort of revelation would follow in the near future. 

It’ll sure to be…. interesting.

Izuku finds himself a few minutes later letting himself get dragged by a child around the small town by his hand after being left to Klee by Amber, she told him to keep an eye on her while they’re at it but Klee sure does act a lot like it's the other way around.

Once in a while she’ll ask if he needs a break or if anything is hurting or if he needs a snack while offering an apple she’ll pull out of her bag.

Izuku guessed they must’ve told her to take care of him and she understood the assignment a little too well for a child. 

They’ve been going around sightseeing and greeting random strangers which Izuku is slowly easing himself into being used to because Mondstadters are very friendly to a fault, but all the kind and polite hellos and welcomes are actually nice and its mostly Klee that does the talking.

It’s also exciting for him to be looking around someplace new, the sights he gets to see and new culture he gets to experience, it fuels the curiosity and wonder in him.

Good Hunter’s Sara kindly gifted him skewers that are out of this world and the florist girl even weave some Cecilias into his hair.

He does take note that other than the few he already personally met, no one else is wearing that sort of gemstone with symbols on them.

They were walking near the city dock when Klee suddenly rushes up the stairs and nearly runs into a hooded teenager with bushy white hair.

“Razor!!!” she screams his name with glee.

The person jumped, turning to glare at whoever just startled him, only for his gaze to soften at the sight of the blonde girl.

Izuku rushes his way over, “Burny girl, hello” he hears him say, voice deep and even slightly raspy but young all the same.

The teen then darts his gaze at Izuku, eyes narrowing suspiciously at him while one hand is already tugging Klee behind him protectively. Red hue eyes in a sharp and readying gaze, Izuku gulps and takes a few steps back, hands raised up in I mean no harm.

“Who are you? I don’t see you before...”

How many brothers does this kid have?

Klee, the blessing that she is, peeks out from behind Razor and happily tugs at Izuku’s cloak, “Izuku, this is Razor! He’s my friend who lives with the wolves in Wolvedom.” She introduces them, and for some reason, that’s a cue for the teen boy to step closer and leans very up and close to his face.

Suddenly the taller boy is leaving over him, nose scrunching as he sniffs the air around Izuku.

Strands of his hair just barely grazed Izuku’s sudden frozen and very red embarrassed figure, he could smell something earthy along with tinges of fruity off the boy with how close they are, it takes a few seconds for him to regain command of his body and stumbles back with a yelp.

Razor, surprised by his outburst steps back, though he looks calmer now while Izuku is still flustered and red, “Star cheek is lupical?” he nonchalantly turns to Klee to ask.

“Yep!” she chirps the answer, as if this is all very normal.

The green haired boy, still weirded out by the whole scenario, can only sputter out a “I'm sorry?” but it's too faint and goes unheard by the other two.

This is by far the strangest interaction he has yet that day and—

Oh

With his back turned, Izuku notices the teen also has a gem similar to Lisa’s on a chain to his back. So not everyone has it, but seeing how Klee and the likes of teens like Razor own one as well, it surely doesn't have anything to do with age.

Honestly, he could just ask, but until he finds out the significance behind them, he won’t pry just yet. Izuku doesn’t want to accidentally offend anyone if it's a cultural thing here or something.

And then his brain caught up to him, “S-star cheek?” he chokes out the…...nickname? It sounded like one and he called her…. burny girl?

Is this dude bad at names or something?

Razor nods, his gaze blank as he explains, “Small spots on cheek, like stars…...and lupical is family.” Izuku only now notices how rough his pronunciation is, and the way he struggled slightly to string sentences together.

Sensing his confusion, Klee steps in, “Oh you mean freckles! Sorry Izuku, Razor grew up with his wolf family in the forest so talking can be hard at times for him.” said teen in question flick his head away in another direction in a pout, embarrassed at the claim.

He doesn’t deny it though, “Ah…. I see, I get it, I struggled too when I first learned this language. I’m Izuku, nice to meet you Razor.” He offers, and it took a bit more time for Razor to process his words with his accent and all but eventually he nods back in acknowledgement.

“You burny girl lupical, burny girl lupical also Razor’s…friend.” he proclaims to him with a small tug on his lips, Izuku returns the smile. 

Klee then grabs their attention by tugging their clothes down to look at her, “Razor, where are Bennett and Fischl?” she asks with a sulky pout since she’s upset that she can't find them anywhere in town.

Razor sighs, “Gone, adventure expe…. expedition, probably come back tomorrow” that definitely has Izuku’s attention, an expedition?

He would like to ask more but Klee is already dragging him along again to continue with their tour, something about entering the tavern next to them.

Can they even go in there? Aren’t they both underage or is that not a thing in a so-called city of freedom? 

“Ah, we’ll meet them tomorrow then, come let's get going! We have to meet Master Diluc and Venti! They’re always at Angel’s Share. Ah, do you want to join us Razor?” She offers the boy a seat in their small party of touring the city.

Razor shrugs, “Okay,” clearly has nothing better to do, and treks after them, hand patting Klee’s head fondly when he walks near her. 

The trip to the tavern itself is……interesting, a musician playing on a lyre at the bar counter is performing as they stepped in and behind the counter was an annoyed redhead, or at least he appeared to be annoyed and it seemed to be directed at the person in green.

“Oh what are you children—” the male in green pause, eyes zeroed on Izuku with badly concealed shock and then whips his head away while laughing nervously at the bartender. 

“You know what? I think…...I…... I have urgent matters to attend to! I’ll be off now! Toodles!!”

And he’s out of the door like a gust of wind, for a whole moment, Izuku feels as though electricity shocks his whole body when the male in green brush past him, foreign energy surging and leaving his body in such a speed it almost has him whiplashing. 

It’s gone as fast as it came.

The red-haired bartender stares at him, Izuku looks at Klee, Klee looks back at him while Razor stares at where the bard disappeared from with confusion.

“Where is music man going?” he asks, oblivious to the air in the room. Izuku is still unsure what happened, but it definitely has something to do with him so he feels bad for making the other leave so suddenly.

Diluc sighs, a hand over his head with a threat of an impending headache, he beckons them to sit down and serves each of them a glass of grape juice. 

He can think about why their Anemo Archon bolted out of the door like a panicked animal with PTSD flashbacks later.

Chapter Text

Izuku is escorted to his new room by Amber once early evening rolls around, the girl showing him around the barracks he’ll be staying in as they walk, knights and knights-in-training rush and walk past them, a few not even noticing their presence while some offer welcoming smiles at Izuku.

The room he’s given is small but not cramp, cozy would be a word. However, it is bare with only the necessary furniture and a single window next to the bed. Amber also handed him a box of clothes he might fit and he’s currently putting them away to bid time.

However, an oddly gentle pattern of knocking on his door draws his attention, followed by a soft voice he’s familiar with, "Izuku, um I’m Barbara, Barbara Pegg the deaconess from before, can I check up on you?" 

"Oh um... sure…" he opens the door to let the girl in, she’s dressed in her usual white attire and smiles warmly while stepping in, it's only then did Izuku notice the gleaming gem on the book strapped to her belt. 

Another of that gem, a water one from the looks of the symbol.

"Hello, are you settling in well?" she asks, she has her gaze on the book, flipping through the pages swift yet gracefully. Izuku nods back at her, "Ah…. yes, everyone here is…... really nice."

The blonde must've noticed his flustered demeanor, a chuckle escaping her lips, "Haha, is it too overwhelming?"

"Ah…. a little." Izuku nods, though he wears a small grateful smile at the calm presence she brings.

Barbara flips her wrist, book floating off her hand slightly as particles of water form around them, "I'm sure you'll grow to get used to it soon, Mondstadt isn't really a big nation nor is it small. And yet, it's like everyone knows each other anyway doesn't it?" She remarks while she does her thing.

Izuku gape lightly at the display with awe, "Yeah, it's…. like…." he couldn't quite focus on building a sentence, especially when the slight tingle of vapors is felt on his skin. 

It's intriguing, whatever she's doing, being able to channel such ability with ease that Izuku can't help but be entranced, eyes never leaving the specks of water in the air that slowly form into thin lines like music notes and curls around him.

A soothing feeling immediately takes effect, even the slight fatigue from the day's activities slowly dissipates as the deaconess works her way through. She giggles lightly at his childlike wonder of a reaction, assuming Izuku must've never been treated with healing elemental magic.

"A big connected community? Truly, we accept everyone here, a kind of freedom lord Barbatos would wish for his people. To be whoever or whatever we wish to but never outcast for it…… you're not and will never be alone here Izuku." She singsongs, voice light and gentle with warmth.

The strings of vapors burst and fade, her warm smile still remains, "So I hope you don't feel too bad from being away from home, I'm sure the lord's wind will help guide you back one day."

Her kindness and gentle nature is very comforting, Izuku feels silly for being so terrified of the older girl who only wanted to help him before. Though she does resemble a lot like the acting grandmaster of the knights, Izuku wonders if those two are related.

The boy sighs, "I'm not sure if your god would help me…. I'm not a citizen of Mondstadt or a devotee…." He says solemnly, why would the divinity of this land extend help for someone not of their own?

He is…...an outlander after all.

Barbara only resumes to smile, "Maybe, but as long as you roam the lands of freedom and winds, you are under the care of the Anemo Archon. Fear not, if you pray for the winds, he will definitely listen, or perhaps even to your own archon."

'My own archon?' Izuku wonders, if he truly is from somewhere here then he must've had an Archon that he was devoted to as well right?

Yet the boy can't even say that sounds right, besides he can't pray for a different god in another's land now can he.

"Wouldn't that….be disrespectful? Not that I remember which one is mine…… but it's not your archon and I'm in his land." Izuku mutters hesitantly, racking his brain for any indicator that he even has an archon.

If he does, it should be of the nation he was from, yet even that detail is unknown to him.

Barbara jolts into a small giggling fit, amused yet endeared by Izuku's words, what a thoughtful soul he is to even consider such, "Why, of course not. We're in the land of freedom after all, in fact, we worship lord Barbatos because we want to, not because he demands it. As long as your intentions mean no harm nor malicious, you may do as you please.”

Izuku's face blooms with surprise, what an interesting way to put it, “I see, thank you. Is he…...around?” 

but he might've stepped on the wrong part of the conversation with that, Barbara's face falters on for a second, “Well, technically lord Barbatos has been absent for centuries, never the one to linger and rule himself……. Though…” she deeply exhales, and closes her eyes with both hands clasped together in a prayer.

When her eyes open, it's filled with….. faith, pure deeply ingrained devotion that's beyond words to describe sparkles in her eyes and Izuku is once again reminded, she is a deaconess and is obviously one for a reason.

To have such unwavering faith is an amazement of its own, one can't help but admire that.

“When one hears the wind blow in all corners of the land, how the whispers in the breeze carry the dandelion seeds and the wishes and dreams of the people, how Mondstadt has been living in peace for the past few centuries, all our troubles resolved with ease…… could we truly say he abandoned us? Could we truly believe he didn't care? Barbatos may not show himself to his people, but the telltale signs of his blessings will always grace us to show he cares, that he is with us although not in plain sight.” 

Her words are spoken with care and gentleness, with love for her archon that's as great as her devotion. 

Izuku feels his jaw hanging open just slightly at such honesty and conviction, the girl nods, smiling.

“I see, your archon sounds amazing. A very caring god...” he comments.

The deaconess must've realized she had been preaching out of habit and shyly apologized while making her leave after telling him that he'll be fine with a few days’ worth of proper meals.

Now that Izuku is left alone, he prepares to retire for the night, but before slipping into bed to sleep, the boy sits on his knees and brings forth both of his hands together.

Izuku is hesitant, not sure if it's wise to actually do this, he might be disrespecting or worse, betraying his forgotten archon for praying to another but Barbara's words had given him hope, wishful belief that perhaps, Barbatos would try to help him.

Alone on his own in a foreign land, Izuku knows he needs all the help he can get. And so, the boy sits there, eyelids shut in concentration, he prays. 

“Dear lord Barbatos, I’m in your care, please……I wish to go home…. wherever that is.”

Izuku finishes and lets out a sigh at the emptiness that greets him, the boy bites down a sob and tucks himself in, frowning under the blankets. 

How foolish was he to think it'll work? What was he even expecting?

Izuku closes his eyes, tries to sleep. He doesn't notice the soft breeze singing in his room that's easing the ache in his heart and lulling him into a calm slumber without terrors.

He doesn't notice the small figure round and white with tiny wings flickering by his window, watching him with sadness in its gaze before vanishing away only once he's deep asleep. 

“Oh fates, what the heck…” 

Venti seethes underneath his breath, panting lightly as he makes way for the tree of Venessa in Windrise. His footsteps stumble just slightly upon transforming into his tangible human form from his wind sprite one at the large roots near one of the Statue of the Seven.

The falter in his usual graceful self is a major sign of how shaken he is by what he saw.

Brown cloak, Cecilias, round deep green eyes gleaming with curious wonder. Venti had been certain if not for the glaringly abnormal energy signature around the boy, he would've thought he was either

1. A reincarnation of his old friend or
2. A ghost of said friend.

Although theory 1) seems like a plausible possibility, but there's the lack of explanation behind that worrying yet intriguing energy within him.

Much like a divinity yet not quite there, something similar to that of an adeptus or high-level energy potent spirits yet still have semblances of a mortal. It's surprising just how contradictory his entire existence is.

The bard clad in green presses his back against the tree bark and takes a deep breath, “Ah, I didn’t…… expect that” seeing him had been part of Venti's plan but damn getting smack with painful flashbacks at the sight of him wasn't part of said plan.

In his turmoil, his shaky breaths eventually even itself for a moment with the soothing feeling of calmness from the tree and a screech of a falcon, Venti could vividly feel Venessa's worry for him to see him in such a state of disheveled. 

All from a boy that fell into his land from archons know where and decided to resemble so much of his....little dreamer—besides the hair color and lack of braids, everything else is the exact same to a T and isn't that just convenient—in more ways than just his looks.

The Archon feels a bit more pathetic over this minor breakdown for that and honestly, he could use a good cry now.

The bard sighs, a choppy dark chuckle bubbling from his lips.

“Celestia, are you playing a joke on this little ol’ bard? Have mercy sheesh…” he voices, his winds blowing just a bit more loudly, hoping to drown out that voice in his head.

He sees that face, smiling at him as he sings, a honey sweet voice from long ago ever presents as it rings in his ears. 

"Venti, I do wonder what do the birds look like? Are the skies as blue and high as they say? How does it feel to fly in such a sea above? If only I could catch a glimpse of it one day…."

And his mind draws back to that same doe eyes looking at him in the tavern. 

"Venti…. don't be sad…. see the world…. for me…. until our souls…. reunite…. one day. When the time comes…. together, we shall…. fly…. away…."

Venti chokes on a sob, breathless pants falling from his lips as he cries, "Fates, I know it's not you, but …... fates why, why is he so much like you…..." his heart ache, burning once more with centuries old longing that never seems to cease.

'Why return him to my side in such a way that I know it's not him?!' he wants to scream, lashing out at the cruelty of the situation.

It's simply unfair, it's hard enough to be reminded of his loss each time he so much as peek into his reflection, now with another walking reminder……

La Signora—not Rosalyne, she has long stopped being his child, Rosalyne a long long time ago—really should've finished the job that night, he would've thanked her for it.

Venti doesn't know how long he's been sitting under the tree, hunched in a ball while pathetically moping by himself. But the sky falls soon enough and the night sky greets him.

The bard sighs, a morbid grin on his lips while tilting his head up to Celestia, “I swear, this has got to be some sort of divine punishment for losing my gnosis.” he laments, although Venti would love to just stay put or even fall into another century old slumber, he can't.

Because he still has to investigate said boy and that weird energy with him, trauma or not he can't exactly abandon his people when a might-be threat is present.

The wind suddenly howls with urgency, whispering into his ears. Venti's ears perk up, “Oh? What’s this….?” Barbara is preaching again, that one is always singing the highest praises that he really doesn't deserve but it's not what caught his attention.

It's actually the following prayer, one he's very sure is of the boy from before.

“Dear lord Barbatos, I’m in your care, please……I wish to go home…. wherever that is.”

And oh, did that hurt. 

Venti has heard all sorts of things through the winds, anything reachable with even the smallest and faintest breeze will always carry its words back to him.

Wishes, hopes, dreams, good or bad, selfish or selfless, he's heard it all.

But it's been so long, far too long since he heard such a painful cry, it blows with deep anguish, fluttering in his zephyrs like tears from a bleeding heart. Even Dvalin, back when he was wrapped in that agony of corruption, did not cry as heartbreakingly as this.

The wind weeps, sad and pitiful for the boy, whose soul seems to constantly bleed and cry from pain, of scars that are too deep and poorly healed.

Sympathy, for the boy whose mind is both hurting and protecting him. 

Hurt, they sang. 

Pain, they tell him. 

Help, they pleaded for him. 

Help please, they blow and rustle his hair. 

“Oh child……” Venti exhales a breath with a gasp, he doesn't even realize he's been holding, the weight of the pain in his voice is heavy. 

Too heavy, what is a child, although powerful as he may appear, still so young is doing? Carrying such burdens that not even the strongest of gods could handle?

The Archon is severely shocked, mouth hanging slightly agape at the sheer pain he feels from hearing the prayer. The god drops to his knees again, clutching his lyre to his heart as he breathes.

Venti, listening to that sad sad cry, too begins to cry once more. This time not out of his own ache but from the boy's, how could he have been wallowing here in his own mess when that child is suffering so much?

What's worse is probably he didn't even look like he realized the weight he carried, unknowing of it. Those souls who are unknowing of their pain are the most concerning.

Because the only way they never know what they felt is pain, is because pain itself is all they ever knew.

Venti drags himself up to his feet, wiping away the tears on his cheeks as he eyes the falcon hanging by the branches of the tree, the bard nods and begins to strum his lyre, gathering a bit more of the anemo energy around him. 

“I suppose I can’t just ignore this can’t I Vennessa dear?” he sings, voice slightly raspy from all the crying he's been doing. With a call of command on his winds, he takes off into the gust.

He lingers near the wooden pane of the boy's window, briefly he could see him trying to sleep but failing with how restless his mind is. The soft sobs he tries to suppress almost burns in Venti's ears; he really is starting to feel terrible for complaining about the boy's existence.

To the best of his abilities, which is still a lot despite the lack of his gnosis, Venti does his best to ease the child to help him rest. Soon the muffled sobs cease and the labored breathing comes to a steady beat.

Venti nods to himself, satisfied, and flies away, 'What sort of treachery befell you child…….and who do I exterminate for it….'

The wave of protectiveness he suddenly feels for the child is…. new, but not unwelcome.

Venti has always loved each and every child of Mondstadt, adored seeing them grow and wished them well when they parted. He cares for each of them, and maybe this boy may not technically be his, it never stopped him from loving any free-spirited soul that wandered into his lands.

Yeah, fuck whoever is supposed to be his archon, the boy is Venti's now because they're definitely doing a bad job if they're failing a single young soul far worse than an absentee archon.

(He is so betting it's Baal, that one can be senseless at times with her methods of so-called eternity.)

No, he does not enjoy violence, much less stripping the freedom of others although by right, freedom is his to take or give. 

But hey, hurt one of his own…… then to the harsh unforgivable gales of the Anemo archon does one answer to.

Now that Venti has decided to take the little enigma under his wing, he supposes he ought to stir the knights in the right direction, and if he takes pleasure in the awestruck faces of those in the room when he knocks on the window from outside, they just have to deal with it.

That's a lot of people that's going to be privy to his true identity though....ah, no matter.

"Hello~ May a bard come in?" he sings amusedly, swinging his leg in with a giggle while entering the room.

There’s the cavalry captain, the resident wine tycoon, the mage librarian, dandelion knight and the elusive outrider. 

Diluc scoffs at his entrance, "Didn't expect to see you so soon after that whole display at Angel's Share." Yet he still holds out a hand for Venti to take and balance himself, the anemo archon only giggling even more.

Kaeya gives him a pensive look while Lisa and Amber just appear confused at his presence, Jean however does not know whether she should be glad or concerned that Barbatos himself has to decide to get involved with their new teen outlander.

That or another crisis has decided to grace them, she really hopes that’s not the case. 

"Ah Master Diluc, you're quite the tease. Master Jean fret not, no Dvalin sort of problem had arisen, be at ease." 

He really also needs to stop using such formalities with her, it’s odd and maybe even wrong to hear her own archon refer to her as master of all things.

Jean sighs, but with Venti here and not bearing any extra problems she’ll need to worry about, the weight in her chest lightens just a bit.

Venti dust himself off, tucking strands of stray hair behind his ear while still wearing a grin, eyeing the room’s occupants.

That’s three more people he would reveal himself to and eh, it's inevitable, frankly he isn’t sure why so many others hadn’t caught on because if he’s honest, he’s not even trying that hard to hide his identity. 

Though he hopes no one notices his initial distress, Venti had been extremely careful to remove any sign of his breakdown or proof he had been crying his heart out half the day from this form, but even so Diluc, ever the scarily observant one, is looking at him with concealed concern. 

"Venti? What are you doing here?" Amber, the outrider questions him, not at all expecting their meeting regarding Izuku to be crashed by the bard of all people. 

The anemo archon sheepishly rubs his nape, “Well….”

Apparently, his hesitance to answer throws Jean into alert, the woman levels a look of grave alarmed, "Did something happen?"

The blonde still isn’t over the fact she allowed him to be attacked so badly under her nose it seems.

Venti shakes his head quickly, "No, not quite what you might think." she assures the acting grandmaster. 

“Well, it appears even the anemo archon is interested in Izuku,” Diluc and Jean’s faces flash with surprise at Kaeya’s remark, the cavalry captain wearing a very fake smile while staring down the smaller figure in green.

The other two not in the loop only grow to be more confused but Lisa appears to quickly catch up, her eyes comically widen with disbelief as she peers back at the rather unsuspecting looking bard.

Venti hums, though he’s confused by the unfriendly vibes he’s getting despite that smile on his face, "I see…. since when?" he’d be one of the first to figure out his identity without him outright hinting at it.

"It’s quite obvious, Lord Barbatos." 

Yikes, what did Venti ever do to him? Or maybe, it's something he didn’t do? 

The bard cringes at the tone used but his reaction is overlooked anyway when Amber all but flips her shit, darting her wide eyes and gaping mouth from Kaeya to Venti and to her other comrades.

Throat feeling clogged yet still flailing her arms all over with high pitched shrieks, “Huh?! W-what? Wait did you just—and you two knew?!?!” she aimed her last remark towards a nonchalant Diluc and a sheepish Jean. 

The outrider feels a little betrayed but mostly astonished, somehow, he can’t find herself to even see Venti the way she did anymore, all those times she reprimand him for calloused gliding and climbing atop dangerous places suddenly makes her beet red with blush. 

‘Holy shit I nagged at Lord Barbatos?!’ the girl internally panics.

Lisa chuckles at the younger female, “Now that’s a plot twist I didn’t anticipate.” she says, taking the revelation with stride. 

“Please, do call me Venti and treat me no different than before.” The bard tells them, though the unsettling way Kaeya is staring at him makes his skin crawl with discomfort somehow.

The archon is about to ask but his single suddenly catches his attention, he never noticed it before but it's quite…...peculiar.

Deep blue with iris shape of a four-pointed star colored in a lighter hue of aqua, where has he seen—

Venti all but pales at the realization of who exactly is the cavalry captain, "Oh…" his voice suddenly choked, how did he not notice all this time?

He’s been around the man for a fair amount of time yet never notices the blatant sign of the male’s origins.

‘Fates! That poem he wrote makes so much more sense now.’ Venti laments in his head, Kaeya too must have noticed him coming to his realization and smirks coyly at him.

Yet all Venti could really feel is immense guilt, he knows what he’s done, he won’t pretend not to.

Diluc shifts warily, stepping just a tad closer to the archon. Although Kaeya would not be so stupid to actually attack the archon, he still doesn’t like that look on his face.

The redhead reminds himself, Kaeya only cares for Mondstadt and its people, not its archon, never its archon.

Jean frowns, feeling the tension between the two yet not understanding why, “Um...Kaeya?" the male shrugs, waving the awkward tension away, "It's not a concern, carry on, what is it that you come here for?"

Venti exhales, looks like he’ll be juggling more issues than just a mysterious outlander, he steels himself and focus on why he had come, "Heard the knights found another stray, one who seemed to have lost his way." he rhymes, stinging his lyre that he pulls out from nowhere.

Hurting child first, past regrets of the blood of a goddamn nation on his hands and now one of their kin is apparently one of his own children now later.

‘One at a time Venti, one at a time…’ he even briefly wonders if Morax would be up for an impromptu vent session.

"A child, claiming to be a teen with no records of existence in all seven nations. No missing person warrant or…. or anything related to him…." Diluc starts, his eyes lingering on the archon, in fact, the entire room is looking at the bard.

Venti strums the strings, humming with acknowledgement, "It appears there's really so little to know. I wonder why that is so?" 

"Do you know something?" Lisa inquires, curious as to what kind of being is this god due to her having little interaction with said bard prior to this meeting.

"Maybe I do or don't, I'm not entirely sure myself…... he's interesting, that little enigma. Gave me quite the jump when he appeared, I thought another of my old friends decided to pay a sudden visit." He would very appreciate it if Celestia themselves nudged him in the right direction or at least gave him hints, but of course, they’re unhelpful as ever.

"How insightful of you." Kaeya snorts sarcastically, to which Venti answers with an awkward chuckle while the other room occupants either frown or are surprised at the rude remark.

But Venti’s words immediately take their attention, "What…...what are you...is he…?" Amber is gaping, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Archon saying old friends could only indicate a number of things…...

No way, there’s no way Izuku is…...is a divine being?!

Venti chuckles, "Like I said, I know not of his true…. nature. But from the winds I already know he means no malicious intentions. In fact…..." the bard’s smile falters, the light in his eyes dimming.

The light breeze in the room lightly howls with melancholy, "It's…. saddening, that hurting child." he mutters, eyes downcast to the floor with his lyre clutched tight to his chest. 

"But he can't remember anything?" Amber tells him, confused but concerned all the same. What did Venti see that they couldn't?

The bard shakes his head, braids dangling lightly by the action, "No, it's not that he can't, it's that he doesn't want to, whether he realizes it or not. Whatever lies in his history hurts him enough that his mind refuses to let him remember what was forgotten.... what more with magic being involved." 

He’s seen those like that boy, so crushed and crestfallen that even their own mind subconsciously worked to protect them, though clearly it still brings him pain anyway.

“Although, I could still sense some residual magic on him, though that’s not what’s sealing or tampering with his memories, you could say that issue is like……a side effect to the actual spell casted on him. I can’t pinpoint what spell exactly was casted but the memory tampering side effect itself shouldn’t be hard for him to break out on his own…... yet he can’t…... Or like I said……subconsciously didn’t want nor allow himself to.”

Venti could feel himself slipping into his Barbatos role as he talks, calm and composed, it's quite the contrast to who he is as Venti.

Some of his divinity aura would leak and it gives that regal and awe feeling to those exposed to it, the mortals in the room listen with rapt attention, taking in the information.

"The breeze blows mournfully for him…. singing a sad and weeping song to comfort him” he continues to exhale out sadly, thinking of those wretched sobs he heard from the boy, “He bears a lot of pain, for a child he carries such heavy weights…..."

Diluc clear his throat, "When you said you thought one of your old friends decided to pay a sudden visit…. what did you mean by that?"

Venti giggles and throws an arm over the redhead’s shoulders, using his anemo abilities to hold himself up to Diluc’s height, "Surely you don't need me to spell that out for you master Diluc." he sings, poking the male’s cheeks playfully.

Amber and Kaeya almost choked on air, the former from bewilderment while the latter from laughter that very much threatens to break out from his lips, never in millennials would he imagine someone being able to do that to Diluc and not get murdered on the spot. 

Jean shakes her head but even though she wears a small fond smile on her lips while Lisa has a hand over his mouth to muffle her amused giggles.

That’s definitely a sight to see, their stoic Diluc being teased by Barbatos.

Diluc’s eyes twitch ever so slightly, sighing yet not peeling the god off of him and thus Venti remains hanging by his shoulders, the man all but used to the archon’s rather childish antics and shenanigans. He swears Venti loves teasing and bothering him for the fun of it.

(It’s a bit endearing, like the time Kaeya is his own cute bubbly innocent little brother before everything went to hell in one night. But Diluc wouldn’t be caught dead admitting he sees Venti like that.)

"It would explain his lack of records of existence, but can…...beings such as yourself get amnesiac like this?" Lisa queries.

Venti tilts his head lightly at that, “Eh, but…. he’s not mortal yet he…...he isn’t exactly immortal either.”

Kaeya crosses his arms, narrowing his eyes at the god questioningly, “Then…. What is he?”

The bard let go of Diluc offers a shrug, a faraway gaze in his eyes as he speaks, the bard smiles.

"Who knows? Even an archon knows not all the secrets of our strange vast world."

Chapter Text

Waking up the next morning still feels unreal for the boy, but life goes on and he has to keep moving. After getting ready and  dressing  himself up in a new set of clothes, he makes his way over to the Cathedral as per instructed the day before.

Then Izuku spends at least a minute wandering around, too nervous to ask for directions trying to find a Noelle , he was told he couldn't possibly miss the maid knight-in-training, but Izuku is frankly confused as to which of these ladies are—

A young woman, hauling a large basket of sheets behind her with a rope walks past him, her armored dress sticking out from the other nuns in the place and an orange gem strapped to the bow on her back gleaming with elemental energy.

Maid yet knight-in-training, this looks like the lady he's looking for. 

"Um….. I'm Izuku? Is….is there anything I can do—" Izuku yelps when she turns and grabs his arm, yanking him forward towards her.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!!" 

A voice comes, followed by a crash, and a piece of the glass window from beside them cracks and breaks, sharp shards falling down to where Izuku had been standing in the hallway.

Izuku stammers and quickly steps aside to see a boy, white haired and covered in…..sticky substance that's burning?!

Noelle calmly flushes the fire out with a bucket of water—what the fuck, where did that come from?!— and chuckle amusedly at the boy with a sigh.

"Bennett, don't you think it's too early for a visit to Barbara already?" She remarks softly, holding out her hand to help him stand. 

Bennett sheepishly blush with embarrassment, his red gem, another fire one, glows red with him, "I know I know, but I was only fishing! The best fishes always hang out during the break of dawn! But then all those pyro slimes suddenly showed up!"

Izuku, still bewilderedly stunned, only watched the interaction in silence, this boy had gone out fishing and was attacked?

Did he say, Bennett? He's sure Klee mentioned the name before.

"Barbara wouldn't be pleased, she just patched you up hours ago when you returned from that expedition with Fischl, you should be resting. No matter, go on now. Do be careful." Bennett nods eagerly and then whips his head at Izuku quickly to bow.

"I'm sorry for that!!" He hastily says, embarrassed and not at all pausing to even realize he doesn’t recognize the new face, and then shoots off into the corridor scampering away in search of the blonde deaconess. 

Noelle sighs but finally faces him and smiles, "Oh yes, I was informed about you. Hello, I’m Noelle Schneider but please call me Noelle. Have you had breakfast yet?" Her voice is soft as ever when she speaks, never faltering and a contrast to her insane strength that’s displayed.

At the question, Izuku's stomach traitorously growls with hunger, and the boy's cheeks burn. "Oh um…." He tries to come up with an excuse but the maid only exhales deeply at the reply, though he tugs at the edge of her lips remain.

The girl shakes her head, "Well now, you can't skip out on breakfast, run along, to the dining hall you go, come back later, can you find your way around?" Izuku nods, eyes glued to the floor like a child being scolded.

He actually does find the dining hall with relative ease after running in circles and always ending up back here and his mood boosts considerably when a little blonde girl in red is spotted by the door.

"Izuku! good morning!" The girl calls out to him, her smile bright and energetic even though it's still quite early.

Izuku nods, patting her head, "Good morning Klee." 

"Hehe, you're here for breakfast? Oh oh! Come on, you can sit with Klee, brother Albedo and Miss Sucrose!" She snatches his arm and off he goes, being dragged yet again by the younger girl.

To meet new faces too no less, but Izuku doesn't have the heart to deny her, "O-oh sure…." he mutters, says thank you as he takes his fill and follows along till they’re at a rather quiet corner of the hall with only two figures at the table, quietly chatting to themselves.

A young man, blonde like Klee with his hair pulled back in a braided ponytail in fancy clothes along with a young lady with a lighter shade of green hair— Is his eyes playing tricks, or did those hair bangs on her head twitched like ears —with glasses on, the two look their way as soon as Izuku and Klee are close enough to be sighted.

The two of them wearing those gems, the blonde’s is orange color with a swirl of sorts like Noelle's while the girl’s is the one similar to the Acting Grandmaster. 

The girl cheers both of them a good morning, proceeding to plop herself and her plate next to her supposed brother, "Klee, don't sprint with your food, you might spill it." The male lightly scolds but his hands are tucking away strands of hair from her face from all the running.

Klee pouts but nods at his words regardless, "Yes brother Albedo." She then excitedly beckons Izuku to sit next to her, gleefully patting the empty seat next to her that would put her in between Izuku and her brother.

Nervously, Izuku sits down as Klee instructed, and could practically feel the burning gazes on him, or just one pair of eyes since that girl looks to be just as if not more nervous than he is. Suddenly the toast and eggs on his plate are far more interesting than anything that’s going on around him.

The blonde man hums, "Hmm? You must be Izuku, Kaeya told me about you. I'm Albedo Kreideprinz, Chief Alchemist and head of the research team of the Knights of Favonius. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Izuku perks up at the familiar name that Klee tends to namedrop more than any other.

The young man is……..if there is a word for a first impression, it would be pretty. 

Smooth skin and clear golden eyes, his facial features are soft yet radiate poise and elegance, and paired with that smooth honey voice, pretty would be a word to describe him at first glance.

For someone whose— as per Klee’s words —head is stuck too deep into his work that he often forgets to rest and eat, this guy looks much better put together than Izuku initially imagined. 

A lot of people he met so far are actually very attractive when he thinks about it, it's easier to notice that when he’s not busy being flighty.

"Um….you too!" he all but squeaks, cheeks already red but thankfully no one commented on it, or Klee simply could not because her mouth is full.

Albedo then turns to his companion, "Are you not going to introduce yourself Sucrose?" She owlishly blinks and darts her eyes in between the newcomer and her superior, her throat clogged from her growing anxiety, and has a rather frantic look in her eyes behind those glasses.

Izuku feels awful for her and knows exactly how she feels, having experienced it too many times since he awoke. "Oh um….well, I'm….err……" She stutters through her words, eyes looking anywhere but at Izuku.

Albedo too looked apologetic for the sudden way he put her up, "You can do it, Miss Sucrose!" Klee bounces in her seat, little fists in the air to cheer the girl on. It works wonders to ease the lady a little, she takes a deep breath and steels herself.

"I'm…..my name...is Sucrose Auclair…..nicetomeetyou!"

Her face reddens up that even her ears concealed as hair perks up with embarrassment, she immediately has her face glued to her plate "Sorry about that Sucrose, please excuse her, she can be really shy around strangers, we’re working on that." Albedo steps in.

"It's alright, I understand. Nice to meet you too Miss Sucrose." Izuku returns the greeting, the table falls into a peaceful silence somehow with everyone more focused on their food. 

But Albedo’s mind is blaring with questions for the boy, curiosity about him peeking through the roof though, with Kaeya’s warning of the boy’s wariness towards adults, he refrained himself from asking anything just yet.

Seeing at first glance, one wouldn’t notice it but Izuku is constantly scanning his surroundings, eyes darting at any sudden sounds and he’s on constant alert of the changes of behavior of the people around him. 

When Sucrose appears nervous, he makes sure to adjust his body to not face her directly, never looking her in the eye and doing what he can to not add to her anxiety. Even adding on reassurance in his reply so that she doesn’t overthink about possibly embarrassing herself. 

With Albedo, Izuku keeps his facial expression neutral and only responds accordingly, to others it might appear to be normal but the short clear-cut speeches despite the way Kaeya said the kid could talk like there's a need to include full information in each sentence suggests otherwise.

The boy must still be evaluating how much he could trust Albedo, the vigilance is one to be admired as someone like him is less likely to get tricked or manipulated easily, yet for a young boy to have such instincts…….the picture it paints brings a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Are you going to help Klee with the new formula we made later Izuku?!" Klee’s voice jolts Albedo out of his thoughts, the question thrown up raises a few more of his own as he looks at the newcomer.

Formulas as in, her bombs? It surprised him, Kaeya didn’t notify anything about him possibly knowing the crafts of Alchemy.

The man listens, intrigued by the boy’s sudden hesitance to answer, but unknowing that Izuku’s pinched face is only ever because he’s unsure what  can  be said around the two people he just met rather than not knowing what to say.

Izuku gingerly fidgets with his fingers, "I suppose I can after I'm done with any work they need me to do at the Cathedral." he finally admits, the sudden rapt attention given from the two other adults in present is not helping.

Albedo is the first to question him, "New formula? You helped her make one?" His tone does not suggest disapproval, he sounds surprised and curious at most.

“Yup!!” Klee answers for him, already digging through her bag for said notebook. "Err, yes, she showed me her notes and I suggested….a few….milder combinations," Izuku explains, Klee had been very impressed with his wide knowledge of working with explosions despite his amnesia, frankly he too was surprised. 

Somehow, explosions feel……normal for him, in a way that brings a warm….familiarity dare he say. 

"You're…. familiar with alchemy?" Sucrose actually managed to brave herself to ask, Izuku gladly answered her, "I'm…. not sure myself. But it's easy to understand her notes though I might be wrong .... oh, do we need supervision to do experiments?"

There’s a small inkling of panic at that, he doesn’t want to get in trouble on the first day! 

Albedo chuckles, it would be nice to see what the boy is capable of, "Hmmm, usually she'll only do them with me but I am quite piled up with research at the moment….. as long as you two stay safe I don't see why not, I'll write up a note for you two."

Sucrose choked on her juice at his words, imagining the idea of Klee and her explosive tendencies working in a lab with someone neither of them barely knew does not spell like a good or safe idea. 

"Uh, Mr. Albedo, are you…..is that really….a good idea…." She's hesitant but very concerned, her superior however assures her with a nod.

A knowing smile on his lips, so she concludes that there’s more to this than what’s being said.

"It'll be fine as long as they take the necessary safety precautions, he's clearly old enough to understand that and Klee is fairly competent herself at her craft. I'm sure I can trust you she won't get hurt?" 

Don’t get him wrong, he ought to check in as often as he could and hide all the more dangerous materials out of reach and sight later before letting them use the lab area. 

But Albedo isn’t going to kid around his sister’s safety, sure the boy held himself in a way that says he can be relied on, it doesn’t change the fact he barely knows the greenette and would spare nothing to make sure Izuku knows Klee’s safety is his first and foremost priority. 

Izuku could hear the emphasis in his tone by the last few words, the message evidently clear and he has every intention to honor the simple request.

"You have my word."

The warmth and conviction in four simple words almost astound him, Albedo grins, "Excellent, Klee, do listen well to Izuku okay? I'll even come by if I can." Which means he’ll be dropping in every 5 minutes or at least until he could truly affirm Izuku can work himself around the lab with no issues.

And the girl in question appeared oblivious to the grownups’ mild tension although the little smirk she wears means otherwise to cheer to herself.

"YAY!! Klee loves experiments!"

After breakfast, Izuku finds himself watering the landscape plants near the knights' training area, it turns out there isn’t much to do since Noelle and a couple more staff already gave multiple chores covered. 

But the boy has to admit, it’s actually quite nice to be out in the open, feeling the energy around buzzing ever so lightly against his skin while doing his job.

He had wondered for a while if the feeling was normal, the flickering grazes of energy amplified ever so slightly when it's slightly windy. 

Energy he could feel yet not control nor harness, could it be only those with the gems could harness the energy?

Another benefit at the moment would be the front seat view of the knights' training grounds where multiple of them are training, Amber being one amongst them helping out a group that is doing target practice. 

Her demonstration is incredible, instead of just hitting the bullseye, she calls out the mark she wishes to hit and shoots to which it lands precisely, every shot, on the mark she called out. 

There are also groups doing polearms, swords and….. Bigger swords?  

"Woah….." Izuku can’t help but gape with awe, but suddenly sensing someone approaching, he drops the hose frantically and falls into a defensive stance with arms raised in practiced ease. Eyes alert and unblinking, but seeing it's just Kaeya, both hands up in surrender, he exhales with relief.

"Oh? Interesting…..and are you slacking?" The man teases, surprised at Izuku’s situational awareness although he’s fairly certain the boy was thoroughly distracted, he only knows a handful of names that have that sort of instinct.  

Izuku’s face flashes with panic, "W-what? Oh no, I'm sorry! I'm—" he hadn’t meant to get so caught in the moment that he stopped doing what he was doing and by Kaeya of all people.

Seeing him suddenly all guilty and panicky is making Kaeya feel a bit guilty himself, "Relax! I'm just teasing kiddo. But you do look very interested, are you perhaps trained?" He already knows there’s no way he couldn’t be, no one has that kind of instinct unless they’re a trained fighter.

Izuku bites down on his lips, "I don't know….." he answers, this time sounding a tad bit bitter, he’s frankly so tired and frustrated of this continuous cycle of saying the same thing. 

"Oh right, I keep forgetting you don't remember much. In that case, how about a spar later? Just to see what you can do." Kaeya offers, he had been thinking of how he could get to know the boy better even though the two of them started off a bit rocky, good ol’ sparring seems like a fair way.

To the cavalry captain’s delight, Izuku gives him a small grateful smile, "I…... I'd like that actually…..but Amber wanted to teach me how to glide later…." 

That damn outrider calling dibs. And he knows Albedo plans to stalk—Ahem,  observe  Izuku working with Klee later in the labs after said gliding lessons. Damn it, the boy just got here and is already booked and busy.  

"Ah, of course. Tomorrow then?" he suggests, to which Izuku nods an "Okay."

"Good! Then it's settled, meet me at that training ground tomorrow after your morning tasks." he throws in a playful salute and a wink and sees those tensed shoulders relax ever so slightly with a barely concealed giggle bubbling from Izuku’s lips, warming his heart.

"Thank you captain Kaeya!"

Ah fuck, he is already fond of the cute teen. So much like a doe-eyed little Kaeya Alberich who is only starting to learn to relax and trust, By the seven, the urge to  protect  is unreal.

"Kid please, call me Kaeya."

"And….there! You're all set." Amber excitedly says, finishing up fixing the gilder on Izuku’s back. The two of them are on the little square at the statue, something about needing higher ground to practice. 

Izuku is anxious as heck, "Are you sure? I can barely….feel it…." the fact half the battle is basically trusting the wind to hold him up in the air not have him drop dead upon jumping makes it even more nerve-wracking.

And the lack of weight on his back is not at all reassuring, the boy is rambling numerous pleading prayers to the anemo archon to not let him fall in his head while Amber continues to try and ease his anxiety, it’s actually a surprise for her since even younger gliders are less nervous than Izuku.

But she supposes children of Mondstadt always have been born with a natural love for flight. 

"Don't worry, that's normal because they're not made to be heavy and bulky," she explains, helps Izuku to stand on the ledge, and gets ready to jump herself.

"So, let me repeat, it's super easy! Just jump off, pull the latch and you'll glide! Keep your legs together, lean to switch directions, and be careful not to fly into buildings, or anything."

Izuku gulps, taking a peek down and pales, "I'm…... This is…..very high..." that’s a definite death in a red splat on the pavement if he falls from the looks of it.

Amber nudges him to look up, "It's actually much easier to do from higher heights, don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll be right beside you!" She assures him, she’s the best glider there is in the Knight ranks and taught many to glide and has yet to fail anyone. 

The boy, still afraid and unsure, whispers timidly, "What if I fall…..?"

Amber smiles warmly, a firm hand placed on his shoulder, "You won't.” she says, in the corner of her eyes, she sees a silhouette of green lingering near, a light tickling breeze suddenly grazing their cheeks with assurance. 

“Trust me, you won't,"  she repeats, firmly this time with absolute confidence. “Remember what the book I gave you? Have courage, and you’ll fly”.

The boy closes his eyes, steadying his erratic breathing, "Breathe, it's okay, take your time." He follows the instruction, clearing his head.

He’s going to jump, he's going to jump and hopes to Archon, Barbatos hears his prayers and allows him to fly.

Izuku grabs his hesitancy, crushes it deep down, and takes a leap off the concrete with his trembling hand squashing the release latch. 

"WAAAHH—OOF!!" 

He screams and shrieks, eyes sewn shut, the black deep feathers of his glider snapping open with release seconds after the leap in midair, it jerks him lightly and Izuku could feel the gravity of the earth below pulling him but he’s not falling.

But damn he’s not ready to open his eyes, he can’t open his eyes. Wind blows against his scrunched face, almost like a calling for him to look, open your eyes, look  but he can’t.

He’s too scared he’s—

Izuku feels a gust of wind suddenly blow strongly, propelling him away from the ground and he’s going up instead of down. 

"Izuku! You’re doing it—Huh?! Wait!”

"Miss Amber?!—Woah!!"

He hears Amber, somewhere amid the air pressure blowing around him he hears her screech and shouts growing fainter, and Izuku’s eyes snap open at once. The breath he’s holding releases with a gasp to a sight of deep blue and shades of white, he’s very high up in the sky.  

He can’t see the ground—No, he can still see it but it's tiny beyond words. He’s so far up that it's a wonder how could such a wind accomplish flinging him so high up in the air, and most of all his panic only grows.

“W-w-what….huh!?!”

His hands struggle not to flail about, trembling with horror as he tries to reign in the panic, eyes back to being sealed shut. But then something, or someone in the wide vast of the sky, says something, a voice gentle yet ensuring carried in the wind blows lightly in his ears.

"Calm yourself, feel the wind. You're safe."

Izuku’s mind screeches to a halt, forcing himself to focus on that voice, anchoring his thoughts with it, "Wh-what was that…” he still dares not open his eyes, instead he solely focuses on that mysterious voice. 

Oddly enough, it sounded familiar, where has he heard it?

“Open your eyes child.”

Izuku shakily inhales deeply, he does a quick countdown to ease his nerves but still couldn’t bring himself to look, he feels like crying.

“At ease, have courage little one, you can do it…..open your eyes.”

Izuku chokes down a sob, His body is no longer unsteady from sudden panicking movements, in fact, it's almost as if he’s lying still in the sky. He allows the wind energy around him to caress and comfort him, soothing his paranoia.

And with a single burst of will, he pries his eyes open. The world is brightly white, and his vision blurs away to a sight of the nation of wind and freedom from above.

“Oh…. oh   wow …."

The world is actually quite the ethereal sight up above, not only does he see Mondstadt, but also the many greens of the forest, mountains, and sandy beaches.

Beautiful land touched by breeze and sunshine, the wind carries him, hovering himself over the many beauties the nation has to offer.

"So…. beautiful…."

There’s still a little fear from the sheer height he’s at, but there’s also ease, confidence growing, Izuku takes upon himself to lean and take the reins from the winds guiding him.

It’s serene to be up so high, not quiet yet not loud, a peaceful balance of the two.

With each minute he spends simply flying in the air, his muscles relax, the unsteady rise and fall of his chest come to a calm beat.

One moment, he was too scared to move, the next he’s swimming in the sky, joyful giggles bubbling from his lips. 

Flying freely, unrestrained as he wishes. No burden nor worry could weigh him down, the scars of the past that pains him for once is void from his mind. 

The boy laughs like it's a rejoice for his soul, and the winds around laugh along with him.

But the flight doesn’t last forever, Izuku soon finds himself slowly and smoothly drawing closer to the earth below, the fear of flying once present no longer so great, even as the ground is in sight, he wears a beaming smile. 

Carefully, his small frame lands in the palms of Barbatos’s statue, almost as if the god caught him, Izuku steadies his footing, the high rush from the flight still somewhat there.

He sees Amber running up to the statue, climbing up to meet him, face sick with worry.

"Izuku! Oh gosh, I'm so so sorry, that crazy gust came out of nowhere and—" she halts, because the sound of laughter, loud, bright, and airy that chimes beautifully like bells cuts through her rambling. 

Izuku is laughing, messy hair, disheveled clothes, and a face full of mirth.

Amber didn’t have the heart to interrupt, not when she herself is entranced by such a burst of happy laughter from a boy who is seemingly so broken when she first found him.

“Amber……can we do that again?”

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EXTRA:

"You crazy bard!! What in seven were you thinking?!"

"I’m one of the se—Ow ow! Geez okay okay! Stop hitting me, I get it!"

"Oh I know this doesn't hurt you! That was dangerous!"

"In my defense, he was too scared and nervous, he needed that push and you know I won't let him fall!"

"I suppose you're right……But I nearly had a HEART ATTACK! HAVE SOME SENSE AND WARN AN OUTRIDER FIRST NEXT TIME YOU RECKLESS ARCHON!!"

"OW OW OW!! YES YES! DULY NOTED! OW!"

Chapter Text

"Izuku?"

Sharp searing pain, no not real…. just…it really just hurts but he can’t actually feel the physical pain.

"You……. qu…...nerd!"

Darkness, red, round glasses with a frowny face. Images keep flashing, some too fast to be clear, the swirls morphing and changing making everything so dizzy.

"Sorry……...Iz…. sor…."

A shape, someone in the dark and a light, dimmed and it's sad, heartbreaking. It's cold and it hurts, and there’s a jab in his chest screaming with…... Disappointment?

The image ripples away as quickly as it comes.

"Izuku, wake up!"

Why does it hurt, archons why does it hurts so much? Grey, loud blaring, yelling? He doesn’t know, he can’t tell for sure. 

"You...…...traitor…..."

"Izuku!"

Blinking his eyes open, Izuku hisses lightly at the sudden light. The world around that was once so dark and oppressing fading into gentle hues of green and blue, a worried face looking at him, her fingers just barely grazing his cheeks.

Barbara looks worried, "B-Barbara? W-what happened…?" his voice raspy, Izuku blinks, something sliding down from his cheeks, dropping down to the skin of his collarbone. 

The boy sits up from where he had been laying, he must have fallen asleep in the garden after clearing out the fallen leaves, it's odd because he doesn’t think he was tired.

All the time he’s been living in Mondstadt had him learning a sort of serenity that comes with life here.

One where you can fall asleep in a garden and not…. worry about anything. 

The whispering afternoon breeze caresses his face, "You were crying in your sleep…..." the deaconess explains, though she exhales with relief seeing how he seems fine. 

Izuku touches his wet cheeks lightly, "Oh…." somehow, he doesn't…. remember much. 

It was dark and painful there, it’s not like that over here.

It doesn't take long for Izuku to fall into a more or less stable routine of his new life, adjusting is easier than he anticipated, what more with everyone being so welcoming.

A month in and he’s running around the place like its his birth hometown. 

When he isn’t out gravitating the streets to carry out errands, one can find the greenette tuck in a corner of the Favonius Library, his own little corner propped up with book piles and notebooks strewn around in his own orderly way.

The boy always cleans up after himself so Lisa never bothered to chastise him for it. It's a rare sight to see a teen like him to be so grossly dedicated to learning, she wouldn't want to discourage that.

The boy surprised them when he walked up to Jean and Barbara one day conversing in Mondt and slipped right into the conversation, now partially fluent in said language.

For an oddball that’s unexplainable at times, Izuku is a joy to have around. Because for all his weariness, trust issues and bundle of trauma reactions, there’s also sincerity, kindness and willingness to do his best and help. 

There’s just something about him that draws people in, likely his adorable teen charm. One just can't help but dote on the boy.

“Studying again Izuku? That’s quite the material choice you’re choosing.” She greets him, hand softly ruffling through the fluffy green mess. He’s a lot more accepting of physical affection these days after easing into it courtesy of Razor.

Izuku no longer flinches away at sudden touches, even now the boy only leans more into her hand, chuckling slightly with the book in his hand placed down, hands already moving to clean up the table that’s in a disarray of papers, books and pens.

“Oh, Miss Lisa I thought I might…brush up on general knowledge I might have forgotten.” He replies, pointing down at the articulated notes he personally made on wild plants, flowers and other flora growing on Mondstadt soil.

There’s also a few peculiar titles and notebook labels lying around, ‘Teyvat’s Dummy Guide to Regional Wildlife’, ‘Advanced Alchemy Theory Vol. 23’, ‘Leylines, Runes and Magical Properties’, ‘The Fall of Decarabian’ and ‘Liyue: From Rocky Plains to Prosperity’.

And a particular notebook ‘Notes for The Past’ caught her eyes, where a paper is peeking out with details of different magical illnesses known and recorded. It saddens her whenever she remembers his situation. He's doing better with coping now but he shouldn’t have to bear such burdens.

“It’s also interesting…...the histories recorded, the traditions and different cultures, even the magic aspects that scatter over the open land…...I can’t help but want to know it all.” The boy rambles on, voice twinkling with excitement.

Lisa chuckles and takes a seat next to him, “Magic hmm?”

“Yeah, like that gem on your neck.” he points at her vision, Lisa hums in acknowledgement. Izuku never questioned them, so they had assumed he knew what it was, but apparently they’re amiss with that part.

“Oh, you mean my vision? I admit I do use it with my magic, though it's more of a means of infusing the elemental energy it holds into the mana I conjure than being the source of magic itself.” she begins to explain briefly,

The boy's eyes widened, “Wait….so you don’t need it to use magic?” body already half on his feet with interest. 

“Not…...quite, it's a bit more complicated than that. But to simply explain, allogenes do gain more affinity with mana than regular folk, so it's easier for us to work with magic.” she continues to say with a chuckle.

It's not impossible to train oneself to use mana, it's just without natural born affinity with it, it's difficult to master.

Some races such as elves and Khaenri'ahns were simply born with mana affinity, and being granted a vision too boosts one's ability to harness mana.

Even then, to be a mage would require them to be skillful enough to channel the energy correctly without causing any harm to themselves or others, typical visionless human mages are rare but they exist nonetheless.

“Allogenes?” Izuku perks up at the term, already settling back to his seat, pen in his hand ready to jot down any interesting detail with ears listening to her with full attention.

Lisa nods, “Vision wielders, I thought so that you might be unfamiliar with the term. Allow me to explain.”

Thus, she begins from the very start, explaining what visions are and how one receives such a gift from the divine. Visions or an eye of the gods are blessings given to mortals by the divine, a tool to harness elementary energy depending on which element the wielder receives.

A vision could mean anything to its allogene from ambition, salvation or even a cursed reminder.

While each element has a frequency to what sort of character the wielder is like, it's never ever predictable who and how one could be blessed with a vision.

Anemo allogenes who are bounded, wishing to be free, or simply stop being lost and be founded. 

Geo allogenes who are passionate in what they love, who would pour their heart and soul into their craft.

Electro allogenes who are odd in their own way, the world calls them outcasts for being uniquely themselves.

Dendro allogenes who are insightful, seeing what others don't, looking at the world through their own unique lenses.

Pyro allogenes who burn bright with their genuinity, of dreamers who are the truest to their hearts and those around them.

Hydro allogenes who loyally abide by their set of rules, stubborn minds who don't deviate from their principles.

Cryo allogenes who are failures or abandoned, fierce hearts hardened by fate.

“I see, that’s incredible! To be blessed by the gods themselves, are the allogenes connected to the god that granted them the vision? What if say a Mondstadter gets an Electro vision like you, does this mean you have to be loyal to both the Anemo and Electro archon? How far can an allogenes' abilities go?! Are there limits or you guys can just grow stronger and stronger or—wait, are they backlashes? Like from extensive use or a price for the power? But you did say it's first and foremost a god's blessing which means it's a gift and surely they don't ask for anything in exchange for a gift…"

The boy keeps rambling on and on, the pen in his hand scribbling down thoughts down on the paper with commendable speed. His voice lowering down to incomprehensible muttering yet still very much noting down everything he could think.

Lisa frankly is caught off guard by his genuine queries, all very reasonable and insightful and even she has to admit, there are some answers to those questions even she herself has no answer to. 

Perhaps Venti would be a more suitable figure to entertain the boy in this area but given how Izuku is dead set on avoiding the bard like a plague much to the archon's dismay.

“You know, Razor is going to come by for his reading lessons, and we'll be doing more reading on visions, want to join us?” she offers, watching with amusement when the pen screeches to a halt, Izuku covering his lips with his hand with embarrassment, realizing the storm he mumbled.

But the question soon registered and the boy was back to beaming with interest, “Oh…me? S-sure if you’ll have me.” so eager to know and a curious mind that's rare to see, it's no wonder Albedo is so fond of him.

“It's really no need Izuku. I have it all under control.” Noelle says to him but Izuku isn't having it, he had lived here long enough to know the young lady overwork herself far too much.

The two of them had bonded over chores and soon enough became close friends, and if Izuku needed to drag the maid out of the cathedral to prove his point and get her to chill, he would.

(How strange is that he is able to grow so comfortable with her so quickly.)

Izuku stands with his arms crossed, blocking the door to the kitchen where dishes are waiting to be washed, “I want to help, you can even finish your chores faster, you’re always working Miss Noelle....you need breaks too!" He insisted, urging her to take a shirt break after just finishing polishing the corridor windows.

The girl sighs, smiling, she nods wordlessly and turns away but pauses when Barbara walks up to them, “Izuku! Could you make a delivery to Astrologist Mona for me?” she says, handing a packaging of what looks to be a serving of mint radish stew.

The greenette huffs, sending Noelle a look that says 'You better not do them before I get back' to which she only offers back a shrug, the boy shakes his head as he is fully aware the maid will sprint right into the kitchen as soon as he leaves.

“Coming! I’ll be right back.”

Well, he'll just have to make this delivery quickly, Mona doesn't like company unless she's in the mood for it anyway. He's met the estranged astrologist a couple times, quite the character that one but not one that is unwelcomed.

Running out and jumping off the higher ground ledges, silver gilder wings pop off from his back and hold him up airborne as he leans towards the city central below. Izuku grins as the wind and Anemo energy around Mondstadt surrounds him.

The new glider was a gift from Kaeya when he managed to flip the man over once in their spar, claiming it's an achievement worth noting since not many could do that even when he holds back.

Izuku lands near Cat's Tail where Diona is frantically waving at him, “Izuku! The berries you got for me were very nice, I made a special drink for you!” she cheers, holding out a cup of purple liquid, Izuku gratefully takes the drink.

“Hi Diona, aw thanks, Razor taught me a few tricks. We can go get them again some time?” he had accompanied her once, or perhaps it was the other way around since he had needed to go to Springvale and she was simply heading home and knew the woods better.

Learning of her predicament with wine made him feel sorry for the girl, he himself could not remember about a father but somehow found himself knowing how she feels to have her own dad be absent in her life due to alcohol. 

(Cryo users truly are…...something. Kaeya doesn't say anything but there's always a cloudy gloom to his demeanor when he thinks no one is paying attention.)

As a young child who loved her father, of course she doesn't blame him but instead shifts the fault on the object of her father's fixation. Though her own drive to destroy the wine industry is ..... ambitiously admirable, it's actually quite cute. 

Izuku does manage to somewhat get her to consider taking a different approach rather than trying to make bad drinks since she is never ever going to be capable of it. 

Said approach is making other drinks more favorable than alcohol, she thinks it's ineffective but she's not tossing slugs or other odd contraptions into her cup of drink anymore so that's a win in his book.

“Of course! Good berries are always the most disgusting bugs on them, hehe perfect for new drinks.”

Izuku sweat drops, at least she's true to herself as a child should. 

“Hello there Izuku,” a calm voice calls him, soft with a touch of elegance, Izuku turns to face the newcomer.

“Oh Captain Eula! Master Jean told me to inform you if I see you that the meeting would be slightly delayed.” He informs her, it's a bit of a rare sight to see her in the city as she’s always stationed out near Starsnatch cliff or Dadaupa gorge.  

The woman nods, her warm eyes a contrast to the coldness and piercing elegance she radiates, “Duly noted, and please just call me Eula you silly boy. Or Vengeance shall be mine!” she chides lightly, poking his cheeks with her gloved finger.

Izuku shrugs and laughs sheepishly before dashing off to Mona's place. Rosaria, who had been watching the whole scenario unfold, motions for the cavalry captain to take a seat next to her, tossing a cocktail drink at Eula.

“The day he stops calling you or Kaeya captains is the day I actually pray to Bartobas.”

“I gotta say, were you trained in martial arts? Your form is better than most I've seen and those are some battle instincts you got there.” Kaeya comments during one of their sparring sessions, the man couldn't say he isn’t impressed, Izuku fought like a seasoned fighter.

He’s good at reading and predicting his opponents’ movements, is able to subconsciously enclose a fight to a limited area and Kaeya actually has to exert effort in hand-to-hand combat in their spars, all the while working solely from muscle memory and gut feeling.

Izuku is definitely far too trained in combat to simply be a random traveler, but then again, that pretty much sums up Aether.

Could they know each other? 

Izuku wipes the sweat dripping from his face, muscles a little sore from training but it’s energizing in a way to move and train his body, it feels normal and familiar in a sense, “I…I guess? It’s odd, I don't remember……gaining this sort of muscle memory ....”

Izuku looked down at his hands, he had taken to covering the scars with bandages, looking at them made him bitter yet content. “I wonder if I got these from training in my past…...” he wonders out loud to no one in particular.

Kaeya shakes his head, while he understands Izuku is searching for answers to his past, but Kaeya still wonders if there’s a way he could tell the boy to leave it there in the past where it should be.

He knows what it's like to reopen old wounds, he doesn't want Izuku to ever experience that if he could help it.

Sometimes, the past stays in the past for a reason, and forgetting it is a blessing in disguise. 

“Don’t fret about it, although……” he marches his way over to a weapon rack, grabs a dull blade that the new knights would use to train their swordsmanship and tosses it at the boy. Izuku catches the blade with a yelp, the weapon feels out of place in his hand. 

“It’ll be better if you use a weapon instead of your fists. We gotta start making sure you won't get yourself killed if you travel to Springvale alone.”

And without much warning, charges at the boy with his own sword. Izuku leaps out of the way, swinging the weapon awkwardly which misses Kaeya by a mile. 

“Uh…I…I don’t think I—Captain Kaeya!” he couldn’t get another word in when another slash is coming for his side. Izuku in his 3 second reaction time holds the sword steady to block the attack, one hand on the handle, the other on the flat side of the blade to hold his ground. 

The two blades meeting with clash, Kaeya hums in acknowledgment, calculating blue eyes scanning Izuku’s odd sword handling. “Captain! I’m not familiar with any weapons! Please don’t keep attacking me like that!” Izuku screeches, dropping the sword and his knees to the ground.

Kaeya laughs, “Hahaha! As expected, near perfect reflexes although it's obvious you’ve never held a sword.” he gets a halfhearted glare from the younger boy for that remark. 

“And I told you, just call me Kaeya kiddo. And we’re obviously doing this wrong, I do wonder…….” he returns to Izuku’s side with a different weapon, a dark silver polearm and drops it by the panting boy’s feet.

“Maybe this would work...”

Izuku picks up the polearm, the lighter weapon feels different in his grip.

The boy, now determined for payback, gets ready, falling into a stance he feels most comfortable with now that he has an extra weight in his hands. 

Kaeya nods approvingly, seeing how Izuku holds that polearm, he knows this is going to be like taking a duck to water.

Minutes later Izuku doesn’t beat him, but that’s one nasty blow to his abdomen that’s going to bruise lightly but Kaeya is proud of him anyway. 

“Klee, is something wrong?”

Spending time with the Spark Knight one definitely one of the many things he looks forward to in his day, and today they spend the early evening tucked in Klee’s room with various crayon drawings covering every inch of the small round table.

Usually, they’ll have one or two of the gang from Benny’s adventure team to play with them but all three of them were called in for a Hillichurl camp clearing commission today and won’t be back till nightfall from the looks of it. 

The girl rolls over, her small frame sprawled on the floor like a starfish, “Brother Albedo is busy again, Klee is so bored. Let's go fish blasting Izu!” she suggests, throwing in a pout to be convincing.

It is not as effective as it had been two weeks ago, “Uh, wouldn’t you get punished in solitary confinement for that?” he reminds her, shuddering at the last time he followed her along for fish blasting.

Izuku had the idea of maybe throwing small harmless firecrackers at the fishes in the water but Klee is way too capable to simply just do that, she’ll risk damming the entire river ecosystem as well.

But a bored Klee might get ideas even worse than possible destruction of riverbanks and streams so Izuku has to think fast.

“But Klee wants to play with you!!” The girl whines, arms crossed and lips narrowed. Her eyes staring up the ceiling intensely deep in thought. The lab is out of commission from the last time they experimented, so not that either.

“Hey, how about this, I’ll get the fishing poles and we can go fishing by the dock.” Izuku finally suggests before Klee could have ideas that she would persuade Izuku into tagging along with. 

Yet the Spark Knight groans, “But fishing is boring! Fish blasting is more fun!”

“You can even cook fisherman toast for Mr. Albedo later?” He bargains, even throwing in his own pleading eyes to convince her.

The girl is really sweet, she’s pure and very passionate about her craft but honestly, she can be quite the force to be reckoned with.

Still Izuku welcomes it, explosive tendencies and crazy ideas aside, Klee feels like a lost treasure that he found once more. And every time she calls him her best friend, it’s like a spark of its own goes off inside him.

“But what will we do while waiting for the fish to come?” Klee questions, seemingly more open to the suggestion now, Izuku thinks, “We can um…. I’ll bring one of the spare bows and we can hunt ducks nearby too?”

That might not be a good idea.

“Klee doesn't know how to use a bow….” she reminds him, to which Izuku recklessly answered, “I’ll teach you! Amber showed me how, and it's not too hard.”

That might be a very bad idea.

But it's too late, those crimson orbs lit up like fireworks and are beaming at him like he just offered her gold, “You’ll teach Klee how to use a bow Izu?!” He should really say no, who knows what will happen if Klee somehow mastered the use of a bow.

The amount of destruction to come if she somehow learned to infuse her pyro elemental energy into it too, Izuku doesn’t doubt that she can’t, she’s seen her pick up skills like it's as natural as breathing only from a few observations.

He can’t say yes.

“Sure.”

But he’ll also never be able to live with himself if he sees her heartbroken from getting her hopes up.

Also, Albedo might kill him too.

So, Destruction with a capital D it is.

Izuku is about to leave the cathedral, he had been helping Barbara with some of her Deaconess paperwork but the sight of three late teens entering the church made him pause, “Oh? Hi guys, welcome back, do you need Barbara?” He greets the three members of Benny Adventure team.

Izuku found friendship in the three as well, often training with Razor and Bennett or trading books with Fischl. They did invite him along to join the team at times but, Izuku doesn’t feel quite ready just yet to go out adventuring like they do, he didn’t want to be absent if the knights found anything.

The boy makes a quick scan, searching for anything that needs immediate attention, Fischl is slightly limping in her step despite the girl trying to walk with her usual poised elegance, Razor looks fine and it's no surprise, his upbringing made him the best combatant in the team between them so he generally rarely ever got hurt.

Bennett as always, got the brunt of it with his bangs slightly singed, clutching his side that’s red with bits of blue mush—wolfhook courtesy of the wolf boy Izuku guesses—and still has the audacity to try and hide it thinking that sheepish grin isn’t already giving himself away.

‘For some reason, that feels……. strangely ironic of me…...’ The boy thinks, shaking his head he beckons them over, “Any healer would do my esteemed comrade, tis is only slightly wounded from our venture, the nuisance that is that large camp of brutes!” Fischl remarks, patting away stray strands of her blonde hair.

Izuku hums, he’s never actually seen one of those monsters since he never traveled too out from the city, furthest he’s ever been out would be at one time with the gliding accident and Springvale at most. He has an idea of what they look like from books but it does make him curious what those things actually look like.

Adventurers and patrolling knights sounded like it was a normal occurrence to fight them, along with other creatures like slimes, it sounded like a whole new world outside of Mondstadt’s safe walls, is he really from somewhere out there?

“Alright come on, I’ll help patch you three up.” He leads them into one of the medic rooms, pulls out the materials he needs and gets to work. Barbara was impressed with his medical knowledge, especially during his supposed amnesia, even admitted that he does a neater job at bandaging wounds than she does.

Like a lot of things, there are simply skills that his hands and body could do with ease even if he doesn’t remember how or when he had learned them. 

“Treat Benny first.” Razor urges, the boy has been wearing that concerned look the entire time. Looking from Bennett to Izuku back and forth with mild worry. 

Said boy is as aloof as ever to his friend’s concerns, being used to getting hurt would do that to someone, it’s not like he could do anything about it. Bennett’s special case of bad luck is worrying as it is interesting, it's surprising to see him still going at it, even when things almost always go wrong.

While he could still see that on some days, he smiles a little less, looks a little more haunted and runs off on his own at times and appears solemn, Bennett would always somehow bounce back to his normal bubbly self right after without fail. 

Izuku really admires that about the teen, “Nah I’m fine!” but now he just wants to shove the boy into a chair and let him look at the injury instead of claiming he’ll deal with it himself.

“Benny, your side says otherwise.”

And if he thinks that the wounds sometimes don’t make sense for someone of his caliber with a blade, that he gets hurt too much in ways it would've been easy for him to avoid even with his bad luck, Izuku stomps down the thought.

Izuku really wants to ask, to clarify his suspicions but doesn’t. He should not pry, they are friends, but……not quite there yet.

Oh, but does he want to, so bad, it’s almost like suppressing an instinct.

The reason he hasn’t already would be because Razor seems to somewhat caught on as well, the silver haired teen often shares knowing glances with him.

For a guy with a few words and even fewer expressions, that one look conveys more than words he could ever fathom to say.

Bennett lets him wrap a layer of white bandages around his torso, promising to help it heal with his own vision, “You should come with us sometimes!” again, he offers, “You’re always in the city doing chores, we could join an expedition and explore together!”

Fischl and Razor turn to him expectantly, the idea is nice, tempting even but he really doesn’t know. 

“Oh I don’t know, I’m still getting my butt kicked by Captain Kaeya, and you know I can’t leave Mondstadt for too long...…” he reasons, getting his butt kicked would be an exaggeration, he holds his own just fine, he’s getting more comfortable with the polearm but he could never beat the captain though.

Technically, he wasn't instructed to remain within the city halls, yet there's always a nagging anxiety that tugs at his throat that's keeping him from going out unprompted. They've already provided him so much and more, he wouldn't want to push his luck.

Fischl frowns, “Still in this lapse of time, no word of your kin?” he shakes his head, letting out a small exhale and bite down on his lips, “It’s been a moon, no?”

“Yes, nothing yet…...but it's fine, I’ll just keep waiting.” he tells her, they each give him pity looks, no one wants to be separated from their family and loved ones.

The knights did everything, but with their own duties and other issues piling up, there’s only so much they can do for him to help him get home. 

If anything, Izuku feels as though he won’t be getting home anytime soon…...or ever.

“Yup! That’s the spirit, you’ll definitely get home to your family one day, I’m sure of it!” Bennett cheers for him.

Razor nods along to his remark, “Lupical always be lupical”

The blonde girl pats his shoulder, a soft smile on her face to reassure him, “And while you reside within these mortal domain, fear not for thou shall have thee as company.”

Izuku giggles, heart brimming with warmth. Suddenly the four of them are entangled in an impromptu hug pile and the commotion they made has Rosaria sighing as she chases them out so she could lock up the building.

Izuku greets Albedo who is back from his lab while on his way towards his room, the man pats his head as how he would’ve done to Klee and wishes him goodnight. 

Lying in bed, Izuku thought of the now, of his life in Mondstadt where people wave and greet him hello with friendly smiles, how he has friends who wouldn’t mind his occasional rambling, Albedo even welcomes it. Kind and honest people who cared enough to want to extend their help, keep him company, even entertain his curiosity. 

Here, people call him Izuku instead of………something else, something…. hurtful.

A name, an insulting one bounces in his head, he doesn’t remember what it is and it hurts to try but….no one calls him that here.

Here, he’s simply Izuku, or Izu as Klee has opted to nickname him.

It often makes him wonder as he drifts to sleep…...does he really want to leave?

Perhaps.... he's already home.......

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“I’m truly sorry Mrs. Midoriya, but—” 

She holds up a hand at the officer, another wiping away the tears from her eyelids. Two of the child’s classmates are with him, both faces torn with grief and guilt.

“Please, just leave.” 

And the man does, leaving her with the two teens. “Mrs. Midoriya, we’re so—” the girl begins, her voice cracking with each syllable but the woman cuts her off curtly.

“No, you’re not. I…. just leave. I’ve seen and heard enough, don't you think?”

It’s harsh, perhaps too cold as they were children too. But what must be said has to be said.

The two go still silent, the two-toned haired boy nods, “We apologize for the intrusion…. I’m sorry for your loss ma’am.” while the girl sniffs, her brown hair bobs when they both in apology before stepping away.

With that the two take their leave from her doorway, leaving her sight. The woman lets out a shuddering exhale, closing the door before falling on her knees, her hands trembling in fists when the exhaustion finally hits her. 

Inko’s uneven breathing smoothed out with time, she lays there, keeled over by her door, too tired to move a muscle.

But her lips slowly curved, a smile blooming on her face, she could feel the last of her energy dissipating, the weight on her back growing lighter and lighter.

Inko chuckles, “May Teyvat welcome you back well young lord…...may you find happiness this world and I failed to provide….”

And the angel of Celestia, now a mortal with the loss of all her powers that went into performing her last duty, falls into a deep long slumber.

Chapter Text

Venti is frustrated. 

Now that’s not an emotion he’s unfamiliar with but goddamn is he going to go grey or tear a mountain apart gnosis or not with stress if Izuku takes off one more time as soon as he spots him. 

Every time Venti tries to approach him, he runs for his life. And no matter who he roped into helping him keep Izuku in place, from those teen adventurers to the Knights, the not so mortal enigma would still somehow get away. 

How on Teyvat he is able to avoid the literal god of the domain he resides in is beyond the bard, especially when his energy presence is so big and dense that any elemental being within 5 miles would be able to locate him. It’s impressive, but also very annoying because really, all Venti wants to ask for is a small chat.

Why is the boy suddenly scared of him?! Don’t tell him he somehow pieced together that he’s the archon and is now fearing him for it?

"DILUCCCCC!!!!!"

The bard stomps into Angel’s Share, pouting with annoyance and slumps himself down on one of the bar’s chairs. It’s still early for regular operation but when has that ever stopped Venti from barging in to bother the man whenever he felt like it.

Said man takes a deep breath, picks up a clothes and cup and turns to the archon, "What is it." he demands, albeit feels slightly amused at the dismayed looking bard.

"WHY DOES HE KEEPS RUNNING AWAY AT THE SIGHT OF ME?!" Venti screeches out the complaints, it's a wonder he isn’t already demanding or simply just taking a bottle to chug. 

But from his words, Diluc could guess that this is about that enigmatic boy, "Izuku, I presume?" and the god only moans in despair against his wooden bar in response. 

He lifts his face, frowning hard at his predicament, "MASTER DILUC WHAT DID I DO?! I'M SUPER KID FRIENDLY!!! WHY DOES IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S SCARED OF—" and he gets an apple shoved into his mouth instantly by the redhead.

Diluc rubs his temple, sighing deeply, "Stop your screeching, you're making my ears bleed." he starts, glaring straight at the bard who cheekily shrugs back, "As to why he keeps avoiding you, maybe because he felt guilty when you ran out on him last time."

Venti made a face, confusion written all over, "Eh, guilty?" He tries to recall anything that could provoke that sort of reaction from the boy but comes up with nothing. 

"For making you leave, probably thinking you don't like him or something." Diluc fills in the blanks for him, wondering once more just how in Teyvat did this bard end up being their archon. 

The male’s eyes widened, he didn't realize his outburst would make Izuku guilty, "Wah! This can't do! I want to get to know him too!! But I can't if he keeps bolting..." he whines, now trying to come up with a way to approach the situation, preferably without needing to send the boy flying hundreds of meters into the sky again.

"You did what—No, don't answer that.” Diluc curses lightly when he almost drops the glass in his hand when he hears it. Venti spares him not an ounce of attention, face still drooping, deep in his thoughts.

Venti is scheming, which is bad news as it is a disaster that’s waiting to happen. The bard and the Spark Knight do both share the same love for trouble.

If he plans on dealing with Izuku any similarly to how he dealt with Dvalin…...Diluc might as well step in and save a few people the trouble that’s bring, as much as he respects Venti for the archon that he is, the god did try to steal—albeit it is his own possession and it’s more borrowing than stealing—the holy lyre to help his dragon friend. 

“Fine, I'll talk to him for you." he offers and immediately regrets it when he gets a faceful of green and azure glowing braids. Venti has managed to climb onto the bar top counter on his knees and is cupping his face with a bright grin. 

"Really?!" 

A traitorous part of Diluc is flustered by the action, it’s bad enough he finds the childish antics at times practically endearing even if they sometimes annoy him, the archon has no business being so……adorable. 

Like an annoying but cute little brother he once had.

He would’ve thought these big brother instincts would’ve died alongside his trust in Kaeya all those years back but clearly it hasn’t if he is able to look at his archon—Archon! That’s his goddamn nation’s god—and has an inkling desire to dote and tease as if he hasn’t already grown attached to a number of individuals.

He helped Bennett with his vision, never liked how easily he got hurt even from using the gift he was blessed with. Had offered Fischl a place to stay each time she camps near the Winery on her expeditions, those are the times there would hardly be any wild monsters around the winery.

Diluc also occasionally trains Razor whenever the boy wishes to fine tune his claymore skills or simply just to do his hair, a little surprised Lisa never taught him how to tie it up or braid it. And he’ll find baskets of fresh berries or paw shaped hash browns on his table the day after.

He drops a random bag with materials for Sucrose at times of things he thought she might like whenever he travels, and would later find trinkets and whatnot gifted to him that has her touch written all over. Made a drink that’s specially made for Albedo’s peculiar taste that helps him calm his mind so he can sleep and is on ‘just ask if need help’ basis with Aether.

If he has been ploughing through his connections and sources for information about a possible lost Inazuman child alongside his already large search for a blonde girl in white that has a striking resemblance to Mondstadt’s honorary knight then only Diluc alone knows of this. 

No it's not because he missed his ex-brother, or wished he had been able to help Kaeya with his vision or that he missed training to be knights together. It’s not because providing shelter for the young adventurer is somehow like him making up for abandoning his brother out there after their father’s death.

It has nothing to do with the fact he misses doing their long hair together because he would be the one to teach Kaeya the art of braiding even if he never really braids his own hair. Not even because he would collect and show Kaeya anything he comes across that registers in his head as ‘Kaeya would like this!’ since Kaeya is so easily fascinated even by the most mundane things.

It’s not like he made Death After Noon according to Kaeya’s preferences or that offering favors is his own way of covering the guilt from those years where he wasn’t there for his ex-brother. As if tolerating Venti’s antics could remind him of his childhood with Kaeya or when sometimes the bard has this ghost-like smile that screams grief is so not much like his ex-brother, no it's not any of that at all.

Nope, he’s not doing any of this just for the sake of filling the whole Kaeya left when Diluc struck down his brother and tried to kill him—would’ve killed him had the archons not decided to intervene by giving Kaeya a vision.

(How long can he hang onto such delusions one can never know.)

Venti's azure eyes are twinkling, sparkling not in the sense that mark his divinity but just genuine happiness. It's a sight he…... knows…...just on another's face.

He looks…...young.

(He remembered him saying something once regarding his long life, "Two thousand years may be a long time for a human…...but to us…...what is a century or ten compared to a seemingly endless life? Did you know, sure I was the first of the seven to earn a seat but I was also the youngest back then? They all treated me like a child!")

Diluc grabs the bard by his shoulders and pushes him down back into his seat, "Yes, now I prefer you singing instead of screeching.” He pushes away the many thoughts that suddenly appeared in his head and begins to make his way out.

Venti giggles cheekily, the man swears, maybe their Archon is a child, “Awwww, so you do like my performances! Master Diluc, if you want me to sing, all you have to do is ask!” the bard singsongs, fingers strumming his lyre.

Diluc rolls his eyes, “I’m leaving. Give him wine only after the second song.” he tells Charles as the man walks into the Tavern, not even surprised anymore to see Venti already there.

However, Venti gasps and crosses his arms in protest, “Master Diluc, that's not fair! And you’re not even here to hear it humph!” It only made him pout harder when Diluc smirks back at him.

Reaching forward, the redhead patted his head as if he was a kid—Seriously? Why do people insist on treating him like a child, not that he minds it but still—and left without a word. 

"He's really fond of you." Charles remarks with a laugh, being one of the very few that Diluc wouldn't mind seeing him being soft is a blessing he's always grateful for. 

It's moments like those where he's reminded of the small redhead boy who would drag his brother with him everywhere when they were just two little kids.

Venti shakes his head, a fond smile of his own stretched on his lips, "Don't let him hear you say that dear bartender, who knows what he'll do to deny it?" They both laugh together till Charles has to go polish the other tables, leaving Venti to himself.

The archon hums a tune, twirling the glass of grape juice in his hand, he chuckles, “So cold……... Yet, your heart is really warm isn’t it Diluc Ragnvindr~?” 

Let it be known Izuku is not a pushover, at least, he doesn't think he is.

Sure, he finds it a little harder than not to turn down requests but a delivery here, gathering flowers there or finding a missing pet favor greets him once in a while and there's just no reason he couldn't help out.

So he does, and well, here he is now. A package filled with Dandelion wine and apples in hand gulping as he ponders if there is a way he could deliver this for Diluc without going near the person he's supposed to deliver this to.

He was just told by the man to give this to the bard playing at the Anemo Archon Statue in front of the Cathedral and thought nothing of it, until he saw who exactly is supposed to receive the package.

"May the winds carry forth, my soul when I'm gone... may the harsh of the storm never linger for long…"

The bard in question is playing his lyre, surrounded by citizens and their children as he plays, a melancholy song chimes around with each strum of his fingers, his voice sweet as it is ethereal singing to the tune.

".. May the birds ever fly, where their journey leads them~ May the land and the skies be ever blessed with freedom...oh~"

Izuku finds himself huddled at the back of the crowd, the anemo energy that's always swirling around the winds of Mondstadt buzzes and bristles with each note he plays.

"Come, gather 'round and I'll spin you a tale. One of tyranny, of humble dreams and those who prevail~"

And his voice…... There's just something so entrancing with the way he sings, a curved smile tugging at his lips. The breeze blowing his braids lightly, azure eyes that almost illuminate under the light.

"It starts with a hopeful young bard and song, through his melodies the wicked king, he wouldn't rule long~"

Izuku admits he has been avoiding this person for the whole duration he's been here in the city, however it's not just because of their first not too sweet encounter at Angel's Share when he rushed out so quickly almost with panic.

“A kingdom of isolation……. Is as glorious as a prison.”

But this bard, young as he is yet speaks so poetically with his words, telling histories of the past in his song like it was a tale of his experience….

“With a feather of eagle, the bard was entranced. As a sliver of freedom, before him, it danced~”

"He…...his energy…." Izuku mumbles to himself, he's always been able to feel particles of elemental energy although he couldn't exactly harness it.

And this teen, his body all but beams with Anemo as if it was made out of it, the energy is potent in the atmosphere around him making Izuku feel light and airy as he steps closer to get a better look. 

"What beauty may lie beyond these walls? With reason to fight, the king would soon fall.”

The vision laid by his hip glistens under the light of the sun but otherwise remains dull with no glow, a fake.

A fake vision yet he emits such tremendous Anemo energy. 

"...In a moment it came, desire to see. The clouds, the rain, entire lands set free!" 

It used to frighten him slightly, making his senses tingle up with caution, Izuku never stuck around long to let the feeling fester but now that he isn't…...

It's not really dangerous nor is it threatening, it was just simply large and powerful and appeared as such. It bristles and flows, dancing on skin but it does not feel malicious. 

“The time had come to face the king…...In an accumulation of everything……”

Izuku narrows his eyes, the bard keeps singing without a care to his surroundings, his audience watching with awe, hanging onto each lyric. 

The Anemo Archon Barbatos is also known as the god of Wind, Song and Freedom.

Nobody knew what he looked like, so instead, they depicted him to resemble the old hero of Mondstadt from long ago, a young boy who ignited the spark of rebellion with his tunes and led the charge against the god of storms for Mondstadt's freedom.

Izuku looks up to the statue, and then at the singing bard who coincidentally shares a striking resemblance to it, "Could he…." He wonders, more curious than anything now.

"Oh, the bard would shape the future.......With the message of his last words….."

Izuku blinks, he swore he saw those teal tips of his braids glow only for a second, the Anemo energy around stills as winds and zephyrs alike pause unnaturally. Everyone held their breath for the climax.

"May the winds carry forth……My soul when I'm gone……. May the harsh of the storm, never linger for long……. May the birds ever fly, where their journey leads them…. May the land and the skies be ever blessed with freedom~!"

And as the bridge ends and the tune jumps into its final chorus, gusts of Anemo burst from the bard who flew himself up to the palm of the statue's hand, all the while still singing with all his might as his spectators cheer and clap.

“May the winds carry forth……Your soul when you're gone.”

He appears to be an Anemo allogene and must've done so before since there's a lack of surprise or shock. But the vision doesn't glow, it always does when the user uses it but he doesn't react at all.

“May the harsh of the storm, never linger for long!”

The energy blowing the nearby leaves and leftover dandelion seeds from the morning's prayers into the air, swirling to the melody as stringing music of the lyre picks up pace.

“May the birds ever fly! Where their journey leads them~!”

His lips are smiling, singing each word but Izuku could also see the hidden sadness in those reminiscing eyes. 

"May the land and the skies be ever blessed with freedom.... With freedom…"

Soon the music fades, and a round of applause breaks out from the group of gathered spectators. The bard clad in green takes a bow and leaps down, a beautiful teal glider popping out of his back as he safely lands to the floor again.

Izuku is still a small distance away from him, unsure what to do. It felt awkward to approach the young man when he clearly had been actively isolating from him. The package in his grip feels heavy all the sudden.

The bard, Venti, is standing there, laughing and slightly crouched down as he fondly talks to the children who are likely asking questions about the song he sang. 

There's no tension nor warning, just an eased steady rhythm of energy. Calming, it's nice in a way.

Izuku takes a deep breath, braces himself and makes his way over. Venti immediately notices him, their eyes locking and the other all but brightens up at the sight of him, it washes away some of the worry Izuku held in his chest.

"Excuse me, I……. h-have a delivery…... for y-you Mr. Bard…." He carefully gives him the package; Venti looks surprised but takes it nonetheless.

The male shrugs and ticks away the package, “Huh, how unexpected of Master Diluc hehe! And you dear friend, we haven't got the chance to properly meet, haven't we? I’m Venti! The—”

“Anemo archon? Lord Barbatos?” he couldn't help but blurt out, the curiosity had been practically killing him.

Venti chokes out a squeak, “Eh?! W-what makes you say that?! Haha!?” he clutches his lyre, laughing nervously with a startled look on his face.

Well, his cover got blown fast.

Even the traveler needed more time than that but Izuku noticed right away. 'Is it the braids?! I swear, it's always the braids!' The bard whines in his head to himself. 

And the green haired boy, taking this as a legitimate inquiry, goes off. Never not the one to be excited to explain details of his thought process.

“You look exactly like the statue as if it was modeled after you specifically, I hang around allogenes a lot and your vision doesn’t glow at all, I always notice visions would be gleaming at least every few seconds even if the wielder isn’t actively using them, and it didn't glow either when you did use it. Your anemo energy signature is a lot potent too despite the fake vision. And your songs……you sung them with details that were never mentioned in books, as if you were there…...when the events happened.”

Izuku doesn't even realize he's rambling until his eyes catch the dumbstruck look on the bard in green's face. Eyes widened with his lips dropped open in shock, gaping like someone just pulled the rug from under his feet. 

Venti had actually wondered if he had been too obvious but really, this one is simply gifted for his observation skills.

The male chokes on air, "O-oh wow…" The bewilderment is painfully clear in his voice.

Izuku pales, Oh no, he did it again did he? He's being creepy again and he scared the guy off even more now with his ramble.

“Oh my archons.”

Izuku hastily snaps down into a bow, “Oh archons, I’m sorry, I…... I didn’t mean to ramble and overstep and I’m probably wrong and you’re likely weirded by all this out and I'm so sorry! I’m sorry I’m sorry I’ll leave!”

He turns on his heels so fast that the Cecilia pinned in his hair is blown off by the impact, Izuku however flinches when a hand grabs onto his forearm Ina rush, the bard frantically stopping him from leaving.

“Wait!” 

Izuku pauses and sees Venti exhale out a chuckle, then letting go when he's sure Izuku won't bolt, “Uh Izuku right? you’re……crazy smart! I’m impressed you figured me out right away!"

The archon finally admits, nodding approvingly at the greenette, "It's a bit…. scary too to be honest since no one seems to get it heh….” he adds because he's truly genuinely impressed with the boy.

Well he is not exactly mortal after all, it shouldn't have surprised him as much as it did.

(After much discussion with his Four Winds, if there's a word to describe Izuku's being, it would be somewhere in the middle of mortal and divine…...a demigod.)

“I…. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you—Wait, I’m not wrong?” 

Although as things are, Venti could see that it appears their resident semi-divine is not aware of his true nature. Those green orbs blinking with shock, and soon colors with dread upon realizing what he did and found out.

Venti chuckles, raising a finger up to his lips Ina shushing motion. Just for a flickering second, he allowed his white divine wings to show. They spread wide behind him in white and gold yet only for a moment and even then, only those of divine or divine blessed mortals such as allogenes would be able to see it.

Izuku's face goes white, he really is the Anemo Archon?! He had his suspicions but Izuku never would've thought he could be right. All this time he's been bolting away from the Anemo Archon, the god that presides over the land he's temporarily staying in.

He ghosted an Archon.

“You really are—by the seven I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t think…I—!” Izuku knows he's panicking, and from how worried Venti looks, the male probably doesn't mind what happened between them.

But by the seven, he can't quite reel in his emotions.at the moment, too stunned with shock, “Woah there, slow down! It's okay, goodness breath please or you’re going to pass out!” Venti urges him frantically, his hands cupping Izuku's, murmuring a call for his gentlest breeze to help soothe the young boy.

Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, Venti guides Izuku away from the open space and somewhere tucked behind some large bushes. The younger of the two breathes, trying to catch his breath and calm his racing mind he…. hasn't had a panic ever since that first day he woke up.

Venti stayed and waited for him to regain his composure, even going to strum a little song with hopes it might help to ground him. 

In a bit, Izuku feels slightly better, "I'm...fine…." He insists, “And I'm so so sorry lord Barbatos—”

Venti shakes his head, glancing at him with a soft smile, “You may stop apologizing, you’re forgiven. And please, Barbatos who? I'm just Venti the bard ehe~" the bard winks at the boy, who in return only eyed him with an awestruck look.

Izuku sighs but smiles, "Still....is there…...anyway I can make it up to you?" 

Venti frowns, a rejection on his lips until an idea goes off in his head. The archon grins harder, "Well…. maybe there is. Come, follow me!"

Venti dragged Izuku out of the city walls, the boy could do nothing but let the god lead him as they came closer and closer to the Whispering Woods. "Uh…. I’m not supposed to—" Venti shushes him with a finger, a playful grin on his lips.

They're standing on a higher platform of the ground; the bard looks around to scan the area before nodding.

"It'll be fine, we're going to fly. We'll be really quick!"

"What—"

He didn't even allow Izuku to fully process those words, suddenly there's winds.

"Time for take off!" 

All at once a spell rune glowing teal appeared on the ground below them and a surge of Anemo much like from his gliding accident suddenly circles and blows, pushing his lithe frame off the ground.

Venti giggles, summoning his white wings with hoops of gold on its joints, he takes Izuku by the hand and guides him up the wind current, Izuku frantically snaps his glider open as soon as he's airborne.

"OH GOSH!! OH SEVEN, ARCHONS MR VENTI WHAT THE HECK?!?"

He screams but it isn't hard to find a balance and steady himself in the air, Izuku is a little peeved that no warning is given but at least he figured out who is behind that mysterious accident. The god chuckles, his green outfit morphing into one of white and gold, his divine form, teal patterned glowing tattoos appearing on his skin.

It's strange to be in this form again after so long, he couldn't gain enough strength after waking up in time to help Dvalin, and his gnosis was stolen now so his power albeit still fairly strong is limited. Yet…. Izuku, whose existence feels like a bundle of energy, being near him greatly boosts the power he has.

It's not like he's taking any energy from the boy, but rather, that monstrous energy simply flowed towards him in small yet significant specks. Resonating and boosting the Anemo within him and Izuku doesn't even seem to notice what's happening or aware of what he's doing.

Come to think of it, Izuku's elemental energy does feel …... familiar in a way.

'A vision? No…. he…. his energy…. is similar to that of a gnosis!' Venti realizes, which is incredible. Could the boy be a god that was eroded by time as many others? He is far too young to be that though….

What a mystery….

Venti saves the thought for another time, "Don't worry I won't drop you! Just glide~!" He cheers at him but pauses suddenly before continuing his remark with a frowny pout. 

"And drop the Mr. I'm not that old!"

Izuku, high with adrenaline, snorts at the other, "But aren't you over dozens of centuries old?" he let the sass slip past his lips without even realizing it.

Like how it isn't quite sinking yet he's flying with Barbatos, the god of wind himself.

Venti gasps, throwing Izuku a scandalized face, “I’m only 26 thousand something-ish, I'm still YOUNG!! Youth these days, humph!"

Izuku burst out laughing, ignoring how Venti's face scrunched up with disgust right after his own remark, "Holy fates I sounded like that old blockhead Morax, ew!"

They're flying quite the distance away from Mondstadt, the sight of unfamiliar forest territory underneath makes the greenette feel excited for possible new 

"Where are we heading?" Izuku asks him. 

The bard hums, grinning, "Someplace special."

Chapter Text

The wind pushes Izuku higher and higher, the two figures cascading over mountains and clifftops until they reach an extremely high peak. The very edge of it looking out into a vast seat of blue skies and deep sea. 

Izuku's lips are agape as he stares at the scenery, from the edges where mountains meet to the line of horizons where the sky meets the sea in the warm early evening light.

Every day, it seems he keeps finding more and more reasons to love the beauty of this land.

The boy pulls out his notebook from his pouch, already jotting down details of what he sees. Ever since he lost his memory and not remembering anything of his past life, he’s grown afraid to forget everything he knows now.

He notes down every notable occasion in his notebook like a daily log journal. Izuku would not allow himself to forget any of this. 

Venti linger behind him, the slightly taller male is back in his usual bard outfit since that divine form. "This is the highest peak in the region that isn't covered in magic snow. Starsnatch cliff." 

Where the winds never stop blowing and the cecilias blossom all year round, where one can overlook the entire land with a glance...

A sight he would've loved...

"I can see the city from here…... there's so many cecilias too... it's so amazing..." Izuku comments, entranced.

Eyes sparkling with wonder, his freckled face can't stop smiling. 

The same smiling face grins back at him after looking down from the stormy wind walls, "Venti, I wonder what does all of Mond looks like? I'm sure it's a sight! I do wish I could see it one day…."

Venti's breath hitches; he resembles him a bit too much at times. "B-beautiful, isn't it?" He stammers lightly from his own emotions, but thankfully, Izuku is too distracted to notice.

The bard moves towards the edge, sitting himself on the cliffside, letting his feet dangle off the edge, Izuku curiously watches the archon’s actions.

"You said you wanted to make it up to me?" He slowly asks and beckons for the boy, "Gather the flowers and come sit here, little one."

Following what he's told, Izuku gathers a bundle of cecilias into a small bouquet, holding it carefully before sitting down next to the bard.

The two of them are sitting together in solitude; Venti's eyes are closed, and the only sound accompanying them is the sound of wind blowing and their steady breaths.

At that moment, in the serenity, Venti feels regal, unlike the playful bard he had acted as before. This Venti is solemn and quiet, and his history is long, tiring, and heavy with experience, as is obvious on his face.  

Izuku inhales a long breath, the archon has been kind to him so far, so it wouldn’t hurt to ask, “Can I ask you something…. Mr. Venti?" he threads, still a little nervous.

The male sighs, a low chuckle bubbling from his lips. "I have a feeling you won’t drop the Mr...." He nods at the younger boy. “Go on...."

"Do you... do you know where my home is?" Izuku questions, because if anyone were to know anything, a god like him would, right?

Although Izuku isn’t all too keen on leaving Mondstadt, he still wanted to know what his life has been like for the past decade or so and his place of birth.

Venti hums again, his eyes gazing from Izuku to the sky with his head tilted up. "Ah, you’ve asked me this for quite some time, haven’t you?" he remarks, which caught Izuku off guard.

All those prayers he sung... were heard?

“You heard me..." He didn’t bother hiding the surprise in his tone; the Anemo Archon chuckles in return, "I hear every wish and prayers of each child of Mondstadt."

Izuku frowns, confused, "But...but I'm not—"

"You are; you live here, do you not? That makes you a child of Mond too." Venti explains to him, reaching out to fix the stray strands of hair getting in Izuku’s face that got messy from the rustling wind.

His touch is as gentle as his breezes, and the bard apologetically sighs, "Though I'm afraid the answer you seek is not what I have...I apologize." He regretfully tells the boy, his words apologizing for more than one reason.

It’s still not the best time to drop such a bomb on him. Izuku is only settling in; he doesn’t need an existential crisis over the revelation of his true nature on top of that just yet. The right time will come, and for now, Venti chooses to omit the truth for his own sake. 

Though he is not outright lying, demigods are rare, as their birth constitutions would eventually cause them harm. Divine blood in the mortal body never works well for anyone.

Yet Izuku doesn’t appear to suffer any of the bad effects that come with being one, which always leads to two possible explanations.

Either Venti is wrong and Izuku is simply something else, or something out of their world.

Or...he wasn’t born a demigod, but rather was turned into one.

But if he was, then what was his true form? Where was he born? That is the most unclear matter at the moment. Unlike mortals, the divine weren’t procreated into existence; it’s actually a very rare occurrence for them to be born like that.

Most are formed by accumulations of all things, like Venti himself, who is an elemental being; a wind sprite forms when a fair amount of anemo energy had cluttered together.

Morax is an adepti, a beast manifested from the will of rocks. The divine are often formed like that, as manifestations of things.

Venti wonders, what is Izuku for him to be able to be a demigod.

"Ah…. I see, it’s fine…." the boy waves the question off, not really too disappointed. He knows that finding such answers would be a journey of its own, and that Izuku would be open to it.

Venti suddenly remembers a peculiar remark the boy made about him, "You mentioned my energy signature is different…. what do you mean then?"

Izuku’s head perks up, "Oh that, I…. can feel energy? Mana? I don't know how else I could describe it, but I suppose it's similar to allogenes using elemental sight? Like a sixth sense? Except it never really turns off for me, and it's been that way since I first woke up here," he explains.

He may or may not have been cheating by default whenever he plays hide and seek with Klee and Diona, it's not his fault any allogene is practically a beacon in his mind map as long as they have their vision with them due to their elemental energy presence. 

Venti nods thoughtfully. "I see, but you don't have a vision." Izuku shrugs sheepishly. He’s never talked to anyone about this, but only because he assumes it's like that for everyone.

"No, I don't; is that...not normal?"

The bard giggles, amused at the obvious confusion and weariness. "Amongst humans? Usually yes, but I think we both can agree that nothing about you is normal." It’s actually endearing; his eyes were wide and his mouth narrowed; he looked really cute.

Though their conversation is interrupted suddenly when they both feel another presence approaching them, "What…." Izuku whips his head around to find that oddly shaped energy. 

The bard on the other hand quirks up an eyebrow, "Oh?" he grins and holds down his hat so it won’t get blown away, that fella is always the one for dramatics.

Something large and blue descends from above them in great speed, Izuku yelps as the rush of wind blows hard and loses grip of the flowers he was holding. The creature swiftly darts down before flying up again, hovering before the two with his large six wings flapping in all its glory. 

A fucking dragon, first an archon and now a dragon, Izuku thinks he’s reaching the max of quota of surprises for one day, this is a lot.

Venti jumps to his feet, hand reaching out to pat the dragon’s head as it lowered near them, “Hahaha, Dvalin! What a surprise, have you come to greet the little one?” he beckons a hand at the still awestruck Izuku who is petrified with shock at the sight of the large creature.

A deep ancient voice speaks from the dragon, “Greetings Lord Barbatos, youngling, I am Dvalin, Dragon of the East of the Four Winds.”

At the mention of a familiar term, Izuku snaps out of his daze.

“The Four Winds? I’ve read about them, they’re the ancient protectors of Mondstadt from a thousand year ago!” He recites from memory, only to blush upon realizing his outburst, gosh why does he keep doing that!

Dvalin nods, a low rumble that sounds to be an amused chuckle arose from him. Izuku does an awkward bow to the dragon, unsure how to act.

“Uh, I’m Izuku, nice to meet you….?” How is this even worse than him being around the anemo archon is beyond him.

Venti is muffling his laughter with his hand, this was just too funny and adorable of the boy, even his old friend is instantly taking a liking to the small awkward child.

“Likewise child, care to join me in flight?”

The offer once again put Izuku in shock, at this rate a meteorite could fall from the sky and from it emerge a snake and Izuku probably would not question it anymore. 

“Why, you’re in a friendly mood today, old friend. Come on Izuku, stop gawking and let's get going!” Venti chimes, tugging Izuku towards Dvalin who lowered himself so they could board his back. 

The boy stumbles lightly from the tug, “Uh b-but, I lost the flowers you wanted….” he reminds the bard, “Oh no silly, they were for you to bring home as souvenirs from our little trip. Though…”

Venti carefully pulls one off the ground with his anemo powers, the flower flying right into his hand. The archon then sticks it into Izuku’s hair where his hairpin is, keeping it fixed in place.

The boy had taken to sticking some flowers in his hair every day, mostly cecilias or dandelions and it had been a cecilias hours ago before Venti blew it away. 

“There, now you won’t lose them hehe” He chirps, patting the boy’s head when he’s done fondly. Izuku gapes but sighs with acceptance at his predicament. He grabs Venti’s hand and climbs onto Dvalin, the dragon shooting into the sky at once.

Both of them fall to their knees to keep low so as not to fall off. The bard’s hand is firmly holding Izuku’s as assurance as he gets used to the feeling of flying on the dragon’s back.

They sit together, enjoying the ride in the orange sky of evening. 

Izuku raises his hand whenever the fluffy white clouds are near to touch them; they feel soft and tickle against his skin, making him giggle. But when he feels brave enough to let go of Venti, reaching out both of his hands, the archon grabs onto his shirt.  

“Careful….” he murmurs. He loved how bright Izuku was smiling, just like that day when he soared the skies on his glider freely without worry. It made the god feel content, to at least ease some burdens off his shoulders. 

The boy notices the endeared look Venti is giving him and smiles back warmly at the archon, “Thank you Mr. Venti.” 

And the sweet moment is interrupted when Dvalin jerks lightly at Barbatos being addressed in such a way that the wind elemental dragon can’t help but snort, even shaking slightly from laughter. 

Venti is unimpressed. "Hey, don’t laugh! Wait till he attaches a Mr. to you too and see how you like it!” he summons his wings out and wraps one around Izuku to keep him steady. The god then crosses his arms scoldingly, like a parent.

Izuku laughs along, and Venti is simply effortlessly amusing. Dvalin hums, “I’ll call you Izuku if you call me Dvalin, youngling.” He offers a suggestion, and it ticks off the anemo God even further.

“Hey?!”

Venti turns to him and gasps with horrification when he sees the small mischievous smirk on Izuku’s lips. "Deal,” the archon gawks, looking absolutely betrayed. 

“Humph! Children! Both of you!” He cries out with a huff, but much to his dismay, it only encourages the other two younger beings to keep teasing him.

“I think we’re going to get along just fine Izuku.” The dragon comments, and Izuku, who instantly feels oddly connected to the large creature, nods along, “Same here, Dvalin.”

Venti screeches, an accusing glare directed at the wind dragon for corrupting the demigod. “This is sacrilege; I swear on my name; Vanessa will hear about this!” He speaks the harmless threat, as if Venessa can even do anything but sigh.

At Izuku’s confused lack of reply, Dvalin fills in for him: “She’s the Falcon of the West; Lady Vanessa will adore you; worry not.” and Venti swears the young dragon sounded smug, though he isn’t wrong per se.

“As if—Fine, she would. Then Andrius would hear about this!” He challenges again; this time, Izuku’s eyes flash with recognition at the name, a name he seldom hears Razor mention.

“Wolf of the North?” he asks for a confirmation. “Yes, though I’m uncertain what the Lord would gain from that other than another lecture.” comes Dvalin’s yet another smug reply.

Venti whines, his braid teal tips glowing with his emotions, and the bard throws his head back to lay completely on the dragon’s back, even dragging Izuku with him.

Izuku carefully grabs onto his wings, but giggles are bubbling from his lips at the archon’s dramatics. It's his own fault for being so fun to tease with his funny reactions.

“You’re both mean. That’s it; I’m moving to Liyue. At least Alatus adores me.” he pouts, his red cheeks puffing with exaggerated irk.

Dvalin and Izuku keep on laughing, “Okay okay, we’ll stop teasing now……Lord Venti” he gets a face full of white feathers for that, the archon groans, muttering about children and how does a ‘Morax’ deals with them.

“Be an archon they say; it’ll be fun they say!” He sarcastically exclaims when Dvalin lands somewhere in the Springvale, letting the two of them down by the stream. "Well, we can't all be as marvelous as Furina de Fontaine!”

“But you are an excellent archon, my lord.” Dvalin teases him, and he then turns towards the body of water that surrounds Mondstadt’s city for a quick drink. 

Izuku’s eyes light up when recognizes the name, “Isn’t that the Hydro Archon? Focalors, god of justice? You've met here before? Can she hear us through the water?!” He looks down into the water where his reflection reflects back, waving at it while muttering a small ‘hi’.

The dragon chuckles at him. “She should be able to.... as the supposed Regina of all waters, all the waters of Teyvat are at her command just as the winds are at lord Barbatos’s….” he explains, although his choice of words is rather odd.

'As the supposed' ? What's that about?

Venti shakes his head, “Aha, sure. 'Supposedly' yes, I guess you can say that. I gotta hand it to her; she's got guts.”

That deity is braver than the other six of them combined, or maybe brave isn't the word; reckless, maybe? Egeria's lot has always been the most dramatic bunch with their fixation on human romanticism, and seeing who succeeded, it wasn't all that surprising it turned out this way.

Although he can't say he would ever be willing to make the same choices, what she put that girl through is nothing short of cruelty. But alas, the show must go on; the facade needs to stay for a little while longer.

"Circumstances rendered her powers a tad wonky at the moment, I wouldn't fear though; the Lady Archon does have a Dragon Sovereign by her side in rule." Venti explains to Izuku.

The boy gapes for a moment. “A Dragon Sovereign?! Like one of the ancient dragons?! I didn't think they still existed!!” the boy cast a few quick glance a Dvalin, biting down on his lips so as not to blurt out the question on the tip of his tongue. 

Dvalin however seems to catch the question anyway, "No, I'm not that type of dragon. I believe Mondstadt's Anemo Dragon Sovereign has yet to make a return."

"Say how'd you even know that? The Dragon Sovereigns aren't exactly common knowledge....... nor are they something part of a casual read. I can count with one hand how many children of mine are aware of their existences and its significance."  Venti curiously asks the boy, who in turn nervously duck his head away.

"I help Barbara with her duties at times, so the staff don't bat an eye whenever I wonder into the Church Library restricted section. I can't help it!! the books there are so fascinating!" He pleads, "Don't tell the clergy! I swear I'll stop snooping around!"

But Venti only continues to gawk at the boy, "Izuku, those books are written in Old Mond, how..... it's practically a dead language that only I along with maybe a handful of Sumerian Haravatat students can comprehend. how on Teyvat did you...?"

"Oh? Really? But you...." Izuku's words trail off as how can he begin to explain that it was the wind that taught him, to the Lord of winds himself when he clearly has no idea about it. 

It was the soft twinkling, and gentle nudging from the wind that taught him to read the old language, all this time he thought it was the archon's way of reaching out to him but, was it not?

Venti seeing his unease immediately backs off, "It's okay, just, don't go aground advertising the knowledge yeah?"

Dvalin takes off after bidding farewells, leaving the two to return to Mondstadt on their own, “You had your fun? Good, now I better bring you back before the knights come to wring my head for stealing you away for so long.” Venti tells him as they trek back.

“Today was really…. a lot to take in, it's fun…but….” The boy trails off, not knowing how to word it without sounding rude.

“Why? Why….me? Why do…. all of this?”

It’s what bugged him, only a little, Venti is an archon of this land and Izuku is no Mondstadter, he’s not an anemo user or even an allogene in the first place, he has no ties with the god.

So, what was the reason for the outing?

Venti hums, he warmly smiles at the boy, “Little one, how do you feel after all of that today?”

Izuku blinks, giving it some thought, “I…. enjoyed myself, it was fun….and relaxing. I really liked it.” the bard chuckles at his answers, he hovers up lightly to pat Izuku’s head.

“That is why, little one”

Chapter Text

"Izuku! Are you going out?" The boy perks up from his notebook when his name is called, green orbs darting at the source of the voice.

Izuku has a package tucked under his arms, he had been checking over his daily tasks and this last delivery for Brooke in Springvale would be his last for the day.

But now it seems Sara from Good Hunter has a request for him.

"Yes, I'm heading to Springvale. Do you need anything Miss Sara?" He politely asks, the young woman nods, "Could you grab a few Calla lilies for me? I'm running out…."

Hesitant, the male gives it some thought. He had promised to be with Klee and Razor after this for a story time, another task would mean he might run a little later than the promised time. 

But it's just a few flowers, it shouldn't take long. "Oh sure, leave it to me." He accepts the job, Sara exhales out with relief, "Thanks! I'll have your payment ready."

There must be a sudden increase in demand for her stew. With that, Izuku checks his gear and makes sures he has everything in working condition before heading out of Mondstadt. 

He's got a new polearm called Crescent Pike from Captain Eula who insisted that him sparring with her using a 'lesser' weapon is an insult to her skills, to which she demands vengeance….that resulted in this new and improved weapon.

He's still not too fluent in her ways of communication but it got him a new weapon so Izuku must be doing something right.

The trip to Springvale itself isn't dangerous, it's actually as safe as can be with regular knight patrols and the many commuters that take the path daily so wild creatures tend to avoid going near it. But Izuku still likes to be prepared anyway.

He marches down the path, enjoying the cool fresh air along the way and stopping by some berry bushes or Sunsettia trees to pick them. A short trek later, he arrives safely at the small village outside of the city and heads for the well known cook's cottage.

"Delivery for Mrs. Brooke?" The woman in question glances up from her boiling pot of soup, smiling as she receives her delivery.

Brooke hands the boy a bag of mora and pats his head fondly, "Thank you Izuku." Izuku beams, nods at her and is back on his way.

He really doesn't want to be late, and so the boy picks up a pace in his jog running through the green lush of the wild for any water or ponds, his boots making soft thudding sounds as he moves, the ground wet from the rainpour hours prior.

"Calla lilies….hmm, there should be some a little to the south..." He recalls, and pulls out his compass and map to check, he had a lot of places marked on his map for certain resources with Fischl, Razor and Bennett's help.

Once he's sure he's heading the right way, Izuku is about to make a sprint for it, except, something caught his attention. Almost transparent, it hovers near a tree on its own, teal wisp flowy like magic particles in a cloudy clutter.

"A seelie!" The boy cheers excitedly, his previous hurry gone out of the window, replaced with awe and curiosity.

Izuku has only ever seen pictures of them in books, it's something else entirely to see one in real life and so close as well. In fact, he is so entranced that Izuku did not realize he was already on his feet following the elemental creature.

The seelie, once taken notice of him, begins to move faster, floating with a more directional purpose than the aimless hovering it did before. Izuku guesses it's likely leading him to it's court, and a court always has some treasure chest near it.

The boys almost squeals, this is exciting, this is fun. He wonders if this is the everyday life of an adventurer from the Adventurer's Guild, exploring new places, finding chests and seeing all sorts of things in their travels. 

It's so thrilling….

And because logic went out of the window due to the seelie, when it kicks in again, Izuku finds himself in this sticky—or muddy situation.

Izuku, in his excitement, didn't notice a raised root of a large tree and promptly trips over it, his small frame crashing down with a yelp to the muddy forest floor, his clothes slightly dirtied now with mud and grass.

The freckled boy groans while picking himself up from the floor, "Where did…..woah, I've never been this far out…." He mutters to himself while scanning around the area.

It's nowhere near Springvale, Izuku doesn't even recognize the area around him, just how far away did he wandered off to?

Birch trees grew around in heights and a fairly big body of water is in front of him with a small island in the middle. Fishes swims in the small pond, and the Calla lilies he's tasked to find can also be found growing by the edge of the shallow waters.

But none of that matters, not when there's something entirely mesmerizing in front of him. Stretched tall and is situated right smack in the middle of the island is a statue, the base has gold lining and plates and it travels up to a figure of a winged boy with twin braids holding an orb out in his hands.

Izuku's skin tingles, the anemo energy in the area is so potent that it's basically oozing out into the open from the statue, so much more than any other places in Mondstadt he's ever been.

Izuku exhales, "A Statue of The Seven…… it really does look like Mr. Venti." He comments, carefully making his way near it. He lingers near the water bank, contemplating his ideas.

The pond isn't too deep and he's a muddy mess as it is, without a further thought and completely submitting to his impulses, Izuku dives into the blue clear waters and swims towards the statue.

By the time he's on land again, he's soaked to the brim, his hair strands sticking all over in front of his face.

The boy pulls his green hair back, combining it down. He takes off the wet gloves and cloak, setting it down aside to dry.

Izuku looks up to the statue, there's a tug clawing inside of him to get closer, to touch it.

He raised his hand, slowly reaching to touch the center plate, his foot taking one step forward at a time.

An arrow grazes his cheek, flying past his head and leaving a small cut that's beginning to bleed lightly. Izuku flinched and whips his head around in shock, alert eyes darting for the culprit, his polearm summoned and tight in his grip.

"W-what? What was that…." Horror fills him when he sees it, a trio of hillichurls and one for the bigger ones with a huge axe— he forgot what they're called— jumping and screeching from across the stream. 

The furry creatures of red, brown and black are aggressively screeching at him, one of them with a crossbow keeps shooting at him. "H-hillichurls?! I must be very far out…." Izuku, hastily grabs his things and backs away, dodging the arrows flying at him.

He steels himself to calm down and think, the sight for them caught him off guard since this is his first ever encounter with the beasts, the boy is ducking each arow and hides himself in a bush that's barely doing anything to actually hide him.

But then he realizes that he's stuck there, if he tries to swim away from the other side, they would just rush over and he won't be able to outrun them then. As much as he improved with his polearm, there's no way he could take all of them out, especially that big one.

“Go away!” he shouts, grabbing nearby rocks to throw at the creatures. But it only provoke them even further, the only thing stopping them from actually getting to him being the water—

'Wait—THEY CAN SWIM?!' Izuku internally panics when one of the little one tries to dive into the water, it flaps pathetically for a couple seconds but soon is slowly but surely making it's way over to the Island. 

And his friends are quick to follow suit. "Shit, shit.. shit!" Izuku gets up from the bushes, leaves and tiny branches tangled and sticking to him and his wet hair from before.

In his haste, the palm of his hands makes contact with the statue, five fingers and a palm against a gold plate.

The orb from above glows bright and bursting with light, it serves as an adequate distraction for Izuku to leap, dive and swim away as fast as he can. Except, Izuku made a rookie mistake of not keeping count of who and where all his enemies are while in the battle field.

Upon reaching shore, he frustratedly grits his teeth and summons out his weapon, panting and trembling at the huge black hillichurl that's menacingly towering over him, axe raised and ready to swing.

It's not the best time for it but it's also then he realizes his lateness to Klee and Razor's storytime. The mitachurl lets out a battle cry and swings at him, Izuku luckily dodging it with ease due to his small frame.

He couldn't rush back, not when he might lead this monster back to the city and the knights could handle it but he'll hate to be the one bringing trouble back. Izuku notes how the smaller monsters are at the island, furious that Izuku escaped them.

He'll have a minute and half at most to bring the big guy down and make a run for it, before they get to him. Izuku wipes his bleeding cheek and  falls into stance, with newfound determination, he glares up at his opponent.

"Guess we're doing this…." He darts forward, pushing himself towards it with his weapon brandished, swinging, slashing and jabbing.

It's a lot harder than fighting Kaeya since this beast has no problem with the likelihood of Izuku's head being lopped off with its axe.

It's harder to read it's attack pattern too when it's moving too unpredictably, Izuku is far too caught up with it that he actually was late to jump away at one of the blows, thankfully it was the back of the axe and not its blade.

It sends him flying all the way across the stream and slamming right at the statue's base though. Izuku grunts, hissing at the jolts of pain tearing through his bruised body from the impact. The hillichurl from before cornered him, swinging their clubs and shields around joyfully at his misery.

The green haired boy breathes in, annoyed and severely frustrated at his state of powerlessness.

Yanking himself up to his feet, polearm raised, Izuku screams as he hits the nearest one with his weapon.

"Leave me alone!" 

All three hillichurls are blown back by a sudden gust of strong anemo energy infused wind, all of them startled by the sudden use of elemental energy when it's clear there's not a single vision on the boy.

Izuku doesn't spare a moment to process or let it sink at what he's done, he replicates the same feeling of gathering energy and infusing them into his weapon and attacks, jabbing forward, he slashes through the remains with little haste. 

Panting, he stabs the end into the ground to use as a support to hold himself up, his weapon has bits of green goo that’s also smeared lightly all over him. The boy blinks owlishly, eyes suddenly glued to the bodies of brown strewn around covered in the same green goo.

It’s not goo, it’s blood. 

Hillichurl blood and those are their dead corpses of those things that he killed . 

Izuku drops to his knees, goes green in the face and throws up.

The wretches out whatever he had for lunch, choking on his own saliva as he does front the sheer horror he feels, the exhaustion soon kicks in once the adrenaline simmers down and he’s left with nothing but conflicting feelings and no energy left to even move.

The bodies soon decay into black blocks before crumbling to ashes, the goo evaporates with it and gone was the proof of the shitshow that happened there along with it. Izuku still feels unsettled, an inking nagging in his head screaming with panic at what he just did.

He killed them, he killed them .

The thought rings and echoes in his head like a chiming bell of bad omen, ugly feelings twisting in his gut making him vomit even more. The boy is shaking lightly, hands trembling despite the firm tight grip he has on his weapon.

Sure, the knights kill them whenever they're spotted near the city, clearing camps and such. Even the adventurers would do so, there's always countless commissions available daily posted at the guild to deal with these creatures, one can even say killing off hillichurls and the likes of them are normal here in Teyvat.

Yet Izuku still feels sick.

The mitachurl growls from the other side of the water, enraged by its fellow beings' fate, it throws its axe at the boy. Izuku's eyes shoot wide open at the attack, instincts kicks in and has him back on his feet, leaping away tremors and all.

The boy flips and uses the weapon to push himself into the air, except, the imbued energy flowing from him and into his weapon gave him quite the boost. Izuku is soon much higher in the air than he anticipated, he reaches a few feet higher than the top of the anemo statue, but the unexpected outcome is welcomed.

Unconsciously, likely due to the rush of emotions and adrenaline, he wills the same energy to push him forward while airborne. It launches him straight down at the mitachurl in a scathing stab, the boy's weapon plunges into the creature as it wails and trashes.

With his weapon half buried in his opponent's chest, Izuku panics as he's thrown away from the aggressive thrashing. His lithe body slamming hard into a nearby tree, he blinks, trying to visualize his surroundings and ignore the jolting aches of pain.

The black huge creature drops to its knees, soon meeting the same fate of death. Izuku's polearm falls to the ground, and silence casts over the area save for the birds flying by.

The boy curls on himself, the pain from his injuries isn't much, it's the weight of what he did that's poisoning his thoughts.

No matter how many times he told himself that it's just hillichurls and those things attacked him first, it doesn't quell the wrongness he feels inside.

“Huh what’s that—Is that a kid!?”

Izuku snaps his gaze up, hands balled up into fists ready to attack any other unsuspecting enemies. The boy feels himself trying to reach for his polearm but it's too far away to grab and he's too out of it to summon it back.

Though, his flight or fight instinct dims just a tad at the sight of a human instead of some creature that's going to beat him up.

The guy even has a little floating…..child? with him. With a shaky breath, Izuku tries to back away but can't when his back only digs further into the tree trunk.

The newcomers hold up their hands, “Paimon don’t shout. You okay?” he doesn't try to get closer but worry is smeared all over his face for him to have any malicious intentions.

But then again, not everyone is as nice and kind as they appear to be like the Mondstadters he knows. 

This male has long blonde hair that stretches down his frame in a single braid, his eyes are a beautiful golden shade, deep and old that screams long history, kind of like Venti's eyes whenever he's in his Barbatos the archon's moods. 

His outfit is nothing like what Izuku has ever seen, the top showing his midriff and a white sash-like scarf fastened around his shoulders. Down to his black pants and combat boots, his odd glowing accessories and how the colour gold outlines almost on every inch of his outfit.

His companion is much simpler in her white clothes and that peculiar looking crown on her head, she doesn't look like a threat nor does she appear to be able to be one to him thus Izuku only keeps his focus on the golden haired male.

“Hey….are you conscious? Hello?” he asks, worried yet hesitant with how panicky Izuku looks. 

Izuku nods, “I-I’m fine….just…shaken.” which is an understatement because he could already feel a panic attack kicking in.

He couldn't stop feeling the black blood goo on him, his hands, his weapon and the idea of murder, that he killed just wouldn't leave his head.

As soon as the two newcomers are registered in his head as 'likely won't harm me' Izuku falls into a deeper pit of his dark thoughts.

“He looks injured, Paimon thinks we should bring him back to Mondstadt with us!” The more higher pitched voice suggests.

“Yeah I think so too, can you walk kid? What’s—Hey, hey it's okay, you’re okay…”

His erratic breathing isn’t slowing down, Izuku feels choked as the stillness of cold dread covers each inch of his skin. His senses burn like how his hands feel with the image of green gooey blood dripping and burning from his hands. The boy curls in on himself, whimpering as droplets of tears drip and fall. 

Careful firm hands takes his own, the warmth different, soothing as it clutches and pulling him out of his wrapped panic to sit. The blonde male takes his hand and presses it against the fabric of his chest.

A rhythmic calm beat of calm dub dub rattles against his palm. “Greenie here, feel this, can you follow it? Breathe with me, in, one, two, three, out.” the male instructs him, urging Izuku to follow his lead.

The boy shakily nods and listens carefully, matching his breathing with the steady beat, “In, one, two, three, out…..there you go.” The blonde male counts for him, and sure enough, Izuku could reign himself down from his panic.

“Feeling better?” Izuku nods, giving the kind person a grateful smile. “Yeah…thanks.”

The floating girl whistles, twirling in the air as she exclaims, “Wow I didn’t know you could do that Aether!” impressed with how easily her companion guided Izuku out of his panic.

Aether, somehow Izuku feels he’s heard of the name. It’s very very familiar and it's bouncing in his head, the post-panic exhaustion doing him no favours.

Aether, a flying girl, the boy tries to wreck his head for a memory because something is nagging at him in his head about these two.  

The blonde male smiles, “Oh it's…..it's something I….. used to do for my sister…..” he murmurs, there’s a slight drop in his voice at the mention of the sister, a sorrowful gaze cast over his face.

But Aether is quick to shake whatever thought is clouding his head away, turning his attention back to the green haired boy, “Anyways, let's go see if we can find your parents at Mondstadt. Climb on,” he bends down with his back towards Izuku.

Snapped out of his daze of curiosity from the two travelers, Izuku blinked owlishly before his face turned red with fluster. The boy shakes his head and hands, while his head still feels heavy from exhaustion and his legs are practically jelly, he can’t make the nice male carry him all the way to the city.

“Huh what? No wait I can walk—Oof!” He tries to get up, summoning his weapon back into his grip to use as a supporter but ultimately stumbles and almost falls flat into the ground had Aether not grab him in time.

“Paimon doesn’t think that you can….” the flying girl tells him, arms crossed as she sighs. Aether chuckles, “If it makes you feel any better, I’m an honorary knight of the Knights of Favonious.”

Then everything clicks, the familiar name, the floating fairy girl, “Honorary knight? You—you’re the traveler! The honorary knight that saved Mondstadt!” Izuku exclaims, finally realizing who is the male.

It's hard not to know about the traveler from afar who appeared one day and saved Mondstadt from being destroyed from Dvalin who had been under a corruption magic and dubbed as Honorary knight.

Aether sheepishly nods, “Ah so you do know me, see it’s fine, get on.” He gets on his knees again, “Kid, just let him carry you!”

Izuku is hesitant but when Paimon starts to get impatient and pushes him towards Aether, he obliges. 

With his arms around the older male and Aether's arms hooking him up in place on his back, they're off marching down the path towards Mondstadt.

Izuku spares a moment to lament in his head, he must've worried Klee and Razor when he didn't show up, hopefully they won't be too mad at him.

“Usually I just teleport back with the waypoints…….but you probably wouldn’t be able to handle that right now.” Aether says suddenly, filling the silence of their walk aside from how Paimon hovers near them, jingling sounds of sparkles following her each movement.

The topic brought up instantly catches Izuku's full attention, “Waypoints? Those ancient monuments? You can use them?” He has read about them in the older sections of the Headquarters library.

Even seen two of them in the city, blue crystal and rock that feels like a bolt of unmoving mana, Lisa said they were pretty much unusable by the great majority because like many things mana related, those without good affinity would not be able to harness or use it.

Aether is a little surprised to hear that the little greenhead boy is aware of those monuments, “Oh? Someone who finally knows what they are!” he comments. 

The boy is certainly interesting, although he nearly gave him and Paimon a heart attack when they thought that he was a corpse.

Aether only knew that one moment he teleported here to heal himself of his injuries from Cloud Retainer's domain, the next there's an injured and might be dead kid across the little lake.

Aether had just escaped the adepti after informing them about Rex Lapis's death, the whole task is taxing on its own, dealing with the divine is always so tiring no matter what world he's in. 

It's also why he and his sister never usually bother with them, and even then as it is now, they still get roped into the gods' bullshit.

Truly the gods are best kind at making their problem everyone's.

Aether also really has mixed feelings about Childe and wants to delay the need to see the man again, the ever infamous Fatui are never one to trust, they have the nerve to steal a god's gnosis in the middle of his own city after all. 

And the fact he's the one to send them on that little errand….Aether just needs to take a breather from all of that, and going back to Mondstadt sounded like a good idea.

And of course, he walked right into this, an injured boy having a panic attack. It's not that he doesn't want to help, but all he's been doing is help. Help with this, help with that, run that errand, do this task.

What about his sister? For how long should he just keep darting around with nothing but a whim plan that might not even help.

Yet there's also no way he wouldn't help, not when the boy looks like that.

He's lived too long to not recognize it, that look in the greenie's eyes.

Those emerald orbs has a darker loom to it.....a broken sort of shadow.

He's seen it in the likes of divine like Xiao and Venti, he's seen it in humans' eyes like Diluc and Kaeya.

Aether even sees it in his own eyes whenever he looks in the mirror, and he would see Lumine in his reflection wearing it too.

“I didn't know they could still be used…. I’m…er, my name is Izuku.” the boy tells him, and Aether raises an eyebrow.

“Huh that’s not a Mond name isn’t it?”

If there's a word to describe it, Aether would say it's what a 'Japanese' name would sound like— most modern sort of world he and Lumine travelled to somehow always have the same geographical structure and names —and last he checked that's equivalent to a nation called Inazuma here.

“No, I’m just staying here for now….it's a long story.” there's just something in his voice that speaks to Aether when he said those words. 

Alone, looking lost, it's a long story…..  

Sounded a lot like him when he first woke up in Teyvat alone without the one person that's supposed to be with him forever.

Aether's throat itches, he hums in a way to tell Izuku to go on.

“We got time, Paimon is curious!” the fairy cheers, all ready for an impromptu story time.

With each step, they see Mondstadt city up ahead.

With each word…..

"I….. I honestly don't know anymore…… I just want to go home…."

"Go home? Silly brother, I am home! You're here with me aren't you?"

Perhaps he's being ridiculous, but he's seen how the search for his sister is going with the knights.

They're not able to find a single blonde girl, and now they want to find out where this boy's family is? And he's been here for a month with not a single progress?

Deep green orbs with a shadow looming over it, if one looks closer they might even see the cracks in those eyes of a someone who knew what it's like to be broken.

'Gosh I'm so helping him aren't I?' he thought to himself but is already resigning to his fate for it. No one should feel like how he does, to feel like they lose a home….

Aether decides he will stop at nothing to help Izuku, he already has one traveling companion, what's one more?

Chapter Text

Narrating his whole experience again, Izuku is reminded just how bizarre the situation he’s in is, his stomach feels queasy with worry that Aether might not even believe him.

Yet the young man nods his head, humming with acknowledgement, “I see, that’s quite the experience, reminds me of the good ol' days when me and my sister would get up to such trouble during our travels.” Aether comments fondly with a grin, the bridge to the city now in sight.

It's fun to reminisce about those moments, when they would often fly into tall obstacles whenever they flew because they're still getting used to flight, the many times they had to forge materials to replace yet another broken weapon.

The language barriers, getting into trouble with some nation's government, accidentally causing civil wars, adjusting to different technology and power systems, hiding their identity which most of the time is fruitless as they always expose themselves one way or another.

"I remember one time where I forgot we can't say who we are if we can help it and got me and Lumine branded as witches and were being hunted around by the people there. Or that time she forgot and mixed up our supplies and we nearly ate poison berries...fun times" he muses, Paimon winces as he snickers.

At the mention of his sibling, Izuku’s ear perks up, “Oh right, you’re travelling around Teyvat to look for your missing sister….. but you guys get amnesia often that’s….. normal?” he tilts his head, puzzled. 

Even the fairy is confused, “Yeah! This is the first time Paimon has heard of it!” 

Aether chuckles but continues to explain, “Pretty often when we started out but never as severe as you, not anymore now though. It's a thing that comes with world traversing when you’re not used to it." His words struck a chord in Izuku. 

"World traversing….? What….?" He's heard many things, unusual things but world traversing is by far the most bizarre that he’s heard off now so far. The male isn’t from Teyvat?

When they said the traveller is from afar, they were very downplaying it.

Aether nods, "Oh I guess I should start from the top, I'm not from this world Izuku."

And it was the blonde’s turn to tell his tales, of how he used to hop from one world to another with his sister till they were attacked by an unknown god while wanting to leave Teyvat, the fight separating them and sealing their powers which results in the two being stranded on Teyvat for now.

Aether is going from nation to nation to seek the Seven’s help to perhaps find his sister and maybe the unknown god as well to teach that one a lesson, but apparently his journey is filled with obstacles that keep extending the time he takes to find her.

It sounds like a long hard journey but his determination did not falter even once.

Aether even explains the whole world traversing business since he notices how interested Izuku is on the topic, he’s never disclosed such information before to anyone but what harm would a single boy do? 

"Side effects of world traversing, sickness and temporary memory loss are the common ones. Me and my sister are used to it and we already built resistance from our continuous travels but newbies had it the worst."he groans out the last part, thankfully he and Lumine never forgot who they were at least.

Izuku hums, “Do you ever remember everything?”

Aether shrugs, “Not sure, it was a really long time ago, I guess some things are left completely forgotten. But new journeys are always ahead of us, not behind, if we lose memories then we simply make new ones.” he says, but could feel the boy on his back stiffening at his words. 

The male quickly elaborates, “But of course, this is not to say you should do that too. You didn’t just lose memories after all, I understand your confusion…….memories can be replaced, not family and dear ones…..I’m sure you’ll find your way back home one day, you just gotta keep looking….” he encourages Izuku, hoping to quell any possible misunderstandings.

Izuku inhales sharply, “Even if….it feels useless to keep trying..? That it's better to just….give up?” he sounds so…..desperate, like he’s been waiting for someone to give him an answer to that question but no one did.

Aether smiles, tilting his head back so the boy could look at him, “Especially when it feels that way, how else would you get back what you lost if not by finding it? Giving up certainly wouldn’t. Have faith greenie.”

He gets a small grateful smile from Izuku, and the younger teen nods in agreement. They walk towards Mondstadt gates where the two usual knights stand at their posts, however they do not look at ease, in fact, the two guards appear distressed as they fidget in their posts.

The traveller, assuming an emergency is happening, rushes over at once to find out, Swan exhaling with relief upon seeing him, “Honorary knight! You’re back, see there’s a—Izuku? There you are!”

The knight had not notice Izuku on Aether’s back from afar, Aether lets him down but said boy went from concerned to confused from the reaction, “Hi Mr. Swan…what’s—” yet before he could even finish that sentence, something red in the distance blurs towards him.

“Izu?! Oh look look! Aether found him!!” The little knight sprints like she is about to get caught by Jean and wanted to escape, her eyes are slightly red as if she had been crying.

“Izu you’re okay!! Where have you been?!”

Her arms are immediately around the teen, hugging him for dear life while Izuku takes two seconds to process what’s happening before scooping the girl up to hug her, he pats the worried girl softly on her back, holding back winces from the sore bruises he sustained. 

“You know him Klee?” Paimon wonders, but they’re interrupted by Kaeya appearing out of nowhere with a worried Amber in tow. The girl is instantly fussing over the boy like the distressed big sister she dubbed herself to be.

“Reliable as always, you never fail to amaze me Aether.” Kaeya comments, but unlike his usual charming captain getgo. The man actually looks and sounds genuinely worried for Izuku, which poses an even curious thought. 

Izuku mentioned that the knights are looking after him, but Aether might have miscalculated how much they must’ve grown fond of him.

“Woah, what…what’s going on guys?” Izuku questions clearly baffled by the distress on their faces. Did something happened while he was gone? It made him feel dreadful for leaving for too long.

Amber exasperatedly moans at his question, “Izuku, where have you been? Klee told us you never showed up and then Sara filled in saying you went to Springvale and were gone for so long—” her words gets incoherent the more she rants.

“Woah Amber, calm down, he’s fine!” Paimon interjects her.

She halts her rambling to straighten herself up and exhale, grabbing his shoulders, eyes blazing with worry, “What happened?! Are you hurt? Nevermind, let's just get you to the cathedral.”

Izuku can barely protest, merely letting himself be ushered away by the two knights with Klee still tucked in his arms, Aether and Paimon following along.

Aether begins to relay what he was told to the two knights, Paimon inserting herself here and then, “We found him by the statue of the seven near Starfell Lake! He was really beaten and worn and was going through a panic attack.” the fairy exclaims.

Aether hums and continues, “He said he was attacked by some hillichurls, there were none when I found him but his polearm was abandoned next to him so I guess he took care of them but got injured badly…..”

At the mention of his injuries, Klee jerks in his grip to be placed down, Izuku doesn't let her though, “I’m fine really.” he assures her.

“Next time, bring Klee with you…..and don’t say that Izuku.” she mutters begrudgingly, even dropping the nickname but stopped struggling to get down. 

Izuku frowns at her demeanor, “Are you…..mad?” the girl shakes her head, “Klee is upset…..what if something happened to you? I’m….I’m Spark Knight Klee! I promised…..I promised I’ll help you…..and you won’t get hurt anymore….”

The boy’s heart swells at her words, she even started using first point of view speech which is not usual for her, she may be a knight and she may have been accustomed to the life of battles, but she is still a child and should not feel such responsibility over his safety. 

He could see that his companions around him had heard her and are surprised as well, as adorable and admirable for someone her age to care so deeply for what she accounts to be her responsibility, it shouldn’t ever have to be a burden she has to carry.

Izuku softly pats her head, “Klee, we’ll……we need to talk about that okay? Maybe tomorrow?” 

The girl looks skeptical but nods back nevertheless, “Besides, I’m really okay, it’s just a couple of scratches. You don’t have to worry about me like that.” Izuku adds.

The little girl pouts, an angered look forming, “That’s why Klee gets upset! You…. You think getting hurt is okay when it's not! Izu says that but worries more than all the knights combined if Klee even scratches her knee.” the boy is jolted with surprise, that definitely is unexpected.

Izuku chuckles nervously, is he really getting nagged by an eight year old now? 

Klee puffs her cheeks and hugs him tighter, “Why is it okay to worry if it's Klee or Bennett or Fischl but not Izu? Why is it okay if you’re the one who gets hurt?”

Izuku jolted like thunder struck him from where he stood.

That takes the boy by surprise, he feels his heartbeat quickens like the rug is pulled from underneath his feet, her words shook him to the core because how could a child see through him so easily?

Granted, she spent a lot of time with him, but to think she’ll notice that odd tendency he has to fling himself in front or use himself as a shield when danger is involved like there isn’t a line for him to keep himself in check when it comes to protecting others.

He takes a deep breath to calm himself and clear his thoughts, “Let’s drop this for now yeah? We’ll talk about this later okay?”

The girl’s word shook the few adults rallying around them, Kaeya admits that Izuku does have a rather specific manner when it comes to fighting, there’s not only focus on his opponent but keeping tabs on his surroundings as well, he does it so well that he's able to manipulate his opponent's attention and movement to refrain from causing additional mess or damage to their surrounding. 

While dueling with any other knight, there’s bound to be a mess in the training grounds from things being accidently knocked over or breaking, which is normal as far as training goes. But if it ever was Izuku, he never breaks things or make a mess no matter how fast and hurried he leaps and jumps with his long weapon.  

There’s even a point where a stray arrow nearly plants into another knight’s back which Izuku managed to catch and save the guy from a trip to the infirmary even though he’s in an engaging duel with Rosaria who is ruthless even in spars. 

His ability to constantly be aware of what’s around him while remaining composed and focused is one to be desired. The only explanation of how a bunch of hillichurls manage to roughen him up is likely due to how he’s never encountered them before and was shocked.

Aether mentioned him having a panic attack and the enemies are nowhere to be found…..has Izuku…never killed? 

Kaeya’s stomach churn at the thought that the boy had to force himself to commit something he’s never done in a stressful environment, no wonder he’s beaten up badly. It would be a logical explanation to the panic attack, those who are not used to ending the life of, although monsters, yet are still sapient beings can often suffer such feelings.

(And he's even more grateful that it isn't common knowledge that those monsters aren't just sapient beings but innocents who were cursed....he doubt Izuku could cope half as well if he had known that.)

But taking his skills into consideration, there’s also no way someone who's that fluent in battles from muscle memory and trained instincts alone has never killed in his life, such ability and instincts can’t be forged through training spars.

Izuku has the experience and yet…….it gets more odd with each day just as it gets interesting.

Barbara fusses over Izuku the moment she lays her eyes on him, dragging him with her to a room with proper medical supplies, she forces him to sit on the bed while she treats his injuries manually because 'being dependant on healing powers is bad'.

Kaeya, Aether, Paimon and Amber lingered, Klee sat next to him,  Razor had stopped by with Lisa and Jean, the boy exhaling with relief seeing that Izuku is fine.

“You go out far, tell Razor, will go too and keep you safe.” he tells Izuku worriedly, he does not like the fact Izuku got hurt.

When Klee rushed to get the knights when Izuku was gone for too long, Razor had gone ahead to try and track him down which proved to be useless when the scent trails end somewhere in the whispering woods..

The wolven boy sits next to the smaller male, and nuzzles his nose into his shoulder as if to give comfort. At some point, Izuku becomes very important to him because in a way, Izuku is like him too.

Alone and clueless, the knights took Izuku in and became what Andrius was to Razor. 

He found clarity in their similar although still different situations, and he likes how despite being better at picking up human skills like learning languages and writing, Izuku never commented poorly on Razor's struggle to do those things, even patiently offering him help.

And in return, Razor helped Izuku to adjust to touches. Growing up with a pack of wolves made the teen quite touchy, skinship is inevitable to anyone he feels comfortable with and Izuku had come up to him one day, asking to help ease him into not flinching whenever he's touched since he notice how Razor can be touchy with his affections.

The boy had told him "I want to stop being scared of it…..I want those gestures to feel….safe…." It was an odd request but not one he's against, it was hard with the boy jolting at even the slightest brush at first, but Izuku relaxes more with time.

Till one day, it was him who pulled Razor into cuddling him as they went through that difficult section of Teyvatian grammar together for the 10th time. 

“Izuku lupical too, Razor protect lupical.”

At some point, Izuku too became lupical to him, and Razor brews with guilt that he allowed Izuku to get hurt.

The boy in question leans into the warm touch of the male, “I-I’m fine really, just a little bruised and shaken.” he tries to assure Razor, voice shaky.

The truth is, Izuku is….. surprised and taken back.

It's just, all of them are so worried about him that Izuku could physically feel his heart bursting with astonishment and fondness. From the looks of things, a lot of the knights left their duties to search for him the moment he’s gone for too long. 

He pats Razor on his back, “I’m okay, really….” but Barbara pouts at his remark, “I’ll be the judge of that.” she nags, flicking Izuku’s forehead while she’s at it, the room’s occupant each had to muffle their amusement at the scene. 

It's rare to see the usually put together and sweet Deaconess act in such a manner, like an exasperated older sister to Izuku. Razor soon takes away a drooping Klee back to the knight’s place, and once they’re gone. Aether relays what happened once more to the group.

“A mitachurl? This close to the city? Kae—” Jean starts, back in her Acting Grandmaster role but the man in question is already bidding farewell from the door, “Way ahead of you, coming outrider?”

The young woman hesitated, “Fine, I’m coming.” She gives Izuku one last head pat before actually taking her leave, Barbara had her own duties to return to which leaves Izuku, Aether, Paimon and the two ladies in the room.

The boy nods, massaging his hands, “Yeah that’s pretty much what happened, I saw a seelie and got sidetracked, when I saw the statue I couldn’t resist not taking a closer look….” he timidly admits, though neither Lisa or Jean looked mad at him for it.

In fact, Lisa chuckles, “Oh Izuku, do be careful next time. Maybe don’t venture out like that alone.” she reminds him, “Razor already volunteered to accompany you, perhaps you can ask him to take you to see all the statues of the seven in Mond, I'm surprised Venti hasn't already.”

For some reason, the lack of…... reprimanding feels odd. 

Izuku braces himself to be scolded and told to never leave the city again…...why he had expected such a reaction is beyond him, the lack of disappointed glares and annoyed sneers confused him although he couldn't quite picture such looks on either woman's faces.

Izuku would even say it'll be weird to see Lisa or Jean genuinely furious, yet he still expected it, or more like anticipated it as if that is the default reaction anyone would had at what he did.

Curious.....why did he think that way?

But he still feels bad for the reactions he caused, “I suppose…..I just, I don’t know. It was only s’pose to be a short trip to Springvale ……look what happened…..I worried everyone. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wander off so far….” Izuku mutters, eyes casted down in guilt. 

Aether moves to sit next to the boy, putting his hand on Izuku's shoulder for comfort. Jean however frowns, “Izuku, what you did is reckless but clearly, there’s a misunderstanding here.” she tells him, concerned for his phrasing.

Even the blonde traveller picked up, “Is he not allowed to leave?” Aether interjects, looking a bit wry as he speaks. 

He will be having words with the knights and Venti if that were the case.

Jean quickly shakes her head, “No no, he’s allowed to roam as he pleases,” the woman sighs seeing the slight surprise on Izuku’s face. 

“But I guess we should’ve made that clear because it seems like you think you must remain in the city somehow.” Lisa adds, frowning as well. She had assumed the boy mostly stuck around Mondstadt city simply because he had no interest to leave, not because he feels that he's not allowed to.

“Uh I…..I don't know why I assumed that…...” he admits, truthfully he had thought his reluctance to leave the city for too long or to go somewhere far is because he doesn't want to miss any news of the knights finding out anything about his family.

But then he remembered that Venti had brought him out countless times to venture half across the nation, Dvalin would bring him to fly around in the sky as they chat and he met Andrius once too all the way out in Wolvevadom while gathering wolfhooks. 

And he didn't mind any of those times. It's actually the process before leaving that bugs him 

Each time, he had always made sure to get explicit verbal permission to some authority figure that's responsible for him— Read: Venti or any of the knights or the sisters at the cathedral— and didn't think too much of how they always looked a little confused as to why he asked them.

There's just something…..oddly heavy on his mind about asking permission to leave that he doesn't want to do it much, thus he doesn't leave the city or do anything that would warrant him needing to ask permission, not if he can help it.

Because depsite anyone has yet to tell him no, he still somehow gets a nagging feeling he'll be denied regardless. Izuku sighs, he really needs to stop giving in to these baseless random assumptions that his brain keeps inserting.

"It's fine, but please know Izuku, you're not confined here and are allowed to explore as you please without asking any of us for permission, that's your right and freedom to come and go and we have no authority to stop you. We just ask that you don't go alone and notify someone where you'll be just in case something like this happens, yeah?" Jean explains gently, hoping to get a clear message across.

Izuku nods, smiling at her as he appreciates the tentative way Jean explains clearly for him, "Thank you, I'll keep that in—" but the boy is abruptly interrupted when something green appears by the window in a swish of Anemo.

Venti hangs by the wooden pane, grinning wide when he sees Izuku,  “You guys found him—"

"AHH?!" Izuku screeches, startled by his sudden intrusion. Hands flinging out, fingers flicking the air instinctively.

The bard in green yelps when a strong gust of anemo shoves him off the window and nearly had him falling a couple storey down the building, “Hey!” He climbs his way back up with the help of his powers.

The archon steps into the room, oblivious to the shocked faces of its occupants who are staring at Izuku like the boy grew a second head…..or gain an elemental power out of nowhere.

Even Izuku is staring at his fingers like it's the first time he's seen them.

Venti dust himself off and crosses his arms, a lecture on the tip of his tongue, “What was that for?! Here I am worried about you and you blasted me out of the window with my own eleme—Wait, you did what?”

The bard's thought process halts with a screech once the reality of the situation caught up to him. Now it's his turn to gawk at Izuku, his jaw hanging open and his azure eyes wide with surprise.

Izuku blinks, hands trembling, “I…. w-what? D-did….did I-I do t-that?”

Chapter Text

Jean almost choked on air, Venti did. 

“You got a vision? But I don’t see one on you?” Lisa remarks, eyeing the boy again and even using her elemental sight to seek the source of anemo, but sees none other than the traces left by what Izuku just used.

It reminds her a lot of how elemental powers work with Aether but something is ... different.

The boy in question frantically shakes his head, “I don’t! At least, I don’t think so?” He is very sure that he would notice if he did get a vision, but then again, he somehow did missed how on Teyvat did he acquire anemo abilities.

Venti snaps back to the present, curious eyes gazing at the youngling with wonder, “No you don’t, I would know since you used Anemo…….how strange, what happened?” he’s given a quick skim through of the events that transpired, the god just appeared more in awe.

Paimon twirls and crosses her arms, her twinkling noises catches the group;s attention, “Paimon knows she has seen this before…hehe.” she proclaims, smirking while casting a glance at her blonde travelling companion. 

“You’re like Aether! He doesn't use a vision either!” she announces, Aether appears to be deep in thought and it's almost as if he missed what the fairy had said. However the floating girl nudges him, pulling Aether out of his clouds of thoughts.

“Oh, right. Um, by any chance did you touch the statue?” He asks Izuku, the greenette slowly nods his head with uncertainty, “I didn’t notice, but I suppose I must have…...”

He raises his hands and closes his eyes, he had always been able to feel the elemental energy around but only now did he notice the slight difference, the small faint pull when it comes to the anemo energy particles. 

Willing himself, Izuku carefully yanks at the energy with his mental focus, with his eyes closed he could feel breezes rustling his hair and something forming just slightly above his palms. Peeking his eyes open, Izuku sees the sight of a small clump of anemo energy, swirling around in a sphere shape as it hovers above his open palms.

Unbeknownst to him, his small audience watches in speechless silence with bated breath, Izuku’s eyes glimmering lightly with hints of teal around the edges of his emerald irises, even the tips of his hair sparks with light teal colour.

Fascinated, the boy releases the energy, and a small burst of enemo explodes from it, wind strong enough to throw Paimon back a little mid air. “Hey! Watch it!” she calls out to him scoldingly with her arms crossed.

Lisa and Jean watched the entire scene in amazement, “You…..how are you doing that? Without a catalyst too….” the librarian mumbles, she’s never seen such a phenomenon. 

It's one thing to not need a vision to channel elemental energy, it's entirely another to have such affinity with mana that one does not need a regulator tool which is often a weapon of some kind to manipulate said mana.

Venti on the other hand is recovering from a whole body shock at the sudden surge of anemo energy, somehow when Izuku did that, it gave him energy as well. The loss of his gnosis made it harder for him to sustain the human form of his late friend, but ever since Izuku came to Mondstatd, that weight has lightened a little.

Now with him using anemo, Venti almost feels as if his gnosis is returned. How peculiar, it is unlike Aether at all as what the other two women seem to think. Aether’s anemo energy feels foreign likely due to his origin not being from Teyvat while Izuku’s is similar to his own.

Aether hums, with own curiosity triggered, try as he might, he couldn’t do what Izuku just did, or at least not yet . In the state he’s in now with his original powers sealed, it’s harder to build back the proficiency he had with manipulating mana. 

Somehow it doesn’t surprise him that the boy has such an ability, Aether might even say he expected it. 

Izuku shakes his head, awed as he stares down at his hands where small particles of Anemo linger, “I don’t know….I just am…” the boy mutters fascinatedly.

Venti hums, arms crossed with a smirk, “Woah, you…..you’re really something aren’t you Izuku.” The god makes a mental reminder to check with Morax about this because surely the elder archon would know something, he has nothing better to do while playing dead anyway.

The boy is immediately sheepish, remembering whose element is he using, anxiously avoiding Venti's gaze, “Is this…..okay? I…. didn’t mean to take your power unknowingly! I didn't even know that I could…” he apologizes, to which Venti only chuckles.

“No no you didn’t do anything like that! I would know if you did, but this is different, it's more of…..you took the essence of what is mine and somehow made it your own…like the honorary knight here although there is a small difference.....” he beckons at Aether who nods back at the bard's words.

“Elementary resonation, it's rare for anyone to be able to do what I can do and don’t worry, it's not supposed to be the same for everyone either, it not possible for us to be the same but….” the blonde trails off, a weary look in his eyes, "Izuku, do you…..know what this could mean?"

Paimon darts her gaze between the two of them, gasping when she comes to the conclusion herself, "Wow! No way!?" The fairy exclaims.

Izuku frowns, giving it some thought, "You're…..not from this world…..and it's because of that you could do all these things….which means I'm….." his emerald orbs widen, surprise colouring his face.

Aether nods, “You might……be something similar to me….. It would explain your memory loss and how you suddenly end up here…”

It would, everything would make a heck load of sense except Izuku doesn't know how he should feel about that. It would mean not only is he an outsider in Mondstadt but in all of Teyvat….. an outlander, an outcast . 

"But…...but how? I…..no way." Izuku chokes, a hand over his mouth from the revelation. Lisa and Jean are speechless, but otherwise it's not as surprising since they figured the boy might not be mortal, but to be a being alone to the traveler is astonishing.

"Hold on! Paimon thinks we shouldn't just jump to conclusions!" The fairy interjects, waving her hands widely.

"Yeah, she's right. We could all be wrong and this is something else entirely. Worlds and realities are mysterious like that." Aether adds, feeling a little bad for giving Izuku a sudden existential crisis.

Lisa clears her throat, her gaze gentle as her smile as she addresses the boy, "What do you think Izuku?" 

"I….I don't know." He looks lost, unsure on how to take in the information.

Jean takes a moment to form her words, "Think of it like this, you can use Anemo now. We'll keep searching for your family as we're already doing and….and if….if it's true then…..” her words trails as she hesitates but Lisa finishes for her, a hand on Jean's shoulder.

“We'll just cross that bridge when we get there." The librarian adds, her gloved hand patting the boy's head affectionately seeing how he's still got a conflicted face on.

Venti nods in approval, "And excellent suggestion Miss librarian, what do you say Izuku?" The whole room has their eyes on the freckled face, his emerald orbs brightening just a bit more at the support he's given.

"Sounds like…..a plan." 

The two women take their leave as they have matters to return to and the day is getting late anyway, Aether and Paimon left with Jean since she apparently wanted to have a few words with him which leaves Venti and Izuku together.

The bard has taken to sitting on the window still, his hands strumming his lyre to a soft and calming tune, gentle breeze accompanies the music creating a serene atmosphere and the skies outside slowly turn from a orange hue to navy blue.

Izuku is laying in the bed, eyes halfway closed as his consciousness drifts between sleep and reality. He recounts the many events of the day in his head, flipping through the memories in an attempt to digest them.

'I'm from a different world….?' His thoughts wander before sleep consumes him completely, and the sound of lyre slowly fades to silence.

“So…..what’s your verdict?” Jean asks the blonde male, the woman had guided the traveller and Paimon back to her office where Kaeya, Diluc and Lisa are waiting. Amber had retired early as she was exhausted from scouting the area.

Aether can't hide his surprise when he sees the elusive Darknight hero in the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonious's office, but the man paid his shock no mind, looking just as bored as he normally is, if not a bit more annoyed as well.

Aether is so going to be the nosy little shit he is and find out what goes on with that some day, can't pique his curiosity and not have him meddling after all.

"Verdict? Paimon is confused?" The little fairy mumbles, a hand scratching her head puzzly. “Hmm…..? I don't understand, what verdict?” he inquires, although he has a feeling it's about a certain greenie.

Kaeya crosses his arms, his sharp eyes glancing over, "We all think Izuku might not be entirely human…...or mortal…" he provides that little tidbit of context, which honestly is explaining nothing.

That or Aether is getting slow, the blonde frowns, "So? I don't understand, what are you guys trying to say?" He's very sure mystical beings or the likes of divine like gods and non-mortal existence is a relatively fair norm in Teyvat, there's dragons and Adepti. 

If Izuku is one, what's the big deal?

The male mentally prays this is not some sort of discrimination issue between mortals and non-mortals, that's out if his toleration scope after the fifth world he visited that had the issue. 

Nope-ti nope, he is not dealing with that again, or ever. 

"We're saying, he might not be mortal and he doesn't remember nor knows that, it could mean he doesn't have a family to return to and we have no idea how to break this to him…." Jean continues to explain, her worry for the boy is clear in her voice.

Aether chuckles, "No you're wrong." The blonde woman looks a little taken back by his claim, "What?"

Aether hums, nodding, "Mortal, non-mortal, we all have a home to return to. He has one out there, I just know it, whether you guys have the means to find it is…….an entirely different question."

If Kaeya or Diluc made an offended face at the proclamation, Aether couldn't give a damn, at least Paimon has the thought to try —the keyword here being try— to hide her snickering.

"Then what do you suppose we do? How do we help him?" Diluc questions him, that's why Aether respects him so much. Never the one to beat around the bush, is open to options and willing to do what he can to help despite all that grumpy mush he tries to be. 

"Let him travel with me. If there's one thing I know about finding lost homes, you won't find it unless you search for it." He tells her confidently, "And he can't do that if he is only staying here in Mondstadt."

"I suppose you’re right……would it be fine? We shouldn’t trouble you more than we already have…” Jean voices out her concerns, but Aether is quick to assure her, “It’ll be fine, I’ll keep him safe. That is if he agrees to come along…..one more thing though….”

The boy takes a moment to pause and arrange his words, his usually neutral face hardened with seriousness. Disclosing matters of world traversing is something he doesn't make a habit of doing but Izuku's little situation somehow feels valid enough to mention this.

"I could tell somewhat too from seeing his abilities, he isn't from—Well, to be more accurate, he was brought into this world from another. World traversing is extremely dangerous when one is not made to do so and can have extreme effects on the person.”

The room's occupants could feel the shift in the air when he started speaking. There's something different about the traveller, the weight in his words, the…. ancient….. look in his eyes.

The male holds up three fingers, “There are three possible ways to travel between planes of existence, only one which is safe and that is being born with the ability to do it, like me and my sister.” he grimace internally at the blankness he feels whenever he subconsciously calls upon the power that was sealed.

A constant reminder of his failure that day.

“The other two methods are not so favorable because of the risks, one by using a mechanism to open bridges between worlds. Usually no mechanism created has ever managed to withstand the sheer energy of opening holes for more than a few seconds before crumbling but there are successful attempts recorded for this method however for the other one…."

It's the way Aether's face cringes that explains it all.

"It's only known to our kind as possible in theory but not in practice…… if one can wrap themselves in massive layers of energy, they can try forcing themselves to pass through the walls of space and time by breaking through it. There are no records of this method ever being successful….. because there's yet to be a way to do such a thing…..”

The 'And if someone did manage to, they probably weren't alive to tell the tale' goes unspoken but everyone in the room hears it loud and clear anyway.

“Side effects from either method include changes to your body structure, massive memory temperament, extreme sickness or exhaustion or even temperament with the being of your existence.”

He gets a few gasps for that information dump, yeah one probably doesn't hear a lot of that every day, and especially being told it's actually a recorded proof based fact. 

“But….how is that possible? Because by saying that, you are implying a mortal could turn into a divine…..” Lisa remarks, eyes wide with disbelief.

Aether, now without the whole inhuman tenseness in his figure, shrugs.

“It’s not as far-fetched as you might think it is, it's forcing yourself through planes and structures of existence between time and space when you’re not meant to do that for crying out loud.” Paimon answers for him.

At least she gets it. You can't make sense of something that wasn't supposed to make sense. Duh.

“In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened with Izuku. But take my words with a grain of salt, there are only so many records of these attempts anyway.” he adds, just because someone was brought into one world from another, doesn't mean they don't belong in said world.

“Well, if breaking all laws of the universe is involved, then it actually sounds legitimate when you think about it.” Diluc comments, seemingly ready to take things as it is and be done with it, not like having a different opinion would change anything.

“How do you know all of this? You told us you are a world hopping traveller…” Kaeya queries, ever the one to suspect even the tiniest thing about another.

Sure he trusted the traveller a little more after his whole scam about the treasure thing since Aether went along with his wild goose chase despite knowing it was a sham the entire time. But there's just this inkling feeling of goosebumps he gets around him that bugs his alert instincts.

(The ones that go off around Venti.)

Aether mirrors his skeptical gaze, “I am….? When you’ve travelled to as many worlds and witnessed a lot of things like I do, it's only natural to have lots of knowledge on things like that.”

Kaeya couldn't get another word in when Paimon interrupts him, “Wait Aether! Did you forget to give his weapon back?”

The male gapes, hands flying out to which Izuku's spear forms in his palm, “Oh darn, I did. C’mon let’s go find him Paimon. Actually, let's enhance this thing while we’re at it and return it tomorrow.”

The traveller and his fairy companion are ready to leave but Lisa is able to call out one last question, “Wait, Aether, how old are you?” it made the two stop by the door.

Paimon gasps, “Eh, Paimon doesn't know this either! How old are you? You look 16!” she says and Aether promptly scratches the back of his head.

She couldn't be more far off, that's like, at least a few billions off. 

“Oh dang, that, um….frankly I don’t know as well. Stopped keeping count after like, the fifth billion.” he admits, and dang.

Aether feels old.

“The what—”

And he doesn't stick around to see the bewildered and jaw drops on those people's faces, grabbing Paimon and bolting.

Kaeya and Diluc left after recollecting themselves from that bomb drop, or Kaeya bothering Diluc as they head back to Angel's Share, both with different purposes. The redhead feels a little silly for the refusal to sell drinks to him before. 

“Are you sure that’s wise Jean? Him going with Aether?” Lisa questions, she's not the one to be pessimistic but….she is fond of the boy. 

The acting grandmaster sighs, “Honestly, the only reason I’m considering this is because it's Aether and we all know how capable he is…..” she explains, “Besides, if he does choose to leave, who are we to stop him?” Suddenly her lips tug into a grin when she remembers an archon who is still likely by Izuku's side right now.

"Barbatos would not be pleased either." She adds, almost a teasing tone to her voice. Lisa couldn't help but giggling along, “I guess you are right, Venti would not take too kindly to us forcing him to stay, the bard has grown quite fond of him doesn’t he?”

The two ladies take a seat on the sofa in Jean's office next to each other, Jean has her head on Lisa's shoulder while the librarian has one arm around the other woman, hugging her close intimately.

It's nice to simply chat idly together after a long day, just a few hours to themselves, Jean lets Lisa's fingers trace circles on the back of her hand soothingly as they talk. 

And sometimes when it grazes over her engagement ring with the fair lady, she feels her cheeks go slightly pink every now and then.

The dandelion knight hummed in agreement to Lisa's remark, “He does, and the four winds have taken the same liking to Izuku as well. I heard Izuku mumbling about planning a hangout with Dvalin.” Jean adds, shaking her head amusedly at the memory.

The librarian continues to say, “Izuku is really something….. I wonder if his arrival has some deeper meaning to it. That boy is a blessing himself.” 

Jean nods, smiling warmly, “Yeah, he really is.”

Lisa, seeing her so happy, leans down, brushing her lips gently on Jean's forehead with utmost care and affection. The sight of her fiancée's rosy red cheeks is never not adorable.

It's hours later that Izuku wakes up to something warm around his left hand, upon sitting up, he sees it's actually Venti's hand clutching his as the bard is also asleep while next to his bed. 

His green hat and fake vision taken off and placed on the bedside table along with his signature green cloak, the archon looks as mortal as he could be in such a state. Squeezing the hand that's holding onto him, Izuku nudges him lightly to wake him up.

"Mr. Venti….Mr. Venti wake up ...." The hand around him tightens, Venti's face scrunches up into a frown. 

"N-no…. don't…..go….n-no….m…..me...'lone.." bits of mumbled muttering bubbles from his lips.

The words are in Mondt, one that is slurred so Izuku couldn't decipher it, but from the look on the archon's face, it's not a good dream. The boy gently pats his shoulder, hoping to wake him up, the bard stirs for a second but slowly, those azure eyes peel open.

He raises his head from where it rested on the bed, looking a little confused but quickly remembers where he is. Izuku giggles when Venti sits up straight with a red face and retracts his hand, even the teal tips of his braids are glowing lightly with his embarrassment.

"Oh dear, I….I can explain I….geez this is embarrassing…." The bard whines, but Izuku shakes his head, still holding back his laughter at such a flustered reaction.

"It's fine Mr. Venti. I think we all need a hand to feel a little less alone sometimes. I don't mind." He assures the bard with a smile, Venti looks at him, stunned but he too smiles softly back at the boy.

He sees the same smile of a child while panicking about accidentally falling asleep on his head, "Hehe don't worry! It gets lonely sometimes doesn't it on your own? I get lonely too.....so let's keep each other company!"

"You really remind me of him." He suddenly remarks, the archon let the words fly from his lips before he even realizes it. 

Izuku's head tilts confusedly, "Him?"

Venti exhales out a breath, yet the ever fond smile he wears whenever he talks about that old friend —or perhaps Venti cared about that boy in a much deeper sense, he met him quite young after all —is ever present on his lips, he really misses him.

Venti remembers being a small fleeting wind sprite, alone on his own for who knows how long till one day a childish odd sound caught his attention, one that led him to a small boy, probably only six years of age. 

The boy whose smile is brighter than the lanterns within the stormy walls, his laughter ring like holy bells and his eyes would burn with determination like none other to seek freedom as Barbatos watches him grow up year by year for a whole decade while being there by his side.

(Except, he didn't get to grow up. And when the mother of the boy who died too young for a world who would not even remember his name, weeps for him with the most painful cries Barbatos has ever heard, he understands her.)

The same boy whose death would haunt him even twenty six thousand years later.

(Because he felt the same way too. Little Cecilio was his little dreamer too.)

This form he took, is not exactly what Cecilio had looked like. Try as he might, he couldn't get it to be the exact same due to the foreign power he's still not used to back then.

But in the end Venti supposed it works, he doesn't want to be him, he just wants….to remember him. Seeing small fragments of that boy in him, in this form he took, is a selfish comfort he relishes in to deal with the pain of loss. 

"An…….old friend, he's very dear to me and I ought to tell you about him one of these days. Though, not now, now is time for breakfast!" He chirps, jumping up to his feet and grabbing his things. "Come on now, out of bed, we shan't dwell any longer!"

Platonic or paternal or was it more of a love of an older sibling to a younger one? It was never clear to him just how exactly Barbatos had loved Cecilio, the lines between the three had always blurred, but there's no doubt that he loved the boy very much. 

And he was starting to see Izuku the same way.

Izuku doesn't comment on his sudden change of topic, only nodding along to go after the bard. Still, he does wonder…..

What was on Venti's mind to make him look so….. melancholic?

Chapter Text

Breakfast is quiet, which is a surprise for Izuku since Venti is there but he's…. quiet. 

But he doesn't look sad or anything worrying, in fact, there's a small smile on his lips while he munches away on his slice of apple pie, looking around the room with such a nostalgic gaze.

Izuku doesn't comment on it although he is curious to what Venti might be thinking, frankly he's truthfully never seen the bard in the cathedral before. 

Does he not like being in what is supposed to be where his people worship him? Yet he didn't look bothered now.

The small dining room is peaceful in the morning with the occasional cathedral staff and sisters walking by, the quietness precedes until the bard himself opens his mouth to talk, a longing-like tone to his voice.

"He was a little boy when I met him, a wee little thing, very cute." He starts, and Izuku guesses this is the old friend that he spoke about. 

"I followed him around at first, I didn't dare make myself known, kept him out of trouble as much as I could, and led him back home whenever he got lost. Although there's not much space to get lost in, he still does at times, no sense of direction that one."

Venti chuckles and a little bit of sadness is laced in his voice, "When he was a bit older, he started playing the lyre, sounded horrible at first but quickly grew into an expert….I was awed by the songs he would play till one day I….drifted to him by mistake….he…"

The bard inhales, like he needs to prepare himself or lest he lets himself break, "I was only a wind sprite then, I don't even have a human form. And when he saw me, he….smiled so bright, he called me his guardian angel….. because he had always known I was watching him. And he was waiting for me to greet him…. because he wanted us to be friends."

Izuku smiles, "He sounds very pleasant, you must really adore him." Venti nods, though he looks really sad even as he smiles. 

"I do. He was my little dreamer, such a young pure heart yet his yearning and wish to see the skies, the world beyond Decarabian's walls is what led to what Mondstadt is today….he was the spark that ignited the flames of rebellion .... I... just wished I got to tell him how proud I was of him."

Venti lowers his head, his half eaten pie abandoned. "Sorry...I….I should stop…." His hands are trembling, little hiccups of sobs could be heard. "I don't want to ruin the start of your—"

"Tell me more, tell me everything about this dreamer of yours….Venti." Izuku interjects, a warm smile on his face, he knows who the bard is speaking of, the unknown figure depicted in history books as Mondstadt's hero from twenty six thousand years ago.

The bard sniffs, raises his head and sighs, "He loved singing ballads, would often sing for the children and people in their little town after his chores. He makes up stories of the outside world from what he reads in books. We sometimes nap together on tree branches, explore whatever land there is, and he would talk and talk, much like you...he rambles a lot."

Venti giggles when he sees the way Izuku's face grows red with embarrassment, "I watched him grow up from a small boy to a young lad, he was... sixteen when he rallied the people to fight for their freedom…." The bard trails, the smile of his face falters.

"He was also sixteen when he lost his life on the battlefield because I was too late to stop the flying arrows…." 

Izuku doesn’t know why but he could vividly picture it, a young boy fallen in a battlefield that he should've been too young to be a part of and yet there he was, in the front lines being the drive that pulls his people forward. 

He’s….so young, but Izuku understood somehow. Oddly, he dares even say he is familiar with the feeling….how exactly is a blur in his mind, muddled by his loss of memory. 

Here, Venti looks….guilty, the most crestfallen he’s ever seen of the bard. It appears that he still blames himself for being so careless, even after so many years, the pain is still the same. His fingers fiddle with the teal tips of his braids.

"When I ascended to godhood, I took this form….not identical but similar enough to him that we could've…..look like family together. I don't want to ever forget him." The last part muttered out in a whisper, "I'm scared of forgetting him."

"He has dark hair too, wears them in these twin braids….his eyes….are like yours with the prettiest hue of emerald. He loves cecilias and always wears them on his cloak... he's my little dreamer….. I love him like my own …" Venti chokes out the last few bits, Izuku has to wave away any concerned eyes casted their way.

"And I see him in you sometimes….it's not fair but…...you are so much like him and I miss him so bad . And I…..wished….I wished I could've done more for him—" the bard cuts himself off, not wanting to be a mess. 

He wipes the few stray tears away, "I'm sorry…..I overstepped…"

Izuku remains quiet, not really sure how he's supposed to react to such a declaration. He does feel a little….. stung that the reason Venti cared so much about him was because he reminded the archon of someone he lost.

(Like a stand-in for him to project on, the second best thing since the real deal is gone.)

But the boy can't bring himself to feel mad or anything for it. He did urge Venti to spill everything and is truly glad for the bard’s honesty. To lose someone dear in such a permanent way will always be hard to cope with.

If he’s still mourning even after hundreds of years, Venti must’ve really missed that friend— Frankly, it's starting to sound a lot less like a friend and more of like a child he adopted without realizing it —and Izuku just so happens to be extremely similar looking to that boy.

"May I know his name?" He finally breaks the pause of silence.

Venti smiles, soft, "Cecilio, his name is Cecilio."

Izuku takes a deep breath, "Mr. Venti....I am not….Cecilio, I know you know that. Though I understand, I don't blame you for how you felt….. still…..I’m…I’m really not him. But if it eases you to see me as him then—" but the bard frantically cuts him off.

His azure eyes wide with shock and maybe a little horror, "Oh no, never, it's never like that! Izuku I don't mean that way!" he quickly exclaims, guilt clawing at him for even letting Izuku consider such a thought.

The younger male puzzly tilts his head, "Huh? You didn't treat me the way you do because…?" Venti shakes his head vigorously, he almost pales at what sort of misunderstanding this could’ve transpired to.

"Celestia forbid no! Never! It was never like that...I …. accepted I'll never have him back, Cecilio passed, I learned to live with it ...." he clarifies, it's hard, it's painful but he had plenty of time to deal and come to terms with the boy’s passing.

The freckled face in front of him grows even more confused, it's worrying really to think that’s the conclusion he draws from the situation, even more how Izuku is so readily going to accept it. 

As if his own feelings wouldn’t matter if disregarded, one doesn’t simply think that way…they were taught. 

Venti really doesn't like that image.

The boy’s lips are quivering, he’s always been a bit of a crier when overwhelmed though it's been dampened a little now, "Then….why did you….?" his voice whispers out the question, as if the person himself is scared to hear the answer.

“Why did you care?”  

And for the sheer bizarreness of this, it makes Venti so utterly angry. 

Seriously, who the hell should he drop off the very top of the skyfrost nail in Dragonspine? Because why in celestia is this child questioning why he’s being cared about? 

How did a child learn to even feel the need to ask that?

But he pummels those flickering embers of angering flames inside, he doesn't want to suddenly spook Izuku with his rage. 

Instead, Venti warmly smiles, itching to ruffle the mess of green on the other’s head, "How I….felt ....towards him, to want to care and be there for him…. I…. can't help but feel the same way towards you.” he admits with an embarrassed blush. 

“And I wish to not hold anything back this time lest I hold the same regret over my shoulders for the rest of my—Izuku? Izuku?!"

The archon is in immediate panic because Izuku is crying, not his usual brand of tears that anyone can conclude that’s just him being him but he could hear the denial and utter sheer disbelief in his voice as he sobbed.

It's so painful to hear, just like that day he first heard him. As if you could clearly hear the bleeding hurt of his heart as he cries.

The young boy clutching the hem of his cloak, another hand rubbing his gradually growing swollen red eyes, "Y-you're lying…..you...you don't mean it. It's…. it's only because I…. I reminded you of him. You don't actually mean it—" with his emotions running rampant, Izuku couldn’t filter the words that slipped from his lips.

Words that shatter the archon’s heart with each syllable, “No one really actually cares, it's just I’m….I’m a responsibility…and obligation…..I…why….there’s no reason….and…”He pause when a gentle breeze surrounds him, Venti’s hands reaching to cup his face, the other’s thumb wiping away the stray droplets of tears.

"Izuku, listen to me and hear me well little starlight." 

There’s something different about his voice, it's unnaturally calm and serene, gentle as the wind that caresses him. Those beautiful azure eyes beams with rings of anemo teal, glinting ever so lightly as it looks at Izuku with such an adoring gaze full of warmth.

"I care about you because it's you. I told you about Cecilio in hopes you understand just how exactly I feel towards you. This love I extended towards him…..may I cherish you the same way?"

Izuku couldn’t breathe, there’s no way this was anything but genuine. But such words, such proclamations, to have a literal archon, a deity to love him as such? What has he ever done to deserve it? 

He doesn’t respond, unsure what to say, far too overwhelmed to comprehend anything.

Venti frowns, his hand brushing away strands of green from Izuku’s forehead, "Why….do you assume you are not deserving of love and care?"

Now isn’t that a billion mora question, at the back of his head there’s a small nagging of ‘worthlessworthlessworthlessworthless’ and it’s getting loud as if it's telling him to answer the bard with the word.

‘Worthless worthless worthless useless Deku —’

(Deku? Who’s Deku? For some reason, the name left a bitter taste in his mouth.)

Izuku chokes, "B-because I'm not ." he manages to utter out.

Venti's eyes harden, pupils glinting with fury. "Why? Who told you such deceits?" he asks, his once gentle voice demands with added anger, simmering as if contained just enough to not explode.

Izuku shakes his head, shoulders hunched, "I….I…. don't know, I don't remember." He tells the bard, he hears a sigh and shuffling of movements. ‘I don’t want to remember’ he doesn’t say but it appears Venti hears it anyway. 

The warm presence returns, this time right next to him, the soft gentle touch of blowing breeze grazes his cheeks to console him, cooing at him that it’ll be alright, that he’ll be alright. Izuku all but goes slack against the other male, letting the other embrace him in a half hug.

And it feels so safe and warm.   

"Lucky them, hardly any place in Teyvat could they hide from me." The god huffs, his slender hands find their way once again on the top of Izuku's head, ruffling the boy's messy strands.

Back in his teasing mode, Izuku goes red, "Venti!" He yelps, unsure what else could he even say after all of that. It's way too early to be emotional, with that he's back to shoving his food into his mouth.

Venti chuckles, his carefree nature of a bard returns, "You finally dropped the Mr. too." He teases while poking the younger male's stuffed cheeks.

"Veeennnntiiiii!!!"

"Too cute."

"Argh stop!!" Izuku whines, whines holy shit what sort of switch did Venti flipped in the boy he doesn't know and he doesn't care but oh boy does he like this more openly affectionate Izuku. 

Izuku is too adorable.

"Alright alright, we best finish up already. Can't have my little starlight starving now can I?"

The anemo archon gets another groan from his newly acquired ward? Kid? Son? Heh, who cares? and is almost pushed off his chair. 

“Alright alright, but in all seriousness though, eat up cause I’m gonna be teaching you a few tricks hehe.”

The rest of the day is interesting to say the least, he’s excluded from his usual chores and instead spends his free morning with Venti as the archon guides him through using his new anemo powers. The other knights would drop by when they see him, greeting to say they’re glad he’s okay. 

Albedo, who showed up in the city even though he’s supposed to be on Dragonspine, especially went from concerned to sparkly eyes filled with curiosity like someone handed him something new and shiny to research about.

He stuck around the most to observe and insert opinions or suggestions on what Izuku can try and is oblivious to Rosaria's untrusting gaze that follows his every movement.  

As if anyone can pry the alchemist’s attention away from something that piqued his interest. 

Izuku is alone in the afternoon, all the morning rush excitement tired him out so he’s hermiting away from everyone for a bit, buried deep in the books and if it's more of Mondstatd’s history and tales of creatures and monsters that roams the open land then its his business. 

Eventually, after having dinner at the tavern because Venti dragged him there, he returned to his room only to rush the other way. He has one last errand to run for the day after all, a promise to fulfill and Izuku is grateful that reminiscing about how Albedo is around a lot today . 

"Hey Klee, were you waiting too long?” He knocks on the door and slowly enters when the girl’s voice greets him. They didn’t cross paths the entire day since Razor had taken her out to blow off steam somewhere where she can actually do that and not cause too much destruction.

A pair of red ruby eyes lights up excitedly from the top of the bed, “Izu!” the blonde girl jumps to tackle him, Izu sprints forward to catch her and laughs as they both hug. 

He actually did miss her, Klee is….special, to say the least.

They sit together on Klee’s bed, the little knight already in her nightgown and her blonde hair loose, draping over her collarbone. She looks happy, and young and Izuku really doesn’t know why it makes his heart ache sometimes when he looks at her like this.

Like there’s….something she reminded him of, but Klee feels like the best version of it that he wished he had gotten since the start. 

Izuku reaches for the comb on one of the drawers, thinking he might need to busy his hands for the conversation they're about to have, “So, um, let's talk about what you said yesterday….” he has to address it, “Klee, I know you mean well but my safety isn’t something you should worry about. Everyone gets hurt every now and then, so don’t think too much of it.”

Klee pouts, “But Klee worries about everyone Klee loves, brother Albedo, Master Jean, Kaeya…. that means you too, this is because Klee cares about all of you.” she reasons, maybe even frustrated that Izuku seems to not understand her.

“I know little knight, but if it upsets you so much each time we get hurt, it makes us sad seeing you get upset because of us.” the boy tells him, softly stroking through her blonde strands with each word.

The statement rendered the girl speechless, or more accurately confused. Klee frowns, “Oh, Izu you….you are mis..understanding Klee…” she mutters in a low tone.

“Hmm? Why is that?” he prompts, it wouldn’t be the first time he misunderstood her actions and words but Izuku always makes sure to encourage her to explain so he could understand her better. 

Klee has a unique way of perceiving things, likely due to her half-elf blood or the fact she’s pretty much a child soldier in some sense and thus her world of growing up has always been vastly different from other children.

It's not ideal for a child to be raised as such but at the same time, the normal life would not have suited the girl with such a fiery passion. 

She let a small pause of silence simmer between them, seemingly gathering her words from the little mumbling sound under her breath that Izuku could faintly hear. 

“Klee isn’t upset because you got hurt, Klee knows……as fighters…..we….get hurt a lot more than others…..” she starts to explain, her voice calm but certain nonetheless. “But you…you don’t act like them , And Klee doesn’t like how Izu tries to pretend everything is okay when it's not and definitely hates it when Izu would not care about himself when he gets hurt.”

Izuku’s hand comes to halt, his grip on the comb tightens, “P-Pardon? Can you…..explain that to me?” he almost chokes out.

“The other adults only hide their hurt from Klee, but Izu hides his hurt from everyone….brother Albedo rarely gets hurt, Master Jean works too much but she always lets Miss Lisa take care of her, Amber and Kaeya get hurt a lot but they only pretend to be okay around Klee, they never…..um…take getting hurt… lightly? But you do, and sometimes it's the kind we can see but sometimes it's the kind of hurt we can’t see…”

The girl narrates her thoughts calmly but she’s completely unaware of the inner turmoil she’s giving the older boy. Sometimes, she’s a bit too accurate that it scares him how easily she is able to see through anything. 

The girl pouts harder, “Don’t do that, its….its not good.” she ends it there, and Izuku can’t rebut or twist this conversation anywhere else because it's true.

Those responses he made to those situations are just as she worded, avoiding help and feeling bad for asking, pretending to be fine even when not….. and although he can’t say he understands why he acted the way he does, it’s simply instinct at this point.

Sometimes not remembering his past really frustrates him.

Izuku inhales sharply, reconsidering how and what he should say to all of that. “O-Oh…I see…I…well, I guess that’s a bad habit of mine….hard to get rid of it….” he tries to say, and he must look really conflicted because Klee doesn’t jump to reply as she usually does.

The girl turns to look at him with a strange thoughtful look in her eyes, standing on her knees, she throws her arms around him as if to provide comfort, “But you will try? Klee…… I….don’t want you to ever….ever feel like you can’t….rely on…us.” she softly whispers to him.

Izuku exhales a shaky breath and returns the hug, hugging the girl he’s come to see as his own little sister close to him, “I will, I’ll try my best, my little knight.” He tells her, earnest to try, for her.

For all these people who showed that maybe, just maybe they really do care about him beyond him being a temporary obligation. He could learn to accept that….to trust them more than he’ll ever be brave enough to.

The heartfelt moment ends when Izuku pokes her side to tickle her, Klee becoming a giggling mess on his lap, “Okay, how about this? I’m gonna make it up to you….by secretly bringing you to go…. fish blasting this weekend? I’ll even keep it a secret from Jean!” he offers, even whipersing the last part for secrecy effect.

Klee’s smile, although in the dimmed room, is blinding, “You’re the best Izu!” She cheers and whatever nonsensical childish remark for tickling her is forgotten and she’s back to pouncing onto him with too much excitement for someone at her bedtime.

Though, her ears perked suddenly as her face morphs to a puzzled look, "Klee saw you and Venti talking this morning, both of you looked like you cried. Did something happen?" she asks, concerned but curious all the same.

Since Izuku is okay now then she supposed it's nothing too bad, the older male shakes his head as he is suddenly laughing nervously at her. Izuku rubs the back of his nape, his green orbs avoiding her gaze.

"No no, nothing bad, it's just….I think…..I-I think…” he stammers, his face getting red as he speaks. And Klee has to admit, this is getting interesting, “You know how you would feel about your mom? I think…I feel the same about Venti."

Oh wait scratch that, this is not what she thought it was. 

The girl crosses her arms, crimson orbs narrowing at the green haired boy, "Oh? So Venti is Izu's dad now? Isn't he still young to be a….a parent!" she almost exclaimed a little too loud, Izuku however is confused by her….sudden dislike towards the admittance.

Or is it more of the idea that Venti could be Izuku’s…..he doesn’t want to entertain that thought process. Her reaction is unexpected still, does she have a grudge with Venti or something? 

Izuku shakes his head, trying to filter out his embarrassment from actually saying that out loud and focusing more on his confusion as to why his little red knight isn’t fond of such a thing happening, "I…. don't know, he didn't outright say anything…..and he's actually a lot older than he looks you know."

Klee actually glares at the statement as if it offended her entire family and dodoco in the same breath, "Well he shouldn't have adopted Izu…."

‘Eh….EH?!’  

He wants to correct her and say that Venti technically didn't, he’s not even sure the exact position he stands with the bard but Izuku, too utterly sputtered to say anything because ouch, why would she—

"...... because my mommy is supposed to adopt Izu like brother Albedo! And then Izu would be my brother too so Mr Bard can't adopt Izu…because…. because Klee adopted you as her brother first!"

And his heart practically burst with fondness for this precious sweet amazing little girl.

"Klee... that's…." He tries to say but he can't keep his giggles in, even with a hand over his mouth attempting to muffle them. 

Klee's outrage gasp and hiss makes it all the more adorable and funnier. "Stop laughing, this is serious!" She plops herself down on her bed sitting criss-crossed, her clear disapproval evident on her small face.

"You're too cute little knight."

A little knight demanding the Anemo Archon to not adopt the boy she claims to be her brother, wild. 

"Klee is very serious, that brother stealing bard can't adopt you! Klee won't let him!" Klee proclaims as if it's the last thing she'll do but it only makes Izuku wheeze harder, hacking on his own breath from laughing too much.

"Oh archons."

Diluc sighs, his displeasure however does not even faze the two drunkards in front of him who are chugging away despite it only being a little after midday, “It’s too early for any of you to be drinking…” the man grumbles, questioning his own self on why he had even indulged them.

It would still be a few hours till more patrons arrive, right now the tavern is mostly vacant save for the few vision holders, the anemo archon and Charles cleaning and setting the tables upstairs. Rosaria and Kaeya were there because it's actually both of their day off and they always spent it together drinking. 

Albedo is there because Kaeya insisted he could use some time out of the lab while he’s still in the city, the Chief Alchemist is due to head back to Dragonspine in a fortnight after his sudden rushed return upon hearing about Izuku. Aether would’ve joined them had he still been in Mondstadt but the male and his companion had returned to Liyue two days ago to continue their journey.

In the far corner and away from the group of adults are Fischl, Bennett and Razor, all three dozing away with their heads on the table napping.

They had a rough run-in with the abyss creatures in a recent expedition, abyssal pests are starting to show up more often, especially around the large hillichurl camps in Daudapa Gorge or Stormberror mountain. The guild misjudged the threat and while they are capable adventurers— being the one and only all-allogene team and all —they were still shaken by it. 

So Diluc had allowed the trio to nap in his tavern from time to time during the quiet hours because as Razor said to him once, “Tavern is Master Diluc place, feels safe.” 

And no he did not get soft.

Venti had come because he claimed he needed a drink after the strenuous lessons with Izuku for the day, to drink and sing praises that is, he’s around the boy more often than not these days. Keeping him company, reminding him to eat, and Diluc swears he hears him nag at Izuku once about trying reckless tricks with his Anemo powers without him to supervise.

Diluc never thought he’ll see the day his archon ends up being a fucking parent of all things yet here they are.

Please , he’s seen weirder shit anyway. 

The bard has taken to giving the boy lessons on how to wield his newly acquired anemo abilities, very delighted with how fast Izuku picks up the skills that he is already expertly imbuing anemo into his weapon, conjuring up wind currents strong enough to haul and hover himself mid air, all in a little over three weeks since he got his powers. 

Which is already a lot more affinity and control than your average anemo allogene. 

They had been working on casting spells that particular late morning after Izuku was done with his daily chores, Venti thought of getting him a catalyst to maybe help train his proficiency with mana even further, channelling energy may be simpler for him but to wrap them into particular spells are a little more complex even if Izuku has basic understanding over runes.

And after hours of using his powers, he’s getting a little exhausted even if Izuku is there to subconsciously be his battery. Venti, a glass in but not even tipsy giggles, “Oh Master Diluc, don’t be a spoilsport!” He nudges the redhead.

Kaeya is sitting a stool away from the archon, a smirk on his lips as he sips on his Death After Noon while probably thinking up another tease to annoy the tavern owner but even Diluc could see the obvious signs of his discomfort around the archon.

It's a lot easier to act normal when he’s unaware if Venti knew or not of his true identity, but after knowing the archon realized who he is, he’s been a little skittish around the bard. It gets awkward at times, especially when Venti often tails Izuku around if he isn’t loitering about Mondstadt playing random songs.

There was one time when he had drop by while Kaeya is training Izuku, the eyepatch man has never felt so seen with those azure orbs following his every move as if the god would swoop in and obliterate him if he so much as to scratch Izuku.  

The boy had questioned why he had been more on edge for that particular training and didn’t look too convinced when Kaeya blamed it on his nerves. But Venti never drops in during training again so unless it's pure luck and coincidence, Izuku must’ve said something.

It got the bard off his back for a bit so Kaeya doesn’t comment on it.

“Should an underage teen like him really drink that much?” Albedo questions, eyes narrowing at Venti’s third glass, “His tolerance is inhumane don't worry.” Rosaria quips. 

The bard clad in green pouts, places down the cup and crosses his arms. “I’ll have you know that I’m—”

Venti stills, his relaxed face suddenly alert and the pink hues on his cheeks disappears as if a bucket of cold water was dumped over his head. The bard’s complexion seems to pale as he whips his head around, worry colouring his features and the random winds start to blow in the tavern.

Diluc is immediately alarmed, “Venti?” His god is carefree as ever even in the face of a raging dragon under corruption, whatever that’s enough to put that terrified look on his face must be serious. 

The bard gets off his seat, nearly knocking it over, he keeps peering about as if trying to find something, “Izuku…where…” the name fumbles on his lips.

Now he has Rosaria and Kaeya concerned because if there’s something they learn about him ever since he’s been going out of the city more often is that Izuku attracts trouble like flies to honey.

Dilcu jumps over the counter, “Izuku? What?” The bard looks ready to bolt, but it must be the panic that’s got him so startled. 

“I can’t feel him, shit I can’t feel him.” He says, and Venti doesn’t like this, not at all.

He’s always been able to feel Izuku, no matter how faint if their distance is great, but Izuku’s presence is a constant, always there never lost. 

It's why he wasn’t as worried when the knights said Izuku was gone for too long the other day, Venti didn’t even know Izuku was allegedly missing until words spread that the traveller found him, he had felt Izuku’s presence the entire time and would’ve fetched him himself if Aether didn’t.

But now he can’t feel him, he can’t feel his little starlight.

Kaeya’s eyes steeled coldly, “What do you mean you can’t—”

But he doesn’t get another word in when the bard grabs him by the collar, Kaeya’s instincts tell him to kick the other away but this is an archon, and some deep rooted instinctual fear for the god resurface at the worst sort of moment because Kaeya freezes up. 

He can’t move, he doesn’t move because it's just like that night when Di —

Diluc on the other hand is stunned only for a second at Venti’s actions before his own hands are tugging Venti's shoulder to pull the god away from his ex brother. Especially when he saw the visible way Kaeya paled with badly concealed fear.

Anemo archon or not, he won’t….let Venti commit senseless violence that he’ll just regret later.

And Venti lets himself be pulled away, not really in a coherent state to think, only desperate with worry and because he couldn’t find Izuku, his winds can’t seem to find or hear him, where is he?! 

“Mhh….what? Did….something happen?” Bennett’s mumbled voice is heard, the teen rubbing his eyes groggily having woken up from his sleep.

“His energy signature is half the size of the city and it just vanished off my radar, something is wrong and I can’t sense him , we need to find him quick.” The god cries out, it's rare he ever gets so distressed and that itself is a blinking red sign that says something is horribly wrong here. 

He wrenches himself out of Diluc’s hold and all but disperse into specs of anemo particles, Albedo who was about to say something has his mouth hang open in shock while Rosaria just keeps sipping her drink. 

Bennett is blinking his eyes, his two friends are still dead to the world and he himself wondered if he was still sleeping too. "Huh? Did...did he just?" 

“Dammit” Diluc curses, he's annoyed that Venti had simply left like that, grabbing his coat he’s about to leave but Kaeya grabs his arm.

“Wait, but isn’t he out with Klee right now?” he tells the other, the mention of his little sister snaps Albedo out of his stupor from seeing Venti vanish.

The alchemist's face pales greatly, his own worry grows as he does remember bidding the two to have a lovely time together before heading down to Angel’s Share, the two are apparently out to gather flowers and ingredients for Sucrose’s upcoming birthday.

Without a word, the male is hastily out of his seat but Rosaria yanks him back to stop him from leaving just yet.

“Guys….?” Bennett, now fully wide awake, is walking over towards them. Razor stirred while Fischl is still deep in slumber, a really deep sleeper that one, the youngest of the three slowly blinks his eyes open to the commotion. 

"Benny?" He mumbles, rubbing his eyes and immediately sensing the worry in the air. "What happened?"

“Hold it, we can’t just run around blind and waste time, where exactly were those two heading?” Rosaria inquires, but the blonde man is too worried to care, gone is the composed chief alchemist and here is a worried brother who would move mountains for his little siblings.

Yes, Izuku included of course, he deeply cares about the boy. 

Albedo knows Klee is perfectly capable of keeping herself safe, it’s usually everything else that’s in danger with her antics and Izuku did gain anemo powers which Albedo had observed him to be very proficient with it, but it never stops him from worrying regardless. 

Pulling his hands back, the usually calm Alchemist berates, “Archons, we need to—”

“Help!! Help!!”

All eyes are immediately on the door that slammed open, a little red figure stumbling in and nearly trips in her steps. "Brother Albedo!!" Klee's cheeks are wet with tears, her eyes red from crying and she instinctively darts for Albedo.

“Klee?!” he envelopes her in his arms, relief instantly washing over him. But it doesn't last long when the girl begins yanking his coat roughly, her crimson eyes fearful.

“It's Izu!! At Daudapa Gorge!! You have to go now!! Go help him!!” she exclaims, even looking around the room with her hands flailing about to show her desperation.

Albedo carefully grabs her shoulders, kneeling to her eye level, “Wait, wait what happened Klee? Calm down and tell us first.” he asks her, seeing his usual carefree sister so frantic is a worry.

The girl shakes her head, glaring now at the adults who are not understanding how dire the situation is, "No time! No time! Get to Daudapa Gorge now!" She cries out, her balled fists shaking.

Kaeya hums, he turns to the two awakened teens who are watching with concern, or in Razor's case, ready to bolt for the location himself, "Can you two go and report this to Jean? Tell her to head over to Daudapa's waypoint as soon as she can, we'll head over right now."

Something is giving him a dreadful feeling in his gut, and he'll like to keep the barely adults out of the situation as much as possible. The two boys seem displeased at not being able to go along to help their friend, but they didn't protest and did as they're told.

"What attacked you two?" Rosaria asks, Klee shudders, her voice cracking as she answers, “Abyss mages! And….and this huge thing! We got chased! Please…. Klee….I didn’t want to run but Izu told me to and…..”

Diluc, who was almost out of the door because he's tired of loitering about and not doing anything, freezes, a cold feeling of dread washes over his body at the little girl's words. 

He has an idea of what it is but surely, they can't possibly run into those things when he spent months trying to track them down but held no results?

“Huge thing? A mitachurl again? A lawachurl?” Kaeya pries, they'll need information to be prepared and they need it quickly. 

The girl shakes her head, “No! They’re scarier and big and gloomy! Like the abyss mages! But…. but scarier!” she says, Albedo frowns as he could not make sense of what it is and neither does Rosaria.

“Holy fucking seven, what the fuck.” Diluc curses, earning a glare from Albedo for it but he doesn't care then. 

Not when Izuku is in deep shit , no wonder Venti couldn't sense him. What the fuck did those abyss fuckers do?!

“Diluc?!”

He ignores the confused faces and rushes out, mind focusing on grasping the nearest waypoint to teleport over. Even the leylines connecting the waypoints feel off. 

Kaeya somehow catches up to him at the bridge in front of the city, “Diluc!!” he calls out, grabbing him just a second before he could teleport away, he sees Rosaria in the distance as well.

"We don't have fucking time, we need to find him and Venti now."  

Because it's the abyss, and for all that Venti is an Archon, he can be vulnerable to the abyss like how Dvalin was once poisoned, Venti is weaker now too as he already informed them of the loss of his gnosis.

And Diluc doesn't want to even entertain the thought of what could happen to Izuku. 

Shoving Kaeya away in his own panic and worry, Diluc yanks himself through the leylines and teleports over, all the while cursing this situation in his mind and out loud.

“How the fuck did they ran into an abyss herald?!?”

Chapter Text

Izuku is starting to think he and Bennett might be more similar than they ever thought, because one moment he’s smiling contently while listening to Klee ramble about her stories while holding onto their basket of collected materials, the next, he picks her up and is diving into a nearby large bush.

What started out as an innocent outing for materials ended up being….this.

“Shhh….” he whispers, taking off her hat and stuffing it into her bag before removing the brown cloak he’s wearing to wrap around her red dress. They both held their breaths when they saw it crossing their sight. 

Izuku felt the dark ominous presence just seconds before it actually appeared, the thing does not look human at all. It's tall in dark gloomy colors wrapped in armor from a material he couldn’t recall ever seeing. It has no face, just a head with a single blue gem in the center that although dull with no life, Izuku could feel it tracking around looking for something.

Round large fluffy looking creatures in white, blue and red following it, floating in a bubble of what looks like a mana shield but holds no resemblance to the type of elemental mana that he is accustomed to. These guys are bad news, he recalls being told about their kind and shudders.

Creatures of the Abyss order, an order that seeks the destruction of all life in Teyvat.

Carefully moving to make as little noise as possible, he backs away as much as he can while holding a hand over Klee’s mouth to keep her from making sudden sounds, the girl is stiff in his hold. 

Ruby eyes blinking with fear at such a scary being, if it weren’t for Izuku, she would’ve yelped loud enough to give them away. While she could’ve handled the abyss mages on her own, she has never encountered the other thing, and it really stirs a bad feeling in her gut, she wouldn’t be able to fight it.

Once it moved far enough to be out of earshot, Izuku let go of his hand, “What….what is that? It's so…..” but she was immediately cut off by Izuku putting a finger on his lips, urgency in his green orbs.

“Shh..” he looks uneasy, fearful even and Klee being there with him is putting him more on edge than usual. He needs to get her to safety, “I don’t know and we’re not staying to find out.”

He carefully flicks his finger, calling upon a light blow of anemo to ruffle the nature's flora somewhere away from them in an attempt to create a distraction, Izuku then turns to the young knight, his eyes steeled with determination. 

He fastens the rather big cloak that practically covers her body, “I’m gonna distract them and you run, or can you still teleport?” 

At his suggestion, Klee is quick to protest. “What?! No! Klee…I can’t just leave you to….to fight that thing!” she doesn't like anything about that big scary looking monster from the abyss, and to leave Izuku here with it?

She doesn’t want to, she really doesn’t want to and maybe, Klee tries to contemplate, maybe they can try to fight it together? But Izuku firmly placed both of his hands on her shoulders, beckoning the girl to look at him.

His freckled face concerned but still smiling at her, “No Klee listen, I’m not going to fight it…” he pauses, take a peek at their distracted company and exhales, “They’re definitely dangerous and we absolutely can’t beat them but if we both run we’ll get caught.”

Klee’s lips tremble, small sobs just barely suppressed, “But you….you promised…..” She reminds him. 

Izuku nods, patting her head encouragingly, “That’s right I did, I promised to rely on you guys, and right now I’m relying on you to get back to Mond and get help, can you do that for me little knight?” at this, the girl contemplates.

They can’t both escape without risking leading those creatures back with them to the city or worse capture one of them to use against the other, and Izuku’s plan might be the best one they could work with. 

Doesn’t mean she likes the idea of leaving Izuku here, but it appears she has no choice. “What if I'm too late?” the girl mutters, her hands clutching tightly onto Izuku’s clothes tightly. 

Izuku bends down, softly bobbing their nose together, a warm smile on his face to assure her, “They have to catch me first and I’m pretty sneaky you know?” he says, hand ushering her to get ready to bolt.

Klee huffs, “Be careful…” she mumble begrudgingly just as the abyss creatures are heading over to their hiding spot. Izuku grimaces, “Go, there’s no time, quickly! Get the knights!” he yells in his whisper, pushing her to move.

The girl wrapped in his brown cloak stumbles out and sprints away, one of the abyss mages catches sight of her and tries to teleport after but is stopped when a gust of anemo collides with its barrier. 

“Over here you dipshits!”

Izuku steps out with his polearm brandished, circular patterns of spells already conjuring on palms, the two abyss mages are quick to throw attacks at him, babbling incoherent words in some obscure language he doesn’t recognize while the bigger creature remains silent and still. 

It's unnerving how unbothered it is but for now, as long as it doesn’t pay attention to Klee or the direction she headed, that’s all that matters.

The three mages surround him easily but Izuku is slick, he pushes himself off the ground and takes into the sky, surprising them as they weren’t expecting that. Izuku launches himself into the treetops nearby, jumping from one to another while occasionally throwing bursts of anemo to keep their attention on him.

The bigger creature followed after them calmly, not a sound or a word, it’s horribly eerie. “After him!!” the mages screech and blab, their voice chilling and ghostly. 

Anemo is hardly any good against those barriers they put up but it's not like he needs to actually fight them, just evade until help comes. He’s doing rather well keeping them on his trail and driving them deeper into Daudapa Gorge and nearing Cape Oath where it's more wild than civilization. 

All is well until he notices one crucial detail, he doesn’t see the big guy behind him anymore. 

In his brief second of panic to dart around and locate it, something flashes before him and strikes him down. 

Izuku grunts as his body hits the ground hard, pain immediately soaring up his back but he squashes down the feeling to drag himself up to his feet. “As expected of a herald….now he can’t run….” the cyro mage exclaims and cackles, the three are around him again but this time they wave their mana together and cast a purplish spell.

The dark purplish magic that fills the air feels so wrong, even being near it makes his skin itch and his breathing becomes choppy. The mages casted a sort of spell that engulfs the area and everything in it is touched by their abyssal mana.

Trying to endure the weight of the dark magic, Izuku stands firm with his weapon out offensively. The mages are standing around the edges of their pentagram spell— likely to keep it up but why? —Which leaves the so-called herald to deal with Izuku.

Whatever would they want with him anyway since it's becoming a lot obvious they were in fact, objectively after him.

The herald stares him down, a soulless orb of an eye searing into his hesitant orbs, “Creature of hope, ambitions and dreams……you will come with us, our princess invites you…” Izuku’s breath hitches, his grip on the silver weapon in his hand tightens just a little more.

He just needs to get it together and not get caught until help arrives….if they do—No, he trusts them, he has to.

“Princess? Oh she’s about to be disappointed. You see…I’m like…very gay.”

He snarks, and thrust his weapon forward, planning to make a dash escape once it dodges him but to Izuku’s horror and surprise, the thing sidesteps grabs his polearm instead.

Izuku isn’t sure what shocked him more, his rather floppy form or the fact the thing actually caught him when even Kaeya wouldn’t be able to. Is he not going as fast as he thinks he is? It shouldn’t have been able to do that.

The boy lets go of his weapons, stumbling back and willing it to crumble in the hands of the herald into sparkling dust and reforming in grasp, well that didn’t go as well as planned. He does a quick scan of his surroundings and tries to think of a different gameplan.

Beads of sweat drip from his forehead, is it just him or is the world getting a little doozy? Hsi field of vision is almost…. wavering? 

A sick twisty feeling forms in his stomach, the spell he’s stepping on, its poison . 

The big abyss creature remains eerily calm as ever, “You’re mistaken, this isn’t a request, you will come.” The cackling of those mages following after is starting to make his ears feel like they’re bleeding.

Pain, the first jolt of pain hits his head like thunder crashing down, Izuku’s fingers, now trailing with purple clawing up his veins, trembles as his weapons slowly slips off his grip. 

It's seething like burns but much much worse.

There's something, it's a blur to him, purplish but very evidently there as it forms around his wrists. His weapon dissolves into particles of mana and he finds himself slamming down on his knees with his head on the ground, teeth clenching hard to endure the pain.

But archons be damned if he’s just going to give up like that. The herald tries to bind him with ropes that it got from seven knows where, but Izuku even as his head is screaming with agony trashes around if the huge creature so much as tries to touch him.

He promised , he promised Klee and Izuku sure as hell will keep that promise. 

“Stand down, foolish being.” the herald hisses, finally sounding a little annoyed but Izuku is too delirious to notice, “Let me go!” He kicks and struggles, even when a hard shove is kicked into his side which makes him scream yet he still puts up a fight.

Somehow in his field of vision, with his hands now bound behind him and tears streaming down his cheeks, everything and everywhere hurts with that stinging sensation of being burn burn explosions —

The sun is bright, there’s flashes of orange, blonde hair, sounds of cackling explosions and smell of burnt hair and skin. 

Ruby red eyes

“You creepy shit!” 

Sneering at him. 

Someone, multiple, holding him down.

It hurts it hurts it HURTS!!! STOP IT!! STOP IT KA —  

“Kacchan stop!!!” 

Izuku yells out mindlessly, gasping each breath as the pain is everything and nothing. He can’t see, he can’t hear, all he can do and feel now is that sick burning feeling of explosions and……and…..betrayal?

Venti teleports himself to the last location where he has sensed Izuku, just a shy away from the larger hillichurl camps near the sword lake in Daudapa Gorge. And he immediately knows what’s going on, the presence of abyssal magic is quite dense as if something very potent of it was just there.

The Abyss …….

Oh hell no, not on his fucking watch.

The god takes off into the winds, traveling into the currents and looking around high and low for his missing starlight, he would soon come to a sight that made him for once in his too long of a life, see blazing crimson red . 

Izuku is being hoisted by his shirt, hands and feet tied and the boy is weakly jostling around with his eyes screwed shut, his pained voice letting out an agony scream every few seconds.

Venti is familiar with anger, felt it towards himself countless of times for his shortcomings as the nation’s archon but this? This is nothing like it. 

For the first time, Barbatos is furious.  

(So this, is what they called the feeling of bloodlust?)  

Venti descends with a plunge in his divine form, white wings and gold lining shining in contrast to the look that demands payback on his face. Madly, he releases a burst of anemo thus dispersing away the abyssal pentagram that’s hurting Izuku and throwing the mages off.  

The archon summons his golden bow, Skyward Harp and yanks the blessings imbued strings and puts multiple dashing arrows through the herald’s shoulder, the creature only staggering back with Izuku firmly in its hold but clearly more alert with the god’s interferences.

The mages are quick to attack him but Venti easily counters their flimsy attempts with a couple flick of his hands, “The a-anemo archon?! But how!? Your gnosis is gone!!” casting gales of whirlwinds that absorb each and every attack thrown at him. 

The harsh winds all but shreds away the abyss mages barriers leaving them to scream in agony as their bodies are torn apart bit by bit, not fast nor slow, Venti is feeling rather…..pissed as one would say so his usual dose of mercy in the form of instant death isn’t around to grace them.

Seeing this, the herald tries to flee but Venti wills the winds around them to form a barrier, preventing it from escaping his clutches, honestly if Izuku isn't in his arms by the next minute, he might just go berserk.

Rows of arrows after arrows art after the herald that’s trying to escape him, “You dare hurt one of my mine abyssal pests?” He roars, stepping forward and slashing the creature on his armor, his bow makes a nice melee weapon too with its sharp golden edges.

Azure eyes glaring with ferocity at the herald who still remains as it is even as it clutches the bleeding wound from the archon’s arrow. “Barbatos…” it grumbles, summoning its own weapon out to meet Venti’s vicious attacks.

It did not anticipate this, they were under the impression the target is under the care of the knights so at best, they’re expecting the so-called darknight hero, not fucking Barbatos himself to be the one who would be the first to show up and intercept their retrieval errand.

Izuku’s writhing form slowly loses its fight in its hold, and it only spikes the worry and desperation in the god even more. Wanting to end this, Barbatos pulls his bow strings and gathers all the anemo mana energy he could muster for one final move.

“Begone abyssal vermin!” 

He releases a blast of anemo that shatters the barrier around them, his arrow flies and creates a fairly big blackhole that would crumble the herald to pieces if it doesn’t escape its pull in time.

His winds would not hurt Izuku but the way the herald tosses Izuku’s body away from the growing threat makes him wonder for a second that whatever they had wanted with him, they wanted him alive and not too harmed, and that puts a sick feeling of dread in his stomach.

What would the abyss order want with him?

The blackhole of anemo he conjured would not last too long and for what it's worth, he really did lose his gnosis and can only do so much without Izuku’s own powers boosting him. The bard’s divine form melts away to his usual bard attire, he makes a quick dash for his starlight while the herald struggles to fight against the pull of the blackhole. 

“Izuku!” he gasps, dropping to his knees and pulling the boy into his embrace to examine him, "Izuku! What happened??! I—What happened? What….” he props IZuku against his chest, holding him close while his fingers search for a pulse.

The god cringes at the abyss corruption that marks black in his veins that’s pretty much all over his legs and arms, “….that’s……abyss corruption….” Even some trailing down his collarbone, all starting from the rings of runes in black are around his wrist and neck.

"V-Venti!" The boy cries out, relief mixed in with his pained tone. He curls in further, trying to make himself smaller in the archon’s hold. The greenette cries, sobbing and Venti is stunned, too petrified to react accordingly. 

“It hurts……Venti it hurts ….” Izuku wails, balled fists trembling and his eyes squeezed shut.

The god snaps himself out of it, his own hands trembling as he holds the child in his arms. Venti tries to cast a healing spell only to just barely manage to put up a wind barrier around them in time when the herald tries to strike them. 

It escaped his black hole, shit, and he’s almost out of energy. Fuck.

“This ends now” The herald calls out, its weapon hosisted and ready to strike again, cold gaze emotionless. 

This time, it’ll surely shatter his barrier and there’ll be nothing Venti could do because he’s not strong enough, he’s weak, he’s too weak just like back then—

“BURN!!”

A large bird of flames flies over his head, sending the herald back. The familiar sight of long red hair and black attire wielding a flaming red and black claymore of Wolf Gravestone has Venti exhaling out the panic that accumulated, the man is moving much like he was moments ago.

Angry and out for blood.

“Cool it!”

“I swear by my sword!”

“Burst forth!” 

He hears more voices joining the fray but it no longer concerns him. What concerns him now is the child still in pain in his embrace, “It hurts….make it stop….p-please….” 

Venti clenches his teeth, frustrated as no matter how hard he tries to do it, his winds could not undo whatever spell those rune marks are. Just like back then with Dvalin, he couldn’t do anything.

“I…I can’t heal it….I… My winds! Please find the traveler! We need him!” he cries out, hoping that his message would reach the four winds fast. 

His energy too is almost spent and the archon is sagging limply with the boy feeling mad at himself and so terrified that nothing he tries to do is working. Cradling the boy, he opens his white wings, blowing a gentle breeze to somehow alleviate the pain.

“Shhh, it's alright, I’m so sorry Izuku……” he coos softly, doing his best to comfort the boy although every effort is more or less useless right now because Venti isn’t even sure Izuku is fully conscious. 

Two figures, allogenes from what he could sense are heading this way. The bard exhales with relief when he sees its only the acting grandmaster and the alchemist. Kaeya and Diluc must’ve continued to pursue the herald. 

“Venti! Is that—Izuku!?!? What is that…” she kneels next to the two, worriedly looking over Izuku’s trembling frame as the boy is holding a death grip on her archon. Her stomach twisted sickly at the sight of the black traveling in his veins.

Albedo carefully bends down as well, he’s a bit surprised at the sight of the wings, although he figured out who Venti is, it's still astonishing when actual proof is right in front of his eyes. But whatever curiosity for them vanishes when he sees the state their resident greenie is in.

His gloved fingers gently touch the ring of runes on Izuku’s wrist, “These marks…..” he recognizes the patterns as some resemble the ones his old master used to conjure up magic despite not being able to decipher it, the blonde man frowns at this revelation. 

A magic discipline closely related to Khemia that Rhinedottir refused to pass its knowledge down to him, how did a few abyss creatures are able to use it? It did not sit right with him.

“Its abyss corruption poison…. I…. I can’t….I can’t heal him!“ Venti cries out, Jean feels stumped. It then hits her that this is her god and he’s helpless, if Barbatos can’t do anything surely what use is she?

But a Gunnhildr never gives up without trying. 

“Let me try.” She pulls out her sword and casts her dandelion breeze around them. The mild injuries she sustained from the battle with the herald fades effectively and so does Albedo’s but neither Izuku or Venti show any signs of recovering.

“No…it….won’t heal….” she laments, and Albedo stands up resolutely, “The traveler has purifying abilities, no? But how do we contact Aether….” he wonders, since Aether is likely the only person that could help Izuku.

Izuku gasps, the pain he’s in appears to be getting worse with each second they’re dwelling for not being able to do anything, “—ti? P-Papa? H-help…. please….. hurts …. pa… it hurts...” the boy nearly rips the green cloth he’s tightly gripping.

Tears dripping as he sobs through the agony, the three fall silent to his words, did he really just call Venti..? 

The archon inhales sharply, heartbreaking and melting at the same time, “U-uh? I….I’m sorry Izuku, I’m so sorry little one… I…just hang on…” as weak as he’s feeling right now, he doesn’t dare let go of the boy.

So many emotions rushing through him like his whirlwinds, he doubts he heard that correctly but Izuku is barely in the right state of mind, perhaps he was hallucinating through the pain he’s in. 

The bard softly kisses the boy’s forehead fondly, it would not cure him but it's all he could muster with what energy he’s left now to soothe him.

“It’s alright, I’m here, just a little more. It's okay…”

Dear celestia, he's going to actually go mad if help doesn’t arrive soon because Venti can hardly take hearing his starlight cry so heartbreakingly anymore. 

“Venti? You asked for me? What’s happening because Dvalin plucked me off Mt Hulau and flew straight here so suddenly without a word? Warn a guy next time please.” 

The sight of the blonde traveler has everyone exclaiming with relief, “Paimon! Aether! Quickly!” Jean calls them over, beckoning at Venti’s winged form that’s curling around him. 

The archon immediately tucked away the pair of white feathers, to make way for Aether. 

Aether’s eyes widened with alarm, “Eh?! Izuku?!” Paimon springs out of her pocket dimension at the scene, the fairy and her companion rushing over now once it's clear the situation is somewhat dire.

The male kneels next to the god, “Aether, please, it's the abyss, they—” he takes Izuku’s hands and closes his eyes to focus. Sparks of white start to glow underneath his palms, for a few minutes they watch in awe and relief at how the dark runes light up and fades away.

While Aether works his purifying ability, the other two men come marching back from their hunt, and from the annoyed scowl on Diluc's face and the frustration on Kaaya, the herald got away.

They each rally around to watch and wait, the effect is immediate as well, Izuku’s labored breathing finally starts to slowly ease, breathy pained wailing coming to a stop, his face visibly relaxed slightly but still frowning. 

His sickly pale face flush with colors again although the boy appears to be unconscious still, “P-please…I…I’m not…..t-traitor….” he mutters, eyes still shut, not waking up.

His muttering is soft enough only for the bard to hear it, 'W-what..? Traitor?' sudden embers of flames burning at the thought of anyone thinking a kind pure soul like Izuku is capable of betrayal.

Aether breathes out heavily and shakes his head, that took a lot out of him then the tears from last time, “There, it’s okay he’s probably just delirious and fell asleep from exhaustion.” he informs them, "Jean should cast another breeze to heal whatever remaining injuries he has though just to be safe." 

And so she did, the boy going completely slack with a much peaceful face once the rush of healing Anemo energy envelopes  him, “Thank you Aether…all of you...” Venti breathes out, finally able to carve a smile on his lips while still hugging the boy in his arms.

“Alright, he should be fine now.” Jean tells them, "We should get going, it's getting late and we're going to start losing sunlight soon" 

Despite his reluctance, Venti separated himself from the boy, allowing the cavalry captain to scoop him up and carry him bridal style with ease due to his small frame. The archon takes Aether's hand that held out to help him up to his feet, staggering lightly from how asleep his legs are but managed.

They are all in silent agreement that using teleport waypoints isn't an option with Izuku so vulnerable, traveling on foot it is.

“He called you papa. That’s a first.” 

Albedo, introverted I-care-not-for-social-interactions Albedo Kreideprinz decided to break the heavy silence with his comment by conveniently deciding to bring up that particular bit as they trek together as a group towards the city, if Venti thought he had been the one to hallucinate it, he knows better now.

Aether promptly chokes on air and almost trips over said air, the bard in question who's been using the blonde traveler as a walking stick too nearly tripped in cue with how red his face got from the reminder although it's still hard to believe that wasn't his own fever dream.

Kaeya's face breaks into a grin that means teasing while Jean is chuckling to herself, Diluc remains done as ever but the little tug at the corner of his lips is visible if one looks close enough. Albedo is being far too smug right now for someone who just flustered who is supposed to be the nation's archon, smirking with his arms crossed. 

"He called you what?!" Aether all but screeched, like he read a good plot of a story and now landed on a sudden plot twist. A neutral shock reaction which is no surprise, Venti isn't a parent type of person after all.

It just so happens that there are special cases, and one of those special cases is Izuku.

Paimon is mirroring Kaeya's stupid grining face, giggles already bubbling from her little lips, “Tone deaf bard~ You didn’t tell us Izuku is your son~”she singsongs her teasings and really enjoys the way Venti for once look lost for words.

The bard, flustered but very much entertaining the idea of becoming Izuku's parent, shrugs offhandedly although the smitten smile on his lips says otherwise, he knows Izuku is.... okay with his doting and affections but to officially declare him as…... his little starlight? 

He would, but stuff like these goes both ways. Until he's got true explicit confirmation from the boy, he can't exactly stamp a claim on him just yet.

Yet being the keyword here.

“Technically, every child of Mondstadt is one of mine, no?” He offers a spin on the topic of conversation, there's the visible way both Kaeya and Albedo go frigid but only for a second that nearly has him sighing.

Yes, he really should remember he has these two strays that he's taken to be as much as his own which reminds him, Venti ought to set it straight with Albedo that the man should, Celestia forbid, never leave Mond for his own sake and don't even think of going to Inazuma lest he wants to get struck by godly lightning and reduced to dust upon taking one step into Ei's domain.

All Mondstadters, by blood or not, are his children, they're the children of the land of freedom, his people. But they're not his children , not in the sense and way Izuku and maybe even Cecilio was.

Morax calls it favoritism that can't be helped with, Venti calls him an idiot and declares clear-cut labels suck and he could care less about that.

“Ehhhh so everyone here but Paimon and Aether are your kids!?” the fairy exclaims with high pitched yelp, Venti throws her a grin and a thumbs up.

“In some context…..yeah. We archons tend to refer to our ruling as parenting jokingly, though, it's everyone here , including you two, considered yourselves adopted!”

They certainly aren't the first, and would hardly be the last.

Aether blinks owlishly at the archon who is more or less limping after him, “I….okay?” he thought of Venti, a being so much younger than he is adopting him, the braided hair male snorts in amusement.

“Everyone huh……” Kaeya mumbles to himself, looking down at the sleeping boy in his arms, he wonders if the archon truly meant what he said. 

Albedo wanted to say a piece about how he doesn't need to be adopted twice, once is enough— although it felt more like Rhinedottir handing him out to Alice as a peace offering between the two for them more than anything —but is interrupted by Diluc groaning out his own commentary.

“Never be a parent, Venti.”

The bard only laughs, it's a nice refreshing feeling after the rush of stress from just now, and Diluc is being unconditionally funny for a change.

“No offense, but for once I have to agree with Master Diluc here.” Kaeya butts in with his own remark, a confused Albedo frowning from his left, “He kind of already is though?”

Venti likes how they can tease and banter openly with him despite knowing his divinity status as Mondstadt's archon, “None taken! I definitely am not fit to do this archon thing but eh, better me than another Decarabian.” he muses, the group humming in agreement in sync to his words. 

“He got us there.” Jean points out with a laugh herself, for a second they can all forget about what transpired mere hours ago.

That is until Venti actually trips and nearly yanks Aether down to the ground with him, “Venti!” the male calls out worriedly, supporting the exhausted god who is barely able to keep walking or even stand on his two feet. 

Venti sighs, losing his gnosis is really starting to be an actual problem. “Ah…I may have….over exerted myself…” he tells them, he did not get injured too badly when he clashed with the herald but those injuries are still present since Jean’s dandelion breeze couldn’t heal it.

The bard had sort of expected this, it’s only a matter of time when the adrenaline rush from the panic simmered down and his exhaustion from exercising his powers too much would catch up to him. 

The acting grandmaster makes her way to his side like the ever loyal representative of the four winds that she is, “Will you be alright? Do we need to get you anything?” though her concerns and words ring more like the voice of a friend rather than a follower of faith.

Sometimes, he really feels as though he doesn’t deserve such kind people as his devotees.

“Uh…it's fine, we’ll be passing by Windrise anyway so I’ll just stop there to recover…..” Venti assures the group, a little exhaustion is nothing compared to what he saw and dealt with in the archon war.

Diluc runs a hand through his red locks, pulling the front bangs back before tugging his ponytail forward to drape above his chest, “Tsk, I know you’re worried but pull an idiotic move like that again……” he glares a warning at the archon before getting down on his knees in front of Venti.

“Huh?” The bard stares in dumbstruck silence with his mouth hanging agape. He is not alone in this.

“Get on.” Diluc beckons, hasty though even his ears are growing into shades of crimson that is much like his hair. 

“E-eh..?!”  Venti chokes on nothing because how should he even react to this, this is Diluc for celestia’s sake.

Aether is on the ground rolling with his hands over his mouth, wheezing so hard that out of context, he looks like he’s having a seizure. Paimon is gaping and staring down at Diluc as if he just said something nice about the Knights of Favonius.  

Kaeya, although feeling a bit bittersweet at the clear display of care— that is his brother —simply squashes the envy he feels inside and forces a chuckle, “Oh what’s this? Master Diluc? Giving a little bard a piggyback ride?”

When he gets a piercing glare in return, he pretends it doesn’t hurt or at least, not more than it usually does anyway. For some reason, this time hurts just a tad bit more. 

“Shut up. You, get on.” 

Seeing how he's clearly volunteering, Venti finally snaps out of his stunned state of shock and happily hops onto the wine tycoon’s back with a gleeful giggle. The bard doesn’t dally to wrap his arms around the male’s neck, snuggling into Diluc's nape. 

The man only lowers his gaze, sighing because how did life lead him to this moment again?

Jean watches the entire interaction and is desperately trying not to lose it like Aether is, it's so rare to see her comrades act so carefree and purely themselves in their shenanigans, it's a sight that she thinks she likes to see more of. 

“Aether breathe.” Albedo reminds the wheezing traveler, and then turns to the redhead with a stoic gaze. “You should clasp your hand under his thighs so he doesn’t—”

“I know how to piggyback you damn Alchemist.” Diluc barks at him, offended that the man even implied that as if he's going to accidentally drop the archon. 

Albedo's face breaks into a grin, “Oh I apologize, I assumed this is your first time, I see it isn’t.”

Aether gasps between his guffaw, “Albedo—” tears springing around the edge of his eyes.  

Maybe it's the stress catching up to him from the drama in Liyue between the Fatui, Liyue Qixing and the adepti in between helping with the geo archon funeral or that the usually straightforward alchemist joking is just that funny but his stomach is aching from all the laughing he's doing and he's going to actually die from lack of air if this keeps up. 

It doesn't help that Paimon is adding her own ridiculous comments, “So he does have a sense of humor!” the fairy remarks with her arms on her hips, then turns to Aether with a sigh. "Get a grip Aether! It's not that funny….."

The male nods, trying to stifle whatever remains of laughter that might shake him and Aether is doing so well, that is, until Jean opens her mouth.

“I think everyone does when it comes to teasing Master Diluc.” the woman adds offhandedly, smiling an innocent grin as she does.

Back to the floor Aether suppose, “Jean?! You too?!” Paimon screeches while it's Venti's turn to struggle to not laugh if he doesn't want to be dropped.

Kaeya shakes his head, smiling at the hilarity of all of this, Albedo by his side with his own soft smile and faint chuckle, he can't say he disagrees with the acting grandmaster.

Diluc, bless his outstanding patience, simply glares.

“Menaces, all of you. Venti, I can feel you braiding my hair, stop it.”

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Extra:

“He called me papa.”

“Yes he did.”

“He called me papa nessa, holy fates no one has ever called me papa.”

“And for good reason.”

“Is this how Morax feels?”

“Andy, don't rain on his parade.”

“Stop calling me that you child.”

“You’re just old boreas”

“Yes we know Andrius is as old as that blockhead Morax, but you two know what we don’t know? IS HE REALLY MY KID AS IN MY KID NOW?! I wouldn’t mind, I’d like that actually.”

“Why in celestia did I agree to let you take the archon position…”

Chapter Text

“Ugh….” the boy groans whilst blinking his eyes open, the brightness that blooms in his vision feels stinging somehow. He could tell he was unconscious for a while from that alone. 

Izuku hears the rustling of sheets, a familiar warm hand holding his “Izuku…?” the voice calls out faintly.

“Venti?” and true enough it's the bard that’s by his bedside, eyes lighting up with alert at his wake.

He’s suddenly enveloped in a hug, slender arms pulling him close against a chest as fingers comb through his messy green strands, “Thank seven you’re awake….….you gave us quite the scare little one....” it might just be his senses being on edge but the anemo energy in the room sparked with each word.

“What happe—Oh….” he remembers the events instantaneously, the abyss creatures and blurry bits and pieces of what happened while he was deluded in his pain. 

The boy shudders, hands reaching to grip onto Venti’s clothes with alert, “It’s alright, you’re safe now, you're in Mondstadt.” the archon assures, softly calling his breezes to help soothe him.

The boy leans against the bard, eyes pressed shut as he shoves away the distasteful memories, “How long was I out?” Izuku finally asks, lifting his head to look at the other 

“Two days……... You’re a penchant for danger aren’t you Izuku?” Venti comments lightheartedly, but the boy lowers his gaze.

“Sorry….What….what was that? Is Klee alright!?”

Izuku almost leaps out of the bed if it weren't for the archon holding him in place if only just barely, the boy is strong. But Venti has to admit, it's rather sweet that he immediately thought of her safety, the two are so close-knitted and cared deeply for one another.

Klee has been in and out in the time Izuku is recovering, leaving a couple Whirlwind Asters and Cecilias by Izuku's bedside table when she does. She had felt bad for running away and needed constant reminders that she did the right thing. 

“The little red knight is fine. She's been coming in to visit you from time to time." He assures him, beckoning at the flowers “What happened was…..the Abyss order, I’m sure Miss Lisa or Master Diluc told you about them?”

It's certainly a growing concern, he can't have too many of them run unchecked all over his land. Venti already has his winds reaching out to scout the terrains for any remnants of the abyss— goodness he's actually pulling his weight for once, his Four Winds would be bamboozled —and he's sure to go deal with them himself.

Don't get him wrong, he likes his simple principles of letting the humans deal with their human problems themselves  but  the abyss hurt his child,  his starlight.

Eradicating every single last one of those pests in his domain is sure to send a message to their little princess he's heard about. Besides, the situation is teetering dangerously on the fine line between something these mortals could handle themselves and something that needed his interference.

A few mages slipping past his radar is no trouble since the Adventure Guild often puts out commissions to clear them away once they're scouted and usually, allogene adventures would have little trouble with them, even allogene knights are sent out to do these commissions if needed. 

A herald, however, is an entirely different story, and it's even worrying that they're targeting Izuku.

Venti shakes his head, almost groaning at the mess he's going to have to fix no matter how much he dreads the work that's going to be. 

Izuku nods, he's heard of the abyss but they're not exactly the most popular topic and there's barely any information on them anyway, “Briefly…..I recognized the mages but not the bigger one.” he says, shuddering upon remembering the cold gaze of the creature.

“A herald, think of them as high-ranking fighters in their ranks……. enough about that for now, how are you feeling?” he asks, checking Izuku for any sign of discomfort or leftover side effects from the corruption.

The boy chuckles softly, “I’m okay, really.” he assures the other, even flicking his wrist to call a small burst of Anemo. The particles of energy swirl and swivel in his palms freely as they always did.

Venti smiles, “I’m so glad you’re okay. Please be more careful next time.” Then he makes that face, the one that implies he’s awaiting what? A punishment?

The kind of face he makes when a thing or two goes wrong in their training, and for some reason, Izuku’s first reaction to those is always like he’s expecting to be yelled at.

Whatever it is, Venti really doesn’t like it.

“Call to me in the wind, I’ll always hear you if you need me,” he tells the other gently, which has Izuku widening his eyes in surprise, deep green orbs blinking in disbelief. 

“You….you’re not going to tell me not to leave the city unsupervised?” he blurts out, the sentence itself is enough to make Venti cringe with a grimace.

“Goodness no! Why would I?” he retorts back with a pout.

Izuku pauses for a few seconds, staring at Venti like he’s grown a second head before a metaphorical light bulb goes off above his head, “Oh right, god of freedom, that wouldn’t be like you.” he comments, chuckling awkwardly for his weird reaction.

The lack of reprimanding, he'll never get used to it. Izuku is sure the bard would be furious with him for being reckless, he's ending up in this room way too many times and Izuku really doesn't want them to think he's doing it on purpose.

Venti however looks at him with concerned eyes, “Well yes, but also, no? Izuku you didn’t go looking for trouble, this was an accident.” he frowns before mumbling something to himself, “An oversight on my part…”

at Izuku's continued confusion, the male sighs and begins to explain, “You got Klee to safety, you didn’t engage until you had no choice. I would know, the creatures there told me everything. I have no doubt if it were just the mages, you and Klee would've fared just fine but it's a plain misfortune that there was also a herald…."

The bard's hands clasp around Izuku's, gently tracing circles on the palm with his fingers, "Why would I or anyone restrict you, much less punish you, for something happening beyond your control?”

Izuku chokes, barely suppressed tears threatening to drip. “To….to keep me safe?” his lips wobble, hearing all that, it feels so odd but relieving. 

(Because how many times was he blamed over something he has no control over that he would just accept the accusations and punishments as they come.)  

Venti quirks an eyebrow at the point, while it made sense since it's true he would be safer in the city but Venti is a firm believer of caging a bird is never going to teach it how to fly, even if the skies will strike it down at times, they must go forth and learn and the wind shall do it's best to guide them.

“True but we can't always protect you.....that is, unfortunately, the cruel reality of things…." He starts, Venti wonders if it is something Izuku is used to, being restricted of his freedom as punishment under the guise of  protection.  

"You will need to grow and how will you if we put such restrictions? Better to keep going out but with more countermeasures than to just sit like ducks and take no risks. You're going to face challenges, you will get injured sometimes but I'm here, I'll be by your side every step of the way starlight." 

Venti smiles warmly and braces himself for the reaction he predicted.

Izuku sobs harder, the teen throws himself at the bard— Did Venti made himself taller— clinging to him as he cries out the messy mesh on emotions from his words that manage to ease and comfort him ever so effortlessly, Venti always knew what to say to make everything feel better.

The male chuckles, cradling the child in his arms, he may or may not have tweaked his form slightly to appear taller and a tad bit older, he needed to carry out his special plan after all.

He pats the boy on his back, "Unless of course…. that's what you want? I'm sure I can have some arrangements made if that's the case." He offers, already panicking about reading the situation wrong but Izuku shakes his head, a soft giggle emitting from the teen.

"No it's just, I didn't think of it that way. Thank you Venti." He murmurs, still snuggling into the bard. 

Their alone time together doesn't last long, once Venti has Izuku finish his brunch, Barbara marches in with Jean and Amber in tow.

The older girl has a face that crosses between tired and concerned, “I was so worried! Thank Barbatos you're okay! How you always get yourself into trouble is beyond me.”

The deaconess clasps her hands together in a quick silent prayer, completely missing how Venti cringes to himself or how the other two knowing adults are giving Venti odd looks for the sullen face he wears.  

‘No thanks to me really, I didn’t do anything…’  The bard’s teal tips of his braids glint ever so lightly at the faith bestowed to him though he feels undeserving of it as always.

Once Barbara is satisfied with checking his health, which still has her fascinated at how speedy his recovery is even without healing magic, she gives one firm reminder to Izuku that he’s to rest for at least a day tomorrow before going back to his daily chores. 

The deaconess then fondly kisses his temple, her soft fingers ruffling the green mop on his head, “Do be careful, you heal fast but there are injuries that one day I may not have the capability to heal….. have a good rest Izuku.” she tells him softly.

For Barbara, Izuku is akin to a little brother of her own, one that she cherishes after the many times he helped her out with workloads that came from her position as Deaconess or her additional job as a frequent singer.

Teens or even children younger than her rarely ever dwell with her matters as Deaconess outside of her side profession as an idol singer.

For them, idol Barbara and Deaconess Barbara may as well be two different people, and the latter is almost just always….forgotten, sometimes the person she is who isn't a Mondstadt shining idol is very lonely.

But Izuku doesn’t see her as idol Barbara or Deaconess Barbara, like Jean and most of her closest family and friends, she is simply just Barbara to him. It's so easy to allow him into a more personal friendship circle that she has, and for that, it really distresses her whenever he gets hurt because she cares so much for him and he's so important to her.

Its hard to believe that this is the same boy who was too terrified and spooked to even look at her when he first arrived. 

It can’t be helped and he does get hurt far too often for her liking, but Barbara supposes Izuku is similar to Jean in that sense.

The thought of their similarity brings a soft amused giggle to her lips, “I’ll come to visit you later, I did owe you a crochet lesson after all.” the girl pats his head before leaving the room.

“She takes after you so much doesn’t she Master Jean?” Amber teases, nudging the older woman. Jean blushes, though there’s no way she would deny the fondness she feels in her heart seeing the two interact, reminding her of how she and Barbara used to treat each other when they were younger.

Izuku, who despite being on the receiving end of Barbara’s sisterly affections and tendencies on a daily basis, still beams bright red in the face. Her words are very comforting although he does feel bad for worrying her, for worrying everyone with the situation he’s in.

The boy lowers his head, “I apologize…” he mutters, which raises confusion in the room. The bard sighs, wondering how much effort would it need to scrape that guilt complex out of the boy because it's continuously getting ridiculous. 

(And so what if he’s being a hypocrite about it)

While the two women look at each other puzzly, sharing worried glances with each other. Izuku is frowning with guilt, both Amber and Jean really hate how they can start to piece from where that look stems from. 

“Whatever for little one?" Venti muses, Izuku haunches in on himself, staring at the open palms of his hands frustratedly, “I…..I troubled you and the knights didn’t I? I….even with these Anemo powers I still….”

(Even when given powers, he’s still so so useless, so freaking useless, what a Deku—)

And Venti takes this as a cue to cup the boy’s face, a determined gaze in his glinting azure eyes. He would not allow Izuku to discredit his worth.

"Izuku I've taught you how to use your powers for some time now,  I know  you are very capable, you were just unlucky to run into such a foe that even with combined forces of four allogenes couldn't bring it down…." he reminds him, very clearly how Mondstadt’s best allogene fighters went after the things and still fail to defeat it.

Hell, he too just barely managed to fend it off and he’s an archon.

He needs Izuku to understand that the fact he’s still alive and in one piece, here with them, is a miracle itself against such a foe. 

"Have a little faith in yourself, child," he tells him, almost like a plea. And his heart burst with relief at the glimmering way Izuku’s eyes regained life, "Thanks…." he utters back a quiet reply.

The two girls watch on fondly, Jean clears her throat and slightly bends down to the boy’s eye level, “Izuku…..you don’t have to apologize for accidents, and you certainly don’t have to apologize for getting hurt.” she tells him, Izuku’s own orbs blinks back at her.

“We promise to care for you didn’t we? If anything, we should apologize to you for allowing this to happen.” Amber chimes in, but the teen is quick to retort back a protest, “No no! That’s not true, it's not your fault I got hurt.” 

Amber pats his head, “And it's not  yours  either, Izuku.” she adds to which the boy blushes with a nod of his head. Venti chuckles, but a not-so-real smile is still on his lips. 

Jean nudges her archon on his shoulder subtly, a knowing look on her face. “Or  yours , I know that look Venti….” she reminds him, and of course, she recognizes such a face.

She wears it all the time as well.

Despite him supposedly being stuck to bedrest, Izuku still finds himself escaping the confines of his room early morning the next day.

He joined the morning Sunday prayers as usual at the statue and the boy is now strolling down towards the main plaza after breakfast with Klee, face colored with surprise to see familiar faces at Katheryne’s kiosk.  

He tried to assure the other maids and sisters of the church to let him work since he’s completely fine and well but they too insisted he rests for the day which leaves him here wandering and bored out of his mind so seeing Aether again puts a smile on his face. 

Aether beams when he sees the other boy, hands in the air waving at him, "Izuku, morning! Feeling better?" in his hands were probably the paperwork for his commissions that the guild usually gives out. 

“Hiya Izuku!!” Paimon greets him too. “You look to be in top shape for someone who appeared to be half-dead the other day!” Izuku sheepishly scratches his neck, he’s not aware he looked that bad.

"Morning Mr. Aether, Miss Paimon! Yes, I'm all okay." He stops by, both travelers cringing at his use of formality. His eyes begging as he pleads, "Izuku, please, what do I need to do for you to drop the formality?" the younger male only laughs, ignoring the question entirely.

Ah, Venti’s cheekiness is truly rubbing off him.

"What are you guys doing?" Izuku glances over at the list Aether has, the male exhales tiredly, looking over his tasks, "I was just about to leave to do my daily commissions, and then I have to stock up on supplies because we're making a quick detour to a ruin I wanna explore before….."

His words trail off, a not too pleased look on his face. If anything the traveler looks near dreaded, "..... actually heading back to….. ugh….  all of that. " even the ever so snarky companion of his didn’t say anything, only shaking her own head with dismay.

It makes him wonder what’s going on in that other nation to rouse that reaction out of the traveler.

"Uh?" Izuku wants to refrain from prying seeing how those two are clearly not happy about whatever that is but he’s extremely tempted to help out. Aether strains a smile, "Don't mind it, it's just things are….. weird in Liyue you could say."

Well that’s an understatement, didn’t their god drop dead from the sky a couple weeks ago? Izuku should really ask Venti what’s up with that.

Izuku would also point out about the eye twitching but chose the tactical choice to not, "I see, you sound busy... I'll leave you to it then." he tells the older male but Paimon suddenly asks, "Are you bored? You look bored!"

The pixie smirks amusedly when Izuku nods, "A little, I can’t find Venti, and Klee is having her morning lessons. I don't have chores today either…. I think I'll just head over to the library now." he can probably finish that last book about old spells and rituals he hasn’t finished yet.

"You wanna tag along?" Aether offers, which catches Izuku off by surprise. He can tell Izuku doesn’t really feel up to staying indoors but after what happened with the herald, the boy probably doesn’t trust himself to go out on his own.

"Aren't you a member of the guild too Izuku?" Paimon continues after, but Izuku shakes his head. "Err….no I'm not but….can I? Come along?" he asks, he had followed on a couple short trips to gather certain materials but never to do actual commissions.

And if he knows anything about the kind of commissions Aether does is that it usually involves fighting off the wild monsters or dangerous beings. It's an awe to hear stories of the traveler sometimes from the mouths of Mond people, the honorary knight that helped Dvalin.

Aether throws a thumbs up, "Sure, I have to warn you though. Some of my commissions can be dangerous so if you think it's too much, just flee until I'm done." Izuku enthusiastically nods his head, "I can do that!"

It’ll be a great experience for him to get better at fighting, and Aether is nothing but reliable if Diluc has anything to say about him, and it's a rigorous task to get that man’s approval of anything.

"But….” The male grins, hands on his hips, “... you have to call me Aether!"

Of course, Izuku should’ve seen that one coming. "And me Paimon!" the pixie chimes along, Izuku laughs, "Okay, Aether and Paimon! Just….don't let Barbara find out or she’ll put off my chores for a week."

Aether has four commissions as per the standard the guild puts up, one of them is simple delivery to Brooke but the others…..are quite the challenge.

Two hillichurl camps, one near Stormbearer Mountains and another down at Daudapa Gorge, and an emergency alert of a ruin guard being spotted in Stormterror’s Lair. Izuku has to take a few seconds to absorb the information when he’s told but Aether appears to barely bat an eye.

"Windblade!" 

Aether cries out, silver sword in hand as the gusts of anemo swirl with the pyro already on the grass, burning through the enemy smoothly “Rock!”. Izuku sticks close to his back, covering the male from enemies that are attacking from behind.

The loud vicious screaming of hillichurls still bothers him at times, “Back off!” swinging his polearm, whips of anemo slashes cuts and attack, the ground below marred with the creature’s blood and remains that soon begin to evaporate.

He ignores the slithering ugly feeling lapping at his throat and focuses himself on making sure the monsters don’t hurt Aether.

They work quite well together, Aether who now Izuku sees could wield two elements moves efficiently to cut down his enemies with his geo and anemo abilities. Izuku would rally the group together with a few simple spells and imbue the swirls of anemo with pyro from nearby fires, Aether would then finish off with blasts of geo crystals.

Izuku doesn’t think as his weapon punctures or tears through bodies, ignoring the bubbling sickness he feels inside to do what he can to support the other traveler. It's still so sickening to do this, but he could, he would in order to do what he has to do no matter how bad it makes his skin crawl.

But he’ll get used to it eventually….. right? Maybe after the 50th time, he takes yet another one of those things' life he wouldn’t feel the bile and threat of vomit crawling up his throat or the ugly sickness in his gut.

It helps that now he hesitates less in these fights, allowing himself to be a little more….. Forceful with his attacks. After the last of the hillichurls evaporates to nothing, the polearm in his hands feels a little heavier, he shows it not on his face though.

Aether exhales, throwing up his blade and letting it dissipate before it appears and hovers behind him. “That’s the last of them, that’s two camps down and we got one last commission to go. Are you still good?” The older male walks over to Izuku, an apple already in his hand to give the boy.

Izuku takes the quick snack gratefully, letting his own spear hover behind him and quickly taking a bite out of the fruit.

Paimon appears by their side, “What about Paimon! She deserves an apple too!” the fairy pouts.

“For what exactly” Aether teases, but gave her two apples nonetheless. The pixie happily gobbled it up while plopped down on Izuku’s lap.

They sit down near the lake nearby to rest up, Aether uses the water of the stream nearby to wash some of the minor wounds he got from the fighting before wrapping them with a bandage.

“We’ll stop by the cathedral or any of the healers later once we’re done” he had said to him as he checked Izuku for any serious injuries and only hum approvingly when there's none.

“After this, we’re going to take care of a ruin guard that was spotted at Stormbearer’s Mountains,” Aether tells them.

“A ruin guard?” Izuku questions with a squeak, he’s heard tales from Bennett who always seemed to run into those from his luck. “A killing machine, they’re not that hard to deal with once you get used to their same repetitive attack patterns,” Aether explains, but Izuku almost chokes on air by the first few words.

“A what?” he blurts out in a squeak, non one ever told him  that  detail, and Aether laugh amusedly at the bewildered look he’s receiving, “Don’t worry, they’re nothing really.”  

Paimon snorts, floating up from Izuku’s lap to be on eye level with her traveling partner, hands crossed with clear annoyance, “Easy for you to say! Those things are huge and scary!” to which Aether shrugs, “Paimon, a lot of things to you are huge and scary but are actually not.” 

Izuku gulps, staring between the two bickering travelers, “Um, they’re machines right? Non-living?” he asks, and when Aether gives him a nod, he slumps down with relief. The boy ignores the way the two kept on nickering back and forth and can’t help but smile to himself.

He could get used to this.

The ruin guard commission ran into some issues, but really with being such a danger magnet that he is, Izuku isn’t sure why he’s surprised. 

Seeing the huge machinery has Izuku balking, it towers over them largely with a single glowing eye and large tough chunks of weird solid material that he doesn’t recognize as body parts. They’re nothing he’s ever seen before, “They’re creations of a fallen nation here in Teyvat.” Aether had told him beforehand.

One thing is for sure, the huge mechanic is definitely run by some sort of odd mana, it’s faint but definitely present. 

And since he’s pretty worn from their previous battles anyway so Aether insisted Izuku stand back instead of actively fighting in the battle this time, but neither were expecting for the ruin guard to actually lock in on him mid-battle and Izuku had to pull out his catalyst to counter and defend himself from a distance.

He has no idea what Aether is implying before because this thing is so stubborn almost as if it refuses to go down at all no matter the attacks thrown at it. But it's more worrying at how recklessly Aether is charging at it head-on in close combat where it’s harder for him to dodge the incoming attacks.

“Careful with the missiles!” Izuku practically screams his lungs out, bursts of anemo shooting from his hands that shoves Aether back from the incoming attacks. The pages of the Favonious Codex flips frantically as he casts each anemo imbued spell.

“To the skies!” He pulls the mana of anemo energy around him, condensing it before launching it at the machine, the pure anemo attack bursts open like a flower and forms into a whirlwind that swirls around the robot, dealing continuous attacks of anemo.

The large robot sagged and twitched, nearing its end. Aether nods and jumps forward towards it, riding a current he floats up lightly and promptly calls on his geo abilities, “Crumble apart!” slamming down the machine with a plunge that shook waves into the ground below.

The ruin guard appears to fizzle out for a moment, before slowly coming to a halt and slamming down to the ground in a heap of machinery. Paimon who as always, sparkled away each time they engage in battles, poofs back into existence once they’re done.

“Aether!” She calls out, the twinkling sounds that accompany her are frantic as the fairy swirl hovers around Aether who is clutching the side of his head along with. Izuku rushes over at once, eyes widened with worry.

“Are you alright?! Are you injured?!” he asks, looking around the other traveler for any other visible injuries. Face colored with disbelief when Aether simply grins back at him, “I’m okay! I’m fine!” the male assured him, hiccups of laughter between his words.

The younger of the three shoves the male down to sit, he’s seen Aether gets banged by those hands quite several times and sent flying at least once, and would give him a piece of his mind about those lackluster dodging skills but not when he could see the elder is actually injured.

How he can be so nonchalant about it! His head is bleeding! And Izuku is contemplating if Aether has a concussion or not.

“That, was like, totally nothing. I’ve been through worse.” And isn't that reassuring? The blonde male only laughs harder at the clear annoyance if not disapproval on Izuku’s face, “That was reckless!”

“Yeah! What he said you big dummy! You aren’t that bad at dodging!” Paimon adds on, the fairy sounds confused because she had seen Aether fight ruin guards plenty of times before but it's almost like he is deliberately trying to get hit.    

Aether shrugs, “It was coming for you, I had to have it coming at me or Venti would have my head, you know how protective he gets over his little  starlight .” he remarks, a smirk forming on his lips at the way Izuku’s face goes red. 

“Oh shush, let me see that.” Izuku carefully examines the gashes, fingers gently hovering over the wound with a frown. “I’m okay Izuku, We can just teleport back now to the Cathedral,” Aether tells him. 

“Fine, just don’t do that next time. I’m not helpless Aether.” He chides the other slowly, Izuku flicks his wrist and swirls of anemo dance in his palms while his catalyst opens and floats by him. 

Smiling at the awe on both of his companions' faces, Izuku giggles, “I have a few tricks up my sleeve too you know?” 

Aether snorts at the remarks, amused as he brings himself to stand up to his feet, “You really are his kid.”

The trip back to Mondstadt is short, Aether and Izuku both teleport through the leylines to the waypoint downtown rather than the one at the Favonius Headquarters tower, something about Izuku not trusting Aether to glide in his state and how he’s fairly sure the elder has a concussion despite him claiming otherwise.

"You're pretty good with that polearm of yours." The blonde male comments as they make their way up to the cathedral, passing by the children running around playing and people going on in their own ways. 

There’s a charm to it, coming back to town after strenuous tasks all day. Even the breeze fluttering through the town street appears to greet them warmly, blowing through his green hair and ruffling it fondly as if to welcome him back.

Is this how it feels to be an adventurer that ventures beyond the green lands of this nation? To feel this euphoric warm welcome back, sure they hadn’t left Mondstadt’s territory per se but he did go further than he’s ever been today, crossing paths and forest he’s yet to reach on his own.

Seeing new streams that stretch out to horizons he’s seeing for the first time up close, the ruins of civilization left behind. It’s such a big wondrous world out there, and each time he takes a peek further, he yearns to see even more.

To see this world that feels so new and amazing, and maybe find somewhere he, an outlander, could belong to.

Izuku preens at the compliment for his battle prowess, "Thanks, I've been training hard." All those days of sparring with two cavalry captains and a sister of the clergy are showing some results at least. 

"You know, I know a polearm guy who uses Anemo too. Xiao, well, he's less of a guy and more of an Adeptus." Aether adds, chuckling to himself when the memory of their meeting comes to mind. “I should introduce you to him one day, but don’t let the grumpiness fool you, I know a softie when I see one.” 

How does one seek out a divine being? Lure them out with a sweet treat apparently.

Izuku’s head perks up at the mention of the divine being, "An Adeptus? I think I’ve read about them somewhere…." he racks his head for information, Mondstadt’s library is vast but even then still lacks much about the divinity of other lands. 

Aether nods, chuckling at the instant enthusiasm and curiosity Izuku’s showing, "They're divine beings or more accurately, illuminated beasts that live in Liyue, most of them serve as protectors of the nation as per their contract with the geo archon who is well, not around anymore so some of them are having like a mid-life crisis? Kinda?" the male shrugs. 

"But they mostly kept to themselves, not really a fan of humans," he adds, cringing at the way he’s been repeatedly yelled at by several different Adeptus even if he had the sigil of permission. 

Izuku’s eyes are sparkling with wonder, looking up to Aether like he holds all the answers to the secrets of the world, “You must’ve seen a lot of things in your adventures.” he comments, and sounds almost….envious? 

Aether nods, “I have…..” he mutters back, a reply, the words unintentionally brought up memories. The days he spent, fluttering in the skies freely with his sister, discovering something new with each world they traveled to, attending festivals, collecting knick-knacks as momentos. 

He must’ve made a sad face because Izuku’s face scrunched up with worry, “Oh did I say something wrong? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…” Aether shakes his head, hands ruffling the short teen’s green hair.

The sad longing smile still on his lips, “No no, just, it’s always been me and my sister….” and that’s all he needs to say for Izuku to understand. The boy nods in understanding, and ironically, mirrors that faraway look Aether is wearing on his own face.

“I really miss her” he mutters again, Izuku hums, hand reaching to grab Aether’s to give it a tight reassuring squeeze, “I really hope you find her one day.”

The pain within that he feels quickly fades, replaced by warmth, different from the one he’s used to that’s much associated with Lumine but it's warm and comforting all the same.

Aether inhales sharply, Izuku really is the only person who would understand him and he’s really glad they have each other now. 

"And I hope you find the home you're looking for too greenie."

Chapter Text

Without realizing it himself, Izuku now finds himself more often than not tagging along with Aether while the male still lingers in Monstadt. From commissions to exploring domains and looking for treasure and even spending the night out camping with him at times, Izuku quite enjoys the time he spends with the older blonde.

Sometimes they are accompanied by a friend or two, Klee being the most frequent member to join their party while Bennett’s own team would join every now and then. Sometimes even someone from the knights like Amber or Noelle, or the Church like Barbara or Rosaria would hop along with their daily dose of traversing Mond’s wide open terrain to provide assistance.

And on even rarer days, Diona or Diluc would be seen with them as well.

And with each adventure, he grows accustomed to the always up and moving life of a traveler, even his fighting skills with his weapon are improving greatly. Simple spells come naturally now that he doesn’t even need to pull out his catalyst to help cast them at times, Venti is thoroughly proud of him with his growth.

And with the sudden influx of new adventures, he would relay everything to Venti whenever they are together. 

Speaking of the bard, ever since Izuku found out he's been sleeping around on treetops in the Whispering Woods or on Venessa's tree at Windrise and didn't actually have a home of his own, Izuku insisted that Venti could use his own room at the Knight's barracks whenever he needs a bed to sleep in or just somewhere proper he could rest himself.

And of course, Venti had retorted he needed no such accommodations since he would shift into his small wisp form should he need to rest, which isn't as often as Izuku made it out to be. 

Let it be said it does not ease the boy's concern, so if the archon finds himself snuggled in a cocoon of blankets and pillows that was set in a basket placed by Izuku's window like a nest on days he wants to recuperate his energy…...well, he's not one to complain the newfound luxury.

(And more often than not, when the moon is high and the city is quiet at rest, he ends up not in the basket but cuddled in the embrace of that sweet sweet child he's come to adore.)

Venti is a good listener, and he always listens to every last word that slips from Izuku's mouth patiently without interrupting, even though he's aware how much Izuku could ramble about the most mundane things.

It's what made Izuku feel so at ease in his company, there's never a jabbing feeling of insecurity that he's rambling too much with Venti.

The best part would probably be how the braided hair male would listen to him with a warm fond smile and then remark a point or two that proves how he truly does hang on to Izuku's every word, and sometimes he would spontaneously sing quick verses of melodies of the adventures Izuku is telling him which are fun. 

However, Izuku does notice that Venti has been disappearing a lot recently and so has Dvalin, but the bard had made sure to still check in with Izuku every other day. This Izuku knows because Venti still bops Izuku's head in the mornings in his wisp form to wake him up whenever they're both staying the night at the barracks.

There’s been a decline in abyss mages sightings and stray monsters in general, and Izuku has a good guess why the archon had been so busy. As a result, the commissions they've done in these last few days are also relatively more tame than what they were tackling a couple weeks ago.

“That’s the last of them.” 

Aether calls out, another group of those hillichurls done and dealt with. Klee who had tagged along with them squealed with glee seeing the sealing enchantment around the treasure chest at the camp burst and fades away, the girl racing to open it with Paimon not far behind her.

Izuku chuckles amusedly, hands running through his mass of green hair that got even more messy during the fight. His hair has been growing in the months he’s been staying at Monstadt. The green shade of his locks stretching down his nape lightly, the ends hovering just above his shoulders. Even his front bangs have grown longer, clipped back as usual with different flower hair clips.

But Izuku has always sported a single flower in his hair, the white petals of cecilia really stand out in the green mess that is his hair, Venti always sticking on a new one each time the flower wilts away. 

But it seems the flower he wore got blown off during the fight, which is understandable, having Klee in their party always means things can get slightly more exhilarating. Izuku looks around for the flower, it's not that needs one but having it on all the time made him feel weird to not have one in his hair.

Plus it's Venti who’s always getting them, and maybe there’s plenty more wild ones he could pick but the ones he wears are always the ones Venti picked for him. 

Aether is quick to notice, he finds and picks up the petals of white, trampled and crumpled in his palms, he frowns as he holds it out to Izuku, "This got blown off….but it's ruined now…." he sheepishly says, but Izuku still takes the ruined flower into his hands with care.

The two head over to the two girls digging through the treasure, "Oh, it's fine." he assured the other, putting it away. 

Pa— Venti would stick a new one in his hair the moment he saw he’s not wearing one anyway, but Aether shakes his head, already fumbling as he appears to search for something in his pocket space inventory. 

Another dandy trick for people who could utilize mana, the art of creating a subspace realm that's stable and in depth enough to store items linked to one's mana energy. It holds the same concept as linking weapons to a person so they can summon and put them away at will, it's basically working like an endless backpack.  

Very convenient but requires a rather intricate focus and affinity with mana to execute. In fact, the only people Izuku is aware of who have these pocket space inventory are Aether, Venti, Lisa and since last week, himself as well. 

"No wait I'm sure I got—Ah, here you are, it's not a Cecilia but…." he whips out a flower stem, the petals white but smaller than Cecilias bundled in a few smaller buds. 

And Izuku could smell a sharp cool scent when he takes the flower out, he’s pretty sure he’s seen the particular flower somewhere in those books. Something about it being used as medicinal herbs to cool down high temperatures and ease rashes.

The boy fixes it into his hair, hands gently hovering over the soft fluttering texture of the petals, "What's….this flower called again? It's so beautiful and they smell nice." he comments, it's different for sure but not unwelcome. 

Paimon who must’ve heard him is quick to butt in, "They're called Qingxins! They grow on mountains in Liyue." Klee nods along with the pixie, “Yup! Klee’s been there too.” 

"Liyue….." the teen mumbles, head immediately facing the east where the Stone Gate, the border between Mondstadt and Liyue is. He hums, curious, “What's it like there?"

The thought of going beyond Mondstadt has honestly never crossed his mind, how could it when there's still so much he's yet to see in Mond? But wasn't he supposed to search for his home?

His .....old life that he still has little to no recollection of remains as it is, going out there….would he be able to find it?

But he might not even be from Teyvat, so going out with such an objective may be pointless, yet looking at that far off distance…..Izuku is curious what the rest of Teyvat looks like.

And now since that train of thought has set off, Izuku can't quite yank it back to it's station.

Aether laughs at the awed and curious look the younger male wears, "Why don't you go and find out for yourself? It's a sight worth seeing." He tells him, he could tell the boy wants to, he just needs a little push and encouragement.

Izuku grinned nervously and shrugs, "I….I don't know, Benny's team rarely ventures out of Mondstadt and I can't go on my own…" and it perplexes him as well, why is he so hesitant? What is he so afraid of?

Aether shakes his head, "Who said anything about being on your own? We're here with you." He assures the boy, earning two doe emerald orbs staring back at him with opened jaws.

Izuku beams, "Y-you mean…..I….I can join your team?" And it almost blinded the blonde traveler because Woah, too bright.

"It's always been me and Paimon and I can only take so much of her appetite rambling, I need an actual traveling companion. Besides, you’re pretty much already in the team or have these past weeks of adventuring together meant nothing to you?" Aether faked a dramatic gasp, "Oh greenie you wound me!"

Izuku whines, slapping Aether's shoulders playfully with a red embarrassed face, "Hey!" He retorts which has the group bursting into laughter.

"I'll have to ask the Knights and Venti first." 

Izuku finally says to him once dawn is approaching them and their little party had just arrived in Mondstadt's plaza from their day of hunting down chests. Klee, who is tired from the day's fun, is being carried piggyback by Izuku.

Aether wears a teasing smile at the mention of the Anemo Archon, "Hmm? The knights I understand, but Venti?" 

The Spark Knight who despite her exhaustion, had still been paying attention perks up as well, “Oh? That’s because Mr Bard wants to—” she doesn't get to finish the sentence when Izuku quickly cuts her off frantically.

"What she means is! He's…. he's teaching me how to use my powers! I can't just up and leave if he has plans." He reasons, which is not a lie, but it's still as if Aether can see right through the cover up.

Even Paimon is unimpressed with her arms crossed, “Really Izu? Really?” and she's usually the oblivious one. 

The green haired boy pouts, “Plus he’s, well….. He’s the one that’s constantly keeping an eye on me and stuff these days rather than the knights……not that I blame them!”

It's true, unlike in his first few weeks here, the knights no longer hover around him since they deem him familiar enough by the place now to get by on his own, which is true but it was nice to constantly have company rather than he's living on his own even if it's within the barracks.

If it weren't for Venti's constant presence and Aether being here to have him go out more, Izuku would've been very lonely.

"Uh huh, and the new living arrangements have nothing to do with this?" Aether teases, a very all knowing smile on his lips. Izuku's face goes red in seconds, "W-what? How did you—?!"

The male traveler snickers at the ridiculous bewildered face Izuku wears, "Oh you are way too easy to tease greenie" the young man remarks while ruffling the embarrassed boy's hair.

Klee must've felt left out because she doesn't understand nor know the context behind that bit of information, so the girl speaks up, “Brother Kaeya told Klee he’s always talking about you at the tavern!! And he’s always quarreling with Diona’s daddy about you two!”

Aether didn't think it is possible for anyone to look that red in the face and not be sick but here they are.

“W-what?” It's like one thing after another, he's hardly able to digest these feelings he has regarding the archon and now everyone seems to be out to get Izuku about Venti being his…..parental figure?

“Yeah, I’ve heard of that one. They always drunk argue or brag about who has the best kid. It's really wholesome to be honest.” Aether adds, chuckling fondly of the memory.

Draff and Venti, each almost going at each other's throat about how amazing their child is. If it weren't for Diluc restraining them, it probably would've ended up badly for Draff.

"I have to admit, watching him fawn over you like a parent is definitely new. He always seemed like the type to avoid being responsible if he can help it yet…." The blonde adds softly, it's sweet to observe such moments in another's bond because he himself has very little memories of his own parents or what they were like.

"Eh—EH?! NO NO!! It's not…I...no no no no." Izuku shakes his head, though from that smile he can't wipe off his face, Aether knows the boy is delighted more than anything to think of Venti as a parent.

Klee nods eagerly, “Yeah what Izu said! He can’t be Mr Bard’s kid because he’s going to be my mom’s!” she protests, still not backing down from her agenda to make Izuku her actual official brother.

Although, she's not too opposed to the idea now, because how can she when Izu always looks so happy and content whenever he speaks about Venti…..like how she would talk about her mom Alice.

Paimon laughs at her antics, “Haha, your mom better hurry or tone deaf bard will stake his claim soon!”

And it doesn't matter to them that Izuku is still red in the face from blushing so much, “Guys…stop!” his whines receiving smirks and giggles in response instead.

"Did he tell you that you called him papa that time?" Aether remarks suddenly, Izuku had been delirious and he's never heard him call Venti that ever since so it could mean he forgot about it.

Izuku all but turns into a human strawberry at this point, his mind racing as fast as his heartbeat because why was he not aware of this?!  

"I...I did what?! Oh gosh, did I?" 

He wants to dig a hole and bury himself alive and never show up around the archon ever again. That's so embarrassing?!? And how come Venti didn’t say a word?! 

"Yup! He was so flustered!" Paimon chimes on, like the she-devil that the pixie is, thriving in Izuku’s embarrassment looking far too entertained. 

Izuku moans, "Ahhh! Is that why he…..argh! How do I face him after this!?"and if it weren’t for his hands holding Klee on his back, he would have his face buried in them. 

The little girl twirls and crosses her arms, "Eh, what are you worried about? That tone deaf bard would've jumped with glee had the situation been a bit different! I think he likes having you as a son, don’t you see him as a dad? Or a Papa I guess?" she muses, Izuku may be embarrassed but surely he wants to see Venti that way?

Izuku blinks, looking away as he shrugs, “I…..well…..maybe?” his face is sheepish with uncertainty. Klee sighs, “Izu is doing the thing he does when he lies again, you're not very good at lying Izu.”

At the two other travler’s snickering at him, Izuku pouts back at the girl, "Well we can't be all Captain Kaeya trained in arts of deceits now can we?" he mumbles, making the group laugh harder.

They soon find themselves at the Statue of the Seven in Windrise, all decked out with blankets and plates of goodies for a picnic lunch. Klee excitedly handed out her special fish flavored toast to each of them, claiming to prepare them extra special today.

And it's all going well, everyone munching on their own food and enjoying the serene breeze as they eat, so how in the world did the chatter whip back to the topic of a bard and his might-be son Izuku has no idea.

The boy sighs, though he wears a longing look on his face, "It's just…..he told me I reminded him of someone….." remembering just how passionately Venti told him of that boy. 

It does come as a surprise when Aether perks up with a gawking face, as if remembering something important, "Oh….oh god no wonder he's attached!" the male exclaims with a laugh, like he finally has all the dots connected.

He remembers that day quite well, running around the plaza looking at children's imaginary friends and somehow getting roped into Stanley's little song and dance and then learning Venti's past…..it was a memorable day.

The bard too had worn such a fond look when he talked about the boy, there's no doubt he had loved the child very much. 

Klee tilts her head confusedly, "Uh?" even Paimon appears to not know what’s that supposed to mean if her frustrated twinkles mean anything. 

Aether simply nods his head approvingly which doesn’t explain anything at all, "Yeah he adopted you, consider yourself not only a child of Mondstadt but quite literally Barbatos's kid." he throws a quick wink at the statue.

The blonde male has a feeling the way a sudden gust of wind hitting him with a bunch of leaves isn’t pure coincidence. 

"Uh—eh, that's…..when you put it like that…." Izuku stammers, his cheeks red but still smiling all the same. "He…. he…. does…. feels….. a lot like what my dad? My parents? Would've been like. And he told me sees me the same way as he sees an old friend of his….."

The attachment he has towards the archon is one he didn't expect to happen yet he welcomes it with open arms. Venti isn't the kind of parent that one would think of, the way he shows his parental side is a lot more akin….to a cat.

Like when someone adopts a cat but the feline would acknowledge the relationship as them adopting the owner as their kitten instead. You don't expect them to be responsible for you, but you can always count on them to support, protect, love and care for you anyway.

“Let me guess, the little bard that led old Mond’s rebellion that he doesn’t realize he sees the boy as his kid and not just a friend?” Aether muses and Izuku nods, “You know about that? Yeah that one.”

Aether grins, a soft smile on his lips, “He loves you like a son you know? Trust me, it's like he's a different kind of guy now that you're in his life…… happier.”

It's not that he's a sad fellow before, but to Aether, he knows what a living shell of a person looks like. Venti may be content with his life and how things are even with his gnosis taken, but it'll be a lie to say he was genuinely truly happy.

To see that shell of a being, suddenly burst with life in a new flourished bloom from someone filling the void in their soul? To see him actually going out there, with more purpose than to just earn enough to drink himself drunk at the tavern?

Izuku is a blessing to the bard just as much as he is one to Izuku.

"I….love him too…" Izuku admits, his voice warm with fondness. "He's like…..a father I never had….."

Izuku and Aether wave Klee goodbye as they send her back to her room, Paimon has disappeared off to her pocket realm claiming she's exhausted. The two are now heading for Jean's office to see what they can do to get Izuku permission to join Aether's traveling party.

Knocking on the door, a soft "Come in," beckons them into the office of the headquarters. But both males are surprised when they see the acting grandmaster isn't alone, her guest standing up to his feet with a grin.

Paimon chooses this moment to pop into existence, "Oh? There you are, tone deaf bard! Jean too!" She exclaims, though ignored by Venti who goes straight for Izuku, ruffling the boy's hair adoringly.

He does raise a questioning eyebrow at the Qingxing that's tucked into Izuku's hair since the bard distinctly remembers it had been Cecilia when he left this morning.

"Hi Aether, Paimon, Izuku, were you looking for me?" Jean speaks up, the woman appears to be tired as always but she is beaming for some reason.

Aether shakes his head, "Not me, Izuku." He nudges the boy, motioning him to go forward. "Yeah... uh…. there's something I'd like to ask….. both of you actually." The boy replied nervously.

Venti hums, feeling a little bad for being busy recently, "Oh sorry I‘m not around much little one, but I had some errands to run for a few surprises hehe." He adds excitedly, winking at the boy.

"Surprises?" Izuku is immediately hooked, his previous intention forgotten as he looks expectantly at the archon with eyes that are practically glowing with curiosity.

Jean shakes her head but does nothing to interrupt the two, she finds their little father-son relationship quite wholesome. Aether and Paimon however were just as curious as the green headed boy, what could the god be up to this time?

"Yup! I had this little project of mine in progress….and here it is!" And from particles of shimmering mana forms a book laced in glowing teal and gold.

The catalyst hovers lightly above the archon's hands, feathers of white poking out from the sides that are akin to the details of Venti's own Skyward Harp bow. The relic looks regal and elegant as it beams with immense Anemo energy. 

"Behold, a copy of the Skyward Atlas!"

The room's occupants could only admire with awestruck eyes, and it only feeds more into the smugness the archon feels. He's spent a great deal of effort and time with Dvalin on it and Venti is glad that all of that research and forging the right materials is finally paying off.

He flips the book open, each page glowing lightly as it buzzes the air with Anemo mana, "I remember when I first made the original copy…...dunno where that one went but this one is as close as I managed to recreate it!"

The archon allows the relic to drop in his hands, facing Izuku, he holds it out for him. "And I think it will serve you well starlight." He remarks even when Izuku is owlishly blinking back at him with disbelief.

"Venti.. this is…. wow this is amazing! Thank you." He allows the catalyst to link to his natural mana before testing it out. The book morphing in and out of existence with a will of his command, the very regal looking book almost looks out of place with Izuku's simple getup but it feels just right.

Aether whistles, nodding approvingly before jokingly pouting at the archon in question, "Aw, just greenie? Don't I get anything?" He teases, the words hold no actual wish of meaning but he's soon greeted by a smug smile from the bard.

"On the contrary, that catalyst isn't the only relic I managed to unearth…" Venti sing songs, wrist flicking as he summons another weapon out.

This time a long beautiful blade of teal and gold much like the book. It's gold handle stretches out in shapes of wings that blooms into teal pieces that buzz with Anemo mana; much like the catalyst, it resembles Venti's own signature harp bow. 

Aether gawks, flabbergasted, "Hold on, you know I was joking right? You really don't need to Venti…." He quickly says, hadn't actually meant for the god to take his words seriously. 

But Venti shakes his head, holding the sword in vertical with both hands on the blade, presenting it to the blonde traveler with nothing but pure determination and gratitude. To the hero who made saving Dvalin possible, this token of appreciation had always felt long overdue.

"But I am grateful for what you've done for Mondstadt and my people, and you healed my little starlight too Aether. It's the least I could do for you after all you've done for us." He says, holding out the weapon to the traveler who is still trying to process the situation.

Aether lowers his head slightly in a bow as he receives the sword, the weapon feels right in his palms as he wields it. There's a light drumming of energy against his skin, the pulse of anemo recognizes it's new master. The traveler could not stop marveling at how beautiful and entrancing it is.

Venti chuckle, wings of white sprouts from his back as he clasp both hands together, muttering a quick prayer, if he's going to do this then he should definitely look the part as well. His bard outfits shift to that of white silky garments adorned with flecks of gold.

Jean lets out a shaky exhale from where she stood, knowing Venti is Barbatos is one thing, seeing him in his archon form is a whole another sight. Gone was the playful mischievous bard that sings songs for apples and ciders, now stood before her is the archon that blessed their land with freedom.

Even Izuku looks mesmerized, too awed to say a word. He's seen Venti with his wings out but never in this outfit.

Venti clasps his hands together, "With this sword I bestow, soar freely to your victories with my blessings, let the wind guide you in your journey and may you find what you seek so dearly." He sings, and the teal on the weapon beams just a tad brighter.

Paimon whistles with her arms crossed, "Woah, now that is a sword. " Her remark paired with the approving grin draws out chuckles from those in the room.

"It's called the Skyward Blade, may it serve you well….." Venti chants, and in a blink of an eye, he's back to his usual all green getup with his wings tucked away. 

'It must've been taxing to maintain that form without his gnosis.' Aether wonders to himself.

"Aight no more of that Barbatos thing, it's back to Venti time!" He cheers, back to his playful demeanor that they're all too familiar with, "...... and now all three of us have matching looking weapons! I should give Morax the claymore when we get to Liyue, oh wait, doesn't he use a polearm these days? Oh! Would you like a Skyward polearm too Izuku?"

The male is giddy as he speaks, already draping himself over Izuku, trapping the boy in a backhug. Aether smiles knowingly when the boy doesn't so much as react to the gesture as if used to it.

Instead he latches onto the Archon's words, eyes blinking in surprise, "We? Wait, hold on, you're going to Liyue?" He all but squeaks out the question.

Venti pouts, "Are we not?" He questions, looking puzzled at Izuku's own confusion.

The boy, mirroring the same look on Venti's face, turns to Aether for answers, “We are?” and even he sounds uncertain as he asks.

"Huh!?" Paimon screeches, the pixie scratches her head, "Wait, hold on a second, what do you mean tone deaf bard?!"

It's Jean who laughs at them, amused but is quick to clear things up, "Venti, I think you're skipping a few steps here." She tells him, and you can see the faint traces of exasperation in her face.

Barbatos or not, Venti will always be Venti it seems.

Venti's lips form an 'O' as the realization dawns on him, "Oh...oh right! Well the winds already told me of your desires to endeavor on a journey with our hotshot here. And who am I to deny you starlight?" He adds.

Paimon smirks, "His papa?" And Venti almost squeezes the boy he's hugging tighter with how the rush of happiness shoots up to his head for being referred to as Izuku's papa. 

Izuku however chokes on air, letting out what sounds like a strangled noise, "Paimon!" His face red and suddenly all the words melt away on his tongue, "I….well….I….um…"

He's glad the older being is clinging to his back and not facing him, Izuku doesn't know if he could face Venti after that. Dammit Paimon! He sends a glare at Aether who is clearly enjoying this way too much with how his smirk is reeking with smugness.

Jean clears her throat, calling for all of their attention, "I know what you're thinking. But technically speaking, we the Knights of Favonius do not have any legal custody rights over you Izuku, you're not really even a registered citizen of Mondstadt to begin with." She informs him and Izuku almost breaks into a frown.

"An outlander….right' he thought to himself bitterly.

But she doesn't stop there, "... however, Sir Kaeya managed to pull some strings with Master Diluc’s help and….here are your legal identity documents and some citizenship paperwork. I... we know you’re still trying to find out your origins but no matter where you came from or where you’ll leave Mondstadt to return to, there will always be a home for you in this city."

She smiles warmly at him, presenting the documents to him and he's unsure of how to react. Too stunned, too speechless to say anything and way too busy trying to reign in the tears that are already dripping as he glances down on the documents.

To think they would go so far to…..to give him a place to call home, he who is but only a stray to them. Izuku chokes on a hiccup, his trembling hands shaking as it covers his mouth in an attempt to muffle his sobs and doesn't even feel it when Venti lets go of him.

What did he ever do to deserve such people caring for him?

In swift and almost practiced motion, he drops to his knees and kneels down with his forehead on the floor, "Master Jean, everyone…..thank you!" His voice bursts, and he's so happy as he cries in praise.

The Acting Grandmaster fumbles sheepishly at Izuku's actions, it's so sudden and it honestly flustered her as much as it baffles her, "Oh no you don't have to, Izuku please get up, no need to…." Her words trail off because she suddenly realizes she recognizes this action.

One of the few more known cultural practices of Inazuma, a gesture of high gratitude.

He does get up to his feet again, looking red if not a bit confused as to why he did that himself. "Sorry I…. didn't know what came over me….?" Izuku offers, his face still red with bashfulness, for all the months he spent in Mond, the muscle memory of his forgotten past would still pop up now and then.

"No no it's fine, it's just… surprising is all!" Jean reassures him. The woman then pulls out another set of documents, laying it on the table for the boy, "Also, here are some Adventures Guild registration papers you'll need to fill out and you're pretty much all set to go."

Izuku is staring down at the sheets as if he couldn't believe they are real, his eyes still teary from his previous outburst but he appears to be successful in reigning it in this time.

But not for long, because Venti is poking his shoulders and the sight of the usually confident and smug bard looking like a nervous wreck is a sight.

His left hand is fiddling on his cloak with such vigorousity that it's starting to crease badly under his fingers, his other hand tucked behind him where Jean knows he's holding onto something important, something life changing even for the archon.

The boy rubs his eyes, his sniffles in small hiccups but still pays Venti his full attention, "One last thing, say if I want to be a little bit more selfish this time…..” he starts, weary as he fears a possible rejection of this particular proposal. “Can I……adopt you? Even if it's just until you find your actual parents….?”

And lo and behold, the Anemo Archon, Barbatos holds out the document sheet he's been hiding behind him. Adoption application paperwork, with Venti's name on it as the guardian requesting custody and Izuku's name under the adoptee bracket.

Izuku freezes.

A gasp followed by a muffled shriek erupts from the traveler and Paimon's direction. Aether clamps the pixie's mouth shut with a hand while his own eyes are trained on the two. 

“Why are you surprised?” he hisses at her, to which she gawks and all but exclaims, “He just asked him like that!”

Aether throws her a quick deadpan look, “He also asked us to steal the holy lyre while in the cathedral where anyone could've heard us Paimon, your point?” The remark definitely has her 'O'-ing and nodding like obviously Venti would go about it like that.

And even in between their banter, Izuku still has yet to say anything or blink at the male, Venti would've thought he'd be more…. reactive towards this sudden request to officialize their relationship. 

It does sting, burn and cold in his chest when he realizes maybe this is going too far for Izuku.

That maybe Izuku doesn't want this and was just happy with what they are as it is. Venti gulps down the tightness in his throat, he wills himself to at least hide the hurt in his voice when he speaks first.

He all but place the document on Jean's table, avoiding Izuku's gaze because he might just cry too if he meets those emerald orbs and think he doesn't want me like that and that's okay that's fine he—

Venti exhales and avoids the obvious pitying look Jean is giving him as well, ”I understand if you don’t want to—Oh dear."

His words must've yanked Izuku out of the shocked still trance because now he's got an ambrace full of a sobbing kid in green and brown— Izuku is 15 they had decided to go with long ago but dear Celestia he's small— and he's mumbling a mile a minute in a language that while Venti is familiar with, he's not nearly fluent enough to understand everything.

Venti hugs the boy, cradle him fondly with his hands brushing away the hair that keeps getting in his face as he keeps crying, "Little one, oh Izuku it's alright…." He coos, albeit with some semblance of concern now because he knows Izuku is joyous could feel it in the way he's smiling so wide even as he cried.

But it's almost like he's never known this happiness priorly…. who dared hurt his child so badly?!

"Would you really…? Me….?" Izuku hacks out the words in between the hiccups of sobbing, his eyes rimmed red but Izuku has never felt so happy so delighted in…..in forever!

"More than anything." The older male answers without missing a beat, conviction his eyes with the yearn to protect, to love. When has anyone ever looked at him like that?

Izuku feels as though he could take off into the sky with how light and happy he feels.

And he regains his voice, hugging Venti tighter as he replies his answer, "Yes! Of course I want to be your son!" He exclaims, loud and vibrating because now this male is his papa. 

" Papa ," he calls him and Venti chokes , there's no stopping the tears this time and he too is crying from the sheer elation that erupts from within his vessel at Izuku calling him Papa.

"My starlight . My son ." He softly kisses Izuku's forehead, and he savours the moment. And Venti can't help but think, 'Oh Cecelio, you would've love Izuku as your brother.' because that's what they are, two children, his children.

"Huh? What’s that?" Jean suddenly speaks up, the alarm in her voice jolts Aether and Paimon into caution as well. Izuku and Venti broke away from their hug to address the Acting Grandmaster.

Her finger pointing at something on Izuku's neck, glowing in a faint teal is a mark. It swirls and blooms like flower and the shape of wings, the symbol of Anemo blossoms before the teal glow dims ever so lightly.

The mark looks like a light green tattoo.

But since Izuku can't possibly reach to see it, he finds himself panicking and turning to his new papa Venti for an explanation. The other three occupants of the room follow suit because the bard is sighing.

He doesn't look alarmed or worried, and that alone is good enough of a sign that this isn't something bad because Venti would've been the first one to freak out if it was given how his protective streak goes.

"A thing I don’t usually do, but considering your track record with dangerous encounters, I need to make sure there’s a way we can always find each other with no way of any other interference severing that link.” he explains, the spell itself is a simple binding spell.

“It's basically a magical mark that binds you to me, and acts like an…..indicator that you are tied to me, the anemo archon. It’ll glow if you call out to me or are facing any threat of danger, other divinity would recognize that mark and it's implications…… and hopefully think twice before attacking you lest they wish to face my storms." 

Oh he may be the weakest of the seven as of now and was frankly never known to be a strong force like the likes of Felicie and Morax even at the time of his prime. But Mondstadt enjoys her relatively peaceful time after the whole debacle with Decarabian for a reason.

There's a perfectly good reason why Mondstadt's terrains are free of corruption and do not face much if any at all takeover attempts. Barbatos has his own reputation amongst the divine, just not the kind one would think he has.

(The time with Durin was a complicated situation, one that pains him to remember because he never wanted to hurt that fledgling, he didn't want to —)

“So it’s like a stamp claiming Izuku belongs to you basically?” Paimon summarizes, nodding in understanding as she does. “The adepti of Liyue did have similar markings but with geo symbols. So that’s what those are….” Aether adds his comments.

He remembers the distinct odd deep brown geo symbol snuggled in the middle of Xiao's jade green tattoos on his arm that stood out like a sore thumb. Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper have it on their wings and Moon Carver's is on their flank. 

And if Aether recalls correctly, Ganyu too has a similar symbol bloomed on her shoulder side. So she's an adeptus too…… well he probably should've seen that one coming, what with the Qilin looking horns and all that he can now confirm are not headdresses.

Venti chuckle's at Aether's remark, “Morax is, against all odds, a very protective and a tad possessive dragon.” and the bard even has the audacity to scoff about it. 

Izuku couldn't see it, but there's no doubt that he can feel it if he tries to, the feeling is akin to a slow steady drumming of anemo against his skin, like an anchor of some sort. He smiles to himself.

Venti on the other hand is not looking too proud about it, “But binding someone to me…….you can guess why I don’t like doing it, but I want to ensure your safety….” he really doesn't like the idea behind it, at its core it is a binding spell, a chain.

To chain someone to him, even if that someone is his child…… it irks his insides for he feels like he's taking away Izuku's freedom, like how Deca—

“I…. don’t mind, it's nice….to feel belonged.” Izuku tells him, a bashful smile on his lips and his hand caressing the Anemo symbol on his neck just right above his collarbone.

It's crazy how a single sentence is all it takes to tilt his perspective on what and how a spell he loathes could come to be. Venti finds himself feeling a bit more at ease with what he just did.

Aether breaks the moment with a question, "As wholesome as this is, it still doesn't clear anything up, you're going to Liyue?" He asks with a raised eyebrow at the archon in the room.

Venti beams, grabbing Izuku into a side hug as he dramatically lays out his first proclamation as an official— as official as it can get since Izuku still has to sign those adoption papers —parent, "I'm going to show my son the world. Who knows Teyvat better than one of its archons after all?" He boasts with all the pride they're familiar with.

"You're coming with us? But what about Mond…?" Izuku ponders, but Jean waves his worries away with a confident smile, "Mondstadt will be fine, we fared well for years without Venti’s direct intervention, he is rarely ever needed to actually step in for our issues."

Venti pouts, “Ouch Master Jean.” 

Paimon rolls her eyes, “Hey, it's not like she’s not right!” she retorts back with a smug grin, always on Venti's case as if the pixie thrives in bullying the god.

Well, it's not like Venti can't match her energy.

"Yeah yeah, I’m such a good archon that my people don’t even need me around as one!” He crosses his arms proudly, but does give Jean a knowing wink, “And if I am needed, the winds of Teyvat will inform me at once so worry not everyone!"

They all share laughter, it's been an eventful day full of many emotions and revelations and documents being worked through. 

That night, Izuku falls asleep to a soft humming lullaby and careful fingers threading through his hair, and later in the night a small wind wisp would be seen cuddled in his embrace. 

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Extra:

"Oh yeah, not that it isn't cute as hell but why that nickname? I'm kind of curious." Aether questions, curious.

“Stars shine the brightest in the darkest night sky, and they continue to shine even when the void wants to snuff them out……like hope that blossoms in the heart of people, or undying dreams and ambitions that would not fade even if time tries desperately to erode them….” 

Venti cups Izuku's face, the warmth in his gaze brimmed with love for this child he now claims as his. 

“You remind me of such Izuku….and that’s why, you are my starlight .”

Chapter Text

“You’re leaving?” 

Izuku can make an educated guess as to why Klee has been avoiding him all day today. He had been so excited to tell her the news of him joining the traveler with Venti being his new father tagging along but the usually explosive girl whose presence is loud, bright and hard to miss is nowhere to be found today.

He could feel her vision, how it always seemed to rush away if he ever made his way near it. Klee is upset, and it took Izuku a long time— and a nudge in the right direction of thought from Albedo —to figure out why.

Glancing down at the girl's face that's pouting with threats of tears, Izuku inhales deeply before taking a seat next to her. Klee is staring at him, her arms crossed and her crimson eyes filled with a mix of rage and sadness.

She had known of course, they did discuss it in her presence yesterday. And Izuku should've noticed her sudden subdued attitude compared to her usual high energy antics that something was wrong.

She doesn't say anything as her hands crumple the sleeves of her pajamas. Because his actions speak for themselves, the words linger in the silence between them, unspoken but loud.

"You're leaving me, like Albedo, like mom. All of you always leave me."

When Albedo told Izuku about it, he looked sheepish and possibly ashamed. As her brother, who wasn't around as much as he should have been, he understands this reaction.

Izuku offers a small guilty smile, "I am," he says, and he keeps his voice steady.

Doesn't react when Klee huffs, snapping her face away from him while looking like Izuku had sucker punched her with two words.

In a way, he really did. In a way, he understands that this is so much more than her mom or Albedo leaving.

In a way, Izuku's departure feels like a betrayal.

Because Klee is the first for Izuku, the first hand he grabbed when he arrived, the first he trusted and the first to make him feel like home as she proudly introduced him to the city of wind, dandelion and freedom.

But there's also other instances, he is also plenty of her firsts.

Izuku is the first to look at her bomb projects and compliment them instead of exhaling tiredly, the first to look at Klee and treat her like any normal kid— there's a reason why only Diona plays with her sometimes and other kids keep away, she knows, they don't think she does but she knows why —and follows her whims more often than not, even scheming along, even if it's just to minimize the end result chaos.

Izuku is the first to stick by her side so often that days feel less lonely. The first that she could truly call her best friend.

Klee is special to him, as much as Izuku is special to her.

But now he's leaving, he's leaving her like... like how mom left and she hasn't seen her since, like how Albedo is barely around that even if he hadn't left, it still feels like he did most of the time.

Izuku has a family to find, memories to remember, and a life he forgot about to rediscover.

And he can't do that here, he won't find answers in Mondstadt, he has to go and if he does go away, he might not come back, and that scares her.

(Albedo is still around, mom may not be with her literally, but she's mom and no matter how long she leaves, she always comes back. Izuku might not.)

He's leaving, and Klee will be lonely again.

(Izuku might not come back to her, and that's terrifying.)

It's not fair.

"Why does everyone have to leave me...... why? Why can't you guys just stay for once?" sniffs the girl, she mumbles through choked sobs, her voice muffled but her words clear. 

And Izuku's heart aches for her, already half convinced to stay with that alone but he can't.

He knows he can't, he has to go and he has to leave her. 

He wishes he could bring her along, but it's not possible; Klee is in the custody of the Knights of Favonious, and Jean can't possibly spare anyone to accompany them. Aether is only an honorary knight, while Izuku himself belongs much more to the Church than the Knights.

They can't take her, and he wants to go, has to go. It really isn't fair.

"I will leave.....but I swear I'll come back," Izuku says as he gently pulls the girl onto his lap, his arms cradling her tightly. He makes a promise that he intends to keep.

Although he is leaving to seek answers, Mondstadt will always be his home. 

"I can't…..always be with you anymore, but don't worry, you won't lose me. You'll never lose me, little red knight."

He speaks his promise with conviction, and wishes it's enough to convince the girl. The last thing he wants is to be a liar to Klee and hurt her, and so they hold onto each other, soaking in each other’s presence while they still can, it'll be weeks if not months till they see each other again.

".....swear it on the name of Anemo archon..." Klee mutters in hushed tones, her voice small and quiet.

Izuku softly chuckles at the request, though he's beginning to wonder if the girl is aware of Venti's true identity. Still, he would indulge her wishes because of course he would.

Klee is his little red knight, his best friend, his sister in all but blood.

(He had someone like this once, he could feel that he did but that person left and he hates that he's basically doing the same to Klee.)

And if she needs reassurance in a promise sworn on his papa’s name then how could Izuku ever deny her of it?  

(No, not the same, but close enough. Betrayal will be betrayal, no matter the intentions)

"May the winds be my witness, may each bud of dandelion carry this vow and remember these words as I speak in his name," he says, holding both of her hands in his.

“I solemnly swear, in the name of the Anemo Archon, Lord Barbatos, that I will always miss and remember you. I'll visit lots and Klee the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius will always have me, Izuku, as her big brother, her best friend and partner in fun. This, Klee, I promise you."

(Barbara would’ve been proud at how he worded and carried out the vow, and it really struck Izuku at how much cleric practices or work he’s done while staying in Mondstadt. And how ironic it is that their god ended up adopting him.)

Each word uttered with a confident smile and sincerity, a slight breeze brushing past them despite the window being tucked shut. Izuku could visibly see the way Klee’s shoulder eases with relief, her tears ceasing and her heartbeat calmer. 

“I’m going to miss you too, Izu.” she finally says, still nuzzled cozily into him and does not appear willing to let him go anytime soon.

That’s fine, Izuku can work with that.

And so he holds her, till her breathing evens out and her eyelids fall shut, then he tucks her in and throws the sleeping girl one last smile before leaving out the door.

‘You'll never ever lose me.’  

Izuku on the contrary, doesn’t return to his room, instead he heads over to Angel’s Share that’s a few hours shy of closing time, the tavern itself is almost empty save for the cavalry captain in blue sitting by the bar counter with his newly appointed parent and Jean. 

A poker-faced Diluc is standing behind the bar, looking like he downed a whole bottle of sour lemon essence by choice or questioning his existence, which is as normal as it can be for the red haired man.

Honestly, Izuku is more surprised to see the Acting Grandmaster out this late and at the tavern of all places, without Lisa too. 

“Heard you got adopted. Congrats….. son of Barbatos.” Kaeya grins as he ushers him over.

He looks a little pink on the cheeks, so definitely tipsy, whereas Venti leans against the bar counter with a goofy smile, and Izuku can already tell whatever the bard is about to spout will be equally fond and embarrassing.

He mutters to himself, "Oh please no...", wondering if it's too late to flee. 

“Oh yes he is! My son! Mine! Can you believe that? He called me….he called me papa! Oh, my little starlight, how I adore you!" The words slur lightly, and it's the first time he's ever seen Venti truly inebriated. 

The bard latches onto his person, clinging on gleefully while simultaneously balancing a bottle of liquor in his hand.

Diluc rolls his eyes at the display, “Still tries to drink me dry, you would think becoming a parent would curb that habit out of him.” he barks yet how tone betrays him as there’s no actual bite.

The resident archon snorts back goofily, “Me? Without wine? Never!” The tavern occupants all knew then and there, just because Venti took up a new role, it really makes no difference in his attitude. 

Izuku shakes his head, sighing, yet still wears a fond smile on his lips. “Juice please, Master Diluc,” he orders for himself and just in time as the door pushes open to welcome two more patrons for the night. 

“Us too Diluc!” Paimon cheers, giggling as she flies over to take a seat on one of the barstools while Aether trots along behind her. 

“Traveler! There you are, where’ve you been? Did you know Izuku is my son—” Venti begins to drawl, but Aether cuts him off curtly before the bard goes rambling again.

“I know Venti, I was there.”

“Can you believe Venti, of all people, is now a dad?” Kaeya begins, "Archons, I never would’ve thought.” His mouth to brain filter disabled shortly from the alcohol but one look at the male in question, he doesn’t appear to be bothered by it.

Venti probably isn’t even paying attention, forgoing that for trying to manhaul Izuku into one of the chairs dragged out so he could spoon the boy properly while Izuku himself is simply letting the bard do as he pleases, clearly enjoying the physical gestures of affections. 

From Venti it’s normal, the bard has always been touchy-feely with anyone he deems himself close enough to initiate such actions.

But Kaeya is a little surprised at how Izuku is unfazed and rolling with it in stride as if it has always been normal for them to cuddle and cling, he still remembers the boy from months before who would jump at any sudden touches.

Izuku is so…..different now from that jittery mess of a young teenager, which is undoubtedly an amazing development though it does speak volume of how Kaeya and him aren’t all that close compared to others if he’s only noticing these changes now.

Ever since he has basic grasp of his weapon, most of his combat training were carried out with Rosaria who uses the same type of weapon and made it easier for him to manage his schedule since Izuku works more with the clergy than the knights— Kaeya had seen him lead the weekly prayers at times to cover for Barbara —thus aside from the occasional spar here and there, Kaeya hardly seen him.

Looking at him now, the only telltale signs that he isn't a Mondstadt native are his sharper Inazuman facial features and the mannerism he couldn't unlearn; otherwise, Izuku is as Mond as they come.

Barbatos officially adopting him is just the icing on the cake, as he seemed to fit right in and belonged here without a doubt.

'How fortunate,' Kaeya muses bitterly in his mind, a small traitorous part of him green with envy of Izuku for finding his place and belonging here in such a short time when Kaeya, despite having lived in these lands for a decade and a half, has never been able to do so.

The Khaenri’ahn once thought he had achieved that years ago when Master Crepus took him into his arms one night after a really bad nightmare and promised him that there’ll always be a home for him in Mondstadt, where the anemo archon accepts and loves all.

(Crepus likely hadn’t meant to lie, just as how he hadn’t meant to die so suddenly.)

Kaeya was naïve once, and once is more than enough.

The burn scars seared on his skin, never being able to truly disappear, serve as a reminder. He averts his gaze from the father and son duo who are animatedly chatting about their travel plans with the other traveling duo. 

Only for himself to lock with Diluc’s crimson orbs that are looking at him blankly, or at least from what Kaeya manages to tell, is expressionlessly stoic if not slightly unnerving.

But at the last second, Diluc breaks away to look down at the glass he’s polishing but does not give away whatever he’s thinking on his face. 

He’s always been better at maintaining a poker face than Kaeya.

How odd, Kaeya almost chuckles darkly at the absurdity of it because if he knows his ex-brother, Diluc can’t stand even the sight of him let alone to look at him willingly. 

The cavalry captain catches Jean throwing them suspicious looks from where she sat, eyeing them both with mild scrutiny, Kaeya doesn’t blame her since it's not every day the two of them will be willingly cordial in the same space.

Their interactions are no longer as scathing as they were in the first few years of Diluc’s return to Mondstadt, but jabs are still exchanged now and then.

That woman has been trying to get them to reconcile for years, but it remains to be one of the very few things the Acting Grandmaster fails to do.

“He even made himself look older….kinda, the new look is surprising though,” Aether’s comments drag the blue haired man out of his thoughts and back into reality, the blonde pointing out whatever subtle changes Venti must’ve tweaked his human form so that he actually looks old enough to pass the minimum age bar to look like someone’s dad.

Albeit an extremely young one. 

The fairy frowns at her companion, “You can tell? Except for the clothes, Paimon certainly can’t!”

It has Kaeya curious as well since he too hadn’t paid much close attention to notice anything, although it can be said that Kaeya rather not stare at the god any longer than he has to.

The babyface-like features have melted away to a certain sharpness now, and Venti definitely altered the small structured frame of an obviously pubescent aged body to something slightly broader and taller. They're not too obvious differences, but would be a missed detail at a quick glance.

He even modified his normal attire, his shirt has a few buttons undone at the top to reveal a black undershirt, from dress shoes to high boots, a different style of cloak with a chain hook rather than a ribbon, and dark blue pants replace his previous choice of shorts and leggings. 

The fake vision still dangling by his side, though there’s a blue ribbon now secured around his waist, the bard also added brown gloves to the new look. And for some reason, it feels like it actually does make him look older than before.

Izuku has always looked smaller next to anyone, even with Venti prior to this, but the added alterations to his form made Venti at least a head taller than Izuku, so rather than the boy only barely reaching past Venti’s shoulders from before, Izuku likely doesn't even reach Venti’s shoulders anymore.

Venti now looks more like a young man in his early twenties than the teenager he once looked like.

“I think he just made himself taller and called it a day.” Kaeya remarks cheekily, while the rest laugh along at the betrayed look the bard shoots at the cavalry captain, Kaeya doesn’t wince, yet the archon’s gaze leaves him as quick as it meets. 

(Venti knows Kaeya is still wary, maybe even a bit afraid, but what can he do? This is a mess.)

“Switching what you wear over your poet shirt really isn’t the sign of maturity you seem to think it is.” Diluc adds, smirking with slight amusement. 

"Oh, I do think the new look is quite charming on you, even if your prior form is a little cuter,” Jean remarks. It is so unexpected of her that heads turn to her in surprise.

Of course they are unaware of what they are implying with their words, and though they’re not at fault for not knowing the context, it still rubs Venti the wrong way when they jab at his little Dreamer’s appearance.

Venti pouts, smile straining, “I can hear each of you loud and clear, you know…” His arms, free and no longer holding a bottle, are hugging the boy in his embrace tighter. 

A quiver shakes through him that goes unnoticed by others, save for two of the bunch that could tell how much this human form means to him. 

Izuku’s hand places down his drink so that both may rest firmly on his papa’s, internally a little annoyed that he can’t tell the others off for poking fun at Venti’s appearance no matter how light hearted with no actual malice they may be, not without providing context that isn’t his to give.

Aether smiles at him knowingly but doesn’t offer any other comments of his own.

He knows in his heart that Venti probably already had a hard time allowing himself to even change his appearance, which he had kept ever since Cecelio’s passing, and now this is likely a form of what the young bard from long ago might’ve looked like had he been able to grow up a little more. 

(Might’ve because he died before he even got to that age. Venti finds himself mourning over his lost child all over again upon looking at his reflection after the alterations.)

It always felt wrong for him to change too much of his appearance, Cecelio didn't get to grow up to that stage, it wouldn't be fair. And seeing his reflection was already hard before, now to be constantly reminded of what could've been….. 

But if he wants to go around proclaiming Izuku as his son then he has to look older lest people start getting weird ideas.

“We know,” Aether finally says, and what sounds like a reply to Venti’s statement to others holds an entirely different meaning for the bard himself. 

The archon flashes him a grateful smile, and he knows that deciding to travel with Aether and his son is definitely one of the first of many right decisions he’s begun to make.

It's early in the morning, and the sun has yet to rise. Venti went out minutes ago after being awoken by his son, and Izuku in his new outfit for traveling is doing some last-minute checking over whatever supplies and gear they'll need for their journey.

The bard somehow forgot to inform his Four Winds of his extended leave from Mondstadt, so he's out doing his archon duties to ensure Mond stays intact without him.

(Izuku can practically hear Andrius growling with annoyance, while Dvalin and Venessa probably already saw it coming.)

For all that Venti whines about hating the responsibilities and duties that come with the archon title, and how he is nothing but a nut job at it, Venti doesn't completely skive off them all without backup in place. 

Goodness, he’s an absentee archon, not an irresponsible one. 

Not expecting anyone until breakfast at least, Izuku is surprised to hear the soft knocking on his door, even more so when the person behind said door is the fair blonde deaconess, all dressed and ready in her usual white dress for the day. 

Barbara is prone to becoming easily distressed if there is any major conflict, and Izuku would've been concerned about some sort of trouble arising if it weren't for her calm demeanor at this early hour.

“Barbara?” He beckons her to come in, noticing the older girl has both hands tucked behind, “Is there something you need?” 

“Oh no, nothing like that….it’s just, I won’t be able to see you off later so I ought to come by now…” She shakes her head, a small almost sad smile on her lips, “I want to give you this…..ah, I’m going to miss having you around all the time.”

Outstretched to Izuku and in her hands is a folded knit beret, light brown and soft to the touch. A beautiful cecelia embroidery on it accompanied by swirling patterns of anemo. Izuku beams, throwing himself at Barbara in a tight hug. 

“I love it! Thank you,"

Although it should have been expected, the deaconess exhales with relief, pleased that her gift is well received. Izuku is far too grateful. She has to admit, his presence truly has been a new breath of fresh air for her, and she'll dearly miss her friend.

Her eyes well up with tears, and her shoulders tremble as she embraces the boy.

It’s odd at times, Izuku feels so at right to be here, like he was a lost missing piece to them that somehow returned to where he rightfully belonged.

Selfishly inside, she doesn’t want him to go, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him when she just learned what it's like to have him.

Her thoughts must’ve been transparent on her face because the younger teen chuckles, “Hey, I’ll still come back here. Mondstadt is my home.” he assures her, nudging at her whilst anemo swirls, flutters and brushes away the tears.

Even the elements he wields feel so much like Izuku. Barbara grins, soft with fondness, at this boy she’s come to see as a little brother.

“I’m glad, have a safe journey and may the anemo archon bless you.”

As soon as the deaconess makes her leave, a soft gust of wind brushes Izuku's cheeks and suddenly he's being spooned by a clearly excited archon.

The other has his nose nuzzle into Izuku's hair, cuddling the boy while feeling the drum of anemo energy simmer underneath their skins.

It's one of the side effects of the mark bond, their inner mana are constantly twinning with close contact, the foci of the energy within them connecting to one another till the point of being able to slightly grasp the other's most surface feelings.

With Izuku, Venti is gentle, safe, free.  

With Venti, Izuku is warm, home, fond.

"Papa!" The teen squawks indignantly at the sudden action but only to later giggle joyfully at being showered with so much affections.

"Hehe, you heard her, gotta bless you. Can't deny a request from my most pious devotee now can I?" He teases, pinching Izuku's soft squishy cheeks that causes the younger male to pout.

Struck with a cheeky idea, the teen suddenly turns around and boops their noses, caught off guard by Izuku's sudden gesture that the archon could only shriek when bold hands shove him to fall flat on the bed and the next thing he knows there's pillows being smack across his face.

Gasping dramatically with fake outrage, the god smirks back at his son who now seems to regret making the first move. 

"Okay wait, we're going to make a mess but we're leaving soon—" 

“Oh it's on , starlight. Come here you!”

When Aether drops by to fetch them, the traveler isn't sure what to make of the pillow war that's ongoing in the room. Venti he expected, but Izuku?

Oh dear the bard is such a bad influence on his son. 

One berating lecture from Paimon later, they're able to tidy everything up nicely and they're gathered at the gates to allow Izuku and Venti to say their farewells.

Amber, although sad to see him leave, still smiles brightly for the young boy. While she did promise to help him— which she did and will continue to do to the best of her abilities —there's only so much an Outrider like her with limited power and resources can do.

In a way, the young woman too is glad that Izuku is finally taking the next step to finding his way home.

(And unlike some, she need not hear his assurance of return. Anyone who takes to the skies like he does is a child of the land of wind. Plus, his papa is Barbatos now so of course he's coming back.) 

“Venti! Izu!” Klee cries out, she barrels into the green headed boy who crouches down to capture her into one last embrace, it'll likely be a month or two before he sees her again.

“I’m gonna miss you Klee!” He tells her, Izuku could see Albedo throwing them a rather fond look like he's trying to commit the image to memory to draw later.

"I'll miss you too!" The Spark Knight answers with wobbling lips, reluctantly she lets go of him only so Bennett, Fischl and Razor could have their turn to hug Izuku goodbye.

All three with their own words of motivation, Razor even deposits some Wolfberries he collected into Izuku's hands, "Just in case, starcheek take care." The teen sternly reminds him.

"I will, thank you, all of you….you came just to see me off…." Izuku is sniffing by the end of the sentence, tears already springing at how warm and fuzzy he feels inside because all of them cared for him so deeply.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world! It's your first adventure beyond Mondstadt!" Bennett exclaims with all the enthusiasm that encompasses his small body. 

Fischl huffs, "And true is that I, Fischl, was ordained by fate to pose before you on this day you aspire to venture beyond the safe lands of your fated home." Her words, ever eloquent and elegant but layered with sincerity from the heart.

Diona would prattle a bit about not missing Izuku because he's not anyone of note to her— the flattened ears and droopy tail say otherwise —she'll then hand over some bottled drinks that should keep them energized till they reach Liyue Harbor.

Noelle and Jean, much like Barbara, have already said their goodbyes hours ago privately since they're unfortunately much too busy with their own work and commitments. While Eula and Mona are still out on their respective missions and commissions.

Sucrose had given hers privately as well since she knows she'll be a mess if there's a crowd. And what a crowd it was that gathered to send off their favorite bard and young outlander, the children under the Church's care each taking turns putting flowers in Izuku's hair.

Instead of his usual lone Cecelia, there are also Whirlwind Asters, Pansies, Dandelions, and Forget-me-nots. Izuku's hair really does look like a flower bush, but the boy couldn't be any happier.

In another corner where the adults were teasing Venti about actually being responsible while on the road, and Paimon jabbing in her snide remarks here and there, the group turns to look at the teens and children at the commotion. 

Kaeya is chuckling to himself from where he's standing. It is an endearing sight of the two. Even Diluc and Rosaria have the corners of their lips twitched in small grins, Lisa coos and snaps a few photos, she came prepared of course.

Watching this, the blonde traveler smiles warmly. 

Aether had to admit that he had left Mond hastily the last time to avoid missing the Rite of Descension, so there was no such event when he first left months ago, but seeing the small town folk come to see Izuku off gives him a warm feeling inside.

It's what sets them apart; Aether is a Traveler, and his kind is nomadic by nature, with an insatiable thirst for adventure. No matter how warm and welcome or accepted, there's just no setting down with a single place to call home for him or Lumine.

Because home is wherever they are together

Despite the fact that he, too, is an outsider, Izuku has carved out a place to belong for himself in Mondstadt and fits in like a glove. He may be hailed a hero in these lands, but he does not truly belong here, not in the way Izuku does. 

“Have a safe trip guys!” 

Hands are raised in the air, waving goodbye, as voices cheer. As they march on the first few steps of the thousands who will soon join them on their journey, the group waves back.

Some of the people from the crowd pull out pouches from their pockets, pouring buds of dandelion seeds into their palms before blowing them off into the air while wishing their prayers. A common cultural practice for the people of Mond towards traveling friends and family.  

Venti flushes at the frizzly way their prayers brush at his senses; he can't ascertain their exact words since he can't exactly hear them when unfocused, but he can feel the feelings of each bud that carries their wishes and prayers, and it warms his heart just how amazing his people are.

“Bye Izuku!! Bye Venti!! Bye traveler and Paimon!! May the wind guide you!!"

“Katsuki, hello."

The Katsuki Bakugou jolts with surprise at the unexpected greeting, and his head whips around in dread as he sees the one person he desperately wants to avoid at all costs, the woman looks at him with a small smile and no different than the last time she saw him.

She looks..... to be doing just fine coping with her loss, much better than he expected, with her green hair in the usual half bun and traces of sadness and grief lingering on her face. 

Her eyes, green and glittery, always look at him with such…. not pity per se, but something devastated, although he never knows why but it always makes her feel far older than she is.

The nerd’s mom has always been as much of an oddball as he was. It must’ve run in the family. 

At least he now knows she’s definitely doing loads better than how he's doing.

"….Auntie Inko," the name feels like lead on his tongue, guilt twisting his insides like a knife has somehow managed to dig itself in there.

Her smile widens at the familiar use of formality, a faint chuckle bubbles from those lips, yet they feel genuine with no hatred or contempt that Katsuki expects of her that he's too stunned to say anything, completely speechless.

He has been avoiding the woman ever since….. How could he face her? 

After all that he put her only son through? On top of that, failing to bring him home like he promised he would. How can she still stand by him, no malice or blame for what has happened, as if nothing has changed? 

He heard what Candy Cane and Round Cheeks told the class when they went to inform her of her son’s passing, how she refused to hear them out and all but shut them out, rightfully so, haggard and shaking that she could barely stand without holding onto the door.

So distraught to tears by the news yet oddly enough, she wasn’t surprised, just resigned.

The woman they spoke off then did not match the one with him at the moment, and he really wonders why. 

Katsuki reigns in himself to refrain from trembling in public. He refuses to be vulnerable like this for all to see, but she's here in front of his eyes, bumped into him while he's frequenting a flower shop of all places, and he doesn't know what to say or think other than:

'I got her only son killed. She should hate me'

"How have you been, child?" Inko picks up the conversation, probably realizing that Katsuki is tongue-tied to speak. “Your mother tells me you're getting quite busy these days, I hope you're taking care of yourself…"

The Katsuki she knows, who is usually a fiery adolescent, has become a subdued, guilt-ridden mess of paranoia and trauma, which unnerved her.

She did watch him grow up alongside her boy and knew just how one-track-minded and stubborn the boy can be and yet here he is, changed beyond anything she can say because of the war. 

It’s always the wars. Inko is familiar with war, its nature and what it brings, what it does . She knows how wars touch and change people in inexplicable ways. She, after all, fought her own fair share of such wars... back there.

But this is a child still, and it saddens her to see how such cruelty continues to ruin him.

".....I am." After an awkward pause, he finally responds, his crimson eyes attempting to meet hers and not shift nervously. Sensing his discomfort, she tries changing the topic.

Inko hums, "Hmmm, seeing someone?" Her gaze is drawn to the Lily of the Valley, purple hyacinth, and tulips wrapped in a small bouquet.

What a peculiar combination to gift an admirer.

The boy shakes his head, hesitant to explain himself as if what he planned to do is a crime; he doesn't look at her, instead focusing solemnly on the flowers in his hands.

"I….no, it's….. I'm….. visiting…. I-Izuku…." 

The woman stills, "Oh…" she thought of the quaint funeral she set up for Izuku, attended by his peers, teachers and fellow Pro Heroes he fought alongside during the war.

Though she knows he's not exactly dead, so Inko has not mourn him, leaving forever to another place and dead are not the same after all.

However, she still misses him at times. But Inko supposed she should mourn him, if only for her own sake and peace of mind, her little Izuku who dreams with no limits and prevailed though he was hurt and betrayed is gone. 

The thought makes her feel terrible with grief, and feeling miserable all the time sucks. Gosh, being mortal sucks, it's helpless and so... weak. Inko is glad that she can at least find comfort in knowing Izuku is safe and where he belongs. 

(Where they belonged, but everything can’t go their way, that’s not how fate works.)

Inko Midoriya is a mother to one Izuku Midoriya, but a young nameless being of manifestation is only but a mission to Celestial angel Viridia. 

Izuku Midoriya was a casualty in the war with All for One because the still so young being that would soon be shaped by Teyvat would no longer be the same person he once was.

They will never be the same person. And with Izuku sent back, perhaps her son truly did die.

Inko feels her tears threatening to spill, the epiphany of her loss suddenly heavy. Katsuki looks near-panicked at the prospect of her actually breaking down into a sobbing mess. He wouldn’t know what to do to comfort her, not that he has any place to do so.

"Oh, I see…… Do you mind me coming with you dear?" She sniffs, handkerchief dabbing at her tear stained cheeks, completely disregarding the way Katsuki is looking at her like she has lost her mind. 

Later today she would go back home, grab whatever alcohol she could acquire, and waste herself silly in her grief and cry over Izuku's picture albums and video tapes. 

She distinctly remembers that it was how one of the archons, the Anemo one if she wasn’t mistaken, dealt with his loss during his stay at the Celestial palace during his ascension and archon initiation. Inko, who was still Viridia then, was always the one subjected to his incoherent ramblings of grief and crying.

It was odd, to see a god grieve and despair over the death of a child that wasn’t his, a mortal even.

She never understood him then— judged him too sentimental and vulnerable for a seat among the seven —she does now. Inko now thinks that he’s so strong for still being able to get his shit together.   

Inko really should thank Katsuki for implying she needs to mourn too to let go of her loss.

Now though, she would follow Katsuki to visit her son's grave. They would sit, talk, and mourn in respectable silence. 

Katsuki's shoulders relax slightly, although he is confused at the lack of hate towards him. Nonetheless, nonetheless, the boy replies, "Not at all."

The graveyard is deserted during this time of the day, Izuku’s grave is much like the dozens around them. This is a special memorial site for those who fought and fallen during the war, and although she knows this, it still saddens her to see that her son is one of the three children that died fighting said war.

The other two were third years; they were months away from graduation, as her Izuku is weeks away from entering his second year. Riki Hanafuda and Tsutako Hibiki, not quite adults as they’ve yet to live past a second decade of their lives.

Young lives, sacrificed in wars. Inko was foolish to think the lack of gods and other non-mortal beings would make a difference. Foolish mortals playing god is just as bad, if not worse.

And there it is, her son’s grave.

Here lies

Izuku Midoriya,

A Cherished Hero, a Loving Son, a Great Friend

May he rest in peace and may his sacrifice never be forgotten.

2009 - 2025

It’s thoughtful of them to let him have a place here, even if there is no body to bury for obvious reasons.

"He was a great hero wasn't he?" She softly whispers, "My son, my little Izuku Midoriya," and she could hear the boy next to her inhale deeply.

His bouquet laid on the gravestone, a bouquet of flowers that brings with it the meaning of apology and repentance.  

"We all wished we could be even half the hero he was.” Katsuki seethes, and it's clear despite it being four months since then the wounds from it still bleed, “Dammit he wasn't supposed to die then, he's…. he's just a kid , we were kids , still are…..."

The boy closes his eyes, trying to even out his breathing, and says, "He didn't deserve to die then."

"No, he doesn't." She doesn’t hesitate or waver, he needs to hear this.

"I told him to die once."

Inko blinks, "I was aware," 

"You're…..not mad?" Katsuki drawls, unsure what to make of her neutral tone of voice.

The woman shakes her head, "I was, but I was also aware that you apologized."

"You should be mad. Should be furious…with me, you should hate me. I know he did, I know he never…..forgave me."

Oh but she had been , furious that is, or livid more like.

When Inko found out that little tidbit, she was downright murderous, and it took all of her willpower to remind herself that Katsuki was a child.  Despite the fact that he should have been old and mature enough to know better at the time, he was molded to act the way he does as a result of the people around him.

This child, who was once the person who told her son to commit suicide, has long since grown up.

It’s what makes mortals so intriguing, they are much more susceptible to change than non-mortal entities. 

So Inko doesn’t resent him, doesn’t hold the mistakes he made while naïve and ignorant over his head when clearly he learns to see his wrongs and tries his best to make up for them.

She can’t speak on Izuku’s behalf, but she can clarify her own feelings towards him, no use holding a grudge against a child over another one who probably won't remember any of this in his new life. 

"Silly child, you don't get to decide what I should feel about you." She tells him, gently with kindness and the boy’s face scrunches up with more confusion and the slightest bit of defiance.

His guilty conscience lords over him, preventing him from accepting her claims because he is convinced he is unworthy of any.

Mitsuki has always had to deal with the boy's pride issue; he refused to accept anything he didn't feel he earned, including accomplishments, praise, credits, and apparently forgiveness and acceptance.

"Why.....why are you so.....calm about this?" the boy all but croaks out his answer, slumped down on the patch of grass that will undoubtedly ruin his trousers, his hands balled in shaking fists.

“I hurt him! I hurt him so much—" 

She places a hand on his shoulder, the sudden ramble coming to a halt. She would not have him ruin himself over guilt.

She failed to protect Izuku here, she could at least help the boy he once called his best friend and at some point, seen as her own.

"Katsuki, you are a child too. You make mistakes, horrid ones but you changed, besides, I think you are punished quite enough." The woman is firm as she tells him this, leveling the boy her most serious look yet. 

Katsuki may have pushed away and bullied Izuku over their childhood, but one doesn’t get this badly affected over something if he truly didn’t care, the two were closer than brothers once. It's not a bond that can easily be reduced to nothing no matter how much the blonde boy thinks otherwise.

She could almost see some of the guilt vanishing from those red-rimmed eyes, Katsuki for once in his life, allows himself to gape dumbly at her, it’ll take time for him to move on but he will and Inko will help him. 

“As for my little Izuku……” She looks up to the sky, smiling forlornly at what will be a secret she takes to her grave, “... worry not, he is in a better place…..”

Chapter Text

Izuku isn’t sure what he’s expecting when he crosses Mondstadt's borders into another nation’s territory, but the change is so immediate that it's impossible not to notice.

It's like Mondstadt’s comforting embrace slowly lets go of him, and suddenly there’s something else in the air, not imposing, just different.

Geo , it's the feel of the geo element. 

If anemo feels like soft brushes of wind that’s playful and gentle, then geo is grounding and there’s a powerful sharp feel to it, like a faint drumming background sound that rattles on his skin. 

Izuku wonders if all nations are blanketed in their nation’s archon's respective elemental mana like this. Of course, he wouldn't have noticed it before since he never left Mondstadt grounds or sky, not even to Dragonspine. 

But now, Izuku can’t help but wonder curiously what the other elements feel like. 

“Starlight? Are you alright there?” Venti voices his concern. He’s practically glued to Izuku’s side ever since they crossed borders and Izuku started to sway on his feet distractedly. 

Aether and Paimon too feel worried that Izuku might get sick or something from he looks of things, the traveler mentally cursed himself for now considering Izuku’s heighten sensitivity to mana and elemental energy might get overwhelmed after comfortably living in Mondstadt for so long.

They finally reach Stone Gate from Wolvendom but the teen appears to be affected by the natural environmental mana that he’s likely not used to, with each step they take.

The boy shakes his head, trying to assure them he could go on, but it really just feels a bit dizzying, he can shake it off. 

As opposed to the first time he truly felt anemo, geo is at least five times more potent, and it feels like he has overdosed on some new drug.

“Okay err, we might need to fast travel somewhere suitable to let you rest. Think you can handle one waypoint travel, greenie?” Aether coaxes the boy while Venti has a growing distressed look on his face that’s considering maybe turning back.

Izuku nods, his vision blurry and his ears barely picking up what's being said; all he could do was cling to his papa for dear life while waiting for things to calm down, using the mark bond to stabilize the overload of new inputs that's overwhelming him. 

A rough yank pulls his entire body forward, and bile threatens to rise up his throat, but Izuku holds it in.

Something is pressed against his lips, and he gulps it down, the chalky wood flavor and mint flooding his taste buds.

The new sensations suddenly simmer down to a faint lull, “Geo-resistant potion, should help till you adjust. We should have given you this earlier....” Aether’s voice pulls him back to reality, and Izuku slowly peels his eyes open to see he’s been laid down on the grass with his head on Venti’s lap. 

The teen slowly sits up, wincing at the headache that suddenly jabs at him.

“Izuku? Starlight?” Venti is hard pressed into a frown, still not satisfied with how just being here could make Izuku sick.

Izuku shakes his head, “I’m fine." Smiling sheepishly at his three companions, “Sorry that was unexpected, I thought I could handle it," They each exhale a long deep breath, exasperation and worry clear on their faces.

Paimon is the first to start nagging at him, “You just had to scare us! We were so worried that something was wrong with you!” 

“Now now Paimon, it's hardly his fault. But that was a really strong reaction... Aether inquires, handing the boy a water bottle.

It's just their luck that he had some leftovers from his last excursion with Albedo; they might consider storing up on more bottles just in case, Aether knows Venti is already thinking about the resources they'll need to make more. 

When given the correct motivations, the bard is astonishingly thorough and dedicated.

Aether has led them to one of Sal Terrae's small isle pools, believing that the large bodies of water will assist in diluting the geo mana potency that has blanketed the lands of Liyue. Izuku is recovering swiftly, and he's also up and about already, his eyes gleaming with wonder.

“Welcome to Liyue Izuku! We’re at Sal Terrae, one of Liyue’s famous landmarks.” Venti introduces the place to him.

“These parts weren’t Morax’s at first, thus the non-traditional Liyuen name. It was one of his friend’s domain, if my memory serves me right, it’s Lady Guizhong’s cousin; Lady Havria, the Goddess of Salt.”

Venti drones on about what he knew of these parts of Liyue. Being neighboring countries and all, he’s confident in his familiarity with Liyue, which he frequently visits. And Izuku listens to each word tentatively, like it is gospel, the boy soaks up the knowledge like a sponge.

“Huh, Paimon you need to up your game because Venti is outdoing you by miles right now as a guide.” Aether teases the fairy, who pouts at him angrily, her arms shaking wildly in outrage. 

He side steps when she goes barrelling at him, “When you’re ready to move we’ll head southwest and I’m thinking of staying at Wangshu Inn for tonight,” but Izuku clearly isn’t paying attention, shoes and traveling cloak  tossed aside with his sleeves rolled up to touch and feel everything.

“Woah, it feels different here. Less geo, more... salt minerals? These structures, it’s not all land and it feels... different from normal concrete? Amazing! And this, this isn’t entirely sand either! By the seven! It's like salt minerals are everywhere here, everything seems to be part salt somehow....” he mutters, pulling out his journal and quills to take all his notes.

One second he’s walking gingerly along the edges of the water, the next he’s on a tree hanging upside down and still diligently writing about whatever he finds interesting.

It’s actually sort of cute that his enthusiasm for discovery is much like Aether and his sister’s own when they started traveling.

The urgent need to catalog all their findings, no matter how small, because they were always concerned that they might miss something. That strong enthusiasm would calm down years later, which is why it's refreshing to see young blood like Izuku so driven as he is. 

“There he goes, hard to believe he was a whimpering mess just minutes ago,” Paimon snorts, but she too is twirling around near Izuku to see what he’s writing.

Venti giggles, his gaze following his son with pure fondness, “That’s my curious little starlight, I do think his ability to find almost anything entrancing is a fascination in itself. It’s quite endearing. Rarely does anyone appreciate the mundane parts of life…”

Aether shakes his head with his own fondness before deciding to go forge nearby resources while they wait for the younger ones to satisfy their curiosity.

He has already roamed these parts himself, so he might as well let the kid have his fun, and Paimon can argue all she wants, but she loves indulging Izuku’s whims like a doting sister.

Besides, note-taking has evolved to water-splashing now. Laughter chimes, three voices this time, because of course Venti joined in, why wouldn’t he? 

'Hmm... something..... feels off.’ The golden eyed male wonders, pretending to look around for more sweet flowers. He wants to forge, but there’s also no denying the nape tickling feeling that there’s multiple somethings watching them.

“Traveler.” 

Aether shrieks, summoning his sword and swinging before his thoughts can process things clearly. Metal clanks against metal, teal meets jade, and he’s coming face to face with a small face and golden eyes that bore into his soul.

“Wait... Xiao?! What on earth—” Aether sputters, backing away. “Don’t do that! What if I hurt you?!”

The adeptus doesn’t react, his face deathly blank and calculating. Instead, his gaze is fixated on him carefully, his grip on his weapon firm and ready to attack if spooked. 

Aether thinks of the mess Liyue is in and he worries, “Xiao? Did something happen when I was gone?” but the adeptus only stares some more and disappears without a word.

“Aether!!” 

At Paimon’s scream, Aether abandons all thoughts, turns around, and sprints, “Paimon?!” but he has to throw his arms up to shield himself from a sudden gust of harsh gale that whips at him so hard that he stumbles back slightly off kilter. 

The breeze around the place starts picking up intensity and graying at the edges, grains of salt caught in the flow flick at anyone in the vicinity. It all points to one simple explanation: something happened to Izuku, something hurt Izuku, and now Venti is angry.

This is bad. Fuck, he left for five minutes.

Goddamn trouble magnet.

He marches back to their resting spot only to find Venti with his bow out and ready to notch it with something a bit more dangerous than the usual anemo allogene scope of power, His weapon aimed at two close targets that nearly has Aether choking on air because what the heck are they doing here?

Facing down Venti is a familiar large green and brown moose and a red and orange crane, both sporting the geo mark on their forms, two members of the few Liyue adepti.

In fact, the only adeptus that’s absent from this sudden gathering would be the other crane of blue and white, Cloud Retainer.

One look to search for their youngest member has Aether seething with his own anger. Izuku is pinned to the wall of the large red oak tree by Xiao’s jade spear, the sharp luminescent tips of the ancient jade weapon pressed onto the skin of his neck. 

The yaksha’s face is stoic as he glares down at Izuku like he’s a threat, while the boy is white with fear, his hands raised in surrender, but Aether can see the way his body trembles under scrutiny, but he is doing his best to appear calm for Venti. 

He has a deadly weapon pressed to his neck that could kill him with one quick stab, and his priority is still to reassure his papa, this boy is truly far too good for this world.

“Who dares invite an unknown deity with no known allyship to Liyue to the domain of the late geo lord?” Mountain Shaper scoffs, but they sound more tense than he remembers. 

“Such disrespect… and you dare raise a weapon against the adepti?” Moon Carver adds, his voice booming with obvious tell of his illuminated beast power.

It’s odd that they don’t recognize Venti as Barbatos considering how the archon has been wearing the same face for centuries; surely they could tell? He doesn’t look that different. 

And what unknown deity? Because clearly they don’t mean Barbatos who has a known friendship with the lord of geo, but that would mean they’re referring to Izuku—

Oh 

Oh Izuku's bloody energy signature. 

Archons , they keep forgetting to take the more vital precautions like making sure Izuku doesn't enter unknown territory while shining like a beacon that screams powerful, suspicious, and  might-be-a-threat.  

It’s not like normal mortals can sense him, and the Four Winds and Venti are so used to his presence that they got a little too careless.  

No wonder the adepti are so wary. For all they know, Izuku might be an unsuspecting enemy trying to take advantage of the passing of the geo lord to take over Liyue, if not the mysterious murderer who did the deed themselves.

"Aether!!" Paimon, who has been cowering behind Venti, flings herself at him. “Make them stop! They won’t listen!” 

Aether quickly stands between the livid Venti with actual murder eyes and the two spooked and still grieving adepti, probably not his best idea, but he has made worse and much more dangerous decisions before. 

“Woah woah woah! Hold it! They’re with us!” Aether explains to the illuminated beasts before turning back towards the Anemo Archon, "Venti, chill. You need to calm down. I won't let them hurt him. And Xiao, let him go, he's not a threat."

The addressed yaksha scowls, “I do not take orders from you mortals.” He snarls at the blonde with a warning, which Aether truly tries not to snort at, because what of the irony of that statement? 

He probably would’ve felt like Izuku if it weren’t for the cloaking spells imbued in his clothes, which he wore to hide his true energy signature.

There’s a reason Lumine and he don’t wear just anything.

Him, a mortal? That’s almost cute.

Izuku tries to inconspicuously shake his head, nodding towards Venti at Aether, straining a pained smile in an attempt to show he’s alright.

Obviously he isn’t, and it's been a while since he took the potion, the effects must be wearing off if Izuku’s growing fidgeting from discomfort is any indicator. At least it doesn’t look like he might react as badly as just now.

The bard has his bow down out of respect for Aether's request. He knows he could trust his friend’s word that no harm would come to his child, but he’s taking no chances. They do not recognize his true identity, he has his true energy presence hidden under a spell to appear mortal.

They were ambushed so suddenly and before he knew it, all he could think was that Izuku is in danger and these creatures are getting in his way and he’s back there again trying to hold his own against an abyss herald for his starlight and Izuku is hurt and how dare they take what is his. 

But having Paimon clinging onto his cloak, grounds him down just enough to not actually cause an international feud right after the tragedy at the Rite of Descension.     

“Let him go.” he all but demands, a demand that is ignored as the adepti focuses on Aether.

“The traveler?” Mountain Shaper gasps, the crane-like face managed to frown with disappointment, “You have some nerve bringing in some unknown deity into this land after what’s happened, traveler.” 

“Look, this is a huge misunderstanding, “ Aether continues to say, “So why don’t we all put down our weapons and talk?”

Naturally, nobody is in agreement with that; instead, everyone is tense and cautious. Tensions have been high all round since the assassination of Rex Lapis, the adepti are restless as they no longer have the geo lord to defer to.

The archon present, who is growing impatient, bellows, "Let the child go," while glaring at the yaksha, who is standing his ground and unable to take his eyes off of the child.

“I do not take orders from you mor—”

Moon Carver gasps, "Conqueror of Demons," their eyes focusing on the pallidly glowing anemo mark on Izuku's collarbone, “That mark...”

Xiao lets his gaze linger closer, his eyes widening in surprise, "What? That is—”

“Remove your weapon from my child this instant Alatus.”

Venti all but barks the order, a burst of energy explodes as his disguise drops and the full weight of his archon presence reveals itself. Wings of white and gold rimmed spread open, the god’s tattoos and the tips of his braids glowing as well, as he now hovers slightly above the ground. 

The archon is scowling with irritable anger, making the few in his presence take an instinctual step back. Even Aether is taken aback by the outburst of rage; he never imagined Venti was even capable of feeling such intense fury, being so carefree and patient.

Did Izuku somehow lure out buried sides of him that he had long forgotten? The bard had changed so drastically over the course of the time they spent together.

“Lord Barbatos.” 

Xiao inhales a sharp intake of breath as his eyes shoot wide open with horror and shock, his weapon banished at once as he jumps away from Izuku, as if standing near him another second would have burned him. 

The Yaksha moves with unmistakable rigidity as he lowers his head in a half-bow toward Venti. Xiao glares at his hand, and a glimpse at the boy would show red marks where his weapon has harmed the other. The thin red scrapes just slightly above the anemo mark of the archon he’s bonded to.

He feels the inside of his stomach churn with sickness, his body trembling with pure disgust at what he just did so nonsensically.

He hurt Barbato’s child, he hurt the young of the god who is the reason he still lives to protect Liyue.

He was ignored by the archon in question, who then drew the younger teen close to him and asked, "Izuku, are you hurt?" as he examined him thoroughly for any additional wounds. He coos softly and tenderly at the child, his fingers tracing the scratches that Xiao left on his neck.

For a brief moment, Xiao believed the air around him had vanished , leaving him barely able to breathe and unable to move a muscle due to the sensation of constriction throughout his entire body, as if he were bound together by invisible binds. 

The element that’s his comfort and constant whips against his exposed skin like faint dashes of warning.

The feeling is gone as quickly as it came. 

“No, I’m fine.” 

Still buried in his father's embrace, the boy mumbles assurance, clinging to Barbatos like a lifeline. When the teen is given something to drink, he noticeably relaxes in the other's embrace and lets out a shaky sigh of relief.

Finally, the god turns his gaze to him, his expression remaining unaffected and devoid of any threat of punishment for what Xiao had unintentionally done. Nevertheless, if the god should demand it, Xiao would be prepared to face punishment. 

"I apologize for how carelessly I attacked the young lord." Xiao starts, dropping to his knees, which he usually doesn’t do for anyone else other than the Lord of Geo.

The boy sputters for a moment, detaching himself from his parent’s hold before frantically shaking his arms in tandem with his head, “Oh no no, it's fine! No harm done…..” he assures the yaksha, looking far more uncomfortable than he did at weapon point mere moments ago.

There’s no helping the way shock bleeds onto his face, Xiao stares up starstruck at the young godling— because with that sort of energy presence, what else could the boy be —like Izuku is unreal. 

Because nothing, not even Barbatos himself— proven by how the god has no actual qualms about killing the one he saved over said child moments ago —could be so forgiving.

He did not expect to be forgiven, let alone forgiven so easily.  

The godling, who has a youthful mortal appearance, lowers himself in front of Xiao, flinching slightly as he does so. Despite his hands shaking with fear, however, the young man is determined to meet Xiao's tense gaze. 

Those eyes are tantalizing for some reason he can't explain . 

Once they have your attention, it's almost like you couldn't look away even if you tried, because for some reason, it feels like he could see through Xiao. 

Barbatos turned his gaze to the other adepti present, who were engaged in a conversation with the traveler and seemed to be of the opinion that Xiao is now okay in his books simply because his child has forgiven him. Letting the two have their own moment together while the others talked things out.

"I'm not hurt, not really," he says as a soft green hand extends but does not touch him. “But you….you are in so much pain aren’t you? I could sense it…. It’s so horrid.” 

The green-haired boy, as mortal as he looks and speaks, cries out with so much anguish in his words, for Xiao.

For an adeptus he doesn't know, the adeptus who wounded him within the first few seconds of meeting him.

Thus, Xiao was aware of two things.

One, this being is kind beyond understanding. 

Though Xiao believed Barbatos to be kind, this young deity is ten times worse than his parent, and Xiao was unsure of how to respond to such compassion. He's reassuring Xiao when it's actually him who was injured by him, and it kind of gives the yaksha an oddly tingly sensation inside.

Like he wants to cry.

Two, the godling could feel his karmic binds this whole goddamn time, and from his reluctance to touch him— as grateful as Xiao is for not having to endure the physical contact that would’ve made him jump —he is affected by it, badly. 

Xiao could be hurting him. 

Xiao has been hurting him.

Xiao abruptly leaps away from the boy, startling him, but he doesn’t care, he refuses to keep hurting him. “Stay away, I wish not to harm you.” he calmly explains, but his voice must’ve wavered or something because the godling is throwing him an odd look.

The godling tries to say something, but Xiao doesn't let him get another word in, moving to stand with the other adepti.

The teen sighs, rises up to his feet and moves to stand by Barbatos, though Xiao didn’t miss the way he smiles at him.

No, not the soft, sweet kind he was given before, but the other sort of smile.

The one that typically means this isn’t over yet and he internally laments at whatever the boy plans to do.

“The Anemo Archon... What are you doing here?” Mountain Shaper inquires as they see the god finish tending to his child, fussing over the younger god like a mother hen from what are probably almost irrelevant scrapes. 

Barbatos has a child . When did that happen? 

The boy certainly isn’t his, the archon isn’t capable of having children in the traditional way. Still, he is fiercely protective of said child, and it is quite a new sight to behold.    

“I find that how I spend my time is none of your concern.” He spats, the all-too familiar cheekiness having a sharp edge to it. If they hadn’t known any better, they would have thought there was a bit of spite in there too. 

(They in fact, did not know, any better)

The adeptus sneers with clear contempt while Moon Carver shakes their head, “You have no business in Liyue lord Barbatos, find yourself—”

“ Silence.”

All at once, the atmosphere drops to a still solitude. Xiao grimaces, his resonation with anemo allowed him to be more sensitive to changes within the energy of said element, and currently, the feel of it is akin to a hiss of warning.

“Moon Carver, do remind yourself who I am.” Ven— Barbatos carefully reminds the other, eyes glinting with a rare show of rage. “While I usually don’t demand respect or care for your insults, but one of yours just attacked mine, so I’m feeling a little prickly right now.”

They want him as an Archon? Fine, they’re getting the Archon .

The three present adepti recoil at the comment, but at least they still appear to have some duty-driven senses to look ashamed. Izuku huddles closer next to him, hands grabbing onto Venti’s to help ease the anger coiling inside him.

As laissez-faire as he had been with his Four Winds, Venti still made sure they wouldn't have reacted like this with or without his presence if such a situation was thrust upon them. Morax clearly has been lax with his own adepti.

Venti has never really been a favorite of theirs, not back then nor now either. His informality with his duties is something they never understood, especially when constantly compared to their archon. 

But he has no reason to retaliate all those years ago to whispered insults or jabs at his incompetency or how he’s a disgrace for how he refused to manage his people responsibly.

However, the situation today is entirely different. 

“The lord of geo just passed and this is how you show up to pay respect?” Moon Carver growls with sorrow in their voice, and Xiao quickly adds, "I'm afraid I have to agree, Lord Barbatos."

That's the first non-proverbial shoe to drop on Venti, the livid gone, and dumbfounded stun takes its place, like someone hurling a rock to shatter glass and stop time.

The archon glances at Aether for an explanation, but the traveler is also looking at him with puzzlement. 

Then, to all their astonishment, the Anemo Archon, glorified wings and all, throws back his head and bellows out a hysterical laugh. Izuku being the only thing holding him steady and the reason he isn’t rolling all over the ground from the sheer absurdity of it.

“Wow, really did all of you…? I….frankly don’t know if I should be impressed or insulted on his behalf.” Venti manages to say within the few intakes of breath he has to take, “You'd think his loyal adepti would have more faith in his strength than to believe he was murdered. This is fucking comical!"

The adepti watch him, speechless at the blatant dismissal of their god’s horrific passing.

“Venti…..what’s going on? You know them?” Aether asks, wishing to kick the bard for reacting so carelessly, because that’s sure to add fuel to the still blazing flames they’re in. 

Izuku, if he isn’t occupied with making sure his papa doesn’t topple to the ground in this newfound amusement, likely has his own thousand questions regarding their ordeal if that face of his is any indicator. 

“Yeah tone deaf bard! You didn’t mention that you knew the Liyue Adepti!” Paimon exclaims, even though it's not a total stretch to imagine that the non-mortal beings of the two nations are acquainted. 

The emotional turmoil Venti is experiencing is becoming cathartic, so he gathers himself. “Oh I know them alright, me and Morax used to date like 7 centuries ago, of course I know his lil march band.”

Well that is a bombshell that came out of nowhere, as of that moment, Paimon, Izuku, and himself are looking at Venti like he grew a second head. While the three adepti wear the same grimace of distaste and resignation, that was a dark time for them as well, it seems.

“You what—” Aether chokes out because, frankly, Venti doesn't strike him as the dating type, for all that he has a romantic tongue.

The Venti he is familiar with is somewhat immature and childlike, and from what he has heard of Rex Lapis, they couldn't be more different. To casually mention being flings with a neighboring archon….. No one saw that one coming for sure.

Venti shrugs, “Didn't work out, I dumped him, details details. Ancient history Aether, with that being said, where is that old blockhead?” he casually asks, you know, like a reckless lil shit.

“Uh Venti, isn’t he like…. Dead?” Paimon nudges him, she even forgot the ugly nickname from how appalled she is by his nonchalance.

The bard, however, only responds with a wry smile, "If he's not here in 30 seconds? He wishes.”

Izuku looks from his papa to the adepti back and forth worriedly, he really hopes no one would snap and start fighting. They look downright raging but concur that it is not worth picking a fight with another archon. 

It’s a little odd, seeing how Venti is known for being the weakest of the seven, they can totally take him on in a fight— Venti is his papa but the truth will be the truth —but they’re refraining from doing so in spite of Venti’s disrespect. 

Perhaps an old contract between the two archons? They had an….affair on top of the allyship between nations after all, maybe they were contract bound to not harm Venti. That would explain why the human-looking one looked like his life flashed before his eyes when he realized who Izuku was. 

“We saw him drop dead from the sky though?!” Paimon screeches, because poor Aether is still trying to wrap his head around what’s going on.

“Really? That’s a new one.” The bard has the audacity to chuckle with amusement, and to the growing irritation of the adepti present, “Celestia knows he can be so dramatic at times, but he’s definitely not dead.”

Venti would certainly know if the old rock dragon managed to get himself offed. 

A god’s death would cause a massive collision that would wreck waves of energy.

A strong elemental deity like Morax even more so, Mondstadt being right smack next to Liyue would feel it should the guy really kick the bucket. 

Seriously, that’s like a God’s Livelihood 101, they should know this.

Instead he gets this, three illuminated beasts contemplating throwing two nations' allyship to hell over a few remarks, a traveler who’s trying to put the puzzle pieces together in his head, a fairy who thinks he’s gone mad and his son who looks like he might explode from the many questions he wants to ask.

Right, he really has to do everything himself these days.

Unexpectedly, it is Xiao who attempts to diffuse the situation; the yaksha looks about ten different shades of reluctance as he chooses his words. “Lord Barbatos, with all due respect, we really can’t just be—” 

Venti huffs, crossing his arm as he gently untangles his ward from him to hover just a tad high for good measure of what he’s about to do. The adepti warily eye his movements but he could tell they’re curious if not dreading whatever he’s got planned.

The god is smirking as he inhales deeply before shouting out loud in the open, “Oi Morax, get your ass out here and meet my kid! Or I'm dishing out the dirty laundry—”

There’s a sudden earthquake in the ground around them and a rocky structure bursts forth along and from it emerges a figure of a man with swirling orange and yellow eyes that are strikingly reminiscent of the geo element and far too eccentric for a mortal. 

He’s dressed in a modern Liyuen suit in dark brown colors coupled with black gloves, an impassive face greets them under the soft fringes of brown hair, an earring dangles on his left ear much like the long ponytail that sways behind him in tandem with the way the breeze is billowing around them.

For a moment, no one could say a word, or more like, Venti is just too busy rolling his eyes at his fellow archon and the others are too shocked to say anything. The adepti especially look quite pale at their god’s presence.

“Barbatos, this is sudden.” 

The gentleman has a deep, almost honey-like voice, though he acknowledges Venti with obvious annoyance. 

Not the serious kind, it's the friendly one where he sounds like he doesn't know why he even bothered.

Then a few things happen.

“Rex Lapis!”

"My Lord!"

"You!"  

Aether leaps in front of the man, fingers pointing at Zhongli accusingly with a smirk, “I knew it, you are the Geo Archon!” Despite this, the man doesn't take offense and instead just smiles broadly in amusement.

“It's Venti.” The bard corrects the other god with a pout, arms crossed and lowering himself to the ground and tucking his wings away. 

Maybe when you address me by my mortal name," sneers Zhongli. “I wasn’t aware you acquired a ward?” He inclines his head towards the green haired teen next to Venti, whose eyes are staring at him with wonder.

“You feel powerful….” The boy wonders, undoubtedly a godling, and when he realizes he has spoken aloud, he cowers behind his parent with a red face marred with bashfulness.

Zhongli smiles amusedly at the display, a peculiar character indeed. 

When Venti looks at the boy, his eyes are gentle, “Yeah whatever, this one’s a new development,” He gives him a fond head pat, ruffling the child’s messy hair that’s entailed with various flowers.

A dendro user perhaps? 

The Anemo Archon then gestures to the three adepti, who are still in various degrees of shock and disbelief, and adds, “I think some of your lot are having a stroke, you might want to go deal with that.” 

The Geo Archon exhales yet again, Barbatos’s presence always does invite more of that, “As always, you’re keen on throwing a wrench in my plans.” But the other god shrugs, cheekily as ever.

“You make it sound like I try.”

Not that he has to, wind sprites, disruptive and headache inducing in nature, it's a wonder why Celestia allowed him to ascend at all. But Zhongli would be lying if that wasn’t what attracted him to the other back then, although now they share a close friendship and nothing more.

“Excuse me for a moment.” 

He would quickly improvise the original plan. He would’ve preferred the adepti learn the lesson themselves, but that’s not an option if they’re aware he’s alive. But he supposed he was going to reveal the truth to them afterwards anyway, oh well. 

The god proceeds to salvage whatever remains of his retirement plan, though he can’t help but wonder, where did Venti acquire the godling? He hears no tale of any new ascensions, with the last one being Tanawat’s five centuries ago, a little after the cataclysm. 

And he wonders if the bard knows that, despite the obvious energy signature the child has, his presence still feels slightly muffled somehow. A deity’s presence yet not quite….there.

Strange, how very curious indeed.

Izuku is giving his all not to tremble at the sight of the Geo Archon. The sheer magnitude of his energy signature might as well fry his senses, and the most shocking part? Izuku is half certain the man is holding back, a lot.

The other archon has a distinctly different energy presence than Venti, larger, more powerful, but not oppressing or suffocating. It feels as if Liyue’s natural environmental mana was condensed densely into a single entity.

Only Aether's new traveling party remains in this region of Sal Terrae after the man dismisses his devoted adepti. He looks down at him with no malice or suspicion—just pure curiosity. Holy seven, though—that look is so piercing that it makes Izuku shudder.

He remembers reading that Rex Lapis is an elemental dragon, so this must be his human form much like Venti’s own, he wonders what the god’s dragon form looks like.

“Well then, hello youngling, I’m Rex Lapis or Morax, but please do call me Zhongli.” he introduces himself, speaking in a manner that reminds Izuku of old wise grandfathers with too many stories to tell.

“Uh….hi…” Izuku yelps, still feeling extremely jittery that his hands fidgets on his cloak. His papa,the ever teasing jerk, starts to laugh at his stammering.

“Morax, you're scaring him!” 

He playfully hugs Izuku protectively, though Izuku could feel him trying to ease him from their bond, a constant sensation of I’m here, you’re safe and his eyes ever so often flashed with brief warning at the other god.

His papa can often be overbearing, but damn it if Izuku doesn’t enjoy being so protected and loved.

Zhongli narrows his eyes at Venti, an odd look passes over the man’s face as he must’ve not expected that reaction. Aether shakes his head, rolling his eyes but remains silent to let Izuku acquaint himself.

“Papa!” The godling blushes red, but steels himself for a proper introduction, he can do this!

"Izuku," he says with better confidence, cocking his head slightly in a half-bow with his hand held out for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zhongli."

Pleasantly impressed by his manners that he would not expect coming from one ward of the mischievous bard and Anemo Archon, Zhongli returns the handshake, “Are you sure he’s yours? He’s far too mannered and polite, so unlike you.”

And for once the god manages to earn Venti’s ire rather than the other way around, “Nope nope, got him first, he’s mine, get your scaly dragon claws away I know that look you giant hoarder.” The bard snaps with a scowl as he clings to his son.

Zhongli comes to the mental conclusion, ‘Ah, Barbatos did not raise him,’ which would account for the child's mannerism. Good, he had wondered just who in Celestia would let that bard actually nurture a godling. 

Additionally, the fact that the child has the name Inazuman indicates that he is not of Mondstadt origin either. The more he learns, the more interesting this child deity sounds.

“Izuku is it? Did the bard snatch you off Inazuma without Baal knowing?” The shogunate archon is an awfully hard person to contact ever since that one went off the deep end in her spiral of grief. 

Morax perfectly understands the sentiment, the youngsters call it a ‘mood’ these days, he believes. 

He pities those poor twins, Beelzebub is hardly ready, nor does she understand what it means to not only be her people’s god, but their ruler as well. And then there’s the grief and trauma from her sudden loss. 

It does not make a good combination. 

The last he heard of the current Shogun was from her fox envoy of a familiar, Beelzebub rejected the gnosis she inherited from her sister and dived into a tinkering project.

Then it was radio silence until a year ago when the Sakoku decree was established, cutting the nation off from the rest of Teyvat.

(Did she try to hide the newly born godling then? Her desperate chase for eternity would explain it.)

Celestia knows why and what is going on with that girl. Perhaps that’s why this child was born. Could he be a chosen candidate to replace Beelzebub? It sounds plausible. 

Izuku scratches his nape, “It’s…… a long story.” and a long story it is, and how fascinating it is to hear the tale of amnesia and hurt. It even brings him into shock that Izuku only recently learned that he may not be mortal or that he resonated with the anemo element without a foci tool.

His ex partner looks very smug, proud that he’s got Izuku to himself before anyone could. 

However Paimon suddenly screeches, “Wait, wait, if you’re the Geo Archon…..” her face dawning with realization and she whispers it to her blonde companion, whose eyes widen with surprise at whatever’s being exchanged between them.

“Aether? Paimon?”

Aether slowly pans to Zhongli with an incredulous look of disbelief, and asks, “Oh wow, did you..? Honestly? Had us running around helping with your own funeral plans?!”

Both Izuku and Venti gasped for air, the former from shock and the latter from laughter. Though the young godling is eyeing him with concern for his mental well-being, a very mortal-ish reaction, as expected from someone who lived as he did.

Ah yes, there is that. 

Zhongli sighs once more and nods to the traveler, but it is clear that he is amused. He himself finds the situation to be rather comical, not much an old dragon can find entertainment in these days.

“Does Childe know? Signora did know who the tone deaf bard was.” Paimon interjects, but the golden eyed traveler shakes his head doubtfully, “Doesn’t feel like he does…”

The archon in question sneers, but there is a hint of something not quite friendly in his eyes. "No, he doesn't, and I'm hoping to form a contract with you right now.....to keep it that way," he continues, his intense gaze fixated on Aether. 

The traveler, however, returns the archon's intense stare with equal ferocity. Not faltering under it for even an inch, from where he stood, he appeared to be quite smug, in contrast to Paimon's escalating panic as she frantically shook her head at him. 

Inadvertently pulling Izuku closer behind him, Venti's eyes narrow as well at the scene unfolding before him. “Pa, what’s going on?” his son asks, though he looks from one deity to another, trying to figure out why it suddenly got so tense again.

Venti scowls; he genuinely despises it when that old blockhead conducts along this regard. “I’m not sure either but whatever it is, best to stay out of it Izuku. I respect Morax for his caliber at what he does but……” he promptly sighs, a hand coming up to his forehead.

“I don’t think I like whatever he’s planning, truthfully I never did like his schemes.” The bard has seen, experienced, and participated in his fair share of Morax’s famous schemes, the dragon can be ever so crafty for all that he calls Venti a disruptive being.

Colour Zhongli impressed by the traveler's resilience, it's not everyday he gets to meet someone who doesn’t quiver in his presence after knowing who he is aside from the obvious few, then for a second there’s a sudden jab of something and its like he’s being sucker punched but mentally.

The god blinks, Aether smiles, but now….. It’s not as innocent, the curve of those lips slits with a sense of danger. 

Zhongli looks at the blonde male, actually looks at him this time and….. oh.

Oh, he made a huge miscalculation, didn’t he? He wasn't mortal at all either, which should’ve been obvious from his garb alone, but still, it’s been so long since Zhongli encountered one of them.

The last of them that he met was……Hold on, he stares at Aether some more, the sudden image clicks and, oh everything makes a thousand more sense now.

Funnily enough, she mentioned a brother though, a twin brother at that. 

How did he miss that?

Aether on the other hand chuckles at the bewilderment on Zhongli’s face, he could tell just when exactly the god realizes what he is, “I see, fair enough.” he answers anyway, daylight is burning and they can’t spend all day here playing wordplay after all.

The blonde holds up three fingers towards the god, “Three questions in exchange for your request for secrecy. Sounds fair?” 

Zhongli frowns, but nods nonetheless, “A rather smaller price than I expected, I can answer any questions you have as long as it does not violate any of my other contracts.” 

Aether could tell he was wary of him now, there’s not quite a twitch in his hands to summon his weapon at any sudden movements. Not one to underestimate his opponents or overestimate his own abilities, it’s obvious how he emerged from the cataclysm as a survivor.

“Aether?” Paimon, ever the sweetheart, annoying as she may be at times, is genuinely scared for him. 

“It’s okay, I got this.” the young man assures her before turning to answer Zhongli, “I accept your terms. Do we have a deal?”

“Deal.”

There’s a wash of energy rushing over him as he feels a binding spell snap into place, god of contracts, right. Izuku must’ve felt it too because the kid jerks when it happens, suddenly scanning down Aether oddly, as if he couldn’t quite grasp what had just happened.

“Do you know where my sister is?” He cuts right to the chase, no point in beating the bush now. Aether observes as the question has Zhongli stiffen, “No, I know not her current location…”

Interesting wording, “But you know her?” he asks again, glaring at the god to try deflecting that. 

“Is…. that your second question?” 

“Yes.”

Zhongli exhales and it's obvious his voice is heavy as he admits, “.........Yes, I do.”

The blonde traveler hums, that at least confirms his sister is alive and well, the question is, where did she run off to. 

“Do you know of an unknown powerful goddess that weaves destructive cubes, has white hair and golden eyes? I have a very big bone to pick with her.” he asks instead, a confused look flashes over Zhongli’s face.

“I….do not, though this does concern me. Who is this goddess?” The Geo Archon asks, he doesn’t recall knowing any deity by that description, however it does concerningly feel like one of the celestials.

“As you already know, I too am clueless to whoever that is…..” Venti interjects, “I’m younger than most, but I’ve yet to hear of such a goddess…”

Aether frowns, “Yeah, she’s the reason my sister and I are separated.” Holding out his hand, sparks of stars glitter and flicker in the shapes of two similar constellations circling and dashing around one badly disfigured shape.

“She sounds very powerful.” Izuku remarks, the intense battle can be clearly understood through the display of the Traveler’s many abilities . “And horrid.”

The golden eyed traveler scowls, “She is... to take away my sister and seal away most of my powers,” The sparks in his hands, a magic not native to Teyvat, burst from his anger. “I’ll teach that bitch a lesson one of these days.”

“Aren’t you a little too confident?” Paimon exclaims nervously, “She sounds super scary to Paimon!”

But Aether shakes his head and replies, “Believe me if she hadn’t caught us off guard that day….” he thought of Lumine’s bitter smile as she drags him out of his long slumber, yanks them to the sky gates only to be stopped by that utter bitch.

Where Aether had underestimated the threat, Lumine just wasn’t as focused, and it's what led to her being caught in the first place. She had been very insistent that they leave quickly if not a little manic.

But nothing compares to the sheer dread that he felt when he saw her dissolve into those red cubes.

Aether clenches his fists, “....and had we just been a little less careless to underestimate her, she's as good as dead.” He speaks both with promise and venom, what that unknown gid did was unforgivable and she will one day pay for it.

“To say you could kill a god so casually…..” Zhongli coughs, his mind drifting back to another blonde traveler he saw and met in passing centuries ago, “..... almost as if you’ve done it before….”

He doesn’t doubt that they could.

Aether snorts, “Can’t say I haven’t…..” he smirks, letting his true energy presence slip through the crack, just a small bit of it.

All four of them— Venti, Zhongli, Izuku, and Paimon —take a step back and away from him, the first three deities being those who have even summoned their weapons. Their eyes wide and goosebumps crawling all over, and they thought Izuku’s energy signature was powerful.

Zhongli hums, “I see, it appears I've ....misjudged you….” a sudden thrill nagging at the back of his mind, the god hasn’t felt so excited over something in ages. 

Aether laughs at the remark, “You wouldn’t be the first, little hatchling. ”

When Zhongli responds to the traveler with his own laughter and exclaims, "My, it has been many decades and even more centuries since I met someone who could call me such!"

Izuku gulps, “Aether you say very ominous things with that casual look, it's kinda scary!” Though, of course he doesn’t think he trusts the traveler any less, Aether is his friend he wouldn’t hurt him.

Venti wonders if his fellow archon has lost his mind. It’s a bit bizarre to feel, he has always known Aether is powerful but it never occurred to him just how powerful he is. 

The Anemo Archon is very glad they’re not foes, “Note to self, never make an enemy out of you my valiant hero.”

Chapter Text

They continued their journey again after parting ways with Zhongli, the group threading after Aether’s lead since the blonde had an idea to help Izuku with his mana sensitivity problem, apparently too much potions probably isn’t the best for long term and they only have so much stock on them.

Not that Izuku minds this, he always preferred on foot travel rather than waypoints, they make him feel queasy when used too often. “Where are we going?” asks the boy as they leave Sal Terrae.

“To see if you can resonate with Geo.” Aether replies, pulling out a map and pointing at their location. 

Paimon flickers in front of the map to explain, “We’ll be heading for Mingyun Village just a bit north of here. There’s a Geo Statue of The Seven just up the mountains towards Yaoguang Shoals.” 

She watches as their two new guests take it all in and nods, before continuing to explain their planned route, “Then we should cut through Gulli Plains right after and head for Wangshu Inn because there’s no way we’ll reach the harbor at this pace by the time it gets dark. There’s a new domain in the Plains we can explore too, we can just head for Liyue Harbor tomorrow.”

She finishes with a satisfied grin, much to the surprise of one bard in their party, even Izuku looks awed. “What? Paimon said she’s a guide didn’t she?! Stop looking so surprised!!” exclaimed the offended fairy with a pout.

“She’s right, most of my travel routes are planned by Paimon whenever we explore, and she keeps track of places we’ve been to and stuff, so I don't miss anything.” Aether supplies them with an amused chuckle. 

“She’s got a black hole for a stomach, but her geography and navigation skills have never gotten us lost, yet .” 

The quip at the end has a white little angry fairy tackling him straight to the ground in a heap of laughter. 

“You take that back, meanie!! Paimon is the best guide there is! And... and if we ever get lost, it’ll only be because we discovered a new place even Paimon hasn’t been to!”

The traveler captures her in a tight hug, laughing as it muffles the shrieking, “Alright, alright, I get it. What would I ever do without you.” he pats her head, fondly while the little fairy pouts with her arms crossed. 

Watching them interact throws Izuku in a loop, for friends who knew each other only for a fair while, their bond clearly goes further than that of a traveler and his guide. It reminded Izuku much of himself and Klee, which sparked the longing in his heart for her to be here. 

He misses her already.

This is a sight in their dynamic that isn’t so visible to the gazes of those who only frequent them on their travels, as if it were filtered by others' presences and only visible when they’re alone with each other. 

To see them act so openly themselves around Izuku and Venti, he wonders if there’s a meaning to it…. Do they consider himself and his papa as part of this special closer circle?

Venti chuckles teasingly, “So the little flying blackhole is contributing after all. Who would’ve thought?”

The other shoots him a glare in return, “Paimon should leave you all here high and dry if this is what Paimon gets for her efforts!” she exclaims, with all the bark and not a single bite in her voice.

Izuku and Aether both secretly exchange exasperated expressions between them over the interaction, why they always have to clash and banter is beyond them but it's still an entertaining sight.

“I’ve lived in these lands over the last almost three thousand years, sweetheart, I need no guide to get by~” Venti quips and even sticks his tongue out at her, making the fairy stomp her feet in the air angrily.

“Okay! Stop it you two, Paimon chill, he’s just riling you up." Izuku steps between them, best to deescalate before things went from harmless to not. "Papa, behave geez you’re the oldest here.”

“Age is just a number to us, little one. Besides, the real gramps here is Aether after all!”

Aether's eyes twitch, his weapon summoned in his grip.

“Venti, you have 5 seconds. Start running.”

They were thankfully able to continue without Venti getting seriously maimed. Their venture through the terrains isn't one that is difficult when Aether would form geo constructs to help with climbing or Venti can conjure wind currents to ease their journey.

All the while, Izuku gets to enjoy the new scenic views of Liyue that is vastly brown in rocky mountain terrains and collecting Liyuen herbs and flowers as they pass by, a habit he picked up from Aether. 

The man has a tendency to hoard every shiny thing they come across even if his backpack is jammed full of such shiny things, but he is willing to share their findings with Izuku who stores the materials in little bottles and containers for future usage. 

With every turn of his head, there's a new sight to behold.

"Look, there it is!” Paimon cheers once the statue they seek is in sight, the towering structure is much like Izuku imagined yet not.

Similarly to his own papa's statue, Izuku could see that the figure sculptured does look much like Mr. Zhongli. A muscular man slouching on a throne-like chair while holding a cube with a hood draped over his head.

While Barbatos's statue looked like an ethereal gentle figure, Morax's had the impression of a god who is powerful if not a bit arrogant. 

“Mine looks so much cooler.” comes a murmur from the neighboring archon, his eyes scrutinizing the statue with nothing but judgment.

Izuku shakes his head, his papa can be such a child at times. His skin fizzles from the potency of geo mana around the statue.

Aether beckons him over, “Now, touch it.” he says, completely deadpan with a single finder poking at the metal plate. "If it doesn't work, maybe try rubbing it."

Gasping, Venti reels his head back at Aether with a scandalized look of disgust, clutching onto Izuku with his dear life.

“Aether, don't make it sound weird!” Paimon screeches, hitting the male on the shoulder for his wording.

Ignoring their gutter minds, Izuku promptly steps forward and carefully places a single palm on the golden plate at the statue's base as Aether backs away to give him space. 

The effect is immediate.

The cube in Morax's hand radiates brightly before a glittering light shoots out of it and surrounds Izuku. There's a jolt of alarm from his bond with Venti but Izuku quickly sends a wave of reassurance back before the bard reacts badly.

The light that spins around him like ribbons does not feel malicious, it feels like….like the earth below.

Geo

The light then seeps into his skin and it was like entering Liyue's territory all over again, except, rather than the overwhelming overload from before, now it's all flowing to him at a slower and more adaptable pace.

(And something, something within him cracks.)

Anemo is wild, free and spontaneous, it settles over him like a cloak that brings comfort. 

But geo is structured, firm, order.  

Unlike Anemo, geo fits itself onto his person like extra armor, sturdy and protective.

Faintly, the ground below his feet almost rattle at his resonation with the element. 

Suddenly it's so easy to grasp and feel the energy thrumming around him, especially the one beneath his feet like earth. Izuku swears he could almost hear thoughts traveling through them, all happy, glad and….

(And…. welcoming him back…?)

These fragments of ideas, of energy suddenly feel so easy to hear and understand in a way he doesn't think he ever knew he could, a newfound limb that Izuku didn't know he even has. 

Slowly, he inches closer to feel it better, lowering himself and kneeling to the earth below and places his palm against the dirt, letting the brown and green graze the skin of his palm.

And he…. hears it.

Welcome home child ours that was lost welcome back child ours that we miss dearly

They cooed and called to him like a piece that missed the parts that made them whole. Thrumming with energy that reverberates throughout his whole being. 

Izuku gasps, his eyes teary, fingers digging down into the dirt below to savor the moment, the feeling.

Like how the wind would always brush his cheeks and tussel his hair occasionally on random bouts in the day after receiving his anemo powers, carrying him through the air like he is part of them himself.

Yet he always assumed it was his papa's doing….

What if it wasn't….? What if….it was anemo itself.

Like how geo is….is connecting with him right now.

Izuku sniffs, tears dripping down his cheeks and down to the earth below. He lowers his head and presses his forehead against the earth, he thinks earnestly of his message and hopes they hear him, feel him as much as he feels them.

I'm back, I'm here, I'm so so happy that I'm here at last.  

The group watches the scene unfold in awe, “Woah, is this what happened last time…?” Paimon drawls, even Aether did not cause such a reaction when he took on the geo or anemo element.

But then again, hadn't on the day he found him, the wind was particularly windy. And not a threat stood in their path when they headed back to the city. Although, Aether had chalked that up to Venti being in a mood and the knights have cleared the camps near Starfell Lake.

Was that even what happened at all? Could've been something else entirely?

Even now watching this boy resonate himself with geo, of what is happening around them as it happens, Aether is once again plunged into a pit of curiosity.

They played with the idea that Izuku might not be mortal, may not even be wholly human, but if he is a non-mortal…

Then, what is he?

It may be amiss with the boy himself but the mana around them vibrates when Izuku accepts the element, any piece of earth with even the slightest hint of geo mana in them glows orange with triumph.

His freckles especially sparkle with flecks of orange much like how the tips of his hair would sometimes give out a teal hue whenever he uses anemo.

It was like, the elemental energy itself is celebrating him for resonating with them.

They always knew Izuku is more attuned to the elementary energy around him, his enhanced sensitivity towards the elements even prior to receiving anemo is proof enough,  even more heightened after, but now it almost seems like there's something even more to that. 

Like he himself, is a part of that energy.

Aether quietly ponders as he observes the boy, getting onto his knees and feeling the ground with eyes wide, hopeful and unblinking. Not caring as dirt dig into his nails and soils his pants.

Like he's seeing something they can't, hearing voices out of their range, feeling something that's not within their reach.

Venti on the other hand isn't frowning with worry as he had been minutes ago, seeing as no harm met Izuku. Not the ones he won't be happy about at least, emotionally and mentally, Izuku is definitely all over the place and then some. 

Geo isn't naturally volatile, no more than Anemo is.

The god stares confused but intrigued, resonating without a foci is a wonder itself but a special snowflake would pop up every few dozen decades or so and do just that so it's not that big of a shock when someone like Aether shows up.

This however? This isn't just a resonance, this is something even deeper than that, he doesn't know what but from the way Izuku's emotions are leaking from his bond….

It's a lot, but it's the good kind. 

The, you walked into a new house and realized, this is the home you've been missing for so long, kind of a lot.

His fingers twitch to touch Izuku, to hold and give him a steady hand to hold onto. But the god keeps restraining himself from doing so, somehow Venti just knows this is something they need to give Izuku time to process.

That this is something he must do by himself and whatever that's going on, even Venti isn't privy to.

Then his starlight starts to weep in between short breaths of giggles, his face coloured with a sort of innocent joy, the soft look on his face smeared with dirt and orange dust. Unbridled happiness rolling in waves through their bond.

Something inside the archon squeezes with adoration. His child is simply so adorable!!

Wiping away the stray tears, his legs wobble but do not collapse as he rises to stand. "Sorry, that was…." His words trail off, eyes blinking nervously not knowing how to even begin to explain the experience.

How would one even put that into words is beyond the boy.

Aether and Venti shake their heads, the traveler is enticed more than anything. But they more than anyone know that sometimes, there are things meant not to be shared, and whatever intimacy Izuku clearly shares with the elements of the world is clearly only his own to know and indulge.

A hand raised, "Rock!" Aether calls upon his geo powers to form a structure near the edge of the cliff. A round circular stone gleaming with near orange yellow gems in between the cracks.

"It's fine, you don't have to tell us. Why not try doing something like that?” He beckons the boy, pointing at the geo structure he created.

Izuku nods, his face glistening with anticipation. It would be his first attempt at using another element. The boy inhales and makes an effort to direct the energy he is feeling, which causes a geo rock to erupt from the group, sharply jagged and deformed.

Nothing like the smooth formation Aether created.

Without knowing if he is manipulating it too much or not enough, he frowns as he tries his catalyst again with only marginally better results. Since this element feels so dissimilar to the one he is used to, he finds it challenging to actually use it.

“It's…..something alright. Don't worry, no one expects you to get it right away.” Venti assures him, ruffling the boy's hair to comfort him.

"That's right," Paimon nods, for once reading the mood right and didn't throw in one of her teasing comments, “Two elements down, five more to go!” 

“See that domain way over there? We’re gonna do some exploring but there’s likely gonna be enemies, try testing out your powers on them.” She suggests the group agree with this and continue on with their journey.

Izuku is trying okay? 

His attempts at using his new powers are showing varying degrees of success and failures. Aether tries to help, giving tips as they go but as the saying goes, prodigies make bad teachers.

It's not even Aether's fault really; Travelers have naturally greatly enhanced learning abilities that they take any skill they want to learn like a duck to water.

It's just, with how familiar Geo feels on his skin, he'd thought he would have a somewhat easier time adjusting to using it. He certainly didn’t have such a hard time using anemo but mastering a new element is turning out to be a challenge in itself.

Sometimes he pushed too hard and the structure formed was either too big or disfigured, or he didn't push enough and the whole thing was too fragile to even touch and would collapse seconds after being formed. 

There's a need for him to be focused and meticulous while wielding geo that is more demanding compared to anemo.

By who knows what time, he catches a glimpse of his papa chuckling behind his palm, trying to hide his obvious amusement at Izuku's predicament.

“Okay, I'll bite….. what's so funny?” he pouts before biting into his apple grumpily.

The group decides a quick snack break is needed before exploring the domain— for Paimon's sake more than anything —and it did strike him as odd because Venti seemed so fond as he is amused.

The bard spent the entire journey looking fond and sentimental at his ward, chuckling quietly to himself whenever Izuku floundered his attempts.

“You remind me of newly manifested godlings learning to control and use their powers." The bard points out, which surprises the three members of the party.

Izuku's efforts brought back many of his memories from his brief stay at the Celestial palace, which was an eye-opening experience for a variety of things pertaining to the divine beings.

"Manifested beings born with their godly powers are very different from beings who reach godhood through ascension. I'm the latter so when I ascended, I never struggled much to wield my newfound power….but I did get a few glimpse at the godlings who were adjusting there,” 

Specifically, that one time a particularly newborn godling damn near burned him black when she got anxious and her fire wouldn't cease. The poor child was only 3 centuries old. 

Felicie's young, if Venti recalled correctly.

Birth gods were always collected to stay at the Celestial palace once they were born until they mastered their powers, more for the mortals' protection and their own than anything else.

These godlings tend to be much more powerful in terms of their raw powers than ascended gods, and they are rare beyond words. Only one is born every few centuries, if at all.

“It’s like watching babies learning to walk~” he coos, making Izuku blush red at the remark.

“Hey!" He huffs, never is he going to get used to so much teasing, even if it's all meant fondly, his face might just blow up one day. 

"But… godlings? I’m not a god! I’m just…me. Wait, you mean gods don’t have parents?! You…don’t have a mom and dad?”

The idea made him sad, but then again, maybe parents are just mortal concepts. He doesn't remember his own, but there are days he dreams of soft emerald eyes and a loving smile of a woman and Izuku believes that he at least remembers what it felt like to have one.

Even now, he has someone to fulfill that role, Izuku wonders, did Venti not have his own guardian when he was young? However, given the god's past, it doesn't seem like a good thing to uncover lest it cause the bard more suffering.

“Usually no, we don’t have parents—No, that’s not quite... accurate. Some of us have a ‘parent’ I guess …… But the main reason is that we don't need one to exist; as I previously stated, the majority of Teyvat's deities reach godhood through ascension rather than birth.”

In fact, of the current seven archons, only two are birth gods, the twins of Inazuma and the current youngest archon of Sumeru. The former Cryo Archon was a birth god too, but not their successor. 

Tsaritsa was a lot more pleasant when she was just a frost enchantress; godhood didn't do her any favors. But then again, that might be more heartbreak than godhood, how cruelly ironic was she to inherit the Cryo Archon seat to be the Goddess of Love when it was her predecessor and lover that perished in the cataclysm. 

“The only birth gods I could recall at the top of my head are the few that resided at Celestia and the Archons of Inazuma and Sumeru, manifestation beings usually. You mortals may call them personifications of certain ideas or concepts I suppose— Wait a minute,”

Those two sisters were born from essences of time culminated by electro mana, twin gods manifested from transience and eternity. 

Venti gapes, “Huh, would you look at that? I'm somewhat related to dearest Baal too, I never realized that!” he exclaims to himself in shock.

“What? H-How does that even work?!” Paimon asks, shaking her head confusedly.

The archon presses a finger to her lips, “Shush, let me try to word it right. None of us ever thought about questioning whatever resulted in our existence, we'd lived too long for it to matter and all." 

“Hmm, yeah, that is true.” Aether chimes along, the years do blur together after a certain point. He and Lumine don’t make a habit of looking back when there’s so much to explore and learn by looking forward.

“See, I was a wind sprite, and that usually means I’m an elemental being made entirely of anemo mana but err, you could say I was born a bit different than other sprites—I did ascend, and you better believe that’s not a feat just any purely elemental being can do—Anyways, that’s the thing I came into being... from the branches of time with the essence of wind mana. So it kind of makes me cousins to the Inazuma archon, in a way, on technicality through time ."

Venti’s memories before those years with Cecilio are hazy, like a fog that wouldn’t go away. All he remembered was blank aimless wandering, an existence with no purpose…..until he was led to a little toddler making music.

Perhaps he had been around for much longer than those measly 2600 years, but he never did truly start living till that fateful day he met his little dreamer so the years before didn’t quite count as ‘living’.

Izuku hums, “Doesn’t that make you a god at birth too?”

The bard shakes his head, “No no….maybe? Not in that sense, I don’t know? No one’s ever questioned these things! But I can't be.” The more he thought about it, the less he realized he knew.

He was definitely not your average sprite even back then, While his other kin could only flutter along in the passing breezes, Venti has always been able to choose where he blows, and he could even command the wind currents through the anemo mana to steer as he please.

“My….. abilities then, do not match up to a god, but it does give me a good edge in powers compared to other normal elemental beings, plus I ascended!"

Wind sprites travel in clusters according to whatever flow they get caught up in, but Venti has always been on his own, drifting wherever his heart desires.

“Maybe you’re like a demigod?” Izuku suggests, “But instead of being half mortal, you were half god, half elemental being? And when you ascend, you fully become a god?”

Three heads whipped towards Izuku with shock, “Wait, Izuku, you're onto something! ” Aether says, just as surprised as himself.

“That…. actually explains so much holy fates.” The Anemo Archon exhales, capturing the boy into a tight embrace, "Child, you’re going to give me an existential crisis!!”

It's such an obvious conclusion, yet nothing Venti would even begin to think towards. 

Half-beings of any kind were uncommon back then, too much feud for anyone from different origins to settle together. They're only recently starting to pop up here and there since Teyvat entered a time of peace. Venti himself had only met about 16 hybrids in all his years as an archon, and those demigods are usually half mortal.

By Teyvat’s standards, demigods are essentially similar to if one was born an allogene, and thus not considered gods at birth in the eyes of the Celestial to warrant their attention even if they technically are, usually half humans or mortal species similar to them. 

He never entertained the idea that non-mortals could also be born demigods.

“Aether? What about you?” Izuku questions, curiosity brimming in his eyes from the discussion. His hands furiously write down notes as they converse, it is all just so enlightening.

The traveler shakes his head, “No, my kind may be deities in a sense with our abilities, ridiculously durable we may be, and we live longer than most yet we are not exempt from death, Stars will one day die as well, so our continued existence too relies on reproduction, but Travelers like me don’t typically settle down, thus the lessening of our race.”

Their race were called many things, some of which were Starfalls, They Who Wander, Seraphs, Star Divines, God Slayers, Seekers, although those familiar with their kind will always call them Travelers. 

Creatures of accumulation, blessed with powers of the stars with lifespans that stretch out to trillions of years. For a race of beings so powerful and ancient, they are actually near-extinct. 

Aether doesn’t remember the last time he's met another Traveler whilst on their journey. Trillions and billions of different worlds out there, some newly created and others near destruction, yet only a handful hundreds of their kind left to keep exploring the universes. 

“My people can carry children regardless of what form we choose to take. Like me and my sister, our carrier gave birth to us in this one world without the sire knowing, and once we were strong enough to travel with them, they took us and taught us the ways of our kind until we were experienced enough to go off on our own."

A Traveler’s blood is specially dominant, a child only needs one parent to have it in order to inherit their race’s abilities and attributes. If asked, Aether can’t say he remembers much, if there’s anything at all about his carrier. 

“We never saw them again since. Honestly, if we weren’t twins with birth-bond magic bounding us, Lumine and I would’ve gone separate ways too.” he admits, not with somber but blank acceptance, it is after all the uncontested truth.

They were probably nice since he and his sister turned out fine…. Mostly. Morals are a fickle thing for their kind at times.

However, it’s his travel companions that looked dismayed by his proclamation, it’s hard to comprehend his words when here he is, combing through an entire world’s worth of nations just to find said sister. 

“It’s not about a lack of familial affections, I love Lumine, and I dread to think of a life where she’s not by my side, I don’t think I can live long without her. But, it’s just... twins are extremely uncommon, so we were a special case. We are both in every comprehensible way, linked to one another, wired to love and care for each other as it is how we were born to be…..” 

He dared not speak of how terrified their carrier was upon having them, twins of any number are not well received due to the almost certain fact that their powers are bound together. A dependent Traveler is sure to endure cruel hardships, as their kind are not meant for such codependency.

Even now, there’s not a day that passes without Aether aching for his other half. He claims he will not live long without Lumine by his side and neither will her, this is no exaggeration. 

“There’s a reason we do not call our carrier ‘parent’ because they are not. They cared but didn’t love us, we are not their children, just other Travelers they helped bring into existence. We ourselves carried one or two Travelers in the past, yet that’s all they will be to us…other Travelers…. ”

It sounds a lot depressing when said out loud he concludes, cringing at his own wording. Aether watches as Venti and Izuku frown, sympathy in their eyes.

“Oh…” Paimon mumbles, “That’s sad. Paimon doesn’t know much about what made her exist; it's foggy.. " the rather downtrodden topic is making even her feel bad for Aether not that it matters or that Aether understands. 

He doesn’t, understand that is, why they feel so bad for him.

“You’d find that my kind can be err a bit cold. But that's how things are for us Travelers, you could say we are incapable of love, me and Lumine may be outliers, but even then we could only ever love each other as siblings.” he adds, feeling awkward for causing such a down mood when they were about to go do something exciting.

"You never felt love for someone? Romantically I mean?" Venti questions, for a bard and someone who's done nothing but love, he couldn’t comprehend how someone could live long lives and just not feel anything.

"Attraction and lust? Definitely. Genuine love? Not once in my millions of years of living." Aether clarifies, "We care but do not love, can't."

And it was why twins are so special yet so damned, for they could love even to just the extent of each other as siblings. But this ability to feel that particular way is what causes most twins of Traveler kind to live shorter lives than most, as codependency is the bane of their existence.

To love such a small amount is already so dangerous, their race would not be able to endure true pure love.

Silence blankets them, letting the Traveler's words mull in their heads. Izuku thinks that’s horribly lonely for a way of living, but he supposes it’s something he will never be able to grasp or understand. 

“I don’t remember anything. But you guys are convinced that I’m at least part god, but I’m not made of elemental mana……” he starts to ponder, yet his connection with the elements is still a mystery. 

“Maybe that’s why I don’t remember? Could it be that I just came into existence and thus why my powers are all over the place? But you said a spell was cast on me, yet even now with it being gone, I’m still affected by it…. And I always do get this déjà vu but not quite feeling around certain things... this is all so confusing and I—I don’t know why but I honestly do feel like there was….. A before , like I had a life prior to losing my memories because it doesn't make sense for me to just assume things about myself so vividly, like how I know for certain I was a teen or that I know different languages.”

The boy is oblivious to his rambling, the sentences spilling from his lips rapidly much to the amusement of his traveling party. He however did bring up some very important points, too many questions and neither have the answer to them.

“Maybe I ascended? Do you lose memories if you do?” he turns to Venti who shakes his head, “No and you would have to stay at the Celestial Palace for the process if you ascended anyway,”

And Celestia informs the Seven whenever a new god ascends, other than the Tsaritsa and Buer, there hasn’t been an ascension since the cataclysm. 

“But that’s why we’re here on this journey, yeah? To figure it out…somehow!” He urges on, patting the boy by his shoulder to not feel too down. 

“You’re taking this godhood thing really well.” Paimon comments, her tone taking a bit of her usual teasing.

Izuku blushes lightly, shrugging his shoulders and saying, "Well, I don’t really feel like it. What god would I even be?”

(Distantly he thought of that odd way the Abyssal Herald called him, “Creatures of hopes and dreams…” What could it mean?) 

“Though I am curious what else I am capable of other than the whole elemental resonance thing and these mana senses.” he flexes his fingers, swirls of anemo dances and twirls to his will.

Aether smirks, “Well, there’s that domain, let's find out shall we?”

Chapter Text

Izuku only has one experience of domain exploration, back when Klee dragged him to comb through Cecelia Garden for useful weapon materials because Bennett lost his sword again and could use a new one.

The hydro monsters they faced in there are no match for the Spark Knight who is more than happy to let loose and wreck chaos, her bombs obliterating anything in their path with terrifying ease. 

Izuku is perfectly content with sticking close by as her support, redirecting away stray attacks and making sure she's not injured than doing any actual fighting.

But that domain is nothing compared to this one.

This Liyue domain they're in now is very different from Cecelia Garden, first of all, it's huge inside in the way it just doesn't show from outside those pillar domain doors. 

The air still rings with geo mana but is muted somehow by the realm magic that holds the place together. Warm orange skies stretch endlessly above them as a bright light sits on the horizon like an unmoving sun.

Platforms of ancient stone float around connected by roots of large yellow trees, constructs of geo dust with orange cluttered and glow with the faintest hues of geo orange. 

Chunks of old buildings stood over some platforms overgrown with wild plants and collecting dust. The ground and space below is obscured by a thick mist of white.

It's both breathtaking and mesmerizing, how beautiful and mystical everything falls into place, it's mana triggered into existence by the new presence entering the space.

The group's youngest barely even registers as his hands fly to retrieve his pencil and sketchbook, wanting to capture this wondrous scenery before him. 

Paimon said it was just an old abandoned domain, locals here call it the Forsaken Ruins.

Stepping on a particular elevated platform, Izuku exhales with awe. The floor has beautiful cravings of swirl and geometric patterns, he kneels down to feel them on his fingers and feels the thrum of geo mana on his skin. 

Suddenly, he could vividly imagine seeing an entourage of performers dressed in fine silk of red and gold, fancy headpieces adorning their heads and props in their hands, singing and dancing around for their audience around him. 

A warmth bloom in his chest and fleeting feelings of joy and glee rushes through him like gentle waves that brush the seaside.

The image is gone as quick as it came, the teen gasps looking around only to see nothing there again.

"Little one?" Venti asks, 

"I thought I saw…. is this…. Was this a stage?"

Surprised, Venti nods, saying it used to be where the old-generation Liyuen people would put on shows and performances. Back when the main town still stood in Guilli Plains. 

"Back then, even the adepti would join the people in dance and song, unfortunately neither Guizhong nor I ever managed to get ol' Morax to join." The bard recalls fondly; it was some of the happier memories before it all went wrong.

"How did you know?" 

"I… I touched the carvings and then I just….saw it. That's never happened before," he murmurs, glancing down at his palms in fascination.

Venti’s eyes alight with awe, "Fascinating! You know, it's said that stones, rocks and ores tend to store memories. Perhaps gaining geo allows you to see them." 

The teen thoughtfully hums, smiling to himself; he bends down once more to usher a bit of his own geo mana weaved with his thoughts into the ground below.

Thanking them for sharing such beautiful memories with him.

On the other hand, the blonde traveller has already begun to wander around with Paimon trailing after him, climbing through roots and ancient monument stones, looking for possible treasures or anything interesting artifacts left behind. 

Aether smiled to himself, looking around the place with eager eyes and barely concealed excitement; between Liyue's Rite of Descension and returning to Mondstadt to avoid whatever that's brewing between the Liyue Qixing and the adepti, he hadn't had the time to explore a domain in a while.

It isn’t long until his other two party members catch up to them, “This place is…..oddly quiet don’t you think?” Venti comments.

“You jinxed us tone deaf bard!”

The nonchalant remark earned him a glare from their guide, who has always preferred much duller but otherwise safer ventures in their journey.

But before the pair could dive into yet another bickering session, Izuku wraps both of his arms around Venti’s left arm and pulls him towards the opposite direction, much to the archon’s protests.   

“Lets walk in pairs instead, me and papa will go that way, you and Paimon can go this way.”

They march in their respective direction. Venti is content to let Izuku do as he likes and enjoys watching the child run his fingers on each touchable surface or squeeze himself into small alcoves of the abandoned ruins. 

That is until they reach a round area with a singular mechanism in the middle, a lever that may need mana energy to activate, “Huh what’s this….” Izuku mutters, brushing away layers of dust to find anything that might tell them how to activate it.

“Starlight, wait that might—”

Too late, the orb atop the mechanism flickers to life in orange and gold. Creaking sounds of gear echo the— arena it was an arena!

Pillars ancient yet stood sturdy as they rose from the ground, surrounding the pair like a cage. Right, performers, battle arenas specifically built for showy battles for warriors to show off fancy skills than actual fighting.

Venti draws his bow and readies for the enemies that will soon spawn to attack them; a drawled sigh escapes his lips. Izuku sheepishly apologizes and draws his polearm, neither deities noticing the third figure that managed to sneak in before the pillars completely trap them in.

Flashes of red and orange sparks greet them with the spawning of hillichurls and mechanical lifeforms, Venti is quick to assure his starlight that the creatures, while appearing alive, are simply simulations formed by the concentration of mana from the domain itself and aren’t really real. 

Making it easy on Izuku’s stomach when these enemies simply burst into specks of lights once defeated, he shouldn't be so surprised that his papa is aware of his aversion to taking the lives of other creatures unnecessarily, despite his effort, subtlety is just beyond him.

Though they don't have any additional elements to utilize in their combined anemo swirls, the mono-element damage dealt by the two is well destructive enough on its own what with the combined powers of two non-mortals.

However, when one of Izuku’s whirlwinds swirls into light blue accents, he is almost hit with a club by an incoming hillichurl from how frantically his eyes search for the source. 

His papa’s arrow hit the offender in the eye with a bullseye. However, there’s a stern look on the usually carefree face directed at him to concentrate on the fight at hand. 

The arena isn’t as large as the previous stage. Still, in between the blurry buzzing array of anemo vortexes and whirlwinds, Izuku almost didn’t register the familiar thrumming presence of another allogene fighting alongside him.

Cryo, by the feel of it, and sure enough, the light blue element begins to show in their surroundings as Venti and Izuku’s anemo attacks absorb the other element turning teal anemo mana into swirly light blue.

“Swift and merciful!”

A large circular area is plunged with cryo mana emitting from a floating illusion of a sword, Izuku's skin chills with a shiver when he stumbles into the area of mana energy. 

The coldness washes over him instantly, but harmless all the same, unlike the way it's dusting the skins of their enemies with frost. 

Glancing over, he could see a flash of blue and white, a young man swinging his claymore around, cutting down enemies with ease. 

Izuku uses this opportunity to conjure a whirlwind within the affected area, his Anemo attacks swirling with the cryo element and dealing more damage.

It took a lot less time for them to clear the arena and when the last enemy burst into particles, the tiles below them glow, and the pillars surrounding them sink down into the arena again.

The third person from before banished their weapon, his hand combing back the mess of fluffy light blue hair on his head that got messy from the fight. 

His eyes are a sharp piercing blue, and he's dressed in a white outfit, his cryo vision fixed on his belt. His face however sheens with sweat and growing redness.

The young man pulls out a popsicle to eat, completely ignoring the presence of two others with him at the moment.

“Uh….hi?” Izuku greets him, chuckling softly when the other jerks back with a startled yelp.

“Oh I’m sorry! I didn’t hurt any of you, did I?” 

He responds in a language that Izuku doesn't understand, head sheepishly tilting to the side embarrassedly. All the while still savouring the cold treat in his hand. 

Izuku nervously smiles back, “Huh?” Did the boy not understand Teyvian then? His papa however is quick to save him, answering the newcomer with great fluency in that other language.

“Fear not as you haven't done such, we are quite well and many more thanks for your assistance in the battle.” 

The tones fluctuate as they are spoken, and most words end in sharp sounds that are somewhat similar to Nihonzu. Izuku wonders if he could pick up the Liyuen language while staying here.

“Uh, you don’t happen to spot anything strange around here do you?”

"Not any that we may have seen or acknowledged, if the matter is any consolation, us two were only beginning to venture here as well."

“Pardon? I’m sorry I can’t understand either of you.” Izuku speaks up with a cough awkwardly, watching the two trade words back and forth.

“He means to ask if we saw anything out of the ordinary, that’s Liyin, the Liyuen tongue.” Venti explains, the bard feeling quite glad that he's got all Teyvat languages down in a pat.

Well, proficiency is another matter but that's beside the point.

The other smiles and shakes his head, “Oh my apologies, I suppose you two aren’t from Liyue. But you’re very fluent and um…old fashioned? It's fascinating though!” and unlike the Adepti who spoke in neutral tones, this man has a much thicker accent when speaking the common tongue.

Venti blushes upon the comment on his dialect, “Why thank you! I have a close friend who lives here, and errr….. yes I mastered Liyin some time ago so my grasp over the language has much to be improved ehehe….." 

It can’t be helped that the last time he studied the language was a few centuries ago, not much studying is to be done when asleep after all. 

The other frowns, quietly muttering to himself, "But honestly, his dialect is so much like great great grandma Yin…..!"

In an effort to drive his attention away from that odd tidbit, Venti quickly diverts the conversation somewhere else, all the while Izuku simply knowingly grins to himself. His papa has no qualms about his identity being exposed to Mondstadters but draws the line at another’s nation’s citizens.

There’s occasional assistance when asked and then there’s crossing boundaries by meddling with the affairs of another’s archon people.

"....but from your appearance, you’re one of those... exorcists aren’t you?” he questions, eyes trailing all over the other. 

It’s pretty distinguishable since that lot are strict with their traditions therefore much of their traditions are passed down unchanged even after so long.

White and bright attire for better attunement to positive energy, loose yet fitting enough to provide good mobility for martial arts and gold-rimmed accessories carved with runes for their thaumaturgy practices.

Plus those deep sky blue irises that slit in the middle like a snake's, a telling trait for a very prominent clan of exorcists a few decades back, Venti is very certain he’s acquainted with a few of the man’s ancestors.

The male nods fervently at the mention of his job, “Yes! My name is Wen Chongyun, and I heard there’s a malevolent spirit around here so I came to check it out….there’s traces but no actual spirits in sight…”

Venti frowns, spirits wandering are normal since there's no shortage of souls with unfinished business wishing to loiter around before deciding to pass on. But those of malevolent nature can be quite dangerous and are usually the essence of divine beings, he doubts there's any in here.

He would have felt it otherwise. This young man, however, does have a weird brightness to him. Venti hums noncommittally, discreetly eyeing his ward who clearly feels it much easier than he does.

Izuku's skin is tingling, he knows it's not elemental mana, it just doesn't feel the same but ever since that guy got near them, he could feel a type of energy wave that brushes him every few minutes. It makes him jumpy but in a glee, energetic way.

The teen wonders if that guy is doing it subconsciously because he doesn't look like he even knows it's coming from him.

The only way to describe it was…it's bright, light, positive.

Stamping down the feeling, Izuku then tries to recall seeing anything strange as they pass by but to no avail, nothing out of place crosses his mind, “No I don’t think we saw anything strange, we heard sounds but I think that’s just you.”

“I see…..” The guy deflates like a balloon at the answer, clearly disappointed.

“Venti? Izuku? Are you guys there?” Paimon's voice calls out, her high-pitched wailing startling the pale man.

“Tone deaf bard! Izuku!”

"Over here!!"

Izuku waves them over, Aether has his new sword out, he's got a bit of a limp while he walks too so they must've run into a mechanism as well. 

"You good there? My, is our traveller out of practice?" Venti teased, but the worry laced in his tone betrays him. 

Aether rolls his eyes, "You try taking on a ruin hunter after two ruin guards have a go at you and then we'll talk." 

Izuku's ears perk up at the remark, the blonde actually sounds genuinely frustrated. There's a thin crease of stress line on his forehead, a contrast to the look of excitement he was wearing before. 

Wordlessly, he gently tugs the older man and pulls out his catalyst to cast healing spells, ribbons of anemo encasing Aether’s legs. He only heals the more serious injuries on the leg, and the minor ones he would later treat by hand once they’re done with exploration. 

Barbara had given him one too many lectures on how dangerous it is to rely on healing magic all the time and on every little injury.

“You are…Aether….?” Chongyun squints his eyes, looking at the newcomer up and down.

“You know Aether?” Izuku asks.

Aether banishes his sword, only then did he notice the blue-haired boy with his travelling party members, “Chongyun? I know you, we met that one time briefly.”

Meeting is one way to describe it, but there's nothing brief about that disaster. 

Aether had seen him struggling to deal with some kids wanting his special ice lollies at the port in Liyue Harbor, and dropped by to help him distract them. 

They exchanged a few words and went to make more lollies only for them to get the wrong ingredients because Xiangling wasn't at Wanmin Restaurant and only she knew the recipe for those special ice lollies. What was meant to calm his constitution became a recipe for disaster.

Chongyun fainted from overheating and Aether had to sprint them over to Bubu Pharmacy with the other on his back.

"Are you here on an exorcism case?" He asks, Chongyun nods sheepishly, “Yes…….but it's all for naught, again . Are they your new travel companions?”

“Yes! I’m Venti the bard, the best bard in all of Mondstadt!”

“I’m Izuku, it's a pleasure to meet you Chongyun.”

Chongyun smiles and shakes hands with the two, “The pleasure is mine, so you guys here to explore these ruins?”

“Yeah, and I already found some hefty loot!” Paimon cheers, the duo must’ve had more luck than Venti and Izuku.

The youngest of them pouts, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, “Really? I and papa didn’t even find anything…..other than Chongyun here.” 

Venti pats Izuku’s head while posing dramatically as if readying to preach words of wisdom, “Well, a treasure can be many things little one, sometimes it's treasure and mora and sometimes it's a new friend from another nation.”

Chongyun blinks at the terms they used to refer to each other, suddenly looking between the two as if he’s seeing them for the first time. There’s an obvious curiosity in his eyes but the male doesn’t bring it forward. 

Aether shakes his head at their shenanigans, “That’s certainly a way to see things,” He then turns to the exorcist, “Will you be joining us Chongyun?”

The newcomer beams, “Sure, I’d like to.”

And with that, they walk together this time tackling obstacles and puzzles together, most of the ruin mechanisms are quite easy to deal with, and what more with a full team working together. 

“There’s something up there.” Aether says, pointing up at a narrow nook in a piece of ruin they reached, sure enough, there’s something wedged between the ancient stones and overgrown weeds that grow over the stone surface. 

“I’ll get it…” Venti exclaims, leaping to climb only to help when he slides back down, “Or not, the wall is too slippery to climb…”

Never mind that he’s perfectly capable of hovering himself up there, with his wings or otherwise. 

Izuku giggles, stepping up to the wall, “Let me try something.”

He’s been practising his geo powers all the time they’ve been in the domain, improving little by little as he adjusted to the feel of the power. 

“Rise!” he exclaims, hexagonal pillars shoot up from the ground in a line, each pillar joined together forming makeshift stairs. 

The height of said pillars of course is all over the place with some much too tall or shorter than the ones they’re attached to but it’s the most progress he’s shown so far.

“You’re getting the hang of this quickly.” Paimon claps her hand in praise.

“You……you’re like the traveler.” Chongyun gasps, eyes wide as he looks at the boy with awe.

Izuku blinks, “Hmm?”

“You have no vision yet you can use anemo and geo….fascinating.” he mutters, but blushes red when he realizes he said it out loud.

The youngest of them chuckles, “Ah yes, I suppose I do.”

They easily adapted to having Chongyun as a close combatant, with the extra heavy hitter Venti would mainly serve as support by controlling the enemy mobs’ movements and keeping them in one controlled space for Aether and Chongyun, Izuku would focus on covering the close combatants’ blind spots by countering hits they’re backed against.

All the while Paimon serves as moral support.

It's after a while they finally settle down at a corner to rest, the domain is mostly explored and the exit portal is nearby. Chongyun isn't faring well with his redden heated face that's sweating buckets.

“Chongyun, are you quite alright?” Venti asks worriedly, the young man hasn't stopped panting since they say down.

“I’m fine, just….." he says in between intakes of breath, "....need a second.”

Unfortunately, he ran out of lollies two fights ago and it's starting to strain him, Aether frowns while digging through his spacial inventory, trying to find something that might help.

“It’s his constitution, let's just say he shouldn’t overheat but he easily heats up." He explains, plucking out buds of mist flower corolla.

"Izuku, do you have unused sachets?” Izuku quickly nods, pulling out few of his spares and handing them over.

“Is that so? Does it hurt?” Venti wonders, putting a hand on Chongyun's forehead and cringing at the heat. "By the seven, you're burning!"

Chongyun softly chuckles, “No it doesn't hurt just….makes me disoriented and….impulsive…. and just, really uncomfortable.” he says, tugging at the collar of his top.

He breathes out with relief when Aether is done preparing whatever it was he's doing, and putting the cloth sachet of mixed cooling herbs around his neck and on his forehead.

“I see, allow me to help you too.” Venti calls forth a soft but cool breeze, the gentle buzz of anemo tingles like soft touches on his Izuku's cheeks.

Chongyun groans gratefully, “Ah, that feels nice, thank you.”

Then the crew begin to pass around quick but fulfilling snacks, they won't be stopping anymore till they get to Wangshu Inn after all and it'll be nightfall then.

“Thanks papa, but you should eat too you know,” Izuku murmurs when Venti piles yet another wrap onto his plate. 

"Yes but which of us is a growing boy, hmm?" The bard looks very pleased with himself but Izuku can tell he's worried about Izuku overtaxing his body with his new abilities.

Then he turns around to get down into yet another light banter with Paimon while Aether shakes his head and watches them go at it amusedly, enjoying his food with the show.

"Hey uh,I hope this doesn't sound rude but, you called that man papa , he's your father?" Chongyun nudges him with the question, "It's just I'm curious since he looks very young for a parent and you're...."

A teenager just a few years shy older than him possibly. He doesn't say but it is clearly implied.

"Oh it's nothing, I…well, I had no one, but then I had him, and suddenly he adopted me," he starts, smiling fondly while watching the bard as he speaks, "So I like to believe that makes him my father in every way that matters."

Chongyun wears this thoughtful face as he takes in that information, "I see, good on you both." He whispers, and it sounds sad almost.

Izuku is about to ask but Paimon is flying right at him, to escape Venti's bullying probably. She's crashing onto his lap, making him yelp but holding onto her regardless as she settles comfortably on her new seat.

"So Chongyun, what's got you out here alone anyway? Is Guhua geek sick or something?" She arches an eyebrow at him quizzingly.

Aether nods along, “You know, it's a little weird to see you alone without Xingqiu, you two are always together.”

Chongyun's face flashes with something cold, only for a second before it dissolves to a weird forced indifference. The exorcist isn't up to answering, avoiding their gaze and shrugging off the queries instead.

“Is that another friend?” Izuku asks him, curious.

Paimon scoffs, “Guhua geek only has his nose stuck in a book.”

“And in places he shouldn’t be…” Chongyun continues without missing a beat, but there's a bitter snappish undertone to his voice.

The blonde traveler blinks, “Eh? Are you guys….. fighting?” he asks like it's a novelty that didn't seem possible.

Venti, on the hand, is quietly listening attentively to his words, Chongyun feels oddly seen underneath his gaze. He says nothing yet feels like the loudest person in the group at the moment with his silent attention.

Not to mention the weird gut feeling he gets about him, like it's telling him the bard could be trusted and would know the emotions wrapped inside him anyway.

“Well um, yeah we….well, you could say….. had a fallout recently……"

That's one way to put it, coming to a realization that his supposed best friend— whom he was also may or may not be in love with —had been playing him like a thoughtless idiotic fool for archons know how long feels more than just a fallout.

It was in a way, heartbreak and betrayal as well. 

Because he trusted Xingqiu who knew his insecurities surrounding his condition that made it practically grudgingly difficult to be a proper exorcist. He knew that in Chongyun's own life, he could count with one hand the number of people who believed in him and his dream, and not even his parents were part of the list.

Xingqiu knew very few things matter to Chongyun in the way his passion for exorcism does. And yet, he made a big joke out of it for his own amusement, pulling Chongyun along the strings under guise it's just a joke, it's just a few pranks.  

He didn't mean anything harmful by it. Like it didn't make Chongyun feel like a failure and a big joke each time he fails or finds out the leads lead to nothing.

Like it didn't eat him up inside when all he does is fail and fail and fail, then he learned it was all planted schemes by the one person he thought he could trust unconditionally.

"It was just harmless jokes, I didn't mean to make fun of you. I would never."

"Is my job a joke to you?"

"What? No! That's not…. If I had known…"

"That's the thing, you should've. You're the person in this world who knew me best, you should've known!"

"Well it didn't hurt anyone, did it?!"

Chongyun had briefly wondered if Xingqiu knew him at all if he could say that to his face.

"No, Fei Xingqiu, it hurt me ."

But the worst part about it is probably how Chongyun still misses him, longs for him. After such a shitty thing, he still wants his best friend back, wants to forgive him but he doesn't know how.

He takes a deep breath, "I hadn’t spoken to or seen him in almost three weeks.” 

“Oh…..” Aether's eyes widened alarmingly, it's much serious that he anticipated then.

Venti hums, “You miss him.” he points out, three words and it crumbles something inside the exorcist.

Because he really, unfairly does, miss Xingqiu. 

Izuku scoots closer to him and Chongyun feels one of his hands, scarred badly but soft all the same, comfortingly takes his. The boy rubbed soothing circles on his knuckles with practiced ease.

There's an airy rush that floods his mind like a soothing blanket, it calms him down at once, if he's in any less frizzled state, he would've wondered how Izuku knew just what to do, or what did he do.

Chongyun exhales shakily, “I…..admittedly do, but the things I realize he did…..is….hurtful. I don’t know if I ever want to speak to him again.” 

And it burns inside worse than his constitution on overheat to even admit that.

“Sounds like a lie to me.”

Because as the bard says, it is, in fact, a lie. A lie told to his heart to protect himself but still hurts him.

"Pardon?" He almost snarls, still high strung from overheating because while the sachets and breeze helped, it still isn't as effective as his lollies.

Izuku, who is still plastered by his side, squeezes his hand firmly, not in warning but as a reminder. The boy's green orbs are piercing, but not unkind, just tense.

“Your words do not match the way your heart weeps for him, and from this alone," the bard softly says, his voice sweetly melodic and pointing at what an emotional mess he's being from just a casual mention of a name. 

"I could tell you two do value each other, way too much, as friends . To let such a bond wither from one fallout."

Did Venti see through him? He emphasized friends like he knew from one conversation there was something more involved. Their archer is definitely observant, his skill on the field is proof enough but this is something else entirely.

Chongyun doesn't even realize the breath he's holding in until he's being nudged by the kid next to him to breathe again. Mumbling about Barbatos and to chill with the something vibes and how did all of Mond never found out is beyond me.

Then Izuku is coughing awkwardly, nodding at his papa's words while said parent is smiling sheepishly, Paimon shakes her head exasperatedly.

Chongyun feels as though he's missing a joke here, but for the life of him couldn't be bothered to figure it out what with the bard's words swirling in his head.

“Friendships aren’t always exempt from conflicts, there’s always a chance for reconciliation.” Aether adds.

Which causes something a bit sorrowful to cross expression of their youngest, Izuku's breath hitches as flashes of something blurs in his head. 

"You're just a useless deku!"

Of dark times, painful moments, and a blurry blonde boy he couldn't make out the face of.

“I’m sorry for everything Izuku.”

He shakes away the sudden jolt of memory, “Venti is right, I don’t remember clearly but I think I had a friendship like that once…..” he trails, his tone distant.

Three heads that aren't Chongyun's, snaps at his direction worryingly, this doesn't go unnoticed by the exorcist, who is quick to learn he's really find fo the kid to get worried too.

Izuku doesn't remember who the boy is, but he feels like he knows him very well, and they were at some point just like Chongyun and Xingqiu with one side taking things too far, and the other side late to realize it.

He wondered what became of them after that apology.

“I think it left scars and maybe changed us in ways we can’t go back to…….but I’m certain that friendship was still saved, as…..crippling as it was.” Izuku cringes at the way he said that, probably not his best moment.

Even Chongyun looks more disheartened by the short tale.

“Sorry I’m not helping aren’t I?” He hastily adds, while rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

Yet the older male shakes his head, “No, I think understand, you….you’re right. It won’t be the same, but it's something right? And that’s better than….losing him completely…..”

And he says this while looking more like he's trying to convince himself of it, but Izuku feels that he got the right idea, he doesn't want to let go and that's half the battle already won.

Unlike when Izuku got his own apology, by then he had already let go. Burned olive branches don't always grow back.

“Yeah, something like that.” he says asuringly instead because it's what Chongyun needs to hear, that he has a chance.

After that one unintentionally emotional conversation, they finish their food and rest, then head out through the exit portal. The sky above is slowly drifting to an orange hue.

“I think that’s it for today, we'll be staying at Wangshu Inn and heading to Liyue Harbor tomorrow.” Paimon informs them.

Chongyun hums, “Then I guess this is where we part ways, I’m due to head back to Qingce by tonight. I'll waypoint travel.”

"That's a far reach, I pity your stomach." Aether comments while faking a grimace but Chongyun just shrugs.

So the party of four bid farewell to their temporary fifth member, waving him goodbye.

“Safe travels!”

“You guys too!” he calls out brightly before dissipating in a swirl of blue of the waypoint travel.

The quick track to Wangshu Inn is shortened even more when a passing traveling merchant party of five offers them a ride on their two unoccupied horses for a small fee. They were from the main city and were also planning to stop by Wangshu Inn.

Aether rides alone on a mare, while Venti and Izuku ride together on their stallion, the bard holds the reins despite sitting behind Izuku, and Paimon as always, floats after them. 

They mostly traveled in relative silence sans Paimon's quotes here and there since everyone is quite tired from the domain exploration, thankful for the transportation.

“What you said just now, is it true? That a friend once hurt you?” Venti asks suddenly, in a low voice.

Izuku reluctantly nods, “It's painful to think about it, while I see…blurry images, it's the feelings tied to them that's horrible and overwhelming at times. That feeling is…..betrayal more than anything I suppose?”

He really doesn't want to get into it, none of the memories he's getting glimpses of are….. pleasant. Least of all this one.

Aether sighs, “That explains everything about your past trust issues….”

Izuku shrugs, "I want to think that they mended the wrongs they did to me, a small part of me believes that they did…..but I guess maybe I’m just too hurt to truly forgive them….yet.”

The burning sting of remembering something always leaves a bitter aftertaste, it's like a small taunting voice in his head that mocks him for trying to find out something that should be obvious that it's best left alone.

It hurts to remember, but he couldn't live with himself to not find out. Who he is, and the person he was, that was him too, and he wants to learn about that Izuku.

Even if it pains him to so so.

“Understandable, I can’t imagine my sister ever stabbing me in the back." Aether remarks, shuddering, "I would just choose to die."

Izuku laughs, “Yeah, I know the feeling….like death would be kinder somehow.”

Of course it was all said in jest, but the horse he's on suddenly jolts, neighing in surprise. The wind around them picks up not obvious but subtle enough for the two to notice it's Venti's doing.

"You lot okay back there?" One of the merchants glances back at them questioningly but they wave them off.

Venti's arms are near stiff, from how he's riding, he's already halfway embracing the smaller boy in front of him but now, he's only holding onto the reins with a single hand while the other is trembling as it loops around Izuku tightly.

Aether scoots closer in concern, while Izuku wordlessly lets his papa cling to him like he's afraid Izuku might disappear. 

"Papa?"

"Venti?"

"Tone-deaf bard?"

The boy couldn't see it in his position but Aether and Paimon are startled by how haunted he looked in that moment, his azure green eyes glassy.

“Aether, starlight, do not, and I mean do not ever ….say such things…. please.” he fearfully pleads, the usually composed archon sounds so frightened.

So desperate.  

Aether and Izuku both gulp, guilt in their guts for joking about it in the first place.

“I…I won’t, I promise.” Izuku stammers, holding onto his papa by the arm for comfort.

“Yeah, sorry Venti. We won’t.” Aether chimes in, he can't say he's not surprised.

A reaction yes but this strong? He wondered if there was more to it than they can tell right now.

Chapter Text

Izuku wakes up to the same fresh scent of something sharp and tangy, their room at Wangshu Inn smells strongly of it, almost medicinal but in a more pleasant way.

They got a room with two single beds placed parallel to each other. Aether is tucked in his blanket while cuddling Paimon closely, still fast asleep from the steady way their breathing sounds.

Izuku got the other bed with Venti, his papa as per usual turned into his sprite form and snuggled himself close into his son's chest. He does that sometimes on particularly sombre days to listen to Izuku's heartbeat, Izuku wondered if the not-so-lighthearted conversation spooked him this much.

Being quite the small and agile-framed person he is, the boy carefully slips himself out of the bed without jostling the little sleeping sprite. The freezing floorboard however made him hiss at the coldness.

"Mhh Izu…… wear…. warmly…. B'fore…..goin' any'ere…" the golden head traveller mumbles in his sleep, Izuku muffles his giggles at it.

"Kay Aether," he slips on some indoor slippers and throws his father's cloak over his shoulders.

Then he quietly tiptoes out to the balcony, gasping at the fresh morning air and rushes of anemo in the wind and geo of the land, greeting him joyfully.

The sky is still dark and the inn is relatively quiet since most of its occupants are still asleep, but Izuku could see below that a few cargo carts are preparing to leave already, probably as soon as dawn breaks.

"Chip! Chip! Chip!!"  

A distressed chirping makes Izuku's head whip around to find it, it sounds near.

Then just below the small balcony deck, on a thin branch, is a baby bird frantically chirping up at its nest that's located higher up, in a little nook on the roof. They had taken one of the top floor rooms, and with the entire building being constructed on a tree, it's no wonder there are bird nests.

"Oh no! Did you fall off your nest, little guy? Hold on," 

He kicks off his slippers, and climbs onto the ledge of the balcony. Carefully, Izuku lowers his foot on the branch and gives it a push down to test its integrity.

It's jiggling slightly, the little bird is chirping up a panicked storm at the action, which Izuku has to coo at to calm down. The wood is a tad thin to be completely safe, but Izuku is small and lean enough that it should hold him.

And before he could do the sensible thing like turn back and get his glider first before resuming an impulsive and dangerous stunt, ten floors up a building at the crack ass of dawn, he gently lowers himself onto the branch.

His cloak flutters, the fringes brushing his cheeks in warning, but the teen ignores it. Moving slowly and with the utmost caution, he inches towards the baby bird, cooing at it to come closer.

The little thing was hesitant at first, but is quick to trust, hopping easily into Izuku's open palm after a few words of cutesy encouragement. The boy smiles warmly while he holds the chick in his hands, nuzzling it against his own cheeks.

"Hi little guy, let's get you back, yeah?" 

He hears it before he sees it—the cracking snap of wood hits his ears, and at the moment he could practically feel gravity yanking him down. Izuku curls the little chick into his chest while another free hand thrusts down to channel anemo to bounce him back up.

"Eep!"

Frantic, without his catalyst— which, in his haze of panic, he forgot he can summon —he couldn't channel a strong enough wind current, and he doesn't have his glider with him.

One second he's falling, the next there’s a flash of green and black and he's sitting on the same balcony ledge he climbed, only facing inwards to the room instead.

A stoic face with dark green hair and teal streaks is frowning at him, "Careful," he mutters stoically with his arms crossed. 

Izuku looks down to see that the small bird in his hand has vanished and that the chirping coming from the nest on the roof is now being replaced by a much happier chorus.

The boy slips down from the ledge to the floor in a heap of limbs on his knees, letting the relief and rush of adrenaline flush through him. He exhales a deep breath that is followed by a shaky chuckle. 

Well, that was terrifying; he's never taking off his glider ever again.

"Thank you, for saving me." He tells the Adeptus, who simply stares, nods, and turns to leave.

"It's you…..wait!" He grabs onto the other, and bites down on his tongue at the sting of it before he's shoved away harshly.

"Do not touch me," horrified, Xiao scowls at the boy yet doesn’t summon his weapon.

Izuku shakes his head, "It's just—what is that? It's awful… and it's hurting you, isn't it?"

It had felt so awful up close, he can feel them clinging to the Adeptus like molten hot chains that are angry and scathing to anyone that comes near it. 

How could Xiao ever do anything with all that agony and wrath clinging tightly to him?

"It is my burden to carry as a Yaksha, my duty." Xiao explains, monotone and without a hint of indicator that he’s in pain.

Izuku scrunches his face sourly; he calls that bullshit . "What makes it your duty to be in pain?" He protests, “That's not right,"

Xiao turns away from him, "Humph, a child like you would hardly understand. But that is irrelevant, you cannot do anything," he tells him demeaningly. 

Izuku levels him an intense stare, his eyes gazing over the other male's frame. If he looks hard enough, he can make out the black and blood red bindings that cling to him with vice.

They radiate a sense of wrongness; reaching to touch them is like attempting to touch a boiling kettle.

Yet that’s what they look like, bindings, knots and knots of dark red and black brimming with foul divine energy from discordant dreams and corrupted remnants of slain gods. Knots that Izuku can see, feel, and perhaps even touch. 

The convenient thing about tied knots is that they can be undone.

"And what if I can?" Izuku asks, a stubborn look in his eye.

Xiao steps back, "No, I will not allow you to—"

He doesn’t let him have another word in, Izuku leaps forward and takes Xiao's hands, his face contorted in pain at the gesture, but the determined blaze in his emerald orbs pins the Yaksha down in an entrancing way. 

He's caressing them slowly and gently, running random patterns on the calloused warrior skin. Izuku bites down hard on his lips to muffle his pained whimpers, the pain is as he expected, searing and agonising but it is working, the bindings are coming undone.

Xiao is so desperate, trying to yank away from the boy without actually harming him, that he doesn’t quite notice the shift. And when he does, the yaksha freezes with shock.

By sheer miracle, the thrumming pain of his karmic binds just ripples away, little by little, they unwind and disperse.

He feels lighter, like someone just looped off half the chains that he's tangled in, archons, he didn't know it was possible to feel like this…this peaceful .

When Izuku steps back shakily, Xiao is the one staring at him in dumbstruck awe .

There's definitely still some of his karmic binds left, rumbling more in perpetual discomfort than outright torture, and not as much and wildly as before. A mere echo of what he had to shoulder, and all because this….

This godling child did something that not even his Lord is capable of doing.

"Oh that's nasty. " The green-haired boy spits out with disgust, and he looks a little faint around the edges. 

The boy sways on his trembling feet and Xiao immediately grabs him, "W-what did you— what did you do ?" he asks, still stunned at the lightness he feels, the ease to touch now that he is certain his karmic debt won’t affect the other more than it already did. 

For the first time in Morax knows how long, Xiao could feel tears building in his eyes with relief and gratitude, and he's so not in pain and it's amazing and terrifying all the same because, what the fuck.

Who the fuck is this godling?!

"They uh, latch onto you like knots of bindings, I just….untie them." Izuku yawns, eyes blinking up to him blearily, "Couldn't undo it all though, saps….my energy…."

"You……. What?" He sputters, jostling the boy lightly to keep him awake, "That's impossible, you… this isn’t possible,"

He would know, Morax, Guizhong, and even the other adepti have tried for years to find a way to free him of his karmic debt, but to no avail; each attempt was a fruitless endeavor. 

And thus Xiao had made peace knowing he’ll carry this pain till the day he fights his last battle.

Yet this boy just defied all that, taking away more than half of his burden in mere minutes in one night on their second meeting like it was nothing short of a miracle .

Izuku remains limp in the adeptus's arms and just barely clinging to consciousness, his chest rising and falling slowly but steadily without any sign of obvious hurt or peril. 

He seems relatively fine, at least saved from the extreme exhaustion his body is in, the process must have taken a lot of energy on his end. 

Seeing him in such a poor state, Xiao is reminded of a very protective parent and their very real threat from the day before subtle as it is. 

The parent that is currently still asleep in the room only a mere feet away from where they are now.

Xiao internally panics, "Child of Barbatos, child of Barbatos can you hear me?"

Izuku, even half awake, snorts amusedly, "That sounds…. Silly, just….. call me Izuku. I think I overdid it…."

The adeptus arches an eyebrow, incredulous, “You are a strange godling,”

The boy hums, "Maybe……hey Xiao?" 

“What is it?” 

The green haired boy shakes his head lightly, "No one's duty is to be in pain…….. don't do that to yourself. It really sucks. Trust me…..I’d know," saying it like the sentence itself must've aged him decades older with how tired he sounds.

“You wouldn’t” is what Xiao is about to retort back instinctively, but the sudden drop in the boy’s tone halts him.

“Trust me…..I’d know,"

And the odd thing is, he does sound like he does. He sounds far more exhausted, the kind you see in warriors clinging to their senses on the battlefield that's yet to end.

There’s a layer of deep understanding that rings with his words, despite the fact that half of them are currently being slurred out. Laced with understanding that comes from knowing the pain and sacrifice to protect, the tiredness to keep going yet unable to stop.

The yaksha inhales sharply at the implication, but it couldn’t be possible right? Lord Barbabtos’s land has yet to see war in decades, if not centuries. 

Where and how would this godling child come to know of such trials?

Then Izuku’s eyes are rolling up to the back of his head and his entire body goes limp in the yaksha’s arms, again, and Xiao catches him before he could hit the floor, again. 

Xiao is so dead.

“Well don’t just stand there, come place him in here would you?” A voice startles him, Xiao cradles the boy closer out of reflex and makes him leap away in defense.

Now he knows this kind child would not think so, but he truly does feel indebted to Izuku. It's then Xiao decides he would protect this godling to the best of his abilities from any and all harm.

It's the least he could do for the miracle Izuku has bestowed upon him. Would he be open to receiving the occasional prayer from the yaksha? He knows his Lord wouldn't mind seeing as he's quite fond of the boy himself.

The yaksha trains his weapon on whoever it is that spoke, eyes gleaming with calculative protectiveness. His stance does not relax at the sight of Venti, weakened as he is, the god is still a sheer force to be reckoned with.

The bard stares back at him simply grins and crosses his arms amusedly, yet to the warrior's trained instinct he knows the archon is poised for an attack wearing the same look of protectiveness in his eyes.

The tension doesn’t leave even when both put away their weapons and ease their stances.

"Lord Barbatos, I—Lord of Wind, This isn't what it seemed. I didn't—"

Venti then laughs softly, "Peace, yaksha, I knew what he did.” The archon waves his hand to dismiss the apology, he shouldn't be jumping at people's throats willy nilly anyway. 

He does feel a little surprised at how his little stunt the day prior managed to invoke such fear from this warrior of war. 

The archon guides the other into the room, helping him place Izuku back in bed and tucking him in, it's still so early so a few more minutes to recuperate wouldn’t hurt their schedule. 

“Honestly, he should know better than to do so much at once,” Venti chides softly, blowing a small breeze of healing spell, Izuku isn’t hurt but he can’t just do nothing either. 

Xiao had carried the boy with utmost care, watching his every step and is attentive to not shake or drop the precious cargo in his arms, all the while still reeling on the fact he can barely feel his karmic binds.

Each step he takes forward is lighter than the next, Xiao could almost feel like he could fly again. Flying had become too much for him to manage when his karmic debt had gotten particularly worse, the yaksha doesn't know what to think if he could fly again.

He had forgotten the freeing feeling of flight, unbound to the ground nor by gravity. 

As an adeptus blessed by Anemo, flying is a huge part of what makes him Alatus, being unable to soar again on his wings, killing a part of him in a way that hurts worse than dying.

To fly again, does he dare hope for such a dangerous wish? 

Yet now each step feels like he might take flight again, he misses this, misses it so much that until now he didn't know that part of him still existed enough to miss.  

Could Izuku have also given back his flight? Has he forgotten what it was like before….. before everything went wrong so badly because surely everything hadn't always felt this way? 

He'll never get used to this new lightness of everything.

The yaksha trembles, his mind and body filled with emotions too strong that are no longer numbed out by the pain of his karmic debt. Oh his feelings and the emotions, right he could clearly feel all of them now.

He gasps breathlessly, willing everything he has to not start breaking into tears. He wants to fly again, Xiao realizes, he hopes he could take into the sky again, carried by the wind.

Somehow Xiao managed to convince himself he broke his capability to feel them some time ago, not sure how he managed that now that he could feel the whirlwind of gratitude, awe and pure joy stirring in his chest.

The archon present faces Xiao, “How are you feeling?” he asks curiously, looking him up and down.

To say nothing of his shock when the other's face suddenly twists into a helpless plea and starts to choke on his own breathing. Venti has never seen this man show this variety of emotions willingly or otherwise, ever.

Look Venti knows he said he knew what Izuku's did, but not really? He knew the child tried something that worked because of course it did, and of course it sapped his energy in return because his son is turning out to be a legitimate trouble magnet.

His brand of trouble just comes with a side byproduct of helping someone else.

Xiao breathes in sharply, “I…..good, I feel…… I never thought….” he keeps looking down at his hands, recalling how gently the boy had handled them as he undid the darkness that clung to him.

"He's a wonder, isn't he?" Venti murmurs, watching as Xiao nods at the archon’s words.

"What…. is he?" He asks, completely dazed.

Venti throws his head back and laughs, "None of us have the slightest clue."

And when the yaksha takes his leave, sprinting at a speed not visible to the normal human eyes, it feels like flying but not quite.

So two wings of dark green sprouts on his back, spreading open and letting the rush of wind glide between the feathers. 

Xiao closes his eyes, and for the time, hopes he could take flight.

The winged adeptus fell…… and propelled up into the air with a strong flap of his wings. And something inside him truly heals for the first time in centuries.

Unchained by tainted remnants of old gods, free as the birds, unbounded by everything of before and after. 

Xiao flies again, feels again, hopes again.

He wondered when Izuku fell down the tree to save that injured chick and Xiao had caught him. 

Who was it that was saved?

"Morning! What's our agenda today?" 

Izuku greets the duo as he joins them at a dining table, the sky is bright blue and people are out and about taking morning walks or having breakfast. 

“Morning greenie, no flowers for your hair today?” Aether slides over some toast and a small bowl of half boiled eggs at him. 

“Where’s Venti?” Paimon asks, seeing as the bard is nowhere to be found. 

Izuku chuckles and points at his hair, a small bundle of white is nestled within his green curls that’s purring softly. Aether coos, taking a quick snap of the adorable sight it with his kamera. 

“Hey!” the boy squeaks, reaching out to grab the item but Aether keeps it out of reach. The traveler pinches the boy’s pouting cheeks, “C’mon its cute, I’ll even give you copy,”

The trio gets back to finishing their breakfast while Paimon lays out their plans for the day, "...and we’ll likely reach the main harbour by noon, then we’ll go fetch some some things to bring as gifts to the Jade Chamber. Technically speaking, Paimon and Aether have somewhere to be today!"

Aether nods, "We were previously invited to go to the Jade Chamber by the lady Ningguang herself. I don't think you two can follow us there….. will you two be fine hanging around by yourselves until we return? Sorry about this, I totally forgot about it …"

The blonde looks apologetic for having to split them off so soon, but Izuku waves off his concerns. He doesn’t know what the main harbor is like yet so it’ll be fun to go and look around sightseeing, maybe even try some food and find trinkets to send back to Mond. 

Besides, they can always take on commissions if they’re too idle. 

“It's alright, you and Paimon go ahead, we'll meet up once you're done." Izuku assures him. "I'm sure the two of us can keep ourselves occupied for a couple of hours. Papa did say he wanted to show me the world,"

A happy hum sings from within his bushy green hair, agreeing with Izuku and the table occupants laugh at that. 

"Okay, if you say so. At least you'll know where to find me in case anything happens."

After breakfast, they set off south towards Liyue Harbor on foot. Venti, after hearing the day’s itinerary, is already buzzing with ideas. Liyue is one of Mondstadt’s own neighboring nations thus he visits quite often and knows the land of geo as well as he does his own.

“We can go gliding around Huaguang Stone Forest, I do love flying there! Or go for a swim at Luhua pool or the beaches, have I told you the beaches here are fantastic as the waves are never harsh? Oh but the Harbor itself has a lot to offer, it is the largest trading port in all of Teyvat so you can find almost anything at Feiyun Slope and I hope you like spicy food starlight because Liyuen cuisine is hot, ”

The bard keeps going on and on, and Izuku is half certain the latter half of his rant are things from a few centuries back. But far be it from him to ruin the archon's enthusiasm.

“Hey! Stop that! Paimon is the guide here!” Paimon protests, flying up to Venti's face to glare right into his eyes.

The bard rolls his eyes, grinning, "I bet you don't even know half the stuff I mentioned," which only ticks her off even more.

"Paimon does too! Just….some of it….they probably don't even exist anymore you….you tone deaf fossil!"

At the insult, Venti gasps dramatically in pain. "Paimon! Oh how could you ? I'm as young as a buck! Aether here is the oldie between us,"

Aether snorts, "This oldie can have your ass on the ground in 30 seconds, choose your next words carefully Venti,"

"Humph, traitors! You're all ganging up on me. Poor Venti, with only my son as my support." He drones on even more, hugging Izuku as he does.

Izuku giggles, "Papa what are you talking about? You're still very old."

"You too my starlight? Hurt, betrayed, my own son! I WANT VANESSA, SHE'S NEVER MEAN TO ME!!"

At least it's never boring with the archon around.

"Oh wow! That's incredible! " The greenette gasps, when the harbor is finally in sight.

The paths in Liyue are full of slopes and mountain ranges, thus when the party could finally see the city they were at the top of a hill overlooking the bright bustling harbor.

And what a wondrous sight it is, at the entrance is a large gateway that connects to a large wooden bridge, people and traveling carts alike crossing constantly in and out of the city. A few guards are stationed there, keeping an eye on the ongoings.

The city being a port is located next to the open sea, where dozens of ships and smaller yachts are anchored, just below and nearer to the actual port, two lighthouses stand tall.

Further up are tall buildings in orange and red climbing up the skies in towers with green tiles roofs. Rows and rows of houses and shops lined up the busy streets where children are running around playing, vendors selling their wares and the general people going on their way.

Looking higher, Izuku can see stairs leading up to even more large, beautifully architectural buildings, more guards are lined up and fewer people so Izuku assumes that's where the more governmental side of the nation is stationed. 

Also, is that a fucking Palace in the sky?! 

"I'm not imagining that am I?" He asks, still gaping at the sight of it.

Aether laughs, "Impressive isn't it?"

The large building is floating atop mountains at the northwest of the harbor, likely so as to not look a shadow over the city. Built on a rock platform, the golden palace-like building screams wealth and status like the statue back in Mond scream Anemo Archon.

As far as Izuku had studied, Liyue does not operate on monarchy; instead their government consists of seven figureheads in different business sectors working as a committee to govern the land in day by day affairs as according to Rex Lapis's policies.

So the building must have belonged to one of the Liyue Qixing members or rather, it must be the Jade Chamber Aether talked about that's owned by a Lady Ningguang who is the current Tianquan.

So that's Liyue, the land of Geo, Contracts and Prosperity.

The party split off at the main gate bridge, Aether making a quick waypoint travel up to Yujing Terrace for his meeting. Leaving the duo of father and son at the lower commercial port of Feiyun Slope.

"We walked a lot, let's grab something to eat first." Venti suggests as they climb up the stairs leading to the shopping street, "Anything catches your eye, little one?"

More like what didn't catch his eye? Everything in Liyue is so bright and loud. The stalls are so colorful, decorated in red and orange hues, shopkeepers hollering offers into the streets to attract customers and he can even smell the delicious food in the air wafting from all directions.

The harbor is busy and bustling in ways Mondstadt's own streets could never truly be, Izuku doesn't dislike it because it is very fascinating but the larger volume of everything is intense, so he thinks he rather enjoys Mond's serene atmosphere more.

Truthfully, Izuku is glad he wore something light today for a change. It's starting to get stuffy.

He's still ogling the sights around him when a hard tug yanks him into a nearby shop. “Oh, what’s—Eh?!” The boy's voice cuts off when a hand slaps over his mouth, his papa's hand.

Venti looks pale, the carefree glint in his eyes gone, replaced by a tensed wariness. He slowly lets go but hover a finger over his lips at the boy, the weird serious demeanor he's wearing is honestly starting to worry Izuku because aside from the few pulses he could feel in the area that are allogenes, nothing else feels out of place—

Izuku shudders, now that he's really putting his focus on his elementary senses there's something on his radar that isn't quite like any others. 

In fact it's….. he feels as though he recogn izes this type of energy and yet he couldn't put his finger on it. Tainted, deformed elemental mana, it feels wrong, like it is something touched and infected by an external cause.

Like the abyss—

The wind outside picking up a bit from the archon's distressed emotions, he pulls the boy deeper into the shop, and has them pretend to look at the clothes on the racks. But ever so often his eyes dart outside, eyeing something or someone that's capable of making a god, an archon nervous .

“Papa..?” He's instantly shushed, The archon shooting him a firm look to be quiet.

Izuku frowns, trying to follow his gaze and the wrong feeling he could sense, nothing too out of the ordinary aside from the tall ginger head guy who wears a hydro vision on his belt talking to….Fatui personnel.

He's dressed in gray with a red sash, an odd looking mask on the side of his head. The vision shape implied that at the very least, he was blessed with it in Sheneznaya.

A Fatui agent? But his gut feeling is jabbing at him that there's something off about this one. And then he turned around and they were just close enough for Izuku to notice.

Such a wide bright smile, and a cheerful ringing lighter, yet not a trace of life in those dull blue eyes.

The man doesn't notice them, eventually leaving with the other Fatui trailing after him like excitable minions, he must've been a high ranked member.

Venti immediately relaxes once he's far enough, “That, was a Fatui Harbinger," 

Make that the highest rank you could reach in that organization, Izuku nearly wants to whip his head back in the guy's direction for another look because he didn't think he'll get to see one up close so soon.

"Really? Wonder what he's doing here…" the boy mutters curiously, but Venti shakes his head scoffing, "Nothing good I tell you, not really a huge fan of them. Honestly, that girl needs to reign them in,"

The archon exhales a trembling breath, leaning up against a wall to steady himself, Izuku had been too distracted to even notice he had been shaking the entire time.

Venti jumped into the panic the moment his winds whispered to him urgently of who is also roaming the streets they're in. The thought of another Harbinger so near him, near Izuku, honestly terrifies him.

Honestly, the whole grab Izuku and hide reaction is purely instinctual by that point.

He could almost still feel the searing agony that tore through him when his gnosis was taken forcefully, the object may have been something external that he absorbed and did not even use much, it still resided in him for many centuries and thus was woven into his being.

Venti, one hand gripping his son's arm and the other clutching his chest, all the while trying to keep his mind intact and his breathing as steady as he can. The god damn near had a full meltdown, that's a new low even he didn't expect to fall to.

Trauma sucks, he doesn't even care about the gnosis, give him a solid reason and he'll voluntarily hand it over, but the petty bitch just had to be brutal about it didn't she?

(Truth is, he feels heartbroken because Rosalyn used to be one of his. But the woman that stood before him that night wasn't her, just ashes of who she was.)

He may have been caught off guard the last time, yet the god knew even if he did fight the Fair Lady, he wouldn't have won that battle. The harbingers were, after all, notoriously strong and they were probably on par with most common gods. 

“Oh….are you okay?" His child calls out to him, taking his hands, "Papa, hey, breathe, you're freaking out…..”

The shopkeeper is casting nervous glances, "Is he okay…? Do you need medical help?" The kind man asks, but the older of the duo shakes his head.

Izuku, who looks really worried, is about to protest but Venti doesn't let him, "I'm fine , just. Let's……just get going yeah?” he strains a smile at the shopkeeper and ushers his son out.

"Are you sure? We can take a break somewhere." The boy distinctly remembers there's public benches at the edges of the port with smaller crowds. "You really don't look too good papa…" 

Venti shakes his head— he pushes away the images of a sneering cold gaze and the feeling of helplessness —profusely, insisting he'll be right as rain as soon as they get some food in them.

Which is how they walk over to the other more industrial side of the city, Chihu Rock, and find themselves entering a diner called Wanmin Restaurant that is located near the Liyue Adventurer's Guild that they'll be stopping by later for commissions.

Upon taking their seat, they are greeted by a young lady with dark blue hair, a pyro vision hangs from her hip. 

“Welcome to Wanmin restaurant! Would you like to try today’s specialty? Boiled fish stew that goes really well with rice,” the young lady suggests, a jingling sound accompanying her movements from the bell attached to her skirt.

Izuku is unfamiliar with anything on the menu pasted on the wall so the boy just nods along, “Oh sure, serving for two please. Anything you wish to add on papa?” he asks Venti but the bard shakes his head in decline. 

With the many customers currently dining in, this particular restaurant must be pretty popular so the food must be good as well. 

It’s a nice cozy place with a touch of homey vibes, he could see the lady from before slipping quickly into the kitchen area to join the other chef in cooking while another guy and this peculiar looking creature goes around continuing to take others and collect plates.

The creature looks a lot like a bear, a panda to be exact. It is happily singing away while doing its job but perks up in attention upon seeing Venti and Izuku. 

And he’s not the only one either.

Venti stares down at the smaller creature with equal shock, “Marchosius…? By the seven is that you? Fates you’re tiny now!” he exclaims, bending down to greet the other ex-god.

“Guoba?” but the little bear only stares back puzzly, “Guoba guoba?” 

The smile Venti wears is one of melancholy, “Ah I see, I suppose you don’t remember me then. No matter, it’s good to see you doing well regardless,” 

Izuku smiles softly at the interaction, his papa clearly excited for once upon meeting a Liyue deity he was acquainted with in the past, it helps this one does not carry the aura of one, just traces and isn’t hostile as the others.

A former deity perhaps.

Still, he couldn’t help but overheard the two other patrons talking just two seats away from them on the bar counter. Especially when he can feel the pulse of their visions, another pyro allogene like the chef lady and the other is a hydro allogene.

One is a rather short woman, wearing a top hat with red flowers that matches her rather eerie looking outfit and crimson eyes while her vision hangs on her back. 

Her companion is doned in all blue, a fancy suit rimmed with gold accessories that more than shows his wealthy background, his hydro vision on his left hip.

“Aiya stop moping already will you?”

“Seriously, like this is ever going to help fix things.”

 “Do you need to rub it in my face?”

“You look like you need it! Geez, where’s common sense Xingqiu when he’s needed.”

“You’re not helping Hutau.” the young man whines dramatically, “Xiangling what do I do? I miss him.”

The Xiangling in question must be the previous lady chef's name because she comes towards their direction with this exasperated expression directed back at him.

The chef exhales a tired breath, striding over to Izuku's table while balancing bowls of boiled fish and rice, maneuvering around the bustling restaurant with the ease of someone who can make her way around the space with her eyes closed. 

Her smaller companion having left Venti, trailing just behind her while carrying a pot of dumplings and two empty bowls, “Here you are sirs! Enjoy~” She places the two steaming bowls down, and Guoba follows suit as well.

“And the dumplings are free for today’s offer.” She explains to the two and then without missing a beat, turns to face her friends with an eye roll as she collects their empty plates. 

“Qiu do I look like Rex Lapis to you?”

She swiftly piles them up the trolley Guoba went to fetch, “Guoba, he thinks I’m Rex Lapis and has all the answers to his problems. Honestly Xingqiu,” and she's already leaving to continue with her work.

The small bear pushing the trolley nods in agreement, “Guoba! Guoba!”

“You guys….” Xingqiu mumbles despairingly like a mooning maiden that he's acting like, and then burrows his head on the table. “Not helping,”

“Just talk la!” Hutau shrugs, “What? You’re fine with hunting down pyro whopper flowers on your own but not talk to your boyfriend meh?”

The blue haired male shoots up his seat at the term, “He’s not—” His face is reddish pink and for once isn't because of the food.

Sharing a quick glance with his papa, Izuku clears his throat to interrupt then, “Um…excuse me, but are you Xingqiu?”

Two pairs of eyes meet his gaze, the young noble is the first to greet him, “Oh hello, yes I’m Fei Xingqiu, at your service my liege." He speaks politely and gone is the dramatic act he puts up before as he slips into this poised wealthy person persona with ease.

"Is there something you wish to inquire about? And…how do you come to know me may I ask? I'm sure we’ve yet to meet.” 

But the other lady cuts in to introduce herself before he could get a word in, “And I’m Hua Hutau! Director of the Wansheng Funeral Parlor!" She says with all the cheer the job doesn't endorse but it does explain her eccentric outfit.

But then she continues to speak, and it explains the pyro vision instead of her having cryo or electro, something that fits her funeral theme. 

"You know little dude it's never too early to prepare for the end ha, we at the parlor do have a special offer of buy 1 free 1 promotion right now, after all matching coffins are all the rage these days y'know? Don't you think it's romantic—” 

Xingqiu claps his hands, cutting off her tirade nervously while looking mildly apologetic, “Don't take offense to her words, that's just Hutau being herself. She truly means nothing harmful. You get used to her brand of….. promotion.”

Venti giggles, "Fear not, I find you rather interesting Miss Hutau. I'm Venti the bard." 

"And I'm Izuku, we're both from Mondstadt." The boy adds, "I can’t help but overheard your conversation….”

“Wait, your name is Izuku? And you’re from Mondstadt?” Xingqiu suddenly akss.

Izuku nods, “Yes…?”

“Are you perhaps acquainted with a gentleman named Albedo Kriepdeprinze, I believe he’s the chief alchemist and captain of The Knights of Favonious Investigation team?”

The youngest of the group blinks in surprise, “You know Albedo?” 

“Ah, so you’re that Izuku. Pleasure to meet you my liege." Xingqiu nods, a much relaxed smile now graces his lips, "Yes, Albedo and I are…..pen pals you could say. We pen letters to each other, he recently talks of an Izuku in his letters, and any friend of his is a friend of mine.”

“O-oh… thank you, I'd like to be friends as well!”

Hutau hums, “Heh, small world ain't it? Which is why you should book a location for your final resting place, who knows when will you—”

The young man throws her a look , she pouts disappointedly in return but stops her rant nonetheless.

“Yeah, well, we heard you guys talking…..sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but….well….." Izuku gulps, "Let's just say we met this Chongyun yesterday, blue hair, a particular constitution and an exorcist right?”

At the description, Xingqiu sits up straight in his seat with attention, “Oh, he…? I…um, is he well? Still angry is he?” His voice drips with anticipation, maybe a bit desperately too.

Venti shakes his head, “I wouldn’t say angry, frustrated maybe.” the god adds, "And he seemed in good health when we met him, aside from the occasional burning up that is."

Hearing the exorcist is well and healthy seems to bring the short haired man some relief, his shoulders sagging from the tensed posture. But there's also a flicker of frustration in his eyes accompanied with guilt.

“He won’t even let me talk to him! I….I know I messed up, I went too far with my jokes but he won’t……he won’t even allow me to apologize….. and I really really regret what I did…” He rambles on and on sadly, "I really am sorry Yun,"

Hutau sighs, she probably has been subjected to hearing him saying this for the past hours or even the week since they seemed like close friends.

Chongyun didn't lay out any detailed explanation as to what Xingqiu did to him, just that it was bad enough to feel truly hurt by his best friend. But he also feels sympathy for Xingqiu who clearly regrets it and misses Chongyun.

“I think he just needs time. He really sounded like missed you dearly, just conflicted on what to do. As long as you plan to apologize, he'll come around," He tells the other, letting hope gleam in those orbs.

The young noble looks very much like he wishes that were true, and somehow that does it for Izuku, he knew at once these two best friends— and one day, maybe something more —will be fine.

(Sparks of explosion, shattered dreams and an 'I'm sorry' that's a little too late. Hope long died out to fix what used to be 'them', no he was far too late.)

"We do know he’s currently at Qingce village if you wish to seek him out.” Venti suggests, obviously trying to nudge the two's progress along.

“Would he even want to see me?” Xingqiu wonders doubtfully, but then again it was he who is in the wrong so it's only chivalrous that he reaches out first.

“Aiya you think too much! Just go already I’m sick and bored of seeing you mope. It's no fun when you guys fight.” Hutau exclaims, flicking her wrist in a shoo motion.

Xiangling, who swings by for a moment, voices her own agreement, “Yeah, Qiu, I’m with Hutau on that one.”

Standing up from his seat gallantly, the man nods, "Right, of course, I shall go see him right away and apologize!"

And he's off, marching out the restaurant with vigor like the man on a mission that he is. Hutau bids them goodbye to return to her own duties and the two Mondstadters go back to their meal.

After finishing and paying for the really good lunch, they make their way to Katheryne's desk to collect their commissions for the day. 

If Izuku stared at the 'woman' behind the counter a few minutes longer while trying to compute how , then that's his own business.

The commissions are set to Aether's Adventure rank so they get two of them to clear away nearby monster camps and one delivery commission, and in between were side tracked to a distraction or another. 

Thus it's nearing evening when they finally get to the last commission.

“What’s our last task?” Venti asks, fixing his hair that was a little messed up after fighting the pyro regisvine they accidentally stumble across.

“Bubu Pharmacy needs a couple batches of Qingxin……but we don’t have any.” Izuku informs him.

Venti beams, “Qingxin? Ohhhh I know just the place!”

Chapter Text

Maybe it's the fright from the morning before, but gazing down from the very top of one of Huaguang Stone Forest's pillar-like mountains gives the lunch inside his stomach quite a few turns.

Izuku by no means has a fear of heights, which was ultimately obliterated after months of living in Mondstadt, where children of freedom, kids, and adults alike fling themselves off the high walls on a daily basis with not an iota of fear.

But if there’s anything that could inspire it again, this might be the closest anything has come.

The towering pillars are large and tall and stand firmly like a forest of trees; one can even hear the wind billowing in between the pillars, creating a soft, windy tune. 

Hanging bridges connect one point to another. Despite the terrain and its proximity to nearby adepti abodes, there are still a handful of Liyuens who actually reside in these mountains, and occasionally the odd adventurer that passes by.  

So now, here he is, crouched down on top of one of the pillars, carefully picking white budding Qingxins with the anemo Archon. They travel from one mountaintop to another easily enough with the help of their anemo powers and wind gliders.

“Careful now….  There should be plenty here,” Venti reminds him when Izuku inches just a bit too close to the edge for his comfort, only for the teen to miss his footing. 

“Izuku!” 

The teen stumbled and nearly fell off the cliffside if it weren’t for a blur of blue and someone tugging him back to safety.

Venti yanks the boy away from the edge, and whoever saved him asks, “Are you alright?” 

The frantic Archon is starting to think he can’t take his eyes off the child even for a minute; he wasn’t so trouble-prone back in Mond.

Izuku, however, doesn’t look all that fazed that he nearly fell off a high cliff. “I’m fine, thanks to you miss….?” He looks over at the newcomer, a woman with blue hair and horns on her head.

Judging from her energy presence and the geo symbol on her shoulder, she must be an adeptus sworn to the Geo Lord. A cryo vision pulses on her hip, “Just Ganyu is fine,” she tells him, exhaustion riddled in her voice.

In fact, even her put-together appearance does not do much to hide the tired state she’s in, from the heavy eyebags to the slight slouch in her posture to just the general overworked vibe she has going on. 

The adeptus looks like she’s one step away from falling asleep while standing. Right on cue, her eyes droop sleepily, but she’s quick to jolt herself awake and let out a yawn.

But more than anything, she looks lost. Like a drifting vessel without a sail on the vast sea. There's a burden on her shoulders and a yearning for belonging that lingers with her. How could someone so seemingly gentle and kind look so utterly lonely?

Even now, as she stands near them, her presence still feels so out of reach.

“I swear, Starlight, you aim to give me gray hair!” Venti exclaims, hugging the boy and completely ignoring their guest. 

Sighing, Izuku shrugs his shoulders. “I slipped, but I wouldn't get hurt; I have my glider and you .” He reminds the god. Venti can fly, and the wind would not let him fall, so it’s not like he’s in any immediate danger.

Finally, Ganyu clears her throat and asks them, “What are you two doing here? It's quite dangerous this high up….”

There's something really serene and gentle about the way she speaks, like raindrops softly drizzling on a cloudy afternoon. It's a stark contrast to the pulsing cryo vision that sparks sharply occasionally with cryo mana on her hip.

“We’re gathering Qingxins for a commission. We’re almost done.” Izuku informs her, gesturing at the basket of white flowers with them.

“I see. In that case, allow me to help.” She readily offers, as if she hadn’t almost fallen asleep seconds ago. 

But she sounds so sincere and eager that Izuku hasn’t had the heart to decline her offer; they are nearly done anyway. Ganyu is obviously more familiar with the area and showed them where the flowers grew in larger patches.  

“Miss Ganyu. What were you doing up here?” Izuku asks out of curiosity as they pick a few of the last batches. 

Venti gathers a few of the smaller buds and sticks them in his bushy hair. The god hasn't really addressed her, frankly, she's one of the adeptus he's never met, so he's quite curious to see what this child is like.

Oh, he could tell she was much younger than the ones he's familiar with. 

The half-Qilin pauses suddenly, and a conflicted look flashes on her face. “Oh I…well….I needed some time to myself after a recent revelation…..” 

And there lies the root of her troubled state. 

Right, up until a couple of days ago, she thought her Archon was murdered and then was suddenly thrown for a loop by the fact that he apparently just faked his death. And whatever Zhongli had told them, must have shaken her to the core to cause this brewing existential crisis.

The adepti have a much different relationship with their Archon than what the Four Winds had with Venti.

“You are a Qilin, right?” Venti finally speaks to her, “You folks are rare, and certainly don’t live alongside mortals all that often…”

It got him curious, a Qilin sworn to a contract with Morax and a vision to boot. Their kind do not tolerate discord and violence; usually minding their own business in their realm, he wonders what made this one able to leave that peacefulness to take up a weapon for a god.

The blue haired woman blinks at Venti and answers, “Yes, however, I’m also part human. Adeptal blood flows through my veins by my Qilin side…..” her gaze narrowing as if trying to figure something out; she must’ve not realized who he is yet. 

Izuku eyes glint with wonder at the mention of being part human, so this adeptus is a hybrid creature too. 

Save for her obvious divinely blessed energy presence, she certainly does look human enough. Other than her black horns with red streaks, she does not bear any other non-human physical traits. Even her horns could be mistaken for head accessories.

Venti hums to himself, “Part human….. interesting,”

“But I do wonder….. are you….?” Ganyu mumbles, squinting at the god and looking quite sheepish by the minute. 

Venti, seeing the way the pieces are falling into place in her head, winks at her, twirling his finger to call upon a small gust of breeze to tousle her hair. The dense Anemo mana must've been the last push she needed to jolt her into realization.

The young adeptus widens her eyes, nearly leaping into the air with a gasp. “Oh… Oh! I was notified of your arrival; do forgive my lack of manners, Lord Barbatos, as I did not recognize you...and,” she gives Izuku another once over, “Young lord?”

It makes the teenager blush bright red; to be given such a high title! 

Flattered but ultimately bashful, Izuku throws his hands up to cover his face while his whole body shakes in denial. While it's nice that a lot of these adeptal creatures recognize him as Venti’s, it just doesn’t feel right to be called a title for something he didn’t quite earn.

After all, he is just a kid Venti adopted; he hasn’t done anything sufficient for such titles.

“Oh no no Miss Ganyu Adpetus ma’am, no need for that! We’re just... us right now! Not here in all that official capacity. And I’m kind of human too, like you! Which is so fascinating, by the way, and how does that work? Also, it’s totally cool; you don't have to call me that!" he rambles while his papa is off to the side, giggling at his growing embarrassment.

“Well, you heard the child, Miss Adeptus.” The bard sings amusedly, ruffling his son’s hair as he does. "It's just Venti and Izuku for now,” 

“I’m not a child; I’m fifteen !” 

“And a demigod, so practically an infant. Oh, you, my sweet baby. My little Lordling~ ”

“ Papa!! ”

The youngest of the three pouts is glaring at his papa with no actual anger on his beet red face.

Ganyu looks startled at the easygoing interaction for a moment, but her face soon melts into a fond smile. As if reminiscing about a memory from her own childhood while she watches the two banter back and forth. 

She had wondered if the actions of her god meant it was the end of the time of adepti and non-mortals. For what it meant for her, who is part of each yet belonged to neither, too Divine to be a human yet oh so human to be with the adepti. 

She, who could understand the layers of humanity, their vulnerability, and their empathy, and yet she was there to fight the gruesome battles of the Archon War with powers in her that outmatched any normal human by miles.

Should the time of non-mortals come to an end, should the people not recognize her as one of theirs…… She wondered what would become of her in a world like that. 

Somehow, watching this eases the knots in her heart. “I see, very well, I'll leave you two to it.”

They don’t hear her say that, nor do they notice her leave; they're too caught up in their own world. But the basket full of Qinxins she left behind were beautifully blooming, like a heart that had found an answer.

Odd, for she didn’t pose them a question yet found an answer in what she saw anyway.

It was close to dusk when Venti and Izuku turned in at the Adventurers’ Guild to collect their commission reward. Just in time to see Paimon and Aether come rushing towards them, Venti is quick to notice the unease and disgruntled way the traveler looks.  

“Paimon! Aether!” Izuku calls out, yelping when the flying fairy tackles him.

"Had fun without us?" she asks him, to which Izuku eagerly nods. 

"Plenty!" and proceeds to launch into a detailed rambling of the day’s ongoings, although he did leave out the little freakout Venti had around a certain Fatui Harbinger.

The fairy listens attentively, making small comments here and there, mostly poking at whatever Venti did as usual. However, the bard in question himself doesn’t seem to be paying attention, instead focusing on Aether.

The blonde looks strained, his jaw tense with concealed worry. Aether looks troubled, and anything that can make this ancient creature look troubled is enough to make Venti feel queasy. 

There’s a Harbinger in town, and Morax is up to something . 

It’s been nagging at his mind ever since he learned the old fart decided to pull such a stunt, that this is all leading to a mess that Venti isn’t sure they should be involved in, although it does look like Aether is already far too tangled to not already be.

"What's with that frown?” He utters it almost in whispers in hopes of not grabbing Izuku’s attention. 

It's better for the boy to remain oblivious to the situation if it's truly dire. “Did something happen?"

While Venti has no authority to get involved in Morax’s business, he can, however, grab his kid, his dearest friend, and their annoyingly endearing companion and make a run for it. 

Sumeru sounds nice; they should go bother Buer because she can’t be that much of a recluse, and it has been five centuries; he’ll have to meet her someday .

Anything is better than whatever drama is brewing in these harbors. 

Morax and his chaos induced theatrics—why couldn’t Guizhong curb stomp that part of him? Oh yeah, she was the enabler; fate be damned, one day that old Blockhead is going to go too far and not know. 

Aether shakes away the worried expression and assures him, “Just…. possibly worrying intel, but nothing you need to worry about. Everything is fine."

The bard’s worries are dismissed, "If you say so..." yet he does not look too convinced. 

"Papa?" Izuku tugs at his cape, a concerned expression on his face.

“Is something wrong?”

Venti cups the boy’s cheeks and nuzzles their noses together. "Nothing, little one, nothing…." He then hugs the teen, and he swears no harm will come to Izuku.

Venti will be damned if he lets another child he loves slip through his fingers.

Seeing how they’re in Liyue and Aether is on a long-term commission to prepare for Zhongli’s ‘funeral’ , Aether decided things would go faster if he had all hands on deck for the preparations; thus, the god of wind and his son too were dragged into the tasks needed to be done for the rite of descension.

Much to Venti’s continued protests, that is. 

The Archon keeps insisting that there are far more interesting things to do than going along with any of his fellow Archon’s whims. Yet it can’t be helped since it is Aether’s commission, and Izuku can’t be dissuaded from learning more about Liyuen culture straight from the source.

It’s actually a welcomed amusement to see the bard getting all prickly, constantly shifting into his sprite form to mope in Izuku’s bushy hair. However, Izuku suspects he’s just a little jealous of how taken he is by Zhongli’s elegant information dump about everything and anything.

It’s a nice change of pace, especially since Zhongli could talk forever about any topic or subject, from the origins to modern modifications of items and traditions. The man is a fountain of information—and basically, just like Izuku, if he talked slowly instead of his fast-paced mumbling.

So when the teen’s attention is mostly directed to the late Lord of Geo, his papa is starting to go stormy with jealousy. Yet the neighboring Archon’s constant state of annoyance is clearly something Zhongli finds entertaining. 

Aether swears he didn’t talk this much before, and he was tempted to doze off then.

Now it's like the man is trying his damndest to step on Venti’s toes—a wonder really for the kind of reputation he had as a fearsome god of war now finding childish joy in pissing a friend off. 

The blonde traveler didn’t peg the poised and refined man to have such an unexpected sense of mischievousness.  

Which is probably what led them to this moment. The sly bastard.

"Sing?! Me? Why me? Venti is literally right here!" Aether incredulously throws his arms at the god of wind, Song, and Freedom in question. 

Why have a bard at all in the traveling party if he’s not going to handle the bard related stuff? 

They are currently supposed to harvest some wild glaze lilies because what is a funeral without flowers? The flowers which, as far as the expert on hand explains, needed a melodious tune sung to coax them into blooming before harvesting them.

So Zhongli drags them out to the middle of nowhere in the Guili Plains, where a few budding but not quite blooming Glaze Lilies are growing in small clusters. So fussy for the funeral rites when he’s not even actually dead! 

Aether would like to reiterate that tidbit back to his face because why should he put up with this for a fake funeral of a god that’s being dramatic for one reason or another that he couldn’t care less about? 

He already got what he came for; the Geo Lord has nothing to give him on the whereabouts of his sister, so theoretically he could just hand off the commission to another guild member. However, one look at Izuku’s adorable pleading face to stay longer in Liyue has him agreeing to keep at it and complete the commission.

Still, it does not mean he’s signed up to do this ridiculous bidding, good compensation or otherwise. Aether casts a mild glare towards the dragon adepti and an annoyed one at the bard between them. 

The little shit decides this is the opportune time to switch tunes and hop on the same train of thought with the supposed murdered Archon. "But I too am curious; what would the famous traveler sound like singing verses of melody?" the cheeky voice says with too much enthusiasm for Aether’s taste.

These menaces should be very glad he’s not at full power.

"What about you, Izuku? Care to try?" Zhongli turns to their youngest; the boy has been staring at the flower buds rather intensely up until that point. The kid flushes bright red, "Uh I…. I've never sung….uh…."

"Oh oh! You two can sing together!” Venti exclaims with glee, “It'll be so cute indeed!"

The boy goes an even brighter shade of red. “I guess I can try…..?” He looks over at Aether expectantly for help, which is ironic seeing how he’s the one who's the son of a god of songs.

Which now that Aether has thought about it, he’s never heard the boy play or sing, but Venti did mention him picking up an instrument. A flute of some kind, if he’s not wrong—not that he’s ever seen the boy play it.

"Um….do you know that song Barbara always sings?" He asks, and it takes Izuku a snap of fingers to recognize which song he’s referring to. "Oh that, yeah I can….I can manage that."

"Come on Aether, you can do it! It's just singing….how bad can it be?" Paimon coaxes, nudging the blonde on his shoulder. She, too, appeared curious about her companion’s musical ability.

“Oi, stop looking at me like that; I can hold a note if I want to!” 

Aether bristles when he receives such impish looks from the group. Sharing a glance with his supposed duet partner, they stand together awkwardly and each take a deep breath. 

"Da~ da da da da~ Da da da da~ Da~ Da~!" 

Aether ends up singing alone, with Izuku ducking down to his knees and squealing in embarrassment. The flowers don’t bloom; they are, however, twitching suspiciously now. 

The buds shake and rattle, growing in size before their eyes, making the group take a step back from the cluster.

"I think something's wrong— watch out!" Venti blasts away an incoming ice attack with a gust of anemo while Zhongli steps back and casts a shield around each of them.. 

Izuku and Aether both summon their weapons, with the traveler summoning a geo and throwing the hostile flowers a few feet away from them. The flowers are now large and uprooted from the ground, tendrils of vines wiggle out like arms, and two orbs of ice blue creak open on the flaps of their buds.

"Whopperflowers!" Izuku yelps; no wonder their energy signature felt so off. 

He had thought that was just a Wild Glaze Lily thing since they’re so special. Still, this is the first time he’s seen one up close, and he’s drinking up the sight with probably more fascination than it's safe to have when under attack.

Izuku will also note that they’re not as tough as they appear, only focusing on singular targets at a time and having a very repetitive attack pattern. In a few short seconds, their party of two gods, one traveler, and a half-god makes quick work of them.

It’s a shame that they didn't manage to get what they came for, but Izuku gets first hand experience extracting whopperflower nectar straight from the source. They make good potion ingredients and cooking ingredients if the chef is bold enough.

“Well, that didn't work out..." Zhongli remarks quizzically, while Venti throws his hands up in frustration. "Obviously, they were never wild Glaze Lilies to begin with!”

To ensure the gods don’t start quarreling again, the party then tracks around the place, trying to find actual wild Glaze Lily patches, which they do come across behind a particular birch tree. Izuku gives them a thumbs up when he senses that the flowers feel just like normal ones.

"You want to give it a try?" Aether titls his head at Izuku; the boy did chicken out on him last time.

Izuku nods hesitantly and nods, "Um….sure."

The truth is, he’s not all that confident in his ability to carry a tune, and while he does sound decent on his flute, singing is just a tad too out there for his abilities. Barbara may have strained a smile and told him his voice could have bewitched sailors, but Izuku knew better than to truly believe her kind platitudes.

"Na na na~ na na na na na na~ na na na naaaaa~ na na~ na na na~"

(he-*buzz* too I am *buzz*-ro too. My *buzz* is s-*buzz*, and *buzz* won’t ba-*buzz* down. )

The buds slowly begin to open, their dark blue petals curling out to reveal a beautiful shade of white inside. 

"Look! They're blooming!" Venti points at the flowers; one by one, they open and bloom. 

Aether hums, "What an interesting tune; did you come up with it?" he asks the boy, but Izuku shakes his head, frowning slightly.

"No, it just came to me……” Like most random things do, it was odd because he felt as though there were words there that he couldn’t seem to remember. “Like I've heard it from somewhere..."

It’s like hum at the back of his mind; often enough, getting those feelings is like phantom aches of wounds he couldn’t recognize nor see with his memories gone, but every now and then they are also the lingering warmth of a once safe haven. 

The tunes swirling in his head make his heart clench, yet a ghost of a smile graces his face, making him wonder what significance such a light tune carries.

They collect the flowers, which Zhongli approvingly smiles at, saying, "Very well, these would do nicely. Let us return now."

Aether rolls his eyes once the goods are safely tucked away. “Finally, that’s everything. Let's get this over with.” 

The group arrives back at the main bridge city entrance to a brewing, unsettling atmosphere. Ominousness flows through the crowd as children are rushed home and vendors close up their stores. The Millieth are frantically moving about with tensed faces, ushering people home.

The skies above darken almost like an omen, "What's going on..." Izuku mumbles worrisomely as the water underneath the bridge crashes in large waves, splashing the bridge deck as it does. 

"The millieth appears frantic….. did something happen?" Paimon looks around anxiously, her eyes darting around to see anything that might point to the sudden panic.

"Let's go find out." Aether sagely suggests, leading the five of them to rush down to the gates.

"Starlight, I think—" Venti is cut off by his fellow Archon tugging him aside; judging by that look on Zhongli’s face, he's got a sinking feeling in his gut about whatever this is.

The man gives him a stoic expression, " Barbatos , a word. With me, please." The bard throws him a scathing glare, earning a raised eyebrow from the Geo Lord. 

"Stick with Aether. I really don't like whatever that fool is planning….” He pulls his boy in for a quick hug, brushing his lips over Izuku’s forehead. 

“No matter what happens, stay safe little one. My winds will watch over you."

Izuku watches helplessly with worry as his papa is pulled away. The Archon is every bit reluctant but can’t do much in a land that isn’t his own domain. Mr. Zhongli nods at him, which he assumes is to assure Izuku that no harm will come to his father.

Still determined all the same, he runs over to Aether, who has been questioning some of the millieth. The blonde’s face is frowning steadily with whatever he’s hearing; even the air and mana around them seem to rattle with unease. 

The earth beneath his feet is buzzing with a frantic frenzy. Izuku can feel the elements urging him to be cautious and that something is coming. 

"Aether?"

The traveler is now openly frowning, his golden eyes darkened with something grim. He turns to the teen, and for some reason, that serious expression is chilling to the bones when up close. But its more than a confirmation that something bad is truly happening in this city.

"Alright, there's no time; I need to head over to the Golden House to intercept the Fatui—Where's Venti?" 

Izuku shakes his head. "Mr. Zhongli took him away. I’m sticking with you."

"Stars be damned, but it's not safe with me.” He curses something completely incomprehensible, like an unheard language, before continuing in Teyvian. “Not anymore, dammit."

The teen, however, wasn’t going to take that dismissal lying down. "I'm more than capable; I can handle myself." he insist, if it’s a fight then he wants to help.

Aether sighs, "I know... it's just, it’s…. promise me the moment it gets too ugly, you run the other way?"

Izuku most certainly would not; just the thought of doing such a cowardly thing makes his insides twist in a sick way. He summons his spear, all angry all of a sudden. The pointed end is just barely hovering above the blonde’s chestplate. 

If all goes to hell, he’s getting both of them out of it. 

“Aether, you forget. I may be young, but I’m far from a helpless child.” Aether’s previous words and their implication, how it infuriates him because he’s not weak , he’s not some useless, powerless Deku —

Izuku swiftly retracts his weapon and says, “Don’t insult me like that.” 

He pushes down the surge of disbelief and mortification at what he just impulsively did and continues to tensely glare up at the very ancient being from beyond the stars that called the ferocious god of war a goddamn hatchling holy shit what the fuck why the fuck did he—

And the gold in Aether’s eyes simmers from its previous heat. “I know; I’m sorry. Just, please? I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to you," the blonde sheepishly explains with an awkward shrug.

Like Izuku didn’t just pull his weapon on him out of petty anger. 

The teen sags a little with relief, “But I can't promise to just leave you behind….” He protests, and Izuku is sure that even if he tries, his body won’t let him. It’s just so against who and what he is.

Aether narrows his eyes, ready to pull his last trump card. “And while I can take Venti in a fight, but Teyvat might not.”

Points were made; Izuku can’t actually refute him on that. 

"....You have my word.”

Fingers crossed, he lies with a smile and hopes to any other deity listening that it won’t come to it.

Knowing his luck, the odds are not looking great. 

The Golden House is a wondrous sight to behold; it’s like peeking into one of those illustrious treasure caves in pirate stories with mountains of gold piled all around like riches beyond anything a mortal mind can conjure up. 

But what’s even more intriguing is the exuvia, the supposed ‘corpse’ of the late Geo Lord. The large dragon body is held up by some kind of stasis magic seal. It does strike as odd that the place would have so little security; it’s entirely baffling how easy it was to break in, although they honestly just walked up and through the front door.

It’s almost too convenient. “No one is here?” Paimon calls out, but her voice only echoes back.

“It's too quiet and unguarded for no one to be here…” Izuku mumbles to himself, it just made no sense if Aether’s hunch is true and a certain harbinger is gunning for this location as they speak.

Yet its almost like that man is already—

Izuku jolts when he feels a mute presence suddenly explode with strong essence; he can recognize the familiar thrum of a vision’s energy signature of hydro element and….. something else.

“Watch out!”

He tackles Paimon into a protective embrace while Aether leaps out of the way of an incoming bolt made of pure hydro. The blue arrow burrows into the ground with a crack before dispersing into hydro mana.

“Childe!” The fairy screeches fearfully, clinging tighter to Izuku.

The man strolls out of the shadows with an ease gait and a maniacal glint in his eyes. “My my, it appears you’re a lot sharper than I gave you credit for, traveler.” His left hand held a bow, and the other dragged the unconscious body of a millieth.

“Harbinger of the Fatui…..you reek of….the abyss….” Izuku gasps as he comes to the realization, so that’s the odd toxic energy that clings to the man.

Those eyes, once so dull and now screaming bloodlust, snap to look at him, a man that even his papa fears. “Oh? And who is this? Huh is that a….oh,” His eyes sweep over the teen and immediately zero in on the anemo emblem so unique to creatures marked by Archons.

Izuku pushes Paimon behind him, determined to protect her and calls for his polearm. “You know what that mark means..." Aether says, summoning his own sword out and cautiously positioning himself between the harbinger and Izuku.

Childe chuckles, “Interesting……. I mean that’s definitely new for sure, very interesting ….” He flicks his arm out and forms a weapon out of hydro, some kind of blade. “I don’t fight kids as a general rule but it sure is tempting….”

Izuku really doesn’t like where this is going. Is this madman really not going to show up and start throwing fists at them? Not even a negotiation? Or at least tell them what he wants!

“Traveler from the stars and the chosen child of Barbatos , this couldn’t get more exciting, could it?”

Huh, maybe the fight is what he wants? The harbinger is suddenly speeding towards them at inhuman speed, and if either of them had been paying any less attention, then they would not have dodged that blast.

“Since you two already beat me to it, might as well get my fill of thrills as well haha!!”

“Beat you to what!? Ever heard of questions first, and ass kicking only if needed?!” Izuku shouts at him. 

Childe rolls his eyes and says, “That’s so boring, I’d like to get the Gnosis and be done with things immediately, but hmmm like I said, very tempting.”

Paimon quickly does her thing and hides while the two combatants prepare themselves to face this honest to god psychopath. Did messing with abyssal powers fuck with his head? 

And gnosis? Like the Geo gnosis?

“We don’t have it!!” Aether reasons, charging forward to meet him with each clash.

But he’s not listening or stopping; Izuku joins the fray, getting in hits whenever he sees an opening. “Are you actually that stupid?! Why the hell would it be with us?! Let alone here?!”

The ginger head scowls, “Tsk, you’re getting on my nerves, buddy. Daddy dearest can’t—” He can’t finish his sentence when he’s sent flying into the wall, courtesy of a blonde traveler.

“Don’t, just no, don’t even finish that sentence.” Aether snarks with disgust.

Then he’s leaping back on his feet, and why are there electro sparks around him? The grey and white suit he’s donned suddenly bleeds with magenta and dark hues, and he has the mask on his face now.

The abyssal energy from before swirls dangerously around him, much more prominently than before.

He’s got powerpups? Transformation powerups?!

Izuku groans, "Damn him, but that’s so cool!!”

“Izuku….!” The anemo Archon nearly took off into the wind and would have if not for the black coated arm yanking him back in place. 

The man furiously glares at his colleague. “Let go, Morax,” he demands. 

From the top of the mountains where they observe the city, the gales of his element slash warningly at the Geo Lord with promised vengeance.

But unfaltering as ever, like the stone cold prime adpeti he was, Morax doesn’t budge an inch. “Barbatos. Remember your contract,” he reminds the other.

Yes, the contract of alliance and peace between two territories was formed centuries ago when the The Seven were established. 

One of the clauses dictated that Venti is not allowed to interfere with Morax’s own ruling over his nation and vice versa, including whatever plans or schemes he’s running them through at the moment.

But the bard couldn’t give a crap about that ancient thing, not when his starlight Izuku was facing one of them.

His son is no weakling and is powerful on his own account, but that does not mean he’s ready to face a Fatui Harbinger and one that is abyss touched by the looks of it.

“My child is in danger Morax. Let me go.” He flings a slash of anemo, to which the other calls upon a shield that absords the flimsy attack with a raise of his hand. 

“And is he helpless?” Morax drawls. The man had contemplated whether Izuku should be removed from the scenario as well but decided otherwise. A ningling feeling lingers in the back of his mind about how his test should also include that godling.

Something is telling him that Izuku has a right to be part of it as much as the mortals and adepti are. As for Aether, well, simply put, he has no judgment over what that one can and can’t do, and he certainly isn’t going to try and restrict him.

Venti hearing such callous remarks, lashes out at him, “It matters not! He now faces a Fatui Harbinger as his opponent when this battle isn’t his to fight for!” The bard is shaking as he yells, his being overcome with fear for his son.

“As per our contract, you are allowed to step in if the situation ever turns dire.” He clarifies yet again, and unlike the bard, he has no doubt the travller and godling can handle themselves. “Were you not the one to preach praises of how humans come to rise? Why so little faith in them this time?"

“Far be it from me to care for yours that aren’t mine; the humans here aren’t of my concern.” Venti retorts, his face grim. “The last time I allowed a young child dear to me to fight a battle he shouldn’t have to, I lost him.” 

The Anemo Archon clenches his teeth,“I wasn’t there, was too late and I lost him! ”

To this, Morax could say nothing; he knows of this particular tale of this specific child. 

A promising mortal youth leading a charge of rebellion against tyranny fell in battle before he could even see the world he fought so far for, and the despair his passing brought clung to the newly crowned Archon, who didn’t even understand he had loved a son and not just a friend.

In a distant past, there was a time when even he wondered if Barbatos was ever going to be able to stop mourning that loss. Yet it’s clear even now that he honestly couldn't; that wound just kept bleeding as time streches on….

Until this godling dropped into his life, and for once, it seemed like he could finally make it stop bleeding. 

Morax looks at the god he once called lover, who once laid out all the sorrows and troubles that he kept within as they laid together. Who once wept almost every night over the loss of his mortal child.

And this same god, who in these last few days after centuries of missing in action after yet another blow to his gentle heart, is smiling with mirth and not a whiff of alcohol on him, living with such life that he did not have in the past centuries, all because of this child he was now blessed with. 

He wonders what would be left of his being if he were to lose this child as well.

Barbatos’s voice echoes with a gravity he’s never heard of him, ever . 

“I swear by all that I am and the domain I rule that if he’s to be taken from me because of your foolish scheming... Your life will be forfeited by my hands, Morax, and damn all the consequences that come with it .” 

He vehemently swears, and those teal eyes glow as the oath takes hold, the fury in his voice promising each word like a prophecy that Morax has no doubt he’d act on if it came to it.

The Geo Lord wonders some more of what would be left of Teyvat if Barbatos lost his mind over another loss. 

“You would take my nation down with me, should it come to it?”

Not many know the Golden Archipelago islands were mostly the result of an Archon’s grief. He has no qualms about doubting his fellow Archon’s resolve to fulfill that oath. 

The reply is just as full of conviction, “Make no mistake Morax, there’s very little I wouldn’t do for him.”

When was the last time he'd seen such vigor in him? Morax does think it's a rather good look on him.

“You love that child dearly….. You cling to him as if he would be gone should you take our eyes off him; you fear losing him.” he calmly states, although still as astounding as if that wasn’t the most obvious thing in the world.

Of course Barbatos loved the boy; he knew what the wind’s love looked like after all. 

Barbatos huffs, “Terrifyingly so....I will not make the same mistake twice, I fear I’ll go mad with grief if I do.”

Morax hums thougthfully, “You’ve given much of yourself to that child of long past,” 

“And now I’m giving all that’s left of me to Izuku, if he’s taken too then….” The storms are starting to pick up. “Teyvat, Celestia, and the Heavenly Principles will know my pain.”

Out of the blue, there’s a large resounding explosion and the earth around them breaks into tremors, ominous clouds are moving towards the sea where the waters are growing violent. 

Something is coming—that much the two gods can sense. The Jade Chamber is making its way over to the sea, where a large whirlpool swirls, and something malicious lies within it.

Morax blinks in surprise. “Ah so he actually did it….”

“What the…..what is…..Morax what in Fates did you….?” Barbatos mumbles, his eyes scanning the harbor where people are being evacuated, and then hovers up slightly to get a better view of the situation out at sea.

He makes out the figures of his son and Aether flying up to the Jade Chamber, along with a couple Adepti as well. 

A hostile, toxic presence is surging just right out of the sea. He can recognize this type of energy anywhere; he’s done too many cleansing rituals and sealing ceremonies to not be able to. 

Large snake-like heads burst from the waters, and with them come shrill screams as they attack the Jade Chamber. The floating vessel is full of humans that are somehow able to counterattack and defend against the onslaught of divine power.

"This... this is too much, you idiot?! A….volatile tyrant god?” He screams, smacking the blockhead’s head with his wings, “Have you gone mad you oaf!?!”

“Hold it Barbatos, just a little more…….” But even he is starting to sound weary, and then the large platform that holds the Guizhong Ballistas is rained with meteors of attacks and is promptly demolished.

His son is on that thing; his son is freefalling from a thousand feet in the air. Morax is more senile than Barbatos thinks if the blockhead is going to stop him from interfering now.

“You are a crazy old bastard. Damn you, this is beyond anything foolish I thought you were capable of! I’m going!”

And this time, the Geo Lord makes no move to stop him.

Chapter Text

They were handling it; Childe may be a powerful Harbinger but he is still a mortal, which neither Aether nor Izuku— allegedly —are. It frankly didn’t take them too long to wear him out; the overpowered abyssal form seems to take a huge toll on him the longer he’s utilizing it. Soon they have him forced to cool off and talk like the civil people they were supposed to be, although it can be argued that civility has left the conversation about three whale shots ago.

‘Seriously, how is that fair?! ’ Izuku is so incredibly upset that the guy is technically their foe at the moment; his move-sets have no business being so cool . At least he’s not intentionally malicious for the sake of harm; apparently, he’s just crazy.

And that’s where things started to get out of hand. 

“So what are you planning to do?” Paimon asks nervously; they’ve been trying to reason with him but the man just won’t listen, or he does but it just doesn’t matter to him.

“I will awaken the god that lies dormant beneath Guyun Stone Forest.”

“I’m sorry—WHAT?!”

Things were escalating and they were escalating fast. How did the Gnosis acquisition turn into unleashing old evil gods onto innocent civilians?! Izuku angrily tries to tell him that the casualties will be horrifying, all that to please his Archon. 

Surely he could see the inhumanity of such actions. But as he was hours before, the man stubbornly stuck to his decision; swirls of sigils are summoned around him, signaling his dreadful plan into action. 

“Let's see if an ancient malice will swallow up the nation that has lost its deity once more. If you wish to drown together with the people of Liyue, you're free to stay and enjoy the show!” He takes off in a burst of hydro before any of them can get a word in to stop him.

“No!! We have to stop him!!” Izuku declares loudly, running after the madman in a fit of righteous fury, the traveler and Paimon are hot on his tail. 

“Greenie wait!!” Aether would find it endearing if the situation could stop getting worse every five minutes. 

The rush out of the Golden House to a stormy sky thundering ominously over Liyue Harbor, “Um…what is that? That wasn’t there before!” Paimon screeches, pointing at the unnatural way the waters are moving in the sea; there’s something huge with glowing marks moving around, and the energy it exudes is angry and hostile. 

It is the ancient god that was trapped under the seal for centuries; it is furious about its centuries long captivity, and nothing is more dangerous than a volatile, angry god with a grudge to match its wrath. 

“By the stars…….” Aether’s eyes narrow at the sight. It's a mess, is what it is. Whatever Zhongli is planning, he better have it under control. At least Venti had the decency to have a concise methodology and a controlled setting when dealing with his dragon problem.

The blond male is shoved forward by his younger companion, “Come on! Come on! Look, it’s the Jade Chamber. If I time it right, we can glide onto it as it passes.” Izuku quickly gathers a bundle of anemo energy in his hands, forming an anemo seal beneath them with pure mana, thus summoning a large wind current.

The teen wasted no time jumping into the fray with his wind glider snapped open, the winds catapulting him up and he glides himself onto the building with all the ease of a true Mond-borne soul. Not missing a beat, Aether yanks Paimon by her sparkly cape, ignores the shrieking that ensues and follows after the young godling. 

Together, they reach the central plaza of the Jade Chamber, where several Liyuen Adepti and the Tianquan and Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing are assembled with a sizable army of Millelith soldiers. Not a bad lineup Aether has to admit.

The Yuheng, Keqing, waves them over, “Traveler! What are you doing here? And who is that?” she asks, eyeing the shorter male of the two with curiosity, especially when the green head looks like it’s straining for him to take a single step forward.

Sensing the unsteady way Izuku was swaying with his face scrunched up, Aether figured he was much too mana-sensitive not to be affected by the overwhelming resentful energy around them. “A friend and ally, what’s the situation?” he demands while passing some vials of potions to Izuku.

The Tianquan, Lady Ningguang, steps forward. “Osial, the lord of Vortex, has been unleashed.” her regal aura is almost as impressive as the adepti. The Jade Chamber is approaching closer and closer towards their enemy, and garnering just enough time for Izuku to get his bearings straight.

Only, of course for the illuminated beasts to protest his involvement, “You, child, go seek shelter.” Cloud Retainer huffed; the crane did seem to sound concerned. “Seven knows why the traveler brought you into this mess, but a child has no place in the war of his elders.”

Aether throws her a side-eye for that slight jab, as if it’s his fault the kid is here instead of tucked away under Venti’s wings or something. Izuku, however, is not having any of that. “What? Why? I can help! I’m….I’m not just a kid! I want to help!” he insists stubbornly, a determined fire in his eyes. 

The crane adeptus bristles at the disrespect but Mountain Shaper steps in before she can say anything potentially worse. “This is not your battle to fight, child of Lord Barbatos. If anything happens to you…..we need not have a feud with the Anemo Archon on top of everything,” he explains calmly, urging his fellow adepti to move along.

The mortals around them begin to whisper with speculations; Keqing herself is thrown into contemplation, “Lord Barbatos? The Anemo Archon…?” she looks at the boy, dressed in Mond-style attire and wearing a symbol of Anemo on the open stretch of his skin. “What does he…..oh…” It’s not hard to see the dots connected there; the symbol on that boy parallels the Geo ones on each of the Liyuen Adepti.

Facing the two ladies of Liyue’s ruling council, Izuku lowers his head in a bow. “Greetings, Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing. I’m Izuku, a traveler from Mondstadt. I come to aid this fight alongside Aether.” He then turns to face the adepti, “My choices are mine to make freely. If I fight, I fight because it’s what I choose to do, and Lord Barbatos fully understands this.” He could understand their concern; it can easily be a pretty big divine-scale fallout of two nations; therefore, he’ll take any burden of responsibility over him off their hands now.

Izuku did not really understand it, but he could not bring himself to walk away from this fight; every step and decision that led him to the Jade Chamber now, overlooking a vortex of resentful mana below, was something he did with little to no thought at all. 

His body seemed to move and continue to move on its own.

As for Venti….. The child mutters a quick prayer of apology to his guardian; sure enough, this is going to worry the poor Archon to Celestia and back. 

“Look, if anything happens to him, I’ll take responsibility,” Aether speaks up for him, the man clearly tired of delaying things any further. The traveler sounds particularly stern, “Not that anything would happen to little greenie on his watch, but you should all underestimate him a little less.”

Perhaps it's the power radiated in the words spoken by a being not of Teyvat, felt in waves of foreign energy, or perhaps it’s the resentful ones filled with wrath lurching for them from below; it’s enough to cease all complaints of Izuku participating and instantly it went from a standstill to a full-out brawl. 

The god’s form is like a three-headed serpent made of torrential waters; swirls of water and dark energy leap up to them like tsunamis, tentacles pulsing with rotting energy shooting at them feverishly; it is not a battle for the weak-willed. Some of the adepti charge off the platform into action, each attacking the wrathful god at different angles. 

Apparently, the mortals too have a trick up their sleeves; they’ve managed to replicate the ancient weapon known as the Guizhong Ballistas, a creation of one of their fallen divinities. They are essentially large harpoon cannons that can harness adeptal energy; when operated by the adepti can deal a good chunk of damage to Osial.

Aether and Izuku themselves are stuck aboard the platform, deflecting whatever incoming attacks are raining upon the Jade Chamber and dealing with the Fatui. Because of course the Fatui are also here and involved; of course they're making things more difficult. Izuku finds himself growing more and more annoyed with them.

Keeping track of each wave is a challenge in itself, what with all the chaos and overwhelming clashing of elemental, divine, and resentful energy that Izuku is a little surprised by how well he’s handling it. Up in the sky so high, where the storm rages and the winds howl, it is easier for Izuku to utilize his wind glider to move faster across the battlefield. 

However one particular blast is about to hit one of the supporting beams for the flotation mechanism. If that falls, the entire Jade Chamber will lose its current floating stability, and that’s going to cuase a million other problems. Izuku sensed it just quick enough to dive down and deflect the attack, it’s a whole world of risk since the thing is located much lower than the battle platform. 

His wind glider had been straining to keep up with the demanding battle, yanked and pulled the entire time Izuku was defending the Jade Chamber; it was only a matter of when the still-mortal object would give. Just as he’s about to propel himself up to the platform again, Izuku has to hastily tug his wind glider to avoid an incoming blast, and the horrifying sound of something cracking is the only warning he got.

One moment he’s in the air, the next his windglider snapped, and in a blink, he is plummeting from Seven knows how far up in the air. The stormy winds billow by his sides, thundering in his ears along with the sounds of battle from above. Izuku feels as though he should scream; isn’t it only death that awaits him should he hit the waters below infested with that tyrant god? 

And yet all that escaped his lips was a soft ‘eep!’ and even as his body cuts through the air downwards, the teen feels no ounce of fear in his heart. Then again in the sky, cradled by the winds, even ones as vicious as this, Izuku had never felt unsafe. 

“IZUKU!!!” It is Aether who screams; the blonde is seconds from throwing himself overboard to reach the boy, stopped only by a flash of white and gold. 

After all, when in the sky, a son of the wind will never know fear for he has naught to bear.

Gentle arms scoop him in their warm embrace, much like a kite that found its breeze to ride. An exasperated scoff comes from his savior, “ Foolish starlight , who taught you to be so reckless?” In white-clad robes and flashes of gold, Izuku knew who it was before he even appeared in his sight.

“Papa!” The Anemo Archon shakes his head, his chidings going ignored by his trouble magnet of a son. He nearly has a heart attack when he finally arrives only to see his son free-falling from a broken wind glider. While Izuku doesn’t seem rattled by the incident, Venti sure fucking is.

“It’s okay, I’m here. As if I would ever let you fall , little one.”

If he holds his little starlight a little tighter, Izuku allows him complete indulgence.

If it was stormy before, then what comes next is close to a hurricane at sea. Vortexes of whirlpools began forming all around the volatile god, trapping it in one place, unable to advance closer to the harbor. It was already getting far too close for anyone’s comfort. Evacuations are still underway, and whatever’s on the port has long been swallowed by the crashing waves.

The gusts of wind are like the thinnest blades of knives, slashing the tyrant sea god with each close contact it makes. Its wailing grows as does its struggle; it is one thing to go up against mortals and divine blessed beasts; it is another to face a god . The Jade Chamber would have jostled and rattled with how windy and horrible the weather has become and yet they are able to stand perfectly still in the midst of the chaos.

Such is the might of the Anemo Archon, the dominion over the air, wind, and the very fabric of its element. A Gnosis he may lack but he need not the connection to Celestia to access his Authority over Anemo, they might’ve stolen the crown but a throne will keep standing regardless if the one sitting on it wears it or not.

Morax stifles an amused chuckle at the display of power; none of the previous Seven could get Barbatos to so much as tap into his true powers as the dominion of wind when not absolutely necessary. The sprite preferred to use his music and songs in battles rather than his elemental powers; it is understandable; the devastation it can cause is nothing to scoff at. 

Barbatos hates being reminded how dangerous and destructive he can be. And yet in the name of protection of the one dear to him, no mercy nor restraint will be spared.

Morax awaits him at the highest point of the Jade Chamber, hiding his presence while the other went to fetch his falling kid. Only upon seeing the Anemo god flying over did he drop the cloaking spell he placed on himself, making everyone in the vicinity immediately snap their heads toward him, sensing his presence.

“Lord Rex Lapis…… !!” Revered gasps and whispers echo, the people in awe at the presence of their god.

Barbatos carefully lands next to him, son in his arms. He looks regal with his wings out, draped in gold, white, and teal; it makes him look nothing like the playful bard persona he constantly plays, and they truly are lucky to witness him in his Archon form; not many have the pleasure of so and even less were left alive to tell the tale.

“Lord Barbatos…?” The Liyuen mortals look rather confused to see their neighboring nation’s archon here, cradling the strange boy that followed the traveler around, but there’s no denying their relief at seeing their own nation’s archon standing before them.

That is until Barbatos unceremoniously swipes one of his wings towards the Geo Archon, giving him one hard Anemo-infused slap that sends the god crashing into the main plaza of the platform, his glare consistently piercing throughout the ordeal with fury. How far the tables have turned; if not for how humiliating this is for him, the Geo Archon would find their reversed dynamic amusing.

For a brief few moments, there’s nothing but stupefied silence, and then Zhongli slowly stands up to his feet in the middle of the crater he was planted in and dusts himself off while coughing awkwardly. It probably broke some kind of pre-established boundary they agreed upon before to be humiliated in front of his people like this—unfortunately, he made that bed and Barbatos is going to make sure he lies in it. 

"....I concede; I deserved that." Zhongli is sure to make eye contact with no one despite the many, many eyes on him as he says that.

"Damn right you do!" Venti seethes, jumping down with Izuku still in his arms. The boy is getting rather red-faced the way he’s being cradled like a baby by the archon. 

“My lord… you?” Keqing looks from one archon to another; she almost can’t believe they’re there in front of her eyes.

“It seems certain things have gone... awry." Zhongli sighs, casting a grimace at Lady Ningguang. The Tianquan by no means looked fazed by this, but there’s an uncertain glimmer in her eyes now that he’s appeared. “Regardless of circumstances, I’d still like to proceed to see how you all fare in this calamity.” 

“Oh boy, fun,” Venti spat with no small amount of sarcasm. “Go on and submerge your perfectly good city in water too, why don’t you? What makes this sound like a good idea to pull without I don’t know…. Safety precautions?!!” the archon slips back into his regular mortal bard form, having exhausted his strength to contain the threat from moving further in.

“Lord Barbatos, you have come to aid us?” Ganyu asks, a little hopeful too. Venti turns to face her and his anger at the situation softens at the sight of the adpetus who held an old ally’s bow in her hands. 

“Oh no no, I’m not here to participate in his……. theatrics,” the winged god declares when he sees the expectant eyes on him, putting his son down and checking him over for any injuries. Is Izuku a little flustered at being fussed over so openly in public, in the middle of a battlefield at that? Yes. 

Is he going to stop Venti knowing this is more for his papa’s peace of mind than anything? No. He can also tell despite what papa is saying, it’s mostly his doing that’s keeping Osial from advancing further at the moment. 

“I’m only here to make sure this one—” a finger pointed at Izuku, “—that one—” another pointed at Aether, “—the small one there—” he pointed another at Paimon, “—didn’t get themselves killed.”

Aether looks absolutely offended by that. “If this is what kills me after everything, then I probably deserve it,” the traveler mutters to himself. 

“Is it just me or is this getting super ominous?” Paimon squeaks fearfully, clinging to Aether’s arms and bringing all of them back to the situation at hand. 

“It’s garnering more power somehow; it needs to be stopped and quick. Especially at our current capacity,” Cloud Retainer notes grimly that the ballistas are half-damaged by the onslaught of attacks. They still work but it would not be enough to subdue the threat now.

Moon Carver nods, “It's the remnant foul energy of past slain gods that lay dormant and murked these waters; one is afraid the situation is much dire than one expected.” grunting as he dodges an incoming projectile flying at them, which turns out to be a certain yaksha. 

“Xiao!” Aether and Ganyu cried, quickly helping him to sit. The Yaksha’s form is curling in agony, miasma of darkness shrouding him. “It’s hard...to fight……” The warrior can barely grip onto his weapon properly, his entire body writhing in pain. 

Ganyu gasps, eyes trailing the wisps of darkness on her senior’s arms, “It’s worsening his karmic debt….” 

“I can help!” Izuku rushes over at once, more than ready to untangle those nasty chains but the yaksha vehemently refuses. “Don’t! Your energy is best used elsewhere; I’ll manage it as it is.” Xiao insists, “We don’t need more fighters down.”

Izuku looks on helplessly, his hands hovering but he understands that it can be fruitless to do something about it at this moment. Venti hisses at the strain to maintain his spells; the whirlpools and storms he weaved wouldn’t last them forever; after that, it's up to Morax to contain his little pet project. The despot below is enraged and increasingly lashes out at them. 

Izuku hated it; the energy was foul, reeking like a rotting stench of death and misery and wanting nothing more than to drag people in and drown them in its endless pit of vengeful despair. It’s suffocating; Izuku thought Xiao’s karmic debt chains were bad, but these are worse, much worse. 

Those chains demand retribution they’ll never receive; the dark swirling in Osial wants to consume and drag others into its darkness because it only wants to cause pain— crumbling buildings screaming dead dead dust dust dust dust agony anger dust anger crying screaming anger dust dustwhydidnoonesaveme —A toxic, selfish, destructive force, and Izuku, feels utmost disgust for it.

And yet, and yet . It's so pitiful, so wrapped and deep in its resentment and torment it can no longer perceive what it's like to be without. It can no longer understand others therefore it only aims to make others understand it . 

The selfishness in itself is disgusting, yet a small part of Izuku can’t help but mourn what it was before it became so blackened.

“You wanted to save that boy? That boy is DEAD!!!”

Every nightmare, after all, begins with a dream. Every stem of resentment was once a budding hope. 

Even more disconcerting is the way the energy is almost…. familiar, it quivers against his senses like a melody he remembers but cannot recall the notes. An enemy he already knew of yet could not recall such a battle. Something about it rattles his nerves so badly that his chest tightens with each growing second the energy is lashing out.

They’re on the Jade Chamber far above the land, their objective to defeat the great evil in the air and end it all before it hits the ground—odd that sounds wrong, that's not it right now isn’t it? There’s a strange dread that does not fit here, like a mismatched puzzle, someone’s voice echoes in his head “This is your floating tomb!”  

What came after that? What was it? Izuku blinks his eyes, a sudden wave of vertigo hitting him. 

(Dead dead “Mido****!! You can’t lose it right now!!” dead dead why?? Why wasn’t he fast enough? “DEKU GET IT TOGETHER!!” Why?!)

Deku… who is Deku?

This scene, this battle, has it happened before? No, not possible. Different, but similar enough. How odd, what came next? What happened after that? It hurts to think about it, he doesn’t remember. He can’t, never could. It’s never a good thing to remember anyway.

‘ Dead, dead, dead K****** what are you doing laying around Sh******* is still standing the fight isn’t over standupstandupstandup K**CHAN STAND THE FUCK UP YOU ASSHOLE YOU CAN’T DIE ON ME NOW KACCHAN — ’

“Izuku?”

“Papa….I….” he grips his polearm tight, not knowing how to string his words in front of the one he dearly regards for once. His every nerve is on fire with the need to go out there, to fight. “I want to….” he doesn’t know how to say he can’t stand by and watch, it just simply won’t do for him.

Venti choosing not to fight is his choice; therefore, Izuku wanting to fight is his own choice too.

Sensing his child’s turmoil, the Anemo Archon rolls his eyes, “If you wish to fight, then go. I will not take your choice away. Do what you feel you must; I will watch over you.” such simple words, yet it struck Izuku to his very core that it almost sent him stumbling back in awe. 

It felt as though he spent forever trying to hear them, like an entire lifetime chasing after those words yet how easily he received them now. The boy feels his eyes glisten but rubs the tears away; he couldn’t stop smiling so wide with this unbridled flame of joy flaring in his chest. 

With one final salute, he jumps off the platform, his body carried through the air purely by the wind itself. “Has he… always been able to do that?!” Paimon gawks, “If only you could still fly too Aether…”

“Ouch Paimon, ouch,” The traveler in question sneered, hearing their little bickering; however, Venti quickly butts in. “This isn’t my fight… But go forth if you wish; the winds will not let harm befall you.” 

Aether looks at the bard with an odd, unreadable hard gaze. He gulps and summons his sword out, taking one step back which each movement. “Aether?” Paimon calls him, but the traveler simply closes his eyes and leans backward into the outstretch of an open-air battle.

“Aether?!” Several people yell seeing him fall backward like that, but seconds later a flash of gold shoots up higher and faster than most; it zips around, dealing damage and maneuvering through the waves of tentacles like he was born with wings— he was until they were locked away deep inside him —it was like watching the freest of birds flying for the first time after years of imprisonment.

Aether lands back on the deck in a flurry of anemo energy and tackles Venti in a tight embrace. “Thank you…thank you, even if it's just for a little while….thank you.” He nearly sobs, and Venti holds on because he gets it; while such cruelty was never done to him, he could empathize.

To clip a winged creature, no matter mortal, divine, or otherworldly, is a cruelty. 

"Amazing… who really are you two…….. " Keqing mutters; it was a sight to watch the traveler ride the winds as if he were flying, him and Izuku both. 

Xiao gasps as a blinding wave of pain shoots through him; at this horrible rate, he really is going to die from his karmic debt choking him and finally claiming the last of the yakshas. That is until a soft tune of a flute begins to ring in his ear, one he's very familiar with. 

“Lord… Barbatos?” he pries his eyes open to see the bard, who has taken to sit cross-legged next to him, flute in hand, playing a gentle melody that soothes his mind like a calming balm. 

Pulling away the instrument for a moment, the archon smiles at him, “Now I said I’m not fighting, but I can’t leave a child I blessed to be forsaken like this.” The soft, light music of the flute somehow doesn’t drown in the noisy battlefield, a testament to the skills of the god of music. 

At some point, the agony had lessened to phantom aches. “It’s not as effective as what Izuku did, although I frankly have no idea what it is he had done. This should tide you over for now.” it was more than enough to tide him over, so long as it kept him in the fight; it didn’t matter. 

Just like that, General Alatus of the Yakshas is back in the game. Zhongli observes the action unfolding as his people try their hardest to repel this massive threat, back against a wall just far enough out of the way that they forget he is there. He had underestimated the threat Osial would pose, but they have not needed him to intervene yet, which speaks volumes about how prepared they are.

Humanity has truly come a long way.

Zhongli's glances at Venti are being pointedly ignored even as he’s walking over to him. "What blockhead? Seriously, what are you here for if not for support? Stand and look pretty?” The bard teases, still irritated by the other Archon. 

Not only has his plan gone a little or less sideways, but now Venti is doing a quarter of the effort keeping his people from dying while he’s doing nothing . Well, not nothing; the old dragon did go to talk to the Tianquan. But he’s doing nothing now and what’s up with that?

“Ah, nothing, it's just that I wonder if you know how much that boy has changed you,” to which Venti has nothing to say; if there’s anyone who notices how much Izuku has changed him, it would be himself.

What feels like moments later, Izuku lands on the platform with an injured Ganyu in his arms; her legs look mangled with dark energy seeping into her skin. “I’m… mostly fine! They’re weakening him, but he’s broken through the seals; we’ll need to seal him again!” Ganyu calls out; even with her legs too injured to stand, she’s been notching dozens of arrows at a go, Amos’s bow imbuing each arrow with the ancient power of a past warrior.

Keqing rushes forward to assist her, with two field medics hot on her heels, taking the Qillin off Izuku’s hands. The teen considers her words, ‘Seals, to cast a seal means they’ll need a sealing array and to make it from scratch would be tricky in this chaos.’ Sealing array are a little more finicky than the average talisman-work because of the intricate layering of mana that goes into its anchor, moreso when the external energies around can easily mess up the flow.

If what Ganyu said were true, then it would not only need to be drawn with pure mana but also need a strong enough anchor to keep something so volatile down. Preferably, a properly trained mage like Lisa would be ideal in this situation but it doesn’t look like there’s someone like that on the field.

There are no mages in the Milileth; the Yuheng is primarily a swordsman, while Lady Ningguang specializes in combat rather than magic. None of the adepti here seems to show talent in the sealing magic or arrays, which means the only one somewhat trained in the foundations of sealing arrays…..is Izuku.

Venti thinks, "Sealing that, huh," as he watches the hideous creature swiping and batting at its attackers. He grins and turns his face to face his son, “Well, sure, you’ve never had to tackle anything this difficult before, but this isn’t beyond you, starlight.”

He has taught him the basics and then some and has watched Izuku do a couple of spells to know just where his skills lie. Izuku does have a good grasp of it, better than most novices for someone who only just started due to a pre-established foundation in the basics of mana and mage practice that Lisa has been teaching him priorly. 

The boy absorbs information like a sponge, catching on quicker than anyone the librarian has ever trained. By his fourth month in her lessons, he’s able to make progress trainee mages need a year to obtain. Yet the boy appears to be submerged in doubt. 

"But….I…" Izuku clenches his fists, “What if you are the one—”

“Izuku,” The use of his name caught him off guard; he cut his own words off, wide uncertain eyes staring at his papa. “It needs to be drawn with geo mana and right now, you’re the only one here who can do that. You can do it; I believe in you."

"Us too!" Paimon cheers along with Aether, and the blonde raises his sword in support. 

(It reminds him of another blonde, kind eyes, questionable humor, and a dream to save a million lives—)

“I’ll do it!” Izuku calls off his primary weapon, the Skyward Atlas, taking its place. The bright anemo glow beams with power. 

“I’ll keep him safe,” Aether assures Venti with a nod; the two then call over the leading generals of the fight to the central plaza. Venti looks on helplessly, proud of them.

“You know how to draw a sealing array, right?! What do you need?!” Keqing appears a little haggard, with her dress slightly singed and numerous bruises, but she stands firm as she commands and rallies her troops. 

Even Lady Ningguang and Cloud Retainer are looking at him for instructions, which is a little more than unsettling. “I can prepare an array that would seal him as he once was but…” Izuku flicks his wrist, the catalyst in his hands flips open and mana flows out in streaks of anemo teal, drawing the structure of the sealing array they have to make. “It has to be huge and I can’t form a array that large fast enough from pure elemental mana alone, but if there’s something to use as an anchor...” 

“How big?” Lady Ningguang interjects, her gaze considerably darkens.

Tapping his foot, Izuku says, "Enough to cover the whole place." 

With complete, unrestrained conviction, the woman makes the next decision after closing her eyes and letting out a heavy breath. "Then, I have decided," she says. “I’ll sacrifice the Jade Chamber.” 

You could hear the cacophony of gasps even in the chaos, “What!? But Lady Ningguang…” Ganyu shakes her head lightly; she looks pained, and somehow Izuku doesn’t think it's because of her injuries. Izuku could sympathize; the Jade Chamber is more than just a fancy floating palace of wealth.

It is the very proof of a little street rat’s culmination of efforts and hard work, of how she, who once had so little to her name, is now the one standing on top with little else that’s not within reach. The proof that the little girl who sold what she could on the street can also reach for the skies.

This is more than just a building, more than just another symbol of wealth. It is the symbol of prosperity for many and her symbol of tenacity. To see her so readily give it up, Izuku could respect that, admire that even. The mana in his veins sings at her resolve; nothing energizes him more than seeing a true dreamer in their element.

“It needs to be done.” There’s a solemnity in her tone, but her word is final. Keqing’s lips thin in protest but do not speak it aloud; it needs to be done. That’s all there is to it now.

“It would work! However, my powers alone would not be able to charge an array that huge, especially after using most of it to draw it; the adepti will have to lend their mana.”

“Not a problem.” Cloud Retainer huffs, flapping her wings. Izuku has a distinct feeling its like the crane equivalent of flipping one’s hair back sassily. 

The teen chuckles and alongside him, Aether starts to march around the building, the expensive walls glimmering with orange blossom energy in swirls of spell symbols. It’s hard, what with flying attacks and ominous energy everywhere making it hard to concentrate, but Izuku is nothing if not relentless.

"Inform the Lords of our plan that we’ll cast down the seal once the array is ready.” Lady Ningguang calls out to the remaining troops; the Fatui are mostly dealt with, leaving them to deflect Osial’s attacks. 

The more ground they cover, the stronger the glow of geo from the drawn array glows; Izuku’s forehead trickles with sweat; he’s never used this much mana so quickly. “Look out!” Aether hisses, his sword ready to parry the incoming blast but an arrow of ice and lotuses tanks it first.

“He’ll need mana transfers, you keep supporting him while we handle the rest!” Ganyu says with her bow out and notched on the back of Cloud Retainer, the two soaring across the skies together as master and disciple. 

The traveler exclaims, somewhat amazed, "I will tell ya that you guys are a tenacious bunch." When he places a hand on Izuku's shoulder and begins to transfer energy, Izuku does not even flinch or react, but instead just keeps moving forward, which speaks volumes about his focus.

“C’mon greenie you got this,” Izuku’s hands are flying everywhere, drawing and drawing, pushing every last drop of his mana out like ink to make the array. As they keep moving around, Osial too must’ve sensed them doing something because a lot of the attacks are now pointedly aimed at disrupting the greenhead teen.

The remaining combatants do their best to tank and deflect, seeing the teen’s own will of strength that even at the point his body collapsed and had to be held up by Aether but he still kept drawing at the same visceral ferocity; they couldn’t do less .  

Such is the way of a Liyuen sworn soldier; they each entered this fight knowing it might be their last. ‘While the Millelith stands guard, evil shall never prevail,’ and each Millelith soldier there would do everything to support the young god who is giving his all to help them. 

“There! It's ready!” The Skyward Atlas flutters out of existence as Izuku gasps and drops to his knees, panting; Aether's stream of mana is the only thing keeping him conscious. “Mortals, get the mortals off first!!” 

“Non-allogenes! Evacuate the Jade chamber now!” Keqing exclaims, waving the remaining soldiers over to where a pathway of wind current blows out of the cage of storms, courtesy of the Anemo Archon. “Glide back down to sea!! The Crux Fleet will pick you up!!”

The Anemo Archon in question, who has his back pressed against Zhongli’s chest, the other man is embracing him from behind as he passes energy over. 

The bard’s face scrunched in agony, “Quick!! I can’t….. I can’t keep this up for much longer!” he hisses through the strain. 

As the evacuation commenced, Izuku, now carried on Aether’s back to preserve energy, began instructing the remaining adepti. “Everyone, channel your energy; we can do this together!" He positions them in vital areas of the array, "Aether, place me here—yes, I’m fine! You take center, redirect, and evenly contain the channeled energy to the seal!”

Now Aether knows a thing or two about arrays himself but nothing this complicated, and yet looking it all over, it ties back together nicely, straightforward but effective. “Smart greenie,” he smirks, taking position.

Izuku inhales, “Alright, on my mark, three, two, NOW!”

At his signal, the adepti inject as much power into the array as they can, causing the entire Jade Chamber to glow orange gold. “Aether!” The traveler nods, plunges his sword into the central point of the floating mechanism and thus fully activates the array.

The entire place begins to tremble, "Okay, that's it! Quickly now, everyone off the Jade Chamber!!" Keqing exclaims but yelps when she’s pulled up onto Cloud Retainer’s back by Ganyu. “Don’t forget yourself!”

“Izuku…. come on,” Aether mutters, trying to pick the teen up but too exhausted to actually carry him and Izuku is scooped up instead by an brown orange crane. “We’ll take it from here,” Mountain Shaper tells him before jumping off the platform.

“AETHER!!”

“Wha….” Aether’s eyes go wide as he lost his footing and now its his turn to freefall, this time with no anemo blessings to keep him safe. The blond cuts down like an arrow notched, too tired to even scream.

And then a blitz of green flashes in his eyes, gold meets gold and suddenly he’s floating rather than falling. There’s a hand over his back and underneath his knees, a pair of dark green wings fluttering overhead. 

Breathlessly, he asks, "Since when you have wings?" Xiao doesn’t smile per se, but the edge of his lips curls upwards ever so slightly, “Since someone gave them back to me.” 

As they’re all fleeing, they could see the way the array drawn chamber falls onto the tyrant god, the mass and sealing array combined making a large explosion. The collision is so powerful, it sent another wave crashing onto the port. Left behind in its wake is a serene sunset.

They landed at the harbor docks, just in time as the Cruz Fleet Ships were docking as well. Izuku stirs where he is lying on the crane's back, "Did it work?" he mutters, squinting into the setting sun.

"Yes, I could no longer feel his presence." Cloud Retainer spoke, this time with begrudging respect for the boy. Cheering can be heard from the distance, the crowd of evacuated citizens rushing back to celebrate their victory.

Clearing his throat, Zhongli, who has quietly landed with them, says, "That was quite the battle," 

“That was horrid. Nuh-uh, see if I ever do you a favour again, you ass.” His fellow Archon is draped over his back, exhausted from using his full power. 

“We have landed Venti.” It’s enough to get the bard springing off his back, frantic eyes searching for his son. Relief rushes through him seeing Izuku comfortably curled up on Mountain Shaper’s back.

“Starlight! Little one! Seven be damned, I knew you could do it!” He coos while the crane adeptus carefully deposits the barely conscious godling into Venti’s opened arms.

“Mmmhh? Pa…?” With a yawn, the boy curls up in his parents' warm embrace, experiencing the comforting warmth and affection that he has always known. “I’m okay……. Just…. Gonna…. Take a nap… Zzzzzz… “

“Oh my little starlight, how you frightened me….” Venti chides softly but nothing betrays the adoration in his entire being right now for the boy. And then it comically becomes placid and flinty when he faces the crowd of witnesses to his presence in this fiasco.

“I hope it goes without saying that my presence here is nothing short of a hallucination , yes?” He reminds sternly that he did not want his centuries of absent reputation to be destroyed, least of all while being sighted in Liyue . The romantic ballads were fun when they were an item; now its just old.

“Barbatos sends his blessings, but he certainly wasn’t there.” He adds icily, knowing these people and their devotion to pay back what is given, its going to take some emphasizing.

“But we can’t just write you off after assisting us in such a crisis, Lord of Anemo!” Keqing looks absolutely scandalized that he even thought of it. The poor girl looks ready to throw a fit.

Venti smiles wryly, “Easy fix; credit them to my little one here, then, if you truly must." He nods at the sleeping precious cargo in his arms.

“I don’t think Izuku would like that." Paimon says sheepishly, glancing at the teen, and yes, she is correct; he would not. That’s why its an effective punishment! Venti wasn’t letting this slide; no, he’s a much more responsible parent than that.

"Well, then he should’ve thought further ahead than jumping headfirst into a battle that deadly, willy-nilly . My heart almost gave out! Thrice!”

If this is a habit he didn’t realize Izuku had, then he’s curb-stomping it like a Celestial Nail if its the last thing he does! Sure, Izuku makes his own decisions, but he needs to be aware that each one has its own set of consequences.

Zhongli laughs, “You truly have a wonderful fledgling." When the man reaches to pat the green bush, Venti sighs and lets him. It’s not like he’s going to deny anyone wanting to give Izuku appropriate affection; Seven knows he needs it. 

Lady Ningguang watches curiously, “So the Anemo Archon has a son.” It’s a curious thing to be faced with something she was supposed to be aware of; Acting Grandmaster Jean had sent out an inquiry over a lost child looking for his kin months ago and he certainly fit the bill. 

How the boy ended up being the child of the Anemo god is intriguing.

“Huh? Is he like... theirs ?” Keqing turns to face Ganyu, and the Qillin shrugs helplessly.

Moon Carver may be a stag, “One dearly hopes not,” but even a stag can look constipated as it appears now. 

“Heavens no and we ought to be thankful for it.” Cloud Retainer grimaces as well as a crane could. “Very well, Lord Barbatos,”

“Guess I’ll take my leave now, ladies, adepti and dramatic blockhead; Aether, Paimon, let's meet back at the inn after you sort out…Whatever business it is, you got tangled in that led to this madness.” Venti throws those two a pointed look, his face a little sour with all that’s happened in the last two days since they arrived here. 

"Not for a lack of trying," Aether mumbles with a pout, avoiding his glare, while Paimon screams, "Hey, it is not our fault it all went wrong!"

Venti shakes his head, exasperated, and flees before the incoming crowd reaches the dock. But as he does, the bard looks back one last time to yell, “And for Seven’s sake, somebody put that harbinger on a leash or deport his ass, whichever is more convenient, because I'm so close to smiting the bastard and I don’t care if he can take it!”

At the Northland Bank where a certain Harbinger is resisting the urge to strangle his fellow coworker, the ginger harbinger in question suddenly lets out a huge sneeze. "Geez somone is espeically pissed at me!"