Archive of Our Own ^beta

Once there was a land of seven nations that were ruled by seven gods from the plane of Celestia. Each god had control over one of the elements of their world. These elements were Anemo, or wind; Geo, or earth; Hydro, or water; Electro, or lightning; Dendro, or plants; Pyro, or fire; and Cryo, or ice. While these gods had immortal lifespans, they could still be killed. After they die, they would be replaced with a new god in time.

The kingdom of Mondstadt was ruled by the God of Anemo, Decarabian. He lived in a tower that was in the center of the city and reached for Celestia. Decarabian was a cruel god that ruled oppressively over the people. A ferocious wind barrier like that of a hurricane surrounded Mondstadt. Not even the birds could enter or exit the Country. The clouds covered the sky and the only thing that reminded the people that the sky was blue was the stories sang by the few bards that remained in Mondstadt. Only thousands of years in the future would anyone gain the courage to start a rebellion to fight the tyrannical King of Mondstadt.

A tiny Anemo Wisp was floating through the city, just watching the people go about their busy days when he heard a beautiful tune that was being carried on the winds. He changed what wind current he was riding to find the source. When he turned around a corner, he found a young bard playing the lyre.

“~One of tyranny and humble dreams and those who prevail~.”

For reasons known only to the gods, the wisp quickly became attached to the boy. Not long after the boy finished, he noticed the wisp.

“Well, hello there, little guy!” Was the boy talking to him?

“Did you like my show?” Yup, he was the only one left in the area. The little wisp could only shake his head.

“Well, I’m glad that you liked it so much. I’m *****, what’s your name?”

The wisp was shocked. Brise wanted to get to know him. What could he do? He was just a wisp among the thousand winds? He didn’t have a name; he couldn’t even speak. If he tried to it would just sound like rustling leaves to the boy.

“Buddy? Are you there?” The wisp didn’t know what to do.

“Can you not talk?” He nodded his head.

“Do you have a name?” A slight shake this time.

“Well then, why don’t I give you one?” Why did the bard want to give him a name? They had only known each other for a few minutes now.

“How about Barbatos?” It was a nice name. The wisp decided he liked it.

They became friends quickly, and as time went on, the two continued to grow only closer. As the bard would perform, Barbatos would use anemo energy to manipulate the winds to carry the music to draw in the crowds. They were able to communicate through body language and expressions. They were inseparable. If you went looking for the bard, you would see the tiny anemo wisp close to him.

But not all good things will last forever. While the duo became more popular among the people, they were bound to hear the rumors of what was happening inside the tower of the oppressive king. His rules were getting harsher and more demanding. He was raising the taxes and more people were losing their homes.

One day, as the pair was walking down the road, something fell in front of them. The teen reached down to pick it up.

“A bird feather?” Barbatos looked up to see an eagle flying towards the anemo barrier. It seemed that his friend had spotted it too. They had watched as it hit the barrier and fell to the ground.

“Poor guy. He just wanted to fly freely beyond these walls.” Then it looked like he thought of something.

“Barbatos, what if we searched for a rebellion against Lord Decarabian? We would be free to leave the city if he was defeated, right?” Barbatos thought about it for a moment. He wanted to see the outside world as well. The wind couldn’t be contained in one place for long. So, the two continued to perform at taverns and the city center. They made sure that they kept an ear out for anything about a revolution.

One night, they got their answer after hearing a drunk guard mention that they had to prepare for a rebellion that was forming in the country. They eavesdropped some more until they were able to find the leaders of the forming rebellion.

“Forget it, kiddo.” The bard was taken back.

“But I don’t like the way Decarabian rules any more than you do! I may not be able to use a weapon, but I can play songs to keep the morale of the soldiers raised. What use is a soldier who doesn’t have a strong will.” The bard had a good point.

“And what about the wisp that you have with you? What can it do?” The leaders asked.

“Barbatos can manipulate wind currents. He can make our arrows soar farther and more accurately while making the arrows of Decarabian’s knights fly off course.”

Finally, after weeks of preparation, the time for the people to take back Mondstadt had come. As the rebels fought, they could all hear a melody that reminded them that the battle was not over. Winds swept, people fell, and the ground shook violently. That day, the intimidating tower and harsh wind barrier fell along with the god that created them. For the first time in centuries, the people of Mondstadt saw the blue skies in the stories they read. But something was wrong.

As the people celebrated their victory, they noticed that the air was quiet. They expected to hear a harp with a song of victory being played. But they heard nothing. That’s when they saw what had happened to the music that kept their hopes up. On the other side of the battlefield, laying on the ground, was the young, hopeful bard with two stray arrows that had gone unnoticed until it was too late sticking out of his chest. But Amos was still smiling, knowing that there would never be another to wear the crown of Mondstadt.

“Barbatos…” the bard held the small wisp in his shaking hands. No one could hear what he said next, but the wisp had started crying. Everyone knew it was too late to save him as the boy took his last breath and his eyes closed for the last time. ***** would never get to see the freedom that he had fought for. And his name would be forgotten to time. He would be remembered as the nameless bard of Old Mondstadt who made sure that he kept the soldiers in high spirits.

But as the rules of this world go. After the fall of an Archon, a new one would arise shortly after. They could only watch as the wisp was enveloped in a bluish-green light. When the light faded away, there was a young teen who was almost identical to the fallen bard, with the wings of an angel crying over the fallen bard. The new Anemo Archon had been chosen by Celestia. The people watched as the newborn God of Song and Freedom grabbed his dearest friend's harp and opened his mouth to sing the words that would help shape the future of Mondstadt.

“~May the winds carry forth your soul when you're 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~.”