Chapter Text
The crew was ashore, the Crux sitting limply on the water, the island of Petrichor sitting nearby.
Beidou for her part, decided to remain on the ship, as she admitted that she wasn’t feeling the best at the moment, which the crew were willing to abide with, largely because of how unusual it was.
As she turned to go to her quarters, she opened the door. However, as she did so, she was met with a sight most unusual to her.
Standing in the room, was an almost pale and ghostly figure, resembling a sailor. It was only on closer examination that she recognized that it bears some similarity to a sailor she had not seen for a long time.
“Zexian, How my friend did you beat us here when it took so long by boat? ” She glanced around, and paid close attention to his pale complexion, a complexion he did not have in life.
How many years had it been?
“ What misfortune has come of you, that now you’re here as a ghost? You survived a war, Haishan, an isle in the sky… What if not a godly storm could kill you? ”
Zexian gave her what could only be interpreted as a soft, but bitter smile.
“ I wish I’d had a hero's death ‘stead of falling, drunk, off of a roof.In the dawn’s light, I broke my neck, you sailed off without one of your crew. ”
He then gave a sad chuckle.
“ But it’s better than ocean depths; those who die at sea don’t get a tomb. Still I’m stuck by the riverbed, with all the others who died for you. ”
Beidou reaches out a hand, but Zexian waves it off.
“ There’s nothing you can do now, for all of the men who drowned. It’s life’s final trick, men unburied don’t cross the styx. ”
Beidou remembered hearing about the Styx, some river that Aether talked about, some river separating the living from the dead.
“And as I died, the strangest thought struck me: “What chance did I have to survive?”” Zexian fixed Beidou with a glare. “C’mon Beidou, won’t you tell me am I lucky? ‘Cause there are worse ways men like me have died.”
Beidou muttered under her breath “What can I do?” Zexian regained a softer look in his eyes, but a stern smile was still affixed upon his face.
“ If you’re willing to build me a pyre and mark my grave with an old, wooden oar, I’ll be freer than those who died trapped by sea monster or by storm. ” He then paused.
“But a question to ask, If I might,” He glances to the side. “Though I don’t mean to trouble you more.” He then leaned in.
“ Did my luck run out on that night? Or did it spare what else you’ve got in store? ” He paused, fixing Beidou with a gaze.
“ I know – you’ll make it home free from froth and the foam. But what you’ll go through – Please believe: I don’t envy you .” Beidou began looking to the side.
“ ‘Cause when I died, the strangest thought struck me: “What chance did I have to survive?” ” Zexian gestured around. “ C’mon Beidou, won’t you tell me am I lucky? ‘Cause there are worse ways men like me have died. ” Beidou was feeling the urge to begin crying, something Zexian noticed.
“ I wasn’t good. I didn’t die bravely. ” Zexian exhaled. “ So please, save your tears. They can’t save me. ”
“ Save them for Ningguang, your father, save them for Aether. They’re waiting – I passed them as I passed on. Please believe me: They’re waiting – Beidou, you must carry on. ” Zexian then gestured broadly. And suddenly, Beidou felt as though the eyes of every sailor of Liyue were staring at her.
“ As for the rest of us: Remember us. That’s all I can ask you to do, as you suffer storms and wrecks and wraiths, betrayals know I am rooting for you. ” Beidou and Zexian finally remade eye contact, and Beidou noticed that Zexian regained a look in his eyes. It almost resembles pride.
“ ‘Cause when I died, the strangest thought struck me: “It was always you, who kept us alive.” My luck ran out, but you’re the reason I got lucky. And there are worse ways men like me have died. ” And Zexian fixed Beidou with a terrifying look. Beidou began stumbling back, onto her bed.
“ And there are worse ways men like me will die. ” An overwhelming presence fell over her, and soon, she blacked out.
The next day, Beidou woke up, with a feeling that she should contact Hu Tao when she gets back.
(After speaking with Chongyun of course.)