Chapter 1: A Girl Worth Fighting For Fatui Edition (Ft. Disguise Lumine)
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It was a bad idea.
Infiltrating the Fatui branch in Liyue, disguise as new recruit, and joining their ranks; To gain any important intel related to the Archons or something useful, like how to get into Inazuma …And maybe anything related to the Abyss Order—Specifically the whereabouts of her now turned Abyss prince of a brother, who’s no doubt leading the entire Abyss organization against his war with Destiny.
Yup. Lumine thought it was a horrible idea.
But she was still reeling from her stupid brother’s somewhat-abandonment of her. And maybe that’s the reason why she even considered infiltrating the Fatui, just so she could exploit their vast information network and find her brother again.
It was still a bad idea, though.
And risky too. That was Lumine’s first thought when Paimon first suggested she infiltrate the Fatui by posing as a new recruit. She expressed her reservation regarding the idea, but her ever so faithful traveling companion gave some good points.
“But it’s not like they’ll recognize you anyway. Paimon thinks the Fatui turn blind or are too dense to recognize the traveler when you’re wearing a mask. And that time with Eula, they couldn’t even tell it was you, even with your clothes on! Imagine if you were in one of their full uniforms? Hehehe… You can waltz right in and get whatever horrible Fatui plans they have right under their noses! As easy as Paimon eating her sticky honey roast and looking good while you’re at it!”
And Lumine was convinced. Her companion made a compelling argument that she couldn’t refute. And not because she wanted to try a Fatui uniform for whatever reason.
After some careful planning—and an unfortunate Fatui agent meeting an accident by the end of her sword—Lumine enacted their plan just in time as Snezhnaya sends another batch of new recruits to Liyue. And everything should have been smooth sailing from there. At least that’s what Lumine thought at first.
She didn’t think ahead that a few complications would arise during her infiltration.
It started off with everyone thinking she was boy, because of the uniform she stole. And Lumine had to roll with it to avoid suspicion, calling herself Ling.
Then it turns out Childe was back, a.k.a. the 11th Harbinger Tartaglia, to oversee the training of the new recruits. Complicating things, with Lumine fearing he’d recognize her because he was her… friend? Frenemy? Guy she used to beat up once a week before he left back to his homeland after meeting his cute younger brother.
It got worst, when Lumine learned Childe didn’t come alone. He brought Scaramouche with him. The short psycho 6th harbinger boy’s reason is to watch over Childe, probably because of the ruckus he caused in Liyue months ago, much to the other harbinger’s dislike.
Fortunately for Lumine, the two guys were two busy antagonizing each other to take notice of her disguise self, providing her some level of relief. But in between avoiding the two harbingers, keeping up her manly appearance, and whatever training or menial tasked assigned for them to do, it left Lumine little time to gather any worthy information related to her goals.
While only hearing a few snippets from her fellow recruits, of their homesickness or their adoration for the Tsaritsa. She quickly got tired listening of the latter.
Now at the present, Lumine finds herself marching around Dihua marsh with her ‘fellow’ Fatui skirmishers, for whatever mission and plan their two harbingers have in store for them. Not that they know what they were planning either, because Childe and Scaramouche have been arguing, since the moment they began their march through Liyue.
At this point, Lumine was already planning a way out of her current predicament, seeing it useless for her staying with the Fatui any longer and getting tired of hearing the incessant bickering of her two ‘superiors’.
Lumine tried not to roll her eyes at the thought. She failed.
She could tell that even the other Fatui members were growing tired of their Harbingers’ behavior too. But none of them spoke or complained about it, out of fear of receiving their ire and not wanting an early death.
Instead, to Lumine’s surprise, they did something else to relieve their stress and pass the time.
They started singing.
Fatui skirmishers (singing in chorus.): “For a long time we've been, marching off to battle…”
Electrohammer skirmisher (comments while wiping sweat off his brows): “In our thundering herd, We feel a lot like cattle~”
Fatui skirmishers (singing in chorus, while some trying to fan themselves): “Like the Liyue Heat, Our aching feet, aren't easy to ignore!”
Lumine swore there was rhythmic music accompanying them too, as if played by certain green clothed bard. But before she could dwell on that thought, a Pyroslinger decided to take lead.
Pyroslinger (suddenly jumping up with enthusiasm): “Hey! think of instead… A girl worth fighting for~!”
Lumine (Visibly confuse and suddenly joining in): “Huh?”
The Pyroslinger waved a finger knowingly at Lumine in response.
Pyroslinger (excitedly exclaiming): “That's what I said! A girl worth fighting for!”
Puzzled, Lumine continues to watch other Fatui skirmishers begin to describe their ideal woman.
Pyroslinger (swooning dreamily): “I want her pale as winter snow, with eyes that shine like ice~”
Electrohammer skirmisher (flexing his arms while holding his hammer): “My girl will marvel at my strength, adore my hammer strikes!”
Hydrogunner & Cryogunner (both duet): “We couldn't care, less what she'll wear or what she looks like…! It all depends on what she cooks like!”
Hydrogunner: “Fish…”
Cryogunner: “Meat…”
Everyone (swooning, including Lumine.): “Timmie’s Pigeons! …Mmmmmm~”
At the mention of food, Childe and Scaramouche decided for a brief lunch break, before moving on once more. They briefly passed a group of local women carrying baskets of fruit, with all of them noticing Lumine and giggle amusingly at her. Flustering the disguise the traveler, which her peers took notice.
Electrohammer skirmisher (bumping his shoulder teasingly at Lumine): “Bet the local girls thought you were quite the charmer~”
Anemoboxer skirmisher (cutting in with some shadow boxing): “And I'll bet the ladies love, an Anemo Boxer!”
Fatui Skirmishers (Everyone singing): “You can guess what we, have missed the most, from our Snezhnaya home!”
Suddenly Childe cuts in, taking reins of the song, surprising Lumine.
Childe (pumping a raised fist in the air): “What do we want?!”
Everyone (except Lumine and Scaramouche): “A girl worth fighting for~!”
Childe suddenly grabs both Scaramouche and a disguise Lumine under his shoulders. With a bit love struck eyes.
Childe (suddenly reminiscing about Lumine): “Lumine likes me despite my faults, So cute and very kind~”
Lumine (trying to control her blush): “H-How sure the girl, is still uh… free? No other boy in mind?”
Childe and Scaramouche stare at Lumine with raised eyebrows, from hearing her remark.
Childe and Scaramouche: “Nah!”
Childe (too dense to notice what’s in front of him) “My manly ways, and fighting dates, are sure have wooed her~!!!”
Scaramouche (whispering aside to Lumine, mockingly): “I doubt she’d date a serial killer, heh.”
Childe heard him, which caused both guys to argue once more. With Lumine right between them.
“Hey, I heard that short stack!”
“Good! I thought you’d be deaf with your head so high up in the clouds!”
“Yeah in cloud nine! You wouldn’t know, cause you haven’t hit puberty yet!”
“WHY! YOU—”
“Sirs. Please behave yourselves!” Lumine cried out to her dismay. While the other skirmishers continue humming their jolly tune, enjoying the show.
It took a while for Lumine to settle the two Harbingers, allowing them to continue marching peacefully. She was glad that musical mood they had didn’t dissipate. And much to her surprise…
Scaramouche walk closed to her side and gave a wink.
Scaramouche (smiling at Lumine.): “There’s a girl I know, who I admit, I like her~”
Lumine looks away, not knowing why she was more flustered than afraid from Scaramouche’s remark.
Childe (cuts in with a teasing smirk): “She’s the only girl, who likes him, cuz he’s shorter~”
The two start another argument. Lumine shakes her head in clear exasperation before joining everyone merrily singing to their hearts content.
Everyone (now marching with the beat): “But in Snezhnaya, its wintery, so Love’s an open door!”
Childe (jumps away from Scaramouche and cheers loudly.): “What do we want?!”
Everyone (replies in unison with equal mirth): “A girl worth fighting for!”
Scaramouche (whispering dejectedly to himself): “Wish that I had…”
Everyone (cheerily ignoring their harbingers comment): “A girl worth fighting for!”
Lumine (laughing while being carried by some Vanguards): “A girl worth fighting—"
“Halt! by the order of the Millelith!” An armored man holding a polearm, cuts in, interrupting the Fatui group.
Lumine was immediately put down and moved into formation, as every skirmisher prepares themselves for confrontation. Because right in front of them was a small army of the Millelith intercepting them.
And right in front leading the group with the soldier who called out to them earlier, were two individuals Lumine recognize.
“See Paimon’s intuition was right!” A high-pitched voice called.
“My small friend, I recalled it was the traveler who informed us about this outing and her request to aide in extracting her.” A smooth deep masculine voice replied to the former.
“Paimon?! Zhongli?!” Lumine couldn’t help crying out in relief. Breaking off her formation, much to Childe’s, Scaramouche’s, and the rests of the Fatui’s confusion.
“Traveler.” Zhongli called, just as Lumine cross the distance between them in record time. And glomp both him and Paimon in a big hug.
“I’m so happy you guys got my message!” Lumine exclaimed, before asking. “But you guys didn’t need to bring the Millelith with you.”
“Hehehe… Paimon got a bit too worried.” Paimon spoke, timidly scratching the back of her head.
Zhongli couldn’t help adding. “Worried is an understatement. Paimon made it sound like you were in deep trouble when she received your hidden letter. She almost mobilize the entirety of Liyue to help you. Nearly convincing all the Adepti and the Liyue Qixing to help.”
“Aw… Paimon.” Lumine couldn’t help feeling touch at Paimon’s worry for her. As the pixie shied away from her affection. “Oh… No need to give Paimon that look!”
“Now wait just a second!” Childe called out to the trio. “Before we throwdown or whatever—I have some questions! And I want answers to them! Like, why does Ling know Paimon and Mr. Zhongli?! And where’s the traveler?!”
“YEAH!” The other skirmishers yelled, sharing the same thought.
Scaramouche on the other hand, was facepalming due to their idiocy.
“I think this would answer your question!” Lumine calls back. Dramatically ripping off the fatui uniform over her, revealing her foreign signature dress underneath.
Gasp and cries of surprise were heard. From both the Millelith and the Fatui.
But Childe and all of the Fatui skirmishers were still confuse. “Ling, why are you wearing the traveler’s clothes?”
Lumine shared a look with Paimon and Zhongli, both then pointing at the mask on her face. With a tired sigh, Lumine removes it and looks back with a bored expression at Childe and the rest of the Fatui.
Who immediately burst out in shock.
“LUMINE! You’re Ling! Or Ling was you!? NO. LING WAS YOU!” Childe cries, mortified. “That means we—You saw—I was…That time in the river…”
Scaramouche was enjoying how Childe was lost at words, while commenting to Lumine. “I had my suspicions… but I commend you for your trickery. I must say traveler, you’ve fooled us.”
Paimon smugly points out with her hand on her hips. “Don’t you mean you guys got Fatui’d… By the Traveler!”
Every skirmisher shared a look with one another, shrugging, murmuring, all nodding their heads and agreeing.
With a Pyroslinger saying. “She’s got a point.”
After a few moments. Lumine bartered for a ceasefire between the two group and letting the Fatui, including Childe and Scaramouche, go. Seeing that they’ve foiled whatever plot they were planning and not wanting any confrontation to end the day.
Though, Lumine admits to Paimon and Zhongli later on the real reason why she didn’t want to fight. It was because she was in a good mood after the impromptu song number the Fatui did and didn’t want to end her day on a bad note. Pun intended.
If they weren’t hell bent in causing chaos and capturing another Archon’s gnosis, Lumine thought they would have been a good singing group.
“Were you able to retrieve any information useful for you, dear traveler?” Zhongli asked as they began heading back to Liyue harbor.
Lumine thought for a moment, before replying. “Not much. But I did learn something interesting.”
She turned around for a quick second and caught both Childe and Scaramouche overseeing their troops leaving at the opposite direction. They caught her staring at them shortly.
And Lumine cutely winked at them, loving how they were then caught off guard by her gesture. With Childe looking like he was sputtering something before Scaramouche began to drag him away with his giant hat obscuring his face from Lumine’s vision.
Giggling, Lumine turns back around to catch up with Paimon and Zhongli. Excited to tell them about her time with the Fatui.
Notes:
Song parodied: ‘A Girl Worth Fighting For’ From Mulan soundtrack.
And that’s that. I hope you enjoyed this story and looked forward for more parodies. I don’t have an exact format yet of how I’ll write the songs and the singing on the text. What I did now in this chapter, the dialogue style, is temporary until I find another easier or get more comfortable with this format for me to write characters singing.
Thank you for reading! See, you in the next chapter!
Kudos and comments, are appreciated. But nothing rude or offensive of course. Thanks again!
Chapter 2: Prince Aether Abyss Edition (Ft. The Abyss Order)
Summary:
Ever since the day their prince reunited with his long-lost sibling, the Abyss order couldn't help but feel Aether has been feeling a bit… different lately.
Which leads to an invasion of the beautiful city of Mondstadt...
Notes:
This chapter was inspired and planned since the day I listened to the four-singer mashup of Prince Ali. Which at that time, I saw a YouTube comment saying, that the entire song sounded like four people trying to help their friend hook-up with someone.
Thus, this chapter was born! Which became longer than expected.
*Side note: Who's excited for Inazuma! The trailer and the Electro Traveler were lit. Cool & Hot characters like Ayaka and Yoimiya, plus an Anemoe Sayu! And I bet some people would joke that Baal's divine blade is not the only sword they want between her breasts. Hehehe… cultured person sounds… Jokes aside, I'm excited for ver. 2.0!
And hear is chapter two of Breakout into Song.
Song parodied: 'Prince Ali' 'From Disney's Alladin.
Also if it helps, you can listen to the instrumental version of the song while reading this to help immerse yourself. Any version would do too, though I prefer the 2019 remake version.
That's all and here is the chapter, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Ever since the day their prince reunited with his long-lost sibling, the Abyss order couldn't help but feel Aether has been feeling a bit… different lately.
Granted, while the celestial twin sent his other half to travel Teyvat and see the truth as he once did 500 year ago, to understand the cause of the abyss and the sins of Celestia; It didn't mean the Abyss prince felt no emotion from parting with his dear sister.
Aether was always the more emotive one between him and Lumine, and the Abyss Herald who was with him during their reunion, could tell that his liege was holding an untold amount of grief, sorrow, and at least one positive emotion being relief from seeing his sister again. Before departing in a tear-jerking manner.
Thus, after the siblings reunion, something shifted in Aether's demeanor. Or rather, he become far more workaholic than usual. Similar to the likes of the current acting grandmaster of Mondstadt and the Yuheng of Liyue.
Always in the planning room, delegating task nonstop to his troops, organizing even greater schemes to create artificial gods to go against Celestia, and even going so far to the depths of the Abyss and taming the dangerous beasts born from the lost Alchemic art of Kemia. Many, if not all of the Abyss serving under him, were in awe of his recent developments and surge of progress made in their plans.
Even despite setbacks they've run into, like Dainsleif, who's currently on the run and holding the eye of the first field-tiller.
Yet even though the Abyss order were grateful for their Prince making great strides to their goals with his current working demeanor, some members were growing concerned for Aether and fear that he may be pushing himself too much. Leaving him at risk of burning out and unable to perform his duties properly if he continues with his current pace.
And that's saying something for the Abyss order, knowing their Prince was an immortal traveler who traversed countless worlds and witnessed the birth and death of stars. They've already guessed to why their Prince was throwing himself more into his work, since it would leave him less time to worry about his sister's progress in traveling all of Teyvat, while waiting for their eventual reunion.
Unfortunately, it took years for Aether to travel the whole of Teyvat and meeting their Archons. It would take Lumine far longer with all the… difficulties present in the world. The fact adding more stress to Aether, along with fighting against Celestia and defying destiny.
The concerned members of the Abyss order did try to suggest and convince their Prince to take a break and get some well-deserved rest, but all their pleas fell on deaf ears or rebukes by Aether saying:
"How could I rest when my sisters is busy travelling Teyvat uncovering its truth and lies? Everything, our plans, and goals, must be ready and prepared perfectly before we are reunited… Now go kill the Treasure Hoarders and Fatui skirmishers too foolish enough to enter our domains!"
Which is why a few higher-ranking members of the Abyss decided to have an emergency secret meeting, unbeknownst to Aether. And try to figure out how to give their Prince an intervention, or least convince him to sleep a minimum 2 hours before heading back to work, making plans to do so.
Unfortunately for the Abyssal horde…
"He won't listen! I even tried bribing him with his favorite meals, but he simply sucked them in his personal subspace and carried on plotting the star maps!" One Cryo Abyss mage cried with defeat.
"We also tried giving him a shoulder massage, but he just thanked us and continued writing down our next task before giving them to us to do!" A Pyro Abyss mage also added with exasperation at his liege's behavior.
Listening to the two Abyss mages, were the Abyss Lector and the Abyss Herald. Who were nodding their heads and listing down the failed plans in front of an astral projected board.
"Any other attempts that have resulted to failure?" The Abyss Herald asked the rest of the elemental Abyss mages present in the room.
"Operation sleepy spell backfired horribly!"
"And Operation Lullaby blues ended even worst too!"
An Electro Abyss mage called out excitedly. "We made our Prince a card! That said: 'He was the best and that he should get some rest!'"
"Oh?" That was new to both of the Abyss lieutenants. The Abyss Lector asked. "Did it worked?"
The Electro Abyss mage droops, responding. "No… He simply pinned it on his personal goal board, before sending us off."
"So it didn't work." The Abyss Herald couldn't help bringing a hand to his head in dismay. "None of them did..."
"Indeed." The Abyss Lector said, crossing out all of the mentioned plans off their astral board. "And unfortunately, we have exhausted all of our schemes to convince our Prince to rest."
"What, really?!" The Abyss Herald turned to the board and saw to his dismay that the Abyss Lector was right. The entire Astral board was filled with crossed lines of failed attempts, before vanishing completely by the Lector's power.
"Is there anything else we haven't tried? Or old plans we rejected?" The Abyss Herald asked once more to the room. But only to be met by shaking heads and sorrowful glances.
Now even he was starting to lose hope and feeling more worrisome for their celestial Prince.
"There is… one thing we haven't tried yet." The Abyss Lector spoke suddenly, gaining the attention of the entire room.
The Abyss Herald asked. "Oh? And what is it we haven't tried yet?"
"It was a scheme we tried a century ago and—" The Abyss Lector starts, only to be cut off by the resounding groans of disbelief from the others.
"Not this again…"
"That will never work."
"Our Prince is too Dense!"
The Abyss Herald was inclined to agree with the rest of the Abyss mages, knowing what that plan was and its futility. He voiced out the shared thoughts of his colleagues to the Abyss Lector.
"Are you seriously suggesting we do again 'Operation Abyss Bride'? You know that plan failed spectacularly for many reasons. One of which mainly, is our Prince's association with the Abyss."
An Abyss mage couldn't help pointing out. "No one would want to marry into the Abyss."
"True." The Lector agreed but he countered. "Though not once did we reveal our Prince to the masses that time, which is why many suitress rejected our offers for a bridal interview, not believing they would be meeting with a non-abyss turned man. And our Prince found it distasteful of kidnapping and condoning stock-holm syndrome to a bride-to-be, so that type action was out of the question too."
"So you are aware of the complications of Operation Abyss bride. So why still suggest it?" The Abyss Herald said, waiting for the Lector's explanation.
The other 9-foot-tall Abyss lieutenant simply responded with a patient tone, asking. "Now hear me out… I wasn't suggesting to do 'Operation Abyss Bride' as it is. I am thinking of doing something similar with a little bit of revisions to the plan. Besides this might be the only plan we have left, so what do we have to lose?"
"Hmmm." The Abyss horde were curious, with the Herald gesturing the Lector to continue. "Carry on."
With a dignified voice, the Abyss Lector spoke resolutely. "I believe we should now go public with our Prince's existence—"
"What!" The Abyss Herald cried in shock, as with the other Abyss mages sharing the same reaction.
"—And help him form an Abyss Harem!" The Lector adds proudly.
Even more chorus of disbelief and opposition were heard.
The Abyss Lector being the loudest, exclaiming. "Have gone mad!? You unholy being of darkness!"
The Abyss Lector wave his hands in a placating manner to settle the unrest in the room, before explaining. "I'm being serious. Understand what our prince is going true. He is lonely, and of need of human company and love. Reuniting with his sister may have possibly triggered something to our Prince. Probably a longing to be together with someone. Either in a familial or romantic sense of intimacy."
The Abyss Lector then stresses. "So why not help our dear Prince Aether find a partner—or partners—for him to be with and maybe even have someone help shoulder the burden he is carrying, since 500 years ago. Besides… one of the goals of the Abyss order is to bring to light of the truth and exposing the lies of heaven. And why not we start convincing people, or at least the Prince's potential brides to be, to join our cause and see our Abyssal truth?"
The Abyss Herald shared a look with the Abyss mages in the room, before turning back to the Abyss Lector with unsure expressions etched on their masks.
The Abyss Lector sighs, pinching the tip of his mask like an exasperated parent before adding. "Also, if the Prince had a bunch of wives doting on him, then it would be easier for them to convince him to get some rest. And maybe even help take his mind off of his sister …with other means of distractions, if you catch my drift." The Lector says the latter with a knowing tilt of his head.
The Abyss horde were sold upon hearing the last remark. With many murmuring in agreement, finally convinced.
"It's crazy. But insane enough to work…" The Abyss herald spoke bluntly, while still raising a concern. "But how should we proceed with the plan? I doubt our dear Prince would support or voice his approval if we were up front about this."
"I'd say we have to risk enacting this plan discreetly before revealing it's truth to our Prince eventually." The Abyss Lector said with a grave tone, knowing the risk of doing something behind the Prince's back. But he confidently reassures the rests of his colleagues.
"But leave the part of creating the opportunity to me. I know the perfect way to get our Prince interested of visiting Teyvat and meeting its people."
The Abyss Herald and the Abyss mages exchange concerned glances with each other, before turning towards the Abyss Lector who was already leaving the room and no doubt heading towards meeting their prince.
Minutes later in the Abyss throne room…
"MY SISTER HAS A WHAT?!" Aether yelled at the top of his longs, shaking the entire room, upon hearing what the Abyss Lector kneeling before him reported.
Said Lector fortunately didn't show his discomfort hidden behind his mask from the Prince's outburst, yet he knew his lord's reaction was expected as he repeats what he said earlier.
"A Harem… my Prince."
A range of emotions were seen flitting through Aether's expression. Mainly anger, disbelief, and murderous intent, before he schools his expression and asks with a dark tone.
"Since when? And who are the fools, who dare to be with Lumine... Without my approval."
The Abyss Lector replies in a professional manner, wary of inciting his Prince's wrath. "If I were to give an estimate, your sister garnered a harem around the time between after cleansing Dvalin of his blight and before your reunion. She grew close to a select few unique men, and all are vision bearers she's met in Mondstadt and Liyue. We already gathered data and information regarding them. And their profiles are constantly being updated of their backgrounds."
Aether held a pensive expression, belaying the rising rage within him.
The Abyss Lector froze, like he suddenly felt he was hit by an elemental reaction of cryo and hydro. His armor was shaking from the intensity of the dark divine aura Aether was emitting.
The Abyss prince asked. "Has Lumine…slept, with any of the men in her harem?"
The Abyss Lector gulped, fearing whether to answer his Prince or not.
Yet he must for it was his duty.
"Mostly… those in Mondstadt. Including a certain bard—"
Aether scowls, the sheer intensity of his expression cutting the Abyss Lector off before he could finished. With the Abyss Prince's entire demeanor turning colder and far more indifferent, as he speaks.
"Prepare our army. It's time I make my presence known to all of Teyvat…
…By Conquering Mondstadt."
The next day, out at the front gates of Mondstadt…
The guards stationed there were feeling bored and thought the day was going to be another normal one. Nothing significant was happening in Mondstadt lately, besides the brief appearance of the dragon of the four winds flying over the city weeks earlier. Even the famous heroic traveler and Honorary Knight was absent from the city, with rumors saying she has left heading towards the closed off nation of Inazuma.
With that said, the guards thought they'd be spending the rest of their shift counting the number of people little Timmie would yell at, for scaring his pigeon friends.
It was fortunate that their patron Archon Barbatos blessed them with good winds for a lovely day.
Because if he didn't, then the Guards wouldn't have heard the rhythmic beat of drums and the sounds of trumpets being blown and played.
Both knights were immediately on high alert, knowing the Windblume festival was over, and no one would be playing outside the city this time of the year. At the same time, the ground beneath their feet began to vibrate strongly as each second passes.
But before they could figure out what was happening, little Timmie ran past the guards entering the city while crying out with fear. When the guards turned to see the cause of Timmie's abrupt departure, they paled upon finding the Abyss order and its massive army marching towards the Mondstadt.
Hordes of Hilichurls, with legions of Abyss mages composing of Pyro, Hydro, Cryo and even Electro elements commanding them, Abyss Heralds and Abyss Lectors acting as Lieutenants floating menacingly, and finally monsters from over all reaches of Teyvat and of the Abyss being ridden or marching with the troops.
Most concerning, behind the group of Abyss mages and Hilichurls at the front, was a figure sitting on a throne being carried by an abnormally large Primo Geovishap. Who radiated both a sense of Divine Royalty and a chilling dread to all within his presence.
Both guards froze, not knowing what to do. Especially when the Abyss Order were starting to act even stranger than usual.
Especially when they spotted Abyss mages and Hilichurls equipped with musical instruments like trumpets and drums, no doubt the source of the music being played.
There were also Mitachurls and Lawachurls, part of the dark unholy looking orchestra; plus some of their electro and cryo variants pulling what seems to be heavy carts filled with gold and treasure. There were also floats similar to ones seen at parades with dancing Hilichurls on top of them. While a few in the Abyss army were also dressed in unique attires not suited for war and decorated for something more festive. Like squads of Ruin Guards dressed/painted in form fitting spandex and colorful looking clown suits, with ribbons tied on their wrist or holding wands similar to what most Abyss mages use.
And the strangest thing the guards took notice, was when the Abyss army started singing.
Abyss Order: "Make way! For Prince Aether~!"
Abyss Order: "Say hey! It's Prince Aether~!"
The guards recovered their wit and attempted to stop the Abyss's approach. Only to be swept off their feet by abyssal magic, as the Abyss Lector and the Abyss Herald appeared before them.
Abyss Lector (Scolding the knights): "Hey! Clear the way, in your Mondstadt street!"
Abyss Herald (Pointing his blade at one guard): "Yes, you! Knightly fools! See our Majesty!"
Abyss Lector & Abyss Herald (Both gesturing to Aether): "All Come! Be the first of you Monds, to meet his eyes~"
The Abyss Lector threw the guards aside as they entered the streets of Mondstadt, announcing their presence to the fearful populace who heard of their approach.
While a few Abyss mages began to flood the city, cheering merrily to anyone they greet.
Pyro Abyss mage (Singing to a fearful Flora): "Make way! Here he comes!"
Cryo Abyss mage (Coercing a frightened Helen): "Strum harps! Play the drums!"
Abyss Herald (Waving jazz hands at a scared Donna): "Are you gonna LOVE this guy~!"
Both the Abyss Lector and the Abyss Herald gestured at the entrance, as it explodes with the Primo Geovishap carrying their Prince entering the city. The rest of the Abyss horde begin flooding in as well while singing, much to the terror of the unsuspecting populace.
Abyss Order (Melodically in chorus): "Prince Aether! Marvelous Sir! Abyssal Astra!"
Abyss Lector (Glaring at some bystanders): "Genuflect, show YOUR respect."
Abyss Herald (Yelling at drunkards): "Fall DOWN to your knees!"
The civilians present in the streets could only cower in fear and follow the commands given to them like meek sheep. Afraid of the Abyss horde entering their streets.
Razor and Bennet were also present. with both boys immediately moving to interfere. Only to be met by a group of Abyss mages singing at their faces.
Electro Abyss mage (Tapping Razor by his nose): "Now, try your best to stay calm~"
Cryo Abyss mage (Throwing ancient text at Bennett's face): "Recite our holy dark Psalm~"
Pyro Abyss mage (Grabbing both of the boys by the shoulders): "All come and meet our spectacular… ROYALTYYYY~!"
Hydro Abyss mage (laughing at Razor and Bennett' s stupefied expressions): "OW!"
Caught off guard, the boys were pushed inside a hydro bubble conjured by the Hydro abyss mage. The four mages cheered at their catch and carrying the trapped Razor and Bennett with them.
The musical parade continues, with the Abyss Herald taking the lead and the Abyss entourage passing through the Adventure's Guild and a horrified Katheryne.
Abyss Herald (Boasting to the populace): "Prince Aether! Mighty warrior! Abyssal Astra!"
Abyss Herald (Then flexing for his Prince): "Strong as ten, godly pow'r men, Definitely…"
Aether nods his head to the beat, before the parade pauses upon seeing Captain Kaeya and squad of knights, arriving on the scene.
The Cavalry Captain leads a charge, with his squad of knights and nonexistent horses. But they're met by Aether's entourage, who display a level of badassery defending their prince in song.
Abyss Lector (Casually blocking a cryo blast from Kaeya): "He's faced celestial hordes!"
Electro Abyss mage (Shocking the knights to submission): "A hundred Angels with swords!"
Abyss Herald (Sucker punches a distracted Kaeya): "Who sent their heads to their lords?"
Abyss order (Singing as they capture the knights in bubbles): "Why, Prince Aether!"
Aether nods in approval at his servants, happy with another fool trapped in a hydro bubble. Razor and Bennett give a timid wave at Kaeya in their bubble, who much to his dismay, floats beside them in his own.
The parade resumes, marching through establishments like Wind and Glory, Good hunter, and including a certain Goth hotel with the Fatui jumping ship from the city, once the Abyss order arrived and leaving Mondstadt to the whimsiness of the Abyss' musicality.
Abyss Lector (Clearing his throat and raises a scroll): "Peasants, he's got—"
Abyss Order (More mages appear and trapping knights): "He's got Thousands of Abyssal mages!"
Hydro Abyss mage/Cryo Abyss mage (Mocking some poor shumcks): "Gang-gang-Woo! /Don't they look bubbly, June?"
Abyss order (Mitachurls start swinging rare weapons haphazardly): "5-star weapons, he's got sixty-three~!"
Abyss Herald/Abyss Lector (Both brandishing a sword at fearful a Margaret): "Fabulous, No? I love the claymores! /Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh."
Albedo and Sucrose arrived at the streets just in time to witness the Abyss Order bringing cages filled with hideous abominations.
Abyss Order (& Abyss mages pulling some cages): "When it comes to, Alchemic made monsters… ~ (Everybody help us out!)"
Abyss order (showcasing their dark monsters to the crowd): "He's got a zoo? I'm telling you, a monstrous-kemia menagerie!"
Albedo blanches from seeing some of the master's old creations, before both he and Sucrose are easily captured in a hydro bubble.
As the abyss horde continues in their way, up at the rooftops, a certain Purple Librarian and Spindrift Knight, accompanied by a faithful Outrider and Maid knight in training, make their way to face the Abyss army.
Seeing that they were going to be a nuisance, Aether disappears in flash of abyssal magic to intercept them. While his Abyss army provide vocals and excitedly watch their prince in action.
Electro Abyss mage (Loudly singing to some women still in the streets): "Prince Aether! Handsome Lover! Abyssal Astra!"
Cryo Abyss mage (At the background): "~Extra-ordinary, All exciting! ~"
Pyro Abyss mage (Swooning playfully to a curious Glory): "That physique, How can I speak? …Weak at my knees."
Aether appears before Amber and Noelle, surprising the two and grabbing them both by the arm. Before tossing the two down the streets and to an awaiting hydro bubble.
Hydro Abyss mage & Abyss Herald (Both whispering at their captives): "A well-hung boy! Also impressive!"
Amber and Noelle briefly blush at the implication, before watching in worry as Aether turns his attention to their remaining Allies.
Lisa begins her assault, summoning lighting strikes that Aether easily dodges before he raises a hand and ensnares Lisa with abyssal magic. But before he could do anything else to the beautiful Librarian, Aether steps asides, dodging as Eula attempts to cleave him in two with her claymore. Undeterred, the Spindrift Knight continues to swing her blade at Aether.
Deciding to be a little playful, Aether summons his blade and clashes with the attractive outcast of Mondstadt. While quickly enveloping Lisa in Abyssal magic before teleporting her to a hydro bubble and brought with the rest of their captives. Leaving Eula with his full attention.
The Abyss Herald gestures for their Abyssal band to provide instrumental music of their song, pausing their choir in singing.
So that they could join in cheering and clapping at the showing duet of their Prince and a member of the disgraced Lawrence clan.
"You got this our Prince!" The Abyss mages cry out in glee.
"Go my Lord!" The Abyss Lector shouts, cheering with them.
"Show her the strength of the Abyss your majesty!" The Abyss Herald bellows with excitement as his majesty was visibly dominating his opponent.
And Aether was smiling throughout his entire 'fight' with Eula. The blue haired knight incorporated dance moves in her fighting style, that reminded him of how Lumine fought similarly. He also found it adorable as the Lawrence girl grew more infuriated, as he parries her claymore with his smaller sword and meeting her movement flawlessly, essentially dancing with her.
While Eula's own allies could only futilely cheer her on in their bubble prison.
"Don't give up Eula! You got this!" Amber shouts.
"Yes, Please sweep him off!" Noelle cries out in support.
"Kick his butt Miss Eula!" Bennett, Razor and Sucrose joining as well.
This might be one of the rare times Eula has ever experience moral support, not surprise it was coming from her peers, but it still fueled her to push through despite the exhaustion beginning to prickle in.
She even hears both Lisa and Kaeya urging her on too.
"Darling he's underestimating you, take advantage of it!"
"Yeah, he's just playing with you!"
With a sudden war cry, Eula dashes towards Aether with an overhand swing. But the Abyss Prince suddenly teleports in front of her in cloud of abyssal magic, catching the knight off guard and disarming her of her claymore with a swing of his sword.
Albedo points out "Correction he's been playing you." Much to the others dismay.
Not giving up, Eula decides to take matters with her fists, throwing a right hook at Aether's face. But Aether simply steps aside dodging her punch and letting Eula ran past him.
Cheekily palming her ass while he's at it, earning a surprised yelp from the Spindrift knight.
Aether smiles cutely as Eula turns around, seeing her blush despite the scowl aimed at him.
She rushes in again, throwing her fist once more with vengeance, but Aether conjures a portal in front her. Too late to stop herself, Eula barrels through and finds herself with Lisa inside the same water bubble. Tripping into the Libarian, who catches her as she falls.
Feeling her exhaustion finally reaching her, Eula weakly mutters. "I will… have my vengeance..."
Before she collapses in a tired heap in Lisa's arms. While the rest of Mondstadt crew are left in a state of despair from witnessing Eula's lost.
Aether teleports back onto his throne, before nodding his head at the Abyss Herald to resume their singing and the parade. The Abyss horde resume in gusto, after witnessing the easy victory of their Prince, and begin to urge the now despairing people of Mondstadt to prepare.
Cryo Abyss mage (Cheering to a crowd of adventures): "So, get out to your lovely main square! ~"
Electro Abyss mage (At the background): "He's a Princeling, he's a whiz, a god-slayer!"
Pyro Abyss mage (Slapping veils at random people): "Adjust your Brides and prepare! ~"
Hydro Abyss mage (At the background): "He's about to steal all hearts, a plunder!"
Abyss Lector (Orders at a group of knights): "Go gawk and grovel and beg! At Prince Aether! —oops!"
A group of Hilichurls run over a few knights under their feet, as they excitedly praise the prince in their native tongue along the streets.
Hilichurls (At the background): "*Yea da di-Mu ye hi ha!" (*translation: And We absolutely love the way he dresses!)
The rest of the knights and the city's defenders form at the Cathedral, making the place their last stand. And leading them were both Master Jean and Master Diluc. The former grits her teeth, preparing herself to face the Abyss army and its Prince. While the latter does the same, but scowls as the Abyss continues their stupid musical number much to his growing annoyance.
The two stood at the balcony steps, overseeing the rest of the fleeing citizens and knights who could make it to plaza. Witnessing as the Abyss Order arrives shortly, announcing their presence by unceremoniously destroying the statue of Barbatos with a blast of Abyssal magic.
Abyss Order (& Abyss mages cheering at the sidelines): "He's got ninety-five Prime Geo Vishaps! ~ (He's got the Vishaps, Primos of Vishaps!)"
Abyss Order (& Abyss mages boasting in the air): "And to Fight them he charges no fee! ~ (He's generous, so generous.)"
More Primo Geovishaps begin to invade the plaza coming from all sides, with Aether's at the center leading the march. Diluc and Jean leap towards the Liyue dragons to stop them.
Only to be suspended in the air by Aether's Abyss magic. Leaving the two to struggle and glare at the Prince before they are imprisoned in hydro bubbles.
Abyss Lector & Abyss Herald (Gesturing to the entire Abyss army): He's got ten thousands loyal dark servants! ~ (Proud to work for him!)"
Cryo Abyss mage & Pyro Abyss mage (Floating around pridefully): "We bow to his whim, love serving him!"
Electro Abyss mage & Hydro Abyss mage (Dancing with Hilichurls): "We're all lousy with loyalty… To our Prince!"
Aether smirks as his army begins to fill up the entire plaza, while he waits and listens to his servants singing.
Abyss Order (Singing all together): "Prince Aether!"
Abyss Order (Singing all together): Prince Aeeeeeeeee—"
The sky roars with a dragon's bellow.
And descending down in front of the Cathedral was Dvalin, with Venti, Barbara, and Rosaria riding on his back. Their presence forcing the Abyss army to pause in their approach.
But not deterred in their singing upon their arrival. In fact they were waiting for the moment Venti would show up.
Abyss Lector (Calling out to Venti) "We were waiting for you, Bard!"
Abyss Order (continuously Singing): "—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—"
Abyss Herald (Pointing at the god in disguise) "We're not going 'til you reveal your true form bard!"
Abyss Order (Still singing, while glaring at Venti): "—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—"
Abyss Lector (Pointing out): "We don't breath air, so we can go as long as we what."
Abyss Order (True, but they were getting impatient singing): "—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—".
Having left with no choice, Venti floats to the air enveloping himself in divine anemo light. Before revealing his god form to everyone in the square, much to the gaping shock of Barbara and Rosaria.
Aether (Stands from his thrones and meets Venti's gaze): "There you are… Barbatos."
The music drops, as Aether suddenly summons dark astral chains from portals surrounding Venti and his group.
Several chains bind Dvalin down to the ground, forcing the Venti, Barbara, and Rosaria to leap off his back to escape. Unfortunately, Barbara is immediately captured by a Hydro Abyss mage. Distracting Venti who heard her cry for help, leaving him open for Aether to bind dark chains around him and suppressing his power.
The music slowly returns, as the Abyssal Choir sing triumphantly, for their Prince has subdued one of the seven and all of Mondstadt.
Abyss Order (Starting slow before speeding up): "
Prince Aetheeeeer….
Amorous Siiiiiiir…
Abyssal AstrAAAAA!"
Rosaria, who was still free, makes one last ditch effort to attack. Launching a large cryo lance from the air at the Abyss Prince. But Aether simply summons more astral chains that pierces and shatters her elemental burst. Before binding Rosaria in the air, who momentarily falls to the Abyss Prince's waiting arms.
Pyro Abyss mage (With the Abyss Herald & Lector giving a thumbs up at Aether): "Heard your sisters, were HOT! Lovely, to see~"
Aether deposits the scantily clad nun with the other prisoners, before sitting back down on his throne. Watching as the Herald and Lector begin arranging the plaza, moving their prisoners and the captive citizens to address him and witness their grand finale.
Abyss Lector (Calling attention to the citizens): "And that, good peasants, is why…"
Abyss Herald (Gesturing to Aether): "Our Prince dolled up and dropped by…"
Mondstadt witnesses all of the Abyss arriving to the plaza, with the Abyssal choir front and center of the captive heroes, merrily singing in chorus.
Abyss Choir (As Hilichurls riding on Vishaps arrive): "With armies of monsters, Abyss galore— (For real?)"
Abyss Choir (With Heralds, Lectors and Mages flying on scene): "With his knights and Lectors, our mages and more—(What?)"
Abyss Choir (The Ruin machines begin to drop from the sky): "With his Ruin graders (oh!), And Guards and hunters—(oh!)"
Abyss Choir (All dancing in front of Diluc & the rests): "His servants that sing on KEY— (oh!)"
Abyss Herald, Abyss Lector, Abyss mages & Abyss Order (All waving their hands towards the throne):
"MAKE WAAAAAAYYYY…
FOR PRINCE…
AAEETHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRR!"
The entirety of the plaza is filled with loud music, with several of the Abyss dancing around, moving like a whirlwind that made it hard to see for the captive knights and citizens of Mondstadt.
Until the Music ends, with the Abyss horde posing in grand reverence and revealing their Prince in his full glory. With all the imprisoned defenders of Mondstadt facing Aether as he stares them down.
With everything is set up and their musical entrance executed and finished, the Abyss Lector starts to give greetings.
"People of Mondstadt. We are gathered here today—"
"Wait." Aether stopped him for a second, sensing something. He signaled to a Hydro Abyss mage to conjure another hydro bubble, before raising one hand in the air and conjuring a portal.
Just in time, as Mona and Fischl fall towards him, no doubt having teleported themselves above Aether for one last sneak attack. Only for them to fall straight through the portal and to the hydro bubble made for them. With both girls giving surprise yelps as they crashed landing in a heap and finding themselves imprisoned like the others.
"I should have foreseen this…" A daze Mona groans under Fischl, cushioning the girl from their abrupt fall.
Aether then scanned his surroundings with his elemental senses and finds no new surprise or expected ambush.
"Good, now we can make for our next agenda."
Content with no further interruptions, the Abyss Lector resumes. "Good ignorant people of Mondstadt. You are all gathered hear today to bear witness, with great honor the first public appearance—"
All of the Abyss order proudly gestures at their esteemed prince briefly.
"—Of our Abyss Prince Aether! Now bask in his glory, all you unworthy Archon deceived Teyvat low lives."
"Hey! Who are you, calling my children low life?!" Venti yelled vehemently at the Abyss Lector. "They are freedom incarnate and you are oppressing— Mmph!"
Aether silenced the windborne god with a black cloth magically taped over his mouth, before letting his Lector resume uninterrupted. "Mondstadt is now under Abyss rule. As such, all will follow the laws of the Abyss and the authority of our Abyss Prince."
"And any forms of rebellion or instigation of nuisances against the Abyss Order and the Abyssal Prince… Will be SILENCED Permanently…" The Abyss Herald warns to the growing fearful populace of Mondstadt, while Jean and several of the knights and Mondstadt protectors could only stare defiantly, as the Abyss Order continues to have a strong grip on their city.
"What is it that you want in Mondstadt?!" The acting grandmaster yells in question. "Do you seek our city's destruction? Our Archon you've already captured?"
"We seek more than what you've have told. For you to see the truth…" The Abyss Lector replied solemnly, garnering the attention of everyone.
"And to fulfill the wishes of our dear Prince." The Abyss Herald adds malevolently to the growing concern of the Favonius knights, as he gestures to all the bubble trapped heroes of Mondstadt.
"Indeed, the lot of you were gathered for a purpose." The Abyss Lector spoke. "To bear witness…"
Yes. Aether was waiting for this, with him as the Abyss prince rising from his throne to announce in unison with the Abyss Lector.
"The Trial of my sister's harem! / Our Bridal interviews!"
…
"What?" Aether suddenly turned to the Abyss Lector in question.
Wondering if he misheard what his lieutenant has just said. With the rest of Mondstadt and those in attendance feeling the same; confused and were unable to hear clearly what both the Abyss Prince and the Abyss Lector said at the same time.
The Abyss Herald answers, clarifying to his Prince. "He said we should proceed 'To the Bridal Interviews' my Prince."
"Bridal Interviews?!" Aether reacted with shock, breaking his stoic Abyss demeanor.
"WHAT?!"
Just as a sudden uproar of disbelief came from the citizens, with all of Mondstadt surprised upon hearing his reaction, even Venti voicing his sounds of disbelief behind his muffled mouth.
While all of the Abyss began to cheer and chant excitedly for their Prince to begin looking for a bride—or brides. The Abyss Lector and The Abyss Herald shied away when Aether gave them both piercing and questioning stare.
As a Pyro Abyss mage orders the other Abyss mages. "Bring the chosen candidates before our prince!" And the little flouting imps began to excitedly usher the bubbles containing Rosaria, Barbara, Jean, Lisa, Eula, Amber, Noelle, Sucrose, Mona, and Fischl forward closer to the throne.
"WHAT?!"
Eliciting another collective reaction from the bubble trapped heroes, most especially from the vision bearing women, who were suddenly finding out they were bridal candidates and presented in front of the currently stunned Prince.
"Surprise!" A Cryo Abyss mage exclaims, and together with his Abyss mage brethren, gesture at the row of Mondstadt women they've captured earlier. While a Pyro Abyss mage announces to Aether. "We present to you, our dear Prince, the chosen candidates that we've carefully picked, researched, judged, and found suitable to be your partner! And your everlasting Abyssal Bride!"
"Or Brides if you choose to make an everlasting Abyssal Harem!" A Hydro Abyss mage offers in addition.
...
The entire plaza was dead silent.
As if the earlier musical number didn't happen and the wind's themselves stopped upon the hearing the last remark of the Hydro Abyss mage.
Leaving the whole of Mondstadt, and their Archon, speechless and confused at the absurdity of the Abyss Order's intention. And when Jean and her other would-be bridal candidates turned to look at Aether, they found the Abyss Prince equally at loss of words.
He even looked to be deep in thought, his previous shock expression, replaced with an indifferent and neutral variant. And Aether stood from his throne for a few seconds, drawing concern from his Abyss servants.
"…My Prince?" The Abyss Lector asks timidly, drawing Aether's attention, his eyes automatically zero in on the said Lector. Before doing the same glancing at the Abyss Herald. Both Abyss Lieutenant's began to internally panic as their Prince continues to stare at them impassively.
Until Aether hardened his gaze causing both towering Abyss beings to visibly start shaking and fearing for their lives.
"Explanation. Now."
The Abyss Herald and the Abyss Lector moved quickly and bowed down on one knee in front of their prince, with the Abyss mages following in suit, as the two frantically began to explain fearfully.
"W-well you see sire—"
"We noticed you started looking a bit overworked! —"
"And we think it's because you missed you sister, Lumine—"
"Lumine is his WHAT?!" There was sudden shriek of shock, heard from the Mondstadt crew that went ignored, while the Abyss lieutenants continued to explain.
"—So we figured, why not have someone one to keep you company while you wait for her!"
"Yes even for a billion-year-old celestial being like you would wish for a partner to rely on—"
"Or partners if you wish—"
"Yes, too! Having a few wives doting on you would be good—"
"—Especially, when you are carrying the burden to avenge the fall of the kingdom Khaenri'ah! At the hands of Celestia and the Seven Archons, while campaigning it for almost 500 years to boot!"
Another bombshell of information was dropped by the Abyss beings, causing another dead air of silence and shock to fall on the people of Mondstadt. With individuals like Venti, beginning to sweat bullets and nervously avoiding the questioning stares directed at him from his people.
"So we planned… and—"
"Decided to take the opportunity while you conqueror Mondstadt and…"
Aether finished for them. "And the both of you, with a few of the Abyss Army, search for suitable Brides for me?"
The Abyss Lector and the Abyss Herald raised theirs head and twiddled theirs fingers nervously. Fidgeting at the gaze their Prince was giving them, like they were children caught doing something naughty.
And for Aether it did feel like they did. They tried this scheme before, and it failed spectacularly for many reasons. But the Abyss Order back then also suggested 'Operation Abyss Bride' because they noticed him start to feel melancholic and tried to cheer him up, during that century when he almost gave up hope in finding Lumine.
Which was similar to what he was feeling now, wishing he didn't need to part ways from his dear sister, but at the same time knows he needs her to see the truth, and can't have her interfering with his plans, with her pleas of leaving Teyvat together.
Aether wouldn't be surprised if Lumine started making a harem because she felt lost, lonely and in need of company like he did before. Or an act of rebellion against him, with Lumine knowing her big brother would immediately take notice of her, upon learning she started dating again.
And practically putting all of his plans on jeopardy; with risk of Lumine returning to Mondstadt to play hero or try to reunite with him again, while she isn't finished with her travels.
Aether let out a loud sigh of exasperation, placing a hand on his face, while moving back to sit and slumping ungracefully on his throne. Feeling tired all of sudden, with even his previous fury of wanting to maim and kill his sister's aforementioned harem put on the back burner.
"We're leaving." He said, much to the shock of every person in the Plaza, both from the Abyss and Mondstadt.
"But Sire!" The Abyss Herald and Abyss Lector stood to their feet, alarmed by his order. But Aether simply raises his arm to stop them and explains.
"It has come to my attention that invading Mondstadt prematurely was a wrong course of action. And after deliberating it briefly, it would instead lead to further complications should we remain here, and risk hindering the rest of our goals. As such we will withdraw and leave this nation in peace."
"And what of are captives?" The Abyss Herald asked.
Aether replied simply. "We let them go of course." Much to the surprise of Jean and the rest of the Mondstadt heroes. With the Abyss prince adding. "Understand, once word gets out—which it will—to my sister of their capture, she'll no doubt return to Mondstadt and delay herself from continuing on her journey. Just to see if her friends and… her unworthy Boyfriends are alright." The latter of what he said, Aether didn't hide his disdain and making sure Venti, Diluc, Kaeya, Razor, Bennett and Albedo heard him. Much to them feeling offended.
"I rather not be here when she does, and I'd rather not have her anymore distractions in learning of the truth, and leave her be to travel freely, no matter how slow the paced she's going."
Aether raised an eyebrow at his Abyss Lieutenants. "Understood?"
"Yes. My Prince." Both Herald and Lector bow their heads following his command.
"And we'll talk more about making plans behind my back and subtle manipulations done to your own Prince." Aether said, as the two Abyss beings fidgeted upon hearing his words, before sighing and resigning to their fate.
"We'll begin teleporting our troops back to the Abyss my lord." The Lector said, conjuring a few portals with the Abyss mages beginning to lead Abyss Army back and ushering them.
Aether nods his head, before noticing the unsure stares from their bubble trapped captives. He almost forgot about them.
"Inform me once all of our troops have exited the city, then I will cast my magic to undo all the damages we've done during our parade." Aether said to the Abyss Herald, who nods before joining the Abyss Lector in leading their troops back.
Leaving Aether by himself, to address their currently captive heroes of Mondstadt, who no doubt have questions for him. He approaches them casually, spotting their wary eyes or scowls being directed at him before stopping in front of the Acting grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius.
Speaking to Jean, with the hydro bubble separating them. "I'm aware you have questions. I bet all of your companions do for me. But I only have little time and I'm giving you solely, this opportunity to ask whatever question it is you have. And whether I will answer it or not, depends on the question itself."
Jean had a pensive look on her face, debating whether to trust Aether or not, but it seemed her curiosity won out. Especially after learning a few things from his exchange with the Abyss Herald and Lector. She raised a hand to signal the others not to interrupt her, despite their visible protest and own desire to question he prince. But they relent trusting Jean to get the answers they want.
She starts rapid firing her questions, with Aether responding in similar manner.
"So, you're really the leader of the Abyss Order?"
"Yes, I am. In a way."
"What are the Abyss' plans for Mondstadt."
"I can't say."
"Then what is your end goal?"
"To topple Celestia, as you heard from my Abyss Lieutenants. And seek justice for the fallen city of Khaenri'ah."
"How can I believe such a claim when that happened 500 years ago."
"Ask your Archon, but I doubt he'd give you a straight answer. If you do seek it the truth. Do it yourself."
Jean gave a short glance at Venti, who pointedly looked away a bit ashamed. His reaction giving her some confirmations to the Aether's claim. Before turning her attention back at the Abyss prince.
"And you just said the Abyss Order will be leaving Mondstadt, right after invading and conquering our nation so easily. Forgive me, but I find your words are hard to believe. You even claim you'll be able to undo the damages you've caused. But how do I know you'll keep your word?" Jean spoke, leaking a bit of anger in her words. Tinge with a bit of regret that Aether guessed came from her failure of keeping her lineage's promise of protecting Mondstadt.
Aether responds with no hint of dishonesty. "Its because I do keep my word. Just as you know, my sister does the same. Giving our word and doing everything in our power to keep it, is something we both share. But if you're not convince then…"
Aether simply clapped his hands, releasing a pulse of magic before gesturing Jean and the other Mondstadt heroes to look behind them. They were suddenly surprised as the Statue of Barbatos began to reform itself bit by bit. Before it returns to being whole and standing in all of its glory. Aether said nothing else, after giving some proof of his abilities, and was simply staring at Jean, who realized he was waiting for her and if she had any other questions for him.
The next question she poses a bit more delicately. And it was something she and the others want to confirm for the sake of their dear friend.
"And you really are… Lumine's lost brother?" Jean adds with a narrowed gaze.
"Yes, I am Lumine's twin and older brother. Though, older by a few minutes if you're wondering." Aether answers coolly. "Can't you see the resemblance?"
Jean did, and she paused for a moment, before asking. "Why?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Why do all of this? The Abyss Order, your fight against the gods?"
"Or at least tell us why aren't you trying to reunite with Lumine? When she's desperately searching for you. And you know, she often talks to us about you, of how she misses you dearly. Aren't both of you the only family you have left? Why keep this separation between the two you?"
Aether widen his eyes, surprise from hearing Jean's word. He would admit he was caught off-guard by the Acting grandmaster's last question. Hearing the earnest and honest tone in the woman's voice, and see her wide imploring grey-blue eyes, asking him why he isn't trying to reunite with his sister. He could tell the woman before him cared deeply for Lumine and glancing briefly to the rest of the captive vision holders, he could tell they too hold similar feelings for his sister too. Their expressions also demanding to hear his answer to Jean's question as well.
But before Aether could give them any reply, he hears the Abyss Herald calling to him. "My prince all our troops are accounted for!"
Turning his attention to his Lieutenant, Aether saw the Abyss Lector and the remaining Elemental Abyss mages with him, and one last portal waiting for them to return to their base.
Aether faces to Jean, once more apologizing. "I'm sorry. Times up." And once more he claps his hands and sends an even bigger pulse of magic that spreads throughout the entirety of Mondstadt. Fixing everything in its way and repairing structures in an eerie dark healing light. Despite the appearance and the magic being used, the people of Mondstadt were in awe of its power and how it was restoring their city.
Even Jean and the others were captivated by the sight, briefly distracted before they noticed the remaining members of the Abyss Order began exiting to their portal. And Aether looking over them.
The Abyss Prince raises his hand, and then snaps his fingers. Popping all the hydro bubbles by command and in unison.
"WHA—!"
"Oof!"
"HEY—AH!"
All the captured vision bearers, and Venti, were unceremoniously dropped to the ground groaning, not expecting the sudden absence of their prison bubbles. With the green attired Archon, finally able to speak with the magic gag removed from his mouth. Dvalin was also freed from his chains, but remained grounded unsure how to proceed with everything that's happening.
As Jean began to push herself off the ground, she raised her head and found Aether offering a hand. She hesitated for a moment, still unsure of the Abyss Prince, yet saw no reason to reject his help and was pulled up to her feet. But when she made to let go, Aether held her still.
Jean raised an eyebrow in question at the Abyss prince, only to widen both of her eyes as Aether suddenly presses a kiss on her hand.
"W-wha—"
"My apology for the trouble we've caused you, Jean Gunnhildr." Aether said, raising his head and letting go of Jean's hand. "And count it as my thanks. For taking care of Lumine. I hope you continue to do so, despite learning of her brother's association with the Abyss."
"I-I…Ah..." Flustered from the unexpected romantic gesture, Jean could only nod her head in reply.
Earning another surprise of seeing Aether smiling at back at her so earnestly, that for a moment she almost forgot that he was the Abyss Prince and the enemy of Mondstadt. While oblivious to the scandalize looks her other companions had, who saw the entire interaction.
Aether turns around, one hand waving a goodbye, and tells Jean one last thing before entering the portal. "I've sent compensations as well. The gifts would be a waste after my servants worked hard preparing them. Whether you and the rest of the 'bridal candidates' keep them or not, it's yours to decide."
Jean and the others were confused from the last words Aether spoke before he disappeared into the portal. With the Abyss Lector the last one who stayed waiting for their prince.
The purple Abyss being gave one last parting. "Peace be with you! …And enjoy your bridal gifts!" Before entering the portal and closing it.
Leaving Mondstadt by itself and now alone to process the day's events and what just a happened to them. But before Jean and any of others could voice their thoughts and begin to register all the information they just learned about the Abyss, Lumine, and her brother.
Klee arrived, cheering merrily at them. "Master Jean! Master Jean! Everyone!" While pulling a large Luxurious chest behind her.
"Klee?! Where were you? And what do you have there?" Jean asked as she rushed to the little girl's side with the others following.
Klee stopped pulling the chest, allowing the others like Albedo to start carrying it instead, as she makes her way to talk to Jean. "Oh Klee was fish bom—Fishing! Before Klee heard music and that it was coming from Mondstadt! So I decided to go home and see what was happening, but I met some colorful Mr. Fluffballs—"
"Mr. Fluffballs?" Jean asked, confused.
"I think those were Abyss mages." Fortunately Kaeya clarified, informing those who were confused at Klee's names for them.
"Yes, and they gave that treasure chest, which is full of gifts, and their for you! And Ms. Lisa, And Amber, And other people's names too…" Klee adds, before suddenly grabbing Jean's hand and starts pulling her along and urging everyone else towards the chest. "C'mon master Jean, everyone, I want to see you guys open your gifts!"
Jean follows along but was cautious. "Wait, Klee we don't know if it's safe—"
"It's safe." Diluc interjects, with the treasure chest brought by Klee already opened in front of him. "She's telling the truth. This chest isn't booby trapped, cursed, or having any harmful Abyss magic on them..."
Albedo also adds. "And what Klee said of the contents are also true. They are gifts… but..."
"But they're gifts for the 'Bridal Candidates' the Abyss Order has chosen." Lisa mused, also inspecting the chest. "This might also be the compensation that dark cutie mentioned to Jean earlier."
"Dark cutie, really?" Eula deadpanned at the librarian, with Lisa shrugging before suddenly gasping at the contents of the chest.
"Oh my! The Abyss really did their research. I think everyone who's name is here, are going to like their present."
"Really! I want to see!" Amber calls excitedly, her curiosity getting the best of her. "What did they have for me—Oh my gosh is that a custom made Inuzuma Glider?! I thought you couldn't get those anymore because their nations closed off!"
With the others following suit, upon seeing the gift Amber had.
"Oh my… how did they know I needed a steel handled broom. And a steel handled feather duster. And a steel—"
"I'm curious of what kind creature did these bones come from. Is it only native to the abyss or—"
"Is this a new Scry! And with its own portable—"
"Interesting, these text looked to be undecipherable, but nothing a magus of my caliber couldn't handle—"
"Oz! let it be known I have a new bindings to seal my power—"
"W-what more idol magazines? But I thought Miss Alice was the only one who—"
"Are these documentations of every misconduct my family has done?! Vengeance is at my reach and their retribution will—"
"Huh, 500-year-old vintage wine… Lumine's brother has taste."
The others, mainly the rest of the boys and Klee, began to join in as well, gushing and admiring the bridal gifts brought by the Abyss. Much to the protest of…well just Master Diluc.
"Are all you forgetting the fact, we've been bested by the Abyss order? With a Musical number?!"
Diluc went ignored by the others, and then he found himself appalled at the expression of awe Jean was wearing. After she received her own bridal gift prepared for her by the Abyss Prince.
It was a bag of one of kind rare Khaenri'ah Coffee beans.
Which she would later learn was the same kind Aether drinks in the Abyss...
...after meeting him again in secret, a week later.
Notes:
Hope you guys enjoy the Abyss order trying to make an abyss harem for their Abyssal Prince. ABYSSS!
There are more songs I planned to write. And I'll try not to make them as long as this one.
The next chapter will be a rap battle between Zhongli and Venti. Why though? And who are they fighting for?
Lumine obviously!
With that done, Thanks for reading! See, you in the next chapter!
Kudos and comments are appreciated!
Chapter 3: Epic Rap Battle of Teyvat History! (Ft. Morax Rex Lapis Vs. Venti)
Summary:
Anemo and Geo collide! Morax and Barbatos Duel! Their weapons of choice?
Words... and sick beats!
And as Lumine finds out, witnessing, her first ever... EPIC RAP BATTLE OF TEYVAT HISTORY!!!
Notes:
Hello! Another chapter, but this time, the song parodied is not Disney!
I know some might not expect it, but I would admit a majority of the songs I plan to parody are from Disney and other musicals. But there would be chapters in Breakout into Song that would feature songs like ERB or others I find amusing from the internet.
*Also I lost the 50/50 for Ayaka….so sad … BUT! This means I'm guaranteed wishing for BAAL! Yes the Electro Archon would be mine! And part of Aether's harem! Hopefully her dialogue lines—and what happens next in the succeeding Archon quests—would add shipping fuel or what not. If it doesn't, woe is me and a traveler can dream…
But if it does, Heck yeah! I might be inspired to write a shipping fic between the Shogun and the traveler.
*Note: I've already have another song in mind and chapter that would revolve around the Electro Archon. But that would have to wait, since there are other songs I want to write first.
Okay, without further ado! Let's get on with the chapter!
Song Parodied: Epic Rap Battle of History (FT. Martin Luther King vs Gandhi)
You can try listening to the instrumental version, if one exist, to help with the immersion. Also go checkout the other ERB too! It's fun to watch and listen to historical figure/characters duke it out in killer raps.
Here is the chapter enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Morax, you stubborn old block!"
Venti cried out, glaring at the taller Zhongli with disapproval. "Why should you decide to stay with Lumine, huh?!"
The former Geo Archon raises an eyebrow, as if Venti didn't understand why he made the decision.
"It's to prevent incorrigible wisps of air like you, to take advantage of dear Lumine by her lonesome." The Liyue gentlemen answered with a bit of disdain in his voice. "Knowing of your less moral intentions..."
"Like you're one to talk…" Venti scoffs, replying with a stinging rebuke to his old friend. "Mister not getting any action for 2,000 years! Except for dusts and salts in your drawers…"
"Y-YOU! Does your mouth have no filter!" Zhongli reacts indignantly, glowering threateningly back at the shorter bard. "You depraved alcoholic disgrace to the gods!"
"Says the Moraless gentlemen, who's really a well-dressed hobo nowadays!"
"At least I dress. What do you call that celestial form of yours?"
"Bluegh!" Venti sticks out his tongue childishly. While Zhongli unabashedly does the same, not caring of etiquette anymore.
Both Gnosis-less Archons begin to squabble like petty children; and getting into a brief scuffle while they were at it. With Venti attempting to claw Zhongli's face like a cat dangling at his arms, and the latter trying to pry the Anemo Archon off his limbs.
Lumine could only place a hand to her head in tired exasperation. Her two companions have been arguing for half an hour, and she was getting tired playing peacemaker whenever both men didn't stop antagonizing the other.
She had a sudden sense of deja'vu for some reason but chose to ignore it. Feeling another headache would rise from recalling a tall, gingered-haired flirt and an oversize hat wearing short man.
"I'll give them another 5 minutes." Lumine gave out a short sigh, shaking her head and turning her attention away from the two arguing Archons.
She summons a dish from her personal subspace and places it down with the other treats she's prepared, on the picnic mat she and Paimon where currently sitting at. Lumine could spy the little fairy was already done eating a good third of the food they brought with them, and probably the rest if she didn't remind her self-proclaimed travel guide to slow down and leave some for the rest of them.
"Paimon, stop munching and finishing all the food. That's your third mushroom Pizza and you've already cleaned out one of the meat roll plates." She said, before taking a plate away from Paimon and began eating the contents itself. Biting on a piece of sweet madame, while ignoring the sound of violence coming from both Venti and Zhongli.
"Paimon's not finishing all the food, And don't take what's Paimon's!" The little fairy argues, grabbing another plate for herself and shielding it protectively from Lumine in case the traveler plans to takes it from her as well.
"Lumine's keeping the rest of them from Paimon anyway in her personal inventory. SO… Paimon wouldn't be able to finish all the food." She adds with no shame.
"Because if I didn't you'd be doing just that. Eating everything when I prepared all of them to share with Venti and Zhongli." Lumine says to Paimon with a light stern expression. "I'm seriously going to put you on a diet, if you don't learn to control yourself Paimon."
The floating fairy huffs objecting. "Hmph. Then Paimon thinks Venti and Zhongli should stop fighting and start eating! Good food should not go to waste, especially when Lumine makes them. Heck, Paimon recalls you planned this entire picnic for them too!"
"Well… You're not wrong." What Paimon said was true, Lumine did plan this entire outing.
They were currently at Guyun Stone Forest, specifically the island where the Geo Hypostasis was. With the two arguing Archons now the current occupants of the arena of said elemental hypostasis, while now adding the use of their elemental powers in their incessant bickering.
The reason why they were in Guyun forest in the first place, was because Lumine wanted to have a picnic with Zhongli and Venti. Wanting to spend some time with just the two of them, before she'll leave for Inazuma in the coming days.
Lumine has been doing similar outings with her other companions she's met throughout her journey, planning meet ups and hangouts, and informing them about her departure to the closed off nation. And the two Archon's were last on her list, seeing that with Venti and Zhongli she could address some more godly matters, she couldn't reveal in front of the others of her friend group.
Like discussing about the Raiden Shogun and how she would react to an outworlder-celestial being.
Hopefully in a good light. If not? Then Lumine would ask Zhongli to teach her to copy his Geo-shield.
Lumine also tried to get some answers about Khaenri'ah and the great cataclysm that happened 500 years ago from Venti. But the windborne god was also tight lip like Zhongli, so she didn't get anything useful except the usual 'the truth exist out there'. Lumine didn't hold anything against Venti when he confessed and told her that, being understanding the same way she did with Zhongli.
But despite the heavy topics Lumine briefly broach in their picnic, it didn't stop the four of them from enjoying their outing and spending time together. The blonde traveler enjoyed how Venti and Zhongli interacted with one another and likened it to how old friends acted, after not seeing the other for so long. Lumine laughed at the stories they told her, most about the times when Barbatos and Rex Lapis had their periodic meetups and the shenanigans they get into—Or rather the shenanigans Venti gets into, that Zhongli finds a bit exasperating.
Overall, they were initially having a lovely time, enjoying the food and treats they each prepared for each other. Lumine would also count this outing as one of the rare occasions she could partake in alcohol, without anyone judging her looks of being too young.
Even despite the passive aggressive remarks and insulting jokes told sparingly by both Venti and Zhongli towards each other in between conversations, didn't ruin the mood of their peaceful picnic.
"You rock-headed brute!"
"You lazy-impish air sprite!"
Of course, at the present, they were really throwing insults at each other and disrupting the entire mood of their outing.
"And we were having such a lovely picnic…" Lumine sighs, trying to remember what led to their current argument.
Paimon reminders her, after swallowing a mouthful of pasta from another dish. "Paimon thinks Lumine shouldn't have mentioned we had a free room in the Serenitea Pot. Or the fact you were planning to invite other people to live with you in your home."
Yes, again Paimon was right. Lumine could agree that she should have known better to bring up free housing, to a homeless bard living in the streets of Mondstadt and a recently evicted funeral advisor, who forgot to pay his old apartment's monthly rent.
"While it's nice that both Venti and Zhongli like the idea of living with us in the Serenitea pot…" Lumine starts, picking on her meal, before glancing at the still dueling Archons in the hypostasis arena. "But I don't understand why they would want to compete for a single guestroom? When I said I'll invite both of them, once I'm done preparing their rooms together."
"Seriously?" Paimon could only at her friend with a raise brow, wondering if Lumine was being dense again with the affections of her—still not acknowledged by the person herself—'Harem'.
Leave it both to Venti and Zhongli, to not only realize the opportunity for free living space, but also having a good excuse to spend more time with Lumine and getting a head start against her other male suitors, in experiencing the domestic life with her.
And both gods know of the potential opportunities and activities they could do together with Lumine… Alone in a separate realm… away from prying eyes… Just them and the girl they love… doing adult stuff…
…Like Gardening! Or Calligraphy! Or whatever else they could do that Paimon doesn't know about.
Heck, Paimon also knows if the others learned that Lumine was offering the chance to actually live with her. Then it would be an all-out battle royal, and the little fairy couldn't imagine what kind of collateral damage or destruction be wrought in the face of Teyvat…
From a bunch of idiotic males in love with the kind and passionate Traveler.
"Paimon suggests you ask Tubby to add more rooms in the mansion. Before you even start asking the others if they want to live with us." Paimon proposes, while splitting a hash brown and sharing one half to Lumine, who takes it and gives Paimon her attention. Listening to the fairy's other suggestions, while the battle between Zhongli and Venti continue to rage on at the background.
"Or better add another mansion! With three kitchens! Maybe even a village of kitchens or outdoor eateries! Oh. And Probably an outdoor battle arena too. Paimon knows that will be useful for settling some differences, once we invite your other boy— guy friends! Paimon means guy friends!"
Lumine asks in confusion. "Why would the guys need a battle arena? I mean I guess it could be good place to spar with Childe—"
"ENOUGH!"
Zhongli suddenly shouts, his voice cutting through the air and causing both Paimon and Lumine's attention to turn back at the two quarreling gods.
The they could see that both Zhongli and Venti looked lightly tussled, with some dirt covering their clothes, but both remained staring at each other with hardened expressions.
"We are not getting anywhere with just arguing." Zhongli states the obvious, with Venti agreeing.
"Yes, you're right. It appears we need another medium to settle this contest of who will stay with Lumine and in her currently-still-singular-and-one-only-current-guestroom."
"Agreed. I suggest we settle this through the old ways of the gods." Zhongli said, his expression darkens and as does Venti's in response.
Suddenly, Lumine was getting worried of what the two were planning to do and was about intervene, seeing it was getting serious and far past the point of being a simple quarrel.
"Seconded!" But Venti instantly replies, with a competitive smirk and moves to approach Zhongli. While Lumine watches as the two Archons meet and shake hands.
Then a sudden blinding light envelops them both, before shooting to the sky. As loud thundering tremors were heard after. And as gusts of wind blew around them and the island. Even the earth began to shake in bated anticipation for what was going to happen next.
Lumine was too busy shielding Paimon and protecting her from the unnatural occurrences, that she didn't notice streaks of light coming from the direction of Liyue and heading towards their current location. But a second later, everything stops and the seemingly incessant thundering of the sky and howling of winds cease, as the earth settles.
Both Lumine and Paimon open their eyes, slowly regaining their vision, and then find themselves staring at the sight of Liyue's Adepti standing in their presence. With Ganyu, Xiao, Madam Ping, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver just a few feet ahead of them, staring at the direction of the hypostasis arena.
And when Lumine and Paimon turn to look as well, they saw both Zhongli and Venti having shed their mortal disguises and appearing in their Archon forms. That same forms Lumine recognizes from their respective Statue of the Seven. But both figures eyes were closed and looked to be in deep concentration in praying position, while they stood at opposite sides facing each other.
Paimon cries out in surprise. "WOAH… Mr. Zhongli and Tone-Deaf-bard are out of their disguises. And Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer are here! And so are Granny Ping, Ganyu, and XIAO!"
Lumine recognizes the individuals Paimon just named and wondered why they were here, and if its related to the certain duel Zhongli and Venti said they were going to have.
"L-Lumine?" Ganyu calls out to her, spotting them and causing the other Adepti to notice them as well.
"You're here too?" The Qixing secretary asks, while Lumine stands up from her and Paimon's place on their picnic mat and approach her.
"Ganyu, Xiao, everyone… what are you doing here?" Lumine asked while glancing at each of them, before suddenly noticing that the entire island was covered by a translucent energy dome. "Okay, are we trapped?! IS this part of the divine duel Zhongli and Venti are having?! What's going on?!"
"Calm yourself first dear traveler." Madam Ping fortunately intervenes before Lumine starts firing more questions or hyperventilating. "All will be explained..." The old Adepti says, before turning to Ganyu. "Actually Ganyu, can you be a dear and…"
"Of course." Ganyu nods her head to Madam Ping before beginning to give the two confused travelers an explanation. "I'll keep this brief, because we wouldn't want to waste too much time and keep Rex Lapis and Barbatos waiting for their duel."
Paimon frantically sputters in confusion. "But Paimon—and Lumine were, w-what's—"
"Please hold all questions first and let me explain…" Ganyu raises a hand to stop Paimon from speaking and continues to speak in a professional manner. "First off, Rex Lapis and Barbatos have agreed to engage in a sacred divine duel to settle a dispute. We, the Adepti, have been summoned here to bear witness this sacred duel and help facilitate and judge the victor of this battle… and maybe technically, the both of you are also included in the judging process as well."
"Hold on are you saying Paimon and Lumine are going to help judged who's the winner, between Zho—I mean Rex Lapis and Barbatos?" Paimon cuts in, a bit surprise from Ganyu mentioning of that tid bit, with the half adeptus nodding her head in agreement.
"Yes. And since we, the Adepti, don't know the entire situation concerning the dispute between Rex Lapis and Barbatos. It would be up to you and Lumine to help determine the winner, since I guess…" Ganyu gives both Paimon and Lumine an unsure look. "You… both know the reason, to why they initiated this sacred duel in the first place, Right?"
"Unfortunately, yes…" Lumine's cheeks flush briefly knowing the real reason, with the rest of the Adepti raising an eyebrow from her reaction before she asks Ganyu. "What kind duel is this? Will they fight with each other or get seriously hurt?"
It was Xiao who answers her question, though sounding a bit reluctant. "It is… an unusual battle. It's best you just watch…" Lumine could see he looked a bit flustered and not wanting to expound further.
"Worry not dear friend." Cloud Retainer fortunately speaks in turn, adding more info while reassuring Lumine. "One can tell you, that the gods will not suffer great injuries that would entail one in risking their life."
Mountain Shaper adds. "Indeed, the wounds they will receive are consider far worse for one that is divine." The darker colored crane even looked to be amused after speaking his words. "Were one's pride is wounded deeper than in a physical sense…"
"Hehehe… and worst, they have to carry it for the rest of their live." Madam Ping said, amusement evident in her voice. Much to Lumine's bewilderment from the other Adepti vaguely sharing little details of the duel. At least she knows it wasn't dangerous as Zhongli and Venti trading blows, but still wondering how they'll injure each other's pride.
But faint music begins to emanate around the entire area and growing louder by the second, which Paimon notices. "Hey, Lumine. Do you here that?"
The music was now loud enough for everyone to hear the rhythmic beats and melodies, despite the absence of instruments.
While Lumine then finds herself looking at Zhongli and Venit, noticing how both of them opened their eyes in unison. And an aura of their respective elements envelop their entire beings. Both leaving their praying positions and locked gaze with each other.
"It is time!" Moon Carver bellows in his deep baritone voice before he and the other Adepti teleport themselves to surround the entire arena. Each individual finding a place along the edge of the circular area.
Madam Ping was the last to leave Lumine and Paimon, but not before ushering them back to their picnic and mat, while leaving one last remark.
"Do enjoy the show dearies and remember we're counting on you to decide the victory."
Both Paimon and Lumine could only stare back in confusion, before turning their attention to Zhongli and Venti, as the music intensifies and whatever sacred duel that was happening…
Begins.
With Moon Carver announcing.
Moon Carver (Shouting at the top of his lungs):
"EPIC RAP BATTLES OF TEYVAT HISTORY!"
Which was not what they expected.
"WHAT?!"
"Did Paimon hear that right?!"
The Adepti continue their ceremony, introducing the combatants.
Mountain Shaper (Raising one wing to the left): "MORAX REX LAPIS!"
Moon Carver: "VS!"
Xiao (Raising one hand to the right): "VEEEEENTIIII!"
Ganyu & Cloud Retainer: "BEGIN!"
Zhongli steps forward, starting the round. Summoning his geo Pillars with a wave of his hands, before making them bounce with the beat as he begins his rap.
Rex Lapis:
You dare to battle wits? Against the Rex of Lapis
I brought Liyue system,
(Zhongli conjures an image of old Mond and a frozen Venti…)
While you were still trapped in Cold piss
(…crushing it in his hands)
First god MORAnaire, GEO Messiah.
(Zhongli folds his arms like a boss…)
Rap so HARD, I spit Meteor Show'as
(…and unleashes his elemental burst)
His meteors collide with the energy barrier at the opposite side behind Venti, showering the arena in golden molten light, while the Anemo Archon stands unfazed by the display of the power of his rival.
Lumine and Paimon look on with awe, while Zhongli resumes his verse.
Rex Lapis:
(Zhongli conjures a fake contract, with Venti's face and the word plagiarize on top of it)
Everything you did, I did it first
You would just mimic my works, And getting all the good Perks
(He throws it aside, before pointing at Venti)
People ask of Mondstadt, where's your god BarSiBaTo?
(Before he shrugs and mimics a drunk Venti)
Is he lazing around, gone drunk In-Cog-NiTo?
Lumine couldn't help the snort that escaped her, wondering if Zhongli ever met Sister Rosaria randomly by chance. She collects herself, once seeing Venti step up with a forceful gale wind backing him. As he floats in the air and retaliates with his own rap.
Venti:
(Gesturing to himself…)
I'm the god of civil rights, from Mondstadt to Celestia
(…Before pointing back at Zhongli)
You're old, inert, And a Living Historia
Made to retire yourself and your overworked ass
(Venti brings a hand up and makes an obscene gesture)
Cuz you're tired of people, stroking your Clay Mast!
There were a resounding cheers of OHH! From the Adepti, upon hearing Venti's counter. As Paimon was laughing her butt off, while Lumine stares with her mouth gaping in shock.
Zhongli's expression remains impassive, while he watches Venti continue to spout his verse.
Venti:
(Making a mock gesture of sadness…)
I share the longing, for those who share the memory
(…Before shaking his fists at Zhongli)
But I'm more worried, of who's Mora you are spending!
(Venti magically conjures a wallet…)
Cause the X in your name, translates to being Mora-Less
(…And pulls out a picture of Childe, with sugar written on it)
Calling for Daddy to pay, your expenses.
Paimon was slapping her hands on her lap, trying hard to rein in her laughter at the burn Venti gave to Zhongli.
But she suddenly stopped when the Geo Archon began to ascend on top of a large geo pillar rising from the ground carrying him. With Venti and the rest of the Adepti following, floating to the air after him.
Rex Lapis:
(Staring down at an approaching Venti)
You'd know of being broke, Mr. Homeless street Bardist
Singing for drinks?
(Zhongli flashes a photo of Venti wasted on the streets.)
You're ruining your image!
(He tosses the photo aside, before gesturing to his robes…)
Of gods and their clothing, the same advice goes,
Dress like nobles,
(…and then gestures Venti's entirety)
Not like a HOE…
Both Lumine and Paimon screamed 'OHHH!' hearing everything Zhongli said, despite being nowhere near the two rapping Archons. But it was clear the God of Geo struck a nerve, as the winds around the island intensified.
Venti:
(Waving his hands to the sky.)
I am so ANEMOE , they shout my name to the sky!
(He gives a challenging glare at Zhongli…)
I'm the one people wish for…
(… and briefly breaks the fourth wall.)
When its Banner Rerun Time …
The two Archons are locked in a heated gaze, and Lumine would have sworn she saw lightning bolts clashing between the two. While Everyone was silent, waiting for the two gods to resume.
Until Venti speaks first this time.
Venti:
(Smirks at Zhongli, chiding amusingly)
Morax, You are more dense, than one of your geo stones
I'm doubting you'd even notice, Lu(mine) wants to be boned!
Lumine blushed at the remark. But she blushed even more upon hearing Zhongli's response.
Rex Lapis:
(Smirks back at Venti, much to the other's confusion)
I regrettably inform you; you've already been Cucked
(Zhongli leans forward to Venti's ear…)
Because the traveler and I…
(…And whispers with a smug ass tone)
Have already FUCKED…
"GUA—AUH!" Venti gasped and felt like he was hit by his own Elemental burst combined with Zhongli's, upon hearing the latter remarks. Visibly recoiling in pain as if he was kicked by La Signora again.
Before he pitifully began to fall like a fallen star from the sky, and away from the victorious looking Zhongli. Knowing he already lost a battle that he couldn't have won in the first place.
Which was to have an intimate moment with Lumine before the old rock head would.
Even the crowd agrees, upon hearing everything despite Zhongli whispering his last line. While the music of their rap begins to slowly fade away.
EVERY SINGLE BEING IN THE ISLAND TO CELESTIA ITSELF: "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH! DAAAAMMMNNN SON!"
Moon Carver (With the rest of the Adepti): WHO WON?! WHO'S LOST?
Paimon (Cheering and Pointing at Lumine): YOU DECIDE!
Moon Carver (Shaking his head like a mad deer): E-E-E-EE—UUUEEUEUE—
- EPIC RAP BATTLES OF TEYVAT HISTORY!
"Venti!" Lumine cried out in worry, rushing to catch his falling figure. Ignoring the others waiting for her verdict and learning who was the victor she decided.
She safely catches the Anemo Archon in her arms, after using a little boost of Anemo to reach him before he hits the ground. Tenderly holding him with a look of concern, seeing his weakened expression and how he looked to be unconscious.
"Oh, Venti…" Lumine brought a hand to softly stroked his face. Sure he wasn't hurt physically, and probably only has a wounded pride, but it didn't stop Lumine from worrying about him.
She then heard a few faint coughs, as Venti regains a bit of consciousness. "L-Lumine…"
"Yes, Venti. I'm here! What do you need?" Lumine said, upon hearing him weakly call out to her.
"Is it true…" Venti asked, with half open eyes. "Did you and Morax… like… really, Fucked?"
Lumine blushes, looking away from Venti. Much to the bards growing horror, as she confirms. "I'm sorry Venti… But Zhongli does have the finest ass cheeks in Teyvat… and…" She doesn't say more, while the gears in Venti's head figure out the rest. Witnessing the traveler's growing blush, no doubt recalling her time with Zhongli.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" He screams to the sky in anguish—or like a crying child—in clear disbelief. Before he limps and weakly adds one last remark. "But you're not… wrong… his cheeks are... the finest... Bleh." Falling back to unconsciousness in Lumine's arms.
While said traveler cries out with concern. "Venti? Venti?! VENTIIIII!"
Not noticing the others were already behind her and watching the entire scene.
"Ugh… must he always be this dramatic." Zhongli says, pinching the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed at Barbatos. "He really must have weakened himself after all these years. He's normally the one who triumphs in these type of duels."
"WOW!" Paimon was amazed at everything she just witnessed. Turning to Zhongli asking a question. "Are you telling Paimon that the gods fought, with Rap battles during the Archon War."
"Indeed, Paimon." Zhongli answers with a nod of his head. "If it were all just war and elemental battles, Teyvat would have been a wasteland as the aftermath once the Archon war ended. Celestia allowed the sacred duel with words and Epic raps, to lessen the bloodshed and the casualties wrought from the gods and their nations going to war with each other."
Madam Ping also adds informatively. "The scared duel of Epic Raps, also helped other weaker gods to survive far longer than it was expected for them during that harsh time."
"Hehe… One example of was the late Havria!" Madam Ping reveals with a small chuckle. "She was an excellent rapper and beaten many gods in numerous sacred duels. She was the Goddess of Salt for a reason, you know."
"One who produces Salt, in both the literal and metaphorical sense." Cloud Retainer supplies, with the other Adepti nodding their heads agreeing.
"Oooh." Paimon was clearly amused upon learning this new information.
"Are there any other gods alive who won in an 'EPIC RAP BATTLE OF TEYVTA HISTORY'!" Paimon asked, while saying the latter of her statement like Moon Carver, trying to mimic him and earning a small chuckle from said Adepti on her attempt.
Surprisingly, it was Xiao who answers her. "The Raiden Shogun. She successfully defended her position as the electro Archon from individuals, either by executing them with her skills with the blade, or shredding them with her words and rapping electro burns."
The floating fairy was surprised from learning this. "Oh! …I guess Paimon and Lumine better prepare ourselves in case the Raiden Shogun would challenge us to Sacred Duel of Epic Raps!"
Zhongli chuckles, patting Paimon on her head, as she giggles from his gesture. "I believe you made a good foresight Paimon. I and even Venti would offer our aide and help practice in the art of Celestial Epic rap. Maybe even give both of you pointers, in preparation should the two of you face Baal in such a duel."
"Hehehe… Paimon thanks you, Mr. Zhongli!" Paimon says, before glancing back at Lumine and Venti and releases a small huff. "And Paimon would have thank Tone-deaf-bard too, if he wasn't unconscious!"
"Indeed." Zhongli agrees, his expression returning to an annoyed looked. Spotting Lumine still trying to shake the defeated Anemo Archon to wake up. "If he doesn't wake up soon, we'll be trap here until Lumine gives her verdict."
"What?!" Paimon looks around and sees that the energy dome was still present and covering the whole island. "Oh, no! Paimon and Lumine still have to meet up with Captain Beidou today, and she's offering Pai—US a free dinner later! And Kazuha's cooking it too!"
"Can't Lumine just give her verdict now?!" Paimon asks, stomping her foot in the air.
"Unfortunately, all witnesses and combatants must be awake to hear the final Verdict." Ganyu answers her, with a regretful look. "Until then, the energy dome won't dissipate and will remain, until all parties have been judged and the victor declared."
Paimon face turns to a horrified look, as she mutters in a distant tone. "But Paimon knows Venti can sleep for hundreds and hundreds of years… and we're too far from Windrise for him to heal… plus we're trapped to boot..."
Zhongli and the rest of the Adepti, could hear something snap within Paimon.
Before watching the fairy suddenly zoom towards Lumine and Venti's position. Tackling the latter's face and begins slapping the bard hard.
"NOOOO! Wake up Tone-deaf-bard! You are not letting Paimon missed the opportunity for free food! Wake up now or face Paimonial wrath from Paimon!"
"Paimon! Don't treat Venti like that he's hurt!" Lumine cries out in dismay.
While the rest of the day ends with everyone trapped inside Guyun forest for at least 5 hours before Venti woke up, and Lumine giving her verdict in private to both Venti and Zhongli later on, once they resumed their picnic with the rest of the Adepti joining them too.
If one is wondering, who won the rap between Morax Rex Lapis and Venti?
You decide!
Notes:
And that's the end of the chapter! Thank you for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed it! There will be more songs to come later down the road.
I hope everyone is enjoying the Inazuma update so far in Genshin too. There will be chapters set in Inazuma in Breakout into Song, but that will still be later after the ones I planned beforehand are released.
I might be updating my other fanfics first before this one again, and so that I won't have fatigue from sticking to one fic for a long a while and letting my mental muse for this fic to take break in between.
But the next chapter we'll shift back to Aether, but this time with him as the traveler and the setting being the Golden Apple Archipelago. Hope you guys look forward to it.
That's all folks and see you in the next chapter!
Kudos and comments are appreciated! And again, thanks for reading!"
Chapter 4: ‘I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)’ Church of Favonius Edition (Ft. Rosaria & Favonius Sisters)
Summary:
It was the Windblume festival.
A time when the people of Mondstadt would come together to shower their city with flowers and songs for their beloved lovers, family members, and others alike.
What happens when a certain Nun, attempts to unravel the unexpected feelings she holds for a certain traveler...
Notes:
Author’s notes:
Hi! Back with another chapter!I know I haven’t been updating my fics lately, which is because life got very busy recently. But I am making time, and while updates would be slow, just know I’m still alive and kicking to bring more Breakout Into Song!
Due note, before the next chapter of BIS, I might be focusing on updating my other fics first (NieR MHST, Primal Fangs and Bullets). Just so you guys know.
Now, our lovely cast for today is our dear Sister Rosaria and the Church of Favonius Sisters!
*I know I promised last chapter that it would be a summer themed with Aether, but I decided to forgo it for the moment for this one instead. Also Aether will be the traveler for this chapter though and not the abyss Prince like last time he appeared.
And if you could tell by the title, the song parody today is: “I won’t say (I’m in love)” from Disney’s Hercules. You can listen to the instrumental for the immersion too!
There’s also a minor lemon and a short bonus, after the chapter...
Without further ado Here is the chapter enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It was the Windblume festival.
A time when the people of Mondstadt would come together to shower their city with flowers and songs for their beloved lovers, family members, and others alike.
Bards will sing songs and play theirs lyres, some would take learning poetry, and many others were having fun playing the games planned. All in celebration of this festival of Love and Freedom that their country has become known of.
Besides their delicious and tantalizing Dandelion wine, plus the Alcoholics who covet it. If anything, the Windblume Festival gave many reasons and a cause of celebration for the tavern owners to make a profit from drunkards alike drinking merrily. For all of Mondstadt, it was happy time and a season of joy. That many would take the opportunity to relax.
Following in example of their Patron god Barbatos, unknowingly.
“Ehe~”
Hopefully not in excess.
But behind the merrymaking and joyful festivities, Mondstadt also has its protectors to thank for watching over their dear city during this blossoming season.
The knights and those vigilantes of the night, remaining diligent in their duty of keeping the peace and allowing the opportunity for their Windblume Festival to proceed without err. Working hard in defending the freedom they’re ancestors have fought for, and essentially making sure none would come to ruin this precious time of the year.
Yet not even Mondstadt’s defenders were immune to the overall mood of the Windblume Festival. There were knights coming home to families and loved ones. Adventurers spending time with companions they’ve come to call as true friends. And many in Mondstadt pursuing a hopeful and budding new romance with another.
With one individual finding herself among the others in the throes of love.
Or rather, part of the few minority who are still trying to figure out their own feelings.
At the main plaza in front of city’s cathedral, many arrays of large bouquets of flowers and decorated topiaries of various designs were strewn around the statue of their patron god Barbatos. The area looked more like an extravagant garden than its normal appearance of an open space for bards to sing their songs and crowds forming to listen.
But now it was night. With no bards or crowds present. No music played or merrily cheering made.
Only the calm silence that accompanies this time of the day remains. And the beauty of the plaza’s current flora themed appearance surrounding the large statue of Barbatos. It is here one could find someone sitting atop the raised hands of Mondstadt’s famed statue. A person that many would be surprised to find at the dead of night, with a seemingly dejected expression.
Sister Rosaria.
Known as the black sheep and cold inquisitor of the church of Favonius to the public. But a deadly assassin of the night to those with dealings in the shadows and scum of Teyvat.
She was the kind of sister no one would expect, lacking in faith and devotion to their Archon, and caring less of her duties as a church sister. More focus in her own self-duty of defending Mondstadt at night. Normally stoic and indifferent in demeanor, while cold and unmerciful to sinners alike against the city of freedom.
Overall having a cool presence to others who have a chance in meeting and getting to know her a bit.
Yet at the present moment, amidst the beautiful plaza below her and the clear starry sky above, the normally frigid and indifferent Rosaria had a certain air of melancholy with her tonight. And with the sister was a frozen Windwheel Aster in her hands, it’s appearance and entirety preserved with her cryo magic granted by her vision.
Rosaria was absently feeling the flower between her fingertips. While she gazes at the night sky, looking at the stars above for answers she knows not.
Far from being an astrologist like a famed broke adventurer, nor was she a devoted believer to the gods like a certain deaconess. But the sister decided to turn to fate and the language of the stars for any signs or divine hints, having exhausted all her means to solve the riddle she currently possesses. Born from recent events and unexpected feelings that came to rise within her chest.
The cryo nun hoped the stars would give something that would tell her what to do. Since, supposedly, it was one of their own plaguing her mind and heart.
It being the otherworldly traveler.
“Of all the people…” Rosaria sighed, turning her gaze away from the night sky and instead to the frozen Windwheel Aster in her hand. The sister’s thoughts moving towards the famed Honorary knight.
Aether, hero of not one but two nations, and the Adventurers Guild’s new rising star. Said to be blessed by two gods as well, as if he was heaven sent. With many saying he shined bright as one of the brightest stars in the night sky, upon meeting him for the first time. Hence the comparison to the stars themselves. Who was also accompanied by a floating child/pixie.
Pie-moon—Paynom, Pia-something? or whatever its name was.
Regardless, Rosaria sat at her city’s most famous landmark—Who’s design made it look like their Archon was cupping someone’s ass, in her opinion—thinking about Aether and the unexpected feelings she now possess for the blonde traveler.
Recollecting how she found herself in this situation, going back to the first day when she first heard of the traveler.
At the beginning, Rosaria didn’t have much of an opinion on the traveler or to his exploits. Thinking of them as mere rumors and over exaggerated stories born from the drunken ramblings of adventurers, that she would chance upon whenever she came back from her ‘work’ a bit early. Holding only a bit of skepticism, including when she first heard of the traveler was after the Stormterror incident.
The nun was absent during Dvalin’s initial attack on the city, due to assisting the Reconnaissance captain of the knights with an Abyss Stronghold in Dragonspine. But when Rosaria returned to Mondstadt, she learned that their dragon situation was taken care of, and their city had a new hero to thank for and not of the Dark Knight kind.
Curious and wanting to know more, she then went to Kaeya for more information. Yet the sly Cavalry captain simply told her the basic summation of things and nothing else about the traveler. While leaving some advice, his exact words being: ‘meddle with the traveler yourself.’ If she wanted to find out more about their new mysterious ally.
And the Caverly Captain was right, much to Rosaria’s begrudgingly agreement. It was better for the sister to experience and learn more about the traveler firsthand.
Her time meddling with their new honorary knight was memorable to say the least. From their first meeting in Dragonspine to Aether’s official invitation of her to join him in some of his adventures, the Cryo nun found herself getting interested and a bit invested with the traveler as timed passed by. And She didn’t expect to come and like the traveler’s companionship either.
Surprise the traveler was able to get closer to her, bypassing her guard and the colds walls she placed around herself.
Rosaria didn’t know exactly how they quickly went from meeting only for work related matters, to seeing each other under more lax and leisurely circumstances. From sparring matches at night, to buying each other drinks at either Cat’s tail or Angel’s share. And even the rare occasion were the cryo nun agrees to do something so nonchalant.
Like lazing around with Aether at Windrise during one of her breaks from her day shift at the church.
Those times, Rosaria would be either watching the traveler and his companion take a peaceful nap, while she smokes and dutifully watches over them. Or she would actually join the two, resting together under the great tree that many of Mondstadt would say came as gift from a departed hero. Then waking up to find Aether resting his head on one of her shoulders, with a such a serene expression and soft look on his face. That made the normally aloof nun stare unknowingly for an extended period. Before bashfully looking away and hoping no one saw her staring.
Maybe that’s when it all began. When Rosaria began to notice and realize all the odd feelings she has, growing for the traveler.
The foreign and strange sensations she would sometimes feel in her chest, whenever they were together. How her heart beats faster, from every smile, every compliment, and playful banter sent towards her; or during the moments of watching Aether’s peaceful sleeping face. These new feelings that also brought much confusion to Rosaria because she has never felt this way before to anyone. Nor did she know of what to do with them, not having the experience dealing with them either.
Her less than stellar upbringing didn’t helped either, as her complicated relationship with her bandit fathers speak for itself.
Especially when she had to put down an old one, who willing offered his own life just to save her own and receive a vision for her troubles. Thus, Rosaria couldn’t draw anything from her childhood to answer these growing and confusing feelings.
Then Windblume Festival arrived, bringing the seasonal mood of love, joy, and freedom to the Mondstadt. Which made the cryo nun think all the more harder of the swirling emotions in her chest.
While also leaving Sister Rosaria more affected, by the overall atmosphere of love and mood of the Windblume Festival this year. Songs and poetries about lovers that were usually went ignored by the sister, were now things she found herself absently listening to whenever she chances upon a bard or a local lovestruck fool confessing their love.
Then her thoughts would momentarily drift towards Aether. With a sudden desire arising to be near his starlight like presence. Gravitating to it, like moths to a flame or worlds to their star.
Then as the days of the Windblume festival continued, Rosaria began to notice how she wasn’t the only one feeling the same pull towards the traveler. Not like it was hard for the sister to miss the looks, the discreet and indiscreet flirting, of the other women who became Aether’s companions.
Those who also spent time and adventure with the wayward traveler, enjoying his company and drawn to his supernatural charisma. Who, unlike the cryo nun, were taking action into courting the traveler while it was the opportune time to do so.
As the sister recalls witnessing the previous days…
Watching Amber take the traveler to one of the wind gliding games planned during the festival, and then soared the skies together hand in hand.
Seeing Noelle having a picnic with the traveler at Windrise, while offering a bouquet of roses and a new meaning accompanying the flowers.
Spotting Barbara sharing her homemade spicy drink with the Traveler at one of the benches in the plaza, while hiding away from her many fans.
Catching Mona, Fischl, and Sucrose one night, star gazing with the traveler while he explained an expert knowledge about constellations, as they listened intently.
Spotting Lisa and the traveler on patrol around Mondstadt… Before unintentionally chancing upon them in a sudden tryst at a secluded corner of Mondstadt.
Finding the Acting Grandmaster Jean herself in a sudden tryst with the traveler at that same secluded corner the day after.
While she observed from the shadows, Rosaria felt a growing sense of envy for each interaction the Traveler had with his other companions. Unknowingly getting jealous of how close the others were with Aether, having fun spending time together, and how they could bring out a joyful expression from the traveler.
The sister could also see it in their eyes, of the genuine affection they held for the honorary knight. Of how Aether reciprocates it, as he looks at them with such a caring expression as well. The last thought made Rosaria wonder, if she too can receive that same look of affection from the traveler and reciprocate it.
Asking more questions to herself days later, like:
Are the feelings she now holds for Aether, the same as the others?
What is it okay for her, someone belonging to the shadows, be with someone who shines even brighter than any beast of light?
Could she be as close to Aether as others were? (Maybe go be as intimate with him as Lisa and Jean were?)
And apparently, the other girls didn’t mind sharing the traveler among them, not with how Aether treats them. So there was little worry if any of Aether’s other suitress would be jealous of another joining the traveler’s supposed harem.
At least in Mondstadt…
But the cryo nun kept pondering on these new thoughts for a few days. Since she still wasn’t sure of her feelings, not confident of what they really were yet or to pursue them.
Until one morning when she was out in the fields patrolling Mondstadt, Rosaria chanced upon a Windwheel Aster floating along the Windrise.
Its pinwheel petals spinning in the air, while the sister noticed a different coloration and faint glow around the flower. Focusing on the gliding aster, the Rosaria could spot it possessing green tints near the end of its petals, and guessed it was no doubt a result of being infused with the anemo element, which also explained the soft teal light it radiated.
Rosaria continued to watch the flower continue to float freely like many of Mondstadt themselves following their Archon’s way of life. But then she noticed how the wind was carrying the aster towards her. Before catching the unique flower between her fingertips, feeling the lingering Anemo energy pulsing within.
The sensations of the elemental energy somehow reminding her of the traveler, of his calming presence and easy-going attitude. Making the emotions in her chest swell like they were resonating with the Windwheel Aster itself.
Unexpectedly, the sister somehow took it as sign and had gained a sudden urge to seek the traveler.
Believing that its finally the time to set heart straight for what she wants, be honest as she usually is with things she finds herself in interest. Freezing the flower to preserve its unique appearance, with her plan and intention to gift it to Aether as her own Windblume towards him. And bravely face whatever outcome would rise from her gesture.
Hopefully the good kind.
After making sure the aster was well preserved and seeing that a blue hue was added to the appearance due to her cryo magic, Rosaria then swiftly made her way back to Mondstadt to find Aether. It was still day at that time, giving the sister a bigger chance to encounter the traveler, but she promised herself she’ll spend the rest of it looking for him if it was the last thing she’ll do.
And Rosaria did spend the rest of day looking for Aether… But didn’t find him.
She learned that he wasn’t in any of the places he frequented. Nor heard anyone seeing the traveler in Mondstadt when the day started, not even from a few passersby or knights on patrol.
When she asked a few of her acquaintances like Kaeya and even Katheryne from the adventurer’s guild if they’ve seen Aether—while earning curious looks from her inquiry—they too didn’t know where the traveler was and wondered as well where he’s currently at.
Even the floating pixie wasn’t to be found gorging on food at Good Hunter, a sight that most of Mondstadt have come to know of lately.
In the end, everyone was curious were the traveler has gone, none more than Rosaria at that time, yet a majority of them weren’t worried. As they probably guessed that Aether simply traveled to another nation like Liyue or went on another adventure, as his traveling moniker would imply.
Unfortunately for Rosaria, it meant that she was too late, and Aether has already left Mondstadt.
Her previous high of joyful emotions fell and flipped 180, leaving the cryo nun feeling a lot colder and more melancholic. Souring her feelings and feeding in back the doubt her heart had regarding them, wondering if the traveler’s absence was also a sign.
That she was wrong. Her feelings weren’t what she thought they were. That they were better casted aside and not bothered with anymore. Rosaria knew that she wasn’t an expert on these sort of things related to love, so she shouldn’t have acted too impulsively only to get hurt in the end.
Besides, would the traveler really look her way? Turn his gaze at the shadows when there were so many others who would shine brighter with him in the light?
It was a depressing thought.
Yet, Rosaria’s heart still yearned for the contrary and duels with the doubts her mind has casted. Which left the cryo nun stuck in some sort of inner conflict for the rest of the day.
With her current predicament causing some concerned glances from the other sisters of the church, seeing how she looked a bit haggard and more indifferent than the usual when she came back to the cathedral, ignoring the usual scolding regarding her truancy and reminding her of her responsibilities in the church. Most concerning and much to their surprise was when Rosaria did her church work so diligently, not even uttering a complaint or trying to make an excuse to avoid them. Letting herself focus on her menial work to avoid the other thoughts plaguing her mind.
From this, other sisters immediately knew something was wrong.
But before they were able to ask Rosaria what it was, the aloof and somewhat downtrodden nun had already resigned herself to be by her lonesome and disappeared from the cathedral.
Frozen Windwheel Aster still in her hands.
Now at the present with still no answers to the turmoil of emotions in her chest, Rosaria felt her legs were numbing and that her butt could probably need a break from sitting on their Lord Barisbato’s hands for an hour or so.
The sister decided to take a walk, since the stars weren’t answering her—not that she expected them to.
Maybe even later she can drop by Angel’s Share and drown out her confusing emotions with alcohol and maybe hear Kaeya out on whatever new intel he has. At least those things she was still sure to count on and not confuse her.
Gliding down, the cryo nun safely landed on the foot of their Archon’s statue, near the steps and the table where Aether made the Windblume offering for the year to their Archon. She paused when she spotted the Windwheel Aster’s the traveler presented, before glancing at her own frozen Windwheel Aster.
Rosaria thought that since she wasn’t able to give her Windblume to Aether, maybe she could at least offer it to their lord Bebebtus instead.
Whether or not their patron god would receive it, at least her own flower could support the traveler’s and not waste the beauty she found to preserved of the aster. Who knows, maybe their Anemo Archon would somehow miraculously send her flower to Aether to wherever he may be at the moment. One could hope, really.
And just as Rosaria placed her frozen aster beside the travelers, a passing breeze caused a bit of her nun habit to cover her view. When she pushes it back, the sister suddenly noticed there was a Wind lyre placed right in front of her.
Rosaria was immediately suspicious. Not knowing how she missed a sizable instrument, while glaring at it in question.
A few seconds pass with nothing happening, Rosaria warily picked up the instrument and experimentally strum the strings. When nothing happened, the sister decided to continue strumming the lyre, seeing if it will do anything else if she continues to play, while still holding a level of scrutiny on the instrument.
But after some minutes passed playing harmless tunes, Rosaria could safely say that it was just some ordinary lyre and nothing else to it. Playing a bit of music also helped the cryo nun’s mood, no matter how small of an improvement it was. She would admit at least the music helped take her mind off, of her confusing feelings.
Deciding that there was no harm in doing so, and that she was currently all alone by herself, Rosaria decided… to maybe add a little bit of vocals to her tunes.
It’s not like anyone would hear her this late at night, right?
Her current company were the decorated bouquets and flower arrangements around the plaza.
“Besides… what’s the worst that could happen.” Rosaria told herself, before she begins to strum the lyre once more.
Playing a few notes and letting the music guide her. She then felt the same swell of emotions that was plaguing the insides of her chest, but instead trying to ignore them, Rosaria decided for once to let her feelings out and voice what her heart was feeling the past few days.
Walking around the plaza as her image is reflected on the waters surrounding their Archon’s statue, Rosaria strums her lyre and sings with a sweet voice…
Rosaria (While walking under the night sky): “If there's a girl with love estrangement…
Rosaria (sees her reflection on the waters): “…..I guess I'm already called that.”
The sister briefly imagines Aether beside her reflection in the waters, feeling her heartbeat quicken as she recalls his warm smile.
Rosaria (Suddenly, clutching her chest): “And yet, my chest feels strange sensations…
Rosaria (before turning away from the pools of water) “…What is this misery?! My Heart, Is Racked!”
Rosaria then learns she wasn’t exactly alone as she thought she was in the plaza.
Favonius Sisters (Popping out of nowhere): “We know what you’re feeling~!!!”
Favonius Sisters (Victoria): “He’s your Wish and Windblume to ya!”
Favonius Sisters (Edna): “Emotions that are rising!”
Favonius Sisters (Gotelinde wraps an arm around Rosaria): Sister, let those feelings flow through!
Rosaria (Deadpanned): “Oh, no.”
The cryo-vision nun wished that this wasn’t happening but…
Favonius Sisters (Jilliana): "Girl, you can't deny it"
Favonius Sisters (Grace): "Love is what you feel—"
Favonius Sisters (In chorus all together): "And what you're Miiiissing of~!!"
Rosaria (Getting out of Gotelinde’s hold): "Oooooooooohhh Nooo~"
Rosaria attempts to leave, while tossing her lyre away. But Grace fortunately catches it and resumes playing, while she and the rest of the sisters pursue the cryo nun.
Rosaria (Clearly in denial): “It’s not… Can’t be…
I won’t say it, no, no”
The Favonius sisters don’t believe her and were really persistent in having Rosaria admit her feelings.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria playfully swoons): “The Wind~ it sighs~”
Favonius Sisters (Grace and Edna give a knowing look): “Can’t admit it? Oh, oh~”
Rosaria (Brushes off their looks): “Ain’t my, forte…”
Rosaria (And glares with finality): “I won't say, I’m in love…”
Rosaria marches off, while the other sisters share a look with one another. Each then bring out their own lyres and begin playing with Grace as they continue to pursue their aloof sister.
With how loud the music they were playing, and unable to leave the influence of what she started, Rosaria was compelled to resume singing. Especially when she finds herself staring at a painted portrait of Aether adorned with flowers. (courtesy of Albedo due to a requested by Mona.)
Rosaria (forlornly looks at the portrait): “I doubt my heart has learned this lesson…”
Rosaria (clutching her chest once more): “Trap and enclose in its cold shroud…”
More memories of Aether suddenly invade Rosaria’s mind. The times they laid down together at Windrise, sleeping peacefully within each other’s reach.
Rosaria (An aura of cryo begins to surround her): “But when he’s near me, My whole chest swirls…”
Rosaria (Releases the build-up energy to the sky): I feel him thawing my Cry-O heart out~!!!"
The Favonius Sisters catch up with Rosaria, wary of what she’ll do. But were surprised instead, as the cryo nun causes a mini snowfall within the plaza. And if one looked closely… the snowflakes were heart shaped.
While the cryo sister happily gaze at her work, walking away from Aether’s portrait, lost to her own emotions and the music accompanying it. The Favonius sisters were overjoyed at this development and continue to play, following Rosaria.
Praying silently that their music, which was probably blessed by Barbatos at the moment, would help their dear Cryo sister.
Rosaria (letting it go): “Ooohhh Ooohh!!”
Favonius Sisters (Victoria elbowing Grace): “Least she’s not denying~”
Favonius Sisters (Grace elbows back and swoons): “Who she loves and what she’s feeling~”
Favonius Sisters (Gotelinde awes at their wintery landscape): “Sister’s heart is Soaring~!”
Favonius Sisters (Jilliana and Edna exclaims): “Hon, its bursting through the ceiling~”
Rosaria (Hearing the sisters but not denying them): “Oooh, Yeeaaaaaah!!”
As Rosaria continues to sing her hearts content, the other Favonius sisters spot someone suddenly appearing at the waypoint of the Knights Favonius headquarters.
All of them grin and decide to lead Rosaria back to the foot of the statue.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria suddenly hooks on to Rosaria’s right arm): “Lady time to Step-up!”
Favonius Sisters (Grace suddenly hooks on to Rosaria’s left arm): “Don’t, wait till it’s time’s-up—"
Favonius Sisters (All together in a sing song manner, while leading Rosaria away): “Since you’ve got—got— got—it, Baaad~!!
At first Rosaria was confused to why the other sisters were suddenly pulling her back to Barbatos statue. Until she saw someone gliding towards its direction.
Recognizing who it was.
Rosaria (panickily escaping the grasp of the other sisters): “Oooooh! NO!”
Rosaria (shaking her head at the sisters): “No chance, no way…
…. I can't say it, no, no”
Edna and Jilliana, immediately catch Rosaria, and ushering her back into Victoria and Grace’s arms with Gotelinde, as they begin helping them push her to the statue.
Favonius Sisters (Offering moral support): “You can, Believe!”
Favonius Sisters (Pushing Rosaria with more force): “He’ll Receive, all your love!”
Rosaria (digging her heels on the ground): “Just go, away…
…I’m afraid of his love!”
They were almost to the statue, just a little bit closer. But damn, Rosaria’s heels were really digging the ground.
Favonius Sisters (Struggling to push Rosaria further): “Nothing, To Fear!
… It’s so Clear: Its pure love!”
Rosaria overpowers the other sisters, easily escaping their grasp and causing them to fall to the ground. Once more she attempts to march away, getting close the steps of the Cathedral, but Victoria suddenly clings to her foot, with the others joining in to pull her back.
Rosaria (irately trying to shake them off): “Don’t you have jobs! I won't say it…”
Rosaria (Trying hard not to kick Victoria): “I Won’t be mob! I won't say it…”
Rosaria would admit they were determined, but Victoria and the other sister’s weren’t planning to give up for her sake.
Favonius Sisters (Straining against Rosaria’s strength): “Ro—Sa—Ri—A…”
Favonius Sisters (They all stare intently at Rosaria): “…It's okay, to be loved~”
A sudden epiphany hits Rosaria, causing her to pause in her escape. The other sister’s words realizes one crucial thing in regard to her inner turmoil with her feelings. While said sisters yelp at the sudden loss of force.
Rosaria always pondered to herself, if a person like her who has dirtied her hands taking another’s life and shedding blood, was worthy of the forgiveness and redemption offered by the city of Mondstadt. And by extension, be loved by another—admit that she too was in love to another. Especially when that someone was as kind and amazing as Aether. Who always looked at her warmly, with no shame or doubt, despite her place in the shadows and her cold demeanor.
Rosaria looks back at the other Favonius sisters, who were getting up from the ground, but still see their encouraging looks. Knowing finally their words has reached their, normally aloof and intimidating but still one of their own, Favonius sister.
They then point her back to the statue, knowing who was waiting for her there. Parting to form a path for her, while they continue to play their lyres, but now in gentler tone.
Rosaria gives them a brief smile in return, and for once glad in their meddling, before making her way back to the statue by herself.
Rosaria (Softly to herself): “Oooohhh..~
Rosaria (Feeling confident): “At least right now…"
Rosaria (Her heart swooning): I can say, I'm in…
Looooovveee~”
Favonius Sisters (at the background): “Sho-dup, Sho-dup, Sho-dup, Sho-dup—
The Favonius sisters couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride for the sister. Some trying hard not to wipe tears falling down their faces, for Rosaria was finally pursuing a bit of happiness in her life.
That isn’t wine or truancy.
Favonius sisters (All hugging each other, feeling pride for Rosaria): —Sha-la-la-la la la, ahhh…~”
The melody fades away…
As Sister Rosaria turns around the corner to the foot of the statue of Barbatos and finds to her surprise, Aether… holding her frozen Windwheel Aster.
His appearance under the moonlight made him look ethereal and otherworldly. His golden locks and equally golden eyes, shining brighter in the night. Rosaria felt her cheeks flush from the traveler, while he held her Windblume. Seeing how the flower’s faint glow somehow complimented Aether’s entirety and making him look far more attractive than usual.
Not the cryo nun would admit the latter thought out loud.
Rosaria also wasn’t surprised that Aether found her Windblume, since she just left it out there for all to see, as part of their Windblume star’s offering to the Anemo Archon. But the pounding in her chest grew even stronger when she saw Aether admiring her supposed gift to him. With a fond look in his eyes and handling it with such care, as if fearing it would shatter from the lightest touch.
Rosaria should have felt bashful, but instead felt even more confident in confronting the traveler with her own feelings, seeing that he obviously liked her Windblume for him.
“Like my Windblume?” She called out coyly at Aether.
“Eep!” Catching him off guard and turning his attention towards her. Rosaria also didn’t miss how the traveler held something on his other hand but was quickly hidden behind his back.
“Rosaria!” Instantly, Aether’s brief look of surprised turned to elation upon seeing the Cryo nun. Which did wonders to Rosaria’s rapidly beating heart.
“I was hoping to see you tonight and was going to ask if you were free …” Aether said, looking a bit bashful. Which earned a raise brow from the cryo nun. Curious that the traveler was planning to meet with her tonight, while relieve that he was still in Mondstadt.
“Oh what for? Do you have a job for me?” Rosaria asked, playing safe, but Aether quickly shakes his head in reply.
“No. Nothing of the sort… But I was going to ask if you wanted to hangout and have a night off today. I was just about to head to the cathedral to ask around where you were but—” Aether eyed the Frozen Windwheel Aster still in his other hand. “Then I saw this guy and got a little curious.”
“Curious?” Rosaria repeated his words, with Aether nodding his head.
“You said it was your Windblume, right? I saw it with the Windwheel Aster’s I placed during the Windblume offering ceremony for Ve—Barbatos.”
Aether then teased. “I never thought you would offer something to your local Archon. Much less a Windblume—Unless Barbara and the other sister’s asked you to—knowing of your religious beliefs.”
“You mean my lack of beliefs.” Rosaria couldn’t help an amused snort that escaped her before replying. “Although, I did offer my Windblume to our dear Anemo Archon because it would have been a waste since my initial target looked to be gone from Mondstadt.. at first.” Rosaria says, earning a confuse look from Aether.
“At first? What do you mean?” He asked oblivious. “Who were you going to give your Windblume to? I can help if you want.”
Sister Rosaria was touched by Aether’s offer, even though she didn’t need help anymore. Instead, she moved closer to her dear target, and cups the hand holding her frozen aster with her own, before answering.
“No need to help me go looking for him, seeing that my target is already holding it.” Rosaria spoke with a slight alluring tone.
It took the traveler a few seconds to register what she meant, before he blushes a unique shade of red and stammering a reply. “Oh… ah, T-thank you…Rosaria…”
The nun spied how Aether was trying to avert his eyes from looking at her, clearly embarrass and failing. While she smiles and feels some sort of amusement from catching the honorary knight off guard. The sister was having a bit of fun, watching the usually reserved Traveler squirm a bit under her gaze, acting bashful.
If Aether only knew how much he made her feel the same way in the past few days.
“It’s beautiful.” Aether adds, before giving smile back at Rosaria, which she returns.
“Mind telling me what you got there behind your back.” The sister asked, her turn to question the traveler and taking step back to give him space. While Aether remembers he had something for Rosaria as well; before he magically keeps her Windblume for safe keeping.
“Ah, right!” Aether exclaimed before gingerly pulling the item he was hiding behind his back and revealing it to Rosaria.
To her surprise, the item turned out to be a stunningly classic old vintage bottle of Dandelion Wine, no doubt its contents fermented for an untold period of time, highly expensive and even coveted by experienced wine connoisseurs and the like. With even the official seal of the Dawn Winery printed on the bottle’s label, proving’s it legitimacy and not a counterfeit or bootleg product some brewers would make for a mora grabbing scheme.
“Aether… how did you..?” Rosaria was at lost of words, astonished that the traveler was holding such a prize bottle of wine, which she could guess came the Diluc himself, the esteemed owner of Dawn Winery. But how Aether got the bottle in first place, gave rise to a lot of questions, knowing that many taverns in the Mondstadt refused to sell alcohol to the traveler due to appearing younger than the legal age accepted.
Aether could tell what Rosaria was thinking, based on her reaction, and proceeded to explain. “I know what you're thinking… How did I get this prize dandelion wine that not even master Diluc would share outside his own home or in Angel Share?”
“Oh my Archons… is that from his family’s reserves?!”
Aether chuckled lightly from Rosaria’s awed inquiry. Nodding his head in reply, saying that she was correct. “Uh, huh. Long story short, I did a lot of favors and spent technically the whole day in Dawn Winery working with Master Diluc so I can ask for a bottle… Even then, I had Venti help convince him to give me one, but it was worth it!”
“What for?” Rosaria asked, before Aether made to offer the whole bottle to her, much to her shock.
“Well… its for us to share.” Aether said, a bit bashfully before manifesting two wine glasses in his other hand from his magical inventory. “It’s why I was planning if we could have a night off together, you know… Since it’s the Windblume Festival, and we haven’t—I haven’t gotten to spend some time with you, yet…”
Aether blushed once more from his last remark, while Rosaria was trying hard to control her heart’s rapid heartbeats from hearing his words. How he wanted to spend time with her, planned it too and was about to ask her.
“With…me?” She asked.
“Yup!” Aether then teases. “You once told me this year’s Dandelion was sinfully good, and I remembered you also promised we’d go drinking together. So I figured, since it’s the Windblume festival and no tavern in Mondstadt going to sell any Alcohol to me, why not just get a bottle for ourselves and drink to hearts contents, wherever we can!” Aether adds glancing at the side. “Probably the places were some people won’t see me and accuse me of underage drinking. Despite not being underage in the first place to begin with…”
Rosaria gave a low chuckle. Amused, knowing the gripes and prejudice Aether had to face due to his young appearance, the reason to his inability to buy liquor. Then again, not many would believe someone was older than any Archon alive or maybe even Teyvat itself, if they suddenly bring it up just to drink. It would sound too much as a poor excuse.
“People will talk you know. If they see us, and I don’t how they would react finding their Honorary knight, consorting with individuals like myself. Especially when they’re both trying to get themselves hammered this late at night.” Rosaria asked, her doubts was still there, but still itching to know why Aether still wanted them to stay close and connected.
“I think it’d be fun really, since I’m doing it with you and the chance seeing you get drunk for once.” Aether joked, before this time approaching Rosaria, storing away the dandelion wine and their glasses back to his personal inventory and went to hold her hands. Rubbing to them and locking his gaze with hers. “And it’s not like I care about my reputation in the first place, no matter how grand they are or how fast I’ll lose it later down the road. I mean I’ve been called a criminal as much I’ve been told I’m a hero.” He explained.
While Rosaria wasn’t sure if he sensed the unease in her heart, the hesitancy of wanting to stay close with him and taking the next step. But his next words settled those matters to rest, while feeling his hands give her own a comforting squeezing.
“What matter’s to me the most, are the people I care about and hold dear in my heart. Them being my sister, Paimon, and the friends I made and come to love in this journey through Teyvat.” Aether spoke honestly with the same warm smile Rosaria knows of. “That includes you… Even when you threatened to arrest me and Paimon that time in Dragonspine; I don’t regret meeting you or the times we’ve spent together.”
Unable to say any words, feeling the emotions within her chest burst forth, Rosaria decided to let her actions speak instead. Letting go of Aether’s hands to cup his face and pulling him into a kiss. Feeling his warm lips against hers, the heat matching the sensations in her chest, with her entire body feeling the sudden spur.
Aether only took a few seconds before he started kissing Rosaria back, deepening it. Wrapping his arms around the attractive cryo user, pulling her closer and feeling her body against his. They part briefly, intaking air before their lips meet once more. With Aether probing his tongue against Rosaria’s mouth, seeking entrance which the nun eagerly allows, her own tongue meeting his as their heated exchange continues.
Rosaria runs a hand through Aether’s hair, her sliver claw rings lightly grazing his scalp and sending shivers down the traveler’s spine. Aether responds by slipping one hand pass her dress and cup her fishnet clad ass, giving it a firm squeeze and eliciting a muffled moan from the sister.
Things escalate, when Rosaria suddenly wraps her legs around Aether, who carries her over to the offering table intending to take her there. Both lost in the intense feelings and wanton spur of lust they found themselves in.
“What did you think is happening there?” Sister Edna asked, curious and unaware of the slight debauchery being done at the steps of their beloved statue.
“Who knows? Whatever it is, Rosaria hasn’t come back in tears or an explosion of cryo energy leaving the traveler frozen in ice.” Sister Grace answered.
“Whatever they are doing, its best to leave them be.” Sister Victoria said, before ushering the sisters to return to the Cathedral. “Give them some privacy, they deserve it.”
“Besides, at least we have two sisters to tease later… whenever we talk about the traveler.” Sister Jilliana giggled, which was shared by the other sisters before they entered the Cathedral doors.
Leaving Rosaria and Aether by their lonesome.
“Rosaria~!”
“A-Aether—Ah~!”
Fortunately before they started getting louder.
Omake
(Broken Hearts Over Cold Drinks)
It was late at night and the tavern, Angel’s Share, was near its closing hours.
Master Diluc was hard at work wiping the few glasses to store back into the shelves. Being the assigned barkeep for the night, and also dealing with the last customer of the day.
That customer being his estrange brother Kaeya, the famed cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius and known cryo-vision user.
Who was also currently in a deep state of inebriety. Nursing an empty bottle that once contained dandelion wine on one hand, while his other arm is presently acting as a cushion for his laid down face.
If Jean saw the man in his current state, she would have scolded him in taking a better care of himself or attempt to help the man’s woes that caused him to appear in a such disgraceful manner. For a knight that is.
Diluc would agree with her, and maybe throw in a mocking line or two about knights being incompetent and have lowered their standard in etiquette. But alas, for once the Ragnvindr heir held a bit of sympathy and understanding for Kaeya’s current state.
Especially after he witnessed his brother enter Angel Share with a few choice words and began ordering ‘death after noon’ by a dozen, then Dandelion Wine after they ran out of ingredients for the mix.
Right after Diluc heard from the everyday gossip present in the tavern regarding a certain aloof Nun of the church, looking for a famed traveler and holding a beautiful looking Windwheel Aster.
Diluc easily connected the dots, and guessed it went well for sister Rosaria, while unfortunately for Kaeya. Which is why he allowed the latter to drink to his heart’s content and dutifully watch over him, out of the small part of kindness he still held for his brother.
Who was now in the same boat as a number of individuals were, Diluc himself included, facing the harsh realities of missed opportunities and thinking of “what could have been scenarios” from the events of this year’s Windblume festival.
‘At least Jean looks happy’ The Ragnvindr heir thought briefly, before looking at his still inebriate brother, and sighs with a bit of pity. It was a miracle that Kaaya didn’t die from intoxication from the amount of alcohol he’d intake. Though he can’t say the same for his pockets, with the amount of mora he spent.
Diluc could say he made a profit, maybe the biggest he’s ever had that surpassed all previous Windblume Festival profit margins, from the number of customers alone who came to Angel Share with the same intentions as Kaeya.
…But at what cost?
Was the mora made from the misery of so many individuals who splurge their mora to drown out their heartbreaks, downtrodden feelings, and some envy for a certain traveler, worth it?
Maybe not… from a more sympathetic point of view. But business is business.
And Diluc held a new sense of fear and respect for Aether, to incite such a number of depressed individuals in a span of the entire festival period. He could still recall the number of adventurers, knights, and including Barbara’s self-proclaimed fan club, entering Angel's share in droves to drink together in shared pain.
Diluc even once spot Benett, Razor, Albedo, and Eula sharing a table together.
Though he doubts he’ll see the sight of them sharing another table again in the near future. At least minus one member, who hasn’t met the traveler yet in person, and depending on if the same expected outcome will be made once Eula meets Aether.
“Hey…Diluc…”
Kaeya called out to his red-haired brother, interrupting Diluc’s thoughts and turning the pyro-vision user’s attention towards him.
Diluc was surprised seeing Kaeya sitting upright or speak for the matter, still with an air of drunkenness, but a wistful expression accompanying him. His brother was unresponsive for the last hour, but maybe some soberness has returned to him, and he’ll be able to drag himself back home without need of any of his assistance.
Unfortunately, he spoke too soon.
Kaeya (Drunkenly): “I can—*hic—see what’s happening…”
Diluc (surprised at the sudden singing): “What?”
Kaeya (wags a finger at Diluc): “And—*hic—they don’t’ have a clue!”
Diluc (His patience being tested): “Who—What are you prattling about?!”
Kaeya (Tears begin to fall from both eyes and through his eyepatch): “They fall in love and here’s the bottom line…”
Diluc (sighs a bit in exasperation): “Kaeya, stop—"
Kaeya (Pushes two fingers in front of Diluc’s face): “Our Trio’s down to TWO!”
Diluc: …
Kaeya: …
“Okay, I think you’d had enough.”
Diluc moved around the bar and began to manhandle his brother, who was too drunk to fight back effectively, and was now being dragged out of Angel’s Share.
Kaeya screamed in protest, while in futile effort, tried to claim another bottle of wine. “Wait Diluc, NOOooooOOOO! Don’t take the w-wine away from me! It’s the only thing I have left that the traveler hasn’t!”
“Ugh. Kaeya…”
Diluc didn’t have the heart to tell Kaeya that claim wasn’t going to stay true anytime soon. Since he was the one who gave Aether a bottle of Dandelion Wine, exclusive from his own family reserves, for him and Rosaria to share this night.
They might be partaking it right at this moment, Diluc thought whilst he continues to escort Kaeya back to the knight’s headquarters, who was thankfully not resisting anymore.
Meanwhile, way up in the sky above the city of Mondstadt. Was Venti, clad in his divine form. His appearance due to a sudden influx of prayers and belief towards him during this Windblume Festival season.
He just came from a drinking session from Cat’s Tail, during the rare occasion when all their cats were absent and was completely wasted. While singing haphazardly in the dead of the night.
Venti (Singing at the top of his lungs): “CAAAAAAAAAAAAN….
YOU FEEL….
THE LOVE….
…. TONIGHT!!!”
Oh, YEAH!!
He then spots Aether and Rosaria, at the base of his statue at the main plaza.
Venti shouts in delight.
“Holy shit! Yeah Aether! Make all the love *Hic with Rosaria tonight!”
Venti gave himself a mental pat to the back for being the best Wingman for his dear friend. And All he had to was magically send a lyre to Rosaria.
“Nail that hot nun as—BLEUGH!!”
He then promptly vomited on a couple of pigeons flying under him.
Notes:
And that’s chapter and omake. Thanks for reading it till the end!
I may be one of the few people who ship AetherxRosaria, and if you guys ship them too, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and the song the number, with the lyrics I made parodying “I won’t say (I’m in love)”
Next chapter we’ll go back with Lumine, and she’ll be talking with a certain Yuheng regarding a certain dead (but-not-so-dead) Archon. Also I think I like a musically inclined Zhongli. (It’s probably because I like his Eng.VA.)
See you in the next chapter!
Chapter 5: 12 Days of Teyvat Christmas (Ft. The Traveler & Companions)
Summary:
It was the Holiday.
The Traveler and friends decide to come together and enjoy the merry festivities.
Notes:
Hi! Surprise Christmas Update!
I couldn't resist, after I listened to Reliant-K's cover of the 12 days of Christmas, hence it being this chapter's song parody.
Hope you guys like it and happy holidays/New years!
Here is the chapter enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It was the Holidays.
The traveler's personal realm inside their Serenitea Pot was chock full of decorations and going all out for the festivities. Their many companions also present, accompanied with a few guests, invited by the traveler to spend the merry season with them.
The realm's layout, landscape, and the mansion within were not spared to be adorned by the many decorations of colorful balls, golden strings, wreaths, and garlands. Multiple fir trees were also decorated and acting as traditional Christmas trees. Plus, with the power of electro, the traveler was able to hang lights crafted by their own hand, wrapping them around the mansion and illuminating their surroundings.
At the present, the traveler and their companions also had an outdoor setup, with tables and chairs propped up, and their arrangement centered to face a stage, were planned Musical Performances would be held.
A few were already seated to spectate, but many stood to dance with the music already being performed.
Especially when the current performers on stage was the traveler and their friends. While those with instruments, were playing the beat and overall music. Like Xinyan rocking her guitar, Venti who was playing his lyre but still keeping in tune with the Liyue Rockstar, Kazuha who was surprisingly playing a bass, and Chongyun, even more shocking to some, was handling the drums.
They were playing a Christmas classic with a Teyvat twist.
As the Traveler and their sibling start, bopping their head to the beat, with Paimon floating close beside them.
Lumine (Singing through her mike): "On the 1 st day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Aether (Yelling excitedly): "A Paimon Emergency Food~!"
"Hey!" Paimon yells indignantly.
Barbara (Dazzles onto the stage): "On the 2 nd day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Amber (Bounces happily onto the stage): "2 Outlanders~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
"Hey! Paimon isn't Emergency FOOD!" Paimon yells again yet was ignored.
Venti (Takes the center stage.): "On the 3 rd day of Christmas What Teyvat gave to me~!"
Zhongli & Ei (Suddenly appear, joining in): "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Outlanders~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
Some of the guest gasp, either in shock or confusion. As the next set of singers appear, with a cardboard cutout.
Yunjin (Gracefully takes the lead.): "On the 4 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (Posing with a Ms. Hina cutout): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei : "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
Itto shrieks in joy. "MS. HINA, ITS ME! YOUR NUMBER ONI-ONE FAN!"
Gorou looks skeptical. "Why does she look familiar?"
Yae Miko discreetly laughs in amusement.
Jean (Bashfully leads the next verse): "On the 5 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Keqing & Mona (Singing Angelically): "5… Golden Pulls….~!"
Aether gasps. "I got a fortuna for master Diluc!"
"And I got one for Qiqi." Lumine says in reply.
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
Xinyan: "What's a Paimon? Is she a pastry?"
Chongyun: "Well I don't know, but she sounds tasty!"
Kazuha: "But I can bet she's an emergency treat to get!"
"Hey! Stop being mean to Paimon!" The little fairy shakes her hands in anger. But was ignored once again.
Klee (Takes the stage with her friends): "On the 6 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "6 Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing & Mona: "5… Golden Pulls….~!"
"Yeah! I got one for Master Jean!" Aether shouts with glee.
"And I got another for Qiqi!" Lumine says with a smile.
Barbara, Yunjin, & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
From his seat, Diluc seethes upon seeing the next set of singers.
Childe (A.K.A. Tartaglia takes the stage with company): "On the 7 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Scaramouche & La Signora: "7 Gnosis seeking~!"
Klee, Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "6 Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing & Mona: "5… Golden Pulls…~!"
"Oh my gosh! Keqing, I got a fortuna for you!" Aether shouts, much to the Yuheng's bashful and blushing reaction.
Lumine's lips thin. "Good for you brother… And I got Qiqi. Again."
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
"At least call Paimon a mascot! Its better than being addressed as emergency food!" Paimon rants, which was left unheard.
Bennet (And adventure team takes the lead):"On the 8 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Fischl & Oz: "8 Seelies Guiding~!"
Childe, Scaramouche & La Signora: "7 Gnosis seeking~!"
Klee, Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "6 Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing & Mona: "5….~ Golden Pulls….~!"
"Mona! Fortuna! Did you fore see this?!" Aether once more shouts in glee.
"Oh look! Another Qiqi…" Lumine's smile disappears.
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
"How did the Abyss get in here?!" Paimon shrieks in panic, as with the other audiences, when the next set of singers enter the stage.
Abyss Herald (accompanied with the Lector & Invoker): "On the 9 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Abyss Lector & Invoker: "9 Mages Dancing~!"
Bennett, Fischl & Oz: "8 Seelies Guiding~!"
Childe, Scaramouche & La Signora: "7 Gnosis seeking~!"
Klee, Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "6 Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing & Mona (Suddenly vocalizing calm noises): "OOooooH EEEEOOOOO AaaahhhHH~!"
Aether looks at his siter in concern. "Ah... Lumine, are you okay—"
"I'm FINE!" Lumine cuts him off, slightly agitated. "Just got another Qiqi… While you got a Skyward harp…"
"Okay…"
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Travelers~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
Xinyan: "What's a Paimon? She a pastry?"
Chongyun: "Well I don't know, but she sounds tasty!"
Kazuha: "But I can bet she's an emergency treat to get!"
"You're all going to Paimon's naughty list!" Paimon swears.
While Kazuha makes a face, as he spots Beidou going up the stage, with a rowdy bunch of the crux crew.
Beidou (Merrily singing with her crew, under the influence of alcohol): "On the 10 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
The Crux crew: "10 Drunks a drinking~!"
Abyss Herald, Lector & Invoker: "9 Mages Dancing~!"
Bennett, Fischl & Oz: "8 Seelies Guiding~!"
Childe & La Signora (Scaramouche discreetly leaves): "7 Gnosis seeking~!"
Klee, Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "6 Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing & Mona: "Mooore….~ Priiimo-GeemS….~!"
.
"Please! Not another Qiqi!" Lumine cries out in dismay. "The song isn't over and I've already C6 her!"
Aether wisely remained quiet.
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4—*clap, clap clap~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke—*Pop"
Amber: "2—Stars."
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
Ningguang enters the stage, leading a quasi Liyue-Favonius choir. Who suddenly took over the song with Venti performing a classical tune.
Ningguang: "On the 11 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
Liyue-Favonius Choir (In Chorus):
"11 Markets Trending~!"
"10 Drunks a drinking~!"
"9 Mages Dancing~!"
"8 Seelies Guiding~!"
"7 Gnosis seeking~!"
"6 Slimes a popping~!"
"FIIIIIVVVEEEE~ GOLDEN PULLS~!"
Aether pats Lumine on the back. "At least you got Xiao's weapon, right?"
"No… it's still Qiqi." Lumine replies, knees brought up to her face, downtrodden.
While the Punk music returns.
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "4 Cute Idols~!"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "3 Broke gods~!"
Amber: "2 Lifelong friends~!"
Aether & Lumine: "And a Paimon Emergency Food~!"
The music intensifies. With the crowd joining in the last bit with everyone screaming along the song.
Xinyan (Shouting to the crowd): "On the 12 th day of Christmas what Teyvat gave to me~!"
The Crowd (Counting down): "12—"
Kazuha & Chongyun: "Gliders Gliding~!"
The Crowd: "11—"
Ningguang: "Markets Trending~!"
The Crowd: "10—"
Beidou & Crew: "Drunks a drinking~!"
The Crowd: "9—"
Abyss Herald, Lector & Invoker: "Mages Dancing~!"
The Crowd: "8—"
Bennett, Fischl & Oz: "Seelies Guiding~!"
The Crowd: "7—"
Childe (with a pile of ash beside him): "Gnosis seeking~!"
The Crowd: "6—"
Klee, Diona, Qiqi & Sayu: "Slimes a popping~!"
Jean, Keqing, Mona & Lumine (With the Crowd): "FIIIIIIVVVVVEEEE GOOOLDEN PULLLSSSS! !"
"**** THE WISH SYSTEM!"Lumine yells at the top of her lungs.
"YEAH! **** IT!" Aether joins in rallying the crowd.
The Crowd: "4—"
Barbara, Yunjin & Kokomi (With Ms. Hina): "Cute Idols~!"
The Crowd: "3—"
Venti, Zhongli & Ei: "Broke gods~!"
The Crowd: "2—"
Amber: "Lifelong friends~!"
Aether & Lumine (With Everyone):
"AND A PAIMON…
BEST TRAVEL…
GUIDE…..!"
The song fades to silence. With everyone coming down from their high and basically began to leave the stage and meet the others in the crowd and celebrate their performance.
While Paimon sniffles and wipes a bit of joyful tears, staying beside Aether and Lumine.
"Awww… you change the last part…do you guys mean it?" She asks Aether and Lumine. "Am I really the best travel guide?"
The two travelers give her smile, and both hug the young pixie with everyone watching the interaction.
"Of course, you are!" Lumine said within the hug.
"Which is why we prepared something special Christmas gift for you too!" Aether adds. Exciting Paimon.
"YOU did! Gimme, gimme! Paimon wants to know!" The little fairy demands a bit impatiently, earning a chuckle from Aether and Lumine.
The twin celestial travelers smile at Paimon, before they then gesture behind them back to the stage and reveal set of curtains hiding something. The curtains part ways and Paimon's eyes go wide at what was revealed.
It was the mother—No, the lord—No, no. no. The Archon of all Sticky Honey Roast!
It was bigger than Azhdaha, looked juicier than any Sunsettia, and… oh… that sweet fragrant smell was too much and too impossible for Paimon to describe. She was already drooling at the idea of tasting such a succulent massive piece of roasted meat glazed with honey.
"Oh… please don't tell Paimon she's dreaming…" Paimon said in a daze as she slowly floated to her prize.
The twins spoke.
"Okay."
"We won't say your dreaming."
"What?"
Paimon woke up with wide bloodshot eyes. Confusion hovering over her tiny mind. Before taking her scenery and found herself inside a familiar room, with familiar walls, and a bed she currently laid in, with a small blanket covering her form.
She realizes quickly that she was inside the traveler's Serenitea Pot.
Before another realization hits her hard.
.
.
.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Outside Lumine was startled upon hearing Paimon's sounds of despair and wondered with a bit of worry what got the little fairy spooked.
At the present moment, she was setting up their outdoor space in front of their mansion with the help of some of her companions who volunteered to aide her like Noelle, Thoma and surprisingly Hutao, who gave their decorating her unique style. They were others like Master Diluc, Kaeya, and Kazuha, who were currently setting up the dining tables and buffet area before all of them heard Paimon's scream as well.
"Should we see to Paimon, if she's alright?" Lumine heard someone asked, and saw it was Noelle sporting a concerned expression, ever faithful as the diligent and caring maid.
The traveler thought for a moment, before shrugging her shoulders and thinking nothing much of it.
"Nah. Paimon's probably dreaming about sticky Honey Roast again." Lumine said, earning a raise eyebrow from Noelle, curious.
"I've been abstaining her from eating the dish, since my Christmas gift for her is a really large Roast I've prepared beforehand. The absence will help in making the dish even more delicious."
"Oh!"
It didn't stop Paimon's wailing though.
Notes:
Author's notes:
And that's the chapter!
I hope you guys enjoyed it and thanks for reading.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year again.
See you in the next chapter!
Chapter 6: 'You're Welcome' (Ft. Rex Lapis)
Summary:
Paimon has a question. Keqing gives an answer. Lumine shouldn't be surprised at what they got...
Notes:
Hi, are you guys ready for another chapter of Breakout Into Song!
I know I am.
I'm also excited for the new ver. 2.6 update for Genshin, but I am conflicted whether I should save my primogems or use them to pull. It's really a choice between wanting Ayaka or Yelan. Since I'll be farming artifacts and ascension materials for them. Better to make my choice now and prepare and plan head.
With that said, on to the show.
Song Parodied is "Your Welcome" From Disney's Moana. Which was fun to write and tricky too.
Again you can listen to the instrumental for the immersion. You can even try to sing along if you want too!
Here is the chapter enjoy! Plus a short omake preview for the next chapter.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Keqing, Paimon is meaning to ask this, but…"
The Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing raised an eyebrow at the traveler's floating companion across from her on the table. She paused in taking another golden shrimp ball to her mouth, before addressing little pixie properly, seeing the curious expression Paimon held. Which was also shared by the traveler, Lumine, who was sitting on her right.
"What is it Paimon? If it's a question you have for me, then I can answer it with the best of my abilities. Though it also depends on the question itself, whether its business related or personal. I can't answer if it's something I can't share due to contract or I'm not comfortable with. I'll refuse if that's the case."
"Well, that's Keqing. Concise and straight to the point." Paimon giggled from the manner Keqing responded, before asking. "Paimon's just curious when you developed your ugh… distaste? Or unique point of view regarding the gods and Adepti?"
"Oh." Keqing was surprised at the inquiry, but not unexpected. If anything, she wondered when either Paimon or the traveler, who also shared the same curiosity as her companion, would ask regarding this topic. She knew herself of being a skeptic, her opinions regarding the gods and Adepti are in contrast to most of Liyue's populace, while being an advocate for the progression of the age of man and Liyue's independence from the divine.
But she also knows she's been garnering more respect for Rex Lapis and his works, the heavy duty and responsibilities that fell into the Qixing's hands once he passed away, after being humbled by the sheer weight of it all.
So it's understandable that Paimon and Lumine were to ask when she began her skepticism mindset, just as her current ideology is shifting to something more balance and less antagonistic to the gods and Adepti, than what her previous self's once held. And fortunately, it was fitting that their current location at the present is where it all began.
The place being the Wangshu Inn.
They decided having lunch together here, under Lumine's request for them to hang out and spend time together before her journey to Inazuma. Just as the traveler finished a commission in the area, and Keqing was coincidentally finishing her business with the Boss lady of the Wangshu Inn.
"Well, if the two of you don't mind hearing my story regarding it." Keqing starts, just as Paimon and Lumine leaned closer to attention. "Okay seeing that the two of you do…"
Keqing gave a wayward stare as she begins to reminisces the past.
"It was some years ago when my grandfather was still alive, and like today, I accompanied him on a business outing to here, the Wangshu Inn…"
Several years ago…
10-year-old Keqing stood beside her grandfather, holding her elder's hand, while he greets the boss of the inn and begins to chat amicably about their current affairs, at times catching up with the latest news related to Liyue.
Keqing's grandfather was here for official business under the Liyue's Qixing, while Keqing tag along so that she may spend time with her grandfather and maybe learn a thing or two from her experienced grandfather regarding Liyue's policies and business strategies, even despite her age.
Always the efficient and opportunistic girl, young Keqing was.
But also still on the bench of her opinions regarding the gods and Adepti. The topic regarding the divine was never her interest or a habit of putting her attention to when she was toddler, despite the many stories her family told her of their great and almighty Archon Rex Lapis.
Keqing, unknowingly, started to garner a mild interest when her grandfather told her he would be hosting the next rite of descension the following year. While also giving a speech, as tradition expected, to all of Liyue and to their geo lord when he descends to give his divine reading. With the speech given most of the time, either composed of words of wisdom or praises to their god, and an important part of the rite, which was also a great honor to the speaker to do so.
Hence, it was why Keqing knew her grandfather was already preparing his speech, even if the Rite of Descension was still months away, but less than half a year before the event arrives.
Part of the reason why Keqing and her grandfather were in Wangshu Inn was for the latter to gather inspiration for what he's speech was going to be. Mainly revolving around the gods and Adepti, with the Inn itself rumored to house the last surviving Yaksha still fulfilling his duties.
"Keqing dear, grandpa's going to need to follow the Boss for a bit." Keqing's grandfather suddenly spoke, looking down at the 10-year-old beside him. "Is it okay if I'll meet you at the balcony later? I won't be gone for long and I've already asked the staff to set up a table for us for our lunch. You can decide what you want to order too, anything you want. Then we can ask for it once I meet up with you later."
"Okay, Yeye." Keqing may have answered a bit enthusitically, upon her grandfather mentioning she can order anything she wants.
(*Yeye = Grandpa; in Chinese)
The little lady already knew what she wanted to order, basically all the golden shrimp balls she can eat. While her grandfather makes a low chuckle, knowing what his granddaughter was thinking.
The elder gave Keqing a pat on the head, before the future Yuheng made her way to the balcony. Her grandfather wasn't worried for her safety or letting her go by herself since Wangshu Inn was relatively safe, and he had faith that the guardian Yaksha was dutifully watching over them for any sight of trouble.
This left Keqing by herself with her own personal thoughts. Her mind freely threading between thinking of golden shrimp balls and her grandfather's speech—or rather his fixation to the divine. Then slowly fixing her attention to the latter and started to wonder what kind of speech her grandfather would make.
Would he be giving praise to Rex Lapis like most of his believers and acolytes? Give a rising speech to Liyue and maybe say something about aiming for a better tomorrow?
Keqing then a had a sudden thought. Should she be given the same opportunity as her grandfather, what would she say to Rex Lapis, the Adepti, and all of Liyue?
She knew there was some proper etiquette and practices to be done whenever one is to have an audience and converse with divine beings like the Adepti. Rules to follow, and manners to uphold in the face of the immortal and illuminated beast. But Keqing didn't know what they were to begin with and promised herself to read up more about them when the opportunity arises.
Though, at the present, she was left stump of what words she could say to the gods or the Adepti in her hypothetical scenario.
Normally 10-year-olds, or kids of Keqing's age, wouldn't bother themselves to think too seriously of thought-provoking topics or questions like 'What would you say to a god if you met one?'. Or others that were mostly born from sporadic curiosity and boredom as expected of kids their age.
But Keqing was different, her mindset more serious and goal oriented driven than most kids of her generation. Her upbringing and her desire to follow her grandfather's footsteps in progressing Liyue for the better, were big influences on her character.
As such, little Keqing had a serious expression, with pouting lips and furrowed eyebrows, as she sat in the table reserved for her and her grandfather. Thoughts about golden shrimp balls put aside for now, and more on making her own Rite of Descension speech, plus the hypothetical contents it would contain.
"This is hard…" Keqing made a low whine. "What can you say to the gods, without offending them or saying the wrong thing? Is there even a right way to address them?"
"Well… Before you can think of the words you want to say to them..." A stranger's voice spoke. "You'd have to know what your intentions are, or the thoughts and feelings I assume, you'd want to convey to them first. As it is normally done in conversations generally."
"I guess…" Keqing said in reply, to the sudden random voice that came out of nowhere. Until realizing she wasn't alone.
Keqing turned to look at the source and found a man with a heavenly divine aura present before her. Clad in elegant robes, hands and arms coated in geo, energy pulsing in his veins.
Keqing knew who this man—no, god was. She immediately made to move from her seat and bow, as her family thought her to do so. Showing her respect for the gods, or rather in this case, finding herself in the presence of their Archon, Rex Lapis.
But the lord of Geo was quick to stop Keqing before she began to genuflect. "Calm yourself child. No need to bow."
"But… you're… Lord Rex…" Keqing stuttered. Chastising herself for doing so, but she was still a child in the face of their Archon. As emphasize by her shorter frame compared to the tall man, she felt small.
But Rex Lapis's tone was gentle. His deep baritone voice attempting to be soothing for the child before him. "It's okay. No need for the formalities, you can address me as simply as Rex or Rex Lapis, whichever is comfortable for you." He even adds a compliment from seeing how respectful Keqing was. "I could tell you are a well-mannered child. Not many would have possess the same level of decorum as you are in your age."
"Oh… Thank you. Lord Rex." Keqing shyly, looks down. Having a hard time to look at the Geo Archon. Still in disbelief that he was here in Wangshu Inn.
Speaking of which, it did pave her curious mind to ask why he was here.
"Lord Rex…" Keqing mustered a bit of confidence, before addressing her nation's Archon properly. "Can I ask to why, you are here? And why you… grace…you're presence here…" she softly whispered the latter as her confidence left her.
Yet, Rex Lapis simply smiled at the inquiry and answered. "I was simply visiting an old friend…" Before raising an eyebrow. "And then my sight beset upon a child deep in thought, and I was curious to say the least."
"Oh…" Keqing didn't think she was thinking hard enough to garner the attention of Rex Lapis. Was she?
But before she could dwell on that thought, Rex Lapis spoke once more.
"Not to pry... But may I ask why you were fixated on the topic of how to properly converse with gods and divine beings? If my assessment was correct and that is what you were doing?"
Shoot.
Keqing wondered if Rex Lapis was also reading her mind too, or if she was absently speaking out loud if he heard her. Still it was better for her to be honest, and she'd be a fool to lie to a god. Much less to the god of contracts, who upholds the Wrath of the Rock. No matter how embarrass she felt at the moment.
"Well… it's because my Yeye is going to give a speech for the right of descension next year, and then I started to wonder, what I would say if I were in his place."
What a curious child. Rex thought as he continued to listen to Keqing, despite her clear discomfort yet steadily holding her ground even in his godly presence. Impressive for a child her age, but the Lord of Geo knew he should tone down his Aura, if he were to continue this peculiar conversation he found himself in.
"And then… well, he wanted it to about the gods and Adepti. Or… um you, Lord Rex."
"I see…"
"And then I thought if I were to give a speech, then how would it be? There's so much to say, and you and the Adepti did a lot for Liyue… I'm not sure I could find the right words…"
Keqing fiddled her fingers, having said everything she could. While Rex Lapis held a thinking expression and thought of the latter of what she said.
To the lord of Geo, it appeared Keqing was having a hard time looking for the right words to praise him and the rest of the Adepti, for all the work they've done for Liyue. Which was understandable and not at all too different to the line of thinking the majority of Liyue held, for him and his fellow illuminated beasts. So he came to a sudden, but not completely correct, conclusion.
"I think the word you're looking for is 'Thank you'."
"Thank you?" Keqing asked confused.
"Your Welcome." While Rex answered promptly.
"W-wha…?" A more bewildered gaze was on Keqing's face, replacing her previous look of shyness and trepidation, as she stared at her Archon.
"It's normal to give thanks to ones work and fulfilling one's duties. Even for the divine and god like myself." Rex Lapis spoke eloquently, yet to Keqing was starting to sound a bit… pompous, to her liking. She tried not think of it that way, and maybe her child mind was still too impressionable to understand the underlying meaning of his words.
But then, Rex Lapis's next words started to sound a bit condescending to her.
"But make no mistake little one, a simple 'thank you' is suffice for words, and in turn you wouldn't have to expect some grandeur response. But maybe simple replies of appreciation like 'You're welcome.' Easy as it is for mortals to utter."
Rex smiled, looking down at the child before him. Completely unaware of the conflicted thoughts Keqing was now holding within her.
"Or maybe something of the same line. It really depends on the person, or rather the Adepti, you are addressing."
He shrug at his last remark. Rex Lapis was aware of how some of his fellow Adepti would act, when given praise or well-earned thanks. Either shrugging them off coldly or even adding more praised to themselves, while belittling the mortals addressing them. Even when they don't mean to or are unaware that they are.
The irony.
Guizhong would be rolling in her grave, if she were to see the current interaction between of her rock-dense friend and a really impressionable purple haired child, who is unknowingly discovering new, and more negative, feelings towards her nation's Archon.
10-year-old Keqing tried to Argue. "With all due respect, Lord Rex, I don't think you understand—"
"It's pretty clear what your intentions are." Rex made a solemn nod, cutting Keqing off, and explains diligently as if it were a matter of fact. "I also understand, with all the deeds and toil I and the Adepti have done for all of Liyue, you would think that there's isn't enough words to describe your gratitude towards us. But in truth, a simple 'thank you' is enough as we are only fulfilling our duty. Mankind needed the guidance and protection of the Archon's, and so we did. There's nothing else important that really needs to be said."
Once more, Rex gives an earnest smile to Keqing. "So you're welcome." Missing how her left eye twitched.
Keqing was at loss of words, frozen by the unknown feelings her 10-year-old mind was trying to name. But to Rex Lapis, he thought that Keqing was still having a hard time speaking to him, due to his divine presence.
He decided the need to change his approach. Though, the Geo Archon never thought he would be taking a page from Barbatos's book.
With a snap of his fingers, a mystical green attired boy suddenly appeared in Keqing peripheral vision, surprising the young girl as she yelp.
"Hieee! Who's is that!"
She also noticed the boy was wearing black shades and appears to be holding a pair of Natlan theme Bongos, which confused her. Also for some unknown reason, Keqing felt that the boy looked more suited holding a jade spear, than some foreign instrument in his arms.
The Absurdity didn't stop there, the boy began playing the bongos in a rhythmic beat.
As Rex Lapis begins to bounce to the tune.
Keqing (Visibly confuse): "Lord Rex, what are you doing? —"
The Geo lord raised a hand to pause Keqing.
Rex Lapis: "It's okay…
I see what's happening here…~"
(Rex gestures to himself)
"You're face to face with Morax, and it's strange~
You don't even know how you feel—
Understandable…"
(Rex Lapis shrugs and smiles while patting Keqing's head)
"Well, It's nice to know that mortals never change~"
Keqing resisted the urge to remove god's hand from her head, until Rex Lapis suddenly pulled away.
Rex Lapis (Gesturing to his ears): "Now listen close, let's begin
Yes, it's really me, Rex Lapis—
(Rex gestures around them)
In this inn~"
(The Geo Archon then begins to a number of poses—)
"I know it's a lot…
…to take, and gawk…
(…Side flex, side chest, biceps pow…)
When you're staring at your Geo-god! ~"
Rex Lapis winks…much to Keqing's horror. While Xiao shakes his head at his lord's antics, still playing the bongos.
The Geo Archon begins to dance around the visibly confused girl, not letting up in the jovial beat.
Rex Lapis: "What can I say except, 'You're welcome'…
…For the land, the gold, the peace!"
(Rex boops Keqing's nose, much to her astonishment)
"Hey, it's okay, it's okay…
You're welcome!"
(He gestures to himself and manifests his draconic horns to be seen.)
"I'm just an ordinary Adept-guy!"
Suddenly, Keqing found her surroundings morphing into a Mosaic landscape, with Rex Lapis appearing beside her and directing her attention to animated portraits depicting different scenes.
Rex Lapis (Pointing to a portrait of him manipulating the land): "Hey!
Who wields Geo and expanded the land…
For all your real estate plans? —"
(Rex points two thumbs to himself)
This guy!"
Rex Lapis then summons a portrait depicting a group of people huddled together around a campfire at night. With a buff bear in the painting, appearing to offer food and fire, with Rex Lapis.
Rex Lapis (Acting like he was shivering): "When the nights got cold…
Who called the god of fire and stoves?
(Rex snaps his fingers, and points to him shaking hands with the buff bear.)
He's a friend of mine, you know!"
A large portrait suddenly slams down behind Rex Lapis and Keqing, startling the latter. Before they turn around and see it was a painting of Rex Lapis in his Adepti form fighting a giant water Hydra.
Rex Lapis (While the painting moves, animating the battle): "Oh! Also I fought off Osial…
—You're welcome!
(Osial roars in pain, before being entomb under rock…)
…And sealed him in the Guyun isles~"
The painting shifts to large waves subsiding into calm laps, with the painted Rex lapis returning to his human form. As the real Geo Archon points Keqing's attention to the boats suddenly appearing at the side.
Rex Lapis: "Calming the waves and the sea…
—You're welcome!
(Keqing sees little mosaic people waving at them)
…To sail your boats in leisurely! ~"
Rex Lapis suddenly begins to dance around Keqing again, who was trying to keep up with the currently bewildering Archon before her. While the Mosaic surroundings accompanies them, shifting to many images and other paintings.
Rex Lapis (Gesturing to himself again): "So what can I say, except you're welcome…
For the work I've done for our peace~"
(Rex shakes his head, as portrait of person praying appears before them)
"There's no need to pray, it's okay…
You're welcome!"
(The Portrait disappears, replaced by a golden landscape of Liyue Harbor)
"Ho! I aim for Liyue's longevity!"
Rex Lapis (Continues to dancing around Keqing): "You're welcome!... You're welcome!
Suddenly, Rex Lapis disappears into a swarm of geo crystal flies.
While his voice echoes around Keqing, who's head was spinning due to all the movement.
Rex Lapis (As Disembodied voice): "Well, come to think of it…"
Suddenly, Keqing finds herself being lifted up from the ground by a giant hand. Before staring at the source of the limb, it being Rex Lapis in a titanic form. With a simple wave of his hand, he creates a miniature life like diorama of all of Liyue, with various landmarks of the Geo Archon's achievements or pass legendary battles.
Keqing was in awe, before Rex Lapis catches her attention.
Rex Lapis (Waving his free hand lazily): "Keqing. Honestly, I could go on and on….
I could explain all my exploits and phenomenon…
(Rex points to a couple of landmarks…)
Stone spears, Amber, Jade ore
Leftover scuffles from the Archon war!"
He waves the latter off, before directing Keqing' eyes to a statue of him fighting a large serpentine drake
Rex Lapis: "I killed a Chi! And took off its spine…
(Keqing watches the mini statue do that exactly…
…While Rex gleefully pulls out a bone-husk claymore)
Made it to a blade, now you got serpent spine!"
Rex Lapis tosses the claymore away, before his eyes zero in on Keqing.
Rex Lapis (Makes a pondering): "What's the lesson? What is the take-away?...
(Keqing didn't know, but Rex answers with a serious expression)
…Don't break your contracts, cuz Morax will make you pay!"
Suddenly above them, Keqing saw several meteors being summoned from the sky and falling towards the miniature Liyue Rex Lapis created. While he stands tall. asserting his dominance and authority, with Keqing watching in horror at the palm of his hands.
Rex Lapis (With a Booming voice): "And the wrath of the rock is my will…
(The meteors crash and creating several large explosions)
…Punishing those with the intent to kill!"
(Rex points to several charred enemies)
"Look where I've fought, I torn all threats asunder!"
(He then points at Nantienmen)
Nantienmen's tree is Azhdaha's tail and sealed coffin!"
Keqing (Horrified): "Wait. Wha—"
Rex Lapis (Dancing, while oblivious to Keqing's horror): "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Hey!
Rex Lapis's titanic form suddenly burst into a swarm of geo crystal flies, causing Keqing to begin free falling into the fiery inferno of mini Liyue he made.
"What's Happening now!" She screams in fear, despite the jovial music continuing to play in the background. Her eye panickily looking for the geo Archon.
Until he suddenly appears beside her, free falling as well with the mysterious teal haired boy, the latter still playing the bongos.
Rex Lapis (Shrugging his shoulders): "Well, anyway let me say, 'You're welcome!'"
Xiao (At the background): "You're Welcome!"
Rex Lapis (With a proud smile aimed at Keqing): "For the nation and home you know!"
"Lord Rex save me!" Keqing futilely shrieks, as they were still falling.
Rex Lapis (Trying to calm Keqing): "Hey, it's okay, it's okay, 'you're welcome!'"
Xiao (At the background): "You're Welcome!"
Rex Lapis (Suddenly having a forlorn expression): "Though, my time will be coming to a close! Hey!"
"Why aren't you doing anything?!" Keqing screams again, seeing that they getting closer to the fiery inferno, that the Geo Lord seemed to forget, existed at the moment.
Rex Lapis (Tapping Keqing's shoulder getting her attention): "Hey, know one day you'll say, 'You're welcome!'"
Xiao (At the background): "You're Welcome!"
Rex Lapis (Casually reveals): "Cause I'm starting. To. Erode!"
"Wait what was that last one—" Keqing asks confused, but Rex Lapsi elaborates vaguely.
Rex Lapis (Placing a hand on his head, feigning illness): "I'm dusting away, away, 'You're welcome!"'
Xiao (At the background): "You're Welcome!"
Rex Lapis (Wags his finger at Keqing): "I'll leave Liyue's future, for you to hold!"
Keqing raises her eyebrows at the last remark, before remembering they were still falling and her panic returning.
"I don't want to die! Lord Rex!"
But Rex Lapis and his entourage continue to sing joyfully.
Rex Lapis: "You're welcome!"
Xiao (At the background): "You're Welcome!"
Rex Lapis: "You're WELCOME!..."
Keqing closes her eyes as she feels her face inches to the fiery ground… But then doesn't feel her body falling splat or burned.
She opens her eyes and finds Rex Lapis looking at her.
Rex Lapis (Firing finger guns at Keqing): "And thank you!—Keqing."
Rex Lapis disappears in a flurry of golden light and jade. While the mysterious boy playing the bongos suddenly vanishing too, as the beat ended. With the two divine beings leaving a heavily confused and completely baffled 10-year-old Keqing behind.
The young girl realizes her surrounding have returned to normal, and not the fiery landscape caused by the Geo Archon's rain of meteors that came from his song earlier.
Keqing's heart was still beating fast, and her mind was still processing the… encounter, she had with her Local Archon.
She couldn't believe it. Rex Lapis. His Song. His Words. Him Misunderstanding her entire query!
Plus, the $^%#%$# audacity, that he sounded so smug and arrogant of laying it in front of her face of all his exploits and power he held over them, to humanity and Liyue. His show of power felt like he was explaining to Keqing, that it was the natural order for humanity to be Thankful to the gods and Adepti, and to be forever living under the guidance and depending on them indefinitely. Something Keqing felt she shouldn't stand for, since it would mean all her grandfather's work, and probably the rest of the working mortals of Liyue contribution to their nation, meant nothing and inconsequential in the eyes of the gods, as long as they are under their rule.
Though, her 10-year-old mind was completely missing the underlying message Rex Lapis said in the last part of his song.
Nevertheless, the Archon's words spurred something within the future Yuheng, that would eventually dictate her character and behavior for the coming years. Fueled by the conflicting thoughts little Keqing held, as with the irritation rising inside her. As her mind was still reeling from the chaotic roller-coaster of a performance her local Archon did to her emotions.
Going from dumfounded, to angry, to fear, to annoyance… Especially at the end. When Rex Lapis shot her finger guns.
Keqing felt one of her eye's twitch. And like some ancient lizard from another world's prehistory, she had never seen such bull shit before…until now.
"What the F—"
"My grandfather then caught me swearing against Rex Lapis' name." Keqing explained at the present. "He scolded me for my behaviour, but I ignored it, since my mind was still reeling with my first experience of our now passed away Archon."
Keqing made a frown as she elaborates. "I didn't remember most of what Rex Lapis said at that time, until I started to remember more about it when I grew to a teen. But I couldn't forget, at that time what my 10-year-old brain understood, of how arrogant and very belittling he sounded to mortals when boasting about his achievements. As if we were completely hopeless and couldn't do anything with our power without him."
The Yuheng then scowled, fiercely. Causing both Lumine and Paimon to lean back from the intensity. "From then on, I knew exactly what I'm going to say to him, when it was my turn to speak during the annual Rite of Descension."
"Yikes." Lumine, felt chill down her spine upon hearing Keqing's remarks. She can imagine a little Keqing getting prepared for her speech even at a young age, justified by the reason of Zhongli's lack of tact in the past.
"No wonder the rumors say you made a ruckus at that time." Paimon commented, though agreeing with the Yuheng. "But Paimon understands why Keqing acted that way! Even Paimon would get mad if someone talked or…err sang, that way to Paimon! I mean you thought you were falling to a fiery doom!"
"I know right?!" Keqing nods fervently at the floating fairy.
"And even if Rex Lapis is the Geo Archon, surely he would have known how he sounded in front of a kid." Paimon also adds with indignation on behalf of Keqing, who continues to nod in agreement.
"But Keqing, surely you're not still mad at Rex Lapis for that time, are you?" Lumine asked, feeling a bit concerned if the Yuheng held any lingering animosity of that time towards Zhongli. She hopes not, since the former Archon actually holds the Yuheng with high regard, excited at the prospects of whatever change Keqing will bring to Liyue.
"Well… I may have been a bit miffed thinking about it." Keqing answered, a bit reserved, before taking a determined tone just as one would expect from the Yuheng. "But that was all in the past, and nothing for me to be concerned about. Besides, my focus is now centered for Liyue's future and how to uphold the heavy duty our late Archon has bestowed on us. And I won't lie… I may have found some new respect for him, lately."
Both Lumine and Paimon's held coy looks at the Yuheng, after hearing the latter's remark. The two couldn't resist teasing.
"Is that right?" Lumine raises an eyebrow at Keqing.
"Oh, is that why Lady Keqing sneakily bought that new Rex Lapis figure?" Paimon says, with a mischievous grin.
Keqing was alarmed. "W-What—"
"You know… the one with the exclusive radiant action stand?" Lumine smiled devilishly. "If anything, we were trying to get one ourselves, but the last one was suspiciously sold out."
Keqing immediately stood from her seat forcefully, red face and panicking.
"HOW DID YOU FIND OUT— YOU SAW—WHEN?!—"
She paused when she heard Lumine and Paimon snickering, as they confessed.
"Just now."
"Hahaha! And Paimon didn't know she hit right on the mark!" Paimon giggles before adding. "You know, if Paimon didn't know any better… Keqing probably became Rex Lapis's most awe-struck number one fan, after hearing his song as a kid!"
Lumine teases. "Well it's the only thing she remembers clearly, I mean Keqing, you got all the lyrics down perfectly!"
Keqing's face erupts into a deeper shade of red, as the two travelers continue their teasing, while the Yuheng was at lost of words.
"Maybe Paimon thinks Keqing should be an idol!"
"True, Keqing would really be popular. Maybe even Rex Lapis would visit from the grave to see her in a concert too!"
"And Paimon thinks he'd say, 'Thank you!'"
"While Keqing says 'You're Welcome!'"
Lumine and Paimon burst into laughter. While Keqing reaches her limit.
"YOU TWO!"
With no warning, the Yuheng lunges at the traveler and her companion with a burst of electro.
"WAIT KEQING—NO! PAIMON'S SOR—"
*KRATOKOMOM!
Omake:
(Team Sword Fish II preview)
Kujou Sara, Tengu general of the Tenryou commission, couldn't believe the state of panic her soldiers were in.
They were raving mad in fear and hostility. Scared of the coming conflict arriving to Narukami island, all because of an anonymous later arriving and announcing the threat that would be coming to their city.
She had an inkling idea of what was coming, and guessed it was probably related to the many rumors of a new squad from the Sangonomiya rebels, that even her older adopted brother Kujou Masahito warned her about.
Though, Sara couldn't catch the name of said squad, or rather didn't care. Because to her, as long as they have the eternal backing of their Shogun, the new squad was just some squad, and their rumored achievements being scare tactics to intimidate the shogunate. As long as they stand firm and face this new enemy head-on, the tengu general believes they won't lose.
Unfortunately for Sara, her soldiers seemed to be in a disagreement to her belief. As they continue to cry in fear and running around like headless chickens in the Kujou compound in Narukami.
"We are dead!" One Tenryou samurai cries out. "We. Are. Dead! All dead! Dead men be we! A cornucopia of pain and despair is coming to ensure our demise! We are so going to dieeeee! WHHYYYY?!"
The rest of the samurai in the compound scream in despair too. Some bawling on the ground like infants, fearing of the world of hurt coming for them.
Kujou Sara slaps a hand to her forehead. Before sending a lightning bolt at the first despairing samurai.
*KRATOOM!
"AHHH!"
The rest of soldiers who were panicking, stopped and finally noticed their general's presence.
"Soldiers. Calm yourself!" Sara orders in a commanding voice, befitting of her position in the Shogun's army. "We should not fall prey to whatever scare tactics the rebels have! We are the shogun's army, her appointed hand to uphold her law and pursuit of eternity!. We should not cower because some random squad from the resistance decided to foolishly come here, in Narukami Island! Which I say is our capital and location of our main force."
Sara narrows her eyes. "Its suicide… for them to come here."
Yet, the Tenryou samurai in front of the general remain doubtful and wry. As one suddenly raises his hand, asking to speak.
"Yes, what it is?" Sara says, giving the soldier permission.
"B-But… General. You don't understand." The samurai meekly says.
"What don't I understand?"
"It's not just some squad general… its… its…"
All the Tenryou samurai shudder, as they speak the squads name in unison.
"Team Sword Fish II."
Somewhere in a horizon, facing towards the city of Narukami Island. 5 lone figures make their way.
In the front was Aether, the traveler. Who was leveling a gaze at their chosen destination.
He speaks, starting with a hush whisper.
"Be prepared Kujou Sara…"
Before suddenly posing, with the rest of the figures behind him joining as well.
"…FOR MY DANCE OF JOY!"
"TO-KU-SEN-TAI!"
"TEAM-SWORD-FISH-TWO!"
Notes:
And that's the chapter! I hoped you guys also enjoyed the small preview and the TFS reference!
Thanks for reading.
Man I'm excited for Genshin's future updates, especially the Chasm. I pulled for Zhongli from an earlier update, and he got home, so now I can't wait to go exploring the area with him, Keqing, and the traveler. Fun times.
Next chapter for Breakout Into Song: 'Team Sword Fish II' Ft. (Aether, Kazuha, Gorou, Itto and… Ayato!?)
See you in the next chapter!
Chapter 7: 'Take the Stage! Aether's Team Sword Fish II!' (Ft. Captain Aether, Oni Itto, Boba-to, Lucky Gorou, & Kazuha)
Summary:
Kujuo Kamaji: "Oh Archon's... It's them!"
Kujuo Sara: "What are you talking about?"
Kujuo Kamaji" We're doom Sara. Don't you understand?! Of who's coming here?!"
Kujuo Sara: "Who? Who is it?"
Kujuo Kamaji: "It's... Team Swordfish II!!!"
Notes:
Hi! It's time again for another chapter for Breakout Into Song!
I won't lie, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and maybe too much fun. There's a lot of references made, from DBZ abridged and others what not, but I hope you guys can guess them. And this chapter is probably my most favorite among the ones I've already written, or second to the Venti and Zhongli rap battle.
Just a quick note to point out, that I do test my parodies by singing the whole song with the instrumentals and see if the lyrics fit and are in tune. I won't be surprised, if you readers can't follow the song for this chapter, since it was originally Japanese and covered in English. Then parodied.
But if you can follow, or maybe even sing the entire song, kudos to you! And that would make me happy knowing it can be sung!
With that said, on to the chapter!
Song parodied: Track 05 - Sanjou! Ginyu Tokusentai! Of Album: Dragon Ball Kai Song Collection. Artist: You Yamazaki. Also used as reference: Friedrich Habetler Music's English cover of "Sanjou! Ginyu Tokusentai! feat. SonWukong.
*You can also use his instrumental of the song for the immersion.
Hope you guys enjoy it and have fun with the chapter!
Plus the extra omake in the end, hope you guys enjoy parodies of F - Maximum the Harmone & What Makes You Beautiful
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
During the days of resistance against the Vision Hunt Decree, and the technical civil of war of Inazuma, there was one team that struck fear to the hearts of their enemies.
No one knew of their true origins; most theories were merely speculations of how they came to be. But rumors say, the infamous group was formed after the wayward traveler escaped the Raiden Shogun's wrath during the botched 100th vision ceremony. Then made an untimely arrival to Watasumi island and joined the Sangonomiya rebels.
From there, with the traveler's aid and the formation of a special squad under his command, the tides of war was slowly turning to the rebels favor against the shogunate.
While a growing reputation of the outlander's special squad, was brewing within the ranks of both armies. From hush whispers of awe and fear, to loud cheers of jubilation and victory, amidst the horror and tear-stained expressions of who ever received their ire.
Then came, that Team's… most public and decisive debut in Narukami Island.
Their actions that day, ushered the beginning of the downfall, and subsequent abolishment, of the Vision Hunt Decree…
…And led to a better tomorrow for Inazuma.
It started when an anonymous letter, of a Sangonomiya Resistance origin, arrived in the doorsteps of the Tenryou Compound.
The contents of the letter were alarming, and very blasphemous in relation to the Shogun's goal of eternity. Though the general information skimmed from the letter basically revealed that the rebels will be targeting the Statue of the Omnipresent god.
Specifically the visions decorated and inlaid upon the statue.
With the rebels goals in reclaiming the stolen visions and returning them, plus the ambitions they held, back to their rightful owners. While denying Inazuma's Archon of whatever means or uses the visions would have, with her so called plan for eternity.
No one knew why the Sangonomiya resistance decided to foolishly reveal their plans and intentions with an anonymous letter. And practically inviting themselves to be seized and detained by the Tenryou Commission. With the shogunate already planning and initiating their counter measures for any theft to the Statue and its visions.
The higher ups were even confident that they would thwart any plan the rebels would have, even going so far to call them mad for whatever ploy the letter was meant to be.
The Kujou household most especially, had full faith that they would succeed against any threat that would come to the Shogun's grand plan for eternity. Unless of course they fail and bring great shame and dishonor, to their family and the Tenryou commission as a whole.
Or worst, suffer Divine Wrath from the Raiden Shogun herself, for their failure to do so.
Regardless, the letter and the information it contained from the resistance, did little to stir any panic and conflict within the Shogunate. That is until, a random samurai accidently spilled water on the letter.
Revealing hidden text within. That said of who were coming to enact the rebels plan.
A day later, after receiving the information, the entire Tenryou compound fell into pandemonium.
Much to the displeasure of one devoted individual to the Shogun.
"What in the shogun's name, is happening to all of you!?"
Kujou Sara, Tengu general of the Tenryou commission, couldn't believe the state of panic her soldiers were in.
They were raving mad in fear and hostility. Scared of the coming conflict soon to arrive Narukami island, all because of the anonymous letter announcing the threatening individuals, no doubt heading towards their city as of this moment.
She had an inkling idea of who her men's fears were pertaining to. And guessed correctly that it was related to the many rumors of a new squad from the Sangonomiya rebels. That even Sara's older adopted brother, Kujou Masahito, warned her about.
Which the letter also said, the team was planning to steal back all the visions from the Statue of the Omnipresent god.
Though, Sara couldn't catch the name of said squad, or rather didn't care. Because to her, as long as they have the eternal backing of their Shogun, the new squad was just some squad, and their rumored achievements being scare tactics to intimidate the shogunate.
As long as they stand firm and face this new enemy head-on, the tengu general believes they won't lose. And there won't be a single vision missing or stolen under her watch.
Sara also knew that it would be disgraceful to the Shogun if she failed to do so. A great dishonor like no other…
Unfortunately for General Kujuo, her soldiers seemed to be in a disagreement to her belief. As they continue to cry in fear and running around like headless chickens in the Tenryou compound.
"We are dead!" One Tenryou samurai cries out.
"We. Are. Dead! All dead! Dead men be we! A cornucopia of pain and despair is coming to ensure our demise! We are so going to dieeeee! WHHYYYY?!"
The rest of the samurai in the compound scream in despair too. Some bawling on the ground like infants, fearing of the world of hurt coming for them. Bodies shaking at the impending arrival of that team, and the knowing horrors that would encroached on their beings as soon as they arrive.
With that damn song playing over and over—
"This is getting us nowhere!" Kujou Sara slaps a hand to her forehead, and face clear with exasperation.
Before sending a lightning bolt at the first despairing samurai.
*KRATOOM!
"AHHH!"
The rest of soldiers who were panicking, stopped and finally noticed their general's presence.
"Soldiers. Calm yourself!" Sara orders in a commanding voice, befitting of her position in the Shogun's army. "We should not fall prey to whatever scare tactics the rebels have! We are the shogun's army! Her appointed hand to uphold her law and pursuit of eternity! We should not cower because some random squad from the resistance decided to foolishly come here, in Narukami Island! Which I say is our capital and location of our main force!"
Sara narrows her eyes. "It's suicide… even for them, to come here."
Yet, the Tenryou samurai in front of the general remain doubtful and wry. As one suddenly raises his hand, asking to speak.
"Yes, what it is?" Sara says, giving the soldier permission.
"B-But… General. You don't understand." The samurai meekly says.
"What don't I understand?"
"It's not just some squad general… its… its…"
All the Tenryou samurai shudder, as they attempt to speak the squads name in fear and unison.
"Team Sw—"
*BROOOTOOOMMM!
A loud crash is heard outside the compound, with a subsequent cry of alarm that followed.
"The Statue is under attack!"
Sara widens her eyes before immediately ordering her men to mobilize. "To the Statue of the Omnipresent god!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" The Tenryou samurai, despite their earlier fear, moved out following their General's orders.
Shortly, Kujuo Sara and her battalion of Tenryou soldiers swiftly marched out of their compound and made a beeline to the statue's location. Upon arrival, Sara saw that there were already some Doushin inspecting the place and her adopted brother, Kujou Kamaji, overseeing it.
He also appears to be staring at something on the statue.
"It's blasphemous, and clearly a crime of vandalism…" Kamaji muttered to himself. "But those… obstructions, are adding a little something."
"Kamaji!" Sara calls to him. "What is the situation?! What happened—" She then saw what Kamaji was looking at.
"BY THE SHOGUN'S BREAST! WHAT IN OUR ARCHON"S NAME ARE THOSE!?"
Kamaji takes a moment to look at his sister's expected mortified expression. Before turning back to face the cause of it.
It being two large geo stones/constructs, lodge on the chest area of the Statue of the Omnipresent god. Which in one or another's opinion, brought a certain appeal to the imposing statue holding numerous visions taken under the vision hunt decree.
"Who…did…This…" Came the angrish voice of Kujuo Sara, barely holding her rage, at the sacrilege committed against their Archon. Kamaji was quick to respond and alleviate his sister's rising temper.
"We don't know who's the preparator or Vandal daring enough to deface our Archon's beloved statue. But some of the Doushin are already investigating the statue and inspecting the area for any further vandalism. I've also already sent word for Heizou, and hopefully he'll arrive shortly to help in this investigation."
Sara grits her teeth at the mention of their infamous detective. "If he doesn't arrive or if I learn he's off galivanting somewhere else again… I swear by the shogun's name I'll drag him back by own hands and…"
"Be calm, Sara." Kamaji was quick to reassure her. "Surely even Heizou would know better to not answer our call, especially when it concerns the shogun and her divine property. Besides, he might be interested in this case, and probably connect it to that earlier letter we got from the Sangonomiya rebels."
Sara gets a sudden epiphany upon hearing Kamaji's latter remark. "Or… They may be connected as you say! And the defacing of the statue was part of an elaborate ploy to distract us!"
Her mind was starting to see the strong plausibility, that the rebels may have already began their attack or have stolen some visions from the statue.
"Check the statue if all the visions are accounted for!" She ordered immediately, with a few Tenryou samurai moving in to do as she said. But they were beat to the punch by one of Kamaji's soldiers shouting.
"General, we have one vision missing!"
Sara and Kamaji shared a look, before the two Kujous turn their attention to the samurai.
"Where in the statue was it taken away from?" Kamaji asked.
"At the bottom most part! I believe it was Arata—"
*BROOKOTOKKMMM
Another explosion is heard before the samurai could finished their response. This time, it appears to have come from the area near Hanamizaka. With a few fearful shouts following after, as a squad of beaten-up soldiers suddenly made their presence known in front of Sara and Kamaji's vicinity.
"General! General! URGENT NEWS!"
They were panickily crying out to Sara, who responds heatedly. "What is it?! SPEAK!"
"They're here!"
"Who?!"
The beaten-up samurais visibly gulped, before they cried out with fear.
"TEAM SWORD FISH II!"
"…"
"…."
"….."
"….Who?" Sara deadpanned, sporting a look of surprised and bewilderment. Because what the hell was that squad name?! Sword Fish II?!
While the Tengu general was processing this recent information.
"W-WE'RE D-D-D-DOOOOOMED!"
Everyone around her lost their shit.
Tenryou soldiers begin to panic once more. Those near the statue of the Omnipresent god began praying to it for their safety. Kamaji even fell to his knees and paled like a ghost.
As he too, begins to succumb from the sheer horror creeping into his being, upon learning that they were here.
"N-No. It can't be—" He was a fool to not listen to his older brother or his girlfriend Chisato's warnings. "I should have proposed when I had the chance! But now, it's too late… My dear Chisato, forgive me…"
"Kamaji! Get a hold of yourself!" Sara shouted at her despairing brother. "How can you fall to your knees in the face of an enemy? Much less a team with a such a ridiculous name?!"
Kujuo Sara, the esteemed general of the shogun's army and a powerful tengu warrior… Then felt a dozen piercing gazes directed at her person. All of which, were from the samurai and Doushin around her.
Some with various stages of pitying looks mixed in between. One of them was from Kamaji, which greatly unnerved her.
"Sara… You must know." He spoke in a grave tone. "We're not facing the average Sangonomiya Resistance team anymore…"
"W-what?" Kujuo Sara was confused and didn't understand.
Unfortunately for her, she was going to find out very soon, of what her brother's words meant.
Somewhere in Hanamizaka…
"All men! Converge on the enemy, don't let him escape!"
"How the in our Archon's name did he get his vision back?!"
Several Tenryou samurais were rushing through the streets and engaging with an incredibly powerful combatant. Though most of them were either sent flying through the air or being pounded to the ground unconscious by the warrior they were facing.
"Hell yeah! I'm back baby!" Said the combatant, who was oddly wearing what appears to be a red jumpsuit, the color also matching his crimson horns.
He taunts the Tenryou commission samurai as they continue to charge towards him.
"C'mon, give me a real challenge! Or better yet! Call your Tengu chicken of a general and say that 'Arataki-Previously-visionless-but-now-vision-full-Itto' is here… for our rematch!"
A number of samurai replied indignantly at Itto's insult to their general. "You dare mock our esteemed Madam General Kujuo!"
Several soldiers went to strike with their spears at Itto, but the red Oni simply responded with a powerful stomp to the ground. Sending a powerful shockwave of geo energy that sent all the Tenryou Samurai to the air. Before summoning his large geo constructed club and batting the falling soldiers away.
Many were sent crashing through the streets or colliding with their fellow Tenryou comrades knocking them down. While Itto laughs in adrenaline fueled glee.
"Hah! Is that all you guys got!? None of you couldn't even nick my new threads!" Itto boasted, flexing his body, and showing to the masses his vividly bright red tight jumpsuit. As his toned muscles, rock hard abbs, and graphically bulging physique, were shown despite being confined in his current attire.
Safe to say, many onlookers were either staring at Itto because of his distracting body, or to his ridiculous super sentai rip-off costume.
"Arrest that oni for also causing public indecency!" One samurai shouted but was quickly cutoff when another man in a similar styled jumpsuit, suddenly joined into the fray.
This individual's suit was color blue, as with the domino mask he also wore covering half of his face. Both matching the wavy blue hair the man also possessed.
He unsheathes a blade and proceeds to disarm the Tenryou Samurai distracted from his unexpected appearance, cutting their spears in half, and then knocking them out with the pommel of his sword, through well placed, calculated, and painful blows.
All in one swift motion.
"Who's that?—AHH!"
"He's wielding a sw—OWWW!"
"Why does he look so Handsome—UAGH!"
The man sheaths his blade just as Itto notices his teammate and jogs up to him.
"Bro, bout time you show up! Thought I was going to be facing all of these Tenryou chumps by myself—Not that I couldn't handle it alone." Itto shrugs, while his companion merely smirks at the blatant showboating.
"Apologies. I had to make sure the other intricacies of our plan were in order." The man replies, before reminding Itto. "And don't forget to use my code name Itto. I rather not bring anymore complications to myself as it is."
"No problemo, my Bro!" Itto makes a small salute. "We all got cool nicknames to use anyway! HAHAHA!" The red horn Oni lets out a boisterous laugh, much to the slight dismay of his companion.
Kamisato Ayato, head of his clan and commissioner of the Yashiro commission, never thought he would be shaking his head at his so-called Bro's antics. While in disguised, dressed like a character that wouldn't be out of place in a Light Novel or a shonen manga sold in the Yae Publishing house. And directly helping the resistance ala Rex incognito.
Not even Ayaka knows of his activities with the rebels, or how he got to team up with her not-so-secret-outlander crush. How he wonders of the jealous expression she'll make once she finds out. But after today, Ayato knows he'll have a lot of explaining to do to his dear sister.
"There they are!"
"Reinforcements have arrived!"
"Men surround them!"
Both Ayato and Itto heard several more soldiers arriving on the streets of Hanamizaka, Which was good since, it was what they wanted in the first place and step one of their 'master' plan.
The two-jumpsuit wearing men form up back-to-back, now facing the response force of the Tenryou Samurai coming over and surrounding them.
One Tenryou soldier of higher rank orders. "Focus all your attention in keeping Arataki Itto—and that suspiciously masked Inazuma dreamboat—from escaping until General Kujuo arrives!"
"HAI!" The Tenryou Samurai reply with a collected shout and point their spears at the two suspicious individuals in front of them.
"Finally. I thought Kujuo Tengu wouldn't notice." Itto muttered, while Ayato chuckled. "Even if it's you Itto, I doubt even Sara would ignore the trouble were making at the present."
"Oh, but were going to cause even more trouble for her aren't we?"
"Yes we are. And I think it's time, Itto."
Itto couldn't help the excitement rise within him. What was coming next, was his favorite part of their team-ups and endeared him into working hard as member of their special squad.
He took a step forward, while Ayato suddenly disappeared in a flash of hydro energy, spooking some of the soldiers surrounding them. But before any of the Tenryou commission could react, Itto suddenly shouted at them.
"HAHAHA! YOU GUYS ARE IN FOR IT NOW!"
The Tenryou Samurai tensed from the red horned oni's admission, and then watched as Itto suddenly threw a fist into the air and summoned a… COW?!
"Ushi! Hit it!"
A small brown bull with a stone tent like structure adorned on its back, lands in front of its boss and began to stomp its feet. While symbols and talisman like engravings on the bull's tent structure, begin to glow and play music.
"DUN. DUN. DUN. DUN.
DUN—DUDUM…!
DUN DURODUNDUN… DUN DURODUNDUN…!"
"Oh no…" Some samurai who recognize the tune being played begin to pale.
While others panickily charge at Itto to stop him. "NO! STOP HIM!"
But they were too late…
"DUN. DUN. DUN. DUN.
DUN—DUDUM…!
DUN DURODUNDUN… DUN DURODUNDUN…!
DUM!"
The Tenryou soldiers still press on, foolishly rushing towards Itto, yet were countered by the red oni's strength…
…and epic tones.
Itto (Begins to rocking out): "Oh, I'm Oni-Itto!
Arataki's, Number one man!
(Itto throws a thumb at himself)
If you've got BEEF with me, I'll throw BEEFCAKE at you—yeah!"
"Go Ushi!" Itto, with one arm holding Ushi, YEETS the bull. "Moo-da, Moo-da!"
Straight towards a group of Tenryou Samurai, knocking them down like bowling pins.
Itto (Summoning his Kanabou) : "With my Oni fighting pose!
Oni-ka-bu-to, Special attack!"
(Itto swings and knocks several more soldiers to the air…)
Itto: "I'm the man, who'll sweep you all, off from the battlefield…!"
(…And poses dramatically, as they fall back to the ground)
"Get him!" The other samurai attempt to avenge their fallen comrades, but they were all intercepted by a sudden barrage of hydro swords appearing out of nowhere.
One soldier cries out. "*GASP! It's the mysterious masked Dreamboat!"
As Ayato returns and rises from a large puddle in front of the group of soldiers.
Ayato (Smirking, before spontaneously raises his voice): "Oh, I am—BOBA-TO!
I'm a—HYDRO and HANDSOME, Blue Maelstrom….!"
The smug masked dreamboat slashes his blade in an arc, releasing a large volume of water in the form of a miniature tsunami. Washing away the Tenryou soldiers surrounding him.
Ayato (Pulling out a drink from his sleeves): "My Love! For Boba Tea—UNMATCHED by Anyone!"
More samurais converge on the streets, charging towards Itto and Ayato, planning to overwhelm them with their numbers. But the two vigilant costume clad men, proceed to team up and meet them head on. While performing a duet.
Itto & Ayato (Charging to together): "Yes, We Are—
Special, Team Sword Fish II(TWO)!"
Itto (Swings his Kanabou): "We Fight for YOU!"
Ayato (Draws his hydro blade): "And your stolen Ambitions!"
The Tenryou soldiers are met with vicious Geo blows and sharp hydro slashes. Falling into unconsciousness or in state of being unable to move as a result.
Itto (Flexes his biceps): "We won't stop—"
Ayato (Raises his Boba Tea): "Until we set you free!"
(Oni-Itto & Boba-to proceed to pose dramatically)
Itto & Ayato: "From the Vison Hunt Decree…!"
Some samurai paused and gawk at the ridiculous poses the two men were doing. With Itto standing on one leg and having his full body bent over pointing to the right. While Ayato simply dabbed, still holding his Boba tea drink.
Itto & Ayato (Dropping their silly pose): "Yes, We Are—"
Ayato: "We'll save you, in a flashy style—"
Itto: "ONI wild—"
(The two men proceed to cup their hands to their side. Charging elemental energy)
Ayato & Itto : "Cuz, We're Super SMASH BROS!"
Ayato (Sports a sadistic smirk): "You better, go learn to sit and bark…
…Cuz you'll be our new B****es~"
"What the hell are they doi—OH MY SHOGUN!"
A number of Tenryou Samurai failed to react when Ayato and Itto suddenly thrust their hands, blasting them to the ground with a shockwave of geo and hydro energy.
While some who were left unscathed, saw the two walk steadily towards them.
"Dude, you were supposed to say Doggies!" Itto scolded, as Ayato cracks his knuckles.
"Forgive me, it was a Freudian slip…".
"What the hell is a Freudian?"
While the two converse, the remaining soldiers shudder in fear, as the masked man draws his blade and the red oni flashes his Kanabou once more. Just as the chorus drones out the despaired cries that follow.
Disembodied Voices (With pained cries at the background):
"Team Sword Fish II!
(OH MY BAALS!—)
Team Sword Fish II!"
(PLEASE MERCY!—)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!
(NO MORE! NOMORE!—)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!"
Just as Ayato and Itto were finished dealing with the remaining soldiers, more Tenryou reinforcements have arrived.
But they were intercepted by another pair of jumpsuit clad fighters, who descend and began fighting off the Tenryou samurai. The pair also leading a small squad of Shiba Inu Ninja warriors, as they descend with a gust of maple leaves that blew from somewhere.
"Ah, the Cavalry is here…"
"Awesome! Plus, Auxiliary Swordfish Shiba squad!"
Both Ayato and Itto commented. Recognizing the individuals, as they follow and do their own musical introductions.
Gorou (Clad in a pink jumpsuit): "Oh, I'm lucky boy, Go-rou…!
Also, the Mad—Dog General!
(Several Shiba's bark in agreement! Woof! Woof!)
Gorou: I'm the guy, that Team Sword Fish II—Goes, for advice…"
A number of Tenryou samurai feel conflicted in facing down the adorable army of Shiba Inu, and their equally cute and fluffy general.
"They're just sooo…cute, fighting us!" One yells, as he was dog-piled and brought to the ground by a group of ninken.
"I want to pet the General's ears!" Another shouts, before being knocked out by a geo arrow hitting his head.
While a flustered Gorou hastily chastises them.
Gorou (Covering his ears and tail briefly): "Don't even try ' Pet -ting'…
My fluffy furred… EARS or TAILS!"
(Gorou then draws back his bow…)
Or I'll pet, You instead, with GEO arrow heads..."
(…And proceeds to shoot a shower of geo arrows into the field)
As several Tenryou commission soldiers face Gorou's wrath and rain of Geo Stones, some found themselves enclosed inside a whirlwind of maple leaves and facing a familiar Ronin.
Kazuha (Clad in a green jumpsuit): "KA—ZU—HA! Wan-der-ing RONIN—
Filled with the power, of ANEMO!"
Several wind currents rush past the Tenryou soldiers surrounding Kazuha and appears to be coalescing to his sheathed blade.
Kazuha: "Woah…
(Kazuha clutches his blade of pure Anemo…)
Watch me go as one, with WIND, and…. CLOUD!"
(…And then slashes, unleashing a large maple filled twister around himself.)
"GYAAHH!" A number of Tenryou soldiers were blown away by Kazuha's attack.
While the rest find themselves facing both the Ronin and the Fluffy eared general, as the latter appears to have joined the Anemo Samurai…In another upbeat DUET!
Gorou & Kazuha (Swiftly descending into the battle): "Yes, We Are!—
Special Team Sword Fish II(TWO)!
(Gorou disarms several soldiers of their weapons…)
We fight for TRUTH!
(While Kazuha slices several spears in half…)
And your DREAMS, And your PASSIONS!"
(The Shiba Inu army joins in, dispatching several soldiers with electro ninjutsu)
One Tenryou samurai shouts for morale. "Men don't falter! The general will be arriving soon—GYUOHH!" But was cut off and knocked to the ground, as both Kazuha and Gorou fell from the air and land on top of him.
While they strike odd poses!
Gorou (In a crane pose): "We won't stop—"
Kazuha (Doing a mantis form): "Till, Inazuma's Free—"
Gorou & Kazuha (With the Shiba Inu doing the downward dog): "From the Shogun's Tyranny…!"
Itto and Ayato suddenly pop up, joining their two comrades. The former carrying a large table and some chairs. While the latter carried bags of what appears to be refreshments of similar kind to his own Boba drink.
Team Swordfish Two (In chorus): "Yes, We Are!"
Ayato (Distributing the drinks): "We have just decided on, to buy Boba Tea—"
Itto (Setting up the table and chairs): "As our post-battle SNACK!"
Gorou (Gossips with the Shiba Inu): "While we're chatting interesting things—"
Kazuha (Flashes a poster of Ms. Hina): "Like, Miss Hina's huge Rack~…"
"Hey!" A blushing Gorou yells indignantly. While his comrades, both human and canine, chuckle at his expense. Though Itto gawks at the poster.
The Tenryou soldiers stare with bewilderment at the team, who were chilling like they were in a picnic and not an ongoing battle.
Disembodied Voices (With confuse Tenryou soldiers at the background):
"Team Sword Fish II!
(What the hell?...)
Team Sword Fish II!
(They're just sitting there, drinking Boba Tea…)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!
(Menacingly…!)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!"
"There they are! Seize them!" Kujuo Sara finally arrives with an entourage of Tenryou soldiers for reinforcement. She immediately fires an electro charge shot at the currently idle Swordfish Two team.
But it was deflected by the sudden arrival of an individual wearing a white and gold colored jumpsuit, while also wielding a dull blade.
"It's you…" The Tengu reacts with sheer disbelief in her expression, recognizing who it was that stood before her.
"It's the Captain!" Just as the rest of Team Swordfish Two cheered.
And all of Hanamizaka is grace by their leader's presence.
Aether (Flipping his braid brazenly): "Oh, my name is Aether!
Team Sword Fish II's, Team Captain!
(Stares down Sara and the Tenryou soldiers)
Fight with me, you'll face, the wrath, of a TRAVELER…"
Several Tenryou soldiers charge at Aether, but they were quickly dispatched by a, WINDBLADE! of Anemo, and shockwaves of Geo energy. The infamous traveler not even breaking a sweat—or his song number.
Aether (Gestures to all of Inazuma): "I, Fight for your Freedom…
I'd even face, the RAI-DEN SHOGUN!
(Aether points his blade at the sky…)
Against me, you all will fall to… the ground soon!"
Aether (As his eyes glow purple): CHANGE!"
Several bolts of lightning descend from the sky, striking several Tenryou soldiers and shocking them to unconsciousness.
One nearly fries Sara, who quickly dodges a lightning strike and draws a Tanto, before engaging Aether in close combat.
Aether (As he parries Kujuo Sara's blows): "You know, I wield the power—Of thunder, storms and, rocktombs…
—Plus, Stars!"
"Cease your useless singing and Fight!" Sara yells, before Aether strikes a flamboyant pose in defiance.
Aether (Proceeds to flash Sara the Flamenco): "Witness Yourself… And see my, DANCE OF JOY!"
Sara pauses and stares with confusion… Before she was kicked in the head by a sudden backflip from Aether, sending her reeling a few steps.
The traveler doesn't let up and proceeds to force the tengu to defend herself from a barrage of random and unorthodox attacks. Courtesy of incorporating his dance lessons from a certain spindrift knight to his fighting style.
Just as the rest of Team Swordfish and the other still able Tenryou soldiers return to the fight.
Team Swordfish Two (As they clash with the Tenryou commission): "Yes, We Are!"
Aether (Unleashing lightning blades): "Special Team Sword Fish II(TWO)!"
Kazuha & Ayato (Unleashing Anemo and Hydro slashes): "We Fight For You!—"
Gorou & Itto (Launching Geo constructs): "And your Stolen Ambitions!—"
Sara and her squad were being pushed back. But they brace themselves as Aether and his squad continue to be on the offensive.
Aether (Eyes and blade glow purple): "I hate gods, who would, trample dreams…
(Aether slashes, releasing a wide electro arc...)
….And taking their visions!"
Sara counters Aether's attack with a large thunderbolt of her own, unleashed by her war fan. Their electro attacks meet and cause a shockwave that blows both parties back.
"Men, stand your ground!" The Tengu general immediately rallies, just as their opponents form up.
With Aether at the front and center, leading Itto, Ayato, Gorou, and Kazuha to face them together.
As Team Swordfish doesn't let up! Even with their singing!
Team Swordfish Two: "Yes, We Are!"
Ayato (Smirks teasingly): "We have just decided on, for little PAIMON—"
Itto (Boisterously pointing to Sara): "To steal, all the VISIONS!"
"WHAT?!" Sara shrieks.
Gorou (Wagging his tail in glee): " While we distract, to keep you all, right here—"
Kazuha (Smoothly revealing): "While she's stripping the statue~…"
Somewhere in the high streets of Narukami city, a certain emergency food was running away, while riding a retired Shiba Inu ninken. The two also carrying a large sack filled with stolen visions.
"Don't… Let… Them… ESCAPE!" A labored breathing Kujuo Kamaji order, as he and a group of samurai chase a fleeing Paimon and Taroumaru. "Sara will kill us… if we don't CATCH THEM!"
Disembodied Voices (With Paimon and Taroumaru in the background):
"Team Sword Fish II!
(AHH! FASTER TAROUMARU!)
Team Sword Fish II!
(PAIMON SEES THEM GAINING ON US)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!
(WOOF! WOOF!)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!"
(YES! PAIMON'S DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!)
Back in the streets of Hanamizaka…
Aether and his squad squares off once more against Kujuo Sara and her remaining soldiers. Both groups members locked in combat.
"You dare approach an Archer at close range?!" Sara comments with her bow ready and arrow aimed, as Aether calmly walks towards her.
He replies, unflinching. "Well, I can't spank your naughty Tengu Ass, without getting closer can I?"
"Y-You!—Miscreant!" Sara became flustered, caught off guard by the traveler's remark, before leveling an intense scowl at his direction.
"You will fall here! And face the divine wrath of the Shogun!"
"I've face her divine wrath and LIVED!" Aether fires back, boasting. "Plus you won't be able to take us! And do you wanna know why?!"
"WHY THEN?!" Sara questions, while firing an electro charged arrow at him.
But Aether deflected it with simply swing of his blade. As the rest of Team Swordfish Two form up beside him, and then they suddenly pose dramatically, in all manners of flamboyancy and esoteric maneuvers. Confusing the general and her soldiers… Before they were suddenly BLINDED by an incredible flash of light and Aura.
Emanating from Team Swordfish Two, unleashing their pride as one team in a brilliant display of beauty!
Team Swordfish Two (As their brilliant squad pose, blind their opponents): "Yes, We Are!—
Itto & Gorou (Side chest posing, showing their flex): Special Team Sword Fish II(TWO)!
Ayato (Dramatically clutching his face): We fight for TRUTH!
Kazuha (Crouches with a thinking pose): And your DREAMS, And your PASSIONS!
Aether (T-posing to assert dominance): "We would stop, even Tengu SIMPS, from buying Shogun… Figurines!"
"IT'S. CALLED. THE STATUE OF HER EXCELLENCY! THE ALMIGHT NARUKAMI OGOSHO, GOD OF THUNDER!"
The Tengu general roared to correct the traveler. Despite averting her eyes, to block the incredible shine—That for some Celestia damn reason—came from the teams synchronize pose.
As the rest of the Tenryou commission are also blinded by Team Swordfish Two's extravagant beauty.
Team Swordfish Two (As they continue to glow brightly): "Yes, We Are—"
Gorou (Glowing pink): "We'll escape, in a flashy style—Sword Fish Style!"
Itto (Glowing red): "While we do, Our COOL POSE!"
Ayato and Kazuha (Both glowing blue and green respectively): "And we turn, all of our backs to you…"
Aether (Shining Gold & White): "…With a freaking EXPLOSION!"
Hearing the last bit, Sara screams. "Wait, WHAT?!—"
Before Team Swordfish II turns their backs towards Sara and her troops, and—
*KRAKATOOOMMMM!
A multicolored explosion—courtesy of Naganohara fireworks—envelops them and sends the good general and the remaining Tenryou samurai to the air. While the Team Swordfish II theme chorus plays at the background, as a cacophony of explosions are heard, drowning the fearful yells of Sara and the Tenryou commission.
Disembodied Voices (As Sara and the Tenryou doushin scream…):
"Team Sword Fish II!
( *BOOM— What the !%# %$!…)
Team Sword Fish II!
( *KRATOOM— GENERAL! LANGUAGE!…)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!
( *SKASHOOM— WHY IS IT SO COLORFUL!…)
TEAM SWORD FISH II!"
( *BARAKATOOM— TRAVELER!)
Colorful bright explosions reach the sky, blanketing the air with rainbow hues and majestic fireworks, as Team Swordfish II's music fades and Ushi magically disappears in flash of geo colored light.
The citizens of Hanamizaka present in the streets, could only stare and gawk at the impromptu firework show accompanying it. The populace were aware that it was against the law and illegal to set off fireworks or any kind of explosives, within in the streets and anywhere in the city. More so without a permit and legal permission from the tri-commission.
Surely one would think: the diligent and strict law enforcing general Kujuo Sara, would have served a deserving tengu style comeuppance, to the ones responsible for breaking the rules and razing the streets with colorful fire. And they wouldn't be wrong to be expecting the general, to angrily begin shouting orders this instant and to arrest the lawbreakers responsible.
But as the dust settles and some of the Tenryou soldiers began to regain consciousness, recovering from their bout with Team Swordfish Two, they seem to notice the absence of the particular team. And another that they wouldn't have expected to be missing among their ranks.
Heck, the lack of authoritative shouts of order or an imposing presence in the streets, was a dead giveaway.
"Where's Madam Kujuo?" One soldier asks.
As every individual from the Tenryou commission begins to notice the not-so-subtle absence of Kujuo Sara.
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of Narukami island…
"PUT ME DOWN! THIS INSTANT!" Kujuo Sara yelled, as she was being carried on top of Aether's shoulders.
The esteemed general of the Tenryou commission was also bound in ropes, her arms tied behind her and legs also tied together. Her vision was also confiscated and currently being held by Ayato, who the tengu still didn't recognized due to his domino mask disguised.
After her and her troops humiliating defeat against the traveler's squad, Sara found herself kidnapped and being taken against her will.
As Team Swordfish II escaped Hanamizaka, bringing her along for whatever reasons she didn't know of…yet.
Whether it was for ransom or to interrogate her for information, the prideful Tengu knew she wasn't going to make it easy for them and not without a fight.
Despite her predicament of being carried around like she was a sack of potatoes—Or a sack of tengu feathers, as Itto teased—it didn't stop Sara from thrashing around to escape the traveler's grip. And becoming a slight nuisance, as Aether and the rest of Team Swordfish II continue their trek to wherever they were taking her.
"UNHAND ME TRAVELER!" Sara once again shouts in uproar. "I WOULD NOT SUFFER THIS INDIGNITY ANY LONGER!"
"OH CAN IT KUJUO TENGU!" Itto yelled from the front, leading the team in their trek with Gorou.
Ayato and Kazuha were a few feet behind them, while Aether stayed at the rear with Sara on his shoulders. All of them glancing at their loud and currently captive Tengu.
"You lost and you're our prisoner. Aren't you supposed to come with us quietly or something?" Itto said, throwing a knowing glance at Sara. "I mean that's how you do it with me and the Arataki gang, whenever we get caught or arrested."
Sare narrows her eyes and glares at Itto. "You mean when you and your gang, attempt to resist arrest and cause another ruckus before being brought in?"
"And we're forced to knock you out because you wouldn't stop complaining?!" Sara adds and immediately corrects Itto, pointing out unamused. "How is that any different to what I'm doing right now, huh?! Actually, you kidnapped me! I'm not a criminal being arrested; I'm a general being kidnapped—UNLAWFULLY!"
Itto sputters to make an excuse, even looking at Gorou and Kazuha for help. But the two boys pointedly look away, not knowing how to answer either.
Since they are kidnapping Kujuo Sara, technically.
"Well, there is one difference, between Itto getting arrested and the General's current predicament." 'Boba-to' muses out loud. Then snarks.
"She's still conscious. I suggest we 'knock her out' until we arrive to our destination. That way, it would be much easier for all of us to travel quietly, and not with a trapped bird incessantly drawing attention towards us too."
Itto, Goruo, and Kazuha murmur in agreement or considering Ayato's suggestion, while Sara rages at the audacity. "Y—YOU…! I LIKE TO SEE YOU LOT TRY!"
Aether sighed, as Sara continues to raise her voice, either demanding to be freed or throwing death threats at his team. He wondered if she would ever get tired yelling at them at this point, but kudos to the general being as tenacious as her reputation say she is.
Though the traveler knew he could do less of her jerking around—or her body rubbing against him unintentionally. It was getting harder to carry her at this rate, and they still have a long way to go before they reach their destination.
After nearly getting a knee to the chest, the celestial traveler had just enough.
"Sara… If you don't stop your thrashing, I'm inclined to make do of my earlier threat towards you." Aether spoke plainly. Which cause to the Tengu general to stiffen and cease her struggling.
She raised her head from behind Aether's shoulders, inclining it with a glare directed at the blonde man carrying her.
Sara hissed. "You wouldn't dare…—AH!" But the traveler simply patted her hip, eliciting a slight yelp from the Tengu.
"Oh, I would." Aether replied plainly. "Unless… you want another person to carry you?" He asked her with a raise brow.
The latter question actually caused Sara to pause in her thinking of escape and consider the traveler's words. She glanced at the other members of his squad and found none more suitable to carry her at the present besides Aether. He was the one Sara would feel most comfortable to, despite any current grievances they had with each other.
Since it would have been more awkward or tense, should any of other members of Team Swordfish II were to carry her instead.
Gorou was Sara's rival general of the opposing resistance army of Watatsumi, they've met countless times in the battlefield. To say they have bad blood in their hands and towards the other, would be an understatement.
Kazuha, she recalls having a duel with his late friend before the Shogun's throne. Which ended in her victory and Kazuha's friend facing divine judgement by the shogun as the result. The tengu general wasn't sure if the wandering ronin held any animosity against her, because of her role in his friend's execution. But she wouldn't be surprised if he did.
Then there's Itto… by the Archons, Itto…
Sara couldn't even begin listing down the numerous reasons why she wouldn't want the idiotic oni to carry her. His annoying tendencies and loud-mouthed persona would be the death of her too. She was also sure, the red horned oni wouldn't pass the opportunity to challenge her in duel. If it weren't for the traveler and the rest of Team Swordfish II banning him from doing so, while she's in their custody.
Finally, the last one to consider was the mysterious masked stranger. Sara didn't have any concrete reason to deter from the masked man into carrying her, but her instincts told her to stay clear of the man. He had a certain air of cunning aura and dangerous wit. That reminded the Tengu all too well of a particular Guuji.
"Very well. I will cease my… mindless thrashing and remain in your hands. Despite the indignity." Sara conceded, but still remained defiant. "But don't think for a second that I'm inclined to cooperate with you—"
"Not that we expect you too." Aether cuts in. "I mean, why did you think we tied you up in the first place? You would have flown away and escaped given the opportunity."
Sara internally agreed to the traveler's assessment yet couldn't help asking more questions to her predicament. "But why take me? I thought your plans were to reclaim the visions we seized under the shoguns decree. Unless… that was another ploy? Was it?"
"You are correct." Ayato answered, nodding his head at the general's guessed. "Our real target was you, and the commotion we caused was to lure you out and bring a false sense of emergency and misdirection. Reclaiming the visions wasn't our priority and is a further goal in the near future for us to achieve."
Sara sighed internally with relief, believing that there was chance the visions were still in the Shogun's statue and not taken away.
Until Ayato adds, with a hint of surprise in his voice. "Although, my contacts say Paimon and our associates, were able to escape with all the visions. And all are currently safe in our custody. Which is a surprised boon, but not unwelcomed."
Sara felt great despair wash over her being and added with a wave of shame and regret, upon hearing the disguise Kamisato's latter words.
While somewhere in Komore Teahouse, a certain flying emergency food, a badass ninken Shiba Inu, and annoyed off deputy chief of the Arataki gang, were currently having tea and snacks. As the former two were recounting the tale of their escape to the latter, who grows more concern for her boss' inclusion in the ongoing war of Inazuma.
"Why me?!" Sara bemoans, for her recent short comings and failure.
While Itto answers her, not hearing the rhetorical part of her question. "Because, whether you—or us for the matter—like it or not, we're going to need your help in stopping this civil war in Inazuma. And maybe even abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree too."
Kazuha adds, with a knowing look at Kujuo Sara. "Even you can see that there is more strife and damage being done to Inazuma, than any benefit that would come in our nation's current state of affairs. Right General Kujuo?"
Sara became silent after Kazuha's remarks. While a buried pit of doubt and uncertainty is unearthed within her gut. That most of the time went against the orders given to her by the shogun, shaking her confident belief and faith at the Electro Archon.
But Sara didn't have the time or luxury to ponder on her conflicting thoughts.
Knowing that they would be getting more complicated, as she's pulled deeper into the waters of uncertainty, with Team Swordfish II needing her cooperation.
The Tengu knew, that she'll just have to face her current predicament first and then tackle what comes after head on.
"Then at least speak, of where you are taking me." Sara asked. "Is to your resistance camp? To the Sangonomiya base in Watatsumi Island?"
She tried to guess what location they'll be in, before Team swordfish II makes their next move.
It was Gorou who answered, but suddenly grimace as he spoke. "No… nowhere near those places." His tail even drooped, signaling his discomfort at the thought of their destination.
"If anything, I believe we'll be taking you somewhere worst…" Ayato jest, with a sightly teasing smirk.
Suddenly, Sara felt a chill up her spine upon hearing Ayato's remarks. While Itto attempts to stifle his laughs, made it worst for the Tengu. Since whatever it was that they were implying, meant it was no good for the Tenryou general.
Kazuha's words then provides the clincher. "And probably taking you to meet someone you and a few others have a… displeasure of meeting with."
Gorou, Itto, Ayato, and Aether, grimaced at the ronin's remark. As Sara remained puzzled at their reactions, before spotting a kitsune from her peripheral vision.
And it was at that moment…when Sara began to notice her surroundings and figure things out.
Spotting the lush tall Sakura trees appearing along the path, and the Torii gates standing over them as they pass one. The Tengu general started to berate herself internally.
For how the hell did she not notice that they were trekking Mt. Yougou for the past hour?!
"No, no, no, nononononono…" Panic begins to rise within Sara. Her thrashing in the traveler's arms resuming once more. "No. No. No—LET ME GO!"
Aether adjusts his grip on her, now using both arms to hold Sara. While the other members of Team Swordfish II begin to ignore the Tengu's cries for help.
"Traveler, please… please, please! Don't tell me, you're taking me to her!" Sara pleaded. Dreading of meeting the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Not when she was in a weakened state, without any troops to back her up, her vision confiscated, and her limbs bound.
Especially not when she knows Arataki Itto's smug grin, is sure to appear when Team Swordfish II presents her at the shrine, to that…that…FOX!
"I will not allow you to take me to that…that…—Malicious, Manipulative, Voraciously, Teasing, Vixen!" Sara shrieks as she tries to free herself from the traveler's grip once more.
But Aether merely responds by tightening his hold and then marching in a faster pace. Passing by Kazuha, Ayato, Itto, and Gorou, as he begins to lead the team. Sara made a chance glance at the rest of his squad, and saw them give her mix expressions of pity, sympathy, and knowing looks.
They all know what's coming and they do feel a bit sorry for Sara, of who was she going to face next.
"Aether p-please… I'm begging you!" Sara begs. Throwing her dignity away for any hope that they won't go through with this.
"I've heard rumors that you—the esteemed kind and loving traveler—wouldn't be this cruel!" She attempts to appeal to his suppose kind nature.
"I'm sorry Sara…" But Aether held his resolve, even if he felt a bit of sympathy for the Tengu. "But desperate times, call for desperate measures."
"If we're going to take on an Archon, then we might have to make a deal with the devil—Or rather, the demon fox herself." Ayato spoke cryptically out loud.
As Team Swordfish Two continue to ascend the steps of Mt. Yougou. Heading towards the Grand Narukami Shrine…
To meet, Yae Miko.
While Sara screams in horror all the way.
Disembodied voices:
Team Swordfish Two!
TEAM SWORDFISH TWO!
Omake
(The Beautiful Lord Miko-sama!)
"Fufufufu…" Yae Miko gave a menacing chuckle, as she sat on a makeshift throne in front of the Sacred Sakura of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Her elaborate seat looked like it was made of iron, and with numerous kitsune tails at the back fanned out in display. Fitting for a woman of her stature and beauty.
Her ears twitch in anticipation, while her fingers fiddle together in restrained excitement. Soon, her favorite little one will be arriving in the shrine, with his colorful squad and one bound Tengu. She couldn't help herself, imagining and envisioning what kind face Kujuo Sara was making as she was being kidnapped, and with Itto's presence in close proximity annoying her as well.
And just the thought of all the teasing Miko could do after, towards the Tenryou commission's general Tengu once they've arrived, has left the lady Kitsune filled with much glee.
"Is everything prepared? Are the traveler and his companions enroute to the shrine?" Yae Miko asked, just as a shrine maiden suddenly appeared at her side, it being Kano Nana answering her.
"Yes Lady Gu—"
"Ah, ah, ah…" Miko cuts in, and gives a pointed look at Nana. "I recall that I've already told you, of how you and the rest of the shrine maidens will address me for today?"
Kana Nana tries not to furrow her eyebrows, knowing of her Lady Guuji's love of theatrics. "No Lady—I mean… L-Lord Miko-sama…"
"Very good!" Yae Miko happily claps, while Nana shakes her head in exasperation when Yae wasn't looking.
Miko asks. "Is my theme music ready?"
"Yes, Lord Miko-sama. It is." Nana answers with a bow of her head.
"Play it. I want to hear it before they arrive and see if it's up to my standards."
"Of course Lord Miko-sama."
Kano Nana claps her hands and in an instant, several shrines maidens adorned with various instruments—mainly electro charged guitars—and some with microphones appeared before Yae Miko and her throne.
"Hit it!" Kano Nana orders.
They all begin playing, strumming their guitars, and rocking out in heavy metal tunes.
(*insert instrumental of resurrection F Frieza theme)
Shrine maiden chorus: "MIKO! MIKO! MIKO!—
MI!—KO!~"
Lead Shrine maiden vocalist: "KOWAI BUT CUTE! PRETTY BUT STRONK!"
Shrine maiden chorus: "MIKO! MIKO! MIKO!—
MI!—KO!~"
Lead Shrine maiden vocalist: " WE ARE THE ONES, WHO. CRY OUT IN FEAR!"
Shrine maiden chorus: "MIKO! MIKO! MIKO!—
MI!—KO!~"
With one last strum of their guitars, the songs ends. As Yae Miko claps her hands with delight.
"Glorious…" The lady Kitsune was amused and approves her new theme song.
While her shrine Maidens bow their heads in thanks, with Kano Nana praising their performances as well.
"Although…" But Yae Miko had a sudden thought, pondering for a few seconds, before changing her mind. "Actually, I think it would best to save my theme song for another time. And have another song to be played instead."
"What?" Kano Nana asked surprised. "But we've prepared your theme song for today and had the band prepared, plus with all due respect Lady— I mean L-Lord Miko-sama, what other song do you have in mind to play, before the traveler and his entourage arrive?"
The shrine maiden was concerned that Yae Miko was planning for them to make another song on the spot and didn't have time to do so. But the Guuji of the Narukami Shrine merely waved her hand, lazily reassuring Nana's concerns as if without a care.
"No need to panic Nana. I just think I want to play that song. You know, the one the traveler and his little anemo friends made, as down payment for my help."
Yae Miko flashes Nana a knowing look, who was confused for second, before she recalled and understood what her lady Guuji meant.
"Oh, that song… As you wish Lord Miko-sama!" Nana then waves to a shrine maiden near their record player, which was set up near the fortune slip booth. "Gendo, hit it!"
Said shrine maiden brings out a large disc, before inserting it into their record player and then plays it.
Immediately, catchy pop music is blasted from the record player, just as Yae Miko and the rest of the shrine maidens begin bopping their heads to the beat.
Especially when the lyrics come, and a set of familiar voices are heard.
5wirl: "WHY ARE YOU SO BEAUTIFUL!~!"
Venti & Xiao: "Miko, you light up the night, like nobody else~"!
Kazuha & Heizou: "The way that you, whip your tails, gets me overwhelmed~!"
Aether: "And when you spark up the ground, know my heart could tell~!
5swirl: "YAE, MI—KO, OH, OH~!—
WHY ARE YOU SO BEAUTIFUL!~!"
"I am beautiful! Thank you!" Yae Miko hollered like a teenage girl, while standing on her throne. As she and her shrine maidens continue to dance to the song.
Aether: "If only, you could, just look at me~"
Venti & Xiao: "Give me a chance, to show love, that's eternity~"
Kazuha & Heizou: "Right now, I'm wishing for you, pray not for Qiqi~"
5swirl: "YAE, MI—KO, OH, OH~!—
WHY ARE YOU SO BEAUTIFUL!~!"
Venti, Xiao, Kazuha & Heizou: "OH, OH-OH~!"
Aether: "SEXY, FOXING, BEAUTIFUL~!"
As the Grand Narukami Shrine continues to play Yae Miko's favorite song, with the sounds blasted and heard all the way to the Tenshukaku, Team Swordfish II continue to ascend the steps of Mt. Yougou.
Now accompanied with a pop song bgm. Much to Kazuha and Aether's dismay.
As the two swordsmen recognize the song, and blush with embarrassment, recalling what they had to do, to get Yae Miko's cooperation.
Aether also knew he had to bribe Xiao with a lot of almond tofu as compensation for his help as well.
Since singing, was not what the conqueror of demons had expected—nor is it his forte—when he heard his named being called by the traveler. Though the Yaksha had a beautiful voice, amazing enough.
The rest of team actually like the song and were even humming the tune as they continue their trek. Itto even began to beatbox, as Gorou and Ayato rhythmically tap their sides to provide the oni a beat.
While Sara couldn't help but notice something her ears picked up on.
"Hold on… is that Heizou? Heizou singing?! Why is he with y—Did you kidnap him too?!"
Aether sighs, knowing he was going to have another round of explanations with Sara later.
"Is that why he's been gone for a WEEKS?!"
At least Yae Miko's music was drowning out Kujuo Sara's yelling.
Notes:
And that's the chapter, Omake, and song number!
I hope you guys enjoyed it! And again I say, I had a lot of fun writing it. Even though it took me sometime.
Writing lyrics and parodying them can take a lot of brain juice, as Paimon would say, but I feel it's worth it. Especially when I'm having fun.
Next time, we return to Mondstadt and the knights of Favonius. With a certain Abyss prince infiltrating their ranks and see their new training regime. While encountering a cute maid knight as well!
Behold: "Make A Knight Out Of You" (Ft. Diluc & The BAR-ritones; Main Focus: Noelle & Disguised Abyss Aether)
*Yes, I'm pulling something like a reverse Mulan with Aether sneaking in the knights for intel gathering. If you know what I mean, hint hint. Also since it would be two chapters straight with Aether as the traveler & Abyss prince, the next two chapters after 'Make A Knight Out Of You', will be centered around Lumine.
Well that's all! Thanks for reading and see you guys in the next chapter!
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