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“I beg your pardon?” Childe squawked distinctively enough to be able to hear even from the southern port of Liyue Harbor. This could have made Baizhu jump if not for his professional stance, but it certainly had made herbalist Gui almost throw himself off his chair while Qiqi just continued staring at Childe with a glint of unusual curiosity in her dull violet eyes.
“These are all symptoms of pregnancy, master Childe with all due respect. How a male can be impregnated is indeed an intriguing and mysterious topic, but in a land of Adepti, such thing might not come as a bewilderment like it used to be,” Baizhu paused briefly to continue scribbling down what Childe presumed to be his prescription for this odd ‘pregnancy’ (Childe himself still refused to believe his own ears). “Nobody had ever truly solved the enigma of Adeptus sorcery, much less than actually understanding what they can do to a human body. I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been …. copulating with an Adeptus in disguise.”
Childe squinted suspiciously at the small piece of paper full of words he didn’t recognize while Baizhu swiftly tore it from his notebook and handed over to Qiqi. The small zombie skittered away behind the menacing wall of herb cabinets until her small frame was fully hidden from his seat. He snapped his attention back to the indifferent doctor of Bubu Pharmacy, annoyance slowly seething in due to the far-fetched piece of information that Baizhu just totally did not casually throw to his face. Zhongli? An Adeptus? It was mind-boggling enough with his pregnancy, but the realization that Zhongli might have been an Adeptus all along shook him to the core. Adrenaline began rushing through his veins, excitement sneakily crept onto his unhinged facade as Baizhu continued.
“While it is unbelievable, especially to a non-native inhabitant of Liyue, you can be rest assured that the Adeptus in question will not easily brush off his responsibilities for the child. If you have heard of Lady Ganyu, she too was born as a half-Adeptus. Despite the passing of her parents, the rest of Adepti raised her well and you can see the results of their rearing in her contribution to Liyue’s prosperity. Furthermore, before you try to retort, your offspring has been ensured to be one, judging by that not-so-obvious tiny geo mark on your belly”. The doctor sighed dramatically before grabbing his abacus and started calculating the mora he could milk from the Fatui envoy. Certainly you did not get to see a Fatui being imbued with a half-Adeptus child everyday.
“Congratulations, I pray for the safe delivery of them.” Baizhu added, drinking in Childe’s gawking reaction.
Although Childe looked incredibly stupid while still trying to process the huge info dump in his overcapacity brain (filled with bloodlust, family and of course, a certain consultant), the harbinger regained his composure, mustering up the most charming smile he could give at the moment. “I honestly did not expect a healthy male like me could ever experience pregnancy. You have my sincerest gratitude, doctor Baizhu. However, with all due respect, pray tell me when can I expect this child to be born, assuming they are unlike normal human children?” (Childe totally didn’t mentally cringe at his own words. He smacked himself silently to give this a serious consideration for later).
Baizhu contemplated before giving a reassuring reply with a devilish business smile. “You can be at ease, for the child is expected 35 weeks from now on, with the assumption of two weeks into your pregnancy. Now, sorry for interrupting suddenly but your total fee for this check up along with the prescription is 1,00,000 mora”.
The Fatui harbinger was too busy gawking to notice small pit pats of a little girl handing him a moderate package with a strong smell of herbs and medicine.
~+~+~+~+~+~+
Childe was screwed, he was very very screwed. Pregnancy? Checked. Zhongli being a hidden Adeptus? Checked. Childe being the esteemed Fatui Harbinger? Also checked. This was one funny combination if any outsiders were to caught on but he could not let it happen, absolutely not. Dear Tsaritsa, if she were to notice this … Childe couldn’t bear to imagine the consequences he might face.
Yet, a part of him looked forward to the confrontation if he were ever found out. A battle with an Archon was what he had always sought, the thrills it would give, the bloodshed his desire would give in, the delicious adrenaline occupying every inch of his mortal body. Just envisioning it had him half-hard again, damn to the abyss with his battle-sexual urges. However, that brought Childe back to the current reality he had to face: he was nurturing a life within his body now and he wouldn’t ever let anyone know about it, not until he could guarantee their safety from the Fatui and possibly, from his own destructive urges.
Dragging his feet across the cobblestone pavement of Yujing Terrace, gentle breeze brushed his tensed muscles, granting him a moment of relief from the constant torrents of a harbinger’s and a future wife(?)’s duties. Childe just then realized, how would he break the news to Zhongli and how would he confront him about his Adeptus identity. The timing was already bad enough, with the Rite of Descension happening in less than two months. Everything had been planned perfectly, from the forgery of Sigils of Permission to the expectant arrival of the infamous Traveler from Mondstadt. He was even excited to lure an electrifying duel out of them if nothing interrupted his carefully laid out plan. Ah he could already feel that forbidden urge rising up again. Childe silently cursed himself.
Unfortunately, an interruption did emerge out of nowhere, and it had been sleeping comfortably in his abdomen for two weeks now. He reminded himself to hold back, and to refrain from using those accursed powers unless necessary. As tempting as an all-out duel was, he was carrying a new budding life in his body and Childe would never forgive himself if anything happened to them. The harbinger mentally made a remark to still force out the best fight he could out of the mentioned Traveler.
Childe instinctively snapped out of his worries when a familiar blur of gold and amber came into sight. Zhongli, in all of his glory and flashiness, was staring at a set of delicate china with captivating patterns of glaze lilies. Despite it might look like a critic examining the qualifications of an antique, the shopkeeper’s expression said otherwise. He was turning more and more into a ticking bomb every second passing, such an amateur mistake to host a store in the ever-hungry pit under the name of Liyue Harbor. “May I suggest addressing Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for payment?” Zhongli’s rumbling voice could be heard as Childe approached the confused consultant.
“No worries, I can handle whatever amount of mora you need to purchase this fine set, Xiansheng”, a pat on the shoulder should have startled anyone else but not Zhongli, Childe tried everything to make the man unsettled and failed at every attempt to do so.
He held back a laugh when Zhongli just continued his staring competition with the fragile china set thoughtfully before turning around to greet his lover. “Childe, you always have an explicable timing for my dilemma. As you might have already observed, I would like to purchase this lovely set of glaze lilies china. Not only the flowers are imprinted perfect to the smallest details of their pistils to their fragile petals but also the perfect blend of color has brought out their essence gently”.
Absentmindedly, Childe dropped a hefty bag of mora onto the counter before smiling earnestly at Zhongli’s thorough remark, bringing the man’s attention back to reality before he could go on rambling about the process of imprinting glaze lilies onto chinaware. On cue, the shopkeeper hastily wrapped up before handing over a beautiful box decorated with exquisite patterns of silk flowers, beaming greedily while bowing repeatedly like a loyal dog to mora. ‘Pathetic’, Childe commented silently, pondering to himself if he was the same. However, Zhongli’s genuine smile was all he needed to forgo the pitiful store. “Shall we head back to the parlor, Xiansheng?”
The walk back was as uneventful as it could get. While Zhongli’s voice was soothing and calm per usual, it could not throw Childe out of his endless loops of ‘Zhongli is an Adeptus’ and ‘I am bearing his offspring’. No matter what he thought, every piece of puzzle was starting to come together, slowly but surely.
What kind of a normal human male would have Geo-like markings or tatoo in his arms, not mentioning they were practically glowing, hence why Zhongli always stuck to his complicated suit. Furthermore, were amber eyes that radiated like a pair of cor lapis even possible for a Liyuean denizen? Childe reprimanded himself for being so careless, for wasting all this time indulging himself in the consultant’s presence while he could have dug out much more information about Rex Lapis - his main target of Tsaritsa’s mission. Another part of him, nonetheless, fantasized about how swift but hard his attacks could be just like when they were in bed, or how quickly Zhongli could pin him to one of those geo steeles that he saw the prior man had summoned while they were out in an excursion.
Whatever was fighting out in his mind, he was sure of one thing, and that was telling Zhongli about his pregnancy. Baizhu’s advice floated back into his mind easily, and while they were as reassuring as they could be from a doctor (and he doubted Baizhu would have any other motives since this involved one of the famed Adepti of Liyue), Childe couldn’t help but think of the worst scenario.
Deep down, he consoled himself with gentle memories with the consultant, of their meals together, of Zhongli pleasant chuckles whenever Childe dropped his gifted chopsticks from the consultant, of their sweet bonding time every morning, but the dread gradually seeped into his own heart due to the negative influence of his time back in the abyss. He doubted everything, including his first love and his own family. It was the last gift the abyss had bestowed upon him when he was 14. He could trust nobody but himself.
Besides, the consultant was one of the Adepti, ever so loyal to Rex Lapis the Geo Archon, his prime objective. What would happen when he found out Childe had stolen their king’s Gnosis, and maybe killed him in the process? What would happen to their own child if they were caught in the crossfire? Surely, the harbinger wouldn’t be forgiven that easily but their shared life wouldn’t have any part in the future fiasco.
Touching where the small Geo mark would be on his belly silently, pulsing ever so slightly whenever it was brushed by, Childe thought of the worst question left unanswered. Would Zhongli spare him? He could not risk the possibility of it happening, despite his trust in the man’s gentleness. And so, he had made his decision.
“Childe, I have something to announce. The Rite of Descension is coming up soon, and while it pains me to say this, I will be a lot busier. I believe we cannot sleep together due to the nature of my work as a consultant”, Zhongli spoke up first when the door to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was just around the corner, jolting Fatui out of his hallucination. Childe could only offer a slight puff of laughter before holding his hand gently, leather brushing against his fair skin, fingers intertwined together intimately.
“Xiansheng, you don’t have to worry about that”, Childe chuckled shyly before continuing, “Truthfully, a lot of work is coming up at the bank, and new recruits are being dispatched to Liyue as well. It has been my duty to observe and manage both the bank works and the training of newbies”. He noticed Zhongli nodding sympathetically, tightening his grip before pulling Childe closer using his free hand.
The harbinger would have flushed furiously if it wasn’t for the hidden location of the parlor, shielding them from prying eyes of curious locals. Regardless, he still felt his face heating up, bright red decorating his cheeks lovingly, which was a very adorable sight to behold. The consultant shamelessly caressed his heated face while whispering apologies for the unavoidable seclusion. Childe averted his eyes to the cobblestone path, before meeting burning amber eyes directly with his equally sparkling ocean blue.
“Then promise me. To stay safe and to meet me after everything is over. I have something important to tell you. And while I know you have your own secrets to keep, I hope we can be more truthful to each other”. That was unlikely of Childe to speak rashly, to speak like Ajax and not the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger. But he didn’t care. He didn’t notice the slight confusion and fear that flashed through those honeycomb eyes.
With a light kiss on the shorter’s chapped lips, Zhongli smiled softly, “I promise”.
Childe laughed heartily before pulling the other in for an even more passionate kiss, without grasping how Zhongli wasn’t bothered with the phrase ‘everything’ which was supposed to be ‘Rite of Descension’ instead.
~+~+~+~+~+~+
The Traveler truly lived up to their fame, matching from head to toes during their dance of visions in the Golden House, where a fake Exuvia was sleeping eerily, as if to mock his effort of breaking in. Had it not been for his guest and their little fairy companion’s interception, Childe would definitely rip apart the cold corpse in frustration.
He had been tricked, the whole Liyue had been deceived, the moment the exalted Exuvia fell from the sky, crashing onto the small shrine of offerings in a sea of screams and panic zapping through the air like electro. Once a regal and mighty dragon that tore through the sky like a true ruler, now a cold and lifeless corpse. Or at least it looked like it. If it was any normal day for Childe, he would be impressed, thrilled even as Rex Lapis just pulled a stunt like that out of nowhere that basically ruined his whole plan of getting the archon’s Gnosis. Not only he still had a chance to enjoy an overdue battle with the god, he could also salvage his now-falling-apart plan from the start.
Despite being overcome with exhaustion and weariness through the continuous usage of Delusion and Foul Legacy Transformation, Childe still had that unhinged glint in those noctilucous jade eyes, a manic laugh slipped through his façade, drowning in the deafening roar of Osial, the Overlord of Vortex. Frigid raindrops drenched his whole existence, quietly comforting him over the edge of Mt. Tianheng.
He had tried to hold back against the battle with the Traveler, but the heat of adrenaline had messed up his mind and brought out the ugly facet of the abyss. Childe, alarmed with an overwhelm stream of emotions at the realization, from excitement to pure panic, hastily brought his paralyzed hands to move away the fabric of dress shirt sticking to his body like glue. He could only sigh in relief when the soft glow of amber reached his hazy eyes. ‘They’re safe. They’re fine now, Ajax’.
The small break didn’t last long before a shrieking wail pierced through his eardrums, accompanied by streaks of lightning tearing through the murky backdrop of once blue sky, causing him to wince before moving his heavy hand to block off the thunderous sound yet to come. Before he could comprehend what might have happened, heavy crashing sounds could be heard in the direction of the so-called gem of Liyue Harbor, the Jade Chamber built by Ningguang of the Qixing herself. Projectiles from the infamous Guizhong Ballistas could be seen firing in a steady rhythm, successfully pushing back the coiling heads of Osial, but not enough to effectively subdue him.
Flashes of blue and purple fell off the magical platform constructed by the Adepti, indicating the failure of Fatui skirmishers in hindering and sabotaging the ancient weapons. Childe clicked his tongue in dismay. His forces were being thinned out rapidly but the Archaic Lord was still nowhere to be seen. He contemplated for a moment using his transformation again, only to be interrupted by a dull ache in the abdomen. Panic crept onto his expression again, Rex Lapis be damned, his priority now was to ensure the safety of his child. He could always devise another plan to steal the evasive archon’s Gnosis, for the Tsaritsa did not set a definite deadline.
Another loud bang made his head turned immediately back to the floating Jade Chamber, or not so floating anymore as it was literally falling down like a meteor locked on Osial. This definitely was not what Childe had expected, for Ningguang to sacrifice her most prized treasure. He was in awe with all the respect for the lady of jade, but he also knew he was doomed now. His plan officially fell apart, with Rex Lapis snorting amusingly somewhere while enjoying Childe’s puny struggle, he wagered.
Rays of sunlight pierced through the dark rain clouds like a revelation, as if signaling a glorious entrance of an all-mighty being. It would have been divine scene, holy even if it weren’t for the feelings of over-exertion while barely holding his ground, one hand still clutching protectively around his belly. ‘It’s over, it’s my loss’, the harbinger scolded himself before turning his heels towards the Northland Bank, where he could receive overdue treatments for numerous wounds littering his frail frame. As his heavy footsteps sunk into the muddy ground after a vicious battle against an ancient god, Childe’s mind slipped further and further away from consciousness, his body felt heavier with every steps, but he mustered up all his strength to move, for their child’s sake.
It was not until an excruciating pain around his abdomen hit so suddenly that he was brought back with an urgent sense of danger. He felt so warm, even warmer than the hottest day Liyue could offer. Before he could comprehend what had happened, another grueling pain blossomed through his chest. His dull ocean eyes widened with shock, his head reflexively turned around to face his assailant. The shaft, which had felt like a polearm, twisted mercilessly before being yanked out gruesomely, blood dousing a deep crimson pool on the tip of its golden blade. Childe’s face contorted with agony, trying to catch a glimpse of his enemy but failing in doing so. His arms swung over to his belly immediately despite the sluggish reaction, only to identify a gaping hole dripping with his heated blood, warmth seeping away at an alarming rate. The last thing he committed to his memory was the image of a dignified warrior, brown hair flowing freely before dipping to honey tips, fiery cor lapis eyes filled with contempt, symmetrical sigils adorning his muscular arms. The cold earth kissed his motionless body heavily.
“For the glory of Liyue. For the retribution of Rex Lapis”.
~+~+~+~+~+~+
“The contract is fulfilled. That which thou seeketh is now bestowed unto thee, for my promise is solid as stone”, Zhongli announced regally as his Gnosis floated lazily in his palm. Signora couldn’t help a satisfying smirk when she finally held the Archon’s ‘heart’ with elegant movements. The Traveler could only witness the unbelievable unfolded mechanically, with nothing could be done to halt the process. The plotting, the development, the revelation, all of which had been painstakingly devised in order to ensure his retirement. He was now simply Zhongli, the funeral consultant and not Rex Lapis, God of Contracts nor Morax, God of War. Long gone were his days as an Archon revered by every citizen of Liyue.
While he felt little to no guilt in using the Traveler, he was worried about Childe, who had been missing ever since Osial was summoned. There were so many questions he wanted to ask the young harbinger, including the faint Geo elemental tracks that emitted from his body. Even though he had just met him a few days prior in a business meal with the Traveler, he missed his presence dearly, his warmth when he was snoring soundly against Zhongli’s chest, his shy but bold morning kisses.
The consultant had assumed Childe to be present when the grand plan was being revealed, ready to face any backlashes his young lover might throw at him. He would even go as far as indulging him in a duel that had been brought up in almost every meal they had together.
Signora visibly pleased with the outcome, spun around haughtily before brushing past the still gaping Traveler and their little flying creature. She beckoned some Fatui agents over, whispering something about a voyage back to Snezhnaya and Childe. The eleventh Fatui Harbinger name suddenly coming up in the Eighth’s conversation caught Zhongli off guard and he restrained himself from inching closer to listen in.
As if on cue, Signora swung open the bank’s door with her frigid wind, closing it with ease unlike her dramatic opening. As much as he desired to follow her, more urgent matters required his immediate attention, such as the Rite of Parting for the now deceased Rex Lapis.
+~+~+~
Childe woke up in cold sweat, surrounded by a soft and comfortable bed, definitely in contrast to his last memory before he lost consciousness. He warily eyed around room, drinking in every details he could with the only light source being a dimly lit candle on the bed stand and gentle moonlight slipping through the swaying silk curtains. His body felt heavy, but it also felt like he was drifting amongst the suffocating air of medicine and herbs, weightless and-
No, something was wrong. He felt light especially at his abdomen. His hand shakily reached down and touched the damp bandages. It was cold, colder than the winter of Snezhnaya, than the icy glare of her majesty. Childe tore his bandages apart, fresh blood started to flood out again but he couldn’t bring himself to care. His dull ocean blue eyes darted to his belly and all he could see under the faded moonlight was a colorless broken Geo mark.
Torrents of emotions swept through him not unlike an endless whirlpool, contempt, anger, sadness, self-deprecatory, despair. He had nobody but himself to blame. He would sob, letting out all the pent-up tears under his heavy eyelids, but alas he had long lost the ability to do so, for the abyss took everything from him. Fate had never been kind to Childe, abandoning him to the mercy of the abyss, watching him be robbed of every emotion. Only when young harbinger found out he could love again, fate proceeded to deprive him of his most precious, a reminder of him being at constant mercy of the cruel Celestials.
He was about to give in to despair before the sound of opening door to his secluded room reverberated throughout the gloomy veil that resonated perfectly in sync with Childe’s visible distress. Ekaterina, the receptionist of the Northland Bank, otherwise known as Childe’s personal assistant during his mission in Liyue amongst the ranks of Fatui, bowed respectfully before greeting him with a sympathy not unlike a friend.
“Master Childe, my apologies for interrupting your overdue rest. It has been brought to my attention of your awakening,” She paused momentarily to observe her superior’s reaction, receiving an approving nod from him. “I am here to deliver the latest report in regards to the Osial incident as well as your … wounds”, Ekaterina treaded carefully, as if she had already perceived the landmine ahead.
“Continue on”, Childe managed to rasp out, his voice hoarse and dry. He did not want to listen at all, for he knew the results all too well for his own liking, especially news relating to his injuries. The receptionist swiftly summarize the aftermath of Osial incident, with the Qixing pinning all the blame on the Fatui, to no one’s surprise. The bad blood between two organizations could only turn for the worse after all. Cooperation was only a façade, a performance both willing to keep up in order to not incur the Tsaritsa’s wrath, even more important now that Rex Lapis was ‘deceased’.
“Regarding your wounds, while our team managed to patch them up just in time. Notably the large wound in your chest, which would have been fatal considering its close proximity to the heart, was the most problematic to deal with”. Ekaterina quietly contemplated the fresh pool of blood on his abdomen, eyes softened immediately, sympathetically but not even an ounce of pity was presence. She was not treating Childe as a harbinger during her next carefully chosen words, but as a close companion, a friend even if she ever considered him as one. “My deepest condolences, Tartaglia”.
Childe replayed his last recorded memory over and over. While Ekaterina was reapplying fresh herb-imbued bandages to his abdomen, he could only stare blankly outside the now opened window, at the lifeless moon glowing drearily. She worked diligently, her hands moved with practiced accuracy and rhythm, just like whenever Childe returned from an all-out brawl with random Lawachurls. She knew it was best to keep quiet, fearing her voice would break this delicate moment of fake peace. Childe had lost something important to him, and despite the vague credibility, she would trust her eyes more than anything.
A muted choke broke through the tranquility, a single tear slid down Childe’s cool cheek, dropping softly to his clutching hand. Was it really Zhongli that he saw? He didn’t want to believe it, considering he was rapidly losing consciousness. Maybe he was hallucinating, thirsting for the consultant’s comforting presence in the frosty defeat. But those glowing amber eyes, those rigid tatoos covering his arms, they were all too real, too much like his lover. It really was Zhongli, who stabbed through his chest, who killed their own shared life.
Another stream of emotions hit Childe like a tsunami. He wanted to break down, to be Ajax again, mourning for his lost loved one. His duties didn’t allow even a moment of weakness, even if he was alone with his most trusted subordinate, his aid, his only friend now. Did Zhongli know all along, about his plans of murdering Rex Lapis, thus in order to avenge his fallen god, proceed to kill their child in pure rage? No, it couldn’t have been. Zhongli hadn’t been informed of their existence yet. But he was an Adeptus, of course he could have known. If the Geo mark was not a clear indicator, he reeked of its elemental energy.
The more he tried to make sense of the situation, the more despair he immersed. He felt betrayed, but more importantly, he was regretful. What if things could have changed for the better if he told Zhongli before the whole incident had started? What if they could be saved if he didn’t use his Delusion or abyss transformation during the battle against the Traveler? The endless what-ifs only fueled his anger towards himself, for being so incompetent, so blinded by love. Childe called himself a defender of childhood dreams, but he couldn’t even protect his own flesh and blood. Mournfully, he gently caressed his now bandaged abdomen, whispering a wistful vow.
“I will meet you again. I promise”
Ekaterina could only watch empathetically, patting Tartaglia’s hand here and there with her best intentions of providing any comfort she could. No mothers should ever experience such a great loss, not to mention this happening to a barely 20 years old young adult. Being a Fatui meant dangers were everywhere. With his heavy duties as a harbinger, she could never understand the heavy pressure, much less the nature of this esteemed seat. However, they were still humans, they had to eat, sleep and were definitely prone to danger. Tartaglia’s fame as a reckless and bloodthirsty weapon of the Tsaritsa was a widely known fact, but all Ekaterina could see in front of her right now was an ordinary human mourning for their forever lost loved one. That was the reason why she couldn’t help but take off the Fatui mask, weeping silently along the muted sobs vibrating through the suffocating somber mood blanketing the dull lifeless room.
Sudden clicks of heels snapped them out of their grievance, Ekaterina putting on her Fatui mask again just in time as Signora, in all of her glory, stepped into the room with an arrogant aura. The air turned icy the closer she let herself in. The bank receptionist bowed with practiced ease, “Welcome to Liyue, Dame La Signora”.
Being in a good mood, the Eighth Fatui Harbinger ignored a slight delay in reaction of the Fatui agent currently bowing with a perfect posture. She lazily waved her dismissal, waiting until said agent had left the room, closing the door behind her before turning her attention to the bedridden harbinger. Childe was disheveled, but he didn’t care enough to hide it, for the appearance of Signora in Liyue perplex him. “To see you in this unsightly state is an insult to my aesthetic, Tartaglia.” She snorted, noticing the confusion in his eyes, slightly swollen. She was definitely interested on what might have caused an unhinged harbinger to be reduced to this mess, especially when it was Tartaglia, the untamed beast of the Tsaritsa, but that could be easily investigated under the radars.
Childe could only turned his head away in disgust. Signora was the last person he wanted to receive a lecture from. His reaction only fueled her smugness, singsonging her earth-shattering revelation like it was some trivial gossip, “Now that I have acquired the Gnosis from Rex Lapis himself, we shall return to the Zapolyarny Palace and seek an audience with Her Majesty. Even though you have basically contributed nothing, my dear Tartaglia, the Geo Archon was pleased with your performance. I have to admit, to think you have captivated the Prime of Adepti to this extend, quite an impressive feat for a bloodthirsty killer like you”.
Her smirk only stretched even more on her deranged facet at Childe’s widened eyes, alarmingly shaken by the sudden information dump. Before he could voice his confusion mixed with exasperation, Signora chimed in nonchalantly, like an icy dagger through his now lifeless soul, “But of course, who else could it be but your dearest Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, also known as the Geo Archon?”
+~+~+~
The dream premonitions had been delivered successfully, to each of his Adepti and the current Qixing. Zhongli should be able to feel at ease now, but deep down, something was still tugging at his heart, tightly, unrelentingly. Minutes turned to hours, days turned to weeks. His lover was still nowhere in sight, even at the Northland Bank, all he ever received was “Master Childe is occupied”. He tried to visit their shared apartment to no avail. A veil of dust and loneliness burst at his face when he attempted to open its door.
The Rite of Parting had been conducted ceremoniously, under the mourning of Liyuean citizens and a soft breeze of silk flowers and glaze lilies. Dreary atmosphere made the Rite even more solemn, but hope silently seeped in, for a new era had come, an era where gods were only shackles to the prosperity and evolution of human. Rex Lapis, or simply Zhongli, was pleased with the way the Qixing had performed, throughout the Osial incident and its aftermath. His Adepti had also proven to be cooperative when it came to the Archon’s Legacy. A certain Yaksha especially made him satisfied, for he had found a friend in the Traveler now. ‘I should visit him some time later,’ Zhongli noted to himself.
Madame Ping was one of the few presence that saw through his façade, thus the reason why he sent the Traveler to collect the teapot instead. He couldn’t reveal his identity, or all his effort of careful planning would be all for naught. The first she did after their coincidental meeting at the Rite was to smack his rock head, as she had referred. Obviously, his stunt did not leave a good impression on anyone, and definitely not on one of the oldest Adepti that made a contract with him. He could only offer her a fond smile throughout a whole one-hour under the harsh sunlight of an earful. Zhongli didn’t mind in the slightest, but indeed it had been a while since he could indulge in her endless lecture.
The Harbor was as bustling as it had been before the Sea God attack, with collapsed buildings mostly near the port, where attacks were more brutal. Merchants running back and forth, providing supplies to whoever needed, builders’ yells and shouts could be heard with the transportations of wood planks and columns, cooks too focused on preparing hot meals for every workers stopping by. The Fatui left in the Harbor could be seen in a hurry of arranging their menacing warship, metallic grey and icy cold with Fatui flag swaying eerily in blood red. He assumed it was for the harbinger who had obtained his Gnosis.
If one were to look closely, it seemed like nothing had even changed at all. The sentimentality filled Zhongli’s heart with warmth, gentle sea breeze brushing through his silky rattail, caressing his soft crimson eyeliner like a shy maiden.
Everything had been flowing all according to his plan, but the contingent variable of a harbinger weighted heavily, threatening him, and was the only thing that changed. The young man was still missing, the bank staff refusing to disclose his whereabouts. There was still the promise he had made with said Fatui. His first remarks of Childe were his beaming empty laugh, and his sacred vow to never break a promise. In a way, they were both the same, Zhongli contemplated. Clumsy with emotions, absolute contracts (promises), it felt like he was born just for him, and only him.
Thoughts of Childe suffering his injuries alone plagued his mind again, a bad omen if Zhongli’s 6000 years of existence ever warned him. He hoped to meet the young Fatui again, at least before the Snezhnayan ship left. He chided himself for not trying harder, but there was nothing he could do besides praying for his lover’s safety, and for him being not too angry when the truth was revealed. Zhongli couldn’t help but let himself be curious about what Childe wanted to confess, his endearing and intimate promise echoing again and again.
The consultant sighed quietly as he made his way to the Wangshuu Inn. The majestic view of a coiling tree surround the intricate building, like a dragon hoarding its gem, always left their onlookers a sense of bewilderment, awe and calmness. Zhongli sorted himself to fall into the third category, Wangshuu Inn being his prime destination whenever he needed a break from the bustling harbor of Liyue. The blend of meadow and slight saltiness managed to clear his mind every time he paid a visit, images of Guizhong singing to beautifully bloomed glaze lilies, of Childe splashing innocently in the shallow waters of Yaoguang Shoal. However, that was not all the reasons why he had decided to pay a visit. It was an offense that brought about the inevitable confrontation.
A gust of wind signaled the arrival of his expected guest.
+~+~+~
Xiao had been restless, cue from the incident. For the time he had spent serving Rex Lapis, this was the first time he felt himself being judged, invisible needles pricking him on every inch of his skin. The pain was nothing comparing to what he had suffered through, but the pressure, not unlike being pinned by the Archaic Lord’s stone spears of the Guyun Stone Forest, made him feel suffocated, as if he had committed a grave sin, which could never be atoned.
What bothered him the most was the Geo elemental energy leaking from the Fatui dog. It was too close to home, which did not do anything but escalated the problem. Was there something lurking beneath all this fiasco? Xiao had never been a person of machinations and schemings, but even he felt out of the loop. Questions left unanswered kept flooding in, until a familiar aura entered his domain. As if in a trance, he disappeared instantly, anemo fluttering like an eye of the storm, before landing neatly in front of his one and only Lord.
“It has been an overdue meeting, hasn’t it? My apologies, for being elusive, and for the ploy I have put the Adepti through. I am glad to see you in good health, however, Xiao.” Rex Lapis, or as he preferred after the dream announcement, Zhongli stood regally, as imposing as Mt. Hulao. Xiao would have mistaken for the great God of War’s return, but the circumstance screamed different.
“Rex- Zhongli, I have been awaiting your arrival. You have a lot of explanations to do.” Xiao huffed, dematerializing his spear into glittering anemo sparkles before kneeling respectfully. The pain flooded back, all at once, doubled even, which made the Yaksha flinch a little, hoping Zhongli wouldn’t notice the tiny jolt. Nothing could escape the all-seeing eyes of once Archaic Lord.
If he had noticed, he chose to ignore and chuckled slightly at his old friend. “I believe I have explained thoroughly through your premonition,” Zhongli paused before his expression turned rigid , as serious as when he was forming a contract. “I believe you are the one who owe me a clarification instead. I sense a breach of contract, Xiao.”
Panic was an unknown emotion to the Guardian Yaksha, for in the worst scenario, he would never lose his calm. The revelation hit him like a meteor, never did he imagine he had violated a sacred contract with his liberator. Everything clicked together like the Memory of Dust, those prickling sensations were only the prelude to its main act, Wrath of the Rock, enacted by none other than the God himself. To add more to the palpable pressure, crushing everything dare venture onto site, Zhongli asked, no, it was an order. “Adepti contracts are absolute, and they are eternal. I reckon you haven’t lost sight of it, haven’t you? Protect Rex Lapis' Legacies.”
Xiao couldn’t help but jolt at the line of his contract. Coming from the contractor implied the heavy crime he had committed unconsciously. He had protected Liyue from the onslaught of Osial, ensured the safety of its people, aided in the re-seal of the Overlord. No matter how much he tried to recall, he couldn’t find any fault in his actions. Unless…
No, it couldn’t be. But it could. And it was the truth. That Fatui Harbinger, he had his Lord’s legacy. His eyes widened in shock, unfocused as cold sweat started trickling down his terrified expression. Even if he attempted to deny the stone-cold fact, everything he felt back then, when the blade pierced his abdomen, they only served to snap him back to the harsh reality. The Geo elemental energy was Rex Lapis’, and it was radiating from the Harbinger’s belly, where he mercilessly gutted. Xiao knew he couldn’t keep quiet any longer. He had sworn loyalty to the one and only Geo Archon, and it was fitting for him to suffer the punishment for his treacherous crime.
“Zhongli, I have committed a grave crime.” The Yaksha didn’t dare look at the ex-Archon, but he had to, if he ever wanted to prove his fealty. Golden eyes met fierce amber, Zhongli was waiting patiently, intensely for an answer. As much as he wanted to relax and helped Xiao up, a breach of contract was one of the most severe violation against his unspoken law. However, he couldn’t help but be curious about what might have happened. Did his Adeptus hurt a citizen of Liyue, or damage a part of its glorious landscape? His unpleasant worries flooded back like a premonition to himself.
Xiao sternly voiced out his crime, watching the expression of his Lord turn from impassive to pure horror. “I have attacked the young Fatui Harbinger in order to avenge your death. And I believe he was carrying your Legacy, for he was not a citizen of Liyue.”
The air crackled with small particles, the amount of elemental energy gathered around the ex-Archon could drown a normal human, the ground fractured in large fissures, rumbling in resonance of the Geo energy Zhongli had released when Xiao finished. If it weren’t for his great grip on restraint and his loss of Gnosis, he could have struck down the Guardian Yaksha on the spot.
He cursed himself for not considering this early enough. Childe couldn’t have laid low during the whole incident, evidenced by the destructive aftermath found in the Golden House. With Xiao’s assault, he was definitely incapacitated. But the meaning behind a loss of his Legacy found in Childe’s body …
“We will discuss about it on a later date.” Zhongli managed to grumble out before turning his heels to the direction of the Harbor. A sound of low rumbling hummed in the distance, a large mass could be observed leaving the docks to the open sea.
+~+~+~
“Master Childe has already left.”
~+~+~+~+~+~+
News of the Traveler’s arrival in Snezhnaya spread like wildfire. Hardly anyone did not hear about their heroic achievements, from the freedom of the Four Winds, Dvalin in Mondstadt to the subdue of blazing Lady Murata of Natlan, even within strict control of information flow by the Tsaritsa. Due to ceaseless preparation of war against the celestials, a dreary and monotonous veil draped across milky white landscape, blemished with factories and military camps here and there. Even if life was quiet and dull, everyone knew red would soon be added to their once pure canvas.
“Are you leaving so soon already? You’ve barely been here for two days!”, Tonia pouted while still trying to fix her newly braided locks of ginger hair amongst dozens of her other fruits of labor. Ajax could only smile ever so fondly at her complaints while mulling over her pieces of art in the mirror.
Teucer, who had been sleeping in his lap after a wild day of attempts to mimic his older brother’s fighting stances, mumbled something about Mr. Cyclops and a toy factory before shifting into a more comfortable position to nuzzle against his thick blanket and the cold warm presence of Ajax’s body and crackling fireplace. Anthon screamed about a new invention to aid his brother’s upcoming battles and had since been hibernating in his small shared bedroom with Teucer. He made a mental note to check their bedroom later, in case Anthon was experimenting with explosives again.
“I’m sorry Tonia, but you know the drill. Emergencies can always come up when you least expect it”. Ajax turned around and patted her slightly ruffled hair, chuckled softly when she huffed dramatically. “How about we all sleep together tonight, like the old times?”, hoping to soothe her growing disappointment whenever Ajax came home just to abruptly leave again the next day.
Ajax knew, he knew that his family was the last lifeline, akin to a lighthouse in the middle of abyss, where no light could ever reach. However, just as how he had realized its importance, he also had experienced its loss, how delirious and agonizing it was. Fate had never been kind to him, certainly not when the truth was revealed by none other than his much despised colleague. And to mock him, rumors had it that the traveler was accompanied by a handsome and regal man with intense amber gaze which felt like it could pierce through a person’s true essence.
Ajax, no, Childe should be burning with anger and contempt when he heard the news, but no emotions were visibly shown besides his familiar empty unhinged laugh. Was it because of his position as the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger, or was it due to the fact that he had no emotions left to display? Only Childe himself knew the harsh truth.
A light smack to the head brought Ajax back as Tonia glared at him with exasperation. She gave up a moment later in order to adjust her big round glasses and scolded him, “If you’re so busy with work, why do you still have time to daydream? It’s so unfair!”.
‘I will miss this scene dearly’, Ajax mentally recorded everything to his memory, from her cute squeaky voice to Teucer’s quiet steady snores. If he didn’t, he would drown in the sea of abyss or did he drown already?. He wondered while absentmindedly touch his abdomen, if they had the chance to reach Tonia’s age, could they too, integrate comfortably into his large but cozy family? Could they too, laugh innocently along with his mischievous younger siblings and live a normal life? Could he too, meet them again in the depths of the abyss?
“Now now Tonia, you will wake Teucer up. Besides, I stayed longer this time! My princess, don’t you think I’ve improved a lot since last visit?”. Ajax cooed and it worked wonder, as a bright flush adored Tonia’s faint freckles before dismissing it and retorting back by pulling on his braids. The pain made him wince but it didn’t prevent him from laughing heartily, mirth dancing on his lifeless ocean blue eyes. How long had it been since he could laugh like this?
“Yes, I am extremely pleased with your service, my dearest knight Ajax. Now promise me that you will return soon and safely with lots of gifts. I won’t tolerate any delay nor any excuses you make!”. Tonia puffed her chest proudly, trying to act like a dignified princess of royalty with a little exasperation, which only made her look more endearing. Ajax would whole-heartedly commit this to his no longer beating heart, if it wasn’t for the word ‘promise’ being mentioned. He had never hesitated when it came to making promises with his family, especially his younger siblings. For once, he was at a loss for words.
To my beloved ⬛⬛,
I have kept you waiting, haven’t I? Do not fret, for our reunion is nigh.
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“I promise”.