願いが叶う
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Aether and Paimon slowly entered Liyue once again, though neither looked too good. It was already a month and a half since Osial's resurrection, and all of their companions had done everything to cheer them up. Some less than others, they too were suffering from the grief.
Bennett and Razor had become so close to one another, as they were often reminded of the demon through eachother. They had fulfilled their promise, and started adventuring all over Monstadt. However, they still missed the demon who had taken care of them.
Kaeya had become less talkative, and often started to fall into a daze at random times. All of the knights were so worried that they had forced him into a break. But even so, he had regained some sense, but still was not entirely himself.
Venti was much more worse than the rest. He felt extremely guilty, blaming himself as he insisted that they travel to Liyue. He didn't know it would come to end with his old friend lost. There were times he could not sleep, and times he just tried to drink the pain away but even the wine became bland. It didn't taste the same, neither did it feel right anymore.
Zhongli?
The fallen geo Archon had been more silent and interacted less. Often, he would become violent when alone, ending with several hilichurl camps massacred. He blamed himself over and over again, as sleepless nights haunted him. The memory of the first and last time he saw Alastor kept repeating in his head. Like an endless cycle of torture.
"Aether. . . Let's cheer up! We'll find your sister and Alas—"
"Paimon enough!"
Aether snapped, glaring at the pixie with his sullen and dark eyes. He too were one of the many that could not sleep. He was slowly moving on, but Paimon. . .
The little fairy refused to believe that Alastor had perished in the fight. 'we will find him' she kept repeating those words over and over again, never accepting that Alastor was gone. She could never believe it, no matter what.
All she had been doing was try to find clues of Alastor, sometimes bursting into tears when something reminded her of him. It began to be a dangerous depression, as the little fairy was literally a moth attracted to a flame. She found more comfort closer to a flame.
"Let's just go. . . There are food stalls there so don't worry about your stomach." Aether sighed, frowning as Paimon's silence grew much more natural. Of course, he was upset as well, but he needed to stay strong.
Alastor was not the purpose of his journey. . . But he was someone who helped him so much, taking the time to keep him safe and do all he could to guide him. Even if it was just a few months, Aether deeply appreciated him.
He could still remember when Zhongli had revealed he was Rex Lapis. Least to say, Aether was so close to attempting the murder of a Harbinger. He could never look at Childe without scorn, and no matter how apologetic he seemed, Alastor was much more important. What he felt for Zhongli was even worse. He could easily admit that he hated them both.
They were almost to Liyue, however they saw more corrupted Hilichurld along their path. Aether summoned his sword, weilding the power of Anemo to launch them into the air. He didn't waste any time to remove them from their path, as the Hilichurls were laid to waste.
"Dear me. . . How aggressive." He heard, pointing his sword to the trees. A soft chuckle entered his ears, as a stranger stepped out of the shade.
He couldn't see the mans face, as the strangers hood shadowed his face, except for it's lower half.
"E-Eep! Another Ghost! Traveler run!!" Paimon screeched, tugging at Aether's scarf with all her might. Oh the memory of the childish ghost posessing a ruin hunter haunted her.
"Ah— my apologies if I startled you."
Aether tilted his head, his sword was tightly gripped, but the stranger raised their hands in surrender. "I mean you no harm. Simply going to Liyue Harbor."
Aether narrowed his eyes at the man, sheathing his sword.
"Ooh! We're going there now! Want to come with us?" Paimon suggested, smiling brightly at the stranger. Aether gave her a bewildered look, confused as to why her companion had randomly let a stranger join them.
"Oh? I'd be delighted! Thank you very much travelers!"
The stranger clapped their hands together, smiling brightly at them. Though their face was complelty obscured, the grin he wore was subtly seen.
Aether sighed, nodding as he lead the way. The stranger and Paimon chatted between one another and the little fairy was very much delighted with the person.
"Ah~ The lantern Rite has already begun? I did not know that."
"Paimon likes the food! There are soo~ many and Aether can buy Paimon alot!"
The little fairy grinned brightly, curiously asking the stranger some rather Pamonial questions, such as; what is you favorite food?
"Which nation are you from?" Aether interjected, tilting his head as the stranger gave them a small smile.
"I hail from the city of freedom, though I've been wandering around here and there."
Monstadt. The city of dandelions and freedoms sworn. Aether hummed in thought to the answer, understanding that a Mondstadter of all people would choose to wander the lands of Teyvat. They had freedom unlike the rest, unrestricted by an Archon's rule.
Mondstadt was a second home to Aether. It was the first place he arrived to when entering Teyvat, and the place where it all began. He started his journey there. He made friends and allies there...
He met Alastor there.
"Mondstadt huh... We just came from there."
Aether quietly chuckled, feeling the melancholy spread across him. He dearly missed his friend, and Mondstadt comforted him. The mere memory of Alastor was inlaid within Monstadt.
"Oh? Than you just have gone through a long journey from the city of freedom to the land of commerce." The stranger hummed, smiling at the traveler. Such a mischievous smile like no other, Aether chuckled under his breath.
"Yes indeed. But the journey was pleasant." He admitted, enjoying the peaceful tide he was blessed with during his grieving. The journey that they had promised to go through.
"Well, the journey can be much more pleasant then the destination."
"Yeah! Paimon agrees!"
The sounds of chattering had slowly become louder and louder as they grew near to the harbour. The Lantern Rite was the biggest festival of Liyue, and the citizens would always go all out. Proof was the large Mingxiao lantern that commemorated the adepti.
The festivities were beautiful and this year's Lantern Rite was the biggest of them all. With the death of Rex Lapis and the incident after that, Liyue had put all their effort to perfecting the Festival.
"Traveler, just remember this; it is not the destination that you must focus on, but the experiences you gain from the journey."
Aether's breath hitched, quickly turning around just to see no one there. His eyes widen in shock, as well as Paimon who was frantically looking for the stranger.
"Ahh! That mister really was a ghost!" Paimon yelled, flustered and surprised to see the stranger just vanish like that. The simple question they had was; who was that?
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The traveler and his companion leisurely took interest on the lanterns, fascinated as they had chose to write their wishes on the lantern. Aether had obviously wished something regarding his sister, to enjoy the next lantern Rite with her. He deeply hoped that his sister's wish, that he had written, was granted.
Once he finds her, he plans to let them both explore this world with Paimon. Such a glorious place, unknown lurking around the corner. Yes... This light and joy would be preserved until the horrors of Teyvat were finally revealed.
"Honestly now paimon. Food? Again?" Aether asked, sighing tiredly as the little fairy chuckled nervously. She looked away from her companion, having written something else other than food. She knew that informing Aether of the second wish, or rather, the wish she wanted to truly be granted, would not be too good for his temper.
I wish for Al to come back so he can cook for Paimon again.
Her excuse of food was not wrong. Only Alastor could cook such wonderful food that her memory could not get rid of. Such an innocent and desperate wish.
She giggled nervously, ushering for the traveler to enjoy the lantern Rite. It was so lively, such an amazing sight that both of them could not help but stare infinitely at the wonderous decorations and festivities.
Truly, Liyue never ceases to amaze them.
"Oh my. Traveler, it has been a while."
Aether smiled brightly at the familiar lad, along with his exorcist friend. Xingqiu gave them a smile, as Chongyun nodded his head at them. Clearly, the frozen ardour was trying his best to keep himself from bursting in joy.
"Xingqiu, Chongyun! It's great to see you two!"
He exclaimed, grinning at the duo. Aether blinked in surprise when he noticed Chongyun's blush, turning his head to their hands. Their fingers intertwined, causing him to smirk mischievously.
"Ah~ perhaps I should go. Wouldn't want to interrupt your date."
Aether grabbed Paimon, waving at the duo. He didn't give Chongyun the chance to deny it, watching as Xingqiu chuckled in amusement at the exorcists flustered self.
Aether chuckled, but he couldn't help but feel jealous. His vision blurred, imagining that it was him and Alastor holding hands while Paimon urged them to explore the city. Surely the demon would have such an annoyed and displeased expression along the way. He couldn't help but wish it was real.
He paused— trembling slightly as Paimon turned to him in worry. The little fairy questioned if he was okay, making him take a deep breath. Aether denied, assuring her that he was perfectly fine.
But he wasn't.
He missed the demon so dearly, that everything from Monstadt to Liyue reminded him of them. His heart ached and he constantly blamed himself for it. He kept telling himself; Alastor is gone because of him. Ironic how two gods thought the same way.
Taking in a deep breath, they heard a loud boom coming from behind, and the pair turned their heads to the sky. Fireworks decorated the sky, as lanterns started to replace the stars. It was spectacular, and they were almost speechless at its beauty.
Lthe Mingxiao lantern that so many of Liyue helped make suddenly came to life, and the adepti they commemorated it to danced across the sky. It was magnificent, that so many began to yell cheers and yell out their wishes.
How bold..
"Aether! Aether! Let's get a better look!!" Paimon yelled, running to the nearest teleportation waypoint. The moment the mechanism was activated, they appeared on a cliff by Mt. Tianheng.
The were in awe at the lanterns, until Aether sighed turning to his companion.
"Paimon...what did you really wish for?" He asked, as the fairy freezed to the question. Slowly turning to him, her eyes filled with hope and desperation. Wearing a soft and sad smile, she did not hesitate any longer. Turning to the sky, she began to yell a name...
"ALASTOR!!!"
Tears stinged her eyes, yelling her wish.
"ALASTOR! COME BACK!"
Aether watched in shock as Paimon cried out his name. Unable to stop her... Because he too wished for their companion to return. But alas, the dead cannot return so easily... But neither knew what really happened to Alastor...now did they?
No matter how desperate once heart wishes was, the dead could not be revived. They will stay that way,their souls reborn into new bodies, the memories of their past lives all but forgotten.
Perhaps many of their friends passed companions had fallen like that. A new life and new memories to make, but—
— You cannot revive what is not dead.
"My oh my. What's this? How bold of you to yell my name during a sacred rite."