"Sir", Zhongli turned to face the guard standing at the side of the gate. "Her Royal Highness the Tsaritsa indicates that you are welcome to enter."
"Thank you."
The gates began to creak as they opened. They were tall, emphasizing the high ceiling of Snezhnaya's palace. An excessively large construction for Zhongli, the Geo Archon, who was more accustomed to low ceilings and warm colors. Between the gates the light of the throne room was shining and in the distance the silhouette of the Tsaritsa, or as Zhongli knew her, Archon Cryo, could be seen.
Zhongli began to walk in the direction of the Tsaritsa. His slow but sure footsteps echoed in the huge hall. Ever since he ascended to Celestia, the Cryo Archon had always been the warmest and kindest of them all. After all, she was known as the Goddess of Love. Not long after, she began to form her own army, the Fatuus, and distanced herself from the Seven. Rumors and controversy began to surround the Archon and her decisions. Many people thought that she had become evil, others, however, defended that she did not kill for no reason. He himself had seen actions by the Fatuus that had not pleased him, but who was he to judge? In fact, the reason for his visit was to, somehow, support this cause against the Celestial Order.
"Morax", the Tsaritsa greeted.
"Sitri. You can call me Zhongli", the Geo Archon introduced himself. In this human form he was not identified with Morax, especially with his past actions during the Archon War.
"So you call yourself Zhongli these days", Sitri smiled at him. "It has been many years since we met. Tell me, to what do I owe this honor?"
"I would like to negotiate a contract."
"Oh, I see. You haven't changed a bit, old friend", Sitri expected nothing less from the God of Contracts. Not that Zhongli would pay her a visit from time to time, if he was there it was for business, no doubt about it. "Go ahead", she encouraged him to proceed even though she had an idea around what it might be about.
"I know you intend rebelling against Celestia and hence want to get all the Gnosis. I propose to exchange your help and protection for my Gnosis", Zhongli began.
"As clever as ever, Morax. Tell me, what is it all about?", Sitri was truly expectant. Morax had been leading his nation, Liyue, for over 6000 years. In all that time, he had been able to protect his people from major conflicts, such as the well-known Archon War, not that he needed any help.
"One drizzly day, I was strolling about Liyue Harbor, and overheard a merchant telling one of his workers: 'You've finished your duties, go ahead and call it a day.' I couldn't help but stand amidst the milling crowd, wondering 'Have I... already finished my duties?' During my life I have closed many contracts but one could say that there is only one that to this day is still active: the contract with Celestia, ruling over Liyue. However, since the end of the Archon War, Liyue has belonged to its people. The time of the Adepti is ending and the time of the mankind is slowly dawning. And, thus, it has to be the very end of Rex Lapis. The Seven Stars of Liyue Qixing are fully prepared for it. For that purpose, this negotiation will be the contract to end all contracts."
Zhongli remained calm, explaining everything carefully. The Tsaritsa was listening to each and every one of his words. She had always admired Morax. Even if he was known for his strength in combat, over the last few years he had shown that he did not only possess this quality. He has been able to transfer his knowledge so that the civilization of Liyue would prosper, standing out from the nations of Teyvat. For her it was worth admiring this change, how despite his longevity and his block-head and brutish reputation, he has worked to evolve and improve, delegating power over mortals. Somehow, the Geo Archon had realized that deities are not superior for it.
"As you may know, every year the Rite of Descent is celebrated in which Rex Lapis shows up to expound his forecasts to the merchants of Liyue", this is how Morax was also known as the God of Commerce. "I need your army to be present during the event to divert attention to them as soon as the God of Liyue will fall. It is essential that they know nothing of this plan and my identity is kept in secret. I will protect your men, at no time will they be in any danger, therefore, there will be no reason for violence. Thus, under no circumstances should Liyue or any of its citizens be attacked during the duration of the contract", Zhongli proceeded after seeing that the Tsaritsa was listening to his every word.
"Then how do you plan to ensure that The Seven Stars of Liyue will be able to keep protecting your legacy?"
"The thought of releasing Osial has occurred to me."
"That could be dangerous, Morax."
"I do know. I do believe Liyue Qixing is capable of it. In any case, if it gets out of control I will take action myself. Hence, I will keep the Gnosis until the end of the plot."
"I need a pledge that after this you will hand over the Gnosis to me."
"It is fair. I heard that Signora is the one in charge of the Gnosis pursuit, is that right?", the Tsaritsa nodded. "She will be the only person who knows about the plan at any time. I will meet her at the end of the scheme to hand over the Gnosis to her personally. I give my word that this will be so. My word is bond in stone. In any case, if it is not so, she may use whichever method she pleases to obtain it", the Tsaritsa knew well that the Geo Archon or God of Contracts would keep his word but she could not avoid assuring her part of the contract. Everyone knew the basis of contracts is an equitable exchange of benefits.
"I will support your fight", Zhongli continued. "The Adepti and I will support your army during the rebellion against Divinity, as well as any citizen who is willing to battle, on an entirely voluntary manner. Aside from my word, you can consider the Gnosis as a pledge of this. I must remind you that as allies I expect you to keep peace with the nation of Liyue and, in case divine help is needed, Liyue will have that resource." Currently all the problems about the nation were conflicts against the Fatuus but Zhongli did not want to leave loose threads just in case.
The Tsaritsa couldn't help but smirk, who wouldn't want the Warrior God as an ally. "I am surprised by your decision though I understand and support your motivations, Morax. I am glad that you have realized that Celestia has never supported us in our duty, they are simply interested in having a connection with the most powerful people of Teyvat to use us as their weapons. As a partner I have to inform you that the cause is also being supported by the princess of the Abyss, Lumine, and her army. You may have heard of her twin, the Traveler. Do understand that this is confidential information."
Zhongli nodded, "So be it."
"The 11th Harbinger, Tartaglia, is currently relocated to Liyue", the Tsaritsa continued. "I will write to inform him that his current mission is to find the Gnosis of the Geo Archon. There is no need to introduce yourselves, I overheard that you already know each other." She let a sly smile show.
"Yes, he is a good soldier."
The initial reason she decided to assign Tartaglia to Liyue was because of the personality of Morax. As chaotic as the 11th Harbinger could be he could find himself in a lot of problems with the other Archons, she knew that with Morax there would be no issue, he had another philosophy of life right now. And coincidentally, it turned out that Tartaglia hit it off with his mortal form, Zhongli. For the Tsaritsa they were like the yin and yang, the one complemented one another. As Goddess of Love, she felt responsible for matching who she thought would work, these two were no exception.
"Highly loyal, you won't be disappointed. He is the youngest among the Harbingers, but one of the most dangerous among their number. His cavalier demeanor hides a responsible, watertight meticulousness. I am sure Tartaglia will fully enjoy the plan, he lives for the thrill of a fight and causing chaos", she was sure it was everything Zhongli was looking for. "I have no doubt he will call upon your knowledge at some point so I trust you to guide him with the Osial matter. Still, as we have discussed before, Signora will be aware of the plan and will closely follow each and every one of Tartaglia's actions, reporting to me directly. I will make sure it goes as planned and your identity remains incognito", she paused for a moment to read the expression on Zhongli's face. Impassive. She supposed he didn't dislike anything being reported, even so she didn't want to play against Morax. "Your nation will be protected, as previously mentioned, until the conclusion of the contract: the fall of Celestia. Is there anything else to include?"
"To prepare the Rites of Parting for the Adepti, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will need a large amount of funding. Ceremonies must be prepared with the utmost care and detail", Zhongli explained.
"To discuss these matters feel free to visit The Northland Bank. Ekaterina will open an account for the Funeral Parlor, I will notify her."
"We can settle the deal then. Let this contract be stone", Zhongli concluded. The Gnosis provided him with a connection to Celestia's Divinity. By handing it over, it was the only thing that could put him at a disadvantage against the other Archons, especially against the Cryo Archon who aimed to obtain all of them. But once Celestia is defeated, this threat will disappear forever. With the Cryo Archon as a trusted partner, Liyue would maintain its position at any moment, being one of the strongest nations merely counting the protection of Liyue Qixing and the Adepti.
"May it be so."
"It is a pleasure to make deals with you, Sitri. An honor to be your ally. I am at your service", Zhongli bent softly in front of the Tsaritsa bowing.
"Likewise, Morax. We remain in contact. Take care", the Tsaritsa said as goodbye.
***************
Author notes
Hi there!! This is my first fic, I hope you like it! I'm putting quite a lot of effort into it to follow the lore as best as possible, though this chapter's story is mostly headcanon (we still don't know what contract Zhongli made).
I have chosen Sitri as the demonic name of the Cryo Archon according to my quick reading of Ars Goetia. It is said that Sitri was very beautiful and could force love, which could relate to the Goddess of Love, mentioned in one of the Teyvat trailers. He also formed a trinity of demons, which would be the alliance with Morax and Lumine. I'm curious, what are your headcanons about the Cryo Archon?
The description the Tsaritsa does about Childe is from the lore. There are also some descriptions from the lore through all the chapter.
Twitter @nekonekonak [ I have to use it more often but there it goes (: ]
If you prefer, the story is also uploaded in AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39709953/chapters/99413904
Enjoy the reading!