"不公正な契約"
━━━━━━━

A soft whisper ringing in his ears, comforting him from the sense of betrayal he felt. Resting in another's arms, he let his tears trail down his cheeks.

"Shh... Don't worry. I'm still here, you don't have to rely on the others too much."

Astaroth hummed, caressing Aether's hair. The lad arrived to the edge of Dragonspine, searching for him and him only. The next thing he knew, Aether was sobbing into his chest, while Paimon was whisked away by Nyx to give them privacy.

The cold winds caressed their skin, Astaroth's body was the only warmth Aether had. His arms wrapped around the outlander―Aether was willing to ignore the frigid torture.

Azhdaha has been sealed once more, and Aether had to go through so many trials just to do so. A mere question he has asked the lord of Geo, only to be told that an answer was not his reward.

It felt like betrayal.

Aether was selfish, as he thought of himself. He had saved the nation of Liyue, without him, he could hardly think of how the adepti could find someone that could endure their power at once.

Azhdaha reemerged, he did not hesitate to help them. He did not hesitate to help fight another ancient being, only to be left with nothing but anger and despair.

"This is―this is just unfair!"

He cries out, feeling the Archon's hands rub circles on his back. Clutching onto Astaroth, he couldn't help but whimper into his chest.

"Just...why won't either of them help me?"

Astaroth frowned, disappointed in Zhongli. But what else could he do? Morax had a contract that stopped him from speaking of Khaenri'ah. Venti wanted to desperately forget about the incident, and there was still no method to get to Inazuma.

Astaroth was the only source of truth he could rely on.

And said god gladly became the only one he relied on, aside from both Paimon and Nyx of course.

"I can't tell you much about Morax and Barbatos, but if you need anything else, I will help you. I promise that."

Astaroth vowed, pressing a soft kiss to Aether's forehead, the poor traveler weeping and sobbing. He pitied the boy, doing all he can to comfort him.

The traveler reluctantly nodded, keeping his arms stuck around Astaroth. He didn't care how clingy he was — all he wanted was someone to comfort him, to soothe his worries.

"Stop that now. You look better with a smile on."

Astaroth commented, a smile tugging at his lips, as he wiped away the tears Aether had shed. He couldn't lie about the fact that the sight of Aether crying made him angry, slowly calming himself down for the outlanders sake.

If there were a time that either of the twins arrived to a near death experience, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate the threat.

Though he cherished Teyvat, his greed and desire clouded this. What he wanted to do was simple...

Have the twins escape from this hell.

Neither deserved this punishment — so all he needed to do now, was create a single opening. An opening that would allow them to be free from Teyvat.

"Calm yourself now— Hm? You can't?"

Astaroth chuckled, not even needing an answer as Aether refused to stop the tears from cascading.

"Want me to tell you a story?"

Aether tilted his head on confusion―surely those tears began to dwindle, little by little did they only leave stains over his cheeks.

Astaroth chuckled, once again wiping the remaining tears. He gladly began to speak as Aether nodded to his words.

"Hundreds of years ago, there was a plain of starry blooms. An astral garden, covered by crystal like flowers.

Two children, a pair of twins played in this garden. The girl who would make flower crowns for her brother, and the brother who would scatter the petals in the air for his sister.

When the two weren't playing in their garden, they would explore the stars. But there were rare times they did not do it together."

The sister, caged in a world she did not know

"But they would always reunite. Be it inside that starry garden, or in another world, the two always reunited. It was a promise neither would break."

And her brother followed,

"Sometimes, they couldn't help but quarrell, but they always made up. Sometimes, the reason they fought was because of another's influence."

the two clashed, his sister no longer the one he knew.

"But, their twin would always find the resolve to save them. Though it would be dangerous, they always kept eachother safe.

One day, the two landed into a new world. They stayed there for centuries, and time flew quicker than they thought.

The two were still together, happily watching the world grow."

Neither could leave. They watched the world progress, but they were not by eachother's side.

"But the two wishes to travel the stars once more... Alas, they still had unfinished business in that world."

An unending journey to save the other was born.

Astaroth smiled as he ended the story, listening to Aether's soft yawning. The traveler's head resting on his shoulder,

"But.. what happened... To the garden?"

Aether yawned, whispering as he soon fell to sleep. Comforted and safe. Astaroth couldn't help but chuckle, picking him up, gently as he carried him bridal style.

Aether still rested his head on him.

Once the traveler was truly asleep, the smile he wore faltered. He couldn't help but frown, trudging down Dragonspine until the world around them turned dark.

The shadow realm only him and his allogenes could enter. It was a wonder that Aether could withstand the darkness that swallowed them.

Arriving to a dimly lit room, Astaroth hummed as he placed Aether onto his bed. Removing the strands of hair that covered his face. His expression turned soft, planting another kiss to his forehead.

"The garden has been forgotten by the sister. And the brother wishes for her to witness it one last time..."

.

"It seems like he has discovered about Khaenri'ah..."

The archon sighed, taking a sip of his favorite wine. The situation has become even more dire, as the desire for information began to bloom inside their hero.

The two sat inside a secluded room within Wangsheng funeral parlor. The room enchanted so others could not hear them.

"Well that's expected. They're not here to save us from calamity, the boy is here for his sister."

The other took a large amount of wine, swallowing it as if it were nothing. His azure eyes glinting at the elder one, snickering at his troubles.

"Maybe we should wipe out his memories..."

Zhongli whispered, troubled of the situation. Taking another sip of his osmanthus wine, pressing a hand against his cheek.

The matter of Khaenri'ah has been erased from the memories of almost every single mortal alive. But Aether did not originate from Teyvat. He was from outside this world.

Though the traveler had saved both of their nations, the cataclysm of five hundred years ago was the secret of gods.

They didn't need another enemy. The fatui and abyss order were already a handful, any more problems they may not be able to survive.

Aether was powerful. They knew that.

"That— you buffoon! You don't solve a problem by removing their memories!"

Venti yelled, enraged and horrified of his suggestion. He knew how much power Aether could gain, and such things as memory manipulation would not work so easily.

He's seen the boy defeat a poisoned Dvalin. He's seen the traveler cure corrupted tears, cure his dear friend.

Of all people who knew Aether, Zhongli and Venti were fully aware of the power he may possess in the future. It was almost a miracle that the statue of Astaroth have vanished from Teyvat, who knows what kind of power Aether would carry with Sceo in his hands.

"Barbatos, what are we supposed to then? Celestia will be enraged! The only thing we can do now is seal his memories, or keep him if ignorant! He'll be in danger!"

Venti bit his lip at his statement. Knowledge was the most dangerous thing in Teyvat, and Aether was a curious outlander.

But the two froze as they felt a familiar — dark presence that enveloped the entire room. The shuddered, feeling some sort of negativity from the aura alone.

"Morax.. Barbatos..."

Their eyes widened as they snapped their heads to the side, staring at the dark haired man. Silver optics pierced their souls, worrying them further.

"Astaroth, thank goodness!"

Barbatos sighed in relief, but he couldn't help but feel concerned of the expression his friend was making. Devoid of all emotion — his countenance did not give a single hint of what he felt.

"Speak to this buffoon! He wants to erase Aether's memories of Khaenri'ah!"

Morax stood up, slamming his hands on the table as he glared at the bard. Truly, he was worried for their traveler, and this was the only way he could think of to keep him safe.

"I am merely worries for his safety! If Celestia were to see this as a threat—"

"Be quiet."

Morax immediately shut his mouth, his body getting tense. Hesitation, he turned his head to Astaroth, paling at the dark stare he received.

It has been so long since he's experienced this terrifying pressure. He spent years, begging that this feeling would never return — yet Astaroth did not hear his wish.

Barbatos was in the same situation, frozen on the spot. He wanted to step back, he desperately wanted to — but Astaroth gave of a feeling alike to duress.

The couldn't move. Unable to properly look into the eldest gods eyes. A gaze filled with contempt that they weren't expecting.

"This is my only warning for both of you."

His hair that shadowed his expression was enough to make them gulp. His eyes glowed gold for a second, and the two gods could feel an intensity crushing them.

It was too much, Barbatos collapsed to the floor, while Morax used his chair as support. As if gravity wanted them to be crushed to the ground, they couldn't raise their heads.

It was suffocating. Barbatos clutched his chest, trying to desperately find some air, but it didn't seem to be the case.

"Don't think of touching Aether.... And don't certainly think that you can influence his memories."

The pressure slowly dimmed down, as the two panted and slowly lifted their heads. It could only instill fear within them, as the eyes they stared at were frighteningly familiar.

It wasn't Astaroth...

"Don't interfere with an outlanders mind"

Astaroth narrowed his eyes at them, his voice laced with so much venom and fury. He never expected for Morax to even suggest brainwashing. It was horrific.

"Have you gone mad? Or have you lost your sense of fairness since the cataclysm?"

Morax grit his teeth, trembling at the question. He was the god of contracts, yet he suggested something so unfair, it contradicted his own ideology.

"Morax..."

Yes..

Morax.

Not little dragon.

Not ballad.

Morax and Barbatos.

"Cease this foolishness... I'll be the one to handle Aether. I'll see to it that Ei fixes herself, and check on the situation with the Tsaritsa... Neither of you two shall interfere."

The two gods were still silent, as Barbatos who held an unimaginable amount of fear knelt before Astaroth, startling Morax. The suffocating feeling he had just experienced was horrific and it made him dizzy.

Morax who couldn't not understand that absolute submission Barbatos had given to the archon of Sceo, took one last glance at Astaroth, and followed his friend.

"Understood, Lord Astaroth."