"りゅうの名前"
━━━━━━━

"Ehe! Schatten!"

Noir's blood went cold, snapping his head towards the oh so familiar — yet irritating — voice of his dear friend. A strained smile stuck to his face, pushing Durin behind him as Venti ran to them with a bright smile. Everything felt fine for the bard, but most certainly not for the trio of shadows. The god of chaos scowled, glancing at the irritated Nyx who his Durin behind her.

Nyx immediately shielded the draconis from the bards sight, feeling his small trembles. A confused look on his face as he could not properly recognize who the person was, yet dread was instilled in him. As if the harmless bard in front of him as a monster that would rip him limb from limb.

It was unexpected.

The great monster of the abyss; Durin was hiding behind the notorious midnight serpent; Nyx. The monster known to have destroyed a portion of Teyvat, shroud the lands in darkness with his wide and dark wings, yet in truth it was but a mere child crying out for help.

"Venti. It's quite nice to see you."

Hiding his sarcastic tone, Noir gave him a frustrated smile. But Venti continued to grin brightly, hooking his arms with Noir's as he blabbered about how he missed his dear friend.

But his schatten gave him a bored smile, patting his head, but the action did not show any affection. It made Venti confused, pouting before he turned to Nyx, glaring at him as usual, but there was an unknown detest in her eyes. It was only a second later did his aqua colored gaze fell upon the trembling young lad hiding behind the serpent.

An unfamiliar face, yet a familiar presence. It made a shiver go up his spine, as he waved at the stranger hiding behind the one he saw as a rival. The dissapointment he wore as the stranger hid even more, seemingly afraid of him.

Trying to say hello, Venti was halted once Noir placed his arm in front of him. Acting as a barrier between the bard and the two that were quite uncomfortable with said bards presence.

"Forgive me Venti, but that child is quite...timid. He's uncomfortable with almost everyone except us, so refrain from going near him."

Venti flinched at his cold tone, blinking in confusion ― only to see a warm smile upon Noir's expression. Cold sweat trailed of his forehead, nodding hesitantly as he took a step back.

"Well then. Allow me to introduce you to... Raven."

Although quite ironic for a dragon to be called a raven, it was the most suitable. Durin had raven colored wings and scales, so alike to the night that it was perfect for a creature of Sceo.

Venti gave him a smile, waving his hand as the lad known as 'Raven' hid himself behind Nyx. A hand to his mouth, as his breathing grew unstable. His trembling form was unnoticeable to those quite ignorant, but Nyx could feel his body shake in fear.

Removing her gaze from the bard, she wrapped her hand around Durin, whispering assuring words, comforting sentences that was like a melody to his ears. A small nod of his head, and Durin snuggled into her chest, wishing that he could take even the smallest nap.

"He's still not used to strangers... We must go now, Venti. I fear that Raven has used up to much energy for today."

Noir hummed, not sparing the bard a glance as he lead the two to Good hunter, leaving a rather hurt Venti. His hand clenched into a fist, pressed against he chest — frowning as his gaze was stuck to the floor.

The apathetic nature Astaroth had was something he was so used to, yet this demeanor he showed made it seem like he didn't matter. His heart squeezed at the thought of Astaroth forsaking him, and yet his blurry mind came to the memory of the dragon he had slayed do many years ago.

The clear black smoke from the Dragon's being, a creature of Sceo. The element that defied Celestia, and did not match with the others. Durin was a creature of that single element of darkness that Teyvat feared so greatly — including the Archons.

As the god of freedom, he followed his virtue, his ideals of freedom. Knowing that he could not have Astaroth, he set his heart free, watching as the god he admired so much walk further and further, and into a future he may not be able to see.

The melancholic smile on his face, humming as he walked back to the front of the statue dedicated to him. Glimpses of the trio rushing from the restaurant to the tavern, he pursed his lips and summoned his lyre.

Playing a soft tune as he walked around the the statue of Barbatos, his melancholic gaze was stuck to the sky. His melodious voice spilling from his lips, citing words of his sorrow and desire.

"The mystery that shrouds you, the one heaven sent from above...

Can we dance under the night you dearly love?

Stars shine beyond us,

The moon favors you thus.

The one I adore so much~

Yet you walk further and further away.

Is it wrong for me to beg you...

To stay?"

A stray tear fell from his azure hues, as the wretching pain in his back fell upon him again. As if he were a dove that lost its wings..

Barbatos could not fly into the dark night sky, and was trapped in the day ― to be cursed by the sun's light, and never to see the stars shine closer.

That was the curse set upon him.

By his friend, the one he adores so much... The night sky no longer welcomed him the moment he unfurls his pure white wings,

The wings stained by the blood of sinners. Red ruined the purity of his wings, as the regret and guilt ate him away. Of all the gods, it was the Archons who knew how cruel Astaroth could be.

But even so—

Barbatos would beg him to stay.

His one and only salvation from this prison.

.

Bloodshed.

Shadows.

Fire.

Wind.

He could vaguely remember these details of his death. The blood in his hands, the blood of innocent people he had killed upon his corruption. It made him feel disgusting. It made him feel filthy.

He felt weak.

Succumbing to a mortals manipulation, with the power his master loved so dearly. Alchemy that has created him, the same art that was used to control him. To turn him into a mindless beast that attacked everything around him.

That was the Durin history knew.

His purple flames that burned down the lands, his claws that ripped apart families. His teeth that devoured the innocent. His wings that trapped the mortals in an endless darkness― the same reason why mortals now fear the night.

He could remember it all.

And those three.

It made him vomit.

He never knew that they would meet again so soon. Not even the second week of his resurrection, the bard clad in green runs up to them, a wide grin on his face as if he has never committed any sins. The melodies he has heard from the famous bard, all tales of wise and righteous heroes. Yet none of them were made for Astaroth.

None of them contained a single line or rhyme of the god of chaos and his creations. Everything about Astaroth was not recorded, whatsoever.

Durin... He detested the sky.

Merely looking at it made him tremble, as every time he places his gaze upon the azure heavens, what he sees is the freedom of the dragon who slayed him. His nemesis, his enemy...

His murderer.

Purple tinted eyes stared at the ground, taking in deep breathes. A hand rubbing his back, as he muttered incoherently to himself. His heart ached — it was so unfair...

"Mother...mother..."

He whispered to himself, snuggling into warm arms as he imagined the ecstatic smile of his creator, his mother. Though Astaroth was like a father figure, it would always be his mother that he found an absolute warmth in. His creator, the one to bring him into the world and cause his childish curiosity.

Rhinedottir.

The genius that created the Draconis of Astaroth's night, Durin. The woman who created shadowy beings to roam the world, explore the lands till their curiosity could no longer handle it. The alchemist that gifted Astaroth something oh so precious, reminding of who he used to be.

"Mother... I miss mother so much... Why did you hurt me like that?"

Durin questioned, sobbing to himself as he yearned for his mother's touch. Only Albedo― the alchemist who he has cling to was the only sign of his mother still walking on this earth.

The very same mother that destroyed him.

"We really shouldn't have brought you here. It'd be better to place you in Snezhnaya..."

Durin pursed his lips, shaking his head as he buried himself deeper into the embrace. The warmth and love of his family, it was all he needed.

"No... I don't want to leave you..."

He begged, Astaroth sighing at his stubborn nature. It made the smallest bit of the old Durin resurface, as the small pout on his face pleaded for the God to keep him by his side. A small chuckle leaving Astaroth's lips, patting his head fondly.

These two...

They yearned for a warmth that they desperately needed. Yet how could they come to find them... If the one to give them such warmth was nowhere to be found? Somewhere they could not reach..

Unconsciously, his fingers scratched at his arm. Muttering to himself as Astaroth hummed softly. It made him sleepy.

His eyes fluttered close, glancing up at his master as the small yet comforting words fell upon his ears. A small smile gracing his lips, as his head rested upon Noir's chest.

"Sweet dreams."

And thus silence enveloped the room, a miraculous feat for Nyx who had zoomed towards an inn, and paid for a room within seconds. Said serpent was asleep at the foot of the bed, while Durin rested himself on top of Astaroth.

The peaceful atmosphere be desperately wanted to keep, it made him smile in sorrow to himself. He hummed a small tune, closing his eyes for a moment.

―the silver hues that were once there opened to a shine of gold, staring at the ceiling as he continued to hum a soft lullaby.

He continues to stroke the fluffy hair he gave Durin, smiling to himself. With no reason at all — he could not frown in this moment. It was too warm, to comforting, it made them feel safe.

It was painfully perfect.

"dulce somnia, mi carorum"

He chuckled, his pupils morfing into a diamond shape, the dull shine reflecting the two children of the night in his arms.

Truly, it was a perfect image for him. The two of them — safe in his arms, the nightmares that plagued them, gone from their minds as wonderous dreams of adventure and fantasy ensued upon their visions.

Durin's mind, plagued by nightmares and the mere image of his own mother going insane as her greed swallowed her whole, and forced upon him a disgusting corruption, were replaced by calm waves of fantasies. Where the dragon was flying upon the night sky, free from the horrors of their past.

But his smile faltered upon seeing the image that Nyx dreamt of. He sighed, adjusting her form as the serpent's body laid beside her brothers. The envy in his eyes, yet he looked so thankful.

"Thank you... Nyx..."