"わたつみ"

Astaroth held a sigh, tangling his fingers through his dull white hair as he stared at the azure horizon. Knowing that his precious traveler was on Watatsumi islang, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

He knew the origins of Watatsumi's people. How the ancestors from that island did not originate from Teyvat. He could vaguely remember the dark and deep lake beneath Watatsumi, and how so much fear it could instill.

"Woah~ The electro Archon sliced the island?!" Durin gaped at the greater gap of Yashiori island, which Nyx had said was made by none other than the Electro Archon. But which one was the question to be answered.

"We need to get to Watatsumi. Nyx let's go―"

"Master, can't we use a boat?"

Astaroth deadpanned at the shadow dragon, questioning as to why he would want to use a boat. They were capable of shadow travelling from Mond to Inazuma, so what was the point of using a boat? Perhaps the draconis just wanted to experience riding on one.

Nyx seemed to agree, giggling while she ruffled Durin's dark crimson hair. "Let's rest from shadow travelling schatten meister. Besides, Little Rin has never been on a boat before."

"I'm not little!" Yet his height begged to differ.

Astaroth shook his head to their bickering, hopping down from the hill and approaching the silver monument standing by the shore. He pressed his hand against the blue gem, summoning what was called a Waverider.

These were old creations of Khaenri'ah from what he knew, and suspected that only Aether was capable of summoning it...well, only Aether and anyone who could operate Khaenri'ahn technology

"That's a Waverider right? It's been a long time since I've seen one. Since Mondstadt and Liyue don't even have these." Nyx commented, frowning as she could only guess the Waverider monuments were destroyed or taken down.

"Nevermind that, get your butts in the boat!" Durin excitedly clambered into the Waverider, ushering the other two to follow.

Nyx giggled, rolling her eyes before she followed, while Astaroth took the driver's seat of the Waverider. Least to say, Durin wanted to learn how to operate the Waverider after Astaroth swiftly dodged a whirlpool.

"Those storm clouds....what are they?" Durin pointed at the purple storm clouds haunting what was known as Serei island. He could feel the inaudible sensation of death swarming around the vast land of amethyst groves.

"Inazuma has six islands. Three being inhabitable. Serei is where many inazumans originated, before they moved to Narukami Island." Nyx explained, glancing at Astaroth. His memory was slightly fuzzy for teyvats history.

"Serei has a history with Tsurumi island. Although I advise you to stay out of Tsurumi, far to many rift-hounds." The mention of Rift-hounds caused Durin to growl, glaring at the fogged island as the came closer to Watatsumi.

"Feel free to call Tsurumi Bird-island." Nyx snickered, glancing at the disappearing form of the fogged and haunted island.

"Why?"

"That my dear Rin, is a story for another time."

Astaroth chuckled, smiling softly before he had the haunting memory of Tsurumi's tragedy. Inazuma had always been a nation with a grin history, and now with the Raiden Shogun's expanding tyranny, he worried for the nations future.

His gaze was stuck to the faint pale pink colors of Watatsumi, narrowing his eyes at the island. He grit his teeth, and the Waverider stopped, causing the two shadow beings to stare at him in confusion.

"Corvus!"

Nyx's eyes widen as she saw the crow emerge from her master's shadow, and he sent the crow outside the Waverider. Silver eyes flashed gold, as Astaroth sneered slightly.

"Find Aether, locate him immediately. He knows you, so once you find him, stay by his side." He ordered, not sparing the crow another glance. "Make sure to keep him out of trouble."

Corvus let out a noise of compliance, spreading its wings as the shadow familiar flew over Watatsumi and began searching for the outlander. It was of course, scared to upset Astaroth.

On the other hand, Durin and Nyx stared warily at their master. By the day, Astaroth grew more obsessive with Aether. He desperately tried to find a way to have the outlander twins escape from Teyvat. It grew worrisome, especially the fact that he dispatched a familiar to stay by Aether's side.

"The moment we set foot on that island, we'll be searching for Aether. I want news of him as soon as possible." Astaroth instructed, swerving away from yet another whirlpool.

"Yes my Lord." Nyx reverted to her icy exterior, as Durin fell silent and nodded in agreement.

"And..." Astaroth whispered, as the Waverider bumped on the shore. "Get rid of those pests." He ordered, and the three got of the boat.

Wandering Samurai and A mirror mage stood in front of them, grinning evilly as they unsheathed their weapons... But pointed it to the wrong people.

Nyx summoned her sharp and deadly spear, her pale grey eyes boring into their souls. She sighed, her gaze narrowed as she pointed the tip of her spear to the mirror maiden. She smirked, shadowy spikes rising from beneath her feet.

"Come at me."

.

Aether charged at Samurai lingering on the borders of Watatsumi, leading members of swordfish II into battle. He grimaced as he felt the weight of his responsibilities, slashing mercilessly as blood splattered across the beach.

When a Samurai coated his katana in flames, Aether swiftly dodged the attack, and narrowed his eyes dangerously. A faint glow of purple flashed in his eyes, and the next thing he knew, Aether was sending bolts of lightning towards the Samurai.

His sword scratched the ground, as a cold gaze ran through the soldiers he lead. This wasn't supposed to be his job, yet he was here now. Whisked into a battle of the archon and their people, something he should never get involved in.

Ad Aether fought, he remembered the warning Astaroth told him. To never get involved.

He understood, painfully. But he wasn't like Lumine. He wasn't as cold, hardheaded, and impassive as his sister. He was much more innocent, naïve, and easily swayed. He hated that, and he wished he was more like Lumine. He wished that he could have the same resolve like her, but he wasn't.

"Soldiers! Today we've conquered these rogues, now go rest. For we will fight in a bigger battle in the future, and we shall return with victory." Aether grinned, raising his sword to the air.

But his smile was fake, faltering as his hand trembled behind his back. Paimon floated behind him, frowning at her partners state. She couldnt help but sigh, noticing the small trembles and the faltering expression he made. Everything was turning out to be fake.

'I hate this.'

Aether cheered with his soldiers, leading them back to the soldiers fort. As his soldier sling their arms over his shoulders, sending him praise with a bright grin, he responded equally.

'How tiring.'

Passing by Sangonomiya Kokomi, Art gave her a smile, his conscious poking at him as he ignored Kokomi's pale complexion and the dark bags under her eyes.

'How long will this last?'

He waved happily at Teppei, relieved to see someone who befriend him for such a genuine and innocent reason. He smiled, stepping away from the crowd and hiding away from their soldiers.

'I miss him.'

Aether groaned quietly, sliding of the wall as he stared hopelessly at the sky. He was tired and wanted to sleep for a bit... But he couldn't. Its been two months since he's last seen the archon.

And a flutter of black swooped from ghe sky, landing on the wooden floor beside him. Aether's eyes widen in shock, staring at the crow who tilted its head curiously. It stared at him with a shine of joy, that confused.

Well, he would have been clueless if the damned bird didn't decide to start jumping in and out of his shadow. He gawked at it, finally remembering the crow that kept popping up with Astaroth.

"He's here?"

He gasped, eyes blazing in delight as he started to jump in joy. Apparently, Paimon heard and zoomed towards him with a a lavender melon in hand.

"Wha? Paimon's confused, what's going on?"

"Noir's in Inazuma!" Aether's eyes glimmering. He looked happier in Paimon's opinion, and merely saying the Reisender's name caught her attention.

The one person that could spark pure and innocent joy in Aether without being manipulated by those he would trust and help. Astaroth was here and it felt like a miracle.

"Ah.. what's your name again..."

Aether smiled, as the crow rested on his head. He giggled as it cawed in disapproval, pointing at the sky.

"... Huh?"

Aether tilted his head, scrunching up his face in confusion. Though it slowly clicked in his mind. The crow wasn't pointing at the sky specifically, rather what would being in the skt later on; Stars.

"Isn't there a constellation called corvus?"

The crow cawed happily, flying around their heads with a gleeful song.

"So your names Corvus." Aether chuckled, as the crow or Corvus flew happily, and lead them through the colorful groves ans foliage.

"Are you leading us to Asta―Er I mean Noir." Aether chuckled nervously, but frowned as Corvus stopped on a branch. The crow shook it's head (?)

"Oh... But..." He whispered, shaking his head as he finally remembered that he could not understand a bird. He chuckled uneasily, the giddy skip-in his step vanished, slouching as he easily followed the crow in silence.

"Ah.. be patient Aether. He'll be here." He whispered to himself, rubbbing his hands together. "Astaroth promised... He not like others." He told himself, staring rihht back at the vasy sky above him.

"He won't leave you."

Doubt clouded his gaze, his anxiety and insecurities eating away at him. He trembled once more, shakily returning to the resistance base. He felt off, as if the universe fated for everyone around him to betray―to abandon him after everything he has done.

Paimon frowned at his doubt, floating towards him and wrapping her arms around his neck. She gave him a bright and innocent smile, yet inside, she knew she was just as tired as him. Not because they were betrayed and being used, but because she was angry that people dared to manipulate her friend.

"Aether~ let's go now! I bet there's more yummy food back at the base. Ooh~ maybe there's going to be sashimi!"

She cheered, trying to distract him from his sadness. Grinning brightly, her small hands pressed against his cheeks. Paimon giggled as she tried to stretch his cheeks, watching them turn red and listening to his whines.

"Smile~" she giggled, causing her partner to make of a small yet soft smile. It was her heart, as her own smile was like the sun, blinding and bright.

Paimon scowled as Corvus made loud noise, looking awfully smug for interrupting them. She took a pebble and threw it right at the bird, causing to screech angrily.

Aether laughed, his gaze softening as the crow sat on his shoulder. He would wait, but he knew..

Astaroth would come for him.

―

author's note;

So sorry for not updating for a long time! School is being a right bitch, and I have no such energy to do it. Well, I did write this when the idea popped into my head! I might end up posting next week for TCD but the time of posting will be indefinite.

Again, I apologize for taking so long. How the hell did people figure that we should learn Filipino literature along with English literature?! My head hurts. ಥ‿ಥ

Well anyways~ love you my dear readers! <3