Archive of Our Own ^beta

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For Aether, the day began normal enough. Commissions, Bounties, defeating monsters and other enemies. Later, he arrived in Gandharva Ville to visit Collei as he had promised, only to be met with an odd question: “Traveler, have you happened to have seen Master Tighnari today?” The girl asked. “No, we haven’t,” Paimon spoke up, “Why? Is something wrong?”. Collei sighed “Tighnari went out on patrol this morning and hasn’t come back yet… He can run a little late but he was ment to be back three hours ago.” Aether and Paimon’s eyes flashed with recognition. “Don’t worry Collei! We’ll find Tighnari and bring him back! Then we can all hang out!” Paimon promised as the two adventurers began to disappear. They reappeared nearby the Statue of the Seven in the Ashavan Realm.
“Why are we here, Aether?” Paimon asked, turning to the blonde hair facing away from her. “Call it a gut feeling but I think there’s something out of place here. Also please don’t call me Aether when people can hear us..” “Sorry, Traveler.” “Nevermind, its fine.” After a moment of scouting the area below, Aether noticed a withered tree. “A withering zone! Tighnari may not be there but its on the main road. We need to clear it out!” Paimon announced, “Agreed. I’ll see you after the fight.” Aether remarked, gliding down the hill to the Withering Zone. He could feel his strength slipping each second after he landed, but he knew he had to clear the zone. Activating the Dendroganum, destroying the blossoming decay and inevitably destroying the sorce was a ritual the Traveler began to adopt easily. After looking around for any lingering decay, Aether adorned the area as ‘Free from the Withering’ before calling Paimon, the little fairy reappearing at his side. “Traveler! You didn’t hurt yourself getting rid of the Withering Zone, did you?”, Aether chuckled. “Don’t worry Paimon. I’m fine.” The little fairy relaxed at his words. “Paimon’s sorry if Paimon seems overly worried… Its just that ever since the Sabzeruz festival incident… Paimon doesn’t wanna loose you.” “Glad to know my emergency food cares so much!” Aether jokes, “Paimon is not emergency food!” Disappearing once more, the two now had their sights set on Vissudha Field.
“Paimon doesn’t know where to look for Tighnari now, Traveler… It kinda seems like we’re going in circles. Maybe he’s back at Gandharva Ville already?” “Its possible, but I’d rather check Gandharva Ville when everywhere else is already clear.” “Ohhh! Paimon understands now!” Descending from the waypoint, Aether entered another Withering Zone. Completing the same ritual as prior to eliminate the threat. Paimon appearing with worry again, but calming when she saw her traveling buddy was fine. “We’ve almost checked all over!” “Calm down Paimon. Your yelling may alert something.” Aether remarked, laughing when the fairy silenced. As they continued down the path, the environment of a Withering Zone began to form before their eyes. Paimon disappearing as Aether once more eliminated the threat. This time, when Aether checked for any remains of the Withering- he found the certain fox he was looking for all along. “Paimon!” Aether called in a panic, Paimon appeared “What happened?! Are you okay?!” “I’m fine but Tighnari isn’t- I need you to scout ahead, find me a cave!” “B-But!” “I won’t go anywhere Paimon, but Tighnari is in no state to use a teleport waypoint, we can’t take him back to Gandharva Ville.” Reassured… slightly by Aether’s words, Paimon disappeared into the tree line. Leaving a pale Forest Watcher and a concerned Traveler. “If this is because of a mushroom I will hit you, Tighnari…” Aether muttered, not yet knowing how to take care of Tighnari’s state.
Panicked insued as Aether flipped through the ranger’s notepad, the last notes on wildlife being on Starshrooms. But that was not the latest written on page, no. On the last page, hastily scribbled words read: “To whomever finds this: This notepad belonged to Forest Watched Tighnari, I was going about my patrol and studying the Starshrooms along the way, but I can hear someone attempting to”. The words cut off there, blood on the page. Aether quickly did a double take over Tighnari’s contition, now realizing an open head wound behind his left ear. Taking the sanitizing kit and bandages out of his bag, Aether quickly cleaned the injured area and bandaged the wound. Just in time as Paimon reappeared. “Traveler! Paimon found a cave nearby but there’s Fatui on their way over here!” “The Fatui? We need to avoid them, then. I can’t bring Tighnari into a fight.”

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Carrying the fox hybrid, Aether followed Paimon’s lead. The two quiet while they ran past the group of Fatui, running exactly where the former Withering Zone was. Monitoring any movement from the group of Fatui, The traveler and fairy managed to run past without alerting them of their presence. Successfully arriving at the cave Paimon noticed earlier. Aether set Tighnari down on the sleeping bag he carries and then taking out an Adeptial Stove for a sorce of light. Paimon curled up beside Aether as the fire burned solemnly, the fairy quickly drifted off to sleep, leaving Aether the only one awake. In the silence his thoughts ran in loops, concern, anger, confusion. Several emotions and several reactions. The adrenaline from carrying Tighnari soon wore off as Aether eventually drifted off to sleep.

Paimon woke up the slumbering Traveler “Traveler! Paimon thinks something is wrong with Tighnari!”. The blonde snapped up to attention: “What?! What happened?!” “He keeps moving around and Paimon can tell he’s sweating. He also keeps whining about some ‘burning pain’. Paimon doesn’t know how to help.” “You did good waking me up, Paimon. Let me help him.” Aether rubbed the last bits of sleep from his eyes, lifting his wrist to the forehead of the ranger, flinching away at the burning sensation. “Hot to the touch. He had to have caught a fever somehow. Paimon is there a lake nearby?” “Paimon thinks so.” “I need you to take this,” Aether said, taking a bottle out of his bag, “And fill it up with water from the lake. Then come back.” Paimon nodded and flew off, leaving Aether to take care of the other male. “Oh Tighnari… What did you get yourself into this time?” Aether mumbled, noticing the twitching of Tighnari’s ears. Aether took a Mist Flower out of his bag, placing it on Tighnari’s head, attempting to cool him off while Paimon returned. The little fairy flew into the cave door “Traveler! I have the water!” Paimon announced “Hand it here please.” Paimon did as told, leaving Aether to pour the water into the pot, boiling it to be rid of the bacteria. “Will he be okay?” “He should be. If we use Mist Flowers to cool him and monitor his condition carefully Tighnari should make a smooth recovery.”

By the next morning Tighnari’s eyes were open, unfocused and unable to tell who was speaking to him, but his eyes were open. “Tighnari. Your sick. Just stay down and rest. Paimon and I can take care of you.” Aether said, trying his best to coax the stubborn man into resting. A few slow and slurred words later and Tighnari was out like a light again. “Paimon, can you fetch some more water from the river?” “Leave it to Paimon!”

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“Paimon. I know this’ll scare you but I need you to stay here with Tighnari.” Aether said “No! Paimon doesn’t wanna leave you!” “I’ll be back Paimon. Don’t worry.” Aether promised, heading out of the cave. Sword in hand.

———

“The fox boy was gone when we got there.” A fatui agent muttered to his higher up. “He was incapacitated was he not?!” “Of course sir but it’s possible one of his rangers-“ “I do not want excuses. Find him! The Doctor will kill us if he learns of this! The Sunfire Potion is still experimental!”
Aether, from his spot in the tree listened in ‘This sunfire potion? Could it be the cause of Tighnari’s state?’ he thought, taking his leave with the newfound rations and information.

———

“Paimon. I’m back.” Aether called into the cave, the fairy in question flying out and hugging the Traveler “Are you okay? Your not hurt are you Traveler?” “I’m fine Paimon.” Aether said, beginning the process of making food for the trio.

Tighnari’s state fluctuated over the next several days. Some days he’d be able to hold a conversation, others it was like the nerve wracking first day all over again. Aether contemplated investigating the Fatui’s involvement further but elected against it since he’s the only one in fighting shape. Today was luckily one of the days Tighnari could hold a conversation. “Tighnari. I haven’t wanted to overwhelm you so I haven’t asked this- but do you remember what happened to you?” Aether asked, Tighnari’s posture slumped. “I think I was ambushed… They knocked me out- but I remember being forced to drink something, vaugely…” “Do you know who your attacker was?” “No. They were capable enough to hide from my eyes, but not my ears.” A few moments of silence-
“Traveler, it feels almost as if I’m being burned inside out and it hurts..” Tighnari’s ears fell flat against his hair at the confession, Aether turned to face Tighnari. “I’ll figure out how to get you back to normal, soon.” he promised, placing a hand on Tighnari’s shoulder.

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Paimon woke with a start, quickly noticing the lack of nither green or blonde hair around her. “Traveler?!” Paimon called into the cave, “Tighnari?!”. No answer. Sitting next to the fire the little fairy curled up on herself, shaking in fear.

———

“Get off of him!” Aether yelled at the Hydrogunner, whom held the feverish Tighnari under his foot, making the fox hybrid wheeze painfully at the preassure applied. Two Pyro agents held Aether back as he struggled to get free and help the Forest Ranger. “Now, now, Traveler. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to our sweet fox now would we?” the ringleader, a Pyrogunner spoke up. Aether’s eyes lit up with a verdant green, signaling the would be use of Dendro, had it not been for the weapon now at his neck. “You. Get the fox to the camp. We’ll have to deal with our other guest.” The hydrogunner nodded, throwing Tighnari over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Aether, now noting the lack of innocent eyes on him used Dendro, pulling the weapon away from his neck as Anemo fired from his arms, blasting the two agents back. “All bark, no bite but come on- Let’s dance.” Aether mocked, mere moments before steel clashed with steel in a dance of death. The two agents fell quickly, leaving the Pyrogunner to deal with. A meteor from Starfell Sword crashed onto the fatuus as Aether lept into the air, Electro crackling at his fingertips as he grabbed the weapon with one hand, and ran the agent through with his sword.
The Pyrogunner fell in a crumpled and bloody heap as Aether paid it no mind, chasing after the Hydrogunner.

———

“Relax Sir. We have received word from Yermolai that Vasya is returning with your test subject. The effects of the sunfire potion successfully weakened him. You should face little to no resistance” A Fatui soldier reported to a Harbinger, whom flashed a grin that spoke louder than his words ever could.
“Boss. I’m back.” The Hydrogunner walked into camp, Tighnari’s figure over his shoulder. The harbinger smiled “Fantastic! Vesya you know where to put him!” “M..My name is ‘Vasya’..?”
Aether noted the presence of the Harbinger, but watched the Hydrogunner take Tighnari into a tent, to which the harbinger soon followed. Aether waited- and waited but it wasn’t until a scream pierced the air did he make a move. Leaping from the tree Aether ran into the Fatui camp, and into the tent he had seen Tighnari being taken into earlier. The fox hybrid was lain across a table, ears drooping and tail between his legs. The harbinger turned to the intruder, attempting to draw his weapon- but not before Aether lunched at him with a vengeance. Quickly leaving the incapacitated harbinger against the wall and tied with Dendro, Aether checked over Tighnari’s condition. The fox hybrid seemed even worse than when he was first found, sweat dripped off his forehead and he was panting like a dehydrated dog. Looking around Aether quickly noticed a bulletin board, the two latest items being the Sunfire and Moonbloom potions. The blonde ripped the paper from the board, stuffing it into his bag as he lifted Tighnari from the table, carrying him in his arms as he fled from the Fatui camp.

In time Aether returned to the cave, the fire still going and a sleeping Paimon beside it. Aether set Tighnari down onto the sleeping bag, then turned to Paimon. Taking his scarf off and wrapping it around the little fairy. Noticing how her little figure loosened up.

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“Traveler you scared Paimon! Where were you?!” Paimon screeched, shaking the blonde as best she could. “Sorry Paimon, I didn’t mean to scare you so badly, the Fatui we’re at it again…” “Don’t do that again!” “I’ll try my best not to scare you so badly again.” The green haired boy next to the two began to stir, “Oh. Tighnari’s waking up.” Paimon remarked, “Tighnari! How are you feeling?” “Surprisingly… Better than how I felt earlier. I believe the effects of the original potion wore off.” Aether sighed “Thats good. We need to get a move on today, the Fatui know we’re camped out here and I doubt you’d withstand the warp.”

———

Dismantling the camp and packing what they could the two men and the fairy set off on their adventure back to Gandharva Ville. “Tighnari,” Aether started, making the others ears perk up, “Do you have any idea why thr Fatui would be after you?” “I have a hunch it may be because of my fox traits but I could be wrong.” Aether nodded, seemingly distracted by something else. As the trio continued their excursion they soon came across an Eremite camp, said enemies alert to their presence and ready to start their attack. Aether jumped onto the immediate defensive, leaping at the Eremites whilst Tighnari’s arrows took them down. The Eremites came forth, and were defeated in a rapid fashion. But Tighnari quickly lost track of the blonde as he rushed into the camp, claiming he needed to search it. The fox of course followed as quickly as he could which- he’d never admit but was slower than usual. Tighnari arrived just in time to see an Eremite leap at the Traveler, knocking him from the elevated platform and off the cliff. The forest watcher shot the Eremite off the same cliff and ran fowards, able to see the pale grey of the Traveler’s glider as he glided to the stone and began climbing back up. The gasp of breath Tighnari didn’t know he was holding was let loose as he fell backwards to the wooden planks in relief.

———

“Traveleeerr!” Paimon whined, “Paimon’s hungryy!” “I know Paimon, trust me I know.” Aether remarked, the fox hybrid facepalming at the fairy’s antics. Aether turned with a bright smile, but it quickly faded when he saw the state of the fox “Woah hey you don’t look so good… What happened?” “I feel fine, relax Traveler.” Tighnari reassured, dark spots momentarily clouding his vision as he fell fowards- but instead of hitting the ground he hit something- well, warm. “Tighnari!” Aether yelled, his arms wrapping around the dizzy fox. “What happened to him?!” “I-I don’t know- Help me get him to the Eremite camp we cleared out earlier!” “No, we don’t need to turn back- I just got dizzy…” Aether let the other male slowly rise, but kept a tight grip on his arms. “Are you sure?” “Yes, I’ll be fine.” The blonde did not seem convinced, and held Tighnari’s hand in his own as they walked to the cave Paimon noted earlier, sights set on making a camp to stay the night.

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“We really don’t need to make camp, Traveler…” Tighnari objected, cut off by the blonde’s glare. “You’re in no state to continue the hike back to Gandharva Ville. It’s better if you rest and we continue on later.” Tighnari wanted to continue their argument, but thought better of it. It wouldn’t be wise to upset the Traveler.

———

“Traveler! I found some mushrooms!” Paimon announced, floating over to the blonde with several clusters of mushrooms in her hands. “Thank you Paimon!” The blonde responded, taking a moment to count what supplies they now had, “We should have enough for a few meals. We’ll need to stop again before we reach Gandharva Ville but it’ll get us closer to our destination.” “Yay! Now lets go back to our camp and eat! Paimon’s starving!” “Your always hungry, Paimon.”

———

“Tighnari! We’re back!” the small fairy shouted into the cave, Aether could hear the wince of the other man. As quietly as he could, he turned to Paimon “I think something is wrong with Tighnari, just keep it down for a second while I ask him about it.”, Paimon nodded as Aether walked towards the fox hybrid, kneeling beside his curled up figure “Tighnari, is something wrong?” Aether asked. His voice barely above a whisper. The other looked towards the blonde- “I… believe I ingested something I should not have. Please mind how loud you are… its almost as if everything is multiplied more then it should be…” Aether wrapped an arm around the other’s back, offering a side hug as comfort. “We’ll do our best to keep it down. Try and sleep it off.”