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Chapter Text

The rain shuts down the remains of the fire. The water cleans the blood, red predominant over gold, and carries it away. It falls upon the new and free citizens from Mondstadt, who seek refuge into the houses that are still up and under the debris.

People talk. Their language is the only one he had learned this time, so he can understand what they say, and overall what they feel. And they have fears. They are lost.

The most popular question is: what now?

Yes, they won. Yes, they are now free. But freedom has a cost, and Decarabian wasn't now the problem. Without an only enemy target, those who were against the rebellion start to arise as the cold starts to reach the destroyed city, now without the protection of the storm walls. The tension, slowly, grows.

"You see? This is what your rebellion costs!" A man in the rain stands up, showing the remnants of what has been a small tent before. "This is why I have never been on your side! What are we going to do now, without a god to protect us? We are at war! We need protection or else we will die in the divine battles!"

"So you preferred that?" Gunnhildr's priestess stands up. "You wanted to be under a god's feet, without doing anything other than your boring routine and never having the possibility to have dreams?"

"I may have been bored, but I had a home. What do you have now? Dreams don't feed us, girl."

"We were the reason for this city to build up to begin with. If our ancestors could, we can too."

"Our ancestors had the protection of the divine! Now what do we have?"

"Ourselves!" Another man stands with the girl.

"Ridiculous!" Two women say, standing up too.

"You are free to leave if you don't agree. There are more people around the world. That is what freedom means." The blond priestess says.

"Enough." The red haired warrior interrupts. "We won't do anything by discussing this between us now. Let's first do a refuge and fire for the kids and pregnant women. Afterward, we will seek food, how does that sound?"

The ones that stood up looked between them, but agreed. After all, the warrior showed enough ability to take down a huge number of enemies, and they have for him an utmost respect even if he's a wanderer.

The humans start to move, and the spirit sees how they help each other. But still, the man and woman who were discussing are having their reticence to collaborate with the other. It's unavoidable that each one has their own way of thinking, the freedom of speech not only brings agreements, but also disputes.

This was taught to the wind spirit by a young boy who, besides his short age, had clear too many things. What would he have done in this situation?

"Wind spirit." The blond priestess approaches. "Are you okay? I don't know what spirits eat… I think you like apples? I saw him giving you one once. Do you know where is he, by the way? I can't find him."

He… he is not more with them. But wind spirits do not talk, so, not giving a reply, just accepts the apple and starts eating it. Not that the spirit is hungry, but the priestess… she always has given the same aura of kindness he had.

"You know something?" She looks at the red haired man, who sighs and shakes his head. "Oh, no… I'm sorry, little one."

She pats the spirit, and she leaves the apple and the little being over a broken tent. Then she goes back to help. Probably, she doesn't want to be heard if she cries.

She always shows her kind face, even if she's hurt. When she knew about Amos' death, she stood still, but the wind was everywhere, and they talked about her hidden cries.

Once the apple is completely eaten, the rain is over. Then, the wind blows to the nearest forest. Humans have what they want, now they are free… But the spirit can't help to wonder how much that freedom will last if things keep going like recently. The fear of the future… it's understandable how they feel, but the wind spirit is unable to help them in any more way than the already done.

In a matter of fact, the wind bears the same question: what now? The bard wanted to travel, but now he's gone, and what can a wind spirit do between humans? Not like the powers of a little being are helpful at all…

"Spirit of the wind, you who had taken down a god."

A voice resounds, but looking around, anyone can be seen. That voice comes directly from…

The gaze is directed to the sky. There, alongside the moon, there's a light which increases more and more. A white ball of light, similar to a star, is in front of the spirit, scaring animals around.

"Don't be afraid. We do not intend to harm you."

"You can… understand me?"

The spirit is not talking, but that voice doesn't come from the outside either. It's inside, like…

"Yes. We are not humans, we do not need language to communicate with elemental beings."

"What are you?"

It is only a thing they can be. Celestia. The supreme gods. Those who are above everyone and everything.

"You know the answer perfectly. Now you have to give us yours."

"What do you want?"

"You have made a god fall. The one fitting for the seat, Boreas, has renounced it. Therefore, you are the next."

The next? The next… what?

"I didn't do anything. It was human making, I just was there and helped. My friend made a revolution. Amos threw the arrow. I haven't done anything."

"You're the one chosen, wind spirit. You should make a decision now. Do you want to be a god to rule over humans, or you don't?"

Rule. What an awful word.

And so undeserved, the spirit thinks. There are people who deserve it more. Back in Mondstadt there are two of them right now.

But if not the wind spirit, who?

These gods offered Boreas, who at all lights didn't know how to care for humans, the reason for the storm barrier of Decarabian. The reasons for Boreas to decline? Who knows. But it can't be said he would have been a good leader to take care of them, and maybe even the Wolf King was aware of that.

The best… the best is dead. The second best, too. And even though there are humans far better than a wind spirit who is still learning about them, if the answer is a decline… Who is next on the list? Not a human, that's for sure. They have contacted elemental beings. They don't trust humans to rule themselves.

Do they have a point? The spirit doesn't know. But this can be an opportunity.

This may be a chance to fulfill that promise. His desire. To make those citizens truly free for the rest of their lives, and for the future generations after them.

But, will Celestia let the wind, always free, rule at pleasure?

(The dislike of that word perseveres. It's not necessary for some to have more power than others. That only brings tragedies

But there's no option left.)

"I agree… but I want to put conditions on how I do it."

"You can rule however you want. There's just something you need to know. We will grant you a method of communication and power, a gnosis. This power will be greater depending on how strong is your rule with your people"

"I agree." The spirit states again. "But as I said, I will have my conditions."

A bright, green light appears in front of him. It takes a shape, and then it hits the elemental being with the force of a thousand rocks. Inside, feeling an unusual power, like a source of energy has been implemented inside, the spirit is scared of what that power can do if it falls into the wrong hands.

"This is your heart. You may take care of it." They say. "Now, Anemo Archon Barbatos…"

Barbatos?

That's not the name he chose.

"Which is your ideal?"

Ideal?

What's an ideal?

Fly, fly away, like a bird in the sky.

His voice could be heard in the light breeze amidst the forest, like the wind carries his memory. But his eyes are nowhere to be seen. His smile disappeared, and only his dream remains.

"What do you mean by ideal?"

"It will be the principle of your people. Under your ideal, you may guide them."

The spirit doesn't know. Everything was because of him, he, who shared with a wisp of wind his dream and then everything was just to protect what he fought and died for. For him. For Amos. For the people lost and scared that don't see more than darkness in their future.

"It can be anything I want?"

"Exactly."

Will a little wisp be appropriate to guarantee the people of Mondstadt? Will a recognition of Celestia be enough to convince them of his ideal? The wind arose around. Will a spirit be enough to convince humans to work along for their ideal of freedom?

“Have you decided then?”

“Yes.”

The wind spirit doesn’t ask for any of this. Unknowing how the future will be, the only option is to do the best for Mondstadt. For all the fallen. This is not a self ideal, but the one they have fought for.

“My ideal is freedom.”

“Freedom? Are you aware of what you have been told about your gnosis?”

“Yes, and I’m aware that you told me it can be whatever I want.”

“Fair enough then, Barbatos. You are by now on the Anemo Archon of freedom. May you guide your people until the wind stops blowing.”

The light gets brighter, and the spirit is forced to look away. After that, the light is over and the loneliness comes again, with the wind and the forest as the only company.

Going to a nearby lake, where the moon shines over the water, the reflection of a spirit of wind, one that now has a great power and has no idea how to deal with it, can be seen.

If only he were there… The spirit missed him, so, so much, and fears the day everyone forgets what he looked like. How his voice was. Only if his face could be seen again, just one more time…

A strong wind started to surround the lake, and a light made him look away again, and then water could be felt on his… skin?

See the world on my behalf.

The spirit looks around, and notices the lack of air below him, instead there's water. Looking at the reflection again, there's no more spirit, but a young boy. Human features could be seen: hands, feet, legs… And a face. And his image in the water. It's his friend's features, slightly changed, the color of eyes not blue but green, and the end of the braids are colored too. But he's so similar…

When a hand tries to touch him, the image wavers. Obviously, it wasn't him. It was just an illusion.

But it should have been like this. He should have been the one receiving the recognition. He should have been the one to see with his own eyes how beautiful and vast the world is.

He should have had his own wings to fly.

"But if I can do something..." He says, to the reflection that can't hear his words. "Then I'll make sure your ideal won't be forgotten."

To the heavens may you fly.

He extends the white wings that are on his back, unable to walk but not to fly. He had to adapt himself. He is now a god, an archon. He has now the power to help people, the one he lacked before. He flew to Mondstadt again, where people looked at him with a mixture of emotions. Some with fear, others with admiration, others like they're looking at a ghost, but all with surprise.

"People of Mondstadt." He says, arriving in one of the tallest destroyed buildings. "I am Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, and for now on, the god in charge of your protection."

The reactions didn't wait. Some were happy, some were reticent.

"And how do we know you're not going to be a tyrant?" A man says, pointing at him with his sword.

Barbatos smiles and descends to his level.

"I won't. Believe it or not, I learned too much out of this revolution, and I guarantee no god will rule again over your freedom. That's the name Celestia itself gave me: the archon of freedom."

People look at him, and some do with disbelief, others do with the opportunity they have been waiting for. His wings flutter a little, and the wind revolves around him. He, who used to be in the flow of the thousand winds, now has the power to control them. And these people have the decision on their hands, to accept him or reject him.

"Isn't he so similar to that bard?" A voice said. It was a woman, he knows her. She had a small tent with fruits, where his friend used to buy apples for him. "I knew that kid. You're not only similar, but almost a replica."

He smiles, and lets a breeze run around her. When in his elemental form, he had that power, it was small, but he used to do it around those who were kind to him and his friend. Therefore, she recognizes him and his expression changes to a surprise.

Then, she steps forward from the small circle formed around him.

"I believe him. Didn't you want protection? There you have. He's even giving us the power of decision, don't you think that if he was a cruel god, he would impose himself like the other one?"

"But how can we trust him? He's a god! He can break his promises as easily as he says them." A man criticizes.

"I won't force you to accept me." He says, smiling. "I will only rule if the majority of you let me."

And again, the discussion starts. From the crowd, a red haired man approaches him.

"You're the spirit, aren't you?" Barbatos nods, and the expression of the wanderer gets more serious. "Why are you doing this? Did you help because of this?"

"What? No! That's not the reason. I… I didn't even know I would be contacted by Celestia. What's more, Boreas was going to be the next archon… but he didn't want to. And if it wasn't me, it could be anyone outside Mondstadt."

"So you decided you would be the least bad of them?"

"I don't pretend to rule like Decarabian did… In fact, not rule at all… But it's true that we are at war, and humans can beat one god, but not a hundred. And if I've been granted the power to do so, I will defend them with everything I have."

"I can't say I agree with your decision… But it's not like I have to choose."

"I understand if you don't agree. That is freedom, right? That's why I said I will only rule with the approbation of the majority." He puts a hand over the warrior. "You have helped so much, even if this wasn't your battle to begin with. And I may not understand humanity, I'm a spirit of wind after all, but I can say you are a good person."

The wanderer doesn't reply. He just looks to another side.

"Can… can you help me…?" He feels someone that pulls his white robes. He looks below, and he sees a little blond girl with teary eyes.

"Are you okay? What do you need, little one?" He kneels over the ground, looking at her in her eye level.

"You're strong, right?" He nods. "Please help us… No one hears me, but my brother…"

She cries louder. The people suddenly shut and looked at them again. Then, someone recognized that girl and the rumors started to extend.

He got to understand the girl's parents were against the rebellion, and that they weren't the kindest people there. His father was one of the guards that opposed them. If that's the case, her parents…

"She doesn't deserve any help!" One shouted, and then a discussion started again.

"Please… my brother… he's trapped…" She cries. "I tried to… but I can't… and that good girl neither…"

He looks at her hands. They're in blood, red as apples. It wasn't a good color on her hands.

"Fine, I will help you. But you have to give me something in return."

The crowd shuts again to hear what he's asking for. He smiles.

"But I don't…" She starts, and he pats her head.

"You have to give me a smile, okay? Little sweet children like you shouldn't have that sad face."

Do you know what's the best of music, little friend? That it has the power to make everyone smile.

The newborn god can't make music, but he can help to make someone smile. And he considers it a victory when her eyes get bright as she jumps to give him a hug. He's not used to hugs, less that sudden, so he falls back.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

He laughs and strokes her hair.

"It's okay, now show me where your brother is."

She separates and nods. Then, he stood up with the help of his wings, and knowing he wouldn't be able to use his legs, he went flying all the way, with people following him as if he was a guide.

"Here…" She says, showing a pile of stones. In a hole, almost in an impossible equilibrium, one can see the face of a blonde kid, slightly older than his sister. "Al! Someone came to save you! He says he's a god!" She screams.

"A god…?" The voice sounds surprised, and looks at him. "But our god is dead, Lia…"

"It's a new one!"

He approaches the place the kid is trapped in, and smiles at him.

"Don't be afraid. I will help you."

The child looks at him with mistrust, and it's not like he doesn't understand him. After all, all he has heard is contradictions between gods and humans.

"You'll be okay." The priestess of the Gunnhildr clan smiles at him, and then he seems to calm down.

Lia runs to her, and she holds her, looking at him with piercing attention. Everyone is looking while he tries to gather some of the power he has been granted.

"Close your eyes."

He blows softly, and the rocks over the kid practically reduces to fine gravel, almost dust. He is surprised. He just wanted to move the stones, not destroy them.

Good thing he didn't intend to break them, because he didn't know he had such a power. If only it can be taken back in time, to protect a certain someone…

When the rain of dust stops, the kid stands up. Dirt and with a pale color since he has not been eating well, but he's okay. Some of the people start to clap as the girl reunites with her brother, while others bicker and look away.

"Thank you so much!" She says, and her brother nods.

"I'm grateful too. Thank you." Besides his appearance, he seems to be so mature for his age.

"You're welcome." He smiles.

"Lord Barbatos."

He turns around. It is strange to hear that name, and more to hear that way to call him. But he's a god now, and he guesses he has to get used to it.

He meets a woman with light blue hair and piercing blue eyes. He knows her. It's from the Lawrence Clan, one composed of primarily hunters that helped back in the final stages of the rebellion.

"I am Venerare, head of Lawrence Clan. I have been chosen to represent the decision of the people of Mondstadt, and we agree to recognize you as our God as long as you keep your promise of freedom." She extends a hand.

He looks around. People start to nod, their eyes having that light they have lost in the aftermath of the war. They are choosing him. Trusting him as someone who would really guarantee that freedom they have fought for.

"I promise I won't disappoint you."

He holds her hand, and everyone celebrates as they witness the beginning of a new era for Mondstadt.

Chapter Text

There's a newborn god.  

Rumors fly. The god of storms has been defeated by his own people. The Wolf of the North suddenly stopped making blizzards, rumors say he’s dead. The people of Mondstadt, godless for a while, now have one god, quick enough to reclaim their territory. 

A newborn, no less. 

Every god fighting for a throne is aware of this decision. A newborn god, out of nowhere, has arrived and reclaimed one of the seven thrones without moving a finger. Just like that. Rumors say the same humans who took down the previous one crowned him with a laurel wreath and accepted him as a god.

It's pretty obvious that, if said god thinks it would be easy, he will have some surprises incoming. They're at war, and no one wants to lose it. Those who have abandoned the field are dead or in the Dark Sea, a place where no one wants to go. 

Morax has seen archons rising and falling the next day. Decarabian was one of the longest ones, and his fall by humans not less, made the other gods to be alert and have all eyes on him as the most powerful and nearest to Mondstadt with Boreas out of the game. 

"You have that expression." Guizhong… no, her ghost appears in front of him. The goddess of dust has that ability to never be noticed by him if she doesn't want to. " I'm not going to ask if you have heard the news, it's pretty obvious you have."

Morax knows it's not even her ghost. At least, not a usual ghost. Probably it's just his imagination, as no one else can see or hear her, not even Ping. He learned to live up with it. 

Maybe it's because this lessens the sorrow. Makes it easier to forget what he couldn't protect. He looks at the catalyst, still closed by her mechanisms. 

All her wisdom was there, and Morax is unable to open it. Her image, created by his imagination, could be also provoked by the memories inserted there, powerful enough to be able to reach the exterior without opening, or maybe there's a mechanism that makes that illusion of her appear when it is him who holds the catalyst. 

Or maybe he's just losing his mind. 

"It's impossible not to. That kind of information flies, and I already let it pass for too long. I don't think I can maintain my silence anymore."

"Don't rush. You made an intelligent move, we have to wait and see what that new god is able to do."

"But maybe he's saving things for himself. We know he is, at least, powerful enough to compete with Boreas and be recognized by Celestia." He grimaces. "No one has dared to make a move to Mondstadt this month, because we don't know how powerful that Anemo Archon is, but I'm sure there are some that are more than eager to step forward."

The thrones in Celestia are closing. In other regions, there are bloody wars for the position. If the other gods are thinking too much about coming to Mondstadt is for prevention about the newborn, yes, but also because they know he's near and they know his strength. They'd think twice. 

But the pressure from Celestia is too much. They just know that the losers die or leave, and many have personal attachments in their territories. No one wants to leave. No one wants to die. Therefore, they can only fight. 

"Did you hear the rumors? They say that he… he didn't make his way into governing humans. He asked them. And they accepted him."

Guizhong is like that. She always dreamt what Mondstadt made true. A human government, a civilization strong enough to defend themselves and confront anyone, even gods. Wasn't that the objective behind her ballista? 

"Do you believe that? It can be only just a trick to make himself to be seen as a weak or too good archon."

"Those humans could beat a god. I don't think they would gladly accept a new imposed one without a fight. But there has been no resistance."

"No, but it can be because the new one is more powerful than the previous".

"Humans may be less powerful, but they're smart." She says, with a serious glance. "If that god is half as smart as I think he is, then he should know that those who fought to be out of control of a god, would fight again if they're still oppressed. It can be delayed, but there will come a day when the oppressed explosion."

Guizhong was wise, and Morax knows that. But her knowledge about humans and the world still surprises him until this day. She was the one who recommended him to be allies, to help humans. And sincerely, Morax feels better between humans than scaring them. Since he met her, he feels that he makes better movements and also thinks more clearly. 

"Lord Morax."

Cloud Retainer interrupts. She bows her head. 

"Is something wrong?" Morax asks, worried about her presence. She's not one to interrupt his thoughts. 

"You see, it is about the newborn god."

"Exactly our topic right now." Guizhong smiles.

"Well… he's destroying the mountains of Mondstadt and throwing them away like they're leaves."

Morax blinks twice before processing the information. 

"He's… what?"

It's a threat. His dragon instincts awakened. He's demonstrating something. He's saying clearly that he has the power of clearing any barrier in his way, and doesn't care of even mountains. He should know he is the Geo Archon. He has to be sending a message of… 

"Morax. Calm down."

The hand of Guizhong is over his shoulder, and he closes his eyes. 

"He…"

"He should have a reason. There's no room to think that it can be only a threat. Mondstadt geography is complicated for humans, there are some mountains that even those courageous adventurers don't dare to explore. With Decarabian gone, it's normal that he wants to make some changes."

The bright side as always, but what if there's a bad one?

"Why would he do such a thing? You're a powerful god. The most powerful one around. And his people are still recovering from an entire rebellion. It does make no sense he would throw himself into a war with you."

He has seen worse things.

"Yes. But let's give him the chance to explain himself. Why don't we have a meeting?"

"A meeting?"

"Here?" Cloud Retainer surprises, her wings extending. "With all respect, it's crazy."

She's right. He can make a disaster.

"Still, this is your territory, you're stronger here thanks to our people. He would be a fool if he thinks he can beat you in your terrain."

"Not in the Harbor, but in the surroundings of Liyue."

"And why should he accept?" Cloud Retainer asks. 

"Because he should know that it's better for him and Mondstadt to be on good terms with us. If he rejects, then he's a fool, or it's really a threat."

"Morax!" He looks to Mountain Shaper, who seems to come in a hurry. "We should make something with that new god! He's going to blow up the continent!"

"Calm, dear friend. I am aware of his… deeds, and I'm going to take care of it. I will redact him a letter informing him of my desire to arrange a meeting…"

"Morax, I apologize for interrupting, but I think you want to know this." Moon Carver smiles as he gives him what seems to be a letter. "A little bird gave me this. It seems to be for you, as it's your name on it… well, I guess it's your name, because I don't understand Mondstadtian."

Mondstadtian? A letter in Mondstadtian, and not Liyuean? Morax has knowledge of vast languages, fortunately, but if someone were to write to him, it's common knowledge it should be sent not in their own language, but in Liyuean. If they don't know the language, they normally make use of a translator on the meeting and on correspondence. Could it be that in Mondstadt there's no one who knows Liyuean? 

Well, it won't be a surprise, it has been just a month since Decarabian's fall. But he's aware of some citizens that went to Mondstadt, overall adventurers and brave merchants. 

When he opens the letter, he finds a short writing. Elegant, but not too long. 

Dear Lord Rex Lapis, 

I write to you in the name of Lord Barbatos, since I'm the official representative of Mondstadt. My name is Venerare Lawrence. We know you should be aware of our recent history, and since you're the current ruler of the closest nation to us, we want to meet with you in order to present our respects to you and talk about matters concerning both regions as soon as possible. 

If possible, we will be willing to meet on the border between our nations, which we humans gave the name of Stone Gate. 

We look forward to your reply. 

The following is a sign of the person who says is the representative of the nation. Morax had never seen such a letter, not even apologizing for not writing in his nation's language. And it's written by a human, and not the Archon himself. 

And about those matters… It really sounds like the Archon really needs help. The shortness of the letter can be because of the hurry. That will also explain the mountains being split in two, and the god would be involved in a battle, that's why he doesn't write it himself. Could a war be held again in the Mondstadt nation? 

But who? No one would dare to attack a newborn nation with such precedents and so near to Liyue. Not unless it's a too desperate god… Too dangerous to support that faction, it's better to ally with the already recognized archon. Also, a good helping hand now could be beneficial in the future. 

"Aren't you thinking too much, Morax?" Guizhong laughs. 

"Nonsense. Mountain Shaper, inform the other adepti and be ready for a possible intervention in Mondstadt."

"Are we going to invade Mondstadt, sir?" Cloud Retainer alarms. 

"No, of course not. We should be ready, I think the Anemo Archon will ask for our help. Also, that may be the reason for his current actions. As a fellow archon, I think we should lend him a hand. It can be beneficial in the future."

The three adepti nod and take their ways. 

"It can be interesting, don't you think? This newborn wind god."

Morax nods and looks at his reflection on the tea. 

Guizhong is right, as always. 

Chapter Text

Barbatos is surprised by the quickness and diligence the letter arrives in his hands by the same bird he kindly asked to give his letter to the following archon. 

"Thanks, little friend" He says to the bird, and looks to Venerare and Gunnhildr. "I believe this is our answer."

Both women look at him, letting the construction materials aside. The reconstruction of a new entire city is hard, for god and humans. He had to make his way between the blizzard and the impossible mountains that were inhabitable. With his descriptions and the help of citizens along Lawrence clan, who knew about surveillance and terrain, he now has a planning of how to structure the land in order to be the kindest for the people, but it requires power and work that makes him feel tired at the end of the day. 

Even if he has made it to make a place in the middle of a lake, it's not only that. It's the mobilization from Old Mondstadt, the construction of houses, shops… 

It won't be easy for them. 

"What does it say?" Venerare asks. "It's my first time writing to a god, I hope to have done it right."

"Your calligraphy is impeccable, surprising coming from a hunter's family." The priestess praises. "I apologize for not having been of help…"

"Don't worry, you're already busy with everything you do. Give yourself a rest." Venerare smiles. "And? What does it say, dear archon?"

"I am sorry to tell you this, but as I don't know how to write, I neither know how to read…"

"We really should work on that." Gunnhildr laughs, and the archon nods, blushing while giving to Venerare the letter. 

They watch as Venerare reads the letter and smiles, then they guess it should bring good news. 

"The archon is willing to cooperate." Venerare says, and Gunnhildr hugs him out of joy. He laughs as he tries to maintain his stability.

"My apologies." She blushes and separates immediately. 

"Don't worry, I like human contact." He says, looking to the blue sky above them. 

The sky will always remind him of… 

"It says the archon accepts the meeting in Stone Gate. We should…"

"I see you're playing the ruler god again." 

The three look at the red haired knight, who's carrying a bag full of apples, solsettias and other natural fruits. Mondstadt people are quick to learn, and with Barbatos' divine powers making the terrain more accessible for cultivation, they're searching for anything they can plant.

"Ragnvindr, what a sight for sore eyes." Venerare rolls her eyes. 

"Come on. Let's not fight." The priestess intervenes. "We know we have different opinions regarding our archon, but this is good for everyone. We managed to have a meeting with the following nation's ruler…" 

"A god. "

"No human government is known in Teyvat that have lasted more than a blink of your blind eyes, Ragnvindr." Lawrence intervenes. "In fact, Barbatos is far too permissive and never made us do something the majority didn't want to."

"People change. Gods do not?" He looks at him, and suddenly he feels like he's a little wisp again, having the urge to hide into his friend's hood to not be seen. 

But he is not there. He won't be there again for him. 

"I promised to keep the freedom of Mondstadt, no matter what."

"What if you get into a fight with Liyue's governor? You'll carry with you the citizens, even if you don't want to. If you involve yourself in a divine battle, you won't be the most affected one."

"And if we get involved in a divine battle without a god, everyone will die." Surprisingly, it's not Lawrence but Gunnhildr who intervenes. "What do you prefer?"

She was never that sharp. Even Ragnvindr surprises of her tone of voice. He confronts her, ready for another answer even sharper, and Gunnhildr faces him without any fear of losing. 

"Come on, let's not argue…" He flutters his wings, trying to make peace. "I know we have different opinions, and he is not the only one who thinks like that. I don't think it is a bad thing, freedom implies differences in opinions as well."

Ragnvindr sends him a cold glance. By this time, he is getting used to it. He knows the warrior won't ever accept him, neither him nor his decisions, as a god. It hurts. He remembers how he was the first to hear his friend's tunes and give him apples. They used to be a group, along Gunnhildr and Amos. 

But it seems the rebellion didn't only make Decabarian's tower fall.

"But he's being…" Gunnhildr, bless her, tries to defend him, but he shakes his head and she sighs. "If that's what you wish…"

"Yes, obey your god. That's why he's there." Ragnvindr remarks, and turns his back to them. 

It hurts. It hurts so much. 

"You…!" Gunnhildr wants to go after him, but Venerare stops her. 

"Let him be. We have better things to worry about."

She bites her tongue and nods. She knows there's no use in trying. He has tried a million times, to talk to him, to make him understand they're on the same side, but Ragnvidnr doesn't give in, and he doesn't know what else he can do. 

He knows he has lost his loved ones. He knows he's more hurt than he wants to admit about his death. And as he understands, he thinks it's better to give the warrior his time. 

It doesn't make it hurt less. 

"Well, why don't we start with your walking classes, uh…" Gunnhildr doubts. "I don't know how to call you. I know "Barbatos" name is not of your liking, but…"

"Venti." He says, smiling. "It's the name he gave me."

Wisps of wind have no name, after all. He really should change that. 

"Venti then." She smiles. "Should we start?"

Chapter Text

Stone gate is known for humans to be the barrier between the summer and the winter. Liyueans thought about it as a protection of Rex Lapis to the blizzards and storms provoked by the war in the north. He won't either reaffirm or negate that, since he doesn't have a desire to interfere into humans' beliefs. 

If one were to hold a meeting between nations, normally it would be in one of the nations. But as he understands Mondstadt isn't well enough to hold a meeting and, if required, they will need to interfere into Mondstadt as soon as possible, it's better to meet in the nearest point to the border of their nations. 

"He's late." Cloud Retainer says. 

Punctuality is something to take into account for meetings, but he can be considered with a newborn god who probably is having his first meeting, and even he has to deal with a battle. As a god who has suffered many, he knows how hard it is to get a truce. 

"Let's wait a bit more." He says, still looking at the catalyst in his hands. 

Guizhong smiles before him, reassuring. 

Suddenly, the wind rises. Morax feels a great amount of power coming their way… too quickly. He alerts, looking at the sky and getting his spear ready if it comes to be necessary. The Adepti are on alert as well, able to feel it too. 

A teal and white point in the sky approaches them at high speed, a gust of wind hitting their faces. Then, what seems to be a white-winged human is before them, his wings making a mess with the trees and ground. 

He smiles, a bottle in hand. 

"This is some wine from Mondstadt. Care for a taste?" He says, in Mondstadtian no less. 

Morax thinks his face should have been such a poem, because his fellow Adepti seem to have some serious troubles to contain their laughs. Even those who don't know Mondstadtian were trying to not burst out into laughter.

To have left his nation just to deliver a bottle of wine… Unthinkable. 

"I presume you're the Anemo Archon, Barbatos." He nods. "Well then, you can tell me who and where the enemy is for us to make sure that…"

"Enemy? Which enemy?" He asks, with visible confusion. "Did our letter talk about any? Venerare read to me, and I didn't think we said that."

Then which is the reason for the Archon to leave his nation and come to Liyue, accepting the hurry proposed by him, if not because of their nation being under attack? 

Why didn't even write the missive himself? 

Did he really come just to give him a bottle of wine?

Fortunately, Azhdaha isn't there. But when he gets to know… Morax can hear his loud laughter already. 

"Sir, clearly there's a misunderstanding." Cloud Retainer intervenes in Mondstadtian for Barbatos’ understanding. "One thinks the Anemo Archon doesn't need any help right now."

"Oh, of course not. Mondstadt is better than ever! People are busy with the construction of the city and there's a few restructuring yet to be made, but…"

"Then, which is the reason for your presence here?" He asks, in the most polite way he is able to. 

"We received your letter." He blinks. "Did we misunderstand something? When Venerare read it, everyone understood you wanted to meet us today at sunrise. Does Liyue have a different conception of time?"

"That is not…"

"My Lord, as it seems obviously a misunderstanding, why don't we go along?" Ping says in Liyuean, smiling. "We cannot afford to be impolite with our neighboring archon."

Archon who hasn't even dared to touch the ground under his feet, standing on air with the slightest flutter of his wings. Is he afraid, as geo is his element and he feels safer on his own? 

Ping is right. He doesn't want to take decisions that could affect the normal development of Liyue, he has enough with the current Archon War. 

Alas, even if he knows better than judging by appearances, and this Anemo Archon doesn't seem dangerous at all. Still with the bottle of wine in hands, he makes his best effort to try to understand what's going on. 

Really, he should listen more to Guizhong… He looks around, but he can't find her. She disappeared in a moment, and he hasn't even noticed. 

"Very well." He says in Mondstadtian, taking the bottle offered by the archon. "It seems to have been a misunderstanding, but since you're here, I believe it's natural we invite you for sightseeing our land, if you are fine with it."

His eyes lighten up when he hears that. 

"I would love to!"

No wonder this is a newborn god. He smiles like a child. The Adepti stays on their seriousness, but as their leader and friend, Morax can see when they are dying to go out and laugh at the comedy this meeting has become. 

He can't say this is the best first impression ever, but after dealing with many arrogant and stubborn gods, the permanent smile and the illusion of this new archon feels like a refreshing breeze. 

He dismisses the Adepti, and then makes company to the Anemo Archon around Liyue geography. The god asks about everything , but as he has an insatiable curiosity, he is as well a good listener. He hears with attention every single word he says to explain the rocks' formation or the plants' requirements to grow up well, as well as the myths and legends their people have about Liyue mountain's formation. 

Barbatos intervenes often, making praises like "these flowers deserve a melody" or "that legend should be spread with a song!", or even making comparisons with the nature of his own nation. But as they talk and they visit the lands of Liyue, with the sharp mountains and rocky grounds, it's only when they reach Mt. Aozang when Barbatos finally touched ground, only to sit down at the stone table to enjoy the wine he brought.

"Quell my curiosity, Anemo Archon." He says, once he saw the god had left aside his reservations (even he seemed to have little since the beginning), reassuring this idea with the alcohol. "Is there any reason why your feet never seem to touch the ground?"

Barbatos laughs. "Are you really curious about that? Well, you can say I am in my element. Isn't that good reason enough?"

"I suspect that is not the only reason."

"I am not good at lying, it seems" He jokes. More than a meeting with a ruler of a nation, talking with him seems to be with a friend. "Well, let's say that I have problems with adapting to this form. It seems I'm not the only one, at least."

Morax raises an eyebrow, surprised with his audacity. Not that he dislikes it, not at all. He finds Barbatos amusing. 

"Do you think I can't adapt myself in a complete human form?"

"Nor that you can't, but you are not willing to." He replies, and his expression changes slightly. His smile gets a bit shorter, his eyes darken and his voice lowers. "Clinging to the past is something we all have in common, right?"

He looked around quickly, still not seeing the long hair and blue eyes Guizhong has. Where is she? Usually she stays, even if it's a meeting with another god.

When his gaze fell into Barbatos again, his expression had changed again. He becomes the joyful and careless archon Morax has known all that day. Maybe it is such shifting which reminds him he's not with an Adepti who has known long ago, but with a newborn god whose story he knows nothing about, as he doesn't know his own. And maybe alcohol has swallowed some reservations, but two seconds ago, Barbatos didn't seem to be even half of the intoxicated Morax thought he was. 

"Yes, we all have regrets." Morax nods. Even the youngest of the divine have something to regret. It only becomes worse. 

What are your regrets, Barbatos? He wants to ask, but the idea dies before even reaching his lungs.

"That's why wine is so good! You can forget them easily!" He laughs off, and Morax rolls his eyes. 

"Is wine also the reason why your representative wrote to me on your behalf? I thought previously you were too busy with a battle for sending missives, but I can see I was mistaken."

"It is not, I was there during the writing of said letter." Barbatos drinks out his glass before continuing. "But let's say Venerare has a better way with writing letters than me."

Then, Morax starts to connect the dots. He said he isn't used to his current form, and he couldn't find his way with the brush… Also, the fact Barbatos doesn't know a word of Liyuean… 

This realization almost breaks a smile in his face. 

Barbatos is a newborn god, after all. 

"I understand."

"Why do I feel you're laughing?" Barbatos criticizes. "That smile of yours is not common. You didn't smile before. Not even once during the day."

"Am I not allowed to smile?"

"It's not that, but… you know what, forget it." He serves himself the last glass. "Even if you're laughing at me, I don't care."

He cares, as he shows when he drinks his wine in a shot, but Morax says nothing about it. He doesn't want to offend him, after all. 

"Barbatos." He puts away his gaze from the sky and looks at him again. "I do want to ask you one more thing. Is there a specific reason why you're throwing away every mountain in your way?"

He can't forget it was the main reason why he wanted to ask for a meeting before Barbatos did, but now he's convinced Barbatos meant no harm, as he opens his eyes widely. 

"It's for the remodeling of Mondstadt. People can't live in such mountains…" He purses his lips. "I made sure to throw them away into the sea, but I now realize what it could have meant for you, given you're the Geo Archon. I apologize for not having held this encounter before that."

Guizhong, as always, was right. He just jumped into conclusions. 

Barbatos seems mortified as he hides his face before his hands. Morax has the intuition that it's not only about the mountains and their misunderstanding, but something beyond. He doesn't ask, as he doesn't think he has the right to. 

"Do not worry. Now we know the reasons, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's normal for newborn gods to not take into consideration this kind of things."

"Thanks for your understanding." He puts away his hands from his face and smiles slightly. "I really appreciate it."

That smile is different from the others. It's smaller, even if not like when he was looking into the sky, it's more… sincere. Genuine happiness can be felt from that gesture. 

Again, Morax has the feeling Barbatos is not getting many reasons to be pleased lately. 

"Also, I know in your nation you only learned to speak Mondstadtian, but you should also learn other nations' language or have someone who knows them, for you to be able to communicate with other gods. I estimate 20 languages are the minimum."

"20 what?" He alarms. "Listen, it's a miracle I know how to speak Mondstadtian…"

He shuts up. Morax has the genuine urge to laugh, but he doesn't, because he doesn't want to offend him. 

"I can teach you Liyuean and some more, but it's better if…"

"You would really do that for me?" He interrupts. Morax blinks. 

"Well, it would certainly be troublesome if you were to pick a fight with other gods just for not being able to communicate fluently with them. What happens in Mondstadt affects here as well." He explains. "Also I am not willing to let other gods think I'm making exceptions with you for being the only one who writes to me in other language it's not Liyuean, and given that I understand your situation, I do not mind making a space in my schedule…"

"Thank you so much!" He flies around the table, the joy brimming out of his body. "I really, really appreciate it!"

The wind messes up his hair and clothes, and at times the light feathers of his wings grazes his horns, but he's enjoying it so much Morax doesn't have any desire to tell him to stop. 

At some point, Barbatos realizes what he's doing and gets ashamed, sitting up again. 

"I'm sorry." 

Morax, once more, has to resist the urge to laugh. Barbatos is such an entertaining god. 

"Do not worry, for I am used to strong winds." Morax drinks his wine for the third time in all that time. 

"Still, I am sorry." He sighs, his wings lowering to the ground like an injured bird. 

Morax can't help but smile. 

Guizhong again was right. What an interesting wind god.