Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Midnight fell into the nation of mondstadt, it was quiet in the streets of freedom, at this hour everyone is asleep especially the acting grandmaster Jean, the knights that she has appointed to their shifts of guarding the city but they too, have to rest eventually.

Except one Traveler who refuses to sleep, wandering in the streets dead of night while still contemplating his travels

All he wanted was to find his missing sister, Lumine. That's all he ever wanted, but all the events that have transpired in teyvat made in finding her difficult, it's like fate taking them apart.

The traveler loved traveling with his sister, wandering countless worlds and someday finding a world that will call their home

But one day when they tried to leave the world of teyvat, an unknown god appeared before them, the two outlanders tried to fight but they were overpowered by the unknown God, taking their powers then trapping them.

The traveler began searching for his sister, with help of a fairy named paimon who is his travel companion and friend

Together they travelled across teyvat. The traveler fought a dragon nicknamed stormterror, and defeated the eleventh fatui harbinger Childe, and abolished a decree that damaged the nation of inazuma severely, and saved the nation of semeru from Scaramouche who tried to unsurp the throne of the dendro archon.

The more he travelled the more monster that he has face. But the more he travelled the more he wanted stay

The world of teyvat has a lot of qualities to call home, it has mondstadt the city of freedom a nation of winds that never stop blowing, liyue the city of contracts it has mountain ranges that reaches the heavens, inazuma the city of eternity a nation that has the best scenery in teyvat, and sumeru the city of wisdom a nation that has a vast desert and all kinds of exotic creatures living in the large forest.

The traveler made friends along the way meeting all kinds of interesting people and one of them had caught his heart

His friends aided him during battles, commissions and even in finding his sister.

But little do they know about the traveler he is known as a legendary hero of teyvat, but underneath his shining smile was a weak vulnerable traveler

Trying to avoid the reality that his sister is with the abyss.

known in teyvat responsible for the existence of legion monsters, such a hillichurls and even slime known to kill and people on sight

The abyss order is led none other than his own sister, Lumine

Ordering monsters around of an operation called 'loom of fate' just to revived a fallen nation 500 years ago.

This revelation made traveler fall into despair. His own flesh and blood lead an order that harm the people of teyvat

This hurt him, but he kept moving on to find her yet still deep down he felt the sadness in him whenever he thought about his sister

With the help of nahida she manages to find information about lumine and found out that she is from this world with this new knowledge, the traveler was shock to hear that his sister is not an outlander but a native to teyvat

How can her fate even change?

Is she still Lumine that the traveler knows and loved?

Where is she now?

This questions lingered in the traveler's mind ever since.

After that he kept the facade of being the traveler, always smiling and keep moving forward

But another event involved with chlothar and caribert, it made himself what's even going on anymore

The sinner, Chlothar, Caribert, khanria'h, and monsters used to be khanria'hn people. Is this why his sister ordered the abyss, trying to change khanriah's fate?

All of this made the traveler exhausted and tired it almost drove him into insanity

If only he has someone to talk to, sure he has his trusty companion Paimon and the friends that he made during his travels

How could they help him?

Afterall they can't just let the traveler suffer, paimon would help him get through what his bearing and always listens

Venti would play a lyre to sooth his problems

And Ayaka would make tea and talk with him, comforting him whenever something troubles him

But he couldn't do that

He doesn't want to give them the burden of the traveler, he couldn't just tell his problems even if he wanted to it would just lead to despair.

All to which led walking down the street of mondtadt trying to get some late night fresh air to clear thoughts during his travels, leaving paimon sleep in a nearby inn

The traveler walks the streets near the adventurers guild reception where Katheryne always stands then walking up near right flight of stairs near winds come glory sourvenir shop

Once done climbing the stairs, he saw the water fountain, people say you can make a wish by throwing mora into it childish but it can't stop people from doing it, and traveler isn't an exception. He would sometimes throw mora into the fountain and wish to reunite with his sister though it doesn't come true but it can only give hope

But this time, his not here to make a wish he instead sat by the water fountain and let out a long sigh, the water fountain turned off whenever night came but the water only slowly flow making small splashes like small water streams

The traveler closes his eyes and listens to the water flowing, and begins to think

Why can't he find sister?

What would he do when he find her?

Would he stay in this world when he finds her or leaving teyvat just like any other world?

Part of him wanted to stay in this world, but part of him wanted to leave and move on and to fulfill stars purpose

His train of thoughts came to an halt when he heard footsteps coming from behind, the traveler thought it was just someone getting fresh air like him, so he didn't bother turning around

The stranger sits by the water fountain just behind the traveler, the temperature was colder than usual it's like he could feel the water being frozen behind him was it because of this stranger?

Silence came between the traveler and the stranger, they had been sitting 10 minutes the air became colder and oddly soothing for some reason

The traveler could hear the stranger breathing from behind and broke the silence that has been eating them

“What brings you here at night” the stranger spoke in high pitched yet sweet lower tone assuming it was a girl

The traveler doesn't know how to respond to that, taking him long to talk making this situation awkward

“umm... I-I could say the same for you” the traveler stuttered at the start

“well I came here to see the stars” the girl responded

“an astrologer told me that the stars look beautiful at midnight” she spoke with happiness

“o-oh I see” the traveler, nervous. He began to fiddle the tip of his long blonde braided hair

Another silence took them again this time only a little

“what about you?” the girl asked

"me?"

“Yes, you”

Again the conversation became awkward but the traveler spoke

“well I came here to get some fresh air”

“what's someone like you going out at midnight just to get some fresh air, unless you have a lot to think about” the girl giggles a little

The traveler was impressed, the girl had said was actually accurate

“actually, yes that's exactly why I came here for” the traveler admitted

“oh, and whats that” the girl spoke in curiousity

The girl realized what she said, and began to apologize before she could say anything

“a lot that has been going on in teyvat” the traveler couldn't believe what his saying. He is revealing too much to a complete stranger, is he really this vulnerable teyvat truly made him soft

“and-” the traveler stopped and became silent. He can't just reveal his weaknesses to a stranger he doesn't know if this person was part of the fatui or even the abyss

The traveler's golden eyes crystalize into tears, the girl spoke

“yes, a lot has happened in teyvat truly this will be going in the history books in the later future” the girl said with wonder in her voice

“...but” somber tone came to her voice

“what about the traveler” the traveler's eyes widened at mention of him

“I don't know much about the traveler aside from stories from people that sometimes exaggerate but I heard stories from like master Jean and mister diluc that he and his companion are kind and selfless people, the never give up till the end and never let their achievements get into their head, well except his companion of course”

The stranger spoke of the traveler with high esteem

“after that, the stories they told inspired me”

The traveler remaind silent and listened the girl on what she has to say about him, so far it was positive

“it kinda makes me wonder what kind of people they are, if his even human or does the traveler have some limits”

The traveler clench his fist, as the air became even colder

“I wonder if the traveler is alright”

The traveler was caught off guard by this question

“I mean human emotions are complex feelings that we experience everyday and sometimes not easy to explain about but emotions are very foundation in what makes us person”

The traveler turned his head a little to see long white hair flow down and fade into blue over the girl's waist

“and I began to wonder what does the traveler feel all of this” the girl with long white hair said with low yet sweet voice

“I know that he must have been under pressure of saving one nation at a time”

A tear fell from the traveler's eyes but still Listen

“and it makes me want to talk to him, to ask what it's like to be a hero who just wanted to find his sister”

The traveler was speechless, he doesn't know what to say, he felt touched and decided to speak

“what if I tell you that the hero of four nations is talking to you right now” his voice still shows a bit of a sob yet active

“no way, you're joking right!?” the girl said with shock and excitement

“yeah, I came here to get some fresh air from traveling” he chuckled awkwardly

“well, this is embarrassing” her voice let out a groan, cringing that she was talking to the honorary knight of fvonious, Savior of liyue and the same traveler who convinced the raiden shogun to abolish the vision hunt decree

The girl realized something that the traveler said earlier

“didn't you say earlier that you have a lot to think about?” the girl questioned

The traveler scratches the back of his neck and simply said

“yes”

“do you want to talk about i-it?” the girl asked with a low gentle voice trying not sound invasive

The traveler remains quiet, the girl began to think that she killed her chance to speak with the legendary hero

“sure”

“What!?” the girl was shocked, that traveler immediately responded with her question

“really”

“yes”

Again with immediate response

“you know it's okay not to tell me” the girl tried to make sure the traveler was serious

“you said it yourself, you wanted to talk to me, so I'm making it come true” the traveler said in a very serious tone

“Alright”

“where do we start” the girl slightly nervous

The traveler trying to think of things that he wanted to say. He wanted to talk about his anxieties, anger, and sadness of being the hero and finding his sister but for now he wanted to talk about his problems

“well” the traveler starts

“alot have happened in teyvat”

“I am aware of that” the girl said, remembering what he said earlier when he said that he wanted to some fresh air

“It's been hard lately, all I ever wanted was to find-”

“your sister” the girl finishes his sentence for him

“yes, my sister” sorrow filled his voice

“my guess is that you've been struggling to find her, huh” the girl guesses in perfect accuracy

“yeah, I sometimes have nightmares of her being away from me, no matter if I try to get to her or catch up she always goes so far” his voice quiver after mentioning it

“I see, do you have someone to talk about those nightmares” the girl spoke in a worried tone in her voice like she cared for his well being

“I have paimon, she always listens to me whenever I have nightmares” the traveler recounted the times of the fairy comforting him

“That's great, it's good to have someone to comfort you whenever you have a problem” she was glad that the traveler has someone comforting him in all his troubles

“paimon, isn't that your companion that I always hear about”

“she is my friend who has traveled with me since the beginning” remembering that time he caught her when he was fishing it made a smile on his face after recalling that

“It's always great to have someone with you, it makes traveling less arduous”

“yes, it does” the small smile on his face turns into a frown

“I sometimes don't want to burden her or even anyone”

“why” the girl asked a question

“because during our travels in sumeru, I made her worry about me”

“oh, I understand but that doesn't seem to be a burden”

“that's not all, there's one time that someone saw my sister in a cave, and paimon tried to find her all alone without telling me then I went looking for her, and found her captured by hillichurls. I ended up saving her by the end but it led to me getting injured for a whole week, she took care of me and blamed herself on me for getting hurt” the traveler explained

“and that applies to everyone I met in teyvat they get hurt because of me, that's why never let anyone get involved in traveling with me because I don't want them to die!” the traveller sobbed. Tears began to fall from the traveler's eyes, remembering an old friend that aided him during his time at watatsumi

“traveller are you alright?” a very worried voice came from the girl behind him.

The girl is concerned for the traveler, she has touched a very personal subject that she can't go back from. All she has to do is listen to all his troubles and understand his situation.

The traveler Began explains all his problems and all his frustrations of finding his sister

He kept on going, letting all of his frustrations out. Hearing each and every word that came out of the traveler made her heart sink. Never did she even think that deep down, he's still human, he misses his only family, and he too can get exhausted.

He was at the point of breaking. His voice was slowly sounding hoarser and hoarser. The tears that were falling out of his eyes could even rival the tallest of waterfalls. All she could do was sit there, and wait for him to finish.

At last, he stopped. Yet the sobbing didn't. It didn't even seem like it thought about stopping. At least, before he heard footsteps coming from behind, the girl walked up in front of him but the traveler look down all he could see was the girl’s white pair of shoes

But then a handkerchief was brought before him, the traveler grab it from the girl's white gloved hand

Then the girl sat beside him, the traveler again didn't look at her, but simply wipe his tears away with the handkerchief that the girl gave to him and notice a little flower embroidery on the cloth

Silence came to eat them again, the air became colder when the girl is near him he began to suspect that she has cryo vision

“it must have been hard for you” the girl said in sadness

The traveler didn't speak, he can only sniffle from his sob

“traveler, have you taken a break?” she questioned

“yes” the traveler spoke, no longer sniffling. He has taken multiple breaks before either Went sight seeing in the mountains of liyue or having tea with Ayaka in inazuma

“I see” the only thing that the girl could say, and began to think of trying make the mood alot better, and look at stars in sky

“the stars looks beautiful tonight” the girl said

The traveler looked up at the stars and said

“y-es, it is” a small melancholy smile can be seen

“they always remind me of my sister” a small sadness in his voice

“o-oh” the girl began to panick thinking she made the situation even worse for the traveler

“whenever I look at the stars, it reminds of a promise we made together that we will always be together no matter what” the traveler spoke, a bit somber tone in his voice

“that's kinda sweet” the girl heartfelt after hearing it

“to me, the stars remind me how small we all are. It always makes me think that there is something out there somewhere” the girl said slight ponder and excitement

“don’t get me wrong Teyvat is as big and mysterious already, but imagine the secrets behind the stars like celestia are hiding something I've heard rumors that the sky is fake but I don't believe them first hand but come on, its teyvat anything can happen when your in this world”

The traveler began to chuckle at the girl's statement and the girl heard

“you know, traveler. You inspired me that nothing is impossible in teyvat as long you go out of your way to make it possible” the girl was slightly embarrassed after saying that

The traveler wanted to say something but nothing came out

“traveler, why do you want to find your sister?” the girl asked a question once again

“l get you really miss her but do you really have to go all the way just to find her”

The traveler stayed silent, not saying anything to that.

“you have all the time in the world, and sometimes you should take a rest when needed too, but Time waits for no one so waste your time wisely, traveler” the girl gave a small advice

Traveler remembering the words that his sister once said that she has time to wait for him like they always do, it made him smile only little

“you will find your sister, Traveler all you need is to believe and come what may, you should never give up” the girl spoke in a soft voice, it quickly reminds him of ayaka

“thank you” he finally spoke

“you're welcome” the girl returned

“I mean thank you, for listening” the traveler tried to show some gratitude in his voice

“I have no one to talk to because it could bring despair, and I'm sorry for troubling you”

“its no bother, I listen to everyones troubles, think of me as a therapist” she laughed

The traveler chuckled at her, he never felt so happy?, relieved?, like something he lifted from his shoulders is finally gone

A small yawn can be heard from the girl, tired from conversation that they had together

“I should get going now, traveler” the girl sat up and began to walk away, the finally look at the girl but he could only see facing away from him ready to leave

“I hope I could see you again tomorrow, traveler” the girl waved her hand before moving but stopped when she heard the traveler

“wait!” the traveler shouts

“can I at least know your name?”

“if I tell you would you tell me yours” people wonder the traveler's real name her's is a special case

“its Aether” the traveler said, a name that only the people closest to him know

“then it's Melodie” then the girl with white hair began to walk away with cryo infused footprints as she walks, leaving only Aether sitting at the fountain, the air became normal no longer in a cold temperature

Aether breathes the fresh air, and felt like that everything that has haunting him has finally gone away thanks to talking to a complete stranger

The blonde traveler sat up and walked away, down stairs pass the adventurer guild then to the nearest inn where his companion is sleeping

He was met with soft bedsheet of his bed next to paimon, before going to sleep he wondered he could ever meet the girl again, he felt his eyes began closing shut

Aether has a list of things he wanted to say to Melodie about his sorrows and hatred of things around him, that would be another topic of another time for the the blond traveler and the white haired girl.

Chapter Text

Aether woke up from his slumber thanks to the ray of golden light coming from his room window, it signals to get up and do his daily commissions

The traveler sometimes loves and hates doing commissions, it can get repetitive at times but doing people's favor can give him rewards like mora or food to compensate for helping them. He sometimes brings his own friends along, sometimes at party of four

Aside from commissions, he can do bounties to build popularity amongst the people and get well known across teyvat, but there are often times he gets into trouble either helping that ends being an adventure or getting ambushed by monsters, bandits, and even the fatui

It's a hard life for the traveler but he gets through with it, thanks to his loyal and trusty friend Paimon.

---------------------------

“Thank you for completing today's commissions. Here is your reward” Katheryne says, handing the blonde traveler a large pouch of mora and Ascension materials, as he finishes all of his commissions for the day

“Woah, that's a lot mora” Paimon said, her eyes shining and with her mouth wide open when she saw the reward that has been given to them, she floated to the side of her companion

“with this much mora, We could buy a whole buffet of food~” the floating fairy said, with mouth drooling at her thoughts

“Paimon you do know we're saving mora for traveling supplies, remember!” Aether putting the palm of his hand to his face

“Oh yeah, Paimon almost forgot hehe~” the floating fairy puts her hand behind her head, remembering that they were suppose to save mora for their future travel

Knowing Paimon, she has been with him in the very beginning of his journey, she means a lot to him, but at times she can be annoying, loud and sometimes doesn't know how to read the room, either way she is still his companion and best friend.

“so what are we gonna do now?” Paimon asked while floating to Aether's side, then an idea struck in her mind

“Hey traveler, let's go visit Lisa afterall We haven't been visiting her in a while and also we have to return the book that you always read” Paimon chirped at her old friend's name, it's only been a month since they last saw her in sumeru

“Sure, why not, we don't have much to do” Aether said, the thought of visiting his old friend would be great

”Traveler.. are you okay?“

“huh?” The blonde traveler didn't expect such response

“what do you mean by that, Paimon” Aether says with his arms cross

“well, you always respond to Paimon with 'yeah, let's go!' or 'I can't wait to see her again!' then run off leaving Paimon behind, here you sound like you don't have a mood to see her” the floating fairy look into traveler eyes

Paimon known him for a long time now, she knows Aether had been going through about his sister and the abyss

“Aether, you can tell Paimon anything, she will always be Right by you side no matter what” his companion put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him

As much as he cherishes her company but he cannot let her burden herself into comforting him, because he has lot to unpack within his emotions, things that he wanted to say in front of her and he decided to let his thoughts go unheard

“I'm fine paimon, just tired from the commissions that I have finished today” Aether gave a convincing smile to lift Paimon's worries, it actually works

The floating fairy gave a small sigh of relief then looked at her bestfriend again

“in that case, let's go see Lisa!” paimon said with excitement

The white fairy couldn't wait to see her librarian friend, so she floated ahead of Aether, waving her hand at the traveler to keep up

“Wait for me, Paimon!” Aether shouts at his companion, now sprinting at her direction

While sprinting, The blonde traveler passes Timeus doing alchemy, trying to mix two elements together to make a new elemental reactions, but ultimately explodes causing black smoke to appear and rise

When Timeus saw Aether, He just waved and smiled telling the traveler that his okay, then Sucrose came in, panicking, using her anemo vision, she channels anemo energy then released gust of wind from her palm to the smoke, once its cleared up, Sucrose began scolding Timeus about his little experiment

Aether can't help but to laugh at the whole incident, it was quite rare to see Sucrose being angry at someone, being that she is a shy timid girl that you can easily scare, but when at rare times like this, Aether can't help to be suprised

“Hey, keep up will you!” Paimon shouts

“Could you just slow down, Paimon!” Aether returned, 'for a small fairy she's sure fast' Traveler thought, trying to catch up to his companion

The Traveler passes a lot of people, some group of children, all waved at him, recognizing him as a hero and the honorary knight of fvonious, giving Aether gratitude for his bravery and saving their nation, as much as He hates people looked up to him as a hero but he couldn't help but to wave back

After running for a while, they have finally made it to their destination of the Knights of fvonious headquarters

A flood of nostalgia washed over Aether, He hasn't visited this place in a while since he left to liyue and it's still the same place that he left it , back then People used to call him just Traveler nothing more. Now looking back, He missed the days where everything was simple

the Traveler walked up the small stairs and was greeted by two knights guarding the entrance door of knights of fvonious headquarters

“Greetings honorary knight, it's nice to see that you finally visit the HQ” the knight standing on the left said with a smile, happy that the Traveler is here

“Since you're here, you must be looking for acting grandmaster Jean, she's not here right now, she is off to an expedition in dragonspine, leaving captain kaeya in charge” the knight on the right says

“Oh, Paimon and Traveler are not here to see Jean right now, we are actually here to visit Lisa” the floating fairy said, smiling with her hands to her back and tilting her head

“then you may enter” the two knights opening double door for Aether and Paimon

Now inside the fvonious HQ, they head straight to the library where they meet the violet librarian who was reading a book

“oh my, it's quite unexpected to see you cuties here~” putting down her book, looking at the two

"it's nice to see you here in the library, did you two miss me after I left Sumeru~" Lisa said with such a suggestive tone that would make someone blush

“hi Lisa! It's nice to see you again too!” Paimon said enthusiastically

“What brings you to the library, I could tell that you're not here to simply read” Lisa crossed her arms while one hand was playing the end of her light brown hair that is tied into a side ponytail

“The reason why Traveler and Paimon came here is to return a book that the traveler had been reading”

“oh, if I remember correctly was it the book titled 'lost civilizations of teyvat'”

“Yep! That's the one!” Paimon happily chirped

“I got it right here” Aether says, handing the the book to Lisa

“so how was it?” Lisa questioned while inspecting the book to be in good shape and pristine

Aether has learned a lot from that book, the more he reads it, the more he sees teyvat from another perspective, the book serves as documentation of teyvats history and a biography of people that lost from history

The book talks about history of teyvat and the seven Nations ranging from mondstadt to snezhnaya, it also includes history of Enkanomiya, old Mondstadt, other lost civilizations and even Khanri'ah, which shows the lost information and history about the fallen nation

"does it prove useful to you, Traveler?" Lisa asked

"Yes but..." Aether responded, scratching the back of his head anxious

The book was useful but it wasn't 100% reliable when it came to explaining details about Khanri'ah, the book was probably written by an historian that researched a lot about the seven Nations, they researched every nations culture history, they even studied about the how, when, why's and even end of each lost civilizations, Except Khanri'ah, the book answered the when and how's of Khanri'ah, but the end and why's left unanswered

It never answered the question that has plagued his mind ever since

Why did the seven Gods of teyvat destroy Khanri'ah?

That is the question that the book never even answered, leaving Aether unsatisfied after finishing reading the book, its like finding hidden luxurious treasure chests but it turns out to be nothing more than an empty chest

“Traveler you alright, you seem to be a bit disappointed”

Traveler stopped from his train of thoughts then looked at Lisa giving a worried look similar to Paimon earlier when he was down

“I'm fine, Lisa, it's just that the book you gave me didn't have any useful information about Khanri'ah” the traveler complained then asked

“Lisa, is there any other book about Khanri'ah that is more useful and has reliable information” Aether places his hand on his chest and looked at Lisa in the eyes, his brows furrowed

“Well, I do have more old books about Khanri'ah but they are lost in translation” Lisa says, thinks for a bit before walking towards the nearest bookshelf then grab one of the books

“no, not this one” she says putting the book back where it belongs then looked again from a different shelf

“is there something wrong, Lisa?” Aether asked if she needed help

“It seems, that I must have lost those books while organizing the others, will you two cuties help me find them”

“Oh oh! Paimon will help you” she floated beside Lisa an began looking top to bottom at the bookshelves

“well then, Traveler, you go look in the history section where you find the book titled 'tales of Khanri'ah' while me and Paimon look over here for Khanri'ah related books” Aether nodded, Lisa returns searching with the help of Paimon

Aether couldn't help but to give a small smile to Lisa and Paimon, whether Him and Paimon go to the library, Lisa always knew what books that they want to read, thought Lisa always have this habit of teasing people sometimes but she is smart, observing, and most importantly caring for other people, especially Jean. But a sad thought came into Aether mind

That Lisa unfortunately has a few years left to live...

Aether shook his head, shaking off his thoughts out his mind, and focused on finding the book, he began walking to the history section, until he noticed someone familiar, looking up at the upper level of the library, a stranger he only met last night, a girl who listened to his sorrows

Sitting by a desk, quill in hand writing on a piece of paper while reading a book, beside her was a stack of written papers

Aether remembered her name, Melodie. Looking at her now, last night he never saw face, only her hair. Hair white as snow, he can now see her clear as day

She wore a blue suit vest with white balloon sleeves. She stands up from her desk, adjusting her black necktie, and fixes her short thick blue skirt that goes down just beneath her knees.

She then turns around to the bookshelf behind her, disappearing, Aether wanted to meet her and Thank her for hearing his sadness, but He has no time to greet her since he needed to find the book that could contain useful info about Khanri'ah

...or even the abyss

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Melodie yawned in boredom while reading a book that she had picked from the bookshelves. She went back to sitting in her messy desk, full of written papers about her research and essays. Growing tired from her work, she closed the book and put it down on her desk, then leaned back, still on her chair, and thinks about the conversation that she had with The blonde haired traveler

Melodie never expected to witness the traveling hero in tears, she was supposed to see Stars and to be mesmerized by the beauty of the night sky, it started just friendly small conversation and it escalated to Him crying.

when she heard about his troubles and sadness. Melodie couldn't help to show sympathy over the traveler, hearing his frustrations, pain, and despair, even though she only knew him for 30 minutes, but it felt like she knew him for a long time.. or his sorrows remind her of someone that she can't recall...

She shook her head. Melodie decided it's time to take a break, she organized the papers and books on her desk, stretching her arms, and fixes her white hair.

Melodie moved from her chair, and walked straight to the stairs descending down. She needed something to clear her head From work maybe a bit of history would help, she always finds it relaxing, learning about the Nation's history and not only that, she could get to learn about Mondstadt secrets...

-------------------------

Aether looked every nook and cranny in the history section, but the book his looking for is nowhere to be found. He checked every bookshelves and found nothing, leaving the traveler frustrated.

He can't give up now, if finding the book would mean getting closer to finding his sister then so be it. He could be in this library for a long time looking for it, heck, He could even stay here overnight.

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘰

Remembering the words that Melodie gave him. Aether sighed, putting a palm on his face.

He could just take a break from everything, like a vacation, maybe in inazuma with the shirasagi himegimi

He hasn't been visiting Ayaka for a long time now, His been busy with sumeru, that he forgot to visit to her. He promised that he could take her to another festival together, the last time they went to a festival was when Aether...

A small red blush escapes from his cheeks, thinking about it, makes his heart skip a beat to this day

Melodie was right, maybe he should take a break.

Aether turned back, returning to the Library's reception desk where Paimon and Lisa are

Until...

𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘱!

He bumps into someone, making him collapse onto the ground in a sitting position

“My apologies!”

Aether heard, almost sounds like a squeak

“Here, let me help you up!” extending a slim arm towards the traveler. Aether saw the familiar white gloved hand infront of him

He looked up to see the person's face, golden yellow eyes meets cerulean sapphire blue ones

He saw the exact same girl who he only met last night, the same girl who listened to his troubles and pain, the same girl with white long hair that reaches to her waist, the same girl He finally met face to face

“it's.. you” Aether said, almost like a weak voice

“Traveler?” Melodie was shocked seeing him here in library, but her pink lips curved into a smile

Aether grabbed her hand then was lifted up, slightly surprised from her sudden appearance

A portion of Her white bangs almost covered her face that came down from her forehead, and a bit of small hair sticking upward from the top. He also notice now notice that her flowing hair has blue tips that reaches to her waist, like a cloud fading into the blue sky

Her blue eyes shimmer from sunlight that the windows have cast

“You should watch where you're going, Traveler, Or you might accidentally bump into someone that is smaller in size” Melodie said, the smile not leaving her face

Aether snapped out from his gaze and respond

Putting a hand on the back of his head, embarrassed, that He met the person who helped him last night “Yeah.. I should”

“so what brings you here in the library? aren't you supposed to be continuing your journey to Fontaine” She said, tilting her head in curiosity

The familiar cold air returned, sending shivers down into Aether's spine

He ignored the sudden drop of temperature, and respond to her question “Oh.. I still haven't found a way to get there yet” scratching the side of his cheek with one finger, still thinking what path to take to get there

“I see..” she put a book on the top shelf next to her, she was short, same height as Xiao but she's two inches taller than him

She turned to the traveler “What are you doing here in the library?” Melodie questioned, putting her hands on her back, still smiling

“I came here to return a history book, but it didn't have the information I wanted” Aether said, He remembered how he anticipated reading it when Lisa gave him, but it left his unsatisfied

“I was trying to find a book titled 'tales of Khanri'ah', Lisa told me to look for it here in the history section, but..” He let out a sigh of disappointment

“I can't seem to find it. I've looked everywhere, each bookshelf, top to bottom. I was about to give up until I bumped into you” Aether said, frustrated, admitting to the fact

“tales of Khanri'ah, huh?” Melody looked up, using her thumb and forefinger to hold her chin with her hand while the other, rest under her elbow, as if thinking, before snapping fingers together

“Oh! I know where that book is” saying her thoughts at loud

“you, do?” Aether said, raising a brow

She nodded in confirmation before turning around to go where the book is “follow me, it's just right around corner of the history section”

Aether smiled in relief. He wanted to thank yet again for helping him

As Aether moved to follow her, he noticed something...

“Does your shoes always do that?” He asked, looking at the same cryo footprints that he saw last night when she walked away

“huh?” Melodie turned back to see the blonde traveler, the down to see the footprints that she made

“that's strange, this never usually happens, especially since I don't have my vision with me” she furrowed her brow

“what do you mean by that?” Aether questioned

“vision bearers can only use their elemental skill when they have a vision close to them but they can't perform any if their vision isn't with them or near” She explained

“Here however, I can still perform my elemental skill without my vision being with me”

“that is certainly strange” Aether said, his eyes wide open, usually him and the archons are only beings capable of using elements without the use of visions.

He witnessed it, during the vision hunt decree in inazuma, people can't use their elements when their vision is taken away. Melodie however can still use her cryo element without her vision with her

“let's just leave that for now, we can't let ourselves get distracted from our goal, Afterall, we have a book to find” Melodie says

It weirdly reminds Aether how he isn't supposed to meddle into a nation crisis, He can't distract himself with things that don't go in his way, so that he can focus the goal in finding his sister, but no matter what; His heart always told him to help those in need even if he loses his chances in finding her

The feeling of helping people, make who he is as a person. He helped Ayaka abolish the vision hunt even though he nearly loses his life to the battle between him and the electro archon, but he kept fighting to give back the people in inazuma their vision and aspirations

Or even during semeru, He fought against Scaramouche to help take back Nahida's rightful place as a god

This makes him truly, deserving the title the legendary Hero of teyvat

“come on, let's go find your book” Melodie turned around

“yeah...” Aether fallowing to her side

As they walked, Melodie spoke

“So.. how have you been, Traveler” she says, wanting to start a conversation

“I'm fine why do you ask, but please call me Aether since we're not strangers aren't we” The blonde traveler said, knowing that they only met last night.

“oh.. though we only met last night. I was asking if you're alright, knowing your despair” she says, looking at Aether's golden yellow eyes, as if trying to dig something out

“I am totally alright, knowing that you helped me, truly, I've been fine” scratching behind his neck, while his free hand fidgets his scarf, and darting his eyes. Melodie quickly notice, but she didn't call out to it

“And I wanted to thank you for being there and.. I'm sorry, it must have been pretty bothersome for you” Aether said, it warms his heart that someone cared for his well being, He truly appreciates her company, but looked down knowing that he must've have ruined her night time stroll

“you are welcome, and don't apologize. I've helped a lot of people who are in need of emotional help, and also.. I'm quite a good listener” she said, putting a hand on her chest, with a smile, and still looking straight directly into his eyes

“really.. what are you, a therapist?” Aether grinned, trying to make a joke on what she said last night, when he was down

“Or a psychiatrist, oh! Maybe a psychologist. Who knows really? Honestly I can't tell the difference” she crossed her arm, a fox like grin appeared on face, understood the joke that Aether made

Aether chuckled at Melodie's comment, in which it made her giggle, before she abruptly stop

“this is the part of the section on where the book is” walking up to the nearest bookshelf

“but I can't seem to remember where I put it” scratching her head

“Aether, try looking for it on that side” she pointed a her finger to bookshelves near him

“what does the book look like?” He said, sliding his fingers on one the books spine

“it has a palace with glowing Stars behind it, and has a very unique cover with the blue and silver accents” the cryo user said, as she climbed a step ladder to reach the top shelf

As they were looking, Melodie noticed a book that has blue and silver accents and has exquisite designs unlike any other books, it was the same that she is looking for. The cryo kissed user immediately grabbed it and waved it to the traveler

“I found it!” She exclaimed, going down from the step ladder

she walked towards the Traveler, then handing it over to him

“Honestly thank you again, I couldn't have found this book without you, I owe you one” grabbing the book from her hand, a big smile is plastered on his face. He was truly thankful for her

Melodie giggled, and waved her hand, she shook her head

“There is no need thank me. I was simply doing what people normally would when someone who is in needs of help”

That's true, People would sometimes help those who really need it, not in a dangerous sense like fighting monsters to save someone's life, but to help people in simple situations like helping an old person to cross the other road, or helping a stranger find their mission dog, they don't do it for a reward or praise and even self righteousness. They do it out of kindness and sympathy, their only reward for helping them is the happiness they bring to the people they helped and to themselves

“And you don't owe me anything, in fact, Teyvat owes you for helping the four nations and fixing their crisis, so think of this as an act of gratitude for your service, Aether” She said, placing her on to her chest, with a big smile on her face

This really warms Aether's heart, though this was a small act of kindness, but it was enough to sprout a tear in his eyes. The last time he was given gratitude was when He helped liyue face off osial the god of vortex

He keeps a straight face, trying not to show his overwhelming expression like last night

“do you want me to escort you, to the librarian reception desk” Melodie asked gently

“yes” Aether nodded “that would actually be great”

“before we go” Aether reached down into his pocket grabbing something, which made Melodie curious

He pulled out a handkerchief that he used to wipe his tears away, and She immediately recognized it, the same handkerchief that Melodie gave him

“My handkerchief. I almost forgot you have it” Melodie said, as Aether gave it to her

“I was about to give it back last night but since you left, I decided to keep it with me, once I meet you again” placing a hand behind the back of his neck, with a embarrassed smile on his face

“in that case, thank you for giving it back, Traveler” she closed her eyes and smiled, with a hand on her chest, giving Aether a sincerest smile he has ever seen

“you're welcome, but please again, call me Aether” He says, waving his arms

“okay then, Aether, shall we go” pointing her thumb backwards and over her shoulder

He nodded his head, but as they moved, Aether looked directly into Melodie's eyes, and noticed that her pupils

Are diamond star shaped. A shared trait only amongst Khanri'ahn people...

He shook his head, he knew not to be dwelling on that, but he wondered who exactly is she

Little did the Traveler know, that she is more than meets the eye...